Between the Vines (3 page)

“How's she doing?”

“She'll live.” Taylor opened the door wider to let her friend in. They both studied Mandy curled up in the foetal position, her face pale against the white pillowcase. “She's stopped throwing up at least.”

“Blimey, she's a quiet little achiever isn't she? I didn't realise she'd drunk so much.”

“She hardly ate any lunch. She's dieting again.”

Cass snorted and threw herself into the only chair in the room. Taylor sat on the edge of her bed.

“Trying to lose a couple more kilos before the wedding,” Taylor added.

“She'll have achieved that in one go today. I didn't see her drink much.”

“You probably didn't notice.” Taylor thought back over their day. Cass had consumed quite a bit too but she was a seasoned drinker with more meat on her bones. She'd quickly sobered up once Mandy started vomiting. Besides Rosie, Taylor was the only one in the group who knew her roommate well. “She sampled every wine at every winery.”

“Didn't we all?” Cass flopped her arms either side of the chair and stretched out her legs. “What a start to the weekend. The others are talking about going to bed.”

Taylor looked at her watch. It was only eight-thirty.

“There's still some pizza in our room if you want more,” Cass
said.

“No thanks. I had my share and Mandy's.”

“How about a drink? I reckon Rosie would be in it. She's not a piker like the rest. I've got all sorts in the esky – wine, beer, Cruisers. Or we could check out the pub.”

Taylor had an image of a pair of blue eyes and Edward's face, his charming smile. What time had he said he'd be at the pub?

“Let's go out.”

Cass leapt up. “Great idea.”

Taylor glanced over at Mandy. “Oh, but I don't know if I should leave her.”

“Hello?” Rosie stuck her head around the door.

“We're heading to the pub.” Cass let her long hair out of the band holding it, ran her fingers through it and pulled it back into a ponytail. Taylor envied her thick brown locks that always looked tidy no matter what she did.

“How's Mandy?” Rosie crossed the room to look at her.

“She should just sleep it off,” Taylor said. “But I don't like to leave her.”

“She hasn't been sick again, has she?” Rosie asked.

“Not since we first checked in.” Taylor watched the figure on the bed from the other side of the room. “She's on her second bottle of water.”

“I'll stay with her if you're worried.” Rosie's smile was sweet. She was such a kind-hearted person.

“It's your weekend,” Taylor said. “You should go with Cass.”

“I'm happy to stay here. Drinking in pubs has lost its appeal.”

Cass groaned. “Listen to her. Not even married yet and she's reaching for the dressing-gown and slippers.”

“Got to get my rest. Shopping and lunch tomorrow then sightseeing and our fancy dinner in the evening. I want to enjoy it all.”

Cass groaned again and rolled her eyes. Originally she'd planned a big day and night out clubbing in Adelaide, but Rosie hadn't
wanted that kind of a hen's party. The suggestion of a weekend with her five closest friends had evolved into this Coonawarra trip.

Taylor glanced at her watch again.

“You keep looking at that watch.” Cass studied Taylor closely. “Do you have somewhere else to be?”

“No…well, not really.”

“You do.” Cass pounced on her. “You little minx. Where and when did you hook up?”

“I didn't hook up with anyone. I'm not looking for a fella – remember?”

“Yeah, right!” Cass pulled on her arm. “Who is he? Come on, Tales, spit it out.”

Taylor pursed her lips. Why had she even contemplated the idea of meeting Edward at the pub? She should have just climbed into her PJs and had an early night like the others.

“Is it the guy from that last place we stopped at?” Rosie's eyes widened. “Wriggler Creek or whatever it was called. I saw you chatting to the guy behind the bar for a while.”

“The gorgeous hunk!” Cass screamed.

“Shhh!” Taylor and Rosie hissed in unison.

They all glanced at Mandy who turned over to her other side, let out a low groan and continued sleeping.

“I like your style,” Cass said in a softer voice.

“I vowed not to rush into anything.”

“Meeting a guy for a drink isn't rushing into anything.” Cass's hands were on her hips. “Unless you're planning to jump into bed with him, and then it's just good fortune. Anyway, since when did you make that decision?”

“Since Larry.”

“Larry the Loser!” Cass snorted and Rosie gave a giggle.

Taylor glared at one then the other of her so-called friends.

“What?” Cass opened her eyes wide trying to give an impression of innocence. “He was not your type. We all knew it wouldn't last.”

“Foster was rather nice,” Rosie said.

“The one before Larry? Are you kidding me?” Cass gave up the pretence. “He still lived with his mother and took her to the movies every Sunday night after she'd cooked his roast dinner.”

“He always gave me the idea he was working and I believed him.” Taylor had really liked Foster but his mother had been the third person in the relationship. Taylor had found it stifling.

“Gullible.” Cass shook her head.

“We've all had our share of mistakes,” Rosie said. “Thankfully those days are over for me but you should get back out there, Taylor.”

“She's right,” Cass said. “No need to be man-shy just 'cause you've dated a few duds.”

“I vowed to have a break from men after Larry.” Taylor was feeling a bit miffed at her friends for ganging up on her but it was true she'd had her share of ‘duds' as Cass called them. Her last relationship, with Larry, had ended in a mess when she'd discovered he hadn't actually left his supposed ex-wife.

“That was at least six months ago,” Cass said.

“Go and meet someone new,” Rosie said. “You're only here for a weekend. Country boys might be a whole lot different.”

“Come on, girlfriend. Let's make the most of the babysitter.” Cass tugged at her arm. “Put some colour on those luscious lips and let's check out the pub. Who knows, the hunk might have a brother.”

Taylor was about to say he did and thought better of it. What did she know about the other bloke in the picture on the wall beside Edward? He could live in the city, or another country for that matter. She hurried into the little bathroom and dragged a brush through her shoulder-length hair. No matter how often she did it, the fine blonde strands flew every which way. She tugged at the wisps that fell across her face from her part. Still, Edward had already seen her after a day of driving, anything she did now could only be an improvement. She chose a hot pink lipstick, painted her lips, did a final turn in front of the mirror and hurried out after Cass.

Edward smiled as he saw the blonde head appear round the door then had to suppress a surge of irritation as her solidly built friend followed her into the bar. He had hoped none of the cackling women with Taylor would come with her, even though he'd made the offer.

He lifted his hand to get their attention. Taylor gave a shy smile when she saw him and made her way over with her friend in tow. He only had eyes for the blonde. He was pretty sure it was her natural colour. He favoured blondes, especially good-lookers like her with decent boobs and hips that filled out her snug shirt and jeans. A simple gold chain hung around her neck. Not lots of jangly jewellery. He raised his gaze to her face as she came to a stop in front of him. And no heavy eye make-up.

“Sorry we're late,” Taylor said.

“Doesn't matter. How's your friend who was a bit green?”

“Sleeping like a baby now,” the other woman cut in. “I'm Cass.”

He gave her offered hand a quick shake. “Edward,” he said.

Cass made a show of looking around him and up and down the bar.

“No brother?”

Edward frowned. How did she know Peter?

“Ignore Cass.” Taylor gave her friend a playful slap on the wrist. “She's being silly.”

“Can I buy you ladies a drink?”

“Thanks, Eddie, I'll have a Bundy and coke.”

He turned his lips up in a tight smile. Few people called him Eddie. He'd always hated it. “What about you Taylor? Still hankering for a beer?”

“Yes, thanks,” she said.

He paid for the drinks and they'd all taken their first sip when there was a crash of balls dropping on the pool table.

“My favourite game,” Cass said. “Back in a while.”

He watched her walk over to where two guys were lining up the balls for a game.

“Not very subtle, is Cass.”

Edward turned back to see Taylor watching him with a smile on her lips.

“Hope you don't mind. She insisted on coming with me,” she added

“In case I was Jack the Ripper?”

“No, she likes to have a good time. Eight-thirty was a bit early for her to turn in.”

She drained the rest of her glass. The look she gave him held a hint of dare. He'd been right in thinking she was feisty behind the pretty face. He liked a woman who could take care of herself.

“My shout,” she said. “You up for a shot?”

Was he? Edward's grin stretched across his face. “Yes ma'am.” The night was fast improving.

An hour later they were still at the bar going shot for shot.

“You like living here?” she asked.

“There are worse places.”

“It's such a different lifestyle.” She turned her back to the bar and leaned on it with both her elbows. He turned to look at what she was taking in. Cass, who hadn't lost a game since she started playing pool, still had a few guys hanging around keen to take her on. Several other people were propped at tall tables and a small group were playing darts at the other end of the bar.

“Different to what?”

“I don't know. The city I guess. I've had the odd weekend in the country. Life seems quiet, not as frantic.”

“Depends who's around and what's on. Some weekends you can't get to the bar for patrons.” He drained his beer. “If it's a party you want I'm sure I can think of something.”

She laughed. It was a deep throaty sound. “Steady up, Ed. Just drinks, remember.”

Taylor's cheeks glowed pink and he drank in the sparkle in her blue eyes. She was one very attractive woman. He didn't much like being called Ed either but he would put up with it for her.

Taylor slipped from the motel and closed the door gently behind her. She was glad of her sunglasses. After the gloom of the curtained room the morning sun was bright. Mandy was still sleeping. Taylor hoped the others were too as she walked quietly down the drive. She'd left a note to say she'd gone out for a walk. She was, that was true, but she'd omitted to say she was meeting Ed for breakfast.

A shiver swept over her in spite of the warmth of the air. Edward Starr was one good-looking guy. He was the reason she was escaping from her friends. She was meeting him at a cafe for breakfast. She turned out into the street and set off towards the shops, following the directions he'd given her last night. A truck rumbled past along the main road and then another, their engines loud in the quiet street. The motel was around a slight bend in the otherwise straight main drag, lined either side with stone houses. She passed gardens full of beautiful roses, their sweet smell wafting in the air. It was a pretty town with plenty of space, a world away from the noisy streets of Adelaide and her small flat.

A dog barked as she approached the corner. Second street, turn left, look for an old weatherboard cottage. She could see it ahead along the wide flat street, nestled amongst similar buildings still in use as homes. It had market umbrellas in the garden and an old sign hanging from a wooden frame over the gate. She paused as she relived the feel of Ed's hands on her body, the delicious male scent of him.

He'd walked them back to the motel from the pub. Each bump against his arm had sent a tingle through her. Cass had made
herself scarce. Alone outside Taylor's room he bent to kiss her. It was a brief brush of her lips. She'd wanted more and so had he apparently. Before she knew it she was pressed against the wall, their lips together, tongues probing, hands searching.

Taylor bit her lip. She took a deep breath to slow her thudding heart. Somehow she'd extricated herself from his arms. It had been a long time since she'd been with a man and she wasn't going to give in to a one-night stand. Not that it had helped with Larry. They'd been on several dates before they tumbled into bed. Waiting hadn't made any difference to her bad choice. He'd managed to keep his visits home to his wife a secret.

She took one more deep, calming breath and continued on to the cottage. Ed wasn't in the garden. She bent to get in through the low doorway and glanced around. Two couples seated at tables but no Edward.

She ordered coffee and checked out the seating. Outside was best. Keep it casual. This was the new Taylor. No jumping in headfirst anymore, besides she was only here for a weekend. There was no harm in a casual get-together with a good-looking bloke but that was as far as it would go. She took a seat at the rustic wood table and flipped through one of the magazines scattered there. Several more people came in, all couples and groups. The coffee arrived, and she drank it. Perhaps he'd changed his mind. They hadn't exchanged phone numbers. She glanced at her watch. The girls would be up by now surely. It was time to go back.

“Sorry I'm late.”

She looked up into the rugged face smiling down at her. Once more she couldn't control the surge of excitement that coursed through her.

“It's fine,” she squeaked. She cleared her throat. “I had a coffee while I was waiting. It's a nice spot.” She glanced around at the now-full tables in the garden.