“Yes, ma’am,” he replied. Grace was referring to the fact that Peter was vegetarian. Though in the past, he would have never allowed animal or meat products in his house, he had mellowed a bit for Grace’s sake.
Scanning the two tables containing lunch, I noticed most of it looked vegetarian. Salads, fruits. I wondered if Grace was going over to the ‘other side’… I grabbed a plate full of fruit along with a small salad and sat down at one of the tables spread out along the patio. The beach and water beckoned gently. Looking off to one side, I saw Damien walking along the water’s edge with both of his daughters. Peter brought me back to reality asking me what I’d like to drink as he placed a tall glass of lemonade in front of me. He knew I loved his homemade concoction of lemons, sugar, and something I’d never been able to figure out.
“You look good, Zara,” he said as he sat down across from me. “Having some time off looks good on you.”
“Thanks, but I don’t know if it’s simply having some time off. I sure haven’t had any free time.” I giggled and popped a grape in my mouth as I observed Amadeus picking through the fruits and veggies on the buffet.
“I wouldn’t expect you to simply lie around. It’s not in your nature to be idle.”
“That’s for sure, what with two kids to keep up with, or should I say three. Amadeus acts just like one of them when he’s home.”
“Logan seems like a nice boy. Is he adjusting to everything as well as can be expected?”
“Yes, he’s done quite well. He follows Amadeus around like a shadow, but I imagine that won’t last forever given his age.”
“Given whose age?” Amadeus asked as he sat down beside me with his plate piled high.
“Logan,” I replied, nodding my head at the young boy who was matching his father in food. The youngster balanced his plate and drink toward a nearby table where a couple of Angus’ kids were eating. “He’s not going to stay your shadow forever given his age.”
“Oh, I know. I feel for you, Zara. Lucky for me, I’ll be away when that starts happening.”
“You putz,” I teased. “That’s right, go off on tour and leave me to raise the kids. I know how you guys do.”
“You could all go along with Amadeus, you know,” Peter chimed in.
“Perhaps next year,” I replied. “I would like to get everyone into a routine and settled into the house, school, and such before we go uprooting them and taking them along with tutors and nannies on the road.”
Amadeus looked up from his plate of food at Peter. His tone and look had gone from carefree to serious. “While Damien isn’t here, any word about Julia or Don?”
Peter shook his head. In an effort to help the authorities find the two, Peter had hired his own people. “Not a hiccup, Amadeus. She’s not contacted either of the girls since the last time. My people assume, and the authorities seem to agree, that they must have taken on aliases and are traveling under assumed names now.”
Amadeus shook his head, not saying a word. What could you say? She had left everyone hanging with a huge mess. Amadeus and I had cleaned it up as well as we could, but it wasn’t over. We both hoped this next tour the three did would have any remaining vendors paid off and each of them in the black as far as their own income.
“Well, Miss Elizabeth here is ready for some lunch, Zara. Can she eat from the table or should I get her some baby food?” Grace asked holding onto the freshly changed baby.
“She can have some fruit as long as there are no seeds, and she’s drinking whole milk now. If you don’t mind starting her on that, I’ll get her some baby food as soon as I finish.”
“You go ahead and eat. We’ll just let her choose what she wants.”
We finished lunch in quiet conversation. Amadeus nonchalantly drew closer to me as we sat mesmerized by our surroundings. He swung a leg over my thigh, letting it rock back and forth in a slow sensual motion. We were quickly shaken back into reality by Logan begging to go down on the beach. Amadeus groaned as he stood up, pulling me to my feet as he did.
“You two go on with Logan. Peter and I’ll watch Elizabeth. It’s too hot for her down there right now.”
Neither of us argued with her and made our way down the stairs towards the gate. Surprisingly, Elizabeth didn’t even seem to notice our leaving. I turned one last time as I walked through the gate toward the house. She was sitting on Peter’s lap enthralled with whatever story he was telling her. The picture made me wonder about my own family. I never thought of them much. Heck, we’d never been close. I considered Amadeus’s family more of my own family than my birth family. Their loss, I mused as I took Amadeus’s hand and we strolled towards the beach and water.
Seeing his brothers and Logan rushing off in their direction, Amadeus kissed me passionately on the lips, winked at me, and took off in a jog towards the group. I shook my head and waded through the water, enjoying the coolness on my feet. As I walked a bit further, I was pleasantly surprised to find Ashleigh sitting in her bathing suit in the water, watching her daughters splash and play in the surf. I hadn’t yet changed and was still wearing my outfit of Capris and a sleeveless blouse. She stood up to greet me, brushing wet sand off her legs as she did.
“Zara, glad to see you all got here. Have you been here long?”
“No, we had lunch and that’s about it. The boys wanted to get down here, so I followed.”
We walked along the stretch of beach in front of the huge mansions lining the coast line. It amazed me how some of these houses were exclusively vacation homes or weekend getaways. But then I stopped myself, remembering all the vast real estate Peter owned, wondering if the same lay in store one day for Amadeus and me.
“Did Grace happen to mention to you yet about taking the girls back into Manhattan for a girls’ day out?”
“No, she didn’t, but she was fussing with Elizabeth.”
“She thought we could take all the girls, go do some shopping for school clothes, and have lunch and perhaps high tea in the city. What do you think?”
“I’m game if you are, but you know the kids in Seattle dress nothing like they do here in the east. It’s far more casual. I’d hate for her to spend all that money on clothes they’ll never wear.”
“My thoughts exactly. I thought we might propose taking them somewhere here on Long Island for lunch and some fun shopping. I think the girls would enjoy what they could find out here more than in Manhattan. I know Grace won’t want to take them to the shops they’d rather go to.”
I giggled thinking of some of the shops in question. Not the typical boutiques or mega stores of Manhattan, that’s for sure. “I think that would be more fun for them. Isn’t there that new trendy restaurant that opened this summer that sits on the water? Amadeus mentioned something about wanting to go out to dinner there while we were here, just the two of us.”
“Yes, Grace even mentioned something about it. I think she’ll be fine with it.”
We walked along some more in a pleasant silence. I had to ask. “You and Angus getting things worked out?” I glanced over at her. She had a grin on her face.
“Yeah, I think we’re good. He’s agreed to go to counseling before he leaves on tour and promised to resume it when he gets home.”
“Good, that’s a step in the right direction. I’m glad because I don’t know how much more of his sad puppy dog eyes I could have taken. He’s been pitiful, Ashleigh.”
“I know. Serves him right, though. Back to Damien’s kids. Angus and I have discussed it, and I’m going to try and spend as much time as I can with his kids. We’re close by. In fact, Zara, we’re going to purchase Grace and William’s old house.”
“That’s fantastic. A new beginning then. And it will do Damien’s kids a world of good having you close. I’ve been worried about him going off on tour and them being at home.”
“Well, they’re going to stay with me while he’s gone. And please don’t mention a thing to Amadeus about the house yet. Angus wants to tell everyone while we’
re together here.”
“I won’t, promise. I suppose perhaps you and I could do things with the kids over the weekends, or if you need me during the week, I could come over.”
“Perhaps. We’ll just let school start and see what happens. Once they all fall into their school routine, they may be too busy.”
“Which would be a good thing. We’re hoping Logan will try out for band or something. He doesn’t have much interest in sports, but that may change.” We walked around some more, turning back and walking back to the house. “I’m really dreading this tour and being on my own with a teenage boy.”
“Well, that’s why you moved out to the island. To contain some of the city mischief.”
“I know, I know, and I’m sure I’ll do fine. It’s just the thought is so scary.”
We both laughed and leisurely made our way back to the house. Wherever the men and kids were we didn’t know. No one seemed to be in sight.
****
Our stay on Long Island with Grace and Peter flew by. All of us girls, minus Elizabeth, painted the town one afternoon, having lunch and shopping until we almost did drop. Grace may not have gotten her day in Manhattan with her granddaughters, but she was just as happy for the more laid back atmosphere of the Hamptons. I told Grace on the sly that I was sure we would have gotten the evil eye by all the younger ones if we’d dragged them into Manhattan. This way they were free to pace themselves and relax as they tried on and begged their grandmother for must have items.
Two nights before we were to head back to Seattle, Amadeus and I decided to go out by ourselves to dinner. The time here had been nonstop since we’d arrived. Playing and swimming on the beach or in the pool, some sailing. Trips into town for shopping, or in the girls’, case to check out the local male species. We’d barely had time to speak to each other, and when we did, it was usually about one of the kids or grunting at the other to turn off the light as the last one climbed into bed.
We had dinner at the new trendy restaurant the girls and I had all tried for lunch earlier in the week. I looked forward to spending a more relaxed, quiet time with my husband now.
“This was a nice idea, A. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome. I was ready for some time alone with you. It seems as though we never get to talk when family is together. We’re always on the go.”
“You’re right about that. This bunch does not believe in sitting still or wasting precious time.”
A waiter brought us a wine selection. I nodded to Amadeus to choose. After he gave the young man the selection of a red wine, we sat back and enjoyed the view from the table.
I picked up my menu and weighed my options. Finally, I told Amadeus what I’d have. Steak and lobster. Why not? I knew the lobster would be fresh, and I knew he’d help me with the steak. He nodded at my choice.
We enjoyed a long leisurely dinner complete with a bottle of wine and dessert. Since we were dropped off in front of the restaurant by one of the older kids, Amadeus and I decided we were up for the rather lengthy walk back. We chose to make the trek back to the house along the beach that ran all the way from town and around this part of the island. We removed our shoes, dangling them in our hands as we walked hand in hand along the shoreline. We barely spoke, just enjoying each other’s presence.
At some point Amadeus leisurely put his arm around my shoulder. He was closer now, and I could smell the combination of his soapy manliness, his cologne, and his lust. He pulled me to him and muttered in my ear. “I want you, Zara.” His hands moved to my head, then to my neck and down until he cupped my ass. I reached up as my hands threaded through his long hair. His mouth covered mine, an animalistic sound rising from his throat as our tongues collided. Primal need coursed through me as I felt my nipples harden, begging for his touch as I squirmed and clutched him tighter.
Finally, he loosened his grip. We stood there gazing into each other’s eyes. “Come on,” he growled in my ear. “Take off your panties. I know a perfect out of the way spot.”
I giggled, taking one of his hands and leading it under my sundress. I wasn’t wearing any. I leaned further down, picked up my sandals and purse. I laughed again as he playfully slapped my ass. Picking up his shoes, he grabbed my hand and led me running down the beach. Slowing down to a walk he wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me tight against him. We continued walking, holding on to each other, not uttering a word.
Life was good; it was ours for the taking. We had two wonderful, healthy kids, and a strong and sensual marriage. Bliss. Amadeus and I had always been good at living life to the fullest, and tonight was no exception.
###
THE END
Tudor Reunion Tour Page 14