Second Chance (9 page)

She gave him big eyes.

“And you’re not allowed on the
table, as you very well know.”

Placing her on the floor, he went
outside to make a run to the service station and fuel up, check the water and
oil and the air in the tyres, something he usually did at the end of a working
week.

It also meant he wouldn’t make
anymore of a fool of himself than he already had.

When he returned home the washing
was flapping on the line, the sound of a vacuum cleaner in the depths of the
house.  As he walked up onto the veranda, he heard a mobile ringing.  As it
didn’t have the same ring tone as his, he knew it was Tam’s phone.  Opening the
door, he walked into the kitchen, looking towards the far kitchen bench where her
purse was set, a small mobile beside it.

The mobile stopped ringing but
started again within seconds.

Knowing Tam couldn’t hear it above
the vacuum cleaner, and wondering if it was important, Grant couldn’t help but
glance at the screen.  His eyebrows shot up at the displayed name. 
Dingbat
1
.

Dingbat 1?  What the…?

Whoever Dingbat 1 was, they were
persistent.  The mobile stopped ringing then started again.

Running one hand through his hair,
Grant called out, “Tam?”

No answer, only the vacuum cleaner
droning away.

Sticking his head through the
doorway into the hall, he called a little louder, “Tam!”

Still no answer.

The mobile stopped.  Maybe they’d
left a message.  Maybe - no, Dingbat 1 was ringing again.

Picking up the mobile, Grant
followed the sound of the vacuum cleaner to find Tam backing out of his
office.  As he neared, she turned off the vacuum cleaner and straightened,
blowing an errant strand of hair off her forehead.  He couldn’t help but notice
how pink those apple cheeks were.  Cute.

The mobile was still ringing and
her gaze went from it to his face almost accusingly.

“It was ringing.”  With a shrug,
he handed it to her.  “Over and over.”

“I don’t answer personal calls
during work hours.”

“Dingbat 1 is pretty persistent.” 
He arched an eyebrow.  “Not going to leave a message by the sound of it.”

“Thanks.”  Moving past him, she
plucked the mobile from his hand.  “Just ignore it if you can.  I’d turn it off
but Aunt Maree might call about work.”

One had to admire her work ethic,
but the persistent ringing was curious.  Turning, he watched her open the hall
cupboard to place the vacuum cleaner inside.  “It could be important.”

“Yeah.”  Her laugh was unexpectedly
dry and self deprecating.  “I doubt it.”

That was not a happy tone.  He
regarded her closely, watching as she shut the door to face him.  Nope, not
happy at all.  In fact, there was a touch of bleakness to her eyes. 
“Everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine.”  The mobile
kept ringing.  Her jaw clenched.  “Just fine.”

He kept his gaze on her.  “Dingbat
1 isn’t going to leave a message.”

In a sudden sharp move, she
flipped the mobile around and thumbed it off. 

The silence was almost a relief. 
Leaning one shoulder against the doorway, Grant watched her curiously.  Whoever
Dingbat 1 was, they weren’t a welcome caller.  It was evident in the way she
stared at the mobile, the whiteness of her knuckles as she clenched it a little
tighter.

Also odd, when she seemed so in
control of everything.

The unhappiness in her eyes as she
finally looked up at him was undeniable.

Ah shit, maybe not so in control.

Concerned, he straightened.  “Tam?”

~*~

Taking a deep breath, she
plastered a smile on her lips.  “It’s nothing.”

“It doesn’t seem like nothing.”

Grant was approaching her, every
step measured, those pale grey eyes regarding her closely as he stopped right
in front of her.

Attempting a small laugh, she
stepped aside.  “Really, it’s nothing.”

“What’s wrong?”  A big hand closed
gently around her upper arm, halting her retreat.

“Nothing I can’t handle.”  She started
to move past only to have his hold on her arm firm.

“Are you in trouble?” he asked
quietly.

“No.”

“Try again.”

At the sudden, unexpected command
in his tone, her head snapped up, a sharp retort on the tip of her tongue. 
That retort died away as she found herself looking up into Grant’s face, the
steady gaze capturing hers.

He was so close she felt the
warmth of his body, the faint scent of man and deodorant. She knew he was tall,
but now she was conscious of his height, the broad shoulders, the lean
strength, the flex of his bicep as he tugged her a little closer, the way he
leaned down as he looked her right in the eyes, that pale grey gaze searching her
face.

Where was the easy going man from
seconds ago?  The man who’d flicked bacon on her shirt, then had been
completely flustered when he’d accidentally cupped her breast?

This man was like the spin side of
that coin.  Quiet, controlled, determined.  A side she hadn’t expected to
encounter.

A side that tantalised her.

“Tell me what’s wrong.”

Yeah, tantalising or not, that
wasn’t going to happen.

Straightening her spine, she
looked pointedly at his hand on her arm.  When it didn’t loosen, she
transferred that pointed look to his face.  “Do you mind?”

He didn’t answer, just kept
looking down at her.

“I don’t like being handled.”

“I’m not handling you.”

“You’re stopping me from walking
away.”

“Because I don’t want you to walk
away.  Something’s upset you.”

“You.  You upset me.”

Not one flicker of expression on
that handsome face.  “Try that one again, too.”

Exasperated, she sighed.  “Look,
Grant, I appreciate your concern but really, there’s nothing wrong.  I’m fine.”

“You didn’t look fine a minute
ago, Tam, you looked upset.”

“It’s personal.”  Lifting her
chin, she met his gaze determinedly.
  “Personal.”

For several silent seconds he
studied her face before giving an imperceptible nod.  “Okay.”

Relieved, she waited for him to
release her arm.  When he didn’t, just continued watching her, she cleared her
throat.  “My arm?”

Unexpectedly his big, calloused
palm slid down to just above her wrist, lower to her hand, fingers curling
around her smaller ones to squeeze gently.  “You ever want to talk, I’m here.”

“Oh - um…”  Caught completely
off-guard, she stammered, “I - thanks.”

“I mean it.”  He gave her hand
another gentle squeeze, then shocked her completely by tucking a loose strand
of hair behind her ears before releasing her and turning away, long legs
striding over the hallway runner as he walked past the kitchen to disappear
into his office.

Staring after him, she wondered
what the heck had just happened.  Cripes, he’d been genuinely concerned,
squeezed her hand, offered her a listening ear.  Tucked her hair behind her
ear.  The kindness of that gesture was unexpected.

As unexpected as his show of
command.

Tam had a funny feeling she’d
underestimated Grant Wilson.  The boy from school had definitely grown up.  He
might bumble around a little, but he wasn’t a fool. 

A little unnerved by the turn of
events, she hurried to the laundry to fill the mop bucket.   While it filled,
she squirted disinfectant into it and waited, chewing her bottom lip as she
idly twirled the mop handle, sending the dry strands flicking out much to the
delight of Slinky.

Dancing the mop around, she
watched distractedly as the kitten pounced the strands, grabbing one and
pulling before letting go and crouching, bottom wiggling, ready to pounce as
she waggled the mop daringly.

Grant was one man who baffled
her.  She thought she’d sorted him out in her mind, but now she wasn’t so
sure.  He confused her, though she had no idea why.

Now Dingbat 1 didn’t confuse her. 
She knew exactly what he wanted and why.

Pulling the mobile from her
pocket, she bit her lip as she studied the blank screen.  Damn it, she should
have taken the work mobile, she’d certainly make sure she did so next time. 
Now she had to turn it back on in case Aunt Maree rang, though her Aunt knew
where Tam was, she could just ring Grant’s home.  But that was unprofessional.

Using her thumb, she switched the
mobile back on.  Immediately it started ringing.  With a soft curse, she
switched it to vibrate and placed it on the washing machine while she turned
the taps off.  Her Aunt would leave a message, she’d just have to make sure she
checked it.

Picking up the bucket, she made
her way back inside with Slinky trotting along behind her. 

Thankfully, Grant stayed in his
office as she mopped the bathroom, toilet, kitchen and laundry.  As she passed
the door, she saw him sitting behind his desk, his long legs stretched out,
ankles crossed.  Whatever he was doing, it consumed his attention, his focus
entirely on the computer screen.  He didn’t even notice her passing the door.

Slinky followed her, trying to
grab the mop as she swept it side to side across the tiles.  Laughing at him
lightened her mood, made her feel happier.  By the time she emptied the bucket
and left it freshly rinsed out upside down at the side of the house, she’d
forgotten about Dingbat 1.

After washing her hands, she
checked the washing on the line and finding it dry already under the summer
sun, she took it off while waiting for the kitchen floor to dry.

With a loaded basket, she started
towards the house to find Grant at the foot of the step.  He plucked it easily
from her hands.

“It’s okay,” she began.  “It’s my
job-”

“Didn’t you notice the trolley?” 
He strode towards the door.

She followed quickly, leaping
forward to open the screen door.  “Yes, but-”

“I bought that and put a little
ramp up so Gladys wouldn’t have to carry the basket.”  Placing it on the table
he eyed her.  “I expect you to use it, too.”

“I’m perfectly capable of carrying
a basket of laundry,” she argued.  “I carry my own.”

He just looked at her.

“Okay, you’re the boss,” she
conceded, palms up.  “When I do your washing, I’ll use the trolley and not
carry it.”

“Good.”  Abandoning the basket, he
crossed to the ‘fridge.

Geez, the man was suddenly all
bossy and shit.  What was that about?  She peeked sideways at him as she
started folding the shirts. 

“Would you like some lunch?”  He
studied the packet of cold meat he’d just pulled from the chiller.

“Thanks, but no.”  Returning her
attention to the clothes, she continued folding with quick efficiency.

If Dingbat 1 could only see her
now.

“I could make you a sandwich,”
Grant offered.  “It’s no problem.”

“I’m going home to Aunt Maree
after this, I’ll have lunch with her.  But thanks anyway.”  She glanced at him.

Grant was busy tossing bits of
meat to Fergus, Gretel and Slinky, all of whom sat at his feet waiting for
their turn.

“You’ve no manners,” he told them. 
“I don’t know why I’m doing this.  I know better.”

Aw, there was the sweet boy she
remembered. 

Grinning, she finished folding the
clothes as Grant made his sandwiches.  It took him longer than it would a
normal person because he kept flipping bits to the animals.

By the time she’d placed his
clothes on his bed for him to put away, the towels in the bathroom and the tea
towels in a kitchen drawer with the others, it was one o’clock.

Picking up her purse, she took the
car keys out.  “I’ll be off.”

Immediately he turned from where
he’d been rinsing his plate.  “I’ll see you off.”

“There’s no need.”

“It’s okay.  I’ve got to get the
cleaning stuff out to give Bird and Frog’s cage a clean.”

“That’d be the mice I saw in that
big bird cage kind of thing?”

“It’s a mouse cage.  Or a rat
cage.  Better than an aquarium like I used to have as a kid.”  Grant held the
door open for her.  “Nicer for the mice.”

As she passed, she couldn’t help
but inhale appreciatively.  So sue her, the man did smell good.  “You’ve an
aquarium in the lounge.”

“That’s for Puff and Puff.  They’re
goldfish.”

Stopping at the top of the step,
she shook her head.  “Puff and Puff?  You named them the same?”

“Didn’t seem any point giving them
different names when they look the same,” he replied reasonably.  “It’s not
like I can tell them apart.  This way I’m always right.”

Genuinely amused, she laughed. 
“You’re such a drongo.”

He gave her a crooked grin.

She went down the step.  “I’ll see
you Tuesday.”  Pausing at the bottom, she reconsidered.  “Actually, you’ll be
at work.”

“Feel free to pop in and say
hello.”

Surprised, she glanced over her
shoulder to see that he’d come forward and was leaning one broad shoulder
against the veranda post, his lazily crossed arms making his biceps bunch
nicely.  He watched her.

Was that a flicker of interest in
his eyes?  No doubt he was still curious about Dingbat 1.

Giving him a small wave, she
strode across the lawn and around the corner of the house, relieved when he was
out of sight.  She’d felt his gaze on her with every step.  Probably watching
the roll of her big bum, wasn’t like the poor bugger could miss it. As
cringe-worthy as that thought was, the other thought of those eyes watching her
also made her insides dance a little, her belly lurch, and her brain call her a
total idiot.  Whatever.  She was a woman who appreciated a nice bloke.  He was
a nice bloke.  He was also hot. 

Grinning, she got into the work
ute and started it up.  About to reverse, she was stopped by the sight of Grant
striding around the corner and waving her down.  Leaning down, he rested his
forearm on the windowsill of the car.