Page 69 of Sanctuary at MacLeod's Cove
‘No, but thanks. They shouldn’t be long, and I can’t have people babysit me like this.’
‘Your call. I’ll take Liam upstairs and then do a quick look around. Can’t be too careful.’
She stood in the kitchen sipping a glass of water, listening to Sam moving around in the attic bedroom. After putting Liam to bed, he seemed to be checking the rest of the house as well.
She looked at him expectantly as he returned.
‘There’s no one here,’ he said. ‘I’ll check around the back.’
‘Sam, you’ve done enough. We’re fine. The house is empty, and I’ll lock up as soon as you’ve gone.’
‘Well, if you’re sure.’
‘I am. But I do appreciate your care.’
Despite her protests, he went outside and did a quick survey of the exterior of the house in the dark.
‘There’s still plenty of work to do. I’m expecting a delivery tomorrow morning, so I’ll be here bright and early.’
It was probably an excuse, but a nice one.
‘You’re very good, Sam. We all appreciate what you’re doing. But you can’t go on doing it without pay.’
‘Jen,’ he smiled, ‘believe me, I don’t need the money. What I need is purpose, and you and the house are giving me that.’
Her heart warmed. ‘I’m glad I’m of use to someone.’
‘Don’t do that,’ he said, his smile gone.
‘What?’
‘Don’t put yourself down like that.’
‘I… didn’t realise I was.’
‘That’s even worse.’
Pain replaced the warmth that had flooded Jen’s heart only moments earlier. She swallowed. ‘It’s hard. After so long with someone who…’ She hesitated as she groped for the right word, ‘…didn’t seem to like me very much.’
Sam took a sharp intake of air. ‘Oh, he liked you. He liked you so much that he wanted to control you. To bend you to his will.’ He shook his head. ‘I just hope I never get to meet the bastard.’
‘So do I.’ Because, she suspected, if Sam got to meet him, it meant that she and Liam would, too.
‘Well, I’d best get going.’
‘Are you travelling back to Wellington?’
‘No — the caravan.’
‘Not your flash Wellington apartment,’ she teased.
‘No, living in Wellington makes me feel lonely.’
‘And yet your caravan is parked in one of the most isolated spots on the edge of MacLeod’s Cove.’
‘Yeah, I know. It’s crazy, but there you go. The apartment was for a family — a family who chose to live away from me. It’s too quiet. But here’ — he gestured around him — ‘the caravan shakes in the wind, and whenever a flock of gulls flies over, their cries fill the air. I don’t feel lonely, even though I’m alone.’
‘I know what you mean. When I lived in London, I never felt lonelier in my life. And yet, here I am, at the edge of the world, thousands of miles from the next country, and I feel part of things.’
