Beside the Brook (12 page)

“Gee, that’s comforting,” Kirsten said sarcastically. She smiled at Jamie and they walked up the path to the house.

“Well, I’m going to hit the showers,” Jamie said as they climbed the steps to the patio.

“You’re changing the subject,” Kirsten teased.

Jamie turned as Kirsten walked up the last step, her head down to see where she was going. She bumped into his chest and he grabbed her around the waist.

“And you’re being paranoid,” he muttered as he smiled. His face was inches from hers.

She peered up at him from under the peak of her cap. “Am I?” All she could think about was how his arm felt around her waist, strong and warm against her back. She could feel his breath on her face and her heart raced.

“Daddy.” Sarah bounded out of the house and across the concrete. Jamie dropped his arm and turned to his daughter as she slammed into this hip. She was still in her pajamas; pink cotton shorts decorated with pictures of animated pigs.

“Good morning Sarah,” he beamed as he swung his camera out of the way and picked her up with little effort.

“Hey, sunshine.” Kirsten smiled as Sarah wrapped her legs around her father’s waist.

“Did you go for a walk?” Sarah asked.

“We did.” Jamie smiled. “Sorry, it was too early for you.”

“Well I’m going to go and get changed,” Kirsten said quickly. Sarah waved. “See you later alligator.”

Kirsten smiled at Sarah, avoiding Jamie’s stare. “In a while crocodile.”

She could feel him watching her as she left, but she daren’t meet his gaze, for fear she would give away what was going through her mind.

How could this be happening? When Jamie touched her it felt like pins and needles up her spine. She tried to think about what he was like on the occasions when she detested him, but still she couldn’t push away the thoughts of his gleaming green eyes, boring into her soul as he cast the magic of his smile over her. When it came to the two men, Tyler had one up on looks and charm, yet she had felt nothing when he kissed her, except a mild form of flattery that he should think of her that way. But she couldn’t help wonder what Jamie’s mouth would feel like against her own.

Stop it!
She shook her head to get the thought from her mind. Those kinds of things would just get her into trouble. Trouble she really didn’t need right now.

“Honey, don’t fidget,” Beth scolded Sarah as she attempted to straighten her red pleated skirt.

Sarah couldn’t stand still. Her grandmother was taking her to visit the school. The expectation written clearly on the child’s face should have delighted Beth, but it seemed to only irritate her further.

Kirsten could see she hated the fact she had been maneuvered into letting Sarah go. She had tried to make light of it, but Kirsten could see the woman struggling with it.

“Beth, would you like me to take her?” She had asked already, but it seemed like it needed to be repeated.

Beth glared at her. “No, I gotta take a look at this for myself.”

Kirsten held both palms up in surrender. “Okay.”

“But make yourself useful while I’m gone won’t you?” Beth scowled. Kirsten had to bite her lip to stop herself laughing. She knew this was all bravado, and not the real woman behind the mask. Beth was simply losing her grip on her granddaughter, and she knew it.

“Beth, stop fussing.” Craig, who had been trying to look busy at the sink turned and spoke softly to their boss.

“You keep your trap shut,” Beth snapped, but the corners of her mouth shook and a smile threatened to break her rough demeanour. “Now, we’re only going for a few hours Sarah, okay?”

Sarah nodded and smiled, knowing better than to argue when her grandmother was like this.

“
If
,” Beth continued, “and I mean
if
I decide you can go to school, it will only be for one day a week to start with, and Kirsten will be taking you there and back, is that clear?”

Kirsten and Craig stood side by side and raised their arms in a perfectly synchronized salute. Then they grinned at each other.

Beth only fumed further, “God, you two are as bad as each other.” She took Sarah by the hand and led her out to the car.

When she had gone Kirsten collapsed against the counter in a fit of laughter.

“That was brilliant.”

Craig laughed, hearty and deep. “She’s going to whip us later.”

“Oh, you’ll like that,” Kirsten teased. Over the weeks she had grown to like Craig very much. He was a big, gentle man, who spoke his mind.

“Hey, you know it’s her birthday next week don’t you?”

Kirsten looked up, surprised. “No, I didn’t. I’m glad you told me. I can get her something when I go to town this weekend.”

“Yeah, well that’s why I mention it. I was hoping you’d be able to get me a few things while you’re there. I want to have a bit of a birthday dinner for her.”

Kirsten smiled. “What a great idea, Craig.”

Craig blushed. It was something she had never seen him do before.

“So, if I give you a list will you have time to do some shopping?”

“Yes of course. How old will she be?”

“Fifty-six, I think.”

“Okay, well I’ll have to think of something to get her then won’t I?”

* * * *

Luckily nobody had questioned why Kirsten was taking Sarah to town with her on Saturday. They all knew Jamie would not be home for the weekend, and probably assumed he was working. Beth seemed quite relieved that she would not have to look after Sarah herself. Tyler would also be away so it would be a good break for her. Occasionally she seemed quite distant and tired, and Kirsten wondered if maybe she worked herself too hard sometimes.

Kirsten was apprehensive about her trip to Blenheim. She had not seen Jamie much over the last two weeks. When he had returned home last weekend he had spent a lot of time painting. His work was bringing him up fast on the publishing deadline for the book he had been commissioned for, so when he had emerged from his cave, he had been as moody and villainess as ever. Kirsten now wondered if the nice Jamie had been a figment of her imagination. Either that or he had just shown her that side of him so she would do this one favour.

They left early on Saturday morning. Kirsten helped Sarah pack an overnight bag and they climbed into Beth’s vehicle.

She drove slowly, still very weary of the dirt roads, but thankful they had all four wheels controlling their direction.

They stopped a couple of times. Sarah felt a little queasy, so Kirsten chatted, trying to keep her mind off the road.

When they got to the motel, Jamie was sitting outside their room. He shaded one hand over his eyes and smiled as they approached. He seemed completely relaxed in blue jeans, one ankle crossed and clasped in his right hand on his other knee.

“Dad, I’m going to school,” Sarah gushed as she ran into his arms.

“Really kitten?” Jamie hugged her and lifted her onto his lap.

“Ah-huh.” Sarah nodded. “Grammy said I could go once a week.”

Jamie smiled and looked up at Kirsten. He squinted into the bright mid morning sun, and Kirsten stepped forward, throwing a long shadow over his face.

“Thanks,” he said.

“You’re welcome,” she smiled. “What a great day.”

“I ordered it specially.” He looked at Sarah and winked.

“Dad, you did not,” Sarah replied seriously.

“So, what’s this I hear about school?” Jamie asked, looking back at Kirsten. “Don’t tell me you actually talked Beth into letting her go?”

Kirsten grinned. “Well, once a week for a start. But hey, it’s a good start.”

“She must be getting soft in her old age.”

“Oh, you don’t think it has anything to do with my crafty reasoning?” Kirsten mocked.

“Maybe. Or maybe it’s that fiery tongue of yours.” Jamie looked down at Sarah, who giggled.

Kirsten put both hands on her hips. “Ah, that’s the pot calling the kettle black isn’t it?” She smiled. It seemed Mr. Congeniality had returned, hopefully for the duration of their stay.

Jamie lifted Sarah from his lap, setting her down on her feet. “Shall I get your bags?”

He brought their bags from the car and took them into the room. The motel was a pleasant, relatively new building, with simply furnished rooms. There was a tiny kitchenette with a microwave and electric jug, then a large lounge. Off from this there were two bedrooms, one with a double bed and the other with two singles. Between the two bedrooms was a small bathroom, with a shower, basin and toilet. Sarah quickly scrambled into the bathroom, picking up all the little bottles of shampoo and packets of soap.

“I’ll put myself and Sarah in the single beds, you can have the double.”

“Oh, no, I can go in with Sarah,” Kirsten said with haste. “I don’t mind.”

“Yay, I get to sleep with dad,” Sarah shouted from the bathroom. Jamie grinned. “I guess she just decided for you.”

* * * *

After they had settled in Jamie took them into town for lunch. Blenheim was a sleepy little town, with all the main stores Christchurch had, but on a much smaller scale. They had one movie theatre where Christchurch had several multiplex cinemas, two jewelers, where Kirsten was used to seeing two or three in every mall. There were two supermarkets, which Kirsten made a mental note of so she could return for the things Craig had requested.

“You’ll be a good girl for Kirsten won’t you?” Jamie asked as he got ready to leave later in the day. The wedding was at three o’clock and he had to make sure he was at the church well before the bride.

Sarah smiled and nodded as she touched her fathers tie. “Dad, you look so handsome.”

“Do I?” Jamie stood up and looked at Kirsten for confirmation. She had been thinking the same thing, well before Sarah said it. He had showered and dressed in a charcoal suit, his pants pressed and falling in neat lines against his muscular frame.

“Yes, you do,” Kirsten felt her cheeks heat.

Jamie smiled as he picked up his camera cases. “I should be home around nine. Normally the bride doesn’t want anymore photos once she starts slurring her words.”

Kirsten laughed. “We might catch a movie or something, eh Sarah?”

Sarah clapped her hands with delight. “Yes please!”

Jamie took his wallet from his inside jacket pocket and pulled out several crisp notes.

“Why don’t you get something nice for tea? I bet you’ve been missing takeaways?” He grinned.

“No.” Kirsten pushed his hand away. “That will be my treat.”

“Are you sure? I feel guilty asking you here and then having you pay for Sarah.”

“Nonsense,” Kirsten scoffed. “I told you I’d do it if it wasn’t considered work, and I meant it.”

“Okay,” Jamie seemed unsure, but he put the money away. “I’ll have to think of some other way to thank you.”

Kirsten studied him carefully. Just what had he meant by that? His eyes twinkled and a smile played at the corners of his mouth.

Kirsten watched him as he left. There was a tension between them she knew he also felt.

To take her mind off it she took Sarah into town, and they ate popcorn in the movie theatre while they watched a Disney movie. Afterwards they purchased a huge bucket of greasy chicken and took it back to the motel.

Sarah fell asleep on the couch shortly after nine o’clock. She had been determined to stay awake until Jamie returned, but had been unable to keep her eyes open. Kirsten left her there for Jamie to carry to the bedroom. She looked so sweet in the light of the television, her eyes relaxed in sleep, her mouth slack and open. Kirsten heard Jamie’s vehicle just before ten o’clock and crept to the door to let him in. She waited until she saw the headlights disappear then pulled the door open. Jamie climbed from the car, carrying a large bottle of champagne. He grinned as he approached. His jacket was unbuttoned and thrown open, his tie and shirt loose around his neck.

“Perks of the job,” he said as he closed the door behind him.

“I have another job for you.” Kirsten smiled as she pointed to the couch. “Someone needs to go to bed.”

“Oh,” Jamie handed Kirsten the wine and then scooped Sarah up into his arms. She stirred and moaned.

“Hi, Dad,” she said in a tiny sleepy voice.

“Hi, Baby.” Jamie kissed her on the forehead. “Did you have a good night?”

Sarah smiled as if she were having a wonderful dream. “Yeah. Can we go to the duck park tomorrow dad?”

“Yes we can.” They disappeared into the bedroom and Kirsty took the bottle of bubbles into the kitchen. There were no champagne flutes in the cupboard, but she found two glass tumblers and set them on the counter. Jamie returned to the lounge, took off his shoes and socks then walked in bare feet across the oatmeal coloured carpet to the kitchen.

Kirsten handed him back the bottle. “How was the wedding?”

Jamie’s face was expressionless as he pierced the gold foil around the top of the bottle and unwound the wire holding the plastic cork in place.

“It was a wedding.”

Kirsten smiled. “Typical male response. Was the bride beautiful?”

Jamie smirked and shrugged. “I guess.” He put his thumbs either side of the cork and pushed until it gave a loud
pop
. It flew across the kitchen, deflected against a top cupboard and bounced onto the floor. Kirsten put her hands over her head for protection.

Jamie laughed and poured the fizzing liquid into the two glasses Kirsten had produced.

“You guess?” Kirsten smiled. “What kind of dress did she have?”

Jamie moved around to her side of the counter, looking annoyed by her questions.

“You women are all the same. You don’t even know this person, but when it comes to weddings you go all gushy.”

“Of course.” Kirsten grinned.

Jamie stared down at her with an intensity that seemed to burn her skin.

“To tell the truth I was preoccupied.”

Kirsten swallowed. There was that tension between them again, so thick in the air she could have cut it with a knife. Something was happening between them and Jamie was letting it happen; making it happen. “Taking photos?”

“Ah-huh, that and-,” he paused, his eyes moving to her mouth. “This.” He bent over and covered her mouth with his own. Kirsten closed her eyes and leaned in to him; let the feel of his kiss seep through her veins. Their glasses clinked as he looped his free arm around her waist and pulled her gently toward him. His tongue pushed her lips open with an urgency she quickly responded to.