Read Without Saying a Word Online
Authors: Amanda Ward
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Chapter Four
Thursday evening, Laura curled up on the couch, relaxed for the first time in weeks. There had been no telephone calls, she had caught up on her workload, bills were paid and her children were in their rooms. Listening to the smooth tone of Ronan playing softly in the background, she jumped at a tap on the window. She sat up and pulling the curtains aside, saw Rhean motioning to the door. Laura went to the door and opened it, letting Rhean in, along with a blast of frigid air.
“Brrrrrrrrrr.” Rhean shivered. “Tis a tad nippy out there.” Laura took a frank and admiring look at him as he took off his coat and hung it up.
“Come in why don’t you?” she told him, as Rhean dropped a kiss on her open lips. He smiled at her, and went into the living room, crouching down in front of the roaring fire. Laura closed the door to keep the warmth in.
“You can’t be that cold, just coming from next door,” she admonished. Rhean shook his head, rubbing his hands together.
“I haven’t been home yet; there was a PTA meeting at the school,” he told her. “Unfortunately it went on longer than any of us thought.” He sighed wearily. Laura thought for a moment and then realized that he probably hadn’t eaten.
“Are you hungry? I think there’s some leftover beef casserole from tonight,” she offered. Rhean turned and smiled at her. His face lit up with what appeared to be pleasure.
“That would be wonderful, but only if it’s not too much trouble,” he told her wistfully.
“It’s not. Make yourself at home. I’ll be back in a moment.” Laura left Rhean sitting in front of the fire stroking Tubs while she went into the kitchen to get his meal.
They sat on the couch together while Laura sipped her hot chocolate and Rhean ate the casserole with dumplings.
“I knew you were a good cook Laura, but that was amazing,” Rhean told her patting his stomach contentedly. His bowl was clean and he drank the rest of the hot chocolate Laura gave him.
She smiled at him.”Comfy?” she asked.
“Mmm,” Rhean murmured. He took his tray out to the kitchen. Sitting back down, he took one of Laura’s hands, lacing their fingers together. He brought them to his lips and kissed hers gently.
Laura rolled her eyes at the romantic gesture; she felt comfortable with the way his fingers interlaced with hers. Strong, protective and so masculine. “Rhean, as much as I love your company, why you here?” she asked. “It’s late.” Rhean turned and had the audacity to look amazed.
“You don’t like my company?” he asked and sounded shell-shocked. Laura raised her eyes to him in disbelief. He chuckled softly. “Relax Laura, I’m teasing.”
She smiled back.”I know.”
“And as for why I’m here, apart from not wanting to go home without seeing you, I wanted to ask you out on a date,” Rhean told her, not releasing her hand.
“A date?”
“Yes, a date. Man and woman go out of house. Watch film, eat dinner. Kiss lots,” he said mock-caveman style. Laura’s heart leaped into her throat. She was suddenly nervous and tried to pull her hand away from his. But Rhean tightened his hold.
“Saturday night?” he asked.
Emotions tumbled through Laura’s mind. She wanted to be with him so much, but she was afraid of taking the first step.
“Laura, its dinner, just the two of us,” he pressed. Taking a deep breath and going on what her heart told her, she looked him in the eyes.
“Yes, Rhean, I’d love to,” she told him shakily. Rhean leaned over and kissed her gently on the cheek.
“See you Saturday night then.” He got up and left the house.
****
As he left Laura’s house, the breath Rhean held left his body in a “Yes.” Looking up to the sky, he saw the stars twinkle brightly. “Thanks,” he whispered, crossed the gardens and let himself into his own quiet, lonely cottage, eager for Saturday.
****
Saturday came all too soon for Laura. The main issue was that her darling offspring dropped more than helpful hints ever since she’d told them. After giving her home a damned good cleaning, trying to take her whirling mind off the evening in front of her, Laura felt wiped out—but at least the house was clean. She figured after a glass or two of wine, she would be relaxed enough to enjoy her date. For some reason, Maisie became her shadow that day, helping and talking so much that when the time came for Laura to get bathed and dressed, she more than welcomed the peace and tranquility of her bathroom.
Theo and James acted all ‘manly’ and told her to be careful. She winced when, through the bathroom door, the boys asked her if she had protection. Great, her teens were more comfortable about sex than her. Covered in bubbles, it was all she could do not to sink under them and pretend they’d swallowed her whole.
This would be Laura’s first date since she divorced Max. Anticipation of an evening spent with Rhean built up inside her. She was excited, nervous, and scared in case she made a fool out of herself. Eventually, after the long soak in the lavender-scented bath to make herself calm down, Laura padded into her bedroom to find all her clothes on the bed, enough make-up to make up the cast of a costume drama, and Maisie rifling through drawers as though she were her mother’s own personal stylist.
Oh this is going to be a fun evening,
Laura thought to herself wryly.
“There Mum, my work here is finished,” Maisie said proudly. Laura turned ’round to study her daughter, and wondered just when she grew up. While she slept, no doubt. At the loud bang at the door, Laura jumped while Maisie giggled.
“Theo or James will get it. Look Mum, look!” Maisie urged her.
As Laura regarded herself in the mirror, she saw a strange woman. Her highlighted hair fell loose and carelessly tumbled, styled as though a pair of hands ran through it. Maisie brushed her eyelids with smoke gray eye shadow. Green eyeliner and the sparkling mascara helped her eyes look larger and luminous. Her cheeks had a faint rose blush and her lips were a nude color that gave them a fuller, kissable look, and the sparkly lip gloss, added luster. The cobalt jersey dress suited her perfectly. Combined with a long black beaded necklace and matching earrings, she felt younger than her forty years and hoped that Rhean wouldn’t think her overdressed. Thick black tights and low stiletto heeled shoes completed the outfit. She took a deep breath and opened her bedroom door, prepared to take her first step into a new world.
****
Rhean was in the living room feeling as though he was under a microscope. He shuffled from one foot to another, hoping Laura wouldn’t be too much longer. Unfortunately her kids seemed to enjoy this a little bit too much—even the cat glared at him as if he was some new species of catnip. He ran his finger around his collar and loosened his tie slightly. He held a bunch of lilac and cream roses and a box of chocolates. He had also brought over a pile of DVD s and console games for later on. James and Theo stared at him while Graham fixed dinner in the kitchen.
“Cut it out you lot,” Rhean pleaded. “I’m nervous enough as it is.”
Theo and James looked at each other then winked at him.
“We know,” James said with a mischievous grin, “we’re just messing with you.” He sniffed the air and announced, “Something smells good,” as he loped into the kitchen. Maisie sat on the couch with her feet curled under her, trying to look casual as she flicked through a magazine with the pretense of reading. Theo stood up, put his arm around his headmaster and attempted a serious”man of the house” expression.
“Sir—” he started, but Rhean cut in.
“Call me Rhean,” he told Theo and groaned inwardly in dread of what Theo would say to him.
“Okay, Rhean, this is Mum’s first date in like, ever. Just remember to get her home by midnight, and no funny business!” he warned with a glint in his eye. “Oh, and just one other thing—” Theo put his hand in his pocket and passed him a small foil packet.
Rhean looked, incredulous at the condom and could not believe a fifteen-year-old boy gave it to him.
″’Safety first,’“ Theo quoted from his health class, then left the room.
Rhean blushed and quickly put his hand in his pocket. He heard the sound of footsteps on the stairs. Then his breath caught in his throat at the sight of the woman who stood in front of him.
“Will I do?” Laura asked shyly as she turned around in a circle.
“You look fabulous, Mum. Look after her,” Maisie told Rhean. He inclined his head. It was all he could do not to get down on both knees and beg her to run away to Gretna Green with him there and then. Rhean had never seen anyone more beautiful than Laura was at that moment. He smiled, walked toward her, and put down the flowers and chocolates. He raised both her hands and kissed them gently.
“My lady,” he acknowledged reverently. His Irish accent sounded stronger with the emotion in his heart.
Laura smiled. “Are those for me?” she asked looking at the flowers and chocolates. Rhean looked momentarily bewildered.
“Of course, I think this is dating protocol—to bring a gift.” He handed them to her. Laura inhaled the scent from the flowers. Their fragrance was fresh and delicate.
“Thank you so much,” she said, then reached up and kissed Rhean on the cheek. As she moved toward the door away, the flowers and chocolates were taken out of her hands by Maisie with a cheeky, “Yoink!”
“I’ll take those,” she announced saucily. “Have to make sure they aren’t poisoned!”
A thought crossed Laura’s mind.
“Who did you ask to look after my darling DNA?” Laura asked Rhean.
“Graham,” Rhean called.
He came into the doorway wiping his hands on a towel. “Haven’t you left yet, sir?” he asked.
“Just going,” Rhean replied.
“You asked your butler to babysit?” Laura asked incredulously.
“Why not? He’s perfectly qualified to; he used to run a holiday park for families in the eighties,” Rhean explained.
“So what is he doing as a butler then? Sorry Graham, no offense,” Laura apologized.
“None taken Miss Laura,” Graham retorted. “To quote a phrase from the youth of today ‘slumming it’ would be the description,” he remarked dryly. He turned and went back into the kitchen.”Go!” he called.
“Better do as he says,” Laura mumbled.
“Look after Mum,” Maisie told Rhean.
“Anyone would think I was fifteen rather than forty,” Laura said to him and giggled. After she’d put on her smart black coat, the couple stepped out into the cold night air.
Chapter Five
The moon shone golden through the inky black sky and the stars sparkled like diamonds. Rhean took Laura’s elbow and they walked down the path towards an old E-type Jaguar car, which was parked behind her people carrier. Rhean opened the door on the passenger side, and helped her in, then got in, took hold of her hand and kissed it gently.
“Are you okay?” he asked.
“Slightly nervous,” Laura admitted.
Rhean chuckled as he started the car. “Me too,” he agreed. With a smile on his face he pulled away from the curb.
They drove through town with the heat on, creating a cozy atmosphere in the vintage car. The leather seats were sumptuous and comfortable and Laura leaned back and watched Rhean handle the car with confidence.
They drove through a couple of villages on the road to Lake Windermere. There wasn’t much traffic on the roads at that time of the evening and eventually Rhean pulled up in front of a small brightly lit restaurant.
“I thought you might like English food,” Rhean said with a chuckle. “This has a really good reputation.”
“Much better than a Chinese takeaway,” Laura agreed. She unbuckled her seat belt and as she reached to open the car door, she felt a blast of cold air and Rhean’s gloved hand. She grasped his hand firmly unused to the heels she wore. After locking the door, Rhean put his arm around her and they went into the restaurant.
Rhean held the door open and they were met inside by the maître d´, a tall thin man with a rather pompous expression on his face.
“Can I help you?” he asked.
“Yes, I have a reservation for two, name of Viscount Kirkleigh,” Rhean said in his most aristocratic manner.
“Anything he can do, I can do better,” he murmured in her ear.
Looking down at the large book in front of him, the maître d´ nodded his head.
“Follow me please, sir... I mean my lord, madam.” He led them through the restaurant lined with booths, providing an intimate atmosphere to the one near the bar set for two. It was an elegant setting with fine cream linens and sparkling tableware. The maître d´ nodded his head and a young man came over.
“Good evening, sir, madam. I am Louis and I will be your waiter this evening,” he said and bowed his head.”Would you like a drink before I take your order?”
Rhean and Laura looked at each other.
“I won’t be drinking alcohol tonight,” Rhean told Laura, “I need to keep a clear head as I’m driving. I’ll have a coffee please.”
“Could I have a dry white wine please?” Laura asked.
“Of course.” He left after handing them what appeared to be a leather-bound tome, but was in fact the menu and wine list. Rhean chuckled and flicked through it.