Impossible Liaison

by Anne Ashby

  Seeing Connor in a family situation would continually remind her of the unsuitability of her earlier thoughts. As she glanced at him and saw the slight smile of derision on his face, she wished he’d get a life, a lady friend maybe, to fill his tiny brain and take him away more regularly.

  “How’s the house hunting going?” Perhaps he’d be shifting out soon.

  “Oh, there’s no hurry. Gran’s been on at me to stay here.”

  She almost choked. Zoe met his sly glance with a brittle smile. “How nice.”

  “I’ll see how things are after Christmas.”

  No need for him to add to that. Zoe gritted her teeth. He’ll wait to see if I’m still around, still a problem. She bit her lip, strongly suppressing the urge to snap out a challenge. He was in for a shock.

  “The real estate people said there’s always places available before the new school year starts. I’ll have another look then, see if there’s anything suitable.” The enquiring lift of one eyebrow and his bland expression didn’t fool Zoe as he continued. “How about you? Will you be looking for a flat now you’re working again?”

  “Of course not, Connor.” Bess obviously hadn’t been snoozing at all. “Zoe’s only working until university starts again. She’s staying with me next year, aren’t you, dear?”

  “If you still want me to, Bess, I’d love that.”

  “Why you insist on working in that garage, I don’t know,” she mumbled. “You don’t need to.”

  “Yes I do, Bess,” Zoe argued gently. “It’s good pay and George gives me all the overtime he can. With any luck I might even be able to replace my bike this summer.”

  “And your wardrobe?”

  She flared. “There’s nothing wrong with my clothes, Connor Matthews.”

  “I didn’t mean to suggest there was.”

  Zoe eyed him closely.

  Initially he seemed genuinely contrite his comment had been taken the wrong way, but then his quick glance in Bess’s direction belied this. “I suppose I was just assuming all young ladies would splurge on new clothes whenever they could.”

  “Not everyone has money to waste on nonessentials.”

  Apart from raising his eyebrows, Connor didn’t respond. Instead he changed the subject completely. “What are your plans for the festive season?”

  A glance at Bess showed she’d closed her eyes again, although she was doubtless paying close attention to every word.

  “Oh, I dunno, I’ll find something to do, I guess. Christmas has never meant much to me. Well not for a long, long time, anyway,” she corrected. Vague memories of happier times flashed through her mind. “I’d work if I could, make some triple time. That’d be great, but unless someone’s Mercedes or Audi breaks down—I doubt ordinary folk would want to spend much getting their car fixed.”

  “You know Gran and I will be going to Wellington. You won’t be able—”

  “Don’t worry; I’m not expecting to stay here.” She shot him a scathing glance. “Like I said, I’ll find something to do.”

  “Perhaps you could come to Wellington with us,” Bess suddenly butted in. “Connor—”

  “Ours will be a family celebration, Gran, Zoe wouldn’t know anyone.”

  “She’d know you and me.”

  “I’m sure Zoe has friends or family she’d rather spend the time with, instead of a bunch of strangers.”

  “There was a time when your parents opened their home at Christmas time,” Bess reminded him.

  “Bess,” Zoe admonished, standing up and poking her finger into her grandmother’s shoulder. “Stop stirring, you wicked old lady.”

  She turned to Connor. “Don’t worry, Connor, I’ve been invited to spend Christmas with some family I’ve never met. If all else fails, I can always go to them.”

  She almost smiled at the relief on his face. “That’ll be nice for you. Even if you don’t know them yet, I’m sure they’ll be looking forward to meeting you. You should make the effort.”

  “You think so?”

  “Oh, most definitely. Family is important. I’d make the time and get to know them.”

  He spoke so earnestly Zoe’s eyebrows shot up.

  “Whereabouts are they? Do you have far to travel?”

  “Wellington, I’m not sure which suburb. I just hope the rust bucket will get me there.”

  “You can’t be considering riding down.” His voice was heavy with disapproval as he shot forward in his seat. “It’s over seven hundred kilometers, and far too dangerous for a girl on her own.”

  “How else do you suggest I get there? Fly?” Zoe scoffed. She usually didn’t mind having to keep a tight rein on her budget, but having to admit to him the price of a return air ticket to Wellington would severely cut into her meager savings for next year’s university fees was embarrassing.

  Attempting to cover her feelings, she laughed. “Some of us don’t walk about with gold credit cards falling out of our wallets, you know.” She lifted her chin. If he gave even the slightest sign of mockery she’d…

  “You must fly down with us; it can be our Christmas present to you.” He turned to Bess as Zoe slammed her mouth shut and struggled to regain her breath. “What do you reckon, Gran? Shall we shout Zoe a trip to Wellington to meet her relatives?”

  “I…I’m not sure about flying,” Zoe stuttered, still trying to get over the shock of Connor’s offer. “I’ve never been in a plane.”

  “You must come down with us then, dear. You won’t be nervous if you’re with someone you know, will you?”

  “I…I guess not,” she stammered.

  “Good, that’s settled then, I’ll get those tickets booked today, before the Christmas rush begins.” Connor sank back into his seat and flipped up the footrest. “When do you need to be back, Zoe? Gran and I are staying until after New Year. Will you be able to take that long away from work? Or shall I get a seat for you straight after Christmas?”

  “Aah. Umm.” Zoe’s mind was whirling. This was going too fast. She still wasn’t emotionally sure about going to Wellington in the first place. Her gaze swung across to Bess, relaxing in her chair, a little smile playing around her lips.

  “Could I let you know tomorrow? I need to check…”

  “No worries.”

  Confused by Connor’s amenable attitude Zoe excused herself. Maybe a good hard run would clear the muddle from her brain.

  ****

  Fate was not working in her favor next day. When she arrived at the small specialist workshop, where she’d trained as an apprentice years ago, she had no hesitation approaching her boss. George grinned with delight when she asked about time off.

  “You’ve just let me out of a huge hole I’d dug for myself, girl.” He grasped her shoulder. “Sue’s been giving me hell for not shutting the place down over Christmas.” He shot a quick glance across at the other mechanics working close by, and lowered his voice. “But I know you needed the work. I didn’t want to cut you short after promising you as much work as I could.” He led the way into the office and flicked open the diary. “How long do you plan on being away? We’ll open again whenever you want.”

  “Oh, George.” Zoe hugged the overall-clad figure. “You can’t run your business on the whims of a part-time worker.”

  “If the worker is you, I can.” He winked at her. “You’re the best I ever had. I’ll keep you happy until you accept that partnership. Then things might change.”

  Heat rushed into her face. George and Sue had been so kind to her, providing her with so much emotional support during those long years of her apprenticeship, when she’d struggled to find her feet in a hard world.

  As his retirement got closer, George’s offers for her to join his business became more regular. While her studies were an effort to better herself, lift herself off the workshop floor, owning her own business was still a far-off dream. She needed big money to buy shares of the workshop. Money she was a long way off earning.

  She sniffed. “You’ll turn back into
a slave driver then, will you?” Damn, those tear ducts were playing up again.

  “Something like that,” George replied gruffly.

  They’d connected right from the first interview and although George had balked at her leaving to go to university, once she’d made up her mind, he’d lent grudging support. But only after he’d dredged out of her she’d dreamed for years of owning her own workshop.

  Secure in the knowledge he would someday have the partner he wanted, George provided her with as much work as she could handle, at a ridiculously high hourly rate.

  “You get what you pay for.” He insisted when she’d complained. “I only employ the best, that’s how you build a reputation, Zoe. Only employ the absolute best, and pay them what they’re worth.”

  It was advice she intended to follow.

  At dinner that evening, a reluctant Zoe gave Connor the dates of when George was closing his workshop.

  “I don’t want to stay in Wellington that long though.”

  “Why not, dear? There’s plenty to keep you occupied.” She didn’t miss Bess’s sideward glance. “Even if you don’t want to stay with these relations of yours.”

  “Are you going to be staying with them?” Connor asked.

  “No,” Zoe burst out before Bess could say anything. “I’ll check out the backpackers or the YMCA. There’s sure to be something available.”

  “But Zoe—”

  “It’s kind to allow me to travel with you Bess, but I’m on my own once we hit the city.”

  “That sounds a sensible course of action.”

  Zoe grimaced at Connor’s pompous input. “I thought so.” She smiled sweetly across the table at him, pleased to see his lips tighten.

  “I’ll see about making some bookings then.” His voice was stiff.

  “I’d like to come home straight after New Year please, Connor.”

  Zoe’s head jerked up.

  “But why, Gran?” Connor frowned. “I thought we’d—”

  “There’s no reason for you to return, but I have things I want to do.”

  “What things?” he demanded suspiciously.

  “That’s nothing to do with you, my boy, just book me to return as soon after New Year as possible.” Her head swung around to Zoe. “Would you like to return then, or would you rather stay a little longer in Wellington?”

  The crafty old lady. Zoe frowned as she wondered what her grandmother was up to. “Ah, I guess I might as well come back then, too.”

  “Good, that’s settled then.” She slid her chair back. “Connor, you stay down there until you’re needed at work, Zoe and I will come home.”

  Silence settled as the older lady left the room.

  Slowly Zoe allowed her gaze to turn Connor’s way, finding him leaning back in his seat, a bemused look on his face.

  “Talk about manipulative. And I didn’t even see it coming.”

  Zoe’s lips twitched as the beginnings of a smile lifted the corners of his mouth.

  “Do you feel like you’ve just been maneuvered into something you’re not sure you want to do?” For the first time his broadening smile was without sarcasm or malice.

  She gulped. It’s brilliance against his olive skin left her powerless to resist. An unwelcome surge of excitement rushed through her body as she chuckled. “She’s one very cunning lady, your grandmother.”

  “Don’t I know it?” He stood, collecting the empty plates. “I just need to keep reminding myself. I’ve been away from her influence too long. I missed it.”

  “Why did you stay away then?” Zoe almost bit her tongue off as the question popped out. But he didn’t seem to mind.

  He paused in the kitchen doorway, the used dishes piled in his hands, and contemplated into space for a moment before his gaze rested on her.

  She continued gathering up the table condiments, her breath caught in her throat.

  “I guess I was looking for something.” He held open the door and allowed her to precede him into the kitchen.

  We’re talking, actually talking like civilized human beings, not snarling rabid dogs waiting to pounce when the other makes a mistake.

  Although her back was firmly toward him as he began loading the dishwasher, she dared to ask, “Did you find it?”

  He was silent for so long, it seemed silly to continue standing with her head in the cupboard, but she feared moving might destroy the surprising relaxed atmosphere between them.

  “No.” The word seemed to be dragged out of him. “No, I didn’t.”

  She avoided looking at him as she turned, searching for something to do. “I’m sorry.”

  His head shot up, his dark eyes catching hers, searching her face, as if doubting the sincerity of her words.

  “I’d hate to have that big hole in my life again,” she whispered. She remembered so well the nothingness of that earlier time of her life. No hope, no ambition or goals, no future. He couldn’t be suffering like that, of course, but he must feel something is missing from his life.

  His crooked smile released Zoe’s caught breath. He wasn’t going to use her ill-spoken words to mock her. The tension drained, leaving her body slumped against the bench, and she dared to continue the conversation by tentatively asking him about his time overseas.

  When Bess entered the kitchen, sometime later, her mouth dropped open as she stopped dead in her tracks.

  An unwelcome blush heated Zoe’s cheeks as she jumped from her perch on the bench, eyeing Connor warily. “Connor’s just been telling me some of his adventures.”

  “Oh, has he?” Bess’s twinkling gaze darted from Connor’s figure, lounging against the table, back to Zoe. “It’s so nice walking into a room where you two are without fearing for my well-being.” And she turned and walked straight out again.

  Zoe didn’t know what to do, where to look. Bess’s interruption had somehow highlighted the tension again.

  Connor muttered something about making some phone calls and he was gone.

  Glancing at the grandfather clock in the hallway, as she made her way to her room, Zoe was shocked to see the time. She and Connor had been talking for almost an hour.

  Sinking onto her bed, Zoe’s good spirits returned. Maybe things are looking up. Maybe my trip to Wellington will settle everything down. Maybe Connor will accept my place in his family and we can become friends.

  Eyeing herself in the mirror, she watched as her face broke into a wide, happy grin. Without all his barbed comments and sarcasm, Connor had been so…interesting. He was a wonderful story teller, making his words come alive, and Zoe, who’d never been further than a hundred kilometers from Auckland, accepted she’d love to hear more about his travels and his experiences.

  Unfortunately Connor wasn’t in the same favorable disposition next morning. Her cheery greeting at the breakfast table was met with a grunt and a dark look as he buried his head behind the newspaper.

  Taken aback for a moment, she’d held high hopes of an improvement in their relationship, Zoe stiffened. She refused to allow his moodiness to color her day. “I’ll be late home tonight, Bess,” she warned. “I might not even get home, so don’t worry.”

  The newspaper dropped, and dark eyes burned into her. She threw a demure smile across at him as his deepening scowl suggested his thoughts were centering on her imaginable lascivious activities.

  “Oh, that’s right. It’s your boss’s wedding anniversary tonight. I remembered to write it in my diary when you told me so I wouldn’t worry about you.”

  Satisfaction surged through Zoe as Connor broke their eye contact, glaring across the table at each other.

  “You have a good time, you deserve it.” Bess touched Zoe’s stiff fingers gripping her knife.

  “Oh, I intend to,” she snapped at the newspaper, before slumping a little and sharing a little smile with her grandmother. “Thanks, Bess. Their daughters will both be there. I haven’t seen them for ages. It’ll be a great party, I’m sure of that.”

  I’ll forget all
about Connor Matthews’s sourness, too. It isn’t going to affect me enjoying myself. I won’t let it.

  ****

  “Tomorrow would be perfect. Bess’s going away, I’ll use her car.”

  Zoe’s voice slashed through Connor as he entered the house. At first he suspected she had someone in her bedroom, but then he realized she was talking on her cell phone.

  “No. Like I said, she’s going away. It’ll be sweet.”

  Sweet, what would be sweet?

  Connor’s lips tightened as he stayed at the kitchen door, unashamed of listening. The hallway’s creaky floorboards meant he needed to be still to hear the rest of this furtive conversation. What is she planning? To rip off Gran’s house, or steal her car? Whatever it was he’d be ready for her.

  “Are you sure it’ll be safe?”

  The hairs on the back of his neck sprang to attention.

  “I can’t wait to see you, to know you’re okay; I’ve been worrying so much.”

  Okay, so it was definitely a man on the other end, Connor concluded as his hands clenched into fists. He’d been right to mistrust her. She was finally going to show her true colors.

  “I’ve got money—” Whoever she was talking to must have interrupted because she suddenly laughed.

  Money? Why would she be giving any man money?

  “Six o’clock tomorrow at the Ferry Buildings. Okay, I’ll be in a blue Mercedes.” She laughed again. “In the car park, to your left as you come out.”

  Silence again.

  “Okay, see you then. And Rangi, be careful, please. ’Bye.”

  If he’d been in more of a benevolent mood, Connor might have wondered at the catch in her voice as she fare-welled her caller. However, he was working on controlling the fierce anger growing inside.

  Sneaking outside, he acknowledged an odd twinge of disappointment. Over the last few days his attitude toward Zoe had softened somewhat. He’d actually started hoping Bess’s intuition about her houseguest would prove correct.

  He didn’t want to be right about Zoe, or have to disillusion his grandmother by proving Zoe wasn’t what she seemed.

  He threaded his hands through his hair, trying to clear his thoughts. Bess is leaving in the morning. I’m not ruining her trip by voicing any concerns now. I’ll keep my suspicions to myself; find out what Zoe is up to.