Tea & Comfort (Madrona Island Series Book 2), page 20
Luke hung up the phone and tossed it onto the side table. Kyla had been in New York a week and it felt like a year. Between her work schedule and her helping to care for Lily, he’d barely seen her the last few weeks before she’d gone either. He sank into his favorite chair by the window overlooking the vineyard. Luke had planned to share with Kyla the amazing smell when the flowering, yellow pinot spikes bloomed. But she was in New York. Bailey curled up next to him and placed his large silky head on Luke’s feet.
“Good boy,” Luke said. He scratched behind the dog’s ears. “Loyal and true is what you are.” Bailey moaned as if agreeing and thumped his tail on the floor.
Kyla was not coming home tomorrow, even though it was two days later than originally planned. He shuffled in the chair, trying to get comfortable. His father’s warning rang in his brain: “She’ll take off to pursue her career and you’ll never see her again.”
He shook off the words that clenched his heart. Not Kyla. She’d be back. It was only a few days. She had meetings with her agent, and the Lupus Organization wanted her to do some photo shoots and interviews. It was a good cause after all, Luke assured himself. It wasn’t like she wanted to start modeling again and traveling full time all over the world.
“I’m having a great time seeing old friends and everyone’s been wonderful,” Kyla had said. She’d been hesitant to go back to New York, but now she was so excited she’d barely said goodbye. His mother had called and gone on and on about how beautiful Kyla looked all dressed up and how the shower had gone. He had expected her home by now.
Luke sprang up and paced the floor. Head cocked, Bailey watched him with his doe-brown eyes. “And what are the things she needs to tell me when she gets home?” Now he was talking to dogs. He walked over and stared out the window. What was she hiding that had to wait? Maybe he should drop everything and fly out there to be with her. Kyla had told him there was no reason for him to drop his business and wait for her during the shower and meetings. Was that the only reason she didn’t want him there?
He stopped himself short as he reached for his iPad to book a flight. Who was he kidding? Spying on her was his real motive, motivated by plain old fear. His father had planted mistrust, and he was watering it and helping it to grow. He had a winery to run and a wedding to plan for. Right here, right now he had to make a decision; he either loved and trusted Kyla or he didn’t.
Out the picture window, the rows of woody vines stretched across the hills. Early morning sunlight cast a golden glow over the land. His land. They had decided Kyla would move here after their marriage and it would become their home. Happiness rose to the surface and beckoned. Then he realized the truth—he was afraid to be happy. His whole life, happiness had been just out of reach and not meant for him. Could it possibly be real this time?
On the evening before she’d left for New York, Luke had invited Kyla to spend the night. Luke closed his eyes. Baily had been stretched out in front of the blazing fire. They’d sat next to the dog, cuddled up on the rug by the stone fireplace, listening to the crackle and snap of burning logs as they sent sparks leaping in the air. They’d lingered over a glass of Pinot Noir as the sweet smell of cedar filled the room.
“Let’s go upstairs,” Kyla whispered.
He’d lost himself in her arms, her sweet scent and passionate kisses taking him to places he’d never been before. They fit together perfectly in every way. Their tender lovemaking brought an even greater intimacy between them. Luke had never loved her more than at the moment they’d become one. And in the morning, when they woke to the ringing alarm, he held her tightly to his bare chest and never wanted to let her leave.
“If you don’t let go,” Kyla laughed, “you’ll make me late for the shuttle.”
“I never want to let you go,” he said. Her mussed hair framed her sculpted face and drifted down her shoulders. A goddess would be jealous of her beauty.
“It’s only a few days, Luke. Believe me, I’d rather be here with you.”
A few days sounded like an eternity. He’d never been needy before with any woman. It was his father’s lingering words that stuck in his gut like a stone.
“Let’s get you ready and out the door on time,” he’d said, forcing a smile.
As her airport shuttle drove off, the heaviness in his chest intensified, squeezing like a vise. And it hadn’t let go. Luke remembered Kyla blowing kisses from the shuttle window. How could he even doubt her for a moment? This was ridiculous. He needed to snap out of it. He was not his father and never would be.
“Come here, boy,” he said to Bailey. He hugged the dog. “Would you like to get out of the house and go for a walk? Clear our heads?”
Luke leashed the dog, turned toward the door, and stopped. He picked up his cell phone and texted Kyla: Missing you! I’ll be waiting for you with open arms when you return. Love, Luke. He sighed and put his phone back down.
Just need a little space to sort a few things out. Counting the minutes to be in your arms again. XOXOXO Kyla texted back.
Stay as long as you need, he answered.
She needed space. From him? Or maybe from being overwhelmed from so much happening in New York? That made sense.
Instead of moping around, Luke was going to plan something special for Kyla’s return. He would think about it on his walk and come up with the perfect idea.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
Kyla was glad to finally get off the plane. It had been a long week in New York and she was excited to get back to the island and to Luke. She’d gained three hours coming east to west, so it was only noon here in Seattle. Perhaps she’d grab a snack at the Starbucks stand before getting on the airport shuttle back to Madrona Island.
She flipped her carry-on bag over her shoulder, stepped onto the crowded escalator, and headed for the baggage claim area. As Kyla stepped off, a familiar and very handsome face greeted her.
“Welcome home,” Luke said.
Luke’s black wool sweater clung to his smooth, muscular shoulders as he handed her the biggest bouquet of red roses Kyla had ever seen.
“What are you doing here?” she asked, admiring the roses.
He put his arm around her shoulder and kissed her cheek. “I wanted to surprise you and save you the long ride home alone in the shuttle. You look beautiful.”
Kyla laid her head on his chest and breathed in his woodsy scent. His lips brushed the top of her head with kisses. “Thank you,” she said.
“My total pleasure.” Luke took her carry-on and retrieved her bag from the carousel before they walked to the parking garage.
Kyla buckled her seatbelt in preparation for the long ride home.
“I hope you’re hungry,” Luke said.
His grin was contagious. A smile spread across Kyla’s face. “For you? Absolutely.”
“That will have to wait just a little while. Would lunch interest you first?”
“Of course,” Kyla said. “It was a long flight.”
She glanced out the window as they drove up I-5 North. Just what did Luke have planned? she wondered. It was a beautiful spring day. She could tell it had recently rained because the sunlight twinkled off the remaining droplets on leaves and foliage. After only a few exits, Luke exited the freeway and drove up a windy, heavily forested road. A few bright yellow daffodils were mixed in with lavender trillium and azalea bushes along the road. She rolled down the window and breathed in the fresh smell. Seattle was so different from New York.
“Are you going to give me any hints?” Kyla asked.
Luke turned off the road, and a sprawling, cedar-wood-and-glass hotel came into view. She’d heard of the Pine River Inn and had always wanted to see it. It was known for the best local cuisine in Washington.
“Will this work?” he asked.
“I’ve been wanting to see this place,” she said. “They serve food right from their farm to the table.”
Luke winked. “I remember hearing that.” He pulled the car into the valet lane.
“Checking in?” the attendant asked when Luke exited the car.
“For the night, yes,” Luke answered. Then he opened the door for Kyla. “Shall we?”
“Overnight?” she asked.
“Think of it as a preview honeymoon, and don’t worry, I let Becca know she needed to stay an extra day with the cats.”
As they walked into the lobby, Kyla didn’t know where to look first. The massive wood ceilings towered above them and full wall windows revealed the view of forests and ponds. Striking paintings of Northwest settings lined the walls and the sounds of the soothing, misty waterfall completed the setting. While Luke checked in, Kyla took off her jacket and made herself comfortable on one of the luxurious sofas surrounded by plants and bronze sculptures.
Luke returned and reached out his hand. “The dining room awaits us.”
They sat in plush leather chairs at a table by the window overlooking a garden. Kyla opened her menu. “How will I ever decide? Everything looks wonderful.”
“Why don’t we live dangerously and order a little of several things. We can create our own tasting menu.”
The waiter brought over a chilled bottle of a Willamette Valley Chardonnay Luke had ordered special. He poured a taste for Luke and then filled their glasses.
After they ordered, Luke held up his glass. “To us,” he said.
Kyla clinked her glass with his. “To us.” The wine tasted like grapefruit and sunshine. She sipped it slowly, letting her eyes caress Luke with their gaze. Every cell in her body longed to be in his arms. The days away had only intensified her feelings for this man.
“How was New York?” he asked.
“It was exciting and very exhausting. The shower was elegant and a bit Bohemian thanks to the families’ influence.”
Luke’s eye’s reflected humor and understanding, and it settled Kyla’s heart. She wondered if Grace had called her son and told him the shower was a disaster.
“My mother went on and on how it was perfect in every way,” Luke said.
“Glad to hear it,” she said. Kyla sipped the cool wine.
Sunlight poured in through the garden windows, casting rainbows on the crystal glass. In the corner, sitting at a polished baby grand piano, an elderly man in a dark suit played classical Bach. The start of a five o’clock shadow on Luke’s face added a rugged and appealing quality to his already handsome face. She’d missed him more than she wanted to admit.
“And after the wedding,” she said slyly, “you will see some of the silky lingerie I received as gifts.”
“Do I have to wait until then?”
“I’ll think about it,” Kyla said. “But one thing you will be waiting to see is the wedding dress we picked out.”
“Mission accomplished then?” he asked.
The waiter stopped at their table to pour more wine. “Can I get you anything else?” he asked.
“Everything is fine,” Luke said. He looked back at Kyla expectantly.
“We—Grace, my mother, and, of course me—started at New York’s finest bridal shop, Pronovias. The dressing room was as big as my cottage. And my mother insisted on paying for the gown.”
Luke laughed aloud. “I’ve heard about that place.”
“So had I. Maybe at one time I would have loved trying on five- and six-figure designer gowns, but not now. Somehow, they just didn’t feel right for the winery setting.”
He placed his hand on hers. “We could change the venue if it’s not what you want.”
Kyla shook her head. “Luke, I love the winery and there is nowhere else I’d rather marry you.”
When he smiled, his whole face lit up, and so did Kyla’s heart. “We ended up at a designer I’ve always admired, Carol Hannah. Her dresses are handmade and known for their draping and movement. When you walk, they glide in the breeze.”
“Sounds like you found one you love.”
“We all love the custom design she came up for me.”
“And…?” he asked.
“You’ll see when I walk down the aisle.” Her heart leapt in her chest at the vision. Lovely in white and blush, all eyes on her, soft music playing, Luke waiting. Would it really come to pass? She wanted to tell Luke about her last day in New York, but she did not want to take a chance on ruining this perfect lunch. Later was fine. When the time was right.
The first course arrived, consisting of fresh pea and mint soup finished with garlic oil and beet salad with saffron pears and warm chèvre cheese. Warm, crusty bread and soft aromatic butter were placed in the middle of the table.
“Everything looks too pretty to eat,” she said.
“Or good enough to eat,” Luke answered, taking a bite of the salad.
The warm, herby bread coupled with the creamy soup melted in Kyla’s mouth. They’d barely finished one course when the next arrived. Luke claimed the Dungeness crab BLT and Kyla the delicate ricotta gnocchi in sage butter with baby radish greens.
“These gnocchi taste like I’m eating clouds,” Kyla said.
Between bites, Luke offered her a taste of his sandwich. “Try it.”
She wrapped her mouth around the delicacy and took a big bite. Flavors of bacon, crab, and a spicy aioli burst in her mouth. “Amazing.”
“I’ve done some thinking about the wedding day,” Luke said. “We can line the path with oak wine barrels topped with colorful flower arrangements.”
“We’ll have to talk to a florist about colors and themes,” Kyla said.
He wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Whatever you like. We’ll have an outdoor and indoor area for guests in case of rain. Perhaps you could divine a sunny day?”
“I’ll try,” Kyla said. She laid her fork down and sighed with contentment.
The waiter came over, cleared their plates away, and then came and presented them with a daily dessert menu. Kyla frowned. “I don’t think I could eat even one more bite.”
Luke gave her his evil grin. “Not even a bittersweet chocolate torte with a salted caramel sauce?”
Kyla rolled her eyes. “Why don’t you order it to go for later?”
“Of course,” Luke said. “How about we go take a walk in their gardens?” He patted his stomach. “Walk a little of this off.”
The stone paths were laced with bright green Irish moss in a checkerboard pattern. The woodland garden contained lush ferns that moved gently in the breeze, dwarfed by towering evergreens that smelt like Christmas. They walked up the stone rockery steps and stood by a small reflection pond. Lily pads floated the surface, and the crimson-colored rhododendron blossoms from overhanging bushes and flowering trees reflected in the water.
Luke pointed to a bench nestled under a vine-covered gazebo across the water. “Shall we sit?”
Kyla nodded. She sat down and cuddled up next to him. Luke put his arm around her and squeezed her tight. A small bird picked at twigs at their feet.
“It looks like a fairy garden,” she said. Being here with Luke, she lost all track of time except each moment together. Guilt played at the edge of her conscience. She had some confessions to make. She hadn’t told Luke she’d stayed an extra day in New York to see her old doctor, or the reason why. And she wasn’t ready to. She hated keeping anything from Luke, but she needed time to process everything she’d learned. But seeing Stefan needed to be discussed.
“And we’re finally alone,” he said. Luke’s eyes traced her lips, then he pulled her into his arms. His warm mouth met hers with a luscious kiss. “My love,” he whispered as his kisses trailed down her neck.
As tempted as she was, Kyla gently pushed Luke back. Confusion registered in his face. She stroked his cheek, longing to throw her cares away and be in his arms.
“I don’t want to spoil a perfect day, but I have something important to tell you.”
“Now?” Luke asked.
“It’s weighing on my mind and I don’t want you to think I withheld anything from you.”
Luke crossed his arms across his chest and looked weary. “What is it?”
“Lizbeth invited me to dinner my last night there with her and Stefan.”
Luke started to speak but Kyla held her fingers to his lips. “Wait,” she said. “It went very well. Stefan was a perfect gentleman. He said he hoped I could accept your family even with an impolite and ignorant brother like himself.”
“And you believed him?” Luke asked.
“It seems Lizbeth had tamed him some. They are obviously so in love. She couldn’t have been more welcoming to me. I think he was sincere.”
“And I’m supposed to just forgive all the things he’s done and said?”
Kyla knew she had to tread lightly. “He doesn’t expect it from you or me. But he did make an effort. I wanted you to know.”
“Thank you for telling me,” he said. “I just don’t know what to think.”
“Then don’t,” she said. Kyla put her arms around his neck and let her lips skim his.
Luke wrapped her tightly in his arms and intensified the kiss. His hands slipped under her jacket and stroked her back. Heat raced up her spine, causing her to moan.
“Perhaps we should go to our room,” she said.
Kyla looked up and there was that darn cute grin of his again. Luke looked at his watch. “And we’re right on time.”
“For what?” she asked.
“You’ll see. Let’s go.”
Kyla was touched by how much time Luke had put into planning this romantic getaway. He only needed to show up and that was more than enough for her, but this extra caring really touched her heart.
Luke unlocked the door to the suite and they stepped inside. Prominent glass windows overlooked the sparkling pond. Natural wood floors, walls, and ceiling made it feel like a treehouse but even bigger than Kyla’s whole cottage. Next to a quaint stone fireplace was a king-sized bed covered in luxury linens. Two white terrycloth robes were laid out for them. Facing the deck was an oversized plush sofa with satin throw pillows.
She turned and gave Luke a big hug. “It’s lovely.”
Luke handed her a robe from the bed. “Would you like to get more comfortable before your next surprise?”
