Secrets (Hope Bay) Read online

  “Yeah, you’re right. Granny May would be banging on the door wanting a slice of the action.”

  It was on the tip of Emma’s tongue to say that Granny May was getting enough action of her own, but she managed to stop herself in time. However, the Armand family really were a delight and she valued their friendship.

  Throughout the day Doc’s words drifted back to her. She just hoped when she got the courage to tell Shane that he’d react as favourably as Doc and Mrs A.

  Yeah, one thing was for sure, if this relationship between them went further she’d have to tell him. It wasn’t something she wanted to keep secret from the man with whom she might have a future.

  “Oh for…” Emma scowled. “Future? You’ve only just started seeing him and now you’re thinking of a future? Simmer down, girl. One step at a time.”

  A sound at the door had her spinning around, horrified that someone might have heard her.

  Harriet entered flapping a few sheets of paper. “Oh man, I forgot!”

  Gratified that apparently no one had heard her talking to herself, Emma relaxed. “Forgot what?”

  “Fete coming up. We do a few things, you know, BP, BSLs, little pep talk for those wanting some free info. It’s just a couple of hours we do.” Harriet looked at Emma. “Usually the nurse does it.”

  “The nurse?”

  “Well, and Doc, too. Maybe Shane this year. It’s just a little something.” Harriet paused. “Doc didn’t say anything to you?”

  “No.”

  “That’s because he’s probably forgotten, too. Or simply hasn’t gotten around to asking you. It’s your day off, so he won’t make you if you don’t want to do it.” Her face turned hopeful. “But we usually do. We have done every year actually. The last nurse always did it before she retired.”

  “No worries,” Emma said. “I’ll do it.”

  “Excellent.” Harriet beamed. “I’ll let him know.”

  Emma turned back to the inventory she was taking while Harriet returned to the reception.

  She’d have done it anyway. A small town, being one of the people, plus it would be fun. But she also owed Doc, and she’d do just about anything for him and Mrs A. They’d given her a chance at a new start, it was a chance to repay them for their kindness. It’d be a fun day. Her friends would be there and, she smiled, so would her boyfriend.

  Ah crap! Another thought struck her. How would her friends feel about her dating Shane?

  Picturing Katie’s face, she could almost hear the ribbing now.

  Which meant Doc and Mrs A would know. They’d wonder why she hadn’t told them. Or Shane would tell them. Maybe she should have told Doc this morning.

  Argh!

  Emma dropped her forehead onto the desk. Why hadn’t she considered that? Was it too late to tell Doc? How to tell him? Should she tell him? Should she ask Shane if he’d told them already?

  Lifting her head, she stared at the note pad listing the items she needed to order.

  Why was everything such a drama? Or was it just her? And what would Harriet say?

  Emma groaned. “I need a Diet Coke. A bloody large one.”

  Chapter 8

  “Well, aren’t you the dark horse?”

  Emma felt the nudge of the elbow before Katie spoke a word. She glanced up from where she was flicking through a book. “Hmm?”

  “You and Shane, of course.” Noticing the dog hair on her sleeve, Katie picked it off before continuing, “How could you not tell me? Your friend?”

  “Ah.” Emma placed the book back on the shelf. “It was just a matter of time before you found out my dastardly moves.”

  Katie looked her up and down. “Moves? What moves, exactly?”

  “I swayed my abundant hips, tossed my flowing locks, and Shane was all mine.”

  A little smirk appeared on Katie’s face. “Really.”

  “Femme fatale, that’s me.”

  “Uh huh.”

  “Seriously. I got Shane in my sights and he never knew what hit him.”

  “You hit him.”

  “Yep.” Emma grinned.

  “You hunted him.”

  “Yep.” Emma started leafing through another book.

  Plucking it out of her hand, Katie replaced it on the shelf. “You hunted Shane.”

  “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

  “You hunted Shane.”

  “Shocked? Surprised? Didn’t think I had it in me?”

  Arms folded, Katie leaned on one leg with her hip thrust out. “You couldn’t hunt down dinner.”

  “You’d be surprised. I can hunt down bangers and mash in a very blood-chilling way.”

  “Oh, honey.” Katie smiled mysteriously.

  “What?” Emma’s eyes narrowed. “What?”

  “Oh, honey.”

  “What?”

  Katie shook her head. “You have no idea.”

  “No idea about what?”

  Glancing behind Emma, a big smile wreathed Katie’s face. “Mitch!” She waved him over.

  The big, fair-haired bloke strolled up the aisle, teeth flashing white in his tanned face. He wore paint-spattered old jeans, work boots, and a paint-spattered t-shirt under an open, long sleeved button-down check shirt with the sleeves rolled up to reveal the impressive muscles of his forearms. “You bellowed, my love?”

  “Guess what?” Katie asked. “It’s about our man-eater, here.”

  Mitch eyed Emma. One eyebrow rose at the faint blush stealing into her cheeks.

  “Nothing,” Emma said quickly.

  “Pshaw.” Katie pointed at her. “Guess who hunted down Shane and shot him with her arrow of lust?”

  Emma was mortified. “Katie!”

  Mitch’s other eyebrow rose. “Emma hunted Shane?”

  “I did not-”

  “That’s what she told me.” Katie leaned forward. “She hunted him.”

  Mitch’s grin widened. Then he guffawed.

  “Hey!” Emma punched him on the upper arm.

  Still laughing in deep guffaws, Mitch just grabbed her hand and tugged her against his chest, holding her close while ruffling the hair atop her head affectionately. “Aw, isn’t that sweet?”

  “Get off!” Smacking his hand away, she pushed back.

  Releasing her, Mitch slung an arm around Katie’s shoulders and leaned on her while watching Emma in amusement. “I had no idea you were so cunning.”

  “I’m not cunning.”

  “You had a cunning plan. You hunted Shane down like a feral pig and shot him.”

  Emma looked down her nose at him, which was kind of hard to do seeing as he towered over both her and Katie. “You have a distinctly icky way of putting things, Mitch.”

  “Hey, I call it like it is.”

  “But is it like it is?” Katie widened her eyes comically.

  “Hmm, yes. That is the question, is it not?”

  Emma rolled her eyes. “I have no idea what you two are on about.”

  They both smirked.

  “Obviously you’ve been inhaling too much paint fumes, Mitch, and as for you, Katie, don’t you have dogs to walk, or houses to clean, or errands to run for someone or something?”

  Katie looked up at Mitch. “I do believe that’s our esteemed nurse’s way of telling us that you’re high and me to get lost.”

  “Make like the wind and blow,” Mitch agreed.

  “I bet Shane would like something blown.”

  Emma gaped. “You did not just say that!”

  “Oh, she did.” Mitch nodded. “This little sandgroper can spit out the filth worse than an overflowing septic tank.”

  “Oh please,” Katie said modestly. “You flatter me.”

  Emma shook her head. “You are a sick pair.”

  “Never find sicker,” Mitch agreed.

  “So tell us how you caught Shane,” Katie said. “What plan did you use?”

  “I’m not telling.” Picking up another book, Emma tried to change the subject. “What are you
doing today?”

  “Nice try.”

  “I’m not going to answer any more of your ridiculous questions.”

  “You started it with your arrows of lust, Miss Hot-to-Trot.”

  “I thought it was love?” Mitch mused.

  “With Emma its lust.”

  “Just Emma?”

  Eyes half closed, Katie stroked her jaw. “You have a point.”

  “The point I’m getting-” Emma began.

  “Is, you hope, Shane’s.”

  “You have no shame!”

  “That’s my girl.” Tightening his arm around Katie’s shoulders, Mitch hugged her close against him. “Shameless.”

  Unable to remain annoyed at their teasing, Emma laughed. “Incorrigible. Both of you.”

  “I prefer truthful,” Katie said happily.

  Gaze tracking over Emma’s head, Mitch’s expression brightened.

  Emma glanced over her shoulder to see Shane sauntering up the aisle with a congenial smile on his face as his gaze zeroed in on her.

  “Speaking of the pig that got stuck-” Mitch began.

  Emma leaped forward to slap her hand over his mouth. “Don’t you bloody dare!”.

  Ducking out from under his arm, Katie roared with laughter.

  Mitch just stood there with his eyes twinkling merrily down at her.

  “Not one word,” she threatened, removing her hand.

  He held up his hand. “My word as a surfie.”

  At Emma’s dubious expression, Katie said, “That’s a serious oath from Mitch. Trust me.”

  Before Emma could retort, she felt a warmth at her back and a faint shiver sparkled across her skin when two big palms came to rest on her upper arms. Shane gave her arms a light squeeze - oh be still her pounding heart! - then without a shred of self consciousness, he stepped up beside her, his hands shifting, one to slide into the pocket of his jeans, the other around her waist to tug her into him.

  He did the manoeuvrer so smoothly that before she knew it she was tucked into his side, the length of his warm, hard body pressed against her much softer, shorter one.

  It felt good. Natural. It also felt protective, which she liked.

  Glancing up at him, she smiled slightly even though her cheeks went a little hot, this time because she was aware of Mitch and Katie watching. “You knocked off early.”

  “Excuse me,” he returned indignantly. “It’s after five thirty.”

  “Yeah.” Felicity Dunlop came down the aisle. “And that means it’s past time I shut up shop. Are you lot going to be nice and buy books, or are you going to be pains in my arse and just read them for nothing and leave without buying anything.” She jerked her thumb over her shoulder. “I have a dog and a husband to feed. Just keep that in mind while you’re trying to decide what to do.”

  Put like that, Emma could only hold out the book she still held. “I’ll take this one.”

  Katei caught a peek. “Aw, how sweet. A romance book.”

  “Obviously you’re falling down on the job, mate,” Mitch added. “Maybe you need some advice?”

  “I can handle my own love life, thank you very much,” Shane retorted.

  At just the thought of Shane handling anything to do with their romance, a hot flush swept through the pit of Emma’s belly. Geez, if this was how just a few words could affect her, what would the real thing be like?

  Taking the opportunity to escape Katie’s knowing eyes, she stepped away from Shane. “I better go pay for this.”

  “Sure,” he replied easily. “I’ll meet you outside.”

  If Emma thought she’d gotten away with it, she soon found out her mistake at the counter when Felicity stated forthrightly, “Well, isn’t this nice? Our local nurse and GP tripping the star-strewn highway of love.”

  Good grief.

  Felicity rung up the cost. “Enjoy the highway, honey, because later it gets a little boggy.”

  Wow. Emma handed her the money but didn’t manage to get a word in edge-wise because Felicity was on a roll.

  “When your old man gets a flat - and I do mean a flat,” she held out a stiff forefinger then dropped it down from the knuckle so it curled limply, “things start to change.” Snapping open a paper bag, Felicity slid the book inside. “Suddenly he’s surfing porn sites looking for inspiration.”

  Just…wow. “Uh,” was all Emma could manage.

  “Next thing he’s buying handcuffs and ball gags and just when you think that’s meant for you,” Felicity ripped off a length of sticky tape, “you find he wants you to feather dust his nut sac.”

  Holy cow.

  Felicity flipped the edge of the paper bag closed and slapped the sticky tape along the edge to seal it. “Next thing he wants you to finger his prostate and I’m telling you, honey, your digit might be used to going up people’s backsides with suppositories, but this little chickie isn’t mining for any gold up anyone’s back-holed cave.” She handed the bag to Emma. “Understand?”

  “Yes,” Emma squeaked. Clearing her throat, she answered more strongly, “Yes. Of course.”

  “Now you might be lucky.” Felicity placed one forearm on the counter to lean forward confidingly. “Those Armand docs have done a lot of fingering in their jobs, so I reckon any cave exploring will be done by them. Get my drift?”

  Oh my God! Fascinated and repulsed all at once, Emma started back-pedalling. “I really must go. You need to lock up and feed your dog and - uh - husband. Thanks Felicity.”

  “Anytime, honey.” She straightened and came around the counter. “I’ll lock up behind you.”

  Emma beat a fast retreat, coming out the door and onto the footpath to find Mitch, Katie, Shane and Steve talking.

  “Now you remember, Emma.” Felicity grabbed the open door by the handle. “You need any advice when it comes to wandering digits fingering intimate places, you come and talk to me. I’m an expert by now.” With that she shut the door, snipped the lock, flipped the sign to ‘closed’ and disappeared into the depths of the shop.

  Leaving Emma standing on the footpath, book clutched in hand, not knowing which way to look when four sets of eyes turned incredulously onto her.

  Actually, make that three sets incredulous, because the fourth set was showing a distinct flare of interest.

  “Don’t.” She pointed at Shane before swinging her finger around to include the others. “Not. One. Word.”

  “How about four?” Katie asked. “What. The. Hell. Emma?”

  “Katie!”

  “It’s not like you can knock me off my perch. Too many witnesses.”

  “I need to scrub my brain out with a scourer.”

  Steve grinned. “Felicity filling you in on her love life?”

  “See?” Mitch gestured to Shane. “You know dick about love and romance and stuff. Now Felicity is advising Emma on all the weird-arsed stuff she and her old man do. Get your shit together, mate, before you end up with a raving nymph wanting to finger you on your tail.” He paused. “I mean a raving nymph hunting you wanting to finger your tail.” He frowned. “That still doesn’t sound right.”

  “Ignore this drongo.” Slinging an arm around Emma’s shoulders, Shane dropped a kiss atop her head. “Do you need a stiff drink after your encounter with Felicity?”

  “You have no idea.” Emma cast a glance over her shoulder at the closed shop. “I can’t believe she told me that stuff!”

  “Yeah, and with a straight face, too.” Steve nodded. “Her husband was standing in the bar one day regaling us with his sex life. I had nightmares for weeks after.”

  Katie grinned at Shane. “Your Granny May says Felicity is a wealth of information, but Hank won’t let her try out some of the kinkier stuff on him.”

  “Good grief,” Emma said. “Is this place a hotbed of kinky sex? I had no idea.”

  Shane winced. “Really, Katie? You had to bring Granny and kinky sex into it?”

  “Don’t be a wuss. You’re a quack. You’ve seen it all.”

 
“Grannies are like parents, they don’t have sex.” Shane gagged a little. “Now I really need a drink.”

  “You and me both,” Emma said.

  “This seriously troubles me,” Steve said. “You two have hooked up and neither of you can deal with the subject of sex. You might need educating.”

  “Not by you,” Shane retorted. “Or any of you, in fact. Besides, I do well enough on my own.”

  “Yeah, but you’re with Emma now. The one-armed bandit doesn’t have to hold his own end up anymore.”

  “Geez.” Emma rested her forehead against Shane’s arm. “Can we do this behind closed doors? What if someone hears us?”

  “Yeah, better do it behind closed doors,” Katie agreed. “You don’t want to be shagging out in the open where everyone can see you, not to mention hear you screeching.”

  “You are a horror, Katie Boyd. And the rest of you,” Emma cast them all a stern glance, “are just as bad.”

  “Except me,” Shane quickly added.

  “Except you,” she agreed.

  “Well, if you’re not stimulated by our very knowledgeable conversation, then I think we better go and find more civilised surroundings.” Steve jerked a thumb at Daz’s café. “Mitch, go grab Daz and we’ll hit the pub for a drink and something to eat.”

  “I have to drive,” Emma objected.

  “We all do. So it’s either we’re relegated to soft drink and juice or we can ditch our cars at home and you can do the pick-up and drop-off.”

  “Hey,” she replied indignantly. “How come I’m relegated to driver?”

  “Because you’re apparently the straightest of us all. The innocent one. The easily shocked.”

  “Are you calling me a goody-two shoes?”

  Katie smirked. “Not when Shane’s finished with you.” She started for her van parked on the side of the road. “Let’s go, people, I’ve got a thirst.”

  “I’m so hungry my stomach’s eating my backbone.” Mitch trotted off to the café to get Daz.

  “I’m outta here.” Steve headed for the car park. “See you when you pick me up.”

  Shane looked down at Emma. “Well, we can either follow them and do the pick-up, or we can ditch the coarse mob and find our own fun.”

  “They’d never let us live it down.”

  “True. And I’d hate to have them all moaning and groaning, because they will, you know.”