Free Lost Identity by Leona Karr Page B

vivacious redhead that there had been some mistake, his words were lost in a clamor of several enthusiastic players who surrounded them and urged them toward a volleyball net.
    “Way to go, Dee.”
    “Keeping the best in reserve, were you?”
    Andrew searched Trish’s face. How was she reacting to all of this? He half-expected her to turn and run, but her initial apprehension faded into an expression of surprised wonderment. The warm acceptance of the young people seemed to be having a healing effect on her, and she didn’t protest when she and Andrew were drawn along with everyone else back to volleyball net.
    “You serve,” Dee told Andrew who still had the ball in his hands.
    “I’ll do it,” Trish spoke up. Andrew stared at her, not sure that the words had come from her mouth. “I’ll serve,” she repeated.
    “All right.”
    He handed her the ball, and she turned it over in her hand as if getting acquainted with an old friend. Her eyes held a sudden eager glint that startled him. Then she walked to the correct position and lifting her head, she tossed up the ball and sent it over the net with devastating force and precision.
    “Way to go,” Dee squealed when the other team failed to return the fast serve.
    Andrew couldn’t hide his astonishment. She was good. Really good. Where had she learned to play like that? He loved the way her agile body moved with polished grace, light and sure. Her quickness and aptitude in returning balls soon made her the most accomplished player in the group. When the other team lost by a huge margin they put up a howl.
    “Not fair. Not fair.”
    “You brought in a professional ringer!”
    “Where’d you learn to serve like that?”
    “I honestly don’t know,” she said, laughing, surprised at herself. For the first time she was able to make light of her lost memory. “I don’t remember.”
    Her face was flushed and her eyes bright, and Andrew glimpsed the young girl who had played volleyball with such vigor and joy. He wondered if her youth had been cut short by the responsibilities and expectations that, obviously, had fallen on her shoulders at a young age.
    “Time to eat,” Dee announced as she hooked one of her plump arms through Trish’s and offered the other one to Andrew. “And the winning team gets to line up first.”
    Andrew shot a questioning look at Trish. Her hair was moist with sweat beaded on her forehead, and a healthy glow had replaced her former pallor. She didn’t look as if she needed rescuing, but he wasn’t sure. He was a little uneasy about her sudden metamorphosis from a frightened recluse to the center of attention.
    “What do you think?” he asked, cautiously.
    She smiled at him. “Would you mind? I mean, you could save the Chinese food….” Her voice trailed off.
    “No problem. We’ll have it another night,” he promised, returning her smile, but even as he spoke, there was an inner warning that there might not be another night like this. Once her true identity claimed her, there seemed little likelihood they would be crashing any more beach parties.
    Nobody seemed interested in asking Trish and Andrew who they were or why they had joined the party. They sat with the others around a fire, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows and loading their plates with salad and slices of berry pie. The flow of laughter, good humor and open acceptance circled them like welcoming arms.
    As twilight thickened, someone brought out a guitarand Trish whispered to Andrew, “You play better than that.”
    He put his arm around her and she settled back against him. Both of them were content to hold on to this moment in time, a blessed eternity if only for a few hours.
    When the party broke up they walked in silence back to the cottage. It was still a lovely warm night, and the ocean reflected a blanket of shimmering stars. Their steps were slow and reluctant as they neared the cottage.
    “Would you like a cup of coffee before I take you back?” Andrew