Page 53 of Sanctuary at MacLeod's Cove
‘Ellie?’ exclaimed Dan. ‘How on earth did you prise her out of Hong Kong?’
‘Easily,’ said Lucy. ‘Which is strange.’
‘I should say,’ he replied, walking into the kitchen, lifting the lid from one of the dishes and having a surreptitious taste.
Lucy grunted in annoyance and replaced the lid. ‘Go away.’
‘I’ve only just arrived!’ he exclaimed in mock innocence.
‘It’s not Ellie,’ said Jen, watching Sam appear from around the corner of the house and step up onto the verandah to say hello to Liam. ‘It’s Sam.’
Jen stepped outside. ‘Sam,’ she greeted.
‘Jen,’ he replied with equal awkwardness.
‘Looks like I’ve come at the wrong time.’
‘Nonsense!’ said Kate. ‘You must join us.’
‘I don’t want to gatecrash.’
‘You won’t be. You’re practically one of the family anyway,’ she said.
‘And Dan’s just arrived.’ Jen turned to the kitchen and called, ‘Dan! Your best mate is here!’
‘Sam!’ said Dan, taking Sam’s hand and pulling him into a bear hug. ‘I’ve missed you, mate. How are things working out for you since you left Oz?’
‘Good, thanks. And you? Visiting or back for good?’
Jen was surprised to see Dan’s smile slip a little before he shrugged. ‘Going with the flow,’ he said ambiguously. ‘Lucy says you’ve been making yourself useful around here.’
‘Sam is kindly helping mum get the house straight,’ said Jen.
‘Good on you, mate. About time she accepted some help with it. We’ve been nagging her for years. What made you change your mind, Mum?’
‘It’s not only me anymore, is it?’ answered Kate simply. ‘It makes a difference. And Sam has been kind, giving us so much of his time. And he’s been brilliant with Liam,’ she added in a whisper so Liam — who was busy telling Sam something — couldn’t hear.
Dan raised his eyebrow in query and looked from Jen to Sam and then back to Jen.
Jen felt a blush rise from deep within her and flood her cheeks. The whole family were all too aware of Jen’s past entanglement with Sam, and Dan was obviously wondering if something was going on.
‘Grandma!’ said Liam, running over to them. ‘Sam says he has to go. He can stay, can’t he?’
‘Of course he can. We’d like him to. You will stay, won’t you, Sam?’
Sam glanced at Jen, but she looked away, still embarrassed by Dan’s teasing glance.
‘No, I should go,’ said Sam, when he received no encouragement from Jen.
‘Nonsense,’ Dan said, breaking the uneasy silence with a casualness that belied the scrutiny in his eyes. ‘It’s been ages since we caught up and, besides, it looks like Lucy has prepared enough food for an army.’
‘Please stay, Sam, we’d love you to,’ said Kate.
‘I don’t want to impose, Kate.’
‘You are not imposing,’ she said firmly.
‘Hey!’ shouted a voice from behind Sam. ‘How come the front door’s locked?’ Sam stepped aside to reveal Ellie, who dropped her bags and opened her arms wide. ‘Ta-da! The wanderer returns!’
