“All right.”
“I know they care, but I don’t understand them.”
“All right,” she repeated.
Picking her hand up, he lifted it to his lips and pressed a kiss to the back of it, his gaze holding hers. “But I’m always going to be here for you, Harly. It doesn’t matter where I am, in Afghanistan, Australia, an Army base thousands of miles away or only fifty, I’m a phone call, an email, a web cam away. You contact me, and I’ll get back to you. Know that.”
She nodded, the cool crystal clearness of her eyes so startling in the dimness of the car.
“I can’t physically be here all the time.” Leaning toward her, he reached out and placed his palm against her cheek. “But spiritually, mentally, call it what you like, I’ll be here. You’ll always be in my heart, in my thoughts. I’ll write to you, email you, I’ll be in contact, Harly.”
“Okay.” There was a sheen in her eyes, a tear drop that trembled on her lower lashes.
He brushed it away with his thumb. “My family will come if you need them. I’ll come as soon as I can possibly arrange it. You won’t ever be alone again in a time of need.”
Another tear spilled out.
This time when he kissed her, it was gentle, soft, his whole heart poured into it. Breaking the contact, he rested his forehead against hers and took a deep breath before saying quietly, “Wait for me when I’m away, Harly, and I swear I’ll come back. Every time, I’ll come back to you.”
She looked into his eyes for a long time, the silence in the Jeep cab seeming to wrap them in a cocoon. He felt as though she was seeing right into his soul, searching for something, and all he could do was look at her with his heart in his eyes.
Finally, she whispered, “I’ll wait.”
The magic words, two words so many military people hung onto when they were away from their loved ones for long periods of time.
I’ll wait.
Knowing that Harly would be waiting for him would keep him going on those long nights and days, in the dangers of Afghanistan and anywhere else he was sent in the line of duty.
She’d be waiting for him when he returned.
He didn’t doubt it for a second.
Closing the small gap, he took her mouth in another kiss, gentle at first then wanting more, his tongue sweeping in to taste of her.
His hand on her breast. Her hand beneath his shirt, the cool fingers tracing the muscles along his spine. His hand sliding into her hair, pulling her closer, touching and tasting, his hand sliding down to grip her hip, seeking more.
Knuckles knocking on the window.
Gasping for breath, they both broke apart to stare at each other, then over Harly’s shoulder to where a police officer was standing patiently by the passenger door with one eyebrow raised.
“Oh - umm.” Harly turned back, fumbling for the window controls. As the window lowered, she mumbled, “Um, hi, Shane.”
“Hi, Harly.” The cop angled his torch to get a good look at Alex. “No problems?”
“None here,” Alex replied. “Sorry, we pulled over to discuss something.”
“So I see.” Shane’s lips quirked and he studied Harly’s red cheeks. “Date?”
“Yes, as if it’s any of your business,” she retorted.
Alex’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.
Shane laughed. “Catching you in a car on the side of the road necking isn’t something I ever thought I’d see.”
“You say one word to my mother and I will personally hunt you down and kill you.”
“Threatening an officer of the law. Tsk tsk. That could bring you gaol time.”
“I make your espresso every morning. Think about that next time I put the lid on your to-go cup. Will you really know what’s in it?”
“Well, when you put it like that, maybe I’ll just keep my mouth shut around your parents.”
“And your wife.”
“No secrets between couples, isn’t that right?” Shane peered past her at Alex.
Alex grinned. “Absolutely.”
“Men,” Harly huffed. “Can’t live with ‘em, but sure can live without ‘em.”
“I think you’ve taken liberties with that saying,” Shane observed.
Harly grinned.
Shane stepped back. “Well, seeing as how you’re not in trouble - that, of course, might be different to what your parents would say - I’ll let you get on with your date.”
“Thank you so much.”
“By the way.” Shane placed his hand on the windowsill of the car. “My cousin is coming into town next month. She wanted to see you about making some clothes for her.”
“Sure. Give her my phone number.”
“Thanks.” Shane saluted Alex. “Have a good night. Don’t keep her out too late.”
Harly snorted.
Fastening the seatbelt, Alex laughed. “You have a lot of friends.”
“Nosey friends.” Harly pulled her seat belt on.
“Friends can be forgiven for being a bit nosey.”
“They’ll have a field day with this. Shane won’t be able to resist telling his wife and she’ll tell someone else, and - well, you get the idea.”
Alex glanced warily at her as he put the Jeep in gear. “Does that bother you?”
“That they’ll talk?”
“That they’ll know we’re going out together.”
A slow smile curved her lips. “Not really.”
Relief trickled through him. “I’m glad.”
She looked at him in surprise. “Did you think I would?”
“After your reservations about us seeing each other? Yeah, I did.”
“Huh.” Thankfully, she didn’t sound angry or upset, just thoughtful.
She was silent for the rest of the journey, and he decided to leave her to her thoughts. Sometimes it was good to sit and think.
Pulling the Jeep into the parking lot of the pub, Alex turned it off, got out and walked around to the passenger side. Opening the door, he held out his hand to Harly.
Placing her hand in his, she made no move to get out, instead she tightened her hold and when he looked inquiringly at her, she asked softly, “Am I that hard to understand?”
He knew exactly what she meant. “No. It’s because I do understand enough about you to know that you don’t like being the subject of gossip.”
“It’s not gossip. It’s speculation.”
“Same thing.”
“Sometimes.”
Relaxing against the door, he studied her.
“But I’ve just learned something,” she said.
“What’s that?”
Using his hand for balance, she slid out of the Jeep to stand close to him. “I’ve just learned that I don’t care if people know we’re together.” Going up on tip toe, she pressed a small kiss to his cheek. “Let them speculate. Gossip. Whatever.” Stepping back, she smiled brightly up at him. “So, let’s get that promised dinner.”
Alex’s heart leaped at her admission but he maintained a light demeanour, even though all he really wanted to do as bundle her back into the Jeep, take her to a private place and lose himself in her scent and body. She’d taken a huge step in their relationship and he didn’t intend to risk losing ground because he had a hard time controlling his libido when around her.
Sliding his arm around her waist, Alex pulled her away from the door so he could shut and lock it. Keeping his arm around her, he steered her up onto the footpath. “You, Miss Bentley, are something else.”
“As in good or bad?”
“Surprising.”
“That’s a good thing.”
“Maybe you can surprise me later with some bad things.”
“Keep wishing that.”
“And it’ll come true.”
Her grin was full of mischief. “Keep wishing that, too.”
Alex stopped walking. “So what’s that supposed to mean?”
“You reckon you understand me.” She winked. “Figure it out.” T
urning, she walked through the door into the pub.
Yeah, his woman was something else. Seriously.
Grinning, Alex followed her inside.
Eight
Harly had just walked into the café the next morning when Maryanne grabbed her arm and dragged her into the small office. “Oh my God! Harly Bentley, you are a dark horse!”
“Huh?”
“You and Alex Lawson are seeing each other!”
“Oh.” She couldn’t stop the little grin. “I guess so.”
“Guess so? Guess so? He stayed at your place one night and took you out to dinner last night. That’s no ‘guess so’.” Maryanne leaned back against the desk. “Tell me everything. Is he good in bed?”
“He slept in the spare room.”
“Sure he did.” Maryanne leered.
No way was Harly going to be dragged into talking about sex with Alex. In fact, last night he hadn’t even stayed and she wasn’t sure what to think of that. After their kisses, the heated exchange in the kitchen, and what he’d told her in the car before their dinner, she’d expected him to sweep her into the house and straight to bed. But no…
“Alex was a perfect gentleman last night,” she informed Maryanne. “We had dinner, we danced to the atrocious thing called a band that Chantelle is part of, he took me home, we kissed at the door and he went back to Paul’s house.”
Maryanne’s eyes widened. “He didn’t spend the night?”
“No.” Feigning nonchalance, Harly added, “We’re seeing each other, not ripping our clothes off every chance we get.”
“Maybe you should get him to start reading erotic romances.”
Just the thought of Alex with one of those in his hands had Harly laughing.
“Hey,” Maryanne said. “Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it. I made my hubby read a couple and hoo boy! He’s a tiger in the sack now.”
“I don’t think I need to hear this.”
“Gives him ideas.” Maryanne winked and leered again. “If you know what I mean.”
“I’m afraid I do.” Harly turned to the door. “Alex and I went out, no big deal. People here go on dates still.”
“Yeah.” Maryanne followed her out. “But you don’t.”
“Maybe because no one asked me.”
“A few did.”
“Because they thought I’d be an easy lay.”
“Bullshit.”
Startled, Harly turned back to her.
“When you were seventeen, one of the local boys asked you out and you turned him down flat.”
There’d been a good reason for that, but Harly wasn’t going to enlighten her.
“You’re not exactly the easiest woman around.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Retrieving a clean apron, Harly tied it around her waist and slipped the pad and pen into the pocket. “I’ve got it on good authority that you were the easiest woman around. If you know what I mean.”
“Who said that?” Maryanne demanded, then took one look at Harly’s smirk and lightly slapped her arm. “All right, back to work.”
Work was good. Work kept her mind from wondering if maybe Alex was already a little tired of her. No, she almost instantly scolded herself. He wasn’t like that and she knew it. Deep down where it counted, past her insecurities, she knew he wouldn’t play her.
So if she could just figure out what he was doing. But who knew a man’s thoughts? Certainly not a woman. It had to be another man, but no way in hell was she going to ask Paul. No way.
Her gaze swept the kitchen and fell on Bill. Okay, maybe she could ask him. Maybe.
Or maybe she could just stop fretting, get on with work and accept Alex and what he did without letting her insecurities get to her.
Giving herself a mental slap, she stepped out into the café and her heart immediately skipped a beat at the sight of Alex talking to Maryanne. He was the only customer.
Maryanne took one look at her and beamed. “Got an order for you, sweetie.”
“Oh?” Walking to the counter, Harly smiled at Alex. More than aware of Maryanne watching, she maintained a calm façade.
And that was exactly what it was, a faked façade, because deep underneath her nerves were jitter-bugging everywhere, her blood was singing through her veins, and she just wanted to crawl right over the counter and throw her arms around his neck.
Boy, wouldn’t that have surprised Maryanne.
Good thing that she was never one to act without thought.
“Good morning.” Alex’s eyes crinkled in amusement at the corners.
“Good morning.” Harly unobtrusively kicked Maryanne in the ankle.
Maryanne swore and limped back into the kitchen.
Alex looked questioningly from her to Harly.
“Blister from her shoes,” Harly lied blithely. “What can I do for you?” And how polite did that sound?
“Five espressos and two teas to go, please.”
“The usual order, then.” Getting the cups, she positioned herself behind the espresso machine and started pouring. “How’s the house going?”
“It’s getting there.” Alex watched the coffee pouring into the cups. “Mind you, I prefer old houses. They have character.” He lifted his gaze to her face. “And their owners are usually hot.”
She nearly dropped the cup and was unable to stop the pleased colour rising in her cheeks. “Is that so?”
“Yep.” Laughter was definitely in his voice.
“Good to know. Have you met old Bert?” She picked up another cup. “He lives in one of the oldest houses around here. I’m sure you’d get on well with him.”
“I might bypass that offer.”
“I somehow thought you might.”
“So,” he said, “last night we had dinner. Feel like a movie tonight?”
“Well, we could, but the projector is waiting for a spare part, so it’ll be pretty dark and cold and lonely in there.” Picking up another cup, Harly looked at him. “Or we could do a DVD at my place.”
“Mmmm.” He smiled widely. “I do like that idea.”
“Sounds cosy on a cold night, doesn’t it?”
“Yeah. And afterwards we can fool around a little.”
This time she did slip and coffee went over the side of the to-go cup.
“Need a hand there?” Alex asked blandly.
Placing the last cup in the box, Harly started putting the tops on them. She couldn’t stop the smile that curved her lips. “I’m fine, thank you.”
Leaning forward, Alex’s voice dropped. “Oh yeah, I’d definitely agree with that.”
Pushing the box into his hands, she met his gaze squarely. “So what’s it to be?”
“Forget the DVD. We’ll just fool around.”
“Sure you want to?” The words slipped out before she could think.
“You have no idea.” His attention was diverted by a woman entering the café, and straightening, he grinned and winked. “See you tonight, baby.”
The smile was still on her face when she turned to the woman and took her order.
Maryanne didn’t have time to ask further questions for the café started to get customers in for breakfast and things remained pretty steady until mid afternoon, and as Maryanne had orders to submit for the café stores, there wasn’t much time for her to ask more questions. But Harly knew it was just a matter of time.
She was sweeping the floor when Becky entered. Upon spotting Harly, she beamed and hurried over. “I’ve had the best idea!”
“Really?” Leaning on the broom, Harly waited.
“Yep. How about you, Alex, Paul and me have dinner together tonight?”
“Oh. Well, actually-”
“I’m dying for some company, and Alex is either out or helping Paul all day, so we haven’t had much time to sit and chat about old times. It’ll be fun.”
Maryanne popped her head around the door. “Sounds like fun.”
“You and Brent can come, too,” Becky said. “It’s Frida
y night, so no one has to get up early tomorrow.”
“Leticia and Marcia have the Saturday shift tomorrow.” Maryanne nodded. “Perfect.”
Becky turned to Harly. “Come on. It’ll be fun.”
“It’s been ages since I went out to dinner,” Maryanne announced before Harly could say anything. “I’ll be there. What time?”
“Six thirty. I’ll cook the roast we were supposed to have yesterday, there’ll be plenty for us all.”
“Great. I’ll bring something for dessert.”
“You can bring Mark, too.”
“Nah, he’s doing some weird computer game with his friends tonight. He asked me to buy some snacks for it. It’ll just be Brent and me.” Maryanne’s eyes gleamed. “And Alex and Harly, of course, and you and Paul.”
“Great! It’s decided, then.”
“But-” Harly began.
“So you bring the snacks and we’re sorted.” Beaming, Becky swung around. “See you tonight.”
Harly looked around for Maryanne, but she’d disappeared back into the office.
Great. Now what was she going to do? If she cancelled on Becky, her friend would be so disappointed. But what about Alex? Crap. Crap crap crap. How could she tell him? He’d been looking forward to their evening together, as had she. Maybe she should ring Becky and just cancel, but then she didn’t often go to friends’ houses for dinner. And what would Alex prefer, anyway?
She wished she had his mobile number to ring him. Biting her lip, she had another thought. Paul’s mobile number would be in the phone book.
“I’m going to the post office.” Maryanne appeared with car keys in hand. “I’ll be back soon.”
“No worries,” Harly answered.
As soon as her friend’s car left the parking bay behind the café, Harly hurried into the office and looked up Paul’s business numbers. Within no time she was talking to Alex.
“Problem?’ he queried.
“Kind of,” Harly replied. “Becky thinks we’re coming to her place tonight.”
“Really? What gave her that idea?”
“Um…well, she came in here with this great idea of us all getting together for dinner and to chat about old times and spend time together, and Maryanne got in on it, and it sort of snowballed.” She twisted the phone cord around her finger.
The Lawson Boys: Alex Page 18
