‘Yes.’
‘Because your husband died?’ He knew he was probing but what she’d said about her husband yesterday had only stirred up more questions. She hesitated before nodding. ‘Were they protective of you before your husband’s death?’
‘Of course they were.’ She looked away and gestured towards her room. ‘I’ll just grab my handbag, then I need to stop off at the clinic to pack my medical bag and then we can go.’ She effectively changed the subject by walking out of the room.
Ethan frowned, his dislike for her husband continuing to grow, which was ludicrous. The man had done nothing to him and up until a few days ago he hadn’t even known of Quinten’s existence. Still, every time he mentioned her husband, sadness came into CJ’s eyes—a haunting sadness that indicated her marriage hadn’t been a happy one.
When she returned, she was her bright, happy self and they went outside. ‘I won’t be a moment,’ she said, heading over to the clinic. ‘You can wait in the car if you’d prefer.’
Ethan walked beside her. ‘Expecting some emergencies today?’
She shrugged. ‘I know Donna will have a well-stocked emergency kit but I still like to have a bag packed, just in case. Besides, there’s the usual ailments—cuts, scrapes, mosquito bites.’
‘Mosquitoes?’
‘Yes. Because the vines are constantly drip-watered, it makes shallow puddles that are an ideal breeding ground for—’
‘Mozzies,’ they said together.
She packed her bag, going over the check list twice before locking up the clinic and walking back to her house. ‘Can we take your car again? It’s a dream to ride in.’
‘Of course.’ He held the door for her before heading round to the driver’s seat. ‘If you weren’t pregnant, I’d even let you have a drive, but the seats don’t adjust all that well.’
‘I’ll hold you to that once the baby’s born.’ Once her scarf and sunglasses were in place, she gave him directions to Donna’s house.
‘What is that smell?’ he asked, as they neared Donna’s house. ‘It’s like...alcohol and...’ He sniffed again, unable to pinpoint the smell.
‘Manure,’ she supplied.
‘Exactly.’ He turned into the driveway and followed it up the winding path.
‘The vineyard owners have to save water where they can, so it’s recycled into “grey water”. Sometimes it can give off a bad aroma but it’s worse after the grapes have been crushed.’
‘And this is supposed to be fun,’ he stated dryly.
CJ laughed as Donna’s house came into view. ‘Yes.’ She waggled a finger at him. ‘So make sure you enjoy it.’
The house was surrounded with cars parked at all sorts of angles and Ethan managed to find a space not too far from where the festivities were taking place. He came around and helped CJ out of the car, his fingers lingering a moment longer than necessary. It was enough to make her pulse jump into the next gear and start racing with anticipation.
‘Thank you.’ The words came out on a breathless whisper. She glanced down at the ground and cleared her throat before meeting his gaze once more and smiling shyly up at him. ‘I’m not used to playing the damsel in distress but there’s no way I can get out of the car without help—at the moment.’ She tried to laugh off the feelings he was evoking, telling herself she was silly for even experiencing them in the first place. Look at her, for heaven’s sake. What man would find her attractive now?
‘I don’t think you’re a damsel in distress.’ His blue eyes were intense with sincerity, his deep voice slightly husky and filled with promise. ‘I think you’re a radiant mother-to-be.’
She swallowed, unable to look away. They were standing closer than she’d realised and she could still smell the fresh scent of his shower. Everything around them became a blur as they continued to focus solely on each other. Desire—surprising yet very real—raced through him at an alarming rate and he forced himself to take a step away.
As he closed the car door behind her, CJ was thankful for the momentary reprieve as she tried to squash the emotions he was forcing to the surface. She cleared her throat. ‘I’d better go find Donna. Would you mind passing me my bags, please?’
Once she had them in her hot little hands, she took off so fast he was surprised. The only time he’d seen a pregnant woman walk that quickly was when she needed to go to the bathroom! Perhaps that’s where CJ was headed...or perhaps she wanted to get away from him.
Either way, he was very glad there was a growing physical distance between them. ‘Just do your job and get back to your life,’ he muttered to himself as he followed the direction CJ had taken towards the house.
‘Yoo-hoo! Dr Janeway.’ He turned at the sound of his name being called. He was just about to head up the few steps to the front door when Tania, the receptionist from the clinic, came around the side of the house. ‘We’re all out the back. Here.’ She linked her arm through his. ‘I’ll show you.’
Ethan forced himself to smile as he allowed himself to be led by Tania. ‘Look who’s here,’ Tania chattered as they came around the house to the rear entertaining area where about twenty-five people were gathered. There were introductions all around and before he knew it, an empty plate was being thrust into his hands and he was being guided towards a rustic table laden with food. There were cold meats, cheese, salads and loads of fresh fruit.
He was greeted warmly by Donna and her husband, as well as many others, and all the while he made polite conversation he kept an eye out for CJ. Was she all right? Was she inside with her feet up? He wanted her to rest but he also wanted to be around her. She was his anchor in this strange new place and he was a little miffed that she’d deserted him so quickly upon arrival.
Had she felt it, too? That tug? That
