Page 32 of Sanctuary at MacLeod's Cove
But an hour and many phone calls later and Jen had drawn a blank. She emerged into the kitchen, where Kate had set the table for lunch and Liam sat drinking a glass of milk. Jen did a double take. Liam never drank milk because the doctor suspected it caused allergies. But as the eczema on his arms seemed to be fading, she decided not to say anything.
‘You’re not looking full of the joys of spring,’ said Kate as she sliced apples. ‘No luck with the builder then?’
Jen shook her head and carried the plate of sandwiches to the table. ‘No. Everyone seems to be busy. Must be a lot of building work going on.’
‘There is. Parata Bay has a new subdivision being built, and there’s lots of medium-density housing about to go up in Paraparaumu. No one has time for little jobs like this.’
‘I’ll ask at the café this afternoon,’ said Jen. ‘There must be someone who’s interested.’
Sam pushed open the door to the Perching Parrot, the familiar jingle of the bell overhead mingling with the savoury scents of the lunch menu. He scanned the room, hoping to catch a glimpse of Jen among the patrons, but his heart sank slightly when she was nowhere to be seen. If she was here, no doubt she was out the back, washing up. He made his way to the counter where Lucy was artfully plating a club sandwich.
‘Back again so soon, Sam?’ Lucy greeted him with a knowing twinkle in her eye. ‘You’re becoming quite the regular.’
‘Can’t stay away from your world-class BLTs,’ Sam replied smoothly, although he knew he’d need a better excuse soon if he kept this up.
‘Uh-huh,’ Lucy said, not buying it for a second as she leaned forward conspiratorially. ‘Well, you might be interested to know that Jen’s decided to stick around for a while.’
‘Is that so?’ Sam grunted, feigning interest in the menu despite his pulse quickening at the mention of Jen’s name.
‘Yep,’ Lucy went on, lowering her voice a touch. ‘My big sis has been through quite the ordeal lately. I won’t go into the details, but it’s been rough, you know?’
Sam felt a protective surge pulse through his veins, an instinctive reaction to any hint of trouble surrounding Jen. He masked his growing concern with a series of noncommittal grunts, unwilling to betray too much of himself.
The door swung open and Jen stepped inside. ‘Ah, speak of the devil,’ said Lucy. Then she frowned as she watched Jen skirt the café and head towards the small office where Lucy did the paperwork and the staff kept their belongings. ‘Won’t be a moment, Sam.’
Seizing the opportunity, Sam turned his attention to a nearby cabinet housing an assortment of locally sourced honey jars and artisanal jams, which just happened to be outside the office where he could hear Lucy and Jen talking. He pretended to examine a label closely, though his senses were acutely tuned to Jen’s voice as she began discussing some issue with her sister.
‘And it’s not only the spouting… the water heater is acting up again,’ Jen fretted, unaware of Sam’s proximity. ‘Mum seems overwhelmed, or maybe she simply doesn’t have the cash, or probably both, so we have to do something. I’ve placed a postcard on the noticeboard outside. Do you know anyone who won’t charge the earth?’
Sam couldn’t help but smile; fate had handed him an opening. A way that he could spend more time with her and apologise for being such an idiot. And after he’d apologised? Maybe he could be a part of her life after all, even if it was on the periphery. Either way, he wasn’t going to let the opportunity pass him by. With a casual stride, he repositioned himself so that he was within both their lines of sight.
‘Sounds like you’ve got a problem that needs fixing,’ he interjected with the ease of a man who had spent his life solving practical problems. ‘As it happens, I know someone with the expertise and the time — and who doesn’t need to worry about money.’
‘Sam!’ said Jen, turning to him, her cheeks flushed with alarm. ‘I didn’t see you.’
‘And I’m guessing you wouldn’t have said what you said if you had,’ he ventured.
Jen shrugged. ‘I just don’t want to ask —’
‘You’re not. I’m offering,’ Sam cut in, his tone leaving no room for argument. ‘Your mum’s been good to me over the years. Consider it my way of saying thanks.’
‘But you’re busy with your own house.’
Sam scoffed. ‘Jen, I spend more time looking at it than doing anything.’ He sighed. ‘I’m waiting for the sale of some assets before I can really begin. And until then, if you want my help, I’m happy to give it.’
‘But,’ Jen grimaced, and Sam could see she was wrestling with something, and he was beginning to think he’d been too eager, too quick to assume Jen would accept his help.
‘Of course we’ll accept your help,’ said Lucy brightly. ‘That’s brilliant! Thanks, Sam. I’ll leave you two to sort out the details. I’d better get back to work.’
He waited until Lucy had left the room. ‘You don’t want me to help?’ he asked quietly, his eyes trained on her, trying to interpret every nuance of her expression.
‘It’s not that,’ she said, her hands wringing with uncertainty. He hated seeing that. ‘My life is complicated, and I don’t want you to…’
‘I won’t,’ he said softly. ‘This is a no-strings offer. Just an old friend helping out. OK?’
She bit her lip, and an embarrassed grin and a brief nod replaced the vulnerability.
‘Thank you,’ she said. And her smile was payment enough. ‘Thank you so much.’
