Spitfire (Puffin Cove) (23 page)

The walls were painted, the new receptacles installed and tested, and the floors gleamed with new life
. The chimney sweep came and gave her fireplace a clean bill of health. She and Kane made love on a thick quilt in front of a low fire, the windows open to the sound of the crashing surf below. She couldn't imagine being any happier.

She spent a day rubbing tung oil into the old sideboard and coffee table that were left with the house, trying to keep out of the way of the installers who were fitting the new cabinets and countertop
. When they were done, she opened and closed every cupboard and drawer, running her hands over warm rich maple and cool, smooth granite. It had been a huge expense, but so worth it. The results were spectacular. But all those empty cupboards made her aware that she had a lot of shopping to do. And oh, how she loathed shopping.

Kane
's open pine staircase was installed, and she embarrassed herself by bursting into tears, flapping her hands in a futile effort to stop acting like such a spaz.

"
Darlin'. What? Ye don't like it?"

"
It's the most beautiful thing…the most special thing anyone's ever done for me. Oh, Kane. You really are gifted. In so many ways. Thank you, my love."

She watched, fascinated, as a blush ruddied his cheeks. He took her face in his hands, brushing her tears away with the pads of his thumbs
. "No thanks needed, Spitfire. 'Twas more than a pleasure fer me t' do it fer ye."

He tears halted as quickly as they'd come, and she basked in the warmth of his flashing blue eyes.

He helped her finish sweeping up the last of the debris from the staircase installation, and asked, "Do ye still like auctions, Laura?"

"
Oh! I haven't been to one in years! Is there one?" He grinned and nodded. "I'd love it! Then I could get some things for the house. I hate shopping, but auctions are a whole horse of a different colour!"

He
smiled that beautiful, dimpled, crooked toothed smile at her, and they made plans for an auction on the weekend down in St. John's.

He picked her up from
Jill's early on Saturday morning, driving his old pick-up. Laura liked the speedy little BMW, but she loved this old truck. It was cantankerous and quaint and perfect. They stopped at the Bluebird in town for breakfast.

"
Why I ain't seen hide ner hair o' either o' you in weeks!" exclaimed Arlene as she filled two thick mugs with fragrant coffee. "Hear you bin runnin' yerself ragged fixin' up the old Archer place."

"
Mm-hm," Laura mumbled around buttered toast. "You'll have to come out when I have my first kitchen party, Arlene. I'm hoping my boys will be here to visit in mid-August. I'll let you know when it is."

"
Dontchew worry, I'll be hearin' bout it, b'y. Yer doins is the talk o' the town, dontcha know."

Laura
and Kane chuckled at the truth of it. They knew that the whole town knew that they were seeing each other. And that was okay with them.

They got to the auction early, and staked out a seat
. They walked around and Laura made notes on her card. She wrote down lot numbers, her estimation of how much she would pay for each item, earmarking kitchen wares and quilts, exclaiming to Kane now and again about this or that. And then she saw it.

She didn
't care how much it went for, it was going to be hers. A birds-eye maple bed, with exquisitely carved head and footboards was propped nonchalantly against a wall behind chairs and benches and boxes. And from what she could see, it was almost pristine. She gripped Kane's hand, communicating her excitement. She wasn't a seasoned auction-goer, but she knew enough not to show her enthusiasm outrightly. Kane bugged his eyes out comically at her, and she giggled. Geez, she forgot how exciting auctions could be. And now, with Kane, who seemed as happy to be there as she was, it was just perfect.

The auctioneer was banging his gavel, and they took their seats
. Laura squirmed as they sat through box lots of books and tools, glassware and paintings. She bid on and won an antique quilt, and a walnut smoking stand. She bought a full set of old china, and an enormous box lot of silverware and kitchen utensils.

Kane got up after a time, then came back bearing a newspaper cone full of flakey fish and salt-and-vinegar d
oused chips, and a tall, frosty cola with two straws. They sat there like idiots and fed each other. She caught the eyes of more than a few people scattered around the room watching them with varying expressions of amusement and affection. And she thought it was so damned cute that he shared in her dorkiness.

An old pine harvest table came up, and she got the high bid
. She bought an assortment of old wooden chairs, some needing refinishing, and some in good shape. And then her bed came up. She waited out the other bidders, clenching her teeth, and digging half-moons into Kane's palm with her fingernails. In the end, she got it for less than she would have been willing to pay if she had been in her right mind.

They managed to
wrestle everything into the truck, and Laura asked Kane if he would mind stopping at a bedding store on their way home so she could order and have delivered a mattress set and sheets for the new bed, and a complete set for the spare room as well.

"
I'd rather not," he told her.

"
Oh, please Kane. I can't wait to get it set up, and as soon as I do I'm moving in and I can get out of Jill's hair. I won't be able to
stand
having that bed in my house and not being able to sleep in…"

He was chuckling
. "I'm just pullin' yer leg, Spitfire. I'd do anything' fer ye. Ye know that, don't ye?"

She snuggled up under his arm as he drove the old truck one-handed
. Lord but he smelled good. And felt good. And was good.

"
You're so good to me, my love. I'd do anything for you, too. You only ever have to ask."

He gave her shoulder a squeeze and kept on driving
, with a soft smile playing on his lips.

They got the truck unloaded and he asked her to come back to the farm with him
. She nodded gladly, not wanting this day with him to end. The truck trundled down the rocky laneway, jostling them into and away from each other with each dip and bump. She did so love this truck. All the modern cars and trucks had those annoyingly safe separate seats, but ones like this old doll let two bodies sit close together if they so desired, and these two definitely did.

They rounded the barn and pulled up by the house, the warm summer breeze bringing the smells of pine and cedar, hay and manure
. And the sounds of birdsong and cows, chickens and bleating sheep. Sheep?

Sheep!

"Kane! There are sheep in your pasture! Kaaaane! What have you done?"

"
M'lady wants sheep, she gets sheep."

"
Oh, my God! I don't believe this."

She cast an excited glance to Kane, vaulted from the truck, and ran to the fence
, gripping the split rails with white knuckles and dancing on the spot in her scuffed up boots. Stanley was having a heyday, herding the sheep hither and yon. The fluffy white creatures alternated between casual chewing and darting away from the excited shepherd. They bleated and baa'd and Laura startled them with her delighted laugh.

She ran back to Kane and threw her arms around him
. She rained kisses all over his face, then cupped her hands on his cheeks and pressed a soft, lingering one on his lips.

"
You are something else, Kane Downey. What did I ever do to deserve a man like you?"

He dipped his face down, and rubbed the tip of her nose with the tip of his
. "Near as I can figure, ye were born deservin' me, Laura Spencer."

"
Ohh," she breathed out, and a warm gush of pure love just slid through her belly and spread up, swirling and cocooning around her heart.

Wordlessly, she took his hand and led him into the house, right past the kitchen, right
up the stairs, and right to his bedroom. She pushed him down to sitting on the side of the bed, and pulled his t-shirt up and off. His eyes glowed with merriment, lust, and something she couldn't define. She unbuttoned his jeans, and he lifted his hips so she could pull jeans and boxers in one tug down his long legs. She had a moment of struggle getting his boots off, then he was magnificently naked and waiting for her.

She peeled off her shirt, and unhooked her bra, letting it slide down her arms in a silent strip-tease
. She unbuttoned the waistband of her jeans, sliding the zipper down tooth by tooth. His chest rose and fell more deeply as he watched with hot, hooded eyes, while she kicked off the jeans along with her boots, then shimmied her panties down her trembling legs.

A groan rumbled from his throat, and he murmured huskily, "God, baby
. Ye're so beautiful."

Her breath caught with the power of his voice rolling through her, and she closed her eyes
for a second, savouring, committing another precious moment to memory. She crawled on to him, pushing him back onto the bed, and straddled him. Poised over him, she let his sex slip back and forth against hers in long, fluid strokes, then took him inside, a fraction at a time, glorying in the darkening of his irises, the quickening of his breaths, the full, stretched feeling as she took him in farther.

She filled herself with him, dipping and rising, conveying to him all the love that she couldn
't put into words. She felt his hands run slowly, deliciously from her hips up her belly, to cup her breasts and roll his thumbs and fingers over her tautened nipples. Her fingers sought his rounded pecs and pebbled nipples, and she unconsciously echoed and guided the motions of his hands on her. She arched and swayed, circled and climbed, and dipped low for a long, heartbreakingly sweet kiss.

His hands
slid around her ribs, roamed her back, then settled on her bottom, lightly at first, then more insistently, until he gripped the globes tight, thrusting up to meet her, quickening her pace.

"
Kane, ohh, Kane," she moaned, her muscles tightening around him, gripping him, sucking him deeper into her, dragging him up with her, up, until she crashed at the peak, crying out, gushing and spasming over and over again on his rigid sex. He thrust up one last time, shaking, groaning, then falling back with her to the soft bed, holding her tight to him to float in the sweet afterglow.

Deep in the night, when she lay slumbering on his chest, he sifted his fingers through her soft curls. "I love ye, Laura. I always will."

Chapter Seventeen

To:
Kyle Patterson; Kevin Patterson

From:
Laura Spencer

Subject:
When are ya comin???

The house is all ready for you
! I still have a deck to build, but maybe if you guys can stay a little longer you can help me! Just kidding. It'll all be fun and mom's cooking for you when you're here. I can't wait for you to see it. Let me know the best date for you both and I'll book your tickets. Oh, I can't wait to see you both! I miss you guys so much!!!!!

Love,
Mom

To: Laura Spencer

From:
Kyle Patterson

Subject: Re: When are ya comin???

Hi, Mom

How does August 17th sound
? I'll be finished my work term, and Kevin can probably manage to get his last golf game in by then. Let me know. Can't wait to see you too.

Love
, Kyle 

She dressed her bedroom with her beautiful new bed and the antique quilt. She had laundered everything and hung the bedding out on her clothesline in the sea breeze, watching the flapping, thrilled that it was hers.

Of everything she
had ever seen in books, on television, or in person that had charmed her about Newfoundland, laundry blowing on the line in the ocean breeze was her favourite. And here, in her yard, beside her house by the sea, was her clothesline.

When they had dried in the sun, she colle
cted them, bringing the soft cotton to press to her face, hauling in lungfuls of the fresh, sweet smell. Even later that night, after she made love with Kane in her new bed, she fell asleep with the scents of their love, his skin, and the sun-dried sheets nestling into her heart.

She worked like a bandit after that
. She spent four solid days scraping and painting the siding a warm, creamy yellow. Next was the trim. Pure white framed the windows and doors, and she painted the front and back doors a bright cranberry red. She left the shutters white. She had thought about painting them a whimsical blue, but in the end opted for simple. This time.

She could repaint the next year, and the year after that
. As often and in as many colours as her heart desired. She hung fixtures and arranged furniture, got her dining chairs stripped and refinished, and worked herself to exhaustion every night.

She invited
Jill and Shannon, George and Moira, and Kane for supper. The six of them sat at her new old table, on her new old chairs, and ate a roast beef dinner with all the trimmings on her new old dishes. Even the oven had co-operated and did a fine job with the roast and her spiced apple cake.

"
That was some shockin' good boil up, Laura." George stretched back in his chair and rubbed his belly. "Thank you for inviting us. And the house looks wonderful, better than I ever remembered it. You've done a good job, my girl. I'm that proud of you."

Tears sprang to
Laura's eyes and she waved a hand in front of her face. "Oh, George. Thanks so much. It never would have happened if it wasn't for you. And you both are always welcome here."

"
Ye're an old dog fer the hard road, b'y." Jill winked at Laura, and she laughed at the girl's exaggerated newfie slang. "I can't believe you did all this so quickly. You sure don't let the grass grow, do ya? And Kane, those stairs are beautiful!"

Kane quirked one side of his mouth, and winked at
Laura. Her sex spasmed, and she had to squirm a little in her chair. God. Could she not keep it under control for one blessed day?

"
They really are, aren't they?" Laura said, and hoped that the heat in her face didn't show. "They're the jewel in the crown of the whole house." She put a hand on Kane's leg and gave him a squeeze. His arm over her shoulder tightened in a one-armed hug.

"'
Twas a pleasure, t' be sure. I'm glad t' have been able t' do it fer Laura."

They sat by the cold fireplace, the evening too warm for a fire, looking out over the sea
. The lilt of the music of the land, the echo of the crashing waves, and the call of the gulls drifted through the windows. Laura felt so blessed to have this new family.

And she had her boys coming in just a few weeks
. Squee!

"
I'd like to have a party when the boys are here. Do you think you all would be able to put the word out? That do' out at Mr. and Mrs. Blood's was so much fun. I'd love to have the same thing here."

"
Lord tunderin' girl, you sure you want all them people here?" Moira asked her. "Cause if you do, I'd be happy to help," she continued quickly. "We could throw open the doors, and have a bonfire by the sea, and I'd better see if my great-nieces can come. Those boys of yours'll need some candy to look at while they're here. And George, you'll have to arrange for a johnny-on-the-spot. Laura's one bathroom won't be enough. And…"

"
Woman! Let the girl plan her own party, for pity's sake."

"
Oh, no! That's wonderful. Plan all you want, Moira. The more the merrier too. I was thinking the Friday or Saturday after they get here. They're coming on the seventeenth. Oh, my gosh! I can't wait! I've missed them so much." The dratted tears threatened again, and she smiled a bit too brightly.

Jill
narrowed her eyes, and Laura glanced quickly away. She was getting a bit emotional the last few weeks, and she didn't want Jill worrying over her. It was just all the exhaustion from the renovations, and the excitement of her boys coming. And the knowledge that she had found the love of her life, but he couldn't be hers.

"
Are we still on for the festival next week?" Jill reminded them. "I got my dancin' shoes all polished up!"

"
Aye, I believe we are. Ye still wantin' t' go, Spitfire?"

"
Definitely. I'm so excited to see the live bands. And my favourite one is playing. And the street full of people and all the buskers...it's going to be so much fun!"

"
Me too, Momma! I wanna go dancin' an' see the vans."

"
Not this time, me ducky. It's just for grown-ups." Jill softened the refusal by snuggling her daughter on her lap and kissing the top of her head.

"
Aw, nuts." Shannon pushed out her bottom lip and crossed her hands over her little chest.

"
Shannon, you got more lip than a rubber boot," she said affectionately.

"
How bout we have a dance right here, Shannybanany?" Kane turned up the music and plucked Shannon from Jill's lap, dancing the little girl around on his arm. Laura watched them jig, loving Kane even more for his consideration and perception of the child's feelings. God, these last few weeks had been so wonderful with him, she had conveniently avoided thinking about his love for Shannon...and Claire. How could she keep him? Keep him from being able to have this in his life?

"Come dance!
" Shannon called from her perch, now on Kane's feet. Jill blew her a kiss, and waved. Moira chuckled, and jabbed George in the ribs with a soft elbow.

"Well, how 'bout it, old man
? Care to turn me once around the bay?" George gamely pulled Moira from her chair, and they danced around the furniture too.

Jill
and Laura sat watching the happy dancers.

"
The house really is wonderful, girl. Are you happy?" Jill reached over and squeezed Laura's knee.

"
Oh, so much. It couldn't be better."

"
But are you
happy
?"

"
Yes, of course. I just said so, didn't I? What are you getting at?"

"
Come on. It's me. I see things. You look like the bottom's fallin' outta ya." Laura looked askance at her. "Something's bugging you." Jill drawled slowly with bugged out eyes, translating for the Newfanese impaired.

Laura
laughed at Jill, then sobered, watching Kane. Quietly, she murmured, "Oh, Jill. He's so good with her. He should have babies. He'd be a wonderful father. He
was
a wonderful father. He should have that again. And I love him so much."

Her
tears welled up again.
Dammit!

"
Have you talked to him about it yet? This's been weighing on your mind for a long time. You're gonna have to get it off your chest."

"
I can't. I don't know what his feelings are toward me. Maybe he's just enjoying his time with me and when he finds
the one
he'll let me go. So if I bring it up, I'll just look like an idiot. And if he thinks he's in love with me, he'll just brush it off and say he doesn't want more children. So, I can't."

"
Do you want me to talk to him?"

"
God, no! Honey, I know you mean well, but -"

"
Momma, I's all in."

Kane settled
Shannon on Jill's lap and she snuggled up. Chuckling, Jill rose from her chair, kissing Laura on the cheek.

"
Tanks fer the grub, me girl. Guess I should get this one home to bed." Jill angled Laura a look that promised that this conversation was not over.

"
And we should be gettin' on, too, deary. Thanks again for the lovely evening. And don't you be a stranger." Moira gave Laura a hug, and George kissed her cheek. Kane and Laura walked them to the door and bid them good-bye.

They did the dishes together,
and Laura wondered what she was going to do. She kept avoiding Kane's questioning eyes. She knew she was being unusually quiet and subdued. There they stood, hip to hip, washing and drying like a happy couple. Could it be so? Could she let this continue to grow and mature, ripening and deepening for the rest of their lives? Did he want it too? And where did children factor in to it? Oh, she just didn't know. And didn't know how to find out without screwing things up.

And she was
just so bloody
tired
. She had pushed so hard to get the house ready. She just needed some rest.

"
Alright, Spitfire?"

She smiled and rested her head on his shoulder
. "Just tired, my love. It's been a busy month. I think I need some R and R."

"
Aye, ye've been busier than a dog with two dicks."

She busted out laughing
. He always knew how to tweak her out of a sad. "I've got the lumber coming for the porch tomorrow, but I think I'm going to leave it 'til after the festival. I'd like to have it done before the boys get here though. Should only take a few days."

"
So take yer R and R 'til then. Relax and enjoy yer new digs. After the festival I'll help ye build yer deck."

Kane took the dish cloth out of her hand and led his Spitfire up to bed. He removed her clothes and laid her face down in the soft sheets. He caressed her back and kneaded her tight shoulders, resisting the lure of the soft mews coming from her throat.

He rubbed and massaged, easing her aching muscles, working his way from the tip of her nose to the tip of her toes
. He slowly caressed his way back up to her face, kissed her sleeping lips, and tucked the covers around her. He left her new orange cat curled up on the end of her bed, and her rodent guard dog napping in a basket.

He let himself out.

***

Laura
rolled over and opened an eye to the meagre sun washing through the windows, disoriented. She lifted her head off the pillow, bleary eyed, searching for Kane. He wasn't there. No warmth on his side of the bed. No depression from his head on the pillow. He went home last night.

Well, shit
.

She wandered the house, tidying and tweaking
. Loving her new home, missing him in it. She fired up her new coffee maker and had a shower while it was brewing. She sat at the window, looking at the summer storm gathering over the ocean, nibbling toast and sipping her coffee.

Lola
yipped to go out, and she hooked her to the long line she had tied out for her. The orange barn cat Kane had brought her wound around her legs and purred. She was lovely, and Laura hadn't seen a mouse since she had come to live with her. She slipped outside when Lola came in. Laura was seriously pleased that the cat was as happy to be outside as in. She hated the idea of having to provide, and empty, a litter box. She wondered how lucky she would be when the winter winds blew.

She was so content, so happy with how everything had turned out, but then a cold lick of fear snaked down her spine
. It couldn't possibly last, all this happiness. She ran her hand along one of the stair steps, thinking of Kane's hands running the same tread. She wandered back to her seat by the window, staring out, thinking of everything, and nothing.

She didn
't know how long she had been sitting when her cell phone rang. Hopping up, she ran to pluck it from the charger on the kitchen counter, again feeling that teenage angst. It could be him!