Battle Lines. (18 page)

“It’s so peaceful here.” She sighed. “I can’t imagine settling down anywhere else.”

“I thought you weren’t planning on staying. You were only going to be in town for a couple of days. Remember?”

“I lied.” She told him truthfully.

“I know.” He said, she had no doubt.

“It’s your fault.” She defended herself.

“How is it my fault?”

“You goad me into saying those things.”

“So you have no blame whatsoever.”

“I can’t blame myself Jake. I am perfect. Remember?”

“Yes… you are.” He said quietly and Amanda felt a tremor run through her. She picked up pace to walk ahead of him and then turning she said. “Hey Jake...” He looked at her. She raised her hand and then slapped his arm as she said. “Tag, your it.”

She set off running and shrieked with delight as he gave chase.

By the time they made it back to the car it was late after-noon. The sun sat low in the sky, casting a light reddish orange on the horizon. She had had a wonderful time today.

Jake had been the perfect gentleman. They had talked and had fun. Almost like it once was a long time ago. Before all the trouble. Before she had messed things up.

He hadn’t even taken her into his arms. Or tried to kiss her. Or anything. She felt the twinge of regret inside her. She was disappointed that he had not tried, what a turn around.

“Hey, anyone at home?” Jake’s voice intruded into her thoughts.

“Ah, sorry.” She replied as she watched Jake unlock the passenger door for her.

“Don’t be. What were you thinking about?” she blushed profusely red and he laughed. A rich, deep throaty sound that did funny things to her insides. “I wonder no more.” He said and watched in delight as she blushed even harder.

But still he did not try to kiss her, instead he held the door until she had lowered herself in the passenger seat and then closed it. She watched him walk round to the other side of the car a small smile playing on her lips.

God, how he wanted to take her into his arms and kiss her senseless. He wanted nothing more but he was afraid that if he did then it would spoil this. She was fragile right now and he wasn’t prepared to take advantage of that.

For the first time, in what seemed like forever, he dared to hope that Amanda was finally waking up to the realisation that she loved him, and she did love him, he knew that.

Finally, he could dare to hope that it wouldn’t be long before she was where she should be. In his arms and by his side for always.  Sharing who she was with him. Sharing her life and life’s ups and downs. United.

“Where would you like to go to dinner?” He asked her after he settled himself in the car and started the engine.

“I don’t know. Surprise me.” She told him. She did not care where they had dinner just so long as she was with him. That was all that mattered right now.

And surprise her he did. He took her to the golden maple. She cast a look at Jake as they walked up the steps to the entrance. She could see the laughter in his eyes and she shook her head at him but laughed. He just couldn’t help himself. The poor man.

Dinner had been perfect. They had talked, ate fantastic food and had even enjoyed a really nice red wine. She had drunk more than him, on account the he was driving her home.

By the time they had reached her front door it was already past eleven at night and she was pleasantly tired as well as a little light headed from the wine. Hopefully she would sleep well tonight.

“Well.” She said finally at her doorstep as she fumbled with the key in her lock. Her hands were shaky. It was time to end the day and say goodnight. She was not sure of the approp-riate way of doing it.

Did she just say goodnight? Should she be brave enough to reach up and kiss him on the cheek? She wasn’t sure and her uncertainty was making her nervous.

“Here, let me help you.” Jake told her. Amanda jumped at the sudden sound of his voice. She turned to offer him the key in her hand but Jake pulled her gently to him and bent his head. His mouth found hers and he kissed her.

She responded to his searching mouth eagerly. Her lips parted to receive his kiss. Jake’s arms tightened round her protectively as his tongue searched and explored her mouth and she groaned.

All too quickly the pressure of his delectable lips was gone from hers and she murmured a protest. “That is the appropriate way to end this evening. Good night Mandy.” And then he turned and strolled down the path, got into his car and drove away.

Chapter 19.

It had almost damn near killed him to walk away. But he knew that it was the right thing to do. He couldn’t allow himself the luxury of giving into his desires or his needs. There was a possibility that it would scare her off. And he wasn’t about to let that happen, not now. Not when he was so close to getting what he considered to be his. She had always been his. Soon he promised himself, slow and steady would get him there.

Amanda floated up the stairs to her bedroom that night and she slept better than she had in years. Even though Jake was not next to her, she had fallen into a dreamless sleep with the feeling of Jake’s arms around her. Protecting her whilst she slept.

She woke up the next morning feeling totally refreshed and revitalised. She stretched lazily and sighed deeply.

After breakfast Amanda did a spot of housework, usually she tried putting it off for as long as possible. There wasn’t really much that needed to be done. A hoover over the floor, a change of sheets. Some washing, plumping cushions and then she was pretty much done. Dusting was something she only done when she could write her name in it. And on inspection of the cabinets the dust was only just visible so, it could wait a bit longer.

After the work Amanda decided that what she needed was a walk. She toyed with the idea of going into work to catch up on some paperwork but then dismissed that idea when she looked outside and saw how nice it was. Besides it was Sunday, who in their right mind would want to work Sunday?

So she popped upstairs and changed into her quarter length jeans and a soft lavender wrap around top and a white cardigan. She popped a pair of low heeled scandals on her feet and picking up her keys and small hand bag, which she wore crossed over her body, she set off out.

It wasn’t long before she came across the old tavern or at least, ye olde tavern, that she had often come to with Jake and her parents. They had a nice chargrill restaurant at one end and a pub at the other. Smiling reminiscently, she stepped inside.

The noise was deafening. People were talking amicably with each other and the atmosphere was one of warmth and welcoming. At one end she spied a group of people who were playing pool. Now there was a memory. She smiled as she watched.

“Hey there sweetheart.” Amanda turned at the voice and look at one of the young men by the pool table. “Fancy a game little lady?”

“Oh I don’t play, sorry.” She told him.

“We will go easy on you.” He turned to his mates. “Won’t we fellas.” Cheers and jeers rang out in confirmation.

“Really, I don’t know how to play.” She tried again.

“How’s about you let me teach you? It is an easy game to learn.” He smiled eagerly at her.

“No really I am fine.” She turned to leave.

“Oh come on. I am a very good teacher.” He boasted as he tried to cajole. Amanda stood undecided and tried hard to look as though she was actually giving it some thought. “Come on.” He tried again.

“Okay. I guess. Yeah why not. Just one game.” She told him.

Amanda picked up one of the cues as she watched the balls being set up. “So which ball is it I have to hit?” She asked.

“It’s that little white ball there. Hit it with your cue.” The man said.

“Okay.” She leaned over the table.

“Hold your cue like this.” The man demonstrated with his own. “You are never going to hit anything holding it like that.”

“Sorry.” She said.

Two games later and she was beginning to enjoy herself immensely even though she was losing. “I think that’s me.” She announced.

“Don’t be too downhearted, here why don’t we make things a little… interesting.” The young man said to her.

“How can we do that?” She asked him with a frown. People were beginning to gather round to watch her being well and truly slaughtered.

“Don’t panic. We’ll look after you. I promised you, didn’t I? Let’s say.” He paused as he pretended to think about it. “Ten pounds.”

“Oh I-I don’t know.” She gave him a worried look and bit down on her bottom lip. She already knew what game this young man was playing.

“Come on. What’s a tenner?”

“I am not having much luck.” She unnecessarily informed him.

“Perhaps that will change with a little wager.” He smiled broadly at her and Amanda wanted to wipe that look clean off his face. She was wise enough to know when she was being fleeced but, she would bide her time.

“Okay… fine. But let’s just make it one game.” She finally agreed and she handed over her ten pounds. A dark haired man held on to it for her and the blonde racked up the balls and the room fell silent.

“I’ll break.” She nodded her agreement.

Four games later Amanda found herself forty pounds lighter. The crowd had intensified as they watched Amanda losing miserably.

“That’s it for me.” She told him as she gave him her best pout.”

“You get better with practice. How about you let me buy you a drink.” He asked her now.

“How about you give me a chance to win some of my money back.” She shot back at him. She had laid her trap and now it was time to reel in the prize.

“Let me buy you that drink instead. There’s no point losing any more money today.”

“I tell you what, let’s make it interesting.” She fluttered her eyelashes at him.

“Interesting? How do you propose to do that?” He smiled.

“How about… Double or nothing.” There were collective gasps and murmurings.

“Little lady, I couldn’t possibly take any more of your money. I would feel bad.” No he wouldn’t, she knew.

He had picked on her so that he could make a fast buck. Just like he had probably conned hundreds of unaware people over the years. He needed to be taught a lesson.

“Triple or nothing.” She said. Sighs and gasps sounded out louder around the room and an air of anticipation fell around.

“I couldn’t possibly.” He told her still smiling. He cocked his head to one side. “I like your guts though.” He said.

“What’s the matter? Are you chicken?” she taunted him loudly. She knew if the young man knew that everyone had heard then he would not so easily back out. He would not want to be seen as a coward, not publicly anyway. And certainly not if he was being challenged by a girl.

“If you want to lose more of your money then that’s fine.” He turned to one of the other men. “Billy rack em up.” then turning back to face her he said “Are you sure triple or nothing.”

“I’m sure if you are.” She told him. He held out his hand to her so that she could shake his hand. She put her hand in his.

“Alright you are on. Done.” He shook her hand in a firm grip. Yes, he had been. Amanda smiled sweetly.

“Why don’t you break?” She suggested. And so, she watched as he did just that. Balls careered around the table and then it was Amanda’s turn.

She walked around the table one way and then turned and walked around the other. She reached for the cube of blue chalk and slowly chalked her cue. She blew gently across the top. Then she leant forward over the bottom right pocket.

“Top left pocket.” She told them confidently then she struck the ball with the cue. It went down. “Bottom right pocket.” She struck again and the ball careered off the top cushion, bounced back, coming toward her to land neatly into that pocket.

She moved around the table again. Chalked her cue again. She was deliberately taking her time. She might as well intensify the atmosphere that hung in the air.

She was quite at home playing to an audience. She had done so many times before in her teenage years and she had many trophies on her mother’s shelves to prove it.

True it had been a while since she had done it but it was like riding a bike. “Right middle pocket.” People clapped loudly as the ball found its intended target. “Left bottom.” The ball tucked away effortlessly. “Right middle.” Again the ball hit its target. “Two balls. Top left pocket and top right pocket.” She hit the cue ball. Which sent the two balls careering on their separate paths to the two top pockets. They both went down smoothly. “Black right middle pocket.” The ball fell into the pocket and the room exploded with cheers, clapping and laughter.

Smiling Amanda stood up straight and held out her hand. The blonde grimaced as he reached for his wallet pulling crisp notes from it.

“I’m Rick.” He told her. “Why don’t you let me buy you that drink now? I could sure use one.”

“Thank you.” She said as she followed Rick as he strode to the bar where people were sitting. An older, grey haired gentleman looked her up and down slowly. Regarding her carefully as though he were trying to place why she looked so familiar to him.

“I haven’t seen moves like that since swift chick.” He told her laughing.

“Who’s swift chick?” Rick asked.

“That was before your time sonny. She’s the daughter of George Michelson. You see over in that cabinet?” they all obediently turned to look where the old man was pointing. “That’s the championship cup. The year she won that swift chick hadn’t reached the age of fourteen. She was slick and she was swift. She could clear a pool table quicker than most men can pee.” Amanda wasn’t sure whether she liked his analogy but, she guessed he was right.

“So this Michelson chick was good then?” One of the other men asked.

“You can say that again. I don’t think I ever saw her lose a game, not a single one.” The old man told them. Then his focus shifted to over Amanda’s shoulder. “Well look what the cat dragged in.” He smiled broadly.

“Tyler.” Amanda turned at the familiar sound of Jake’s voice. She felt the heat creep into her face. “I see you are enjoying yourself.” Jake told her smiling at her.

“I have my moments.” she informed him smiling back. “I seem to have come into some money. Can I buy you a drink?” She asked him.

“Tell you what, why don’t we go into the restaurant and I will buy you lunch to celebrate your victorious win.”

“You are on.” She told him then turned back to the men sitting at the bar. “Catch you later.” They dipped their heads in acknowledgement.

She turned and began walking away with Jake.

“Hey swifty.” Amanda looked back at Tyler. His eyes sparkling and a huge smile on his face. He raised his glass to her. “Good to have you back lassie.” She curtsied and followed Jake out of the saloon and into the restaurant.