Page 44 of A Fresh Start on Crumcarey
Maggie’s head whipped up at the sound of his name, and for a brief moment, her eyes gleamed at him with undisguised joy… before a hint of confusion muscled its way in.
‘Hi Olive,’ he said. ‘Sorry, I’m here a bit early for Maggie… but I’ll wait.’
‘You’re here for me?’ said Maggie, her confusion turning to worry. ‘Is Mr Harris okay?’
‘He’s fine!’ said Luke, feeling decidedly warm and fuzzy about the fact that she clearly adored the salty old gent as much as he did. ‘Exhausted from bossing the pair of us around all week, I think. He’s chilling back at the farmhouse this evening.’
‘Phew, okay good,’ said Maggie with a nod. ‘I was worried I was causing him a bit too much trouble.’
‘Rubbish,’ chuckled Olive. ‘That man’s middle name is trouble. Fancy using your uncle as an excuse to pick up our Maggie!’
Luke felt the prickle of a blush spread across his forehead, and he grinned sheepishly at Maggie.
‘Fine,’ he huffed. ‘I muscled in because I wanted to be the one to come and steal you away for the night.’
He watched as Maggie turned a delicate shade of beetroot, shooting an embarrassed glance at Anna. Anna let out a delighted squeal.
‘I’ll leave you lot to it,’ she said. ‘You wait till I tell Ray that Little Miss Independent here has tamed the beast!’
‘Tamed?’ squeaked Maggie, shaking her head and turning an even deeper shade of red – if such a thing was possible.
‘Beast?’ gasped Luke in mock outrage.
Bang went any hope of keeping his intentions towards Maggie on the down-low! Now it would be all over the island before they’d even left The Tallyaff.
‘Well, as you manned up and admitted it, I guess you can steal your girl away five minutes early,’ said Olive.
‘I’m not…’ started Maggie.
‘She’s not…’ muttered Luke.
‘Okay, okay – just – shoo!’ chuckled Olive, handing Maggie her bag from behind the bar and then making ushering motions at the pair of them.
‘Sorry about that,’ muttered Maggie, as they tumbled out through the door into the car park.
Luke shrugged his shoulders. ‘It’s Olive. I’m used to it!’
They both fell silent for a long beat, and Luke realised he was digging the tip of one grubby work boot into the gravel like a nervous schoolboy.
‘Erm… so…’ said Maggie, glancing at the truck and then back to him.
‘Sorry for dragging you away early,’ said Luke.
‘Don’t apologise for that!’ said Maggie. ‘I’m more than done for one day.’
‘Long one?’ said Luke.
‘Oh yes!’ said Maggie.
Luke waited, but when it became clear she wasn’t about to elaborate any further, he ran his fingers through his hair, trying to muster the courage to set the next part of his plan in action.
‘So… I’ve got an idea… if you’re up for it,’ said Luke.
‘Ooh, intriguing,’ said Maggie, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
‘Let’s hop in the truck and I’ll explain as we go,’ he said. ‘As long as you don’t need to head straight home?’
‘Nope – I’m up for it!’ said Maggie, looking excited. ‘Though, this is all very cloak and dagger. What are you up to, Luke Harris?’
