Restoration

by Loraine, Kim

  His lips replaced his stubble as he slid lower. He spread her knees and positioned them on either side of his shoulders. His eyes rolled up to look at her as he rubbed his cheek on the innermost part of her thigh.

  “Here?”

  “Y . . . Yes,” she breathed, thinking she’d combust at any moment.

  Not breaking eye contact, he kissed her lightly on her thigh and spread her wider, opening her to him. His tongue was light at first, gently tasting and probing. She squirmed, wanting more pressure, more everything. He reached a hand to her belly to still her.

  “Patience, love. We’ll get there.”

  As he moved his lips on her, kissing her most sensitive area, his attentions became more direct. He focused on one spot with his mouth, while he slipped two fingers inside. She bucked her hips off the bed as sensation overtook her. His mouth worked harder and she glanced down at him, his brow furrowed in concentration. His eyes rose to meet hers again and she was thrown, unsuspecting, off the cliff. She cried out with wild abandon, calling his name over and over until she was spent.

  He crawled up the bed and grinned at her, clearly proud of himself.

  “How about there?”

  She grabbed a pillow and hit him with it, laughing.

  They lay together in silence for a few moments, Grace running her fingers through his unkempt hair. He smiled dreamily as she moved to stroke his ear.

  “So, you said you came back to take over for your father. What were you doing before you were a purveyor of fine perishables?”

  He took in a sharp breath and rolled onto his back, one arm behind his head. “I was a solicitor. You call it an attorney, I suppose.” He fixed his gaze on the ceiling. “In London.”

  “You were a lawyer?” She was shocked. “Forgive me, but that doesn’t seem like you at all.”

  “I was different then. I wanted to be rich, live in the city, be important.” He raked his hand through his hair, eyes still trained above them. “My wife was very interested in social status.”

  “Your wife?” she asked softly.

  Drew tensed. “Yes. I was married. Her name is Sarah.”

  “So you divorced?”

  “About five years ago. Right before I came back.”

  “What happened?”

  Drew inhaled deeply. “I was always at work. Being a junior solicitor means you work more and get paid less. One night I came home to find her in bed with one of the partners at my firm.”

  “Oh, God. That’s terrible.”

  “I suppose you’re right. The worst part was that she’d been with him for the better part of a year, right under my nose.” He pulled his hand down over his face. “He’d been to our home for tea. I’d worked loads of cases with him. Bastard.”

  “I’m so sorry.” She didn’t know what to say, so she settled for the only truth she knew. “You didn’t deserve that.”

  “Yeah, well, we married too young and for the wrong reasons.”

  “What do you mean?”

  He sighed. “She was still at University. I’d just started at a firm and she fell pregnant. We eloped and tried to make a go of it.”

  Her stomach dropped. “You’ve got a child?”

  “No, no. She told me she lost it. Turns out, she had an abortion before we even got married.” Drew clenched his jaw. “There were lots of reasons we divorced, the affair was just one.”

  She laid her head on his chest, listening to the rhythmic thumping of his heart. She could tell he was trying to downplay the severity of the situation.

  “Do you still see her?” she asked, not wanting to pry, but desperate to know.

  “She comes round every so often. She’s a thorn in my arse.” He shifted to his side, facing her.

  “I guess you’re right. We all have our baggage.”

  “Yeah, water under the bridge now, I suppose. That was a long time ago. Let’s not dwell on bad things, eh?” His phone buzzed on the nightstand, but he actively ignored it.

  Smiling up at him, she kissed his chin. “I’ve got to get back to work and it sounds like someone wants you, too.” She nodded at the phone which had started its persistent buzzing again.

  “Quite right. I’m sure there’s some produce emergency or other that requires my attention.”

  The two of them dressed and she walked him to the door. Two hours had passed and a stab of guilt flashed through her at the thought of Valerie holed up at a café waiting for the all clear.

  “Grace, I . . .” Drew tugged at his ear. “That is, will you come to tea? With my parents?”

  “Oh! Um, sure. I’d love to meet them.” She was flustered and had to work hard to keep from talking too fast. “I think I already met your dad. He teased me about ruining your eggs that first week we were here.”

  Drew smiled. “Sunday at teatime, then. I’ll swing round to collect you.”

  “Drew, what time is tea time?” She felt silly asking.

  “I’ll be here at half-past three.” He winked and dropped a kiss on her lips.

  Grace smoothed out the non-existent wrinkles in her dress for the millionth time as she waited for half-past three.

  “Nervous?” Valerie asked from her perch on the arm of the couch.

  “I’ve never done this before.”

  “Met a guy’s parents?”

  “Right.”

  Valerie looked confused. “You know John’s family.”

  “Yeah, but I’ve known them since I was a kid. This is different.”

  She glanced back at the mirror. Her hair was smooth and shiny, makeup tasteful, and her dress was just the right blend of flirty and demure.

  “They’ll love you. You look amazing.”

  She nodded and swallowed the nerves that threatened to bubble up in the form of hysterical giggles. Her stomach was in knots as she watched the clock slowly creep toward three-thirty.

  “You already know his dad. Calm down.” Valerie’s face was a mix of pity and amusement.

  “I know, I know.” She blew out a tense breath. “He’ll be here soon. Are you sure I shouldn’t change into something different?”

  “Sit down and shut up or I’m locking you out on the porch.”

  Drew knocked on her door promptly at three-thirty and they were off. She clutched his arm so tightly that he actually had to ask her to loosen her grip more than once during their walk.

  They approached the door to his parent’s house and he rang the bell once.

  “Calm down, love. They’re not going to murder you. In fact, I’m sure they will love you as much as I do.” Drew tensed as his words hung in the air.

  She felt the heat rise in her cheeks and she opened her mouth to say something when, mercifully, the door to the house swung open. They were greeted by Mary Tensley, her eyes bright, but her body obviously frail. Her dark hair was streaked with gray and cropped short. Drew had mentioned that she’d stopped her treatments six months ago because she didn’t want to die completely bald.

  Mrs. Tensley pulled Drew in for a fierce embrace, despite his towering height. She couldn’t be more than five-foot-two, at least a foot shorter than her son. Drew bent down to wrap his arms around his mother and Grace’s heart squeezed at the sight.

  “Hi, Mum,” he said softly.

  As Mary released him from her arms, she leveled her eyes on Grace.

  “You must be Grace. Lovely to meet you, dear.” She smiled warmly. “Well, come in you two. The kettle is on and I’m starved.”

  Mary ushered the pair inside and closed the door behind them. The house was warm—too warm for Grace’s comfort. Beads of sweat began forming on the small of her back and she removed her coat immediately, followed by her heavy cardigan.

  “Sorry it’s so hot. Mum is cold all the time now,
even with the fire blazing,” he whispered in her ear as he took her coat and cardigan.

  “It’s fine. Layers,” she said, motioning to the cardigan.

  He winked and led her into the sitting room where his father was just setting out the sandwiches and tea cakes.

  “Ah, Grace, it’s lovely to see you again.” His cheeks were rosy from the warmth of the house.

  “Mr. Tensley. Nice to see you, too.”

  “Don’t be daft, you silly girl. Just because you and my son here can’t keep your hands off one another, there’s no need to stand on ceremony. Call me David just as you always have.”

  “Dad!” Drew’s ears burned red.

  She worked hard to control her own mortification. “David, then.”

  Mary bustled in with a tray, laden with a large teapot and four porcelain cups and matching saucers. Drew rushed over to take the heavy tray out of his mother’s hands.

  “Stop that. I can take care of this myself.”

  “So can I, Mum. Go have a sit-down and I’ll do the tea.”

  He placed the tray in the center of the table and poured her some tea, added two sugars, and set the fragile cup and saucer on the small side table next to Mary.

  “Thank you, darling,” she said and turned her attention to Grace. “He’s always been such a good boy.”

  Drew shook his head and poured Grace a cup of tea. She took the offered cup and added sugar and some cream, pouring slowly so she could watch the ribbon of white blend gracefully with the dark brown liquid. They ate the sandwiches and cakes Mary had prepared while Drew and David talked about prospects for the upcoming football season.

  “So, Grace, tell us a bit about yourself,” Mary prompted.

  “Well, I’m from Virginia. I grew up there, in a small town called Golden Beach. Um, I went to college for architecture and started at Bidwell AIA as soon as I graduated.”

  Mary nodded. “I’ve not been to America before. Always wanted to travel to Las Vegas.”

  “That’s not true, Mum. You and Dad just got back from Hawaii a few months ago.”

  “That doesn’t count. Hawaii isn’t even attached to America. I want to see the lights, Elvis, the spectacle of it all.”

  “I’ve been there, just the airport, actually,” Grace interjected. “We were traveling to Seattle for my uncle’s wedding and had a layover. They have slot machines in the airport.”

  “Good lord, do they really?” Mary burst out laughing.

  Grace chuckled and turned to Drew as realization hit her. “So that was you at baggage claim when I arrived.”

  “What?”

  “Nothing, never mind.” She realized he wouldn’t remember their first encounter as well as she did. “How long have you two been married?” Grace reached for a mini cupcake.

  “Forty-six years this coming June.” David’s face beamed with pride.

  Drew reached over and took Grace’s hand.

  “Wow! Congratulations. That’s amazing in this day and age.”

  Grace smiled as she thought of her own parents who’d been married almost thirty-four years.

  Drew tensed slightly.

  Mary looked at him with sadness in her eyes. “We don’t all find the one we’re meant for the first time around. David and I were lucky.”

  “Grace, love, I’m curious. What makes a young woman leave her home and family? Didn’t you have a bloke? I’m sure a stunner like you would’ve had ‘em lining up,” David teased.

  Her gaze fell to the delicate pattern of violets that ringed her teacup. “No, not anymore.”

  “Dad,” Drew warned.

  “Oh, I’m sorry. Have I said something amiss?”

  “No, it’s fine.” Grace lifted her face and steeled herself for the pity she was sure would follow her next statement. “There was someone, but he died last year.”

  Mary’s dark eyes widened and she brought her hand to her heart. “Oh, I’m so sorry.”

  “I actually came out here to take time away from everything. You know, to move on. The opportunity was too good to pass up,” she said, a bright note in her voice, hoping it didn’t sound too forced. The pity that shadowed the faces around her made her feel that familiar twinge of panic, laced with hysteria.

  “Anyway.” She glanced at the clock. “I should probably be going. It might be Sunday, but there are a lot of emails I need to answer by tomorrow morning. It was so nice to meet you, Mary. I hope to see you again soon.”

  Grace set her teacup down and stood, gathering her cardigan and coat while Drew said goodbye to his parents. He walked her back to the cottage, his hand never leaving her lower back.

  “I’m sorry about that. I hadn’t told them.”

  “It’s all right. I’m just so used to everyone knowing about John. I forgot they would have no idea. I’ve got to get used to talking about it.” She leaned into his side as they continued down the street.

  “I think they liked you.”

  “Really? Even after I was so rude?”

  “Yep.” He nudged her with his elbow. “Come on, let’s get you home so I can teach you some manners.”

  Chapter 14

  December snuck in like a thief in the night, bringing with it freezing temperatures. Grace’s feet felt like ice, even through her wool socks, as she waited for the fireplace to spread warmth outward and heat the house. Little as it was, the cottage took a long time to warm.

  Whoever built this thing must not have planned on ever living here in the winter. Who doesn’t put a furnace in a house?

  Her annoyance only grew as the fire sputtered and died for the third time that morning. “Damn!” She reached for another fire starter and lit it. She watched as the little flame spread along the triangle of logs she’d created, finally catching and casting a cheery glow in the fireplace.

  “Thank you!” she said as she turned toward the kitchen and her waiting coffee press, full of freshly brewed deliciousness.

  With her moods teetering on the edge between amiable and psychotic lately, poor Valerie had taken to vacating the premises as soon as she woke to avoid her. Today was John’s birthday, usually celebrated in some elaborate fashion with most of his firehouse buddies.

  It was also Drew’s birthday and she had wracked her brain trying to figure out what to do for him. After much deliberation, she’d finally decided on a pair of tickets to a scotch tasting in London. It wasn’t until February, but she knew he’d love it.

  Her phone buzzed in the pocket of her robe, just as she lifted the carafe to pour her coffee. She answered curtly without looking to see who was calling.

  “Grace McConnell.”

  “Good morning, love.” Drew’s voice was smooth and soothing after the frustrations of the uncooperative fireplace.

  A smile spread across her face. “Happy birthday.”

  “Thank you. And how are you this lovely morning?”

  “Grumpy and uncaffienated.”

  “I’m pretty sure that’s not even a word.” She could hear the smile in his voice.

  “I don’t really care right now. I’m about to have some coffee. Want me to put some tea on for you? You could come by and get your birthday present.”

  “No, as tempting as that sounds, I can’t this morning. I’ve got breakfast with Mum in a short while. We always have breakfast on my birthday.”

  “Oh, okay. Have fun. Tell your mom I said hello.” She worked hard to keep the disappointment from her voice.

  “I was actually hoping you’d come with me.”

  “Well, um, sure. If you think she won’t mind.” The last thing she wanted to do was intrude on Mary’s time with her son.

  “It was her suggestion.”

  “In that case, I’ll go get ready.”

  “Fan
tastic. I’ll be there in half an hour.”

  As they walked up the street to the Tensley home, they were greeted with the ominous flashing of emergency vehicle lights outside the house. Drew dropped her hand and sprinted to the door, flinging it open and barreling inside. She followed close behind him, worry creasing her brow.

  The scene was chaotic. Mary lay on the floor in the sitting room, unresponsive while one paramedic performed CPR and another took her pulse. David was sitting with his head in his hands, watching helplessly as his wife was dying.

  Drew made his way to his father and placed a hand gently on his shoulder.

  David raised watery eyes to look at his son. “She just collapsed. Stopped breathing. I . . . I didn’t know what to do. She was fine yesterday.”

  “She’ll be okay. She has to.” Drew’s voice was laced with fear.

  Grace’s heart was racing as she watched the paramedics work to save Mary. They continued CPR as she was loaded onto a stretcher and into the waiting ambulance. Drew helped his father into the back of the ambulance and stood still as a statue as they drove off, lights flashing.

  She reached out and took his hand. He squeezed it so tightly she almost cried out. He turned his eyes to hers and she saw the pain and fear threatening to spill over.

  “I’ve got to go. I’m so sorry.” His voice broke as he said the words.

  She shook her head. “No apologies. Call me when you know something?”

  He nodded, his lower lip trembling. “Thank you,” he said, his words barely a whisper.