Page 68 of Sunny Skies and Summer Kisses

Anoushka felt a flutter in her heart as she gazed down at him. ‘I love you, Gabe Dublin. I love you with all my heart.’ God, it felt good to say that out loud. To finally admit her feelings to him.

‘Oh, man, I can’t tell you how good that sounds.’ He gave one of his lopsided smiles. ‘And you already know I lost my heart the moment I set eyes on you, but I’m going to say it anyway. I love you too, Anoushka Cartwright.’

All at once she was laughing, unstoppable tears pouring down her face.

‘You’re crying,’ he said.

‘Happy tears.’ She smiled, swiping them away.

‘The best sort.’ He reached his hand up to her cheek.

She covered his hand with hers.

‘Don’t suppose there’s a chance of another one of those kisses? I was half-dozing when I felt your lips touch mine. I knew it was you though; only your kisses feel that way, and, well, I suppose the nurses aren’t in the habit of kissing their patients, so it wasn’t going to be one of them. But that’s beside the point, I wouldn’t mind another one of yours so I can appreciate it while I’m fully awake.’ He gave her a cheeky smile.

‘You can have as many as you want,’ she said, laughing. She hadn’t the heart to ask him if anyone else had been involved in the accident; part of her didn’t want to hear if they had. It would save for later.

‘As many as I want, eh? I’ll hold you to that, so I will.’

Anoushka had just gently pressed her lips against his when a female voice with a rich Southern Irish accent made her jump up with a start. ‘Well now, it’s good to see you’re well on the road to recovery, Gabriel.’

Anoushka turned to see a young woman wearing blue and white striped dungarees smiling at her; she had dark hair that was cut in a blunt bob, a familiar pair of twinkling brown eyes and bore a striking resemblance to Gabe.

‘Hi, erm, Gabe woke up.’

‘So I see.’ Amusement hovered over the young woman’s mouth.

‘Ah, Noushka, this is my big sister, Clodagh, she’s come up from London to boss me about, I mean, visit me,’ he said jokingly, shooting his sister a cheeky grin. ‘Anoushka’s just been making me feel better.’

‘You don’t say.’ Clodagh walked over to them, her eyes dancing just like Gabe’s. ‘Hi there, Anoushka, it’s good to finally meet you. Gabe’s told us lots about you.’ She held out her hand.

‘Hi there. He has?’ asked Anoushka as she took Clodagh’s hand, her eyes flicking over to Gabe.

‘That he has. Though he hadn’t quite got round to sharing that you two are a now an item.’ She hitched an enquiring eyebrow at her brother.

Two dots of colour bloomed on Anoushka’s cheeks. ‘Ah, well, we haven’t—’

‘It’s only recent; we haven’t had the chance to tell anyone,’ said Gabe, quickly coming to the rescue, his eyes locking on hers.

‘Oh, really? Well, all I can say is that the family are going to be jumping over the moon when they find out.’ Clodagh gave them both a wide smile.

Anoushka looked between brother and sister, wondering what conversations had gone on between them. She knew from what Gabe had previously said that he was closest to Clodagh out of all of his sisters, and from the brief interaction of sibling banter she’d just witnessed, the strong bond between them was evident.

‘So, little brother, I’ve just been talking to the nurse and she tells me it looks as though you’ll be able to go home tomorrow.’ She sat down on the side of the bed, smoothing the cover with her hand.

‘Well, isn’t that good news?’ He beamed.

‘It is, but you’ll have to decide where you want to go; we’ve been having a family conflab and decided you can either come and stay with Genevieve and me, or you can head back over to Dublin with the parents and stay with them. Mind, I appreciate all that travelling’s not ideal, but Saoirse, Sean and the kids’ll be back from Italy the day after tomorrow, so Mam’ll have to head home in time for that. Roisin’s out of the question; she can’t get time away from work, and it’s the same for Grainne and Mairead.’

Gabe went to speak but Clodagh held up her hand, silencing him. ‘No point in arguing, little brother; you shouldn’t be on your own after a head injury.’

‘I’ll be fine in the lodge at Danskelfe, there’s plenty of people around,’ he said.

‘That’s not an option, Gabriel. State o’ you; you need someone with you for a good few days. I’d stay myself, but I’ve got to get back to work and with Gen being due next week; the baby could arrive anytime soon. I mean, staying with us wouldn’t exactly be ideal, but it’s doable at a push I suppose – please excuse the pun – push, Gen, baby, get it?’

Gabe groaned and rolled his eyes.

Anoushka recalled him telling her that Clodagh’s wife, Genevieve, was expecting their first child. She couldn’t imagine it would be an ideal set-up, him staying there when the couple would be distracted by the imminent birth. She felt a wave of sympathy for him wash over her, an idea springing into her mind. But before she could give it any proper consideration, she was pulled back into the conversation by Clodagh’s voice.

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