by Melissa Hill
But if the chemistry between them was anything to go by, Nina knew chances were they would end up in each other’s arms.
Her hair had always been easy to blow dry. In five minutes it was done, and from the reflection on the mirror, she could, tell it looked sleek and shiny.
It was a warm evening and Nina chose a strapless lavender dress to wear for dinner. She applied very little makeup, just a pale pink lip gloss and eye shadow. The last touch was a dab of perfume on each wrist and on her neck.
When she was ready, she went to check the time on the clock in the kitchen. It was almost eight o’clock. Time for her to go.
Reaching Sam’s cottage, she stood outside, frowning. The curtains were drawn and there was no sign of any activity inside.
Nina blinked. It actually looked dark. She would find out soon enough.
She knocked gently on the door, and a second later it swung open.
“My, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes. You look ravishing.” Sam said, his eyes running from her head to her toes.
“Thank you, you don’t look too shabby yourself.”
Sam had dressed up for the occasion. He wore a white shirt, tucked into khaki trousers. He looked smartly casual and Nina was glad that he had made the effort. He moved aside and let her in.
She knew these cottages well but right then she barely recognised the place. It was lit by tens of candles and the dining table had been converted into a table for two.
“It’s beautiful!” Nina exclaimed.
“This way madame,” Sam said, leading Nina to the dining table and pulling out a chair for her.
It was an open plan kitchen and she watched him as he served dinner on two plates and then bring them to the table. He sat down, and busied himself opening a bottle of white wine. He looked up momentarily from his task and their eyes met. Nina hastily looked away concentrating on the food before her.
“I’m impressed.” Nina said. “I didn’t figure you for a cook.”
“I have very many hidden talents.” Sam said, catching her eye again.
Nina knew that her face was pink again. She smiled shyly at the innuendo and then moved on the conversation back to food.
“I recognise pasta, but what’s the rest of it?” she asked.
“It’s lemon garlic penne. You can’t go wrong with penne,” Sam said with a grin.
Nina laughed. “Very smart. It smells wonderful.”
“Dig in. You’re most welcome.”
Nina hardly tasted the food, her mind full with Sam’s presence. He had a way of filling up a room so that you were constantly aware of his presence.
“It’s really tasty, thank you.”
“Anything for you.” He reached across the table and touched her cheek. Nina was still, revelling in the feel of his strong hand brushing against her skin.
He ran his hand all the way to her lips then took it back.
“You had something on your cheek,” he said, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
“A piece of pasta?”
Sam nodded furiously. “Yes, that’s it.”
They exchanged light banter during dinner, and oscillated between serious conversation and flirting.
“Have you thought further about that tourist guide training?” Sam said, when he brought dessert to the table.
Nina ignored his question and exclaimed over the dessert. It looked very familiar.
“Before you ask, yes it’s Colm’s Twix cake and I got it from the cafe. I should have known you’d recognise it immediately.”
“It’s OK, I love Twix cake.”
Besides, Nina thought to herself, it would kill off the garlic taste in her mouth from the lemon pasta.
“I’m still waiting for your answer,” Sam said, looking at her with his dark eyes.
“What question?”
“Tour guide training.” Sam said patiently.
“I’ve been so busy that I haven’t given it further thought,” Nina said, knowing she was lying.
Other than Sam, she had thought of little else. She knew that by not thinking about going back to work proper when Patrick was in school that she was being a coward, and that was not who she was. If she put her mind to it, she could do it.
“You’re lying,” Sam said.
“I am too,” Nina confirmed with a laugh, “The truth is that I’m still thinking about it.”
“Don’t think too much, just do it,” Sam said, and Nina thought that this could be applied to more than just her future career.
“Yes sir.”
They finished dessert, and she was surprised when Sam walked to the stereo and put on some music.
He chose a soft ballad, and he came back and took her hand.
Happily, Nina stood up and was enclosed in his arms. He was taller than her by two inches or so, her head coming to his shoulder.
After a little while, as their bodies swayed to the music in perfect sync, their gazes met and when Sam slowly lowered his face to Nina’s, everything faded to the background.
It was morning, Nina could tell even before she opened her eyes.
The atmosphere had changed, and already she could feel the warmth of the sun on her eyes. She thought of how the night with Sam had ended.
‘What are you smiling at?” a gravelly voice said then.
Nina’s eyes flashed open. Sam was propped up on his hand, looking adoringly at her. “I thought you were still asleep,” she said accusingly.
“How can I sleep and miss watching you pretend to sleep,” he said and kissed her forehead.
Nina burrowed herself happily into his chest and arms. She had missed the touch of a man, and so much else, she thought. It had been over five years since she’d broken up with Patrick’s father.
A fling, she reminded herself, as once again she relished the feeling of being in Sam’s arms. These things happened the world over between people thrown together for short periods.
Just a summer fling, Nina repeated again in her head like a mantra, willing herself not to wish for anything more.
27
Lakeview had worked its magic again, Ella thought, as she peeked at the couple on the corner table holding hands.
Nowadays Marianne and Donal only had eyes for each other. And these were people who had spent the last week exchanging harsh words.
She was glad to see that the couple had worked out their problems. She was manning the fort today, as Nina was off. She picked up a cloth and wiped down a table that had just been vacated.
“Ella.” A voice called out. It was Marianne. She was alone at the table. Ella smiled at her and from the corner of her eye, she saw Donal disappear towards the bathroom.
“Good to see you two looking so happy,” she smiled.
“I just wanted to say thank you for all your help. The last week has been amazing for us.” Marianne said. “Talking with you opened up my eyes to a lot of things. It was my fault as much as Donal’s that our marriage was faltering.”
“I’m just happy I could help - its reward enough to see the two of you acting like newlyweds.”
After they exchanged a few more words, Ella made herself scarce when she spied Donal returning.
She then headed out to the outdoor seating area to check on Grace and the twins who were having an afternoon snack.
“Are ye OK? Do you need anything?” she asked.
Much to her surprise, today the boys were seating down and quietly eating their sandwiches and milk.
“We are fine, thank you Ella,” Grace said.
Ella looked at her closely. Something was different about her. Then it hit her. The nervousness and anxiety that she usually wore like a cloak were gone. Grace looked peaceful as she sipped her tea.
The change was rather big for Ella not to be curious.
“May I join you for a second?” she asked.
“Of course.”
“What did you do to them?” Ella said gesturing at the boys. “They like little angels.”
Grace lau
ghed. “Nothing, I think they’re just tired. I can’t swim you see, so I thought while I was here I might as well enroll myself for swimming lessons at the leisure centre. The boys aren’t great swimmers either so we’re all taking lessons together. We’ve spent every afternoon this week at the pool at Motiv8, that’s why they’re so wrecked.”
“Wow,” Ella said, looking at the boys again.
“I know - the lessons have kept us pretty busy,” Grace said. “Nicola’s a tough taskmaster.”
“Nicola’s teaching you?” Ella said, smiling. “She’s the best.”
“She’s been brilliant, and I must admit I was a bit sceptical at first…” Grace said conspiratorially, and Ella smiled. Outsiders often felt that way about Nicola Peters, completely underestimating her abilities, but once they got to know her, very quickly changed their minds. She was glad Nicola seemed to have taken Grace under her wing. No better woman.
“That’s great, I’m glad everything’s working out.” Ella said.
“Tomorrow is our last day here, believe it or not,” Grace said wistfully. “I’d have loved to stay on longer but we’d only booked the cottage for two weeks.”
“We’ll miss having your around. Will you come back next summer?” Ella asked.
“Most definitely. There’s no place like Lakeview. I appreciate all your help too, Ella. In my time here, and especially after our conversation last week, I’ve come to look at the boys as a joy instead of a burden. And since I’ve done that I realised they’re actually good fun to be with.”
Ella beamed in reply. She went back to the café whistling softly to herself. Who would have thought that Grace, of all people would end up enjoying taking care of her sons?
Yet another example of Lakeview summer magic.
28
When they’d paid their bill, Grace shepherded the boys out of the café, and along towards their cottage. The food had perked them up and they skipped along as they walked.
“Keep to the walking path please guys,” she chided mildly.
They strolled along, enjoying watching people pass by, wearing sun hats and colourful summer clothes. To Grace, it seemed as though someone had poured a bucketful of rainbow paint over Lakeview this last week.
She thought back to her conversation with Kevin the night before. As expected, work was so crazy he’d never managed to make it down at weekends, and he couldn’t wait for their return home.
This stay had been a godsend. Grace felt like a totally different person from the one who had first arrived two weeks ago.
She had made friends but most importantly she had learned to relax. The last week had been great. Before she had seen her boys as two annoying little burdens, determined to make her own life as difficult and as chaotic as they could.
She laughed softly. Kevin was right all along. They were just kids being kids.
And she had learned a new trick. Now whenever one of the boys spoke to her, she listened attentively without interrupting, and then gave whatever it was some serious thought.
She had noticed that by doing that, they were learning to trust her.
She couldn’t wait to go back home to Dublin now, back to Kevin and her regular life. Although there would be some changes. For one, she was determined more than ever to go back to college and get her Masters, and then look for a job.
Regretfully she figured it was also time to let go of Maria. She knew she had come to rely too much upon the nanny - had used her as a crutch of sorts - and now that the boys were older they no longer needed full time care.
Grace also wanted to spend as much time as possible with them before they went to school. She felt as though she had missed out so much of their formative years and had a lot to make up for.
They would continue with swimming lessons together too. The biggest problem Grace thought, was how to disengage herself from her mummy friends.
They were nice people, but there was no doubt that the group had major competitive issues. Every mum wanted to be the one who took their child to the most classes and activities, who took the best approach at raising them, wanted to be the expert at motherhood.
Sure it was OK to take them to classes and activities, but being alone with the boys had taught Grace that it might well be the parents, not the kids who needed all this activity.
Kids just needed to spend time with their parents.
No longer a chore, now she saw time spent with them as an opportunity to bond.
Wow, Kevin would think someone else had taken his wife and put a clone in her place, Grace thought with a chuckle.
Next summer she would make sure Kevin could make it down to Lakeview. But privately she was glad that this time he hadn’t come along, and she’d finally had the chance to find her feet with the boys in her own way and in her own time.
They walked on until they reached their cottage. “Time to pack up for tomorrow boys,” Grace said.
“Please let’s stay longer. I like it here with you Mummy, it’s so much fun,” Josh said.
“Yes, let’s stay forever Mummy,” Jake added pleadingly.
Grace’s eyes filled with tears. No other words had ever sounded as sweeter.
“It was fun being here with you boys too,” she finally said. “But Daddy misses us.”
She wiped the tears away before the boys saw them, and led them upstairs, her heart expanding by the second as the words from the boys - her sons - kept repeating themselves in her brain.
Mummy.
For the first time in her life, Grace felt like she’d finally lived up to the word.
29
In the final week of August, the café was not as busy as it had been for the previous three months.
Nina served a few customers in the morning, but now it was eleven and it was almost empty.
The last few days, she had not seen much of Sam, although he popped in regularly for a quick breakfast and a stolen kiss if the opportunity allowed.
But for the remainder of his stay, he was kept busy with his novel. He’d told Nina that she had opened up the pores of his creativity, and his mind was overflowing with ideas for his novel.
She was happy for him, but she missed spending long hours with him, being together or just holding each other.
Today, a cloud of sadness was hovering over her. The last few days had given Nina an inkling of how hard it would be when he went back to Dublin.
She felt an emptiness that hadn’t existed before. It was easy to think that you could keep everything in perspective. She wondered how other people handled summer romances. Already she could tell that she wasn’t handling hers very well. She wanted Sam to be with her forever.
Yet he had his own life. He was a successful author who had responsibilities. But more than that, he probably only felt attracted to her. When they were together, Sam never gave an inkling to what his thoughts were. He never said what he felt about her, and so Nina also took her cue from him and never said anything.
They were just two people out to have fun together weren’t they?
A familiar figure walking down the street caught Nina’s attention. It was Emma, her hair bouncing as she walked. You would think that she was going somewhere fancy by the way she was dressed. But that was Emma’s way, Nina thought fondly, and was happy to note that her previous resentment for her friend had disappeared.
She pushed the door and walked in. Nina met her halfway and the two women hugged.
“Hi, good to see you, where have you been lately, busybee?”
“I’ve been around, actually,” Emma said, then leaning forward conspiratorially she added, “and I’ve got news.”
“Don’t keep me in suspense, tell!” Nina said, getting caught up in the excitement.
“Well, I met someone over at the golf course.”
Nina’s eyes widened. Emma was fast; she attracted men like bees to flowers.
“His name is Chris and he’s a property developer. He owns a chain of hotels all over the world, and guess what? He
wants us to have a relationship.” Emma said, her eyes falling. “I’m not sure if I know how to do that.”
Nina laughed. “Is he kind?”
Emma contemplated Nina’s question, and then nodded. “He is, kind and sweet, which of course also means a bit boring. But he and Mikey are getting along great. He’s teaching both of us how to play golf.”
“Hold on to that one then. Men who are good with kids are a rare find,” Nina said, thinking of Sam who was brilliant with Patrick.
“I know. Did I mention that he’s rich too?” Emma said and both women laughed. “So any news with you?”
Nina wondered whether to tell her about Sam. She thought of the way Emma had just confided in her without any reservations and decided to go for it.
“Actually …” Nina said coyly.
“You’re blushing!” Emma banged the table. “You’re seeing someone too? Who? Do I know him?”
“Stop being dramatic, we’re not telling everyone here,” Nina said, looking around. “And yes, you do sort of know him. Sam.”
Emma’s eyes widened like saucers. “Sam the author? You snagged that cold human being who wouldn’t give me the time of day?”
Nina laughed at her friend’s expression.
“He’s sweet and kind and very thoughtful.”
Emma squinted. “Are we talking about the same person?”
And she was off, making Nina laugh with her antics. From the description that Emma gave, it was clear that this new guy was a good match for her.
They spoke for a while longer and when her friend left, Nina’s spirits were higher. So what if it was a summer romance? She would hurt for a few weeks but she would never forget Sam.
With that she whistled as she went about her work.
“What are you so happy about?” Ella said to her when they found themselves alone behind the counter.
“Nothing in particular.” Nina said. “I’m just happy.”
“Lucky you.”
Nina looked at her employer and friend in surprise. “What’s wrong, it’s not like you to be so down in the dumps.”
“I hate the end of summer, it makes me feel so maudlin. The change is too drastic. I love the way Lakeview is full of activities and people during summer. I hate autumn time,” she groaned, making Nina burst out laughing.