Chapter 5 #6
She laughed. ‘I just felt a little lightheaded and I didn’t want to collapse in your arms! It’s a little early into my countryside adventure to send the rumour mill into overdrive, wouldn’t you say?’
Luke laughed, leaning casually against the brickwork and looking yet again like a Levi’s model. ‘I seem to be the epicentre of the rumour mill down here, so don’t worry! I think the thought of a single male in his late thirties is too much for Farmington to bear.’
‘So, you really are the catch of the county, are you, Luke? The man with abs of steel and inquisitive green eyes.’
‘Wow, well there’s a chat-up line. And how do you know I have abs of steel?’ he said, stepping closer. ‘Have you been spying on me, Eliza Fox?’
‘What me? No! Where would I even spy on you? So not my style. Totally not.’
His eyes glittered in the moonlight and Eliza was suddenly aware of how broad he was – his shoulders, his height. ‘Well then, how about we find a way to change that? How about a swim tomorrow? I can show you a beautiful part of the river. And you can see whether I really do have abs of steel.’
How did he make swimming in freezing cold water sound so . . . hot? ‘Well, that sounds like an offer I can’t refuse,’ she said, every nerve in her body straining to get closer to his. ‘But it will need to be after Nancy leaves in the morning.’
‘Lunch by the river it is. I’ll pick you up at one.’
She gulped, hoping he didn’t notice how desperate she was to jump his bones right there and then. This man was deadly hot. ‘And it seems like you got the message then . . .’
‘Yes,’ Luke laughed softly, his body so close she could feel the heat from his skin, ‘loud and clear.’
Just as Eliza thought he was going to lean in and kiss her, there was more crunching of gravel and a woman’s voice pierced through the night.
‘Luke, I was looking for you. I still have your jumper from the other night in the car. Shall I grab it for you?’
It was Bella.
‘Oh, and Eliza, you’re out here, too! Quite the little gathering!’
Taking a step back, Eliza suddenly felt out of her depth. ‘I was just grabbing some fresh air and Luke kindly followed me to check I was okay. But I’m feeling so much better now, I should pop back inside and check on Nancy. Night, Bella!’
And with that she turned on her heel and walked back to the pub door, wondering what the real story was with Bella and Luke.
I mean, maybe it was nothing and everyone in this place was as close and cosy as they seemed to be.
And, anyway, who cared! She needed to remember this was not about finding a husband.
She was done with that, at least for the next few months.
She wouldn’t worry about anything, except getting Luke Stanley into her bed.
Eliza slipped back through the door, her heart hammering against her ribs.
The heat and noise of The Bush hit her like a wave after the crisp night air, but she barely registered it.
All she could think about was Luke’s sexy voice in the darkness, the way he’d stepped closer, how his invitation had sounded like a promise of something delicious.
The words echoed in her mind as she pushed through the bustling crowd, searching for Nancy, who she could usually track down by her raucous laughter.
She was desperate to tell her what had happened.
Just then, Eliza caught sight of Nancy draped dramatically across Dan’s shoulder while he attempted to demonstrate a dance move that looked suspiciously like interpretive yoga.
As she went to grab her, Eliza ran straight into Phil, who looked like he’d maybe had a few too many pints.
His old blue polo shirt was clinging to him, and his beige chinos looked like someone might have spilt a drink down them.
‘Phil – so nice to see you again, my knight in shining armour!’ she stuttered out, realising he looked far from the prince charming she had met on the side of the road. ‘I certainly wasn’t expecting this kind of a party when I arrived in Farmington last week – you kept this quiet!’
‘Well, don’t get too excited, these kind of events don’t happen that often! I heard some of your excellent singing earlier,’ Phil said, leaning slightly to his left.
‘Okay okay!’ Eliza laughed, subtly looking around for Nancy again. ‘We all know that’s not my strong point. I’m generally better singing Eighties tunes by myself in the car, but I felt I needed to give it a go so that no one would ever ask me to sing again!’
‘Well, I think you achieved that.’ He smiled in a way that seemed a little leery. ‘By the way, you haven’t seen my lovely wife anywhere, have you? She seems to have been a little elusive tonight, and we need to head back to relieve the babysitter.’
‘Well yes, I just saw her outside with Luke.’
‘Of course you did,’ he responded, his tone icier than she remembered. ‘Thank you.’ And with that he grabbed his coat and headed straight outside.
God, she was starting to think everyone was a little weird around here. Maybe there was something in the water . . .