Nine Steps to Sara (20 page)

“Are you alright?” he searched her face carefully, drawing her back into the study.  “He didn’t lay hands on you, did he?”

“No, I’m fine, he was all bark, no bite,” she smiled.  At least she hoped so; it was a good thing she didn’t have to find out.  “You’ll have to show me how you did that trick with his arm.”

“Oh no, I couldn’t do that.”

“Why, because it wouldn’t be ladylike for me to learn?”
a
roll of the eyes was given.

“No, because then you wouldn’t need to keep me around,” the corner of his mouth tugged up into a lopsided smile as he brought his hand to her cheek, tipping her face up to his.  “Are you truly alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine,” she nodded, leaning in to his touch.  Good or bad, Sara still trusted him
,
and she prayed her instinct about him wasn’t prove
n
wrong.  “
H
e got a little intense there at the end, but I don’t think he would have really tried anything physical.  He had to have known I’d have his nuts in a grinder the first chance I got.”

Will winced at that colorful phrasing, “I keep forgetting you’re no shrinking violet.  Well done then, my Lady.  I trust you know how to take care of yourself, but I reserve the right to play
the hero every now and again,
for my own peace of mind.”

Sara couldn’t help but smile over the offer, the idea of him coming to her rescue again enough to send a romantic flutter through her belly to chase away the last of the jitters.  “If you insist,” she agreed with a dramatic sigh.  “I guess this is another argument for you staying here for a while, huh?”

“Yes, about that…”

“About that…” Sara nodded.  “Mrs. Poole said she put you in the room next to mine.”

“If that’s a problem I’d be more than happy to move,” he insisted.  “There are plenty other rooms in that wing of the house, or the servants quarters would suit me well enough.”

“No, it’s not that I object exactly,” she shook her head.  “It was a bit of a surprise.  I like the idea of having you close by; it’s just a little closer than I’d thought.  As long as we both respect a locked door on the bathroom, I think we’re good.”

“I could certainly use another bathroom,” he offered, but she waved him off.

“No, don’t be silly.  We’re both adults, right?  It’s not that big of a deal.”

“Too right,” he nodded back.  “I’ll respect your privacy and you’ll respect mine.”

“Exactly.  Are you hungry by any chance?  Suddenly I’m starving.”

“Is that a trick question?”

Will followed her into the morning room
,
the breakfast meal still warm thanks to the chafing dishes.  It was obvious Jack had already been through by the food pushed around the plate at one setting, b
ut there was
plenty of food
left
to eat. 

“Are you settling in alright then?” Will asked, taking the seat opposite her at the end of the table.  “Did anything happen last night after I left you?”

“Nothing I can’t handle,” she replied, not wanting to bring up the overheard conversation.  “Just some odd noises.”

“What kind of odd noises?”

“Creaking noises actually, like a… I don’t know really, but like someone moving around outside my room. 
W
hen I looked, no one was there
though
.”  Sara waited to see what he said to that.  Would he call it her imagination, or offer up part of wh
at he knew about Gemma’s ghost?

“Oh, all old houses have their quirks,” he shrugged.  “This one more than others I expect.”

“Why would you say that?”

“Because if its age and history.  Sound carries in strange ways.  Turning on the tap at one end of the house could send a corresponding groan at the other end of the house.”

“Oh.”  Somewhat crestfallen, Sara realized she’d have to be a little more creative to get him to reveal anything interesting.  “I admit, it had me a little rattled.  I kept thinking maybe there was something to the ghost stories, you know?”

“I know just the thing.  A picnic lunch,” Will suggested with a broad smile.

“A picnic?”  An odd suggestion to her way of thinking, considering they sat at the breakfast table. 

“Yeah, just you and me this time, what do you say?”

“What about Jack?” 

“I have a feeling that’s your stock in trade answer,” Will waved his fork in her direction.  “Would you say I’m correct?”

“He’s my son, of course I think of him first.”

Will reached for her hand across the table, covering it with his.  “Maybe it’s time you learned it’s alright to put yourself first every now and again.”

Joanie slunk in looking pale and drawn, heading straight
to
the sideboard for a piece of toast.  “Don’t mind me, go about your business,” she muttered, her voice raspy with disuse. 

“How are you feeling?” Sara asked, pulling her hand from Will’s a little guiltily. 

“Like crap on toast, how do you think I’m feeling?”  Moving as if she was eighty years old, Joanie took the seat at the head of the table, sitting with a groan.  “I think I might have broken something yesterday.”

“Where does it hurt?”

“You mean where
doesn’t
it hurt?” she quipped; there was nothing slow about her tongue. 

“Would you like me to send for the doctor?” Will offered, looking none too pleased by the interruption, or with Sara’s withdrawal. 

“That depends, is he a real physician, or is he a doctor of sheep
or something?”

“He’s a bonafide people doctor.  At least, I think he is.  I’ve never asked to see his credentials before,” Will pretended to consider, drawing a smile from Sara.

“Do you think he could hook me up with some happy pills?  All I’ve got to show for the brandy and Tylenol I took are a killer hangover.  Or do you people not have anything stronger than the tea that sadistic housekeeper kept trying to foist off on me last night?”

“I’m sure the local chemist has enough to cure what ails you.  I’ll go give him a ring then, shall I?”  It was Sara he looked to, not Joanie and she gave him a grateful nod.

“Thanks Will.”

“Yeah, thanks Will,” Joanie echoed with a saccharine smile.

“It’s no trouble at all.  I’d hate to think of you suffering while we’re out enjoying the day,” Will gave her a short nod.  “I’ve a few things to attend to, and then I’ll be back to collect you.  Can you be ready to go at half past eleven?  That will give us plenty of time to get back before my father comes to call.”

“That works for me,” Sara agreed, losing her earlier hesitation.  “I’ll see you then.”

“Until then, my Lady,” his eyes glowed with warmth as he took his leave and Sara stared at the door long after he disappeared through it, her face all soft and dreamy.

“When did that happen?” Joanie asked, helping herself to a cup of coffee. 

“What?”

“You two getting all lovey dovey?”

“I don’t know… last night I guess.”

“Ooh, this sounds juicy,” she sat a little higher in her chair.  “So, spill, I want details.”

“Nothing, we went out for drinks last night, no big deal.  I’m sure I went to bed before you did.”

“Get outta town, and here you said you were rusty.  I’ve got to hand it to you, Sara, you reeled him in quick,” Joanie winked and all at once Sara realized the assumption.

“Alone, Joanie, I went to bed alone,” she raised a brow.  “But he is going to be staying with us in the house for a while.”

“Good idea, keep him close so he doesn’t stray,” Joanie nodded approvingly. 

“I don’t think he’s like that.”

“Sweetie,
all
men are like that.  Do you really think you’re the only woman he flirts with?”

That brought her up short.  So far she’d only seen him be attentive to her, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t flirtatious by nature.  “We’re not getting married, Joanie, we went on one date.  He can flirt with anyone he wants.”

“But
you
definitely like him though?”

“He’s nice,” Sara admitted, and it felt nice to have a man pay attention to her again after so long. 

“Really?  I think he’s kind of a prig,” Joanie’s face scrunched up and Sara thought it sounded more like sour grapes to her; she’d been the one to try cozying up to Will first, even after he shot her down. 

“
I think he’s nice.  And charming, good looking, funny…”

“Okay, he is kind of a hottie,” she grinned.  “So what’s up for today?  You two heading out for a little splendor in the grass?”

“Just a picnic.”  Manners got the better of her even though she knew Will would hate it.  “If you’d like to come along…”

“Relax, nature isn’t my thing, you’re safe.  I’ll even keep Jack company for a while.”

“That’s sweet, but you don’t have to bother, I know you’re not feeling all that well.”

“I wasn’t offering to play freeze tag with him, but a nice quiet game of cards or something I could be up for.  I need a chance to win back some of what I lost to him on the flight over.”

“I told you, the two of you should have stuck with Crazy Eights.”

“Maybe he’ll want to watch a movie or something.  That girl who makes the beds said the
TV
guy
is
supposed to show up today.  So, did I miss anything else last night?”

Sara opened her mouth to tell her about the Lady of the Road, but shut it without saying anything.  What had the crazy old guy at the candleshop said about being careful what was said in the house?  Until she knew more about both the Pooles’ and Gemma’s motivations, she decided to keep it to herself.  “Not really, like I said, we didn’t stay out that late.”

“Oh come on, you didn’t even let him get to first base?  Have I taught you nothing?”

“I ah, I didn’t say that exactly,” Sara’s cheeks flushed at the admission.  “There was a kiss.” 
And what a kiss it was…

“Then there was definitely some kissage… you go girl, I’m proud of you!” Joanie laughed and Sara let loose a sigh of mixed feelings. 

If only she could be sure she should let herself fall for Will. 

* * *

Setting out on foot, Will took Sara to a peaceful clearing in the woods surrounding the house, armed with a large wicker basket and a blanket for them to sit on.  The weather was overcast, but warm enough for her to ditch the sweater she’d brought with before they left the gardens.  Will unpacked enough food to feed a small army, a variety of cold meats, cheese and fruits to tempt any appetite with slabs of thick home baked bread. 

“Are you sure Mrs. Poole knew it would be just the two of us?  I don’t think I could eat this much food all day,” Sara leaned back against the blanket to look up at the sky with a happy sigh.

“I think Mrs. Poole takes her duties a very seriously.  She likely hasn’t been introduced to the concept that sometimes less is more,” he chuckled, popping another grape into his mouth.  “I have to admire her zeal
though;
even her quickly assembled efforts are first rate.”

“I think I’m going to miss cooking,” she sighed again, propping her head up with an arm. 

“So why not cook then?”