And then she realised something else.
Jude didn’t seem to have a problem with his sight. He wasn’t wearing dark glasses and there was no hesitancy in his movements, nothing careful about the way he strolled onto the deck, hands sunk casually in the pockets of his jeans. He smiled and nodded to a couple of the men in suits, shook their hands, waved to someone else at the back of the crowd.
It was quite obvious that he could see, and Emily’s first reaction was a rush of brilliant, over-the-moon euphoria.
But this was quickly followed by confusion. If he was OK, why was he selling his house? Had he found Miss Right, after all?
Then Jude froze.
Across the crowd, his gaze locked with Emily’s, and shock registered as he stared at her.
She wanted to smile, but she hadn’t a chance. She couldn’t move a muscle. She’d turned to stone.
Without a word or a gesture to anyone, Jude crossed the deck towards her. People moved out of the way, making room for him as if they sensed a man on a mission.
In no time he was standing directly in front of Emily, his grey eyes burning. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘I…’ Her mouth was so dry she had to run her tongue over her lips and try again. ‘I was hoping to see you.’
He gave a helpless, stunned shake of his head, and then he gripped her arm. ‘Come with me.’
He grasped her tightly and she was aware of the force of his tension as he steered her across the deck while curious eyes followed them.
As soon as they were inside the house, Jude released her. Then he stood back, running a shaking hand through his hair. ‘I can’t quite believe this.’
‘It must be a…a surprise,’ Emily admitted and she swallowed nervously. ‘You look well, Jude.’
‘I’m very well, thank you—apart from shellshock.’
Now she could see that he did look a bit dazed.
‘What are you doing here?’ he asked again.
‘I saw the for sale ad in the paper and I had to come.’
For painful seconds he stared at her and his eyes reflected a breathtaking mix of emotions. ‘Why, Emily? Why did you have to come?’
‘So many reasons.’ Now her heart was going crazy. She could scarcely breathe. ‘Some you might not believe.’
‘Try me.’
Oh, help. Emily hadn’t expected to reach this moment so quickly. She’d rehearsed all kinds of explanations, but now, with Jude standing so stiffly before her, watching her so intently and fiercely, the answers flew out of her head.
She had no choice. She had to give him the only excuse she could think of—
‘I was desperately worried about you.’
Jude looked unconvinced.
‘I just had to see that you were OK, Jude. I couldn’t think why you were selling this house, unless something had gone wrong with your eyes.’
‘My eyes are fine.’
Now she couldn’t bring herself to add the other reason, that she feared he might have found the perfect woman and that he was giving up this lifestyle to be with her.
The pain of that possibility was too much.
‘Why have you come here after all this time?’ Jude asked her again.
There was only one true reason. ‘I’m…I’m in love with you.’
Oh, good grief. Had she really said it aloud?
‘I’m sorry, Jude. I know that’s the last thing you wanted to hear.’
His eyes were glistening now, and his throat worked as if he found it painful to swallow. He shot a quick glance out to the deck, where several people were peering in through the glass door.
‘We need privacy,’ he said, turning his back on the crowd and nodding to a door leading off the living room.
Emily frowned. ‘What…about the auction?’
‘This is more important.’
Her heart was trembling as she followed him into his study. She was aware of thick carpet beneath her feet, walls lined with crowded bookshelves, a computer and a scattering of pens and paper on a large silky oak desk. She was also nervously aware that she’d once again barged back into Jude’s life—this time with the ultimate intrusion—a declaration of love.
Jude closed the door, then turned to her. There was no window in this room and they were completely alone, and she wondered if he was going to tell her off for interfering and then send her packing.
He stood tall in the middle of the carpeted floor, took a deep breath and folded his arms across his considerable chest. ‘Did you know I’ve been to Wandabilla looking for you?’
Emily felt her knees shake with shock.
‘When?’ she asked, unable to wipe the disbelief from her voice.
‘A couple of weeks back, after you’d already left town.’ Jude eased back against his desk. ‘I planned to come looking for you again, just as soon as I had this sorted.’
‘Had what sorted? Selling the house?’
He nodded.
‘But I don’t understand. Why do you want to sell this place? It doesn’t make sense. I thought you loved living here.’
‘I have loved it,’ he said simply.
She gave a helpless flap of her hands. ‘Then why sell? Your eyes are fine, aren’t they?’
‘Absolutely. I’ve been very lucky. At the six week MRI, I scored a clean bill of health.’
‘That’s wonderful news.’ It was such good news and she wanted to rush to him, to wrap him in a joyous bear hug. But she didn’t dare, of course. Not after his grim reaction to her embarrassing, poorly timed confession of love.
‘I’m even more confused now,’ she said instead. ‘Forgive me for speaking like a bank manager, but I do understand that finances are very tight for everyone at the moment.’
‘I don’t have a problem with my finances,’ Jude said.
As if on cue, the auctioneer’s raised voice reached them from outside. He was giving his introductory spiel.
‘Don’t you need to be out there?’ Emily asked.
Jude shook his head. ‘As I said, this conversation is more important. I’d like to explain to you why I’m selling the house.’
Something in his voice and in his eyes made her feel as if he was leading her to the very brink of a precipice.
A wave of dizziness overcame her, and for a terrible moment she thought she was going to faint. ‘You’ve found her.’
‘Excuse me?’
Oh, help. This was so painful. Why couldn’t he just tell her instead of dragging this out? ‘You told me you’d give up this house for the right woman. I’m guessing you must have found her.’
Outside, the auctioneer’s voice grew louder and more excited. The bidding must have started, but Jude didn’t seem the slightest bit interested.
His eyes were lit by a funny-sad smile. Directed at her. ‘Yes, I’ve found her,’ he said gently.
‘That’s—’ Emily tried to form the word wonderful, but her lips were too wobbly.
‘Emily, can’t you guess?’
No, she was too scared to think. Her heartbeats were pounding too loudly, thundering in her ears. She shook her head. Tears threatened.
In one stride Jude was beside her and his arms were around her, supporting her, holding her against the strong, safe wall of his chest. He pressed his face into her hair and then he kissed her brow, her cheek, her chin. ‘Emily.’
For a moment she was too stunned to think. Then she pulled back with a gasp.
Jude’s smile was lighting his eyes and making the skin at their edges crinkle. ‘You’re more important to me than anything.’
‘But you’re not selling this house because of me, Jude?’ Her heart stumbled, picked itself up and did a cartwheel. ‘That’s c
razy.’
‘No, selling my house isn’t crazy. The crazy thing was letting you go.’ With his thumb, Jude traced a soft line down the curve of her cheek. ‘The crazy thing was being too afraid to admit that I loved you.’
His smile made her want to cry for all the right reasons. ‘That’s why I went to Wandabilla and it’s why I was gearing up to cross oceans or slay dragons. I was going to find you, my dear, sweet girl, to tell you that I love you. I love you so much.’
He said this as if loving her changed everything.
As if nothing else in the entire universe mattered.
‘Being with you is more important than where I live. I wouldn’t want to live here without you. I was planning to start over somewhere else if I couldn’t find you.’
He reached for her hands. ‘I told you I could give up this house for the right girl. And I meant it. You’re the right girl, Emily. The only girl.’
It wasn’t easy to tell a man he was hopelessly crazy and kiss him at the same time, but Emily did her best, with her arms wrapped around his neck, with her body pressed close to his hunky muscles, and with tears streaming down her face.
She might have gone on kissing him for ever if there hadn’t been a pressing question she needed to ask.
As she reluctantly pulled back, she could hear the auctioneer’s voice outside growing increasingly more persuasive and agitated.
‘Jude,’ she said with sudden urgency, ‘what if I don’t want you to lose your house?’
She saw a flash in his eyes—and she had her answer. Now there wasn’t a moment to lose.
She tugged at his hand. ‘Come on. We’ve got to hurry.’
Thinking more clearly, she dropped his hand, and began to run ahead of him. ‘Correction, I’ve got to hurry.’
* * *
Another sunset…
‘This calls for bubbles,’ Jude said as he carried a bottle of chilled champagne and two flutes onto the deck.
The auctioneer and potential buyers had left now, and the two of them were alone. Emily was leaning against the deck’s railing, enjoying the view. She turned and grinned at him. Her hair gleamed like autumn leaves against the spring green of the rainforest, and he thought how perfectly relaxed and happy she looked in this setting, so different from the cool and collected professional who’d so competently joined in the bidding on his house.
Then again, he should have guessed that Emily’s career as a country bank manager enabled her to morph into an auction genius.
He worked the champagne cork free and it gave a soft pop. The wine sparkled and fizzed as he filled their glasses and he handed one to Emily. ‘Congratulations to the new home owner.’
‘Thank you, sir.’ She touched her glass to his. ‘Here’s to us.’
He stood for a moment, smiling a little dazedly into her eyes, sipping his drink as he came to terms with everything that had happened in the past hour.
His world had taken a three-sixty degree spin.
And here he was…celebrating.
He was a lucky man.
Un-flaming-believably lucky.
Emily waved her glass towards the house. ‘I still can’t believe you were prepared to sacrifice your lovely home for me.’
‘Well, I can’t believe you’ve sacrificed the money you’d set aside for your business just to buy this place.’
‘Being crazy is fun, isn’t it?’ She laughed. ‘But thank heavens we’ve worked as a team. You’ve heroically offered to finance my business, and I’ve graciously invited you to stay on living here.’
She reached for his hand. ‘But don’t forget, Jude, I can sell this place back to you in a blink. It’s only a matter of paperwork.’ She looked up at him, her blue eyes suddenly serious. ‘Perhaps we should sort that out sooner rather than later. I certainly don’t want you to risk your capital on my little business.’
‘I wouldn’t dream of reneging on that promise. You’ve seen enough small businesses come and go. You know the financial ropes better than I do. I’m sure my money’s in safe hands.’
‘That’s very trusting of you.’ Emily drank more bubbles and smiled at him over the rim of her glass. ‘So I guess it’s official. We’re both as crazy as each other.’
‘I guess we are.’ Setting his glass aside, Jude placed his hands on the timber railing, on either side of her. Trapping her.
Her eyes widened and pretty colour rose in her cheeks. Her lips softened and parted.
‘If we’re both so crazy,’ he said, ‘we must be a perfect match.’
‘I think we must be.’
They smiled into each other’s eyes and it was a smile that reached all the way inside, a smile that made and kept promises.
They’d taken such a roundabout route to be together. They’d both held back, for all kinds of reasons. But now, as Jude kissed Emily, she linked her arms around his neck and their kiss was deep and lush and long, and buoyed by a happy confidence that sent Jude’s last barriers tumbling.
He felt so good to be free. No fears. No regrets. No doubts, or what ifs.
Who would have thought total commitment could be so liberating?
‘And now,’ Emily said, breaking into his thoughts and giving him a cheeky grin, ‘I think it’s high time you showed me the rest of this house that I’ve paid an exorbitant amount of money for.’
‘So you want a grand tour?’
‘Well, there’s at least one room I haven’t seen.’
‘What’s that?’
‘The master bedroom.’
Jude grinned. ‘Which just happens to be the best room in the house.’
Emily totally agreed. The master bedroom was beyond amazing, with an enormous platform bed plus an en suite bathroom with a sunken spa looking out through a wall of glass into a totally private patch of forest. And there was even a sliding glass roof.
‘For watching the stars at night,’ Jude explained.
‘Hmm…I think I’ve made a very sound investment.’ She slanted him a questioning smile. ‘I hope the master himself is part of this bedroom package?’
‘That’s a guarantee.’ With a sexy growl he pulled her into his arms and set about proving he was as good as his word. Tenderly, but masterfully.
EPILOGUE
THE door to Alex’s apartment opened and light spilled onto the steps.
‘Jude! Emily!’ Alex sent a startled grin to both of them in turn. ‘What a surprise.’
‘Sorry we didn’t warn you we were coming,’ said Jude.
‘No problem. I’m glad to see you. Come on in.’ In the hallway Alex turned back to look at them again. Clearly, he was puzzled. ‘What’s going on with you two? I know you’re an item now, but you both look like you’re about to burst.’
‘We have good news,’ said Emily. ‘At least we think it’s good news. I’m sure you will, too.’
‘Don’t tell me Jude’s finally finished his book?’
‘Actually, yes, I have.’ Jude waved a large packet. ‘I’ve even brought you a printout of the manuscript.’
‘And I’ve read it and it’s brilliant,’ added Emily.
Alex’s eyes widened. ‘That definitely calls for a celebration. I wasn’t sure he’d ever finish it with you as a distraction, Ems.’
‘Well, he’s not only finished it, he’s started another. And I’ve also brought wine,’ said Emily. ‘And cheese and crackers.’
‘There’s no question then—it’s party time.’
Alex hurried ahead of them into the kitchen, grabbing glasses and a plate for the cheese and crackers, as well as olives and pâté from his fridge.
Emily thought how nice it was to be back inside these familiar walls. It was especially nice to have Jude here with her,
looking hunky and gorgeous, and with none of that haunting uncertainty in his eyes.
Almost like coming home.
She remembered the meals she and Jude had prepared and shared in this kitchen. The conversations and the revelations. And the tears.
This was where it had all begun and where it had almost ended.
She and Jude had talked about it often. He’d told her how he’d fallen for her on that first night when she’d arrived on his doorstep. And they’d talked about everything that had followed—the morning of the cream nightgown, the kiss where she’d slapped him, the trips to see the heron and the sunset, the fateful striptease…
Jude had been amazingly understanding and patient. He totally got how hard it was for her to truly believe and trust that a man could love her as deeply and as permanently as she loved him.
Now, coming back here, Emily realised how wonderfully well Jude’s reassurance had worked. She felt truly strong now. Safe and certain. And bone-deep happy.
‘Well, well,’ said Alex, handing her a glass. ‘So what’s the news? Apart from the fact that you two are an item.’
‘Jude’s asked me to marry him,’ Emily announced, unable to hold back a moment longer.
Alex’s jaw dropped. ‘Amazing!’
Jude cuffed his friend on the shoulder. ‘You’re supposed to say congratulations.’
‘I will. I am. I’m saying it now. Congratulations.’ Alex’s face broke into an enormous grin. ‘I didn’t know you had it in you, Jude.’
‘Granny’s not surprised,’ countered Emily.
‘She’s probably been hoping for weeks, the old romantic.’
Just the same, Alex held his arms wide and enveloped Emily in a bear hug. ‘Truly, darling, I’m thrilled. You’ve made an excellent choice.’ He shot a wink over his shoulder to Jude. ‘So have you, mate.’
‘Glad you approve,’ Jude responded dryly. ‘Just as well you do approve, actually. I was thinking of asking you to be my best man.’
‘But then I came up with the brilliant idea that you could be our best person,’ Emily broke in. ‘Because you’re so important to both of us.’
Falling for Mr. Mysterious Page 16