Tea & Comfort (Madrona Island Series Book 2), page 10
He patted the section of the deep purple couch next to him. He looked up at her with his translucent grey eyes, rimmed with long dark lashes, a devastatingly handsome combination that left her lightheaded. She felt like a schoolgirl with her first crush as she sat a few feet away from him.
Luke frowned. “So far away?” He reached out his arm and she scooted to snuggle against his body. “I’ve arranged a special surprise for dinner,” he said. “I hope you like it.”
“Are you going to tell me first?”
Luke stroked her hair. “I didn’t want to tax you your first night home, so I had Chef Ryan cater a dinner for two to go. I thought we’d go to my house, sit by the fire, and have a quiet dinner at home.”
He looked like a little boy hoping for approval. “That sounds perfect,” Kyla said. And she meant it. She’d not been looking forward to crowds, noise, or having to socialize.
Luke helped her into her coat. “It’s getting chilly, so bundle up.”
They drove the five miles on wooded roads to his winery. He turned down a small drive and pulled in front of a log house. Against the evening sky, the house was lit up by tiny white lights that were nestled in the trees and bordered the stone path to the front door. A warm glow radiated out of the large peaked windows.
“It looks like something out of a fairytale,” she said.
“I’m so glad you like it,” he said.
He walked around and opened her car door for her, then offered his hand. Together they walked up the path and into the house. The living room had a two-story, open ceiling with skylights on both sides. A wooden staircase spiraled upstairs to a loft bedroom and beyond.
“Did this home come with the winery?” she asked.
“It was included, but I did a little redecorating before I moved in.”
Kyla walked through the main room into an open country kitchen, complete with an old wood butcher block. Assorted pans hung from a stainless steel rack above a tiled island right in the center of the space. They walked through the kitchen to a dining table set with wine glasses that glimmered in candlelight.
“Shall we?” Luke pulled a chair out for her.
“Will the food magically appear?”
Just at that moment, there was a knock at the front door. “Delivery,” Jude yelled.
Kyla looked at Luke. “I texted them when we arrived,” he said with a grin.
Jude walked in with one of her waiters carrying a box of food and laid it on the kitchen counter. The waiter pulled ceramic plates out of the box, removed their aluminum coverings, and placed one before Kyla and then Luke.
“Bon appétit,” Jude said, winking at them before leaving as fast as she came in.
The plates smelled of fresh salmon laced with dill and lemon. Crispy red potatoes drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with rosemary complemented the broccoli rabe lightly covered with butter and garlic.
“A feast,” Kyla said.
Luke held up a chilled bottle of white wine. “Our exceptional pinot gris,” he said.
Kyla enjoyed the flex of his muscles as he uncorked the wine and poured her a glass.
“How about a toast?” he asked.
Kyla held up her glass to his.
“To us,” he said.
“To us,” she returned and clinked her glass with his. “I hope you don’t mind if I just have a few sips,” Kyla put the glass down. “I’m still pretty tired.”
“Of course. Can I get you something else? Some sparkling cider or…?”
She placed her hand on his arm. “I’m fine, Luke. Let’s just enjoy the wonderful meal.”
Each bite was more delicious than the next. A roaring fire that opened into the living room and dining area kept things toasty as they finished their meal. “I don’t think I’ve eaten this much in a long time,” Kyla said.
Luke’s smile lit the room. “I couldn’t be happier,” he said, standing. “Let’s move to the living room and sit by the fire for a while.”
She followed him over to his brown leather couch and settled in beside him.
“The place has a true rustic feel to it,” Kyla said.
He pulled a wool throw over them. “It could use a woman’s touch here and there.”
“Perhaps it could. No dog?” she asked. She remembered Luke loved dogs and always talked about getting one when he settled down.
“Not yet. But one or two are in my plans.”
“You should see the cute poodle we helped Betty adopt from the shelter the other day. It was the color of burgundy.”
He pulled her closer and together they sat in silence watching the yellow, orange, and blue flames crackle over the sweet-smelling wood. Kyla felt…what was it? Content. It was not a feeling she was used to. She laid her head on Luke’s shoulder.
“I could sit like this forever,” she said.
He hugged her closer. “That’s the idea.”
Kyla sat back up and turned to face him. “Is it?”
“I have to admit, when I got here, I was determined to make you feel as bad as I had the last few years,” Luke said. “But the minute I saw you, I knew I could never do anything to intentionally hurt you.”
“You mean like I did,” Kyla said.
Luke tried to look brave, but Kyla could see the deep pain behind his eyes.
“I never wanted to hurt you, Luke. That’s why I left. I know that doesn’t make any sense, but there are still things I haven’t told you.”
He tried to lighten things up. “You mean like you read tea leaves?”
“And so does my grandmother,” Kyla said. She watched his face, waiting for it to sink in.
“So you come from a long line of gypsies?” Luke said with a chuckle.
“Actually, I do.” This time Kyla saw surprise in his eyes. “We’ve been called that before and probably had a few Irish relatives in the old country who truly were. But when my grandmother came to the United States, she was known for her herbal healing remedies. And a few love spells,” Kyla said with a smile.
“What about your parents?” he asked.
Kyla felt the old shame creep up into the pit of her stomach. What did Luke know of a single parent struggling to make a living? Or a little girl named Kyla too embarrassed to bring friends home?
“This may be hard for you to imagine with your upbringing,” Kyla said, “but my world consisted of being raised by only my mother and grandmother in a small brownstone in Brooklyn. We were lucky to pay the mortgage each month when I was a kid.” She sat up straight and reminded herself that her past was not something to be embarrassed of. “Stefan would not have given me the time of day. And can you imagine how your parents would have taken that news?”
“Not well,” he answered honestly. “And I would have been surprised myself, but it wouldn’t have made a difference in my love for you.”
His eyes were sincere, but Kyla sensed a place deep inside him still trying to make sense of who the Darcy Devereaux he knew actually was.
“Wouldn’t it?” she asked. “My hair was falling out. I had bruises up my legs and not enough energy to get out of bed some days. What kind of bride would I have made?”
“Mine,” he said simply.
Kyla thought about all that wasted time they could have spent together. And how much time would they have had left if her lupus worsened “I couldn’t do it to you, Luke. A sick bride from a family that never even heard of the social register.”
“You couldn’t do it to me or you thought I would run?”
“Both.”
She felt him pull away. They sat in silence and listened to the crackling of the fire. Her secrets were mostly out in the open now. It was up to him to accept them or move on.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Luke had spent the cold, windy November morning in the vineyards cleaning up the vines before they went completely dormant. He was proud to be known as the only winery on the island producing hand-crafted Pinot Noir. The fields, barns, woods, and orchards—all twenty-two acres of them—were his. And the rich soil and moist climate were perfect for a small estate winery. His plans for expansion spun in his head. The previous owners had let the place go a little after the husband’s heart attack, and Luke had his work cut out for him.
He went into his office and warmed his hands at the woodstove before sitting down at his desk. A glance at his calendar reminded him that Ian was showing up at 2:00 with sketches for his new wine label and for a painting of the vineyards he could use for promotion. First on his agenda was to start a wine club. His uncle in Napa had done very well with that addition. And next summer Luke visualized wine pairing dinners with Chef Ryan in the orchard under the trees.
No matter how hard he tried to block it, anger raced through him. A week had gone by since he’d had Kyla over for dinner. When he dropped her off that night and they kissed goodnight, Luke had wondered just who was he kissing, Kyla Nolan or Darcy Devereaux. Who was this woman he loved? She had a family that she’d never trusted Luke enough to tell him about. He’d told her everything—how he hated his father, had run from their wealth and the strings that went with it. They talked about their dreams of escaping the city and settling together on their own idyllic winery. Had that even been true? Had she just been telling him what he wanted to hear? He didn’t want to ruin what they had now, but the doubts would not leave him alone.
He’d called Kyla every day to check on her just like he said he would. But each time he’d had to fight back the urge to ask her if there was anything else she was hiding. But she was still recovering after the hospital incident and he did not want to upset her. Neither one of them had suggested getting together again. But as the days clicked by, Luke longed for her. No matter how busy he stayed or how much he loved running the winery, there was an emptiness that followed him.
Luke heard Ian’s car skid onto the gravel drive and went to the door to greet him. The rain was falling in earnest now and the fields were already muddy.
Ian hurried inside and shook the rain off his hair. “It’s a wet one,” he said laying his art case down on the floor. He put his coat on the hook by the door. “Nice and warm in here.”
“The woodstove is airtight and keeps this place pretty toasty,” Luke said.
Ian picked up his sketches, carried them over to the oak tasting bar, and spread them out for Luke to see. “Have a look.”
Luke surveyed the two watercolors side by side. “This one. It’s perfect.”
He held the painting to the light. Golden letters read “Madrona Island Winery” across the top of a burgundy label. Underneath was a panorama of the vineyards bathed in morning sun with the barn in the distance. Two dogs slept in the foreground.
“My choice, too,” Ian said. “The image will look great on a T-shirt as well.”
“Ah yes, merchandise.” Luke reached behind the bar for a bottle. “Here’s a thank you bottle of the holiday blend I just released. I can’t take credit for this year’s release, but next year our reds will have come directly from my fields and my hands.”
“That must feel great.”
“It does.” Luke put the wine in a gift bag and handed it to Ian. “How’s the wife doing? Feeling any better?”
“She’s tired a lot. I’m trying not to worry. Speaking of that, have you seen Kyla lately?” Ian asked.
“Not in a few days. You?”
“She and Lily talk every day, but you know Kyla. She’s busy working hard at the shop and doesn’t say much.”
Luke jolted. “Actually,” he said, “I don’t know Kyla all that well as you seem to.”
The two men stood silent, facing each other. Ian rubbed the back of his neck. “I hope you understand. I was in a tough position.”
“How so?” Luke knew he was pushing Ian, but he’d been part of this whole cover-up as well. Only Ian had known the truth about Kyla these last few years.
Ian walked over to the leather chairs facing the wood stove. “Why don’t we sit down?”
Luke took a seat. He stared at the scorching flame through the glass door of the stove and waited for Ian to begin.
“Just know, Luke, that your friendship was always first in my mind. I considered helping Kyla carefully before I did it.”
“Helping her…” Luke trailed off.
“She called me a few weeks after I returned from the Hamptons that summer after we all went sailing together. I thought she wanted to buy a painting. She wanted to know if she could trust Maggie, the owner of Madrona Island B&B, to keep her stay there a secret.”
“And you didn’t think that was strange?” Luke asked.
“Her request seemed strange at the time, but then, I didn’t know her well. She said she needed to get away and have complete privacy. She sounded terrible and I hoped you two hadn’t broken up.”
“What’d you tell her?”
“That Maggie could be trusted completely.”
Luke stood up and paced in front of the fire. “So Maggie knew, you knew, who else knew?”
“Actually, only I knew. Darcy used the name Kyla when she registered. Maggie took good care of her and eventually Kyla decided to settle here. I was the only one she told about her illness. She begged me to keep her identity a secret and not press her for details.”
Luke stopped pacing and glared at Ian. “Why you?”
“Perhaps because I was your friend, Luke, and she knew you trusted me.”
Luke sank back into the chair and put his head in his hands. “Why didn’t she tell me?” He looked up at Ian. “What am I supposed to do now? Act like none of this happened?”
“She loves you, I know that,” Ian said. “And you two have a second chance at a future together.”
“I love her, too. At least, I know I loved Darcy Devereuax. But who is Kyla Nolan?”
Ian smiled. “She’s an amazing woman. You ought to get to know her.”
“Will she let me?” Luke asked. “What other secrets is she hiding?”
“The only way to find out is to give her a chance. Go on a date. Have some fun.” Ian stood up and walked toward the door to get his coat. “I better get back before I have to float home. Why don’t you both join me and Lily this weekend for the Holiday Crafts Fair at the Loganberry Farm Café & Bakery? Their pie is amazing.”
“A double date.” Luke grinned. “I’ll ask Kyla.”
Luke walked Ian to the door and watched him run toward his car. “Hey, thanks, Ian,” Luke yelled after him.
Ian waved back. “Any time.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Luke was right on time to pick Kyla up for their double date with Ian and Lily. Kyla knew his invitation was for more than a day together. It meant he had considered everything she told him and still wanted to see her. His disarming smile put her right at ease.
He helped her into her down jacket. “You might want mittens,” he said. “It’s pretty crisp out there. But clear blue skies.”
She slipped on her fuzzy mittens and took his arm. Luke’s SUV and Jude’s Honda, with Ryan in the passenger seat, were parked in her driveway.
Luke opened the front car door and Kyla jumped in. “Morning,” she said to Ian and Lily in the back seat. “I see our double date has turned into a triple.”
“Jude heard where we were going and wanted to come, too,” Lily said.
Kyla turned to Lily. “I’m not a bit surprised.”
They followed Jude down the road to the Loganberry Farm event. A big banner was strewn across the front of the barn with the words “Island Country Christmas.” The place looked so different in the winter. The pond’s surface was icy and the ducks were skittering around it, finding holes in the water. Gone were the blooming flowers and vines. The browns and dulled shades of orange and yellow remained.
They parked side by side in the lot. Jude jumped out of her car first and opened the door for Kyla.
“Great to see you,” she said, leaning in for a hug.
“I see you let Ryan out for the day,” Kyla said.
“Hey, I heard that,” Ryan said, coming over and shaking Ian and Luke’s hand.
The inside of the barn was warm and festive. The smell of hot apple cider filled the air. The walls were lined with booths of homemade crafts, from hand weavings to carved wooden bowls, jams, jellies, honeys, and tempting baked goods. The couples strolled along while the local musicians Holly and Ken played guitar and sang Christmas carols in the background.
Kyla watched Ian and Lily stroll hand in hand ahead of them. She glanced up at Luke, and he turned and smiled. It still dazzled her and sent chills down her spine to look up into his eyes. Luke slipped his arm around her shoulder and guided her over to a table with handmade jewelry that Lily was admiring.
“Look at this necklace,” Lily said. She held up a silver chain with a blue heron spreading its wings on the inlaid pendant. She looked at the price tag and sighed before moving on to the next booth.
Ian lingered behind and slipped some money to Luke. “Grab it when she’s not looking,” he whispered.
Luke winked. Kyla lingered back with him and held up a necklace in the shape of a bald eagle. “They are beautiful.”
“You never know what Santa will bring,” Luke said.
Kyla shook her head. “I guess not. Now hurry up and get that necklace for Lily before she turns around.”
Necklace carefully stowed in her purse, Kyla hurried down to join Lily at the apple cider booth. Jude and Ryan were already sipping theirs out of paper cups.
“Try some,” Jude suggested. “Warms you to your toes.”
Ryan tossed his empty cup into the trash. “On to the fudge,” he said with a grin. Jude trailed along and so did Ian and Lily, leaving Kyla alone with Luke.
“Speaking of chocolates,” Luke said. “I’ve been thinking about having someone craft some fine truffles using some of our wines for flavoring.”
“I know a pastry chef in town who would be great for that. You might consider adding a little lavender to one as well.”
