Chapter Fourteen
Gage watched Tamara across the crowded shop. This should be one of the happiest days of his life, but a pall of guilt hung over him.
He’d been blown away this morning when she’d come downstairs wearing a dark-navy over-the-knee dress closely following every one of her luscious curves, her hair swept back in a fashionably messy bun and enough make-up to enhance her natural beauty without being what he called shouty.
No one seeing her rest her hand on his arm earlier and smiling broadly at all the people piling in — an interesting mixture of serious booklovers and the curious — would guess they were at odds.
Apart from working together to get the shop ready and discussing the business details surrounding today’s launch, they hadn’t spoken to each other for three days.
Quite an achievement for two people sharing a house.
First thing this morning, he brought out the Wemyss pig and set it at one end of the counter, hoping to use it as a peace offering.
But she only broke her silence to say it wasn’t safe there and would be knocked over.
Dutifully he returned it to the storeroom out of sight.
She’d asked a perfectly understandable question at the auction about his relationship status and whether or not he had children.
His overreaction had been appalling. That silent drive home from Tintagel had seemed interminable, and they’d barely grunted to each other as they’d unloaded the van — correction — she’d unloaded the van.
Even deciding where to place the new furniture around the shop had been accomplished by a series of grunts and nods.
A few of the chairs were arranged in companionable groups, and the rest were dotted where people could sit and read in peace.
The fact that most of the upholstery had seen better days and much of the wood was scratched and scuffed added to the general impression of comfort and homeliness.
‘You’ve done a fine job, Mr Bennet, and I hope it’ll be a huge success.’ Evelyn stationed herself in front of him. ‘I don’t know what you’ve said or done to upset Tamara, but remember she has a lot of friends here.’
Now he knew how her old pupils must’ve felt when she’d torn them off a strip. Gage didn’t try to defend himself and watched her leave with a heavy heart.
Out of nowhere, someone gave him a hearty slap on the back. ‘Wotcha, Prof, you’ve done good.’ Taff Morgan stood there grinning like a loon. ‘Perhaps you’ll prove me wrong after all. Who are the bunch of geeky-looking chaps in the corner?’
Gage laughed. ‘They’re the military-history nuts. I put the word out online and dropped a few teasing hints about certain books that were on sale, so here they are.’
‘Another few weeks and you’ll be swamped with their friends and relatives looking for Christmas presents.’
‘That’s the plan.’
‘Whoa! Who’s that gorgeous creature?’ Taff’s intense green eyes gleamed.
‘That’s Tamara. She’s . . .’ The words to describe what she was to him wouldn’t come.
‘Oh, mate, I get it and don’t blame you. I’ll steer clear. Don’t want to step on your toes.’ Taff threw up his hands. ‘Although crocked as you are, you’re hardly going to catch me, are you?’
He couldn’t take that sort of ribbing from anyone else, but the first genuine smile he’d managed in days broke free. ‘Bastard.’
‘If she’s not up for grabs, I’ll leave you to your adoring fans and see if there’s anything else to appeal to me, apart from a good book of course.’ Taff grinned and sauntered off. Almost immediately he homed in on an attractive redhead.
If Gage were kinder, he’d find a way to warn his friend off. He could explain that Josie was a fiery nurse who’d eat Taff for dinner, and the stocky man with salt-and-pepper hair standing next to her was Harry, Josie’s police detective husband. But he didn’t.
With what he hoped was a welcoming smile, he ploughed back into greeting people.
* * *
‘So, what’s up with you and our wounded hunk?
’ Laura tapped Tamara’s arm. ‘He’s thrown a few sad looks your way when he thinks no one is watching, and you’ve got that false-front thing going on.
The one that says Tamara Pascoe isn’t intimidated by anything, and will grit her teeth so hard they fall out rather than admit to any weakness. ’
For a brief moment, Tamara contemplated what it might feel like to pour out all her problems and ask for advice.
‘And, yeah, we both know I was a total prat about the baby thing.’ Laura lowered her voice.
‘Learn from my mistakes. I’m damn lucky to still have Barry.
He’d have been well in his rights to scarper and leave me to it.
If I’d told you and the girls in the first place, my marriage wouldn’t nearly have fallen apart. ’
‘I’m tired. That’s all. We’ve worked non-stop the last ten days.’ Tamara forced a smile.
‘Fine. Be an ostrich. But if someone comes along and kicks your feathered ass, don’t blame me.’ Laura tossed her blonde hair and stomped off.
She didn’t have the energy to blink away the tears filling her eyes.
‘Isn’t this awesome?’ Melissa looked vibrant and elegant today in a silky purple shirtdress and black patent heels. ‘Oops, don’t tell me. Mark Darcy has turned into Daniel Cleaver. The rotter.’
Her confusion must’ve shown because Melissa’s tinkling laugh rang out.
‘I’m immersed in the world of Bridget Jones’s Diary at the moment, ready for book club. Poor Nathan is tearing his hair out this month.’
A pang of envy stabbed her heart. At one point she’d nurtured a stupid hope that Gage might take after Nathan, who always read the book-club selections and happily discussed them with his wife.
When the couple had been dating, he’d even planned wonderful trips to many of the locations in the Cornish books that had been the theme for the year. Another dream out the window.
‘I haven’t had time to read it yet.’
‘Why don’t you come to mine after you close here? Nathan’s going for a drink with Quinten, so we can open a bottle or two and eat junk food.’ Melissa squeezed her hand. ‘It might cheer you up.’
The tears welled up again. She didn’t deserve such good friends. One had gone off in a huff already. Tamara couldn’t afford to lose another. ‘Thanks. Did you talk to Nathan?’
‘He’d already guessed that Bryan’s news upset me. There’s not much my dear husband misses. He was sad too. That kinda helped.’ Melissa straightened her shoulders. ‘There’s always next month.’
‘Of course there is.’
She wasn’t convinced by Melissa’s casual response, but would have to be satisfied for now.
There was a queue of people waiting to pay, and Gage looked tired and drawn from standing for far too long.
Being in one position for an extended time was hard on his knee anyway, these days, but while he was still in recovery mode?
‘I need to go help serve.’
‘You do that. While you’re there, make sure he gets a good eyeful of you in that dress. I bet you haven’t paid any attention to all the admiring glances you’re getting today?’
‘Me?’ Compared to the jeans and T-shirts she practically lived in, she might not look too bad, but Melissa was undoubtedly laying the compliments on with a trowel to boost her confidence.
‘Oh, Tamara. You’re worse than I was.’ Melissa gave her a shove. ‘First, make him regret pissing you off and then make him beg. Go on.’
Pulling back her shoulders, she headed towards Gage. It childishly boosted her ego when he spotted her and turned pale. Regret, then beg. She repeated the words like a mantra.
* * *
He wasn’t sorry to see the crowd had tapered off and was down to the last few stragglers.
His aching knee was making its presence known now.
About an hour ago, Tamara had marched over to him like an avenging Valkyrie.
She’d shoved him towards the high stool they’d bought for behind the counter, pithily telling him that it hadn’t had any use today.
Then she’d stated in no uncertain terms that she’d stand there and take the money while he wrapped people’s purchases.
‘You should be able to manage now while I start tidying the shelves. I don’t know about you, but I’m knackered. We can come in tomorrow to restock for Monday.’
‘Can we talk?’ he asked.
‘What do you think we’re doing now? Playing chess? Ice skating?’
Gage cleared his dry throat. ‘I’ve been a stubborn idiot.’
Tamara folded her arms across her body as if to ward him off.
Unfortunately, that tightened the dress over her generous breasts and lifted them to his direct line of vision.
Gage’s only saving grace was the fact he was sitting behind the till, so he could shift around on the stool to minimise his discomfort.
As their eyes met, her triumph was unmistakable.
‘I won’t argue with that.’
‘Didn’t think you would. You caught me off guard.’ She opened her mouth to speak, but he pre-empted her. ‘But that’s no excuse for how rude I was to you.’
‘You’re right it’s not.’
‘Do you think we can stop being—’
‘Childish?’ Tamara gave a wry smile. ‘I think so.’ She stuck out her hand. ‘Friends again?’
As they exchanged a firm handshake, he was hyper-aware of her warm skin and subtle perfume. ‘Yeah.’ He longed to ask what the chance was of moving to a little warmer than ‘friends’, but didn’t have the nerve.
‘We’ll see, Gage, okay? Let’s take it slow.’
A flush of heat prickled his neck. She’d read him like the proverbial book from day one.
‘I’m sorry, but I can’t stay any longer tonight. Melissa’s on her own because Nathan’s playing amateur psychologist to Quinten again, so I’m going over for a girly chat.’
‘About useless men?’
Her chin tilted. ‘I’m sure we’ll have a meaningful discussion about a wide range of subjects.
’ A giggle slipped out. ‘And drown our sorrows in chardonnay. Hopefully I won’t be too hungover in the morning because I know Pixie wants to get the Christmas decorations up after we’ve finished serving the Sunday roasts. ’
‘Already? It’s only the eighth of November.’
‘I know but it gets customers in the festive mood, which means more sales, so it’s good for business. You need to think about decorating here too. I had a few ideas today, so we can talk about them tomorrow.’
‘Yeah, sounds good.’
Gage was sorry to see a customer approaching the counter, forcing an end to the conversation. A tiny seed of hope lodged in his gut that if he didn’t mess up again, Tamara might give him a second chance.