Secrets (Hope Bay) Read online

  But then, bugger it, she kept hesitating and he was so damned hot and getting hotter, and when she leaned just that little bit closer he couldn’t help but move forward as well, lean just a little closer, so near, so very near and-

  -his lips met CK’s furry cheek.

  Astonished, brought abruptly back to reality, Shane jerked back to gape at the ginger cat who’d stretched her head between them to get closer to him. She was practically batting her eyelashes at him. She jumped out of Emma’s arms onto the kitchen bench and head butted Shane in the chest, purring loudly, tail waving slowly, her head turning so that she somehow had one ear and part of her head shoved against him while managing to still look up at him, angling her head in that way that cats could.

  Shane didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. He glanced across at Emma to find her sitting back, the fingers of one hand to her lips, her wide eyes unsure.

  Oh shit, can’t have that! Safe ground, safe ground! He grinned, tousled CK’s scruff. “Well, aren’t you the sauce pot, Cute Kitty?”

  CK purred louder.

  Emma’s expression relaxed, a smile curving those lush lips as she watched her cat. “Shameless little hussy.”

  “But worth it,” Shane said.

  “Definitely worth it,” she agreed.

  He gave CK’s back a light rub with his palm, welcoming the friendliness of the cat but wishing it was Emma’s soft hair he was running his fingers through. But still, it was progress, right? He hadn’t imagined it, he’d seen the attraction in Emma’s eyes. She might be wary, a little flighty and uncertain, but she was definitely attracted to him.

  It was a damned good start. Just a little longer and he was sure he could get her out on a date. Damned sure. But he had to proceed carefully, he didn’t want to scare her off, make her think dating her boss was a no-go zone.

  So he just smiled at her like nothing had occurred between them, like his blood wasn’t still surging hotly through his veins, his donger wasn’t stiff behind the zipper of his shorts, and his arms ached to hold her.

  His reward was Emma smiling back at him.

  “Shane?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I think it’s safe to say you’re part of our inner circle of friends.”

  “Good to know.”

  “Love me, love my cat.” She laughed.

  He laughed, too, but in his mind he was doing a very wild, triumphant fist pump.

  Reaching across, she tickled CK under her chin. “And Shane?”

  “Yep?” He nobly kept his hands on CK instead of giving in to the urge to catch Emma’s soft hands in his.

  “I’ve never really tested anyone straight out like that before.”

  Hs shifted his gaze from CK to Emma to find her looking steadily at him, even while her cheeks had a sweet pink tinge to them. “Oh?” His eyes crinkled at the corners. “Am I special, then?”

  “Yes.”

  Surprised, he paused.

  “Yes,” she said slowly, thoughtfully, “you are special.”

  Certainly not expecting her to say anything like that, Shane went suddenly, stupidly, mentally blank.

  “A man who’d risk being arrested by saving a dog, that’s a special man.” Lifting her tin of Diet Coke, Emma saluted him. “To animals and those who love and care for them.”

  What else could he do but raise his own tin, echo the salute, clink his tin against hers and swallow several fizzing mouthfuls? By the time he lowered the tin, she was chatting about the garden and her plans for a vegetable patch.

  The next hour passed pleasantly as she showed him the area she planned to put a raised garden bed so she wasn’t digging up his dad’s lawn and they discussed the best vegetables to grow, CK ambling along behind them.

  Not wanting to wear out his welcome, he jumped on his push bike and pedalled away an hour later, leaving Emma to finish washing her car.

  Part of him wished things could have gone further, but his commonsense reminded him that she wasn’t a woman he could push. He had to continue to make her feel comfortable around him, wanted her to laugh and share things without inhibitions. Soon, though, he’d ask her out. He wasn’t going to wait until he was old and grey.

  So yeah, he’d be satisfied with the progress he’d made that afternoon, after all, she thought he was special.

  Grinning, he waved happily to Mrs Jarlston who was hand watering her daisies, gave Hank a yell of hello, and turned down his street.

  It was only as he pulled into his driveway that he realised something.

  Emma had tested him before he’d told her the story about the dog.

  Braking, he braced feet on the ground and stared thoughtfully at the wall of his house. Then he grinned widely.

  She’d thought he was special before. She might not say it, might have made the excuse of the dog story, but his pretty little Emma had tested him outright. Sure, he could be indignant about it, but it was what it was. The main thing was she did something to him that she didn’t do with the mob - she’d asked him straight out. Told him her story. Asked his thoughts. She hadn’t beaten around the bush, hinted, probed gently. Nope, she’d told him boldly and asked.

  His grin grew wider. And there was no doubting the attraction in her eyes when they’d been so close. In fact, if they’d not been interrupted by a now admiring feline of ginger colour and sometimes clumsy manoeuvres, he just might have had a taste of those lush lips.

  Her reaction to that was uncertain. Shane swung a leg over the seat, pushed the bike into the garage and shut the door before walking up onto his veranda. Standing at the door, he turned to survey the street. His garden was neat and tidy, the lawn was green, summer hung in the air, it was a great afternoon.

  And he’d almost kissed Emma.

  And she hadn’t thrown him out, instead she’d invited him to see her garden, hear her plans.

  Shane’s grin grew wider as he unlocked the door, twisted the handle and threw it open with a slap of the hand. The day had turned out better than he could have hoped. In fact, it had turned out bloody awesome!

  Whistling happily, he disappeared into the house.

  ~*~

  Chewing on a nail, Emma sat on the wooden seat overlooking the bay. She’d almost kissed Shane Armand, her boss. Almost kissed him! What was wrong with her? Against all commonsense, she found him attractive. Her boss.

  Her boss who, apparently, had not looked at her employment record.

  Spitting out the bit of nail, she nibbled around the next one. Or had he looked at her record? Had he spoken to Doc? In fact, had Harriet ever looked at it? No, she was certain she hadn’t, it would have nothing to do with her. Only Doc knew, Doc and most probably Mrs A. She’d have to know who her husband employed, it was partly her business, too.

  Starting on a third nail, she stared out at the ocean, the waves drawing back, gaining strength, crashing back to shore with a rolling motion to smooth out, spread flatly and draw back once more.

  Out in the surf several paddle-boarders moved. Further out a boat sped along. Closer to the shoreline a toddler ran back and forward through the surf, squealing in delight as the water splashed over his toes. Right behind him strolled his mother, her pace slowing and quickening according to the toddler’s gait as she remained diligent to his movements.

  “Is this an early breakfast?”

  “Huh?” Startled, Emma looked up.

  Katie dropped down onto the seat. Wrapped in a towel from waist down, her one-piece bathers were soaked at the top. Wet hair straggled around her shoulders. Over her shoulder she carried a beach bag.

  “Nibbling Nelly.” Katie gestured to Emma’s hand. “You’re going through those nails like you’ve never eaten for weeks.”

  Sighing, Emma studied the three bitten nails. “Damn.”

  “Problem?”

  “No.”

  Katie snorted.

  Emma shrugged. “Just got a few things on my mind.”

  “A problem shared is a problem halved.”

&nbs
p; Emma looked at her. Geez, Shane was Katie’s childhood friend, part of what he affectionately termed ‘the mob’. No way was she going to share her feelings about-

  “It’s Shane, isn’t it?” Grabbing a small hand towel from the beach bag, Katie bent over while rubbing briskly at her hair.

  “What?” How the hell had she guessed that? “No, of course it’s not Shane. He’s my boss, he’s a good boss, he’s never done anything to-”

  “Geez, take a chill pill, Em.” Straightening, Katie shoved her hair back by the simple process of dragging her fingers through it while half turning on the wooden seat to face Emma. “I never said he wasn’t a good boss or that you were complaining about him or anything.”

  “Sorry.” Emma managed a laugh. “Guess I’m a little sensitive to new things. Change and all that.”

  Katie’s eyebrows rose. “Shane’s changed things?”

  “Well…no.”

  “Then his turning up has changed things? Is everything all right at the clinic?” Katie frowned. “What’s he done?”

  “Done? He’s done nothing! Cripes, Katie, don’t leap to conclusions.”

  “Sorry.” Katie studied her, then shrugged and leaned back against the backrest. “So what’s wrong?”

  Emma looked out at the paddle boarders. “Just a few things on my mind, nothing serious.”

  “Serious enough to chomp your nails down, though.”

  “Yeah, well…” Emma regarded her nails in disgust. “I don’t suppose you have a nail file on you?”

  “Oh yeah, because I always carry one shoved in my bathing suit. Where do you think I’d keep it in this?”

  “I shudder to think.”

  Katie grimaced. “Never never never.”

  Emma grinned.

  “So, speaking of Shane-”

  “I wasn’t speaking of Shane. You were.”

  “Fine. Whatever. How’s it going with him being your boss?”

  “No different, really.”

  “Huh. I’m not surprised. He and Doc are a lot alike.” Katie cast her a sly glance. “You could do worse than set your cap at him.”

  Emma gaped at her. “What?”

  “Shane. He’s a catch, right?”

  “Are you mad? He’s my boss.”

  “So?”

  “So what would Doc say if I had Shane in my sights?” Emma shuddered. “Or Mrs A? She’d kill me.”

  “Oh pooh.” Katie flapped her hand dismissively. “Mrs A and Doc aren’t hypocrites.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean? They’re nice people so they won’t take offence at me jumping their son’s bones?”

  “I mean-”

  “They’ll probably see me as some money-grabber after their son’s business, trying to insert myself into his life.”

  “Emma, what they-”

  “I’m a nurse in their practice, working for Doc and Shane. How would it look if I chased after Shane? Like I was after a bigger piece of the business, of course. They’ll probably see me as a-mfff.” Emma narrowed her eyes over the hand Katie had just slapped over her mouth. “Mmmmfffff!”

  Katie rolled her eyes. “Mrs A was Doc’s receptionist when he first opened his practice here in town.”

  Emma’s eyebrows shot up. “Mmmff?”

  “You heard.” Katie removed her hand. “Doc fell for Mrs A, she felt exactly the same way you do now, he chased her unashamedly, wooed her with flowers and stuff, and finally broke through her reservations. They married, she had Shane, and they lived happily ever after. Mrs A stayed home, they hired Harriet who has worked for them for years, and the rest is history. So, you see,” Katie winked, “Mrs A and Doc have done the exact same thing as you and Shane.”

  “Hang on.” Still surprised by the story, Emma shook her head. “Shane and I aren’t doing anything.”

  “Oh.” Katie stared at her for several seconds, then smiled slowly. “Right.”

  “We’re not.”

  “Okay.”

  “Katie.”

  Her friend’s hands went up placatingly. “No worries.”

  Emma glared at her.

  “Fine. Fine.” Smiling happily, Katie stood up. “Still coming to my place on Wednesday night?”

  “It depends. Are you going to shut up about this stupid theory you have?”

  Katie mimed zippering her lips closed, locking them and tucking the key down the top of her bathers.

  “Okay.” Emma nodded. “But you owe me cake, too.”

  “Hey! Since when did that become part of our Zombie Days TV night agreement?”

  “Since you annoyed the crap out of me just now.”

  “Oohh, touchy. Okay, I’ll see what I can do.” Katie tapped her lip thoughtfully. “I’ll stop by Daz’s, put in an order for something decadent and rich and creamy.”

  “Don’t scrimp on the cream.”

  “Geez, when did you become such a bossy-britches?”

  “Since now.”

  Katie rolled her eyes, then caught sight of her watch. “Holy crap! I’m late.” She sprung up. “I promised Mum I’d pick up the newspaper from the servo on my way to lunch with her and Dad. If I don’t get a move on they’ll serve up and eat without me, and no way am I missing out on Sunday roast!” She paused. “Want to come? Mum and Dad won’t mind. In fact, they’d be pleased.”

  “No thanks.” Leaning back, Emma stretched her arms along the back of the wooden seat. “I have plans for this afternoon.”

  “Oh yeah?” Katie smirked. “Do those plans include a certain hunky doctor?”

  Emma sprang up and Katie took off shrieking with laughter.

  Shaking her head, Emma was about to sit down again when she heard the sound of the ice cream van coming along the road. Mmm, soft serve ice cream. Maybe she’d treat herself to an ice cream, eat it while walking back home. Maybe the icy coldness would help clear her head, help her sort out her troubled feelings.

  Walking along the footpath on the way home, licking the creamy cold goodness, she was certain of two things - one, the ice cream definitely wasn’t helping clear her head or troubled thoughts, and two, it tasted damned delicious.

  Smiling a little, she ambled along, passing Granny May’s place to find Shane’s granny standing at the garden gate taking a verbal piece out of Hank.

  “You idiot,” Granny May snapped. “Why didn’t you call me when you almost cut your finger off? Fool.”

  Hank waved the bandaged digit in the air. “It happened quick, May. Geez, what was I supposed to do? Call you before I went to Shane?”

  “Yes!”

  “I’d have bled to death. Or my finger would have fallen off.”

  “Then you should have called me to pick you up. What on earth possessed you to drive your car?”

  “I had to go to the quack’s for stitches, May, that’s why I took the car. I wasn’t going to run.”

  “You should have called me, I’d have taken you.”

  “Besides, it was my thumb.” Hank held it up again to prove his point.

  “I don’t care if it was your thumb or your bum. Call me next time. Fool.”

  Hank grinned…then he leaned forward and kissed May on the cheek. “You are so cute when you’re mad, May Armand.”

  Emma half expected Granny May to smack Hank’s lights out or laugh it off. Instead, she could only watch in surprise as Granny May giggled like a schoolgirl, blushed, and then swung the gate open while taking Hank’s upper arm and ordering, “Get into the house, you dork, before someone sees you playing the fool.”

  “I like the idea,” Hank said. “Let’s go inside and fool around.”

  Emma almost tripped over her own feet as they hustled into the house, Granny May giggling and scolding while Hank took a handful of her bottom and squeezed.

  With his good hand, thank goodness, otherwise he might have busted a few stitches. That’d put a dampener on their little encounter.

  Amused, Emma resumed walking and eating her ice cream. Life was just full of surprises. She’d never
have guessed that there was anything between Granny May and Hank.

  Her smile faded as she neared home. But that still didn’t help her wonder what she should do about her growing attraction to Shane. He was her boss, she’d only worked with him for a couple of weeks and yet…and yet she’d almost kissed him yesterday.

  True, she hadn’t really expected him to actually cook a chicken for CK, that was funny. Actually… She stopped and stared at the house, noting CK lying on her back under the golden wattle tree. Why had Shane cooked the chicken? Why had he brought it around for CK? He couldn’t really be trying to win CK over, could he?

  Or did he have another reason for coming?

  Did that reason have anything to do with the heat she’d seen in his eyes during that moment they’d shared?

  Almost immediately she shook her head. No, no, it couldn’t be real. She’d imagined it. It was just friendly - why the hell had he roasted a chicken for CK?

  A tingle went through her. Yeah, there was no doubting the heat in his eyes. No doubting that sizzle of attraction between them when he’d been leaning towards her, and she’d leaned towards him. But what would happen if they did…?

  “Stupid,” she muttered, opening the picket gate and walking through, clicking it shut behind her. “It didn’t mean anything.”

  She doubted he was the kind to play with a woman’s feelings, however.

  Crossing over to where CK lolled back on the grass, Emma knelt down beside her to lightly run her fingertips up and down the ginger cat’s belly.

  CK cracked her eyes open a fraction, a flash of gold irises, then she closed her eyes and stretched luxuriously, a loud purring roiling up to spill lustily into the air. Staying on her back, she welcomed both the dappled sunlight and Emma’s fingertips rubbing her belly.

  Gazing down at her cat, Emma couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if she followed this crazy path of attraction and allowed herself to become close to Shane, to see where it led. In a way it was a new beginning, right? A promise for the future. But it also came with the risk of a very bloody big pothole - the risk of a broken romance that could be very uncomfortable for her to continue working at Hope Bay Clinic.