by Huston, Judy
Why indeed?
He’d thought he liked a tidy life. But wasn’t a tidy life also fairly dull and predictable?
He didn’t quite know where he was heading. All he knew was that reason and logic seemed to be flying out the window, leaving in their place a humming anticipation that wasn’t a bad feeling at all.
It was certainly worth following up.
****
By 4.30pm on Thursday, Dimity was more than ready to call it a day. She’d hardly had a chance to lift her head and now had a clear understanding of why her predecessor had walked out. Gail was increasingly on the rampage, arriving at her desk with monotonous regularity to chew her out for various slip-ups: a name misspelt, a document filed wrongly, a message passed on incorrectly. More than once Dimity thought longingly of her studio at home, where she was her own boss and never seemed to get in a muddle.
But there wasn’t much time for thinking. Even the confusion of emotions that surged through her whenever she remembered that Josh might be in the hotel tomorrow was muted by the office bedlam.
Unaccountably, however, Gail’s mood suddenly improved. The final half hour of the working day was blissfully quiet.
“Maybe she found herself a boyfriend,” speculated Amanda as she and Dimity left the hotel together.
“Whoever he is, he needs a brain scan,” muttered Dimity. “I hope you’re right about her being out of our hair next week.”
At home things were no more peaceful, with Shane and Leigh bickering at each other during dinner. Dimity tried to ignore them, mentally rehearsing two versions of an email to Josh. One accepted his offer. One didn’t. She would make a final decision when she sat down at the computer.
“How about clearing up for me?” she suggested after the meal was finished. “I want to take Bert for a walk.”
Leigh mumbled something and made her escape.
“I need to sit down for a while after all that cooking. My foot’s killing me.” Shane was also set for a fast exit. “I’ll do some work on the computer.”
“How long will you be? I need to answer some emails.” From past experience, Dimity knew Shane’s idea of “working on the computer” usually involved several hours of downloading music to which he listened at such deafening volume that she had insisted he wear earphones.
“There’s no rush, is there?” Shane demanded irritably. “I’ll be finished by the time you’re back.”
He didn’t wait for her answer. Noting that his limp seemed no worse than usual, Dimity resolved to have a long, serious talk with him. But not tonight. Her stress levels were uncomfortably close to overload.
She looked at the table, remembering how easily and companionably Josh had set about helping to clear it on Saturday night.
Only five nights ago. It seemed so much longer.
She wondered what he was doing now.
Would she really see him tomorrow?
And if she did, how on earth was she to act cool and casual when even the thought of seeing him sent her pulse rate into hyperdrive?
Fetching Bert’s lead, she put the problem determinedly out of her mind. Like the mess in the kitchen, she would worry about it later.
****
At 7pm Josh stopped at a service station complex for coffee and a sandwich. In just over an hour he would be in Newcastle, settling into the hotel. Gail had sent an ecstatic email confirming that a suite would be ready for him.
His mobile rang as he returned to his car in the parking area. He smiled when he recognised his middle sister’s voice.
“Are you turning into an insomniac?” he asked. “It’s the early hours of the morning your time.”
“Too much coffee,” she said, too brightly. “Mum forwarded your email on to all of us and I guessed you’d be on the road. You sound happy to be going back to Newcastle.”
“A change is as good as a holiday. What’s up?”
“How can you tell?”
He grinned.
“I’m like someone who’s blind and then develops better hearing to compensate. I can’t see you but I can hear something’s wrong.”
Her sigh confirmed it.
“I’ve broken up with Peter.”
“Oh, hell.” Josh winced. “I’m so sorry, Kate. I didn’t know. Since when?”
“Officially today. Really, a while ago. Nobody else knows yet, that’s why you haven’t heard.” Her voice broke on a slight sob.
“I’m so sorry,” Josh said again. “I really thought it was working out for you.”
“I know.” She was definitely crying now. “Perfect couple and all that. But Josh, I just can’t handle the ex-wife and the kids thing. He’s always with them. I never know for sure when I’m going to see him. I know I’m selfish and possessive and anything else you like to call me, but–”
“Hey, hey!” Josh cut across the flow of words. “Stop calling my sister names!”
He heard a gulp, then an attempt at a laugh.
“I knew you’d make me feel better. But Mum and Dad will be so disappointed. They had their hopes up for me this time.”
Josh shifted the phone to his other ear and stretched his legs over to the passenger side.
“They’ll support you, whatever you do.”
“I guess.”
The seconds ticked away while he wished he could hug her and talk to her in person.
“Hey, Katie,” he said at last, “remember what you once told me about the glasses?”
He could hear the beginning of a smile in her voice when she answered.
“Sure do. And look what that led to for you .”
“You said – ‘Nobody can make your decisions for you. The most someone can do is give you a pair of imaginary glasses to help you see better, but it’s up to you whether you use them’. Sounds to me as if you’ve picked up those glasses and looked through them without anyone having to hand them to you.”
“Is that a good thing?” She sounded desolate again. His heart ached for her.
“I think so. At least you know what you need to do.”
Which would make it only a fraction easier for her in the long run he thought as, by tacit agreement, they moved on to family happenings and other news.
Back on the road, despite his sadness for his sister, he felt a throb of excitement as every kilometre took him closer to Newcastle.
And Dimity.
He wondered what she was doing.
****
“Come on, Bert, it’s cold,” pleaded Dimity as her canine companion stopped yet again to investigate some apparently irresistible aroma at the base of a street light. He finally yielded and trotted along for all of three metres before his nose hit the ground again. The lead tightened as he made a beeline for a car parked on the road just before the next cross street.
“No,” Dimity told him. She thought she could see the outline of someone sitting in the driver’s seat. Whoever it was might not appreciate a dog getting up close and personal with the tyres.
The reserve was not far ahead. Maybe she could give Bert a run there. He delighted in the freedom of the open area, although she wasn’t sure if she wanted to cross it in the dark. Usually she walked him in daylight hours.
****
The stop-start progress was infuriating.
By now it should have been all over.
But finally they were starting to cross the street, and there was nobody else in sight.
It had to be now.
****
Trying to coax Bert forward over the cross street, Dimity was suddenly aware of the sound of massive acceleration and a squeal of tyres behind her. Alarmed, she swung around only to find herself blinded by headlights blazing on high beam.
The car screamed around the corner, hurtling straight at her. Staggering back, she tripped on the lead. Unable to stop falling, seeing only the deadly wall of light bearing down on her, she instinctively threw herself backwards.
Pain jarred down her left side as she hit the footpath.
It
was all over in seconds. Then there was only the distant roar of the car and the sound of Bert whining anxiously in the darkness.
CHAPTER FIVE
Monday morning arrived bright, sunny and far too quickly. Groaning, Dimity dragged herself out of bed, grateful that at least she now had her car back and no longer had to depend on buses.
Somehow she made it to the office with a few minutes to spare and was lucky enough to score a parking spot in a nearby alleyway she had discovered. With a few aches and pains still remaining from Thursday night, a long hike was not what she needed today.
Walking towards the hotel she glanced at a car turning into its underground parking area, then faltered. She had seen Josh’s car only in the dark, but this one was strikingly similar.
Wishful thinking. He had been on her mind even more, if possible, since her realisation on Friday that she had not replied to his email. He’d be well and truly back in Sydney by now, and there was not even the faintest hope of another message from him. Ever.
Get over it, she told herself for the umpteenth time as she entered the hotel, deciding to forego fitness and take the lift.
From the corner of her eye she noticed the door from the underground car park opening and heard steps following her across the gleaming floor. She quickened her pace around the corner to the lifts. The last thing she felt like was being sociable with someone at this hour of the morning.
Too late. Even as she entered the lift and hit the button to close the door, a tall figure took a couple of long strides and joined her. Glancing up resignedly, she found herself looking straight into the brown eyes of Josh Williams.
The shock seemed to be all on her side. He was leaning against the wall, smiling at her.
“Hello. Nice to see you again.”
She tried to haul her mouth shut. Despite his nonchalant air, she was immediately aware of something more in his smile than she remembered. An extra spark seemed to be zapping a direct line from him to her.
“What–” She was still gawping. His grin widened.
“Miss – Incompetence, isn’t it?”
Maybe the wiring in the lift was faulty. Whatever the reason, the small compartment was quite definitely alive with electricity.
“I didn't know–” While Dimity's knees wobbled, her mind scurried around making connections.
“That I'd be based in Newcastle for the next three weeks for the convention? Neither did I. It's a nice place. I've been for an early morning drive having a look around the beaches. Good to know we'll be working in the same section, by the way.”
Maybe he was trying to relax her, but it wasn't working. Her hand flew to her mouth.
“It's not such bad news is it?” While his voice teased, his expression was suddenly guarded.
“No! No!” She caught herself before yet another “No!” escaped her, swallowed, then attempted a smile which emerged more as a grimace. “But I didn't exactly give myself the best reference, did I?”
“Well, it was original. We're always on the lookout for that in marketing.”
She laughed, half in amusement at his mock solemn tone, half in sheer, inexplicable light-heartedness.
Upstairs someone pressed a button. The lift doors closed.
He had laughed with her, then his smile faded. Moving forward, he frowned down at her.
“What on earth have you been up to now?”
Almost but not quite touching, the fingers of his right hand traced the bruising down the left side of her face.
“Another stupid accident. A car nearly ran me down on Thursday night.”
Dimity wasn't quite sure how she found her voice. The electricity seemed to have transferred itself from the air to his fingertips and zapped across the millimetre between those fingers and her skin, setting off a series of pleasurable mini-shockwaves and almost taking away her breath in the process.
He winced, putting his hand on the wall beside her head, studying her.
“Are you okay?”
The lift door slid open onto the short hallway that led to the third floor’s main work area. Waiting, tapping the toe of one shiny black shoe, was Gail. Her expression of impatience changed to one of indignation when she saw Dimity apparently enjoying an up close and personal with someone, then altered again to surprised recognition.
“Josh!” She held out her hand. “Good to see you. I was at meetings all day Friday, but I heard you looked in.”
“Very briefly.“ Josh shook hands, also briefly Dimity was pleased to see.”
“Melissa’s on leave for the next three weeks,” Gail went on. “You can use her office.”
Josh nodded.
“Thanks, she showed me where everything is. I’ll need to borrow one of your support staff too, if possible.”
“Unfortunately we’re in a state of flux with staff, but I’ll see if I can find someone – competent – to help you.” Gail shot a toxic look at Dimity who was trying to edge past unnoticed. “I noticed you called in sick on Friday. That must be a record, after only four days work.”
“For someone who was involved in a serious accident only three days ago,” said Josh, stretching the truth without a blush, “I think she’s doing pretty well to front up for work at all.” His tone was mild, but there was a hint of frost around the edges.
Yes! Dimity gave the air a gleeful mental punch. Gail bridled.
“Fortunately her absence didn’t seem to make much difference,” she snapped.
“Really?” Josh’s eyes were alert. “Then if you don’t have much for Dimity to do, I’m sure you won’t mind making her available to help me out for the three weeks.”
Clearly irritated, Gail glared at Dimity, who was rather enjoying this battle over her services.
“I’d like to see that booking confirmation for the reception,” she said curtly.
Whoops.
Dimity felt her jaw drop for the second time that morning.
“I’m sure it’s organised,” Josh interposed. He gave Dimity a barely perceptible wink. “Let me get some things sorted out with Gail, then we’ll have a talk.”
His eyes held hers for a second longer than necessary before he took off towards Melissa’s office, with Gail flapping behind him. Dimity followed at a more leisurely pace, glad of the chance to try to get her pulse rate back to normal.
But who was she kidding? ‘Normal’ wasn’t a word her emotions seemed to understand when Josh Williams was within radar range.
She greeted Amanda automatically and sank into the chair at her work station, trying to comprehend the fact that not only was he well and truly within radar range, he was literally on the other side of the wall. Gail had closed the office door when she followed him in, probably to read him a long list of Dimity’s misdoings, but he was there.
Had been in Newcastle since Friday.
He had seemed totally unsurprised to see her, she mused, starting up her computer. Running into females he knew was probably an everyday event for him.
It was a deflating thought but a timely one. If they were going to be working together for the next three weeks, she would have to pull herself together and stop hyperventilating every time he looked at her.
It had to be possible to look beyond the fact that he was six foot something with gorgeous olive skin, eyes to die for and a mouth that really made you wonder what it would be like to . . .
Gail emerged from Josh’s office looking somewhat mollified and bustled off towards the lift. Josh glanced out.”
“Like to come in?” His manner was politely professional but his eyes were warm.
Remembering to grab a notebook, Dimity joined him. He sat on the edge of the desk, waving her into the spare chair.
“What was that about a car nearly running you down?” His eyes lingered with concern on her bruising.
Having half expected him to launch into dictation, Dimity was disconcerted. “It was all so quick. I’m not really sure what happened. I was walking Bert and we were about to cross the road when a
car came flying round the corner. Bert tripped me up and I fell – sideways, luckily.”
“Did the car stop?”
She shook her head.
“It was going so fast it was almost travelling on two wheels. Probably kids practising stunts.”
He grinned wryly.
“You’re having a bad run. I wondered why you weren’t here on Friday.”
While she’d been lying around feeling sore and sorry for herself, he’d actually been looking for her! Dimity savoured the thought, then eyed him curiously.
“I didn’t tell you where I was working.”
“I saw you on the intranet.” Amusement gleamed in his eyes. “Nice photo.”
“Not one of my best.” A little embarrassed that he had discovered her deception, and mortified to know he had seen the cheesy picture, Dimity was nevertheless beginning to feel more at ease in his company. Perhaps she should offer to make coffee. He seemed to have all morning to chat.
He proved her wrong by glancing at his watch.
“I’m going to be fairly busy here, unfortunately,” he said. “There’ll be my usual work, and I’ll also be helping Gail with some of the convention organising. We’re heading off to meetings in a few minutes, then I’ll have a teleconference this afternoon, so I’ll be tied up most of the day.”
Darn. He might as well be in Canada for all she would see of him. He seemed to have everything under control without needing any secretarial input.
“But there’ll be plenty for you to do after today,” he went on, as if reading her mind. “Follow-up stuff from convention meetings and general things. Meanwhile – ” he nodded at a dictaphone on the desk– “Melissa left some non-urgent typing work. It could be a good way to ease back into things – and to look occupied.”
The gleam in his eye was now positively wicked.
Dimity brightened. She liked transcription work, especially the non-urgent variety. With the prospect of a relaxed but occupied day, and the promise of spending more time with Josh, the work scene was definitely looking up.
“Gail seemed a bit hot under the collar about the VIP reception,” Josh went on, handing her the dictaphone. “Is there a problem with it?”
The need to find a venue for that wretched reception was destined to haunt her. Groaning inwardly, Dimity explained.
