‘Lover boy’s here.’
‘What?’ Nikki’s skull split wide as she screeched, ‘Who do you mean?’ But she knew. Fraser had turned up. Why?
‘He brought your car round.’ When Nikki squinted at her, Amber added, ‘Apparently you were adamant you weren’t driving last night.’
Nikki flipped her hand left, right. ‘I’d never risk it. I’ve seen too many alcohol-induced road smashes.’ She shut her eyes again. ‘Tell him thanks and I’ll see him at work.’
‘No can do. He’s sitting in the kitchen with take-out coffees for us all. Says he’s not leaving until he’s seen you.’ Amber stood up, a sly smile on her face. ‘I suspect he’ll come in here if you don’t make an appearance soon. He’s that determined. You’ve made a hit, Nikki.’
You have no idea what I’ve done. None whatsoever. Another thought crashed into her skull. ‘Jay’s coming around.’
‘So?’
‘Ever seen a match thrown into a drum of petrol?’ Jay was the most protective in a bevy of protective brothers. She could almost feel sorry for Fraser, except he was big enough to fight his own battles.
* * *
Fraser paced the length of the tiny kitchen. Five steps to the wall with a shoebox-sized window that looked out onto the damp concrete square that served as the back yard. A washing line was strung from one side to the other, with underwear hanging from it. Gulp. Nikki’s?
In an effort to blank that sight from his head he turned, took five steps back to the door leading into the hall. This tiny flat had surprised him. He’d expected something roomier, sunnier, like the enormous, rambling homestead Nikki had grown up in.
Reaching the door, he heard the girls murmuring in one of the rooms off the short hall. He turned back to the window. Would Nikki make an appearance? If she refused to come out of her room he’d go to see her. He had to make sure she understood last night had been a one-off. His fingertips tingled, vividly reminding him of her satin skin as he’d caressed her neck, her cheeks. Unfortunately. He stopped. Stared around. Unfortunately? Since when did he want to get back with Nik?
Only since you left her five years ago.
His head spun. Really?
The back door burst open, letting in a draught of icy air—and one of four men Fraser definitely did not want to come face to face with yet.
‘McCall, what the hell are you doing in my sister’s flat?’
‘Waiting to see Nikki.’ Fraser stood straighter, taller. At six-one he mightn’t quite measure up to Jay’s height but he was damned if he was going to let that bother him. He would not be intimidated by the Page brothers. He needed them back on side, like they used to be before the wedding debacle, which meant proving he was looking out for their sister and in no way upsetting her.
Which meant explaining and apologising for the past. By the angry gleam in Jay’s eyes it was obvious Nikki hadn’t said a word about the cancer. Which was good. It was up to him. He didn’t believe for a minute that the Page family would immediately forgive him but hopefully none of them would want to beat the crap out of him either.
‘She won’t see you.’
He was probably right. ‘You know we work together—’
‘Hey, Jay.’ Nikki slunk into the cramped kitchen, Amber following.
Nik looked tired and dishevelled; that gorgeous mane of dark blonde hair free of its usual constraints and falling haphazardly over her shoulders. She wound her arms around her brother and gave him a brief peck on his cheek.
If only she’d do the same to me, Fraser thought. ‘Hi, Nikki,’ he croaked, his tongue so thick it filled his mouth. He’d give a year’s pay to run his hands through her hair, to feel its softness sliding across his skin. Her classy, satin dressing gown outlined her fabulous bottom perfectly and switched on his desire. Just like that. Bad timing. If he stood absolutely still, maybe no one would notice his reaction to the goddess standing before him.
‘Fraser.’ Nikki barely acknowledged him.
So he was back out in the cold. Two steps forward, three back today.
Jay kept a protective arm around her waist as he asked, ‘What’s McCall doing here?’
Nikki blinked, nodded perfunctorily. ‘Fraser brought my vehicle home. Everyone from work went to the pub and I didn’t want to drive afterwards.’
Jay grunted, relaxed a tad. ‘Oh, thanks, McCall.’
‘Yeah, thanks.’ Nikki picked up a coffee. ‘This for me?’
‘Yes. It’s probably gone cold by now.’
‘Thanks anyway.’ She sipped cautiously, before pouring the coffee down her throat. Next she opened a cupboard, removed a pan and placed it on the stove. From the fridge she removed a carton of eggs and a bottle of cream, moving carefully as though she hurt. ‘Breakfast, anybody?’
‘Count me in,’ Amber looked at Jay, hope in her eyes. ‘You staying?’
‘If Nikki’s cooking, I am.’ Jay squashed himself down at the tiny table and folded his long legs under the chair.
Crack. Crack. Crack. Slowly the pan filled with eggs.
Amber asked Fraser, ‘Do you need a ride somewhere after breakfast?’
He hadn’t said he was staying. ‘I’ll walk home.’ A five-kilometre hike would be good for what ailed him. He should have put his running gear on.
Nikki turned, fixed him with those azure eyes that had haunted his sleep last night. ‘I’ll drop you back.’ The whisk in her hand dripped egg on the floor.
Fraser gave her a tentative smile. ‘Thanks, but you’re cooking breakfast. Besides, you’re not dressed for going outside.’ He reached around her for the dishcloth, bent down to wipe up the mess.
‘You can stay for some food,’ Jay drawled, his gaze crossing from his sister to Fraser and back, a distinct question in his eyes. ‘Got enough eggs in that pan, Nikki?’
Why was Jay suddenly okay with him being there? Had Nikki told him about the cancer after all? Fraser hoped his old mate wasn’t feeling sorry for him. That was the last thing he wanted. But he was getting an opportunity to be on speaking terms with his old friend. ‘I’ll stay.’
‘I’ve got more than enough.’ Nikki glanced at Jay then back to him before slowly turning back to the pan and whisking cream into the eggs. When she added chopped fresh herbs to the pan his mouth watered. He remembered this process. Nik made the most delicious scrambled eggs ever. Then he saw the whisk slow and stop as Nikki stared out the window. Seeing what? Thinking what? About them? Last night?
Behind him Jay asked, ‘Are you back permanently, McCall?’
Dragging his gaze away from Nikki, he faced her brother. ‘Yes.’
Jay studied him with a worrying intensity. His gaze shifted to his sister for a moment before returning to bore into Fraser. A warning?
He hurried to explain. ‘Dad’s got dementia and Mum needs me here. Besides, Blenheim’s home and that’s where I want to be these days.’
Nikki’s head had lifted, tilted slightly to one side. Listening carefully.
So he added, ‘I also want to qualify as an AP while Dad’s capable of understanding. It’s something I owe him.’ It would never make up for the medical degree he’d dropped out of, but at least he’d have finished something for once in a long time.
Suddenly a similar smell to burning paella teased his nostrils. ‘The eggs are burning.’
Nikki spun around and snatched up the pan. ‘I never burn eggs. I’m a good cook.’
He was almost relieved. Now he could get away from the daunting questions in Jay’s eyes. He’d tell Jay what had happened to him, but he intended telling all Nikki’s family, just not one person at a time. ‘Guess that’s breakfast, then. I’ll head home now.’
The pan clattered into the sink and the sound of vigorous scraping filled the room. ‘I should never have started to cook this morning.
Too many distractions,’ Nikki muttered, loud enough for only him to hear.
Jay spoke over the noise. ‘I’ll give you a lift, McCall.’
Nikki paled,
and the pot scrub in her hand came close to snapping. ‘No, it’s all right. I’ll get dressed and take him.’
‘Sis, I’ve got to go to the pharmacy and pick up some drugs I’ve ordered for a dog anyway. It’s no problem to take Fraser with me. Right, McCall?’
What could he say? No, I’d rather crawl all the way? ‘Thanks.’ He wanted his old life back, right? And that meant playing sport with the local teams, going to the pub with old mates. He couldn’t win Nikki’s heart back, but if he mended some bridges with old mates, especially Jay, he could settle down here where his roots were.
CHAPTER SIX
NIKKI rushed into the farmhouse kitchen, tugging her jacket off and tossing it on a hook by the door. The scent of fresh rosemary from the roast lamb wafted tantalisingly around the kitchen. ‘Sorry I’m late, Mum. Amber and I went shopping. I also got highlights put through my hair and had my nails done. Time got away from me.’ Glancing down at her new ankle boots, Nikki grinned. They were so cool. ‘Plus the torrential rain forced me to drive slowly.’
‘Never mind, I’m just glad you made it.’ Her mother, Rose, smiled as she handed Nikki a wooden spoon. ‘Just in time to make the gravy.’
‘No problem.’
Just then a shout of familiar laughter snatched her attention, wiped her smile away. ‘Fraser?’ She turned to stare into the games room off the side of the kitchen, where three of her brothers stood shoulder to shoulder at the pool table. Fraser was lining up a shot. Beau and Jay were heckling him. ‘He’s here? With the boys?’ Her voice lifted in a shrill squeak. They seemed almost relaxed with him, not trussing him up like a chicken so they could take turns hurting him. ‘But—?’
‘Jay invited him to stay for dinner.’ Rose stood beside her, looking in the same direction. ‘It’s a bit like old times.’
No. Nothing like that at all. Old times meant everyone got on, meant she and Fraser were in love, meant they had a joint future ahead of them. She’d been so happy then. There was no going back now. Worse, her family were supposed to support her, not let Fraser back in. Despair shook her. ‘Thanks a lot, everybody,’ she muttered.
‘Took some guts, walking in here, I’ll give him that,’ Nikki’s dad muttered as he carved the enormous leg of lamb on the meat platter. ‘He told us he’d talked to you the other night, and then he apologised for his behaviour the day of your wedding.’
Wow. Fraser really did mean to clear up everything that had gone wrong. Nikki nodded, her gaze still fixed on him. ‘Did he just turn up out of the blue? Were all the boys here?’
‘Yep, about an hour ago when everyone but you and Jordan had arrived. Had a couple of six packs with him. Told us about the cancer, too.’ Her dad continued carving. ‘He filled Jordan in on the facts when he turned up.’
Nikki shook her head slowly. ‘How did the boys take Fraser’s story? Is he back in favour now?’ Had her brothers all accepted the situation and put the past behind them as easily as that? This was her territory. Those big men in the games room with Fraser were her over-protective siblings. Where did this leave her? Was she wrong to hold out on him?
Pulling her gaze away, she concentrated on heating the basting juices from the lamb, slowly adding seasonings until she was happy with the flavour.
Her dad watched her, love for her in his eyes. ‘I know it still doesn’t make it right how he treated you, but I guess we’ve got to cut him some slack. Fraser was a part of this family until then.’
Nikki swallowed. There had been moments over the past few days when she’d thought the same thing, but then she’d think that if he’d really and truly loved her, she’d have been the first person he’d have told. ‘Yeah, well, that’s why he should’ve felt comfortable talking to us.’
Stirring the gravy, letting it thicken slowly, she glanced over at the man who had kissed her a few days ago. A short kiss as far as kisses went, but potent. Fraser’s lips on hers had reminded her of some of the good times they’d had. Memories she wasn’t sure she needed now, because they gave her hope. Hope for something she wasn’t anywhere near ready to think about. Or was even sure she wanted to follow up on.
Her dad tapped the carving knife on the edge of the plate. ‘Fraser’s got a good heart, lass. He’s come home to help his mother take care of Ken. Which—’ her dad carved another slice of meat ‘—considering how Ken used to treat Fraser, is nothing short of a miracle.’
‘You mean because Ken bullied Fraser?’ Fraser had told her about being taunted by his father if he ever failed a school test or didn’t score enough runs in a cricket match. Not meeting his father’s demanding expectations had made Fraser’s childhood harsh. ‘I guess that shows Fraser’s good nature.’ Dang.
‘It does.’ Her dad sighed sadly. ‘I always figured your man over there left town the very day he finished school to get away from his old man. The rumours were rife when he was young. I remember finding him in the implement shed here one day, sobbing because he’d missed out on the maths prize and his father would be angry. He was seven, for pity’s sake.’
‘He’s not my man.’ Her response was automatic, but also the truth. It didn’t matter why they’d broken up, but they had, and that was that. But what her dad had said was true. Fraser hadn’t said much but she’d seen the hurt in his eyes whenever he’d mentioned his father.
Fraser straightened and challenged Jay with a long drink from his bottle of beer. Bloke speak. Then he glanced sideways and locked eyes with her. The air leaked from her lungs. Fraser. He’d been badly hurt, as badly as she had, if not worse, by his illness and who knew what else. Caution hovered in the back of his eyes, as if half expecting someone or something to snatch away his happiness. In the past she’d have said, ‘Serves him right’, but now she only wanted to hug him and take away that wariness, to assure him everything was all right. Which was strange. She wanted to hug Fraser? As in comfort him? She shook her head. Weird.
Her mother tapped her shoulder. ‘Mind that gravy, love.’
Too late. ‘It’s split.’ Heck, take her mind off the pan for one moment and look what happened. Fraser happened, that’s what. Once again, she’d made a basic cooking error because he’d distracted her. At this rate she’d have to give up cooking.
‘Not much you can do with that now. We’ll have to go without.’ Nikki’s mother handed her a plate laden with roasted vegetables. ‘Put that on the table, will you? And relax. Fraser’s not going to hurt you tonight or any other night.’
Nikki turned back to her parents. ‘You’re both so sure. He’s apologised and suddenly the front door’s open again.’ The plate was heavy and she gripped the edges.
Her mum leaned closer. ‘Come on, my girl. He’s faced up to a family he knows he treated badly. And he’s done it with good grace, honestly and openly. Everyone’s entitled to a second chance at least once in their life.’
‘Hey, Nikki. Bet you weren’t expecting to see me before Tuesday.’ Fraser had appeared in front of her. He leaned close, asked quietly, ‘Are you okay with me being here? Because I can go if you’d prefer it.’
A second chance, her mother had said. What did that mean? Give Fraser another chance with her? Or the opportunity to be a part of her family again? To play sport with Jay and his mates? To turn up to join in whatever was happening here? Like tonight?
The heavy platter tilted precariously in her hands. Reluctantly, she looked into his eyes, saw nothing but honesty. Which made it hard to tell him to go. With a hesitant smile she held the dish out. ‘Put that on the table, will you?’
‘I take it I’m staying.’
‘You should.’ Amazing, but she meant it. Must be something in the air.
Glancing in the direction of the dining room, Nikki noticed her two sisters-in-law watching them, nothing but genuine concern for her in their eyes. Or was it for Fraser? Turning back to him, she asked, ‘How hard was it to walk in here after all this time?’
‘A little easier than rifles at sunset would’ve been.’ Fraser smiled that delicio
us smile that had always got to her, making her putty in his hands. And now made her think he did deserve a second chance. Oh, boy. As she blinked, Fraser continued, ‘I’m a useless shot.’
She smiled tentatively, suddenly wanting to move forward, step over the past lying between them. ‘Then I’m glad it didn’t come to that.’
‘Come on, you two. We’re starving in here,’ Beau called out.
‘And that food’s getting cold, Fraser.’ Jordan, brother number two, added his bit. ‘Talking of cold, I’ll throw another chunk of wood on the fire. That rain hasn’t eased off all day and the temperature’s dropped further.’
‘The river was higher than I’ve seen it in years when I came out,’ Nikki said, suddenly glad to get back to talking about ordinary, everyday things. ‘So much for spring pushing winter out of the way. Just hope there haven’t been too many lambs born yet.’
‘There’ve been a few out this way recently.’ Jay looked around the many dishes on the table. ‘Where’s the gravy?’
‘I wrecked it.’
Jay grinned. ‘First burnt eggs last week and now ruined gravy. You need cooking lessons, sis.’
‘Still giving you a hard time.’ Amusement glinted at her from Fraser’s eyes.
‘Brothers can be such a pain at times.’ Nikki grinned and relaxed completely for the first time all evening. ‘But Beau’s going to have to start behaving sensibly soon. He and Yvonne are pregnant.’
Fraser reached a hand out. ‘Congratulations, Beau, Yvonne. That’s fantastic news.’
‘Auntie Nikki has already drawn up a babysitting roster so that she gets more turns than anyone else.’ Yvonne grinned and gave Beau a peck on his bristly cheek. ‘But she’ll have to wait a few years until we’re in need of a break. I can’t imagine ever wanting to let someone else look after my baby.’
Rose smiled knowingly. ‘You’ll be glad of a night out with Beau after sleepless nights and full-on days, believe me.’
Fraser winked at Nikki. ‘Auntie Nikki, eh?’
Medical Duo - Dr Chandler's Sleeping Beauty & Christmas with Dr Delicious Page 23