An Opportunity Seized

by Donna Gallagher

  Then Toni had sucked his cock into her mouth, while he’d stood there like a frickin’ statue, trying to figure out what the hell had just happened. Toni had made him forget his own thoughts soon enough. Her wicked little tongue and mouth performing magic on his throbbing cock. She’d sucked and licked every inch of his dick and balls, taking him so far into her mouth he’d felt her throat tighten around his head as she’d swallowed.

  They’d made love again a short time later, more slowly, taking time to caress and love each other. Then he’d fallen asleep, feeling more relaxed than he had in days—Toni tucked up safe and sound in his arms.

  But that feeling was long gone now, and Jason knew this was not the time or place to be reliving such erotic memories. Toni was about to start her speech.

  Jason’s gaze was immediately drawn to her, as she smiled at the crowd before she picked up the microphone.

  “Hello and welcome. For those of you that have not met me, I’m Toni Grimaldi. My family and I are deeply saddened over the horrible tragedy that has occurred on this site. We want you to know that we are standing here with you, beside you. We grieve for those that have been lost and hope the injured will heal quickly. We will do everything we can to help.”

  Some of the attendees started out aggressively, taking out their frustrations over the accident and the current mine closure on Toni. It made Jason bristle hearing them accuse her—the Grimaldis—of not doing enough.

  “She’s doing fine, mate. Calm down. You look like you’re gonna start throwing punches. Toni has the room wrapped around her little finger.”

  Chris was right. Jason had realized his fists were clenched by his side. He had to get a grip. Toni was holding her own. He was so proud of her—the way she was answering all the accusations and questions thoughtfully and with a calm self-assuredness that was quickly winning the hearts of all that were present. Jason could see it in their posture. Most of the guests were sitting back in their chairs, nodding in agreement as Toni spoke of the efforts being done by her family’s company.

  “I’m okay. She’s bloody awesome, the way she’s handling herself. I don’t understand how Toni ever felt she didn’t fit into the role of socialite or mining magnate’s daughter. She’s a natural. Once this is done, we’ve only got to worry about the visits to the families of the deceased. I guess Toni sitting with a few widows, sharing a cup of tea and sympathy, could hardly be classed as dangerous. ”

  “I hate to mention it, J-man, but I think your radar might be on the blink. I think there would be a mass revolt if anyone threatened a hair on her pretty little head.”

  “You might be right, Chris, but if you ever make me think you are paying that much attention to my girl again, we may have a problem. I’m the only one that gets to notice how pretty she is. Got it?”

  “Calm down, lover boy. It’s just a figure of speech. She’s not my type anyway. Toni’s a settlin’ down kind of woman and that scares the shit outta me, J-man. I’m still surprised she managed to get her hooks in you. The J-man I knew wouldn’t have gone near her. She’s got you so wound up that if she pulled the trigger, you’d be spinning around like a friggin’ tornado.”

  Chris was still chuckling at his own humor when Toni joined them.

  “What’s so funny?” she asked, as she placed her hand in Jason’s. She looked so happy. Jason couldn’t blame her either. The lunch had been such a huge success and Toni deserved to feel pleased with the outcome, with her efforts. Jason couldn’t wait to reward her.

  “Chris thinks he’s got a future in comedy but I have my doubts. You, however, luv, are bloody awesome. You had them all hanging off your every word. You should be really pleased with what you’ve done here and what you will achieve in the future with the Foundation. There’s plenty of Grimaldi in your genes, babe. You just hadn’t found the right outlet for it.”

  Jason watched in horror as Toni’s eyes filled with tears. What the fuck did I say this time? Sheesh, women—never understood ’em.

  Without warning she flung her arms around him, her strength quite astonishing as she squeezed Jason’s ribs so hard he thought she might actually crack one.

  “I love you, Jason Beck. Meeting you has given me so much more than you’ll ever know. I’m a different person now. I got brave. You gave me the strength to find the courage to reach out for what I wanted. I wish I was just as good for you. Instead, I just give you more to worry about.”

  “Oh for God’s sake, you two, get a room. All this lovey-dovey stuff is making me feel all skittish and girly,” Chris said, the sound of his laughter fading as he walked away.

  * * * *

  She paused in front of the green door a moment to gather her thoughts. The lunch she’d organized had gone without a hiccup. She’d been so nervous, bordering on terrified at the thought of facing the media whilst delivering her speech. Scared that she would trip over or spill food down the front of her neat two-piece suit, in front of everyone. But none of her predicted disasters had happened and Jason’s fears had been unfounded as well. It had all gone smoothly. But these visits to the widows were taking their toll on her. Today, Toni was meeting Mrs. Carlton. Her husband had been a miner for almost forty years and now he was gone. What could she say that would make any difference? I can let the woman know I’m thinking of her.

  After taking a deep breath then releasing it slowly, Toni knocked on the door. The sound of muffled footsteps approached before the door swung open.

  “Well, hello, dear, you must be Miss Grimaldi… Or are you one of those New Age girls that likes to use the Ms. title? Never understood it myself.”

  Mrs. Carlton was a small, dainty woman. Her silver-gray hair was neatly pinned in a bun on the top of her head. She wore an apron that was so bright that sunflowers seemed to jump from the fabric, and Toni had to fight the urge to pull out her sunglasses.

  “Hello, Mrs. Carlton. Yes, I’m Toni Grimaldi, Toni. I’m glad you had time to see me.”

  “Time, that’s all I have left, dear. Come in, Toni. Is that short for something? Antonia, Antoinette…” Mrs. Carlton was still talking as she led Toni into the house. “I’ve been doing some baking. My Harry used to say if he came home and found the kitchen full of cakes and scones, he knew something was up.”

  There was a wonderful aroma filling the house and after spotting the assortment of baked goodies on the kitchen counter Toni understood why. Lamingtons, scones, muffins and cookies filled every available space. “They look delicious and smell even better, Mrs. Carlton.”

  “Call me Bea, dear, short for Beatrice. Would you like to try something? There is quite a lot here…”

  Bea paused. Toni waited for her to continue but she appeared to be lost in thought. Toni wasn’t sure if she should say something or just keep silent.

  “I think I may have gone a little overboard this time,” Bea finally said but her voice held such sadness in it that Toni wanted to wrap her arms around her.

  “I’m sure there are families who would be happy to take them off your hands, Bea. I could help you deliver them if you like? That is, after I try one of your lamingtons. Is that fresh cream inside?”

  “Of course it is, and homemade jam as well. I might make us a pot of tea. So, Toni, why have you come visiting? Not that I’m complaining. It’s nice to have a lovely young woman to chat with.”

  “I wanted to make sure you were doing okay and let you know my family are thinking of you, that we are so sorry for your loss and to offer any support you might need, now and in the future.” Her words sounded so inadequate considering the circumstances, and Toni was embarrassed by them.

  “That’s very kind of you, dear, and your family. Pass on my thanks.” Bea poured tea into a cup then handed it to Toni. “I’ll get you a lamington.”

  Toni took a moment to look around the kitchen. Despite all the cooking Bea had obviously done, the room was spotless. Benches were neat and tidy, the kitchen sink sparkled. Sunshine beamed through the large window, bouncing off the lemon
colored curtains bringing an extra brightness to the room. A total contrast to the dark and gloomy reason for her visit.

  “Here you are. Enjoy.” Bea placed the cake on the table in front of Toni. “I’m not sure there is anything anyone can do for me. It is going to take some time to get my head around the idea that Harry will not be coming home. But, unfortunately, that is the way of life. People you love are taken from you too soon. I’m very lucky to have had my husband for so long. We’ve been married for forty-five years next March. Harry and I met in primary school. I guess people call us childhood sweethearts, and we were. I loved him and he loved me. We had our share of hard times but always worked through them together. Do you have a special someone, Toni?”

  Toni had eaten half of the lamington and it tasted wonderful. The cream in the filling had been mixed with something, possibly a liqueur of some sort, and the jam was tangy and sweet but it was all curdling in Toni’s stomach. It was all so sad. She and Jason had only known each other for a moment compared to the life Harry and Bea had shared. “Yes I do, his name is Jason. It’s all very new for us, though. We only met a short time ago.”

  “My advice to you is if you love him, don’t hesitate. Grab hold of happiness with both hands and don’t let go. Live life like there is no tomorrow. I wouldn’t trade a minute of my life with Harry. We spoke of the dangers involved with his job, I understood that this day might come, but what could I do? Mining was in Harry’s blood. His father was a miner and his grandfather. It was rumored that Harry’s great-grandfather was a rebel during the Eureka Stockade. It’s a tough job and Harry’s working days were coming to an end. He would have been forced to retire soon. He was getting on, you know.” Bea winked.

  “Was it hard, worrying about him when he went off to work?”

  “I didn’t worry, Toni. Harry knew what he was doing. He didn’t take risks and he wasn’t foolhardy. You can’t waste time worrying about things out of your control. It doesn’t help anyone. People are taken from this life every day, expected or not. Doesn’t change a thing if you make yourself sick with anxiety over the what-ifs. Don’t get me wrong. I’m still half numb trying to come to terms with my loss. Harry was my life. I’m not sure I ever will, completely. Of course I’d hoped and said a few prayers that this kind of accident would not happen to my husband. But it has, and now I have to learn to live with that loss and sorrow the best I can.”

  This tiny woman was so strong. Tears rolled down Toni’s cheeks as Bea spoke of times she and Harry had shared. It was almost unbearable to Toni that this couple, who had loved each other for so long, were now parted. It was difficult not to feel responsible. If he hadn’t worked for her family… Maybe.

  “As to my future, I will have to think about that. God didn’t favor us with children but I do have a sister in Perth. I don’t really want to leave. This is my home, has been since Harry started working here. Long before your family took over the lease, my girl, so get that look off your face. I know your family took all the safety issues seriously. Harry would not have let the miners go in if he didn’t think it was all above board. He wasn’t the union representative but he certainly was well-known and respected. The men listened to him.”

  How did she guess what I was thinking? “You stay here for as long as you want. That is something I can help you with. I don’t want to embarrass you and talk financial matters but if you ever need anything—I mean it, Bea, anything at all—you call me.”

  “That’s very thoughtful of you, dear. I think all those matters are being taken care of and Harry did think ahead. He was like that. Looking out for me, making sure I would be okay…”

  Toni’s tears flowed even harder. “I don’t know how you can be so strong, so forgiving. I don’t know how I would cope if I lost someone I loved. How can you bear it?” This really wasn’t what Toni had planned when she’d come up with her idea to visit the widows. She’d wanted to help them and here she was bawling her eyes out and asking for answers to the questions she should be finding the solutions for.

  “You have to. What other choice is there? Harry wouldn’t want me to just give up. He loved life and would expect me to go on. He loved his job. I don’t know what it was about those tunnels but Harry lived for it. It seems almost appropriate…” Bea paused. She focused on something outside the window.

  Toni tried to see what had captured Bea’s attention.

  “I will always love Harry and think of him as I do the everyday things. Maybe he will enjoy watching me, from where he is now. You need to live your life without regret, Toni. Enjoy it. Embrace the good times and the bad times. Go make some memories with your man. My life is so much the better for having my Harry. I’ve been lucky. I have friends here—some that have suffered a loss as well. They will help me get through the lonely times. We have our quilting group and our reading group. I can bake.” Bea handed Toni a napkin. “Dry your tears. Don’t fret over me. But I thank you for coming and visiting. It was very thoughtful of you. I do appreciate it and I’m sure Harry does too. He always said that Grimaldi was a great company to work for. See? You proved him right again, dear.”

  Toni didn’t want to leave but she had been with Bea for over an hour. She was surprised Jason hadn’t already come barging in. He’d been trying so very hard to control his concerns for her safety, to not let her see the worry he was still feeling. Toni didn’t want to push her luck or give Jason more reason to be concerned. It was time to go. “Bea, the pleasure has been all mine. You are amazing and I will never forget our visit. Please promise me you will call if I can help in any way—you or your friends.”

  “I will, dear.”

  Toni rose from the chair. Hugged Bea. “Good. Don’t forget.”

  Walking away was hard and as Toni heard the front door of Bea’s house close behind her, a fresh batch of tears welled. She made her way toward the car. Jason was standing leaning up against it, making her even more upset. They had only known each other for such a short time, their love so new when compared to the woman she’d just left who had been married for more years than Toni had been alive. Toni could not imagine how broken she would be if Jason was not a part of her life.

  “Oh, luv, stop crying. I’m here. Come on. Let me hold you.” Jason helped her into the car. Cradling her in his arms, he whispered sweet nothings in her ear until she cried herself to sleep. She woke briefly as Jason carried her in his arms from the car.

  “Thank you, Jason. I’m sorry I’m so emotional but that woman was just so…”

  “Shh, luv. I think you need to get some rest. We can talk about it all when you wake up. I’m going to tuck you into bed for a few hours. No arguments, okay?”

  “Just don’t leave me.”

  “Never, luv. Never.”

  * * * *

  Toni lay snuggled up against Jason’s side as the sun peeked through the curtains heralding a new day. Jason had placed his arm over her body at some stage during the night and Toni was grateful for the connection.

  She’d learnt so much over the last few days. Tom had taken her on a tour of the whole site, explained all aspects of mining the best he could in the short time he had. Toni had listened intently as he’d explained the differences between open-cut mining and subsurface mining—the ever present dangers involved even with all the safety guidelines put into action and adhered to. He’d showed her all the reports about the cave-in. The thorough investigation had concluded that a small underground earthquake a few weeks before the accident, which had hardly registered on the Richter scale was the most likely cause. That the earth shifting around the beams and poles, which had been erected to shore up the working areas as per safety standards, had become compromised by the quake, causing the rockfall.

  “Morning, luv,” Jason said, his voice gravelly from sleep and so sexy it made Toni’s heart flutter. “What time is your first visit?”

  “I’ve got one at ten and then another at two. I’m not sure what I can say to these women. We haven’t found their husbands yet. I
just hate that with all our money we can’t do this for them, give them a chance to bury their loved ones properly.”

  Jason pulled himself up to a sitting position, his chest bare as he propped himself up against the headboard. Even the sight of Jason shirtless couldn’t shake Toni from her gloom.

  “I know it’s hard, luv, but the truth is…mining’s a dangerous business. Like being in the Army, you know the risks but you still do it anyway.”

  What Jason was saying was true. Exactly what Bea Carlton had said, Toni knew that, but it didn’t make it any easier for her to accept. She was truly grateful she hadn’t met Jason while he’d still been serving—she didn’t think she could have coped with the constant fear that he might get hurt.

  “Why don’t we go and get some breakfast,” Toni suggested, trying to distract herself from her maudlin thoughts.

  “That is an option but the dining room isn’t open for a while yet and I have another idea.”

  “And what would that be?” Toni asked, knowing full well what Jason had in mind as he started nipping at her shoulder. “Are you hungry for something else?”

  “I’m always hungry for you,” he growled in reply.

  Sighing at his touch, Toni forgot about everything. Jason licked up the curve of her neck. He was being so gentle with her, nibbling at her lips until she opened to him. The kiss started off soft and sweet but Toni wanted more. She plunged her tongue into his mouth, desperate to show Jason just how much she needed him. Their kiss grew harder and deeper as their desire for each other grew.