A pause, then a smile cracked the grim line of her lips. “Like mold.”
“Yeah, the gross stuff you find on leftover pizza stuck at the back of the fridge.”
She frowned. “You’d throw that pizza out though.”
“Oh, you’re getting tricky with your similes now?”
“What’s a sim-a-lee?”
He chuckled and tugged her ponytail. “I’m not throwing you out. Ever.”
“Because you like me now?”
Because he loved her so damn much he’d screw his life over to make sure she was happy and cared for. Then why did the words stick in his throat like burrs? “Guess I must.”
“So you’ll tell mum I can stay with you? And then you can be with Kezia.”
Would’ve been less painful if the girl had just kneed him in the nuts.
Ben peeled off a reassuring I’m an adult; I’ll handle it smile. “Don’t worry, kiddo. It’ll work out.”
It’d work out if that miracle would just show up and extricate his ass from between the giant rock and horrible fucking hard place. C’mon universe, any time now would be great. The universe—surprise, surprise—appeared to be on a lunch break, and all he could think of was Kezia’s bleak eyes and downturned mouth.
They continued to walk, Sparky prancing ahead, leading them home—home for now, anyway. His heart lurched and thudded dully inside his chest.
He was losing Kezia moment by moment, with every step he took away from her. And he couldn’t do a thing about it.
***
Praise God for chilled tea-bags and waterproof mascara, that’s all she could say. Kezia grimaced at her reflection and slotted the mascara tube back into her cosmetics basket. Not that the tea-bags or make-up helped much with her puffy, bloodshot eyes.
Maybe no one would notice. Hah! Like Ben hadn’t noticed how much it hurt when he’d turned down her offer of financial help. Like he hadn’t noticed her heart breaking at the thought of him marrying someone else.
She was really doing this. Planning to run away again.
But how could stay in Oban once the rumors started flying? Once everyone knew she’d been unceremoniously dumped for Marci Carter; she wasn’t naive enough to believe people hadn’t already guessed about their little…affair. Add an unplanned pregnancy to the gossip mill…No. She’d find that out for sure tonight. And yes, yes—she’d inform Ben of the results after this disastroso weekend was over.
Kezia pulled on her boots and walked out to the now-silent kitchen. Shaye and Zoe had left for Jade’s party thirty minutes ago, her daughter unwilling to wait while Kezia fussed and tried to postpone the inevitable.
She opened her handbag and double checked her flight details. Plenty of time to drop off the party cupcakes and hitch a ride with Ford to the airport. Last night, she’d rung Des Thompson, the principal at her old school, and set up a casual meeting with him and the small Board of Trustees. He’d been surprised, but more than happy to chat about a possible teaching position for her at the end of the school year.
Then today she’d lied her butt off. And in the scheme of all the things this now grown-up and no longer innocent Catholic girl had done, lying to her friend and daughter seemed laughable. She’d told Shaye and Zoe she was taking an overnight trip to visit her brother Nick. Zoe, too excited to listen or really care, instructed her to say hi to Uncle Nicky, and moved on to repacking her sleepover bag.
Shaye raised an eyebrow at her whispered explanation that Nick was having a personal crisis, but when Kezia had hissed, “You really expect me to spend hours in that woman’s company?” her friend quickly backed down.
Kezia collected the tray of cupcakes and left her house, walking toward Ben’s with her heart lodged firmly in her throat, a pounding, aching drumbeat. She nudged open his gate, the three purple balloons tied to it swaying in the breeze. From the rear of the house came boisterous shouts and frantic yapping. Clutching the tray with one hand, she twisted the door handle and used her hip to nudge it open. In and out like a ninja. She’d shove the baking at Piper or Shaye, then run. Cupcakes slid precariously toward the tray’s edge—
“Here, I’ll get it.” Two tanned forearms steadied the tray before tugging it out of her numb fingers.
Ben’s deep voice scraped over her skin like fine sandpaper. Nope, she couldn’t catch a break.
Fixing her gaze on a spot beyond Ben’s shoulder, she said, “Thanks. You might’ve saved a riot since I only made enough for two cupcakes each—plus a couple of spares for the adults because, you know, everyone loves cupcakes!”
Babbling like an idiota.
Ben turned, pointing the tray down the hallway. “Come on through.”
The Pied Piper effect of his voice had her take three steps after him before her brain engaged and she jerked to a halt. “I’m not staying.”
He glanced over his shoulder, then spun around. “What?”
“I’m flying up to see my brother, Nick. I’ll be home tomorrow afternoon.” That much was true, at least.
“Kezia—” The way he said her name felt like sinking into a bubble bath.
“I was going to wish Jade a happy birthday, but I’ll leave it since the kids sound like they’re having fun.” Escape was the only sensible option since pride prevented her from throwing herself at his feet and sobbing.
She was really doing this.
Kezia backed up, legs wobbling as if she wore nine inch heels instead of flat ankle boots. Falling on her butt would be one more nail in the coffin of her humiliation.
“Wait—” Ben slid the tray onto a small hallway table.
“Oh, there you are!” Marci said from the family room doorway.
Her kohl-lined glance zipped to Kezia as she walked to Ben’s side. “Mrs. Murphy—how sweet of you to stop by.”
Kezia didn’t correct Marci’s subtle dig of her unavailability. A title of Mrs. was fine, because as it stood between her and Ben now? She was unavailable. “Just dropping off the cupcakes, I’m not staying.”
“That’s a pity. Guess it’ll just be me and Ben chaperoning the sleepover tonight.” Marci giggled, curling her fingers around Ben’s biceps.
Ben shot Marci a look which would’ve flash frozen an elephant, but Kezia’s stomach plummeted when he didn’t pull away. Of course he didn’t pull away—he couldn’t afford to offend her.
“I guess it will.” The muscles around Kezia’s mouth felt like razor wire as she peeled her lips into a smile and directed it at them both. “Ben, if Zoe needs anything tonight, call Shaye. I’ll be out of range until morning.”
His brow carved into a deep “V.” Maledizione. Now he was suspicious—because she was never out of range for Zoe. But tonight she would be.
After the meeting with her old boss, she planned to pick up a pregnancy test—since the package still hadn’t arrived—switch off her phone, and spend the night alone in a hotel room getting sloppy drunk on house-wine, and ugly crying. If she wasn’t pregnant. If she was pregnant, the plan changed to gobbling chocolate bars, and ugly-crying. She’d packed an extra box of tissues in her overnight bag.
Ben stepped forward and Marci’s hand slipped off his arm. “Can we talk—please.”
Kezia pressed her lips together to stop them quivering. Talk about how she might be carrying his child? No. She had some pride. She wouldn’t use the possibility of pregnancy to guilt him into choosing her over another woman. “I don’t think so.”
Marci’s gaze zipped between Kezia and Ben, creases wrinkling her forehead.
“Please wish Jade a happy birthday from me, Marci. She’s a special girl and a credit to you.” The woodenness of her delivery didn’t negate the truth. Marci mightn’t be the reason Jade was so wonderful, but having her as a daughter should be the equivalent of a lottery win. She only hoped the woman realized what a treasure she held in her hands.
“Oh. Well, thank you. She’ll be sad to miss you since we’re leaving tomorrow.”
Ben cleared his throat, but if she m
et his gaze now, she’d break.
Kezia’s eyes burned liked she’d touched raw chili to the lids. “We’ve already said our goodbyes. I’ll make sure her files are forwarded to the right person if you’ll contact the school office once you’re settled.”
Then she snatched at the door handle and stepped outside, pulling it closed behind her.
She’d done it. She’d severed the first of the ties binding her to him so securely.
Sunlight speared out from between puffy clouds and a brisk breeze licked at her cheeks as she hurried down the road to collect her suitcase. Distant white-capped waves promised a rough crossing. Out on her uncle’s fishing boat since she was tiny, seasickness didn’t concern her. In fact, if she hadn’t already booked flights she would’ve welcomed the splash of sea spray as the ferry plowed through the swell, because any locals would mistake her tears for the salty kiss of the ocean.
***
Ben had flopped onto his bed after the last giggle from the family room faded over an hour ago. Bugger, he thought now. He’d forgotten to turn off the light, but screw it—he’d no energy to get up again. Every time he thought his emotions remained locked down, something reminded him of the one person missing from Jade’s party. The one person he couldn’t stop thinking about.
Kezia’s absence was an unending solar eclipse. Not that he blamed her for taking off. Having Marci here took awkward to a whole new level.
A soft tap sounded at his door.
The hairs on Ben’s arms rippled to attention. Please don’t be Marci wanting to convert me to her idea of becoming a full-time house husband.
“Dad? Dad! Are you awake?”
A reprieve. He rolled off the bed and opened the door, the why-are-you-up-it’s-past-midnight speech drying up at Jade’s wild eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
“Zoe’s crying. She says her tummy hurts real bad.”
Hell. Shouldn’t have let the kids eat another helping of ice cream while they watched the last DVD. “Let’s go see.”
He followed Jade down the hallway, the bright beam from her new Maglite flashlight—a gift from Piper, who said Jade needed a real flashlight, not a wussy Hello, Kitty pink one—leading the way. The other four shapes hunched on air beds didn’t stir as they crept between them to the double that the girls were sharing.
Zoe, curled in a fetal ball, blinked up at them, her big brown eyes filled with tears. “It hurts.”
A sour taste oozed into the back of Ben’s mouth. This was not good. Not good at all. “Did you have too much ice cream?”
The girl shook her head weakly.
“She gave hers to George,” Jade whispered.
Ben crouched beside Zoe and placed his hand on her forehead. Warm—very warm—though he didn’t know what the hell a fever meant. “How long have you had an upset stomach, Zoe?”
“All afternoon. Didn’t want to ruin Jade’s party.” Her lower lip trembled and she curled even tighter. “My tummy really, really hurts.”
“Like you’re going to hurl?”
Zoe nodded.
“Kiddo, go and grab a mixing bowl from the kitchen.”
“Eww,” said Jade.
Ben waved his hand. “All right—an empty ice-cream container from the recycling bin.”
When Jade returned with the plastic tub, he said, “Can you sit with Zoe for a minute? I’m going to call Dr. Whelan.”
A total over-reaction for a tummy bug, but this was Zoe. And he didn’t give a shit if he roused Joe from his beauty sleep—he’d be getting his ass here pronto.
One by one, the kids awoke as Zoe’s cries grew louder and a few of the younger girls even cried in sympathy. Ben sent Jade to her room where Marci was sleeping to wake her, then rang Shaye. Someone needed to call the other parents to come collect their kids. Sleepover cancelled.
Ben cradled Zoe in his arms and carried her to his bed after she threw up all over her sleeping bag. Confronted by weeping kids and her near hysterical daughter, Marci vanished back into Jade’s room. He could’ve kissed his youngest sister as she burst into his house and assumed command of the chaos.
Joe arrived five minutes later, and Ben practically grabbed him by the shirt collar and hauled him inside.
“She’s worse then?” Joe followed Ben down the hallway into his room.
“Yeah.”
Shaye sat on the other side of the bed, twisting a damp facecloth she’d used to blot Zoe’s brow. Joe knelt beside the bed and spoke softly to the girl, who rolled onto her back with a harsh groan.
“There now. You’re a good girl, Zoe.” Joe set his big hands on her stomach. “I’m going to press on your tummy over here to the left.”
His fingers flexed, and Zoe wailed.
Ben’s fists clenched. Goddammit, he’d rather take a kick to the nuts than see Zoe in pain. “Jesus, what’re you doing to her?”
Joe glanced over his shoulder, his mouth a straight, grim slash. “Rosving’s sign.”
“What’s that?” Shaye said.
Joe shook his head and turned to his patient. “Hurts bad over here, doesn’t it, pet?” He gently touched Zoe’s right side.
“Yessss. I want my mamma.”
“Course you do. But first we’ll get you sorted for a little trip.”
Ben and Shaye looked at each other, then at Joe.
“Trip?” Ben said.
Joe stood and gestured to the hallway. “Zoe, I’m going to talk to Ben, and then I’ll give you something to make you feel a little better.”
Out of the bedroom, Joe lowered his voice. “I’m fairly certain it’s her appendix. I need to get her to Invercargill.”
“Appendicitis?” Ben’s gut twisted in sympathy.
“Aye. I’ll contact the hospital and get the chopper on its way.” Joe paused, fingers hovering over the screen of his phone. “You’ve reached Kezia?”
Ben dug his phone out of his jeans. “I rang and left a message. Sent her a text. I haven’t checked to see if she’s rung back, she must be frantic—” He powered up the screen, unease crawling over his skin. “She hasn’t replied, hasn’t called.” Ben hit re-dial but it went straight to voice mail.
Shaye poked her head out of the bedroom. “Are you trying Kez again?”
“She’s turned off her phone. Or it’s gone flat.”
“I couldn’t get through either, and I left five messages. Did you say chopper?” Shaye directed her question to Joe.
Joe nodded and tapped on his phone. “One of you can fly with us to the hospital to keep her calm—” He held up a finger. “This is Doctor Whelan from Stewart Island—” He strode down the hallway, ducking around a pale-faced Marci emerging from the family room.
Zoe groaned again and Shaye retreated.
“What’s going on?” Marci latched onto his arm. “Jade’s crying so hard she’ll make herself sick!”
Ben stared at her. “Then deal with it. She’s worried about her friend.”
Marci huffed and tugged her silky black robe tighter. “A lot of fuss over a kid who’s eaten too many lollies.”
Ben’s teeth clicked together, and he squeezed the bridge of his nose. “The doctor suspects appendicitis, Marci. He’s bringing a chopper in from Invercargill hospital.”
“Oh. I didn’t realize it was that serious.”
“It is, and I’m going with her.”
“You can’t leave when Jade’s like this! What am I supposed to do with her?” Marci’s voice rose to a high-pitched whine.
“Be her mother, Marci. Isn’t that why you’re here?”
Her mouth snapped shut, and her eyes narrowed. “Why can’t your sister go with the girl?”
“Because she’s my responsibility.”
“Jade is your responsibility.”
“Which is why I have a network of family and friends who’ll look after her while I’m gone.”
She fisted her hands on her hips. “I should take Jade and leave on the first flight this morning. You know I could, don’t you?”
“Yeah.” That he could lose Jade on this woman’s whim was a granite slab across his shoulder blades. “But it won’t change the fact I need to be there for Zoe—she’s scared, and alone, and depending on me.”
“And you’re in love with her mother,” Marci said.
Sucker punched to the heart, Ben jerked back, his elbow connecting with the wall. “Ow, sh—sharkbait,” he said, noticing Jade in the doorway.
“Is Zoe going to be okay, Dad?”
He rubbed his arm and glared at Marci. “She’ll be fine, sweetheart. But I have to go with her to the hospital and stay until Kezia arrives.”
Jade flung herself into his arms as if fired from a slingshot. She smooshed her face against his, and her breathing hitched. For a moment he just held her, stroking her hair, immersing himself in the smell of bubblegum toothpaste and dog. He wanted to hold on tighter and tighter.
“Zoe’s scared of hospitals because of all the needles they stuck in her last time. So don’t leave her alone, okay?”
“Okay.”
“I’m gonna give her Bolt. She can pretend it’s Sparky, and she won’t be scared.”
“Good idea.” Before he could chicken out, he whispered into the soft shell of her ear, “Love ya, kiddo. Behave for your mum.”
She pulled away and gave him a smile of such pure joy that his knees joints nearly crumbled.
He couldn’t lose her, he just couldn’t!
Jade wriggled down and dashed off to her bedroom. He glanced at Marci, who leaned against the opposite wall studying him with speculative eyes.
“I have to go with Zoe, it’s important. Don’t take Jade away before I come back.” It killed him to beg, but he’d full-out grovel if he had to. His gut clenched and his ribs felt like they’d crack from the strain of supporting his pounding heart. “Jesus, Marci. Please.”
Ben couldn’t look at the triumphant smile he imagined would be on Marci’s face, so he stared at his bare feet. “I’m going to change into warmer gear before the chopper arrives. If you need help to settle Jade, Shaye’ll stay with her, or my mum’s number is on speed dial.”
Melting Into You (Due South Book 2) Page 24