Uh oh. Dee swallowed.
“But know this, Dee, he may be a dumb arse at times, but once he’s laid his heart at a woman’s feet, he won’t ever stray.”
Crap on a stick, she couldn’t believe Ryder’s mother was actually talking to her like this, it was damned uncomfortable. Not to mention a little freaky.
Mrs Montague looked her right in the eye. “I’d be proud to have you as my daughter-in-law.”
Jesus! Dee’s face reddened. “Mrs Montague, I…um…look, this is a little awkward.”
Mrs Montague arched one elegant brow.
“I’m not so sure Ryder really cares for me like that.”
“Cares? Dee, he does more than care for you.”
“I’m not totally convinced-”
“Don’t worry, you will be.”
“Mrs Montague, I-”
The door bell jingled and they both looked around to see a huge bunch of roses walk through the door. Actually, it looked like a huge bunch of multi-coloured roses, but there was someone staggering under the load.
Dee gaped. “What the hell…?”
“Delivery for Dee Miller,” a man’s voice came from behind the bouquet.
Mrs Montague started smiling as she stepped aside.
The huge bouquet was dumped on the counter to reveal a slightly breathless man. “You Dee Miller?”
“Well, yeah-”
“Thank God. Oh, before I forget.” He dug a small envelope from his top pocket and handed it to her.
“Wait a minute.” Dee took the envelope. “Where are the roses from? We don’t have a florist here.”
“Ellor’s Loop.” The man grinned. “Some man is really sweet on you, Ms Miller.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You came all the way from Ellor’s Loop? That’s a two hour drive!”
“Yep. Got the order this morning, bloke said no excuses he wanted the roses delivered today, he wanted every rose he ordered even if we had to get them from other florists and raid every rose bush in town, they had to be aromatic and they had to be in one bunch.” The man winked. “Lucky girl.” He walked out.
Dee looked at the huge bouquet of roses.
“Ten dozen roses, all colours, mix of buds and full blown.” Mrs Montague sighed dreamily. “Ryder takes after his Dad. What a sweet boy.”
The roses were beautiful, their fragrance filling the air, their colours brightening the shop.
Warmth filled Dee, swelling out from her heart, and she reached to touch one delicate petal. Cripes, Ryder had actually paid for this huge bouquet and had it delivered from Ellor’s Loop. He’d never done that for any of the women he’d dated in the past. He’d given them a small posy, sure, a bunch of flowers from the small bouquets that filled the buckets outside the service station and in the supermarket, but this? Never.
“And you think he only cares for you?” Mrs Montague grinned widely. “Think again, Dee.”
A blush reddened Dee’s cheeks. “Um…I have to take these upstairs and get them in water.”
“You do that.” Mrs Montague plopped her handbag on the counter. “I’ll watch the shop.”
“What?”
“Well, you said it yourself, dear. Those roses need water. Go upstairs and get them into vases and I’ll watch the shop.” When Dee just gaped at her, she flapped her hands. “Shoo, dear. Now.”
There really wasn’t much choice. Dee didn’t want the roses to wilt, and she needed someone to watch the shop unless she locked the front door for several minutes.
“Thanks Mrs M.” She gathered up the roses, which made for a heavy load, and staggered down the aisle, through the kitchenette at the back and up the stairs.
By the time she reached the kitchen, she was a little breathless. Okay, the huge bouquet was sweet, heart-warming, made her feel special, but man, they were also bloody awkward in such a huge bunch.
She had to dig out every vase she owned, which was a grand total of three, so she added a glass jug and a couple of over-sized plastic mugs her sister-in-law had given her the previous Christmas.
Finally the roses filled the flat, vases and jug and mugs scattered in the lounge, kitchen, one in the bedroom and one on the sideboard on the landing. The air held the perfume of roses, the brightness of the colours a delight to the eye.
Who’d have thought Ryder could be so romantic? It had to have cost him a fortune.
Picking up the little envelope from the kitchen table where she’d dropped it, she drew out the little card and read it. On it was simply written ‘Babe.’
Looking back up at the roses on the kitchen table, Dee’s lips trembled as she suddenly realised something else. Ryder never called anyone else ‘babe’, it was a nickname he’d only ever used with her, a nickname that had always made her feel a little special. Just as this huge bouquet of roses, this extravagant gesture, made her feel special.
Cripes, he’d never done this for any woman. Only for her.
The warmth that filled her now had her smiling, her thumb idly caressing the card in her hand.
Okay, maybe Ryder was a dumb arse at times, and she still wasn’t completely certain that he truly did more than care for her, but this…this was unexpected, yet something that he’d do for someone he, well, cared about. But cared about a whole hell of a lot more than ‘just care’.
Impulsively, she picked up the phone and dialled the ambulance station.
“Gully’s Fall Ambulance Station,” a deep voice answered.
That deepness trickled right through her. “Ryder?”
“Hey, babe.” The smile in his tone was clear.
“The roses arrived.”
“Glad to hear it. Now I won’t have to shove my boot up someone’s arse.”
She burst out laughing. “Very romantic.”
“It was meant to be.” He paused. “The roses, I mean, not my foot up someone’s arse.”
“I kind of got that.” She grinned. “Thank you so much. They’re beautiful.”
“The roses fade in comparison to you.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “Did you get that out of a book?”
“No, babe, that was all me.”
There went that shiver of warmth again. Pretty soon she’d need a fan. “I’m impressed.”
“It’s only the start. I intend to impress you more tonight.”
Her hand tightened on the phone. “Tonight?”
“I’ve reserved a table at the restaurant.”
“You mean the pub.”
“Let’s go with the word ‘restaurant’. It sounds more romantic.”
She started twining the phone cord around her finger. “Is this a date?”
“Absolutely. I’m going to wine you and dine you.” His voice dropped unexpectedly, becoming huskier. “Then I’m going to make love to you all night.”
Cripes, now she needed an air conditioner. A fan just wasn’t going to cut it.
Play cool, don’t let him know he has you panting like a dog. “A little sure of yourself, aren’t you?”
“I know what I want, babe, and I’m coming for you.” His breath was a whisper down the phone line, but she could swear she felt it scorch her skin. “Be ready for me at eight. I’ll pick you up.”
“You don’t knock off until eight. Maybe you should reconsider the date.”
There was a barely discernable pause, but the huskiness was still evident when he spoke. “Fine. Be ready in your nightie and I’ll bring take away. We can still eat, drink, and make love.”
Dee looked at the roses, some part of her raising its head. Oh wait, that was the devil her mother insisted rode on her shoulder. “Why don’t we just eat and drink?”
“Pardon?”
“You know, chat about things, get to know each other.”
“We already know each other.”
“So this is just a date to get me in the sack?”
“What? No!” She heard the sound of his boots thumping onto the floor.
Obviously he’d been leaning back in his chair,
booted feet propped on the corner of the desk as she’d seen him do a thousand times, totally at ease and so sure of himself.
Time to shake this stud up a bit. “You know, wine, dine, shag.” She couldn’t help it. “Like you always do.”
“Wait. What? No, Dee, this is different! I don’t expect you to just-”
“But that’s what you said. Wine, dine, make love.” Oh yeah, she was really starting to enjoy keeping Ryder on his toes. The town stud was way too cock-sure of himself. Cock being the operative word.
“Dee, babe, we don’t have to-”
“Make love?”
“Jesus! Of course we need to make--”
“So not even worth the wining and dining. Straight to shagging.”
“I didn’t mean-”
“We could just cut the food and drink.”
“Dee-”
“How about you come over at eight after you knock-off and I’ll just be waiting on the bed, naked, legs sprawled out? You can just jump on and away we go.”
There was another pause, then, “Really?”
The man was an astounding arse. “No, you moron. Not really.”
“It’s not a bad idea. We can go straight to the important part.”
“My girlie bits?”
“I like girlie bits.”
“You’ve had plenty of practice.”
“I like your girlie bits more than any other.”
“Ryder, this is sounding worse by the minute. Have you been comparing my girlie bits to other women’s girlie bits?”
“No. I’d never do that. I-”
“But you did mention my girlie bits in conjunction with other girlie bits.”
“Conjunction?” He actually laughed, low and deep. “That gives me naughty images.”
Two could play that game. “So the thought of me with another woman tickles your fancy, huh? That’s what turns you on?”
“Babe, the only thing that turns me on is the thought of you with me.”
“Uh huh.”
“Tell you what.” The huskiness was back in his voice. “You be waiting for me, I’ll get there soon after eight.”
“Naked?”
“Oh babe, don’t torture me. No, not naked. Not right away. Be dressed and waiting.” He hung up.
Placing the receiver in the cradle, Dee realised her heart was pounding a little, her hands trembled a little, and her body was a whole lot hot. Teasing Ryder might be fun but it certainly left her wanting more. Cripes, he’d done more than taken her virginity, he’d awakened her body to sensations she’d only ever read about. Just the thought of them together in bed, the memory of their bodies sliding together, hot skin to hot skin, was enough to make the pit of her stomach roll with remembered carnal pleasure.
Taking a deep breath, Dee tucked a lock of hair behind her ear and headed back down the stairs. She had a job to do, a shop to run, and a date that night. How that date was going to start and end was predictable, but it was with Ryder and that was something to which she looked forward.
Mrs Montague picked up her handbag as soon as Dee approached. “Okay, dear, there were only a couple of customers. Get Ryder to bring you over for dinner soon.” She gave Dee a kiss on the cheek and walked out the door.
Cripes, could the day get any weirder?
By the time she locked the front door she was a little nervous about the coming date. True, she knew Ryder, knew him well, now knew him more intimately. But it was an intimacy she wasn’t used to, one she’d never thought she’d have with him. Just the thought of being in his arms again was enough to make that delicious shiver go through her.
Five thirty, six by the time she finished doing the end-of-day balances and did a little cleaning. Her cleaning lady would come in the following night and do the vacuuming and mopping after hours, but she still had to sweep.
Two hours until date time. That meant she had time to do some unfinished business.
By six, she had her car keys in hand and was locking the back door.
Del walked out of the back of her shop, shutting and locking her own door. She looked at Dee. “You didn’t call me.”
“No. Really?”
“Don’t be a bitch. What did Mrs M want? Did she warn you off her baby boy?”
“No, she told me she liked the thought of me being her daughter-in-law.”
Rather than be surprised, Del just nodded. “She always did have a soft spot for you.”
“Mrs M? I doubt it.”
“Trust me, she did. Still does, obviously. Anyway, you’ve got mummy’s approval to shag her son, so you’re good to go.”
“I don’t know if that’s sick or just weird.”
“Take what you can.” Noticing the keys in Dee’s hand, a calculating look came into her eyes. “Going hunting?”
Not at all surprised by her cousin’s astuteness, Dee raised an eyebrow. “Coming?”
“I wouldn’t miss this bloodbath for the world.”
“You might be disappointed.”
“I’ll take my chances. Let’s take my car, that saves you having to get yours out of the garage.”
Seconds later, Dee was pulling the seatbelt across her chest.
“What if Yvonne’s not home?” Del started the car.
“She’s home.”
“How can you be so sure?”
“I rang her.”
“Then she won’t be home, trust me.”
“I didn’t tell her it was me. I’m not that stupid.”
“Matter of opinion. So what did you say?”
“Nothing. I just hung up.”
“Creepy phone call. Way to make her feel good.”
“I’m not here to make her feel good. I’m here to sort out what the hell is going on and put a stop to it.”
“You know that’s what the cops are for, right?”
“They didn’t get anything from her. Besides, I like to deal with my own problems.”
Del cast her a sly glance. “You could get Ryder to ask her.”
“And you could live in terror for the rest of your life wondering when I’ll strike. Just drive.”
When they pulled into Yvonne’s drive, they spotted her sitting on her veranda in one of her chairs, a tall glass of something cold and filled with ice blocks on the dainty table beside her. Jaci sat on the other side.
Jaci blanched a little when Dee got out, while Yvonne’s lips tightened.
“Hey,” Dee said pleasantly. “Nice night for a confession.”
Chapter 12
“Nothing to confess, Miller, so you can go,” Yvonne snapped.
“Now, now, let’s not add fibbing to the list of wrongs.” Smiling, Dee walked up the veranda steps, stopping at the top to lean a shoulder against the veranda post and fold her arms.
“You set the cops on me.” Yvonne’s eyes narrowed. “You bitch.”
“Hey.” Del leaned her shoulder on the other veranda post. “I’m the only one allowed to call her that. Think about it.”
Jaci went whiter. “Please, girls. There’s no need for this to get so ugly.”
Dee glanced at her. “Really? Ugly is when I get run off the road by a car that looks, let see - oh yes! - just like Yvonne’s. In fact,” her gaze cut back to Yvonne, “it was your car. Had that ridiculous number plate on that tells everyone you’re some hot female.”
“Sexy Y,” Del added helpfully.
“Apparently.” Dee arched one brow. “Matter of opinion.”
Yvonne scowled but didn’t say anything.
“Not going to deny it, huh? For your information, I didn’t tell that to the cops.”
Yvonne glanced away.
“So let’s continue. Those half dead flowers on my back door with the bloody thorns still on them? That dumb envelope with the prickles inside? I mean, really? How juvenile is that?”
Jaci bit her lip, eyes filling with tears.
Huh. Woman obviously cared about her friend.
“Some people are romantics,” Yvonne muttered.
>
“You?” Dee laughed. “You don’t have a romantic bone in your body. You live to shag any good-looking man that walks past you.”
Yvonne recrossed her legs, rocking her foot, one white sandal dangling from her toes. “Whatever.”
Jaci picked at her skirt. “Dee, honestly, Yvonne isn’t a bad person.”
Yvonne snorted and looked away.
“She’s not.” Jaci held out one hand pleadingly. “Can we just forget this? It won’t happen again.”
“She’s lucky to have you as a friend,” Del drawled. “You’d have to be about the last one she has left. Cripes, Jaci, she wrecked your date with Ryder and yet you still remain friends with her.”
“She’s a good friend.”
“Oh boy.”
“Let’s cut the shit.” Dee looked at Yvonne. “I don’t want anymore of this crap, Yvonne. Smashing my flower pots ended up with me getting stitches. This has gone far enough. Ryder and you were over, you decided to spread a malicious rumour that ended with your friend getting dumped by him. Stop blaming me.”
Scowling, Yvonne’s foot swayed faster, the sandal dropping to the floor. “Okay. Sure.”
That had been easy. A little too easy, especially for Yvonne. No arguments, no yelling, she just sat there looking at no one, scowling, her posture stiff.
Frowning, Dee switched her attention to Jaci. The woman was pale, fingers gripped together, knuckles white. She was so timid, Dee often wondered how she’d managed to get sucked into Yvonne’s poisonous aura. Even now she was scared, eyes huge, glancing at Yvonne for courage and - Hang on a minute.
Dee looked at Del to find her cousin studying Jaci with an odd expression.
Dee looked back at Jaci, her gaze flicking from the nervous woman to Yvonne, who still glared out into the yard.
Yvonne turned that glare on Dee. “Okay. Message received. Nothing more will happen. I’d decided nothing more would after I heard you’d got hurt, it went too far. Lesson learned. Now get in your car and get lost.”
Something wasn’t right. Something was definitely wrong about the whole scenario. Something had to do with not just Yvonne but - “Jaci.” Dee focussed on her.
Lie to Me Page 31
