New Boss New Year Bride

by Lucy Clark

  ‘Where will ignoring it get us?’

  He thought for a moment. ‘Back here, I guess. Fighting the attraction and then giving in to it.’

  ‘Doesn’t sound healthy.’

  He eased back and raked a hand through his hair. ‘This is so confusing.’

  ‘Tell me about it.’ Both of them thought for a moment. ‘What about…going out on a date?’ she suggested, not at all sure how he would respond.

  ‘Dating?’

  ‘Dinner, perhaps?’ When he didn’t say anything, she continued, ‘Or not. I understand if you’re reluctant.’

  ‘It’s not that. I’m more concerned about the fishbowl syndrome.’

  ‘The community?’ She raised her eyebrows. ‘I guess I hadn’t thought about it from that angle.’

  ‘We’re such a small, close-knit community. Everyone’s bound to talk. We’ll be the main discussion topic at every shop counter, at the bar in the pub, at the traffic lights in the street.’

  ‘We can try keeping it quiet if you prefer, though I’m not sure how easy that will be. Joss, you’ve been the centre of attention in the past. Are you sure this is what you want?’

  He shook his head. ‘What I want is honesty, Lis. If we’re going to go out to dinner, then it needs to be done the right way. People will talk, but I guess…we’ll get used to it.’

  ‘So, dinner?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘When?’

  He thought for a moment. ‘How about tomorrow night? Saturday night is still date night, even out here in the middle of nowhere.’

  She gulped. ‘That soon? Boy, when you decide to move, you move!’

  Joss grinned. ‘I guess I do.’

  ‘And do you have any thoughts on where we’ll be having this date?’ She hoped he didn’t just take her to the pub, because that wouldn’t feel like a date at all.

  ‘Relax. I know just the place. Leave it to me.’

  Later that night—after Joss had joined her in a glass of wine, after he’d walked her to her door and raised her hand to his lips in a gallant goodnight kiss—Melissa stared up at the ceiling fan whirring above her bed, trying not to think of him on the other side of the wall.

  Joss. The man she was sure she was falling in love with. The more he opened up to her, the more she liked him. Still she was racked with indecision, trying to figure out if she was really doing the right thing. Yes, she was almost positive she loved this man. Yes, she wanted to date him, to get to know him, to make this relationship work. But she’d had little success with relationships in the past because she’d been trying to use them to fill the empty void in her heart.

  ‘But Joss is different,’ she whispered. He made her feel one hundred percent alive whenever he listened to her, whenever he held her, whenever he kissed her. She was also concerned about Dex and his reaction to this turn of events.

  Would this wreck her chances with Dex? Would this put even more distance between them? They were already estranged, and she didn’t want that chasm to become any wider that it already was. Dex meant everything to her and the last thing she wanted to do was to hurt him.

  Was going out with Joss—in front of the whole town—the right thing to do? She honestly had no idea.

  CHAPTER TEN

  AS THEY walked side by side to the only really decent restaurant in town, Melissa was acutely aware of people looking at them. Everyone they passed called a greeting—‘Hi, Docs.’ Or, ‘Nice night.’ Or the typically Aussie greeting of ‘How’s it going?’

  ‘I feel like everyone is looking at us,’ she murmured as they continued along the footpath.

  ‘That’s because they are.’ He’d known this would happen. He’d known going out on a date with Melissa would mean extra attention from the community. However, he was the one who’d insisted they keep whatever was happening between them as open and as honest as possible, so he’d just have to put up with the choking feeling which was telling him to run and hide.

  ‘But we’ve walked down here together a few times and no one’s paid us the slightest bit of attention,’ she protested. ‘We’re not dressed any differently.’ She motioned to their casual attire.

  Joss looked at her and noted that she did look especially beautiful tonight. She was wearing a pair of three-quarter-length denims, a pale pink top and a simple gold chain. Her hair was loose, the way he liked it, and he shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans to stop himself from sifting his fingers through her glorious locks.

  When someone else called a friendly greeting to both of them, she felt as though a sign was pinned to her back. ‘We’re not even touching,’ she pointed out.

  ‘Yet I still feel as though everyone knows we’re out on a date,’ Joss confirmed as they walked past the pub.

  ‘Hey, Joss!’

  They both turned to see Carto and Bluey, waving at them with silly grins on their faces. ‘How’d you get to be the lucky one taking the sheila doc out?’ Bluey called.

  Melissa closed her eyes for a split second, unable to believe this was happening. She didn’t like being the centre of attention, but it appeared if she was going to date the gorgeous bachelor doctor, then she’d best get used to it. She smiled at the two larrikins.

  ‘Probably because I shower regularly and wear deodorant,’ Joss answered back, and with that he reached out and took Melissa’s hand in his and continued up the street towards Stiggies. ‘We may as well flaunt it,’ he told her. ‘Everyone already appears to know we’re on a date.’

  ‘I guess.’ Melissa tried to cope with the mass of tingles which flooded her body at his touch. Joss was holding her hand—willingly holding her hand—in public! This man was such an enigma, and she was starting to wonder whether she shouldn’t bother trying to figure him out but just go with whatever happened. He’d gone from swinging between hot and cold to being hot, hot, hot. Not that she was complaining, but after he’d told her about his past it had been as though he was a different person.

  Perhaps telling her had removed a huge weight from him and given him the impetus he needed to move forward into the future? Or perhaps her reaction to the news had been some sort of test…one she’d obviously passed. He was very relaxed, very open, and he was holding her hand as they walked down the main street of Didja!

  Melissa felt so self-conscious, still trying to figure out how everyone seemed to know they were on a date. As they walked into Stiggies, the owner himself came up to them. Stig was a short Italian man who had lived in Didja for most of his life yet still spoke with a strong Italian accent.

  ‘Good evening, you two lovebirds. And how are you both this evening?’

  Melissa and Joss looked at each other, then back to Stig. ‘We’re fine,’ they replied in unison.

  ‘Ahh…cute. I have your reserved table ready. Right this way.’ Melissa let go of Joss’s hand as Stig led them over to a candle-lit table in the most secluded corner of his establishment. The other patrons all called out greetings as they passed, everyone wearing silly goofy grins.

  ‘You made a reservation?’ Melissa whispered to Joss as they smiled their way through the restaurant. She felt like royalty, and wondered whether she shouldn’t give a wave or two.

  ‘Well, it’s what you do when you have a date. I didn’t want to turn up tonight and not be able to get a table. It is date night after all.’

  They were seated and had assured Stig the table was perfect before being left alone to peruse the menu.

  ‘How long has it been since you last reserved a table here?’ she asked as she opened the menu but didn’t even glance at it.

  ‘Here? Uh…never.’

  ‘You’ve never reserved a table before tonight?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Then that’s how everyone knows.’ She closed her eyes and shook her head. So much for a quiet get-to-know-you evening. With everyone watching them it was going to be nigh on impossible to relax.

  Joss shook his head slowly, clearly astounded. ‘The news must have spread faster than a
bushfire on a forty-two-degree day with a strong headwind.’

  ‘Mystery solved.’ Though she was still a little surprised at the amount of attention they were receiving.

  ‘I didn’t think when I made the reservation that it would receive such a reaction.’ He looked around at the other patrons and saw they were all watching himself and Melissa quite closely. ‘I feel like I really am living in a fishbowl.’

  ‘Well, we did presume it would happen. People were bound to take an interest,’ she pointed out. ‘After all, you are quite the eligible bachelor, and they’ve never really seen you out on a date. It’s big news. I wouldn’t be surprised if we make the front page of the Didja Gazette.’

  ‘I knew we’d be news, but I had hoped that for tonight we could…’ He glanced around him again and smiled politely at all the other patrons who were watching them. ‘Could have had a little privacy.’

  ‘True, but…’ Melissa put her menu down and looked at Joss. ‘As that’s not the case, we should simply forget everyone else and enjoy ourselves.’

  Joss nodded. ‘Agreed. We’re out on our first official date, which is a big enough deal in itself, and we’re going to enjoy ourselves.’ He wanted very much to lean across the table and kiss her, to thank her for being so understanding in this town of eccentrics he’d chosen to live in, but he could still feel half the restaurant watching them so decided against it.

  Their date continued, and after Stig had personally come to take their order, they chatted about their day.

  ‘Excuse me.’ Joss and Melissa looked up to find Bub standing beside their table. ‘I’d like to say how wonderful it is to see you finally out with a beautiful woman, Joss.’ She looked pointedly at Melissa. ‘You’re like a breath of sunshine to this town, darl, and I really hope everything works out for you.’ Once that was said, she left.

  Halfway through their entreés, Mr and Mrs Bloffwith came over and passed on their congratulations as well. Areva, the clinic receptionist, who was out on a date of her own, gave them the thumbs-up sign from across the room. Stig grinned widely at them both each time he brought them another course or refilled their wine glasses.

  ‘We’re thinking of booking the church for Valentine’s Day,’ said Veronica, the secretary out at the mine, when she came over to their table as they started on their desserts.

  ‘Oh? What for?’ Joss asked, totally perplexed.

  Veronica laughed. ‘For your wedding, of course.’

  Melissa and Joss stared at each other in shock as Veronica headed off.

  ‘Time to go?’ Joss asked, feeling his breathing start to constrict.

  ‘Time to go,’ Melissa agreed. ‘Desserts are seriously overrated.’

  ‘Agreed.’ He took Melissa’s hand in his and headed towards the door, but not before calling over his shoulder, ‘Thank you for a terrific meal, Stig. I’ll settle up the account tomorrow.’

  ‘Ahh…Dr Joss. This one is on the house, mate—after all, you’ve provided excellent dinner theatre for all my patrons tonight.’

  ‘Thanks. So glad we could oblige,’ Joss remarked as he held the door for Melissa. ‘Goodnight, all.’

  ‘Night,’ everyone chorused, and as they exited Melissa couldn’t help but let go of the giggle which had been bubbling up all night long.

  She looked around, noting there were fewer people out and about now.

  ‘I’d just like to say, Dr Lawson, that you definitely know how to show a girl a memorable first date.’

  Joss grinned. ‘I do, don’t I?’ He gave her hand a little squeeze. ‘Talk about life imitating a sitcom.’

  ‘Oh, I don’t know that it was. The setting was very romantic, the food was divine and the company was first class.’

  Joss was pleased with her words. When he’d realised the whole town was watching them, he’d been interested to see how she would handle the attention—and she’d done a mighty fine job. She hadn’t thrown a tantrum, hadn’t demanded he take her home as he’d half expected. Then again, he had to keep reminding himself that Melissa wasn’t like other women—and particularly wasn’t like Christina.

  He looked at her and she smiled up at him. He couldn’t resist the allure of her mouth any longer and leaned down to brush a light kiss across her lips. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘For?’

  ‘For being you.’

  ‘Oh, well, I’m good at that. I’ve had plenty of practice.’

  He smiled at her words. ‘Seriously, Lis, I don’t think you realise just how much you’ve helped me.’ Joss shook his head. ‘I never thought I’d go out on a date. I never thought I’d be able to let go of my past, take a step forward and actually try dating again.’ He stopped walking for a moment, pulling her into his arms. ‘Just having you here, listening to me, taking an interest in me, it really has helped.’

  ‘I’m glad.’ His words were heartfelt, and she appreciated how difficult it must have been for him to say them, but at the back of her mind Melissa wondered whether she hadn’t just slipped into her people-pleasing role in order to help Joss get over his past. Had she? Had she put him before herself? It was what she’d done with Renulf. It was what she’d done all her life. She didn’t want to start another possible relationship being the one who always made the compromises.

  She was certain now, as she looked up into his eyes in the dim evening light, that she loved him. She loved Joss, and it was a deeper, more abiding love than she’d felt before, but surely that meant she should be extra-cautious? She’d given her heart before and had it broken. Could she risk it again? Sure, he was grateful for the help she’d given him—but how did he feel about her? Did he feel more than gratitude? Did he simply see her as someone who would be working here in the clinic and helping him out with his problems?

  Joss tightened his arms around her and she smiled up at him, pushing her thoughts aside. ‘I’m glad you came to Didja,’ he remarked, and he started to lower his head.

  The kiss wasn’t as dynamic as the one they’d shared in the ute, it wasn’t as hot or as heavy, and although it was still delightful she couldn’t help but think he was holding a lot of himself back.

  Someone outside the pub wolf-whistled at them and they quickly broke apart.

  ‘Get her to agree to the kissing booth!’ a bloke called.

  ‘Rack off, Bluey,’ Joss remarked, then looked down at Melissa. ‘Sorry about that.’ He shook his head.

  ‘Am I going to be bugged about a kissing booth for the rest of my life?’

  He chuckled. ‘Probably—but I promise that if you ever decide to hold a kissing booth I shall be the one buying up every single kiss.’

  She sighed and tightened her arm around him. ‘My hero.’ As they continued on past the pub Melissa looked in and saw Dex standing at the bar, talking to yet another pretty blonde.

  ‘He’s at it again.’ Joss rolled his eyes.

  ‘He’s definitely quite the charmer—or so I’ve been told.’

  ‘I’m looking forward to the day when some woman waltzes into town and knocks him for six.’

  Melissa laughed and nodded. ‘I think I’d like to be around for that show as well.’ They continued down the street, Joss’s arm still close around her.

  ‘Poor Dex. He was like a bear with a sore head when he first discovered he was adopted.’

  ‘What do you mean? First discovered? You mean he was angry when I initially tried to make contact?’

  ‘Yes. Until that time Dex had no idea he was adopted. He has two younger siblings—siblings he thought were his real brother and sister.’

  Melissa’s eyes widened in total shock. ‘I don’t believe it! His parents never told him?’ Her tone was one of utter incredulity.

  ‘No. It was a really difficult time for him, but he got through it.’

  ‘No wonder he didn’t want to see me back then. And that’s why he’s been so reticent since.’ She shook her head slowly. Why hadn’t someone told her earlier? ‘I had no idea.’

  ‘He needs time to process
everything. That’s all. It’s what we guys do.’

  ‘Go into your caves? Hide yourselves away?’

  ‘Something like that.’

  ‘Is that in the hope that the problem might simply go away, or so you can figure out a solution to it?’

  ‘Both—but mostly the latter.’

  ‘And there’s no telling how long these cave-dwelling activities can go on for?’

  Joss shrugged. ‘Depends on the man, depends on the problem, and depends on whether or not he has cable TV in the cave.’

  She chuckled and shook her head. ‘Men!’ They were standing outside her apartment now and he pulled her into his arms, drawing her close. Melissa’s arms went around his neck.

  ‘We’re an interesting species,’ he confirmed.

  ‘I can think of a few other adjectives,’ she said, and he laughed.

  ‘I’m sure you can, but right now I don’t want you to think.’ And he lowered his head, capturing her lips with such delicacy that all thought fled to be replaced by delighted tingles.

  Two days later, with the town still gossiping about the dating doctors, Melissa found it difficult to focus on her clinic. She had a full schedule, and yet she kept falling behind as patient after patient grinned like a Cheshire cat and asked her all sorts of personal questions about her relationship with Joss.

  She was never more glad when she was able to sneak into the kitchen for fifteen minutes to eat a bite of lunch. Joss soon walked in and sat down next to her.

  ‘How’s your morning been?’

  ‘Exhausting,’ she said.

  ‘We’re one hot topic.’

  ‘You’re not wrong. Hey, do you know where Dex is? I expected to see him around this morning.’ She wanted to know what he thought about herself and Joss.

  ‘He’s gone out to the mine to do occupational health and safety checks. He volunteered, actually, even though I was rostered on. I think he wanted me to stay here and face the music.’ Joss laughed.