You've Got Mail Passions Style

Luis, breathless from the adrenalin rush he'd just received, walked over to Sheridan, while still following the car with his eyes. When the car disappeared from sight, he turned his attention completely to Sheridan. “I'm fine Sheridan” he said still a little shaky. “Thank you. You just saved my life. You saved both of us.”

Sheridan nodded. Luis held out his hand for her to take. Sheridan smiled shyly at him and gently placed her hand in Luis'. When he closed his hand around hers, she felt a sense of completion that she couldn't explain. Luis stared at her with a puzzled expression on his face and Sheridan knew that Luis felt it too.

“Sam will call as soon as he has the driver of that car in custody” Luis explained to Jay. “For now, lets put our skates on and just go rollerblading with the kids and have some fun...if that's possible.”

“He had to take his son to the doctors for his yearly physical and then to buy school clothes. They make a day out of it every year” Luis said. “It figures he'd pick today. I told him today was the day I wanted to take off.”

Sheridan, realizing what she just did, excused herself for a moment to go to the ladies room. “Stupid! Stupid! Stupid, Sheridan” she blasted herself once alone in the rest room. She almost jumped out of her skin when Jay walked in behind her.

“I'd have to agree with you on that one” Jay said as she pondered the situation. “Sheridan, maybe you should come clean with Luis? As you say, things are going very well with you and Luis right now. Maybe he'll be able to deal with finding out you are KC?”

Sheridan let out a frustrated moan. “Oh Jay, this is killing me” Sheridan proclaimed. “I want so badly to tell Luis the truth, but I'm still afraid he won't accept it at this point.”

“I think you might be underestimating Luis” Jay replied. “I know he has feelings for you Sheridan. It's obvious at this point that the two of you are getting closer.”

Bobby's Rollerway was in the process of being transformed into a modern day Roller blading arena from an old time roller skating rink. It was three quarters finished and was complete with a state of the art light and sound system. Most of the kids had experience on skates before, so that made the job of the chaperones that much easier, especially Luis since it was his first time.

Sheridan spent much of her time with Tammy, as she was one of the few children who hadn't skated before. Sheridan was pleased with the progress Tammy was making and it wasn't long before she decided to brave it on her own. Sheridan followed behind her, just to make sure she wouldn't hurt herself, but from all appearances she was a natural.

Jay stuck with Luis for awhile, as he learned to skate on wheels instead of steel blades. He too didn't take long before he mastered the difference between the two types of skating. Jay warned him not to get too self confident, but Luis was sure he'd have no problem. Sure enough, several minutes later, Luis tried to skate backwards and landed hard on his backside. Jay roared with laughter as she watched Harmony's best athlete brush himself off and get up pink cheeked.

Some of the older kids were playing a game of laser tag, which was becoming quite the thing to do these days, while the younger children simply enjoyed skating. Once Tammy was established on the rink, Sheridan found herself looking around and appreciating the new state of the art arena that was almost complete. She saw several workmen conversing in a corner of the rink and decided to go talk to them. The theme reminded her of a rink she once went to in Paris and wondered if they'd taken any of their ideas from that arena.

“Let's not get ahead of ourselves Eddie” the other man said. “We still have a long way to go here. Sometimes I think it would have been easier to just knock the place down and start from scratch. I know it would have been easier to finish this place while it was still closed. Having skaters around all the time makes it difficult.”

“Yeah” Eddie admitted slightly embarrassed. “There was a kid hurt here last week. Pretty bad actually from what I hear. I think he's still in a coma, isn't that right Chuck?”

“Ah, that won't happen again” Chuck scowled. “The kid was skating in an area that had been cordoned off. He tripped over an electrical wire and smashed his head into the boards.”

“Oh my God!” Sheridan responded, fear coursing through her body. She suddenly got a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. “Where is the area so I know to keep my group away from it.”

“It's right over...” Chuck started pointing to the area when he noticed the orange cones missing. He then saw the cones had been relocated by several kids who wanted to make an obstacle course.

“Right over there” Eddie pointed to the far corner of the rink. “Damn! That electrical wire is there and the cones are gone. Excuse me will you Miss?” Eddie took off running after Chuck to retrieve the cones.

Sheridan sighed with relief when she saw that no skaters were anywhere near the area. She saw Chuck and Eddie reaming out the kids who took the cones and shook her head slightly as she returned to skating. As Sheridan rounded the next corner, she felt a sense of impending doom and looked over to the forbidden corner of the rink. She saw Luis headed towards it and he was paying absolutely no attention to where he was headed. He was apparently showing off for Jay, who was watching him in amusement.

Sheridan took off like a shot and skated faster than she ever imagined possible in an effort to reach Luis. She tried calling his name, but her cries were drowned out by the music that was playing.

“Luis! Luis!” she continued to yell. Luis still didn't hear her so Sheridan did the only thing she could. She tackled him causing both of them to go flying across the rink.

“Some kids took the cones that were cordoning off the area. No one is supposed to be skating here” Sheridan informed him. “A boy was hurt badly last week. He's still in a coma from smashing his head into the boards after tripping over that wire.”

“You know Sheridan” Luis said as he reached towards her face and gently twisted her silky blonde hair around his fingers, “I'm beginning to think I can't live my life without you. That's twice today you've kept me from meeting my maker.”

“No, we wouldn't want you to have to do that” Luis said quietly, a smile etched on his face. He continued to stroke her hair. He was more content right now than he had been in longer than he could remember.

“Well, to tell you the truth, you're the first boss I've ever had” Sheridan grinned. Her face was only inches from Luis' and the sensations he was causing her to feel with his tender touch left her nervous with anticipation. His penetrating gaze was taking it's toll on her, but she couldn't seem look away.

Sheridan took an involuntary quick intake of breath as his touch sent shivers up and down her spine. She closed her eyes for a moment. “And sometimes it is a good thing” she returned. Sheridan found it was becoming increasingly difficult to concentrate. She leaned her head into the gentle touch of Luis' strong hand.

Luis' breathing quickened as once again, the only thought on his mind was what it would feel like to feel Sheridan's lips against his own. He didn't know what was happening and didn't want to even think about it right now. All that was on his mind was kissing the most sensual pair of lips he'd ever encountered.

Sheridan gasped slightly when Luis gave her a crooked smile and lifted his head slightly to kiss her. She closed her eyes, anticipating the moment Luis' lips would meet hers.

Sheridan looked up, dazed when she saw Chuck and Eddie running towards her. Quickly gathering her wits about her, she moved herself off Luis and stood up to meet Eddie and Chuck.

Luis, also stood up faced Chuck. “The lady came over here to warn me about the wire. If she hadn't gotten here when she did, I'd probably be lying in the hospital bed next to that kid that was hurt here last week.”

Sheridan and Luis skated off to warn the others, while Jay shook her head in frustration. “This makes twice now” she muttered under her breath. “This might be tougher than I thought.”

After an active morning at Bobby`s Rollerway, the afternoon was fairly quiet. Chad agreed to allow movies to be played and even supplied the popcorn for the kids. Landing this job at the Book Cafe was the first real break Chad had had in his life and never had much time to enjoy simple pleasures such as movie watching during his years in LA, so he was just as excited as the kids to get a chance to see them.

Not having the luxury of space as they did in the Youth Center, Sheridan picked out a movie that could be enjoyed by all ages. Some of the older kids grumbled when she chose to show “The Parent Trap“, but once the movie began, they were as much into it as the younger children.

“It's nice to be able to kick back and relax for a change” Jay grinned as she placed her hands behind her head and leaned back in her chair. Sheridan, Luis and Jay sat in a far corner so they wouldn't disturb the kids by talking during the movie.

“We need to relax today” Luis said. “Tomorrow is our day at the beach. I'm always nervous when I take the kids to the beach. The undertow is usually fierce this time of year. I'm always afraid something will happen.”

“Well, yes I was” Sheridan admitted. “I didn't think there would be a problem since you told me I could take part in the activities we had planned for the kids.”

“I did say that Sheridan” Eve replied, “but I also told you to take it easy for a few days. I just want to make sure your wound is healing properly. I wouldn't want to see you put any undo stress on it. Remember, that cut is in a very precarious location.”

“It's a good thing she was skating this morning, Eve” Luis piped up. “If she hadn't been, I might be in the hospital right now. Sheridan kept me from tripping over an electrical wire. I guess they had a serious accident there last week when a boy tripped over the same wire and the kid is still in a coma.”

Eve shook her head in disgust. “Yes, they did” she said angrily. “That poor boy is still in a coma because of carelessness. I thought they would have learned their lesson after last week, but apparently they haven't. I'm going to recommend to Sam they close the place until the renovations are complete.”

Eve checked Sheridan's bandage and was pleased with the way her wound was healing. “It's coming along nicely Sheridan. Luis is doing an excellent job dressing this for you.”

“I have a patient who is in desperate need of a kidney transplant. We thought that with medication and dialysis we had plenty of time to find a donor kidney. My patient, let's call her Mrs. C., has been near the top of the transplant list for several months now, but nothing was even close to a match. Meanwhile, she hasn't been doing as well on dialysis as we expected.”

“That's not entirely true Sheridan” Eve explained, “and it's also not the problem. Since we were having such a problem finding a match through the national organ bank, she decided to turn to her family for help. Her sister in New York apparently is a perfect match.”

“Yes Luis, I know what I said” Eve explained. “I also said that Mrs. C isn't doing as well as we'd hoped with the dialysis.” Eve fought the tears that threatened. “As a matter of fact, I'm afraid if she doesn't have the transplant within the next 48 hours, we won't be able to perform it at all.”

“I wish it was that easy Sheridan” Eve said dejectedly. “Mrs. C's sister doesn't drive and she lives in a very remote part of upstate New York. The nearest airport is 50 miles away and she has no way of getting there. We also can't seem to locate a pilot on such short notice to make the flight. It seems like all of the pilots in the area are either on vacation or are booked up. Everyone is too involved in their own lives to give up a few hours to help a woman in desperate need.”

“The subject never came up” Sheridan admitted bashfully. She then turned to Eve. “Eve” Sheridan implored, “I'd really like to help. Just give me the word and I'll call the airport and have them ready the Crane jet. I can be there in a few hours, get Mrs. C's sister and be back in Portland by tonight.”

“Good” Sheridan said happily. Sheridan pulled her cell phone out of her purse and called the airport. She told them to have the Crane jet ready for take off immediately.

Eve was on the phone excitedly relaying instructions to the nurses at the hospital. They needed to get Mrs. C ready for transport to Portland immediately. She then called Mrs. C's sister in New York and told her she would be picked up in several hours. She advised her not to have anymore to eat or drink as they would be doing the transplant as soon as possible, pending her arrival to Portland. Eve also obtained directions to her house for Sheridan.

“Whoa, wait a second” Luis said. “Sheridan, what about someone going with you? Don't you think it would be easier to have someone with you, especially since she lives so far from the airport?” Luis asked.

“I'd be happy to go with you” Luis offered. “I don't know much about flying planes, but I can certainly help when it comes to finding the house and making the best time on the ground.”

“Luis, I'd love to have you come with me” Sheridan said in all sincerity, “but what about the kids? If you and I both leave, Jay will be here all alone with them. Don't you think there should be at least one other adult here?”

“Sheridan, I'll be fine!” Jay insisted. “Besides, Chad is here and I doubt he'll mind helping me out if I get into trouble. I also know Pilar and Grace's phone numbers if I need any more help.”

“I thought Eve would have taken care of that” he said frustrated. “She said Mrs. C. needs the transplant within the next 48 hours. Right now every minute counts.”

“I'm sure Eve didn't think about it or else she would have arranged it” Sheridan said. “Luis, I can get us out of here next if you really want me to, but it will involve using my name in order to do it.”

“I'm sorry I mentioned it” Sheridan said sighing heavily. “That's why I didn't do it when we first got on board. I know how uncomfortable you are anytime the Crane name is mentioned.”

“Sheridan, you and I both know I have no love for your family” Luis explained. “But I have learned that you are not a typical Crane and you don't throw your name around trying to scare or intimidate people. I don't know, maybe you just don't do it when I'm around, but from what I can see, you are very unlike the rest of your family. Sometimes I get the distinct impression you'd rather not have the Crane name.”

“Luis, one of the reasons I was so hurt by you when we first met, was because you assumed I was just like the rest of my family when in fact I am far from it. And you're right. I don't usually use my name like it was some kind of trophy and I definitely don't use it to impress people.”

“Go ahead Sheridan” Luis encouraged. “Get us out of here as fast as you can. I always said if I had money it would never change who I am, but I might use it in a situation like this.”

Sheridan called the tower, gave them her name and destination and requested immediate clearance. When the tower tried to put her off, she reminded them she was Alistair Crane's daughter. Within seconds Sheridan had the needed clearance to take off.

Luis roared with laughter. “Well Sheridan, it's a good thing I never pulled you over for speeding. If you had used that one on me, you might have found yourself spending the night in jail.”

“Well I'm glad I was warned about the speed trap the day I met you” she said with a sparkle in her eye. “To think, our first meeting would have been worse than when you found out I was a Crane.”

She and Luis shared a special smile. Their eyes locked and had it not been for the tower telling Sheridan she was cleared for take off, they probably would have remained staring into each other's eyes for quite some time.

Sheridan turned briefly to look at him and grinned. “I guess” she said. “I don't really get a chance to fly much anymore. I wish I did though. I miss the freedom I have while I'm in the air.”

“You're welcome” Luis smiled back. Luis gazed out the window and watched the earth get smaller beneath them. “I'd love to learn how to fly some day” he muttered absentmindedly.

Sheridan had to think about that one. She didn't want to say Marbella as that is what she told Luis was KC's favorite place in Spain, but she didn't want to lie to him either.

“I have a friend that lives on the coast” Sheridan said. “She lives in a small village and it's the most wonderful place on earth. The villagers are such warm people and the scenery is heavenly. My favorite part of being there is going to the beach at sunset. It's the most breathtaking sight I've ever seen.”

“I'm sure you will Luis” Sheridan grinned. She flashed back to her conversation with Marianna about spending Christmas in Spain with the man she loved. She then realized that Marianna would be coming to the States soon.

“No, nothing is wrong” Sheridan replied. “I just realized my friend is coming to the States soon. It seems as though she has just located her nieces after having lost touch with them for years.”

“Good” Sheridan smiled. “I may have to go to her, I'm not sure yet. She is going to be somewhere in New England to meet with her family but she hasn't said where. As a matter of fact, I was supposed to call her today and it totally slipped my mind.”

There was a moment of comfortable silence between them. Luis stole glances of Sheridan, which she caught with her peripheral vision. She tried not to smile, but was pleased. She was sure that if she wasn't otherwise occupied she'd be doing the same thing herself.

Sheridan grinned at his reference. “Truthfully?” She asked rhetorically. “I love it. It's everything I imagined a small town to be and more. Though I wasn't sure at first coming back home to the town where my family lives was the right choice, I know now I made the right decision. So far it has met with my every expectation, which is amazing to me.”

“Don't get me wrong Luis” Sheridan said, “Paris is a wonderful city and I would encourage anyone to visit it someday. The history and culture one can experience is phenomenal, but living there... That is a different story.”

“It is quite different” Sheridan agreed. “You pass people everyday on the street or in your apartment building and never speak. It's rush, rush, rush everywhere you go. No one takes the time to get to know their neighbor. It may be the city of love but in many ways it's very impersonal.”

“What you're doing right now” Luis acknowledged. “Going on this trip to bring Mrs. C's sister to Portland so she can help save her sister's life. To me that's why I love living in Harmony. People jump in to help out their neighbor even when they don't know them.”

Sheridan smiled a faraway smile. “Me too Luis” she said reflectively. “It's all right though. I had my mother's love as a small child and I shall cherish her memory always. She was such a loving woman.”

“Well if that's true Sheridan, then you're mother must have been beautiful on the outside as well” Luis remarked. “I was already convinced that you inherited her inner beauty.”

Sheridan's heart swelled as she saw the simple honest smile cross Luis' face. That had to be the nicest compliment she'd ever received and coming from Luis it meant that much more.

They continued chatting on and off for the remainder of the flight. Neither tired of learning more about the person they were with, in fact Luis began raising different topics in a deliberate attempt to learn as much as he could about the amazing women who was piloting the plane.

Luis helped Sheridan out of the plane once they'd come to a complete stop and cut the engines. He held her hand within his own. This was becoming habit with him and it was a habit both rather enjoyed. As far as Luis was concerned what he was doing felt like the most natural thing on earth. Had Sheridan known what Luis was thinking, she probably would have agreed, but she didn't. She just knew that it was a feeling she enjoyed very much and she didn't dare even mention it, for fear that Luis would pull back.

“Sheridan” Luis said in a soothing tone, “everything is going to be just fine. By morning Mrs. C. will have a new kidney and it'll all be thanks to your generous act.”

“I can't take all the credit for this Luis” Sheridan said. “After all it's her sister that's donating the kidney, not me. I'm just trying to help her get there, that's all.”

“You two are doing a very nice thing” George remarked approvingly. “When my brother Fred called me from the police station and told me what was going on I was impressed. Not many people would volunteer their time like this.”

“It's at least fifty miles from here” George commented. “Be careful as these roads can be pretty tricky at night. “Call me when you're ready to leave the Corrigan place and I'll time everything so you can have immediate clearance to leave when you get back.”

“Good” Sheridan said looking at her watch. “If all goes well we should make it to Portland long before midnight. Eve wants me to call her right before we land and she said she'll make sure there is someone to meet us at the airport. That way we can just turn around and go home.”

Luis stared at Sheridan in disbelief. “Sheridan, how can you feel responsible for this? You had nothing to do with it. Beth is the one that caused all of this, not you.”

“Stop right there Sheridan” Luis said as he slammed on the brakes. He stopped the car to make sure his point got across to Sheridan. “Beth and I have been over for a long time. Before she walked out on me I was seriously thinking about breaking things off with her. Ask Jay if you don't believe me. What Beth and I had has been over for years, if we ever really had anything to begin with that is.”

Luis took Sheridan's hands in his own. “Sheridan, please listen to me. Beth and I are finished and we have been. All I did was try to change your bandage and she jumped all over you. She had no right to do that. First of all there was nothing going on between us and second of all if there had been something going on between us we weren't doing anything wrong. We're both single adults and she doesn't own me, nor can she tell me whom I can and cannot see. What she did was her doing, 100%. You had nothing whatsoever to do with it.”

“Truthfully Sheridan, I'm glad things happened when they did. As I said earlier, I was looking for a way out of that relationship. Obviously Beth isn't dealing well with it though. I'm going to have to talk to her when we get back to Harmony. Sam's keeping her in custody until I get back to Harmony.”

“I don't want to believe that she would deliberately try to kill me” Luis said as he slowly pulled the car back onto the road. “If when I talk to her I believe it was accidental I'll drop the charges as long as she promises to stay away from me and apologize to you.”

“For leaving me shorthanded at the Youth Center. If Beth hadn't left I wouldn't have been in such a desperate need for volunteers and you and I might not have become such good friends.”

Sheridan blushed a deep shade of red and was glad it was dark and Luis couldn't see how flushed she really was. “I guess I should thank her for that one as well” Sheridan said in a very soft voice.

Luis and Sheridan picked up Mrs. Corrigan at her home and returned to the airport without incidence. Sheridan piloted them straight to Portland and true to her word they reached Portland at 11:30pm. Eve had called Portland Hospital and they had an ambulance waiting at the airport to take her directly to the hospital.

“Don't worry” Mrs. Corrigan grinned. “You will. And we want to be invited to your wedding.” She winked at Luis as the ambulance doors were being shut behind her.

Luis laughed to himself as he walked away from the ambulance. He shook his head and wondered where people got their strange ideas from. His gaze shifted towards the plane and he saw Sheridan sitting in the cockpit reading a map and he couldn't keep the smile off his face.

“Thank you for coming with me Luis” Sheridan said with a tired but heartfelt smile. “I really enjoyed the company and the help. I don't know if I could have done it without you.”

“It was my pleasure Sheridan” Luis said graciously as he stared into her blue eyes that were shining in the moonlight. “What you did today was a truly heroic act.”

“Hey, don't belittle yourself Sheridan” Luis said adamantly. “First of all, not everyone can fly a plane and second of all, no one except you volunteered to go get Mrs. Corrigan. You didn't have to say anything. You didn't have to do anything, but you did. I was very proud of you today and I was happy to be able to go with you and help. Besides, I enjoyed the trip and the company.”

“Not really” Luis smiled. “I just wanted to tell you again how proud I was of you today.” Without thinking, Luis moved closer and leaned in to kiss Sheridan's cheek. Sheridan couldn't keep the silly grin off her face when she felt Luis' lips leave a lingering kiss on her cheek. Her cheeks flushed and she felt her whole body tingle slightly.

“Goodnight Luis” Sheridan said in barely a whisper. When she walked into her cottage the demure smile that was on her face turned into a Cheshire grin. She sighed happily and knew she'd be having wonderful dreams that night.

Sheridan ran breathlessly into the Book Café fearing she was late only to discover that she was the first person there from the Youth Center group. Chad saw her come in and took her Bruce mug off the shelf and filled it with coffee for her.

“Not this morning Sheridan” Chad told her. “You're starting an hour late this morning. No life guards are on duty until ten and there is no way Luis is going to the beach until the life guards are there.”

Sheridan took her coffee and muffin to an empty table. She was actually grateful for the extra time this morning. She'd overslept since she'd gotten home so late the night before, or at least she thought she'd overslept. She'd written a quick note to Pezz the night before, but really wanted to sit down and write him a long email. When she signed on to her email account she was somewhat surprised to see she had a note from Pezz. She shook her head in wonder, knowing that he'd gone to the police station after he'd dropped her off.

Remember my friend that I mentioned? Well she surprised me yet again. It seems that she's a pilot and has her own plane. She went on an errand of mercy yesterday afternoon which I joined her in. I'm too tired to go into details, just know that I think I am completely over her being a member of the family I hate. She's as different from them as I am.

KC, have you thought anymore about meeting? I have to tell you, there is nothing more that I want at this point than to meet you. It's killing me being so close to you and not being able to hold you.

I'm going to the beach tomorrow, so I won't be near a computer all day again. I wish it would rain tomorrow but the forecast is for a bright and shiny day. Oh well. Maybe we can chat tomorrow night? Tell you what, let's not plan on being online tomorrow night around 10 and maybe we might make it after all! :)

Sheridan thought about the day at the beach ahead of her and what was on the agenda and decided that barring any unforeseen events, she would actually be able to talk to Pezz online. A grin appeared on her face when she realized that not only would she be spending the day with Luis at the beach, but also she might get to chat with him on the computer when she got home. Spending time with Luis in either way was definitely enjoyable. She couldn't think of a nicer person to be with.

She took a bite from her muffin and a sip of coffee as she thought about what she wanted to say to Luis in her email. She figured he probably wouldn't read it until this evening, but she wanted to respond right away... just in case.

“We had a big basketball tournament the Sunday after the time change in the Spring of `96” Buzzy began grinning at Luis. “Luis worked a double at the Police Station that Saturday and didn't get home till midnight. He was exhausted and his sister Theresa had volunteered to change all the clocks, but instead of setting them ahead an hour, she turned them back.”

Luis turned and saw Sheridan smiling at him and his demeanor softened. “Yeah” he said, smiling slightly. “I guess now it is kind of funny, but trust me, it wasn't funny at the time.”

Sheridan eyes twinkled in enjoyment as she watched Luis instruct the volunteers for the day. Miguel, Theresa and several other kids from the high school were all going to be lifeguards today and Luis was trying to impress upon them the importance of watching the younger kids. Luis had insisted that both Theresa and Miguel get certified in Lifesaving when they turned 16. Sheridan knew there had to be a reason and she decided that before the day was over she would find out.

As soon as she saw Luis turn to walk over to her and Jay, she slowly lowered the straps of her dress and wiggled provocatively until the dress fell to a pile in the sand, revealing her curvaceous body in a very sexy pink bikini.

“Nice suit” Jay remarked with a grin. Sunglasses definitely were a benefit as Jay was actually watching Luis' reaction to Sheridan in her bikini. She bit her lip to keep herself from smiling when she saw Luis stop dead in his tracks, gawking at Sheridan in her very revealing bikini.

“Thanks Jay” Sheridan smiled. At first she tried not to look in Luis' direction, but she could feel his eyes burning a hole in her. She turned slightly and when she saw Luis practically drooling, her heart skipped a beat. This was the reaction she'd been hoping for. 'The saleslady was right about this suit' she said to herself with satisfaction.

Luis chuckled, his attention finally with his friend instead of enjoying the view of the temptress next to her. "Jay, I don't even have my shirt off yet. Besides, I don't burn, remember?"

"Yes Ma'am!" Luis saluted with a playful look. He obeyed and stripped off his shirt. Sheridan's heart fluttered as she watched him take off his t-shirt and expose what had to be the most well developed torso she'd ever seen. Luis caught her staring at his chiseled muscles and couldn't help himself as he winked at her.

Mortified she'd been caught staring, she quickly looked away. She was sure her cheeks were darker than her suit. "Jay" she said nervously, "why don't you give me some of that lotion and I'll go put some on the kids."

"Hold on a second Sheridan" Jay said. She took a bottle of lotion in one hand and grabbed Luis' hand with the other. Once she had a firm grip on his hand she squirted a generous portion of lotion in his hand.

"Your turn Sheridan" Jay smiled. She did the same with Sheridan as she did with Luis. When they'd covered their own fronts, Jay handed each of them a bottle of suntan lotion. "Now you two can do each other's back. Be sure to rub it in good. I'll be inspecting your work later and I don't want to see any tell tale white streaks. I'm off to do the kids."

Luis couldn't even look at Sheridan at this point. His stomach was in knots. Sheridan sensed how uncomfortable he seemed and didn't want him to feel that way over a bottle of lotion.

Luis encouraged Sheridan to find a comfortable position. Sheridan sat down on a towel that Jay had conveniently spread out for them and Luis followed her. He took a deep inhalation of breath as he readied himself for the task at hand.

Luis warmed the lotion up in his hands and gingerly placed his hands on Sheridan's back. Sheridan was relieved she had her back turned towards Luis and he couldn't see the look of pleasure on her face right now.

Sheridan reveled in the slow massaging action Luis was inflicting on her as he rubbed the lotion all over her back. When his hands gently rubbed the oil into her neck and shoulders she thought she'd about go insane. His touch was gentle and every nerve ending in Sheridan's body was fully awakened by Luis' sensual caress.

Once he began, Luis couldn't get over the incredible feel of her soft skin against his palm. He found himself caressing every inch of exposed flesh in an effort to make sure he didn't miss an area, or so he reasoned. What should have taken only a brief moment lasted much longer. Luis probably would have continued had there been any lotion left on Sheridan's back.

Luis smiled as he turned to allow Sheridan to do the same to him as he just did to her. Sheridan found herself lost in the feel of his muscular back. She caressed each muscle, not even realizing what she was doing. Luis too, was completely lost in the sensation she was causing him. Earlier he questioned why he was having such thoughts about Sheridan, but right now all his mind was thinking about was the wonderful feeling she was causing him.

Luis sat at a picnic table going over the arrangements for the clambake they were having tonight as well as the events for the next week. Without realizing it, Luis kept looking up from what he was doing, watching Sheridan as she built a sandcastle with the younger children.

A smile formed on his lips as he watched her laugh and play with the children. Her blonde hair sparkled in the August sunlight. It was a shade of gold he'd never seen before and he was riveted as the short locks of gold seemed to gently bounce in the slight ocean breeze. Her smile was nothing short of dazzling as she appeared to be having as much fun as the kids building the sandcastle.

“I've never seen anyone so good with these kids” he whispered under his breath. For a moment Luis pictured Sheridan in her own home with her own children living out his fantasy for the perfect life. It was only when he found himself walking into the room with Sheridan and the children did his mind snap back to reality.

`I'm just making sure everything is in order for the clambake tonight” Luis replied. “I also figured I'd go over the details for next week. That camping trip is coming up in less than a week.”

“Well, then why don't you join in on the fun Luis” Buzzy suggested. “I just took a swim. The water is still a little on the cold side but it's really refreshing after standing around in this heat.”

Sheridan smiled at the innocent young boys. “Tonsils are what were causing your little brother to have sore throats all the time. Now he probably won't have to miss all the fun you two always have because he won't be sick all the time.”

While the children were occupied, Sheridan glanced around to see what everyone else was doing. She saw some of the kids splashing around in the water under the watchful eyes of the lifeguards, a few others were playing Frisbee and when she turned her attention towards a cheering crowd, she saw a volleyball game in progress and her breath caught in her throat.

She felt her pulse quicken as she spotted Luis hitting a serve to Buzzy, his muscular body glistening in the sun from a combination of suntan oil and sweat. `No one has a right to look that good' she thought to herself as she appreciated the magnificent sight before her. She almost completely forgot where she was and what she was doing as she just stared at Luis, his muscles flexing every time he hit the ball. She noticed that there seemed to be quite a few female spectators and she had a feeling they were there for the sole purpose of watching the same thing that had her attention so completely at the moment.

Her dreamlike state was suddenly broken when she felt sand being kicked up at her. Sheridan looked up and smiled when she saw Tammy and the twins had returned with their sand pails filled. She stole one last glimpse of Luis, his head flying back with laughter as he scored a point against his rivals. He met Jay's hand in mid air for a high five and she sighed in contentment. So far coming to the beach had been the best idea they'd come up with yet.

The morning flew by and lunch time was upon the beach goers. Chad volunteered to make boxed lunches for all of them to tide them over until the clambake they'd be having late that afternoon. Buzzy and Jay decided to clean up a bit while Sheridan and Luis gathered the kids for lunch. Sheridan was awed by Luis' organizational skills in seating and feeding the dozens of hungry mouths. He easily averted several near catastrophes over silly things such as what color drinking straw which child would drink from.

Sheridan wiped the sweat from her brow when the kids were settled. She fidgeted uneasily as her back became increasingly itchy due to the sand that stuck to the lotion Luis had generously applied earlier that morning.

Sheridan closed her eyes. As itchy as her back was before Luis began wiping away the sand, it was even more itchy after he began. “Oh God Luis” Sheridan moaned. “That feels wonderful. Ooh! Ooh, that's the spot” she told him when his hand swept over a particularly itchy place.

Luis, who was enjoying himself enormously, moved his hands towards her shoulders and began lightly massaging. He moved closer to her in the process and leaned in whispering in her ear, “I'll definitely remember that Sheridan.”

Sheridan's cheeks were red, her smile brilliant. Luis as well sported a huge grin and when Buzzy and Jay returned to find the two in such a close, compromising position they gave each other satisfied grins.

“Don't pay any attention to him” Jay said motioning to Buzzy. “Why don't you guys get something to eat. We can handle it here for a few minutes and then we'll join you, right Buzzy?”

“Thanks Jay” Luis acknowledged. He extended his hand to Sheridan, which she took without question and the two found themselves a couple of boxed lunches and a table and sat down to enjoy their lunch.

“After going over the menu for tonight” Luis began, “I've come to the conclusion that we don't have nearly enough clams for everyone, so I am looking for volunteers to go clamming this afternoon at the cove.”

“I want everyone going to put shirts on” Jay said with authority. “You've had the hot sun beating down on you all day and I think you've all had enough. I don't want anyone complaining about sunburn tonight.”

A few minutes later, the group of kids led by Jay and Buzzy headed over to Fisherman's Cove to dig for clams. Sheridan and Luis brought up the rear, each holding one of Tammy's tiny hands. Some of the older kids stayed behind with Cal and Marty, whose job now was to ready the pit for the clambake. The parents and a few others would be arriving before too long for the evening festivities.

“Tell me again how I'm supposed to do this?” Sheridan asked. Most of the kids had been clamming before and didn't need instructions. Sheridan, however having grown up a Crane never had the opportunity to dig for clams.

“No, I'm not kidding” Luis chuckled. “If you want you can use a small trowel, but it's a lot more fun this way. We're really only doing this for the fun of it. We have plenty of clams to go around.”

The kids could be heard squealing with delight as each of them found a clam and placed it in their pail. Sheridan looked around and saw the kids all reaching down into the soaking wet sand and pull out white and gray shells.

“It's not Sheridan” Luis grinned. “Ah!” He exclaimed. “I got one!” He winked at Sheridan and leaned down to pick up his clam. As he pulled it up, a look of embarrassment came over his face.

Luis grinned as his eyes met with hers. “Now you've dug up your first clam Sheridan.” He stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out a black marker. He wrote the letter “S” on it.

When the kids got back to the beach, Luis took one clam from each child and wrote their initials on it much the same way he did Sheridan's. The clams with the writing on them went into their own pile while all the other clams were put together.

“It's a tradition around here when we have a clambake” Luis explained. “One clam from everyone's pail gets put aside and steamed separately. When they're cooked, we eat that clam right out of the shell. It's by far the tastiest dish of the night.”

Luis took Sheridan by the hand over to the open pit. He explained to her how clambakes came to be when the pilgrims witnessed the Indians steaming clams over hot stones covered with seaweed. They quickly adapted the idea themselves and it's been continued in varying forms ever since.

“No, it's true” Sheridan said. “I was never allowed to go to the beach as a child and by the time I went to a beach in France I would have looked pretty silly building a sand castle.”

“Want some help?” Luis asked with a mischievous look. “I mean, you look like you're doing a great job, but I can make a moat to help it from getting washed away.”

“I don't know Jay. Kay and I just came back from a run” Miguel smiled. “From the looks of it I'd say that Sheridan and Tammy's castle is now becoming a group effort.”

“Sheridan! This is awesome!” Tammy exclaimed happily. By now half of the patrons on the beach were either helping to build or watching the construction of this magnificent creation. Sheridan was on the inside of the castle wall putting the final touches on the towers while Tammy was helping the other children finish the wall. Luis and Miguel were digging the moat which surrounded the entire structure.

The hour was late and some of the parents were trickling in for the festivities that night. Robert and Alfred Kralik were among the first ones there. They didn't want to disturb their young artist at work, so they just watched her with the rest of the crowd.

Sheridan smiled watching Tammy and her father. “She's so sweet” she murmured. “Tammy, it looks like your castle is finished” Sheridan called as she stood up. Luis and Miguel were wiping the sand off them as they stood back and inspected their work.

“You'd better hurry Luis” Robert yelled. “There's a beast there just itching to get fairy princesses. I has to fight him with my bare hands to save Tammy!” He winked at Luis.

“Thanks for the warning!” Luis grinned. “I think I'll take my sword with me just in case.” Luis picked up a piece of drift wood on the beach and jumped the moat pretending to fight the mean ogre.

“Thanks Luis” Sheridan smiled contentedly as she caught his penetrating gaze. Sheridan loved staring into Luis' light brown eyes. It didn't take long until she was lost in his gaze. She could see her own eyes reflected in his and realized it was moments like this that made her happier than she was at any other time in her life. She couldn't control the Cheshire grin that was forming on her lips.

Though he'd safely returned to the beach from inside the sandcastle walls, Luis made no move to put Sheridan down. He was as entranced by her luminous blue eyes, as Sheridan was with his dark ones. Luis found himself unaware of his surroundings, the only thing or person he cared to focus on was the woman he tenderly held in his arms, Sheridan. The longer he held her, the more drawn he was to her. Each encounter he had with this incredible woman caused him to feel more and want more from her. When he wasn't with her, he sometimes could rationalize his feelings, but whenever he was this close to her, all rational thought went out the window.

As much as Sheridan enjoyed being in Luis' arms, she realized that people were staring at them and the last thing she wanted was for Luis to become uncomfortable around her.

“Right” he said. Luis let Sheridan slowly slip to the ground, her arms still wrapped tightly around his neck, her body pressed against his, as her feet finally found the ground. Sheridan and Luis were equally affected by their closeness, they both could feel their hearts beating wildly in their chests.

Sheridan's smile got brighter and her heart beat a little faster at the suggestive quality to Luis' voice and the sultry stare he was now giving her. She smiled blissfully as she walked back up to the pavilion.

The kids were scattered everywhere on the beach shortly before the sun made it's final descent upon Harmony for the day. Sheridan walked along the shore, Tammy at her side, their feet kicking up water as the tide rushed past them as it swept in and out. Sheridan felt a sense of calm coming over her as she watched the huge yellow ball get closer to the horizon. Watching a setting sun over the ocean was her favorite past time.

Sheridan felt as though someone had replaced the blood in her veins with ice water listening to the mournful cry for help. When she saw who was making the cry and why, her heart began racing in a panic.

“Oh my God!” Sheridan exclaimed. She saw Matthew out in the water, struggling against the undertow. Earlier in the day the kids had been warned away from trying to reach a sandbar as it was too dangerous with the strong undertow this time of year.

Sheridan looked for the nearest lifeguard stand and found it deserted like all the rest at this time of the day. Sure enough, she couldn't see anyone near the shore at this time.

Sheridan did the only thing she could. She grabbed the rope and life preserver from the lifeguard stand near her and ran into the cold ocean water in an attempt to save Matthew.

“She needs you” Tammy shouted. Tammy kept pointing to the shore, so Luis scanned the water's edge trying to figure out what was going on. “Matthew's in the water. He can't get out.”

“Help me!” Matthew gurgled as he fought to keep his head above water. He was tiring. The undertow was strong and he didn't know how much longer he'd be able to keep this up.

“Matthew, I'm going to throw this life preserver to you” Sheridan explained as she was now getting deep enough in the water she chanced losing control herself. She could feel the water pushing against her the deeper she walked into it. “I want you to grab any part of it you can get. Do you understand?”

“Here it comes” Sheridan shouted. With every ounce of strength she had, Sheridan tossed the life preserver in the direction of the fiery red head, being careful to hold onto the rope tightly.

Luis came running towards the shoreline just in time to see Sheridan fighting the waves as she emerged with Matthew in tow. His heart soared as relief spread through him like wild fire. He smiled and laughed, happy that Matthew was still conscious and above water.

Sheridan smiled gratefully at Luis when he grabbed her in one arm and the rope attached to Matthew in the other. As they walked, Luis gathered more rope in his hand, pulling Matthew closer to them. Within a few minutes, all three of them were out of the water, greeted by an anxious crowd. Matthew's mother, who had just arrived, ran to her son and grabbed him in near hysteria, thanking God for her son's safe return. Tears streamed down her face as she planted sloppy kiss after sloppy kiss on her son's cheek. Matthew, who usually made a fuss when his mother did this, didn't fight it. In fact he threw his arms around her waist and held her tightly.

Miguel handed Mrs. Gomes a towel which she wrapped tightly around her son and rubbed him vigorously to warm him up. She looked up at Sheridan and Luis with tears still in her eyes and smiled gratefully at them, as she mouthed the words “thank you.”

Luis nodded and left to help his siblings and Jay move the group over to the picnic area where the clambake would take place. As he walked off, he decided that this was the last trip to the beach the Youth Center kids would go on. As this point, Luis believed skydiving would be less risky.

Sheridan shivered involuntarily as the sea breeze became cooler with each passing minute. The sun was almost on the horizon, signaling the end of another eventful day. As cold as she was, standing there in a wet bathing suit and t-shirt, she didn't want to miss the sunset over the ocean. She sat down on the beach to enjoy the peace and tranquility of watching one of God's greatest gifts of beauty.

As she stared out into the vast ocean watching the orange ball of fire meld with the dark blue ocean waters, a feeling of total serenity came over her. She thanked God for allowing her to get to Matt in time, flashes of his mother's grateful expression when she had her beloved son in her arms again. Sheridan didn't even want to imagine the look of pain that would have been in those eyes had Matt not been brought to shore.

“A penny for your thoughts?” Luis said quietly. Sheridan turned when she heard his voice and her heart about jumped out of her chest when her eyes met with the warmest expression on Luis' face.

“Hi” She smiled. “I was just thinking about how wonderful it is to be alive. There is nothing more beautiful to me than watching the sun set over the ocean.” Her heart caught in her throat as she stared at Luis who couldn't seem to take his eyes off her. She felt herself shiver again, but this time she was sure she shivering from the intense look Luis was giving her rather than from the cold.

Luis smiled as he sat down on the sand directly behind Sheridan. “I have an idea” Luis suggested. “I can help keep you warm and we'll watch the sunset together. How does that sound?”

Sheridan grinned. Immediately she felt warmer as she leaned her head comfortably on Luis' chest. “It's perfect” Sheridan sighed contentedly. “I'm beginning to feel warmer already.”

For a few minutes, they sat in silence and watched the sun melt into the ocean. The darkening sky was glorious shades of red, orange, yellow and blue. The water seemed to have a life of it's own as the different colors danced on top of the waves, creating an array of colors that neither of them thought could ever be duplicated.

Sheridan envisioned herself sitting on the beach in Spain with Luis holding her the way he was right now. “At this very minute, I'd have to say yes” she said happily.

“When I was a little kid” Luis began, “I used to pal around with a kid named Eddie. Eddie Cabral and I were best friends. We did everything together. We walked to school together in the morning, rode our bikes around the neighborhood in the afternoons, went to the movies together on Saturdays, I mean we did everything together. We were never apart.”

“We were Sheridan” Luis said. “We were. In the summertime I used to stay at Eddie's house while Mama worked and Eddie would come to my house when she was off. Mama starting calling us twins because she never saw one of us without the other. Papa even took us fishing a few times.”

“One day during the summer, Eddie's older brother was going to the beach with his friends and asked Eddie and I if we wanted to go with them. We were both really psyched up to go, you know?”

“Eddie's parents let him go without a second thought. I mean after all it was his big brother that was taking him. My parents on the other hand refused to let me go.”

“You've got that right” Luis laughed reminicently. “I begged and pleaded with them but they wouldn't budge. They didn't like the idea of not having any adult supervision. I couldn't understand that one at the time seeing that Peter, Eddie's brother was 16 and had his license. That was adult to me.”

“I asked Mama and Papa why they were crying” Luis recalled. “Mama, she was so upset she couldn't talk. Every time she opened her mouth to speak, she would just end up saying “Dear God” and begin crying once again. Papa was the one who finally told me.”

“Luis, he said, it's about your friend Eddie” Luis said recalling his father's exact words. “Eddie was caught in the undertow today at the beach. He fought hard, but it was just too strong for him. I asked Papa what he meant by that. Papa couldn't even look me in the eyes when he said it. Eddie drowned, son. He was too far off the shore when it happened. They couldn't get to him in time.”

“Yeah, it was awful” Luis replied as his mind flashed back to that terrible event. “Mama and Papa took me to the funeral mass. They wouldn't let me go to the wake, but I did get to say good bye to him at the funeral. I think seeing me, made his parents feel that much worse.”

“So Sheridan, I've been fanatical about taking kids to the beach ever since that day. That's why I insisted Miguel and Theresa learn lifesaving when they turned 16. I never wanted to see another child lose their life in the water.”

Sheridan again turned around in Luis' arms. “Luis, there is no need to thank me” she said sincerely. “I'm grateful I was in the right place at the right time to help save Matt. As for listening, anytime you need someone to listen to you, you can always count on me.”

The two stared deeply into each other's eyes; lost in the myriad of emotions they were feeling for each other. The connection they shared at this very minute was extraordinary. The thoughts and feelings they had for each other seemed to be breaking through levels barely attained by another living soul.

Luis helped her to her feet and kept her wrapped warmly in his embrace until she could get some dry clothing on. Neither one of them minded their closeness as they slowly sauntered towards the picnic area, nor did they seem to be in a hurry to join the rest of the group.

“Everything smells wonderful” Sheridan remarked as the aroma of the seafood was wafting through the air. The kids and their parents were already sitting down to enjoy fresh New England clam chowder while Luis, Cal and Marty got the rest of the food ready to serve.

“Now that you're living in Harmony, you'll have plenty of chances for nights like this” Luis said as he sorted through the special pot of steamed clams. “Unless you're not planning on staying in Harmony?”

“Yeah” Luis admitted. “I had the charges dropped. We had a long talk and I convinced her that there is no way we're ever getting back together. She's decided to go back to New York.”

“Rough on who Cal?” Luis asked. “Beth needs to get on with her life. She was as unhappy with our relationship as I was. I guess she just needed some sort of closure. I don't know. All I know is I only wish her the best. After all, we were together for nearly ten years and I still care about what happens to her, I just couldn't see myself married to her.”

"I don't dislike Beth" Jay said matter-of-factly. "I just never believed that Beth made Luis happy. I knew she wasn't the right woman for him and having her try to run him down just proved my point. Now, can we change the subject, please?"

Marty, Cal and Jay shelled out the clams for the kids. Each child looked for their initials on one of the clamshells and then happily ate the contents. Sheridan watched in amusement as each child savored the tasty treat.

“My turn, huh?” Sheridan smiled as she studied Luis' expression. She wasn't sure what he was up to exactly but trusted he would never embarrass her and decided it might be fun.

“Yes ma'am” Luis smiled, closing the distance between them until they were merely inches apart. “There's another Harmony tradition that says the person that's with you when you catch your first steamer feeds it to you.”

Luis raised his brow in a suggestive fashion and the two of them laughed. Sheridan watched as Luis expertly opened the steamer and loosened it in it's shell. “I think you're going to like this Sheridan.”

Sheridan walked over to the pot and found Luis' clam. She did exactly what Luis did and then held the shell up to Luis' mouth for him to eat. Luis enjoyed the taste, but he was much more affected by it's presentation than he had been by any other clam he'd eaten.

Sheridan smiled and wiped the corner of Luis' mouth with the napkin in her hand. Their eyes met once again and Sheridan couldn't help the feeling of complete happiness that she felt at this moment. Luis definitely was the most wonderful man she'd ever met.

Dinner was over and one by one the kids left with their parents for the evening. Sheridan held onto Tammy tightly as the two said their good byes. This was Tammy's last night as part of the Youth Center's summer program as her father and grandfather were taking her on vacation the next morning.

“You sure will sweetie” Robert assured her. “This year you're going to the Youth Center after school each day until Grandpa or I can pick you up. I understand there is a girl's soccer league that's starting up this year.”

Soon, everything was cleaned up and packed away. The first week of activities completed, Sheridan and Luis bid each other good night. Though neither said a word, both were counting the minutes until their next encounter.

“Well, judging by the smile on your face I would have to say it was a good day indeed” Pilar replied. “Is there anything in particular you would care to tell me?”

“Yep, Sheridan. I have to tell you, she is one amazing woman, Mama” Luis said proudly. “She was in the right place at the right time and knew exactly what to do.”

“Oh, believe me Mama” Luis grinned, “I know it. I've never met anyone like her. She's so easy going, so easy to talk to. She's nothing like I would ever have imagined.”

“Luis, it's just that you two have been spending so much time together and you're sharing things with her that you've never shared with anyone else. I was just wondering...”

“Whoa Mama, are you kidding me? Just because I don't hate Sheridan the way I do the rest of her family doesn't mean I'm in love with her. Not to mention, I've told you already that KC is the girl for me. She and I communicate on a level that no one can match. Even though we've never met, I know that she's funny, articulate, sympathetic, a good listener, caring and all around a lot of fun to talk to.”

“I hope so mijo” Pilar said. “But please Luis, do yourself a favor. Be honest with yourself. If you have feelings for Sheridan and I believe that you do, you need to deal with it.”

Sheridan stretched out on her couch with a vast smile on her face as she recounted the day's events in her mind. It had been a wonderful day, a day filled with firsts for her, that were made extra special by Luis being a part of it.

The hardest thing she had to do all day, was walk out of the Book Café at the end of the evening. She and Luis had said their good byes, yet neither one moved for the longest moment. She could feel that he was as affected as she, yet neither one of them was willing to act on their feelings. They'd come close a few times to kissing and shared some wonderfully close moments, but something was still holding them back from telling the other how they felt.

Sheridan knew one of the reason she was holding back was because of her alter ego, KC. She knew how Luis felt about KC and from everything she'd observed, he wouldn't want to “cheat” on her. Another reason was, she still didn't know how Luis would react when he finds out that his beloved KC is a Crane. The first meeting in which Pezz and KC were to meet was a complete disaster and still etched in her memory. Luis had been nothing but cruel to her that day. Granted, he had apologized tenfold for his behavior. He'd admitted he was wrong treating her the way he did based solely on her last name. But, she didn't know if he was willing to have a relationship with a Crane. Even though Luis had treated her with nothing but respect since their awful meeting in the park, she didn't know if he could “love” someone from a family he hated.

She also didn't know for sure what Luis' feelings for Sheridan were at this point. She wanted to believe that he was as attracted to her as she was to him, but she wasn't sure. Was he holding back because of his feelings for KC and doesn't want to cheat on her? Was he holding back because despite what he said, she was still nothing but a Crane? Was it a combination of both?

Sheridan was torn. She wanted so badly a relationship with Luis. He had every quality she ever wanted in a man and then some, but after everything that had happened in the last few weeks, she still had no idea where she stood. She knew she was crazy about Luis and falling more under his spell with each passing moment, but what about Luis?

Sheridan knew that she was going to have to come clean with Luis soon, but it wasn't quite time yet. The only decision Sheridan made that she was absolutely certain was the right one, was her decision to get to know Luis after everything that had happened. She was so pleased she'd swallowed her pride and went with what she hoped was the correct choice. Getting to know the real Luis was the most wonderful experience of her life.

She stared at her computer, which was sitting in the corner, seemingly waiting for her to sign on. Even though she'd spent all day with Luis, there was nothing she'd rather do at this moment than talk to him. A smile played on her lips at the mere thought of reading an email with the salutation “Hi Angel”. She loved reading that and now she tried to hear Luis saying those words in her head. She longed for the day when he would say that to her in person.

Luis clicked on his mail icon only to find an email from KC there. The best part of his evening was coming home finding email from KC. His mind drifted off as he opened the note wondering what it would be like to come home to the real person rather than a message on a computer screen.

I'm very pleased to hear you've overcome your prejudice of your friend's family. I can tell you from personal experience it's not pleasant to be on the receiving end. I don't want to go into details right now, but just know not all the members of the same family are alike. A last name does not make a person, unless they chose it to do so.

I'd love to hear how you felt about your errand of mercy. From what I know of you, I imagine this is not the first time you've gone out of your way to help another person. That is why you became a police officer, isn't it? I bet your boss wishes he could clone you. You're probably the best officer on the force :) Can you tell I'm just a little partial??

Speaking of police officers, have you heard anything yet on your paid leave? I was just wondering when you'll be going back to work? It's funny but I think I spent more time talking to you online when you were working full time than I do now! I miss our chats, Pezz!

As with you, I have another busy day ahead of me. I hope you have a wonderful time at the beach. Can you believe I've never been to an American beach? Of course I've walked on them as well as jogged, but I've never spent the day at the beach the way most people do. I'll definitely be doing something about that one. After all, I'm now living in a coastal community :)

PezzMan: KC, you and I DO have a very special friendship. I can't even imagine what could cause me to change my mind about the way I feel about you. It's not like I talk this way with every person I meet online. For that matter, I've shared things with you I've never shared with anyone. You're special to me, Angel.

The first thought that came to Luis' mind was watching the sunset holding Sheridan in his arms. “I can't tell her that!” He yelled at himself. He had another flash of rubbing suntan lotion on Sheridan's back and then of brushing the sand off her back which led to him massaging her. “Luis, what are you thinking? Think man, think!”

“I can't tell him I never made a sandcastle as a kid!” Sheridan said. “Why did I get us on this subject. I don't want to lie to him and yet I can't tell him the truth.”

Sheridan successfully managed to change the subject yet again, but for some reason the topics they chose to discuss tonight would always bring her back to a position where she was forced to either, lie or change the subject. She knew she couldn't keep this up much longer. As it is, her nerves were fried.

She was never so grateful in her life as she was when she heard a knock on the door. Though she wondered who would be calling so late, she needed to get away from Pezz for the time being.

Sheridan spent a nice visit with her nephew and then went to bed. Luis found himself falling asleep shortly after their IM session, as well. It had been a long day and tomorrow would be as well. Even though they didn't have charge of the kids from the Youth Center, they still had to work. Tomorrow they'd be working the Youth Center booth at the carnival. It might prove the most challenging assignment yet.

Buzzy, Sheridan, Luis and Jay agreed to meet at the Book Café for a brief staff meeting before they descended upon the carnival. This morning was the first time it was mentioned exactly what the Youth Center's booth was.

After a short discussion it was agreed that Sheridan would sell the tickets and Jay would drum up business while Luis sat on the hot seat, for the morning anyway. Luis was determined Buzzy would get his turn sitting there as well. Truthfully though, Luis knew he wouldn't have to sit there very long, as he knew he could talk Sam Bennett and TC Russell into taking turns in the tank. All of the proceeds went to the Youth Center to buy new equipment and help sponsor after school activities and having the Chief of Police and one of the High School coaches sit up there would definitely bring in business.

Luis looked at Jay and Buzzy who were impatiently waiting for him to climb onto his seat atop the water and then over at Sheridan who gave him a sympathetic smile. He smiled back at her. 'At least there's one person in the group that doesn't want to see me suffer' he thought to himself.

Luis climber the ladder to the top of the tank and sat on the small platform that was rigged to collapse as soon as the ball hit it's intended target. He positioned himself in the center and waited.

“That's right Luis” Jay grinned. “Here goes!” Jay threw the ball with precise accuracy and hit the target dead on. The board collapsed and Luis fell into the tank filled with ice cold water.

He quickly climbed back onto the platform and rubbed his arms in an attempt to warm up. He was grateful for the warm weather outside as the sun beating on him was warming him already.

Jay watched the interaction between the two, she saw the looks exchanged, the sparkle in their eyes and nodded approvingly to herself. She saw Buzzy was about to make a remark about it and she elbowed him into silence. Buzzy turned to Jay and caught her glance, knowing immediately that she was right. He too was looking forward to seeing Luis and Sheridan get together. If anyone deserved to be happy, it was Luis and from Buzzy's point of view, Sheridan was just the person to make that happen.

The morning started off slowly at the dunk tank... a little too slowly as far as Jay was concerned. She thought about walking around and pointing people in the direction of the dunk tank but that rarely worked. Luis looked too comfortable up there as far as Jay was concerned. All he seemed to be doing was working on the tan he shouldn't be getting. Suddenly an idea popped into her head.

Luis didn't have a chance to say word one before Jay went into action. Luis didn't know what got into her at that moment, for that matter Jay was surprised herself, but she began yelling at the passersby, encouraging them to throw the ball, trying to get Luis and Jay in the tank.

It didn't matter who they were, Jay didn't discriminate. She targeted men, women, young, old, teens, kids, cops, crooks... anyone and everyone.. Jay used every tactic she could think of to lure, entice, scare, insult or plead with people, to take a shot. Jay spotted a couple of car thieves that she and Luis had busted several years earlier and with the exception of the teen age girls, they turned out to be the best customers. Luis even got into the action a short time later when he saw some guys that were on his baseball team in high school. They all got a laugh later when it took them four tries each to hit the target. As a side bet, each of them ended up donating ten dollars a piece to the Youth Center, when they didn't dunk Jay and Luis on the first try.

Though Jay was totally out of character today, whatever she was doing was working. Sheridan showed Luis the pile of tickets she'd collected and he was absolutely thrilled.

As much fun as Luis was having, he decided he'd been dunked enough and it was someone else's turn. He spotted Sam walking the grounds and whispered something into Jay's ear.

Jay started into her Carny mode and began offering the passersby a chance to dunk the Chief of Police. Before Sam could object any further, Buzzy hit the target with his hand and Sam went splashing into the water. Still recruiting patrons, Jay ran off in one direction, while Luis grabbed Sheridan's hand and the two of them ran off in another direction, leaving Sam completely at Buzzy's mercy.

“That depends on what kind of junk food you're talking about” Sheridan answered. “I was only at the Summer Carnival once and that was when I was a little girl” Sheridan said.

“Well then Miss Crane” Luis proposed with a flirtatious smile, “Would you care to spend the afternoon with me and I can show you what the Harmony Summer Festival is all about?”

“All right” Luis smiled back. He held out his arm for Sheridan to take, which she did with only slight hesitation. By the time she had her arm firmly linked with Luis' she was sure she was going to need it for support, as the smile in Luis' eyes when he looked at her just now, was making her knees turn to jelly.

“Hey” Luis said softly, reaching across the table and taking Sheridan's hands in his own. “I didn't mean to make you feel bad. It's just that as I was talking about how wonderful dough boys are all I could think about was my Grandmother Fitzgerald. She'd be rolling her eyes at me right now.”

“My grandmother grew up during the depression” Luis explained with a slight chuckle. “One day my brother Antonio and I came home from the Carnival. We'd just had our first dough boys and couldn't believe how wonderful they were. “Nana just rolled her eyes in disbelief.”

“Yeah” Luis smiled as he remembered the conversation. “Nana went on to tell us about growing up during the depression. You boys think things are tough for you? You have no idea, she said. I was one of 5 children and my father worked his fingers to the bone just to keep food on the table. He always got paid on Friday's and by Thursday night there was no money and very little food.”

“My mother stretched the food as far as it would go, but there was only so much stretching she could do. There was one thing she always had plenty of boys and that was flour. We didn't have the luxury of buying bread in stores like you children today, Nana would say. So, Mom made dough boys for our dinner every Thursday night. They tasted good, but after a few years of eating fried dough once a week for dinner, I never wanted to see one again.”

“Me either” Luis agreed. “I know Mama and Papa struggled while we grew up, especially Mama after Papa disappeared, but never like that. When I remember her telling me that story, I'm embarrassed to ever complain.”

After the man handed the fried dough to Luis, he handed one to Sheridan who looked at her plate in awe. “This thing is absolutely HUGE!” she laughed, seeing the treat took up the entire plate. “How am I supposed to eat all of this?”

Sheridan watched as Luis tore a small piece from his and she followed suit. She was pleasantly surprised at the delicious taste. “Luis, this is excellent!” Sheridan said as she broke off another small piece and placed it in her mouth.

“Neither did I” Luis said with a playful smile. Suddenly Sheridan felt her heart do back flips when Luis reached out and gently touched her face. She couldn't breathe as he caressed the side of her mouth with his thumb.

“Oh” Sheridan barely managed to say, her words getting caught in her throat as she stared into Luis' striking brown eyes. She finally managed to take a breath, though it wasn't easy. His stare was becoming more intense by the second, his gentle touch sending signals to nerve endings she didn't know existed.

Sheridan heard herself gasp when his thumb gently traced her lower lip. Her lips parted slightly in reaction to his touch and she could hear her heart pounding in her ears. Sheridan broke the gaze, finding herself staring longingly at his full lips. All sense of time and reality stopped when she saw Luis lean in close to her, his eyes focused on her soft supple lips.

“Sheridan, I just wanted to thank you for saving my life yesterday” Matt said earnestly. “I know what I did was stupid and I promise I'll never do anything like that again.”

“Thank you again Sheridan” Mrs. Gomes smiled gratefully. “You too Luis. I can never thank either of you enough for saving my boy's life. I don't know what I would have done if something had happened to him.”

Sheridan and Luis spent a few minutes talking with Matt and his mother and then decided they'd better finish their lunch. After all, there was still much to see and do at the Harmony Summer Carnival.

Luis and Sheridan walked arm in arm through the fair grounds stopping periodically to play a game of chance. Luis was quite impressed with her competitive spirit as each game they played requiring more than one person, Sheridan took as a challenge.

Back and forth they went, taking turns winning and losing. Luis impressed Sheridan with his strength by nearly knocking the bell off the top of it's mount. Sheridan was visibly impressed and had to chuckle when she saw the group of young girls ogling Luis from across the midway. It was soon Sheridan's turn to impress Luis in an archery contest in which she actually shot an arrow right through the middle of an apple on the target.

Sheridan beamed as Luis cheered her on. They continued their walk on the midway and Luis had a devilish look in his eyes. “Care to test your driving skills Miss Crane?” He asked.

Sheridan never laughed so hard in her life as she and Luis chased each other around in the midget electric cars desperately trying to send each other into a spin. Luis was enjoying himself more than he had in years.

As he and Sheridan played games and rode rides, they never left each other's side. They kidded each other in the fun house, watching each other making strange faces in the already warped mirrors, walked through the haunted house, which wasn't very haunted and took a ride on the “Flying Fish” which was a not so scary roller coaster.

Luis and Sheridan had a caricature drawn of the two of them. Sheridan giggled as Luis whispered into the artist's ear and when the drawing was finished it was Sheridan as a damsel in distress with Luis rescuing her from a sandcastle.

The two of them were having so much fun, neither of them had any concept of time until they noticed the sun beginning to set. It didn't matter though, neither one made any move to leave. They went on to watch face painting and horse pulls, they threw hoops, rings and baskets and Luis tried to kill a `69 Dodge with a sledgehammer and barely made a dent.

“Now do you know why they called these muscle cars Sheridan?” He laughed as he climbed down from the car. Sheridan hadn't heard the term muscle car before, but was impressed by how well the car was holding up to the abuse. She knew her car would never hold up under the same conditions.

Luis walked Sheridan through the heart of the carnival, the basis for it's existence, the barn. Livestock in all its glory displayed proud blue, red and white ribbons. Sheridan was particularly taken with a charcoal appaloosa filly named “Gidget” who'd taken second in the “Best Foal” category, but what she saw next flabbergasted her.

Luis laughed at her remark. “It's pretty much the same thing Sheridan. Hundreds of years ago, the local farmers and fishermen would get together once a year to show off their best livestock, do a little trading, bartering and swap stories. Their wives would take care of all the food and entertainment for the event, yet they didn't want to be left out either, so they had their own contests, best pie, home made jellies and jams, best clam chowder, etc.” Luis loved how attentive Sheridan was as she listened to every word he said. “The Carnival was a way for the townspeople to get together each year and brag about all their accomplishments.”

After they viewed the livestock, they made their way through the homemade food tents, where blue ribbons and samples of the best food in Harmony could be seen everywhere.

“Luis, this is the most fun I think I've ever had” Sheridan remarked as she sampled the blue ribbon winning recipe for strawberry shortcake. It was simply to die for. “This is why I've always wanted to live in a small town. The sense of community, everyone getting together sharing a part of themselves with their friends and neighbors.”

“Oh yeah” Luis replied. “One year someone went through the barn and covered all the livestock with mud. All of them except from one family that is. It wasn't too difficult to find out who did it either.”

“It was stupid” Luis agreed “and I agree with you, it's no fun to win that way. Fortunately that was the last year that family was involved in the Carnival. That was a long time ago.”

“Don't be sorry” Luis implored. “You had nothing to do with it. This happened long before you were born. In fact, your brother or father weren't even involved in it, it was so long ago. They just carry on with Robert Crane's wishes to own everyone and everything in Harmony one day.”

“Come on Sheridan” Luis said soothingly. “No one in this town blames you for anything. I doubt most people even know the stories. Besides, you are nothing like the rest of your family.”

“Enough talk about the past” Luis said. “We still haven't seen the lobster races, the demolition derby among other things. There are also a few rides we haven't been on yet.”

Sheridan squealed with delight as she watched the motivated lobsters racing along their course. She stopped squealing and started running when one of the little devils turned off its course and headed into the crowd with its pinchers moving madly. Luis chased after her in hysterics while the owner of the wayward lobster reclaimed it.

Sheridan sat excitedly in the seat with Luis as the attendant pulled the safety bar across them. “I've always wanted to go on one of these” she said animatedly. She fidgeted anxiously as they moved slowly towards the top while more passengers boarded.

Sheridan looked and watched in wonder as she glanced at the wharf and all it's traffic. “It certainly is a busy place on a Saturday night” Sheridan remarked. “Who would ever imagine a sleepy little New England town to be so busy.”

Luis gave Sheridan a funny look, but it only lasted a minute. “It's summertime Sheridan” he answered. “It'll be busy until Labor day is over. You'll see a big difference once school starts.”

The music began playing and the Ferris Wheel picked up speed. Luis couldn't get over the look of childlike excitement on her face as they went round and round, faster and faster. Luis wasn't even aware the ride had ended, until the safety bar lifted in front of them. He'd been so engrossed in watching Sheridan's every reaction, he was oblivious to everything else.

With candy in hand they once again began walking. Sheridan pulled a piece of candy from the cone and placed it in her mouth. She closed her eyes, savoring its sweet taste.

“She did” Sheridan smiled. “I don't know what I would have done without Pilar as a child.” Sheridan pulled off another piece of cotton and offered it to Luis. Luis nodded with a smirk and she placed the candy in his mouth. The two shared a affectionate gaze.

“Do you realize I missed her more than the rest of my family when I left for Paris?” Sheridan said. “With the exception of my mother, she was the only person that ever cared about me in that house. She was the only person I could talk to that would even listen to me. She never steered me wrong in her advice and was so perceptive, sometimes it was scary.”

“You've never been in the Tunnel of Love?” Sheridan asked in complete surprise. She wanted to question him on it, but didn't dare. “I guess this will be a first for both of us then.”

The two of them climbed into the swan shaped boat. Without thinking, Luis automatically placed his arm around Sheridan's shoulders, pulling her closer to him as the boat began its slow trek through the tunnel.

As dark as it was, he could still make out Sheridan's breathtakingly beautiful profile. Once again, he found himself in a trancelike state, wondering what it would be like to feel Sheridan's lips on his. His breathing quickened as the scent of her heavenly perfume assaulted him. He felt his palms begin to sweat and his nerves were on edge as he gently placed his fingers on her jaw, causing Sheridan to look him in the eyes.

Sheridan turned towards Luis and stared deeply into his eyes. She never tired of gazing into his amazing eyes, but the look of desire she saw at this moment, was somehow different than all the other times. She swallowed hard and a slight nervous smile appeared at the corners of her mouth. “This is it” she thought. Her eyes fluttered closed for a moment when Luis began caressing her cheek. She shivered at his touch, affected in a way only Luis could affect her.

“Oh” Luis said. His heart was pounding out of his chest right now. All he wanted to do was kiss her. He leaned in, not able to hold back any longer. Just as he was about to kiss her, he heard the music change and realized why he'd been holding back. He didn't pull away, he just stopped and listened to the music.

Luis fought to control his breathing. This woman was driving him crazy and if she dare to moved her hand one inch, he knew he was going to lose all control and kiss her silly.

Luis could hear the hurt in her voice. He was pretty sure she was as attracted to him as he was to her, but he couldn't, he just couldn't. “Sheridan, I don't think you understand” Luis said, still not backing away, still caressing her cheek with his hand.

“Luis, I have something I need to tell you” Sheridan said bravely. She didn't know if this was the right time or not, but she couldn't stand this anymore. These close moments with Luis were driving her crazy. She was sure that until she came clean with him about her alter ego, KC would come between them. She didn't know how he would react, but it was a chance she had to take.

Sheridan took a deep breath and exhaled. “Luis, do you remember...” As Sheridan was about to tell Luis about her other identity, huge flashes of light appeared out of no where and the two of them covered their eyes in a protective fashion.

Luis began laughing uncontrollably as he sat back down. “I just remembered why I've never been in the Tunnel of Love before” Luis said grinning in embarrassment. “It's a Harmony tradition. We might just find our picture in the paper tomorrow morning.”

“I wish I were” Luis laughed. “Those kids were hired by the Harmony Herald. They do the same thing every year. No one knows what day they'll strike, but they always get a picture of some couple going through the Tunnel of Love for the paper.”

“Sheridan, about what happened back there” Luis said, again trying to explain himself. He didn't get the chance, however, because they emerged from the tunnel, signaling the ride was ending.

Sheridan nodded in agreement, a very nervous smile on her face. Luis took her hand and began walking down the midway. He planned to take her somewhere private so they could talk with no interruptions. As they neared the exit to the carnival, Luis heard his mother call him.

“Never mind that now mijo” Pilar said excitedly. “Grace and I need your help for a few minutes. Sam was going to help us, but he was called back to the station.”

Luis looked at Sheridan and was about to say something when Sheridan spoke first. “Luis, really it's okay. We can have that talk some other time. I really should be going anyway.”

Luis walked over to Sheridan and looked deeply into her eyes. “I really did have a great time Sheridan” he said again. I hope we can do it again.” Luis leaned down and kissed her softly on the cheek. “Soon.”

Sheridan left and Luis stared after her until he could no longer see her in the distance. He then turned towards his mother, a huge smile on his face. “Okay Mama” he said, “what is it you need me to do?”

“Luis, if you are going to deny it again, you will just be lying to yourself” Pilar said. “When we spoke yesterday, I asked you to be honest with yourself did I not?”

“I know you feel the need to be true to your internet friend, Luis” Pilar went on, “but why are you denying your feelings for someone who is exactly like your KC, when she is right under your nose? Luis, you need to find out if maybe Sheridan is the right woman for you. If you do not do something about it now, you might regret it later.”

Luis couldn't hear a word his mother said at the moment. His mind was filled with questions, filled with flashes of emails from KC, filled with flashes of conversations with Sheridan.

Without waiting for an answer, Luis took off running. Pilar shook her head as she watched her son run faster than she'd ever seen him run in his life. “I fear Luis now believes what I have suspected all along” Pilar said out loud. “I hope and pray it all works out for the best.”