Summer at the Heartbreak Cafe: Summer Sweet Romance (Lakeview Contemporary Romance Book 0) (7 page)

T
he following day
, Nina was manning the cafe alone, while Ella caught up on book-keeping.

Strangely the place was uncharacteristically quiet for this time of year, she thought as she made herself a cup of coffee. It happened like that sometimes and then like an avalanche, a huge crowd would flood in.

She got her coffee and sat down at a table near the counter. Just then, she heard footsteps behind her.

“Hi stranger.” Emma said. She came to where Nina was and sat down on the chair next to hers, commenting on how quiet the café was.

“I was just thinking that myself,” Nina replied, trying to dissect her feelings. She and Emma had been friends for a couple of years now. So why did she feel this dullness on seeing her today?

“Cup of coffee?” she asked.

“Yes, I’d love one.”

Nina stood up and went to get Emma a cup. She returned with it a few minutes later and sat down.

“So, I haven’t seen Sam for a few days, not since we went rafting,” Emma commented. “I wonder if he’s OK.”

Nina looked up in surprise. “Of course he’s OK, why wouldn’t he be? Sometimes when he’s caught up in his novel, he holes himself away in the cottage for days.”

“I wish he’d hole himself away with me for a couple of days,” Emma replied, with a gleam in her eye.

“Ah so you do have a crush on him. I did wonder last week on the trail.”

“He’s a single guy - of course I have a crush on him.
And
he’s a bit of a celebrity. The perfect catch.” Then she giggled. “Ah, Sam’s cute but not really my type, too quiet. Still, I’d never pass up a man with money.”

Nina was aghast. She knew Emma could be callous, but now she felt as though the person sitting next to her was a stranger.

Poor Sam. Nina hoped that he hadn’t fallen hook line and sinker for her recent flirtations.

For more reasons than one.

“So how did the rafting go?” she asked, changing the topic.

“It was fun. Sam enjoyed himself, which is the most important thing of course,” Emma said. “He has this awards do in Dublin next week, and I’m hoping he’ll invite me. I’ve been throwing strong hints but so far nothing.”

“Oh,” was all Nina could think of saying.

“Do you think you could put in a word for me, you know friend to friend?” Emma said, flashing Nina one of the persuasive smiles she was known for.

“And how would I go about doing that?”

“Well, you could start by inserting into conversations what a great catch
I
am .…

Nina made a noise of agreement in reply and sipped at her coffee, whilst contemplating her friend’s intentions.

She felt very confused at her own judgment. Had Emma always been this calculated? She had never really paid much attention to her friend’s love life or questioned her interest in a guy. But wanting a man for what he could do for you was wrong. Or any other person for that matter.

Still, there was nothing that Nina could do, and in truth it was none of her business. Sam was a grown-up who could sort out his own issues.

As if on cue, the man himself pushed open the door of the café. Nina blinked, thinking she was imagining his presence.

He walked in, looking like he had come straight from the shower. His hair was damp, some of it clinging to the back of his neck. The skin on his face was slightly pink, probably from the force of the water coming from the shower.

Just then Nina would have given anything to stroke that face and hold him, inhaling the scent of his masculine cologne.

“Hello ladies,” Sam greeted.

“Hi there, stranger - we were just talking about you actually,” Emma stood up and planted a light kiss right on Sam’s lips, and Nina was happy to note how uncomfortable it seemed to make him.

He made a movement of shrinking away from her touch and Nina was relieved that despite Emma’s best efforts, he didn’t seem to be particularly interested in her romantically.

“What can I get you?” she asked him.

“A coffee would be great. Could I have a takeaway sandwich as well?”

“Of course. If you like, I can pack you something for later too,” she said, guessing that he was planning to work long hours at his desk that day, and would likely forget to eat.

“Great, you’re a gem, Nina,” he said, leaning against the counter.

After a few minutes, Nina packed up Sam’s order and saw him off. Then she went back to join her friend.

“What’s up with him?” Emma said sulkily. “The other day we got along so well, now he’s behaving as if we were siblings.”

Nina hid her smile. Then she noticed a newspaper on the worktop that hadn’t been there.

“Whose is this?”

“It must be Sam’s. Perfect, just the excuse I need.” Emma jumped from her chair. “I’ll go after him.”

Nina watched exasperated as her friend hurried out of the café and sashayed around the corner towards the cottages.

She waited a few minutes for her to return but to no avail. Ten minutes went by then twenty, and then finally Emma came back, looking mightily pleased with herself.

“He invited me to the awards ceremony. It’s on Saturday night, so I’m thinking we should stay over in Dublin, make it a romantic getaway,” Emma grinned like the cat that got the cream. “You OK to take Mikey overnight for me?”

When Nina nodded mutely, her friend stood up. “Great. Gotta go, I’ll talk to you later. Wasn’t it pure luck that I came along when I did?” she added happily.

Yes, pure luck, Nina thought, trying to dampen down the ache of disappointment she felt about Sam spending a romantic night away in Dublin with Emma.

Then, thinking back on the conversation she’d had with Ella earlier, she felt like a complete idiot.

Somebody might be having a summer romance. But it definitely wasn't her.

M
arianne woke
up as the sunlight splashed across her face.

She rubbed her eyes and stretched, stopping when her legs bumped into a body. Startled, she laughed at herself when she saw that it was Donal.

She glanced at the watch by the bedside table. It was nine already. How was it that he was still asleep? Was he sick or something?

For the week that they had been here, Donal woke up at six or thereabouts every day. Who did that on holiday? But thanks to Ella, now she felt a little bit more understanding towards him.

Marianne turned and faced him, putting her hand round his waist. It felt good to be close to him. The last few days had been full of tension and they had avoided any physical contact.

Donal turned without speaking and drew her into his arms. She loved the way he smelt in the morning. Sweet smelling and his skin so hot, almost as though he had a fever. Slowly, her hands explored his body, and he responded, searching her mouth with his.

Twenty minutes or so later, Marianne lay in his arms, the tension of the previous days evaporating.

She could feel herself drifting off to sleep when she felt Donal start to get up. She moved away and continued to doze, revelling in the comfort of the bed.

At least he had managed to linger a little today. Baby steps…

He padded softly across the room, and in her mind’s eye, she could see him pick up his trousers from the chair, and put them on, trying to make as little noise as possible.

When Donal left the room, Marianne’s mind turned to Grace and her twins.

There was something about having children so dependent on you that made you feel useful and needed. She imagined what her and Donal’s child might look like. Probably he would be a solemn little thing like his father.

Marianne smiled. She figured that her husband would make a great dad all the same. Seeing him playing football with Grace’s boys had brought out maternal urges in her like never before. She longed for a baby. No, that wasn’t quite correct. She had moments like now when she longed for a baby.

But watching Donal engrossed in his work life, working on his computer and waking up in the early hours to issue instructions, Marianne felt differently.

Having a baby now would be taking a risk. She didn’t want to end up as one of those women who were always complaining about their husbands not being there to help raise the children.

Despite Ella’s wise counsel, she still hadn’t figured out what to do about their situation. She decided to put it at the back of her mind and would ponder over it later.

Marianne turned and slept facing the door, and was immediately surrounded by delicious smells coming from downstairs.

She frowned. The evidence was there, but she almost refused to believe it. The last time Donal had made any sort of meal for her was years ago. The best he did was to take her out for dinner once every couple of months, and even then, it was usually connected to his work in one way or another.

Intrigued, she slipped from bed and wore her dressing gown over her light night dress. She went to the adjoining bathroom first, washed her face and freshened up. Then she followed the smell downstairs to the kitchen.

She stood against the doorway, and looking at Donal standing over the frying pan, intently turning slices of bacon, her heart melted.

“Hey,” she said softly.

“Morning, breakfast my princess?” he asked with a slight bow, making Marianne giggle.

“I’d love some.”

“Come then.” Donal pulled out a chair with flourish. He tucked a napkin into Marianne’s robe and put a plate in front of her.

Piled on it was bacon, toast and a boiled egg. Next, he poured out a cup of tea and another for himself. When he settled down opposite her, Marianne ate her breakfast, all the while reversing her earlier views of her husband.

“I know I haven’t been attentive over the last couple of days, and I’m sorry. Forgive me?” he said.

“I forgive you, especially if you can do this for me every morning.”

H
is attention lasted
until after breakfast, when he excused himself to answer a few emails for an hour only.

Marianne showered and dressed, and two hours later, Donal was still hunched over his computer.

She left the house and walked aimlessly, until once again she found herself in front of the cafe.

Ella was having a cup of tea on one of the outside tables, and Marianne approached her.

“Can I join you?” she asked, not wanting to sit alone.

Ella smiled brightly, as though it were the best offer she had had all day.

“I just wanted to say thank you. I really needed someone to talk to before,” Marianne said.

Ella smiled. “You’re welcome. We all have those days when things get to be too much. Have you figured out a solution yet?”

Marianne shook her head. “No, I still have no idea what to do.”

“Have you tried talking to him?”

“I have, a thousand times, but it’s as if he doesn’t hear a word I say. Or he changes for a couple of hours and then like a duty done, he reverts to his old behaviour. I’m at my wits end; I really don’t know what to do now.”

“Maybe you should just try and enjoy the time away by yourself a little? Lakeview has a lot to offer, try and sample some of it. It would be a real shame for you to spend your holiday feeling sorry for yourself.”

Marianne thought about it. She had read about Lakeview’s famous hiking trails and the river rafting that took place in the nearby Wicklow Mountains.

She had seen TV programs of people river rafting, and the sport had always fascinated her. She had mentioned it to Donal, and he had mumbled in that vague way he had of speaking when his mind was on something else.

Ella had a point. What was stopping her from enjoying her holiday on her own?

“You can’t be responsible for the actions of other people. Have fun, grab happiness where you can, life is very short. I’m sixty years old, and I can tell you those years have just gone by like a wink,” Ella said.

“Do you know, that’s exactly what I’ll do. I’ve been trying to interest Donal in all the activities around here and he doesn’t even look remotely interested. I wanted to try the hiking trail, the one that goes up into the hills,” Marianne said, her eyes lighting up with excitement.

Suddenly the next few days did not look so dull.

“Why don’t I ask Nina if she’d like to take you? She’s pretty good at showing people round the trails.”

Marianne looked unsure. “Oh, I don’t want to be a bother.”

“Nonsense, Nina loves hiking, she’ll be delighted for the opportunity to show off her knowledge.”

“Well, if you’re sure, I’d be happy to have some company.”

A few minutes later Nina came out and said hello. They hadn’t yet met, though Marianne had of course seen her around the cafe.

“Marianne wants to go hiking, but she doesn’t know too many people around, so I thought you might like to take her up on the trail when you’re free?”

Nina’s face brightened up and she smiled widely. “It would be a pleasure. I’ll probably enjoy the walk more than you do. Mind if my four year old comes too though? He’s my right hand man.”

“Of course not and thank you so much,” Marianne said. “Both of you.”

“You’re very welcome. We love visitors, don’t we Nina? Now would you like a cup of tea or some juice?”

“Tea would be great, thanks,” Marianne said, suddenly feeling as if she was amongst old friends.

W
hen Nina grew up
, she wanted to be like Marianne Cohen.

The stylish woman was beautiful with an enviable career and she seemed so well put together, so organised. She was slim and neat, and very calm.

“Your husband didn’t want to join us?” Nina asked her as a couple of mornings later, she Marianne and little Patrick set off on the hiking trail around the lake.

Marianne made a face. “Oh he’s too caught up in his work to leave it for a few hours,” she said, sounding completely unruffled that instead of touring Lakeview with her husband, she was doing it with a complete stranger.

“His loss then.” Nina joked. “It’s such a beautiful day today.”

“His loss indeed. So where to first, guide?”

Nina took her to up the hills to the meadow, and like most visitors, she exclaimed when she saw it.

“It’s so beautiful. Oh, I wish Donal could see this.” A sad look crossed over Marianne’s pretty features, before she perked up again.

There and then, Nina knew that it was a front. This woman wasn’t as carefree as she seemed. She had things weighing heavily on her mind.

Feeling sorry for her, and at the same time applauding her quietly for putting on a brave front, Nina vowed to make it a fun day.

It was ten in the morning, a good time to walk among the trees when the day was not hot.

Nina reeled off bits of information about the meadow and the surrounding countryside in general. They watched butterflies chase each other and suspend themselves over thin pieces of grass. Her mind strayed to Sam as it always did these days when she was quiet and not busy.

She had served him tea and breakfast yesterday morning, and in return, she had gotten a smile that had brightened up the rest of her day.

More than just looks, Sam was kind and funny.

“If this is a small sample of the Lakeview surroundings, I’m moving here permanently,” Marianne joked.

Nina laughed. “You’re welcome to, the more the merrier.”

“But really, it must be a wonderful place to raise children though?” Marianne looked wistful.

“It is. Do you have kids yourself?” Nina asked, fearing intruding on the other woman’s privacy.

“No, not yet, but I’d love to eventually,” she replied, looking sad.

‘Oh I’m sure you will,” Nina said in a cheerful voice. “In the meantime, enjoy this time when it’s all yours.” She smiled at her little son who was racing happily around the meadow. “They’re great, but they have this way of taking over your entire life.”

“So I hear, but at this point, I think I might be ready for that.”

“Perhaps next summer when you come to Lakeview, you’ll have a little one in tow then?” Nina teased. That seemed to cheer Marianne up and she nodded happily.

They spoke easily as they walked through the woods, emerging from the other end of the trail. A golf course adjoined the wooded area, a green lush stretch of hilly and flat land. They walked further on, round the golf course and back to the edge of town where the riding stables were.