by Mona Ingram
“You’re...” Jeremy looked from one to the other. “Then I guess congratulations are in order.”
“Thank you,” said Ariana, then turned to Blaine. “We should check on our other guests. If we’re not careful, Jackie will fleece your father in a poker game.”
Blaine laughed. “As long as the winner makes a generous donation.”
Ariana and Blaine stood in the doorway to the library, watching the people they loved play poker. Ham Bennett had arrived two days ago to attend the wedding. His generous donation of four million dollars would ensure smooth operation of Erin’s Place for several years to come, but Jackie had not publicized it. “We want everyone to believe we can’t get along without their donation,” she confided, sotto voice. “Let’s not deny them that pleasure.” Ham had barked out a laugh, but didn’t disagree.
Blaine’s mother had surprised them by arriving yesterday, accompanied by her new man. Tall and imposing, he dwarfed the smaller woman, who seemed almost giddy in his presence.
“I came to check on you, my dear, but I see now that wasn’t necessary.” Mitzi Bennett kissed Ariana on both cheeks. “You two light up the room when you look at each other.”
In a corner of the room, Jodi played a quiet game of backgammon with Blaine’s friend Shaun. Shaun was due to leave on deployment in a couple of weeks, but Jodi had announced that she was prepared to enjoy his company in the meantime. There were times when Ariana suspected that Jodi didn’t want a permanent relationship, but that was something to consider at another time. Tonight and tomorrow were for celebration. The wedding would be private, with only Jackie and Ham, Mitzi and Brendan, and Jodi and Shaun as witnesses. Blaine had arranged a charter flight to the landing strip at Long Beach, where they would spend their honeymoon.
Epilogue
A SLOW, SATISFIED SMILE spread over Ariana’s face as she recalled the way Blaine had made love to her last night. Only now, when she recalled the passion of his lovemaking, did she appreciate how difficult it must have been for him to wait for her all this time. He’d taken her to heights she’d never reached before, and she fell back onto the bed, anticipating the rest of the weekend.
She opened her eyes to find him standing over her. A pair of jogging pants hung low on his hips, and she swallowed at the sight of his chest. “You’re awake,” he said, sitting on the edge of the bed and brushing the hair from her face. “Are you all right?”
“Fine,” she said, her throat dry. “How about you?” She ran her fingers over the tattoo on his shoulder.
“Keep that up and you’ll find out,” he growled. “I thought maybe you’d like some coffee.”
“I would,” she said, sitting up and wrapping her arms around his neck. “Later.”
It was much later by the time they wandered down to the beach, coffee in hand.
“Your Dad seemed to get along well with Jackie,” said Ariana, watching a surfer in a wetsuit.
He looked at her sharply. “You don’t think there’s something going on there, do you?”
Ariana thought for a moment. “No, I don’t think so. They’re too set in their ways. I think they just enjoy challenging each other.”
“Nothing wrong with that, I suppose.” He drained his mug and set it on the log. “He’s already asking me about grandchildren.”
“Me, too.”
“He asked you about grandchildren?”
Ariana laughed. “No, I mean Jackie. She’s informed me that she wants at least two.”
“And what about you? We were so busy getting Erin’s Place ready we didn’t really talk about this.”
“A couple of kids would be nice,” she said, gazing into the distance.
“Nice?” he said, pretending to be offended. “I don’t do nice, Mrs. Bennett.”
“Oh?” She cocked an eyebrow. “What do you do, Mr. Bennett?”
“You mean you didn’t notice last night? And again this morning?”
She gave him her most innocent look. “I have a short memory.”
“Then I’ll have to remind you, young lady.” He picked her up and carried her back toward their suite. “I do passionate, sensual, stimulating and erotic.” He kicked open the door. “But most important of all, I do loving.” He laid her down on the bed. “I love you, Ariana Bennett. That’s what I do best.”
“Show me again,” she whispered breathlessly.
And he did.
* * * The End * * *
This Time Forever
Chapter One
LEXIE PULLED INTO THE parking lot and stared at the brick wall as though it might offer a clue to her irrational behavior.
“Lexie Swinton, what on earth were you thinking?” She yanked the rear view mirror around to study her reflection. The image looking back at her didn’t respond. She raked her fingers through her hair, grabbed her purse, and headed for the studio. Half an hour on the treadmill wouldn’t undo what she’d done, but it would give her time to reflect... time to consider a future that suddenly looked uncertain.
The roar of an airplane engine cut through the fog of anger that had clouded her judgment. She turned to watch the floatplane pull away from the dock, making its way cautiously toward less congested water where it would take off. There was something about the constant movement in the harbour that calmed her; water taxis bustling to their pick-up points, whale-watching boats, commercial fishing boats, and her personal favourite, the small local airlines that flew between Victoria and Vancouver, as well as up-island. To Lexie, the constant movement resembled a well-choreographed ballet, and was the reason she’d started coming to New Beginnings, the fitness studio overlooking the harbour.
She entered the lower level of the building and punched the elevator button. Not for the first time she was thankful for the retro-fitting of the historic building. Built in the 1850s, the old building had been a warehouse... a storehouse of supplies for the thousands of miners who flooded the area to stock up before their final push to the Klondike Gold Fields. Most days she paused to reflect on Victoria’s colourful history, but today was different. Today she was merely thankful for the modern elevator that deposited her in the lobby.
New Beginnings. She’d been coming to this fitness studio for several years, and rarely took note of the sign, but today the words spelled out in pink neon mocked her. New beginnings indeed!
“Hi, Jodi.” She summoned her most cheerful voice to greet the studio owner.
Jodi looked up from her position behind the desk, and a frown creased her brow. “I’ll get back to you,” she said into the phone, then closed it briskly.
“What are you doing here?” She made a show of looking at her watch.
“I quit.”
“You what?”
“I quit. I quit my job.”
“Come on, Lex. Be serious. What are you really doing here?”
Lexie studied the woman who had become her friend over the years. During that time, she’d watched Jodi build her business. She had more energy than ten normal people, and it showed in the indefatigable way she drove her personal clients. Lexie had seen many people – men and women – arrive at the studio in terrible shape, some with their spirits broken, only to re-discover their inner strength. She admired the other woman immensely, but did she really know her? She was about to find out.
“I’m serious, Jodi. I quit my job today.”
“But... you can’t do that.”
Lexie smiled. It wasn’t much of a smile, but it was there... she’d felt her lips twitch. “But I did.” There! She’d said it out loud. And it felt good. She glanced up at the wall clock. Had it only been half an hour ago? “Just now, as a matter of fact.”
“What brought this on? I thought you loved your job.”
“I love the work, but I don’t love the job.” Lexie stepped away from the desk and peeked into the workout studio. She didn’t want to be overheard. Three women were at work on their circuits, ear buds firmly planted in their ears.
Jodi wasn’t convinced. “There�
�s a difference?”
“To me there is.” Lexie rolled her shoulders in an attempt to relieve the tension. “Tell you what, give me half an hour or so to walk off some of this stress, and we’ll have coffee together.” She tilted her head toward the coffee bar. “Okay?”
“All right, but I want the whole story,” Jodi called after her. “No backing out.”
Lexie waved over her shoulder and headed for her locker, one of the perks of membership. Changing quickly, she made her way into the studio and over to the treadmills facing the window. The treadmills in front of the television screens were popular with some fitness devotees, but being able to watch the action in the harbour won her over every time. Even in the dark winter months, she was drawn to her favourite spot.
As she got up to speed on the machine, she wondered if she could be considered a voyeur. Not in a pervvy sense, but as someone who was so busy with their own life that they took pleasure in watching others. The notion wasn’t new; it had been lingering at the back of her mind for some time. So why did it bother her so much today?
“Because it’s true,” she murmured, speaking her thoughts aloud. “I was so thrilled to have that job I lost sight of everything else.” Such a simple, obvious concept and yet she’d never expressed it before... never admitted that she’d allowed her work to take over her life. Maybe that’s why today felt so right... at least the quitting part. Her equilibrium might be shaken, but she’d think long and hard before getting herself into a similar situation.
Her thoughts were interrupted when a man walked out onto the dock belonging to Coastal Air. One of their pilots, she’d observed him many times, but today he looked different... or was she seeing him through a fresh set of eyes? He’d always seemed a little mysterious, and she liked it that way. Watching him unobserved from the safety of the fitness studio allowed her to imagine him as a free spirit, taking off for parts unknown while she remained earthbound, tethered to her job. Or at least that’s the way it had been in the past.
As she watched, he ran his hand along the leading surface of the wing that hung over the dock, then he ducked underneath, checked something, and emerged with a satisfied grin. A day’s growth of beard darkened his jaw, and she surmised that the company either didn’t care about their employee’s appearance, or didn’t know. A well-worn chocolate brown leather bomber jacket stretched across broad shoulders and a pair of faded jeans clung to his thighs. Her gaze travelled back up his body and for an insane moment she wondered what his beard would feel like beneath her fingers. It gave him an edgy look. Edgy and yet confident; she wouldn’t think twice about going up with him.
Now where had that come from? In all the times she’d noticed the man, he’d only been a moving part of the tableau that unfolded every time she stood here. And now here she was, weaving him into her fantasies. That might have been okay when she was younger, but as a mature woman she knew better... didn’t she? She pondered the question as he passed to the other side of the aircraft, only his lower legs and feet visible underneath the fuselage. As far as she knew, there was no age limit on attraction. So what if she was almost thirty? She glanced down at the readout on the treadmill, surprised to see she was walking far beyond her normal pace. Breaking barriers... that’s what today was about. She found herself smiling just as a flurry of activity drew her attention back to the dock.
An employee wearing a Coastal Air jacket appeared on the dock pushing a dolly loaded with several cartons. He spoke briefly to the pilot, and then loaded the cartons into the hold of the aircraft. Moments later a man in a suit appeared, his tie loosened and a briefcase in his hand. Lexie recognized the type; no doubt a businessman from Vancouver who’d come over for the day and was now on his way home. As the capital city of British Columbia, Victoria represented an amazing amount of business for those who wanted to work with the provincial government.
The pilot extended his hand toward the businessman; they shook hands and exchanged a few words. They appeared to be at ease with each other, as though the businessman made the trip on a regular basis. They both boarded, and a short time later the floatplane pulled away from the dock.
Lexie followed the progress of the aircraft until it was out of sight. Several small companies operated out of the harbour, but she paid closest attention to the comings and goings of the Coastal aircraft, from their base directly in front of the New Beginnings studio. As each aircraft departed, she imagined them flying to their destination. She’d seen an ad for Coastal Air some time back, and her favourite imaginary route was up the east coast of Vancouver Island, looking down on the spectacular shoreline and the myriad islands that dotted the Gulf. A few months after arriving in Victoria, she’d indulged herself with a solo trip “up-island” as the locals referred to it. She hadn’t thought about that interlude for a long time... surprising, since she’d enjoyed it so much. Several nights at a B&B in Qualicum Beach had confirmed what she’d been told – that Vancouver Island was one of the most beautiful places on earth.
The timer on the treadmill emitted a soft beep, bringing Lexie back to the present. Knowing it wasn’t fair to keep Jodi waiting much longer, she headed for the self-serve juice bar and poured herself a cup of coffee. Pure sacrilege, she told herself, climbing up onto one of the bar stools, but she didn’t care.
Jodi materialized at her side moments later, a no-nonsense look on her face.
“Feeling better?” she asked, one eyebrow raised.
Lexie sighed. Her friend wasn’t going to make this easy. “A little.”
Jodi twisted the top off a bottle of water and took a long swallow, eyeing Lexie the entire time. Her tough exterior softened, and Lexie was reminded of the endless compassion the other woman displayed for everyone around her. “So,” she said tentatively. “Why didn’t you tell me you were unhappy?”
Caught off guard by a stab of guilt, Lexie couldn’t speak for a moment. It appeared that Jodi’s feelings were hurt. She lifted her coffee cup to her lips, then set it down without drinking. “I don’t know, Jodi. I really don’t know.” Her gaze drifted around the studio, as though the answer might be lurking behind one of the pieces of equipment. “I think it was loyalty.” The words almost stuck in her throat. Working at Bistro Provencal had been her first job as head chef. Fresh from training in Switzerland, she’d been thrilled to get the position. Working long, hard hours for the past four years, she’d been a major part of growing the restaurant from a moderately successful business to one of the top three restaurants on the island. It had never occurred to her that her loyalty was not returned.
“I’m sorry I didn’t say anything. I didn’t tell anyone, actually.” She picked up her coffee mug and cradled it between her hands, relishing the warmth. “You see, in the beginning, Chris was good to work with.” She grinned. “We had our disagreements, but generally we worked things out based on what was best for the restaurant. In retrospect, I think he resented the fact that part of my training in Lucerne was restaurant management. He probably thought I was trying to take his job away from him, as if I had time!”
Jodi leaned forward. “Chris?”
“Yes, Chris Manley, the restaurant manager.”
“You must have been unhappy for quite a while. I know you’re not a quitter. You wouldn’t up sticks over a single incident.”
Lexie lifted her eyebrows. She’d always known Jodi was perceptive. “You’re right, of course. Things have been going downhill for about a year now.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe I’ve let it go on that long. It’s been little things. You know, buying cheaper cuts of meat so I had to work miracles to maintain quality. Putting pressure on me to cut down portion size. It’s not as if our portions are all that big to begin with.”
“Couldn’t you complain to the owner?”
Lexie turned away, but not before a blush rose into her cheeks. “You’re not going to believe this, but I’ve never met the man. Our cheques come from an accounting firm, and when I’ve tried to ask Chris about him, I get t
he run around. According to Chris, the restaurant is just one of many investments the man has. The last time I asked, he said there was a new owner who has left the running of the restaurant to him.”
“So you’ve never met him? That’s unbelievable.”
“I know. But I haven’t needed to. Except for this. And now... today... Chris went too far.” She dropped her gaze and gathered her thoughts. “One of the most popular features of our menu is our wine and cheese pairings. We buy as much of our cheese locally as possible.”
Jodi made a face. “I didn’t know there was anyone producing cheese on the island.”
Lexie nodded, warming to one of her favourite subjects. “There are, actually. Several. One of them supplies us with our raclette.”
“What’s that?”
“It’s a type of cheese, but in the context of the restaurant, it’s a relaxed way of eating, involving melted cheese, potatoes, vegetables and various meats.”
“Sort of like fondue?”
“Not exactly, but just as much as fun. Anyway, there’s a small farm up island that produces raclette cheese, plus several others.” She rolled her eyes. “They make a blue cheese to die for, but that’s a story for another day.”
Jodi frowned. “So what happened?”
“Chris announced this morning that we’re doing away with the wine and cheese pairings, and that the raclette meals take too long, and he wants a faster turnover.” Lexie’s voice had risen, and she forced herself to slow down. “He informed me that from now on, we’ll be buying a limited amount of cheese from one of the wholesalers in town.” She shook her head. “I still can’t believe it. He’s revamped the entire menu, and without even consulting me.” She threw up her hands. “What’s the point of being head chef if he doesn’t even ask my opinion?”
“So he hurt your feelings. Is that worth quitting over?”
“No, but it’s more than that. We’ve developed a personal relationship with a couple of the small farms that produce the cheese. We’re their biggest customer. You can’t just cut them off like that with no warning.”
