by Nell Dixon
Sadly, he’d never seemed to move out of seeing her as more of a mate, or Noah’s kid sister. Even when she’d really pushed the boat out on a sexy dress and killer heels for Meg and Adam’s wedding. He’d merely tweaked her expensive hair-do and said, “you scrub up well, kid.”
At least being with Ian didn’t require any effort. He might stand on her or drop her in sheep poo, but he understood when she didn’t want to talk and when she needed space. Perhaps that was why she’d agreed to come back to his cottage for coffee. Being with Ian at his home would give her space away from her loving family's keen eyes and the inevitable questions about the reason for Matt’s visit.
“Here you go.” Ian passed her a mug.
“Thanks, not just for the drink but for tonight. I needed to get away for a little while.” She couldn’t quite bring herself to look at him, hoping he would understand.
“Any time.”
“It’s funny, a few days ago I couldn’t have seen us getting on together like this,” she mused
He returned the carton of milk to the fridge. “I was always damaging you. After the incident with the birthday cake I tried to keep out of your way.” His smile was rueful.
“I kept finding damaged bits of hair for weeks afterwards and I had to cut a whole chunk out of the one side. It took ages to grow back.” An answering smile crept onto her lips.
“I felt awful about the whole thing.”
Emma sipped her drink. “Noah had a field day with both of us.”
“He kept singing anything to do with fire whenever he saw me. I had Disco Inferno, Fire, Burning Ring of Fire.”
“I know. He kept that up for weeks. I hope you’ll get some revenge with your best man's speech.” To her surprise, the smile left Ian’s face.
“To be honest, I’m kind of dreading the speeches. You may have noticed I have a tendency to be a bit prone to gaffes. I don’t want to mess up your brother’s wedding.”
“You’ll be fine.” Emma didn’t want to say similar reservations about Ian’s suitability for the role had crossed her mind too.
He frowned into his coffee mug. “So long as I don’t lose the ring, deliver Noah safely to the church and make sure he doesn’t get abducted by the young farmers club on his stag night then I’ll be okay.”
“I’d forgotten about the stag night. Where are you all going?” Somehow she thought Noah would want to go somewhere more exciting than the local pub for his last official night of freedom. Posy had taken Emma, her former flatmate Cara and several of the New Bay girls for a couple of days at a posh spa.
“The lads have set up a night go-carting and then onto a club.”
“That doesn’t sound so bad,” Emma said soothingly. She’d expected something far worse—especially if Brad, Noah’s surfer friend was involved.
“I dunno. I think Brad’s booked a stripper.”
Emma pulled a face. “Best not let Posy find out if he has.”
“Yeah.”
“I suppose it makes worrying about the dance less scary.”
He finished his drink and placed the mug down on the counter top. “Even when you tread on my toes, scary is the last word I associate with dancing with you.” His voice was a low rumble.
Her heart gave a crazy little skip at the look in his eyes. She held her breath as she suddenly knew she desperately wanted him to kiss her.
CHAPTER SIX
Time seemed to pause and Emma wondered where that thought had come from. Only a couple of hours ago she’d been feeling heartbroken all over again at Matt’s defection. She didn’t think Ian had slipped anything strange into her coffee but over the last few days it was as if she had started to see him with new eyes.
Her pulse quickened and she swallowed nervously as Ian’s gaze locked with hers.
The tinny ring of Ian’s mobile cut the air and whatever she thought she’d seen in his eyes was gone.
“Hello? Yes, okay; I can be there in about twenty minutes.” He asked a few more questions of the caller before ringing off.
“Emergency?” Emma asked.
“Afraid so. I can drop you back at the farm on the way.” He swallowed the last of his coffee and grimaced at the heat of the liquid.
“We’d better go, then.” Emma took a last sip and left her half-empty mug on the countertop before hurrying out behind Ian.
She waited at the kerb as he tossed his vet bag and his overalls into the back of the car.
“I’m sorry I’ve got to rush you back home but it sounds as if Lady Mary has a foaling going wrong over at Tumblay Manor.”
“It’s fine. I understand. I hope she doesn’t lose the horse.” Lady Mary kept a fine stable of horses; several were worth a considerable sum of money. Emma could quite see why she’d called Ian if she’d thought she might lose a mare and the foal.
Ian flashed her a quick smile. “Thanks, Emma.”
“Drop me at the end of the road. I can walk back to the farm from there, it’s well lit along the track and it’ll save you a few minutes.” She knew sometimes that every second could count in these kinds of emergencies. It was lucky that Ian would have to drive past the farm anyway to get to the Manor.
“If you’re sure…”
She knew he was about to protest so cut in quickly. “Really, it’s fine. The campsite is lit along the track and it’s not late.”
A couple of minutes later he halted at the end of the lane leading past the campsite and up to the farm. She placed her hand on the door, ready to leave.
“Goodnight, Emma.” He leaned across and his lips brushed her cheek, the brief contact sending tingles through her skin.
She stumbled from the car, her heart thumping. She stood for a moment, watching as the red tail lights of Ian’s car disappeared from view before making her way home.
***
Ian called her the next morning to tell her of the stray kitten’s progress.
Heat bloomed in her cheeks at the sound of his voice, low and intimate in her ear.
“How did the foaling go?”
“Mare and foal were both fine.”
Emma wedged her mobile between her shoulder and her ear as she juggled some of the campsite paperwork into a folder. “That’s good. Were you there long?” She’d thought she’d detected a note of tiredness in his voice.
“Quite a while. I got home around two this morning.”
Emma retrieved her phone before it could slide onto the floor. “Oh no, poor you. Hope you recover in time for Noah’s stag party tomorrow.”
The gentle rumble of his laughter tickled her ear. “Yeah, I think I’ll need plenty of stamina for that.”
Her spirits were lifted by the end of his call. She tried not to think too much about why that should be the case as she hummed happily along to the radio.
“Emma! Emma! I got the job!” Posy skidded into the reception area, her pretty face wreathed in smiles. “They just called me. I got it!” She bounced up and down in front of the desk.
Emma rushed around the counter to embrace her friend. “That’s fantastic. Have you told Noah?”
“Yes, he’s up on the top field. I went there first and then came straight here.” Posy’s eyes shone with delight.
“Oh, I’m so glad. Everything is falling into place for you both.” Although she was genuinely delighted for her brother and his fiancée, Emma couldn’t help wishing something good might happen for her too. Matt had someone new and as for Ian, well, she wasn’t sure what she felt for him.
He hadn’t trodden on her, dropped her or set fire to her in the last few days. Hearing his voice on the phone made her happy, and when he held her hand or kissed her, bubbles fizzed like Champagne through her bloodstream. It was all a bit crazy. This was Ian, her brother’s clumsy best friend.
She wasn’t too surprised when she spotted his car coming up the track at lunchtime. She swiftly tidied her ponytail and applied some lipgloss before going outside to meet him.
“I’ve just been to Tumblay Manor to ch
eck Lady Mary’s foal.”
Emma smiled giddily, pleased that he’d called in. “Is everything still okay?”
“Everything’s fine.” He smiled back at her, a dull red flush heightening his cheekbones.
She peeked at her watch pretending she hadn’t realised that he’d invented a reason to stop by. “Have you got time for a drink and a sandwich?”
Posy eyed them suspiciously as they entered the farmhouse kitchen. “Hello Ian, are you here to see Noah?”
He shook his head and joined her at the kitchen table where she was busy filling up small gauze bags with pastel coloured sugared almonds. “No, just passing and thought I’d drop in and let you know how the stray you found was doing.”
“Oh, and how is she doing?” Posy asked, a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
“You said the IV will come down later, didn’t you, Ian?” Emma carried a platter of crusty bread and a dish of butter over to the table.
His gaze met with hers and her face heated. She was relieved when Ian picked up one of the filled bags of almonds.
“What are you doing?” he asked Posy.
“Wedding favours, to go on the place settings at the reception. You can give me a hand if you like.”
Emma continued buttering bread and assembling sandwiches. Ian washed his hands and began the fiddly task of popping three or four almonds into each tiny bag. She bit her lip in an attempt not to giggle as several sweets fell from the table onto the floor.
Lunch proved a relaxed and fun affair. Noah came to join them and Emma discovered she was enjoying herself. The fun was only cut short by Ian’s mobile calling him back to his practice to deal with a medical emergency.
Posy and Noah made themselves scarce as Emma walked Ian back to his car.
“Have a good time at the stag party and please don’t leave my brother tied naked to a tree somewhere,” Emma teased.
“Killjoy.” He opened his car door. “Do you want to fit in another dance practise before the big day?”
“Sure, next time I’ll bring my heels and I promise to try not to tread on you.” Nervous butterflies flapped in her stomach at his proximity. She hoped Noah and Posy weren’t watching them. She really wanted him to kiss her so she could see if what she thought she’d felt between them the other night was real.
“Would you listen to me running through my speech too?” he asked.
“Well, someone will have to vet it and make sure the risqué jokes aren’t too blue.” Her tone was light but her pulse raced as his gaze matched hers.
“I could use someone to keep me in line,” he murmured.
His hands were warm and firm around her waist as he lowered his head to kiss her. He tasted of the tea they’d just finished drinking. She slipped her arms around his neck and surrendered herself to the kiss. She hadn’t been mistaken, she thought dizzily. There was a definite spark between them.
“We have lousy timing,” Ian said as they broke apart. “I have to go. I’ll call you later.”
Posy and Noah were both suspiciously busy when she re-entered the kitchen. Emma grabbed an apple from the fruit bowl and scurried out again before either her brother or his fiancée could comment.
* * * *
Ian forced his eyes open then immediately screwed them shut again as the harsh glare of morning sunlight flooded his hotel room. The room smelt of stale beer and stuffy, over-breathed air. The steady hum of traffic outside hurt his head and his mouth tasted of sawdust.
He hauled in a breath and squinted at his watch. Almost lunchtime. A snore like a buzz saw cut into his consciousness and he raised his head from the pillow to look at Noah, still sleeping on the other bed on the far side of the room. Ian couldn’t help grinning when he saw the black lacy garter hanging from the corner of the bed head and a pink feather boa puddle on the floor. Spoils from a raiding party on a group of hens out for the night at the same club.
The first part of his best man duties had gone well. Noah’s stag party had gone off without a hitch and he’d managed to get the groom back to the hotel in one piece. He ran his tongue over his dry lips. Time he hit the shower before his roommate woke up and beat him to it.
* * * *
“How much did I drink last night?” Noah took a long pull from his bottled water.
“You don’t look too good, Dude,” Brad had joined them on the rear terrace of the hotel.
Adam arrived and took up the other vacant seat. “Don’t get married again, Noah. I’m getting too old for this stag night stuff.”
“That’s because it was your stag party only a few months ago,” Ian reminded him.
“Yeah, just Brad and you to go now, Ian,” Adam punched him lightly on his arm.
“Yeah, well you’d better get in practise for mine.” Brad’s tanned face split into a grin. “Etty’s said yes. My bachelor days are numbered.”
Ian’s spirits dipped slightly as the others congratulated Brad. Not that he wasn’t pleased for his friend, but he knew the spotlight would inevitably fall back on him. Whatever had started to happen between him and Emma was still too new and fragile to bring out into the open. He wasn’t sure what her feelings for him really were. Did she care about him or was she still on the rebound from her split with Matt?
Fortunately Noah came to his rescue when Adam and Brad started their teasing questions. Noah definitely knew there was something going on. He’d made it plain with his questions to Ian when they’d booked into the hotel the night before at the start of the stag evening. Noah might be his best and oldest friend but he was very protective of his younger sister.
“We’d better head back to New Bay. I need to return you gentlemen to your women and I’ve got evening session at the practice.” Ian stood and tucked his chair back under the table.
The others groaned but complied and before long they were on their way home. The fresh air streaming in through the open windows of the car swept away the last traces of their hangovers.
He dropped Adam and Brad back at their homes before taking the turn for High View Farm. It had been so busy in the run up to Noah’s stag party he hadn’t had chance to see Emma. A few texts were all he’d managed. They had a date tonight though, more dance practise for the wedding reception. He grinned as he drove along the track to the farm. Tonight he would have Emma in his arms again, and he could hardly wait.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Emma froze in place as she locked the door of her car outside Ian’s cottage. Ever since Matt had last spoken to her she’d known this moment would come. She simply hadn’t anticipated that it would be outside Ian’s home on a bright summer evening.
“Hi Emma.” Matt looked surprised to see her.
Her fingers tightened around the handle of the bag containing her wedding shoes. “Hi Matt.”
She waited for the familiar surge of longing. He probably wondered why she was dressed up in a long cotton skirt instead of her usual shorts or jeans.
He nodded his head towards the white cottage at the end of the row. “I was just on my way to Tammy’s.”
“Oh yes, yes, of course.” She wished she hadn’t stammered. It made her sound stupid and needy, as if she wasn’t over him. She’d forgotten that Tammy’s cottage was only three doors down from Ian’s house.
Tammy had been away from New Bay for over a year. She’d gone travelling and had stayed out in India to work with street children there.
“I heard Noah’s stag night was a blast,” Matt said.
“Um, yes, I think so.” She really was the queen of conversation tonight.
She heard the click of a door opening. “I should get going. Say hello to Tammy for me.”
Ian appeared at her side. “Do you want a hand with any bags?”
Her spirits lifted. “No, it’s okay. I’ve only got this one.”
Ian took the bag from her, moving to stand protectively at her side.
Matt’s expression cleared as if a penny had just dropped. “I’ll see you both at the wedding then.”
“I saw you from the window. I didn’t know if you were okay.” Ian fell into step beside her as they crossed the street to his home.
“Matt was asking how the stag party went.” She couldn’t resist a quick glance towards Tammy’s cottage before she entered Ian’s home.
She knew Ian had noticed from the way his mouth had tightened and wished she hadn’t given in to temptation.
She watched as he placed her bag on the floor of the lounge. “I brought my heels so we could practise and I thought I ought to wear a skirt as I’ll be dancing in my bridesmaid's dress.” She was gabbling but couldn’t seem to stop herself.
“Sure. Would you like a drink before we start? It’s hot in here tonight.” Ian entered the kitchen and she heard the soft snick of the fridge door opening.
“Iced water would be lovely.” The air was close and sticky with no trace of a breeze. The thin silky vest top she’d changed into before setting out was already clinging to the small of her back and she was glad of the loose cotton of her skirt allowing air to circulate around her legs.
Ian handed her a glass of iced water and she sipped it gratefully. He had clearly showered and changed from his work clothes. She caught a scent of bergamot and citrus soap as he walked past her and his thick dark hair was still damp.
She perched on the edge of the sofa and tugged her strappy high-heeled wedding sandals from the bag.
“I’m not too sure I can walk in these, let alone dance,” she said as she buckled them onto her feet.
He placed his glass down on the side table and offered her his hand to help her onto her feet. “I guess I need to watch my toes again tonight then.”
Emma’s heart bumped as he clicked the remote to start the music and took her in his arms. She had been anticipating this moment all day in between booking campers in and out of the campsite, sorting out reservations and giving directions.
