Jack looked bemused and worried. “Er, I don’t want you to feel that I’m imposing. I happened to be at Millie’s store when the trees arrived. I helped her out and she offered me one, but what would I do with a naked tree in the chalet; that just looks wrong. Millie suggested I bring it here and …” he trailed off.
“It’s beautiful, thank you. And considerate too, lugging it all the way here.” She stood on tiptoes and, reaching up, gave him an impulsive peck on the cheek. Oh no! Maybe she shouldn’t have done that. He smelled of warm soap and sunshine. Katherine suddenly wanted more, wanted to open the neck of his sweater and nuzzle his skin.
Jack touched his cheek where she’d kissed him and gave her a lopsided grin. She stepped back and could see that Jack took the cue that this was not going any further.
He gave the tree a gentle push, testing its stability. “I don’t think it’ll fall over. I’ll leave you to it.” He scooped his coat off the chair. “Thanks for the coffee.”
Katherine followed him into the hallway. He was shrugging into his coat, and something inside her screamed, Twit—don’t let him go!
“Please don’t go,” came out like a yelp. Pained at her lack of self-control, she screwed her eyes shut. She needed to give him some sort of excuse.
Come on, tell him why.
She glanced over her shoulder at the bare tree, and then turned to Jack. “Would you help me trim the tree?” God, that was pathetic; he had more important things to do than play with tinsel. “If you’re not too busy, of course, Mum and … Dad, we always trimmed the tree together, and it’s just me at the moment. Mum’s trying to get back, but volcanic ash cancelled all flights. The tree’s here and I just can’t see myself doing it alone.” Good grief, she was babbling.
Eagerly slipping his coat off, Jack hung it on the hallstand. “Sure, I’ll give it a shot,” he said, grinning.
“It—it’s not difficult.” Oh man, now she was stammering. “I’ll get the decorations.”
She rushed down the hall to the pull-down ladder leading to the attic. She muttered about rash decisions and hasty invitations, blaming them on Leandra. Opening the hatch, she climbed through, and all the familiar attic smells wafted over her. It had been years since she’d ventured up here. She scanned the boxes for a label that said Christmas decorations, and found it on top of an old wardrobe. An old crate, standing to one side, made it easier to reach. She clambered up, grabbed the box and caught sight of an old biscuit tin she’d never seen before. It was strange to see it hidden at the back.
Reaching forward, Katherine managed to get her fingertips on the tin caked with dust and pulled it towards her. She blew the top layer of dust off and sneezed. “Bless you!” echoed up the stairs. “Thanks!” She prised open the colourful lid and found bundles of letters neatly tied with coloured ribbons. Assuming they were old love letters from her dad to her mum, she shut the tin and sat it on the box of decorations to take downstairs. If her mum had forgotten about them, they’d make a lovely Christmas present.
“Do you need any help?” Jack called from the bottom of the stairs.
“Yes please,” she said, and handed him the tin and box through the hatch.
When Katherine climbed down, Jack had set everything on the coffee table. She put the tin under the tree and opened the box of decorations. Memories flooded back with every piece of tinsel and shiny bauble.
“What a mess,” Katherine mumbled, trying to untangle the lights. She remembered how visitors had arrived unexpectedly when they were taking down the tree the previous Christmas, how her mum had hurriedly gathered the wiring and pushed the bundle into the box saying, “I’ll worry about that later.” But there had never been a later. Katherine’s dad had always looked after packing away the lights, and she gathered her mum couldn’t deal with having to do it without him.
Blinded by her tears, Katherine sniffed and wiped her face with the hem of her sweater. A wad of tissues appeared under her nose.
“Thanks,” she murmured, and dabbed her eyes. She straightened and blinked at him. “I’m okay now—where’d you get these tissues?”
“I carry a stack around with me—the cold air makes my eyes water and my nose run.”
She smiled. “Happens to all of us.”
Jack gathered the twisted lights. “It’s sick, I know, but I get great satisfaction out of untying knots. Sit back and watch a master at work.” He stretched the wire from chair to chair and over the sofa. “Hold this,” he said and continued roaming the living room trailing the cord, weaving it through and under loops. “Um, wait, that bit goes there, and this bit goes through here and …”
An hour later, the tree looked stunning. Katherine laughed until her face hurt when Jack threw tinsel at the tree and spread it out. It looked like a giant, glistening octopus clutching the branches.
She poured another cup of coffee and, on her way back, saw that Jack had switched on the lights and was standing back to admire their handiwork.
The lights twinkled, decorations sparkled, and a fire crackled softly in the hearth. The old cabin finally looked festive. And she owed it all to Jack.
“To Christmas!” she said, clinking her cup against his. “And our magnificent tree. It’s beautiful.”
“To us.” He smiled down at her, a glint of bemused wonder in his eyes. Before the tension got out of hand he added, “And Christmas!”
She tried to ignore both the ‘to us’ toast and the look, but part of her wanted to know what he meant. “Now,” she said nervously, changing the subject, “it’s time for the angel.”
“Angel? You won’t fit.” He laughed and Katherine gave him a look. “Yeah, that was cheesy, but I’m not apologising.”
“Uh huh. Yep, okay.”
A smile eased into her face. Quickly, she turned to the angel. The tired gossamer wings and frayed frock needed repairs, but that didn’t matter; it was Katherine’s angel. Her mother had made it when she was a little girl. It had been part of their Christmas decorating ritual every year.
“Ready?” Jack asked and held out his hand.
Katherine climbed the small stepladder, but standing on the top without support made her feel uneasy. “Ricketty little stepladder,” she said, hand on his shoulder.
Jack slipped his hands around her waist. Her breath caught and a delicious sensation rippled through her body. That’s ridiculous. Men constantly had their hands around her, often in intimate places, during a pas de deux. Quickly, she placed the angel on the top of the tree.
Katherine looked at Jack over her shoulder. This handsome man had helped her with care and understanding. His sensuality hit her mentally and physically, like falling into a bath of champagne. She managed to whisper, “She’s on the tree. I can get down now.”
“Are you sure she won’t fall off?” Jack asked, sliding his thumbs over the small of her back while his fingers gently pressed into her midriff.
She knew she ought to stop him, but God it had been so long since anyone touched her like that. “Really,” she said breathlessly. “The angel is quite secure. You can let go now.” Please.
His steady gaze met hers. Good grief, this was getting out of hand. She tensed as the impact of his expression turned her on. Her heart beat faster. He’d shattered her protective wall, it lay in pieces at her feet. She stopped breathing when his grip tightened, then he lifted her off the ladder and gently lowered her to the floor.
Okay, that was far enough. It was time to take control. Pretending she needed a better view of the tree, Katherine took a step back from his personal space.
“Well, isn’t the tree gorgeous?” Her voice was thick and unsteady. She inclined her head left and right as if inspecting a piece of artwork. In an atmosphere heavy with desire, they both paused to admire the tree.
“I enjoyed doing this with you,” Jack said.
“Yes, me too. It’s beautiful. Thank you,” she added, not daring to look at him.
“I’d better go,” he said, breaking the spell before the storm hit and the
y both lost control. “I’ve got meetings lined up with a few people heading out of town for Christmas and New Year. I have to get to them before they go. Fingers crossed someone has some answers for Andrew.”
She wasn’t the only one who babbled. “I’m sorry.” She laughed.
“What’s so funny?” he grinned.
Their eyes locked. Katherine knew his mirrored exactly what hers were suggesting. Both wanted more, but neither one was ready to take the next step, until … Jack took her hand. The emotion within the depth of his eyes grew, and she wasn’t sure what was going to happen next. God, she hoped he wouldn’t lean in for a kiss.
She had to ask, “What’s that look for?”
He gently squeezed her hand. “Remember the dance I mentioned yesterday? I don’t suppose you might reconsider and come with me. I realise you have a performance on Saturday, but you’ll have a day to recover and I can bring you home early. Otherwise I’d be at the house sitting by the fire—alone—waiting, thinking, wondering,” he finished in that intriguing accent.
Help! Katherine’s mind said one thing, but her body said another. See, it’s all physical.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a dance,” he said easily, perhaps to cover her silence. “I think the last dance I went to was a bush dance at Mudgee.”
“What’s a bush dance? A commemorative dance for a famous Australian bush?”
Jack’s laughter rolled out, deep and infectious.
“Bushman’s—no, bushranger’s dance?” she added, smiling now.
He was still laughing, and Katherine enjoyed every moment. It was the best laugh she’d ever heard, delightful and without mockery.
“No,” he said, recovering. “It’s a country dance. You know, the country, the bush, the outback.”
“Oh.” Katherine nodded. The sensuality surrounding them had cooled, but only slightly. At least she could speak now without stammering, and stand on her own two feet and not act like an infatuated teenager.
“I’m glad my ignorance of things Australian brings you such pleasure. Stop it! You’re still laughing at me. I can see it in your eyes.”
“I can’t help it. If you’re not making me laugh,” he said warmly, “you’re making me smile all the time. See you Friday night. Pick you up here at say, seven-thirty?”
Say no, there’s still an opportunity, say no! Why was she panicking? It was just a dance. Get over your teenage dramas and other dating catastrophes. You know this one’s leaving ahead of time so no surprises there. She wanted to run, but couldn’t move. Gazing at her, Jack waited, smiling. She saw a change in his expression. An uncertain look in his eyes softened his face. He stopped caressing the top of her hand and released her.
“Sorry, you probably have other plans. I think I’ve made you uncomfortable,” he added apologetically.
“No—no plans.” Katherine paused. “All right!” came out before she could stop herself. Oops, how did that happen? “Better make that eight o’clock,” she added as coolly as she could. “Nothing ever starts on time around here.”
“Excellent!” he said, looking relieved. “I’ll pick you up at eight.”
Katherine watched him from the doorway as he made his way through the snow.
God help her, she loved the way he moved—confident, a woman’s man. She loved the way his hair curled at the neck. She loved the back of his head—his ears, his mouth, the look in his eyes. He turned, waved, gave her a smile and disappeared into his car.
Chapter 5
Tuesday morning, Katherine woke with a start when squeals echoed through the cabin. She ran out to the living room to find Leandra plastered against the door, eyes the size of saucers and holding a paper bakery bag above her head. With her free hand she pointed at Bubbles, and yelled, “SIT—NOW!” Fwoomp, Bubbles sat.
Leandra eyeballed Katherine. “You told me you had a dog!”
“Yep, meet Bubbles.”
Leandra slanted her head for a better look. “I think she’s got something in her mouth.”
“Bubbles, what have you got?” Katherine lifted her dog’s chops and gasped. “Drop it!” Her mobile phone clattered to the floor. “Ugh!” She picked it up and, holding it at arm’s length, took it to the laundry to wipe clean.
“You so have control of this dog. It’s amazing, I am impressed.” Leandra’s tone sarcastic.
“I don’t know what’s going on, Bubbles,” Katherine called out from the laundry, “but it has to stop.”
“She’s a good guard dog at least.” Leandra rubbed Bubbles’ head.
“I heard her grumble, but she does that a lot,” Katherine said, drying her phone with a towel. “The slightest noise and she’s ready to kick arse. I just didn’t get up fast enough. Sorry Lea, are you okay?”
“Yeah, am now we’ve had a formal introduction.” They wandered into the living room. “Nice tree, I love it.” Leandra eyed it wistfully. “It’s just like always.”
“The tree is Jack’s contribution to Christmas in Canada.” Katherine moved closer and slung an arm around Leandra’s shoulder and kissed her temple.
“R-i-g-h-t,” came out almost like a song as Leandra nodded, her eyes round, signalling approval. “And there’s a present under it already.” She wandered over and picked up the tin. “It’s a lovely old tin, needs dusting.”
“No, I don’t want Mum to think I opened it. I want to give it to her just as it is, something lost and forgotten. It’s full of old letters from Dad. I found it in the attic. I hope it’s a nice surprise for her and not too upsetting.”
“It’ll hurt, but your mum will appreciate seeing them again,” Leandra said and put the tin back under the tree.
“Come on, Bubbles, breakfast.” Katherine urged her dog away. Bubbles kept looking over her shoulder at Leandra’s bakery bag.
“Go on, off you go. You can’t have our almond croissants.” Leandra wagged her finger. “I’ll put the coffee on, you get dressed,” she sang out.
Dressed in comfy sweats, Katherine came out to the delicious aroma of blended coffee and almonds. “This is just what I was craving. Thanks, Lea.”
“Not a problem. Your dog has a pair of lace panties.”
Katherine swung around. “Oh Bubbles.” She held out her hand, and Bubbles dropped the panties. “I’ve got to get to the bottom of this.”
“Good luck.” Elbows resting on the table, Leandra leaned forward, eager for news. “Tell me what happened with Jack.”
“I’m going to the Friday night dance and—”
“Yay! Excellent,” Leandra cut in. “Is he picking you up? What time? I’ll be here—got to meet this guy. Is he tall, can’t be short. What does Bubbles think?”
“Bubbles thinks he’s the best thing since sliced bread.” Katherine sat back and eyed her friend. “Now tell me what happened with Claude.”
Talking about her ex, the Frenchman Claude, refuelled Leandra’s anger. “The bastard swore he wasn’t married when all the time he was.” She paused, took a deep breath and shrugged. “Men are fickle, aren’t they? Anyway, I didn’t love him, so no real drama; I just hate being lied to.”
Sadness filled Katherine as she hunkered down to place a potted poinsettia above her father’s plaque. “Hi, Dad, I love you.” She sniffed and rubbed her eyes.
Bubbles moved closer, licked her face and sat leaning against Katherine. How could anyone dump this sweet animal in a place she knew nothing about, where all the sights and smells were frightening and alien?
“Thanks, Bubbles.” Katherine put her arm around her dog’s shoulder.
Leandra squatted beside Katherine and placed her flowers next to the plaque. “Hi, Henry,” she said softly. “Meet Bubbles, a new family member. And I speak from personal experience when I say she’s a kick-arse protector.”
Bubbles smacked her lips and made soft, warbley noises.
Neither spoke on the short drive from the cemetery to Spruce Valley Lodge. Katherine’s thoughts lingered on her dad, and then movement
in the passenger seat brought her back to the present. Leandra wiped the condensation from her window and looked out. Katherine glanced her way and wondered what she was thinking.
In the next breath, Leandra straightened and said, “Your dad’s happy. Of course, he’d rather not be dead, but he’s risen to the occasion and he’s good about it.” Leandra snort-laughed. “Haha—risen to the occasion.”
Katherine nearly choked and then her jaw dropped.
Bubbles lay in the back, taking up the whole seat and didn’t stir.
“It’s a good thing it’s not summer, ’cause your mouth’s hanging open,” Leandra told her.
“Well,” Katherine began, “that’s the strangest thing to say.”
“Just blowing off the tension.” Leandra wiped the condensation from her window. “You don’t see many of those around. And he’s wearing a weird hat.”
Katherine gasped. Couldn’t be Jack, but then it’s a small town and he’s busy searching.
“It’s him! It’s that Jack guy.” Leandra turned as far as she could without choking on the seatbelt. “Stop the car! Stop, stop! Okay, don’t stop. Turn around!”
“No way, we’re here and you’ll see him Friday.” Katherine pulled into the lodge’s parking lot and Bubbles sat up, ears perky. She swung around to face her dog. “You have to stay for a moment while I sort out what Peggy is going to do.”
Bubbles woofed. Slobber flew and splattered the side window.
“Oh, gross.” Her face screwed up, Leandra backed away.
“Oh, come on, Lea, you’ve seen men do worse than that. Stay,” Katherine ordered.
“Good point.” Leandra climbed out.
As soon as the driver’s door shut, howling that would have put a smoke alarm to shame erupted inside the car.
“Quick, let’s get inside.” Katherine grabbed Leandra’s hand and pulled her towards the doors.
There was no one sitting at the reception desk, and the whole place seemed eerily quiet. Katherine shrugged. Leandra shrugged back and pointed at a silver bell on the desk with a note that said, Please ring. Without warning, peals of laughter filtered down the hall. Katherine smiled. She turned to Leandra, took her arm and led her towards the lodge’s living and recreation rooms. Aileen stood at the back of the room. Peggy was showing slides on a big screen of Bubbles growing up, and all her antics along the way.
Finding Elizabeth Page 9