Second Chance (10 page)

“Something wrong?” she queried.

He held up her mobile.  “You left
this on the washing machine.”

“Oh, thanks.”  She reached out for
it.

He held it just out of reach, regarding
her steadily as the phone continued vibrating in his hand.

Her heart sank.  “It’s Dingbat 1,
right?”

“Nope.”

“Oh”  Relieved, she wiggled her
fingers in a ‘give me’ gesture.  “Aunt Maree?”

He gave her the phone.  “Actually,
it’s Dingbat 2.”

She froze.  The phone vibrated
demandingly in her hand.  Sure enough, the screen had
Dingbat 2
on it.  Crap. 
Maybe it was time to stop all this.

Grant’s face was calm, eyes sharp
as he studied her like he was trying to see into her soul.  “Sure you don’t
want to talk about it?”

Taking a deep breath, she tossed
the mobile onto the seat.  “Quite sure.”  Pasting a smile on her face, she put
the ute in gear.  “Righto, then…”

“Tam?”

She risked a glance at him.  Yep,
same stoic expression.  “Yes?”

“Is there a Dingbat 3 I should
know about?”

“God, I hope not,” was her
heartfelt reply.

“Just Dingbats 1 and 2, then.”

Like she didn’t know he was
fishing.  She looked him right in the eye.  “Goodbye, Grant.”

“Mmm.”  After several seconds holding
her gaze, he straightened and stepped back.

She reversed out onto the quiet
road and pulled away, relaxing as she put distance between herself and the
handsome vet.  A glance in the mirror right before she turned onto the main
street showed said handsome vet still standing by the gate, hands in pockets,
watching her as she left.

Whoo boy.  As a professional in
good jeans, shirt and work boots, he was a nicely groomed, handsome man.  In
casual shorts, t-shirt and thongs combo, he was a slightly dishevelled handsome
man.  How would he look as a wickedly handsome man?  What would it take to make
him turn wicked?

Was Grant even capable of being
wicked?  Doubtful.  Then again, he’d already surprised her by being
commandingly hot.

He certainly hadn’t hinted at
looking like that as a nerdy year four boy with his pants around his ankles and
a slightly befuddled expression on his face that had quickly turned to mortified
horror.

Okay, thinking back on it now it
wasn’t a nice thing to do, but hey, she’d been trying to get his attention and
his inattention had just made her reckless and vengeful.  Not her proudest
moment.  And, to be fair, she’d been a chubby year four with a major crush on the
school nerd who didn’t even know she’d existed.

Her attention was switched to the
vibrating mobile.  Dingbat 2 was persevering.  Crap on a stick.  This was
stupid.  It was time to end it.

Swerving off the road, she braked
and picked up the mobile.  Flicking it on, she barked,
“What?”

“It’s about time you answered. 
For goodness sake, Tamara, stop being silly.  Get back here and-”

“Don’t call me again.”

“This is beyond the joke.  You
need to decide.”

“I’ve decided that this is all
finished.  No more.”

“You’ve decided?”  His voice was
suddenly hopeful.

“I’ve decided it’s all over with
both of you.  Goodbye.”

“Tamara-”

She switched the mobile off, put
the ute in gear and drove back to the office.  Okay, her teeth were still
clenched, she’d planned on stringing them along for a bit longer just to teach
them a lesson, but she was over it.  Revenge only went so far, right?  It was
time to let go, time to get on with her life.  She was enjoying being away from
the pressure.

Feeling immeasurably better, she
straightened her shoulders.  Yep, much better.

Aunt Maree looked up as she
entered the office at the front of the house.  “Everything done?”

“All ship-shape, Cap’n.”  Tam
saluted smartly.

“Excellent.  I’m finished up here,
let’s go get lunch.”

“Go get lunch as in…?”

“Pub lunch.”

“Little late for a pub lunch,
isn’t it?”

“In Gully’s Fall, pub lunches are
always available.”

“Even for breakfast?”

“Don’t be smart.”  Aunt Maree
stood, stretched and yawned.  “I’ll be back in a minute, I’m just going to
change into some pants.”

“I better change as well.  Have I
time for a quick shower?”

“Certainly.”

Following her Aunt through the
back door into the hallway, she trailed behind her wishing that they shared the
same essential genes.  Those genes being that Aunt Maree could eat however and
whatever she wanted, while Tam only had to look sideways at food and put on two
kilos.  Her Aunt, who was only related through her late husband, was tall,
willowy and golden-haired.  That golden hair was ruthlessly dyed every six
weeks so not one grey hair would show, and blow-dried and upswept into an
elegant chignon every morning.  Impeccably made-up, she wore elegant pearls
around her throat, a dainty bracelet and tiny gold hoops in her ears from which
tiny pearls dangled.

Yep, just wishing those eating genes
had been in the bloodline.

Going into the guest bedroom, Tam
left the mobile turned off and dropped it into a drawer, calling out as she did
so, “Hey, Aunt Maree?”

“Yes?” came floating back.

“When I’m working next, is it okay
if I use the work mobile?”

“Sure.  I told you to take it this
morning.”  Aunt Maree walked past the doorway with a dainty little backpack
purse on her back, a bike helmet strapped over her gold hair, and a pair of
pale pink sneakers that wouldn’t dare get dirty on her feet.

Tam paused.  “I take it we’re not
going by car?”

“It’s too nice to go by car.”

“It’s hot out.”

“Your point?”

“Walking could be hot.”  She
crossed her fingers, wished hard.

“Oh dear, we’re not walking.” 
Aunt Maree’s head popped around the door, a huge smile on her face.  “We’re
biking.”

And there went that wish, right
down the dunny.

“Don’t bother bringing money, it’s
my treat for all the hard work you’ve done covering for Gladys.”  Aunt Maree
continued towards the front of the house.

Okay, she was going to get hot and
sweaty push-biking to the pub for a meal.  That wasn’t worth changing her
clothes.  With a sigh, Tam pulled her hair out of the bun and hastily braided
it before plonking on the bike helmet she’d discarded on the small chair near
the window.  As she left the bedroom, her Aunt passed her again, this time
heading for the back of the house.

Tam crossed to the shed where the
two pushbikes were parked while her Aunt locked the house.  Swinging her leg
over the pale blue bike, she eyed the basket with the big flower on it that was
attached to the handlebars.  It reminded her of the little basket she had on
her childhood bike.

Within minutes they were biking in
the hot sun back into town.  By the time they parked the bikes and walked into
the pub, sweat was beading on Tam’s brow.

Aunt Maree just glowed.  Figured.

It also figured that within
minutes of ordering a pub lunch and taking one of the tables next to the window,
Robby, the short, well-built man who ran the café at the local service station,
had seated himself beside Tam with the sole intention of feasting his eyes on
Aunt Maree.  He was in full on wooing mode, including presenting her with a
small bunch of roses from the bucket that sat outside the service station café.

Nice touch.

Aunt Maree, for her part, giggled
and flirted.  If Tam hadn’t worked for her for over a week already, she’d never
have pegged her for the same business woman who ran a private cleaning, pet
care, showering assist and anything else that required doing to help the
elderly and ill stay in their homes, along with doing work for those who could
afford to pay for cleaners and such.

Resigned to the fact that lunch
was going to include watching the two lovebirds cooing at each other, Tam sat
back and let her gaze wander the pub.  For a Saturday afternoon it wasn’t too
bad, mostly because of the long weekend.  No doubt it would get busier tonight
when the farmhands came into town along with passing tourists.

Robby gallantly included Tam in
the conversation now and again, but his attention kept sliding back to the love
of his life.  Amused, Tam didn’t push any subject.

“So, Maree, what about this
weekend?” Robby suddenly asked.

Aunt Maree paused, took a sip of
her wine.  “Well, I don’t know…”

Roused from her contemplation of
the salad on her plate - and wishing she’d just ordered fish’n’chips and be
damned to the calories - Tam glanced up.

Aunt Maree was looking a little
flushed, Robby hopeful.

“Why not?”  Robby pressed.

“Well, I just…”  Aunt Maree’s gaze
slid to Tam and away.

“We did agree,” he reminded her.

“I know.”  She hesitated.  “Things
have changed a little.”

“Oh.”  Robby slid a glance across
the table at Tam and nodded, his expression sobering.  “Oh.  Okay.”

Aunt Maree touched his arm.  “I’d
still love to, really, but maybe another time.”

“Yeah.  Sure.”  Robby smiled, but
he wasn’t a good actor.

Placing the fork down on the
unappetising salad, Tam looked at her Aunt.  “You were both going somewhere?”

“Oh, it doesn’t matter, dear.” 
Aunt Maree cut a slice off the rump steak smothered in mushroom sauce.

Tam switched her gaze to Robby. 
“You two had planned something for this weekend, hadn’t you?”

“Yes,” he replied immediately.

“Doesn’t matter,” Aunt Maree said
at the same time.

They looked at each other before
he turned back to smile at Tam.  “We can do it another time.”

Aunt Maree’s face softened.

Ah heck.  Tam had an inkling of
what had just happened.

Pushing the plate away, she leaned
her forearms on the table and eyed them both.  “What?  You’re not stopping your
plans because I’m here, are you?”

“I have things to do.” Aunt Maree
avoided her eyes.

“Crap on a stick, Aunt, really?” 
Tam looked at Robby.  “What was the plan?”

“Robby,” Aunt Maree warned.

“I’m not a kid,” Tam pointed out. 
“If you and Robby had plans, go ahead and do it.”

“Really?”  The hopeful expression
was back on his face.

“Yes.  So what was it?”

Aunt Maree slid a sideways glance
at him.

“I’m an adult,” Tam reminded them
both.  “I won’t cry or throw a tantrum.”

Aunt Maree sighed.  “We’d planned
on going away this weekend, leaving tonight and coming back Monday afternoon.”

“Ah.”  Now Tam understood.  “You
think you have to stay here because of me, don’t you?”

“You’re my niece, you just got
here.”

“The world won’t fall apart if I’m
at home alone.”  Tam flicked her fingers.  “Geez, just go, will you?”

“I’d feel guilty.”

“You know I live alone back home,
right?  I don’t have someone with me?  Just go, I’m fine alone.”

This time the hopeful expression
was on both their faces.

“Really?”  Aunt Maree studied her. 
“You don’t mind?”

“I’d mind more if I got in the way
of your dirty weekend together.”

Robby flushed but his grin was
wide as he turned to Aunt Maree.  “What time do I pick you up?”

Contemplating Tam’s face, she
pursed her lips.

Tam winked.

Aunt Maree grinned, wrinkled her
nose at Tam and turned to Robby.  “Five o’clock.”

He gave a whoop, dived in for a
smacking kiss on her lips, jumped up, gave Tam a quick kiss on the cheek and
beamed.  “I’ll be there.  Thanks, Tam.”

Laughing, Aunt Maree watched him
stride away before looking at Tam.  “Thanks, love.”

“No need to thank me.”  Tam leaned
back in the chair.  “How long have you and Robby been going out together?”

Picking up the fork and knife
again, her Aunt contemplated which part of the steak she was going to attack
next.  “About a year.”

“A year?”

“Yep.”

“Any wedding bells?”

“Not yet.”

“Huh.”  Deciding it wasn’t her
business though she was dying to ask, Tam ran her finger through the
condensation on the glass.

In the silence while Aunt Maree
chewed steak and chips, Tam watched the Gully’s Fall Vet four-wheel drive go
past.  She couldn’t see if the driver was Grant or the part-time vet.  For Grant’s
sake, she hoped it was his part-timer.

“So, your problem.” Aunt Maree
broke the silence.  “Any thoughts?”

Tam watched the big Toyota disappear over the hill.  “Ended it.”

“Do you want to discuss it?”

“Thanks but not right now, no.”

“Maybe some quiet time alone will
help.”

“Maybe.”  Tam flashed her
concerned Aunt a reassuring smile.  “It will, I’m sure.”

Reaching out, Aunt Maree patted
her hand.  “You know you’re welcome to stay with me until you decide.  No
hurry, okay?  Doesn’t matter how long it takes.”

“Thanks.  I appreciate it.”

“Best worker I ever had.”

“Thanks, Aunt.”

“By the way, next time you’re at
Joe Tafferty’s, can you do a check of his yards?”

“Why?”

“We think the Stealth Thief has
struck again.  The little boy who lives next door to Joe has lost his stuffed
toy tiger.  Either it’s gotten mislaid or the Stealth Thief has got it.”

“This is ridiculous.  Who is this
Stealth Thief?”

“No idea.  It’s the mystery of
Gully’s Fall.”

Tam shook her head.  “Okay, I’ll
check.”

“Good girl.”  Aunt Maree went back
to attacking her steak with gusto.

No doubt storing the energy for
the weekend with Robby.

Chapter 4

The quiet was driving her nuts. 
Not even Dingbat 1 or 2 had tried to ring her.  They’d taken the hint.

A normal Monday would have found
her working but the public holiday Monday meant everything was closed except for
the service station, the pub and the small DVD shop.  Aunt Maree wasn’t back
until the late afternoon.

Needing to get out of the house for
some fresh air, Tam packed a small picnic basket, small esky of ice and drinks,
blanket, pillow and book into the car and headed for the river.  If people were
already there, she could just find a quiet spot away from everyone.  If no one
was there, well, it would be peaceful.

The river bank was empty, the
wooden tables and benches free of picnickers and families.

Pulling the car to the side, she
grabbed the basket, esky, blanket, pillow and book and chose a spot not far
from the river under a gum tree.  Choosing a spot that didn’t have ants - she
hoped - she looked up as she flipped the blanket open, wondering on the
wiseness of her choice of resting spot.  It’d be just her luck that one of the
branches would fall off and dong her on the head. 

Maybe it would knock some sense
into her.

The sun was hot, the river
sparkled under the sunshine, and some wild galahs screeched overhead as they made
their way to the other side of the river in a haze of pink and grey feathers.

As long as they didn’t poop on her
head, she was happy.

Dropping the pillow in one corner
of the blanket, she kicked off her sandals and dropped cross-legged in the
middle, flipped the top of the basket open and inspected the bounty with her
tongue almost hanging out.

Today she was going to be bad. 
Today she didn’t care.  Today she deserved a treat.  Brain food.

Opening the bag of chips, she
popped the tab on an icy cold Diet Coke, had a bite of chip and closed her
eyes, savouring the taste.  God, she loved chips.  Chips loved her hips, too,
unfortunately, which was why she didn’t often have them, but hell, it was a
public holiday.  Good enough reason.

A slurp of ice cold Diet Coke that
hit the spot perfectly.

With a sigh of contentedness, she
looked around.  Apart from the cool breeze coming across the water and the
sound of wild birds in the scrub and tree tops, it was naturally busy in only
the way the bush could be with wildlife and insects and other things she really
didn’t want to think about lurking in the undergrowth - one snake and she was
out of there - yet quiet as well.

“This,” she decided, “is the
life.”

Opening the book, she tucked the
bookmark between the back page and started reading, nibbling chips and sipping
Diet Coke.

The sun gradually rose higher in
the sky as the morning passed.  Tam rotated on the blanket from sitting, to
half lying, to rolling on her belly to read until finally she ended up on her
back with her head on the pillow, the book propped up on her chest.

So relaxed, her eyes gradually
closed as lethargy overtook her, the tension she hadn’t been really aware of
carrying easing from her.

She had no idea how long she’d
been asleep when she finally started to rouse.  Slowly opening her eyes, she
looked up at the gum leaves and branches high above her.  Huh, it was a wonder
she hadn’t been brained by a stray branch while sleeping.  Gum trees were well
known for dropping branches.

Lacing her fingers, she stretched
her arms above her and arched deliciously, stretching out the kinks, before
lowering her hands and coming up on her elbows.

To find herself looking right into
the pale grey eyes belonging to the broad shouldered, leanly muscled man
sitting opposite on her blanket with his back against the tree trunk.

Shocked, she jerked into a sitting
position.

“Easy, Tam,” Grant murmured.

Hand to racing heart, she stared
at him.  “Jesus, Grant, I nearly had a heart attack!”

“And you’d be all alone out here
to have it.”

“Not funny.”

“No.”  His face was
expressionless.  “It’s not.”

Seeking to gather her scattered
wits, she slid her sandals on, crossed her legs and shoved a hank of hair back
that had escaped the ponytail.  “What are you doing here?”

“Just finished a callout and
decided to have a few quiet moments at the river while I had some lunch before
heading for home.”

Oh yeah, now she saw the balled up
lunch wrap that had been tossed into the picnic basket.  Obviously he’d had a
sandwich or roll or something.

Keenly aware of how dishevelled
and no doubt still sleepy she looked, Tam smoothed down her blouse.  “Um…how
long have you been here?”

“Long enough.”

Huh.  She peeked at him.  He was
just watching her, his face inscrutable, eyes steady.  His jaw definitely
looked a little firmer than normal. Almost…tight.  What was he thinking?

Feeling warmer than comfortable in
the heat of the day and a little self-conscious - God, she hoped she hadn’t
been drooling or snoring - Tam opened the esky lid to see several tins of soft
drink floating in a mix of ice and water.  At least they’d still be cold. 

Fishing out a tin of Diet Coke for
herself, she held one out to him.  “Thirsty?”

Leaning forward, he snagged the
tin, his eyes never leaving her as he resumed his position against the tree.

Wondering at his stoic face, Tam
popped the tab of the tin and studied him while taking several mouthfuls, the
icy liquid trickling soothingly down her dry throat.

Man, he looked good in a handsome,
country-boy way.  Old faded jeans encased his long legs, worn work boots on his
feet.  His button-up cotton shirt was hanging open, revealing the t-shirt
beneath which hugged an impressive set of pecs and flat stomach.  The sleeves
were carelessly rolled up to just below his elbows, showcasing the corded
strength of his forearms.  Near the edge of the blanket rested a battered old
Stetson.  He slouched back easily against the tree trunk, one knee raised, one
forearm resting on the knee, the drink tin dangling from his fingertips.

Yep, he looked all relaxed, but it
was deceptive.  There was a tension in him, an almost dangerous stillness as he
took a mouthful of drink.  Not once did that gaze shift from her.

Lowering the tin, she eyed him. 
“Something wrong?”

“Really?” His deep voice was
quiet.

Kind of deadly quiet.

“Yeah.”  She glanced around then
back at him.  “Is something wrong?”

He glanced around as well before
drilling her with that hard-eyed gaze.  “You can really ask that?”

Oh boy, whatever had Grant’s
knickers in a knot, it was apparently with her. 

Taking another fortifying mouthful
of Diet Coke, she blinked at him while her thoughts whirled.  Had she done
something?  Said something?  No, geez, she hadn’t seen him since the Saturday
when she’d cleaned the house.  So why was he in a snit with her?

“Was it something I said?” she
finally asked.

“No.”

“Something I did?”

“Oh, yeah.”

When he said nothing further, she
sighed.  “Are we really going to be playing twenty questions?”

“This is no game.”

Placing the tin down, Tam rubbed
her forehead with the heel of her hand.  “Look, Grant, you have something to
complain about, then let me have it, okay?  I can’t stand this piss-farting
around and…”  Her voice trailed away as he started to move.

Uneasily, she watched him.  The
man was moving with slow deliberation, placing the tin on the ground, rolling
forward so that he was on one knee right before her.  She could almost fancy it
was a lion crouched before her, ready to lunge and bite.

Holy heck, the thought of Grant
lunging forward to take a bite from her was a little…deviantly delicious. 
Maybe she had heatstroke. 

The breeze carried his scent to
her - earthy, man, a faint hint of deodorant, the heat of the day.  A heady
mixture to be sure, but any pleasure was swamped by the tightness of his jaw and
the cold glint in his eyes.

“Have you been out here alone all
morning?”  His voice was a soft rasp now.

“If you mean, did I meet anyone? 
No, I’ve been alone.  Not that it’s your business,” she added defensively.

“So you’ve been alone out here
ever since you arrived.”

“Yes.  So what?”

“So what?”  Grant’s eyes burned
into hers.  “Seriously?”

“Yeah, seriously.”  In growing
annoyance, she glared up at him.  “What’s your problem?”

“You, Tam,” he growled.  “You’re
my problem.”

“Me?  I’m nowhere near your problem
or
your business.”

“I’m making you my problem and my
business right now.”

Her eyebrows shot up.  “What?”

“I came out here and what do you
think I found?”

“You’re giving me a headache.” 
She didn’t have to put up with this crap.  “Just say what you want to say, then
go.”

“Not happening.”  His gaze raked
over her face before settling back on her eyes.  “Let’s try this.  What if
someone else apart from me came across you?”

“So what?”

His nostrils actually flared,
making her draw back a little.  “So
what
?”

“So what?  I didn’t hear you come,
I wouldn’t have heard them.”

“And just what, Tam, did you think
would happen if someone came?”

“Well, they’d probably set their
picnic up, their kids would throw a Frisbee and their dog would lick my face.” 
Geez.

“And what if it wasn’t a family,
Tam?”  He leaned forward a little threateningly.  “What if it had been a man or
men?”

Seeking to ease the tension, she
gave a small smile.  “They’d see me lying here like a lazy whale and hightail
it back to town screaming?”

Okay, wrong thing to say.  She
knew that as soon as the anger in his eyes flared and he ground out, “What?”

Impatiently, she threw out her
hands.  “Look, I’m in no danger of being attacked out here.  Gully’s Fall is a
safe place, no one I can think of would hurt me, right?  I just wanted some
peace and quiet, not to be ripped a new one by you. Geez, Grant, get a grip!” 
Like she should get a grip.  That was so wrong, she knew it.  Anyone could be
attacked at any time, even in a place like Gully’s Fall, especially with
tourists passing through.  Unknown quantities.  He was right.  She sighed. 
“Sorry.  It’s just-”  Her words were cut off by Grant’s hand landing right on
her chest above her breasts, the force he exerted pushing her down onto her
back.

Before she could even think to
struggle he was there above her, his hand holding her flat on the blanket as he
leaned down until his face hovered above hers.  Shocked, she could only stare
up at him open-mouthed.

“Goddamn it, Tam,” he cursed
furiously.  “You put yourself in so much danger.  I could have been anyone and
you didn’t stand a fighting chance.  You were so fast asleep that you didn’t
hear the four wheel drive approach or park, you didn’t hear the door slam, and
you didn’t hear me walk up.  I’ve been sitting on your blanket watching you for
the last fifteen minutes.  And you didn’t know a bloody thing!”

His palm was burning a hole
through her shirt right through to her skin, she could feel every aspect of it
from the base of his palm to the tips of his fingers.

Just like she could feel the burn
of his words, the burn of his eyes, and the truth in his words.

Just as she was aware of her
position beneath his hand.

Grabbing his wrist, she
swallowed.  “Grant, I-”

“And that crack about a lazy whale
sending men running?  Very far from it, Tam.”  He leaned down closer, the
danger in the air seeming to shimmer in his eyes.  “Do you have any idea how
tempting you are lying out here?”

“Tempting?  How the heck - I’m not
tempting, Grant!”  Anger mixed with embarrassment took over her guilt.  “I’m
not some slim little model with the perfect figure or face!  Geez, at least
stick to the truth and don’t exaggerate to make your point!”

“I’m not exaggerating.”

“I’ve heard enough.”  She tried to
push upright.  “Let me up.”  When he didn’t move, she flopped back down with an
angry grunt.  “Fine.  Whatever.  You’re right about one thing, I didn’t think
about how vulnerable I’d be on my own out here.  I won’t do it again.  Happy?”

Anger still kindled in his eyes as
he continued to gaze down at her.  “I’m right about two things.”

Grimacing, she turned her face
away.  “Sure.  It’s not like an attacker is fussy, right?”  It came out a
little more bitterly than she’d intended.

“Tam-”

“Oh don’t worry, I’m not looking
for reassurance.”  Releasing his wrist, she shoved against his chest.  “Look,
just let me up.  I’m going home and that’s the end of it.  I’ve had enough.”

He didn’t move.  His hand didn’t
move.

Shit
.  Heaving a sigh, she
closed her eyes.  Humiliation again, just wonderful.  First she’d behaved like
an idiot, however unaware, and now…well, now she sounded like a petulant female
seeking sweet words.

Where was a sinkhole when you
wanted one?

“I don’t want to talk anymore,”
she muttered.

The weight on her chest didn’t
shift.  She could feel the heat of his body so near to her, leaning over her,
feel the weight of his gaze.  Feel the -

-
feel the soft brush of lips
on hers
.

She froze, sure she was mistaken,
but no, no mistake.  Firm lips brushed against hers, shifted, pressed lightly,
and then lifted.

Opening her eyes, she looked up in
bewilderment to see Grant so close, his eyes still glittering with anger, but
also something else.  Something a little warm, a little
too
warm, a
little…disturbing.  In a totally delicious way.

“Tam.”  His quiet tone was still
laced with anger, but huskiness rode it.  “You are so very tempting.”