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“We’re a little closer to nature by the beach, and it does something to my heartbeat and blood pressure, and everything around us slows.” He takes me in his arms, and I place my head on his chest. Closing my eyes, I concentrate on his heartbeat. It’s a steady rhythm, yet I understand he’s not at peace even though he has found Rose and me.
3
EDEN
Waves roll in over the white sand, the sound hypnotic. At dawn, the ocean is a dark gray, and for a few minutes, the stillness of life surrounds us—a calm presence until the seagulls squawk, alerted to the break of light.
“I enjoy this time of the morning,” I say to Samuel as we meander along the esplanade. Rose woke early to feed, so she came with us in the stroller, enjoying the first minutes of a new day. Samuel is at peace here though I’d rather stay in bed and cuddle up close to him. Only today is my first day back at work.
“What’s on your agenda today?” Samuel steers the stroller, ready to cross the road to home. We wait for several dedicated cyclists to pass before stepping onto the narrow street.
“I’m following up on the construction dates for a pool on the northern garden bed. We have a garden storage structure that must be removed first.”
“A pool, yet you have an amazing body of water a mere fifty feet from your door.” He gives me a sideways glance as we step onto the path.
“Not all our guests like the ocean,” I remind him. “And the pool will be heated so visitors can swim in the colder months as well. The sea is damn freezing in winter with the wind blowing up from Antarctica.”
He grins at me and tilts his head toward the ocean. “Yet swimmers are braving it now.”
I chuckle. “The Icebergs. They’re a dedicated group. Only the thought of drying off in the icy wind isn’t for me.”
He grins at me. “The Icebergs. Does everything have a nickname in Australia?”
“Almost.” My phone beeps with a message.
“Are you on the clock already?”
“Not yet.” It’s a message from Dana. “I’m following up on something since Dana has resigned.” I let out a sigh. “She has been part of our business and family since I was a teenager, and I can’t believe she’s leaving.”
“Has something happened for her to want to leave?” He sits on one of the outdoor cane chairs and signals for me to sit beside him.
“Her husband has a new position in Queensland. They have always wanted to retire up north, so they’re setting themselves up for a few years before they do.”
He nods slowly. “Is your father replacing her?”
“Eventually. I’ll take over her work until he creates a new role.”
His eyes meet mine. “Is this what you want? In Ulara, you spoke about returning to university to study nursing.”
“Circumstances have changed, Samuel. I now have Rose to consider.”
“Wehave Rose to consider,” he emphasizes. “I’m not questioning your decision. I only want you to be happy.”
Me to be happy. What about him?
“I’ll care for Rose while you work the extra hours until your father finds a new employee.” He drops an arm over my shoulder. “Although, anytime now, the paperwork will be approved for me to work.”
Samuel sat for an exam the first week he arrived in Adelaide and passed. My man has a photographic memory, not forgetting his former training.
“Until then, I’m free.” He kisses the side of my head, his lips lingering longer than a normal kiss.
I want to ask him if this makeshimhappy, except I can’t because I know it doesn’t, and it scares me, especially since he must begin his specialist training from scratch. He’s here for us, and in this society, we all need to work.
* * *
Later in the morning, I get off the phone from the construction company and toss it across my desk. “Why do we have to jump through hoops to get something done?” I moan into my hands. “Seriously.” I stand and meet Dana’s gaze.
She stops tapping on her keyboard. “Anything I can help with?”
