by Brenna Darcy
Dave was picking her up after six, giving them time for a few tastings before settling down to their picnic, and movie to start at eight. She hadn’t bothered to ask what was showing, the whole idea was romantic and too sweet to care. She hadn’t seen any new releases since before the accident almost a year ago.
Flic felt the all too familiar rush of guilt and panic she experienced every time an event, or life got in the way and Ellie was not the prime focus of her thoughts. Even harder as the one-year anniversary was drawing near.
The knock on the door came at the right time, as tears threatened to ruin her eye makeup. Blinking them back she walked to answer it.
Dave stood waiting. A smile spread across his face, as he skimmed his eyes over her outfit and back up to meet hers. He frowned. “Are you okay?”
“Yes.” Flic smiled to reassure him. “Sorry, having an Ellie moment.”
Dave understood, it was hard for her and she didn’t mind admitting it to him anymore.
“You look beautiful, by the way.”
Flic’s smile broadened to genuine. “Thanks, you don’t look too bad yourself.”
Dave winked and jerked his head toward the car. “Shall we go?”
“Sounds good.”
The drive to the winery didn’t take long. Dave had arranged his car to be valet parked, a privilege no one else seemed to be taking advantage of, instead parking a distance and walking the beautiful expanse of the park like surroundings.
Flic looked around as they walked the short distance to the outside bar, set up for tasting and purchasing wine by the glass or bottle, whatever your preference. Pink and apricot tainted the skies usual blue, as the setting sun cast light through the rows of grapevines. Native gums and jarrah trees towered over the top of the picnic area where others were already setting up chairs and blankets in front of the huge screen. The sound of casual chatter and laughter filled the air. Flic loved the atmosphere and simplicity, enhancing the romance of the occasion.
“Were we meant to bring a picnic rug, I didn’t think about it until now.”
Dave smiled; he too looked to be enjoying the environment. He passed her a sample glass with an inch of wine in the bottom, “No, I have it covered.”
The wines were delicious, each as good as the next. Deciding on the exquisite Sauvignon Blanc, Dave purchased a bottle and ordered it to be delivered with their picnic.
Taking her hand, he led her around the picnic area to a private more secluded set up of comfortable looking cushioned lay about chairs, with a blanket folded neatly on the end of each. The small tables set on either side were filled with platters of antipasto, cheese and crackers, a variety of salad and an assortment of freshly sliced fruit. Their chosen wine was already cooling in an ice bucket beside one chair.
Flic looked up to see Dave waiting for her reaction.
“Too much?” He sounded so unsure of himself.
“It’s beautiful.” She had to hand it to him. He had class and knew how to romance a woman, even if the simplicity of a picnic had evaporated.
Dave framed her face with both his hands and kissed her gently on the mouth, brushing his lips over hers tempting her to kiss him back, but she didn’t. Although it was reasonably private, there were still too many people around for such a display. Folding her in his arms, he held her close and she could feel the warmth of his body through the thin fabric of her outfit. She couldn’t imagine her new life could get much better than that very moment.
The conversation flowed easily, as did the wine. The food was delicious and satisfying. It was the perfect environment for families and couples to enjoy. Flic was tempted to suggest they invite Lacey and Ty to join them next time, but didn’t want to broach a subject she suspected would spoil his mood. Avoiding the writing topic as well, she asked questions about kite surfing and spoke of how much she enjoyed their adventure across the ocean. Dave’s face lit up like a child experiencing the Fairy Realm for the first time. His eyes were bright and full of life. It was nice to see him happy and relaxed.
The movie showing was a romantic comedy. Flic curled up on the reclining chairs as close to Dave as possible, with the blankets tucked around them, as the breeze had cooled to a definite chill. She tilted her head to watch as Dave laughed at the scene on the screen in front. Looking down he smiled before bringing his lips to hers, and pulling the blankets up to conceal the intimacy of the kiss. Wrapping his arms around and drawing her closer he traced the line of her body, his breathing increased and his touch became more daring. Flic wished, for the first time that night, they were in the privacy of the cottage, and regrettably ended the embrace before they got too carried away.
“I want to take you home.” Dave breathed next to her ear, tracing the rim of it with his tongue.
Flic shuddered and released a soft gasp.
“You’re killing me, you know,” he said, nipping the lobe and trailing kisses to her neck.
She was killing him? She was the one losing control. He seemed to know exactly what he was doing. Reaching up she steered his kiss to her mouth, and plunged her tongue in, and letting her hand wander down his chest and lower, skimming his waistband and not stopping. Dave released a low moan. Thankfully the noise of the movie was enough to engulf the sound. He didn’t show any sign of stopping at one kiss, as he pushed the strap of her top from her shoulder and slid his hand down to fondle her breast. She wanted him, and judging by his reaction the feeling was mutual. Taking his hand from inside her top and holding it, she wove her fingers with his, pressed her body closer, kissed him again, and then rested her head on his chest to watch the rest of the movie. Dave continued to run his hand over the bare flesh of her back, unzipping the fastening at the base and running his hands over lace covered skin.
The movie seemed to go on forever, what was happening she didn’t know, her attention now elsewhere. His caress arousing her more as the minutes ticked by. She tried to deny it and fight the urge, but he persisted. Tilting her face up she saw Dave was watching her, he kissed her again, lazily, the pressure on her skin increased and she moved her leg high over his. He rolled toward her, cocooning her, as she began to move gently against him. His breathing heavy, as was hers. He matched her rhythm, the movement slight, but enough that she was grateful they had their own private area.
Brushing his lips across her cheek, and close to her ear again. “I need you Flic, more than you know,” he breathed before pulling away in time to see the final credits rolling on the screen.
Flic looked up. “Hmmm, good movie.” She laughed.
Dave grinned at her. “Best I’ve experienced in a long time, do you mind if we wait a few minutes before we go?”
“Of course not.” She guessed their fooling around might be obvious to everyone else if he stood up now. “Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.”
It always made a question sound worse when approached like that, but it was done now and she was curious to hear his answer. “How do you need me more than I know?”
“What?” Dave frowned. “You seriously want me to answer that?”
“Not if you don’t want to, but you were the one who said it.”
“What do you think I meant by it?” He challenged.
“Avoiding a question by turning the question on me, isn’t fair.” Flic laughed trying to lighten the mood she’d tainted.
“Oh well looks like both go unanswered.”
“Okay fine, is it because of Lacey and Ty and all the stuff with the shop?” Flic tried to sound casual, but her assumption sounded even worse when spoken aloud.
The casual relaxed Dave was no longer. He pushed the blanket off as he sat up in his chair. “You really think that’s the reason?” He shook his head and swung his legs over the edge of the recliner and stood before turning to look at her.
Flic shrugged, “I don’t know, it makes sense I guess.”
“What makes sense? That I’d hook up with the first woman that came along just so she could ease the
burden left by my dying sister?” He raked his hands through his hair in the familiar gesture, and Flic cringed. Gone was the beautiful evening, destroyed by her curiosity and, for whatever reason, his unwillingness to answer her question.
“I know you don’t think of Ty as a burden—
“You’re damn right I don’t. Are you ready?”
Flic nodded. How could she have ruined such a wonderful evening with her stupid accusations? She didn’t speak, or walk too close. The romantic atmosphere vanished, the evening no longer enjoyable.
Dave’s car was waiting, the valet standing with the keys next to it.
Taking them, Dave handed the driver a fifty-dollar tip.
He grinned. “Thanks, Dave.”
Dave mumbled his reply, as Flic opened the passenger door and slid into her seat before Dave could walk around and open it for her.
They didn’t speak on the drive home, which was longer due to traffic from the winery. Flic kept going over the night in her head. It had been so special. For the first time, they’d spent time focused completely on each other and not the devastation in their lives. Now that too was tarnished. She was angry with herself, and with Dave, why he couldn’t answer a simple question was beyond her understanding.
Staring out the window as the outside world sailed passed, Flic knew Dave would never be the right man for her. His grumpy moods and fragile state was too much like hard work. She already had that once and didn’t want to get involved with anyone. An important point she needed to keep reminding herself of.
Dave pulled up in front of the cottage, but didn’t turn the car off. Obviously a drop and run. Maybe this was how he needed her more than she’d ever know, at his beck and call and nothing else.
“Thank you for tonight, I’m sorry for getting it wrong.” The fact he was punishing her for answering his question in a way he hadn’t expected infuriated her.
“Getting what wrong?”
“The answer to your question.”
“It’s the fact you judged me and turned something pleasant and enjoyable into me trying to trap you into a relationship for selfish reason and not simply that I have real feelings for you.”
“I never judged you and didn’t mean for it to come out as an insult. That was your perception.”
“Well it looks as though we will never be on the same page. I wanted and thought I needed you as a man does a woman he cares for, that was all. Now if you don’t mind I’d like to go to bed.”
Flic didn’t respond, but got out of the car and closed the door behind her. Why he hadn’t just said that in the first place was beyond her. Then again, maybe it would teach her not to be so curious all the time. What had she been hoping to gain from having him elaborate on a comment made from lust?
Chapter Seventeen
DAVE DIDN’T VISIT LACEY at the shop as he usually did on Saturday afternoon, and Flic guessed it was because of her. There was no way she was going to discuss the situation with Lacey, or anyone, at least not in detail.
Flic suggested Lacey head home and spend the day with Ty, but she declined.
“Ty’s with Dave today, and besides I like being here. It relaxes me.”
The day dragged, despite being busy. Not knowing if Dave would turn up had Flic on edge all day. She didn’t want to see him in front of Lacey and was relieved when they locked the door at the end of the day.
“I’m only going to open between eleven and three tomorrow. It’s slowing down now the weather is getting cooler. During winter I only open on Sunday if there’s a festival, or market in town. It’s too tiring working seven days all year.”
Flic nodded, and couldn’t help but think these little pieces of information were tips for when she was managing the business.
Not wanting to go home, Flic decided to pop over and see how Mim was going at the restaurant.
“Ahh, I was just thinking about you,” Mim called from behind a hanging basket she was watering, as Flic came down the pathway to the front veranda.
“Well, you know what they say about great minds.”
“I certainly do. What brings you here?”
“Not much, I just wanted to chat.”
“Okay, but before we do, I was going to ask if there was any chance of you helping me out Monday night. Rachel has a family thing on in Busselton and asked for the night off. I said yes off course, and then I get a bus load of senior’s book for six o’clock.”
“Of course, I’d be happy to.” Flic had genuinely enjoyed working for Mim, and it’d be great to catch up with Tim again.
“Thanks, I appreciate it. I hope you don’t mind, I checked with Lacey that you had Monday off, I’m guessing you’d probably say yes even after putting in a full day in the shop.”
“It’s pretty relaxing working with Lacey, more than staying at home and cleaning the house and doing normal day to day chores. She’s created such a beautiful environment.”
“Hmm, she’s something else our Lacey.”
Flic knew Mim thought of Dave and Lacey as if they were her own children and treated Ty as a grandmother would. Lacey explained that her mum and Mim had been best friends for as long as she could remember. The death of her parents as hard on her as it had been on Dave and Lacey.
“Come inside, I’ll fix you a drink and you can tell me how wonderful everything is, being young and in love.” Mim kissed the air, and laughed.
Sitting at their usual table Flic waited for Mim to join her.
“So tell me, how’s it going between you two?” Mim placed two large glasses of lemon lime and bitters on the table and sat in the chair opposite her.
“Oh Mim, I make such a mess of things all the time.” Flic didn’t offer specifics, too embarrassed by her behaviour.
Silent for a few minutes, Mim seemed to be debating whether or not to comment. “Did you ever think maybe he needs someone he can count on to be there for him? He’s never allowed anyone close, not not in the way he needs to feel secure.”
“But that’s exactly my point. At the moment he needs me, but what about six months, or a year from now, once he’s got the hang of it and I’m no longer needed, where does that leave me?” Flic took a sip of her drink, it was cool and refreshing, and exactly what she needed. She was acting like a spoilt child. What did it matter if their relationship didn’t go any further, he was dealing with something far more traumatic than her own insecurities.
“Sometimes you have to take a gamble in love, otherwise you won’t know if you’ll pull through should times get tough later on in the relationship. Most of all Flic, you know better than any of us, this will never be over. From the day he loses his sister he will be the guardian of his nephew, and Ty will be growing up without a mother. Lacey is more than just a sister. She and Ty are the only family he has. They’ve depended on each other for so long, and still do, I mean you’ve seen them.”
Flic nodded, they were closer than most families that were for sure.
“Look Flic, nothing makes me happier than seeing Dave smile, and you’re the only person outside of his family who has given him something worth smiling about. I’ve known him since he was a baby and I’d do anything for him, but I can’t help him, or be there for him as you can. He wants someone to talk to, to love unconditionally, and start a family with. I honestly think that someone is you. I don’t want to scare you off by telling you this, but to let you know he doesn’t take love and relationships lightly. He’s far too responsible and loyal for that.”
Flic groaned and Mim smiled.
“You don’t have to work it all out today you know, take some time to think about it. I think you’re wise to want to take things slowly. He needs you now more than he ever will. If you do want things to work out, this will be a time he will never forget. You don’t want to give him any reason to associate the memory with you not being there for him. Does that make sense?”
Flic nodded.
“This isn’t coming out as well as it should, but I suppose you get the general idea.�
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“I understand what you’re saying, I guess I’m worried I can’t give him what he needs. I don’t know if I want to have any more children, at least not of my own.” Flic thought about Ty and how she wanted nothing more than to be there for him, should he need her.
“Those decisions are years off, the thing is, I think you two have a real shot of making it work, even a blind person could pick up on the connection you share. And, nothing would please Lacey more.”
“I know, she’s told me. Anyway, I messed up, he’s angry and I don’t know how to fix it.”
“He’ll come around, and then just be there for him.”
Flic smiled. “Thanks Mim, I feel much better now.” Flic stood up. Mim would have things to do before the restaurant opened and she’d already taken up enough of her time.
“Good. Glad I could help.” Mim walked with Flic to the door, and gave her a hug. “It’ll all work out, you’ll see.”
“I guess it will, thanks for the drink.”
Mim waved as Flic left.
She had a lot to think about. She already cared for Dave and didn’t want him dealing with this alone. Flic didn’t know if she was ready for the commitment, still so messed up herself.
Flic wasn’t sure she could bear to have any more children, even if Mim thought that might change, she’d sworn off the family thing. Ty was different. He was a little boy who needed as many people who cared around him. Then again, what child didn’t need that?