Molly gave a crow of delight.
“You mob of dirty bitches.” Dee sat down, taking one of the Diet Cokes that Ash had put on the table. “Get your minds out of the gutter.”
“But it’s so much fun down here.” Molly fluttered her eyelashes. “You know you want to play in it.”
Shaking her head, Dee swallowed a mouthful of drink, welcoming the fizzy coldness in her throat.
“But then, you already have,” Molly stated.
“With Ryder,” Del added.
“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” Dee said coolly.
“Come on. Ryder stayed Saturday night in your flat.”
“Are you spying on me?”
“He has my key and refused to give it back. I also saw him leave your flat in the early morning, uniform all rumpled, hair all tousled.” Del smirked a little. “He looked like a man on a mission.”
“That’s because I gave him the heave ho.”
“After having your dirty way with him? I can believe the ‘ho’ part now.”
“You watch too much TV.”
“Never mind that.” Molly fixed a stern gaze on Dee. “How long has this been going on between you two?”
“Nothing is-”
“Don’t try that, Miller. No one here will believe that. You’ve been acting a little odd lately, even if you think we haven’t noticed. Lady, you blush when we talk about Ryder and sex in the same sentence-”
“Like right now,” Del put in. “Look at those cheeks. Put Rudolph’s nose to shame. You could be the brake lights on Santa’s sleigh with those cheeks while Rudolph takes the lead.”
Said cheeks burning, Dee flipped her the bird.
“Not to mention that you didn’t slap Ryder stupid when he kissed you this morning.” Ash nodded. “Dee, you’d take off anyone’s head who tried to kiss you. Ryder kissed you and all you could do was stand there panting, holding onto him.”
“What? I wasn’t panting!”
“Huh. That’s what’s doing the rounds.”
“Oh great. The grape vine with added bits. We made the big time.”
“Is it true you didn’t want him to leave, that you begged him to go upstairs?”
“No. Who told you that?”
“Vic.”
“I’m going to bury that bastard.”
Ash laughed.
“Seriously.” Del looked hard at Dee. “What’s going on?”
All three women stopped eating and watched Dee.
“Nothing.”
With a gentleness that Dee had come to expect from her, Ash laid her hand on Dee’s and said softly, “We know you have feelings for Ryder. No one told us, we could see it. I thought you’d be happy that Ryder is finally returning those feelings.”
If it had been anyone but Ash, Dee would have told them to go to hell, but when she looked into those gentle eyes, that caring face, then glanced around to see the genuine caring and concern in her friends’ faces, she sighed. “Okay, I’m not going to lie. I have feelings for Ryder.”
Ash squeezed her hand.
“And he says he has feelings for me.”
They all waited.
“I’m not so sure he does,” Dee finished.
“Why?” Molly asked.
“It’s too quick. Not long ago he was boffing Jaci-”
“Didn’t get that far,” Del interrupted. “You saw to that.”
“That was an accident.”
“Still…”
“Don’t split hairs. Ryder’s been shagging the women of Gully’s Fall and beyond for years. He’s probably shagged half of Australia. Suddenly he thinks he has feelings for me. I mean, really?” She gave a laugh, a shrug, but she wasn’t fooling her friends.
“Ryder’s had feelings for you since you were high school kids.” Del shook her head. “The dumb arse just didn’t know it.”
“Sometimes love needs to be revealed by something,” Ash added. “You know, something happens and suddenly it’s clear.”
“Yeah.” Molly arched one brow. “So what happened?”
“Isn’t lunch time over?” Dee queried, not at all comfortable.
“Not even half. When did it start and what happened?”
“Jesus, Molly. Are you a pervert?”
“Don’t start with me, Miller. I want to know what happened and when.” Molly paused, glanced at Ash’s raised eyebrow. “Purely for helping to identify what caused the change.”
“Oh yeah, it wouldn’t be because you’re nosey,” Del said.
“You make it sound like menopause. The Change,” Dee added.
“I’ll be in menopause by the time you finally talk if you don’t hurry up,” Molly retorted.
Dee took another swallow of Diet Coke, pushing her bowl of fruit salad aside, her appetite completely gone.
“It’s okay,” Ash soothed. “If you don’t want to talk-”
“What?” Molly glared at her. “If this dumb sheila doesn’t spill her guts, she’ll be walking in circles like Ryder has done all these years. That’s not helping her.”
Before Ash could reply, Dee tapped the table. “Ladies.” She paused. “And Molly.”
Molly rolled her eyes.
“Look, its simple. I kind of accidentally kissed Ryder and he came to apologise because I ran away and things got heated when Dawson was there and it all got out of control.” Dee squinted at the opposite wall. “Three times.”
“What?” Del stared at her.
“Three times?” Even Ash was surprised.
“You call that simple?” Molly shook her head. “That’s not simple. That’s convoluted beyond all reason.”
“Are you telling us you shagged Ryder by accident three times?” Del demanded. “How the hell can you call three times an accident?”
“Well, the first time was because Jason made us fight.”
“Made you?”
“Long story. Fairer to say it was because Ryder kind of got all up in his face about it, then mine. For daring to help Jason. He was worried,” Dee added.
“Jason was worried?”
“No, Ryder was worried about me being with Jason. Then he got all bent out of shape about me helping Jason.”
“Ahhh.” Molly nodded knowingly. “Ryder was jealous.”
“Mad sex.” Ashe sighed dreamily. “That’s great sex.”
They all looked at her.
“Oh boy,” Del said. “You’re spilling the beans later.”
“You couldn’t drag it out of me with a forklift,” Ash retorted.
“Don’t worry, I’ll give it a go.”
“Ignore those two.” Molly flapped her hand at them. “Continue with this totally screwed up story, Dee.” She grinned. “Did I say screwed?”
“I’m not even going there,” Dee replied dryly.
“Come on.” Del beckoned to her. “Ryder was jealous, you had mad sex. Then what?”
Her cheeks flared a little. “Um…well…we fell asleep and then during the night we did it again, and then he left.”
“Without saying a word?”
“Well, to be fair I got up first and went to the shop and - look, it happened. Then I cut myself, he slept on the sofa, I found him, things got out of hand. Again.”
“Seems to get out of hand quite a bit,” Del observed.
“Best way,” Ash said.
Molly grinned. “Amen, sister. My loins hear you.”
“That’s disturbing.” Del grimaced. “And can I add - ewww?”
“Wait until you’re rocking the bed,” Molly replied. “Unless you already are and we don’t know about it.”
“My non-existent love-life is not in question here.” Del pointed her half eaten roll at Dee. “So what happened? There’s more to this.”
Dee sighed. “Suddenly Ryder thinks he has feelings for me. But I mean, really? All of a sudden we’ve slept together three times and he gets all ‘there’s something between us’ and ‘I’m going to prove it to you’ and shit. I mean, come on.” She
gave a small humourless laugh.
Molly, Del and Ash exchanged glances.
“Oh great.” Dee sighed again. “What?”
“He’s telling the truth,” Molly answered. “I believe him.”
Dee looked at her.
“I do. Come on, Dee. Whenever you’ve been together in the past, there’s always been a spark between you. The difference is you knew what it was and Ryder didn’t, and mate, I’m telling you this with all the friend love in my heart-”
“Oh boy, this should be good.”
“- you did nothing to let Ryder know you were interested in him.”
Dee stared at her. “Are you saying it’s my fault?”
“No, I’m just saying cut the bloke some slack. You’ve had years to grow used to the idea, he’s just been hit over the head with it. Now, in his usual gung-ho fashion, he decides its fine to lay claim, to announce his intentions and go for it, while you’re all, ‘Oh no. Oh my, I can’t trust him. Oh no, I couldn’t possibly give him a chance. I gave him my body - three times - but I can’t possibly think he’d be really interested’. Dee, this man comes running even before you call for help, been by your side through thick and thin as kids and adults, and everyone in town can see you’re perfect together. He’s kissed you in front of people and stated - stated - that he’s going to prove it to you. Jesus, what more do you want?” Molly paused, glanced around at everyone watching her with varying degrees of amusement and incredulity. “What?”
“Lay it on the line, sister,” Del replied.
“Say it like it is.” Ash smiled.
“Don’t hold back on my account,” Dee said.
Molly placed her sandwich down. “Look, I was scared to commit to Kirk, but I did, and look where that got me.”
“Shotgun wedding.”
“No, you idiot. Well, yes, but it also got me the most perfect man in the world, a baby coming-”
“A white rat and two chooks,” Del added unhelpfully.
“And a life I wouldn’t trade for anything.” Molly softened. “Sometimes you just have to put it out there.”
“I did,” Dee said. “Three times.”
Molly dropped her forehead onto the table.
“Okay, okay. Fine. I can see what you’re saying.”
“Thank God.” Molly’s voice was muffled. “I couldn’t do this again.”
“Well, Del’s not hooked up yet,” Ash pointed out.
“Oh, Jesus help me.”
Ignoring Molly, Del gazed at Dee. “So, you’re going to give him a chance?”
“I’m going to think about it,” she replied cautiously.
Molly didn’t raise her head from the table. “Someone shoot me.”
“I’m not someone who trusts easily, okay? It takes a little time.”
“For crying out loud, you’re killing me!”
“Maybe you need to learn to meditate.”
Molly lifted her head to glare at her.
“Wow. Okay.” Dee held her hands up, palms outwards. “I’m thinking about it okay? Chill, Morrison.”
Molly looked oddly at her, then a slow smile spread across her pretty face.
“What?”
“I said that to Kirk not long after I met him. Maybe that’s an omen.” Molly looked at Del. “It’s an omen, right?”
“Sure, you go with that.” Del patted her hand.
“So, change of subject.” Ash pointed at Dee’s arm. “What’re the police thinking of those broken pots?”
“No clues.” Relieved to be off the subject of Ryder and feelings in general, Dee fingered the water proof dressing lightly. “The jerk didn’t leave any calling cards.”
“Huh.” Molly frowned. “Do they think its kids?”
“Your husband is a copper, hasn’t he told you?”
“Kirk doesn’t discuss his cases with me.”
“He’s your husband.”
“Some things are confidential.”
“So shag it out of him. You’re good at that.”
“Has Kirk been boasting of my sexual prowess?”
“I can’t believe we’re having this conversation,” Del said.
“I can,” Ash replied dryly.
Dee’s eyes narrowed. “Confidentiality may be true, but I also know people in stressful jobs discuss things with their spouses.”
Molly huffed, glanced away.
“I bet he’s discussed things with you before.”
“I’m not saying a word. You can beat me with a broomstick and I wouldn’t say.”
“How about a tree trunk? Bet you’d squeal like a pig then.” When Molly just cut her eyes sideways at her, Dee grinned. “I bet Kirk says some things to you, and you’re as closed-mouthed as he is. I respect that.”
“Really?” Molly’s eyes widened. “You respect me?”
“Let’s not get too carried away. I said I respect the fact that you can keep your mouth shut. Big difference.”
“Thank God. I was thinking you’d been replaced with an alien overnight.”
“I might actually take the respect bit back.”
“Too late.” Molly popped the last of the sandwich in her mouth, spraying out a few crumbs as she said, “Truthfully, you know as much as I do about this vandalism. They have no clue.”
Del and Ash looked at Dee.
“Bet I know,” Dee muttered.
“Yvonne?” Del circled the rim of her soft drink can thoughtfully. “You really think she’d do this?”
“You don’t?”
“I’m not sure.”
“The mad bitch ran me off the road awhile ago. Do I think she would break some pots as well? Hell yeah.”
“The police know, so undoubtedly they’ll talk to her,” Ash said.
Dee glanced at Del.
“Oh shit.” Molly frowned. “You did tell Kirk about Yvonne, didn’t you?”
“Sure.”
“Dee!”
“I said I’d pissed her off. Yes, I told him. Geez, what kind of an idiot do you think I am?”
“You want me to answer that truthfully?”
“Do you want me to hit you with a tree trunk?”
“Girls,” Ash said warningly. “No violence, especially towards a pregnant woman.”
Molly smiled smugly.
“I can wait until after the sprog has sprouted,” Dee said. “In fact, I’ll pencil you in on my calendar.” The door bell jingled and with a sigh Dee got to her feet. “Duty calls.”
“Yeah, we better get back to work as well.” Molly stood and started collecting the lunch wrappings while Ash picked up the empty tins.
Dee strode out, only to falter at the sight of the woman standing by the counter. Tall, slim, regal, neat black hair in a shiny bob that just brushed her shoulders, dressed in a pair of tight-fitting jeans and pale pink blouse, a pair of high-heeled sandals on her elegant feet.
Hells bells, Mrs Montague was in her shop.
“Uh oh,” Del breathed from behind her. “Ryder’s mum.”
“It’s all good.” Taking a deep breath, Dee plastered a smile on her face and resumed walking.
Mrs Montague looked towards her, and it was like looking at a feminine Ryder. Where her son was sinfully handsome, Mrs Montague was a stunning beauty. Her son might be one of the most eligible bachelors in town, not to mention outlying towns, but Mrs Montague had been one of the most sort-after single women in her younger days. In fact, there were a few men who wouldn’t have minded having a fling with her now even though she had been happily married for years and was devoted to her family.
The only difference between her son and her was that Ryder had been happy to bed the female population since he was a teenager, whereas his mother had been very prim and proper. Ryder’s father, on the other hand, had been a bit of a player like his son in his younger days, though thankfully he’d settled down. No man would be fool enough to dally on the side when he had a wife like Mrs Montague. One - he was too deeply in love with his wife, two - he was devoted to his family,
three - she’d kill him if he ever thought to dally. Three good reasons to settle down.
“Hello, dear,” Mrs Montague greeted Dee.
“Hi, Mrs Montague.” Dee slipped behind the counter, feeling a little safer with the bulk of it between her and Ryder’s mother. “What can I do for you today?”
Mrs Montague smiled as Dee’s friends and cousin sidled past. “Hello, girls.”
“Mrs Montague,” they all chorused respectfully.
Cripes, it was like being at school all over again, wondering what one of the adults was wanting with the kids.
As Mrs Montague turned to face Dee again, Molly and Ash slipped out the door, Del following, but not before she looked at Dee, made a phone gesture with her thumb to her ear and little finger to her lips, pointed to Mrs Montague’s back and mouthed “Call me”.
Ignoring her cousin, Dee smiled politely at Mrs Montague.
“I won’t mess around, dear,” Mrs Montague said. “You’re seeing my son.”
“Not really.” Dee managed not to let the smile slip. “Kind of.”
“He spent the night with you.”
“Extenuating circumstances, I assure you.”
“You cared for him while he was sick. I thank you for that.”
“No worries.” Play it cool.
“I was very surprised one of his Aunts couldn’t look after him.”
“They were unwell.”
“He has a lot of friends.”
“I’m sure a lot of the ladies would have loved to play nurse.” Dee bit her lip and coloured when those dark blue eyes, so like her son’s, levelled on her. “I mean…”
“I know what you mean, dear,” Mrs Montague said coolly. “Ryder’s made quite an impression around town and beyond.”
Geez, that was putting it mildly.
“However, it was you who stepped in and looked after him, even made him take medicine which was a miracle in itself.” She smiled. “Thank you.”
“That’s what friends are for.”
That level gaze ran over her face assessingly. “Friends.”
“Since childhood.”
“I know since when. But Dee, my son no longer thinks of you as just a friend.”
“Um…” Dee didn’t know where to look or what to say.
Mrs Montague continued in a perfectly reasonable, no-nonsense tone. “That boy has finally made the best decision of his life. Took him awhile to wake up to the fact that the woman for him was right in front of his face this entire time. He’s a bit of a dumb arse at times.”
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