Secrets in Pelican Crossing (Pelican Crossing #2)

Fifteen

Liz’s heart was fluttering when the call ended. Finn Hunter had called her, invited her to dinner. She’d been surprised when he approached their table at the yacht club on Saturday, wondered if… Then told herself he was only being polite, despite the speculative expression in Mandy’s eyes. At least her daughter had kept her thoughts to herself. Mandy had gone back to Gary’s afterwards, leaving Liz to her own speculations, none of which made sense. Now this!

She was becoming used to Mandy’s presence in the apartment – when she was there. Her daughter seemed to be spending her evenings – and nights – with Gary, making only fleeting visits to the apartment to change her clothes or pick up bits and pieces. Even on the evenings when she was working at the yacht club, there was often no sign of her till the next morning. When Liz dared to ask why she didn’t move in with Gary, Mandy’s terse reply was that he hadn’t asked her and anyway, his place wasn’t big enough to swing a cat never mind contain all her stuff. Liz had managed to stop herself from replying her apartment wasn’t big enough either. When she’d last looked into the spare room, there was no evidence of Mandy having made any attempt to unpack properly or put anything away in the shelves and drawers Liz had cleared for her.

But tonight was going to be different. Mandy had promised to be home for dinner. It appeared Gary had other plans. Liz wondered what her daughter would say to her going out with Finn. Would she tell her? Probably. If they ate locally, it would be all over town next day .

After leaving work, Liz made a quick trip to the supermarket to replenish supplies, before heading to The Haven to make a long overdue visit to her mother. She did try to visit every week, but due to a case of food poisoning at the retirement village which had kept all the residents isolated, it had been a few weeks since she’d been there. So she was looking forward to catching up.

Liz drove through the gates of The Haven and along the avenue bordered by palm trees, past the beautiful old sandstone building which held the office and restaurant where residents, unable or unwilling to cook for themselves, could buy lunch or dinner, finally coming to a stop outside her mother’s tidy villa.

Joan was waiting at the open door to greet her.

‘Hi, Mum. I’m sorry it’s been so long.’

‘Not your fault, sweetheart. It was the prawns they served for the Friday dinner. I was lucky I didn’t have any, but the powers-that-be decided to shut us all down. Anyway, it’s over now and good to see you. Come on in.’

Liz followed her mother into the neat front room which overlooked the roadway giving Joan an uninterrupted view of the comings and goings of her neighbours. The coffee table was already set for afternoon tea with a plate of what Liz knew was her mother’s homemade carrot cake, and her best china. Liz resigned herself to eating her fair share, even though it wasn’t long since she’d had lunch. Besides, her mother’s carrot cake was something special, and always reminded Liz of coming in from playing in the yard to a slice of carrot cake and a glass of milk.

‘What about Tara? No news there?’ Liz’s mother asked when they were on their second cup of tea. Liz had just shared the news that Mandy had moved back home, and Joan had nodded her approval.

‘No, Mum. She and Mark want to wait, do some travelling first.’ Liz was just as anxious as her mother to hear Tara was pregnant, but wishing wouldn’t make it happen.

Joan sighed. ‘I hope I live long enough to see a great grandchild,’ she said. ‘Bernadette Riley has three and never stops talking about them.’

Liz almost blurted out the news she already had one, but she wasn’t ready to mention Julie and Tilly to her mother yet. Would she ever be ? She had no idea how the older woman might react .

Finally, it was time to leave with hugs and a promise to return the following week. By then both Tara and Mandy would have left for Easter, and Julie would be here. Liz tingled all over at the thought of being reunited with the baby she’d been forced to give away. But first, there was her dinner with Finn to look forward to.

*

The next few days seemed to drag but finally Friday arrived. Mandy was heading off somewhere with Gary, so Liz was able to take her time getting ready without having to answer to her daughter. She had mentioned briefly that Finn had invited her to dinner, only to see Mandy roll her eyes and hear her say, ‘I thought there was something going on when he came over to our table on Saturday. Good for you, Mum.’

Now, as she drew a comb through her hair and fretted whether she’d worn too much makeup, wiping off her lipstick and re-applying a paler shade, she was trying to still the butterflies in her stomach. Not counting the disastrous dates with the men she’d met online – and they really didn’t count – this was her first proper date since she and Tommy divorced, and she was a nervous wreck.

It was almost time for Finn to arrive to pick her up when her phone rang. Liz’s first thought was that he was ringing to cancel, having changed his mind or had some family emergency. But it was Tara’s name on the screen.

‘Mandy told me, Mum,’ she said. ‘Finn Hunter seems like a nice guy. I hope you have a good time. You deserve this.’

Liz muttered something, not sure what this was and ended the call as she heard a knock at the door. He was here.

After an awkward few moments at the door, when it seemed neither knew how to greet the other, Liz grabbed her bag and they headed to his car. She was surprised to see he drove a Prius, pleased he showed some concern for the environment.

‘I thought we’d drive out of town,’ he said as he started up the car. ‘I know what these small towns are like and don’t relish the prospect of being next week’s news. I’m guessing you don’t either. ’

Liz gave a sigh of relief.

‘Have you been to Addisons ?’ he asked. ‘I’ve heard good things about it, and I believe The Courier gave it a good review.’ He grinned.

Liz grinned too, pleased he had a sense of humour. She began to relax.

The restaurant fulfilled the promise of the review she’d read in The Courier , the seafood platter they shared leaving nothing to be desired and the bottle of semillon blanc Finn selected from the extensive wine list was perfect.

‘Tell me about yourself,’ Finn said when they were waiting for dessert – a delicious-sounding triple flavoured crême br?lée. ‘You have a daughter?’

For a moment Liz hesitated, but now wasn’t the time to bring up Julie. ‘Two,’ she said. ‘Tara, the oldest works in recruitment. She’s married and she and her husband are off to Paris for Easter.’

‘Half their luck. The other is the one I saw you with in the yacht club?’

‘Mandy. Yes. She has a personal training business. She… and her belongings… have just moved in with me,’ she said ruefully.

‘You don’t sound thrilled.’

‘I’m not.’ Liz suddenly felt guilty remembering Finn had moved in with his daughter and grandson, but there had been extenuating circumstances. ‘My apartment isn’t designed for someone like Mandy. She’s not the world’s tidiest person. But she hasn’t been there much. There’s a new boyfriend.’

‘Ah!’ He grinned, his lips turning up and his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Liz felt a flutter in the pit of her stomach at the sight of that grin and those storm-grey eyes. How could he have such an effect on her on such a short acquaintance? She’d heard about such things. Didn’t the French call it a coup de foudre ? It wasn’t exactly first sight, but it might as well have been. Liz had never thought it would happen to her, and certainly not at her age. How Mandy would crow if she knew.

‘You live with your daughter, too, don’t you?’ she said, trying to still the butterflies in her stomach at the thought of what it would feel like to kiss him, to have those lips pressing against hers.

‘Yes.’ He gazed into space. ‘I came to Pelican Crossing to support Adele and Sandy when Tim died. She took it hard… they both did.’ He pulled on one ear. ‘Some days she seems better, then on others it’s as if it only happened yesterday.’ He shook his head.

‘I’m sorry.’ Liz put a hand on his, then pulled it away, lest he think her too forward. She wanted to comfort him, to tell him she understood, but how could she? She didn’t. She had no idea what his family were going through. ‘You took a lot on,’ she said feeling sympathy for him.

‘Thanks. But there was no one else to step up.’

‘Your daughter’s mother?’ Was he widowed or divorced ?

‘Karen?’ Finn snorted. ‘She doesn’t care about anyone but herself. There was no way she was going to uproot her life to support our daughter.’

Divorced, then .

‘I’m sorry,’ Liz said again, wanting to do or say something to make him feel better, but feeling helpless.

‘It’s not your problem, and I think my being here is helping… both of them. I’m enjoying living in Pelican Crossing too.’ He grinned again, sending shivers through Liz. ‘I’m guessing you’re divorced too? You can probably understand the dilemma of an uncaring ex-spouse.’

‘I certainly can. Tommy… well, suffice it to say he wasn’t the most faithful of husbands. I’ve been on my own now for six years. I enjoy the freedom, though it sometimes gets lonely.’ As she spoke, Liz realised how lonely she did often feel, mostly on Saturday evenings the time when those who were one part of a couple had someone to spend it with. Why was she confiding this to Finn who she barely knew?

It was Finn’s turn to say, ‘I’m sorry.’

For a moment Liz considered touching his hand again. Then thought maybe he was thinking of reaching out and touching hers… But their desserts arrived, and the conversation moved on from personal revelations to Pelican Crossing and the feature Finn planned on Agnes and her pelican rescue centre.

After the meal, they wandered outside to lean against the wall surrounding the restaurant. It was too dark to be able to admire the view, only a few stars lighting up the night sky, but Liz could visualise what it was like in daylight. Although some way from the coast, she could imagine the ocean in the distance – the water the colour of Finn’s smiling eyes .

As if reading her mind, Finn said, ‘The view must be spectacular during the day. Next time, we should come for lunch.’

Liz shivered, a shiver that had nothing to do with the slight breeze. Next time. There was going to be a next time.

‘If you’re willing to risk seeing me again, of course.’

‘I think I could… risk it, I mean.’ She smiled, to see him smile too.

‘That’s a relief,’ he said. ‘I’ve really enjoyed this evening. It’s been a while… I’m out of practice with this dating thing. My daughter thinks…’ He coughed. ‘Sorry, you don’t want to hear what she thinks.’

‘I have daughters too,’ Liz laughed. ‘They always have an opinion as to what I should do.’

‘And…?’

‘I usually ignore them.’ Liz laughed again. She couldn’t believe how much she’d enjoyed the evening, how easy Finn had been to talk to, how similar their tastes in books and music were. It was uncanny, as if…

‘We should be getting back,’ Finn said, interrupting Liz’s train of thought and steering her towards the car, the touch of his firm hand on the small of her back sending a sudden shudder of desire down her spine.

When had she last felt like this? It was so long ago, Liz couldn’t remember. But she recognised the sensation. Did Finn feel it too… as if they were being drawn together by some unseen thread?

Once in the car, the only indication of Finn’s feelings was the way he smiled at her before starting the engine. They didn’t speak much on the drive back to Pelican Crossing, Liz busy with her thoughts, and Finn clearly concentrating on the road as a sudden burst of rain began to beat on the windscreen, taking all of his attention.

All too soon for Liz, they pulled up outside her apartment block. ‘Thanks for a lovely evening,’ she said.

‘My pleasure.’

They sat looking at each other.

‘I should go in.’

‘Yes.’

Neither moved.

‘Would it be presumptuous of me to…’

Liz held her breath, her heart pounding as Finn leant across. Their lips met, and parted, and met again .

Her thoughts in a whirl, too stunned to speak, Liz pulled away, jumped out of the car and ran through the rain to her apartment building, only vaguely conscious of Finn promising to call her.