The Man Behind the Badge (8 page)

‘Thanks,’ she said, a tiny rough catch in her voice. ‘Could I have m-my earring please?’ She held out her hand.

He reached into his pocket for the bauble and deposited it on her palm.

She turned away, tilting her head so she could guide the earring back into place. Her hair swung in a silky curtain to hide her face.

‘Kay-lah.’ Emma wriggled then looked at him expectantly.

‘Yes, that’s Kayla.’

‘Oh, no.’ Kayla twisted back to give the toddler a despairing look. ‘No, Emmie, hon, remember your new word for today is syllable.’

With delighted giggles, Emma clapped her hands. ‘Kay-lah. Cluck-ee.’

Tom’s tension evaporated abruptly. He grinned broadly and looked back at mortified Kayla as fresh colour flooded across her cheeks.

‘Kay-lah. Cluck-ee.’

‘Is she, now?’

Kayla groaned. ‘You know she doesn’t have any idea what she’s saying. She’s playing with words and sounds. Unfortunately, those two words have taken her fancy.’

‘Bad luck,’ Tom said gently.

‘Yes.’

His heart lurched at the way her mouth pouted slightly. ‘It could be worse.’

‘I’m trying to imagine,’ she drawled, fixing him with a disbelieving look.

‘Oh, definitely. Much worse.’ He collected his wits. ‘It could have been a swear word. When Ry was about Emma’s age, he came over to my place with his dad and went home saying
buddy
. Charlotte thought it was cute until she realised he was actually saying…er—’ He stopped and glanced at Emma, who was fingering the logo on his T-shirt. He’d better spell the word just to be on the safe side. ‘B-L-O-O-D-Y.’

Kayla chuckled and her eyes sparkled. ‘Okay, yes. That is bad.’

‘Cluck-ee,’ Emma chirped looking from one to the other smugly.

‘But so is this.’ Kayla huffed out a sigh. ‘Everyone who hears her is going to think I’m…’

‘Wanting to start a family?’ He struggled to keep his voice light. The thought of Kayla’s belly round with child made his stomach curl with hunger.

‘Yes.’ Kayla sent him resigned look under her lashes. She looked so adorable, so desirable. The tension in his gut cranked up another notch.

He was starting to fit her into the mould of the woman he wanted to keep. Was it too soon for that? His head was telling him, yes, it was too soon…but his heart was telling him to go for broke.

Kayla walked beside Tom, acutely aware of his every stride.

Emma was balanced easily on his hip. He hadn’t relinquished the toddler; instead he’d offered to carry her. Kayla wished she could put his domesticity down to a misguided attempt to impress but she knew it would be unfair. He was too relaxed, Emma was too comfortable, too familiar with him for it to be a rare event.

Tom Jamieson was genuine.
Kayla’s heart gave a painful squeeze.
Strength and tenderness all wrapped up in a ruggedly attractive package.

She was charmed and dismayed in equal measure. His treatment of Ryan and Emma pierced her careful safeguards, leaving her feeling unsettled, susceptible. She was really seeing him, being forced to put aside her preconceived ideas about who he was.

How odd that this weekend of competitive rough-and-tumble sport should showcase such extraordinary sensitivity. The sooner it was over the better. Back in the hospital flat, in town and working—that was what she needed so she could get some perspective.

‘Cluck-ee.’

Kayla rolled her eyes to find Tom’s amused gaze on her.

‘She’ll find something new soon.’

‘Promise?’ She managed a smile. ‘Though perhaps you’re right. I shouldn’t complain. The next thing she latches onto might be worse.’

‘With a bit of luck, you won’t have to worry about her chattering tonight. With all the fresh air and running around today, she must be worn out. She’ll be out like a light after tea.’

As though she’d understood his words, Emma yawned hugely and her head drooped onto Tom’s shoulder, her thumb in her mouth. Tom tilted his head and laid his cheek on the snuggling toddler’s hair. Kayla’s heart melted. She tried to imagine her own father carrying Maddy or herself the way Tom held Emma.

The picture wouldn’t come. If her father had a softer side, she and Maddy had never seen it.

Tom’s short dark hair was damp and sleek, and she realised he must have found time to bathe between helping to set up for the evening and coming to collect her.

No shave, though. Dark stubble shadowed his jaw. It looked good on him. She’d felt it when he’d bent to kiss her on the cheek. Along with a soft warmth and a hint of moisture with the brush of his lips. She raised her fingers to her face, remembering. For the tiniest, maddest moment she’d wanted to turn her head, feel that pressure and heat on her mouth.

With his free hand, Tom reached out to capture hers and she forgot all about Emma’s word obsession. Pleasantly rough skin slid over hers until they were palm to palm. It had been years since she’d held hands with anyone and she’d forgotten how much she enjoyed it. The few men she’d dated had considered themselves too sophisticated for the simple public gesture.

In this peaceful bush setting, she felt suddenly overwhelmed by a wave of contrasting stimuli. The size and brawny strength of the man beside her, his undeniable masculinity…and yet his poignant gentleness.

And then there was the example of her friends. Jack, so tall and strong…and yet his tenderness with Liz and Emma.

It wasn’t…right. It wasn’t…the way things were between men and women, between men and children. Her experiences hadn’t prepared her for the possibility of beauty and softness in the interactions of strong males with those physically weaker than themselves.

Tom’s hand on hers acted as an anchor while she struggled to deal with her impressions.

‘All right?’ he murmured, as though he sensed her turmoil. And his acute sensitivity to her in this moment just made it worse.

‘Of course.’ Her throat was raw, her voice rough. She managed a tight smile.

Just as well Tom had reiterated his promise to be on his best behaviour. It was her own impulses that she was starting to worry about.

K
AYLA
suppressed a quiver as Tom’s breath whispered over the tender skin of her ear. ‘Prepare yourself to be welcomed into the Jamieson family fold,’ he murmured. ‘This is
all
your family?’ she said, looking around at the laughing, talking crowd. Several children were happily playing a chasing game in and around the standing adults and a group of men holding cans of beer had gathered to commune around a barbecue.

‘Lots of them. Don’t ask me where everyone fits. Mum knows. Friends, too. The camp draft Saturday night barbecue is something of a tradition.’

A slender brunette who’d just hugged Liz looked in their direction and a huge grin immediately lit her face.

‘Remember, you only have to give name, rank and serial number,’ Tom said, his voice filled with laughter as the smiling woman hurried towards them. Liz and Jack trailed behind her.

Kayla speared Tom with a short glance. ‘Worried I might say something to embarrass you?’

‘Nope.’ His fingers squeezed hers as he pitched his voice for her alone. ‘Worried someone might say something to scare you back into the shell I’ve winkled you out of.’

‘You make me sound like a hermit crab,’ she muttered.

Tom’s chuckle rumbled in her ears before he said, ‘Hi, Mum.’

‘I’ve been keeping an eye out so I didn’t miss you two arriving. You must be Kayla.’ The dark-haired woman stepped forward, her arms wide in welcome. For a split second as Kayla felt Tom release her hand, she wanted to cling to him. The next she was scooped into a hug. ‘You’re even more gorgeous than the photo Liz showed me.’

‘Kayla, meet my mother, Rosie. Mum, as you’ve guessed, this is Kayla.’

‘I can’t tell you how much I’ve been looking forward to meeting you, my dear.’ Rosie held her at arm’s length and sent her son a quick look filled with mischief. ‘Even more since my son told me he’d asked you as his date for tonight.’

There was that word again.
Date
. Kayla swallowed and pinned a smile on her face. ‘It’s lovely to meet you, Mrs Jamieson.’

‘Rosie, I insist. We’re delighted to have you join us tonight. How are you enjoying your time in Dustin so far?’

‘Very much, Rosie. It makes a nice change of pace from the city.’

‘We’re lucky to have you filling in for Liz’s maternity leave and I hear I have you to thank for patching up my grandson this morning.’

‘Oh, of course. Ryan.’ Kayla nodded. ‘How is he?’

‘Good as gold. He was right here a moment ago. Oh, there you are,’ the older woman said as Ryan materialised at her side.

‘Hi, Kayla,’ the boy said, looking up at her shyly.

‘Hello, Ryan.’ She smiled at him. ‘You got to the barbecue after all.’

‘I had a sleep this afternoon so Mum said it was okay.’

‘How is your arm?’

‘Good, ’cept I can’t ride.’

‘So you want to get back on, then?’ Kayla couldn’t hide her surprise even though a quick glance at Tom suggested this was to be expected.

‘Of course.’

‘He’s a tough little nut. Aren’t you, Ry?’ said his grandmother as she ruffled his hair.

‘Yeah.’ Ryan looked as though he’d been paid the highest compliment.

‘Reminds me a lot of someone else while he was growing up.’ The look Rosie gave her son was filled with equal parts of affection and exasperation. ‘Tom gave me more than his fair share of grey hairs. He still does. They’re always your children, Kayla, no matter how big and competent they get.’

Kayla’s chest tightened unexpectedly at the words. What would it have been like to grow up with someone so firmly in her corner as Rosie obviously was for her children and grandchildren.

‘What about Mum?’ Ryan asked.

‘Her, too. The stories I could tell you.’

‘But you’ll resist because we don’t want to send Kayla hightailing it back to Melbourne, do we, Mum?’ Tom said. ‘We need her.’

His tone shivered down Kayla’s spine. He almost sounded…possessive. The idea should be utterly repugnant but instead she felt a quick, unwelcome stab of feminine curiosity.

‘True.’ Rosie laughed undaunted by her son’s warning. ‘But she might like to know what she’s letting herself in for.’

Did Rosie mean in Dustin? With the Jamiesons?

Or with Tom? Her heart squeezed painfully.

She was glad Jack chose that moment to come to collect Emma so that Tom was occupied transferring the sleepy toddler. She needed a moment to take a deep breath, pull herself together without his too-perceptive eyes on her.

‘Come and get it!’ one of the men near the barbecue called out as he transported a laden platter towards the food table.

‘Oh, yes, do. Go,’ Rosie said, making ushering movements towards the table. ‘Food disappears quickly around here.’

‘Come on.’ Tom captured her hand and tugged her forward. He handed her a plate and a serviette-wrapped set of utensils.

‘Kebabs?’ Two appeared on her plate. ‘Chops? Rissoles? Salad?’

Tom moved with her around the table, efficiently loading up her plate. He did it so naturally she found herself unable to object. ‘Let’s grab a seat.’

He steadied her while she stepped over the bench then put his plate on the table to save his spot. ‘Can I get you something to drink?’

‘A small red wine would be lovely.’ She watched him walk away. Being cared for the way Tom was looking after her as his date was a new experience. It was both wonderful and unsettling.

‘Be right back.’ He left his jacket on the seat.

A moment later, a girl bounced onto Tom’s jacket and said, ‘Hello. Ry said you’re the doctor who fixed his arm?’

‘That’s right. I’m Kayla.’ She turned her attention to the feminine version of Ryan. ‘Are you Hannah?’

‘Yep.’ Hannah grinned showing a neat set of orthodontic braces. ‘Ry let me sign the plaster already. I was the first.’

‘Lucky you,’ Tom said, returning with a couple of glasses. He leaned over Hannah to put them on the table.

‘Yep, he’s pretty good. For a boy.’ Hannah grinned at her uncle then turned her ingenuous blue eyes back in Kayla’s direction. ‘He said it hurt a lot when he fell off but that he didn’t cry.’

‘Your brother was very brave,’ Kayla said.

‘Hannah, come and get your dinner, please,’ Charlotte called from the food table. She waved to Kayla and said, ‘Hi, Kayla, glad you could join us. Hannah, any time today would be good, please.’

Kayla waved back, watching a reluctant Hannah do her mother’s bidding. ‘She’s going to be a heartbreaker when she gets older.’

‘I think Charlie’s hoping that contempt for boys stays with her for another ten years.’ Tom climbed over the seat. As he settled beside her, his thigh brushed hers, sending a crazy fizz of sensation over her skin. ‘You protected Ryan. I half expected you to give Hannah the line about tears being nothing to be ashamed of.’

Kayla cleared her throat. ‘For a start, it’s not a line. And, secondly, I figure it falls under the heading of patient confidentiality.’

‘I’m glad.’ He twisted towards her and smiled, his eyes warmly approving. Heat came off his body in waves that enveloped her. She stared at him helplessly as he spoke. ‘Han’s a sweetheart deep down but she’s hiding it under a thick layer of holy terror at the moment.’

Someone called his name and he turned away. Kayla blew out a small breath of relief. Being the focus of Tom’s attention was not getting any easier. The man had some serious chemistry.

Other friends and family members joined them at the long table and the conversation became general. His family were fun, lively, affectionate and friendly. As she chatted, Kayla tried to convince herself that she’d imagined her response to Tom. But almost as though he understood what was going on in her mind, Tom turned to touch her. His hand lingered on her shoulder while he asked her to pass the salt, then stroked down to the small of her back as she leaned forward to get it.

‘Thanks.’ His fingers closed over hers briefly as she tried to place the container on the table in front of him.

Nothing objectionable, just enough to ensure all her senses were tuned to him.

Every time he spoke.

Every time he shifted on the bench seat.

Her very cells seemed to be anticipating the next time he might touch her.

‘Kayla?’ Her name spoken in a soft girl’s voice was accompanied by a light tug on her sleeve. She turned to see Hannah, her elbow on the table and her face propped in her hand.

‘Yes, Hannah.’

‘Are you in love with Uncle Tom?’

Kayla blinked at the child, feeling a rush of heat running into her cheeks. She sensed Tom’s stillness beside her and she didn’t dare look in his direction. The gathering twilight would help to hide the betraying colour—she hoped.

‘I’m sure he’s, um, very loveable, Hannah,’ she said, selecting her words carefully. ‘And I bet you love him very much.’

‘Yes, but he’s my uncle so I have to.’

‘Right.’ Kayla met the still-questioning blue eyes. ‘You see, I’ve only just met him, so it’s too soon to know.’ She only just stopped the
yet
that was ready to trip off her tongue.

‘But you like him, right?’ the child persisted, and Kayla had a sudden sympathy for Ryan wanting to keep his tears a secret.

‘Yes, I like him. He’s a nice man.’ She heard Tom’s soft chuckle. ‘But if he’s not careful, that could change.’

‘Why would it change?’ The girl frowned.

Kayla suppressed a sigh. ‘I’m teasing you, Hannah.’

‘Oh.’ Hannah nodded, her expression plainly saying she’d never understand the vagaries of adult humour. ‘Good. You’re the first girlfriend that Uncle Tom’s had for ages. Nana said ever since—’

‘Dessert’s up, Han,’ Tom said. ‘I heard Aunty Doreen was bringing her peppermint and chocolate pavlova,’ Tom said. ‘You don’t want to miss out.’

The child was gone in a flash.

‘Great magic trick,
Uncle Tom
.’ Kayla slid him a disgusted look. ‘Pity you didn’t perform it five minutes earlier.’

‘But I was learning so much. A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do.’ He reached out and his fingers brushed her hair back over her ear in a slow caress that left her breathless.

‘Not when he’s promised to be on his best behaviour,’ she murmured.

‘Ah, yes.’ His hooded gaze was darker, sharper, holding her captive for a moment before sliding down to her mouth. A sharp stab of longing shocked her. ‘You could always release me from my promise.’

Her heart slammed into her ribs as she wrenched her eyes away from him to look around the table. Everyone else was talking as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened. It was only her world that had been shaken.

‘I could.’ She reached for her glass. The liquid sloshed as she picked it up. ‘But I don’t think I will.’

‘But you want to. Admit it,’ he said, his words laced with sinful temptation.

Damn it. He was right.

Her mouth was drier than the dust on the dirt road. God, what had made her think she could indulge in repartee with Tom and get away with it.

‘Name, rank and serial number, didn’t you say?’

His delicious, low chuckle hummed across her senses.

Tom looked over to where Kayla was helping pack away the last of the dishes. Jack and Liz had returned to camp much earlier with little Emma snuggled up fast asleep in a sleeping bag.

Kayla had insisted on staying to help, mucking in willingly with the clean-up. He wondered if she realised the consequence of that—she’d have to walk back to camp with him.

Alone
.

Tom swallowed. Him and Kayla.

Just the two of them.

Best behaviour
.

Dating Kayla required strategy. Like camp drafting. Rush in too soon and he risked spooking his elusive quarry. The trick was to balance patience with decisive action at the right time and right place. He was a champion camp draft rider. He only hoped he had the strength and sensitivity to apply patience and pressure at the right times and places with Kayla.

He suppressed a chuckle. Would Kayla appreciate his analogy for their fledgling relationship? He thought she might with her quick, wicked sense of humour. He enjoyed it…he enjoyed her. His gut tightened.

He dropped the tied rubbish bag into the bin and turned back towards the barbecue area in time to see Kayla throw her head back to laugh at something with his mother. She appeared to have enjoyed herself tonight with his family. And that was important to him. He loved his family.

He walked slowly back towards the two women.

He hadn’t brought anyone home to meet his family for years. Not since he’d been shot. No wonder Hannah had picked up on the family scuttlebutt. His then girlfriend had dumped him while he still lay in hospital, tubes threading through his body. Marissa hadn’t wanted to stay at his bedside to play nursemaid to an invalid. He’d had a lucky escape there, in more ways than one. Her defection hadn’t surprised him…and it hadn’t hurt him either. Except for his pride.

A band of tension circled his chest. He had the feeling Kayla could hurt him badly.

But he was going to make his move anyway.

Did that make him a fool? He frowned.

‘Thanks for your help, Kayla.’

‘My pleasure, Rosie. I’ve had a lovely evening.’

‘Ready to go?’ His question came out more harshly than he’d meant and both women looked at him in surprise.

‘Yes. I’ll just get my jumper,’ Kayla said.

He consciously eased the muscles across his shoulders. ‘I’ve got it here.’

‘Goodnight, Kayla,’ his mother said. ‘I’ll look forward to seeing you again soon.’

‘Goodnight, Rosie.’

‘’Night, Mum.’

He settled his hand in the small of Kayla’s back, feeling her body heat through his palm, the rub of her clothing at each step a small torturous friction

Silence closed around them, only broken by the soft rustle of dry leaves beneath their feet. The lamp he held played over the ground around them. Diffused light enclosing them in a golden bubble of intimacy.

‘Penny?’ he said, reaching out to capture her hand.

She chuckled softly. ‘I was just thinking that all this is so different from the things I usually do on a night out.’