Nine Steps to Sara

by Olsen, Lisa

  So why did she feel like weeping?

  “I see. I’ll bid you good night then, my Lady.” With a final bob, she left, and Sara headed straight for the sideboard, pouring herself a jot of scotch. For medicinal purposes, she told herself.

  Sara nearly choked on her drink when Mirella told her the amount she was charging for the night, but she reminded herself that it was a rare gift, and money wasn’t hard to come by. Who was she to deprive the gypsy of her livelihood? Drafting a check from the household account (because really, it was a household expense), Sara handed it over, only to have Mirella pocket it within seconds, as if she was afraid it would snatched away.

  “If you’d like to spend the night you’re more than welcome to. We’ve got plenty of room,” Sara offered, stifling another yawn.

  “No, if it’s all the same to you I’ll take off,” Mirella slung the bag over her shoulder, but hesitated at the door. “Look, it’s none of my business, but there’s something else going on around here.”

  “What do you mean, another ghost?” Sara tried to wrap her head around it, but her brain moved sluggishly thanks to the scotch and the late hour.

  “I don’t know, but there’s some serious juice in this place. I’d rather not go poking into it while I’m wiped though, so you’re on your own for now.”

  “Swell,” Sara frowned, not liking the sound of that one bit.

  “Hey, if you have any more problems, have your man give me a call. I’m expensive, but I’m the best,” she flashed a quick grin and then she was gone.

  Sara remembered very little of the rest of the night. Vaguely she recalled Will escorting her up to bed, tucking her in before withdrawing to his own room with a chaste kiss goodnight. No longer plagued by disturbing dreams or strange sounds in the night, Sara slept like the dead, waking mid morning to find the house bustling with activity as though everything was normal.

  That’s when it occurred to her; everything was normal.

  Without the threat of ghostly interference and the constant worry over Jack’s safety, she could concentrate on other things, and the renovations took up most of her day. Jack for his part followed Will around like a puppy whenever possible and Will’s father when Will was engaged in something too dangerous.

  Despite the thinly disguised disapproval from Mrs. Poole, Sara started on a project of her own, stripping the wallpaper in the parlor. It was a messy prospect, but Sara was as happy as a clam to get her hands dirty. In no rush, she tackled a new section each day as time allowed, and it was there that Jack found her, a few days after the full moon. Oddly subdued, he folded himself into a sheet covered chair to watch her work.

  “What’s the matter, kiddo. Cat got your tongue?” Sara asked when he hadn’t moved or spoken after several minutes.

  “I’m bored. Nobody has any time to hang out with all the renovation going on, and… there’s no one around to talk to.”

  “I’m here, what do you want to talk about?”

  “I dunno,” he shrugged morosely.

  “You know, I’ve been thinking. What do you think about taking some summer classes in Dorcester?”

  “Yeah?” he perked up a little and Sara smiled as she turned back to the wall to keep scraping.

  “Sure, why not? It’ll keep you busy until school starts, and you can meet some of the nearby kids. Would you like that?”

  “What kind of classes?”

  “Anything you want. Art classes, literature, sports, science… we’ll have to see what they offer.”

  “Okay, maybe.”

  “Just maybe?” After the initial burst of interest, his response was underwhelming.

  “It’s just… lonely around here. Even if I meet some kids, they won’t live around here and I won’t have anyone to play with.”

  “What do you mean? I’ll play checkers with you anytime you want.”

  “Yeah, but you’re busy with the plans for the house, and with Will…”

  “I’m never too busy for you, sweetheart. You know that, right?”

  “I guess,” he shrugged.

  Unable to shake the feeling that something else was bugging him, she set down the scraper and wiped her hands off on her jeans. “Is there something else bothering you?”

  “She’s gone.”

  He meant Gemma. “You miss talking to her?”

  “She used to tell me stories and play games. She was there whenever I wanted to play.”

  “I think maybe her time here was past,” Sara replied, treading carefully. “She had something to do, and she did it. Maybe she thought you didn’t need protecting anymore?”

  “Yeah, maybe,” he considered for a few moments. “Do you think she went to a better place?”

  A pang went through her at the thought of Gemma; bound to the pendant and trapped in the Earth for all eternity, but it was for the best. “I think she’s exactly where she needs to be.”

  “How’s my two favorite people in all the world?” Will called out, slipping his head inside the door. “Hey now, slackers the pair of you are. I thought I’d find you both hard at work.”

  “Just taking a little well needed break,” Sara replied, a smile spreading as it usually did when he came into view.

  “Oh, I suppose that means you’re too tuckered out to be of use then?” he patted Jack on the shoulder lightly before taking a seat on the cloth covered coffee table.

  “Me? You have something for me to do?”

  “My Da says he can’t possibly plan the maze without the expert opinion of his assistant. What do you say?”

  “Really?” Jack brightened, instantly losing the slump to his shoulders.

  “Hand to God,” Will grinned at the transformation.

  “Can I go, Mom?”

  “Of course, just be careful out there.”

  “I will, see you later!” Tearing off at a fast clip, the little boy careened through the door, nearly missing the wall in his haste to get out to the back yard.

  “Thanks for that,” Sara offered Will a heartfelt smile. “I think he’s been feeling a little lonely since you know who disappeared.”

  “I thought as much. And how are you settling in? Sleeping better at night?”

  “Much better, thanks.”

  “Pity,” Will gave a long, pent up sigh.

  “You’d rather I was tossing and turning all night?” Sara smacked him in the abs playfully and he caught hold of her hand to press a kiss to the palm.

  “I’d rather you felt the need for me to stay by your side all night again.”

  “Who says I don’t?” she replied, breath hitching as his lips dragged over the sensitive skin of her wrist.

  “Is that an invitation?”

  Something kept her from saying yes, and Sara started to worry he wouldn’t be patient with her forever. But wanting and doing were two very different things, especially when she had Jack to worry about. Sure, he seemed to like Will, but she had to be very careful of her choices. “I think I need to catch my breath a little first.” Sara tugged her hand free, offering a faint smile as she turned to pour herself a glass of cold lemonade she’d been saving for a break. “Would you like some lemonade?”

  “I’ll take whatever you’re ready to give,” Will met her gaze earnestly, fingers brushing against hers as he took the glass.

  Flushing at the brief contact, she poured herself another glass, taking a long sip before she sat back down again. “How’s the work going out there? It amazes me how you can keep track of so many things at once.”

  Will went along with the change of topic seamlessly. “The gazebo is coming along brilliantly; we should have it up by the end of the week.”

  “You’ve done a fantastic job, Will, it really is your calling. Have you thought about going back to school to finish out your degree?”

  “You want me to leave?” he blinked, and Sara rushed to explain, not wanting him to think she was giving him the brush off.

  “No, of course not, but you have to admit, your father is goin
g strong, he doesn’t need you to take care of him anymore.”

  “He might not need me to fetch and carry for him, but he does need my help with the project.”

  “We can always hire on another project manager for him though. Why not get back to your own dreams?”

  “Then you do think I should leave,” Will said carefully, a furrow appearing on his brow.

  She hadn’t really thought it through when she first mentioned it, the last thing she wanted to do was send him away. At the same time, she didn’t want to hold him back for selfish reasons. “I think you should do what makes you happy. It’s not all that far away, we’d still see each other.” And maybe it would be good for them to have a little distance; they’d grown so close so fast, it made her head spin.

  “You’re not trying to give me the old heave ho then?”

  “Of course not,” Sara sat next to him again. “I couldn’t have made it through these past weeks without you, but it doesn’t mean I expect you to hang around here playing gardener forever, you know.”

  “Maybe I like playing gardener, if it means coming home to you at night.”

  God, he was so sweet… “Maybe if you’re in London, that’ll give me an excuse to visit it more? Joanie said I should think about getting a townhouse there. Hey, if I do, then you could stay there and keep an eye on it for me.” Even better; it would make the transition less difficult for him financially and she was happy to do it.

  “Something to think about at any rate. But for the moment I’d better get back to earning my keep,” Will launched himself to his feet. “See you at dinner?”

  “It’s a date,” Sara smiled, turning her face up to be kissed. The future stretched out in front of her with too many possibilities to map out, and for once, she didn’t feel railroaded towards any particular path. With a happy sigh, she picked up the scraper and got back to work.

  *

  Will slid into the booth at the pub, nodding in a friendly passing manner to half a dozen men under his employ at Darling Park, but his insides felt like they were twisted into a snarled tangle as he signaled for a beer. It felt strange to be meeting out in the open, but he supposed it would draw less suspicion and the topic absolutely could not be breached back at the mansion. The thought of Sara waiting there for him, all trusting and the like, was enough to make him down half the beer as soon as it was set in front of him. Like as not he’d end up with an ulcer before all was said and done.

  “Slow down there or I’ll be the one driving us home myself,” Thomas slapped him on the shoulder with an easy grin as he took the seat across from him.

  “I’d rather take my chances with me behind the wheel pissed than you driving,” Will snorted, taking another healthy swig. “Will you tell me now why the need for the cloak and dagger business? You can see well enough the progress I’m making.”

  “That’s exactly why we called for this meet. You’re doing a piss poor job of it,” Thomas’ voice dropped to a growl. “Why haven’t you tupped the girl yet?”

  “I’m trying! I told her I loved her for chrissakes. You can’t rush a thing like this; she’s getting closer to accepting me.”

  “You know your old man will be out of a job and half the people in the county stand to lose a pretty penny if she up and leaves.”

  “She’s not going to leave, I’ve seen to that. Didn’t Eleanor tell you about the gypsy tart I brought up to the house? Took care of the problem you haven’t had the stones to your entire life.”

  “You watch your mouth,” Thomas raised a threatening hand. “It’s not enough, I tell you. We’ve got to be absolutely certain she won’t leave like the last one. None of us can afford to go through another thirty years of lean, remember that.”

  “You don’t know that, she might want to keep the place up to snuff even if she were to move back to America.” Sara seemed genuinely interested in restoring the house to its former glory. “I still think you’re getting your knickers in a knot over nothing. She’s keen on staying, I tell you.”

  “If you expect to earn a single penny you’ll have to get her to accept a proposal within the next fortnight.”

  “You didn’t say I had to get her to agree to marry me so soon,” Will balked, the word sticking in his throat.

  “How else do you expect her to cement her ties to the area, you daft bugger?” Thomas gave him a withering glance.

  “But marriage by the next two weeks? It’s not that easy, she’s a Lady.” Even though Sara had never pulled the class card with him before, it was hard to ignore years of conditioned thinking. Romance her, sure, bed her, maybe, but marriage? He had a hard time believing she’d accept him in such a short time.

  “She’s American.”

  As if that changed everything, and Will supposed in a way it did. If she’d been born in his country he’d never have thought of approaching the subject of marriage in a million years, even with the pressure from Poole. “Exactly, she’s American. And she’s been married before. She’s definitely a look before you leap type of woman, not like these bored country girls who’ll lift their skirts for a few pretty words.” Even as he said the words, Will couldn’t help but think; could he really marry Sara? Have the manor house and the instant family?

  “Better you figure out a way to get her to take the leap or we’ll bring in someone else who can.”

  “What do you mean someone else?” Will scoffed at the empty threat. “You can’t switch me out and expect her to roll with it. I’m the one who’s laid the groundwork, she won’t shift gears that fast, mark my words.”

  “Not if the new bloke breaks the ice by exposing you for the blackguard you are. I imagine that would make great strides in cozying up to her, you reckon?” Positively gleeful in the question, Thomas took his first sip of beer with relish.

  “You wouldn’t dare…” The idea of Sara finding out about his paid arrangement to woo her left a sour taste in his mouth. Imagining the look on her face… he couldn’t do that to her, not for all the money in the world. “Look here, Sara’s a real person, with feelings and…”

  “Watch it there, Will, you’re starting to sound like you’re the one who’s come over all romantic,” Thomas chuckled. “Make no mistake. We’re on a timetable, but you aren’t the only game in town by a long shot. Get the job done, or you might find yourself relocated.”

  “Like you relocated Cole?” He’d never come out and asked if Poole was responsible for the developer’s sudden disappearance, but the look on the man’s face was confirmation enough.

  “Best you never have to find out.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  “I have something I want to ask you.”

  “Okay, shoot.” They sat on a rise that overlooked the rolling hills below, fragrant and green with enough heat of the day to make them shed their shoes and squinch their toes in the grass. Laying with her head on Will’s lap, Sara held a pile of daisies on her stomach, linking them into a long chain.

  “You mightn’t like it right away, but hear me out,” Will began, and Sara shielded her eyes against the sun to see him.

  “Uh oh, why do I not like the sound of that?”

  “It’s not bad exactly; you just have to promise to keep an open mind.”

  “Alright…” The daisies forgotten, Sara craned her neck to get a better look at him.

  “I know I haven’t got any right to ask, I don’t come from money or a title…”

  “I don’t care about that stuff, Will. I wasn’t raised with those things either.” What was he getting around to? Did he need a loan?

  “But if it counts at all with you, I’ve never even thought I’d ask for something like this.”

  Definitely a loan. “Well, what is it?”

  “Marry me.”

  Sara stared up at him, convinced she’d heard him wrong. “What?”

  “Marry me.”

  “That’s not a question.”

  “All right then, will you marry me?” He looked more like he was in line to get
a root canal than deliver a proposal of marriage. When he’d suggested a drive in the country she’d readily taken him up on it, an escape from the hustle and bustle of construction a welcome one and eager to spend a little alone time with Will. But never in a zillion years had she anticipated a marriage proposal.

  “Are you serious?”

  “I’ve never been more serious.”

  “I can’t marry you,” Sara sat up, daisies falling in a shower of petals. “I’ve only known you for a few weeks.”

  “What’s time to do with love?” he gave her that lopsided she loved so much, but did she love him? Will hadn’t brought the subject up again since the on the spot declaration the night of the ritual. There were certainly things she loved about him, but Sara wasn’t sure she was ready to love anyone.

  “Will… it’s not that I don’t appreciate the offer, but it’s pretty sudden, don’t you think? I’m not in a place in my life where I want to even think about marriage.”

  “Come on, Sara, we’d be great together, you know that don’t you? Tell me you don’t feel it when I kiss you.” To illustrate his point, he leaned forward, covering her mouth with his. His hand cupped the back of her neck, binding her to him and Sara lost herself in the power of that kiss.

  “I feel plenty,” she admitted, dragging in a shaky breath. “But that’s not enough to base a marriage on, believe me.”

  Will leaned back on the blanket, hands pressed to his eyes, and Sara wasn’t sure what to say. “It doesn’t mean I don’t still want to keep seeing you. Why can’t we go on like we have been?”

  “Yes, we can do that,” he replied, his voice dull. “That makes excellent sense, of course.”

  A pall fell over them, and Sara didn’t know what to say, fingers absently pulling apart the chain she’d been assembling. Will sat up suddenly, a look of wonderment on his face, as if he’d had an epiphany.

  “Let’s go away together.”

  “Go away? You mean take a trip somewhere?” It was summer, probably a good time for vacation. “But what about all the work going on back at the house?”

  “Bugger the house,” he shook his head decisively. “I mean go away and not come back.”