8

‘So, what’s your story?’ Nate’s deep tones interrupted my thoughts.

‘Huh?’ I squeaked, caught off guard. Thankfully a sudden gust of wind took my words and washed them out to sea, so any guilt that might have been interpreted in my tone at not having been entirely honest about my background was taken with it.

‘I said, what’s your story? How’d you end up in Wishington Bay?’ he asked again as he unlocked the door to the house and then stood back for Bryan and me to enter first.

‘Oh,’ I said, bending down to unfasten the little coat the dog had been tucked into. Bryan wriggled out and zoomed off to his water bowl and began lapping quietly. ‘Fancied a change. Got in the car. Stopped when I ran out of petrol. You know, the usual sort of thing.’ I repeated a story I’d told plenty of times now, and it was true. That was exactly what had happened. There’d just been a lot more drama and emotion wrapped up in the original exit than the casual tone applied to the tale suggested.

Nate stepped closer and began helping me off with my coat.

‘No need to look quite so surprised,’ he said, that hint of smile flitting across his face. ‘I know you think I’m an obnoxious grouch, but I was brought up with manners. Honestly.’

‘That’s not what I think at all,’ I replied, letting the coat slide from my arms, watching as he carefully hung it on a hook in the hallway.

‘Fibber,’ he grinned this time, as brief as a shooting star, his face lighting up in delight at the tease.

‘I’m not!’

‘OK.’ He didn’t look up from where he was now sat unlacing his boots, but I could tell from his tone that he didn’t believe me.

I pulled off my own and snagged the bag Nate had been carrying across the hall towards me. Fishing out my indoor flat shoes, I pulled them on, ready to get started on work. But his reply was bothering me.

‘I really don’t think you’re a grouch.’

He sat up, his bright blue eyes fixing on me, and for a moment I lost the ability to think entirely.

God. Did he have to be quite so ‘good looking with a hint of vulnerable’? It really was quite inconvenient.

Nate tilted his head. ‘You planning to let me in on that conversation any time soon?’

I stuck my head in the under sink cupboard, ostensibly to grab the cleaning caddy that held all the paraphernalia I would need. The other benefit was that it took me out of the sightline of Nate for a moment while I got my head around the fact that he kept doing what he’d just done. I’d been married for over fifteen years and not once had my husband seemed to have a clue what was in my head. Admittedly, some of that had been my fault. After a while, I hadn’t wanted him to know. But with Nate I didn’t seem to have a choice. It was like the words were being projected on my forehead for him to read. And I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.

‘Are you sure you don’t mind me cleaning while you’re here?’

‘Yes. I’m sure. And full points for the swift change of subject.’

Bloody hell. This bloke didn’t miss a trick. Clearly denial wasn’t going to work so I just went with it.

‘Thanks.’

He gave me a look that leaned towards exasperation, but there was a hint of smile – if you looked hard enough.

‘I’m just going to pop some soup on to cook for tomorrow and then I’ll be upstairs, out of your way for a while.’

‘You’re not in my way. And you don’t need to keep feeding me. I’m pretty sure that wasn’t in your contract.’

‘Actually, I’m being cheeky and borrowing the soup maker to make some lunches for myself. As for the rest? Yes, it sort of was.’

His dark brows knitted together. ‘So Gabe thinks I’ve completely lost the ability to look after myself?’

‘Oh, stop being so paranoid,’ I said, flicking him with a duster as I passed. ‘If it had been left to Gabe, you’d have been next door completely fending for yourself. It’s Holly you have to thank for all the extra touches.’

He said nothing and I headed off into the beautiful, bright kitchen area. As I piled some carrots, potatoes and coriander on to the worktop, Nate appeared and lounged against the doorjamb.

‘I’ve barely met Holly. Just sort of in passing on Skype. She’s been very tactful and left me and Gabe to it.’

I glanced up momentarily from peeling the carrots. ‘She’s lovely. She and Gabe have been wonderful for each other.’

‘So I hear.’

I gave another glance and stopped.

‘Planning to let me in on that conversation anytime soon?’ I asked, repeating his own phrase back at him. He rewarded me with a smile that was more than his usual ghost of one.

‘I don’t know. Usually these things are reciprocal.’

I waved the knife in my hand before setting about chopping the carrots into chunks. ‘Believe me, you’re not missing out on anything in here.’ I rolled my eyes back in my head in an attempt to point at my own brain. The action seemed to amuse him and as smile lines crinkled round his eyes, his whole face changed. I was surprised at how pleased I was to see the transformation. Although as it only added to his attractiveness, another, more rational part of me was flapping about, blowing a panic whistle so hard that the pea shot out!

‘I’m not so sure about that.’

‘I am. So, what are those thoughts swirling round in your brain? They look far more interesting.’

He smiled again, then pushed himself away from the doorway and pulled out a stool from the worktop opposite where I was working.

‘I’m just a little surprised someone would go to all this effort for a person she hardly knows.’

I frowned at him briefly as I chopped the potato and added it to the soup maker. ‘You’re going to be her brother-in-law.’

‘Still…’

I shook my head as I measured the stock to add. ‘Remember what I said about Ned, and family?’

He nodded.

‘Holly’s the same. Even more so because you’re going to be actual legal family. Of course she’s going to want to make sure you’re comfortable. Plus she knows what it’s like to be unhappy,’ I added, pouring in the stock and setting the machine going. ‘Wishington Bay helped change her life for the better. I think she’s hoping it will work its magic on you too, and anything she can do to help that along, she will.’

He hadn’t replied and as I turned round from where the machine was plugged in, I saw his expression had closed off.

‘And you can knock that off too.’

His head snapped up. ‘Excuse me?’

‘That mean and moody, silent tough guy look. I’ve had enough of that. You have a lovely smile and you’re not such an arse when you’re being yourself so do us all a favour and be that chap.’

Silence.

I used to be pretty good at keeping everything in. Not saying what I thought. It wasn’t the done thing where I grew up. But since moving here, starting again, I’d rather lost the knack. It had been a relief to be honest. I was always careful to try to be tactful but occasionally my mouth ran ahead of my brain.

‘You’re big on honesty, aren’t you?’

I blushed, not just because Nate was studying me intensely. He was right. I was big on honesty, but I also knew I hadn’t been entirely honest with him – or anyone in Wishington Bay. And at his comment, the guilt of that gave me a good nip on the backside.

‘When it’s possible, yes.’

‘Are there times it isn’t possible?’

‘Occasionally.’

‘Such as?’

I swallowed, avoiding his eyes as I cleared up the detritus from the soup preparation. ‘Well, you always have to consider the situation, don’t you? People’s feelings, etcetera.’

‘And did you consider my feelings when you just called me a grumpy sod?’

Wiping the counter off, I gave a brief glance. ‘Those weren’t my words and you know it.’

‘No. In fact, you called me an arse.’

I shrugged. I had, so there was hardly any point in denying it now.

‘But I offset that but saying that you have a lovely smile. Which you do.’

‘And you reckon that makes it even.’

‘Pretty much.’

I risked a glance. His gaze locked onto mine. My confidence was wavering but I wasn’t about to show him that. ‘Don’t you think?’

Nate seemed to be considering the possibility.

‘It’s a long time since anyone’s said anything like that to me.’

‘What? Called you an arse?’ I raised my eyebrows. ‘Not being rude, but I kind of find that hard to believe.’

He considered me for a moment. ‘OK. Kind of rude, actually, but point taken, and I’m sure you’re right. I don’t suffer fools gladly and that can sometimes translate as being an arse, depending on who you speak to.’

‘That’s probably accurate but it doesn’t mean they’re right.’

‘True. But I was actually referring to the other part of your comment.’

I thought back. ‘The compliment part?’

‘Yes.’

I smiled. ‘Oh, come on. You do possess a mirror, right?’

He shook his head, but the expression remained. It was hard to define exactly, but as much as he tried to bluff, it was impossible to hide the sadness in those striking eyes.

‘You’re serious.’ My words were quiet and a statement, not a question.

He shrugged, the shadowy smile hovering round a mouth that was far too dangerous for me to concentrate on for too long. I met his eyes.

‘Nate…’

He waved a hand and pushed himself away from the counter. ‘It’s fine. It’s not even something I think about. Blokes don’t really, do they?’

I wasn’t entirely sure about that. Some of the men I’d met thrived on compliments. Often fishing for and revelling in them.

‘You just took me by surprise. Even if you were just trying to balance out the insult.’ He gave the briefest of grins as he turned away.

‘I wasn’t!’

He turned back, the force of tone taking us both a little by surprise. His brows raised minutely.

‘I… wasn’t,’ I repeated, trying to make it a little more casual this time, although I think we both knew that ship had sailed.

His Adam’s apple bobbed and I could practically see the cogs in his brain working. Trying to compute. What had happened to this man to think he wasn’t worthy of the simplest of compliments? Or at least for him to have found himself in such a position that he no longer knew how it felt to receive one? Whatever had gone on between him and his wife, she’d clearly done a pretty thorough job.

‘Thank you.’

I smiled. ‘You’re very welcome.’ He fidgeted for a moment and I moved the conversation on quickly. ‘So, that should be ready in about twenty minutes. I’ll pop down and sort it out when it beeps. In the meantime, I’m going to make a start on the upstairs.’

‘I guess I should get on with some work.’

‘Your enthusiasm does you credit.’

He smirked at the sarcasm. ‘I know. Bad, eh?’

‘Not going well?’

‘I’m undecided at the moment. Some days I read it back and it seems OK. Other days I feel like I may as well just chuck it all in the ocean.’

‘Well, don’t do that. We’re very proud of our Blue Flag award so adding pollution won’t be appreciated.’

‘Duly noted.’

‘Is this the first book you’ve written?’ I asked, mounting the bottom stairs as he followed me out to the hallway.

‘No. I’ve written a few textbooks before. This is the first time I’ve ever had to try and make one entertaining, though.’

‘What’s it about?’

‘Air crashes.’

‘Oh. Not exactly the jolliest of subjects.’

‘No. Not really.’

‘So that’s what you do all day?’ I asked, climbing the stairs as I noted Nate following behind me. ‘Study air crashes?’

‘Sort of. More study the best way to try to prevent them.’

‘That sounds like a pretty important job.’ I caught his shrug. ‘What’s that for?’

‘My wife used to say I should have been a pilot or something because it was more glamorous and exciting.’

I placed the caddy on the hall console and picked out an organic polish spray and cloth. ‘Glamour isn’t everything. Plus, I think airline pilots are overrated. I’ve dated one or two in my time.’

His mouth twitched.

‘I assume in your job you generally got to go home to her every night, unlike a pilot? That seems like a pretty good benefit to me,’ I said, giving the dresser in the master bedroom a quick spritz as Nate took a seat by the window and looked out at the sea, the sunlight making the wave crests sparkle as they broke on the sand.

‘Actually, I think that was one of the many downsides for her.’ His tone was laced with sarcasm.

I looked round and met his gaze. ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to bring up bad memories.’

Nate shook his head and gave that pretend smile. ‘You didn’t.’ He made no attempt to move but I got the impression that a change of subject might be appreciated.

‘You know Holly meant for you to sleep in here as your trips clashed?’ I said, motioning to the room that had remained untouched since he’d arrived.

‘I know. I just felt a bit weird and the guest room is really nice. Certainly more homely than my apartment. Or a hotel room.’

I smiled without looking up, catching the reference I’d made in my little speech the first time we’d met about him being better off in some faceless hotel chain room.

‘She worked really hard on the whole house, so you’re right. Every room is lovely.’

‘Yeah, Gabe said something about her having transformed this place.’

‘Totally. I only came here a couple of times before Gigi passed away and it was really nice. Holly had had the bathroom and kitchen updated for her but the rest was stuck in a little bit of a time warp.’

Nate turned away from the window and back to me. ‘You’d never think so now.’

‘No. She really seemed to find her niche. She’s quite in demand for her interior design services now.’

‘Gabe worries about her working too hard.’

I gave a little head waggle. ‘It’s understandable. She was a total workaholic when she came back here. The only reason she finally returned was because her boss put her on an enforced sabbatical after she had a major panic attack in his office.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes. Ned and Carrie were really worried about her but I think she was in denial about it all,’ I said, dusting the deep windowsill next to where Nate was sat. ‘And of course, once Gabe witnessed her having one, all his “doctory” instincts kicked in.’

‘Plus the fact he had the total hots for her.’

I grinned. ‘Yes. I think that certainly contributed to his attentions. He told you that, huh?’

‘He was gushing. It was pathetic.’

I flicked him with the duster. ‘I think the word you’re looking for is romantic.’

‘If you say so.’

I rolled my eyes at him and continued with my work. ‘Anyway, he just gets a little protective, knowing she has this tendency to be a workaholic. But she does love what she’s doing now. I think she’ll be OK. Holly doesn’t want to ever go back to how she was, and she’s an intelligent woman. She pulls back when she needs to.’

‘That’s good to hear. I’m looking forward to getting to know her better.’

‘She’ll be thrilled to hear that.’

‘To be fair, she doesn’t know I’m an arse yet.’

‘Oh God, you’re not going to let me forget that, are you?’

He gave a small headshake. ‘Nope.’

I straightened the bedclothes and decorative cushions and dusted the bedsides.

‘So, what’s wrong with next door?’

‘Huh?’

‘Earlier, you said if it’d been up to Gabe I’d have been next door and fending for myself. Isn’t that where Gabe was living before? He never said that there was anything wrong with it.’

‘There isn’t. It’s just not had the Holly touch yet.’

‘So that’s still in the time warp?’

‘Very much so.’

‘What are they planning to do with it? Holly owns it too, right?’

‘Yes,’ I said, shooing him out of the room now that I’d finished. ‘I don’t think they’ve decided yet. She bought some paint and just plans to decorate it throughout to start with and then go from there. Whether they keep it or sell, it’s still going to need painting. Once that’s done, she might have a clearer idea of what to do with it.’

‘It must be hard. I mean, I know this was her grandmother’s house, and Gabe said her gran was kind of everything to her.’

‘Yes. She was. She lost her mum young and, from what I understand, their dad didn’t cope so well.’

‘Difficult situation.’

I nodded, agreeing as I entered the guest room. The bed was already made, as always.

‘I feel weird you cleaning up after me.’

‘I’m employed to do it. And if you feel weird, don’t watch,’ I teased.

I picked up a sweatshirt from the chair, preparing to fold it, but Nate whipped it out of my hands.

‘I can do that.’

I gave him a look and took the clothing back.

‘Don’t you have a book to write?’

‘I have writer’s block.’ He shrugged before turning. ‘What’s that beeping noise?’

I finished straightening the room as I answered. ‘The soup maker. I’ll be down in a minute to sort it out. You can heat up the one I brought earlier for your lunch, though,’ I said, glancing at the clock.

‘What about your lunch?’

‘I’ll grab something when I get back home.’

‘It looked like there was quite a lot in that tub.’

‘Enough to keep you going for a few days. Nothing like some warming soup to comfort a body on a chilly day like this.’

‘And what about comforting your body?’