A Fair Exchange – part 4
by Pebbles
Sunday dawned overcast but dry. Melissa
hurried through her morning chores and then put in a call to Hugh’s
parents to see how they were getting on. Mikey was having a
wonderful time with his Grandparents and didn’t seem at all
concerned about coming home. It was agreed that he stayed on
another couple of days. It was the half term holiday and his
grandparents enjoyed having him to themselves and spoiling him a
bit.
When she put down the phone Melissa felt a
twinge of guilt that she hadn’t offered to go up and visit
with them herself. It was just that she was just enjoying some
time off from parenting and thinking about herself for a change.
She was still feeling a little guilty about this as she and Luka
drove to the beach. The weather had taken a turn to the wild
side. The wind had picked up and huge breakers were crashing down
on the shore.
“I love coming here when it’s
windy. It’s often deserted. Just Baggins the seagulls and me”
As she spoke, Baggins – true to form - ran off after a flock
of seagulls - the wind in his ears – ignoring Melissa’s
shouts to come to heel. She gave up and, with Luka, started to
walk along the high tide line. There were one or two other dogs
on the beach with their owners and Baggins was having a wonderful
time chasing around with them.
“I have missed the sea very much,”
said Luka “Chicago has Lake Michigan but it’s not the
same. There is no salt in the air.” He breathed in, an
expression of pleasure spread across his face. “When I was
growing up in Croatia we were always by the sea. My uncle had a
fishing boat; we would help him in the school holidays. And when
I got older all our trills were on the water – sailing,
water skiing – though we had to save hard to buy the petrol!”
“And I bet the sea was warmer there!”
Melissa laughed.
Luka noticed how brightly her eyes shone
when she laughed. They lit up her face. He felt a strong urge to
take her in his arms and plant kisses on that beautiful face! But
he wasn’t sure if she would welcome that. “So your
uncle was a fisherman, and your grandparents had a farm. What did
your parents do?” Melissa gently questioned. “My father
was an engine driver, he used to let me and my bother ride along
with him in the cab sometimes. He was a wonderful man and my
mother too; she was always at home - ready to take care of
us. It is good that you are able to work at home – to be
there for Mikey. I know it is old fashioned idea but it feels
right to me”
They continued to walk. Having reached the
end of the beach they climbed the footpath up to the cliff top.
From there a track led along the edge of the cliff with
spectacular views of the rocky coastline. “My wife, Maria,
she decided to stay home when we had Jasna although it was hard
for me to make enough money to support us. I was so young! We
fist met at school and got married before I was even qualified.
We just knew it was right – like we were made for each
other. You think we were crazy – no?”
“No, we felt the same, Hugh and me. We
met just before I started university. He was a bit older and
already working. My parents were dead against it at first. They
thought I had no experience, I couldn’t know my own mind.
But I knew. We were meant to be together – so why wait? And
I did continue my studies! And they came to love Hugh too in the
end” Their eyes met – a look of understanding passed
between them. They had both found and lost their dearest love.
They could share the happy memories and the sad one’s too.
The wind was coming in stronger gusts by now
and with it came a heavy squall of rain. “We’d better
turn back – we’re going to get soaked!” Melissa
realised that neither of them had a coat. Her fleece would keep
out a light shower but not this kind of rain and Luka had only a
thick sweater. Laughing they stumbled bath along the track –
not able to run for fear of slipping down the cliff. Luka took
Melissa’s hand – it felt very comforting and strong. At
last they reached the shelter of the landrover. Baggins was
already waiting to be taken home – exhausted from his sport
on the beach and also very wet. The windows quickly steamed up so
Melissa had to wait a while for the de-misters to start working.
“What we need now is a good hot coffee
in front of a roaring log fire – and some dry clothes!”
suggested Luka. “Well I can take care of the former but I
don’t think I have anything to fit you!” <Although I’d
like to help you out of those wet things> – thought
Melissa, shocking herself a little. She dropped him at the barn
to change before rushing in to get herself dry. She was feeling
cold by now and decided to take a hot shower before getting into
some dry clothes. When she at last came back downstairs Luka was
already in the sitting room lighting a huge pile of sticks in the
hearth.
“You’re not leaving anything to
chance are you” she teased seeing that he had used almost
all the newspapers and kindling sticks. “No, this fire is
going to light first time or my name’s not Luka Kovac!”
And it did. Soon he had a great blaze going and the two of them
were crouched by the hearth enjoying its warmth. Luka shivered,
the heat had not yet driven off the cold from his bones. “You’re
still cold?” asked Melissa “Let me warm you up”
He didn’t protest as Melissa started to
rub his back vigorously. “That’s great – don’t
stop” he leant back into her embrace feeling her breasts
against his back. “I can’t rub you if you do that”
she giggled. “No? Then let me warm you” He twisted
round, wrapped her in his arms and gently rubbed her back.
“Is that nice” he whispered, his
lips brushing her ear. “Mmmm” she mumbled “Don’t
stop” He continued to massage her back, then unable to
resist the urge any longer he brushed his lips gently against the
base of her neck as he slid his hands over her shoulders and down
her upper arms. His thumbs began to stroke the sides of her
breasts. Melissa’s head was swimming – she was
overwhelmed by desire for him. Her lips sought his in a kiss that
started gently as they explored one another and then deepened and
increased in passion until they had to break away to draw breath.
Melissa almost lay in his lap as they
sprawled on the hearthrug. Looking up she saw his eyes were dark
with desire. She was reaching up to pull him back down to her
embrace when she became aware of a faint whistling noise. The
kettle! She had put it on the Aga for coffee and forgotten it.
“Urgh, the kettle! I must get it before it boils dry”
she muttered struggling to her feet. “Why don’t you put
another log on the fire? – I’ll be right back!”
Luka replied with a husky “Don’t be long!”
In the bright lights of the kitchen Melissa
began to have second thoughts. What was she getting herself into?
Luka would be going back to America by Christmas. If she let her
heart rule her head she was headed for a major heartbreak. She
was falling in love with this man. She needed to back off quickly
before she got in any deeper. And it was wrong of her to lead him
on too –he did not need to suffer any more pain. He had told
her about Carol Hathaway who had dallied with his feelings –
Melissa did not want to hurt him. He was too dear to her.
Returning to the sitting room, Melissa
carefully set the coffee mugs down on the table and went to sit
as far away from Luka as possible. He looked surprised but didn’t
say anything. “Luka, I’m sorry but I think we got a bit
carried away. I’m not sure I’m ready for a relationship
just yet.” She tried to sound convincing. Just one word of
protest from him and she was sure she would fly back into his
arms. She avoided his eyes and stared into the fire. After
a while he spoke “It’s OK Melissa. I don’t want to
do anything you’re not happy with. You have become very
special for me. I want you only to be happy” He paused.
“Would you like me to go now?” Melissa was sure she
could feel her heart breaking. “No, I mean I don’t
know.” The tears began to well up “Yes, I think you’d
better” She almost whispered, her resolve faltering. Luka
got up and, bending over her planted the gentlest of kisses on
her head. Then he left without saying another word.
Walking back to the barn Luka wondered what
he could do to get through to Melissa. He knew now that he loved
her. But perhaps she was not ready. If anyone understood the
process of grieving, then it was Luka and he thought he had read
the signs right, that she was ready to move on. He could be
patient – she was worth it. She had to see how right they
were for each other – she must!
Melissa sat alone staring into the fire for
a long time after Luka left. She felt utterly miserable <What
have I done?> The realisation hit her like a physical blow.
<I love him!>. Her thoughts were interrupted by the
entrance of Baggins who thrust his snout under her elbow
reminding Melissa that it was time he was let outside. “OK,
OK, I’m coming!” She dragged herself to her feet.
Letting him out the back door to answer the call of nature, she
absentmindedly began to tidy the kitchen whilst waiting for him
to return. She was startled by a knock at the front door. Luka
must have come back! She rushed to open it. But instead of her
dear Luka there stood the odorous policeman, Martin Hunt!