Too Young to Know

Dr. Michael Talbot lived alone in his peaceful island paradise until a young woman mysteriously arrived needing his help. After their chance encounter, he never expected to see her again, but she returns to the island when he least expects it, and changes his life forever.

***

It was early July and an unusually cool day on the island when they first met. The sun was bright in the sky, a gentle breeze wafting in off the ocean surface, and Michael was on the deck of his beautiful home with his easel in front of him, palette in one hand and brush in the other. He had taken a few days off, something he rarely did, before the height of tourist season arrived. A half finished seascape complete with a white sailboat far in the distance graced the easel when suddenly his concentration was disturbed by a voice from the road that formed a curve in front of his house.

“Excuse me, sir. Do you know the name and number of a local towing company or someone who can help me?” hollered a sweet and youthful sounding voice. “I was run off the road by some idiot in a truck that’s two big to be on the island anyway. My VW bug is stuck in a sand dune about a mile from here. He didn’t stop to help and I think he was drunk.”

Michael looked at the beautiful blonde goddess and quickly ascertained by her attire that she was a tourist probably headed to one of the beaches south of the city for a day. “Sure. Come on up.”

“Thanks.” The woman became more beautiful to Michael the closer she came to him as she ran up the eighteen steps leading from the sandy ground level to the deck. “I’m Julianna.” She placed her soft little hand in his for a quick shake.

“I’m Michael. Nice to meet you.”

With an artist’s eye, Mike studied her quickly – long blonde hair that fell upon her shoulders and lazily trailed down her back in loose curls, sparkling blue eyes, fine eyebrows, a nose that fit her face perfectly, nice lips that were made for kissing, and cheekbones that could carry a blush better than any he had seen.