happened at the racetrack.
Arranging his face in what he hoped was an affable, non-threatening expression, he went into the room. Her head was bent, the nape of her neck looked so vulnerable he wanted to reach out, to comfort. She seemed to be staring into the drink she was preparing. She held an empty teaspoon over the rim of her mug as though she was trying to decide what to do with it.
‘Terri?’
She started violently, jerking the handle of the mug in her hand. Dark liquid slopped over the bench. She muttered something under her breath, put the teaspoon down and reached for the dishcloth.
‘Luke.’ A quick flush of red ran under her pale skin.
He stopped beside her. ‘I’m sorry,’ he said gently. ‘I didn’t mean to startle you.’
‘Did you want something?’ Her voice was even as she mopped up the spill. The pattern on the bench would be scoured off if she was any more thorough.
He stifled a sigh. ‘I wanted to see you-’
‘Well, here I am.’ She still hadn’t looked at him.
‘I wanted to see how you were.’
‘I’m fine.’
‘Terri…’ Voices in the doorway made him glance round. At least one of the people obviously intended to come into the room and Luke didn’t want to be interrupted or risk the discussion being overheard. ‘We need to talk. Somewhere private.’
‘Talk? As hospital director to doctor on duty or something else?’ She rinsed the cloth under the tap and hung it over the tap.
Refusal was plain in her stiff spine and he was tempted to lie. ‘Something else. Personal.’
‘In that case no, I can’t spare you any time just now.’ She topped up her mug from the urn, then flicked him a brief glance. ‘If you’ll excuse me…’
He held his hand out in a motion of appeal and she froze. Then took a small step back and looked at him fully. Her eyes were puffy and tired and all the colour had drained out of her cheeks. She looked fragile, as though she hadn’t slept well.
He nearly groaned with the need to put his arms around her. ‘Terri-’
‘I need to go. Please.’ The words were calm. Yet he had the distinct impression she was holding herself together by willpower alone. Guilt stabbed at him.
‘Of course.’ He curled his fingers into his palm and dropped his hand. She waited until he stepped aside before she moved past him.
His gaze followed the graceful sway of her hips until she turned into one of the offices. She must intend to catch up with some paperwork.
He ran a hand through his hair and smiled philosophically.
Terri wasn’t going to make it easy for him.
Sue-Ellen would have. His wife had smoothed his life for him wherever she could. He’d appreciated it. Their love had been a quiet, comfortable emotion. Not a grand passion.
Nothing like the volatile mixture of emotions he was starting to feel for Terri.
He sighed. She was complex. Combustion to Sue-Ellen’s serenity.
Terri tested the limits of his self-control-which, to his chagrin, were diminishing with each passing day.
What the hell was he going to do about her?
He had to think of something or they were both going to be wrecks by the end of their time together. Though he realised he didn’t like thinking of that in terms of a finite period.
CHAPTER EIGHT
TERRI sifted cool sand through her toes beneath a shallow wave. Her walk along the beach had restored a degree of calmness.
Seeing Luke today, being near him after the explosive embrace yesterday, had been impossible. She’d reacted like the gauchest schoolgirl. Embarrassing, but she’d been unable to help it. He’d seen, of course. The pity in his eyes had been hard to take. What did he think of her now? She’d wager that the glowing opinion he’d expressed the other day had been amended.
She turned and walked up to the path through the trees. A small part of her wanted to know what he’d been going to say in the kitchenette. Most of her was just plain afraid. She wasn’t sure what scared her the most-that the kiss meant something to him or that it didn’t. How contrary.
As she approached the cottage, a figure rose from one of her verandah chairs. She stopped.
Her heart stuttered then raced into an erratic uncomfortable riff. Damn, damn, damn. She longed to turn and run, but that was ridiculous…especially as he’d seen her.
Forcing her feet to move, she squared her shoulders and climbed the steps.
‘I guess you get to see me after all.’ She was proud of the drawl she managed. Her internal tremble was scarcely noticeable. A miracle, considering the way her traitorous heart was still pounding at her larynx.
‘I won’t stay long,’ he said softly, his expression sombre. ‘I wanted to make sure you were okay. You were upset today.’
She shrugged, hoping for nonchalance. ‘You caught me by surprise after…’
‘After yesterday,’ he finished for her. ‘I owe you an apology for the way I treated you at the track.’
An unexpected dart of pain lanced through her chest. That was one question answered. Her first kiss since her husband’s death and the man who’d given it to her was falling over himself to apologise. While he wished it hadn’t happened, she’d been shattered by the terrifying beauty and power of it. She couldn’t let him see how much.
‘Oh, that,’ she managed, praying she didn’t sound as brittle as she felt. ‘Let’s consider it forgotten, shall we?’
‘I’m not apologising for the kiss, Terri.’
She stared at him, trying to make sense of his words.
‘You scared the daylights out of me with the way you were riding that motorbike.’ He held up his hand when she would have spoken. ‘I know. You’re a good rider. Better than good-you’re outstanding.’
‘Thank you,’ she said faintly. ‘I guess.’
‘Don’t thank me. I wasn’t watching you and admiring your technically brilliant performance.’ He smiled thinly. ‘The way you threw that bike into the corners made me angry.’
‘Angry?’
‘I don’t want to lose you.’
She swallowed, looking away uncomfortably.
‘
‘Of course you don’t.’ Her heart melted. He was such a good father. ‘Neither do I.’
‘I know.’ There was a small silence then he smiled at her. A slow delicious smile that curled her toes. Her heart skipped a beat and then tripped over itself trying to catch up. She should excuse herself, send him home now he’d said his piece.
‘Do…do you want to come in for a drink?’ She heard the words leaving her mouth with a sense of astonishment. ‘Er, don’t feel you have to…I just…I’ll understand if you’re busy.’
‘Nothing pressing,’ he said firmly. ‘Thanks, I would like a drink.’
‘Right.’ She stood indecisively for a moment then turned away to open the door. ‘Coffee? Or a cool drink? Maybe a beer.’
‘A beer would be great.’ He followed her inside. Even with her back to him, she felt as though she was aware of every sound and movement he made as he followed her through to the kitchen.
‘I’ve only got light beer.’ She opened the fridge. ‘Stubbie? Or would you prefer it in a glass?’
‘Stubbie will be fine. Thanks.’
