Playing for Love (Summer Beach Vets 1) - Escape Down Under (11 page)

It had been a tough clinic again today—the usual Friday madness—but Craig was glad. It took his mind off Sara. He kept seeing her face—her soft lips trembling, her blue eyes haunted by pain—as she turned and walked out of his house last night. He couldn’t believe that she was leaving to go back to America tomorrow. He couldn’t believe that she was really going to turn her back on what they had together. The thought of never seeing her again made him want to roar with frustration. Or smash his fist against something. Hard.

Craig leaned back in his chair and sighed, massaging his stiff neck. He wanted to go over to Ellie’s place and see Sara, but he fought the urge. What could he say? She had made her feelings very clear. And she was right—if she took the spot on his arm, she would have to be in the spotlight. The paparazzi weren’t so aggressive here in Australia, but she would still come in for her fair share of media attention. He had no right to ask her to cope with that.

And yet his mind kept searching for a way to keep Sara in his life. Was there a way? Any way he could convince her to be with him?

Sara snapped the locks on her case and heaved it off her bed, setting it on the floor. Ellie watched her from the doorway with a troubled expression on her face.

“You know you’re welcome to come back anytime,” her cousin said.

Sara gave her a wan smile. “Thanks, Ellie.” She sighed. “But I can’t keep running from my life forever. And my life is there, back in California… not here.”

Even as she said the words, Sara could hear that little voice in her head saying: Why not?
Why not?
She shook her head impatiently and pushed the voice away. She couldn’t think thoughts like that. It was stupid and foolish and pointless.

“We don’t have to leave for the airport for another hour,” said Ellie. “It’s nearly noon. Do you want to go down to the Laughing Kookaburra and grab an early lunch?”

Sara shook her head. “No, thanks. But… I might go for a last walk on the beach, if that’s okay.”

“Sure. I’m just going to make myself a sandwich and catch up on some emails while you’re gone, then.” Ellie turned away.

Sara smeared some sunscreen on her face, remembering with a pang Craig’s smiling face as he told her about “Slip Slop Slap”. Then she left the house and walked slowly through the streets towards Beach Road. The sky was a dazzling blue, with the sun shining hotly and a few fluffy white clouds trailing across the horizon. There was a relaxed, weekend feel in the air—in the distance, she could hear the sounds of children shouting and playing, and even the musical tinkle of an ice-cream truck.

Sara arrived at the open view at the end of Beach Road and looked out towards the sea. There were several families on the beach today—stretched out on blankets, building sandcastles at the water’s edge, splashing in the waves. Sara was a bit sorry that she wouldn’t have the beach to herself, but perhaps it was just as well. Less chance of her brooding if she wasn’t alone.

She went down the rickety wooden stairs and started across the sand. She was just passing underneath the terrace of the Laughing Kookaburra Café when she heard a sharp bark. She looked up to see a familiar little face peering at her over the side of the terrace. Soft floppy ears. Big black nose. Caramel brown eyes. It was Happy the Beagle. He was looking at her excitedly and wagging his tail. Sara felt a rush of pleasure. He recognised her! A minute later, she saw Rob McDonald’s face appear alongside the dog’s.

“I was wonderin’ why he got so excited,” said Rob with a chuckle. “Great to see you again, Sara!”

Sara smiled and went up the few steps that led directly from the beach onto the café terrace. It was busy with the weekend brunch crowd and she saw Kylie taking orders from a table of six in the far corner. Here, at this end of the terrace, was a smaller table where a pleasant-faced woman sat. She was obviously Rob’s wife, and she smiled at Sara as Rob introduced them.

“We’re headin’ back up to Queensland today,” he told Sara. “Just having a bite to eat before we hit the road… would you like to join us?”

“Thank you, but I’m fine,” Sara said. “I was going for a last walk on the beach. I’m leaving today as well—flying back to the States.”

There was a movement from behind their table and Sara realised that there was another dog there. In fact, she didn’t know how she could have missed it—the angle of the table must have initially blocked her view—because this dog was enormous. It was a harlequin Great Dane, its body covered in a striking pattern of black patches on white. It had been lying beside the table, and now stood up and ambled over to meet her. It was so tall that it could almost look her in the eye.

Sara gave a delighted laugh. “I didn’t realise you had another dog!”

“Yes, meet Sleepy,” said Rob with a chuckle. “We named ’em after the dwarfs in
Snow White
. Fits ’em to a T. Never known a dog as lazy as Sleepy—must sleep about eighteen hours a day, he does.”

Sara reached out to pat Sleepy and the Great Dane wagged his tail. It whacked against one of the chairs at the table and nearly knocked it over. Rob grabbed the chair and steadied it, then carefully moved several items on the table farther away from the huge, swinging tail. Sleepy moved closer to Sara and she felt a heavy weight sag against her.

“He’s leaning on me!” She laughed, staggering a little.

“Yes, Great Danes are leaners. Means he likes you.” Rob gave a wink.

Before he could say anything else, a couple from the next table got up and rushed over, oohing and aahing over Sleepy. Sara stepped back to let them fuss over the dog and watched as they were joined by a couple from another table, a group of guys from the table on the other side and some children from a table inside the restaurant. Soon a small crowd had gathered around them as everybody wanted to meet and pat the Great Dane.

“It’s always like this,” said Rob with a laugh to Sara. “Wherever we go. People queuin’ up to meet Sleepy, wantin’ to ask questions about him… how much he eats, where he sleeps, how we walk him, how big he’ll grow to… Since we got him, we’ve never been able to go to cafés anymore or even just out on a walk without people pointin’ and starin’ and wantin’ to come up and fuss over him. It’s almost like goin’ out with a celebrity!”

“Doesn’t it bother you?” asked Sara curiously. “All that constant attention?”

“Sometimes,” said Rob with a shrug. “The wife and I talk about it. It
would
be nice to just go out sometimes and not have to deal with all the fuss and attention. But comes with the territory, you know? I mean, nothin’ in life is perfect, right? Sleepy is one of the best things that’s happened to us. Just can’t imagine life without him now. So I guess it’s a small price to pay to have him in our lives.”

Sara looked at the giant dog sitting, panting placidly, in the centre of a crowd of admirers, and suddenly saw Craig, smiling and signing autographs, surrounded by his fans.

“We’re so pleased to see you again so that we could have a chance to thank you properly,” said Rob, interrupting her thoughts. “We’re really grateful, you know.”

“Oh, it was nothing,” said Sara, waving her hand. “I’m just pleased I found Happy when I did. I have a Beagle too, you know.”

Rob’s eyes lit up. “Do you now? What’s his name?”

“It’s a girl. Coco,” said Sara. “She looks a lot like your Happy, actually.”

At the mention of his name, Happy barked again. Then he ran to the top of the steps leading down to the beach, looked back towards Sara and whined.

Rob laughed. “I think he wants to join you on the beach. Much more fun than sitting here under the table, hoping for scraps.”

“I can take him for a walk with me, if you like?” Sara offered. “I’ll drop him off here on my way back. Then you can have your lunch in peace,” she said with a grin. “I know what it can be like to have a Beagle hassling you for food.”

“Well… if you’re sure…?”

Sara nodded. “I’d offer to take Sleepy too, but I’m not sure I could handle him!”

Rob glanced back at the Great Dane and chuckled. “Don’t worry, I think Sleepy’s quite happy here getting fussed over instead of sloggin’ across the beach. But Happy would love it.”

Happy barked again excitedly, then scampered down the narrow steps ahead of Sara as they went down to the beach. Waving to Rob, Sara started walking towards the water with the Beagle at her heels. She took off her flip-flops when she reached the wet sand and they walked along the edge of the sea, wading through the foaming water. Happy trotted eagerly ahead, nose down, sniffing busily, occasionally stopping to investigate something on the sand. Sara followed, keeping her eyes on the dog and trying not to think too much.

It was so beautiful, with the sea a vibrant shade of blue-green today and the white crests of the waves fanning out in a flowing pattern. A strong breeze blew her hair away from her face and she closed her eyes, savouring the salty smell of the ocean.
At least I had the chance to experience this magical place
, thought Sara, opening her eyes again. She would never forget her stay at Summer Beach.

Happy suddenly barked and took off down the beach.

“Happy? Happy! Where are you going?”

Sara started running after him. Happy was her responsibility now and she couldn’t let him get lost again! Her bare feet kicked against the wet sand as she increased her pace, trying to catch the Beagle. For a dog who had been lying at death’s door just a week ago, he sure was fast! Sara was soon panting with effort as she tried to keep up.

“HAPPY!” she yelled. “Come back!”

She was relieved to see that the dog seemed to be slowing down. Well, no wonder. They had almost reached the opposite end of the beach, where the towering cliffs met the ocean. Sara slowed down too, gasping as she clutched the stitch in her side. Then her heart jerked as she saw Happy run up to a tall figure coming in the opposite direction.

Craig.

He reached down and patted the Beagle, who squirmed happily around his knees. Then he straightened and walked slowly over to her. Sara could feel her heart thumping in her chest, her breath coming in short gasps. It was just the running, she told herself. She was out of shape. But she knew it was more than that. It was this man and the way his deep blue eyes looked into hers.

“G’day,” he said.

“Hi,” said Sara faintly. She was suddenly reminded of the first time they had met on the beach. Craig was in jeans today, not shorts, and his T-shirt was a plain, white one, but he looked just as gorgeous. The sun glinted on his hair and highlighted the tanned strength of his arms.

She wished she hadn’t run into him again, while at the same time she was so happy that she had one last chance to see him before she left. She had never felt so confused in her life.

“I saw you on the beach,” said Craig at last, breaking the silence. “From my window.” He indicated the top of the cliffs.

Sara swallowed. “I… I was just taking a last walk before I left for the airport.”

He gave her a crooked smile. “I was coming to find you anyway. It’s a good thing I caught you here—saved me a trip to the airport.”

Sara took a step back. “Craig—”

“No, wait, Sara—hear me out.” He raised a hand, palm out. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. I know what you said on Thursday and I know you’re right in some respects. It’s not going to be easy and there are going to be a lot of challenges… but I’m not willing to give up on us.”

“Craig—” Sara tried again but he ignored her and kept on talking.

“You said that you can’t imagine being in my life because of my TV career, right?” said Craig. “Okay, how about this. Would you consider being with me if I wasn’t a celebrity?”

Sara stared at him. “What do you mean?”

“I mean if I quit the show. Pulled out. Cancelled all my sponsorship deals.”

“You would do that for me?” Sara whispered.

Craig stepped closer, so that their bodies were almost touching. He lowered his head until his lips were just a few inches away from hers. “I would do anything for you.”

Sara stared up into his eyes. She couldn’t believe what he was saying. He would do all that
for her
? She felt a burst of happiness flood through her. With a laugh, she flung her arms around his neck and felt him pull her close.

“I love you,” he whispered.

Then his lips were on hers and he was kissing her with a hungry passion that made her breathless and dizzy with longing. Sara lost all track of time. There was nothing but Craig and the feel of his arms around her, the roar of the ocean, the rasp of the sand between her toes, and the cry of the seagulls in the sky above them…

But slowly, slowly, reality returned to Sara’s mind.
No
, she thought.
This is wrong.

“Wait…” She pulled away from Craig. “No, no… this is wrong.”

Craig stiffened. “What do you mean?”

Sara thought again of Sleepy the Great Dane surrounded by the crowd of admirers and heard Rob’s voice in her head:
“…nothin’ in life is perfect, right? Sleepy is one of the best things that’s happened to us. Just can’t imagine life without him now. So I guess it’s a small price to pay to have him in our lives.”