Monday's Child (12 page)

Sara smiled. Was he going to repeat everything? “Yeah, twins.”

“Let me finish the measurements, and I’ll talk ye through what we can see and print ye off some pictures.”

“Thank you.” Tears filled Sara’s eyes. Though she heard their heartbeats last visit, seeing them made them real. “Dr. Scott mentioned there were twins the other day. I hadn’t said because I didn’t know for sure. And I thought seeing them on the scan would be a nice surprise for you.”

“It’s a surprise, OK.” Luke reached out and squeezed her hand. “Do you have twins in your family anywhere, hon?”

Sara shook her head, mindful of the role she was playing. “Not as far as I know. It must be,” she paused, “your side.”

****

Sara left the hospital with Luke on one side and Dave on the other. She smiled, watching their now familiar antics.

Luke’s phone rang. He stood still and pulled it out. “Nemec.”

Sara stopped walking, glancing around as she leant on the crutches. She could smell the sea air and hear the seagulls crying overhead. She glanced at Luke as he hung up. His eyes sparkled. “I got some good news for you.”

“What?” He’d piqued her interest. It must be something really good from the look on his face. As if he was bursting to tell her. That could only mean one thing. “Have they caught Austin?”

“No—better than that?”

What could be better than this being over? “Tell me…”

“I’ve arranged for your aunt to come and stay with us for a couple of days. She’s on her way from the airport now and should arrive in an hour or so.”

Sara squealed with joy and balancing on one crutch, flung her arm around him. “Oh, thank you.”

She kissed him on the lips. Luke automatically kissed her back. As he did so, Sara pulled back and blushed, suddenly aware of what she was doing. She could taste the coffee he’d drank in the waiting area and feel the imprint of his lips on hers. “I…uh, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

Dave coughed. “When ye two have quite finished…”

Luke tore his eyes away from Sara. “Yeah, we’re finished. Let’s go home.”

Sara let the two men lead her back to the car. She was walking on air. He’d arranged for her aunt to come and stay. That was the nicest thing anyone could have ever done for her. For a moment, she wished things were different, but they weren’t and wouldn’t ever be.

Sara lowered herself into the back, as Luke held the door open for her. “Thank you.” She grinned as he slid into the driver’s seat. This was going to be interesting. He’d never driven in this country before, so perhaps she could give him some tips.

Luke adjusted the driving mirror and his eyes studied her for a moment. “What?”

“I thought perhaps I should remind you of your cockpit drill, but you look like you know it. That stick in the middle there is the gear stick. The accelerator is on the right. The brake is in the middle. The clutch is on the left and you need to put that down when you change gear else it tends to break the car. I did that once and it wasn’t pretty.”

“I can drive.” Luke poked his tongue out at her.

“Cool. Just remember to drive on the right side of the road.”

Concern, or was it panic, flashed in his eyes. “The
right
side of the road? I thought you guys drove on the left.”

Sara laughed. “All right then, the correct side of the road.”

Luke shook his head at her and started the car.

****

Luke unlocked the front door and let Sara inside. “Want a hand upstairs?”

“Please. I need to make up a bed for Aunt Mary.” She paused. “I’m sorry I kissed you, I mean…”

“It’s all right, Sara. You don’t need to explain.”

She closed her eyes as he picked her up. His scent flooded her senses. Why did he have to smell so good? The reaction started within her again, but she quashed it.

Luke helped her make the bed.

“Thank you, Leftenant.”

“I wish you’d call me Luke.”

“I’ll try.” She caught her breath as the doorbell rang, her heart leaping within her. “Is that her?”

“Let’s go see.” Luke carried her back down the stairs.

Sara balanced on the crutches she’d left in the hallway as Luke opened the door. She beamed and her heart leapt as her gaze fell on the familiar figure standing there. “Aunt Mary.” She moved over to her as fast as she could, dropped one of the crutches, and hugged her aunt like there was no tomorrow, tears of joy filling her eyes. “I missed you so much.”

Aunt Mary hugged Sara back. “I missed you, too, dear. Let me look at you.” She held Sara at arm’s length as her eyes dropped to the bulge growing by the day. “A baby?”

“Twins. I’m due in March.”

“Oh, that’s wonderful.”

Luke smiled and picked up Aunt Mary’s largest bag. “Let me take your bags upstairs. You and Sara can catch up.”

Sara had forgotten he was standing there. “I’m sorry. Aunt Mary, this is Leftenant Luke Nemec. Leftenant, this is Aunt Mary.”

Luke shook her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”

“I’ve heard nothing about you, but I’m sure that’ll change.”

Sara smiled at her aunt. “Come in the lounge.”

Luke gathered the rest of the luggage, and Sara smiled at him as she hobbled into the other room and sat down, putting her feet up on the stool.

Aunt Mary followed and sat opposite her. “He seems like a nice young man.”

“He’s my bodyguard, full of his brash American ways. Nothing more. Never mind the fact he rides roughshod over my feelings, and my opinions count for nothing. I’m a prisoner here. Can’t do anything or go anywhere.” Even as she spoke, Sara knew the ‘nothing more’ bit wasn’t totally true and her conscience pricked her hard.

“I see. Maybe you should cut him some slack. He’s doing his job and keeping you alive. Hiding your feelings won’t make it any easier. You like him, so you make things harder for him.”

“I’m sorry?”

“Is he married?”

“No.”

“Attached?”

Sara sighed. “No, you’ve only just met him, and you’re giving me the third degree over him.”

Aunt Mary smiled. “I know you too well, dear. You used to eye up Nicholas Channing the same way.”

“Oh, please, I was ten and didn’t know any better.” Sara squirmed under her aunt’s eye. “All right, I like him, but what am I meant to do about it? He’s a cop. He’s working, and to be honest, I resent what he stands for.”

“That’s understandable, dear.”

Sara took a deep breath. “Actually, he’d be easier to hate if he wasn’t so kind. Very gentlemanly. But he’s also drop-dead gorgeous, with a capital G. Perfect white teeth and fantastic hair that just asks to have my fingers run through it, but I can’t do it.”

But I would if I could.

Aunt Mary smiled. “I won’t tell him a thing.”

Luke appeared in the doorway. “Would you like to see your room?”

Aunt Mary stood. “That would be good.”

Sara smiled. “I’ll put the kettle on.”

Luke smiled back. “Sounds good. We won’t be long.”

Sara nodded. As they left the room she looked down at the floor, hoping the burning in her cheeks wasn’t obvious. How long had the leftenant been standing there? Had he overheard her rather lurid description of him? If he had, what must he think of her now?

****

Luke led Mary up the stairs. “What would you like me to call you? I’m afraid I only know you as Aunt Mary or Miss Daniels.”

“Mary will do fine. Miss Daniels makes me sound so old.”

Luke smiled. “You can’t be a day over fifty.”

Mary smiled. “Flattery will get you everywhere. So how has my niece been the past few months?”

“I’ve only been with her the past few weeks. I don’t know what you’ve been told, but as far as everyone here is concerned, Sara is my wife. You can’t say anything to anyone about Jamie, or Sara not being my wife. If the visit goes all right this time, perhaps you can come again for longer.”

“I understand. I’m grateful to you for letting me see Sara.”

“I’m hoping it’ll help her see I’m not all bad. I really do have her best interests at heart.”

“I know you do, dear.”

Luke winced. Just what were his interests? How far would he go to protect those interests? He’d heard the tail-end of the conversation, although he’d never admit it to anyone. The problem was, if she did suddenly run her fingers through his hair, or kiss him again for that matter, it’d be his undoing. He had to stay focused, not let his feelings get in the way. And speaking of his feelings? How deep were they? He was here to work, not fall in love.

****

Sara made the coffee and set it on the table. She glanced up as the others came in. “Are you all settled then, Aunt Mary?”

“Snug as a bug.”

Sara smiled. She felt a lot more at ease. Luke wasn’t such a bad guy after all. “Thank you for arranging this, Leftenant.”

He moved over to her. “You’re welcome.”

Sara gazed into his eyes for a long moment then looked away, heat touching her cheeks. She picked up her cup. “So, you’re cooking tonight?”

“Two weeks, as promised.”

She smiled. “Sounds good.” She turned to her aunt. “He lost a bet, and his punishment was cooking duty.”

Luke shook his head. “Why don’t you take out an advertisement in the local paper?”

Sara rolled her eyes. “Now that’s an idea. ‘Witness protection agent lost a bet and has to cook for the next two weeks, signed Sara, currently hiding in Tannoch.’ Nice one, Leftenant.”

Mary put her cup down. “Why do you keep calling him ‘Leftenant’?”

“I’m teaching him to pronounce his words correctly. It is the
English
language after all.”

Luke shook his head. “Is it ‘pick on Luke day’ or something?”

Sara smirked. “Yes, it is. Oh, speaking of which, bottom drawer under the long worktop. Something in there for you to wear.”

Luke pulled open the drawer.

“You have got to be kidding.” He held up the pink apron with an expression of total disgust.

Sara laughed. “Nope. Carole brought it over for me yesterday.”

Luke shook his head. “You, Sara, are a brat.”

She grinned. “Not a brat until you wear it, and I take a photo of you in it. I’ll post it on my social media page.”

“You wouldn’t dare…”

Sara laughed. “You don’t ever want to say that, my friend, because that’s asking for trouble.”

“Fine. I’ll wear it on one condition.”

“What’s that?”

“You don’t take photos, and you definitely do not go on that particular site. I don’t want to find your status is ‘currently hiding in Tannoch.’”

Sara grinned. “That’s two conditions.”

“You’re being pedantic.”

“I don’t make promises I can’t keep.” She paused. “Wear it every time you cook, and you have a deal.”

12

Sara and Mary sat in the kitchen. Luke wore the pink apron and cooked dinner. Despite her promise, Sara was tempted to take a photo anyway. Aunt Mary’s voice distracted her from thoughts of the man protecting her.

“Have you been here all the time?”

“No. I was originally in Winterton. Actually at the chalet park we used to go on holiday to years ago. It hasn’t changed at all. They moved me here last month. Austin found me.” Concern crossed her aunt’s face. “Nothing happened. It just shook me up a little.”

Luke scoffed. “A little? You were terrified.”

“Yeah, well.” Sara inspected her fingernails. “Bet you would be, too, if the guy who shot you once already suddenly appeared and pretended to shoot you again.”

“True.” Luke turned back to the stove.

Sara looked at her aunt. “I saw Jamie, too, the night before they moved me. He was standing outside my bedroom window.”

“Jamie’s dead, and you know that.” Mary laid her hand on Sara’s wrist.

“What if he isn’t? What if that was really him?”

“Sara, dear, he died in your arms, and we cremated him. Do you think he’d let you be here alone if he was alive?”

“No.” Sara sighed.

“Well then. I know you don’t want to be here, but it’s the safest place to be.”

“I guess, but everyone assumes the leftenant is the father of my babies.”

“That’s only natural if you’re posing as husband and wife. It’s only for a few weeks. Once this is over…”

“Will it ever be? Aunt Mary, it’s December the fifth. I’ve been in protective custody since I got out of hospital in June. Longer if you count the guard on the door there. That’s five months. The waiting is ridiculous. Besides, even sparrows have a home for their young, right? What do I have—a fake husband, a fake life, and someone who wants me dead.”

Luke glanced over his shoulder. “You know very well God hasn’t abandoned you, Sara. He has a plan for you and this is part of it.”

“Well I just wish He’d hurry up.”

“You can’t hurry God,” he said firmly. “This is about ready to dish up.”

Mary smiled. “Good. I’m hungry.”

“Sara?” Luke studied her.

She shook her head. “Not hungry at all.”

“You have to eat.” Luke’s voice dropped an octave.

“Are you my mother or something, Leftenant?” Sara drew her brows together.

“No, but you need to eat for the sake of the babies.”

“None of us are hungry.” Sara stood.

Mary caught hold of her arm. “Sara Elizabeth Barnes, sit down this instant.”

Sara sat, her cheeks burning.

“Apologize for the way you spoke to Luke. I thought I brought you up better than that.”

“Sorry, Leftenant.” Sara squirmed in her seat.

“Apology accepted.” Luke gave Sara the smallest plate. “There’s more if you want it.”

“What is it?” She picked up her fork.

“Cowboy pie. It’s chopped sausages, baked beans, and mashed potatoes.” Luke grinned wide and winked at Aunt Mary.

“Together? In the same dish?” Mary’s eyes were round as saucers.

Luke’s eyes showed the smile he was trying to hide. “Kids love it.” He grabbed her hand and took Mary’s in the other. “Let’s say grace.”

His hand was warm in hers and her mind barely registered the words he spoke. He let go and she took a deep breath, trying to still her thudding heart. She picked up her fork and tried a bite. She ate slowly then smiled at him. “It’s lovely, Leftenant. Thank you.”