Something to Talk About (Rose Hill, #2)

by Rachael Johns

  He quickly backtracked. ‘I’m sorry. That’s totally none of my business.’

  ‘It’s fine.’ She sighed. Usually she was an open book, yet although she’d proudly told her friends and family why she’d made her decision, it felt slightly mortifying admitting the truth to him. But what else but the truth could she say? ‘I wanted to have a baby—it’s as simple as that. And my track record with relationships is pretty dismal, so I got sick of waiting for true love to come along and I took things into my own hands. You probably think I’m crazy.’

  ‘I think you’re brave and your baby is very lucky to have you as its mum.’

  How could she not smile a little at that? ‘Thanks.’

  ‘How long ago did you and Ryder break up?’

  ‘Just over ten years ago.’ At the expression on his face, she added, ‘Told you it was silly. I doubt he’s given me a thought in all that time. I shouldn’t even care about seeing him again, never mind what he thinks of me.’

  ‘But you do.’

  Tab wasn’t sure if it was a question or a statement but she nodded, irritated with herself. ‘It’s just … we weren’t only dating, we also played together. We had big dreams and seemed to be going places—everyone said we sounded unreal together. And then I got sick. When I lost my arm, I could no longer play the guitar and Ryder said that’s what we were. Two guitarists who also sang. He said he thought it would make sense if we went our separate ways—professionally and personally.’

  ‘He broke up with you when you lost your arm? What a bastard.’

  ‘Part of me didn’t blame him, but another part of me hated him so bad. The only good thing was that I came back home to the farm and he moved east to pursue a solo career, so although we’d run in similar circles in Perth, I didn’t have to see him again. And now he’s got all these hit songs behind him, girls hanging off his every word, and I’ve barely even had another boyfriend since him and I look so desperate that I had to …’

  Again, her voice drifted off. Her feelings were so stupid she couldn’t even put them into words.

  ‘You know, ignore me if this is a stupid idea, but …’ He stalled then shook his head. ‘Nah, forget it.’

  ‘Tell me,’ she urged, nudging him in the side with her little arm. ‘You can’t begin a sentence like that and then leave a girl hanging.’

  ‘Okay.’ He took a quick breath. ‘Why don’t we pretend to be together, so that when he’s here …’ Ferg flushed a little as he tried to explain. It was super cute. ‘I just thought maybe if you have someone at your side, you’d feel … I dunno, less vulnerable.’

  ‘You mean like a fake boyfriend?’ She was about to laugh, then realised he was serious.

  ‘I’m not offering for entirely selfless reasons,’ he admitted. ‘You’d be doing me a favour as well. Carrie is getting pretty persistent in her advances, and she’s not the only one. Maybe if people thought you and I were together, they’d leave me the hell alone.’

  For a moment, Tab was almost tempted, but, ‘No one would ever believe that.’

  He blinked. ‘Why not?’

  Now she did laugh.

  ‘Um … have you seen yourself in the mirror lately?’ It was a rhetorical question but she took the opportunity to run her eyes slowly down his body as she listed his credentials. ‘You have the most startling eyes I’ve ever seen, you have a great body and a lovely smile, when you care to share it. Hell, even your grimace is more attractive than some people’s grins. My grandmother thinks the phrase tall, dark and handsome was created for you.’

  A corner of a smile appeared on his face.

  ‘But it’s not just your looks. You’re great with the kids in your class, and the way you pitched in to help search for Mrs Lord, the way you help with the cricket after school hours … all these things are noted and appreciated in the country. You are about as eligible as it’s possibly eligible to be, whereas me?’ She shrugged. ‘I’m just a pregnant, plain Jane with no arm.’

  He raised his eyebrows but didn’t shy away from her gaze as he said, ‘From where I’m looking, you have an arm and a half and can do more with what you’ve got than most people I know. But even if you had no arms, so what? There’s absolutely nothing plain about you, Tabitha Cooper-Jones. If I wasn’t sworn off women …’

  Tab tried to laugh, but that damn lump in her throat returned. She wasn’t used to people bathing her in compliments, even if she knew his compliments were as fake as his proposition.

  ‘So what do you say? Will you be my pseudo girlfriend?’

  Part of her was hugely tempted—how wonderful would it feel to have a guy like Fergus McWilliams at her side over the next month or so? How much more confident would she feel about facing Ryder again if she were in a relationship? Maybe people might even believe it if they held hands and stuff like that? Her insides twisted a little at the thought. But even if it did get her through seeing Ryder again, inevitably it would have to end, and then everyone in town would feel sorry for her.

  She could already imagine what people would say behind closed doors and whispered hands, and she didn’t want that mortification and pity for the few minutes of security it would give her to be able to introduce Fergus as her boyfriend to Ryder.

  ‘No,’ she whispered, taking Fergus’s warm hand in hers. ‘I don’t play games, and I might have had a few wobbly moments, but I don’t need a man to feel good about myself. But thank you, for listening and for your offer. It was a very sweet one.’

  And to show her appreciation she leaned in to kiss his cheek. But, not expecting her to lay one on him, he moved his head at the last moment and she ended up kissing him on the mouth instead.

  Chapter Eighteen

  It felt like ages since he’d kissed a woman and maybe that’s why such a chaste kiss had every muscle in Fergus’s body contracting. Tab’s lips were as soft as fairy floss and just as tasty. Who was he trying to kid? They were better than any cotton candy could ever be. The kiss itself—if you could call it that—must have lasted only a second before they both pulled away, but it felt like an eternity and sparked a hunger in him he didn’t want to feel.

  He had to use every ounce of willpower he possessed not to put his hands on her face and drag her lips back to his. She’d just spent the last fifteen minutes pouring out her heart—it was clear she had unfinished business where Ryder bloody O’Connell was concerned, no matter how much she denied it.

  If that didn’t tell him she didn’t want to be kissed, he didn’t know what did, and that was a good thing. He’d meant it when he’d told her he was sworn off women—they brought way more pain than pleasure.

  If the way he was feeling after that brief brush with her lips meant anything, it was probably a good thing she’d turned down his ridiculous offer. Imagine how hard it would be to control himself if he had to hold her hand, even kiss her occasionally, to keep up a pretence.

  Should he apologise for the accidental smooch or pretend it didn’t happen?

  As Ferg was deliberating this, Tabitha let go of his hand and made a joke. ‘Well, I clearly need to work on my aim. That was …’

  Unexpected. Amazing. Something I’d like to repeat this instant. ‘My fault,’ he assured her. ‘I’m sorry. But I promise I didn’t move my head on purpose.’

  ‘Of course you didn’t.’ She laughed nervously and her cheeks took on a soft pink tinge that stood out against her pale skin and dark cropped hair. Her lips were the same colour, only a few shades darker but … man, he needed to stop staring at her lips.

  ‘Will you be okay?’

  She nodded. ‘I’m always okay. I just had a moment, but thanks.’

  ‘No worries. We should probably go back in. Your grandmother will be wondering where we’ve got to.’

  Inside, the nurses were busy assisting the residents to the table ready for dinner. Tabitha said goodbye to her grandmother and Ferg did the same to Mrs Lord.

  ‘You heading back to Rose Hill now?’ he asked as they walked out to the car p
ark.

  ‘Nope. I’m going to the farm. We usually have Sunday dinner together—it’s been a tradition since we were kids. Mum always made up a big roast for Sunday lunch and I kept it up when she died, but then when Meg and I opened the tea rooms, Lawson took over because Sundays are one of our busiest days. You should come.’

  ‘I wasn’t angling for an invitation.’

  ‘I know, but I’m offering. Lawson isn’t the greatest cook, but he tries his best and he and Ned always make way too much. You’d be doing us a favour.’

  Happy family dinners weren’t really his thing—not anymore—but his stomach rumbled. ‘I wouldn’t want to encroach on family time.’

  ‘Oh, don’t worry about that. We often have extras—I’m pretty sure Ethan’s bringing Kimmy tonight.’

  Well, that killed that excuse and he didn’t really want to come up with any others for fear Tabitha would assume it was because of their not-quite kiss. ‘Okay then, if you’re absolutely sure.’

  ‘I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t.’ She nodded towards her van that happened to be parked next to his car. ‘I’ll see you out there.’

  He stopped by the pub, bought a six-pack of Crownies and a bottle of Margaret River wine, then headed out to the farm. Hopefully the dinner would stop things getting weird between them.

  Maybe if he stopped thinking about that kiss it would be a start. Focus on the baby, he told himself as he pulled up out the front of Lawson’s house for the second time in a matter of days. Tab’s van was already parked under the eucalypt tree.

  She’s pregnant. You’re done with relationships. You’re only here temporarily. She’s still raw from her ex.

  Did he need any more reasons why harbouring lustful thoughts about her was a bad idea?

  Ferg grabbed the wine and beer from the passenger seat and, as he opened the car door, Ned erupted from the house.

  ‘Mr McDuck,’ he yelled, loud enough that the cows in the furthest paddock probably heard.

  ‘Hey.’ Ferg slammed the door behind him and lifted the wine bottle in a wave. ‘How’s that arm?’

  Ned screwed up his face. ‘It’s a pain. But I got a cool cast. Can I get everyone at school to sign it tomorrow?’

  ‘Sure,’ Ferg said as he and Ned headed towards the house.

  ‘Can you sign it first? Well, not first, Dad, Meg, Aunty Tab and Ethan already have.’

  Ned angled the arm covered in bright blue plaster to show him and Ferg couldn’t help noticing the big heart next to Tab’s name. Yep, that pretty much summed her up—only a few weeks in her acquaintance and he knew she had a big heart, but he didn’t think she liked wearing it on her sleeve. He had a feeling she’d never have volunteered all that information about her ex if he hadn’t found her in such a state.

  ‘Well, hello, hello, hello. Long time no see,’ Tab welcomed them from the front door as they came onto the porch. Her chirpiness sounded forced. Her gaze went to the alcohol in his hands and she shook her head. ‘You didn’t have to bring anything.’

  ‘Wouldn’t have felt right turning up with nothing,’ he said, toeing off his shoes alongside the row of boots before following her inside and down the hallway into the kitchen.

  Meg and a redhead he didn’t recognise, but guessed must be Ethan’s girlfriend, were sitting at the table in a dining room just off to one side of the kitchen.

  ‘Hi.’ He nodded to them as he breathed in the aroma of roasted meat and veggies. Tab may have said Lawson wasn’t a great cook, but it smelled damn fine. ‘Thanks so much for letting me crash your dinner,’ he said as he offered Meg the drinks.

  ‘You’re welcome.’ She put the wine and beer on the table, gave him a quick hug, then gestured to the other woman. ‘This is Kimmy, the local vet. And this is Fergus, Ned’s teacher.’

  ‘Hello.’ Ferg smiled and shook her hand. With her hair tied back in a no-nonsense ponytail she looked like a vet somehow. ‘Where are Lawson and Ethan?’

  ‘Still milking, but they shouldn’t be long now. Why don’t you crack a beer? Kimmy, glass of wine?’

  The vet’s eyes twinkled. ‘Someone has to keep Fergus company.’

  Tabitha got Kimmy a glass, let him take one of the beers and then put the rest in the fridge, while Meg poured what looked like homemade lemonade for herself and Tabitha.

  They were all migrating to the table when Ned flew into the room, waving a black marker in his hand. ‘I got it,’ he shrieked as he thrust the pen at Ferg. ‘Here you go.’

  As he scribbled on the blue cast, Kimmy hit him with a question. ‘What do you think of Walsh so far?’

  He put the lid back on Ned’s pen as he thought about how to answer. Walsh was fine, but adjusting to life on his own, not being able to call his sister and tell her about his day, that was not so easy. ‘It’s great. Busier than I imagined.’

  ‘I know. I thought small towns were quiet until I moved here. My friends in the city were worried I wouldn’t have a social life, but there’s always something going on. I’m looking forward to the show, are you?’

  He glanced at Tab and saw her smile fade and her knuckles whiten around her glass.

  ‘Yeah, I suppose.’ He shifted uncomfortably in his seat. ‘The kids at school are excited. We’re starting on our entries for the contests this week.’

  ‘I won the junior photography contest last year,’ Ned piped up, pride in his voice. ‘Do you want to see my winning entries?’ He’d pushed back his seat and shot to a stand even before Ferg could reply.

  Meg chuckled as he dashed from the room. ‘He’s so passionate about everything. I worry he’ll trip and break his other arm, but there’s no keeping that boy calm, hey Tab?’

  ‘Huh?’ She blinked, then nodded quickly. ‘Right. No.’

  Ferg looked between the two women— although Tab was distracted, it was clear they both adored the kid. Ned was lucky to have someone like Meg for a stepmum.

  ‘Are you okay?’ Meg looked at Tab with concern.

  She exhaled loudly, then dumped her glass on the table with a bit of a bang. ‘The big news around town tomorrow will be that Ryder is going to play at the show.’

  Meg’s eyes widened but Kimmy looked confused as she glanced between the other women. ‘Who’s Ryder?’

  ‘Ryder O’Connell,’ Meg supplied.

  Kimmy’s recognition came within seconds. ‘Oh my God! Are you serious? I’m his biggest fan.’

  ‘Well, I’d offer to introduce you,’ Tab said, her tone bitter, ‘but he hasn’t spoken to me in almost ten years.’

  Kimmy blinked a few times in quick succession, clearly confused.

  ‘He’s Tab’s ex-boyfriend,’ Meg explained, her gaze flicking to her sister-in-law in concern. ‘You okay?’

  ‘I’ve already had my moment. Poor Fergus had to witness it. But I’ve got another few weeks to prepare myself and Ryder will likely be mobbed, so I might not even have to see him.’

  ‘I’m sorry, I … I didn’t know.’ Kimmy looked slightly abashed but before anyone could say anything else, Ned bounced back into the room, his arms laden with photo frames.

  ‘Check these out,’ he said, clearly oblivious to the tension around him as he dumped the photos on the table.

  Ferg looked through the images, which were mostly of calves, the milking shed and sunsets. ‘These are awesome. You’ve definitely got a talent.’

  They spoke a few moments about where said talent came from—apparently Tabitha’s dad, Ned’s grandfather, was a keen photographer.

  ‘He did our wedding photos,’ Meg said, and for a second Ferg thought maybe she was going to ask if he wanted to see them. Thankfully, there was a loud scratching on the front door, distracting them all. The last thing he wanted to look at was happy wedding snaps, so close to the time he should have been smiling for his own.

  ‘That’ll be the dogs,’ Tabitha shot up and Ned followed after her.

  Meg leant across the table and whispered to Ferg. ‘Is she really okay? Ryder was long before my time, b
ut I’ve heard enough to know she was heartbroken when they split.’

  He didn’t want to betray Tabitha’s confidence, but neither did he want to tell Meg she was fine when she clearly wasn’t. ‘She seemed pretty shaken, to be honest.’

  ‘Thank you for being there for her.’

  He nodded, unsure whether he was happy to have been in the right place at the right time or not.

  ‘I … I didn’t meant to upset her.’ Kimmy looked genuinely stricken. ‘I didn’t know.’

  At that moment, Cane and Ned barrelled into the room, followed closely behind by Tabitha and the older dog. The massive white ball of fluff made a beeline for Ferg and as he ruffled the dog’s fur, he hoped Tabitha didn’t guess that they’d been talking about her.

  ‘I thought farm dogs usually stayed outside?’ he said, trying to create a diversion.

  Tabitha laughed, but it wasn’t as natural and carefree as she usually sounded. ‘That was always the case round here too,’ she volunteered as she flopped back down into her seat, ‘but Cane was Meg’s dog first—Lawson bought him for her—and so he got used to her spoiling him and living in the lap of luxury over at Rose Hill.’

  ‘We couldn’t very well make him stay outside here,’ Meg added, ‘but then the other dogs wanted in as well.’

  ‘I like having them inside,’ Ned said, laying down on the floor and leaning into the kelpie.

  ‘Careful with your arm,’ Meg said, as the front door opened and more voices and footsteps approached.

  Lawson and Ethan strode into the room.

  ‘Look, Mr McDuck signed my cast.’ Ned leapt up off the floor and rushed over to his dad as Ethan crossed the kitchen, yanked Kimmy out of her chair and pulled her into his arms.

  ‘Hello, gorgeous!’

  She laughed as wine splashed up out of the glass still in her hand and then screwed up her nose as she palmed her other one against Ethan’s chest. ‘Ew, you stink.’

  ‘He told us you like that.’ Tab winked at Ferg as if they shared an in-joke and he ignored the squeeze in his chest.

  ‘What have you been saying?’ Kim hit her boyfriend playfully on the arm. ‘I like you much better when you don’t smell of cow shit. I have enough bad smells at work.’