Once she’d gotten everything settled, the night had ended with her eating a whole container of ice cream. Maree kept a stash in the freezer. Miller had shown her where to look and once he’d left she’d gone for seconds. Though the treat hadn’t made anything easier to face, Miller had been great about offering it to her. As well as his room and the storage space.
She was staying with a man she’d had sex with. But didn’t know. Not really.
“No you don’t.” He yanked the covers off, causing her to scramble up to make sure her panties were hidden. Didn’t matter that he’d already seen them. Now things were different between them.
“Miller!” She tried to pull the blankets back over her.
“Come on, Yank. We’ve things to do today.”
“At four in the morning?”
“Eh.” He let go of the blanket and sheet. “I know how long it takes you to get ready.”
“Humph. Not all that long.” She covered back up. “Give me a few minutes.” Sighing, she flopped back down when he left the room. What an hour to get up.
A knock sounded. “Are you ready, yet?” The door inched back open. He couldn’t have been gone for more than five minutes.
“I’m up.” Giving in, she laughed, shoving the blankets away. “I’m up.”
With a click, the door closed again.
Once he left her, she hurried to get ready.
When she joined Miller, he sat with his mom and Travis at the table.
Maree got up as she approached. “I hope you’re hungry this morning. I’ve made bangers, mash and bickies.”
“What?” She sat and looked at Miller for clarification.
“Sausages, mashed potatoes and biscuits.” The corner of his mouth curled up. Her heart caught at the sight. The Native had the sexiest smile ever. “I promise, no witchetty grub, luv.”
She curled her nose at the mention of the delicacy. She wasn’t ever eating grubs, barbecued or not.
He poured her a glass of milk.
“There’s bum-nuts, too.” Travis pointed to the stove.
She grinned. “I know those are eggs.” Miller had given her a crash course in Aussie terms. She’d never remember everything though. “Thanks, Maree. Breakfast looks good.” She took two biscuits and lathered them with butter and jelly, which had been sitting in the center of the table.
No sooner did she sit down before Miller and Travis stood. “We’ve got chores to get done. I’ll get back as soon as I can so we can get a start on Brady’s property.” For a brief moment, his gaze lingered on his mom. He looked as if he might say more, but didn’t.
“Oh, okay.” She watched him follow Travis outside.
“Did you sleep well?” Maree drank from her cup.
“Not too bad. How about you?”
“I’ve not slept well since I was sixty.”
She nodded, knowing sometimes sleeping was difficult when you got older. She’d studied geriatrics in nursing school.
“Kaycee, since you’ll be staying here, do you mind telling me a little about yourself?” Maree folded her hands on the table. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m glad to have you, but I’d like to get to know you better.”
“Oh, of course. Thanks again for the hospitality.” She straightened in her seat. “Ask me anything.”
“I’m sure Miller wouldn’t be pleased I’m speaking so directly to you… But I’ve always been a direct woman so I’m going to ask outright.”
Kaycee held the woman’s steady gaze.
“I’m still surprised Miller brought company home. I want to make sure there’s no ulterior motive. I’m sure you understand.”
“Oh, of course.” Heat crawled up her neck. The woman wasn’t a thing like her own shy mom.
“Tell me, have you ever been in love?”
Inhaling, she picked at the homemade biscuit. Holy snap. She hadn’t seen that one coming. She forced herself to relax and think of Maree as a friend and not the mother of a man she’d had a wild fling with.
Friends, you talked to. She could do this. “I was married once.” She sighed. She’d talked to very few people about her relationship with Doug. Her therapist had told her to share her past with others and it’d get easier with each telling. So she guessed Maree would be a good place to start. “I started dating Doug when I was fifteen. We married when I was eighteen.” It’d been a foolish thing to do.
“I married young too.” Maree’s eyes lightened.
“Well, my marriage wasn’t something I’d wish on another.” No, it’d taken her a long time to get over it. “Doug was obsessive and abusive. I was too young to see things clearly.” No, that wasn’t entirely true. Therapy had helped her to see she hadn’t been in the wrong in the things she’d learned to ignore. “Anyway, when I was twenty-one, in a rage he pushed me down our stairs.” She swallowed the old pain erupting in her heart. “I lost the baby I was carrying.” A little girl she’d been allowed to love through five months. A daughter she’d already named Ginger.
“I’m so sorry.” Maree’s hand went to her mouth.
Her vision blurred. “All I remember was such horrible pain. I thought I was dying. Doug came after me again. He was furious because I’d fallen… I kicked out… He hit his head…” Even now, the sound of his skull cracking echoed in her mind. She’d killed Doug. She’d killed her husband. There’d been no trial because of the beating he’d given her and her sweet baby… An act of self-defense, the prosecutor had said. But there’d been fallout. Some friends, even some family, wouldn’t look at her again.
“Oh, Kaycee.” Maree moved around the table to sit on her right. “I’m so sorry.”
“I’m a survivor, Maree.” She tried to smile. “No ulterior motives from me. I came here because I was ready to start my life over. Your country is such a beautiful place.” After a calming breath, she stood. “One day I want to be loved. I want to be in love. Ridiculous. Consuming. The I-can’t-live-without-you kind of love.” She exhaled. That hadn’t been nearly as painful as she’d expected. “I’m going to wash these dishes up.”
“Everyone deserves a chance at the real deal.” Maree joined her at the sink. “I’ll dry them then.”
Chapter Nine
“Be sure to take your lunch.” With no other choice, Kaycee took hold of the handles of the basket. A bit dazed, she eyed first Maree, then Miller.
“Thanks, Mum.” Being no help whatsoever, he put his hat on. “Come on, Yank.”
Maree nudged her. “Best not keep him waiting.”
She snorted, but followed. How had her life taken such a turn? Last night, she hadn’t slept well. The morning had been spent talking to Miller’s mom. The hours of chatter had been nice. It was clear the way Maree talked, she loved her boys.
And now, she’d been given a picnic lunch for two. How was she going to get out of spending time alone with Miller? She worried her lower lip. Second thoughts niggled at her mind. Maybe being friends with Miller wasn’t such a good idea after all. Her desire for him had only intensified. Pretending nothing had happened between them was difficult.
Outside, she surveyed the yard. Not a dog in sight. This was good. A single pup wasn’t so bad. But a pack gave her the willies.
Miller stood beside a sharp-looking truck. The dust didn’t distract much from the midnight blue that gleamed in the sunlight.
“Real nice.” With both hands, she clutched the basket.
“Here.” In his hand dangled a set of keys. “You can use it to get back and forth from where you need to go.”
“This looks new.”
“It’ll get you around.”
Breath caught, delight danced in her stomach. Him offering her his truck… Well, it was a surprise. Up north he’d given her surprises. “I saved money for something used.” She eyed the shiny chrome on the big tires.
“This has air, a radio for emergencies and a global navigation system.” He laid the keys on top of the wicker. “I know you’ll be safe in this. You drive.” He left her then to
walk around to the passenger side.
Domineering. The man liked to be in control. Although she did like the fact he wanted her safe, giddiness, eagerness and hope sparked in her heart.
No. Don’t do this to yourself. Just friends.
She supposed it wouldn’t hurt to drive for now. She shut her mouth. Driving would be the best way to pay attention. Memorize the lay of the land. She needed to learn the roads to be able to get around. At least this way she’d have a distraction to keep her mind off Miller. Because sitting next to his big, delicious body was going to be torture. Sexual arousal at its finest. Look. But don’t touch.
She sighed.
Giving in, she climbed inside, though it was no easy task. Good thing it had a running board. Clearly the truck wasn’t made with short people in mind.
Miller pulled the lunch basket out of the way to place it in the backseat. Settled in, she turned the engine over, enjoying the blast of already-cooling air from the vents.
“Really nice wheels.” She regarded him. “Which way?”
“We’ll head out to Brady’s property first.” Briefly, he worked with the navigation system. “On, off.” His long fingers shifted on the piece of equipment. “Volume is here.”
“Got it.” Looked easy enough.
“I’ve got three directions set. Brady’s pub, his property and my home.” He used the gadget to set directions to the property and sat back in the seat. “I’ve turned it off now, but all you need to do is turn it on and listen to the computer. Head that way until you come to a crossroad.”
“Okay. Got it. Does this bad boy have music too?” She loved music. Absolutely loved it. Music, like laughter, soothed a soul.
Miller grunted and turned on some tunes. “It’s satellite radio. The far right button on the steering wheel will scan, if you want.”
With the press of her index finger, she zipped through a few channels until something caught her interest. An old Bryan Adams song started up. Everything I do.
Her breath caught. She did nothing but listen. With the song, the tides of emotions she’d been experiencing calmed.
God, she’d always loved the old love balled.
Under her breath, she hummed along. Once the lyrics died away, she focused on her thumping heart. She’d never had a song before with anyone but felt like she had one now. With Miller. Isn’t that crazy? But, she was done pretending she didn’t care. Pretending she could only be his friend. Because she did. She cared for Miller a whole lot. Their fling had turned out to be so much more for her.
“That was a great song.”
“Turn coming up.” When he pointed in a direction, she turned the truck.
“Anything special you like to listen to?”
“Nope. Listen to what you want.” His half grin caused her stomach to flip. “Now, if it was the telly…”
She laughed, growing more at ease by the moment. Though he hadn’t stayed in the bedroom with her long last night, the ice cream had been a nice touch. An icebreaker, so to speak. Even now, he was going out of his way to make her comfortable.
The question that kept niggling the back of her mind was why? Of course, she couldn’t see him making someone uncomfortable.
Stop making yourself crazy. Don’t try to read anything into the situation.
Time slipped by while she drove. She listened to music and did her best not to dwell on what-ifs. Or possibilities.
As they approached the small house, her foot let off the gas. The truck drifted up closer. Several parked trucks stopped their trek. She counted a half dozen, maybe more, and men going in and out of the house, carrying material.
Some piled trash into the bed of one truck. Others moved to take new lumber inside.
She hadn’t been expecting this.
Unease replaced the calmness she’d been experiencing. She put the truck in park and turned it off. “Miller, what’s going on? Did Brady approve of this?”
“Come on, luv, nothing to worry about.” He pushed his door open and stepped from the truck.
Nothing to worry about? That alone was cause for concern. Scrambling out, she followed him. Only to be dumped on her butt as the heel on her boot snapped off. A quick vibration of pain ran up her spine.
“Holy shit.”
“You all right?” Miller was already there, urging her up from the running board.
“I forgot about the step.” That had been more like a drop-off for her. She looked down at her ruined boot.
He leaned down and picked up the broken heel. His frown got her attention. “What the fuck?” He angled the heel her way so she could see inside the material of the chunky sole. Something the size of a cigarette lighter rested there.
“Now that’s a strange manufacturing glitch.” She compressed her lips as she watched him remove the thingamajig and put it inside his front pocket.
“Queer as fuck.”
“Miller.” The Native cussed over everything.
Concentrating, he removed the rest of the long boot from her foot and leg. A moment of silence passed as he examined some of the designs. With a finger, he traced a bit of the metal-like material that ran up the side from a buckle. “Queer as fuck.” He stuck the leather casing behind the driver’s seat.
“I hardly think it’s worth keeping.”
“Eh, well, as queer as it is, I’m going to send it to be checked out.”
Connections and money could get anything looked at, she supposed. Though it seemed like a waste to her.
He tossed the heel into the bed of his truck. “Get in. I’ll drive you home for other shoes.”
“Oh, I’ve got sandals.” She climbed back inside for her carry all. Never leave home unprepared would remain her motto. From a large Ziploc, she withdrew sexy summer sandals.
“Those won’t do.”
“They will for now.” She took her other boot off. “It took us forever to get here.” She sighed when she removed the ruined boot. “What a bummer. I loved these.” They’d added three full inches to her height.
“They nearly broke your pretty neck.” He folded his arms.
Humph. She shook her head and changed the subject to what was important. “Tell me what’s going on here.” Quickly, she slipped her sandals on before climbing back down. “This doesn’t look like a few repairs, this looks like a renovation. Did Brady approve this?”
“You let me worry about Brady.”
Kaycee moaned. Wanted to shake him. “Miller, tell them to stop.” She’d spoken to both Brady and his wife briefly yesterday. Neither had mentioned a restoration.
“Figured it’d be best to get a full crew out here.”
“You figured?” As tall as he stood, she noted he blocked her from the others’ view. This was a good thing considering her temper was biting at her nerves.
“Eh, I did.”
“Oh my God. I can’t afford this.” She couldn’t. It’d be impossible. It’d likely wipe out her funds.
“Yank, stop your worrying. I said I’ll take care of it.” He pushed his hat back. “And I will.”
Lowering her lashes, she exhaled.
Something was happening here. Something more than Miller helping her out in a bind. He’d spent a large amount on their fling. And in the whirlwind of things, she’d let him. Now he was dumping more cash for her. Which he didn’t need to…
Maybe this is his way of saying he likes you.
You asked the man to share a hotel room with you.
Take another risk.
Yes, it was time. If she allowed herself to really think about it, he’d been trying for a while. The use of his truck. The ice cream last night. Even inviting her into his home. Especially inviting her into his home. What man would do that if he didn’t care?
“Miller?”
“Eh?”
“If you like me, I think it’d be a lot cheaper just to ask me out.”
Instantly, his gaze went to a heavy-lidded half mast.
Oh, God, she loved the look on him. “Seriously,
way cheaper.”
A single step brought him into her personal space.
Panicked, she sidestepped him. “I wanted to ask you to stay with me so bad back at the hotel…” She’d been terrified of rejection. Rejection would’ve been so much worse than to simply part ways as they’d agreed to.
“Kaycee.” Her name in his accent rushed along her nerve endings. At this rate, she’d be melted butter in no time.
“I’d like to get to know you, Miller.” Breathless, she held her hand up as if to stall his advance. “And I’d like for you to get to know me…before…before we have sex again.”
Miller growled low in his throat.
“Can we?” She moistened her lips. “Do you want to get to know me?”
Oh, please say yes.
“Eh, Kaycee, I do.” Another step closer had their body heat mingling.
Grinning, she ran her hands up his chest, over his shoulders to encourage him to lean down for a kiss. His mouth was gentle on her lips while his hands clasped her upper arms. She teased his lips and tongue until the whistles and cat calls registered.
Holy snap. Laughing, she burrowed closer to him. “Make them stop.”
“Back to work!” His chest vibrated from the call. “Or you’re all fired.”
“Miller.” She shook her head at him and took a step back. “Oh, about the repairs. I want them stopped too.”
“Now, Yank, that’s between the old man and me.” With a palm, he patted his chest.
The truck rumbled over the road. Kaycee was glad not to be driving. She’d always preferred to be a passenger. She preferred to daydream or read while another drove. “Thank you for showing me around.” They’d spent some three hours going here and there.
After stopping by Brady’s property, he’d shown her one of the five neighbors she’d be checking in on. An elderly woman with diabetes. It’d been clear the woman wasn’t taking care of herself.
“I’ll show you the other neighbors tomorrow.” Miller’s gaze flickered her way before he focused on the roadway once more. “We’ll take a birdie to save time.”
“All right.” She sighed, watched as the land slipped by.
She hadn’t been expecting to make house calls but had been excited when Connor’s e-mail had arrived late last night with instructions and directions.
True Blue Love: The Thorns, Book 3 Page 12