Wedding Days at Halesmere House, page 13
‘You did all that? For them?’
‘Actually, I did it for you. You said it was very important and that it should be special. I thought it needed a bit of effort and would be nice for them.’
‘Nice?’ Lizzie’s laugh was incredulous, her thoughts caught on why he said he’d done it for her. ‘Now I’m really worried about why you brought me out here after going to all this trouble for the proposal. Come on, you’re killing me. Just say it.’
‘What’s Ella told you about the launch party she’s organising at Halesmere?’ Cal was serious now as the teasing fell away and Lizzie’s pulse jumped. He passed her a bowl of granola and she thanked him.
‘Not much, we’re having a handover meeting on Monday. Why?’
‘Because I’m involved with the brand that’s being launched.’
‘You?’ All the questions running through her mind hadn’t arrived at this one. ‘But why? How?’
‘I’m already using some of their kit and they got in touch after they saw my Instagram. It makes sense for both of us now I’m a qualified mountain leader. The company liked what I did in New Zealand and thought we could help each other.’
Lizzie could see it at once. She’d already looked up his Instagram, she just hadn’t quite got as far as following him yet. So, he’d be working with another clothing line made for the outdoors; sustainable, and as stylish as it was functional. She’d be advising the client to do exactly what Cal was suggesting, linking their social media posts to create interest in the brand through his profile, and drawing attention to his own business at the same time.
‘So you brought me out here to make sure I wouldn’t back out of the launch because you’re part of it.’ She tried the granola. ‘This is delicious, thank you. And don’t worry, I need the work. It’d take more than you being involved to make me give it up.’
‘That’s not quite everything.’ He had already finished, putting his empty bowl on the floor.
‘Oh?’ Her spoon paused halfway to her mouth.
‘I need some great content for my Instagram before the event.’ He leaned forwards, hands clasped between his knees. ‘I brought you out here to ask you to take the images for me. Please. You’re the one I want to work with on it.’
‘Cal, I’m not the right person for that!’ The spoon clattered back into the bowl. ‘You need a professional, someone who knows what they’re doing.’
‘You do know what you’re doing, Lizzie. We both know you’re good enough.’
‘Why me?’ she rushed out, her hand going to the camera as if seeking reassurance from its familiarity.
‘Because you know me better than anyone and I want to work with you,’ he said quietly. ‘If you’ll have me?’
Lizzie’s mind had jumped straight back to the online images she’d found of Cal in New Zealand: him on the beach, in the surf, with the beautiful woman who’d shared his life. ‘I can’t.’ It seemed the only rational response. ‘I’ve got to focus on growing my business. I need it to be a success and I think you should find someone else.’
‘I don’t want someone else, Lizzie. I want you to do it.’ His voice was soft, the lilting Irish accent he’d never lost filling her senses, her soul. The camera slipped on the seat and they both lunged to retrieve it. Her fingers found his, desire falling into her stomach. She leaned back, trying to focus on anything other than the way he was looking at her. ‘You always got me, right from the start, that night at your party. It’s like you could see through all the bullshit and underneath you knew I was better. Someone you could love. Someone I didn’t know how to be then.’
Lizzie was remembering her party too, the emotion and excitement racing through her, the moment at the bar when she already knew she’d lost her heart to him, his smile when she’d taken that first photograph. ‘You just needed to be who you are for me to love you, Cal,’ she said quietly. ‘No filter.’
Her gaze went to the blue lake, letting the light blind her vision before she saw too much. ‘Why did you come back? I heard what you said to Bea. Was it true, about it being home?’
‘Honestly? Yes.’ His smile was hopeful, a little sad. ‘I can’t explain it any better than to say I feel like my heart is here, for all sorts of reasons. I want to make a real home here. I didn’t plan to stay in New Zealand as long as I did but life was grand and I got used to it.’
Lizzie was instantly reminded of that lovely woman again – at his side, the relationship they’d shared – feeling the unwelcome blaze of jealousy before she forced it away. ‘I saw some of the shots for your company, they were stunning.’
She hadn’t needed to find every image to see how perfectly he’d defined his passion for the outdoor life he represented. The new models were just as beautiful, but they weren’t Cal. She’d sensed they didn’t have a love of the landscape flowing through their veins in quite the same way he did.
‘Thanks, Lizzie. I never meant for it to attract so much interest. Modelling was just a bit of fun that got the brand started and I packed it in the minute we sold up.’ He smiled and she noticed the new lines around his eyes, his mouth, the evidence of their fourth decade coming upon them. ‘So you have been looking me up.’
‘Bea liked your stuff, she bought some T-shirts for her husband. So you didn’t want to stay on, after you sold the company?’
‘No, it was never really me, that corporate life. Not like you. It was always what you wanted, what you worked for.’ He leaned forward to clasp his hands between his knees. ‘So where have you come from, Lizzie Martin? Where have you been these past twelve years?’
‘You probably already know the answer if you’ve seen my website. And my life doesn’t compare with yours, Cal.’ She tried to laugh off his question and the casual attempt to fill in the blanks of their time apart, what little there was other than work and looking after those she loved. ‘I haven’t surfed my way around New Zealand or had my picture on the front of magazines. So this is you now? Fancy yacht, expensive boathouse? New brand, new business?’
Cal laughed softly. ‘Ach, you know me better than that. The yacht came with the house, I’m renting it for the summer. I’m not really a yacht person, much as I like taking it out.’ He ran a hand along the smooth edge of the hull, his eyes suddenly bruised as they met hers. ‘I made some changes after my grandfather in Ireland got in touch last year, not long before he died. Someone he knew had seen a picture of me in the local paper as it mentioned my having family there. He was already ill and I came back to see him before it was too late, and we talked. He told me how much they regretted cutting my mum out of their lives the way they did, because of me.’
Reaching for Cal’s hand to offer her sympathy felt as natural as breathing to Lizzie. His fingers were quivering inside hers and she didn’t need to see his face to understand the hurt in his voice. ‘I’m so sorry. That must have been such a shock.’
‘It really was. He said my grandmother had written me a card every year around my birthday and Christmas but didn’t know where to send them. He still had them. They’d adopted my mum and had no other family apart from distant cousins.’ Cal’s voice caught. ‘He told me he was proud of where I’d got to on my own and my mum would’ve approved because she was a free spirit who always did her own thing. He knew they’d let us down and made our lives harder than it should have been.’
Cal turned his hand so their fingers were entwined, and Lizzie wished she could banish away his sorrow. It felt so right, to be at his side like this. ‘I’m sorry. I’m glad you had the chance to talk.’
‘So am I.’ He let out a long breath, and slowly their hands separated. ‘It helps, to know they cared in some way.’
‘And he didn’t know anything about your father, something he could share?’
‘Nothing. My mother never said a word about him, at least not to them.’
‘You haven’t found him?’
Cal shook his head very slowly. ‘But I’m still looking. One day maybe I’ll get lucky.’ He paused. ‘So have you decided yet? We both know my content will generate some interest and I can help you, too. I’ll tag you in everything, make sure your name is out there as the event planner and my photographer.’
‘And what if I don’t want that? You’d be there, every time I pick up my phone or my camera.’
‘That’s your decision, of course. And I’ll respect it.’ His eyes were fixed to hers and she was falling; she’d been falling since the moment she’d seen him in the courtyard that first night. ‘You want to know what I was thinking, when I was on a beach somewhere having my picture taken or getting another tattoo?’
She knew it. She didn’t need to hear the words to know he was going to say he had been thinking of her. How twelve years ago she had framed his joy so naturally with her camera when they’d reached a summit, or he’d hauled himself up the side of a rock face and roared with triumph at the top, waiting for her follow. The times when they’d swum alone in their waterfall and had laid back to dry out in the sun, sharing teasing kisses.
Lizzie’s throat was tight as her gaze went to the waterfall inked on his arm. They’d been over for years, ever since he’d vanished from her life as quickly as he’d landed in it. They couldn’t be having this conversation alone on a yacht in the sunshine of a beautiful day in the middle of a glistening blue lake. They shouldn’t be having it anywhere and she forced a lighter tone into words already quivering with emotion.
‘If I said yes, how do you plan to help me?’ Her eyes were telling him yes already and she was certain he knew it. ‘You’d need to make it worth my while.’
‘I’ll totally make it worth your while in any way you like. Whatever it takes to grow your business too.’ His grin was suddenly cheeky. ‘How about I do a themed shoot, just for you? Anything you like.’
‘Anything?’ She raised a brow, her voice falling to match his.
‘Anything. Wedding, proposal, we can use the boathouse and the yacht if you want. Dress me up however you like.’
She’d been about to say she’d much rather undress him but that wouldn’t be the right start to this project. Excitement was fizzing through her veins, a warmth on her skin that hadn’t come from the sun. Her hand went to the water, the coolness dissipating some of the heat.
‘Cal, there’s something I need to know and I’m sorry if I have no right to ask.’ She was staring at the water, the ripple around her fingers, wondering if he understood quite how important his next words would be. ‘I don’t think I can do this if…’ She paused, tried again. ‘If there’s someone…’
‘There isn’t, Lizzie.’ He shifted on the seat so he was opposite her. ‘I wouldn’t have asked you if there was.’
‘Why not?’ She wanted to hear him say it out loud, tell her what her heart already knew.
‘Because I couldn’t work with you and go home to someone else.’ The quick laugh disappeared as he raised his shoulders. ‘It’s not how I am. Especially when I can’t get that kiss we shared out of my mind. How about you?’ Cal’s stare was unflinching, and he must know she lived alone in the flat. But she understood he was asking her so much more, just as she had. He was asking about her heart. Lizzie knew this path was leading her into all kinds of trouble but it was already too late.
‘It’s over. He was lovely but we weren’t right together.’
Gemma had been correct. One strike and Jack was out. It was all the reason Lizzie had needed to run away. They hadn’t loved each other enough.
‘I’m sorry. I know how that feels.’ Cal leaned back, breaking their moment of sadness. ‘So don’t think about my offer too long, remember you owe me. Right now there are two people madly in love and busy getting engaged on their own island, all thanks to me.’
‘Thanks to you? I had nothing whatsoever to do with it?’ Lizzie was indignant and her hand was still in the water. She flicked her fingers and missed as he ducked out of the way. He caught her around her waist, tugging her backwards until she was in his arms, then knelt on the seat to dangle her over the lake, the yacht swaying beneath them.
‘Don’t make me throw you overboard for insubordination. This is still my yacht for now.’ His gaze wandered down her body, taking in the summer top and shorts she was wearing, as though assessing how quickly she might dry out if he dunked her.
‘You wouldn’t!’
‘You think?’
‘Cal, don’t you dare!’ She was laughing, trying without success to escape his arms tight around her.
‘Say yes. I want you out there with me, Lizzie. Let me help you too.’
‘Put me down.’
He lowered her a little further and she shrieked as one foot touched the cold blue water. ‘Say yes or I drop you and you can swim to shore. You’re not a duffer, you won’t drown.’
‘I’ll do it if you jump in with me.’
She was falling, screaming as she hit the water, bobbing back up to find a soaking Cal beside her. Both laughing as they trod water, he ran a hand over his face. She turned, swimming away from the desire in his eyes to haul herself back on board.
Chapter 13
‘You two look cosy.’
Lizzie wasn’t expecting to see Gemma when she and Cal arrived at Halesmere together. Doug and Christy had floated back onto the yacht when Lizzie and Cal returned to the island, beaming and with a beautiful diamond ring on Christy’s left hand. Congratulations were offered, champagne uncorked, and Cal took the helm for the sail back to the boathouse.
In their happiness and distraction Doug and Christy hadn’t seemed to notice that Lizzie and Cal’s clothes were damp, and she couldn’t restrain her grin after the hour alone with him. Once she’d seen her clients into a taxi and promised to email the images she’d taken, she realised she’d drunk two glasses of champagne. Embarrassed by her most unusual unprofessionalism, she’d asked Cal, as they’d tided the yacht, if he would run her back to Halesmere.
‘Hi, Gemma. You’re early, sorry I wasn’t here when you arrived. Have you seen Ella yet?’
‘No, she’s on her way. Something to do with Arlo’s birthday, she won’t be long.’ Gemma shifted a cake tin to share a hug with Lizzie. ‘You look well, you’ve caught the sun already.’
‘Have I?’ Lizzie’s laugh was self-conscious, her gaze wandering to Cal and the wolf on his arm. Was she his prey? It felt that way, after the sail and his determination to work with her on social media content. The tremor of excitement flared again, thoughts still lingering of all they’d shared this morning and the anticipation of capturing him with her camera in the landscape they loved. ‘So much for the factor thirty. Probably wind burn, we’ve been on a yacht all morning on Windermere.’
‘“We”?’ Gemma’s tone was cool. ‘Who’s “we”?’
‘Cal was good enough to help me out of a difficult situation with clients, that’s all.’ Lizzie made her reply casual on purpose. ‘Are you staying over tonight?’
‘At Mum’s, Simon’s on shift. So how did the proposal go?’
‘It was brilliant, thanks to Cal stepping in at the last minute to save the day and providing them with the most amazing breakfast. Plus I have some great shots of a gorgeous and newly engaged couple on his yacht.’ Lizzie’s hair always dried curly if she left it alone, and Gemma was eyeing it suspiciously. ‘Do you fancy a coffee while we’re waiting for Ella?’
‘Lizzie?’ Cal’s hand briefly touched her arm. ‘Can we get together and talk about locations? I’ve got a few suggestions and we’d like to get some images out there as soon as possible.’
‘That’s fine.’ Her nod was professional, smile practical, eyes dancing.
‘What images?’ Gemma gave Cal a sharp glare. ‘What’s going on with you two?’
‘Cal’s asked me to shoot some social media content for a company he’s working with.’ Lizzie rubbed one foot against the back of her other leg. This wasn’t going well, she’d intended to let Gemma know in her own time. ‘It’s part of the brand launch I’m planning.’
‘What the actual—’ The cake tin crashed to the cobbles and Gemma scrambled to pick it up. ‘Have you lost your mind? You’ve barely been here a week, and this is what you do? What happened to zero intentions and being over him? Are you actually back together? And if those brownies are in bits don’t blame me.’
‘Of course we’re not back together.’ Lizzie was about to add that she had more sense, but wasn’t sure she could be quite so untruthful to her best friend. Sense didn’t have very much to do with how she still felt about Cal.
‘Would it be so bad if we were, Gemma?’ Cal’s voice was quiet. He made it sound so simple and Lizzie gasped.
‘What do you think?’ Gemma rounded on him, and Lizzie paled at the fury in her face. ‘You broke her heart into a million pieces! She loved you and you walked out on her without a word for twelve years, you fu—’
‘Can we stop this, please?’ Lizzie quickly stepped between them. ‘It’s history, Gem. Cal and I both made mistakes. We’ve made peace and we’re moving on.’
‘Mistakes? Is that what you’re calling it now?’ Gemma sighed, ignoring the phone ringing in her bag. ‘I know what a massive mistake it would be, and you do too, Lizzie.’ She glanced at Cal. ‘I’m sorry, I just don’t want her to go through anything like that again.’
‘Neither do I, Gemma, that’s the last thing on my mind.’ He bent towards Lizzie, dropping a quick kiss on her cheek. ‘Glad I could help you today.’ The lightness of breath and familiar touch of his lips had her head inching up, wanting more. Cal straightened, wrenching his gaze from hers but not before she’d read the same desire. He looked at Gemma, the chill between them not quite abated. ‘Are you quite sure you still want me to sculpt Simon’s present? It’s not too late to change your mind. I’ve only done the drawings so far.’
‘Bit late for that seeing as I’ve already paid the deposit.’
