by Jennie Jones
‘Three of them,’ Mrs Ormond interrupted. ‘One of them hounded her, laughing at her. Followed her all the way from the library.’
‘He frightened me,’ Mrs Tam said, ‘but I didn’t let him know that.’
‘I would have swung my shopping cart at him.’
‘I doubt that, Ada, you’ve just filled it with your weekly shop. You can hardly pull it along on its wheels, let alone lift it up and swing it at an aggressive male.’
‘I would have tried,’ Mrs Ormond said.
Mrs Tam turned back to Ryan and put a hand on his arm, as though for support. ‘His two friends told him to stop being an idiot and they wandered back to their car. But this one—undoubtedly the leader of the gang—smirked at me. Smirked!’
Mrs Ormond’s face crumpled in disgust. ‘You should have wiped that off his face with your library bag—you’ve got seven books in it.’
‘I tried to go around him,’ Mrs Tam said, pushing at the bun on top of her head, as though she felt it might have gone lopsided during the ordeal. ‘But he kept stepping in front of me. So I stopped.’ She hauled in a breath and peered at Ryan with a set expression. ‘I gave him my best sumo stare, and still he wouldn’t get out of my way.’
‘Oh, Mrs Tam, how frightening for you,’ Edie said.
‘And not a man on the street to help her,’ Mrs Ormond offered, as though personally affronted by this.
‘They have businesses to run,’ Mrs Tam said. ‘Although I have to say, I hadn’t expected to be accosted in that manner and a gentleman’s assistance would have been welcome.’
‘How old were these men?’ Ryan asked.
‘Youngsters.’
‘Can you describe them?’
She proceeded to describe the jeans and sweatshirts they were wearing, the colour of their hair and the make of the car.
‘Which way did they head out of town?’ Ryan asked.
‘North,’ Mrs Ormond interjected. ‘Probably heading for the next unsuspecting elderly lady to torture with their smirks. It’s a good job I was in town and not at home. They’d have to pass my place.’
‘Everyone has been so nice,’ Mrs Tam said. ‘All the men came into the grocery store to check on me, once the news got out. Nick even closed the hardware store and drove off to look for them. But he came back saying they were long gone.’
‘Then we had another cup of tea,’ Mrs Ormond said. ‘To settle our nerves.’
Edie refrained from saying that Mrs Ormond looked more zealous than nervous. ‘Did someone call the police?’ she asked.
‘No point,’ Mrs Ormond said. ‘It would have taken them hours to get down here and she didn’t get the licence plate so they can’t trace them.’
Edie sighed. It was such a small town they’d never had a police station. The nearest was fifty kilometres away.
‘The last time we had this kind of trouble,’ Mrs Tam said, ‘was in 1996 when a campervan full of young people parked outside the town hall and wouldn’t move. There had to be twelve youngsters in that caravan. There was pilfering and all sorts of thievery going on.’
‘I remember that,’ Mrs Ormond said. ‘Terrifying ordeal.’
‘Are you feeling okay now, Mrs Tam?’ Ryan asked. ‘I can run you home. You too, Mrs Ormond.’
‘I feel it best if I continue with the duties of my day,’ Mrs Tam said. ‘Ada said she’d stay with me at the library until closing time.’
‘Nick said he’d drive us both home,’ Mrs Ormond added. ‘He’s like you,’ she said to Ryan. ‘Capable. Ex-navy, or army, or whatever. All the same really. Makes a woman proud to know there’s a man willing to assist. Shame neither of you were on the street when we needed your services.’
She sniffed, and Edie felt sure Ryan was holding onto a smile as much as she was.
‘We men are delighted to be at your service, ladies,’ he said. ‘I apologise on behalf of all of us for not being around when you needed us.’
Mrs Tam’s eyes welled with tears. ‘What a dear young man you are, Ryan Munroe.’
Edie felt a hot tingle behind her eyes too, but she swallowed it away.
Mrs Tam turned to Mrs Ormond. ‘Shall we, Ada? I have a new consignment of books I need to unpack. One or two might be of interest to you. Gang Gang cockatoos in their natural habitat and one on budgerigars and their breeding requirements.’
Mrs Ormond grabbed her shopping trolley bag. ‘If I’m allowed first dibs, Luli, I might take my full books’ worth from the library this month.’
‘I doubt there’ll be a high demand for either of those two,’ Mrs Tam said, ‘so I don’t think I will be overriding others’ opportunities if I let you have both.’
‘Thank you, Luli.’
‘You’re welcome, Ada.’
The ladies moved on, Mrs Ormond walking Mrs Tam back to the library.
‘Luli. Did you know that was her first name?’ Edie asked Ryan, vowing to look up its meaning.
‘No,’ he said, sounding as bemused as Edie. ‘I just think of her as Mrs Tam, the most gracious person I’ve ever met.’
‘Me too.’
Edie was struck with the awareness of friendship between the two women. It was difficult to judge at first, with one being so lovely and the other ornery, but it was a friendship all the same. Mrs Ormond would no doubt insist on making Luli another cup of tea when they reached the library and engaging her in further discussion about the disturbing event.
She turned to Ryan, who seemed deep in thought. ‘What do you think about the guys who accosted Mrs Tam?’
He smiled. ‘I think they were three idiots.’
‘Sure?’ she asked, worry knotting in her stomach.
‘Of course I’m sure.’ He took hold of her hand. ‘I’ll have a word with Nick though.’
She nodded her appreciation. ‘I’m sorry no-one was on the street when Mrs Tam got accosted, but I know for a fact it wouldn’t have needed to be a man. Any woman in this town would have come to her rescue if they’d seen what was happening.’
He smiled and squeezed her hand. ‘I know.’
‘Afternoon.’
They both swung around to the stock feeders, and Edie tensed. ‘Afternoon, Gary.’
‘How’s it going, Gary?’ Ryan asked as he casually put an arm around Edie’s shoulders, which made her stiffen with apprehension. She refrained from looking over her shoulder to see if the women were still outside the toy shop.
‘Just been hearing about the nonsense earlier today,’ Ryan said.
Gary pulled the waistband of his jeans higher, so it covered more of his stomach. ‘I was out the back, otherwise I’d have been out on the street in a flash. Don’t like to see our women harassed in this manner.’
‘Nor me.’ Ryan bent and kissed the top of Edie’s head.
She started sweating in anxiety but couldn’t tell him to stop, because Gary would hear. ‘Has anyone answered your ad, Gary?’ she asked, attempting to sound nonchalant.
Gary’s gaze rested on Ryan’s hand, which was rubbing a circle on Edie’s shoulder. ‘Can’t get a decent man down here,’ he said, still scowling at Ryan’s hand.
‘I’m sure someone will answer it soon.’ Like, within the decade. Edie moved herself from under Ryan’s arm and took a step away, but he simply took her hand again and pulled her back to his side.
Gary snorted. ‘I hope so. I’m feeling in need of an assistant. Someone to boss around. I need to be in charge of something and show the world how furious I can get when something of mine has been pinched from under my nose.’ He glared at Ryan. ‘Since Zenda appears to have been wrong about my love life after all. Some men,’ he said, turning his focus back to Edie, ‘think they’re special, just because they’ve been in the army. Just because they happen to engage the attention of a good-looking woman. But if you want my opinion—men like that are nothing more than liars, out to mock those they see as the lesser man.’
Edie didn’t speak but felt concerned for the poor assistant—if he ever turned up, it
was likely he wouldn’t stay longer than half an hour.
Gary grabbed a broom that was leaning against the wall, his fist knuckle-white as he gripped it. ‘Have a lovely rest of your day, why don’t you both? Don’t worry about me. I’m putting myself to work. Work strangles the anger in a man.’
He went back inside the stock feeders and slammed the door.
Edie took a breath. ‘Do you think it possible that Gary is actually Ted’s son from a previous liaison?’
Ryan laughed as though he couldn’t have held it back even for a bet. He squeezed her hand—reminding her that he was holding it in full view of anyone on Main Street.
He gave her a slow smile and raised an eyebrow. ‘Gary’s watching us out the window. I think I should kiss you.’
Her stomach fluttered. She pulled her hand out of his. ‘Don’t you think this is a bit much for Gary to bear?’
‘He’s been sending me text messages for days, telling me I didn’t play fair. Which is unfair, considering we had a gentleman’s agreement to make a play for you. We shook on it. I won and he can’t get over it.’ Ryan paused, giving her a devilish smile. ‘Although I can’t blame him for being aroused when you’re in his focus.’
The thought of Gary in an aroused state threw a bucket of cold water on her amusement. Now Ryan, on the other hand …
‘I don’t think you should refer to us having—’ Sex, but she still couldn’t say the word in Ryan’s presence.
‘Sex,’ Ryan said.
‘Relations,’ she informed him, ‘while we’re pretending we’re not in an intimate relationship.’
‘I’m more aroused by you than I’ve been with anybody else.’
So was Edie aroused—more than she ought to be. But she had to appear indifferent, so she flung her hair over her shoulder in a manner that anyone looking at her—like the women on the walkway—would recognise as her usual, slightly theatrical behaviour.
Ryan leaned back to get out of the way when the tips of her hair flew by his chest. ‘I love it when you do that. Will you do it tonight? When we’re naked?’
‘Where are you heading first?’ she asked, changing the subject and using a friendly but professional tone.
‘Nick’s. To check on the three idiots who fronted Mrs Tam.’
‘I’ve got to talk to Olivia about something, so I’ll see you in half an hour or so.’ She snuck a quick glance at the toy shop—and froze. Her mum and Viv, Olivia and Gemma were staring their way. They’d hound her with questions about what they’d just seen.
She returned her focus to the man who made her feel like Rita Hayworth, intending to give him a flippant comment about the position he’d put her in—but he bent his head to kiss her.
‘Stop right there!’ she said in a harsh whisper, a mere second before his mouth landed on hers. ‘My mother and your sister and other women I now have to answer to, are staring at us. They’ve been watching us the whole time.’
‘I look a little odd bent over, ready to kiss you and then not doing it.’
He was right. But what to do? She waited, her gaze on his deep brown eyes. ‘We’ll pretend you’re telling me a joke. Hahaha!’ She let her head fall back and gave a hearty belly laugh. ‘Oh, Ryan!’ she said loudly as she slapped him on his shoulder. ‘You’re a hoot!’
‘That’s not what you said last night.’
‘Catch you later,’ she said with another forced laugh as she took a step back.
‘Not if I catch you first,’ he said in a sexy growl.
He looked smoking hot. His jeans were worn to a soft blue and the collar of his beige work shirt was skewed, showing off his strong neck and drawing the eye to his wide, capable shoulders.
But she had to take her eyes off him.
She made her way across the road but couldn’t resist a quick look over her shoulder.
He stood with his hands on his hips, chin down in challenge, giving her his I’ll get you next time squint.
She headed on, forcing a wide grin as she climbed the stairs to the walkway. ‘He’s so funny, that brother of yours,’ she said to Gem. She dropped the grin and pulled a frown. ‘I heard about Mrs Tam. Isn’t it awful? I’m so glad she wasn’t hurt. What a terrible thing to happen. Did you know Mrs Tam’s first name is Luli? Isn’t that gorgeous! And I bet you’re wondering why Ryan had his arm draped over my shoulders while we were chatting to Gary.’ She paused to gauge their reaction and found them all staring at her with straight faces. ‘Gary wants to go out with me,’ she continued, ‘and obviously, that’s not going to happen. So good old Ryan—he’s such a funny guy—suggested he pretend to be my boyfriend. He’s really good at it, isn’t he?’
The group took a collective breath and silence reigned for what felt like an hour but might have only been five seconds.
‘You know, Gemma,’ Sammy said. ‘This union between my daughter and your brother brings us even closer together as a family.’
Gem nodded. ‘My twins will have an Auntie Edie.’
‘It’s a pretence!’ Edie said. ‘Honestly!’
‘Ryan!’ Sammy called, waving at Ryan as he walked up the steps further down the walkway. ‘You and Edie must come to the house for dinner.’
‘Sounds good,’ he called back, then made his way towards the hardware store.
‘He’s bloody gorgeous,’ Olivia said. ‘If I fancied him, I’d be jealous. Ryan!’ she called, halting his progress once more. ‘I need a big strong man to help me move a dozen fully loaded beer casks. Want to assist a single woman whose mother is demanding she find a husband?’
‘Can’t help with the husband issue,’ Ryan said, grinning as much as Olivia was. ‘I’ve got my hands full with Edie—I mean, with her stage build,’ he added, with a piratical smile.
Edie heated up all over.
‘Bloody gorgeous,’ Olivia murmured.
‘Swoon worthy,’ Viv said. ‘I’ve always said so.’
‘Oh, come on, Edie,’ Gemma said. ‘Give us a wedding.’
‘Ooh, yes!’
Edie stayed quiet while they gushed about a wedding dress, and how handsome Ryan would look in a tux, or his dress uniform, if they could persuade him to wear it.
These women were her family. All of them. And she was keeping so much from them. She’d lied, which made her sense of shame even harder to bear. Her own mother didn’t know the real reason she had come home. Not that she wanted Sammy worried, or getting over protective, but her mum didn’t deserve to have a daughter who lied.
She glanced at Olivia who was grinning wildly at something Viv had just said about Ryan carrying Edie over the threshold of Jindalee House.
Everybody loved him. They’d be overjoyed if he moved here permanently and settled down.
Where would Edie be? Back in Sydney?
‘Excuse me,’ she said, taking hold of Olivia’s hand. ‘I need to talk to my best friend.’ She had to get all this off her chest.
‘About being your bridesmaid?’ Olivia asked with an overly innocent smile.
‘Oh, shut up,’ Edie said, and dragged her away from the smothering womenfolk.
‘You’re sensible,’ Edie said to Olivia a few minutes later when they were in the back office at Kookaburra’s. ‘Stay safe at home kind of sensible, which is why I need your advice. But you’re not to breathe a word of what I’m about to tell you to the mothers.’
‘Sensible?’ Olivia asked, sitting on the edge of her desk. ‘Are you saying I’m boring?’
‘No. Just that you’re the most sensible woman I’ve ever known.’
Olivia pulled a disgusted expression. ‘I sound boring.’
‘I trust you with my life,’ Edie continued. ‘I am trusting you.’
‘With what?’
Edie rushed through the explanation of what had happened with Marcus four months ago, and more recently, and how Ryan was in the know and helping out. ‘What the hell am I going to do, Olivia?’
Olivia was wide-eyed. ‘The closest I get to a good dose of intrigue and d
rama is on television. Which proves how boring I must be.’
‘Olivia, please.’
‘Okay,’ Olivia said, focusing. ‘I’m shocked by this but I do have some advice for you.’ She inhaled. ‘Firstly, I’m certain this Marcus person is just a shifty millionaire bully who’ll get his comeuppance. Surely he can’t hurt you physically? And you can get over the rumours because …’ She faltered. ‘Well, you’re you. You’re Edie Granger.’
‘That’s just a persona. Olivia, I’m cracking up here.’
‘The Edie I know is strong and resilient.’
Edie thought about that. Maybe Olivia was right and she was being over the top in her fears. After all, the only things at stake were her reputation, her career, and the rest of her life …
‘It seems to me that you have all the assistance you need,’ Olivia continued. ‘Ryan and this Vince person. Plus, you haven’t lied to Viv or your mother—you’ve been bottling all this up in order not to hurt them or have them panic. If you’d told Sammy, she’d have moved you back home and locked you in your bedroom.’
‘So I’m not a monster daughter?’
Olivia stepped forwards and gave Edie a hug. ‘You’re the best, Edie. Best daughter, best sister and best friend.’ She let Edie go and peered at her. ‘Talking of romance.’
‘We weren’t.’
‘I want to go back to the bit about Ryan. So he took you on a ride on his Harley—and then said he wants you, but you don’t know what you want.’
‘I can’t believe it,’ Edie said, grateful that her friend understood her confusion. ‘It’s like someone’s poured glue into my brain. Every emotional torment regarding my feelings for him no longer seems real. Do you think I was just fantasising all these years? I do that sometimes.’
‘What did you tell him after he said he wants you?’
‘I said we ought to wait until I get my life sorted out.’
‘What did he say?’
‘He said we’d take it as it happens.’
‘And what’s happened?’
‘We had sex.’
Olivia stepped back, gaping. ‘You’ve done it?’
Edie nodded, stunned that she’d been able to say the word. ‘Sex,’ she said again, taking the word for a walk. ‘Hot, fantastic, unbelievable sex.’