Page 51 of Lipstick Kiss

“Do you think Maggie and Bailey know who is buried under the blank stones?”

“Undoubtedly.”

“Do you think they’ll ever say?”

“Not while Cynthia is alive. I bet it’s like a prime minister thing. Archer will be handed the key to the cupboard of Turner secrets, and then it will be too late to ask any questions,” Freya said.

“Do you think that’s kind of sad?”

“Heartbreaking. Granny keeps telling Heidi, me, and Keith to ask her all the questions now before she loses her marbles or dies. She bangs on about the family, knowing where they came from and who their family are. It seems like who the Turners are is shrouded in mystery. Either there is nothing to know, and we’re in a Wizard of Oz situation, or the truth is so sad and heart-wrenching we’re being saved from it all to the point when we know we must accept it.”

“We?” Luke asked. Buoyed by the notion, she might be contemplating a relationship with him.

“I’ll always be your best friend, Luke. I’ll see you through whatever heartache comes your way.”

“Freya,” he said with a sigh, bringing her in for a hug.

“Don’t get all sappy on me now, Luke Turner. You’re gruff and brusque and indifferent, telling lies to avoid showing your soft side.”

“I have never lied to you.”

“I tossed your letters,” she said, trying to mimic his voice.

“Apart from that,” he said.

“Anything else you’re keeping from me?”

Luke was about to say no, but that would be a lie. He was keeping from her that he wanted to be more than best friends. With her so close, smelling like she did of peaches, comfort and woman, he wanted to confess everything he was feeling about her, even if he couldn’t figure it all out.

Instead, he said, “Let’s go hunting.”

Luke took off at a jog, leaving her at the top of the path, huffing out a telling-off he couldn’t hear over the screeching seagulls. He cupped his hand at his ear and shook his head as he ran backwards down the track. Luke turned, so he didn’t fall over a boulder and sprinted the rest of the way,expanding the distance between them. He needed to get his wits together in case he showed her exactly how he was feeling. And he wasn’t ready for rejection.

He slowed as soon as he hit the sand, and Freya caught up with him a few minutes later.

Chapter Sixteen

Luke

Luke left his cottage and headed to Edward Hall. The world champion rowing team had arrived at the hall the previous evening, and he had greeted them when they had dinner. Luke wanted to make sure they’d settled well and had everything they needed. Moving quickly across the lawns, he spotted Archer and Freya standing at the stone balustrade overlooking Edward Hall lawns that had been converted to an outdoor exercise area. He knew why Archer was there but not why Freya was there, especially when it was a school day.

He was disappointed they didn’t find anything in the cove, but there was all summer to look.

He could hear her chattering away in her breathy voice. As Luke neared, he saw what had her in a trance. All the rowing team were in gym trainers, gym shorts and nothing else, racing up and down in lines.

“I mean, Archer, if any of them need a medic—”

Luke cut in. “I will be going to their rescue.”

Freya spun on the spot. She was in tailored black shorts cut off mid-thigh with an oversized grandad shirt, and a flimsy top underneath that showed off the curves of her breasts. She had black plimsolls with no socks.

Her cheeks were pinked beautifully.

“Hi, Luke,” she said. “What are you doing here?”

“It’s my job to be here. I thought your job was at a school where kids are taught by teachers like you. You look gorgeously healthy, so you’re not sick. So tell me, Peaches, why are you here ogling the rowing team?”

“Inset day,” she mumbled.

---