"Candy, dear, Rich and I are taking Josh with us to visit a friend, so why don't you take some time off for yourself?" Melinda said, smiling fondly at her. "Some sunbathing might be just what the doctor ordered."
Why not? Candy thought later after the Kanes left. She had used to enjoy the poolside all those years back, especially after Matt had taught her how to swim. Besides, it was a lovely day and she could do with some relaxation. She slipped on a modest white bikini and snatched up a wrap before going out to the pool.
The water glimmered invitingly, still and blue, as Candy laid her wrap down on a lounger. Swim first, she decided, wondering if she still remembered the lessons Matt had given her. They did say swimming was one thing you never forgot, she mused as she went up to the edge of the pool and gazed into its depths. She started at the shallow end first, to be on the safe side, but found very soon that she was swimming with the ease of old times. She dived beneath the balmy water, relishing the feeling of freedom it gave her. When she surfaced again, she gave a startled yelp.
"Oh!"
Matt stood at the poolside, hands in pockets, watching her, a small smile playing on his lips.
"M-Mr. Kane! You startled me!"
His smile widened slightly though he said nothing, continuing to observe her.
"Uh…your parents are out visiting with Josh, and Mrs. Kane suggested I use the pool to relax, that's why -"
"Relax, Ms. Kent, it's perfectly fine. In fact, seeing you like this -" he paused, indicating her bikini-clad form with a lifted brow, a devilish glint in his eyes. Candy flushed, her heart rate accelerating. "- makes me feel like taking a dip as well."
"Oh…" Candy's blush deepened. He was teasing her! He knew just what she would have thought, and he was having fun at her expense! "I – I – I was just finishing with my swim anyway, so the pool is all yours. I'll be out of your way in a minute."
Scarcely had she spoken than she regretted her words. What was she thinking, getting out of the pool wearing a bikini that exposed her back? Matt would definitely see her scars and then – no! She couldn't risk him having a flashback again! Seeing him in agony the last time had been painful enough, she could not knowingly put him in danger again.
"Ms. Kent?"
Candy shook herself out of her thoughts to find him looking down at her with a puzzled look on his face, his hand outstretched.
"Wha-?"
"I said, let me help you out of the pool," he said, leaning forward.
"No!"
Matt looked even more puzzled at her sudden outburst.
"I – I mean, it's so nice in here maybe I'll stay in the water a bit more…you don't need to wait, Mr. Kane, I'm sure you'll need to be on your way…" Her voice trailed off and she grimaced inwardly. "Real smooth, Candy Clarke!" she berated herself silently. "Now you're babbling and he's going to think you're an idiot!"
"Oh, I'm in no hurry," Matt said easily, withdrawing his hand. "I'll wait here for you to finish your swim – though I daresay you're going to get as wrinkled as a prune if you stay in there much longer." He wandered over to a lounger.
Crap! Now she was trapped! Candy thought frantically. "Mr. Kane!" she called hurriedly. "I – you're right – please could you hand me my wrap?"
If Matt was surprised by her sudden change of mind, he made no comment. Instead, he picked up her wrap and strolled back to the poolside. "Sure I can't help you out?" he murmured.
"Uh…I'm sure…could – could you just turn around while I get out of the pool, Mr. Kane? Please?" she added at his questioning look.
"Of course." He turned his back to her, and Candy quickly climbed out. She took the wrap from his extended hand and pulled it around herself.
"Thank you."
Matt turned back to her, curiosity writ large in his brilliant blue eyes, but again, he chose not to comment on her strange behavior.
"Well, I'll just go shower off and give you some space, Mr. Kane." Candy would have rushed off, but he held up a hand to stop her.
"Would you join me for a stroll in the garden once you're done, Sarah?" He looked hopefully at her, a dull flush staining his cheeks. "I – I would really appreciate the company."
"Of course." Candy could not help the big grin that spread across her face as she practically floated all the way up the stairs to her room. Matt wanted to spend time with her! She showered quickly and, wrapped in a big towel, surveyed her collection of clothes. What should she wear for a walk in the garden with Matt? She wanted him to see her, the REAL her, not just Josh's little nanny. Her gaze fell on a pretty russet-colored dress that was a little less nanny-like than her other outfits. She slipped it on quickly, not wanting to lose out on even a minute of Matt's company.
Matt was waiting for her at the foot of the stairs, absently studying the paintings on the wall there. He looked so alone, Candy thought with a pang, wondering again how it must feel to have your entire existence wiped out in a single moment.
"Hey." He looked at her with a smile as she descended the stairs, all traces of somberness gone. "You look very nice, Sarah."
"Thank you, Mr. Kane," she replied, glad that her presence seemed to have alleviated his loneliness, even if only temporarily.
They stepped out into the garden and looked around. "That way, shall we?" Matt asked, indicating a pathway that was comparatively shadier. Candy hesitated. The pathway he had chosen had led to the old summerhouse, where she and Matt had often indulged in steamy make-out sessions. She remembered the day she had bought her Prom dress and blushed involuntarily. She had refused to show it to Matt before Prom night, and he had made her pay…
"Sarah?" Matt's voice recalled her to the present with a start. "Where do you keep going away like that?"
"Sorry, just wool-gathering." She smiled up at him, resolving to stay focused on the present. "Um…maybe that way might be better?" She pointed in the opposite direction to the one he had chosen.
"There's no shade down that way, and the sun's still quite strong," he objected. "This way's nice and shaded."
Candy nodded, not wanting to make him suspicious. After all, the old summerhouse had been torn down a few years back, Melinda had told her. It had become quite rundown and with everything else going on, the Kanes had not had the heart to repair it. It had been much easier to just pull it down, Aunt Mel had said. With nothing left there to remind him of the past, there was no harm walking that way, was there?
They strolled for a few minutes in silence, then Matt spoke up. "So, tell me, Sarah, what made you decide to be a nanny?"
Candy hesitated. "I guess life chooses some things for you," she replied at last.
"And if you had to choose, what would you have done?" he replied, sounding genuinely curious.
Candy thought back to the degree in social work that she had worked so hard for, hoping one day to help others like her younger self. "I'd have liked to do something for abused women and children," she said. "But right now, I'm very happy taking care of Joshua, Mr. Kane," she added hurriedly.
Matt looked at her appreciatively. "That's a very noble ambition," he said softly. "I hope you can achieve it someday. Oh, and call me Matt, please, Sarah."
They rounded a curve, taking them out of sight of the house. Matt stopped abruptly, looking around him with a frown.