Read Online Shifting Sands by Anthea Fraser - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Anthea Fraser
Tags: Fiction, General, Suspense, Mystery & Detective, Suspense fiction, Journalists, Widows, South Africa, Sudden Death, Safaris, Safaris - South Africa
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previous year sheâd been on firm ground emotionally, sure of herself and those around her. But, after expecting to grow old together, Miles had suddenly died, and that firm ground gave way to sand, no longer supporting her. Now, ten months later, the sands had shifted again.
One thing, at least, was certain: the screens sheâd been carefully erecting throughout the holiday had been well and truly demolished, forcing her to confront feelings that, unacknowledged, had been welling up inside her.
But could this really be happening? Was it remotely possible that she, Anna, widowed less than a year, could, after loving one man all her life, have fallen for someone else â someone, she reminded herself, about whom she knew next to nothing â in the space of two and a half weeks? And the answer to that, she thought unwillingly, had to be âyesâ. Hadnât she and Miles become engaged within a month of their meeting? Like Lewis, it seemed she also was prone to quick decisions.
But, as heâd guessed, it was Miles, dead for less than a year, who was foremost in her mind â the only man sheâd ever slept with, and had never doubted would remain so.
She raised her head, taking a deep breath and trying to be dispassionate. Lewis had as good as said he loved her. How did she honestly feel about him? That he was attractive, there was no disputing, his occasional broodiness and flashes of temper adding to, rather than detracting from, that attraction. He was also an entertaining and interesting companion, and from the first sheâd been flattered by his attention.
Thus far she could be rational. But there was no denying his embrace had lit fires in her reminiscent of the early days of her marriage, fires which, though remaining warm and comforting, had over the years lost their fierceness. Tonight, incredibly, sheâd been consumed with all the excitement and impatience of her teens, and, as heâd reminded her, their time together was running out. The thought of not seeing him again suddenly appalled her.
Weâre both adults , he had said, free to do as we choose without hurting anyone . And he was right, she thought with a sudden lifting of spirits. Though this was happening sooner than she could have hoped, it offered a chance of happiness that might not come again, and sheâd be a fool to turn it down. At least sheâd agree to their continuing to meet, and if, when they knew each other better, they still wanted to be together, so be it. But one thing was clear: whatever her feelings for Lewis, now or in the future, he would never replace Miles. She hoped that Miles himself, wherever he was â not to mention her family â would understand that.
Anna awoke with a sense of excitement that took several seconds to identify. Then the memory of the walk back from the Centre rushed into her consciousness, filling her with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation. How would she and Lewis greet each other? What should she say to him? She realized with some embarrassment that, after her enthusiastic response, sheâd been distinctly unforthcoming. Might he have regretted declaring himself? Think she wasnât interested? She would soon know.
She was grateful for Harry and Susanâs company again on the way to breakfast, but again they were shown to a different table from Lewis and the Salters. In fact, in her first, quick glance round the restaurant, she hadnât spotted them.
They were moving on after breakfast, and having ensured that her case had been loaded into the hold, Anna climbed aboard the coach to see Wendy and George seated together, and Lewis in the row behind them. He immediately rose, eyes raking her face as he made way for her to sit by the window.
She smiled at him, including him in her general: âGood morning!â and the tension in his jaw eased a little.
âAll right?â he asked in a low voice as she settled herself.
âAll
One thing, at least, was certain: the screens sheâd been carefully erecting throughout the holiday had been well and truly demolished, forcing her to confront feelings that, unacknowledged, had been welling up inside her.
But could this really be happening? Was it remotely possible that she, Anna, widowed less than a year, could, after loving one man all her life, have fallen for someone else â someone, she reminded herself, about whom she knew next to nothing â in the space of two and a half weeks? And the answer to that, she thought unwillingly, had to be âyesâ. Hadnât she and Miles become engaged within a month of their meeting? Like Lewis, it seemed she also was prone to quick decisions.
But, as heâd guessed, it was Miles, dead for less than a year, who was foremost in her mind â the only man sheâd ever slept with, and had never doubted would remain so.
She raised her head, taking a deep breath and trying to be dispassionate. Lewis had as good as said he loved her. How did she honestly feel about him? That he was attractive, there was no disputing, his occasional broodiness and flashes of temper adding to, rather than detracting from, that attraction. He was also an entertaining and interesting companion, and from the first sheâd been flattered by his attention.
Thus far she could be rational. But there was no denying his embrace had lit fires in her reminiscent of the early days of her marriage, fires which, though remaining warm and comforting, had over the years lost their fierceness. Tonight, incredibly, sheâd been consumed with all the excitement and impatience of her teens, and, as heâd reminded her, their time together was running out. The thought of not seeing him again suddenly appalled her.
Weâre both adults , he had said, free to do as we choose without hurting anyone . And he was right, she thought with a sudden lifting of spirits. Though this was happening sooner than she could have hoped, it offered a chance of happiness that might not come again, and sheâd be a fool to turn it down. At least sheâd agree to their continuing to meet, and if, when they knew each other better, they still wanted to be together, so be it. But one thing was clear: whatever her feelings for Lewis, now or in the future, he would never replace Miles. She hoped that Miles himself, wherever he was â not to mention her family â would understand that.
Anna awoke with a sense of excitement that took several seconds to identify. Then the memory of the walk back from the Centre rushed into her consciousness, filling her with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation. How would she and Lewis greet each other? What should she say to him? She realized with some embarrassment that, after her enthusiastic response, sheâd been distinctly unforthcoming. Might he have regretted declaring himself? Think she wasnât interested? She would soon know.
She was grateful for Harry and Susanâs company again on the way to breakfast, but again they were shown to a different table from Lewis and the Salters. In fact, in her first, quick glance round the restaurant, she hadnât spotted them.
They were moving on after breakfast, and having ensured that her case had been loaded into the hold, Anna climbed aboard the coach to see Wendy and George seated together, and Lewis in the row behind them. He immediately rose, eyes raking her face as he made way for her to sit by the window.
She smiled at him, including him in her general: âGood morning!â and the tension in his jaw eased a little.
âAll right?â he asked in a low voice as she settled herself.
âAll
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