Half the World Away

by Rebecca Banks

  ‘AHA.’ She jumped as Kyle’s voice boomed. ‘I knew it was around here somewhere. Over here, Miss Potter. I have proof.’

  She sped up her pace to catch up with him a few feet ahead.

  ‘This, my dear student, is a dinosaur track.’

  She gasped as she looked down, hardly believing. ‘It can’t be.’ She knelt down, not caring if she got scratched or dusty, and looked intently at the fossilised tracks in the ground. One was three times the size of her hand, a three-toed imprint that reminded her of an elephant’s foot.

  ‘They can’t just leave dinosaur prints in the ground with everyone walking over them. They should be protected or something.’

  She couldn’t comprehend how a few hours ago she was stubbing her toe in her bedroom and now she was walking in the tracks of prehistoric giants.

  ‘Pretty impressive, huh. I’ve got a whole other lesson on dinosaurs I can give you another day.’

  ‘I can’t wait,’ she said, genuinely meaning it, as she snapped a photo of her outstretched hand inside the footprint. She needed evidence. Lily would never believe it otherwise.

  Abbie walked back to the car a few steps behind Kyle, exhausted but exhilarated, and extremely impressed at his orientation skills. She flopped into the seat, feeling the tired muscles in her legs after the unaccustomed exercise, and Kyle roared the Chevy back into action for their return journey.

  ‘Does this thing have Bluetooth?’ she asked, earning herself a dirty look from the driver’s seat. ‘Okay, you’re preserving the classic feel, I get it. It’s just I want to play you some songs from the band I’m booking for the last home game of the season. I heard them live one of my first days in the city in Rose’s bar, and now they’ve had a number one single on the Billboard chart, but we know them, so they’re going to come and play.’ She clapped her hands with excitement as she told him and he looked at her and smiled so genuinely it sent shivers all the way through her.

  She used her phone speaker to play him Memphis Black’s hit single, ‘Whispers for the Road’. As the bass and drums kicked in and the perfect melting pot of Marley and Betty’s voices filled the car, a feeling of complete happiness came over her. She’d had the perfect day with an amazing man and, right at that moment, she couldn’t imagine any other path for her life than what had happened to bring her all the way out here.

  Looking out the window she saw a sign for the town of Moab, which was visible in the distance, and was just about to suggest they find somewhere there to eat before heading home when an awful noise started coming from under the bonnet. The sound of metal bashing together and cogs grating had her gripping the seat.

  Kyle, too, looked worried and he quickly pulled over onto the hard shoulder of the road and turned the engine off.

  ‘Oh, shit,’ he said, looking at her. ‘This could be a problem.’

  CHAPTER 15

  An hour later, they were sitting in a diner on Main Street in Moab. The love of Kyle’s life had her own life hanging in the balance at the hands of a local mechanic, who’d said he was sure he could get it fixed by the following lunchtime and had a buddy of his bringing in a part from out of town.

  Which left them needing to stay in Moab overnight.

  They had made a quick stop at a store on Main Street for overnight essentials and were refuelling after a day that had completely taken it out of Abbie physically. She really had to find a local gym. It was embarrassing.

  She looked over the table to the other side of the booth where Kyle was fully focused on his steak and fried eggs. She couldn’t eat her pancakes with bacon and maple syrup fast enough either. She knew technically that it was a breakfast dish, but she had found the beauty of American diners was no time was a bad time for pancakes.

  Halfway through his meal, Kyle finally paused for breath, resting his hands either side of his plate on the scuffed-up table.

  ‘I’m so sorry, Abbie. This was meant to be a fun day and now we’re stranded hours from home and it’s ruined your weekend. I feel so bad.’ He looked utterly deflated. And he’d called her Abbie. This wasn’t good.

  ‘Don’t be an idiot.’ She reached across the table and rested her hand on top of his. ‘I’ve had the most perfect day and we don’t have to go to work tomorrow so there’s no need to freak out. Jesus, what a punishment having to stay in this area longer.’ She looked him straight in the eye and smiled encouragingly, and saw him relax a little.

  ‘Okay, well, if we’re staying here, then I’m going to make sure we have a good time. Let’s finish up and go find somewhere we can stay tonight. Since the back seat of my car isn’t an option.’

  She was relieved Kyle’s sense of humour seemed to be back and was excited at the thought of spending some extra time with him. But she felt anxious in her stomach at the elephant in the room – they were staying here overnight together, and she wasn’t sure what he expected.

  The rest of the dinner passed in relative silence. She was relieved that it never seemed to be awkward when they weren’t talking, as she felt like she was getting away with not voicing her nerves. She felt sure he’d see right through her if she was stuttering her way through a conversation. After paying the bill, he led her back out onto Main Street.

  ‘There isn’t a lot here and it’s pretty old-fashioned,’ he said. ‘But because so many people visit this area to explore the national parks, the good thing is there are hotels everywhere. There’s one just up here that’s not bad.’ He pointed ahead of them.

  Abbie nodded and continued to walk alongside.

  Reaching the hotel, they stepped across the welcome mat out on the street and through the revolving door. It was a traditional hotel, the doors made of wood with gold metal detailing and a dark red carpet with a gold fleur-de-lis pattern in the lobby leading up to a mahogany reception desk.

  Approaching the receptionist, Kyle gave her his dazzling smile. Abbie could see the woman practically swoon on the spot. They wouldn’t have a problem getting a room here. At the thought of the room situation, she felt her cheeks warming up and her hands get clammy. Why could she not just say to him that she wanted to have separate rooms? She knew it was because part of her wouldn’t mind if they didn’t.

  Kyle looked at her for about the fifth time since they’d left the restaurant, and a small smile flitted across his lips. He winked at her before turning back to the receptionist, who wore a name badge that said ‘Susan’.

  He unleashed full Kyle upon Susan. The woman didn’t stand a chance.

  Abbie audibly sighed with relief when she heard him ask for two rooms for the night. And at the same time her own shoulders dropped, so did those of Susan, whose smile beamed that little bit brighter when she realised her two new guests were not ‘together’. Abbie supressed a giggle.

  As they headed towards the lift and waited for it to arrive, Kyle turned to her.

  ‘You can stop stressing now. Do you really think I’d force you to share a room with me? Firstly, I wouldn’t treat a lady like that, and secondly, I can tell you’re not falling for my charms that easily.’

  He looked almost sad as he said that, and the worry that he thought she wasn’t interested in him at all reignited her earlier panic, albeit for a different reason. As she hurried to try to explain, he held up his hand.

  ‘You don’t need to explain, England. You know I like you, but I’m not that guy.’

  The lift pinged open and they headed up to their rooms.

  Abbie spoke to break the silence. ‘Meet in half an hour to hit a bar?’

  ‘Your best idea yet.’ He grinned and she skipped to her room to try to fix the sweaty mess she’d become after the hot day in the desert.

  With a gin and tonic in her hand and watching Kyle sip at a bottle of Budweiser, Abbie felt completely calm again. They’d come to a bar a few doors down from the hotel. It reminded her a bit of The Live Joint with its ramshackle interior, but it didn’t have the stage or band posters adorning the walls. The music was thanks to the jukebox in th
e corner, the paper inside showing the song choices yellowing and curling at the corners. Johnny Cash was playing quietly through the speakers, the country song perfect for this bar in the middle of nowhere.

  One wall was covered with hundreds of beer mats, while the counter had foreign currency notes pinned to the front of it, covering the whole length. Kyle explained how it had become tradition for any overseas tourists to pin a note. Before they even ordered a drink, Abbie took five pounds from her purse and added it to the collection. She wanted to leave a little piece of herself here as she would never forget Moab.

  Now they sat at a wooden table in the corner at the back of the room. It was quiet, with only a couple of other tables occupied. They settled into the cosy bar and it was as easy as always to talk to Kyle.

  ‘Does your dad still come out here with you sometimes?’ she asked. She was curious as Kyle hadn’t talked about either of his parents until today.

  ‘Not so often. My parents were older when they had me and they’re in their mid-seventies now, so it’s harder to get him out to do the things we used to when I was younger. They live up near Park City now and have quite the social life there with all their friends.’ He smiled. It was obvious how besotted he was with them as he carried on talking about their good life in the mountains.

  Abbie told him about her own parents and all about Lily. She also found herself spilling out the story about the footballer at her old club, and how the whole incident and aftermath had been a factor in her decision to make the move.

  Kyle was appalled, and she had to reassure him that she had not been upset or hurt. It had simply exacerbated her need to leave and find a new challenge anyway. It made her heart lurch how protective he seemed to be of her, like he was about his parents and his youth team. He made her feel safe.

  He started explaining how he made sure when he worked with the kids in his youth team that he gave them some life lessons if they needed it.

  ‘Once, I walked in on some of the older youth players, college age, talking about what they’d done at the weekend with a bunch of girls. Sport is about discipline and, if their parents aren’t going to teach them, then I sure am. The first thing my mom taught me, before I even went to school, was that you don’t put your hands on a girl unless she’s happy for you to do it,’ he said matter-of-factly.

  ‘You can’t be real.’ Abbie smiled, and he raised his eyebrows. ‘I’m still trying to find the bad bits. You take it so seriously working with those kids and it’s amazing. I don’t know if I’d have the patience.’

  ‘You would,’ he said. ‘You’re a bit of a badass yourself, coming in here and whipping that club into shape. Hank is over the moon with you.’

  She clapped her hands. ‘Oh, I hope so. I’m trying. Oh my god,’ she said, an idea sparking in her mind. ‘I think I have an idea.’

  ‘Wait,’ Kyle said. ‘Let me get us another round.’

  As he dashed to the bar, her mind went into overdrive, and as soon as he returned to the table she started explaining.

  ‘You work so hard with these kids. What if we did something where the fifteen that show the best attitude and aptitude over a certain period of time get the chance to fly to England to do a training camp with a Premiership club there? I’m pretty sure I could swing it with my old boss and it would be a reward for hard work.’

  Kyle loved it. He absolutely loved it.

  They talked it over and started to plan how the kids would earn their place and how it would work.

  ‘This is amazing, Abbie, I can’t believe you came up with this.’

  ‘Well, what can I say?’ she teased. ‘That’s why they pay me the big bucks.’

  Laughing, they left the bar and walked the few feet to the hotel. They had a long drive back tomorrow, as long as the car could be fixed.

  As they went up in the lift to the fourth floor, she leaned into him, the warming effects of the alcohol and the activity of the day making her sleepy. He guided her out of the lift and followed her to her room, which was next to his.

  ‘Are you following me to my room, Mr Miller?’ she asked as she located her key in her bag.

  ‘I’m just making sure my tipsy friend manages to get in okay,’ he answered.

  She turned to say goodnight. Leaning up to kiss his cheek, she brushed his warm stubble and was overwhelmed by the electricity between them. She lingered at his cheek, then slid her lips across to meet his own and felt his whole body respond as he moved closer to her. When she wrapped her arms around his neck, he knotted his hands around her waist and deepened the kiss, his tongue darting in to meet hers, and she was completely lost in the moment.

  As he pulled away to look at her, she remembered Kitty’s warning and came back down to earth. She let go of him and turned to put her key in the lock.

  ‘Sorry. I think it’s time for me to go to bed.’ Not giving him time to respond or change her mind, she hurriedly entered the room.

  Inside, she lay down heavily on the bed, her mind racing. It had been a long time since she’d kissed anyone, and that kiss had blown her mind.

  Sitting in the hotel breakfast room the following morning, nursing a strong coffee to go along with the slight headache she had, Abbie felt herself blush as Kyle walked in. He saluted her, then joined her and poured himself a black coffee from the jug on the table. Stirring in a sugar, he told her the mechanic had texted to say the car would be ready in an hour.

  As he studied the menu, apparently lost in thought as he decided which eggs to go for, she couldn’t believe that he could be so calm and seemingly unbothered by what had happened last night.

  The kiss had been pretty incredible. It had stirred feelings in her that she’d forgotten she was capable of, yet she had broken it off.

  The waitress came over and Kyle ordered a huge plate of eggs, bacon, sausages, hash browns, mushrooms and tomato. Abbie’s stomach was feeling the effects of at least three too many gins and she ordered the same.

  ‘So, let’s talk about that kiss.’

  Kyle looked straight at her, and it took everything in her not to spit out the mouthful of coffee she had just taken. American men were so… forward. Right this second, she would have done anything to be sitting opposite an uptight, emotionally stunted, overly polite British guy who wouldn’t have dreamed of ever mentioning it again.

  ‘You’re clearly not going to start, so I will,’ he said. ‘I like you. You know this. I’ve loved every minute of getting to know you. Then every time I think we’re heading somewhere you shut down and seem standoffish. I don’t know if you’ve had bad stuff in your past or you’re just not sure about me. Maybe you’re worried because we work together. Right now, I’m getting a lot of mixed signals, but that kiss was pretty phenomenal and I don’t think I was the only one into it. So, I’d just like to know what’s going on here.’

  Fucking hell, he was upfront.

  And he was staring at her intently.

  He wasn’t going to let this go.

  Time to put on the big girl pants. She took a deep breath.

  She was saved momentarily by the waitress bringing their orders, and as Kyle started to make a dent in his plate, he motioned for her to talk.

  ‘You’re right, about everything.’ She shrugged. That wasn’t going to be enough, she could see. Her Britishness squirmed inside at being forced to talk about all of this.

  ‘That doesn’t answer any of my questions.’ He raised his eyebrows and lifted his coffee cup to his lips.

  ‘You’re not wrong that there’s something between us. I think you’re brilliant. You’ve been amazing ever since I arrived, and I’ve loved all the time we’ve spent together. But yes, I’m nervous. It goes against everything I feel about you, having got to know you a bit, but I’ll admit I’ve heard a few things that make me question if it would be a good idea. And because we work together, if it turns out things weren’t a good idea, that makes it messy.’

  She was wringing her napkin in her lap as she said this, hating th
e unpredictability of where this conversation would go now.

  ‘And what exactly are the few things you’ve heard?’ he asked, making air quotes to emphasis the few things.

  She blew her cheeks out before starting again.

  ‘I kind of heard that I wouldn’t be the first girl you’d befriended at work, and also that you kind of liked the ladies and I maybe wouldn’t be the only one if something happened, and even if something did happen it maybe wouldn’t last because of all the others.’ She knew she was babbling and mentally slapped herself to shut up. She felt sick as she said it. She didn’t want to hurt him, but he had asked. She was surprised when he burst out laughing and had to hold his stomach.

  ‘Kitty,’ he stated through the laughter.

  Abbie hesitantly nodded and waited for him to stop laughing. She had no idea what was going on.

  ‘I’m sorry about her, Abbie. She’s basically okay, but she sometimes gets a bit jealous where I’m concerned and it’s crazy. You could maybe have called me a player in college, but who isn’t? That isn’t me now and I genuinely like you. I’ve never had any kind of hook-up or relationship with anyone at work ever before. I mean, for god’s sake, the only women there for the past few years have been Kitty and Tina from the cafeteria.’

  She was still confused.

  ‘Why would Kitty be jealous? She always seems mad at you.’

  He briefly closed his eyes and sighed. ‘It’s such an old story. We went to high school together and I took her to prom. I felt bad for her. She was one of those girls who was always lonely, and our parents were friends. I found out from my mom that no one had invited her, and I wasn’t dating anyone so I asked her. I thought I was doing a nice thing but then she was really mad at me when I told her after that I didn’t want a relationship with her. I guess it was the wrong thing to do.’