Water Lily in July (7 page)

Lucas shook his head. “I'm planning on doing that.”

“Neither of ye are,” Angus told them. “When Harry arrives at the end o'the week Ah'm doing it. He'll spend the week shadowing me. Now, lassie, what were yer doing in London with the fisherman? Assuming it was that Rob ye went with and no some random bloke ye picked up that has the same name.”

Kaylie sighed. “I went with Rob the fisherman, yes. We went to stay with his sister and her family. It's all aboveboard. We slept in separate rooms. Unlike here where I share a room with two blokes.”

“She has a point,” Angus drawled.

“We were in Kew Gardens when you called. And yesterday we did the whole tourist bit around the center of London. I took loads of photos, but left my camera behind.”

“That was silly.” Lucas sounded concerned.

“It's at Rob's sister's place so it'll be fine for a few days until we can pick it up again.”

“What's he like?”

“He's like his voice, actually. Really nice.” She finished her meal. “I like him…like him a lot. And that was scrummy, thank you. What shift am I on?”

“Nights.”

Kaylie groaned internally as she looked at her watch. “OK, in that case as it's ten thirty, you two had better go to bed.” She yawned.

“Are yer sure?” Angus asked. “I can cover.”

She shook her head. “It's fine. Go.” She washed her plate and put it away. Then she headed up to the lantern room. One of the switches had a habit of resetting itself and needed checking every few hours the light was on. Once again the switch was in the off position.

Kaylie reset the switch and trotted back down to the radio room. She wanted to check the logs, weather and so on, before pulling one of the novels off the book shelves and curling up with it.

~*~

Rob picked up his radio as he looked back at the lighthouse, its strong beams flashing across the bay and the surrounding sea. “Wolf Point Lighthouse, this is
Seascape.
Are you receiving? Over.”

“Hey you,” Kaylie replied almost immediately. “Why aren't you asleep?”

“I just wanted to check you're back OK.”

“And what's wrong with my back this time?” Her melodic voice teased him. “Or is this that weird fisherman's code of yours again?”

“Hey, can't a guy have a little fun? It's been boring out here since you left.”

“So get a life.” Her laughter made him yearn all the more for her.

“I have a life, thank you. Only part of it's missing.” He paused. “Yes, I'm missing you. What are you up to?”

“Not much. The others have gone to bed. I'm just checking the logbook, the weather, and so on.”

“They gave you the night shift? That's hardly fair after a busy few days.”

“I'm covering for Crispin, and that's what he should be doing. I'll manage. What about you?”

“Not much. About to go to bed, but wanted to hear your voice one last time before I did. I did want to ask you something though.”

“What's that?”

“What are you doing tomorrow night for dinner?”

“It's Sunday, so Lucas will cook midday. It's always an adventure when he cooks. I'm cooking from Tuesday.”

“If you're still there.” He pushed a hand through his hair. “I'm hoping you won't be.”

“Crispin's son has meningitis, so I have no idea how long I'll be here.”

“Wow. That's pretty serious. I'll pray for him.”

“They'll appreciate that. I put your lilies in the pond. They look good.”

He smiled. “I shall have to come and see them. There is some place safe to dock, right?”

“Yeah. We have a small landing space in the rocks on the east side. There's a launch that comes out once a week with mail, supplies, relief keepers, and so on. The chopper is only used in emergencies.”

Rob yawned. “I should get to bed before I fall asleep where I am. I'll go out Monday night and come back Thursday. I'll speak to you tomorrow. Oh, one last thing, when's the launch due?”

“Monday morning.”

“OK. Night, I love you.
Seascape
out.” He put the mic down and scribbled a note to himself. Then he lay down, the beams from the lighthouse shining into the room in a rhythmic pattern. He focused his thoughts on the keeper in charge tonight, praying for her and for him and for a positive outcome to their relationship.

8

Monday morning came with still no word from Crispin.

Kaylie headed down the ladder to greet the launch as it tied up alongside just before midday. The sea was rough, the skies grey and leaden and the launch tossed about on the unforgiving waves.

Two men, both in reflective jackets, one yellow and the other orange, handed her the crates one at a time.

Struggling to keep her footing, she hooked them up to the winch.

Angus operated the winch from the safety and relative dryness of inside the lighthouse, although the way the spray was flying several feet into the air, he wouldn't stay dry for long.

Kaylie signed for the crates and handed back the clipboard. “Thanks.”

“Oh, almost forgot.” Yellow Jacket handed her a bunch of flowers and a box containing more water lilies.

“What are these? We didn't order them.”

Orange Jacket winked. “Your name is on the card, and with an address like that, this has to be the place.”

Kaylie looked at the card attached to the flowers. Larkspurs, one of the few she could recognize without a book. “
Ms. K. Wells, Wolf Point Lighthouse, twelve miles off the coast of Cornwall, Atlantic Ocean
,” she read. “Oh, very funny.”

“Someone thinks so. See you next week.”

Kaylie leaned the flowers next to the door and carefully made her way out across the rocks to her pond. The wind and waves tried to send her into the sea, but she somehow kept her balance. She put the lilies under the chicken wire and headed back to the ladder. By the time she'd clambered up, she was exhausted.

Angus stood there in his full wet weather gear, his eyes glinting in anger. “Are ye trying tae get yerself killed, lassie?” he yelled. “I was aboot to come an' drag yer sorry butt back in here by yer hair. Ye could have been swept oot tae sea.”

“I'm fine,” she said, wringing the water from her hair. “Rob sent lilies for the pond, so I was putting them in there. The weather is simply a little rain and wind, that's all. Nothing major, and definitely nothing to get your knickers in a twist over.”

“Women.” He pulled off his oilskin coat and sou'wester and tossed them back on the pegs. He grabbed one of the crates and headed up the stairs with it.

Kaylie laid her flowers on top of the second crate and followed him.

His loud brogue was irate as he complained to Lucas about little girls who should know better than go skedaddling over the rocks in the wind and rain.

She sighed. She could do this job just as well as any bloke and thought they were beyond this now. She dumped the crate on the table and turned to go back for the last one.

“I'll get it.” Angus stomped off to the stairs.

Kaylie looked at his retreating back. “I'm sorry.” There was no answer. “Think I upset him,” she said quietly.

Lucas snorted. “Ya think?” He turned to the box on the side.

Angus came back in. “Ye scared the living daylights oot o'me when yer did nae coom back. I could nae see yer because of all the foam and spray.”

“I'm sorry,” she repeated.

“Apology accepted, lassie. Just dinna do it again.”

Lucas grabbed the bunch of larkspurs. “Who are these from?” he asked. Then he snorted with laughter. “Hey, Angus, we have an address now.
Wolf Point Lighthouse, twelve miles off the coast of Cornwall, Atlantic Ocean
according to this here card.”

Kaylie rolled her eyes and held out a hand. “Give.”

Lucas winked and slapped her hand. “Mosquito…”

“Oh, very funny.” She snatched the card and opened it. “It's from Rob. It says ‘
To brighten up Rapunzel's tower.'
And they will certainly do that.” She moved to the cupboard and pulled out the only vase.

Lucas began to unpack the crate. “Another parcel for you, Kaylie.”

She put the flowers into the vase and took the package. Shaking it, she grinned as it rattled.

“Such a child,” Angus commented.

Kaylie poked out her tongue and ripped the box open. She pulled out a yellow plastic duck and laughed as she read the note. “To keep the water lilies company.” She studied the duck. “No, you're too cute to live outside.” She put him on the window sill and grinned. “You can sit there and make sure these men wash the dishes properly.”

Lucas picked up the discarded envelope and stuck it on the pin board on the wall. “Definitely our new address,” he said.

Kaylie yawned. “Think I might go and crash for a few,” she said. “Leave you guys to unpack.” She took the envelope from the pin board. “Mine.” She grinned, and then headed down to the bedroom and curled up on her bed. She pulled her Bible across and read the passage for that morning. She'd just closed her eyes when a hand shook her shoulder. She opened her eyes. “Angus?”

“Sorry, lassie. Radio for ye.”

She staggered up the steps and grabbed the mic, half prepared to kill whoever was on the other end. “Yes?”

“Did I wake you?” Rob asked, the smile evident in his voice.

“No. I hadn't had chance to fall asleep.”

“I'm sorry. I wanted to hear your voice.”

Kaylie yawned. “OK, now you've heard it.”

“I'll let you get back to bed. Oh, before you go, I'm sailing on the evening tide, so I'll call in later than usual. Sleep well.”

“I'll try to.” She put the mic down and headed back to bed. This time she tugged the curtains around the bed to shut it completely. She closed her eyes, but her traitorous mind was now too active to sleep. All she could see was Rob, packing up his boat, sailing off into the blue ocean. Reaching out a hand, Kaylie flicked on the CD player, not caring what disc was in there, she just needed something in the background to help her drift off.

~*~

She opened her eyes to find Angus shaking her shoulder again. “Now what? Can't I have five whole minutes?”

“It's been a shed longer than that, lassie. It's gone 5:00 PM.”

The last vestiges of sleep fled and Kaylie sat bolt upright. “It's what?” She glanced at her watch to double check. “I slept all day?”

“Ye needed it, lass. Yer'd had a long few days and a couple o'nights shift on top. We managed just fine.”

She got up and stretched. “What's for dinner?”

Angus grinned. “Come and see.”

Kaylie followed him down one level to the kitchen. Two men stood there with their backs to her. Her jaw dropped.

Lucas glanced over his shoulder and winked at Angus.

Kaylie remained focused on the other man. Was she still dreaming? What was he doing here? He said he was leaving on the evening tide.

“Rob?” she whispered.

He turned and grinned from ear to ear. “In the flesh. I brought you guys some dinner on my way out. I know you don't like fish, so I got three pieces of fish and one piece of chicken.”

“Thank you…but what are you doing here?”

He hugged her. “I disturbed you earlier and I'm sorry.”

“I'm the one who should be sorry…”

Rob shook his head. “Let's just call it quits and eat while it's hot.” He led her over to the table and sat next to her. He grabbed her hand and said grace.

When she opened her eyes, she found Angus and Lucas grinning. She rolled her eyes at them and grabbed the vinegar. “How was your day?”

“Well,” Angus began, “I did some cleaning and there's this one spot in the lantern room I canna get clean no matter how I try, so I—”

Lucas elbowed him. “She didn't mean you, you great lummox.”

“Och, dinna she now?” He put a hand on his heart. “Yer killing me here.”

Kaylie looked at Rob. “See what I have to put up with on a daily basis?”

Rob chuckled. “Poor Rapunzel. My day wasn't bad. Not that I had anything planned, mind you.”

“I thought you were sailing on the evening tide.”

“I am. The boat is tied up here. I wanted to see you before I left. How's Crispin's son?”

“Still touch and go,” Angus said. “He rang an hour ago.”

“You guys have mobile phone coverage out here?”

Kaylie nodded. “We have a sat phone. Normally we use the radio as it's easier but we have the Internet, too. Not that I use it much.”

“Seriously?”

“I have no one to talk to on it. Crispin uses the video chat to call his family. Angus e-mails his sister in Scotland.” She scowled at Lucas who pretended to play the violin and tossed a chip at him. “This is lovely, Rob. Thank you.”

“You're welcome.”

As they finished, she glanced at him. “Would you like a guided tour of the lighthouse?”

“I'd love one.” He pushed his chair back and stood. “Thank you.”

“Then we shall leave these two to the dishes.”

~*~

Fifteen minutes later, Rob stood with Kaylie on the gallery outside the lantern room. “I especially love the pink curtains around your bed. That's a nice touch.”

“Angus put them up. I use them to change or the nights I'm sleeping. During the day I shut the door and the blokes just keep their distance. Usually, but today I pulled the curtains in the vain hope it'd keep them away. It was a total and abysmal failure.”

“I imagined the stairs went through the middle of the rooms, but they don't. Instead they curve around the outside of the tower.” He leaned on the barrier. “Amazing view—you can see for miles.”

“I never tire of it,” she said. “Let me go and put on the light.”