Her Outback Surprise

by Annie Seaton

Liam turned away and rolled his eyes at Lucy. “Sorry, Gran. Sorry, Lucy.”

  “Come and help me with the pizza, Liam.” Lucy turned to Gran. “Would you like to change James, Gran?”

  Liam followed Lucy into the kitchen as Pop carried James into the nursery, Gran shooting them an interested look as they went up the hall. Lucy’s mouth was set in a straight line and she opened the oven to check the pizza and then closed it with so much force the pans on the stove rattled.

  “What’s wrong?” Liam leaned back against the benchtop as she stared at him without a smile.

  “Angie breaks my heart.”

  Liam stared back at her and his reply was terse. “Why?”

  “Because she’s so bloody lonely.” Lucy opened the cupboard and pulled out some plates.

  Liam took a breath. He didn’t want to get into this conversation. “She has a boyfriend, doesn’t she? It’s not my fault that he never comes to see her.”

  “No, nothing’s ever your fault, Liam. You can’t see what’s right in front of you.” Lucy slammed the plates onto the table. “Just like you couldn’t see the truth when Angie left England.”

  “She’s been gossiping with you, has she?” Liam’s voice rose slightly. He didn’t like the idea of Angie baring her soul to Lucy.

  “No, she’s found a friend to talk to, and as far as I can see she doesn’t have many in her life.” Lucy’s voice softened and she brushed a hand over her eyes. “And are you aware she doesn’t have any family at all? None. Just a father who doesn’t want to know her. No wonder she’s self-conscious around the family. I’m sure that’s why she left in such a hurry. She couldn’t bear to see us playing happy families.” Lucy’s bottom lip trembled. “Imagine how hard it will be for her when Jemmy and Seb are here, too. The whole crowd of us. I was going to ask her to spend Christmas Day with us but I don’t think that would be such a good idea.”

  “Don’t try to blame me, Lucy. Angie moved on very quickly to someone else. Like I told you last year, if she wasn’t living with that guy, I would have contacted her straight away.”

  The look that she shot him was strange and Liam frowned. “What?”

  “Nothing. But I think you pair need to talk and clear the air, so everyone will be happy.”

  “Come on, let’s go back into the living room. Gran and Pop will wonder what’s wrong and I don’t want to worry them about anything.”

  Garth arrived home as they sat in the living room sharing the pizza, watching James coo at the mobile as he lay on the rainbow mat. Liam couldn’t settle as he worried about Angie being upset. Finally, he turned to Garth. “Mate, can I borrow your ute? Pop can take his new car back home in a while, but I just remembered I need something in town.”

  “Not a problem. I don’t need it until morning. Drop it back when you get home, and I’ll run you back to your place.” Garth reached into his pocket and threw the keys to Liam.

  Lucy smiled and reached out and squeezed his hand as he walked past her. “You’re a good man, Liam,” she whispered.

  Yeah, maybe so, but he wasn’t the right man for Angie. But even if they had no future together, he still cared about her. He was worried about how sad she’d seemed tonight and wanted to check she was okay. Maybe a phone call would have been enough, but he wanted to see her.

  Liam stared at the road intently as he drove into town. It was the time of night when roos would appear out of the darkness and slam into the side of the car, and he didn’t want to damage Garth’s ute, so he flicked the headlights onto high beam and took the road a little slower than he normally would have. All the way to town, Liam’s thoughts scurried back and forth. He thought of the months he and Angie had lived together in London, and how happy she had seemed then. She’d made their small flat cosy with her touch. He’d loved coming in after work to the warm and welcoming home that she’d created, but he’d soon realised when she left that it had nothing to do with the bright prints on the wall and the small lamps that gave the room a romantic glow when they were snuggled together on the old sofa at night.

  Once Angie had gone, the flat had the same décor but it had felt cold and empty. She wasn’t there. He’d missed her soft voice, her sweet laugh and the press of her body against his at night. He’d missed everything that made up the beautiful package that was Angie. But she was building her career in Australia and he didn’t want to take her mind off that.

  But someone bloody had, he thought bitterly.

  If she’d wanted him to come home with her, she would have asked him to come with her. To get over her absence, he’d spent most nights at the pub or taking assignments in other towns, and had spent a lot of time on the road. If Gran hadn’t called when she had, he probably would still be in London, caught up in his unhappiness.

  He’d missed Angie, and when he’d rung her before he’d left London he’d finally realised she’d moved on. That guy who’d answered the phone had been full of chat—probably making it clear that he was firmly in her house and her life now. Angie had taken a while to come to the phone so Grant, or Hugh, or whoever he was, had told Liam all about the house renovations. About the room he was painting, and the new dishwasher he was installing in the kitchen. His conversation was as boring as…well, he hoped for Angie’s sake he wasn’t as boring as he sounded.

  But he was her choice and she’d moved on. Liam had vowed to get over her and immerse himself in his career. Like he’d told Lucy, there’d been no point getting in touch with Angie when he’d finally come home.

  Red dusty roads and gum trees lit up by oncoming vehicles flashed past and Liam focused his attention back on the road ahead. It seemed to take forever to get into town but finally he turned into Main Street, drove past the vet surgery and pulled up in the dark driveway beside the little house. He let out a sigh of relief when he spotted Angie’s car in the open carport in the backyard. The lights were on at the back of the house and he climbed slowly out of the car, trying to think of an excuse for calling in at this time of night.

  …

  Angie hurried into the bathroom and stared, horrified, at her reflection as Liam knocked on the door. She turned the cold tap on and quickly rinsed her face but it made no difference to her swollen eyes and her red nose. Why was he here? And worse still, if she opened the door he was going to see her looking like this. He’d want to know what was wrong and there was no way she was going to tell him it was because she couldn’t stand the thought of not having him in her life. When the car had pulled up in the driveway, she’d stopped at the side of the living room window and her heart had just about stopped beating as Liam had climbed out of Garth’s ute.

  He knew she was home because her car was there and the lights were on. Maybe she could sneak out the back door and take refuge in the surgery? Maybe she could just be quiet and pretend she wasn’t here?

  She grabbed a towel and patted her face dry as he knocked at the front door. She took a shuddering breath and waited, hoping, praying he might think she was asleep and he’d go away.

  She was in no state to talk to Liam the way she was feeling. All the way home, she’d tried to convince herself that there was no future in loving him, but it hadn’t worked. She was going to have to sell the practice and move away. Because even if Liam did move back to the city, he’d still come home to visit. His family was here.

  All of the people he loved. And what a wonderful family he had. The love they had for each other was obvious. He was so very lucky. It was her dream to create a family like that and it was time to pull up her big girl panties, stop feeling sorry for herself, and get on with her life. Enough of this wallowing in self-pity.

  The knocking on the door got louder.

  “Angie, are you awake? I need to talk to you.”

  With a sigh, she plodded to the front door. She pushed her hair behind her ears with one hand while she flicked the lock with the other.

  It was dark and if she didn’t turn the light on Liam wouldn’t be able to see her red-rimmed eyes.

&n
bsp; “Liam? What are you doing here?” Her voice sounded thick and husky to her own ears.

  “I wanted to talk to you.”

  “And you came all the way into town?” She peered at him in the darkness but couldn’t see his expression.

  “Can I come in?” Liam leaned forward as she held the door half open. “Please, Angie? It’s really important.”

  Reluctantly, she pulled the door open and he stepped inside to stand beside her in the small interior porch. She tilted her chin and finally met his green-eyed gaze. His eyes widened as he took in her face and a frown wrinkled his brow.

  “Jeez, Ange. Have you been crying?” He lifted his hand and ever so gently ran his thumb across the top of her cheek beneath her eye. That one simple gesture was her undoing. More tears sprang to her eyes as his gentle voice washed over her. “Come here.” He held out his arms and there was no way Angie could resist stepping into them.

  Her head nestled on his shoulder and his large hand cupped the back of her head, holding her close. For a few long minutes they stood like that, Angie taking comfort in the feel of Liam’s hard chest beneath her cheek. Her tears dried up and she closed her eyes, inhaling the fresh fragrance of his skin.

  “Thanks. And don’t worry, I’m okay. Just a silly meltdown. Stupid what struggling with spreadsheets can do to a girl’s peace of mind. I never was any good with figures.” She tried to make light of it as she raised a shaking hand to her hair. “God, I must look a mess.”

  “You look beautiful. You always do. I guess I never told you that enough.” His voice was low and sent a ripple running down her spine.

  Angie jerked her head up. “Come inside.” She flicked the lamp on as she walked across the living room and gestured to a single chair but Liam followed her over to the double sofa and took a seat beside her when she sat down. She moved to the far end and tucked her legs up beneath her and looked at him warily. “So, why the rush trip to town?”

  “I could see you were upset when you left Lucy’s and I was right, wasn’t I?” Great, there went her excuse of spreadsheet depression. He could always read her feelings; except for the one time it had mattered.

  Liam moved a bit closer and picked up her hand. “We’re still friends, aren’t we? And friends look out for each other.” He squeezed her hand gently and Angie stiffened. Being so close to Liam was wonderful, yet painful at the same time. Being with him just made her realise how hard it was not to be with him all the time. Those months together, in the same flat, sharing a bed and sharing their lives, had been taken for granted. It was only when you lost what you had that you appreciated it.

  And then it was too late.

  Angie couldn’t help watching Liam’s thumb as it ran small circles across the back of her hand. If she looked down, she could avoid looking at the muscles outlined by his tight white T-shirt. As he moved his thumb, his biceps strained and flexed.

  God help me. She had to fight the rush of desire that ran through her.

  He looked down and she sensed he was choosing his words carefully.

  “I want us to talk, Ange. I want you to know that I’m okay with how things are.”

  “Yes. That’s good. What’s past is past.” Her words were as choppy as her breathing. Angie dug deep for a smile, pulled her hand out of his and folded hers together on her lap. If he wasn’t touching her it was easy to put on a front. “Friends is good. And really I’m fine.”

  “Are you really?”

  “Yep. I am.”

  “You kissed me back at the show.”

  “Old habits die hard.”

  “Is that all it was?”

  She nodded mutely as he moved closer to her on the sofa.

  “What if I kissed you again now? What if I showed you I cared about you? Would it be habit or something else?” He was so close she could smell his minty breath and feel the warmth of his skin almost touching hers.

  Angie tried to scramble back along the sofa as panic and desire curled together in her stomach.

  “Maybe we should try again.”

  Maybe?

  Her back was pressed against the back of the sofa and Liam was edging closer with every word. Angie closed her eyes. Would it really hurt to spend some time together before he went back to the city? That little bit of time they could have together before he went back, maybe it would be better than having nothing at all. She needed to feel his mouth on hers. She needed to have Liam touch her, and to—

  A soft gasp escaped her as he feathered a kiss on her forehead, and his lips lowered to slide against her cheek towards her lips.

  “Now you’re playing dirty.” She reached out and pulled him against her, hot skin against skin, lips against lips, and their breath mingling as he gently probed her mouth with his tongue. His body was hard and strong, so much tougher than when they’d lived together. Angie thought she’d die from the need to touch him. She ran her hands around his back, around taut muscles, and then down toned, strong arms.

  One last time. And she would live on the memory for the rest of her life. Her fingers crept to the bottom of his T-shirt and she tugged it.

  Liam stepped back and shook his head, tension in every line of his body. “I’m sorry, Ange. I shouldn’t have. It’s not right, with you having Hugh. I’m sorry I overstepped the line, but damn it, it’s so bloody hard.”

  “Hugh.” Angie swallowed before reaching out and taking his hand. He was entitled to the truth. “Liam, Hugh is my old housemate Jenny’s partner. I lived with her in Melbourne when I came back from London. Every time I tried to tell you someone interrupted us.”

  She watched as his eyes widened and a smile tilted that beautiful mouth. Of their own volition, her fingers crept down his chest and she pulled his T-shirt up, revealing a glorious expanse of muscled chest. As Liam’s fingers held the bottom of her T-shirt, she leaned back and he peeled it over her head. His fingers crept up as the shirt was discarded and he gently cupped her bare breasts.

  “So there is no other man?” he asked softly.

  “No.”

  “Oh, Ange,” he murmured.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Angie woke early the next morning. She lay there for a moment watching the dappled sunlight play on the wall beside the bed. In that moment between sleeping and waking, she wondered what the soft noise was, and as she turned her head, she smiled. Liam’s head was beside hers on the pillow, and his forehead was almost touching hers. She moved her head across the white lace-edged pillowcase and rested her forehead against his. She couldn’t believe he was here in her bed. The hours with Liam had been wonderful. No words, just like it had been when they were together before. Now as she watched him sleep, Angie drank in the sight of him, imprinting him on her memory. His dark hair was messy and the dark stubble of his beard gave him a rakish look.

  “Hello, my lovely.”

  Angie jumped as his voice murmured beside her ear, followed by a gentle kiss.

  “We need to talk.” His lips nuzzled her neck and she closed her eyes.

  “We do, but let’s not waste time talking right now.” She ran her fingers down the side of his face. “I have other things on my mind.” Angie didn’t want to talk just yet. She didn’t want him to know that she loved him. She just wanted to enjoy the present.

  “Wench,” he groaned. “What time is it?”

  She rolled over and picked up her phone. “Almost seven.”

  “Hell, I should have left by now. I have to get Garth’s ute back to him.”

  Her fingers crept down his chest and she heard the smile in his voice. “But I guess it won’t matter if I’m a little bit late.”

  “Of course it won’t. I’m sure he can talk to Lucy or play with James.”

  Other matters interrupted any more conversation, and by the time Liam ran for the shower in the small bathroom off Angie’s bedroom, he was full of apologies.

  “I’ve got a Skype call to Sydney for my ABC interview this afternoon but I’ll come back in tonight after you finish at the
surgery. Okay?”

  The joy that had filled Angie since last night died. She nodded and paused for a moment so that her disappointment didn’t show. “Okay.”

  She managed a nod and waved at him, proud of how even she kept her voice “I’ll get you a clean towel.” She climbed out of bed and ignored the crushing pressure on her chest, wrapping the sheet around her.

  An interview. So soon? The reality hit her like a physical blow. He would be going back to Sydney sooner than later, just like she’d known he would.

  Liam emerged from the shower, water dripping from his hair, and Angie handed him the towel, taking a last opportunity to run a loving hand over his chest.

  She had no regrets. But she had a plan.

  As Liam grabbed her and his lips took hers, his voice was intense. His words vibrated against her mouth. “Ring me when you finish in the surgery this afternoon, and I’ll come in and pick you up. We’ll go out for dinner. We’ll sort out what we are going to do. I can’t knock back this job and it’s pretty much certain that I’ve got it. ”

  “That’s wonderful for you.” Angie’s eyes burned with threatening tears, and she bit down on the inside of her cheek until the pain was almost too much to bear, but she summoned up a smile. Her heart constricted painfully as the lie came from her lips. “Tonight,” she said softly.

  “We can talk about how we’ll play this. It’s a great opportunity for me. And we can do a long-distance relationship easily. What do you think, Ange?” Excitement bubbled out of him. “It’s not like it’s London to Sydney, is it? What’s a few hundred kilometres? Sydney to Spring Downs, no long-haul flights needed to see each other.”

  As he stood in the doorway and reached for her again, she grabbed the sheet above her breasts as it threatened to slip. With her spare hand she reached over and tucked in the tag on his crumpled T-shirt. Her eyes wandered over his face and body, drinking in the sight of him.

  “Angie?” Liam put his hands on her shoulders and stared at her.

  “Yes?”

  “Okay?” His gaze burned into hers.

  “Okay.”