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I sat back and laughed. "Look," I cried, pointing to a pair of male waterskiers. They waved at us and turned to send the spray in our direction.

"A couple of showoffs," Linden shouted in their direction, even though there was no way they cou

ld possibly hear him.

We saw speedboats and dozens of other sailboats. He pointed out a luxury liner.

"Probably going to the Fort Lauderdale pier," he said, raising his voice again. The wind played havoc with our voices, but settling back, feeling myself being swept along. I didn't want to hear anything but the wind and the boat on the water and the cry of terns. He pointed vigorously at a small inlet as he turned the sailboat in its direction. It was caught between two well-combed beaches but hidden by rocks and the way it was carved deeply out of the shoreline.

"Linden Beach," he called, and laughed.

Minutes later, we were at the shore. He hopped out, beached the boat, and reached up to take me at the waist. I had my shoes off and expected to wade in, but he showed remarkable strength in those lean arms and carried me to dry land instead, his lips practically grazing my cheek.

"Isn't it beautiful here?" "Yes," I said.

"We'll set up by those rocks there," he indicated, and returned to the boat to get his things.

"Need any help?"

"No, I'm fine. Relax. Just enjoy it."

I liked the feel of the cool water and sand on my feet. Some curious terns swooped down to get a better look at us and then veered away, sounding as if they were laughing. I placed my sandals on the rocks and watched him set up his easel and then go back to the boat for the rest of his things. He handed me the paper bag holding the clothes I had worn for posing the day before.

We both instantly realized there wasn't any place for me to have privacy, not for some distance.

"Oh. Well. I'll keep my back to you," he said. As far as those people go," he said, gesturing toward the other boats in the sea. "they're too far away to make head or tail of it. Is that all right?"

"Yes," I said.

I unbuttoned my blouse and slipped it off. He knelt and leaned over his paints and brushes while I continued to change into the skirt and peasant blouse.

"Ready," I said, and he turned, smiled, and explained where he wanted me to sit.

"How can you paint me in two different places?" I asked.

"The background isn't important. You're what's important." he replied.

I took the same position and gazed around the cove. It did look untouched. But how could it remain undisturbed in the midst of one of the world's most developed water playgrounds?

"How come this place is undiscovered?" I asked.

"It's not exactly undiscovered. It was just left undeveloped by the original owner of the estate inland from here. I'm sure it won't be like this too much longer. I heard he's died and the family is dividing the spoils. Won't surprise me to see a hotel built over there soon. Ready?"

"Ready? I don't have much to do."

"Sure you do. Look out at the sea and hold that beautiful pose," he said. "In other words, relax and be yourself"

I waited until he had been working for a good fifteen or so minutes before speaking.

"What makes you so positive your mother was upset about your taking me sailing. Linden?"

"I know when my mother is upset about something. We've been so close, half the time I can tell her moods even before she can Stop worrying about it. She'll be fine when she sees I'm coming back and not sailing off into the sunset with the first beautiful young woman who talks to me." he added.

"How does she spend most of her day?"

"She reads, watches a little television, very little, and takes care of me and the house. It's plenty. I never heard her say she was bored."

"She never goes anywhere?"