‘Like it?’ Severine said, a catch in her throat. ‘I love it. You and Rog … your father have excellent taste.’
Damn the man.
Chapter Fourteen
Luna, Jane and Mason arrived at Logan’s restaurant thirty minutes early. Jane had said she wanted to be certain they had plenty of time and was also a little anxious in case Logan needed any help. As the minicab pulled up outside, Luna couldn’t believe her eyes.
‘Is this it?’
‘Yes dear,’ Jane replied, tapping Luna on her knee as if she were trying to calm an excited child.
Luna beamed at Mason. ‘It’s called Moonlight!’
‘So it is, sweetheart. So it is. Er. I’m afraid I shall need your assistance.’
‘Oh yes. Sorry.’
Luna stepped on to the pavement and helped Jane get out before going to the front passenger side to help her uncle.
‘I’ll do it, love.’ The driver appeared, holding Mason’s crutches which he’d previously placed in the boot, and Luna moved out of the way.
Jane had an odd expression on her face.
‘Are you OK?’ Luna asked.
‘You seemed surprised by the name,’ Jane said.
Luna smiled. ‘It’s called Moonlight.’
‘I know it is, dear.’
‘Moonlight is my passion. That’s what I photograph. What I paint. Virtually everything I do involves moonlight. Isn’t that a huge coincidence?’ She struggled to contain her excitement.
‘Yes it is, dear. Well I never. Would you like to know why it’s called Moonlight?’
Luna nodded as Mason thanked the cab driver and eased himself towards her with a clickety-clack of his crutches on the cobbled pavement.
‘It’s because Logan’s dad – my only son – was always saying that he would buy a boat when he retired and that he and his family would sail it around the world. He was going to call it Moonlight. Logan thought it would be a fitting tribute. It’s not a boat, but it does overlook the marina, and the boats anchored there.’ She bobbed her head towards the water just a few feet away, where the waves were pounding the stone walls of the promenade which were keeping the swirling waves at bay. ‘I think it’s a wonderful sentiment, don’t you?’
‘Absolutely.’
Luna could see that talking about this was upsetting Jane and without thinking, she gave her a quick hug.
‘Well, Mason.’ Jane clearly wanted to change the subject. ‘Let’s get you inside. The wind is picking up again and if you fall over I’m not sure Luna and I will be able to get you up.’
‘I probably shouldn’t have come,’ Mason said. Not in a self-pitying way, but in a matter-of-fact manner. ‘I don’t want to be a burden. But you did both insist.’
‘Nonsense,’ Jane said, marching ahead. ‘You won’t be a burden. And we knew that you didn’t really want to miss this.’
Luna fell into step beside her uncle.
‘I wonder if Logan would consider having some of my photographs and paintings on display. It would be such a perfect opportunity for me and it would tie in so brilliantly with the name of the restaurant. You didn’t tell me it was called Moonlight.’
‘I don’t recall it being mentioned. If it had, I would have asked the lad myself about taking your artwork. I think it’s an excellent idea. I’ll put a word in Jane’s ear but I’m sure you can persuade Logan without any help from us. He’s a handsome young man, after all, and you’re a beautiful young woman.’
Luna remembered the last time she and a handsome young man had discussed artwork. Her mother’s sculptures. And that hadn’t worked out so well. Perhaps she had better find another outlet for her pictures. The last thing she needed in her life right now was a man and complications. Although – unless she was completely on the wrong track – she was pretty sure that Logan’s interests lay elsewhere. If the way he had looked at Severine Starr and defended her against his gran was anything to go by, Logan Dorset was very much in love with someone else. Luna stood very little chance of getting his attention, let alone of him being attracted to her.
Not that she wanted that.
Did she?
No. This was strictly business. If Logan was willing to display her artwork, she would happily give him a percentage of the profits.
‘Thanks, Mason. Let’s see what the situation is once we get inside. He may already have his walls plastered in art. If that’s the case, I’d rather not put him on the spot and make him feel under any obligation to help a friend of his gran’s.’
‘Come along, you two,’ Jane said. ‘There’s a drink in here with my name on it. And I mean that literally. Logan has a friend who makes cocktails in one of those posh hotels in London. He’s invented a cocktail for Logan, called The Moonlight and another called Jane’s Undoing, just for me.’ Jane giggled like a twenty-year-old at a hen night.
‘I like the sound of that,’ Mason said. Then leaning closer to Luna he added, ‘I was rather hoping I would be Jane’s undoing, but at my age and in this condition, I’ll take all the help I can get.’ He winked, and the clickety-clack of his crutches clicked and clacked much faster.
Luna smiled and followed Jane and Mason into the restaurant.
Logan spotted them the second the door opened.
‘Hello, Gran. You’re looking lovely as always.’
‘So are you. I’m so proud of you, Logan. Is your mother here? She called to say she would come straight here because she was running late.’
Logan nodded. ‘She arrived a few minutes ago. She’s in the room upstairs, getting changed. Hello, Mason. I’m so glad you made it. I didn’t think you would. Here. Let me take your coats. Come and sit down before it gets too crowded and we’re playing musical chairs with the seats.’
He smiled at Luna and she saw him look her up and down as she removed her coat.
‘You came,’ he said. ‘You look stunning.’
She handed him her coat. ‘Thanks. You look pretty good yourself. I love the name of your restaurant.’
‘Thanks. It has special significance to me.’
‘Yes. Your gran told me about your dad. I’m so sorry. But I think what you’ve done is a testament to your love for him. He’d be exceedingly proud, I’m sure.’
Logan gave her a wistful smile. ‘Thank you. That means a lot.’ Then he grinned mischievously. ‘Of course, that depends on whether or not anyone gets food poisoning from the oysters. He might not be so proud if they do. Let me get you all some drinks.’
He handed the coats to a girl dressed in a pale silver-grey skirt and blouse.
‘She looks like a moonbeam,’ Luna said.
Logan raised his brows. ‘Phew. That’s what we were going for. Mum suggested it. I wanted something different from the traditional black and white. It seemed like a good idea in my head but I was worried it wouldn’t work out in reality. I was concerned the staff would look as if we’d wrapped them in tin foil ready for the oven.’
Luna smiled. ‘You’re fine. Tin foil didn’t even enter my head. Although now you mention it … Don’t worry. I’m joking.’
Jane and Mason sat at a table near the bar and Luna joined them as Logan got the attention of one of the waiters.
‘Champagne, Gran?’ Logan asked. ‘Or would you like your cocktail?’
‘Cocktail first. Champagne later.’ She beamed. ‘I feel like the Queen. Having a drink named after me. I know she has ships and things, but a cocktail is more up my street.’
Logan smiled. ‘Luna? With your name, you’ve got to try the house cocktail. It’s called The Moonlight.’
‘Yes please. This place looks perfect, Logan. Congratulations.’
‘It does, sweetheart,’ Jane added.
‘And it’s so different from what was here before,’ Mason said. ‘This looks very up-market.’
Logan looked pleased. ‘I’m glad you think so. I wish I’d ordered some artwork for the walls. I meant to, but I couldn’t find what I was looking for and then time got away from me. Act
ually, the truth is, I forgot. I was going to dash out and buy something this morning but I got a bit side-tracked and then it went out of my head.’
The waiter brought the drinks and the second he handed Luna hers, she took two large gulps.
‘What’s wrong?’ Logan was saying, darting looks between Mason and Luna. ‘You’re both giving me very odd looks. Have I got spinach in my teeth or something? Or are you simply thinking what an absolute berk I am for forgetting something like that?’
Luna’s cheeks flushed as all eyes turned to her. ‘Gosh. That’s delicious. Um. Sorry. No. You’re not a berk and your teeth are perfect. I mean … Um … It’s just that… Um …’
Mason came to her rescue. ‘It just so happens that Luna is an artist and photographer. And, by a rather strange quirk of fate, her artwork is predominately pictures of the moonlight in all its various glories.’
‘Oh. I’d forgotten that,’ said Jane.
Logan was clearly astonished. ‘You’re kidding. Seriously? That’s incredible. Do you have any with you?’
For some absurd reason, Luna glanced at her clutch bag. ‘Not here. And most of it’s in transit. On its way from Spain. But it should be here within the next couple of days. Not that that helps you now.’
‘You could borrow some of the pictures Luna has sent me over the years,’ Mason suggested. ‘But I’d want them back, of course. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind popping back to the cottage and grabbing a few, if you’d like. Although banging nails into the walls just before your guests arrive might not be such a good idea.’
‘It’s a great idea,’ Logan said. ‘Oh. But Luna may not—’
‘I’d be happy to.’ Luna jumped to her feet. ‘I’ll go right now. It’ll only take about fifteen minutes if I get the cab to wait.’
‘I’ll come with you,’ Logan said.
Jane looked horrified. ‘On your opening night?’
Logan’s mum appeared from the doorway to one side of the kitchen, leading upstairs.
‘Hello Jane. What’s going on?’
‘Mum!’ Logan beamed. ‘This is perfect. You can hold the fort. Luna is an artist. We’re dashing to Mason’s to get some of her pictures for the walls. We’ll call a cab.’
Not in the least bit perplexed, his mum smiled. ‘Take my car. It’ll be quicker. You’ve got plenty of time. Guests won’t start arriving until seven at the earliest and it’s only just gone six-thirty now.’
Logan kissed her on the cheek. ‘Thanks, Mum. You’re the best.’
She grinned. ‘I know. And you can introduce me to this lovely young lady when you get back.’
‘Oh sorry! I wasn’t thinking. Mum, this is Luna. Luna, this is Mum. Let’s go.’
Luna smiled and waved at Logan’s mum as he dashed towards the back door which Luna assumed would lead to a car park. ‘It’s lovely to meet you.’ She followed him and stepped outside as he held the door open.
‘And you, dear. We’ll talk more later.’
‘You’re a lifesaver,’ Logan said, opening the car door for Luna.
‘Actually, you’re doing me a huge favour.’
Logan got in and a second later they were heading towards Bell Cottage.
‘Oh? How’s that? I’m the one who needs the artwork.’
She took a deep breath. ‘Yes. But I’m the one who needs to earn a living and was going to be really cheeky and ask if you’d be interested in a proposition.’
He shot her a look and grinned. ‘A proposition? That sounds intriguing.’
‘Don’t get too excited.’
‘Are you cold? You’re shivering. Sorry, I should’ve grabbed your coat.’
‘I wasn’t shivering. I…’ She couldn’t tell him that several rather naughty thoughts popped into her head because of the way he’d looked at her. ‘I’m fine. Anyway, what I was going to propose is that you could hang a few of my pictures and possibly offer them for sale, or alternatively, display a few of my business cards. I’d give you a percentage of any money I make from sales, or a flat fee if it was just the cards.’
‘Wow! This must be fate. I need pictures. You need somewhere to display yours. It’s perfect. As for a percentage, let’s just agree that you keep my walls covered for free and I’ll display your art for free. Deal?’
‘Are you sure? I seem to be getting the best of the bargain. And you haven’t seen my pictures yet. You might hate them.’
‘I’m sure. And I don’t think I’ll hate them. Unless they’re some sort of abstract art. I’m not a huge fan of that. They’re not, are they? I think I’ve seen some of the pictures hanging on Mason’s walls and if they were yours, I like them already.’
Luna smiled. ‘I’m not a fan of abstract art either. Mine are simply photographs and paintings of the moon and moonlight, over land and sea, some using a variety of mediums and filters.’
‘Great. So do we have a deal?’
She smiled. ‘We have a deal. But if you hate them, I’ll give you a chance to back out.’
‘I won’t back out.’
Seconds later, they pulled up outside Bell Cottage.
‘We’re here.’
‘Don’t sound so surprised, Luna. It’s not that far and I was probably exceeding the speed limit.’
They got out and dashed into the cottage and Luna pointed out the first painting hanging in the hall. It was a black and white photo of the moon over the hills behind her parents’ house in Spain. The house she had just sold.
‘I love that,’ Logan said. ‘May I borrow it?’
Luna nodded. A momentary rush of sadness and longing for the past, swept over her but she quickly regained her composure and moved on. Within a matter of minutes, both of them had their arms full of photographs and paintings.
‘I should’ve brought a box to put them in,’ Logan said, as they headed back to the car.
‘Do you have a hammer and nails at the restaurant?’ Luna asked.
He threw her a doubtful look. ‘I’m not sure.’
‘Wait there one minute. I’ll grab Mason’s toolbox from under the stairs.’
She raced back into the cottage and when she came out, Logan was staring across the channel separating the mainland from Snowflake Isle, his eyes firmly fixed on the doorway to Snowflake Inn. He seemed oblivious of her return.
‘Logan? Logan? We can go.’
He turned his head to look at her and there was sadness in his eyes. And something more. Something akin to … longing.
‘Sorry,’ he said, far less exuberant than he had been. ‘I was miles away.’
Luna had an unpleasant feeling that she knew exactly where his thoughts had taken him. And for some unfathomable reason, it bothered her far more than it should.
Chapter Fifteen
Minicabs, to ferry everyone to Logan’s restaurant were waiting in the car park of Snowflake Cove, a few minutes before seven. Due to the number of people going, there were several cabs, and they jostled for space amongst the residents’ cars.
Severine, who had astonishingly been the first person to be ready, stood in the doorway of Snowflake Inn watching the drivers negotiate their vehicles in and out of the small opening to the car park. How any of them would cope in a city with real traffic problems, she had no idea. Sipping her glass of Molly’s homemade lemonade – and wishing it were wine – she pictured the streets of New York, where car horns blared every couple of seconds and the air frequently turned blue with expletives yelled through hastily opened car windows.
‘Hello Severine.’
Severine froze on the spot, even though her heart was racing and her body felt as if it had spontaneously combusted at the sound of that voice. A voice she hadn’t heard for more than fifteen years but one she recognised immediately.
She swallowed whatever had caught in her throat and steeled her heart and mind and body to turn around and face Roggero Tazzeone.
‘Hello.’ Her mouth felt dry so she licked her lips. ‘That’s it? That’s all you have to say to me after all these ye
ars?’
Roggero, still as handsome as the last day she had seen him, shrugged and gave a strange little smile.
‘It is a start.’ He walked towards her, one hand tucked into a pocket of his black trousers, the other fiddling with his tie as if it were a fraction too tight. ‘You have not changed at all.’
‘So everyone keeps telling me.’
She had forgotten how tall and svelte he was. Forgotten how his black hair gleamed as if sprayed with metallic paint. Forgotten how his dark eyes could seem so bright and warm and sensual. She must keep her cool. Part of her wanted to run away from him, part wanted to slap his face and another part – a small part – wanted to run into his arms and hold him so tight that he would never be able to walk away from her again.
‘You are still very beautiful, Severine.’
Hell’s Bells, even her name sounded sexy when he said it.
‘And you are still a liar.’
He halted. ‘A liar? I do not think I ever lied to you.’
‘You said you loved me.’
‘I did love you.’
‘You said you were going to leave Sylvie.’
‘I did leave Sylvie.’
‘But not for me! You left me too. I thought we were going to be together forever. I thought you were going to marry me. I thought …’
She sucked in a breath. What was she doing? She gulped her lemonade and looked away. Too many years had passed to be having this conversation now.
‘I am sorry, Severine.’ He came and stood beside her. ‘I was foolish. I was out of my depth. I behaved appallingly to many people. But I do not think I lied. I did not say we would be together. I did not say we would marry. It is not an excuse and I know I must ask for your forgiveness, but I did not lie to you.’
‘You just abandoned me. You abandoned our daughter.’
He looked as if he had been punched in the stomach. He closed his eyes for a split second and let out a sigh.
‘And that I regret. I regret leaving without telling anyone. I regret running away from my family. From my responsibilities. From you. And from Raven. I regret many things. But I cannot regret loving you. I cannot regret Raven. She is beautiful, Severine. She is a wonderful girl and I thank you with all my heart for having her. For bringing her up and making her the girl that she is. You should be proud. Very proud.’
Blame it on the Moonlight Page 7