Chapter Four
E mma stopped and grabbed at Darby’s arm. Darby turned toward her, puzzled.
“What is it, Emma?”
Emma swallowed. Heat suffused her skin and made her all clammy. “I don’t know if I should. Go in, I mean. What if…” She trailed off, not wanting to sound like a nervous schoolgirl.
Darby sent her a reassuring smile. “It’s okay. There’ll be a fuss, but you’ll be fine. I won’t let them eat you alive. Maybe chew a little,” she teased. “A couple of the locals might be a little stand-offish, but most of us just wanted to meet you. It might get a bit intimidating, but we’ll all be with you. Max, Si and Gabe won’t let anyone hassle you. There’s no need to be nervous. You look amazing, so you don’t need to worry on that count.”
Emma looked down at her dusky-pink-and-cream dress, the long flowing sleeves, which came over her shoulders to meet a fitted baroque-style bodice that pushed her small breasts up and cinched her waist, giving her the illusion of a longer line. A full skirt ended just below her knees. Silver, heeled sandals with ties that wrapped around her ankles finished the look. She’d calmed her thick hair with hot rollers, giving her a glossy, chocolate-brown mane that fell over her shoulders and halfway down her back.
She’d worried that she’d overdressed, but Darby had arrived wearing a lovely flowing jersey dress that reached almost to her ankles.
Emma nodded. She was being ridiculous. “Okay. Lead on, Macduff.”
They pushed in through the double front doors; the smell of fresh-cooked food and the underlying scent of stale beer instantly overwhelmed her senses. Emma looked around, curious. She hadn’t taken much notice last time she was here, because she’d been more concerned with finding her new home before dark.
This was a busy place. The general hubbub of conversation and background country music from the jukebox complemented the relaxed dinnertime atmosphere. She willed herself to relax a little. This was what she’d wanted when she picked Kurrajong Crossing. The relaxed country atmosphere, the fresh air with no hint of smog, and the feeling of community. A new place to call home and, if she was lucky, somewhere to fit in. Somewhere far away from the troubles and memories.
Eyes slowly turned their way, pair by pair, as more people became aware of her presence. Conversations stuttered and stopped, until all that was left was the sound of the jukebox.
Emma faltered, ready to turn and run, when a warm, soft hand grasped hers and squeezed gently. Darby walked ahead, ignoring the scrutiny they were receiving, her hand a thread of support in a suddenly scary world.
Emma looked around and was caught by several sets of eyes, some welcoming and smiling, a few openly hostile. She smiled quickly at them, glancing away before seeing reactions. She was as nervous as hell. Not even on her first date had she been this tense. She’d never felt so on show in her life, and it wasn’t a feeling she liked.
They reached a booth up near the bar on the right. Emma lagged slightly behind Darby, still tethered by her hand. Darby stopped in front of her, beside her twin.
Gabe glanced up, not seeing Emma behind Darby, then back down to the bottle in his hands.
“Hell, Darby. About time you showed. I’m just about dying of thirst. Amy said I couldn’t open this until you got here.” He reached forward and slid the corkscrew into the bottle, twisting until it popped out.
Belatedly, he seemed to notice all had stilled in the bar. He looked around, his eyes betraying his surprise at Emma’s presence.
Emma’s face erupted with warmth. Heat rushed in tiny pinpricks all over her body. Even her ears felt hot. Gabe’s eyes seared her skin as his gaze travelled over her chest and waist, then on down to her feet. For a gay man, he sure gave the once-over. Was he just checking out her outfit?
“There’s an extra for dinner, Max,” Darby called as the man in question walked toward the table. “Amy, this is Emma. Emma, Amy. That’s Simon down the end, and Gabe you’ve met.”
Emma smiled weakly at Amy, absently noting her soft, blonde curls and brown eyes. At least Amy was smiling at her. Darby pushed Emma into the booth beside Gabe and sat down opposite.
Gabe scooted over. He moved up against Simon, as far from her as he could without changing seats. Disappointment sat hard in her stomach. The man really didn’t seem to like her much.
“Max, Si? I’d like you to meet our newest citizen. Emma, these are my bigger brothers,” Darby said.
Emma held out her hand to shake Max and Simon’s.
“A pleasure, Emma.” Max sent an accusing glance in Gabe’s direction. “Gabe didn’t mention that you might be coming for dinner.”
“I didn’t know,” he said, eyeing a deliberately oblivious Darby.
Emma cleared her dry throat. “If this is a problem, I can leave. I understand. I didn’t mean to intrude on a family thing.”
“Oh no, you’re not going anywhere,” Amy interjected, smiling and winking at her. “You’re stuck with us. For a few hours at least.” She turned to her Max. “Get us another wine glass, would you?” Amy returned her brown gaze to Emma. “You like wine, right?”
Emma nodded, overwhelmed by the situation. It wasn’t often that she was so out of her depth, but she felt severely unprepared tonight. It was hard enough moving from everything she knew, let alone facing the entire population of her new town at the local pub.
“Yes, thank you.” Emma took the offered glass of red wine, taking a large gulp, hoping a fast infusion of alcohol would steady her crazy heartbeat.
*
Emma watched contentedly as the dinner plates were cleared from the table. She felt so full she worried that she’d burst. Max had gotten the cook to put such a big steak on her plate Emma thought she’d gotten half a cow. The men were now behind the bar, serving a steady stream of patrons, laughter and happiness a soothing background to the low hum of conversation in the room. She sat back in the padded seat and contemplated the table to their left.
Before the meal had arrived, Darby had taken her around the room, introducing her to a couple of the more reticent patrons, and they’d stopped at that table. A pretty woman, Millie, had given Emma the once-over then promptly dismissed her, turning back to her friends and ignoring them after offering a terse “hello.” The others had been far more welcoming, but after a sharp glance from Millie, they’d reined in their more effusive welcome.
“Don’t worry about her.”
Darcy’s gentle command brought Emma’s attention back to the table.
Amy nodded, agreeing. “Millie’s just sore that you have everyone’s attention. She’ll get over it.”
Darby’s laugh made Emma’s lips tilt in response. These women were so nice. They’d made her feel comfortable and fielded the expected questions, comments and introductions from the more curious and welcoming citizens of Kurrajong Crossing.
“Yeah, she’s not happy because the boys didn’t make a list about her!” Darby laughed, then swung horrified eyes to Emma. “I mean, ah…”
Emma frowned and flicked her gaze between the two women opposite her. “What list?”
Amy shook her head at Darby. “Good one, Darb. She didn’t have to know.”
Emma sat up straighter, her stomach beginning to twist into knots again, just when she was finally relaxing. “What list? What are you talking about?”
Darby’s shoulders dropped. She waved a dismissive hand around the room. “Some of the guys set up a bet on who they think you’ll agree to date first.” She grabbed hold of Emma’s hand across the table, her eyes earnest. “It’s harmless. They’re just being goofs. If it helps, they all want to be first.”
Emma’s gaze jumped to Amy for confirmation.
“She’s right, Emma. It’s all in good fun. We weren’t going to tell you.” She glared at her sister-in-law beside her. “But now you know. I hope you don’t think any less of us.”
The surprise at the existence of the bet sank in as her heart settled its rapid pace. “No. Not of you, if that’s what you mean.” Humour started like a small seed in her belly. “Who’s winning so far?”
Darby shot Amy a relieved look and grinned at her. “Ryan’s tying with Dante, the last I heard. The pool is up pretty high, apparently. After tonight, it should skyrocket.”
Dante, the winemaker at a local winery, and Ryan. Gabe’s friend. The cute blond who had sat himself down next to her within minutes of their arrival at the family’s booth.
Emma looked over to where he was standing propped up with one elbow on the bar. The toe of his boot was hooked over the footrest of the stool in front of him. He was talking to Gabe while Gabe served clients around him.
Gabe’s grin as he joked with the men at the bar sent heat spiralling in her blood and burning its way through her body. His eyes caught hers, and his grin faded slightly. Ryan raised an eyebrow and turned to look at what had caught Gabe’s attention, raising his beer to her in salute, a cheeky grin widening his full mouth.
Emma dropped her eyes to her drink and wrapped her hands around the half-empty glass.
Stop it, girl. He’s most definitely not available.
She almost laughed at the irony of that. The first man she was attracted to in what seemed like forever—an unwanted attraction at that—and he was as far from available as possible.
“He’s not in on it, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
Emma blinked. “Who?”
“Gabe. He’s not on the list,” Darby clarified.
Of course he isn’t. Emma’s reply didn’t make it past her lips as her eyes caught on a lone figure sitting on the other side of the wide dance floor, in the last booth, far to the back in the shadows.
“Who’s that?” She was sure she hadn’t seen him sitting there when Darby had taken her around for introductions.
Darby spun in her seat and followed Emma’s gaze. “Oh, that’s Old Pete. His wife died about ten years ago. He comes here every night for dinner. He doesn’t say much. Keeps to himself. He eats, listens to the band or the jukebox for a while, then disappears again. Same time every night.”
Emma’s heart constricted and clenched tight. The poor man. She glanced around at the other tables. No one took any notice of him. No one even looked in his direction. Tears for the loneliness this man must be feeling—to come and spend time at the busiest time of day in a crowded bar—welled up.
She bit down hard on her rampant emotions and picked up her glass, scooting to the end of the bench seat. “I’ll be back soon.”
Taking in their surprised expressions, Emma stood and walked across the dance floor. Every eye in the place followed her progress. The strength of their stares impaled her. She forced herself to ignore it, but by the time she stopped in front of Old Pete’s booth she was trembling.
Pete looked up from his half-eaten meal and stared at her. A sudden stab of pain and affection spiked through her.
Wow. He looks so much like Pop.
Even after five years, Emma’s grandfather’s death was still an aching wound. She cleared her tight throat.
“Is this seat taken? Would you mind if I sat down for a moment?” she asked, holding her breath. He appeared to be in his eighties. Clean, but rumpled, and obviously not in close acquaintance with an iron.
He shook his head. “Not at all.”
Emma sat and held out her hand. He stared at it for a moment in confusion. “I’m Emma. I’m new here. I just wanted to say hello.”
Faded brown eyes looked back up at her face. His expression softened and he nodded, holding out his own hand. “Folks hereabouts call me Old Pete.”
Emma sent him a huge smile, relieved beyond measure. He hadn’t asked her to leave.
“Would you mind if I just call you Pete?”
*
“She’s pretty, isn’t she?” Max asked as Gabe placed his stacks of glasses on the bar before him. Max took them and set them down onto the counter behind the bar, out of sight. “The guys are certainly having fun trying to impress her. It’s funny watching them try and outdo each other.”
“Emma? She’s way beyond pretty. I don’t think I know a word to describe her,” Gabe replied. He glanced up at his brother when he didn’t receive an answer. “What?”
Max’s face pinched, like he was in some sort of pain. “What can I get for you, Emma?”
Oh crap.
Gabe turned and gazed straight into Emma’s come-get-me eyes.
Double crap.
A faint blush fanned across her cheeks, proving she’d heard his comment.
“Just an orange juice thanks, Max,” she murmured. She couldn’t hold his gaze while she waited for her drink, her gaze wandering over the mirrored back wall of the bar.
“Emma, I just want to be clear that—” Gabe started.
“It’s okay, really. I’m flattered,” she interrupted. “It’s not every day you overhear a good-looking man say you’re pretty. It’s sweet. At least I know you’re not on that stupid list.”
Sweet?
“Ah… no. I’m not on the list. But how did you know that?”
She finally looked at him, her blue eyes friendly if a little embarrassed. “Well it’s not hard to guess, is it? You’d hardly be on it, considering. I’m glad, because it’s a little off-putting. I feel like a horse at an auction.”
Considering what? “You’ve lost me, Emma. Why would you think I wouldn’t be on it?”
“Darby explained everything earlier. So, I understand.” She placed her warm hand on his forearm. Electric energy crackled from just that small touch.
Gabe frowned at her, trying hard to ignore his body’s all-consuming reaction. Even thinking was a problem with her so close. “What are you talking about? What exactly did she tell you?”
Gabe noticed a few people listening while waiting for their drinks at the bar. If Darby had tattled his private business, he was going to have her head on a pike.
“You don’t need to hide being gay from me,” Emma said, glancing around them at the sudden noise in the room. Their small audience had grown.
All the blood drained from his brain in a rush, leaving him breathless and unable to think. If he wasn’t crazy, she’d just told him she thought he was gay.
“What did you say?” he whispered.
Emma smiled and squeezed his arm where her hand rested on it. He couldn’t look away from that smile. It didn’t help his focus any.
“I know heaps of gay guys back home. It really isn’t an issue.”
“Gabe’s gay?”
Ryan started laughing so hard Gabe thought he’d hurt himself. Ryan slapped him hard on his shoulder, making him stumble.
“Mate, this is too good!”
Gabe’s blood returned and superheated his body in a matter of moments. He let out what he thought was a genuine laugh, although it sounded a little hollow to his ears.
“I’m not gay.”
Everyone there in the bar knew that. He honestly didn’t give a damn what they thought, and if it had been the truth he would’ve been out and proud, but Emma was new in town.
He couldn’t let her think the wrong thing. Not that he was interested, because he wasn’t.
“I knew it! I knew there was somethin’ you were hidin’, Gabe. Does your mother know yet?” Mick Pierson’s voice rang out over the swelling laughter and comments. “I hope you don’t want me, ’cause I’m not interested.”
Gabe shot him a dirty look. “You’re not my type, Mick, so you’re out of luck.”
Mick had been a pain in his ass since high school. He was always trying to find a way to wind him up. This would only make the guy ten times worse.
*
Peals of laughter echoed around them. Emma’s gaze flew to Max and Simon, who looked so shell-shocked that her stomach took a nosedive toward the floor. She waited until Gabe turned toward her.
“I thought they all knew,” she whispered.
She felt sick to her stomach. Small towns were notorious for being conservative and here she’d just outed one of their most eligible men.
The smile left Gabe’s face. He closed his eyes and shook his head. “I’m not gay, Emma.”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to make problems for you.”
“Okay. This isn’t funny anymore.” The humour left Gabe’s voice and his expression darkened, fine lines bracketing his mouth and eyes. He came around the side of the bar to face her.
Emma looked around, imploring the crowd. They were all eating her gaffe up like it was the funniest thing ever. At least they weren’t all pulling away from him.
How could she be so stupid? How could she make it up to him?
Of all the things to do the very first time she went out in her new town, this would have to be the most unforgivable.
“Come on, Gabe. Just come clean and fess up. You may as well now that she’s gone and done all the hard work for you,” said Mick.
“Darby didn’t say it was a secret. She—”
“Shut the hell up, Mick.” Gabe grabbed her shoulder and made her look at him. He looked angrier by the second. “You’re not listening. What did she say to you?” he ground out.
“I… uh,” Emma stumbled, desperately trying to remember Darby’s words. “She said you weren’t interested in women. I assumed she meant you liked men.”
“You assumed wrong. I’m as straight as they come.” He took her jaw in his hand and tilted his head to stare at her. His thumb rubbed slowly over her bottom lip. She couldn’t seem to move. Didn’t really want to, if she was completely honest with herself. A strange half-smile quirked his mouth. “I can prove it if you like.”
“And how do you propose to do that?” she asked, half laughing.
Cheekiness overcame his face. “I’m sure a kiss will clear things right up. Yes?”
She shrugged. Amusement at the silliness of the situation she’d inadvertently stepped into bubbled up. Why not?
“Whatever floats your boat.”
Gabe chuckled. He lowered his head, giving the audience watching so avidly a show. He wouldn’t go through with it anyway, he was just playing around, so she stood stock-still and waited.
Soft lips touched her own. Emma gasped, surprised he’d actually gone through with it. She touched his chest to push him away now that he’d proved his point, her palms flat against his soft cotton shirt.
Only she couldn’t. The hard-muscled planes of his chest tempted her fingers, making her itch to take her time and explore him. Even knowing he was calling her out for her mistake, his mouth threatened to destroy her. She couldn’t have stopped if she wanted to.
Gabe touched his tongue to her lips. Fire swamped her, igniting her blood, sending it to boiling point in the space of a heartbeat.
Emma tentatively opened her mouth and abruptly the kiss changed. His lips softened, his mouth became uncertain, though no less demanding, as if questing for an answer. She gave it to him, her body melting into his as he deepened their kiss.
Her hand slid up his chest and into his hair, her fingers curling through it and grabbing hold as he tasted her mouth. Gabe slid his hands down her sides and pressed her close. Shivers engulfed her.
Emma couldn’t think, couldn’t do anything but fight the fire burning her flesh from the inside out.
Wolf whistles erupted around her, suffusing her ears with strident sound. Calls of Get a room! swept over her, penetrating her brain.
Gabe tore his mouth from hers. A soft sigh of disappointment escaped her lips. She opened her eyes and blinked, trying to regain her bearings. Gabe’s changing expression grounded her immediately.
Oh no. What the hell did I just do?
She didn’t dare look at anyone other than him.
She’d made out with him in public. The whole room was a mass of noise—some encouraging, some suggestive. Gabe looked as shocked as she felt.
Here she was, new in town and trying to make a good impression, and she was kissing a guy she barely knew. In a bar.
She opened her mouth to speak but couldn’t find any words.
Nope. Nothing.
Gabe wrenched his gaze from hers. “Okay, guys,” he said, addressing the men standing around them. “I get the drift. Can the comments.”
Ryan lifted his glass to Gabe. Emma couldn’t help but follow the motion with her eyes. His eyes gleamed with mischief in the dim lights at the bar. “Quite the little show you two put on there. I’m impressed.”
Emma’s face burned. Her whole body flooded with heat. She wasn’t sure if it was from embarrassment, or from being kissed so thoroughly that she’d never be able to sleep again.
“Enough, buddy. I think I proved my point.” Gabe glanced at Max and Simon, both behind the bar. Max’s grin threatened to split his face in half. “I’ll just go get those cases from the storeroom for you.”
Gabe threw her an apologetic grimace, then bolted.
A disbelieving squeak erupted from her mouth. He was leaving her there like that? After creating a spectacle that the whole damned town had witnessed?
She wasn’t sure if she wanted to run away, or punch him. Maybe both.
Great, just great! Emma looked from one set of questioning eyes to another. What the hell did she do now?
Her feet felt rooted to the spot. She had no idea what to say to these people. They all grinned at her like she’d given them the best night out ever. Rising panic shortened her breath.
An arm slid around her waist and whisked her around. Emma found herself moved and stashed into the far corner of the high-backed booth she’d eaten dinner at, her back to the room. Amy and Darby slid in beside and in front of her, blocking her from sight.
“You looked like you could use a little rescuing,” Amy teased. She pushed her drink of scotch and cola toward Emma, the bottle of wine having long disappeared. “Here, have it. You look like you need it more than I do.”
Hell yeah. Emma picked up the glass and took a deep drink, promptly coughing and spluttering.
“Ergh! That’s horrible.”
Darby couldn’t keep the grin off her face. “Well? What’s your conclusion?”
Emma squinted at Darby through the raw taste of the strong spirits she’d just chewed through. She just wasn’t a hard drinker.
“About what?” Emma asked.
Darby stared at her, incredulous. “‘About what’ she says, Amy. Dammit, girl! About Gabe. What’d you think ’bout that kiss?”
Emma cringed. She shook her head.
I’m trying not to.
“I can’t believe I let that happen. You all must think I’m such a tease. And those ones over there—” she jerked a thumb over her shoulder toward Millie’s table “—that just reinforced their wonderful impression of me. I’m so sorry to do this to you.”
Shock widened Amy’s eyes. “No. Why would we think you’re a tease?”
“Why would it be a problem if you were? Gabe obviously enjoyed it as much as you did. Who cares what those twits think? If anyone should apologise it should be my pathetic twin. He almost swallowed you whole! You’d think he’d at least just have a small taste the first time, then go for it in private. No manners whatsoever,” Darby joked.
Emma flinched at the inference. Chills doused her in ice. That would never happen. She refused to let it happen.
“No, Darby. There won’t be any going for it , in private or otherwise. I don’t do one-night stands, and I certainly don’t want a boyfriend.” She slapped her hand to her forehead. “He must think I’m the biggest idiot. How did I get that so wrong?”
Emma peeped out at grinning faces. She wasn’t going to get any help from this quarter.
Amy laughed. “That must be the funniest thing I’ve heard in months, no wait, years. I’m sorry, Emma. Here you are all embarrassed and we’re laughing about it. We don’t get much chance to have so much fun around here.”
Darby giggled and turned her amused gaze to Emma. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so shocked. You totally blindsided him. You don’t want a boyfriend? That’s cool. But I can think of a few things a man is useful for.”
“Darby, leave her alone. Can’t you see she’s self-conscious enough?” Amy stared over at the bar. “Come on, let’s take this party home. I think we’ve had enough excitement for one night, don’t you, Emma?”
Emma nodded. She wished she could sink through a hole in the floor, but since ACME Instant Holes seemed to be scarce, she would appreciate leaving.
“It’s decided. My place, ladies?” Darby asked.
Amy nodded. “Wonderful idea. Let’s leave the boys to their own games.”
Emma waited while Darby and Amy extricated themselves from the booth, then shimmied along the bench seat to the end. They both linked their arms through hers and walked her out the doors, laughing as they exited.