by Clare Revell
“Uh huh. Now where were we?”
Sara glanced at him. Was the moment lost? Probably. “You were up the wall, swinging from the chandeliers.”
Luke got up. “I’ll go change my pants.”
“Trousers,” Sara corrected. “Pants are what you wear under them.”
Luke poked out his tongue. “We call them boxers. These are pants. I’ll be right back.”
“All right.” Sara turned to the tree. It was lovely. The lights sparkled and reflected off the golden baubles hanging from the branches. It was missing something, but she wasn’t sure what.
Luke came back in and climbed up on the chair. He held his hand out for a drawing pin. They had barely finished, amid much laughter, when the doorbell rang.
Sara winked at Luke. “It must be my turn by now. You’ve got it the past three weeks.”
“No way, José.” He pushed her on to the couch. “You’re sitting down. Still mine.”
Sara threw a cushion at him. “My name’s not José.”
Luke tossed it back. “It is now.”
“Brat.” Sara threw it back.
****
Luke opened the door on the latch.
Carole and Dave stood there.
Luke undid the latch. “Hey, guys. Come in.”
“Hi,” Carole said as Luke shut the door. “We got Chinese.” She held up the takeout bags. “Hope ye don’t mind.”
Luke shook his head. “Not at all. Sara’s in the lounge. We’ve put the tree up.”
“Ye can see it from the street. It’s lovely.” Carole gave the bags to Dave and went into the lounge.
Dave followed Luke into the kitchen. “How’s it going?”
Luke got out the plates. “Really good, actually.”
“That’s good. Want tae know something interesting?”
Luke pulled open the drawer and handed Dave a couple of serving spoons. “What’s that?”
Dave dished up. “I got ahold of the witness protection people this afternoon. They have no record of a Robert Foster or a James Barnes.”
Luke paused as he got out the glasses. “Say what?”
“That’s what I thought. I’m going tae ring them again in the morning and speak tae the officer in charge.”
They carried the plates through.
“Dinner up.” Dave handed a plate and fork to Carole.
Luke handed Sara hers. Putting his down, he opened the bottle of sparking juice. He poured three glasses and paused before doing the fourth. “Sara, you want water or some of this grape juice, hon?”
“Juice, please.” She attacked her chow mien with enthusiasm. “What do you guys want to do later?”
“I need Dave’s help with my book. He volunteered to be my technical expert.”
Carole laughed. “Dave? A technical expert on sci-fi?”
Dave shrugged his shoulders and grimaced. “I ken the difference between a phaser and a communicator. What more do I need?”
Carole shook her head. “I brought a film with me. What would ye have done otherwise, Sara?”
“I was going to start a new picture. Luke took a great photo of a rainbow this morning.”
Carole finished her dinner. “Well, if ye can multi-task, that’s the evening sorted.”
“I’ll bring your easel in here, Sara,” Luke said. “Dave and I can use the dining room.”
She smiled. “Thanks. It’s too awkward for me to lift now.” She pushed herself up. As she did so, something caught her eye. She went across to the window and peered out. “It’s snowing.”
“Snow?” Luke repeated.
“White stuff, remember?” Sara explained helpfully. “Falls from the sky in winter.” She went back to the door, collecting the empty dishes as she went.
“I’ll give ye a hand,” Carole said.
Dave got up and took the dishes from Sara. “Let Luke and I do the dishes. Ye girls watch the film. It’s a chick flick, anyway.”
“All right, thanks.” Sara fetched the printed photo and her pencils while Luke carried her easel and blank canvas for her. When they went back into the lounge, both Carole and Dave were admiring the painting over the fireplace.
“Is this new?” Carole asked.
“Yes.” Luke grinned at Sara. “We put it up yesterday.”
“It’s really good. Makes ye feel like yer there, with the wind in yer hair. The initials are S.D. Do ye ken who he is?”
Luke laughed. “It’s Sara.”
Carole turned to her. “Never. Ye painted this?”
Sara blushed. “Yes.”
“It’s beautiful. So life-like. What’s it called?”
“‘Loneliness.’ It’s a beach in Norfolk.”
Dave peered at the painting. “That figure dwarfed by the dunes. Is that ye?”
“Yeah.”
“So what does the D stand for?”
Sara glanced at Luke. She had slipped up there. Maybe he could think quicker than her and cover it up.
Luke placed his hand on her arm. “Daniels. Sara paints under her maiden name. We should get started on those dishes.”
“All right. Enjoy the film, ladies.”
Sara grinned. “Oh, we will. Enjoy the technical advising.”
The men departed, and Sara curled up on the couch, pulling her easel towards her. She clipped the photo to the top of it and picked up her pencil. Maybe she should do a picture of Luke at some point. Something to remember him by.
****
After the others left, Luke made Sara cocoa and let her run upstairs to bed. He grinned as she ran back downstairs for something she’d forgotten, probably quite deliberately, and ran back up again. Her child like delight over losing the cast was enthralling and just added to the list of things that attracted him to her. Trying to resist was like fighting a losing battle. He was going under, drowning in love and he knew it.
He locked all the doors and double-checked them before going into the lounge to turn off the tree lights. He crossed the room and flicked off the main light, before going back to the window to pull the curtains.
He’d left them open just enough so the tree was visible from outside, like all the other houses had done. He paused as he gripped the curtains. There was a man standing on the other side of the road with a dog at his heels. He was staring at the house.
Luke pulled the curtains and left the room, heading to the front door. He opened it and checked outside. The man and dog had gone. Apart from Dave and Carole’s prints, the snow was untouched in front of him. No one else had been up the front path since the snow started falling.
Shaking his head, he locked the door and headed upstairs. He paused outside Sara’s room, but the light was off. He hoped he’d not blown it by kissing her.
****
After breakfast the following day, Sara stood in the lounge with her easel in front of her. She cast a critical eye over what she’d done the previous night. Pleased with it, she turned to find Luke standing right behind her. She gasped. “You made me jump.”
“Sorry. Sara, I—” His phone rang. He rolled his eyes and pulled it out of his pocket. “It’s the boss. I’d better take it. Nemec. Morning, Sir.”
Sara left him to it and went into the kitchen. Grabbing her sketchbook, she sat at the table and started drawing Luke. Caught up in what she was doing, she didn’t hear him come in. It was only when the phone dropped onto the table beside her that she raised her gaze.
His eyes glittered and his lips set in a thin taut line, he appeared to be struggling to keep control.
Her first thought was that she had done something. That was then replaced by the more logical thought it was something to do with the phone call. Still that made it her fault, albeit in a roundabout fashion. “What’s wrong, Luke?”
“Nothing I can’t handle.” He pointed to the notebook. “What’s that?”
“It’s you.”
Luke scrutinized at it. “My hair’s not that untidy, is it?”
“Sometimes.” She reached out
and ran her fingers through it. “It could do with a cut, but it is kind of cute this way. I was wondering, now that I’ve lost the cast, if we could go out and—”
“No.” The sharp response cut her off mid-sentence.
“We need food and some Christmas presents.”
“I’ll order the food over the net like I usually do. And anything else you want or need, as well.”
“Luke, I’m going stir-crazy in here. You’ve kept me cooped up for weeks, except trips to church and the hospital, and they don’t count. For crying out loud, it’s nearly Christmas, and I’m missing it.”
Luke rolled his eyes and sighed in exasperation. “I got a tree. What more do you want?”
“I want to be in the shops with the crowds and massive queues. I want to hear the Salvation Army band playing carols. I love this time of year with all the streets decorated and carols in all the shops, and the tinsel and lights.” Sara took a deep breath, lowering her voice. “Jamie hated Christmas. He didn’t even buy me a present last year, never mind take me shopping. He thought my love of Christmas was sissy. I hoped, with your liking it so much, and being a Christian, it’d be different. I want to go shopping with you.”
“Sara, you know very well what protective custody means. Not to mention what happened the last time you went shopping. Or have you forgotten?”
Sara glared at him. “Remind me.”
Luke rammed his point home. “The last time you went shopping, Austin found you. He’s out there, Sara. He found you because there was a leak in the department. If we lose you, the case against him will collapse, and he gets away with Jamie’s murder. Is that what you want?”
“No,” she muttered.
“Then we do this my way. It’s my job to keep you safe.”
Sara stood up, pushing her chair over as she did. “We can’t do anything to jeopardize this case or your career, can we, Leftenant?”
She flounced from the room, and came back with their coats, letting the door slam shut behind her. She knew it wasn’t her he was mad at, but whoever had rung him. She was just there and he needed to vent. But he needed a distraction—as did she.
Luke stood with his hands on his hips next to her now righted chair, his eyes glittering harder than before. “It isn’t my career or this case I’m worried about, Sara. It’s you.”
“Look, we don’t have to be long, a couple of hours at the most.” Sara softened her tone and smiled at him. “You can ask Dave if he wants to come, if you like. Then I’d be doubly protected and you have moral support against a woman who likes to shop.”
“Didn’t you hear what I said?”
“I heard every word, Luke. You’re worried about me. I’m safe with you, remember?”
Luke put his coat on and snatched his keys. “You’re a stubborn woman.”
Sara shoved her hands into her pockets. “It’s part of my charm.”
“Yeah, right.” Luke grabbed the phone. “Hey, Dave, you busy? Fancy a shopping trip? Tell me about it. Sure, we’ll pick you up in ten minutes.” He hung up and looked at Sara. “Before we leave I want to pray for protection while we’re out there. Agreed?”
She smiled. That tradition had started soon after they got to Tannoch before they left for church or hospital. “It wouldn’t be the same if you didn’t.”
18
They parked in the mall. Sara was amazed they found a space. She shook her head as Luke and Dave did the usual getting out of the car and checking the area trick. “Don’t you get tired of doing that, Luke?”
“Yes, but it needs doing.” Luke locked the car and took Sara’s hand.
Sara glanced down and tried to shake him off. “Hey, do you mind?”
“Not at all. You’re my wife. Remember? So if I want to hold your hand, I’ll do so. Besides, Darren and Amy always hold hands when they go out.”
Sara stifled a smile. She ought to be cross with him, not find him amusing. Why was it so hard to stay mad at him, and why was the thought of holding his hand making her feel this way? “Even with four kids in tow?”
“Yes. Plus, this way I don’t lose you.”
Sara left her hand in his. It felt nice. Jamie’s hand was always cold and loose, and it had always been her holding onto him. This was Luke holding onto her. Her mind went back to the last walk with Jamie the night he’d died. That wasn’t going to happen this time. They had backup, and as long as Luke was there, she was safe.
Sara took Luke into a dress shop. She made him and Dave stand guard while she tried on and bought a couple of maternity outfits. The first was a dress that would do for both church and Antonia’s party. The other was an everyday outfit of leggings and a top. In the next store, she bought a scarf and glove set and a pen inscribed ‘Special Aunt’ for Aunt Mary.
They went into a card shop, and Sara took in all the Christmas cards. How many would she need? She listed them in her mind. They’d all be late, but it didn’t matter. She picked a box of twenty-four traditional ones with robins and snowmen.
She glanced around at Dave. “Dave, could you post a couple of these from somewhere for me?”
Dave smiled at her. “Sure.”
“Thanks.”
Luke frowned, his tone dropping an octave. “Sara, is that really a good idea?”
She bit back her automatic response. “Luke, please, humor me a little. They’re for church members, except one or two.”
Moving along the aisle a little, Sara chose a card for Aunt Mary. Another card caught her eye. For the one I love at Christmas. She picked it up and read the inside. It said what she wanted to say in such a perfect way, she had to get it. Glancing at Luke, she added it to the pile in her hand.
“You do realize the last posting date to the US was two weeks ago.” She angled her head at the pile of cards he was holding.
“I’m posting early for next year.” He winked and gave her a smile. “Your enthusiasm is rubbing off on me. Let’s pay.” He led the way to the till, holding her hand again. The queue moved at a reasonable pace, and once they’d paid, Luke took the bags.
“You can’t take all of them,” Sara protested.
“Sure I can. What’s that British expression of yours, now...oh yeah, donkeys go best laden, don’t they?”
She wiggled her eyebrows at him. “Come on then, Dobbin. Giddy-up.”
She laughed as he poked his tongue out at her, then took her hand and led her towards the door. As they came out of the mall into the High Street, she spotted a baby shop across the road. “Can we go over there?”
“Sure.” He gripped her hand as she almost slipped on the ice in her haste. “Hey, slow down. You’ll fall and hurt yourself. You don’t want to be back on the crutches again for Christmas.”
“Not particularly.” They crossed the road, and she peered in through the window. “Oh, look at the teddy bear. He’s gorgeous.”
Luke grinned at her enthusiasm. “He is kinda cute.”
“I want him.”
“You want him?”
Sara didn’t answer, just blushed.
Luke’s grin broadened. “Let’s go see.”
Sara led him over to the shelf of bears. There were so many to choose from, all with different colored ribbons. It took her a minute before she picked up one with a yellow ribbon. “This one.”
Luke laughed. “Is he for you or the twins?”
Sara hugged the bear and gazed at Luke over the top of its head. “His name is Fred, and he’s mine. Why?”
“Fred?”
“Fred Bear, threadbare. Get it?”
Luke groaned and held out his hand. “Give.”
“No.”
“Give me the bear. My treat.”
“I can’t let you do that.”
“Don’t argue. Hand over the bear.”
She sighed and relinquished the bear with a fair amount of reluctance.
“You’ll get him back.”
“I’d better. Buy your own bear.”
Luke grinned and picked up two more.
One had a green bow and the other a red bow. “The twins had better have one each, too. Can’t have you all fighting over them, can we?”
“Luke…”
Ignoring her protests, he put the three bears in a basket and gave it to her to hold.
Catching sight of the baby clothes, Sara wandered over to them. She touched the fabric, lost in thought for a moment.
Luke stood beside her, his hand in hers. “Do you want clothes for the babies?”
“No. It’s too soon.”
“Maybe, but it wouldn’t hurt to start getting some, would it?”
“I don’t want buy anything yet.”
“We’ll just get the bears, then?”
Sara hesitated. It was so tempting, but she wasn’t sure if the twins were boys, or girls, or perhaps one of each. “I don’t know if I’m having boys or girls.”
Luke squeezed her hand. “Do you want to leave the bears?”
“I guess the bears won’t hurt.” She took a deep breath. “And maybe the baby-grows with the penguins on. Just one each.”
“Baby-grows?”
Sara picked up the smallest size they had on the hangers. “These.”
“Onesies. Both the same color?”
“One pale green and one lemon. Just so we can tell them apart after they’re born.”
He smiled and put them in the basket. He led her to the till and paid for the bears and clothes before she could object. He reorganized the bags and took Sara’s hand again. “Coffee?”
“Please. I’m starting to wilt, and I’m sure Dave is, too.”
Dave laughed and rolled his eyes. “Remind me never tae let ye and Carole loose in the shops taegether. There’d be nothing left, either in the shops, or in the bank accounts.”
“That sounds fun.” Sara grinned at the expression on the men’s faces.
Luke shook his head. “That’s a strange definition of fun if you ask me.”
“I didn’t, but I will if you like.” Sara laughed. She was enjoying herself for the first time in months.
Outside the snow was falling, gentle flakes this time, without the harsh wind of the night before. Luke led Sara into a warm café and sat her at a table. Christmas music played in the background, and tinsel hung over all the pictures. Lights twinkled in the windows and on the tree in the corner.
