House on the Beach

by Linda Barrett

  Matt turned toward her and Brian, and motioned the boy to him. Then Laura watched him carefully slide Casey down his body to the floor. He led the boys to the other side of the room and into the center hall. “Stay here,” he said to the children. “I’ll be right back.” He pivoted, his full attention now solely on her.

  Laura watched him approach with sure, deliberate steps, his dark eyes capturing hers and not letting go. Time seemed to slow down as she waited for him, registering his every move. And then he stood before her, studying her, his eyes warm, his fingers stroking the line of her jaw.

  She trembled, her breathing reduced to quivering puffs of air. His palm gently cupped her chin, raised it as he leaned down, his lips brushing her mouth…

  “You’re wonderful, Laura…more wonderful than I could have imagined.” Whispered words, heartfelt words…loving words.

  She heard them with all their undertones. And when his lips paused on hers, she raised on tiptoe and kissed him with eagerness and joy. Instantly his arms tightened around her, almost crushing her as his mouth answered her call. And when he finally released her, neither of them moved.

  She stared at the rugged face looking back at her and knew her life had just changed. Matt Parker would be part of her forever, no matter what the future held.

  MATT GLANCED in the rearview mirror at his boys in the back seat. He saw a quick elbow jab, some active pantomime accompanied by facial expressions only a love-blind parent would think cute. As a single dad, he couldn’t afford to be that besotted.

  His sons were either up to something or worrying about something. They were quiet riding back to the house, for the first half-mile.

  “Dad?”

  “Yes, Brian?”

  “Hmm…Casey, stop poking me!”

  Matt heard his younger son’s loud whisper. “Just t-tell him.”

  “Tell me what?” Matt checked his mirror again. Brian was leaning forward, staring at him. He couldn’t see Casey.

  “About…about Laura,” Brian said.

  Now Matt really was curious. “What about her?”

  “She’s nice. I like her.”

  “Well, good,” Matt replied, wondering where the conversation was heading. “I like her, too.”

  “Me-e, too! I l-o-ve her.” The passion in Casey’s words made up for the hesitations.

  And suddenly, Matt’s stomach rolled. His relationship with Laura was only in the discovery stage, not in the I’ll-love-you-forever-let’s-get-married stage. And now his kids’ emotions were involved. Very involved. Casey had given his little heart to Laura.

  “She-e-e smells nice. A-and she-e talks-s nice.” He began to sing his own words to the “Row Your Boat” song.

  Matt drove the van almost in a panic. Good God, what had he done? The more his kids got to know Laura, the more vulnerable they’d be. He should have kept his relationship with her separate. But then he thought about the ice storm. Nah. He’d couldn’t have left her in that dark, cold house by herself. Never. And then there was the kitten. And the baseball game. She’d cheered Brian’s team along with all the parents. Pilgrim Cove was a small town. It was hard to get lost in it, even for a newcomer.

  He pulled into the garage, glad to be home, glad his own dad lived with them. Maybe Sam could give him some perspective.

  The kids scrambled out and ran inside. Matt followed them more slowly, but was just in time to hear Brian say, “Grandpa! Dad was kissing Laura big time in her house.”

  And Casey stood in front of his grandfather, an expression of delight on his face, his head bobbing in agreement as fast as he could manage it.

  Sam raised his eyes to Matt, and for a moment, Matt felt like a kid again, breaking curfew. He felt his face heat up and wished he had loitered in the garage for a minute more.

  But Sam’s smile and twinkle rivaled his grandson’s. “Did you say ‘kissing’?”

  “Yup,” replied Brian.

  “Well, well, w-e-l-l. Is that right?” His dad actually beamed at him. “My son’s finally courting! Does my heart good to hear this.”

  Whoa. Time to slow everyone down. The way his dad looked and sounded, he’d be announcing Matt and Laura’s marriage to the ROMEOs the next morning at The Diner.

  “She’s only here temporarily, remember? So don’t make too much of one kiss. Laura and I are just good friends.” A lame excuse, but he’d learned something he should have realized. A single parent needed some privacy. Unfortunately, nothing was private in Pilgrim Cove.

  LATER THAT EVENING, Matt closed his bedroom door and stared at the phone on his table. The kids were in bed, Sam was watching television, and Matt had Laura on his mind. He sat on the edge of the mattress, and bent down to untie his boot laces. Somehow he ended up making knots—to match the knots in his stomach. He laughed at himself. He was as bad as a teenager with a crush. Finally he propped himself against the pillows, stretched out and dialed.

  “Hello.” She answered on the first ring.

  The familiar sound of her voice gave him a rush. He took a breath. “Hi.” His tongue seemed to tangle around itself. For a grown man, he was pathetic with women. Or was his ineptness only with this woman, the woman he cared about? Say something. Ask for a date.

  “I can’t stop thinking about you,” he said.

  “Oh?” she replied, her voice soft and warm. “That’s nice. I can say the same about you.”

  His heart beat in double time. “There’s a place about forty minutes from here. Dinner and dancing. The food’s very good. Would you like to go?” They’d dance slowly; he’d hold her close all evening. He loved the image.

  “Go now?” Surprise laced her voice, and brought him back to the moment. “I’m already in my nightgown.”

  New image. Black silk, tiny straps. Soft skin and those blond curls. Sweat beaded his forehead, his lip… “Nightgown?” His voice squeaked.

  Silence. Then “Yes.” A throaty whisper. “A nightgown. Very sexy. A lovely shade of pale blue…heavy flannel with bunches of tiny violets.”

  He heard the laughter in her voice. “You’re driving me crazy, Laura!”

  “Sorry. I couldn’t help it.”

  He heard the humor lurking underneath her words. “No, you’re not sorry, woman. But I forgive you because I’m a great guy.” He wiped his face with his sleeve, glad Laura couldn’t see him, glad he was able to joke.

  “I admit you’ve got potential,” she said. Her tone continued to be light.

  “So how about exploring that potential tomorrow night? An evening away from Pilgrim Cove?”

  “You mean, an evening of privacy?” The beat of her words slowed.

  “Small towns do have their pluses and minuses,” Matt replied. “Lack of privacy is definitely on the minus side of the balance sheet.”

  “I’m beginning to figure that out,” she said. “Let’s make our escape. Tomorrow night is fine.”

  In his bedroom, Matt sighed with relief. Laura wanted to be alone with him as much as he wanted to be alone with her. As he hung up the phone, a knock sounded at the door. “Yo,” Matt called.

  Casey padded across the room to Matt’s bed and jumped in. “I figured out what to do, but you need to help me.” The stuttering problem marked his speech.

  “I’m listening,” Matt replied.

  “Can you take me to school early on Monday? Before the other k-kids get there?”

  “Why?”

  “I’m going t-to t-t-talk to Ms. Mosely. She’s the best one to help.”

  “Shake my hand, Case. It’s a deal.”

  “But I-I’m gonna talk. Not you, Dad.”

  “You’ve got my word, son. Ms. Mosely is all yours.” He pulled the boy over for a kiss and hug. “Have I told you what a terrific kid you are?”

  “D-a-d!”

  Matt laughed while tears stung his eyes. “Come on, I’ll tuck you in.”

  After returning to his room, Matt stretched on the bed knowing he still had a smile on his face. Not only was Casey’s scho
ol problem on its way to being solved, but Matt had a date with Laura to look forward to. Tomorrow night couldn’t come fast enough.

  CHAPTER TEN

  “YOU’RE BEAUTIFUL.” The words popped out of Matt’s mouth as soon as he saw Laura standing in the doorway of Sea View House the next night.

  She smiled at him. “Thanks, but it’s probably the clothes. You’ve never seen me dressed up before.”

  “The clothes?” Matt tore his gaze from her face and looked at the burgundy-colored blouse and matching short wool skirt. “Nice,” he murmured perfunctorily. Then stopped speaking. Legs. She had wonderful legs. Long ones. Shapely-at-the-calf ones. They were encased in a sheer version of the same wine color and ended in a pair of black strappy shoes with high heels.

  He sucked in air, glad he was still in the doorway. “Like I said before, you’re beautiful.”

  An uncertain expression crossed her face. “Thank you, but…”

  Shy? He hadn’t noticed an excess of that quality before. “No buts about it. You’re beautiful.”

  She coughed as if embarrassed. Then looked at him. “Hang on, I’ll get my coat. I haven’t danced the night away in a long time, and I am ready!”

  He nodded and hoped like hell she didn’t mean real dancing. His imagination hadn’t gone past slow-in-his-arms dancing. He shrugged. He’d take her in his arms any way he could get her.

  An hour later, the maître d’ of The Birches escorted them to a table that offered the illusion of privacy. Tall potted plants strategically placed between candlelit tables, nooks along the outside wall, dim romantic lighting and a low noise level all added to the fantasy. It was part of the restaurant’s appeal to the couples who patronized it. The music and dancing would come later.

  Matt studied the surroundings, more than satisfied with his choice, and noticed Laura’s eyes grow large as she did the same.

  He waited until she was seated and then took his place across from her at the table. With a flourish, the maître d’ gestured for the waiter to approach and, after a few polite words, disappeared. The server immediately greeted them and produced a wine list. He rattled off the house special stock.

  Matt eyed him. “Give us a minute.”

  “Chablis is fine,” said Laura at the same time.

  The waiter stepped back.

  Matt reached for Laura’s hand across the table. He stroked her smooth skin, enjoying the texture so different from his own. “We’re not on a schedule tonight. We can set our own pace. Let’s take it slow. No kids, no Pilgrim Cove. And tomorrow’s Sunday. We can sleep late.” Either alone or together. He kept that part to himself.

  Her eyes warmed, and she smiled. “You’re absolutely right. We have no deadlines. But I have to admit, the freedom feels weird.”

  “We’re stealing a night,” Matt said. “I hope it’s the beginning of many.” He waited. She averted her eyes for a moment, then met his gaze.

  “So do I,” she whispered.

  He squeezed her fingers and felt her gentle response. Life was good. “How about the Boston Symphony next Saturday night? I’ve got tickets.”

  She eyed him with suspicion. “You work fast.”

  “Not true,” he protested. “We get season’s tickets every year. And for each concert, we decide who wants to go. Dad, Brian. Even Casey gets a turn.”

  “Well, I don’t want to take away—”

  “Shh. None of them will mind. Trust me on that.” He checked the wine list. “What would you like?”

  He signaled for the waiter to return and, a few minutes later, cocktail in hand, sat back to enjoy the rest of the evening. And learn more about Laura.

  Laura raised her glass in salute. “To beautiful music and a lovely evening.”

  “To our plan for many more of them,” said Matt.

  “Yes.” A smile rested on her face as she nodded at him before sipping her Chablis. “Nice wine. Nice restaurant.”

  He watched her lazily scan the room and knew exactly when her expression changed. A combination of horror and disbelief.

  “What’s going on?”

  She continued to stare at the entrance and began to chuckle. “I’m afraid you’ll have to postpone that privacy wish. You won’t believe who’s walking this way.”

  “If it’s anyone from home, I don’t want to know.”

  “No choice. The maître d’ is leading them past us.”

  Matt turned around then. “Chief O’Brien and Dee Barnes. The romance of the senior set.”

  “And what’s so bad about that?” challenged Laura, sparks in her eyes.

  “Absolutely nothing. They’ve been crazy about each other for ages, but she won’t marry him.” He raised his hands. “Don’t ask me.”

  “I won’t ask anybody!”

  And then the Chief and Dee were abreast of them, and Matt couldn’t miss the surprise and disappointment that flashed across the older man’s face. But Rick quickly put a smile on, greeted Laura and shook Matt’s hand.

  “I didn’t expect to see you here tonight,” said the Chief.

  “Likewise,” replied Matt. “We were hoping…” He shook his head. “Forget it. There are no secrets around here.”

  “Oh, poor boy,” said pint-size Dee, looking from Matt to Laura. “Were you two hoping to get away from everyone?”

  “That was the idea,” said Laura. “Matt was trying to show me that privacy does exist in a small town.”

  “Ha!” Matt exclaimed, gesturing toward his watch. “Not counting the ride, the illusion lasted less than an hour.”

  “Oh, dear,” said Dee. She looked at Rick. “Maybe we could go somewhere else?”

  Rick looked at Dee with exasperation. “Lady, I’m dancing with you all night right here. And I have a few other things to say, too.” Then he turned to Matt and Laura. “I have a better idea.” He paused and looked Matt straight in the eye. “We never had this conversation. We never saw you. Will that work?”

  “You bet,” Matt said without hesitation.

  “My lips are sealed,” Laura volunteered.

  Hands on her hips, Dee looked up at Rick. “My, my. And you, a cop. What kind of example are you setting?” But her eyes twinkled as she teased.

  “I’m retired,” the Chief replied. “And no one’s testifying in court!”

  “Well, then, it’s settled. Let’s leave these two young people alone.” She winked at Matt and put her arm through Rick’s.

  Matt watched them follow the waiter, then sat down again.

  “You know,” Laura said slowly, “there is something to be said for a large city.”

  His heart dropped to his stomach. Did she mean it? Even he had to admit that—for tonight at least—small towns had their disadvantages. “I guess cities and small towns both have good points and bad.”

  “Touché,” she said, raising her glass. “Here’s to the ferryboat route.”

  “I’ll drink to that,” said Matt, relaxing once more, wondering if his life would ever be calm again.

  For a moment, his eyes rested on Dee Barnes and Chief O’Brien as they sat at their table across the room. Except when he was on the job, Rick O’Brien had never been as intense as he looked that evening. And all because of a woman.

  Matt understood the feeling. A woman had the power to tie a man up in knots. He looked across the table at Laura and felt a smile grow. However, a woman also had the power to make a man happy to be alive. He reached for Laura’s hand. “Let’s dance.”

  “UNBELIEVABLE,” Matt said an hour later as he escorted Laura back to their table. They’d danced between courses and, with Laura in his arms, Matt could have forgone the meal entirely. Unfortunately, his dance skills left a question mark in his mind.

  “What’s unbelievable?”

  “That I haven’t crushed your toes yet.”

  “Crushed? You’re not bad at all. I’m having a great time.”

  She sounded sincere! He exhaled, more confident about the evening. Embracing Laura as they drifted to the m
usic was everything his libido had hoped for. Not to mention his heart. She fit so well. She smelled so good. He had no desire to be anywhere else.

  “I’ll tell you what’s really unbelievable,” said Laura, surprise written all over her face before her eyes started twinkling. “Just look across the room.” Her hand fluttered in a certain direction.

  He looked. Saw nothing. “What?”

  “Dee and the Chief.”

  “We haven’t seen them, remember?”

  Laura shrugged. “Okay. Have it your way. But there’s a big shiny ring on her finger that wasn’t there thirty minutes ago.”

  Matt twisted so fast he almost landed on the floor. “Ho boy! The ROMEOs will be humming tomorrow.” He studied the other couple, glimpsed the happiness on Rick’s face, the softness in Dee’s, their hands intertwined in full view of anyone passing by. At the moment, they didn’t seem to give a hoot about who saw them.

  He faced Laura, and his heart filled. “I think they have the right idea,” he said without a qualm.

  “Do you think marriage is better?” Her grin had disappeared. Her question was bottom-line serious.

  “Better than what?” he replied.

  “The single life.”

  “I think the right marriage is better. The kind filled with sharing and laughter and…and being there for each other.” He reached for her hand and felt alive when her slender fingers tucked around his larger ones.

  “I agree. Not just any marriage will do. I’m…I’m regaining my balance.”

  Matt’s antenna went up. How many details of Laura’s life did he really know about? He wanted to know more. Wanted to know her better. “Bad breakup?” he asked, gently squeezing her hand.

  “Yes,” she said. “The timing was rather awful.” Her expression darkened. She seemed to wander into her bank of memories. Matt saw a flash of hurt in her expression. “And now I’m here,” she continued. “Not merely for a respite, but for a new beginning, too.”

  He would have toasted new beginnings with expensive champagne if he’d had some. Instead, he said, “Dance with me again. Let’s keep going until they throw us out of the place.”

  Laura’s face lit up. “I’d love to dance all night. But I’ve never been thrown out of anywhere before.”