“Really?” She looked at the card again. What on Earth was he thinking?
“Yep. I’ve got all the time in the world and the boys here are pretty patient too. Not sure about Drew though. He seemed kind of frazzled if you ask me.”
“Frazzled? Right. Okay then, let me get my purse and tell Nancy and I’ll be right back.”
“We’ll be here.” Deacon chuckled as she walked back to the clinic. She opened the door and almost banged into Liam and Nancy hovering in the doorway.
“What are you two doing?” They both jumped back, guilt written all over their faces.
“Nothing, nothing at all.” Liam rubbed his hand around the back of his neck while Nancy raced back to reception with a mumbled apology.
“Liam, what’s going on?”
“Um, I know nothing. Honestly, April. He didn’t tell me a thing.”
She pushed a finger into his chest and he backed up against the wall trying to avoid it. “I’m telling the truth. He didn’t tell me a thing except…”
“Yes? Except what?”
“He’ll kill me if I tell you.” He rolled his eyes and looked away.
“Liam. If you don’t tell me what the heck is going on, he won’t need to kill you. I’ll take care of the job myself.”
“I promised!”
She counted to ten. This was worse than trying to get secrets out of her children. “If you don’t tell me what’s going on, I’ll tell Aggie how you feel.”
He whipped his head around and stared at her. “You wouldn’t dare.”
She raised her eyebrow and grinned. “Try me.”
“You play dirty. Why is it that girls turn evil when secrets are involved? Can’t a guy spring a surprise every now and then without you needing to find out all the details beforehand? Is it any wonder that people say romance is dying?”
She absorbed his words and shame washed over her. “I’m sorry. That was out of line.” April stepped back, turned, and walked to her office to get her purse. When she came back, Liam was at the door waiting for her.
“Look. Just go with the flow, alright? Drew’s a good guy. You know that better than most. And if you could do something for me, I’d appreciate it.”
April nodded. “What, Liam.”
“Give him a chance. I know he’s made mistakes, we all have. But let him have his say before you decide it’s too late for the two of you.”
Had she already made up her mind about their future? Even she didn’t know that. Sleepless nights and worrying hadn’t made a decision any closer. As much as she loved her new life on the island, working with Drew was stressful.
“Okay.” She walked out the door over to the carriage and let Deacon help her up.
“There’s nice warm rugs and if you get really cold, I have fur lined capes to keep you warm.” He tucked a blanket over her knees. “Just say the word and I’ll grab one. But for now, sit back and enjoy the ride.”
“Thank you, Deacon.”
He climbed up on the front seat and picked up the reins. She’d never been in a horse drawn carriage before. It felt both exhilarating and a little indulgent. The children would love it. One day she’d have to take them for a ride around the harbor with Deacon.
She watched the small town go by as they headed up the coast road. April was sure they were going to Drew’s house.
Deacon turned around. “You okay back there, April? Not too cold are you?”
“I’m fine, thank you.” She enjoyed the fresh air, even when it came whipping off the ocean. It had a cleanliness to it that couldn’t be replicated in the city. The view seemed different when you looked at it from a carriage. She had more time to take in the scenery as she passed, seeing things that before had gone unnoticed.
Just before Drew’s house came into view around the cove, Deacon turned down a dirt road. The lighthouse. The first parking spot they gravitated to when they were younger. The place they’d first made love before they were forced to look elsewhere when their secret spot was no longer so secret.
The horse slowed at the gate and came to a halt. Deacon turned around and smiled from underneath his big, bushy brown beard. “This is as far as I go. Sorry but Drew said you’d know the way from here.”
“I do. Thank you very much. I loved every minute of the ride.” April pushed aside the blanket and climbed down from the carriage, her heart racing in anticipation as she used the turnstile to get into the lighthouse property.
“Enjoy the rest of your day, April. Hope we catch up again soon.” He clicked his tongue, flicked the reins, and turned the carriage around.
She took a deep breath and looked up at the old building towering above the scrub. She kept her eyes on the sandy pathway as she moved forward.
* * *
Drew stood with his hands clasped together waiting for April to appear. He’d heard from Liam when she left the carpark with Deacon, gave them enough time to arrive, and now his heart was in his mouth.
This was the place he’d brought her when they finally realized that they were no longer just friends. Something had changed between them. They’d spent many a day exploring the cliffs and caves below and much more time exploring each other. This was where they’d often made love before they had to find a more secluded spot. The place they’d cried when faced with being parted by college, where April had gone to cry over the dysfunctional relationship she had with her parents.
Would she think he was being morbid or would she feel as he did, that this was their special place where memories were made?
She walked out on the path and his heart pounded. His gorgeous April. She stopped and smiled when she saw him, then continued, her step lighter.
He walked toward her, his arms out. “I wasn’t sure you’d come.”
April stepped into his embrace.
