Page 129 of Muskoka Blue

“Sure.” She swallowed her toast. Vegemite was nice, but Muskoka blueberry jam…

“We have to go into the city.” Dad grinned.

Odd. Dad smiled. He didn’t grin.

Her mum lifted the bowl of whipped egg whites. “You might want to freshen up, hon.”

“What’s wrong with what I’m wearing?”

“That tracksuit isn’t fit for outside, let alone picking up a guest from the airport.”

She blinked. “Are you seriously having someone else come and stay?” She’d been so looking forward to some much-needed quiet time. Now someone was intruding. It felt like Muskoka again. She bit back the sigh. There was no point getting emotional.

“Yes.” Her mum was carefully shaping the pavlova and didn’t look at her. “Bek’s family head back to Adelaide on Monday, so we’ll be a bit squashed for a couple of nights, but then it’ll be fine. Now, hurry up and get changed.”

Oh well. She walked upstairs and stared at her closet. She should be used to visitors, the hospitality trait her aunt was famous for running strong in her mother’s genetic makeup also. Since returning from PNG, her parents had often opened their home to provide emergency accommodation, and their beach suburb and guestroom was always popular with missionaries on furlough from overseas. Over the years it had necessitated a number of trips to the airport, where she’d helped her dad collect the visitors. It always worked out quicker and cheaper to do the tandem run, one person circling the parking lot while the other met the traveler. She wasn’t out to impress, but got changed anyway, returning in skinny jeans and a plum-colored top. “Better?”

Her mother looked up and smiled. “Much.”

When they got to the airport, Dad asked her to hop out whilst he began the well-practiced circling technique. “Look, we’re running a little late. If you could just wait at arrivals, I’ve told him to look out for an attractive redhead holding this sign. He’s tall, got brown hair and eyes and an accent. Don’t worry, I’d trust him with my life. I’ll be round again in a moment.” He thrust a sign bearing the nameMaguireat her, quickly driving off, ignoring her protests.

“Dad!” Sarah stood there as the car disappeared. How bizarre. She slowly made her way to the arrivals lounge. She’d had to hold signs before at the airport, but usually her father gave her more information about the person she was meeting.

International visitors were slowly making their dazed way in, the long-haul flights taking a toll. Yep, she definitely knew what that felt like. She stood at the end of a long line of chauffeurs patiently waiting with the names of their guests printed boldly on their posters, half-heartedly holding the sign, busily scanning for a tall, brown-haired man.

Hello? What was Dad thinking? Half the people walking through could fit that description. Was he one of the Indian missionaries they’d had stay before, or maybe someone from Africa? A litany of houseguests from over the years flashed through her mind. This could be anyone!

She took a deep breath. Not gonna get upset. But still… She shook her head before noticing a figure moving closer in her peripheral vision.

“Hey, Princess.”

Chapter 32

He got a second to glimpse her startled wide eyes and hear the gasped “Daniel!” before she threw herself at him, pressing herself close in a giant bear hug like she wanted to be in his skin. “Oh! I’ve missed you so much!”

Yeah, he kind of got that impression. He wrapped his arms around her, drinking in her scent and nuzzling her bright hair that glowed against the purple of her shirt. He closed his eyes to the curious gazes around them, holding on tight. Everything was finally being made right in this moment.

She murmured something, and he had to duck his head to hear.

“But what are you doing here?”

“I’ve missed you. I had to see you again.” There were some advantages to their season having finished early. As disappointing as missing the playoffs had been, it had allowed extra time to see her.

She touched his stubbled jaw. “It’s so good to see you.”

“You too.” He cupped her face in his hands and touched her lips with his, kissing her the way he’d been dreaming of these past lonely months, sliding one hand up into her soft hair, wrapping the other around her waist. She responded by squeezing him tight for a long, lovely minute before breaking away.

“Whoa. You make me feel dizzy.” She placed her hands on his chest and took a steadying breath. He knew exactly how she felt. “My dad—”

Dan grinned as she blinked, finally connecting the dots.

“You’re staying with us! And Mum and Dad know! Oh!”

“You’re on vacation for a couple of weeks, so I figured now would be a good chance to hang out. That is, if you’re not too busy.”

“No!” She hugged him again. “I’m never too busy for you!”

Her smile, her laughter, these spontaneous hugs, this exuberant joy in her face—he’d missed it so much. He had to kiss her again.

---