Alistair’s Bed (10 page)

“Wow,” was all she managed to say the first time. She cleared her throat and tried again. “That was...I don’t think there is a word for what that was.”

“Magic,” he said. “That was magic.”

Keri laughed and hugged him. “Everything about you is magic.”

He lifted his head and pressed a feather light kiss to her brow, tasting the salty sweet tang of her sweat on his lips. “This kind of magic takes two.”

They stayed in bed a while longer, wrapped around each other in a comfortable silence neither of them wanted to break. Finally Keri sighed and sat up, regret in her eyes as she left his side.

“I have to get showered and bring that crumble to Samantha. After that I’ll hit town and I’ll be back before lunch.” She walked to the bathroom without bothering to pull on a robe, leaving him to enjoy the view of her delectable body for a few moments more. “I’ll bring in breakfast for you before I go”

“Thank you.” He paused as if about to say something more, but then he lay back and closed his eyes again, leaving her to start her morning.
Don’t ask her to stay, that isn’t fair to her.
He reminded himself as she left him alone.

*****

An hour later she was walking up the long driveway that led to her neighbor’s house, laughing as her arrival was heralded by a number of chickens that ran ahead of her clucking loudly. By the time she neared the front door Samantha was already standing in it, waving her inside.

“Coffee?” She offered as she gestured for Keri to take a seat in her cozy kitchen. “Oh, you baked! Marvelous. My son is coming over for the holiday and he loves fresh baked anything.”

“Holiday?” Keri was confused for a moment and then realized what day it was. “I totally forgot, its July first, Canada Day! I’ve been so busy getting things settled I totally lost track of the days.”

Samantha handed her a cup of coffee and grinned. “Moving can do that to you. By the time I got my husband and I packed up and moved out here I didn’t know if I was coming or going for a month!”

“If I have my way we’ll not be moving again, too many headaches. My son, Trevor, is a gypsy, never in one place very long. I don’t know how he does it.”

She slanted Keri a sidelong look. “I’d try to set you up with him, but I know better than to even try. He never sticks around long enough for a girl to gaff him. Heaven knows I’ve tried.”

Keri blushed and shook her head. “Even if he were looking to be gaffed, I’m involved. Well, I am, I think. I may not be for long though. It’s complicated.”

“Oh Honey, when it comes to men? It’s always complicated.”

“You can say that again.” Keri agreed and toasted Samantha with her coffee mug. “I met someone and everything happened so fast, I’m not sure how we got here. But we’re so different; his life is never going to be like mine.”

“Different isn’t always a bad thing. My husband is an accountant. When I met him he was as buttoned up and stuffy as they come. I never looked twice; he wasn’t anything I thought I could possibly want. I’m a painter who talks to her chickens and never fit in with the regular folks. Different as night and day we were, so I completely forgot about him. He didn't forget about me though, and when I finally gave in and got to know him, I discovered we complimented each other. He keeps me grounded, and I stop him from closing himself off from the world. I can’t imagine my life without him in it.”

Keri sighed. “It’s more than just that. Alistair’s looking for something here, and when he finds it, he’ll be going home.”

“So you’re serious and he’s not?”

“I don’t know what we are, not really. It’s only been a couple of days.”

Samantha burst out laughing. “A whirlwind courtship? No wonder you lost track of time. Those will send your whole world out of whack.

I know you didn’t come her looking for advice, but you’re going to get some anyway. Don’t hang on too tight, just enjoy the ride. If fate has plans for the two of you, then he’ll be back. You can’t force love, and the more you try the faster it slips through your fingers.”

“This was so much easier when I’d sworn off men, dating and risk.” Keri muttered into her coffee.

“Easier sure, but where’s the fun in that?” Samantha asked. “To quote one of my favorite singers, “Life is not tried, it is merely survived if you’re standing outside the fire.”

“Fire burns.” Keri observed softly as she took another sip of her coffee.

“And burns heal.” Samantha leaned forward and took Keri’s hand, turning it so it was palm up, her fingers running lightly along the lines of her hand. “You’ve had so much heartache Honey, I can see it.” She traced over a deep line that cut across Keri’s palm. “But you have to let it go. See here? Two paths diverging down your life line. You’ve got choices to make, don’t be afraid to make the right one. Depending on what you choose, your life could go in very different directions, but once you make your choice, there’s no going back.

Keri stared at Samantha, unsure what had just happened. “What?”

Samantha shook her head as if clearing it and smiled ruefully. “I apologize, I should have asked before reading your palm that way, but something compelled me to do it.” Samantha let go of Keri’s hand and she downed the rest of her coffee. “You’ve got a fair share of the sight yourself, why don’t you use it?”

“Me? No.” Keri shook her head and set down her mug so hard it clattered on the table top.

“Yes, you do. But you’re frightened of it. No one ever taught you how to use it, did they?” Samantha’s voice was softer now. “If ever you want to learn, I’d be happy to teach you. It’s nothing to be afraid of, it’s a gift. But for now, just remember what I told you. Change is coming, and you’ve got choices to make. Be brave, and when the time comes, listen to your heart.”

A car door slammed shut outside, followed by another one. “My boys are back. Do you want to stay a bit longer?”

“No, I should go and leave you to catch up with your son.” Keri stood and on impulse came over and hugged Samantha. “Thank you for the coffee and everything.”

The front door opened and a male voice called out “Mom? Where’s my hug?”

“I’m in the kitchen!” Samantha’s face lit up as she heard her son’s voice.

Seconds later a fast moving blur of muscle and sun bleached blonde hair passed through the kitchen and lifted Samantha into a bear hug. “Nice to see you Mom, what smells good? Did you bake?”

“Put me down, we have company!” The smaller woman swatted her son on the shoulder and laughed before pointing to Keri. “Trevor, this is Keri, Tammy’s granddaughter. She’s just moved back to the island. And that’s her baking you smell, not mine.”

“Oops.” Trevor set his mother down and grinned at Keri, his playful expression upping her first assessment of him from handsome to “drop dead gorgeous.” He was tall and well muscled judging from the way he filled out his shirt, and his grey-blue eyes were just like his mother’s, kind and full of laughter. “I didn’t realize we had company. Nice to meet you.” He held out his hand in greeting.

Keri took his hand and shook it, waiting for her tongue to tie itself into its usual knots when faced with a handsome face, but nothing happened. Instead she returned his smile and replied without a single stammer.

“Hi. You’re mom was nice enough to give me some eggs the other day so I just popped by to deliver a thank you. I hope you like raspberries.”

“I am a fan of all things berry, but most especially raspberries.” He let go of her hand and turned to grin at Samantha. “Good thinking, finding a neighbor who bakes. I’d come home more often if you didn’t use the smoke detector as a timer.” He ducked a playful swat from his mother and bounced back a few feet, out of reach.

“Behave yourself!” Samantha chided and rolled her eyes. “This is what happens when he is out of my influence for too long. He gets full of sass and forgets I can still turn him over my knee.”

Keri burst out laughing. “On that note, I will leave you to your reunion, Happy Canada Day!” She passed Tom on the way out and gave him a wave. “I’m Keri, your neighbor. I dropped off some baking with Samantha. If you hurry Trevor may not have eaten it all just yet.”

He waved back and broke into a jog, clearly headed for the kitchen.

As Keri slipped behind the wheel of her car she wondered at the easy way she’d handled Trevor. Normally a man like that would have her tripping over herself with nerves, but that hadn’t happened.
Alistair.
His name popped into her head.
You don’t care about other guys anymore because you have the one you want.

Her fingers tightened on the steering wheel and she mused out loud. “But I don’t have him, not for long.” She felt tears welling up in her eyes and she bit her lip, clamping down on her emotions and putting them aside as a tiny voice whispered in her mind.
Everyone leaves. Brent, Gran, my parents; nobody ever stays. Alistair
isn’t going to be any different.

She took a deep breath and cleared her mind, gathering up all the thoughts that raced through her head and then locking them all away. She’d face all that tomorrow.

Today she was going to do what Samantha had advised. She was going to enjoy the ride.

It took her longer than she planned to get the shopping done. Ganges was stuffed full of locals and tourists, all enjoying the festivities. A classic car show had taken over the park, and everywhere people were clad in red and white outfits while kids proudly sported faces painted up with maple leafs and small Canadian flags. She’d managed to find nearly everything she’d wanted, and when she reached home it took two trips to get it all inside. Alistair was standing in the hallway to greet her, frustration evident on his face as he pressed against the magical barrier that prevented him coming to the kitchen.

“I’ll be right there.” She called out as she tossed the ice cream into the freezer before it melted. The rest could wait, but the Haagen-Dazs was already looking decidedly mushy. She’d abandoned her original plan of cooking up a feast, realizing she didn’t want to spend her last day with Alistair cooped up in the kitchen. Instead she’d found a bake-at-home pizza with the works, and several bags worth of junk food, treats and frozen appetizers. Whatever they didn’t eat today, Keri could use as therapy tomorrow after he was gone. “No more of that.” She scolded herself out loud and went to find Alistair.

He was still standing in the hall, leaning up against the wall, waiting. “No more of what?” He asked just before dropping a sizzling kiss to her lips.

Keri ignored his question and happily kissed him back instead, her lips parting as her tongue twined with his. By the time the kiss ended neither of them could remember that he’d asked her anything at all.

“Hi, miss me?” She grinned up at him.

“I did. Did you accomplish everything you set out to do? Or do you need to go again?”

Her stomach did a little flip flop as he looked down at her hopefully.

“I’m not going anywhere; I’m all yours for the rest of the day. I forgot today was a national holiday, so town was very busy. That’s why it took so long.”

“A festival?” He asked, a smile curving his lips as she told him she was all his.

“A big one, and it means that if we head up to the roof tonight, we can see the fireworks down in the harbor. You game for a little reckless roof climbing in the name of pretty lights?”

“Is it dangerous for you? Will I be able to get there without hitting the end of my leash?” A look of pure frustration crossed his face as he gestured to the bed.

“Dangerous? No, not really, we just need to be careful. My family have been doing it for years. There’s a spot where the roof barely slopes, it’s perfect. I’m pretty sure we can manage to do it without you reaching the five pace limit. At least as long as it works vertically as well as horizontal.” Keri stood on tiptoe and kissed him. “We’ll figure it out.”

***

CHAPTER 9

When twilight came they were ensconced on a blanket up on the roof, watching as the purple and gold sunset faded into a star filled night. Keri’s fingers were entwined with his and she was curled into his side, her eyes on sky as they waited for the firework display to start.

Their day had been perfect, a picnic on the deck, then an afternoon of lovemaking that had lasted for hours. It had been idyllic, coming together and then dozing off in each other’s arms, only to wake and begin the whole cycle anew. Keri had drawn them both a bath and added far too much bubble stuff to it, producing a tub of hot water and foam that enveloped them both once they both got in, towering almost to their chins and leaving the bathroom floor awash while they both laughed and made love again, adding another wash of water to the already sopping floor.

A night breeze blew up from the harbor, bringing with it the sounds of the crowd and the scent of grilling meat. He felt Keri shiver and she snuggled closer to him for warmth. “I should have remembered to bring us jackets.”

“I think I can fix that.”

He winked at her and then concentrated for a moment, and as Keri watched with fascination his modern clothing shimmered like a heat mirage and transformed into one of his favorite outfits. His legs were clad in dark trousers and soft leather boots that rose to his knee. His shirt was now long sleeved and loose, the ties to fasten it shut left unlaced to mid chest. He lifted a portion of the cloak he now wore over her shoulders and drew her closer, wrapping it around them both like a blanket.

“I am never going to get used to that.” She murmured and stroked her fingers over the heavy fabric.

“It comes in handy, especially when the weather changes suddenly.” He drew her head to his shoulder, resting his chin lightly on the crown of her hair as they stared out at the night.

Alistair knew he’d never been this happy, not in his adult life. Being with Keri had given him more than renewed strength; she had renewed his spirit too. He’d been so close to letting go and fading away, but not anymore. He’d realized how much she had changed his life when she had gone out, and even in those brief hours he’d missed her presence. If he couldn’t go for less than a day without her, there was no way he could fool himself into believing he could leave her behind if ever he got free. Somehow, he’d find a way to make it work. He wouldn’t accept any other option; Keri was his.