by Lyn Denison
“Jess?” Quinn put on a horrified face. “You don’t plan on letting Jess near an electric saw, do you, Kat?”
Jess gave her a playful shove. “Ha! Ha! You know very well I’m the finance department.”
“Now stop teasing Jess, Quinn,” chastised Rachel.
“Yes, stop teasing me, you bully, Quinn Farrelly.”
They all laughed and Rachel turned to Kat.
“It’s a bit of a long-standing joke, you see, Kat. The first time Jess tried to use an electric saw, besides cutting her piece of timber, she cut through the stand she was working on, which just happened to be Mark’s father’s favorite sawhorse. Since then they’ve banned her from using power tools.”
“It was just a small accident,” Jess justified.
“And then there was the time with the electric drill,” Quinn began.
“Stop it, Quinn.” Jess appealed. “You’ll be making Kat start looking for loopholes to get out of the contract we’ve just signed.”
Quinn waved her hand. “No problems, Kat. By law you have a ten-day cooling off period for cases such as this. Luckily, it’s not too late.”
Jess turned an imploring gaze on Kat. “Don’t listen to her, Kat. I promise I won’t be doing any of the hands-on work on your house. I’m strictly in charge of the cash flow.”
Kat was still trying to settle the flutters in her stomach that multiplied when Jess looked at her, but she made herself laugh.
“On every job site,” Quinn continued, obviously on a roll, “they have one of those danger signs with the red circle and the line through it, over a picture of Jess holding a drill.”
Rachel took Quinn to task as they all dissolved into laughter again. When they’d recovered they realized most people had left or were leaving.
“Heavens! Look at the time,” Kat remarked. “We should be getting off home too.”
Rachel groaned. “And so much for our early night. Must be the fantastic company.”
“I agree. It’s been a great night,” said Quinn. “And if you want to try your hand at cricket yourself, Kat, you’re welcome on our team anytime.”
Kat laughed. “You don’t know what you’re saying. I’m perfect as a spectator.”
“Well, we need those too.” Quinn touched Kat’s arm and turned back to Jess. “We should finish off the property in Crane Street tomorrow as long as the forecasted rain holds off. Ken got all the machinery out this afternoon so the driveway can be paved.”
Jess rolled her eyes. “I’m only surprised the rain has held off long enough for us to finish. Now there’s a renovation, Kat. The house is clinging to the side of Mt. Coot-tha, and it’s been a nightmare getting everything onto the site.”
“But the views are spectacular,” added Rachel.
“So you’ve been working together on the property,” said Kat.
“Yes.” Jess nodded. “We did the renovations and Rachel and Quinn are just finishing off the landscaping. The owners are overjoyed by the results. These two know their business.”
Rachel and Quinn grinned. “We love it when the customers want an easy-care, water-wise, natural Aussie garden,” said Rachel. “And in this case it fits in magnificently with the setting and the house.”
Quinn checked her wristwatch too, and sighed. “And if I’m going to get out there early we’d better head off. Ready, kids?”
Rachel smiled at Kat as she stood up. “It was so nice to meet you and Meggie.”
Kat watched them walk away, noting the hand Quinn laid on Rachel’s back, the arm she rested around the shoulders of her daughter.
“Nice family,” Jess said beside Kat.
“Yes.” Kat swallowed, reflecting that Jess may be straight, but she obviously wasn’t intolerant. What if Kat told her—
“Kat, are we really going to walk home across the park?” Meggie asked. “It’s really dark.”
Kat looked towards the path. “I brought a torch. We’ll be right. It’ll only take a few minutes to get home.”
“No need to walk. If you can wait a while I can drop you home. I just have to give them a hand to stack away the chairs and tables.”
“We can help, too,” said Meggie, picking up her chair. “Where do we put them?”
With everything stowed in the clubhouse, they all piled into Jess’s people mover van. Jess drove around the outskirts of the park and pulled up in front of Kat’s house. Kat and Meggie thanked her and she drove away, Meggie waving to Miranda until the taillights of their van disappeared around the corner into the darkness. And Kat wanted to wave just like Meggie did.
A few mornings later, after a leisurely breakfast, Meggie suggested they catch up on the next episode of Stargate SG-1. They’d just started watching it when Kat’s phone rang.
“I’ll get it,” Meggie said, dashing to pick up the phone, as Kat muted the sound on the TV. “Hello. Kat’s phone.” Meggie grinned. “Sure, Jess. She’s here. We’re watching the Stargate series. Have you seen it? We’re up to the part where those awful Ori—”
Kat coughed loudly and shook her head when Meggie looked around, and her smile broadened.
“Oops! Sorry, Jess,” she apologized. “Kat says not everyone’s as wrapped in sci-fi as we are.” Her face beamed with pleasure. “You do. That’s great. Who’s your favorite? Kat and I just love Sam Carter. Actually,” Meggie’s face was now all serious concentration, “you look a bit like Sam, Jess.”
“Meggie!” Kat said warningly, although she secretly agreed. Jess and Samantha Carter were the same build and coloring, with similar short fair hair.
“Sorry,” Meggie apologized. “I’ll hand you over to Kat.”
Kat took the phone. “Hello, Jess. Or should I say Major Carter?”
Jess laughed and a warm glow began inside Kat. “Don’t worry. I won’t ask you to salute.”
“We’re not quite as fanatical about Stargate as Meggie may have led you to believe.”
“That’s okay. We all like it here too. Another favorite of mine is Star Trek Voyager.”
“Ours too,” Kat agreed. “Strong female lead and a fantastic story about the basic emotive need to get home.”
“Exactly. We’ll have to watch some episodes. Mark and Lucas prefer The Next Generation so it would be great to watch Voyager with someone who enjoys it as much as Miranda and I do. But, apart from that,” Jess continued as Kat dragged her imagination away from the scene where Kat and Jess sat cuddled on the couch with the Voyager theme playing in the background and Janeway’s husky voice giving the order to set a course for home.
“We were wondering if you and Meggie had made any plans for the rest of the day.”
“Plans?” Kat tried to focus on reality.
“Yes. For two reasons, actually,” Jess added.
“Nothing concrete, unless you count heading off-world with SG-1, that is.”
Jess laughed again, and the warm glow inside Kat began to blossom into a far more overwhelming fire.
“If we can we’d like to make a start on the back bathroom, and I suspect Lucas also wants to investigate under the living room ceiling. He’s been talking about it ever since the day he saw it. However, the downside for you and Meggie is that it’s going to be noisy and disruptive, so that leads me to part two of my proposal. I’m taking the kids for a picnic, and we thought you and Meggie might like to come along. It will get you out of the house for the initial inconvenience of marauding tradesmen. What do you say?”
Kat realized she was smiling as broadly as Meggie had been. “Sounds fantastic. Where were you planning on going and what can we bring?”
“Just bring yourselves. I have the picnic lunch under control. There’s a really nice picnic area about half an hour from here so what if we pick you up in about an hour?”
Before they knew it Kat had left Lucas in charge at the house, and she was seated beside Jess in her people mover with the three children in the back, heading along an open road.
Later, Kat murmured appreciatively. “That was
magnificent.” She’d just helped Jess stow the remains of their picnic lunch back in its containers. “Thanks so much for asking us, Jess.”
“No problem. It fitted in wonderfully with Mark and Lucas, and, of course, with the kids and me. I try to get as much time off as I can manage when the kids are on school holidays, and we love doing this sort of thing.”
They sat on the sturdy wooden picnic benches watching the kids in the playground nearby. Jess filled Kat in on the timeframe for the renovation jobs, then they moved on to books they’d read and movies they’d seen. While part of Kat sat relaxing, enjoying simply being with Jess, taking in each facet of Jess and her life and basking in the opportunity to get to know her better, a small part of her desperately wanted so much more.
She wanted to touch Jess’s tanned skin, kiss her wonderful lips, feel the length of Jess’s body beside hers. It was an exquisite mixture of pleasure and pain. And it was something Kat knew she was going to have to curb. Deep down she recognized that in reality she couldn’t keep thinking of Jess in this way. She had to accept their relationship on a friendly business footing because if Jess so much as suspected Kat felt the way she did she’d quickly, and no doubt politely, put as much distance as possible between them. If Kat wanted to continue with this growing friendship with Jess she’d have to banish these feelings to the far reaches of her mind. If she was capable of doing just that, she reminded herself.
“You look like you were having a doze with your eyes open.” Jess’s words brought Kat out of her troubled thoughts.
“I was I guess. Drifting after the delicious meal, in such beautiful weather, with very enjoyable company.” Kat stifled a yawn. “Sorry. That’s the result of the food and the weather and not the company, I assure you.”
“I’ll have to take your word for that.” Jess grinned at her.
“Promise. I was just thinking about the renovations.” Kat resisted the urge to cross her fingers as she stretched the truth.
“You’ll be surprised how quickly it will progress,” Jess told her. “We’re very experienced at organizing everything, dovetailing the work, the various tradesmen involved. I do that while Mark and Lucas handle all the hands-on details. We’re a good team. Just settle back and enjoy the ride.”
The children ran up then and they had fresh fruit for dessert. They spent the afternoon walking the paths in the park and playing Frisbee. Kat felt exhausted but mellow by the time Jess dropped them at home. Kat watched her drive away with genuine regret that the wonderful day was over.
“Miranda and I have decided we’re going to be honorary sisters,” Meggie said as she settled into Kat’s new bed later that night. “I’ve always wanted a sister. Haven’t I always said that?”
“That you have.” And not always at the most appropriate time either, Kat reflected, recalling one quite embarrassing Christmas at Shael’s parents’ house when six-year-old Meggie had brought up the subject.
“Why didn’t we ever have more children, Kat?” Meggie asked. “I know you love kids.” She paused. “Well, you love me. So why didn’t you have a baby, too?”
“It just never fit in,” Kat said. “Now, off to sleep. We’ve had a big day.”
“Yes, but—” Meggie sighed loudly. “Oh, well. That’s okay now because Miranda’s going to be my sister.”
Kat lay awake long after Meggie fell asleep, mulling over the past and feeling the familiar depression begin to take hold. If she and Shael hadn’t allowed their relationship to wither and die would Shael have eventually agreed to Kat having a child? Kat knew the answer would be no. The arguments they’d had swirled around inside her until she was restless and agitated.
No. No more of the past. She’d concentrate on the wonderful day they’d shared with Jess and her children. And she drifted off to sleep with a smile on her face and Jess filling her thoughts.
The construction work went on full steam ahead and Kat was impressed. So that the tradesmen had no interruptions Kat and Meggie made themselves scarce, going Christmas shopping even though Christmas was a month away and bicycle riding in the park across the street. They even took a drive to the coast and back. Meggie begged Kat to ask Jess, Miranda and Caleb to go with them, but Jess was working so Kat took all three children for a swim in the surf. Her one regret was that Jess was out of the office when she dropped the children back. However, Mark thanked her and reminded her the kitchen would be installed the next day.
Kat was looking in her refrigerator trying to decide what to have for dinner when she heard light footfalls on the front steps. Her body tensed, her nerve endings shifting into overdrive when she heard Jess’s husky voice.
“Hi, Kat. Are you accepting uninvited visitors?”
Kat closed the fridge door and strode around the breakfast bar into the living room. Jess wasn’t wearing her usual uniform of tailored shorts and shirt. Instead she had on neat jeans with a white collared shirt under a darkish blue jacket.
“Sure,” she said, quickly suspecting she’d accept Jess anytime anywhere. “Come on in and sit down. You’re working late tonight.”
“I feel like I’ve been working for days.” Jess sat in one of the lounge chairs and expelled a breath of relief. “I mean, for days and nights. Oh,” she waved her hand, “you know what I mean.”
“That I do. Got time for a cuppa?”
“I’d love one.” Jess looked up. “But only if you’re having one.”
“Jug’s ready to boil.” Kat went to move back to the kitchen. “Did I mention I love the revamped kitchen?”
Jess stood up, followed her into the kitchen and nodded. “Lucas told me you were pleased when he showed me the after photos. I knew you’d like it. It came up really well and makes the world of difference.”
“Grace popped in yesterday, and she gives it her nod of approval too.”
Jess smiled. “All good then.”
Kat reached for the teabags. With Jess standing beside her suddenly the perfectly adequate-sized kitchen had become far too small. “Actually, I was just thinking of dinner and a toasted cheese and tomato sandwich. Are you hungry?”
Jess hesitated.
“It’s okay if you’re not. I mean, I guess you have to get home to the family.”
“No, it’s not that. As a matter of fact Mark and Lucas have taken the kids roller-skating. They’re getting a meal there. I was supposed to go, but after the day I’ve had I couldn’t find the energy. So I told them to go without me. I was going to grab a takeaway on the way home.”
Kat shrugged. “You’re welcome to chance my culinary skills. I could cook us something?”
“Actually, I had a big lunch, a business lunch, so the toasted sandwich sounds divine. If it’s not putting you to too much trouble.”
“No trouble. I was going to make one for myself anyway.” Kat watched Jess running her hand over the finish on the countertop.
“Can I do anything to help you?” Jess asked.
“No. Just relax. I’ll have it a-toasting in no time.” Kat started putting out the ingredients. She relaxed a little when Jess returned to the living room.
“You know, this is a very comfy chair.” Jess wriggled and settled back with an appreciative sigh.
“It’s had many years of backsides molding it into submission, that’s for sure.”
Jess made no comment, and when Kat looked up from slicing tomatoes she saw Jess rest her cheek on her hand and close her eyes. Kat watched her, the line of her jaw, the small perfect nose, the half circle of eyelashes resting on her cheek. A strand of fair hair flopped forward over her brow, and Kat wanted to go over and brush it gently back behind her ear the way she’d seen Jess do herself so many times.
With their sandwiches in the griller, Kat quietly got out plates and cutlery. She set the kettle boiling and took down a couple of mugs and added the teabags. The click of the kettle shutting off seemed to reverberate loudly and Kat flinched, glancing over to see Jess’s eyes open.
“Sorry,” she said ruefully. �
�All sounds echo loudly in here.”
Horrified, Jess pushed herself to her feet. “I’m the one who should be sorry for being so rude.”
“You weren’t rude, just tired,” Kat said quickly.
Jess stretched, her jacket falling open, her silky white shirt molding the curve of her breasts, and Kat felt a wave of heat rush over her. Her nerve endings tingled as a torrent of wanting surged within her. Her fingers fumbled and she dropped the teaspoons in the sink with a noisy clatter. Lucky she hadn’t been holding the kettle of boiling water, she told herself, and bit back a laugh.
By the time Kat had pulled herself together and looked back at Jess, the other woman was standing on the other side of the breakfast bar, far too close—and far too far away.
“I didn’t mean to drop off,” Jess was saying. “I don’t usually. But I have had a hectic few days at work. Then the dog decided to be sick last night so it was off to the after-hours vet at midnight.”
“Was he all right?” Kat asked, making their tea.
“Fine now. After much money changed hands and he coughed up, among other things, a perfectly good golf ball.” Jess shook her head. “Honestly, that dog will eat anything that’s lying around.”
Kat chuckled.
“And all this was the night before I was to make a speech at one of the biggest business lunches of the year. So it was drive into the city, win over everyone in the room with my prepared business projections and eat loads too much yummy food. Actually,” she held up her hand, “that part wasn’t so bad. And it was after my turn at the podium so I could relax and enjoy it.”
“Just as long as you don’t expect my toasted sandwich to stack up against haute cuisine.” Kat cut the sandwiches and put them on the plates.
“After what I ate at lunch I shouldn’t be having anything, but they smell delicious,” Jess said as she took the plate from Kat.
“Sorry I don’t have a dining room table. We’ll have to make do with the coffee table.” Kat pulled it forward and sat Jess’s mug of tea where she could reach it. On her way back to the kitchen she stopped and turned back to Jess. “I never thought to ask if you would rather have a glass of wine. I have red or white.”
