A Year of Summer

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The House of Four Seasons

By Atonia Walpole

I’ve taken my laptop down to the edge of the cliff. It’s been a very warm spring, almost like summer for the last two weeks. Tomorrow it is summer. Oh, maybe not on a real calendar but on the calendar of my life summer begins tomorrow when Max arrives. This will be our fourth summer and if you could string them together we will have spent a year together. But for the magic of this place I would have him for a year. He has no concept of time when he arrives. It’s though he’s been on a trip and comes home. For me it’s been nine months.

You might wonder if I miss a season when he leaves. The answer is yes I do. Even though I am involved in the next, I do not forget. They each bring something different with them but that does not replace the one that is not here. Oh, sometimes I wish they could all be here at the same time,  John to swim in the ocean with me, Max to rake the leaves, and Terry to discover spring. I know that cannot be and it would be awkward if they were all here, but I love them all and want them near. I have not mentioned Bud.

Millie has joined me on the bluff. She has secrets she will not share. She waits by the door when she knows someone is arriving. She even waits for Max but scurries away to his library when he comes in, a place he has forbidden her to enter. She always listens attentively but does as she pleases.

I’ve planned an anniversary dinner for us tomorrow night, a surprise for him. I do love him so.

Part 1:

Toni finished her breakfast of poached egg on toast and took her cup of coffee out on the terrace. It was a beautiful morning; the sky was so blue and the water looked blue out in the distance on the horizon. It was the first day of summer and Max would be here today. She’d slept in his bed last night and her thin nightgown smelled of his scent, deep green and sandalwood with that something she had never been able to put a name to. It was a rich scent that had her senses reeling this morning. Unlike her other seasons Max had never arrived at daybreak or before as in John’s case. But then he wasn’t a morning person

He’d barely had time to dress before it was summer and he was on his way. Again he was driving his little yellow car. He’d come in it last year and was arriving in it again. At least he wasn’t out on the highway where it would be seen, he thought as he drove up the long lane to the house.  He paused, taking in the sight of the house and smiled to himself as he parked the car. He was home again.

He came quietly through the house and found her on the terrace with a cup of coffee.

“Appropriately dressed, I see,” he said, stepping out on the terrace and taking her in his arms.

“Max.” She was crushed to him in a tight embrace and his lips stopped any further words she might have spoken.

He ran his fingers through her hair. “I’m home.”

“I’ve missed you, Max.”

“Have you, darling? Well, I’m here now.”

Toni didn’t want to let go of him. “Are you hungry? Do you need feeding breakfast?”

“I’m only hungry for you.” He kissed her again and took the coffee cup she was about to spill down his back away from her. “To bed.”

“Yes.”

He led her up the stairs to his room, tossing off clothes as he went and lay her down on the bed. He soon had her moaning with his tongue and his teeth and she was more than ready for him when he entered her.

“You are precious to me,” he whispered in her ear.

Later, having satisfied each other completely, he decided he was hungry after all. He hadn’t had time for breakfast he told her.

“It's poached eggs on toast this morning,” she said lazily, still not wanting to move.

“Where?”

“Where do you want to eat?”

“Right here.” He placed his hand on her belly.

“Runny egg yolks?”

“I’ll clean you up,” he smiled, teasing her with his finger tips.

Toni grinned and a moment later a plate appeared on the bedside table with a slice of toast and a perfectly poached egg on top. He glanced at her and picked up the toast.

Having now satisfied all appetites for the moment, they showered and went downstairs. Max in his shorts and singlet, barefoot and happy, went into his library.

“TONI!” he called out loudly.

She came running from the kitchen. “Max what is it?”

“Look…in my chair!”

“Millie, bad kitty!” She picked up her cat, petted her and set her outside the door.

“I’ll just bet she spends three seasons in here,” he narrowed his eyes.

Toni bit her lip to keep a straight face.

“She does, doesn’t she? Uh huh, just what I thought. The minute I leave here all discipline goes with me.”

“No one else minds, Max.”

“But I do.”

“She loves you, Max.”

“Cats do not love Toni. They, they sit back and calculate, plot to deceive. They only come around when they want something.”

“She wants you.”

“Well…she can’t have me. I belong to you.”

Toni didn’t move as she felt Millie pass by her ankles and crouch beneath his desk.

“But, darling, if you love me you must accept Millie because I love her. She lives here, too.”

Max looked over his glasses. “You do not fight fair, Toni.”

Toni smiled and kissed his cheek. “And we love you, too.” She left them both in the room and went back to her casserole.

Max dusted off his chair and sat down, having a look at the books stacked on the desk. Salem Witch Trials, local history…someone was researching. He picked a book out of the stack and opened it.

A while later Toni came in with a lit scented candle and placed it on his desk. He was engrossed in the book and didn’t look up. She could do without his cigar smoke and opened a window by his desk.

“Are you trying to tell me something?” he said, still not looking up.

“No, darling, I’m trying to live with it.” She left him alone with his book and stinky cigar.

Millie, awaking from her nap under the desk, got up stretched and hopped up on the window sill to wash her face and hands. Max saw her out of the corner of his eye. He was trying to live with it.

He wandered into the kitchen and leaned on the island as she scraped carrots. “Where did the books come from?”

 

“Bud wanted to find out about the house and property so we bought up a stack of books. It’s quite interesting, the history around here.”

“Hmm? What did he have to say about the lighthouse?”

“He didn’t. We never got through all the books. Why?”

“Apparently it’s not part of this property. It was built in 1910 and is to this day maintained by the coastal authority in this area.

Toni put down her peeler. “Then how were we able to go out on the rocks?”

“Terry was the only one who went to the lighthouse. You couldn’t go there…am I right and Bud couldn’t go there.”

“Right…so there is an end to the property. Oh, Max, do you suppose he was meant to…no.”

“I have no idea, love. Something saved him.”

“He’s magic…”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, this winter John joined a hockey team in Gloucester. It was okay because he has magic. I don’t know how I knew this but I did and that’s why it was okay for him to do that. I thought it was the house that protected him…he has his own magic and I don’t know what he’s capable of or Terry.”

“Jack said it was a section of a boat that saved Terry.”

“Yes, but where did it come from, Max? He was found way out at sea.”

“Perhaps he’s protected by magic…do I have it?” He remembered the white roses he wished for last summer and other things…he knew.

“No, I don’t think so. I wonder why that is? Maybe because you don’t take risks, Max.”

“Oh, but I do…or did,” he frowned. “That’s in the other place, the other movie world.”

“But that’s a different thing. You don’t risk your life or your health. Max, the first time you came here along the beach did you see a light house?”

“No, I didn’t.”

“I wonder if they can see us, the lighthouse people? Can they see a house up here on the bluff?”

“I don’t know but if they did you’d think somebody would come to investigate, find out why we aren’t paying taxes, and why we aren’t on the electric grid.” He picked up a carrot and began munching.

“That’s true…I don’t think we’re visible to the outside world here.”

“Good, I like being invisible.”

“We are only invisible here. When we go through the gates we’re like everybody else.”

Part 2:

Toni planned the evening without his knowledge. He would know in time, she smiled to herself. She was trying to recall details of the dinner he planned for her the first time he came, when he won her over, when she fell in love with him. She wanted to make their first anniversary special for him as well as herself.

She would have to keep him in the house for the afternoon and that might not be easy as he liked to be outside. She walked to the north end of the house and looked back. It might not be visible, she thought, from this angle.

“Max, did I tell you we have horses now?” she asked, entering the library.

“No, you didn’t. When did that happen?” He was still reading that book.

“In the spring. Would you like to go riding this afternoon?”

“Bud on a horse?” He looked up and grinned.

“He learned to ride…do you ride?”

“Oh, yeah, I used to spend my school hols with friends in the country.”

“Well…would you?”

“Today? I’d really like to do nothing, just be. Do you know what I mean?”

“I do, yes, I do,” she sighed and walked to the window by his desk.

“But if you really, really want to?”

“No, darling, that can wait until another day. Egan is here.”

He looked up. “How is that possible?”

“He stays in his cabin and looks after the horses in the stable. I’ve only seen him when I went riding.”

Max continued looking at her. “Stays in his cabin?”

“Yes, he hasn’t been around here if that’s what you’re wondering.”

He smiled slightly. “I was wondering.”

“Do you mind? I can send him packing if you do.”

“No…as long as he stays in his cabin I have no problem with him looking after the horses. Why can’t you have them magically taken care of?”

“I could. I just think they need a human touch, like you do.”

Max smiled and looked back down at his book. “Are you bored, love? Should I be doing something besides reading today?”

“You can do anything you want, Max. You’re home. Reading is a good thing to do. Knowing you are here is enough…for awhile,” she pressed her lips together.

He looked up again and met her eyes. “What is it, Toni?”

“Nothing.”

“Do you think I have forgotten?”

“Forgotten what?” She suppressed a smile.

He didn’t answer. He put his book down took her hand and pulled her onto his lap and kissed her.

“I have planned a dinner,” she finally told him when he let her get her breath.

“You have?”

“Something special to celebrate our anniversary and, ah, it’s up market.”

“Ahhh, do I need to dust off the tux?”

“Umm, maybe not that up market.”

“Was this going to be a surprise and me in my singlet and boxers?”

“No, I was going to tell you later in the day. Although I do like you like this.” She kissed the end of his nose.

“You know where this is leading?”

Toni smiled broadly. “Where?”

“You little beast!” He kissed her again. “Go to your room.”

“All by myself?”

“I’m coming with you…as punishment.”

He left her room just after five to give her time to get bathed and dressed for the evening.  She walked out on her balcony and saw the white tent beyond the fountain at the end of the house and smiled, wrapping her arms around herself. It was going to be special, as special as the man she loved. No, that wasn’t possible. He couldn’t be equaled, not here in this magical place or anywhere in the world. She licked her lips, still tasting him on their surface.

Her scented bath awaited and she settled down for a soak and almost drifted off she was so relaxed. Max took a short nap and showered then opened his wardrobe.

Not up market enough for a tux. He didn’t want a business suit. He found a shirt and tossed that on the bed, a pair of white trousers. Ah, he smiled, this will have to do. He began pulling on his clothes and noticed a little box by his bed, so stopped and picked it up.

“Thank you,” he said. “This is just what I had in mind.” He put the contents in his trouser pocket.

Toni wore a white silk dress with a deep cowl neckline and a pale green ribbon circling her waist. She found diamond studs in the jewelry box on her vanity and placed them in her ears. Slipping on pale green high heeled strappy shoes, she left her hair down and loose. Walking out on her balcony, she heard the music. All was ready.

He didn’t bother to knock but strode confidently into her bedroom and onto the terrace. “Toni, you look beautiful!” He kissed her softly on the lips.

“So do you, my darling. Shall we go down?”

“A moment.” His hand went into his pocket and pulled out the ring. He took her left hand and placed the ring on her third finger, a circle of diamonds. “Happy anniversary for all eternity.”

“Oh, Max, where…how did you, oh, Max!” Her arms went around his neck, holding her hand where she could still see it. “It’s beautiful! Oh, Max!” She found his lips.

“Do you like it, really?”

“I love it! It’s perfect.” She splayed her hand out and looked up at him. He was smiling back, his eyes full of love.

        We will step in here for a moment as they make their way to the tent.

        We have told you Max was not charmed, that is to say, he had no protective

        layer of magic. She has, however, given that to him. We would not like to be

        caught unawares as we were with Terry. Max has magic and he knows this

        and uses it. He has not told Toni he has powers. We find this amusing. He

        was given this gift the night of white roses the first year he was here. He is

        very much a part of Toni and she is his all. What he has done tonight will

        bind them for eternity.   (HO4S)

They entered through the dining room French doors, along a garden path past the fountain and stepped up into the white tent. The floor was marble, the walls thin white silk panels that danced in the ocean breeze. The floor was strewn about with rose petals of all colors. A buffet on one side held roast tenderloin of beef along with sautéed vegetables and tiny new potatoes in a butter and parsley dressing, a salad with assorted dressings and a sinfully chocolate cheesecake for dessert, fresh rolls and chilled butter, a plate of fruit, chilled boiled shrimp with two dipping sauces.

“Toni, this is incredible,” Max smiled as he led her into the tent.

“As you told me four summers ago, Max, this is what I feel for you.”

He looked at her only a moment before kissing her. Toni held his face in her hands and ran her fingers through his hair. Unlike John, Terry and Bud, she’d never seen him tear up until now. It touched her as no words could.

They ate their dinner and opened a second bottle of wine after the cheesecake was devoured.

“I am too full, Toni. I don’t think I can move.” He poured out the wine.

“Ah, but there’s dancing yet to come,” she smiled.

He rolled his eyes up. “And then?”

Toni grinned, “And then the seduction takes place.”

“That will probably take awhile.”

“Oh, I’m sure it will.”

“Hours.”

Toni laughed.

He touched her glass with his. “To our first anniversary…and a short seduction.”

“I’m already there, Max.”

He pulled her out on the dance floor and moved her around, drinking in her scent when he brought her close. Seduction had already begun. The way the silk dress moved and molded her body was not lost on him.  Her ring sparkled in the tiny white lights that had come on inside the tent as the sun went down. It was her ring but she was his.

He didn’t know when he’d first noticed it. Had it been there all along or was it something he’d thought about? He moved her again and had another look, sure it wasn’t there when they first began dancing. He smiled, holding her tightly during a ballad. It promised to be a wonderful evening.

“Where did that come from?” Toni asked, her head on his shoulder.

“Hmm, I have no idea. Looks inviting.”

“The house has ideas.”

“Could be.”

The large heart-shaped king sized bed covered in white velvet and strewn with rose petals had appeared on the edge of the dance floor on the ocean side.

“Kind of kitschy, don’t you think?”

“Is it?”

“A heart-shaped bed, like something you’d find in Vegas.”

“I’ve never been to Vegas.”

“Neither have I,” she murmured against his neck. “Romantic, though.”

He ran his hands up her back then down to her bottom where they stayed. “How far along are you with the seduction part?”

Toni giggled, “Are you well and truly seduced, Max?”

Max took a breath. “Any more seduced and I’m going to embarrass myself.”

Toni pressed herself to him and felt his hardness against her belly. That was enough. He pushed the filmy dress from her shoulders and, finding the tie for the ribbon, he tugged and the dress fell to the floor. She hadn’t worn anything underneath. He picked her up and took her to the bed, came out of his clothes and joined her.

The music played softly now in the background and the lights dimmed. Only the ocean kept up its motion and the breeze continued to dance in the silk curtains.

They woke as the sun came up over the ocean, spreading its light into the tent. Last night’s food had been cleared away and a nice pot of coffee awaited them at bedside. Breakfast was on the buffet and would be fresh when they were ready for it.

“I want to tell you something, Toni. That was the most wonderful evening out of all the evenings we’ve spent together. It was very special. I love you even more.”

She kissed him softly on his lips. “I love you more. You are the air I breathe. I feel like I belong to you, Max.” She looked down at her ring, adding, “I think I do.”

He smiled and took her left hand, kissing her ring. She did belong to him and he to her he knew, and he felt it strongly.

“I know we don’t usually do this in the mornings, but seeing as how we’re outside already....” He took her in his arms and pulled her close to him. “I just want to hold you.”

Toni curled against him, breathing his scent, squeezing her eyes shut to stop the tears that threatened.

Part 3:

They went to Boston to visit Toni’s elderly aunt whom she hadn’t seen since she moved to the house. She’d been talking about her family with Max and it was his idea for her to go. At first he wasn’t going to go with her but she talked him into it. He’d been to Boston before when he helped her move her things out of her house.

The old lady’s name was Sara Stanley and she was Toni’s great aunt on her father’s side.

“I’m not sure I’m good with aunties,” Max said as they climbed the steps to the front door of her townhouse.

“You’ll charm her out of her knickers, Max,” Toni grinned, ringing the bell.

Miss Stanley’s maid answered the door and led them into the living area then quietly left to make tea.”

Toni went to give her a hug. “Auntie Sara, so good to see you looking well.”

“I’m as well as can be expected. Oh, who is this with you?”

“Auntie this is Max Skinner.” Max stepped forward and took the old lady’s hand, brushing a kiss across her knuckles.

“I’m honored to meet you, Miss Stanley.”

“Call me Auntie, young man, and I shall call you Max,” she smiled, looking from one to the other and wondering exactly what he was to Toni. “You’re English,” she commented.

“Yes, from London, actually.”

“Oh…and how did you happen to meet with my great niece? You haven’t been to London, have you, dear?”

“Oh, no, Auntie…he, ah…”

“I was on holiday,” Max supplied, “along the coast here abouts.”

“I see. How fortunate for you both. You look very happy together.”

“We are.” Toni reached for his hand.

“And have you relocated here, Max? You aren’t going to take her away, are you?”

“I won’t be taking her away. I’m here for the summer and then I must go back to London and Provence. I have business there.”

“I see, only for the summer. That’s a shame.” She noticed the sparkle on Toni’s finger. "Forgive an old lady, but are you engaged?”

Toni didn’t know what to say. Perhaps this had been a mistake, too many questions, then her eyes widened at what Max was saying.

“No, Miss Stanley, actually we’re married for a year now. It’s rather an odd and difficult arrangement but it can’t be helped.”

Toni was relieved when the tea tray arrived. “How’ve you been, Auntie? Are you still able to get out?”

“I go to church on a Sunday but that’s about it. One of the deacons comes around for me.”

“Do you ever hear from the rest of the family?”

“Oh, there’s not many left, are there? Occasionally I get a card from your grandmother in Virginia. She’s good about birthdays and that.”

“Yes, she is. I haven’t seen her in, oh, two years I guess.”

“You should go home and see her, Toni. She may not be around much longer.”

Toni sipped her tea. “I should, yes.”

“How about you, Max? Do you have family?”

“Not anymore. I have a cousin left. She’s in France now.”

“Our family is about to die out. I never married, you see, and Toni was an only child so I guess it’s up to you two now to keep it going,” she smiled and sipped her tea.

“Speaking of going, I suppose we should be.” Max looked at his watch.

“Yes, we should if we’re going to make it home tonight. Thank you for tea, Auntie, and I’ll try and get down to see you more often.”

“I’d love that, Toni, and you, too, Max. Go see your grandmother,” she said, trying to rise.

“Oh, please, Auntie, don’t get up!” Max took her arm and helped settle her back in the chair. He kissed her cheek. “You’ve been a delight.”

Toni gave her a hug and her Auntie held her a minute. “Don’t be separated from him, Toni. You go to England if you have to, dear.”

“I love you, Auntie,” she said, kissing her goodbye.

 Once back in the car, Toni shook her head. “Oh, you silver tongued devil! Don’t you know she will write my grandmother and tell her we’re married! I’m going to catch hell for that. She’ll want details and why wasn’t she informed, why wasn’t she invited…”

“What else was I to say? We are, you know…married for all purposes, we are.”

Toni looked at him. “The ring?”

“Yes, the ring. You are my summer bride.”

“And you are my husband. I thought something had happened, that I belonged to you.”

“Perhaps I didn’t explain the significance.”

“You didn’t but I felt it. What will happen in Fall?”

“That’s up to Terry. You are mine in summer. I’m glad he comes after I leave, otherwise I think it would be very hard for you.”

“It would be, yes.” They stopped at a light and she looked into the car in front of them, a man and his wife and their two children in the back seat. It would never be that way for her, never. “Sometimes I wish I could split myself into four people and live out here, have children, see you off to work each day.”

“That’s a dream, darling, only a dream.”

“I know. Once you were a dream.”

“I have a dream, too, Toni, that I could move you up here on Beacon Street and fill the house with children for you. I can’t do that. I have three months with you each year. That’s all we can have and  it has to be enough. We’ve been through this conversation before, love. It goes in a circle.”

“Yes, I’m sorry, Max. I’m never satisfied, am I?”

“I wouldn’t say that. I’ve seen you satisfied. Would you like to stop for dinner somewhere?”

“I would, yes, and something stronger than tea.”

Max looked over at her and smiled. “I can do that.”

The summer was winding down, only a week left, and Max hadn’t mentioned leaving. They were playing tennis one hot day and Toni was giving him a workout.

“That was out, Max!” she yelled.

“It was not! Point to me.”

“Wrong! It doesn't count.”

They slammed the ball back and forth. He was winning but had lost count because of all the arguing and thought she was ahead.

“If you cheat it doesn’t count,” she reminded him.

“I’m not cheating, Toni. The ball was in bounds right here on this line. I hit it, you missed.”

“Okay, if we’re going to play by your rules then that last one I hit out of bounds counted, so there!”

“I am going to nail you to the back wall, Toni. Get ready!”

She tried to hit it jumping up but it went past at an alarming speed. “Hah!” he yelled.

“Okay, Max, you win. You were ahead by eight.”

“Eight? It was more than that.”

“Eight legal returns. You were winning without the whining and cheating.”

“I don’t whine,” he said, wiping his face with his bandana.

“Ha, ha! No, but you cheat!” she laughed.

“Skinny dip,” she called out and ran towards the pool, peeling off her sweaty shorts and top.

He caught up with her and jumped in the pool clothes and all.

“Ah, this feels good, better than a cold shower,” he sputtered.

Toni swam over to him. “You are so much fun, Max, even when you’re whining.”

He gave her a look and rolled over on his back, floating, looking up at the trees over the pool to the sky beyond. He didn’t want it to end.

Toni swam to the side and watched him, wondering what he was thinking.

He didn’t want it to end, didn’t want to leave. He loved it here and loved his wife. He’d begun thinking of her that way since he’d given her the ring. What would happen if he didn’t leave? Would he disappear never to return? Would he stay and Terry not show up? Would the whole place go up in flames? There was no way he would risk it but he thought about it.

“Max.”

He rolled over and went under water, coming up in front of her. “I love you, Toni.” He crushed her to the side of the pool with the intensity of his kiss.

This year he waited until the last day of the month and left right after lunch on the terrace. He held her to him until he thought he would burst and then turned and got in his car, backed it out of the drive and drove away. Toni stood by the garage until he was out of sight then crumpled to the ground and cried for him. Something had happened between them this year, something strong, something forever, something bound up in the eternity ring he placed on her finger. She didn’t want him to go.

ON TO AUTUMN PASSIONS

BACK TO SPRING LOVE BLOSSOMS

BACK TO PART 1 OF WINTER SOLSTICE

BACK TO BONFIRE OF THE HEART 

BACK TO WHITE ROSES IN SUMMER

BACK TO SPRING CAME A CALLING

BACK TO WINTER MAGIC RETURNS

BACK TO FALL OF MY HEART, PART 1

BACK TO A SECOND SPRING, PART 1

BACK TO FALL, PART 1

BACK TO SUMMER, PART 1

BACK TO SPRING, PART 1

BACK TO WINTER

BACK TO BEGINNINGS

BACK TO LIBRISCROWE