11

 

Just before ten o’clock on December fifth, Sara sat in the waiting room of the maternity block. It didn’t matter which hospital department she was in, they all smelled cold, clinical, and depressing. She glanced at Luke who sat next to her. An uneasy truce existed between them.

Sara had immersed herself in her art. If she couldn’t go to the beach, she’d paint it instead. She had to admit Luke was working hard, spending hours on the files and the phone, with Dave in and out all day long.

Dave sat the other side of her. He’d driven them here in the car the police had allocated Luke, showing him how the clutch and gears worked. Luke was going to drive back, never having driven what he called a backwards car before.

Her thoughts turned to the man she’d seen outside the chalet—the reason she was here. Although she’d seen Jamie die and cremated him, part of her wondered if it actually was him. If so, why had he run off? Why hadn’t he come back for her? She nudged Luke. “Do you believe in ghosts?”

“Ghosts? No. Why?”

“Just wondered. What about doppelgangers? You know, they say for every person on the planet, there’s someone exactly like them. A twin, an evil one if you like.”

Luke grinned. “Evil twins? You watch way too many horror movies. I’ll have to put a stop to that.”

Sara pulled a face at him. “I’m trying to be serious here. Dave, what do you think?”

Dave shook his head. “I’m staying out of this one.”

“You want to be serious, Sara, then we’ll be serious.” Luke put on a serious expression. “Why do you ask?”

Sara shook her head, stifling a smile. The guy was incorrigible—with a sense of humor that matched hers to a tee. “I was thinking about that night in Winterton when I saw Jamie outside the chalet.”

“Jamie?” Dave asked incredulously.

“You know, the leftenant gave me the same look when he caught me up. Mind you, I was chasing this guy across a field wearing pajamas.”

Luke grinned. “Now here’s a question. Why was the field wearing pajamas?”

Dave snorted with laughter.

Sara glared at them. “Can’t anyone take me seriously here? I’m not some crazy widow who sees her dead husband on every street corner, and don’t tell me it was a field and not a street corner, either.”

“Sorry, Sara.” Luke adopted a serious expression again, making her want to hit him playfully. Did he realize how cute he looked?

“Yeah, and I would have caught him, except you stopped me. No one believes me, but I know what I saw.”

“You saw his ghost?”

“Ghost, doppelganger, him, I don’t know. He, or someone like him, was standing right there, staring in at me.” She twisted her rings on her finger. “You think I’m crazy?”

“Being pregnant does strange things to a woman.”

Sara raised an eyebrow. “You know this how?”

“I’m an uncle eight times over.” Luke laughed. “Jodie kept signing her maiden name all the time. Not to mention the disgusting combinations of food she ate. Amy, Darren’s wife, sleepwalks. He found her having an animated conversation with a potted palm once.”

“I see. Well, I’m sure the palm tree was a very good conversationalist, but I didn’t imagine Jamie. He was there.” She broke off as the nurse called her name. She pulled herself up on the crutches.

“I’ll wait outside the door with Dave.”

“Expectant fathers don’t do that. They sit there, hold the mother’s hand, and get all weepy at the sight of the unborn baby.”

“You know this how?” Luke asked.

She grinned at him. “Watching too much TV, probably. If I’m honest, I’d far rather you did wait outside the door, but they’ll expect you in there.” She took a deep breath. “Let’s get this over with.” She followed the nurse into the small room with Luke by her side.

Dave took up position outside the door.

Sara switched her gaze from the exam couch to the crutches. This would be interesting.

“Let me help, hon.” Luke lifted her onto the couch and set her crutches to one side.

Sara lay down and answered the sonographer’s questions about her periods and dates. She still hadn’t said anything to Luke about it being twins. She winced as the sonographer felt for the position of the babies. “Is everything all right?”

“Aye, Mrs. Nemec, everything’s fine. I’m following up what yer GP said in his letter. The gel will be cold.”

Sara turned her head to watch the screen as the picture sprung to life on it. “Wow. It’s a baby.”

Luke rolled his eyes. “No, really.”

Sara could see three arms and two heads. She watched Luke peer at the screen. She smiled as his gaze flew to the sonographer, and his head tilted to the screen. So he’d seen it, too.

He had more than a little concern in his voice and eyes. “What’s wrong with it?”

The sonographer smiled. “Nothing’s wrong with them.”

“Them?” Luke repeated.

Sara moved her gaze back at the screen as the sonographer moved the scanner. The picture changed. There were two babies on the screen as clear as day.

“They’re both fine and nice sizes for yer wife’s due date.”

“Twins.” Sara’s fingers reached out towards the screen.

“Twins?” Luke stared at Sara.

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.”