Breakfast at Martin’s

BREAKFAST AT MARTIN’S

Ribbons of gold and pink decorated the early morning sky. Christie climbed the narrow path from the beach winding up the cliff to Martin’s house.

At the top, she stopped to watch the sunrise. A sleek, modern yacht glided through calm water, sails full as it passed the cliff.

How wonderful

.

A cold, wet nose prodded her bare leg and she laughed. “Morning, Randall.” Christie patted the golden retriever. Hand on his head, scratching the soft fur, her eyes returned to the sea.

“Daydreaming?”

Christie leaned back until she stopped against Martin’s rock-hard chest. He wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder to see what had her interest.

“Nice. But how can a girl who is afraid of the water love boats so much?”

“Excellent question and one I have no answer for. Did you know I learned to sail in California?”

Martin chuckled. “Do you mean, learned to drink champagne without falling overboard?”

“Funny. But I did. I can actually manage a fifty-footer with a bit of help.”

There was a long silence, then Martin kissed her neck. She turned to face him, sliding her arms around his neck. When Martin’s lips met hers, Christie forgot where she was as her body moulded to his and the world stopped turning. Like it did every time he kissed her.

Randall whined and reluctantly Martin lifted his head. “Your bowl is full, dog.” He pointed at the deck and Randall took off at a run. “Where was I?”

“Offering me breakfast.”

He traced her lips with his finger. Eyes wide, she waited for another kiss. Instead, taking her hand, Martin turned to the house.

As they went up the steps, Randall came down, licking his lips and wagging his tail. He trotted off around the corner, happy with himself.

“Food, sleep and play. Really all he needs.” Christie said.

“And you. He loves you.”

“Well, he loves just about everyone.”

“So, have you eaten?” Martin ushered Christie through the perpetually open sliding door.

“I’m hungry.”

“Just as well I have food, then.”

“Shall I help?” Christie dropped onto a stool beside the kitchen counter.

Martin shook his head as he started the coffee machine. Christie leaned her arms on the counter to watch him. Only a few months ago, he’d made her breakfast when she’d arrived in his kitchen starving and with no food at home. Frustrated at her apparent inability to eat properly, he had cooked the best eggs ever.

Their brief harmony disappeared moments later when Martin had noticed Christie was wearing her great aunt Martha’s engagement ring. Back then, he believed their families would always be at odds. He told her to leave Rivers End. To return to her fiancé. Heartbroken, she had.

“Why so serious?” Martin placed a cup of steaming coffee in front of Christie and sat beside her.

“Oh, thanks.” For a moment she stared at him, then picked up the cup and inhaled. “Yum.”

“Christie?”

“Nothing. Just remembering those eggs you made that time.”

He took her left hand. There was no ring now. Not Martha’s – nor Derek’s. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“How is it you can always read my thoughts?” She shook her head. “But no, the past should stay in the past.”

“Is this some new mantra? I shall not delve into the past, no matter how intriguing the outcome.”

Christie still had mixed feelings about the chain of events started by her grandmother’s death last year. The cottage full of secrets with Christie right in the middle of it. “Anyway, I did drop by for a reason.”

“I’ll close the door.”

Tiny tingles of anticipation rushed through Christie and it was all she could do to stay on topic. “Not that reason. Sorry.”

Martin half-smiled. “Drink your coffee. I’ll start breakfast in a moment.”

She obeyed with a long sip, glancing at him over the rim. His eyes radiated amusement and something else. The love that she still couldn’t believe he felt for her. She put the cup down. “Um, so I had a call today from Ashley.”

“Your old neighbour?”

“Yes, I can’t wait until you meet him, and Ray. So, Ashley has a job for me; someone pulled out at the last moment.”

“In Melbourne?”

“Yes, at Docklands Studios. Just a TV commercial so a few days, I expect. He said I can stay with them if I want.” She unconsciously laced her fingers together.

Martin cupped her hands in his. “A hotel would be better.”

“I don’t even know if he still lives there.” Christie stared down at Martin’s strong hands.

“Book into a hotel, Christie.”

“I don’t want to live my life worrying about where Derek is and if I might run into him.”

“Please, look at me.” Martin’s tone was mild but she raised her eyes to meet his. “Unless you want me to come with you, book a hotel.”

Relief swept through Christie. She nodded.

“When are you leaving?” Martin picked up both cups and returned to the kitchen.

“This afternoon. Depends on how quickly I can get hold of Barry Parks.”

“Barry?”

“Well, with renovations starting, I need to arrange a key for him and run through the details again. He won’t be able to ring me during the day, which is a problem.”

“No problem really. I know what you want so he can phone me. Leave me a key and I’ll get him and his crew in and out each day. Okay?”

“But you hate the cottage!”

“I don’t. With you living there, how could I hate it?”

Randall raced along the beach after a sky-borne Frisbee, toward the stone steps leading up to the graveyard. In shorts and sunglasses, Martin wandered behind him.

As he closed in on the toy, Randall abruptly stopped, his attention on the road above. The Frisbee thudded onto the sand. Tail raised, Randall listened to something only he could hear. He wagged his tail then dropped it, disappointed.

“She’ll be back soon, mate.” Martin stopped beside his dog, guessing he’d heard the Lotus leaving Rivers End. He gazed to the top of the cliff.

As long as Christie did as he’d asked and stayed clear of Derek, then no harm would befall her. And she was every bit as determined to avoid the man as ever so why, why was his heart racing and why were his hands clenched?

Randall nudged Martin’s leg. With a deep sigh, Martin released the tension in his shoulders and patted the dog.

Trust her judgement

.

He turned back toward his own home, high on the opposite cliff. When she returned, they could begin to plan their future.