Secrets (Hope Bay) Read online

  “Everyone has their own style.”

  “Yep.” He smiled slightly. “I see you talked Dad into letting you keep a cat here.”

  Surprised, Emma replied, “I didn’t have to talk him into anything. Doc never said anything against having CK here.”

  “Really?” Shane looked as surprised as Emma felt. “Okay. Well, you must have made a good impression on him when he interviewed you.”

  “I guess so.” Feeling ill-at-ease suddenly, she rinsed out the glass and set it on the sink. However, before she could pick up the bags, Shane was across the small kitchen in several long strides and gathering the straps into his hands. “Oh, there’s no need-”

  “No problem.” Swinging around, he left the kitchen carrying the bags.

  Shaking her head, Emma picked up her small handbag and walked out into the hallway to find him standing at the doorway staring down at CK, who was staring right back up at him.

  CK didn’t blink, her head going slightly from side to side as she studied him.

  “Seriously,” Shane said, “I’m a little unnerved here.”

  “You are?” Emma came up beside him.

  “I have this feeling she’s half cobra.”

  “It’s just her way of sussing out people.” Watching CK, Emma had to admit that the side-to-side movement was a little odd to anyone not used to it.

  “You sure she won’t bite or scratch or something?” Shane eyed the cat cautiously.

  Amusement spiralled through Emma. “If she’s not going to bite or scratch, what’s the something?”

  “I don’t know. Hiss?”

  She laughed.

  When CK leaned forward to sniff Shane’s leg, there was no mistaking the way he tensed slightly.

  “Relax.” Emma touched his arm. “She isn’t going to scratch you, bite you, or something.”

  He arched an eyebrow at Emma. “Are you finding this funny?”

  “Shane, CK is just a little cat.” Bending, she swooped CK up into her arms. “See?”

  Shane and CK eyed each other.

  “See?” Emma prompted.

  CK blinked her eyes sweetly at Emma before turning her attention back to Shane, her ears pricked forward, gaze intent.

  “I’ll take your word for it.” Shane inched around to the door.

  Amused, Emma backed enough to give him room, waiting for CK to make her move.

  CK didn’t disappoint her. As soon as Shane was at the door, one long paw reached out, her claws casually hooking into his t-shirt.

  He froze.

  “Relax.” Emma grinned. “She’s trying to get your attention.”

  He looked over his shoulder, and yep, his expression was extremely wary. “Is her tail lashing?”

  “No, it’s lazily flicking. She wants to investigate you.” When he didn’t move, Emma instructed, “Turn around.”

  Still holding the bags, Shane turned to watched CK.

  Standing close, Emma held CK as she stretched her neck forward so she could sniff Shane’s shirt. Her little nose twitched, her paw still out to rest on his chest as she sniffed and investigated.

  “This is odd,” he finally said.

  “CK is just curious.”

  “CK is freaking me out a little.”

  Highly entertained at this admission, Emma looked up at Shane.

  At the same time, his gaze left CK to lock onto Emma.

  Suddenly, the hallway seemed too small. She was too close, aware of the man standing so near she could smell the faint hint of soap and deodorant, feel the very warmth of his body. Feel the sudden intensity of those grey eyes.

  Seconds ticked past as they looked at each other, her amusement falling away as the sounds of birds and everyday country life of a little beachside town outside made her so acutely aware of how alone she was here with this man.

  This good-looking man who was watching her so intently.

  The grandfather clock at the end of the hallway sounded the time, breaking the little spell that somehow seemed to have woven itself between them, startling her which, in turn, startled CK, who jumped and dug her claws into Shane’s abdomen.

  “Holy crap!” He winced, grabbing CK’s paw.

  CK struggled and jumped down, giving Shane a hiss before darting down the passage to disappear into Emma’s bedroom.

  Horrified, Emma reached for his shirt. “I’m so sorry! It’s not her fault, I jumped and-” Just as her fingers brushed the shirt, she snatched her hands back, curling them into fists at her side. “I’m sorry. Really.”

  “It’s okay.” Rather than swear as she half expected, Shane tugged his t-shirt up to show a thin scratch along his abdomen.

  Okay, call her shallow, but she couldn’t help but notice that though he didn’t sport a six pack, his abdo was hard and flat.

  He still had a scratch though, caused by her cat.

  “I’m sorry.” She started to back away. “Come to the bathroom, I’ve got Betadine there and-” His hand curling around her upper arm pulling her to a halt stopped her words.

  “Emma,” he chided. “Stop.”

  She obeyed, aware of his warm, firm grip still around her arm.

  “I’m not going to die from a little scratch,” he continued. “It’s hardly bleeding, all right?”

  She bit her lip.

  “Stop worrying.”

  “It’s not CK’s fault,” she sought to assure him. “It was me-”

  “Its okay, Em. Really.”

  “Okay.” She nodded, feeling awful regardless. “She really is a nice cat.”

  “I’ll take your word for it.” Bending, he hooked his hands through the bag handles and straightened.

  There was no point going on about it anymore, so she reached past him to open the door.

  And became aware that was perhaps not her best move, because now she was leaning forward with the side of her breast pressed firmly against his arm. Heat zinged through her, the pit of her belly falling away at the unexpected brush of his arm as he turned, and she quickly shoved the door open and shifted back without meeting his gaze.

  “I’ll just check on CK and that I’ve locked the kitchen door.” Her cheeks burned as she spun on her heel and swiftly retreated back up the hallway.

  Wishing she could hide in the bedroom, Emma went in to stroke her ginger girl where she sat on the end of the bed. “Seriously, did you really have to scratch my new boss?”

  Clearly refusing to take the blame, CK looked away.

  “I know, it was me.” Emma dropped a kiss between CK’s ears. “I’m sorry, baby.”

  She was also sorry that she couldn’t hide in the bedroom with the cat, but if she was going to pretend nothing had happened, then she had to go out and pretend that, well, nothing had happened.

  Taking a deep breath, she ventured out into the hallway only to sag in relief to find that Shane had already left the house. Maybe, with luck, he’d gotten in his car and left the street, too, but somehow she doubted it. Leaving without announcing it was something that Shane, apparently brought up to be polite and respectful, would never do.

  Look at that. She’d only met him a couple of times and already she knew what he’d be doing, and yep, he was doing it when she came out of the house. Waiting beside her car with the driver’s door open.

  Stifling a sigh, she locked the doors, managing to appear pleasantly serene as she crossed the yard with him watching her, his expression relaxed.

  Just two adults being all polite and respectful.

  “I’ve put the bags on the floor of the passenger seat,” Shane informed her.

  “Thank you.”

  Sure enough, he stood aside to allow her to slide into the driver’s seat before shutting the door behind her with a firm thump.

  She started the engine, clearing her throat as she peeked out at him.

  When he suddenly bent down to gravely look in at her, she couldn’t help but stiffen.

  “You owe me.” Shane frowned.

  “I-I do?” she croaked.<
br />
  “Yeah.”

  “Um…”

  “CK owes me.”

  “CK owes you?” Oh no, don’t say he was going to pressure Doc to make her get rid of CK. There was no way she’d do that, she’d have to find a new house to rent and-

  “You’re racking up a tab,” Shane continued seriously. “You’re paying up tonight.”

  “I am?” A prickle went down her spine to pool unexpectedly in her loins. Just what, exactly, did he mean?

  “You owe me two humungous slices of Pavlova with the works.” He held up a finger. “Two slices. Big slices. With the works.” His eyes twinkled suddenly, a teasing grin curving his firm lips. “And CK owes me a Pavlova. A full Pavlova with the works.”

  Relief coursed through her. “Do you expect her to make it?”

  “You’re her owner. She’s your responsibility. You have to pay the piper on her behalf.”

  “That I am.” Relief made Emma laugh. “I swear I’ll make your very own Pavlova with all the works.”

  “Done deal.” He pushed away from the car. “See you soon, Em.”

  She watched in the side mirror as he strode back to his car with not a care in the world. Looking damn hot in shorts, old t-shirt and sneakers.

  Only once he got into his car and drove away with a cheerful toot of the horn did she finally back out of the driveway. As she pulled away, she spotted CK sitting in the lounge window with her face turned up to the sun, looking extremely pleased with herself.

  Little troublemaker.

  Emma wouldn’t be without her for quids.

  Shaking her head in affectionate amusement, she headed for Doc’s house.

  At least by the time Shane arrived the BBQ would be in full swing, people would be around, and she could forget the unexpectedly disturbing feelings that had arisen.

  “You’re only human,” she reminded herself. “He’s a good-looking bloke. Nothing more. Get over it. For sure he didn’t feel anything.”

  Yeah, he felt nothing. She’d do well to remember that any attraction - scratch that, over-awareness - was all on her side.

  Chapter 3

  “I see Gran hasn’t given up smoking.”

  Doc squinted at his mother sitting on the far side of the yard keeping Hank McAvee company. The air around them was hazy with the smoke they were both vigorously puffing out, Hank from his pipe and Granny May from her cigarette. “I’ve told her and told her. She will not listen.”

  “Every parent is well aware their kids know nothing.”

  Doc’s gaze cut to Shane. “What would you know about parents?”

  “Oh son-who-didn’t-bless-us-with-the-fruits-of-his-loins,” Shane’s mother added as she walked past.

  “Gah.” He shuddered.

  “What’s your problem?” she demanded.

  “Seriously, Mum. Don’t mention my loins, okay?”

  “God’s sake, boy, you’re a doctor. You have loins.”

  “And you’re my mother. I don’t want you thinking about my loins, okay?”

  “I washed your loins when you were a baby.”

  “You don’t have to state it for the world to hear. It’s just wrong.”

  “Says who?”

  “All the kids at school.”

  Mrs Armand took one look at her son’s smirking face and gave him a light cuff across the back of the head.

  “Ouch! Geez, is that any way to treat the guest of honour?”

  “Oh, I don’t know,” Mitch drawled as he sauntered up. “We could start a whole new tradition.”

  Shane eyed him.

  Mitch smiled winningly at Mrs A. “Looking beautiful as always, Mrs A.”

  “Keep the compliments coming,” she replied.

  “Far too young to have a son.”

  “I think I love you.”

  “What’s not to love?” He spread his arms. “Look at me. I’m a real catch.”

  Shane snorted.

  “Mitch’s right. He’s cute.” Mrs A turned to Doc. “I may have to divorce you.”

  “Okay.” He took a mouthful of beer.

  “I’m taking everything.”

  “Okay.”

  “I’m leaving the bills.”

  “Not okay.”

  They looked at each other, Doc grinning, his wife smiling, then they leaned towards each other and kissed.

  “I think I just lost my chance,” Mitch told Shane.

  “Mum’s not that desperate.”

  “Hey!”

  Mrs A patted Mitch’s cheek fondly. “Never mind, dear. There’s a girl for you out there somewhere.”

  “I’m not actually looking right now.”

  “Of course.”

  “I’m not.”

  She winked at him.

  “Really-”

  “Forget it,” Shane said. “Mum’s a romantic. She thinks every man has a woman out there somewhere that’s their perfect match.”

  “Okay, well, as long as my woman can cook,” Mitch replied. “And surf. Paddleboard. Run.”

  “You mean basically a feminine version of you?”

  Mitch smirked. “Wouldn’t that be awesome?”

  “Terrifying, actually,” a new voice said.

  Everyone turned around to face the beaming smile of the pretty brown-haired woman approaching. Her dark brown bob danced around her shoulders, her eyes sparkled with mirth.

  “Katie Boyd, as I live and breath.” Mitch waggled his eyebrows. “I hear you sucked your brother into taking on one of your stray cats.”

  “He fell in love with him.”

  “The cat fell in love with Danny?”

  “Other way around.”

  “Sure. Sure he did. Right.” He squinted over her head. “Where is the sucker?”

  “He was behind me but stopped to gossip with Harriet and Harry.” Katie turned her attention to Shane. “I hear you’re back to stay. That’s good.”

  “Yep.” He nodded to his parents. “Family business.”

  Beaming, Doc slung his arm around Shane’s shoulders. “Meet Doc and Doc Armand. Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”

  Looking at his father’s lined face topped with grey hair, Shane was glad he’d returned home. “It does, Dad, it does.” He glanced at his mother, noticing for the first time - really noticing - the silver threads through her dark hair. “Been away for awhile, time to come home.”

  Mrs A stood on tip toe to kiss his cheek. “I’m so glad to have you home.”

  Looking out over the yard where his friends and family were scattered, chatting and enjoying the camaraderie, Shane felt more content than he could remember. The bright lights had called him, the fast life in a city, but hard study combined with part-time work in a bar, then his time training and later working in hospitals and emergency wards had made him realise where his heart was really set.

  Hope Bay, among family and friends. Being able to join his father in the Hope Bay Clinic, being GP to the residents of the coastal town, being on emergency call for the small hospital, that was what he wanted. A family practice.

  “I’m surprised you gave up the glamour of a big city doctor,” Katie said.

  “Turns out it wasn’t so glamorous. Draining, frustrating, red tape - a lot of red tape. Violence.” He wrinkled his nose. “City emergency rooms and violence go almost hand-in-hand nowadays.”

  Doc gravely contemplated his can of beer. “Not like it used to be.”

  “A lot of things aren’t what they used to be.” Mrs A leaned against him, her arm around his waist. “But Hope Bay is a nice place. We have some trouble, but mostly things cruise along.”

  “Just what I’m after.” Shane nodded.

  “Cruising along, no hard work.” Mitch nodded as well. “Know what you mean.”

  “Lazy drongo. What would you know about hard work?”

  “Mate, I’m a handyman. I work damned hard.”

  “Diddums.” Katie made kissy sounds.

  Mitch eyed her up and down, but before he could say anything th
e kitchen door opened and a soft voice asked, “Can I borrow your beaters, Mrs A?”

  They all looked around at Emma standing in the doorway, and she smiled.

  Damned if that smile wasn’t the sweetest smile Shane had ever seen. Her blue eyes sparkled with gentle humour and - damn, she just looked so sweet. He drank in the sight of her. Those rubenesque curves just begged to be traced, and he actually felt his palms itch to do the tracing.

  “Of course, dear.” His mother’s voice broke the spell, bringing him back to awareness. She went up the steps onto the veranda, hand out to usher Emma back into the kitchen. “I’ll show you where it is. I can’t wait to taste The Pavlova. Maybe I should taste. Yes, I definitely should taste a piece.”

  Emma’s warm, soft laugh washed over Shane, making him feel that if he shut his eyes it would be a warm breeze caressing softly.

  Then he caught Mitch’s speculative expression and unaccustomed red crept into his cheeks. Even as his friend’s eyes widened in sudden comprehension, Shane said, “I better go and mingle, otherwise everyone will think I’m a total wanker.”

  “They think that already,” Mitch responded automatically. “Here, I’ll come with you.”

  “Do you want everyone to steer clear of you both?” Katie asked.

  “What?” Mitch’s attention switched to her. “What do you mean?”

  “Far out. Do I really have to spell it out to you?” Her eyes rolled.

  “Just explain exactly what you mean, missy.”

  Doc laughed.

  Thankful for their friendly bickering which had Mitch hanging back with Katie, Shane made his escape from his eagle-eyed friend. Mind you, how a dick such as Mitch could possibly cotton on to the fact that Shane found Emma attractive in a total non-friend way was beyond him. The big bloke wasn’t known for being too intuitive.

  The afternoon closed into evening, the barbie lit and meat cooking, Daz somehow becoming the unofficial head chef with Doc following his instructions. Chatter and laughter filled the air.

  Shane circulated, joining in the cheerful discussions and accepting the congratulations with good humour. It didn’t take long for him to feel as though he’d never left, almost everyone he’d known growing up being present. The few friends he’d made when they’d moved to Hope Bay just cemented the fact that coming home was a positive move.