16

 

Two weeks later, Sara sat on the edge of the bed gazing out of the window at the sea. Despite asking almost every day, she hadn’t been there. Maybe if she asked again, he’d take her just to shut her up.

The shower started running and she tuned out the image of Luke standing under it. Hopefully, the hospital would give her the all clear today, and she could lose this annoying splint. She no longer needed Luke to carry her up and down the stairs, but he insisted and she wasn’t going to argue with him. There was something about being in his arms that made her stomach fill with butterflies, the blood rush faster in her veins and her heart sing.

Hearing Luke go back to his room, Sara threw back the covers and got up. She went to the bathroom and washed, then went back to her room and dressed. By the time Luke knocked on her door, she was ready.

She opened the door. “Good morning.”

“Morning, Sara.” Luke swung her into his arms and started carrying her down the stairs. “You’re too light. We’ll have to feed you up a bit more.”

Sara leaned into him. “You worry too much.”

“I know, but you’re pregnant. Would you please bring it up at your next checkup with Doc Scott? If you don’t, I will.”

Sara sighed as he sat her at the table. She’d do it for him, no other reason. “All right.”

Luke set the microwave going and turned to Sara. “Do you want some breakfast?”

“Toast, please.”

Luke opened the bread. “Sure. One or two pieces?”

“Two, please. I don’t feel sick this morning.”

Luke smiled. “That’s great. Maybe I can fatten you up after all.” He made breakfast and brought it over to her. “I was thinking. We should have your aunt to stay again. For Christmas, perhaps.”

Sara beamed. “I’d like that, and so would she. Thank you.”

Luke smiled back. “I’ll organize it today.”

Sara picked up the jar of Marmite and layered it on the toast. She added jam and peanut butter.

“That’s disgusting.” Luke scrunched up his nose.

She grinned at him and took a large bite. “No, it’s not.” She spoke with her mouth full. “It’s yummy.”

Luke made sick noises. “No, it’s disgusting.”

“You eat jam and peanut butter all the time. In fact, you introduced me to it.”

“Peanut butter and jelly is nice.”

“Jam. You have jelly with ice cream. Jam with bread.”

“Whatever. That yeast extract makes it a revolting combination.”

She waved the toast under his nose, laughing at the faces he pulled. “You should try it.”

“No thanks. I’ll stick to oatmeal this morning.”

Sara took another bite. “You don’t know what you’re missing.”

“I know exactly what I’m missing.” He grinned.

Sara finished the toast and coffee and leaned back in the chair. “That was lovely. Thank you.”

“Do you want some more?”

“No, thanks. There’s no room. If I…” She broke off.

“What’s wrong?” He sat up straight, concern flashing in his eyes.

Sara grabbed his hand and placed it on her stomach. “Nothing’s wrong. The babies are playing football again.”

“That’s amazing.”

“They’ve been doing it on and off the past couple of weeks, but not as much as they were doing at one point.”

Luke looked down at her stomach. “Jodi said that when she was pregnant with Danny, that’s her eldest, he’d kick the soap off her stomach and send it flying across the bathroom.”

She smiled and rubbed the top of his hand. “Funny.”

Luke raised his eyes and leaned forwards. Sara found herself inches away from his face, her lips almost on his. She pulled back. She couldn’t kiss him. It wouldn’t be right.

Luke stood, cleared his throat, and started clearing the table. Sara pulled herself up and went into the lounge, a torrent of emotion running through her. Why did things have to get so complicated?

 

****

 

In the kitchen, Luke busied himself with the dishes, pushing down his feelings. They weren’t his babies. Sara wasn’t his wife or girlfriend. He glared at the dish in his hand, for a moment wishing it was Sara he touched.

He took a deep breath and huffed. So far his investigation had turned up diddly-squat. He spent a vast amount of each day delving into Jamie’s past, discovering nothing but dead ends. It was as if someone was thwarting every move they made.

They were no closer to finding the leak in the department in Winterton. He had a nasty feeling it went deeper and further than it appeared, but he only shared that with Dave.

His mobile phone rang, and he snatched it up. “Nemec. Good morning, sir.” It was Captain Harriman. The last person Luke expected to hear from. “How are you? Yeah, I’m good. I was going to call you later. That’s the thing. Not so good. I’m not protective services, and to be honest, she resents it as much as I do. So what I’m asking is to be reassigned.”

He sat down at the table and listened while Harriman spoke, his fingers drumming on the table. “I understand that, sir, but this isn’t working. There are a lot of brick walls. Files we had on Jamie have been mysteriously misplaced. Lines of enquiry are suddenly terminated. Phone calls aren’t returned, and there’s a stony silence on the subject of the leak in the department. I’ve resorted to contacting the LAPD and making enquires there.”

Luke paused. “We’re focusing on trying to trace Jamie, his family, and where they came from, but there’s nothing, and what little we did have has vanished. Thing is, sir, why bring me all this way, almost six thousand miles, to baby-sit Sara? I’d be far more useful out there hunting Austin and finding him, than I am sitting here, day in and day out, evaluating files. Not to mention the—”

He stilled his fingers. “I see.”

Luke let out a deep sigh. “Then I guess I have no choice.” He ran a hand through his hair. “All right. I’ll sit tight and do things this way for now. You, too, sir. Bye.”

He closed the phone and shoved it to one side. If Harriman was right, and Luke desperately hoped he wasn’t, he was in the right place. But who, if anyone, could he trust? Could he even trust Dave? He was depending on him for so much and every outside contact he’d made had been suggested by Dave.

His thoughts were interrupted as Sara came back into the kitchen, a worried expression on her face. “What’s up?”

“A car pulled up on the driveway. It’s not Dave or Carole.”

Luke leapt to his feet. “Stay here.”

 

****

 

Sara sat at the table, her heart pounding. The door opened, and voices echoed in the hallway. Luke came in with a short, long-haired man with glasses. Dave stood behind them.

“Sara, this is the lawyer you wanted to see, Mr. Rankin.”

Sara stood up and held out a hand. “Hello.”

“Mrs. Barnes, I have those papers for ye tae sign. I’ll need two witnesses.”

“I’m sure the two gentlemen here will oblige.” She got nods from Luke and Dave. “Where do I sign?”

She took the pen and signed where she was shown. She smiled. She couldn’t help it. She was free. No longer Mrs. Barnes, but Miss Daniels. The name change finalized and the marriage annulled. The only thing that would change that now would be if Jamie somehow turned up alive.

Dave glanced at Luke as he witnessed the papers. “I’ll meet ye at the hospital. I have a couple of errands I need tae run first.”

“That’s fine. I’ll see you out.”

Sara moved to the window as the men left, resisting the urge to ring her aunt. She’d do that later. As Luke came back in, she moved over to him. “It’s time to go, Leftenant.”

“Sara, my name is Luke.”

Sara winked. “OK…It’s time to go, Leftenant Luke.”

Luke rolled his eyes. “Guess I asked for that one.”

Her heart leapt within her. He still wanted her to call him Luke, and now she was free, she could do so. “Yeah, you did, Luke.”

Luke’s smile made her heart leap even more. “I’ll get your coat.”

Sara smiled. “Thank you.” She paused and tried his name out again. “Luke.”

She followed him into the hall, put on her jacket, and grabbed her bag. She let him lead her to the car, and she got in and did up her belt, rolling her eyes as Luke’s phone rang. She was anxious not to be late, but wanted to know if it was about her. “Don’t be long.”

Luke put the keys in the ignition and started to shut the door. He shook his head and pulled the phone out of his pocket. “I’ll talk and drive at the same time.”

“Luke, you can’t. That’s illegal in this country.”

“All right, I’m still taking it.”

“Fine, take it.” Sara pulled her hat down further and tightened her scarf. “If we’re late, and I miss the appointment, I’ll have to remake it. I won’t get one until after Christmas.”

 

****

 

Luke answered the call. “Nemec.”

“Good morning, Lieutenant, it’s DCI Shepherds. I thought I’d let ye know the officer responsible for the leak in Norfolk has been traced and brought in. He’s no’ talking, but if he does, we’ll let ye know.”

“Thank you.”

“It sounds as if yer outside.”

“We’re about to leave for the hospital. Sara can’t miss this appointment.”

“Extra back up will be waiting there for ye. What time is she seeing the doctor?”

“Ten-forty-five. We’re cutting it close as it is.”

“Take a different route there and back.”

“Yes, sir.” He raised a hand in greeting as Antonia, bundled up against the cold, came over, and started chatting to Sara. He’d never known a neighbor who liked talking so much. She had called around almost every other day to see if Sara wanted coffee or a chat or both. Antonia could be just being neighborly, but he couldn’t take the chance. He was fast running out of excuses. Dark gray clouds hung overhead. Finishing the call, Luke put the phone away. “Good morning, Antonia.”

She looked at him for a second. “Morning, Luke.” She turned back to Sara. “It should be a really good evening. Last year’s party was a blast. Hopefully now yer better, ye’ll be able tae come.”

Sara smiled. “We’ll be there with bells on.”

Antonia laughed. “Christmas bells, I hope.”

Sara laughed. “Of course.”

“Good. Right, I’d best get on before the storm hits. Ye take care now. Bye.”

“Bye.”

Luke started the engine.

Sara pushed back into the seat. “Who was on the phone?”

Luke pulled off the drive. “DCI Shepherds. They plugged the leak in Winterton.”

“Not before time.”

“Yeah. What did Antonia want?”

“She asked if I was over the nasty bout of the flu. She’s invited us to her Christmas party. She’ll let us know the time later. I already said we’d go.”

“A party?” Luke rolled his eyes and concentrated on the driving.

“No, a Christmas party. It’s different.”

“How so?”

“The music for one thing. Ugh, look at the traffic.” She flipped down the mirror. “We’re being followed.”

Luke checked his mirror. “That car sits in front of the house and has been there since we moved in. It follows us everywhere.” He glanced at her. “You didn’t notice it before?”

Sara shook her head. “But then I’m not paid to notice things. You are.”

Luke grinned and pulled into a parking space near the hospital entrance. “Paid to notice things and be cried all over, huh?”

Sara laughed. “Yep, got it in one.”

He turned off the engine. He liked this Sara, much more than the sulky one of the first week or two. He got out, checking the area before opening Sara’s door for her. She got out of the car, smiling. “Thank you, Luke.”

Luke’s heart leapt at her smile and the way his name sounded falling from her lips. He shut and locked the car and checked the area once more. He noted the two people by the entrance, knowing they were undercover officers, without recognizing them.

As he surveyed the parking lot, Luke saw Dave’s car pull in and park. He led Sara over. “Hey, Dave.”

“Hey, Luke, Sara.”

Sara smiled at him. “Are you coming back to our place?”

Dave shook his head. “No’ this morning. I’ve got a bunch of paperwork with my name on it and a meeting at twelve.”

“Oh, fun. Dinner tonight, then?”

“Sure. I’ll bring Carole and takeout.”

Luke smiled. “That sounds good.”

Sara snorted.

“What?” he asked innocently.

“That had better be the takeout and not Carole you’re referring to.”

“Not jealous, are you?” he teased.

“Pleads the fifth...oh no, wait, I can’t. We don’t have a constitution.”

Luke grinned at her. “Come on, we don’t want to be late, do we?”

 

****

 

Despite being on time, they had to wait for over an hour. Sara grinned at Luke. “Should’ve taken bets on this, too. I could have got out of cooking for another three weeks.”

Luke winked, despite his obvious anxiety about hanging around for too long. “Good thing you like my cooking.”

“At least I’m out of the house. I hate being cooped up all the time. I can’t settle for a piece of sky. I want to see something different. Like the beach. Please, can we go home that way? Vary the route, that’s what the cops on TV do.”

“What is it with you and beaches? Was beach your first word by any chance?”

“You know, I think it might have been.”

“Mrs. Nemec.”

Sara got up and followed the nurse, Luke walking with her into the doctor’s office. Sara was terrified and hoped it didn’t show. She set her hands in her lap, twisting Luke’s ring on her finger.

Luke slipped his hand over hers and squeezed it. Sara glanced up at him. He knows how scared I am. The question is, is he just acting or is that really a hint of concern I see in his eyes?

She turned her attention to Dr. Anderson as he smiled at her. “It’s good news, Mrs. Nemec. Yer leg has healed completely.”

“Completely? So I can lose the splint?”

“Aye, ye can lose the splint.”

Sara’s smile turned into a grin. “Good.”

Luke hugged her tightly. “That’s great, hon.”

Sara hugged him back. “It means you no longer have to carry me up and down the stairs.”

“Unless you want me to.” He winked at her.

Sara turned back to the doctor as he spoke again. “Ye’ll need tae take it easy for a few days. No marathons or dancing at parties.”

“Don’t worry about that, Doc,” Luke said.

Sara shot him a quick glance. “No, there’s no chance of that because my husband won’t let me.”

 

****

 

Back in the car, Sara stretched out her leg, taking delight in extending her toes and wriggling them. A waft of aftershave filled the car as Luke sat in the driver’s seat. Her stomach flipped at his nearness.

She peeked at the figure next to her, his strong profile outlined against the winter sunlight. “Luke, please can we go and see the beach? I promise I will stay in the car. We’ve been here weeks, and I haven’t seen it properly yet. And it is a different way back. Pretty please with sugar and cherries on the top.”

Luke sighed. “You don’t give up, do you? You’re like a dog with a bone.”

“Woof.” Sara panted slightly and made puppy-dog-eyes at him.

Laughing, he shook his head at her. “Down, girl. All right, varying the route.”

He started the car and drove out of the hospital parking lot, the journey made difficult by the low sunlight which was bright against the dark black clouds.

As they parked at Tannoch Point Beach, the heavens opened, and the rain poured down. Sara opened her bag and pulled out her camera. She opened the car door only to find a hand close over her arm.

“Where do you think you are going, Sara?”

“Take some photos.”

“Oh, no, you don’t. You’ll get soaked.”

“But look at it.”

“Rain, lots of rain.”

“No, silly. Over there.” She pointed.

Luke peered out of the windscreen. “It’s a rainbow.”

“No, it’s a rainbow. It’s beautiful, with the white horses on the waves, the black clouds and the lighthouse. I have to shoot it now; it’ll make a fantastic oil painting.”

“Stay in the car. You promised. Give me the camera.”

Sara pointed to the silver button on the top. “Just point and press. Take several.”

Luke raised his eyes at the downpour and grimaced. “The things I do.”

He pulled his collar up.

Sara pulled off her woolly hat and offered it to him. “Here.”

“I’m not wearing that.”

She smiled at his indignant response, thrusting the hat into his hands. “Pink suits you. Besides, no one will see it, and it’ll keep the worst of the rain off. Go on. Quick, before it fades.”

Luke tugged the hat on and got out of the car. Sara watched as he stood in the rain and took photo after photo of the rainbow, the sky and the beach.

He turned slowly, taking pictures of the shoreline, including the lighthouse and the fishermen’s cottages. He took one last photo before getting back in the car, absolutely soaked.

Sara took the camera and put it away. “Ta. You look like a drowned rat.”

“I feel like a drowned rat.”

“Did you see the bloke walking the dog?”

“No, I was too busy getting rained on.” Luke pulled off the hat and ran his fingers through his wet hair. “I wasn’t the only idiot out there, then.”

“You’re not an idiot. He was kind of familiar, but I couldn’t place him. Hard to tell with the way his hood hid his face.”

“All you Brits look alike,” Luke joked.

“So do you Yanks.”

“Can we go now?”

She smiled at him. “Yes. Thank you.”

He smiled back at her. “You’re welcome. Oh look, it’s finally stopped raining.”

Sara laughed. “Always the way.”