"When was the last time you had a man?" he whispered.

"Not since…" Her voice trailed away.

Pitt took her as the long shadows of the rocks crept upward over the beach, shielding their bodies from the sun. A flight of sandpipers circled overhead and descended upon the damp sand at the water's edge. They scurried back and forth, playing tag with the surf. Every so often one of the birds would cast a beady eye at the two lovers in the shade, staring for a fleeting instant before returning to the chore of stabbing its long, curved beak in the sand for food. The shadows shortened as the sun rose higher in the sky. A fishing boat chugged by a hundred yards from the end of the rocks. The fishermen, dropping their nets in the water, were too busy to notice anything unusual on the shore. At last Pitt drew back and gazed down at Teri's serene and smiling face.

"I don't know whether to ask for your thanks or your forgiveness," he said softly.

"Please accept them both along with my blessing," she murmured.

He kissed her lightly on the eyes. "See what you've been missing all these years," he said, grinning.

"I agree. You've certainly shown me a wonderful antidote for my depression."

"I always prescribe seduction. It's guaranteed to cure any and all rare maladies and common ailments."

"And what is your fee, Doctor?" she said, accompanied with a feminine giggle.

"Consider it paid in full."

"You're not going to get off that easily. I must insist you come to my uncle's house for dinner tonight."

"I shall consider it an honor," he said. "What time and how do I get there?"

"I'll have my uncle's driver pick you up at the entrance to Brady Field at six o'clock."

Pitt's eyebrows raised. "What makes you think I'm stationed at Brady Field?"

"You're obviously an American and that's where all the Americans on the island are." Teri grasped his hand and pressed it to her face. "Tell me about yourself. What type of job do you perform in your Air Force? Do you fly? Are you an officer?"

Pitt did his best to look serious. "I'm the base garbage collector."

Her eyes opened wide in surprise. "Are you really? You're much too intelligent to be a garbage collector." She looked into his strong tan face and his intense green eyes. "Oh well, I won't hold your occupation against you. Have you been promoted to sergeant yet?"

"No. I've never been a sergeant."

Suddenly a bright flash in the rocks about two hundred feet away caught Pitt's attention. A shiny object reflected the sun's rays for a brief instant. He watched the area where the glint had shown but could detect no further flash or movement.

Teri felt him tense. "Is something the matter?" she asked.