Come Home with Me by Susan Fox

Author:Susan Fox [Fox, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2017-11-03T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

Luke drove his white SUV slowly through the grounds at SkySong, with the boys in their booster seats in back. The forecast had for once been right and the sun shone with surprising warmth for this time of year. April had just begun and spring was literally springing out all around him. Pink blossoms festooned the magnolias and ornamental fruit trees, daffodils were giving way to tulips and hyacinths, and a pale green haze of buds and unfurling leaves skimmed the deciduous trees. In the vegetable and herb garden, Seal and several others were at work. Miranda had told Luke that many of the retreat’s guests enjoyed tending the organic garden and the grounds. Down on the lawn by the ocean, he saw Di, graceful in a flowing top and leggings, leading others through moves he guessed were tai chi.

He pulled up in front of Miranda’s cabin, where she and Ariana sat side by side on the top step. With a warning, “Be nice, guys,” he turned off the engine and climbed out.

Brandon and Caleb were less than thrilled about having two girls come along on their Sunday outing. Luke wasn’t sure whether it was the gender of their guests that most bothered them, or having to share their dad’s attention.

Miranda smiled and stood as he approached, as fresh and springlike as the flowering trees in her pink T-shirt and tan capris. But it was Ariana who gave him the warmest welcome. “Luke!” she cried excitedly, bouncing to her feet and stretching her arms up to him.

He hoisted her. “Hey, Ariana. I’ve missed you.” Shifting her to one arm, he reached out his free hand to touch Miranda’s shoulder but, mindful of her prickliness and his sons’ gazes, didn’t lean in for a kiss. “You too. I’m glad you decided to come.”

“So am I.” Her faded-denim eyes twinkled. “It’s Sunday and you shaved.”

He winked. “Because this is a date. You okay with that?”

She smiled again, a slow-spreading one. “I guess I am.” She slipped one strap of a small backpack over her shoulder. “Are you finally going to reveal where we’re headed? I’m thinking the kayaks on the roof are a clue.”

“Can’t fool you for a minute, can I?” He owned one kayak and had borrowed another kid-friendly one from neighbors. “We’re going to Thuqulshunum Lake,” he said as they went down the steps, him carrying Ariana. “Do you know how to kayak?”

“I went out a couple of times with Aaron last summer. But Luke, the kids are too young for kayaking.”

“Too young to do it on their own, but it’s never too early to get them comfortable on the water. Does Ariana swim?”

“Swim?” Ariana picked up on the word. “I swim!” Her big brown eyes were so bright and pretty.

“You do?” he said. “That’s wonderful. What a smart girl you are.”

“She splashes and paddles, wearing water wings, with me right beside her,” Miranda clarified.

“I has wings!” Ariana said.

“Just like a fairy,” Luke said. “I guess that makes you a water fairy.

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