Down Among the Dead Men (Entangled Ignite) (10 page)

“You wouldn’t mind?” Caitlyn asked, pleased.

“Well, no. We are sisters.” Max paused. “Sally’s been telling me stories about you when you were younger. She says I should know what my sister was like as a kid.”

“Has she? Well, keep them to yourself.” She dreaded to think what Sally might have told her. She looked up as Dale and Josh moved over to join them.

“What’s that?” Josh said as Max made room for him to sit next to her on the sofa.

“I just told Caitlyn that Sally’s been telling me heaps of stuff about when they were younger—”

“And I said that we should change the subject,” Caitlyn interrupted hastily.

“I’d like to hear these stories,” Josh said thoughtfully. “Wouldn’t you, Dale?”

Caitlyn made a don’t-you-dare face at Dale, but he only smiled innocently at her. “I sure would. Go on, Max.”

“Well, when they were fifteen, she had a puppy.”

Groaning, Caitlyn slumped in her chair.

“It followed her everywhere, even into the bathroom. While she had a shower, it played with its reflection in the mirror.”

“A full-length mirror,” Sally interjected as she passed around the tray of hot drinks. “Caitlyn thought the puppy’s antics were so cute.”

“They were,” Caitlyn said, taking a coffee.

“So,” Max continued, “She decided to take a photo of it. But when the photo was developed, all you could see was a full-frontal nude with a camera.”

Caitlyn hid her face behind her hands while the others laughed. “You haven’t heard the worst of it,” she said. “It was my mum’s camera, and she picked up the prints from the shop. With my wet hair slicked back and a camera in front of my face, you couldn’t tell who it was. So the people in the shop all thought it was her. She was mortified.” She groaned again.

“And there was the time—”

“No more, Max,” she said, cutting her off mid-sentence. “I was just thinking, Dale, that we should really wait in the truck. While we’re sitting in here we won’t even know if he’s around. I would hate to miss him because we were too busy chatting.”

Dale nodded and drained his mug. “Thanks for the coffee, Sally. We’ll definitely have to continue this discussion later.”

“Oh, please, don’t encourage her,” Caitlyn said, taking his mug and passing it to Sally as she hustled him out the door. “Remember, Sally, I can get my own back,” she said over her shoulder. “I have stories about you, too. Things that even Josh doesn’t know.”

…

Having parked the truck across the road in an inconspicuous spot between two gum trees offering a clear view of the whole property, Caitlyn and Dale waited. And waited.

It wasn’t uncomfortable, sitting there in silence with him. He was probably the first person, apart from Sally, that she’d felt content to just sit next to. Still, she felt she should say something after so much time.

“We should have brought a flask of coffee with us,” she said. “To keep us awake. The last time I waited this long for someone, I’d been stood up.”

“Couldn’t have happened often.”

“I wish. I’ve been stood up more times than a bowling pin.”

Dale laughed. “I’m not falling for that.”

She laughed, too. “I might have been exaggerating.”

“Thought so—” He broke off as a vehicle approached.

Caitlyn leaned forward for a better view, then sank back, disappointed. It wasn’t a Kombi or any other type of van. She yawned. “It’s nearly midnight. Shall we give up?”

Dale nodded. “He might have gone straight to the caravan park to sleep tonight. Same again tomorrow night? Are you up for it?”

“Of course.”

“I thought about ringing the caravan park, but I don’t want to risk someone mentioning the call to him. It might put him on alert.”

She yawned again before climbing out of the vehicle. “I’ll see you tomorrow night,” she said through the open window. “And I’ll bring coffee.”

Chapter Ten

Caitlyn looked at Max, sitting at the kitchen table, arms folded across her chest, while Sally hogged the bathroom. “Sorry about this. Sally’s always been the same. She has to be perfectly groomed before she starts the day.”

Max shrugged. “Takes all sorts, I suppose. I’ll head out to the shed and see if I can find that camp stretcher. I hope she’s out by the time I get back.”

Caitlyn hoped so, too. She craved caffeine, but her bladder couldn’t hold another drop of liquid. She’d burst if she didn’t get into the bathroom soon.

She stood and knocked on the bathroom door. “Will you be much longer, Sal?”

Sally gave her the same response as she had the first time she’d knocked. And the second time. “Nearly done. One more minute.”

Relieved to hear the latch slide back, Caitlyn watched Sally emerge from the bathroom looking gorgeous. In comparison, she felt like a wreck. Max bolted in and shut the door.

“Sorry about monopolizing it.”

“Maybe tomorrow you could wait till Max has started work and I’ve had my second coffee? Anyway, it’s not as if there’s anybody to impress around here—as you can see, I don’t bother trying.”

Sally laughed. “You don’t need to try. You’ve impressed him already.” She filled the kettle at the tap then took a seat at the table across from Caitlyn.

“What?” Caitlyn asked, taken aback.

“This Dale. It’s obvious he’s dead keen on you.”

It was Caitlyn’s turn to laugh. “Take a reality pill, Sal.”

“If he’s not, why is he helping you, driving you around, rescuing you?”

“Because he wants to find out what happened to Wally for Max’s sake.”

Sally nodded. “And because he’s interested in you.”

“That’s the thing about Dale. He’s the same with everyone as far as I can see. He makes everyone feel as if he’s interested in them. I don’t think he means to do it. Or maybe he does.” She shrugged, trying to ignore the flutter of excitement Sally’s comment elicited. “I know he likes me, but it doesn’t mean he’s got a thing for me.”

“And how do you feel about him?”

“I don’t feel anything about him,” Caitlyn said almost defensively. “I mean I like him, of course. He’s a really nice guy, and I don’t know how I’d have managed without him. But he’s not my type.”

“And your type would be, let me see…loser? Like Kevin. Or slime bucket, like Alexander? Or a two-timing slug like that Neil you went out with before Alexander?”

Caitlyn grimaced. “You know what I mean. He’s not what I’d call handsome.” She covered her eyes with one hand as she said the last few words. They made her feel treacherous and petty.

“What?” Sally sounded incredulous. “So he’s not Hugh Jackman. It doesn’t make him any less attractive. He has gorgeous eyes and as for his body, well, if I wasn’t already taken—”

“Sally! Stop it. You know you wouldn’t think about touching anyone but Josh.” Caitlyn wagged her finger, then stopped mid-wag. “He does have a good body, doesn’t he?”

Sally rolled her eyes. “If I’ve noticed, it must be good.”

Caitlyn remembered resting her head against his chest and loving the feel of it. “He has a lovely smile, too.”

“So what’s not to like?” Sally asked.

She snapped out of her daydream and looked at her friend, shamefaced. “I know this makes me sound as shallow as a baby’s bath water, but, well, there’s the limp.”

“You’re kidding.” Sally shook her head. “Honey, I know you don’t really mean that. And looks are like window dressing. Nice enough to suck you in, but you have to look inside the shop to see if there’s any good merchandise on offer.”

Caitlyn blinked. “Profound this morning, aren’t we?”

“I fell in love with Josh’s personality and his looks came as a bonus—like a gift with purchase. All that matters is whether you like Dale the man, not whether or not he limps.”

“No, that’s not all that matters. It’s also relevant that he’s still married.” She felt a quiver of something unpleasant in her stomach as she said the words. “And he has a daughter.”

Sally frowned. “Is his wife still around?”

“No, they’re separated. I don’t know where she is.”

Her expression clearing, Sally said, “So the marriage is clearly over. Listen—and I’m only saying this because I care about you—I think a piece of you died when your dad left and his leaving hurt you so badly that you choose men who are wrong for you because that stops you loving them completely, and it means you can’t get hurt.”

Caitlyn snorted. “You’ve had too much time to watch daytime television. There’s no point in getting involved with someone when I’ll have to leave town in a short time. Now that Max is done, I’m going to take a shower.”

She escaped into the bathroom and locked the door. She loved Sally, but really didn’t need to be analyzed. She was fine.

When she returned to the kitchen, showered and dressed, Sally said, “What makes you say Dale’s not available if his wife’s not around?”

“He has a girlfriend. Well, I’ve seen him with a woman in the pub and I
think
she’s his girlfriend.”

“Haven’t you asked him who she is? Don’t you talk to each other?”

“Yes, we talk all the time,” Caitlyn said defensively. “He told me her name, but that’s all.” She hadn’t wanted to know more, had she?

“So ask him.”

…

Sally’s suggestion reverberated around Caitlyn’s head as she climbed into the truck and looked across at Dale. He wore ripped jeans and a denim shirt that had seen better days. He hadn’t dressed to impress her, that was for sure. He was one of those rare people who really were an example of “What you see is what you get.”

The soft shirt fabric clung to his muscular body, and she couldn’t see a scrap of excess weight anywhere. Suddenly conscious of staring, she lifted her eyes to his face. When he smiled, her stomach dropped and she had to concentrate on breathing in and out. She wished she’d shut Sally up before her observations had had a chance to worm their way into her brain.

Forcing herself back to the moment, she took stock of their stakeout supplies. They were better prepared for a long night this time. She’d made a thermos of black coffee, and he’d brought a crossword book and a pen with its own light. He read out the clues and filled in the answers for a while, then they swapped and she had a go. It was fun, and she couldn’t remember the last time she’d had such simple fun.

Three hours later she sighed and closed the book. “Let’s call it quits. I’m all crossworded out for tonight.”

“Fair enough. Still no sign of Chet.”

After a short silence she said, “Can I ask you something personal?”

He shot her a wary glance. “How personal?”

“I just wondered if you have a girlfriend.”

“No. Why?”

“No reason,” she said quickly.

“I did have a wife. That’s enough.”

Understanding that was all he’d say, she reached into the foot well to retrieve the thermos. “I brought coffee.” She filled one of the plastic mugs, passed it to him, and watched, horrified, as her fingers slipped off the shiny surface at the last moment. Half of the hot liquid splashed over the front of his denim shirt while the other half landed in his lap.

“Holy crap!” He switched on the interior light.

“Oh my God, I’m so sorry,” she said, scrabbling in her handbag for a pack of tissues.

He leaned forward to unbutton the shirt, tugging it out of the waistband of his jeans while keeping it away from his skin. As soon as he pulled it open, she darted in with a tissue to dab at the bright red patches on his chest.

“Leave it,” he said through gritted teeth.

“Does it hurt?” She grabbed more tissues and began to mop at the dark, wet patches on his thighs.

“Caitlyn, stop.”

“I think it’s cooling down.” She tested the wettest part of his jeans at the top of his thigh with her palm.

“Enough!” He gripped her wrist and put her hand away from him. Shaking his head, he reached for the door handle, mumbling to himself as he climbed out. The door banged shut.

She sat still for a moment. She refused to cry—she wasn’t wimpy enough for sharp words to bring her to tears. She’d heard a heck of a lot worse during her chef training, an experience that had inured her to verbal abuse. But this was different. She dragged in a deep breath in an effort to release the tension. An accident, pure and simple. No way would Dale hold it against her.

She gathered up the coffee-stained tissues and the thermos. Glancing down, she saw his shirt sitting in a screwed-up ball on the central console. The least she could do was wash it. Opening her door, she stepped into the bright moonlight to see him leaning against the back of the truck.

“It doesn’t look like Chet’s coming tonight, does it? So, I’ll…um…go inside. I’m sorry again, Dale.”

He moved to stand in front of her. “You don’t need to apologize. It was an accident.”

“Yes, I know, but—”

He placed a finger on her lips. She stopped talking and started trembling. In the light of the moon, she could see the body normally hidden by his clothes. Too good to be hidden. And his face. Had she thought he wasn’t good-looking? Maybe he wouldn’t beat any of her exes in a beauty contest, but there was more to a face than looking like a movie star.

His eyes reflected glints of moonlight as he reached out and traced the outline of her lips with a finger. Tingly heat spread through her. When he tugged gently at her bottom lip, she nearly melted into a puddle at his feet. Her mind might have fought against her attraction, but her body had known better all along.

With one hand on the nape of her neck, he pulled her toward him. She dropped everything she’d been holding as his tongue swept lightly across her lips. She groaned low in her throat. Her whole body thrummed and when his lips fastened on hers, she knew she’d been waiting for this kiss.

It was worth the wait. Tenderness mixed with hunger, a mind-numbing combination. Sensation triumphed over conscious thought. The warmth of his firm lips on hers…the competing aromas of coffee and soap from his skin. His fingers pushed up into her hair and circled her scalp.

She wanted to press against him, but even in her half-dazed state, she remembered his scalded skin. She placed her hands at either side of his waist and trailed her fingers up and down.

Big mistake.

He wrenched his mouth from hers, and she saw him shudder before he turned away, shaking his head. She wanted to ask him what was wrong, but couldn’t form the words. All she could do was watch as he climbed into his truck and drove off. She stared at the tail lights until they were out of sight, then stood there gaping into space, trying to make sense of what had happened.

Things fell into place. Her contentment whenever she was with him. The way she felt safe enough to share her fears and private feelings with him. The fact that his rare compliments meant more than all the flattery she’d received in her life. But she had to get a grip on herself and get rid of the insane notion that she might be falling for him. He’d told her he had a wife. It was impossible, and neither of them wanted it to happen.

She collected the items she’d dropped and hugged them to her chest while she trudged across the road to let herself into the house. Sally sat in the lounge room, waiting for her.

She looked up expectantly. “Did Chet turn up?”

“No.”

Concern filled Sally’s face. “What’s happened? You look awful.”

She flopped down next to her friend on the threadbare sofa. She hadn’t intended to say anything, but Sally knew her better than anyone. “It’s Dale.”

“Did Chet hurt him? Where is he? Shall I wake Josh?”

“No, no.” Caitlyn shook her head. “Nothing to do with Chet. Actually, Dale is hurt, but it was me. I tipped hot coffee all over him.”

Sally frowned. “What did you do that for?”

“I didn’t do it on purpose.” She flicked her hand in irritation. “It was an accident. I dropped a cup of coffee as I passed it to him.”

“Oh, I see. Was he angry?”

She stared at the crumpled and stained shirt in her hands. “He kissed me.”

“Crikey.” Sally blinked. “I didn’t see that coming. How was it?”

“It was…nice.”

“Nice? That’s all?”

“Well, what do you expect me to say? We’re not kids any more. Not by a long way.” Tears stung her eyes suddenly. “There won’t be a repeat performance. He cut it short and left.”

Sally chewed on her bottom lip.

“He’s still married,” Caitlyn said softly.

“Oh. But you said he was separated.”

“He said he doesn’t have a girlfriend because his wife was enough.”

Sally frowned. “Well, that doesn’t necessarily mean he wants her back, does it?”

“Why isn’t he divorced if his marriage is over, Sal?” Caitlyn shrugged. “So much for being interested in me, though. You got it wrong.”