by Smith, Wendy
I don’t miss the lacy object being thrown on the floor, and she pulls back the bedcovers and slips into bed. “You played sport?”
“I played netball. My brothers played rugby, and I was the least sporty one out of the three of us, but it was something to do.”
I reach for her waist and pull her toward me. “None of us really played sport on a regular basis. Corey played rugby for a season before he started a brawl and got banned. He never bothered after that.”
She laughs. “Are you close to your brothers? It seems like it.”
I nod. “Yeah, we’re all pretty close. Adam was away for years, but he’s just slotted in like he used to. I was probably closer to Drew, as we shared a room until we moved here when I was twelve. Then we got a big enough house for us all to have space, but our relationships didn’t change.” I plant a kiss on the back of her neck. “What about you? Are you close to your family?”
“Very. I’m the only one who left Carlstown, though. My parents and brothers are still there.”
“That close? I’d love to meet them.”
She laughs. “I don’t know if you want to do that.”
Shrugging, I smile. “It can’t be that bad. You know my family.”
“My brothers can be a little overprotective.”
Chuckling, I pull her in tighter, pressing my lips to the back of her head. “Then I’ll just have to show them how much I respect their sister. If it’s important to you, it’s important to me.”
“You know that’s the perfect answer.” She wriggles from my grasp and rolls onto her back.
This moment feels so natural, so right. I want it to happen again.
I want it to happen every night.
“I really want to make this work.”
Her expression softens. “So do I.”
I lick my lips. “As much as I want you—and I do, there’s no doubt about that—I respect what you’re doing. You need to learn to trust me, and I need to gain that trust. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
She nods, and I bend my head to press my lips to hers. After all these years, it’s like coming home being with Ginny, and I don’t want the feeling to ever end.
When I close my eyes, she’s in my arms, and all is right in my world.
* * *
I groan as the alarm beeps, and reach behind me, slapping the stop button.
Ginny’s moved in the night, and she rolls over to face me.
“Sorry,” I murmur, leaning to place a kiss on her forehead. “What time do you need to get up?”
“Around seven would be good. It’ll give me enough time to get home and change. One of my students will notice I’m wearing yesterday’s clothing, knowing my luck.”
I chuckle and reach for the clock. “The alarm’s set.” I reach over and stroke her cheek. “Thank you for staying.”
Giving her a final kiss, I fling my legs over the side of the bed and stand. I grab a pair of jeans and a T-shirt from my drawers and pull them on.
“Owen?” Her voice is husky, and such a big part of me wants to stay with her until she has to leave for the day.
“Yes?”
“You don’t work Saturdays, right?”
“Nope. The bakery’s Mel’s baby then.”
“Want me to stay tonight, too? Maybe we can do more than sleep.”
I lean over. The room is dark, but not so dark I can’t make out her features. “Is that you propositioning me, Miss Robinson?”
“You make me sound like the naughty school teacher.”
I run my tongue across the seam of her lips before giving her a tender kiss. “Maybe that’s what I’m hoping for.”
She laughs, propping herself up to reach over and slap me on the arse. “We’ll see. Get to work. Your town needs bread.”
“Yes, boss.”
Giving her a final peck, I head out the door with a smile on my face.
I’ve won her trust.
* * *
It’s the longest eleven hours of my life.
Knowing what’s waiting for me tonight, or rather, who, leaves me on edge the entire day.
Usually, I close the bakery at five, but by four, I’ve had enough.
“Go home, you two. I’m shutting up for the day.”
Both Mel and Tammy look at me with open mouths. I never close early.
“Are you feeling alright?” Mel asks.
“I’m fine. I’ve just got things on tonight, and I need to focus.”
“Are those things about five-foot-six, gorgeous, and brunette?”
I laugh. “Something like that.”
“I’d close up early too if I had her to focus on.”
Tammy’s still not used to the way Mel and I speak to each other, and she stands in the corner, her cheeks glowing red.
“Well, this one’s all mine, so keep your eyes to yourself.” I chuckle.
“Fair enough. I’m going to assume we’ll still be paid for the last hour.”
“As if I’d do anything different. See you ladies tomorrow.”
I’m closing the door when Corey and Adam appear.
At the sight of the box of beer in Corey’s hand, I roll my eyes. Of all nights, this is not going to be a boozy one for me. “Having a few drinks?”
He grins. “We thought we’d come and bug you for a while.”
I fix my gaze on Adam. “What about you? Don’t you have dinner at home or something?”
“Corey came around to our place, and we were getting under Lily’s feet. She told us to come and see you for a couple of hours.”
Chuckling, I nod. “Fair enough. Bring the beers in. Most of them must be for me, given I’m the one not driving.”
When we get to the living room, I collapse on the couch. Adam and Corey sit in the recliners, and Corey opens the box, handing out the beers. If they don’t leave before Ginny gets here, I’ll kick them out, but for the moment, Adam and Corey are a welcome distraction.
“So how are things going with you and Ginny?” Adam asks.
“Why?”
He grins. “You know why. Because you’ve been seeing her since Drew’s wedding, and that’s not like you.”
I nod. “Yes, we are still seeing each other. And I hope it continues. Ginny’s awesome.”
“Awesome.” Corey snorts. “How old are you? Twelve?”
“Fine. She’s a beautiful, intelligent, gentle, caring woman. Is that enough for you?”
Corey nods. “It sounds more grown-up. And what Adam said. Not like you.”
“Maybe it’s time for me to grow up.” I push myself to sit.
Adam raises his beer bottle, and I clink mine to it. “Here’s to growing up,” he says. “It is kinda awesome.”
Nodding toward him, I smile. “Well, who would have thought things would end up like this for you? Settled down with Lily and your kids. Took a while, but it must feel good.”
“Best feeling ever.”
That’s the life what I want. Settled.
I lick my lips. “Ginny stayed over for the first time last night.”
“No way,” Corey said. “Drew’s wedding was weeks ago.”
“We’ve been taking things slowly. You guys should be proud of me because Ginny and I haven’t had sex yet.”
“So, let me get this straight. You spent the entire night with a woman in your bed, and you didn’t have sex? That has to be a first.” Corey chuckles.
“I’d just like to point out that she’s the first woman I’ve had in my bed.”
Adam leans forward. “Really?”
I shrug. “I always had this theory that it was easier to move on if I was the one leaving.”
Corey shakes his head. “I had no idea you were that sad. But I guess it makes sense.”
I raise my middle finger at him. “It’s worked for a really long time.”
“Can I ask you something?” He takes a sip of his beer.
“What?”
“Why her? I mean, I don’t really know her, so I can’t judge for my
self, but why after all this time is this one different?”
I let out a loud puff of breath. “She cares. I’m not saying no one else ever has, but with Ginny, it’s so deep. When I’ve needed her, she’s been there, and I don’t think she’s had any expectations.”
“So, like a babysitter?”
I laugh. “Damn it, Corey. I can’t explain it. With Cara’s death, it’s really got me thinking about what a short time we have and how much I might have missed out on. Ginny just gets me. It feels right.”
His lips quirk. “Good for you.”
“What happened with you and that blonde from Drew’s wedding? Are you ever going to tell us? Are you seeing her again?” Adam asks Corey.
Corey rolls his eyes. “We went back to her motel room, with her telling me the whole way what she wanted me to do to her. It was hot as fuck until she literally fell asleep as soon as she fell into bed.”
I roar with laughter. “So what did you do?”
“I was too drunk to go anywhere else, so I grabbed a pillow and slept on the couch.”
The mental image is hilarious. Corey’s six-foot-something-ridiculous, and I know how small the couches are in that motel.
Adam laughs. “Dude. Surely it would have been easier to sleep on the floor?”
“I was drunk. It made sense at the time. My back hurt like a bitch in the morning.”
Corey shifts his gaze to me. “I don’t know what I’m gonna do if you settle down. That just puts more pressure on me.”
“As if anyone’s ever pressured you into anything.” I laugh. “How are things going with the cops on your land?”
Corey currently has the police surveying his neighbours from halfway down his property. It’s a mutual arrangement made after the shit Ash Harris pulled on Drew’s wife, Hayley, and I know it’s gone on far longer than Corey would have liked.
The smile disappears from his face. “All I know is that they’re there for the long haul.” He lets out a breath. “That truck that hit Cara and Ryan. Guess where it was coming from?”
“The mountain?”
“Apparently it drove up to those gates, dropped off whatever was inside, and left again. The driver was going way too fast, Owen. They never stood a chance.”
I place my beer on the coffee table and bury my head in my hands. “So, let me get this straight. While the police take their sweet time over all this, that lot have managed to ruin more lives?”
“Dude. I’m sorry. I thought you should know. The undercover cops are still relatively new in the community, and they’re not in deep enough. But whatever was in that truck is the key. They’re sure of it.”
“Do they have any more clues?”
He shakes his head, gripping my shoulder. “If they do, they’re not telling me. That truck driver had a wife and kids too, so it wasn’t just Cara and Ryan’s girl left behind. I mean, was he speeding to get home, or just to get away from whatever he’d delivered? How bad is all this?”
Ava.
She still occupies my thoughts. I made a very angry phone call to Graham Taylor the morning after the funeral to request an update on Ava and complain about what happened that day. That poor kid. I’ve never dealt with anything like that before in my time as a volunteer fireman, and I hope to God I never have to again.
“They have to get to the bottom of all of this,” I growl.
“They will. I have to be patient because those lumbering oafs think they’re being quiet where they’re camped out in the little hut they’ve built, but there’s no wildlife within half a freaking kilometre of my place now. But there’s no way I’m giving up, or blocking them from doing what they have to do because Ash tried to hurt Hayley.” He sighs. “That shit’s unforgivable. I want Ash Harris locked away for a very, very long time.”
I nod.
It’s the least that bastard deserves.
9
Ginny
Nathan Webster still gives me the creeps.
There are rumours about him. Rumours that no one will confirm, but I’m pretty sure people just don’t want to rock the boat in a small town with limited employment options.
Nathan eyes me from the other side of the staffroom. The way he casts his gaze over me leaves me with a stomach ache.
I’m almost thankful when Becky walks toward me.
“Can I talk to you?”
I suck a breath in. I’ve been waiting for this moment as I knew it would become public knowledge Owen and I were seeing each other. I’m surprised she’s waited this long to say something. We’ve already discussed his past with Becky, my co-worker, but until now she’s not said anything about Owen and me. Now it seems that’s about to change. “Sure.”
She licks her lips as she sits beside me, obviously trying to choose her words wisely. “It’s about you and Owen Campbell.”
I nod. “I thought it might be.”
Her eyes widen, as if it’s a surprise that I already know what she wants. “I don’t want to interfere, but I do have some experience when it comes to him.”
It takes everything in me to stop an eye roll. I’m well aware of Becky’s past with Owen, both that they screwed around, and that she practically stalked him afterward. That is from my own personal observation too, and not because of anything he’d told me. “I know you do, but Owen and I are seeing each other and we’re happy.”
“You’ll be happy until he moves onto the next one.”
For a second, I close my eyes. I can’t pretend I haven’t thought about this, but it’s been nearly two months, and Owen’s doing everything right. He hasn’t given me any reason not to trust him, even when I feel like I’m looking for one. “He’s changed, Becky. I know you don’t believe it, but I do.”
“Leopards never change their spots.” She sighs. “Look. I’m not warning you because I have any feelings left where he’s concerned, but I like you, and I don’t want to see you hurt.”
“I’ve got no reason to think he’s going to hurt me.” I let out a loud breath in exasperation. “He’s been through a lot, and he’s working out what’s important.” My heart sings at the thought of his dedication to me so far. If it was just about sex, I’m sure he would have given up weeks ago. I don’t think he’s seriously romanced a woman before, but Owen’s bending over backwards to get me to fall in love with him. Not that he’s really had to try hard. I do love him. Just the thought warms my heart.
“Just don’t let him break your heart in the process. Trust me, Ginny, it’ll be a matter of time before he moves onto the next one and leaves you in his wake. It’s what he does.”
I swallow hard. “Not this time.”
In that moment, I know I’m lost. Lost in love with Owen, and way past the point of no return. He’s been so patient and sweet, never putting any pressure on me to have sex with him, even though I seem to keep hearing from everyone else from everyone else that’s all he wants. And yet, I know how much he wants me.
I want him, too.
10
Owen
After an hour, Corey and Adam head back to Adam’s for dinner. Adam invites me, but I decline the offer because nothing is getting in the way of me spending time with my girl. Especially not tonight.
Tonight is all about Ginny and me.
I can’t remember a time when I was this nervous. I’ve skated through most of my life with casual flings, but this woman means so much more to me, and I want this night to be special.
When the knock on the door comes, I have to calm myself. I’m going to worship her like the goddess she is. I’m going to show her just how much she means to me.
Because I know she will have heard otherwise.
The thought of that punches me in the gut. When I decided never to settle down it was for what I thought were all the right reasons. But putting everything that’s happened in perspective lately, what a stupid decision that was.
“Hey.” Her smile illuminates the room, and there’s something behind it I haven’t seen before.
“Hi, beautiful.” I lean over and give her a tender kiss, lingering on the lips I’ve been missing since this morning. “I’ve made dinner.” She scans my face, and I smile. “What?”
“I want you to know that someone told me today that I’d be hurt when you move on.”
My heart sinks. “Becky, by any chance?”
“How’d you guess?” A smile still plays on her lips, and she doesn’t sound upset. “I told her this was different, and that you’d changed. She didn’t believe me.”
“As long as you know. Everything that’s happened lately has taught me a lot about myself. She doesn’t know that.”
“But I do. I’ve seen it.”
My heart leaps at her faith in me. I grab hold of her hand. “Let’s go and eat. I made pasta.”
Her eyebrows twitch. “I haven’t had pasta in forever.”
“It’s even gluten-free. I made it fresh myself. The things I do for my girl.”
She laughs. “You spoil me.”
“You’re worth the effort. Mind you, I’m not exactly sure how it’s going to taste, so be prepared for anything.”
As I take a step toward the kitchen, Ginny grabs my hand. “I don’t care what anyone says, Owen. I know your heart.”
“You probably know it better than anyone else.” I squeeze her hand before continuing to the kitchen.
Her faith in me leaves me feeling better than anything has in a long time.
* * *
I’m not too sure about my pasta attempt. I frown as I chew my way through it. Ginny doesn’t complain once.
I’m a baker, not a chef.
Afterward, I clean away the dishes, and she makes herself comfortable on the couch. Nerves chew at my stomach. This is insane.
She smiles as I enter the room. That smile lights up my whole world.
“Sorry for dinner.”
Ginny laughs. “What do you mean? It was lovely.”
I shrug as I sit beside her. “I’m not sure if lovely’s the right word.”
