Page 44 of Arranging Ayra
He stopped the jeep at her feet, and I immediately hopped out.
“Here I am,” I declared. “Just in time for our private lunch.”
Keely smiled as she uncrossed her arms. If she had intended to reprimand Jai, she didn’t let on. “Thank you, Jai,” she said.
“It was very much my pleasure showing Ayra around. I’m always proud to show off parts of the property people only rarely see.”
“And I do thank you for bringing her back in time.”
He nodded. “I always do my best to do what’s needed. Now, if you don’t mind, I do have chores to tend to.” And with a slight tip of his jaunty cap, he steered the jeep away and left us.
“So,” Keely said as she turned to lead me around the house to the back. “How was your visit?”
“Magical, Keely. This place is truly magical. I mean, Jane Austin herself could not have found a more suitable location to bring her novel to life.”
“That’s good to hear. And what about the lakes. Which one did you prefer for this all important scene?”
I giggled like a schoolgirl. “When you really get down to it, once Mr. Darcy strips down and dives into that water... who really cares where it is.”
We burst out laughing, each with our vision of Barnaby stripped down and dripping wet.
“Remember back in grad school?” Keely said.
Laughing louder and louder, I nodded as I grasped her hand. “We watched Colin Firth dive into that pond over and over again. “
She grasped my other hand as she faced me. “Not only the dive but...”
“The walk back to the house with that white shirt plastered to his chest,” we shouted in unison.
“Ah,” Keely let out as our laughter died down. “Those were the days.”
“Yeah,” I said. “That’s what prompted us to form the Jane Austen Association.”
Releasing my hands, she laughed. “That’s right. And now, here we are, making a movie of our own.”
“But.” I finally said. “On a more serious note...
“Ladies,” Jai called out as he came around from the other side of the manor and walked to us. He’d discarded his cap and quilted jacket. “Your private table at Moon Manor’s café is ready.”
Keely quickly sobered up. “Thank you, Jai. And the crew?”
“Sandwiches will be served half an hour after you and Ayra have been seated.”
“Perfect. Thank you.”
He left us once again.
“Give me a minute to go change out of this and I’ll meet you at the café.”
“Make it quick,” Keely said. “We have a lot to talk about.”
Frowning, I walked away and headed up to my room. I thought our private lunch was simply to establish which lake Barnaby would dive into. What else could she want to discuss?
I opened the door to my room and gasped at the sight of a huge bouquet of colorful flowers set on my dresser.
“Oh, my,” I let out as I walked up to the flowers and instantly shoved my nose into the bouquet. “Barnaby?” I whispered as I looked for a card.
But there was none.
