Page 55 of Second Chance Summer
Sam smiled. He’d read the Kate Rhodes book himself, amused to find his home turned into a setting for violent crime and psychopathic killers. ‘It’s very good,’ he said. ‘I just hope it doesn’t make you want to board the first flight out …’
With a gleam in her eyes, Lily shot him a look that made him melt inside.
‘Don’t worry,’ she said silkily. ‘I can separate fact from fiction and I decided against heading for the airport!’
Just in time, Sam pulled back on the throttle and turned the boat away from a hidden reef he’d almost skimmed. Lily’s cheeks were tinged a soft pink by the sun and he loved – but wouldn’t dream of telling her – the freckles sprinkled across her nose. Elspeth would say his home cooking was doing his guest good too, but it was the easing of tension that made the most difference. Her body had relaxed, the dark smudges under her eyes had gone, along with the strained expression.
It was so tempting to try and get closer to her and find out about the real Lily.
Sam reminded himself that the first rule of hospitality should be: don’t get emotionally involved with the guests. After having his heart broken by Rhiannon, his first rule ought to be not to get involved withanyone, especially not someone from a different world who could only ever be passing through his life.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
‘Um … I’ve been invited to the pub.’
Lily was halfway up a ladder and about to reload her roller with Misty Morn emulsion when Sam made this apparently significant announcement to her.
That evening, over dinner, they’d had a discussion and he’d finally agreed she could help him finish Cottage Two – now known as Samphire. Cottages Three and Four – Starfish and Scallop – were also well on their way apart from bathroom tiling and painting.
‘Or should I say “we”?’ he added, carefully brushing paint above the skirting board and still not looking at her. ‘I met up with my mate Aaron earlier and he said the gig crew are at the Rock Inn tomorrow. He invited you to join us.’
‘He invitedme? Are you sure? He doesn’t know me.’
She descended to floor level where Sam had risen from his knees.
‘He’s heard about you,’ he said. ‘I’m afraid everyone has but that’s not why he asked. He knew you were staying on the island and thought you might like to come. I did say you were here for peace and quiet but that I’d pass on the invite.’
Lily resisted the urge to tell him he had paint on his nose,or worse, to wet her finger and wipe it off. How could he look so gorgeous in a ripped T-shirt and paint-splattered shorts? Even the fragrance of turps on his top was sexy.
‘He probably thinks you wouldn’t leave me here, if I refused?’
‘No! Absolutely not. I mean … of course I wouldn’t leave you alone even though I’m sure you’d befine.’ Sam was clearly tying himself in knots. ‘He was only being friendly. They’re like that, the rowing lot. I used to be in the crew until I got wrapped up in this place.’
‘I know the feeling,’ Lily said. ‘I used to meet up for dinner with a group of women from my Pilates class. I enjoyed it but that was over a year ago. After I was too busy to go along five times in a row, I stopped getting invites. I think they started a new WhatsApp group without me and I can hardly blame them.’ She sighed. ‘I need to get in touch again, make a commitment. When I get home.’
‘Why don’t you do it now?’ he said. ‘In just over a week you’ll be back in London.’
Why did he have to remind her of the precise timeframe? Lily was already thinking of how things would be when she went back, the hurtling around and lurching from one task to the next. For some reason, she felt jittery at the prospect.
‘Are you counting the days?’ she said lightly.
‘No. No, of course not,’ Sam said, then frowned. ‘You OK?’
‘Yes. Fine. Apart from the paint smell and all the crouching and climbing. It’s been ages since I got hot and sweaty outside of a gym.’
‘You look great to me,’ he said. ‘We’ve virtually finished the work,’ he added gruffly. ‘Come on, let’s have a break and some air.’
Lily washed her hands, still glowing from his compliment and even more amazed he’d made it, considering what stared back at her from the en suite mirror. She was wearing an oversized pair of decorator’s dungarees over a vest top, her hair tied up with a scrunchie. It was humid and she hadn’t looked so dishevelled for months.
Back outside, Sam stood on the terrace with two chilled bottles from the cottage fridge. The sun shone down half-heartedly through the haze, and the isles and islets seemed to lie becalmed in the glassy sea.
A drink of chilled water helped to cool her down. Samphire really was almost ready, its furniture already in the centre of the room, wrapped in dust sheets and plastic.
‘So, you’ll definitely be coming to the pub?’ Sam asked again, standing beside her.
‘As long as you’re sure your friends won’t mind, then I’d love to.’
His face lit up briefly. ‘Great. Of course they won’t mind … as long as you’re prepared for a bit of banter. I can’t guarantee much tact and diplomacy – especially from Aaron.’
