A Fresh Start on Crumcarey (Crumcarey Island #5)

Chapter 22

CHAPTER 22

LUKE

A cool breeze kissed Luke’s cheeks, and he let out a long, blissed-out sigh. He must have forgotten to close the curtains around the bed last night. He turned over on his mattress with his eyes still shut fast. The fresh air seemed to be coming from that direction, and it smelled decidedly like autumn… and something else… something sweet…

Twitching his nostrils, he took a deep breath and then yawned. Maybe it was time to get up…? Then again… maybe not quite yet. Ten more minutes.

Snuggling down into his duvet, Luke let out another contented sigh as he kicked one long leg free of the bedding… and then went dead still as a strange sound caught his attention.

Was that… a giggle?

Opening his eyes a crack, he spotted a slender silhouette framed against the morning light flooding in through the barn’s open front door. Long, dark hair framed a look of admiration on Maggie’s lovely face.

‘Mags?’ he mumbled.

‘Yep!’ she said, sounding decidedly cheerful.

Blinking away the last traces of sleep and slipping one arm beneath his head, Luke peered at her, not quite believing she was actually there. But no, it was definitely Maggie… looking as stunning as usual. She had a pen tucked behind one ear and a grin fixed firmly on her face.

‘How long have you been there?’ he said.

‘Long enough to learn that you don’t wear anything to bed!’ she said, wiggling her eyebrows at him.

‘Hmm,’ said Luke, wondering if he should be embarrassed about this discovery. Then he decided against it. After all, she was standing in the open door of his home! ‘Just for the record,’ he said, ‘it’s Saturday morning. That’s the only reason I’m still in bed.’

‘Day off?’ said Maggie. ‘I didn’t know Luke Harris understood the concept!’

‘I’ve barely had a break since I arrived.’ Luke gave an exaggerated huff, feigning a grump that he promptly spoiled by breaking into a wide smile. ‘You know, what with all the uninvited guests turning up in the middle of the night, looking like drowned rats and then forcing me to sleep on the sofa…’

‘You definitely weren’t forced,’ she chuckled. ‘Besides, if I’d have known there was plenty of room in that bed of yours for two people…’

Maggie trailed off, and Luke felt the magic of her words light a fire in him. He gulped, making sure the duvet was still firmly in place and covering him properly.

‘Of course, there were the days of hard physical labour after that, too,’ he joked, trying to cover the effect this beautiful woman was having on him.

‘Yeah… I guess you deserve a bit of a lie-in, then,’ said Maggie, taking a step inside the barn and closing the door behind her.

Luke knew this should make him feel less exposed… but now it was just the pair of them. He swallowed hard, looking for something to say to take his mind off his racing heart.

‘What have you got there?’ he said, nodding at the pile of papers she had cuddled protectively against her chest. Of course, he had a good idea of what they might be. New drawings.

‘Does… does this mean…’ he started.

‘I’ve got a couple of questions before I show you these,’ she said, cutting across him. The words had poured out in a rush as though she’d been holding them in.

‘Sure,’ he said easily. ‘Ask me anything.’

‘What you told me last night… does it mean you’re planning on sticking around?’ she said. ‘At least… at least for a bit?’

Luke smiled. Mainly because he’d had a feeling that question might be coming. But also because it meant she cared enough to ask it.

‘I am. It does,’ said Luke. ‘I’m staying on Crumcarey. Permanently.’

He watched as Maggie bit her lip, clearly holding something in… though he couldn’t guess what.

‘I’ve already told Uncle Harris,’ he added, just for something to fill the taut silence between them. ‘He’s… well, he’s thrilled,’ he laughed, remembering the loud round of cheering followed by a resounding thump on the back as the old man had blinked back happy tears. Luke quickly swallowed hard as the memory brought a lump to his throat. ‘I get to stay in the barn for free as long as I give him a hand with some of the work that needs doing on the farmhouse. I mean… I’d have done that either way – so, win-win!’

Maggie smiled at him and nodded. ‘And… he knows about your plans…’

‘Yep,’ said Luke happily. ‘Like I said, he’s well up for it – as long as McGregor is invited, of course.’

Maggie nodded again, nibbling on her thumbnail as she stared at him. Luke shifted his weight. The suspense was killing him!

‘Anything else?’ he prompted.

‘So… we’re doing this?’ she said. ‘Together?’

‘Yup,’ Luke nodded. ‘Or at least… that’s what I want. Is it… is it what you want?’

‘Depends. I’ve got one more question…’ she said slowly. ‘It’s a two-parter…’

‘Okay?’ chuckled Luke, wondering what she had up her sleeve.

‘You made that bed, right?’ she said.

Luke nodded, raising an eyebrow.

‘Is it strong enough to handle two of us?’

‘Yes,’ said Luke, the word coming out in husky surprise.

‘Sure?’

‘Questioning my workmanship already?’ he laughed.

‘You didn’t answer my question,’ said Maggie, taking one slow, deliberate step towards him.

‘Why don’t you try it and see?’ said Luke.

Maggie nodded once. Then she wandered over towards the table and placed her bundle of drawings carefully down on the surface. Next, she drew the pen out from behind her ear – her movements excruciatingly slow.

Luke swallowed, watching her every move as though time had slowed to a near standstill. Then, with an excited squeal that took him by surprise, Maggie whirled around and dashed straight for him, diving right on top of him.

‘See, didn’t break!’ Luke mumbled from beneath a tangle of dark hair and sweet kisses.

‘I still think it needs further testing,’ Maggie breathed into his neck.

Well, he wasn’t going to complain about that!