* * *
Jack had got stuck in the farmhouse kitchen for longer than he’d been comfortable with, but Elena had started chatting and once she got going she was hard to stop. In the end, he’d had to interrupt to tell her he’d left Eve with Gabe but only to get some milk. Concern had crossed her face and she’d encouraged him to return to the assessment room immediately.
He approached the window quietly and peered through the glass. And what he saw made his heart soar.
There on the sofa were Eve and Gabe. Eve was facing away from the window but she was leaning back against the cushions and the slow movement of her chest told him that she was probably asleep. Gabe lay on his front facing her, watching her intently as if she was the most interesting thing he’d ever seen. Jack hated the idea of disturbing them, but it was better that he woke her than someone else. Better for Eve. Better for him. He didn’t want anyone else to see her like that, all sleepy and sweet. He walked towards the door, then winced. What was wrong with him? He was getting all protective and even a bit possessive, it seemed. Eve wasn’t his; she wasn’t his woman, his lover, his wife. He had no more right to wake her up than any other man, and yet …
He wanted to be there when she woke, the first one to see her pretty smile that warmed him right through like the rays of the sun when they burst through the clouds on a winter’s day. She had that power over him; she made him feel like he mattered, like she actually saw him and appreciated him for who he was.
He turned the door handle and entered the assessment room. Gabe watched as he approached. ‘Hey, boy. How’re you doing?’ Jack spoke softly, keen to stop the large dog from jumping down and startling Eve.
Just then she opened her eyes and blinked, clearly confused by her surroundings, then she looked at Gabe and smiled. ‘Hey, boy. Hey, Jack.’
‘You okay? Sorry I took longer than expected, but Elena got talking.’ He shrugged. ‘I came back and saw you sleeping through the window.’
Eve scratched her head then rubbed her eyes. As she moved, Gabe shuffled around on the sofa, then slid off and stood in front of her. He shook himself suddenly, as if shaking water off, and Eve chuckled. ‘I can’t believe I nodded off, and so quickly. How’d he do that?’
‘It’s the greyhound effect,’ Jack replied. ‘Has he been all right?’
She nodded. ‘He sniffed around for a while then came and had a few treats. Next thing I knew, he was on the sofa with me and … well, I wasn’t going to argue with him.’
‘That’s fine. Whatever helps the hounds acclimatize is acceptable here. I didn’t expect him to relax so soon. You must have the magic touch.’
Eve smiled and stretched. ‘He has the magic touch.’
‘So it seems.’ Jack held out his hand. Eve took it and he pulled her to her feet. One side of her hair was flat where it had pressed against the sofa and he had to tuck his hands in his pockets to avoid running his fingers through it to fluff it up for her. ‘Your … uh … your hair’s a bit flat there.’
‘Oh!’ Eve ran a hand through it. ‘That’s the problem with such a short haircut. If I had the patience I’d grow it out, but I never seem to get around to letting it get past my ears.’
‘It suits you like it is. Kind of cute.’
A smile played on her lips. ‘Cute, eh? Like a puppy cute?’
‘If you like.’ He shrugged and grinned. ‘You hungry?’
‘Always, with this sea air.’
‘Come on then. Let’s walk Gabe, then I’ll take you into the village and we can grab a bite to eat.’
He put the lead back on Gabe then followed Eve out into the afternoon sunshine. Since she’d arrived, they hadn’t had any rain and he was convinced that it was a good omen. Or he would be if he believed in such things. As it was, he just liked to believe that Eve brought the sunshine with her. And he was happy to bask in her rays.
* * *
Eve sat in the cosy booth and stared at the menu. There was so much choice. Jack had recommended the diner down by the harbour. Its floor-to-ceiling windows faced out across the sea, and Eve felt as if she was on a boat. The diner was decked out as though it was stuck in a time warp, with red and silver seats and a black and white checked floor. It even had an old jukebox near the bar.
The lighting was low and it added to the cosy appeal. A Sinatra tune played softly and the combined effect made Eve feel relaxed and happy. If only she could stay in Conwenna. The pace of life here was so much slower that she was used to, and better quality too. In the past, she’d believed that anything less than one hundred miles an hour would be too slow for her, but apparently not. Perhaps it was her age; perhaps it was everything she’d been through. But more and more she found herself wishing that she could remain in this idyllic part of Cornwall.
‘Who owns this place?’ she asked.
‘Zoe Russell. I don’t know if she’s in today but she’s really nice. I think Mary said she bought the diner about six months ago.’
‘Looks like she’s doing well.’ Eve appraised her surroundings.
‘Yeah, she did a bit of a refurb, and even off season it’s quite popular. People from other towns drive in, some just for the milkshakes.’
‘What’ll you have?’ A waitress appeared at their table in a pink and white checked tunic with a frilled apron tied around her waist. Her hair was up in a beehive and her lipstick matched the pink of her outfit.
‘I’ll take the house special with a banana milkshake, please,’ Jack said as he handed over the menu.
‘I’ll have the same, thanks.’ Eve closed her menu and met the waitress’s curious eyes.
‘You do know what the house special is, right?’
Eve looked at Jack and saw him smiling broadly. ‘What? No, I … uh … I thought it was a burger or something. Isn’t it?’
‘It’s a monster of a burger!’ The waitress held her hands wide apart. ‘It’s like HUGE!’
‘Oh. Uh … do you have something similar but not quite so … huge?’
‘I’ll get Chef to make you a smaller version if you like.’ The waitress scribbled something on her notepad.
‘That would be great, thanks.’
As the girl walked away, Jack let out a snort of laughter.
‘What?’ Eve’s cheeks burned. ‘I didn’t know it would be some humongous meal, did I?’
‘It’s not that!’ Jack laughed and slapped his hand on the table.
‘Then what is it?’
‘I saw what she wrote on her pad.’
‘And?’ Eve took a sip of her water to avoid pouting like a sulky teenager.
‘She put you down for a child’s version.’
‘No!’
‘Yeah!’
Eve shook her head.
‘You are kind of tiny.’
‘I can’t help being short, can I?’
‘I didn’t mean that,’ Jack said, his face serious now.
‘You mean thin.’ Eve’s stomach sank. She knew how she looked. ‘I’m working on that.’
‘Look, Eve. You’re beautiful. But you do look like you’ve been through a tough time. Mind you, you’re already looking better than you did just last week.’
‘It’s doing me good being here.’
‘It is.’
‘I wish …’ She stopped herself. Sinatra had been replaced by Elvis, who was singing about a hound dog. The song made her want to move in time, to click her fingers and even to dance. But people didn’t do things like that in harbourside diners, did they? And there was no point in wishing for things either. She wasn’t a child, even if she was being served a child’s meal. She was an adult with adult responsibilities and she had to tend to them sooner or later.
‘What, Eve? What do you wish?’ Jack reached across the table and took her hand. He slid his thumb over her palm and stroked it, his touch so tender and gentle that it sent tiny delightful sparks all through her body. The song slowed down and Elvis crooned from the jukebox.
‘I just wish … that food would
hurry up! I’m starving.’ She pressed her lips together, glad that she’d saved herself. But as she looked at Jack and saw the sadness in his eyes, she regretted lying. He knew what she’d been about to say and he’d needed to hear it.
So why couldn’t she tell him?
* * *
‘Ouch! I ate too much!’ Eve slumped in her seat and rubbed her swollen belly.
Jack grinned at her then popped his last chip into his mouth. ‘Good food, though?’
‘Delicious!’
‘I can’t believe you ate two extra sides with your child’s meal.’
‘I told you it wouldn’t be enough. But now I’m thinking I overdid it.’
‘You’ll digest it soon and you’ll feel much better.’
‘I’ll have to undo my top button, though.’
‘Carry on!’ Jack waved a hand at her as if undoing her jeans was perfectly acceptable behaviour when out in public.
She popped the button and sighed as her stomach relaxed. ‘That’s a bit better.’
‘A food baby.’ Jack gestured at her stomach. ‘That’s what they call it, isn’t it?’
Eve shuddered as a cold chill ran down her spine. ‘I’m sorry?’
‘A food baby. You know, you’re so full you look pregnant.’
Eve’s lunch churned in her gut. She reached for her water and took a sip.
‘Eve, what is it? You’ve gone ashen.’
She shook her head. ‘Nothing.’
The Platters’ ‘Only You’ floated around the diner, and Eve felt emotion welling inside her.
Jack took her hand across the table. ‘I’ve offended you, haven’t I? I didn’t mean that you look fat. Of course not! You’re lovely. It’s good to see you enjoying your food. I mean, I—’
Eve held up a hand. ‘It’s okay, Jack. I’m fine. Just full. A walk would help.’
‘Of course.’
Ten minutes later, they strolled from the harbour back towards the village. Clouds had gathered during their time at the diner and Eve shivered at the drop in temperature.
‘You want my jumper?’ Jack asked, offering the sweatshirt that was draped over his arm.
Eve was about to decline, but her T-shirt was thin, and although she’d been warm earlier, now she felt cold and tired. ‘Thank you.’
They stopped walking while Jack helped her to pull it over her head. It smelt fresh, warm and masculine. She fought the urge to press her face into the sleeve in order to sniff it properly.
‘Better?’
‘Yes.’ She nodded, though the jumper was huge on her.
Jack tucked his hands into his pockets and they carried on walking up the hill.
‘What do you want to do now?’ he asked.
‘We should probably get back, I guess. But we could have a wander through the main street first if you fancy it?’
‘I’d like that.’
‘Do you have to go back to the farm later?’
Jack nodded. ‘I’m on the late shift. Jerry asked me if I’d swap as he has a hot date!’
‘Jerry?’
‘He works at the farm and helps out with the dogs. He’s about my age, I think. He’s a quiet chap and really nice. He doesn’t give much away but we went out for a pint one night and the beer loosened his tongue. To cut a long story short, he’s been here for about ten years. He moved here with his wife but she left him last year. She’d been in contact with a holiday rep she met when they were on holiday in Spain and she went back out there to be with him.’
‘Wow!’
‘I know. Poor guy. But he seems okay. He’s been out on a few dates recently. It’s Elena, see. She keeps setting him up.’
‘Did she do the same for you?’ The question escaped before Eve could stop it.
‘No. I politely declined. I’m not … I mean, I wasn’t interested in getting to know any women.’
‘And now?’
He released a deep breath. ‘I think you know the answer to that, Eve.’
They started up the hill, passing the shops with their arrays of souvenirs and other wares. Outside Pebbles, the gift shop, wind chimes tinkled and driftwood garlands swayed in the breeze. Eve gazed at the colourful buckets and spades and the foil windmills that caught the light as they spun. The next shop was Riding the Wave, whose window display featured surfboards, wetsuits and some very skimpy bikinis. The breeze carried the scents of chips and bread, suncream and salt. It was the scent of summer and it tugged at Eve’s heart, making her feel happy and sad simultaneously.
They passed Scoops and Sprinkles, then slowed down when they reached the Conwenna Bookshop. Eve perused the display of the latest best-sellers in the window but couldn’t help noticing their reflections as they stood side by side: tall, broad Jack, with his tanned face and dark eyes, next to her, tiny in comparison, swamped in his sweatshirt but with some colour in her cheeks. Despite the height difference, they looked like a couple. A handsome couple, physical opposites perhaps, but that could be a good thing. Couldn’t it?
‘Will Gabe be okay?’ she asked as they neared the top of the main street then turned left onto the country lane that would take them to the main road.
‘What do you mean by okay?’
‘Well … he’s such a lovely dog. Will he find a family?’ She glanced at Jack’s profile and was stunned by how much she wanted to hold him. It wasn’t just that he was handsome; he was so much more, and she was drawn to him just as she was drawn to Gabe.
‘He probably will. He is a lovely dog. Most of our rescues find a home sooner or later. But I think Gabe’s already chosen his new mum.’
Eve pressed a hand to her heart as she met Jack’s eyes. He stopped walking and took hold of her upper arms. ‘Eve, this is hard to explain without it sounding like a load of superstitious nonsense, but I really believe that these dogs choose us as much as we choose them. I’ve seen it happen before.’
‘I can’t adopt a dog. My life in Bristol is so different. I work all day and it wouldn’t be fair.’
Jack nodded. ‘I know. We’d never encourage someone to adopt if they’re out all day and can’t commit. That would be unfair on the dog. But Gabe has bonded with you, and if I’m not mistaken, you have with him.’
Eve nodded slowly and bit her lip hard.
A small group of teenagers passed them, laughing and joking. One of them held his mobile phone above his head and the beats of a popular chart tune filled the air around them. She wondered if the teenagers lived in Conwenna or if they were on holiday.
She waited until they’d walked away before answering.
‘I do care about him. But I can’t adopt him.’
She had taken to the dog and knew that she could love him, but she had to be practical. She had to be fair on Gabe and on herself.
‘You could if your life changed, Eve. Nothing is impossible.’
Not when I’m with you … She didn’t vocalize the thought. Instead it spun round and round in her head.
‘Come on,’ Jack said as he released her arms and placed his hand on her back. ‘Let’s get back to Mary’s and make a cup of tea. Things have a way of working out.’
‘I hope you’re right.’
As they walked up the lane then crossed the road and took the gravel path to Mary’s cottage, Eve thought she heard Jack mutter, ‘Me too.’
Chapter 16
When Eve descended the stairs on Sunday morning, the house was unusually quiet. She’d become accustomed to hearing Mary pottering about in the kitchen and singing as she went about her routines, but today there was silence.
She walked into the kitchen and switched the kettle on, then peered out the window. The morning was darker than any she’d experienced since her arrival in Conwenna and it looked as though it might rain later. As the kettle bubbled away, she leaned against the unit and thought about yesterday. She learned more about Jack every day, and about herself. She’d never thought she’d ever consider adopting a dog, but now … now she was racking her brain to think of a wa
y to make it work. Like Jack had said, nothing was impossible. The idea of going back to Bristol and leaving everything behind was something she was struggling with, but she didn’t have to do it yet.
When she’d arrived back at the cottage yesterday, Jack had gone for a nap before his late shift at the farm and Aunt Mary had been out, so she’d taken advantage of the time alone to read and snuggle with the dogs on the sofa. Quiet time wasn’t actually as bad as she’d come to believe. Being in Conwenna, she didn’t have her usual commitments, so putting her feet up with a book and a mug of tea seemed acceptable. She was learning, slowly, how to relax and switch off. Mary still hadn’t returned by teatime, so she’d made herself a sandwich, not needing anything more substantial after her huge lunch with Jack, and taken her book up to bed. She’d fallen asleep reading and not stirred until seven this morning.
She hadn’t heard Mary come home but her shoes were by the front door so she must have come back at some point. She decided to make her aunt some tea and take it up to her. Who didn’t like tea in bed in the morning?
Once the tea had brewed, she carried the mug upstairs and knocked gently on her door. ‘Aunt Mary? Are you awake?’
There was no answer.
‘Hello?’
Still no answer.
Eve’s stomach churned with unease. This wasn’t good. She didn’t want to disturb her aunt’s lie-in but she didn’t want to leave her there if something was wrong. She knocked once more and heard a soft moan.
Summer at Conwenna Cove Page 16
