Читать книгу Haunting at Remington House - Laura V. Keegan - Страница 28

For Tom and Sara, the day dawned clear and quiet. “Morning, Sara. You look ravishing.” Tom playfully pulled the covers off Sara.

Sara rolled on top of Tom. “Definitely too early to get out of bed. Good morning, my love.”

They made love again. From overhead, Tom thought he heard the creaking of floorboards. Feeling Sara’s caresses to his thighs and buttocks, he put the sounds out of his mind and concentrated on Sara’s demands to his quickly responding body.

After they made love, as they lay together watching the sun continue its morning ascent, Sara turned to Tom. “I better get back to Vivian’s before anyone notices I’ve been gone all night. I don’t think I’m up for the third degree. I don’t want anything to spoil our night together.”

Tom watched sullenly as she walked naked across the room. “Do you really have to go? I think we can explain to Vivian that this is what we both want. We’re all adults, after all. I don’t see any reason you can’t stay. At least have breakfast with me.” Tom followed her across the room.

“Tom, you don’t know Vivian. She wouldn’t understand how we can feel this way, this soon. We need to be realistic.” Sara continued dressing. Tom tried to pull her back toward the bed. “Now, stop. I have to go, Tom.” She teasingly stroked his face, then pretended to fight him off as he carried her back to bed.

Tom gently tossed her to the bed and removed the clothes she had just put on. “Not yet. You can’t go yet,” said Tom.

They said their goodbyes on the front porch. Sara kissed Tom then ran down the stairs and disappeared into the trees. She took the back path to Vivian’s hoping no one would see her.

A car came up the drive, taking the final curve just as Sara ducked into the trees. Tom watched the car as it stopped in front of him. A middle-aged woman got out, smiling as she held her hand out to him. Tom had no idea who she was. “Hello, are you lost? Can I be of some help?” he asked.

“Oh goodness, no. Mr. Gardner? I’m Nellie. Nellie Swenson.” Seeing he was still unsure about who she was, she added, “I was hired to cook and clean. Joe Tilson called me yesterday. He said you approved my hiring.”

“Of course. Yes. Come in please. I’d forgotten you were coming today.” Tom held the door open for her.

“What a lovely home. I haven’t been in here in years. Not since before the Lindemans bought the house.”

“Well, ah… Miss Swenson? Let me show you around.”

“Call me Nell. Everyone does. And it’s Mrs., although my husband died many years ago. Look at this huge kitchen. What a joy this will be.” She smiled at Tom, her eyes crinkling at the corners.

Another happy soul. Must be the sea air. Seemed like all the locals were happy. Maybe it’d rub off on Tom. “Glad you approve. Trust me, for the next few weeks, you’ll be very pleased you have this much space. My sister, Cassie, loves to cook, too, so she will no doubt be in here shadowing your every move.” Tom turned. Joe was coming up the back steps.

“Hey, Nell,” Joe said. “I see you’ve met Tom.” Joe entered the kitchen carrying a box of Nell’s spices. “I’ll set these here on the counter. Be right back, gonna get the other bags of stuff from Nell’s car. Morning, Tom. You look pretty chipper this morning. Hope the sea air is starting to work its magic.”

“Something like that, Joe. Can you show Nell around? I need to make a couple of calls, then I’ll be back.”

“Glad to.”

Later that afternoon, as it was getting dark, Tom called Sara and asked her to meet him at the bottom of the beach stairs. He waited for a while, throwing stones into the choppy water.

Tom thought he heard someone call his name. He looked around, but saw no one. Picking up another stone, he hurled it far out into the water, watched it splash as it hit. A few minutes later Sara came running down the long stretch of sand toward him. They hugged. Sara was shivering from the cold sea air. They huddled for a few moments, finding warmth in each other’s arms. Tom had brought a blanket and a thermos of hot cider. They gathered driftwood and built a small fire. They sat quietly, lost in their own thoughts. Tom held Sara’s hands in his large ones until they were finally warm.

“What are you thinking about, Sara?”

She didn’t look at Tom when she answered. “About your sister. I hope she’ll understand about us. I mean, you came here to get over one relationship, and now here I am. I want her to like me. I know she’s very important to you. Maybe it’s best if we keep our relationship quiet for the time being.

“No! You’re wrong. Cassie will love you because I love you. Trust me, Sara. I know Cassie. When she sees how happy I am, she’ll love you, too. Now stop worrying.”

Sara turned to Tom, smiling. “Okay, you’re probably right. I want everything to go well. I’m so happy, Tom.” Sara stood up. The moon spread a golden aura across the ocean. The evening was still, the only sound that of the breaking waves.

Tom pulled her to him, kissed her upturned face. “Oh, yes. I’m a very happy man. Come on. Let’s go for a walk. When you meet Cassie, you’ll see how ridiculous it is to worry about her.” He pulled her by the hand. Laughing, they raced along the beach trying to stave off the cold wind blowing in from the east.