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‘Coffee...? We have to celebrate, and this is the last I have left.’
Much as he would have loved to celebrate with her, in just about any way that Megan would let him, it was a bad idea. His own excitement and hers were an explosive mix, and Jaye already had what he wanted. He’d never forgive himself if he spoilt it all now.
‘It’s...a bit late for coffee.’
‘You think I’m going to sleep? After this? Coffee’s not going to make any difference. I can make you a cup of tea if you prefer it.’
‘Thanks, but I need to turn in. But I’m really pleased you’ve said yes.’ Jaye had reckoned on leaving the next bit for tomorrow, but he was on a roll. And he wouldn’t be sleeping tonight either. ‘There’s one more thing. I want you to take a day off.’
Her eyebrows shot up. ‘A day off? I don’t have time. I’d set aside the ne
xt few weeks to finish up the plans for the women’s centre with Ranjini.’
‘You’ll be coming back to do that. And you’ve been working twenty-four seven since you got here.’
Megan shrugged. ‘Okay. I can...read a book, I suppose. Or sit under a tree.’
‘And how long will you be able to keep that up for before you decide there’s something pressing you need to do in the clinic?’ Jaye grinned.
‘A couple of hours. Possibly more.’ Megan grinned back.
‘That’s what I thought. Which is why I have a proposal for you. I promised my parents I’d go up to their house here, to make sure it’s okay. Since things are running pretty well now at the clinic, I have time to do it. It’s thirty miles from here and we can be there and back in a day...’ Jaye couldn’t quite say the words.
Come with me. I want to spend the day with you.
‘It’s a long way to go just to make sure I take a day off.’
‘If that’s what it takes... Or I could lock you in your bungalow.’
‘Nah. I’d find a way out.’ Megan laughed. ‘Okay, I’ll come. Thank you.’
Chapter Thirteen
MEGAN HAD HARDLY expected the house to be anything other than beautiful. Set in the mountains, a little way back from the road, it was surrounded by lush trees, the roof sprawling out over a wide veranda that ran all around the building. It looked cool and serene after a hot and sticky drive.
Inside, the huge shaded windows, mosaic-tiled floors and pale walls gave the place an air of calm and quiet. White muslin curtains billowed lazily in the breeze, like flapping sails on a great ship, and the view across the mountains was spectacular.
‘This is lovely, Jaye.’ Despite the silence, the house was clearly regularly cleaned and aired. ‘Is there anyone here?’
‘The housekeeper and her husband. I’ve asked Mrs Jayasuna to make lunch but I have time to show you the garden before it’s ready. Would you like to go upstairs and freshen up?’
He led her up the stairs to a large bedroom, dominated by a carved teak bed.
‘You’re going to tell me that this was all made in a little workshop that the charity sponsors, aren’t you?’ Taking an interest in the provenance of the furniture kept Megan’s mind off the use to which the great bed could be put to.
Jaye chuckled, gravitating away from the bed and towards the table that stood by the window. Perhaps he was of the same mind, but somehow that didn’t seem quite as challenging as it should be.
‘Quite a big workshop, actually. And we don’t sponsor them, they don’t need it. But they do pay their craftsmen a fair wage and they only use sustainable timber.’
‘For a better night’s sleep?’
He grinned. ‘Yes, much better. This was my parents’ first home after they were married. When they got to the point of settling for long enough to have a home.’
‘They travelled a lot?’
Jaye nodded. ‘When you interviewed my parents, did my father tell you the story about pursuing my mother through five countries and two continents?’
‘Yes. He went into some detail. He said that he met her here in Sri Lanka, while she was travelling. She didn’t want to settle down, but he knew that she was the one for him. I thought that the five countries and two continents might be an exaggeration.’
