A CRY FROM THE DEEP by Unknown Read Free Book Online Page B

group for American expatriates, but no one of any charm came my way.”
    “That’s a rotten shame.”
    “I don’t know. A man would only complicate my life.”
    At that, Frank raised his eyebrows and ate another forkful of pasta.
    Catherine was thankful they went on with their meal without discussing anything that would require any further soul searching. And yet, Frank’s words— a rotten shame— echoed in her mind. It wasn’t easy to live without love. She missed the intimacy but not the tension that came when she and Richard had lost touch with one another. Maybe she was destined to be alone.
     
    ~~~
     
    In a room adjacent to the Grand Gallery of the American Museum of Natural History, Frank and Catherine stood in the back of a group crowded around an antique world map and a few ink drawings of Dutch trading ships. The man addressing the crowd was Daniel Costello. Catherine’s eyes widened with her first glance, as there was something familiar about him. Her forehead wrinkled as she tried to remember where she’d met this man with raven hair and rugged features, a man who could give any Hollywood star serious competition if he was so inclined.
    Frank leaned toward Catherine and said, “The only thing you have to watch with Daniel is that he’s a little opinionated.”
    Catherine thought he looked more than opinionated. This man exuded confidence. He easily commanded the attention of his audience, largely middle-aged with a sprinkling of seniors and children. Catherine surmised the kids were on an outing with their parents or grandparents, and a wave of guilt consumed her as she thought about how things had changed for Alex.
    Annoyed with her move across the ocean, Catherine’s parents had relocated to a suburb of Minneapolis, to be near her brother’s children. Oh, they wrote occasionally to Alex and there was the odd phone call, but not enough to keep up a bond that wasn’t that close in the first place. She supposed she had to share the blame for that.
    Daniel finished his presentation and was now fielding questions.
    A young girl, not much older than Alex, asked, “Is that the kind of ship Christopher Columbus sailed?”
    Daniel’s eyes twinkled as he answered, “Yes, it is. Now, who knows what countries these explorers came from when they sailed to the Americas?”
    A couple of hands shot up. Catherine and Frank moved in closer. Daniel noticed Frank and nodded to him. Then he connected with Catherine and stayed on her for a few seconds, his eyes warm and magnetic. Startled, she caught her breath and her pulse quickened.
    Frank whispered in Catherine’s ear, “Are you sure you don’t know him?”
    She shook her head. “No,” she said, almost too quickly.
    “Funny. I could’ve sworn you both looked as if you’d met before.”
    Catherine shook off Frank’s comment, even though she was puzzled by her feelings. Daniel’s name meant nothing to her, but his face did. So familiar, but why? She must’ve seen it in some magazine or on TV. She shivered for no reason.
    “Let’s wait for Daniel over there.” Frank pointed to a bench in the corner.
     
    ~~~
     
    When Daniel walked over to join them, Frank said, “I want you to meet Catherine Fitzgerald, one of our finest photojournalists.”
    Daniel smiled, as he shook her hand. “I’ve seen your work. It’s outstanding.”
    “Thank you.” The touch of his smooth skin was electric, causing her to tremble inside with desire. Was she imagining it, or did he hold her hand longer than normal? She took a deep breath to calm herself.
    “Catherine, have I told you Daniel is a rare man in his field? If he wasn’t doing this, he’d be doing something else to save the planet.”
    Daniel laughed. “All right, Frank. What do you want for that bullshit introduction?”
    “He’s not usually this modest,” said, Frank, touching Catherine on the shoulder. He turned to Daniel, “You’re right, I do want something. Catherine’s been giving me a hard