The Man Behind the Badge

by Sharon Archer

  ‘It does. He’s got a heart of gold,’ Liz called as she went down to the kitchen area. ‘And you’ll like his family. His parents are lovely.’

  Kayla’s hands froze for the tiniest second on the bar of soap. Tom’s parents. Her tension ratcheted up a notch. Well, of course they’d be there tonight. He’d said it was a family barbecue. Had he considered that when he’d manoeuvred her into this date? She had to believe that he had, so what did that mean, if anything?

  She hung up the towel and stepped into the doorway to the kitchen as there was a commotion at the door. Jack poked his head into the van. Two-year-old Emma clung to his neck, all big brown eyes and a froth of glossy brunette ringlets.

  He pursed his lips and let out a shrill wolf whistle. ‘Two hot babes. What do you think, Emmie?’ He grinned at his daughter. ‘Your dad is the luckiest man on Welshman’s Flat this weekend.’

  ‘Luck-ee.’ Emma touched his face.

  ‘Just the usual babe for you, darling,’ drawled Liz. ‘The hot one is waiting for Tom.’

  Kayla’s gut did another quick roll.

  ‘Is that right?’ Jack’s blue eyes swung back to her. ‘Well, well.’

  She gritted her teeth, willed her cheeks not to flood with hot colour and waited for Jack to comment about Tom coming to collect her.

  Thankfully, his gaze shifted again to Liz and softened. ‘I’ll just have to make do with the most beautiful woman in the world.’ He flashed his wife a cocky grin and waggled his eyebrows.

  ‘Smooth, very smooth, Jack Campbell.’

  Love shone out of every teasing word between Liz and Jack, every heated glance they exchanged. More than love, they truly liked each other.

  An extraordinary kaleidoscope of truths held Kayla motionless for a moment. Things she’d known intellectually suddenly seemed to reach a visceral level of believability.

  Marriage could work.

  A large, strong man didn’t always rule his family with a cold, hard fist.

  He didn’t have to be regimented to the exclusion of affection.

  A large strong man could be sensitive, caring…

  Like Jack with Liz and Emma.

  She swallowed.

  Like Tom had been that morning with Ryan.

  Remembering the way he’d cradled his nephew, empathy etched on his face, love clear in the tender way he’d handled his injured nephew. No question of leaving the care of the child to others, he’d been right there, taking care of transport, waiting at the hospital to make sure everything had gone smoothly.

  Her chest tightened uncomfortably. He was so different from the men in her family, her father and her brother-in-law. Tom was brave and honest about his softer emotions.

  Oh, God, he was more honest than she was. With her background, she felt ill equipped to deal with a man like that.

  ‘What time is Tom coming to pick you up?’ Liz’s question pulled Kayla out of her reverie.

  ‘About six.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘Are you ready to go now?’

  ‘Just about.’ Liz turned to her husband. ‘Darling, I need you to grab some things for Emma.’

  ‘Sure.’ He stepped up into the van.

  ‘Let me get out of the way,’ Kayla said, moving along the narrow kitchen area.

  As Jack made room for her to pass, Emma leaned out from her position in her father’s hold, her little arms wide, confident of her welcome. ‘Kay-lah. Hold Emmie.’

  Kayla stopped to slip her feet back into the boots she’d left at the door. ‘Want me to take her while you get the gear?’

  ‘Yeah, thanks.’ Jack passed his daughter across.

  Kayla took the toddler, settling the child’s weight on one hip as she negotiated the steps to the ground outside.

  ‘You’re going to have a little brother soon, Emma,’ she said, twirling gently. ‘What do you think about that?’

  ‘Good. I help,’ said Emma and smiled.

  ‘I’ll bet you’ll be a big help.’ Helpless to do anything else, Kayla grinned back at the girl. Her heart filled with a deep, unexpected yearning. ‘You know, if I spend too much time with you, I’m going to end up clucky.’

  ‘Cluck-ee.’

  ‘That’s right.’

  Voluptuous chuckles gurgled in Emma’s throat. ‘Kay-lah. Cluck-ee.’

  ‘Uh-oh,’ she said ruefully at the word association. ‘I think I might regret this. How about we find you a different word to play with, you little syllable sponge.’

  ‘Sly-able.’

  ‘Syllable.’ Kayla squeezed the child in a spontaneous hug. ‘That’s a nice safe word, isn’t it? Syllable.’

  ‘Sly-able.’

  ‘Close enough.’ Kayla chuckled, her heart melting. She was clucky but the matching requirements, a man and a marriage, were a long way in her future. Still, she felt as though a tiny door had been cracked open in her entrenched rejection of the idea. Jack and Liz had unwittingly helped her see possibilities.

  Tom’s image slid into her mind and sent her heart ricocheting around her ribcage.

  God, she’d only just allowed herself to think abstractly that strong men weren’t all bad news. No way was she ready to start thinking about a specific man.

  She had plans. If there was one thing she’d learned from her father it was the value of having plans, setting goals and achieving them.

  She’d learned a lot about herself in the weeks she’d been in Dustin. Especially in the last two weeks—and, disturbingly, most of it through her contact with Tom. When she left here, she’d be grateful to him.

  As Tom approached the camping area, he spotted Kayla near the door of the van.

  Anticipation tightened his muscles. He slowed to a halt, forcing a breath deep into his lungs, willing himself to relax.

  Kayla.

  His date.

  She was a visual feast, long and slender and willowy, with little Emma bouncing on her hip. A fitted pale blue top moulded to her breasts, hugging the narrowness of her waist before flaring over the swell of her hips. Navy slacks clung to the slender curves of her legs and buttocks. Unable to resist, his eyes skimmed down to her gently swaying hips, to Emma’s chubby little leg wrapped monkey style around Kayla’s waist. She carried the child easily, stronger than her slender frame implied. Her upper body was tilted slightly to one side, a cantilever to accommodate the little girl’s weight. The posture was appealingly elegant.

  Oh, hell. He blew out a long breath, glad she hadn’t spotted him yet. Glad he had a moment to get his reactions under control. He’d promised to be on his best behaviour tonight but it wasn’t going to be easy.

  He wanted Kayla.

  Badly.

  She turned to speak to someone in the van and he could see her face was relaxed and happy.

  Suddenly, Emma saw him and gurgled with excitement, her little hands waving. Kayla turned and he was surprised to see a quick rush of pink to her cheeks.

  Such a contrast to the take-charge medical professional who’d handled Ryan earlier today. This Kayla looked self-conscious. But it was the way the laughter in her face faded that made his mood plummet.

  That was the look he wanted to banish. The wariness, that visceral reaction, the instinctive closing down, preparation for something unpleasant.

  He could see the moment she pulled herself up, making the effort to relax.

  One day soon, he wanted to see a completely different look on her face in greeting. Something welcoming, warmer…no, damn it, hotter. He wanted hotter.

  ‘You’re here,’ she said faintly.

  ‘In the flesh.’

  At his words, her gaze dropped to his chest, flicked across his shoulders. She looked uncomfortable. He took a deep breath and her eyes skittered away. A stilted silence descended and he felt as callow as a teenager on his first date. He cleared his throat. ‘So, are you ready to go?’

  ‘Oh, I hope you don’t mind but I, um, thought it’d be nice to walk over with Liz and Jack.’

  ‘Nice? Or safe?’

 
; ‘Both perhaps.’ She fixed him with a wily look as she tucked a strand of honey-blonde hair behind her ear. ‘But, then, I don’t need to worry about safety, do I? You promised to be on your best behaviour.’

  ‘So I did.’ He swallowed. And I will be—best behaviour…if it kills me.

  ‘Good,’ she said, her face settling into an expression of serene satisfaction.

  Tom wanted to reach out, touch her, rattle her again.

  Best behaviour, he thought with a touch of desperation. Was the assignment beyond him after all?

  Emma reached up to touch one of Kayla’s hooped earrings.

  ‘Emmie, hon. I’m attached to that.’ She winced and tilted her head to relieve the pull.

  Emma’s face suddenly screwed up in distress.

  ‘I think she’s caught her finger. Let me help.’ Tom stepped nearer and bent to the task of freeing the toddler’s fingers. As he worked, the feathery ends of Kayla’s blonde hair brushed across his knuckles and her fresh, delicious fragrance filled his head. He had to force himself to concentrate when all he really wanted to do was bury his face in the soft skin at the nape of her neck.

  After a moment, Emma was free and she switched her attention to him, patting his face. His fingers fumbled to catch the jewellery as it slipped from Kayla’s ear.

  ‘It’s come out. The catch must have unhooked,’ he said, straightening. ‘Do you want me to take Emma while you refasten it?’

  ‘Oh, thanks. That’d be great.’ She sounded as breathless as he felt.

  He tucked the earring into his shirt pocket and held his hands out to Emma. ‘Going to come to me, mischief?’

  Emma held her hands out and began jiggling on Kayla’s hip. ‘Yes. Up.’

  Kayla bent close to make the transfer easier. Tom slid his arm around the toddler, conscious of Kayla’s warmth. When he brushed her midriff, she gasped. Her wide, startled eyes flew to his. He looked down into the crystalline grey irises as dark awareness flared in her inky pupils. He was dimly aware of Emma’s arms latching onto him as he stared helplessly, his breath frozen in his chest. Then Kayla blinked and looked away, releasing him from the spell. Elation and hope swelled in his heart, making him giddy. She was just as affected by this charge between them as he was.

  On impulse, he leaned down and quickly pressed his mouth to Kayla’s soft, warm cheek.

  ‘You look lovely,’ he murmured.

  Fabulous, delicious…edible. But, then, he knew he’d think she looked pretty good in a chaff sack…even better in nothing at all. An ache of need spread through his gut.

  ‘Thanks,’ she said, a tiny rough catch in her voice. ‘Could I have m-my earring please?’ She held out her hand.

  He reached into his pocket for the bauble and deposited it on her palm.

  She turned away, tilting her head so she could guide the earring back into place. Her hair swung in a silky curtain to hide her face.

  ‘Kay-lah.’ Emma wriggled then looked at him expectantly.

  ‘Yes, that’s Kayla.’

  ‘Oh, no.’ Kayla twisted back to give the toddler a despairing look. ‘No, Emmie, hon, remember your new word for today is syllable.’

  With delighted giggles, Emma clapped her hands. ‘Kay-lah. Cluck-ee.’

  Tom’s tension evaporated abruptly. He grinned broadly and looked back at mortified Kayla as fresh colour flooded across her cheeks.

  ‘Kay-lah. Cluck-ee.’

  ‘Is she, now?’

  Kayla groaned. ‘You know she doesn’t have any idea what she’s saying. She’s playing with words and sounds. Unfortunately, those two words have taken her fancy.’

  ‘Bad luck,’ Tom said gently.

  ‘Yes.’

  His heart lurched at the way her mouth pouted slightly. ‘It could be worse.’

  ‘I’m trying to imagine,’ she drawled, fixing him with a disbelieving look.

  ‘Oh, definitely. Much worse.’ He collected his wits. ‘It could have been a swear word. When Ry was about Emma’s age, he came over to my place with his dad and went home saying buddy. Charlotte thought it was cute until she realised he was actually saying…er—’ He stopped and glanced at Emma, who was fingering the logo on his T-shirt. He’d better spell the word just to be on the safe side. ‘B-L-O-O-D-Y.’

  Kayla chuckled and her eyes sparkled. ‘Okay, yes. That is bad.’

  ‘Cluck-ee,’ Emma chirped looking from one to the other smugly.

  ‘But so is this.’ Kayla huffed out a sigh. ‘Everyone who hears her is going to think I’m…’

  ‘Wanting to start a family?’ He struggled to keep his voice light. The thought of Kayla’s belly round with child made his stomach curl with hunger.

  ‘Yes.’ Kayla sent him resigned look under her lashes. She looked so adorable, so desirable. The tension in his gut cranked up another notch.

  He was starting to fit her into the mould of the woman he wanted to keep. Was it too soon for that? His head was telling him, yes, it was too soon…but his heart was telling him to go for broke.

  Kayla walked beside Tom, acutely aware of his every stride.

  Emma was balanced easily on his hip. He hadn’t relinquished the toddler; instead he’d offered to carry her. Kayla wished she could put his domesticity down to a misguided attempt to impress but she knew it would be unfair. He was too relaxed, Emma was too comfortable, too familiar with him for it to be a rare event.

  Tom Jamieson was genuine. Kayla’s heart gave a painful squeeze. Strength and tenderness all wrapped up in a ruggedly attractive package.

  She was charmed and dismayed in equal measure. His treatment of Ryan and Emma pierced her careful safeguards, leaving her feeling unsettled, susceptible. She was really seeing him, being forced to put aside her preconceived ideas about who he was.

  How odd that this weekend of competitive rough-and-tumble sport should showcase such extraordinary sensitivity. The sooner it was over the better. Back in the hospital flat, in town and working—that was what she needed so she could get some perspective.

  ‘Cluck-ee.’

  Kayla rolled her eyes to find Tom’s amused gaze on her.

  ‘She’ll find something new soon.’

  ‘Promise?’ She managed a smile. ‘Though perhaps you’re right. I shouldn’t complain. The next thing she latches onto might be worse.’

  ‘With a bit of luck, you won’t have to worry about her chattering tonight. With all the fresh air and running around today, she must be worn out. She’ll be out like a light after tea.’

  As though she’d understood his words, Emma yawned hugely and her head drooped onto Tom’s shoulder, her thumb in her mouth. Tom tilted his head and laid his cheek on the snuggling toddler’s hair. Kayla’s heart melted. She tried to imagine her own father carrying Maddy or herself the way Tom held Emma.

  The picture wouldn’t come. If her father had a softer side, she and Maddy had never seen it.

  Tom’s short dark hair was damp and sleek, and she realised he must have found time to bathe between helping to set up for the evening and coming to collect her.

  No shave, though. Dark stubble shadowed his jaw. It looked good on him. She’d felt it when he’d bent to kiss her on the cheek. Along with a soft warmth and a hint of moisture with the brush of his lips. She raised her fingers to her face, remembering. For the tiniest, maddest moment she’d wanted to turn her head, feel that pressure and heat on her mouth.

  With his free hand, Tom reached out to capture hers and she forgot all about Emma’s word obsession. Pleasantly rough skin slid over hers until they were palm to palm. It had been years since she’d held hands with anyone and she’d forgotten how much she enjoyed it. The few men she’d dated had considered themselves too sophisticated for the simple public gesture.

  In this peaceful bush setting, she felt suddenly overwhelmed by a wave of contrasting stimuli. The size and brawny strength of the man beside her, his undeniable masculinity…and yet his poignant gentleness.

  And then there was the example of h
er friends. Jack, so tall and strong…and yet his tenderness with Liz and Emma.

  It wasn’t…right. It wasn’t…the way things were between men and women, between men and children. Her experiences hadn’t prepared her for the possibility of beauty and softness in the interactions of strong males with those physically weaker than themselves.

  Tom’s hand on hers acted as an anchor while she struggled to deal with her impressions.

  ‘All right?’ he murmured, as though he sensed her turmoil. And his acute sensitivity to her in this moment just made it worse.

  ‘Of course.’ Her throat was raw, her voice rough. She managed a tight smile.

  Just as well Tom had reiterated his promise to be on his best behaviour. It was her own impulses that she was starting to worry about.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  KAYLA suppressed a quiver as Tom’s breath whispered over the tender skin of her ear. ‘Prepare yourself to be welcomed into the Jamieson family fold,’ he murmured. ‘This is all your family?’ she said, looking around at the laughing, talking crowd. Several children were happily playing a chasing game in and around the standing adults and a group of men holding cans of beer had gathered to commune around a barbecue.

  ‘Lots of them. Don’t ask me where everyone fits. Mum knows. Friends, too. The camp draft Saturday night barbecue is something of a tradition.’

  A slender brunette who’d just hugged Liz looked in their direction and a huge grin immediately lit her face.

  ‘Remember, you only have to give name, rank and serial number,’ Tom said, his voice filled with laughter as the smiling woman hurried towards them. Liz and Jack trailed behind her.

  Kayla speared Tom with a short glance. ‘Worried I might say something to embarrass you?’

  ‘Nope.’ His fingers squeezed hers as he pitched his voice for her alone. ‘Worried someone might say something to scare you back into the shell I’ve winkled you out of.’

  ‘You make me sound like a hermit crab,’ she muttered.

  Tom’s chuckle rumbled in her ears before he said, ‘Hi, Mum.’

  ‘I’ve been keeping an eye out so I didn’t miss you two arriving. You must be Kayla.’ The dark-haired woman stepped forward, her arms wide in welcome. For a split second as Kayla felt Tom release her hand, she wanted to cling to him. The next she was scooped into a hug. ‘You’re even more gorgeous than the photo Liz showed me.’