Fifty-one
Rachel’s heart lurched at the sight of Luke sitting on the wild grass at the edge of the beach with old Agnes. As she watched, the woman rose and called to her dog who was frolicking in the waves with Luke’s boxer. Rachel bit her lip. She hadn’t expected him to be on the beach at this time in the morning.
When she’d left the house, both Alexander and Verity had been sound asleep and Rachel had decided to take the opportunity for an early morning walk to blow away the cobwebs, as her mother would say. She had a lot to think about, mainly whether or not to continue the Bed and Breakfast business which had been her lifeline since Kirk died. But now she had Verity to care for, to provide company for her in the evenings when memories threatened to overwhelm her, she didn’t have the same need for strangers to fill the void left by Kirk’s death.
Soon she might have Alexander’s company too. Last night, after Verity was asleep, they’d had a long chat during which he’d revealed how much he was missing Verity, his weariness with the social round in the busy city and his decision to look for a position in Australia, closer to Pelican Crossing, one which would enable him to work from home part of the time. ‘If you think you can cope with me, Mum,’ he’d said with his familiar grin.
While it was the last thing Rachel had expected, she’d been delighted and, her heart brimming with happiness at the prospect of having all three of her children living close by, assured him she’d be overjoyed if it were to happen, and that coping was the wrong word. Alex had hugged her then.
When she saw Luke get to his feet and start to walk towards her, Rachel’s first instinct was to flee, but Molly had run ahead and was gambolling in the shallow water with Nelson. She couldn’t move. It was if she had been turned to stone. Suddenly Luke was there, right next to her, looking as handsome as ever in a pair of cut-off jeans and a white tee-shirt that clung to his body like a second skin. On closer inspection, his eyes appeared bloodshot and the lines around them seemed to have deepened. Had he been having trouble sleeping too?
‘Red.’ He nodded.
Rachel’s heart lurched again at the sound of the familiar nickname. She’d missed hearing it on his lips. ‘Luke.’ This was as awkward as she’d anticipated. It was why she’d been at pains to avoid him and had succeeded… until now. But he had every right to be here. She didn’t own the beach.
‘I’m sorry.’
‘I’m sorry.’
They both spoke at once, but what did he have to be sorry about? Unless it was being here on the beach at this time of the morning. ‘It’s a lovely morning,’ she said brightly, trying to suppress the butterflies in her stomach. How could he still have this effect on her?
‘We need to talk,’ he said.
‘I don’t think so.’ What could he possibly have to say that would interest her ? Though she was curious.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said again, ‘sorry I’ve been such a fool. Meeting you again took me back to a time when life was so much simpler, when it seemed as if anything was possible.’ He pulled on his beard.
Rachel was conscious of the crash of the waves on the shore, and the high-pitched yapping of their two dogs having fun. She tried to focus on what Luke was saying, hoping he would finish soon and leave. Being so close to him reminded her of times she’d been trying to forget resurrected emotions she’d thought she had quashed.
‘Sorry,’ he said for a third time. ‘I’m not putting this well.’ He pushed a hand through his hair. ‘What I’m trying to say is that it’s been hell. I’ve missed you so much. I can understand your thinking. You didn’t want to become involved with someone who was about to leave. But what if I didn’t… leave? What if I stayed, stayed here in Pelican Crossing? I’ve fallen in love with you, Red. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Can I dare hope you might come to feel the same about me?’
Rachel stared at him, unable to believe her ears. Had Luke actually said he was in love with her? She’d dreamt about this moment so often, she couldn’t believe it was actually happening. She blinked rapidly, feeling dizzy. Was she going to faint? ‘You… I…’ she stammered.
‘Are you okay?’
Suddenly, Luke’s arms were around her. Had he really said he was going to stay in Pelican Crossing, that he loved her… or had she imagined it ? ‘Did you say…’
‘I love you. I love you, Red. Maybe I’ve always loved you, ever since you were that pesky fourteen-year-old hanging around Becky and me, but especially now you have become this desirable woman, a woman who makes my legs weak, who…’
‘I love you too,’ Rachel said. ‘I tried not to fall in love with you, almost persuaded myself I hadn’t. I…’ But before she could say any more, Luke picked her up, her feet left the ground, and she was being whirled around as easily as if she was as light as Verity. ‘Stop it, you big fool, Let me down!’ she yelled, her voice causing the two dogs to race over barking wildly, no doubt thinking someone was in danger.
Luke and Rachel both burst out laughing. He lowered her so her feet touched the sand again but kept hold of her and kissed her, first on her forehead, then her eyelids, her cheeks, ending on her lips where his lips stayed for so long, Rachel almost lost her breath. ‘Not here,’ she said weakly.
‘Then where? Do you want to go home?’
Rachel shook her head. ‘No. Alexander and Verity are there.’
‘Looks like it’s Bob’s place, then.’ Luke tilted his head in the direction of the steps leading to Bob’s house and the clinic. It was lucky it was Sunday. The clinic would be closed.
When they reached the house, Luke left the dogs outside, before pulling Rachel into his arms again. She melted into his embrace. This was where she belonged. She felt like a breathless girl of eighteen, her pulse throbbing in her ears and her legs weak with desire as his lips covered hers hungrily.
‘I’ve been dreaming of this,’ Luke murmured between kisses, his breath hot against her ear, his lips sending shockwaves through her entire body.
How could she have denied herself this, Rachel thought, feeling her knees weaken as his mouth descended on hers again and again.
They only pulled apart when they heard the dogs whining and scratching at the door. ‘They’re hungry,’ Rachel said, remembering she hadn’t fed Molly before they went to the beach.
Luke let them in and, after making sure they had food and water asked, ‘You?’
Rachel shook her head. She wasn’t hungry for food. She just wanted more of Luke.
‘I think we have something to celebrate,’ Luke said, ‘How about champagne, then…’ He glanced towards the bedroom.
Rachel blushed, a delicious shudder heating her body.
‘Champagne at this time of a morning, and on an empty stomach?’ Rachel giggled, feeling heady, as if she’d already drunk two glasses of champagne.
‘Why not? Luke said. ‘It feels as if all my Christmases have come at once.’
Rachel savoured the moment, watching the man… her lover , open the champagne and pour two glasses.
‘To us, and our future together in Pelican Crossing,’ Luke said, raising his glass.
‘To us,’ Rachel repeated raising her glass to join his. It might not be Christmas, but this was the best surprise ever.
The End