Secrets in Pelican Crossing (Pelican Crossing #2)

Seventeen

Liz had a spring in her step as she left Finn and Sandy and headed to where she’d left her car, glad she’d made the trip to Main Street to buy a few last-minute items for dinner.

As soon as she got back into her apartment the previous evening, she’d berated herself for acting like a fool, like a prim miss who’d never been kissed before. It had been the perfect ending to a perfect evening… and she’d spoiled it.

The kiss had taken her by surprise. Not the kiss itself. She’d wanted… expected it. It was her reaction to it, to his lips on hers; the wave of emotion which swept through her was unlike anything she’d experienced before. It scared her. That was what made her jump out of the car and run through the rain.

She’d made up her mind she’d never hear from Finn again. What man would want to pursue a woman who ran away at the first sign of affection? But it had been more than affection. It had been a kiss which promised the world, a world which she hadn’t known since she was eighteen and in the throes of her first love… if even then.

Now, she was going to have a second chance and she promised herself she wouldn’t ruin it this time.

But in the meantime, there was dinner to prepare, the Easter dinner for her family. Tara and Mark would be there, along with Mandy who had asked if she could invite Gary. Liz had been delighted to agree, hoping Mandy might finally have found a relationship which would last .

Liz enjoyed cooking. She hummed to herself as she prepared the large piece of salmon she’d purchased at the market and set it to steam slowly in a bath of white wine and herbs, then prepared a variety of salads to accompany it. Maybe next year, they’d be joined by Julie and Tilly, or was that too much to hope for?

The salads done and waiting in the fridge, Liz set the table, positioning the Easter gifts for the girls lovingly at their places – two small owls she’d purchased at The Mousehole only moments before she’d bumped into Finn and his grandson. Now they were older, she’d dispensed with chocolate eggs but still liked to give them something to mark the occasion. For a few moments her thoughts took her back in time to the years when they were small, when she and Tommy had hidden the Easter eggs in the garden and watched with delight as Tara and Mandy searched for them, each trying to collect more than the other. She sighed, wishing yet again she had grandchildren with whom she could repeat the process. At fourteen, Tilly would have outgrown that too, but maybe not the chocolate eggs. She made a mental note to buy one for her on her next shopping expedition and perhaps to make another visit to The Mousehole too, to find something for Julie.

Everything was ready. Liz poured herself a glass of wine as she waited for her family to arrive. She had hoped Mandy might have been there to help, but the girl was spending more and more time with Gary, making Liz feel her apartment was only a dumping ground for her daughter’s belongings.

At last, there was the sound of voices and a loud knock at the door. Everyone arrived at once and there was a flurry of hugs and kisses. Tara presented Liz with a bunch of flowers, while Mandy handed her a box of chocolates with the instruction not to eat them all at once, and the two men stood around looking awkward.

They were halfway through the meal when Tara asked, ‘What gives with Finn Hunter, Mum?’

Liz bit her lip and looked down at her plate. She’d forgotten both of her daughters knew about her dinner date.

‘At least he must have been an improvement on those you met on the internet,’ Mandy said. ‘Sorry, Mum, but at least you tried.’

‘We had a nice dinner at Addisons ,’ Liz said, blushing to remember how it had ended .

‘ Addisons ? Very upmarket,’ Mark said.

‘You should take me there,’ Tara said, glancing at her husband. ‘I’ve heard the food’s something special.’ She looked back at Liz. ‘Is that all you have to say?’

‘Are you going to see him again?’ Mandy asked.

‘I may do.’ Liz felt uncomfortable with this interrogation. She wanted to keep her relationship, if it could be called that on the basis of two dates, private, not something to be bandied about over the dinner table, even by her daughters, especially by her daughers.

But Mandy wasn’t finished. ‘I think he’d be good for you, Mum. He’s the right age, single, been married…’

‘That’s enough, Mandy. You make it sound like an ad for a partner. I’m not in the market for another husband, and even if I was…’ Her voice trailed off at the realisation Finn was exactly the man she’d choose.

‘Leave it, Mandy. It’s your mum’s life.’

Liz looked across the table at her son-in-law. It was unlike him to comment like this. But she was grateful for his timely intervention. She nodded her thanks.

‘You must be looking forward to Paris, Tara,’ Liz said, eager to change the topic, and for the rest of the meal the conversation consisted of Tara listing all the places she and Mark intended to visit.

Liz was glad no one asked about her Easter plans. She remembered when Mandy had asked her earlier, what her reply had been. Now she buzzed with excitement at the prospect of meeting Julie – and perhaps Tilly – and seeing Finn again. A lot could happen in the next two weeks while both Tara and Mandy were gone.

*

Liz had felt a little teary as she hugged everyone goodbye the previous evening. Even Gary had surprised her with a hug. Tara and Mark were due to fly out in a few days’ time, though Mandy wouldn’t be leaving till Thursday and would be popping in several times before then.

Liz couldn’t suppress her excitement at the prospect of seeing Finn again. He’d mentioned a picnic, so she dressed in a pair of jeans and a white top, threw a blue shirt around her shoulders and pulled on a pair of comfortable canvas shoes. Finn had said he’d provide all the food and drink, so there was nothing else for her to do. One final glance in the mirror and she was ready just as she heard him knock on the door, sending the butterflies in her stomach into freefall.

‘Hi!’ Liz said as she opened the door, suddenly feeling shy.

‘Hi! You’re looking lovely.’

‘Thanks.’ Liz blushed. It was a long time since anyone had called her lovely. It made her feel… cherished.

‘Shall we go?’

‘I’m ready.’ Liz picked up her bag and a wide-brimmed hat.

‘Where are we going?’ she asked when they were in his car.

‘Surprise.’ He grinned, his face creasing into the wrinkles she remembered. He really was a good-looking man. Not regular good looks with his thatch of prematurely white hair and the nose which looked as if it might have been broken at one time, but a rugged good looks which Liz decided she liked better, and gorgeous grey eyes which made her think of the ocean on a stormy day.

They drove across town to where the River Boodalang entered the ocean, then along the side of the river till they came to a quiet spot where a barbecue area had been set up beside two tables. It was deserted.

‘I didn’t know this was here,’ Liz said looking around and seeing a pair of pelicans alight on the water, seemingly attracted by their presence.

‘Not many people do,’ Finn replied. ‘I discovered it soon after I arrived in Pelican Crossing. It’s close to where old Agnes has her pelican rescue centre. It appears the council built this spot, then forgot about it, as did everyone else.’

‘It’s lovely,’ Liz said. ‘So close to the ocean yet secluded. It’s like a secret retreat.’

‘Exactly. I hoped you’d like it.’ Finn began to unload an esky from the car, while Liz wandered over to the edge of the river to watch the antics of the pelicans. They were such elegant creatures. She took out her phone and tried to take a photo, but it was impossible to capture them accurately. She was no Martin Cooper. She gave up in frustration.

‘Can I help?’ she asked, seeing Finn open the esky and start to unpack it .

‘You could open the salads – I’m afraid they’re pre-packed ones from the supermarket – while I organise the barbecue. I hope you like steak.’

‘Yum.’ Liz loved barbecued steak. It always reminded her of growing up in the bush, of her dad lighting up the barbecue on Saturday evenings, of happy family dinners, before they had been forced to move.

Finn poured two glasses of wine while Liz unpacked the salads. There was a tub of Greek salad and one of what appeared to be potato, egg and bacon. Both looked delicious, making Liz wonder why she bothered making her own.

When they began to eat, the two pelicans stepped out of the water and waddled closer. Seen this close, the birds, which didn’t show any fear, were larger than Liz had anticipated, with their enormous pink bills and the yellow rim around their eyes. They seemed to be hoping for food, and when none was forthcoming, they waddled back to the river.

The steak was done to perfection. The salads complemented it perfectly. And the company couldn’t have been better. It was as if Liz had known Finn for much longer as they chatted about their lives and shared family anecdotes. She liked the way he had moved in to help his daughter and was tempted to tell him about Julie. But it was too soon. What if their meeting didn’t work out? It was best to wait.

They were beginning to pack up when the sky darkened and suddenly the heavens opened to a torrent of rain, much heavier than the one which had fallen on their previous date. It was one of those sudden storms Queensland was renowned for. It seemed their dates were fated to attract the rain. By the time they’d packed the car and were safely inside, both Liz and Finn were soaked to the skin, and laughing. His hair was plastered to his skull, his shirt sticking to his skin showing off a muscular body. Liz was sure she looked much the same. By the time they reached her apartment block, the steam was rising from their clothes with the heat in the car.

‘Why don’t you come in and have a hot shower?’ she said, without thinking. ‘You should get out of these wet clothes. I can pop them in the drier before you go home.’

Now she was blushing at her words, at the images those words conjured up .

Finn didn’t immediately reply, and she wondered if this time, it was she who was being too presumptuous. Then he gave the lazy grin with which she was becoming familiar and said, ‘Good idea.’

Leaving the esky with the remains of their lunch in the car, they both jumped out and, holding hands, raced for the doorway to the apartment block, each giving a sigh of relief when they were inside.

Liz and Finn stared at each other, the water from their clothes dripping down to form puddles on the tiled floor. She smiled and pointed to the bathroom, then made her way to her bedroom and the ensuite.

Standing under a hot shower, Liz tried to figure out what she was feeling. It was crazy. She barely knew Finn, but her body was telling her a different story. It was telling her this was a man she could care for, desire, maybe even love. As she turned off the shower and wrapped herself in a soft white towel, she remembered her clean clothes sitting in the laundry; she’d been too lazy to put them away before she went out. She stepped over the ones she had taken off which were lying in a wet puddle on the floor of the ensuite. Maybe she could make it to the laundry and fetch her clean clothes while Finn was still in the shower.

Peering out to make sure the coast was clear, Liz was tiptoeing along past the bathroom when the door opened and she was confronted by the half-naked figure of Finn. Instead of hurrying by, she stopped in her tracks, stunned by the perfection of his ripped body.

Tossing his still wet hair out of his eyes, Finn returned her gaze as if unable to believe Liz was standing there and there were only their towels between them.

It was as if time stood still. Finn reached one hand to stroke Liz’s face, holding firmly to his towel with the other.

She felt an unexpected stirring at the base of her stomach as his fingers traced down her cheek… to her mouth… and around her lips.

‘Liz,’ he murmured as he moved closer to place his lips on hers. This was not the brief, tentative encounter of Friday evening. This was a deliberate and sensual kiss which deepened as he discovered it was returned. Liz felt as if she was floating on air. The thrill of Finn’s lips on hers made her realise she was aroused as she hadn’t been since the early days with Tommy, aroused as she had thought never to be again. She felt herself sink into his embrace, his arms reached around her and both towels fell to the ground unnoticed .

As they sank to the floor, it was Finn who stopped, removed his lips and, keeping hold of Liz’s welcoming body spoke. ‘Your bedroom,’ he said hoarsely. Unable to speak, Liz indicated her room with one hand, and picking her up lightly, Finn carried her to the bed.

It was too soon, much too soon… but it felt so right.