Chapter 16 #2
‘I thought we would be going to one of the restaurants in town. There seems to be plenty of choice.’
‘They’re probably all fine, but I wanted to give you a special treat.’
It was a delicious meal, even without the champagne. They had a table in an alcove screened by tall green plants so no one saw when Ciaran clasped her hand and kissed each of her fingers as he gazed into her eyes, sending silent messages of love.
* * *
Their high spirits were rather chastened when they reached the hospital and the nurse in charge waylaid them on their way to Amy’s room.
‘We tried to telephone you earlier. I’m afraid we may have to keep your mother in a little longer than we planned, Mr Baxter.’
‘Oh? Has she had a relapse?’ Ciaran asked anxiously.
‘We don’t think so, but she had a restless night so she is in low spirits today, not at all like her usual cheery self.
She mumbled something about having a wonderful dream and she’s been disappointed since she woke up.
The nurse on duty thought maybe the medication had affected her, but we’ve checked in case she’d been given more than she needs.
Some medication can have that effect, but she is on a low dose since she seems to tolerate the pain better than many patients. ’
‘Perhaps we can cheer her up,’ Ciaran said optimistically. ‘We have something to show her. I am sure it will please her.’
‘I do hope you’re right, Ciaran,’ Roxie said worriedly. ‘I would hate to upset your mother when she has had so much to contend with already. Do you think I should wait out here?’
‘No! No, my darling girl. She will want to see you as much as she wants me, maybe more. She thinks the world of you, Roxie.’ He took her hand and squeezed gently, aware of the nurse’s sharp eyes watching them.
‘Pin on your usual bright smile and we shall see for ourselves.’ He turned to smile at the nurse.
‘I promise we shall not stay long if Mum seems tired or upset.’ The nurse nodded uncertainly.
Amy did look weary and pale as they entered her room. She turned her head listlessly to see who was entering and her eyes brightened immediately.
‘Roxie! You have come back to us,’ she said, unaware she was repeating her earlier greetings.’ Ciaran pressed Roxie’s hand and grinned. ‘You see, it is you who matters more than her only son.’
‘And you have come with Ciaran, my dear. How wonderful. I-I thought . . .’ She frowned, looking confused. ‘I thought Ciaran told me . . . and I was so happy. Then I knew I must have dreamt it when I woke this morning. You went a long way away . . .’
Ciaran bent and kissed her cheek.
‘Dear Mum, I think you have been having bad dreams, as you did after your first operation, due to the medication. Roxie has been to Derbyshire to help her brother with the sale of his dairy herd — but you knew that. It was before you fell and were rushed in here. They allowed me to see you for a few minutes before they operated and I told you Roxie had travelled back with me in the lorry. I told you she has promised to marry me. You seemed pleased, but you were very groggy due to the medication they had given you for the pain. Maybe you don’t remember? ’ Ciaran broke off uncertainly.
‘I don’t know what day it is or how long I have been here . . .’
‘Not very long. It was a tricky operation so you must be patient.’
Amy looked from one to the other.
‘You’re both looking very smart. Is that just to visit me?’
‘We’ve been for a celebration lunch, Mum, and to choose an engagement ring. We wanted you to be the first to see it so we can make it official and tell Jenny and Don. Show her your ring, sweetheart.’
Roxie held out her hand, smiling shyly. Amy clasped it with surprising strength as she looked up into Roxie’s eyes.
‘It is true? I didn’t dream it, then? I thought you had gone away?’
‘It is true,’ Roxie said. ‘We have discovered we love each other very much, in spite of our arguments.’
‘Oh, my dear Roxie, I am so happy. No wonder you look so pleased with life, son.’ She smiled happily up at Ciaran. ‘You’re a very lucky man.’ She turned to Roxie. ‘I can’t tell you how much joy it gives me to welcome you as one of the Baxter clan, Roxie.’
A little while later, the nurse came in to do the usual checks.
‘I think a visit from your family is proving better medicine than anything we can give you,’ she said with a smile.
‘But I think Mr Morgan will insist on you staying at least one more day with us. If you continue to improve, you will be able to leave the following day in the ambulance, complete with a wheelchair, which you will need for a while until the wound heals completely. The physiotherapist and your nurse will advise you on that, though.’
Both Roxie and Ciaran noticed how quickly Amy became weary in spite of her joy.
‘I feel so guilty that we are both so happy while you are lying here tired and in pain,’ Roxie said softly, leaning closer.
‘Ah, my dear child.’ She patted Roxie’s hand affectionately.
‘I would go through it all again to see you both so happy. Apart from any physical attraction, I believe you are well matched in your interests and the courage you show when coping with life’s difficult times.
These things are so important in a long and happy life together, yet some young people fall at the first hurdle. ’
‘I think you are getting tired now, Mum,’ Ciaran said gently. ‘I believe Don is coming to see you tonight, so we shall leave now and let you have a little sleep.’
‘Yes, dear, I am a little weary, but I’m looking forward to seeing Don and thanking him for taking such care of me and for contacting Mr Whittaker so early in the morning. I couldn’t have had better care even if we had gone to Glasgow.’
* * *
Later, as they approached Oaklands, Roxie said, ‘I will make you a drink of tea before you go home for the milking, and I’ll give you the meat pie for your supper, if you can eat it after such a lovely celebration lunch?’
‘I’m not sure I can. Maybe salad would be better.
In any case, my darling Roxie, as soon as we’ve finished milking, I thought I would cut across the field and join you here.
I shall not be driving so we can drink the champagne I bought.
We can have our own little celebration. Would that suit you? ’ he asked hesitantly.
‘Oh, Ciaran, I would like that, if you will not be too tired after helping with the milking and everything else.’ She didn’t tell him she had nothing in the house to make a salad.
She would manage to pop into the little greengrocer’s in Thornielee before closing time.
The butcher would surely have some of the delicious roast ham he cooked on the premises, and maybe some of his free-range eggs.
Maybe she should get a crusty granary loaf from the little bakery too.
She remembered how she had always worked up an appetite after milking the cows, taking them back to the field, cleaning the parlour and feeding the young calves, even when there were two of them, as there should be tonight with Billy working.
Back at Oaklands View, and with things prepared for their evening meal, Roxie decided to take a shower and wash her hair.
It had been an unusually warm day, even for the end of May.
She had plenty of clothes to choose from now she had brought everything back with her from Willowbrook.
She settled for a summer dress that buttoned down the front.
It was white with flowers in pink, yellow and blue, and sprigs of green leaves.
She had always liked the material and the style.
She picked up a fine wool cardigan in pale blue and took it downstairs with her in case it became chilly when the sun went down.
She had a feeling Ciaran would not be in a hurry to leave this evening when they were both on their own.
She felt a little thrill of excitement. They had spent so little time together just the two of them.
She glanced at the clock. It would probably be another hour before Ciaran arrived by the time he had washed and changed, and walked across the field.
She knew how much he liked lemon meringue pie and the greengrocer had had some fresh plump lemons, which had tempted her.
She sighed. She didn’t feel like making pastry.
Then she remembered the lemon duchess pudding her mother had taught her to make when she was quite young.
It was the lightest of sponges with a tangy lemon sauce underneath when cooked.
It would not be so filling and she was certain Ciaran would enjoy it.
Ciaran was whistling happily as he pushed open the back door with his shoulder. He was carrying a bottle of champagne and an empty ice bucket.
‘I couldn’t remember whether Mum has one of these or not, so I brought the one we always had at the farm.’
‘You’re looking fresh and clean, in spite of doing the milking,’ Roxie said, taking the bottle from him. His skin was glowing and his hair still slightly damp from the shower. He had changed into a pair of beige chinos and a blue cotton shirt, which emphasised his blue eyes.
‘Ah, Roxie . . .’ He drew her into his arms. ‘You look good enough to eat yourself, my darling.’ He proceeded to kiss her as though they had been apart for days instead of hours. Eventually he broke away.
‘The surgeon phoned to say they are not sending Mum home tomorrow, although he felt she was in considerably better spirits than she had been in the morning, and her mind appeared to be perfectly clear and alert now. He is going to introduce her to the nurse who will be coming here to look after her. Apparently she is Mr Morgan’s sister-in-law. I hadn’t realised that.’
‘No, I didn’t know that either.’
‘He says she and his wife are twins, but she is a widow now. She has always enjoyed her work as a nurse. He guarantees Mum will get the best of care.’
‘I do hope she will,’ Roxie said with feeling. ‘It is important that Amy has confidence in whoever is looking after her. Are you ready to eat?’
‘I’m famished, but this all looks appetising and something smells good. Surely you have not had time to cook?’
‘It is only a light lemon pudding,’ Roxie told him cheerfully.
Ciaran grinned. ‘You look as fresh as a daisy and far too desirable for me to spend time eating . . .’
‘Even so, a hungry man needs to keep up his strength. I will bring the glasses ready for the champagne. I see you already have a bag of ice with you.’
They enjoyed a leisurely meal and toasted each other with generous drinks. Roxie felt relaxed and happy, and a little light-headed.
‘Shall we go through to the sitting room and I’ll bring us some coffee to dilute the champagne?’
‘All right, but I’ll take our glasses through and we can drink the rest of it later,’ Ciaran said, his eyes sparkling.
It was much later and the beautiful day was drawing to a close as Ciaran gathered Roxie into his arms and pulled her on top of him as he stretched out on the long settee.
He began to open the buttons on her dress down to her waist. She gave a little gasp of pleasure when his fingers pushed aside her lacy bra and began to stroke her breasts, his thumb caressing her nipple until it rose to greet his eager lips.
Roxie felt the hardness of him against her thigh and knew that tonight nothing could keep them apart – she wanted this just as much as he did.
‘Ciaran.’ She gasped softly as his hands became more persistent in their exploration. ‘We must . . .’
He paused and looked up into her eyes. She read the fleeting disappointment. ‘We shall not have many chances to be on our own,’ he said huskily.
‘I know, but I think we should go up to my bed, rather than leaving any traces down here.’ She saw the joy and desire return to his blue eyes.
She tried to raise herself but he put his hands around her waist and lifted her and himself from the settee.
‘My darling, Roxie, I love you more with every minute that passes.’ He lowered his head to find her mouth in a searching kiss.
‘Put me down,’ she whispered. ‘You can’t possibly carry me up those stairs.’
‘I can, and I will, if it means you belong to me — only to me — my darling Roxie. I think I’m the happiest man on earth.’
‘And I think we have both drunk a bit too much champagne to do weightlifting on the stairs. We shall get there quicker if you put me down.’
He set her gently on her feet but he kept his arm around her waist, holding her close as they climbed the stairs to her bedroom.
Ciaran lost no time in opening the rest of her buttons and removing her dress, and his eyes blazed at the sight of her in her scanty underwear.
He kissed her gently on every part he could reach then slowly removed the remaining bits of clothing before rapidly stripping off his own.
* * *
Much later, Roxie opened her eyes to see the full moon lighting her bedroom. She lay contentedly cradled in Ciaran’s arms, as he had held her when they’d slept together in the lorry.
‘Are you awake?’ she whispered.
‘I am, but I don’t want to leave you, not ever.’
‘I know. What time is it?’
‘Two o’clock in the morning.’ He nuzzled the silky warmth of her neck. ‘I don’t want to be walking home across the field when Billy arrives for the milking, but I can’t bring myself to leave you, Roxie.’
‘I-I never dreamed it could be so wonderful,’ she murmured.
‘Wonderful enough for us to do it again before I leave, my lovely lassie?’ he asked, his voice husky with emotion. In answer, Roxie turned to him and kissed him with all the passion a man could desire from the woman he loved.
Sometime later, Ciaran pulled on his clothes with a sigh, thinking it was a long time to wait for their wedding in September, how tied Roxie would be once his mother was home and how restrained she would feel, knowing his mother was both observant and very perceptive.
‘I will collect you tomorrow afternoon in time for visiting, Roxie,’ he said softly, bending to give her one last lingering kiss.