We Can Laugh Together Too (Walnut Grove Trilogy)
Page 5
Livy dropped her overnight bag on the queen-size bed and made a beeline for the french window which she opened wide and stepped out onto the balcony to drink in the panoramic ocean view. She experienced the overwhelming feeling that she was in the middle of a dream, from which she would surely soon awaken, only to find herself back in her own, familiar, but now lonely bed. After the indescribable nightmare of Will’s death, was this nothing more than an unattainable dream that would flutter tantalizingly out of reach like one of the exquisite monarch butterflies she could see in the bushes below?
She shook her head to clear her thoughts. No — it wasn’t a fantasy, it was real, and Matt had made it real. The sudden surge of affection she felt for this innately kind and thoughtful man caught her completely unawares.
She went back inside to the bathroom where she changed into a simple tee-shirt, capri pants and sandals, splashed water on her face, and ran a brush through her hair.
It was almost as if Matt was waiting at the door of his room because he opened it the instant she knocked. “Ready?” he asked. “Right, let’s go and work up an appetite for dinner.”
The beach was just steps away through the inn’s oceanfront gardens. As they reached the sand, Livi spontaneously took Matt’s hand and he responded with a warm smile. They turned north and began following the sweep of the coast toward the bluffs of Sunset Palisades. At their backs, Pismo Beach Pier stretched its long, narrow arm ocean-wards. Gulls wheeled overhead, and way in front, a sand-yacht was racing along at the water’s edge. Without a doubt, it was an area of arresting beauty.
Feeling free and unfettered, they wandered hand in hand without concern for either time or distance. When they reached an outcrop of rock, polished smooth by the action of the waves, they sat together and watched the slow progress of a ship on the horizon. The sights and sounds filled the warm late-afternoon; it was perfect.
Eventually they returned to the inn and went to their rooms to shower before dinner. Livy drew her honey-blond hair into a knot, applied a little lipstick and donned a silk blouse and lightweight pants. When they met up again, Matt was wearing slacks and a salmon colored shirt.
“Extensive research informs me . . .” he told her with a grin, “that the Ventana Grill is a restaurant of repute in this neck of the woods. Want to give it a shot?” Livi was more than happy to agree.
The restaurant was too far to walk so they took the car. It was clearly a very popular eatery and hummed with activity. They had to wait several minutes for a table, but staff sat them in the appropriately name Sunset Room, from where, high on a bluff, they sipped Margarita de Ventanas and watched a rich, red sunset whilst being serenaded by the crash of waves on the beach below. For the umpteenth time that day, Livi had to pinch herself, just to be certain it all was real.
They both started with a cup of clam chowder soup, made with local clams, then Livi chose Jumbo Shrimp Al Ajillo and Matt opted for Local White Sea Bass. Afterwards, he even found room for dessert, but Livi could not be tempted, settling instead for a Kioke Coffee.
Before returning to the inn, they drove south down Highway One to take a look at the pier at night, tastefully picked out with lights. It was all quite delightful.
As they made the return journey, sitting in a companionable silence, it occurred to Livi that apart from a quick kiss on the cheek when he’d picked her up that morning, Matt had done absolutely nothing she could have found reason to object to. He surely was a remarkable man.
Outside her door, he repeated that morning’s kiss. “Good night, it’s been a day I’ll remember always.”
Her eyes wouldn’t meet his. “Me too. Do you want to come in?”
He cupped her chin in his hand. “More to the point—do you want me to come in?”
“I’m not sure,” she said honestly. “All I can tell you is, I don’t want this wonderful day to end, which it will do if I go into this room alone and shut the door. Just come and keep me company for a bit longer, please . . .”
He took the key-card out of her hand, opened the door and led her inside. “Let’s go and sit on the balcony and listen to the ocean. Would you like a beer? I expect there will be some in the fridge.”
“No, I don’t think so, but please, get one for yourself.” She rummaged in her overnight bag for a cardigan which she draped around her shoulders, and then they stepped back outside into the cool ocean air to sit together on the balcony. A group of teenagers, possibly from the nearby Cal Poly University were calling to each other down on the beach and the lights of another ship glinted and twinkled way out on the horizon.
“One night isn’t enough is it?” Matt asked unexpectedly. “We’ve got to do this again, but for longer next time.”
Livi didn’t answer immediately. ”Matt,” she said finally, “I suddenly came to understand today, just how much you’ve become a part of my life. I want to spend time — much more time — with you, but I don’t expect you to constantly spend large amounts of money to make it happen. I’m not that sort of person.”
“Sweetheart, I know exactly what sort of person you are. I also know that left to your own devices you’d probably never do anything like this again. The same goes for me, but together . . . who knows?”
Livi took his hands in hers. “Together sounds good. I never imagined I’d say that again, but I have, and I really mean it.”
His eyes seemed to drink her in. “Then this weekend has been worth it; every minute of it.” He drew her to him and kissed her, gently at first then with more passion. She wrapped her arms around him and clung to him tightly.
“Do you want me to go?” he whispered when, at last, they drew apart. She shook her head.
“No, I want you to stay.”
They went back inside the room, from which the full length windows looked out across the moonlit ocean. It seemed a pity to shut it off, but Matt slid the french window closed and pulled the drapes. He then sat on the bed with his back against the headboard and Livi sat next to him, her legs stretched out alongside his. They started to kiss again; this time longer, hungrier kisses.
He didn’t pressure her, in fact, she was the one dictating the pace. She had discarded her cardigan before sitting down, but eventually she pulled away from him and slowly, piece by piece, removed her clothes. Her nipples were hard and her honey-blond hair fell in tresses around her face. Matt gazed at her; even with his clothes intact, it was evident how aroused he had become.
Gently, unhurriedly, she began undressing him, her fingers gently stroking his bare skin. Her hazel eyes burning with a passion he’d never seen before in a woman, and with Livi, it was not what he expected; her eyes were like windows to her soul. He was unable to suppress his desire for her any longer. With an intense hunger, he rolled over until he was on top of her and she felt him, hard and urgent between her legs.
He reached down into the silky curls guarding her most secret area until his fingers found the special, tender spot, and she cried out with pleasure as he entered her. They both had a powerful thirst to quench, but the gratification they imparted to each other was consummate and tender.
When it was over, she lay back on the pillows and smiled a smile of supreme contentment. “Doc,” she murmured, “you sure have a bedside manner.”
He chuckled and kissed her slender breast. “Vets don’t have a bedside manner, although I’m prepared to make an exception for you.”
They lay for hours, talking and kissing and exploring each other’s bodies. When they made love for a second time, it was slower, less urgent, but equally as pleasurable. Afterwards, they clung together, limbs entwined, and eventually drifted off to sleep.
The sun was already shining when they awoke next morning and Matt opened the french window to a fresh, salty breeze. He sat down on the bed next to Livi and kissed her. “I shall have to go next door to shower and get dressed,” he said. “All my things are there.”
She nodded and pushed the bedclothes back. “I’ll jump in the shower too.”
♠ ♠ ♠
After checking out, they secured their bags in the trunk of the car and Matt drove north to the charming little town of Los Osos and Montana De Oro State Park. Despite being so early in the season, they came up behind several RVs crawling in procession towards the entrance, so once inside the park, Matt consulted a map, then, intrigued by its name, headed for Spooner’s Cove, tucked away in the north-west corner.
The cove boasted a ruggedly beautiful beach, hemmed in on both sides by tall cliffs and along these were slanted rock formations, one in particular where the cliff dropped down in the shape of an arch, allowing passage through it. There were tide pools, and in the middle of the cove, a giant rock hefted itself from the beach, and out into the water. It proved to be easily climbable, and delivered a pleasing view of the blue ocean and white froth from the surf crashing below.
They sat together, at its highest point, listening to the sounds of the waves. Matt embraced Livi, holding her close; she snuggled up to him, her head nestled against his neck.
“I don’t want this weekend to end,” he whispered, his lips pressed into her hair. “Last night was more than I ever dared dream about. It really did happen didn’t it, it wasn’t my imagination?”
She smiled, “It wasn’t a dream. Before I fell asleep I was thinking I would wake up this morning consumed with guilt because of what we did, but it wasn’t like that at all. I just felt ridiculously happy.”
He hugged her even closer to him. “I love you Livi, that’s all I’ve been able to think about for weeks. Leaving you tonight is going to break my heart.”
She took a moment before replying. “We have no choice. If it was just you and me it would be different, but Chrissy was devastated when her Dad died. She’s been brilliant accepting you as a friend, but asking her to accept you as my lover is something very different. It’s going to involve a lot of careful planning.”
“I know, and believe me, I understand, I really do, but it doesn’t make it any easier to come to terms with. And how I’m going to deal with moving up to Napa in a couple of weeks I honestly don’t know.”
Livi raised her head from his chest, “I thought we weren’t going to mention work this weekend. Don’t be unhappy, please. We’ll sort it all out, one way or another, I know we will. We’ve got to.”
He kissed her. “Yes, we’ve got to.”
He helped her down off the rock and they ambled hand in hand back across the beach, occasionally, finding bits of blue and green sea glass, tumbled by the constant motion of ocean and sand to appear as beautiful, polished gems. Livi was enchanted and collected several pieces. “These are some great souvenirs,” she said in delight. “Priceless!”
Eventually they returned to the car and started back towards San Luis Obispo. The midday sun filtered through the trees and threw dappled shadows across the road. The park was serene, yet splendid. In spite of the obstacles looming ahead, Livi felt extraordinarily happy.
♠ ♠ ♠
They arrived back at Walnut Grove shortly after seven o’clock. Rosa was sitting on the bench outside the kitchen door sipping lemonade and Livi caught a glimpse of the girls and dogs half way down the track to Isidoro’s house.
Rosa greeted them with a beaming smile. “Welcome home. I hope you had a good weekend.”
“We did indeed,” Matt assured her, hoisting Livi’s overnight bag out of his SUV. “Shall I put this in the kitchen?”
“Yes, please.” She followed him inside and gasped with pleasure: the big room sparkled and fresh baked dishes of tamales and aromatic hot breads sat temptingly in the middle of the table. “Oh, Rosa this look wonderful, but you shouldn’t have. Thank you.”
“My pleasure Mrs. Leonard. I like to keep busy. Chrissy has already eaten, so you won’t have to worry about her tonight, and I’ve washed and ironed the sheets Katia and I used.”
Livi was lost for words. “Rosa, I bless the day you and Isidoro came into our lives.” Impulsively she hugged the little Mexican lady, who looked as if she might burst with pride at any moment. To cover her self-consciousness, she picked up a cloth and wiped away a few non-existent spots from the countertop. “I’ll be going then Mrs. Leonard.”
She started for the door, but Matt quickly stopped her. “There’s no need to walk, let me drive you.”
Rosa protested, but Matt insisted. He was only gone a few minutes, but Livi took the opportunity to dash up to her room and change into shorts and a tee-shirt. She was sitting at the table munching a tamale when he returned, accompanied by Chrissy and the two exuberant Dalmatians.
“Look who I found,” he said with a grin. “Three girls looking for a ride home.”
“Hi Mom, have fun?” Chrissy planted a kiss on Livi’s cheek. “I’m going to watch TV in my room,” and with a swirl of honey blond hair she was gone.
Livi burst out laughing. “I don’t think she even missed me.” She hugged her boisterous dogs, “but you did didn’t you? I hope you behaved yourselves.”
They wriggled and squirmed with pleasure. “Dogs are so uncomplicated,” she said. “You should have a dog — it would be good company for you.”
Matt sat down at the table and helped himself to a tamale. “My life’s not stable enough at the moment — wow this is good — going from contract to contract, a dog could be an obstacle, I often have to live in a motel.”
She looked at him wide-eyed. “A motel? That’s dreadful. What will they provide for you to live in Napa?”
“Haven’t got a clue. Don’t want to think about it right now.” He reached across the table and took her hand. “This unbelievable weekend’s nearly over. How are we going to get some time together without upsetting Chrissy?”
Livi shook her head. “I honestly don’t know. You’re working during the day and she’s here most of the time now school’s out. She doesn’t seem to have any suspicions yet, but . . .” A gleam suddenly appeared in her eye. “But you can come and check on the horses with me.” She pulled him to his feet. “Come on, I told Isidoro I’d do it this evening.”
Elated at the prospect of another walk, the dogs frolicked ahead of them. Ignoring the horses in the paddocks, they let themselves into the barn and immediately they were inside, Matt took her in his arms and kissed her hungrily. Livi could smell the musk of his body and pressed closer to him, thrilled by their closeness. “Let’s go into the tack room,” she managed to whisper.
The tack room was redolent with the scent of saddle soap and linseed oil. Livi pulled a pile of horse blankets off a shelf and spread them on the floor. “Not the Spyglass Inn I’m afraid,” she admitted with a giggle, “but better than nothing.”
This time Matt undressed her, kissing her bare flesh, his hands moving lightly, running his fingers over her breasts and stomach, his touch little more than a whisper against her skin. Then he stood back up and removed his own clothes; the fading light slanting through the window reflected off his suntanned body in almost a patina.
He lowered himself back down into her arms and slid his own arms around her. The undisguised emotion in his eyes consumed her and when he spoke his voice was hoarse. “I love you Livi, I’ve never felt like this about anyone before, actually, I never knew I could feel like this, you’ve changed my life completely.”
Livi kissed his neck, then his chest and felt her back arch involuntarily as she pressed against his hard, muscular body. “I love you too. God knows, I tried not to, but like you said, we don’t choose who we fall in love with; it just creeps up on us. Please," she added in a whisper, ". . . now fate has brought us together and it’s so perfect, don’t leave me and go to Napa.” There were tears of distress in her eyes.
“I must,” he whispered. “If I let the agency down this late, it’ll be another huge black mark against me. Six weeks will soon pass.”
He silenced her with another kiss, before slowly, sensuously, his lips traveled down her neck to her
breasts and her stomach. His tenderness made her shudder and her need for him became palpable. They fit together as if made for each other.
♠ ♠ ♠
It was nearly midnight when eventually Matt left. They sat talking in the kitchen for ages, putting off his inevitable departure, but when he saw Livi stifling a yawn, he got to his feet and kissed the top of her head affectionately.
“I’d better leave, you look exhausted. No . . .” he interrupted her protest “. . . we can’t hide in your kitchen for the rest of our lives. I’ll see you tomorrow, I promise.”
They walked outside to his SUV, and for once the dogs didn’t follow; they were curled up sound asleep in their beds.
He kissed her one last time, then climbed into the vehicle, started the engine and drove slowly away. Livi stood watching his tail lights until they disappeared from view.
CHAPTER FOUR
Monday morning brought Livi sharply back to reality. Her attorney phoned to break the news that he had heard from Edward’s attorney. They were pursuing Edward’s claim for a quarter of a million dollars in compensation for his loss. Sitting at the familiar kitchen table, she buried her face in her arms and wept.
She had absolutely no idea what to do, but clearly she had to do something or she would lose Walnut Grove. Consumed in her thoughts, she didn’t hear the front door bell — no-one ever used it, so it wasn’t a sound familiar to her — consequently, she was startled when a man poked his head around the kitchen door. “Livi . . . ?”
She raised her tear-blotched face, startled, and for a moment failed to recognize her visitor, then she realized it was Sam Nichols, the owner of their lone boarding mare.
“Sam!” she jumped to her feet. “What are you doing here?”
“Arriving in the nick of time to rescue the damsel in distress by the looks of things. Whatever’s the matter Livi?”
She rubbed away her tears with the back of her hand and made a futile attempt to conjure up a smile. “It’s a long story. I’ll make some coffee and tell you.”