Page 54 of Sanctuary at MacLeod's Cove
After Jen had given her middle sister Ellie a hug, she turned around to find Kate frowning at her. ‘Jen, tell Sam you want him to stay. I think he’d like you to ask him.’
She shrugged. ‘Maybe he has other things on. Other people he’d like to be with. I’m sure his world doesn’t revolve around us.’
Kate tutted.
‘Anyway, I want to hang out with my kid sister,’ she said, putting her arm around Ellie.
‘And I want to catch up on all your news,’ said Ellie.
But, by the time Lucy had lured Ellie and Dan inside to help with the drinks, Jen’s conscience had pricked her sufficiently for her to go in search of Sam. Whatever fears and doubts she had about the undercurrents, which were hard to ignore, she owed him. He’d been generous with the time and attention he’d given Kate and Liam.
She found Sam with Liam in a corner of the garden away from the verandah. She smiled to herself. It seemed both of them found the MacLeod family a little overwhelming. She wasn’t surprised.
‘Sam, you will stay for lunch, won’t you?’
‘I don’t want to be in the way.’
‘You won’t be.’ She paused. ‘I’d like you to stay.’
It was the truth. No matter what she pretended, her feelings for him ran deep, and she’d always enjoyed his company. He made her feel good. Made her feel more like the girl she’d once been. Maybe even the woman she could be again.
‘In that case, I’d like to stay.’
‘Come on then, Lucy’s just serving up.’
Jen had ensured that she was seated away from Sam. She couldn’t deny there was something going on — albeit under the surface — between them, and she didn’t want to face it, encourage it, or be asked questions about it by her nosy siblings. And her ploy had worked.
It was only after the long lunch had ended and the afternoon was waning, did Jen move close to where Dan was talking with Sam.
In the kitchen, Lucy and Ellie were swapping recipes, while, in the garden, Kate and Liam were checking for aphids.
So Jen took some cheese and crackers and curled up on the cushions and listened to Dan joke with Sam about the things they’d got up to as teenagers. They’d been good mates and attended the same schools in the same years, and had seen a lot of each other in Sydney.
‘So,’ said Dan, ‘I heard a rumour that you’re single now. What happened to your marriage?’
A flicker of pain crossed Sam’s face, quickly masked. ‘Ended.’
Dan shook his head. ‘Ah, sorry to hear that but, you know, I really liked Sarah. I mean, she was beautiful, but…’
‘I know,’ said Sam. ‘She wasn’t right for me, and so when it ended it was a relief for both of us. She’s already with another bloke.’
‘Worked out in the end then.’
‘Yes, but the trouble is, she’s made it difficult for me to see my stepdaughter over the last few years.’
‘Sorry to hear that, man,’ Dan responded, his tone genuine. Jen felt a stab of empathy; she knew the ache of separation all too well.
‘Here,’ Sam said, pulling out his phone and swiping through pictures. ‘This is my girl.’ He held up the screen proudly for Dan to see. After a few moments, he turned the screen to Jen.
She leaned forward, her curiosity piqued. The girl was older than she imagined — a beautiful young teenager with long golden hair and a big, hopeful smile.
‘She’s lovely.’ And she was. But Jen felt weird about this young woman, about whom she knew nothing, playing such a central role in Sam’s life. Of course, like her, he’d had a life these past fifteen years. They both might have returned to the village of their birth, but they weren’t the same people. ‘What’s her name?’
‘Ailsa,’ he said in a soft voice.
‘Ailsa,’ repeated Jen. ‘Lovely name.’
‘And she’s a lovely girl.’
