Finding Elizabeth (12 page)

“Ready?” Jack asked and held out his hand.

Katherine climbed the small stepladder, but standing on the top without support made her feel uneasy. “Ricketty little stepladder,” she said, hand on his shoulder.

Jack slipped his hands around her waist. Her breath caught and a delicious sensation rippled through her body.
That’s ridiculous
. Men constantly had their hands around her, often in intimate places, during a
pas de deux
. Quickly, she placed the angel on the top of the tree.

Katherine looked at Jack over her shoulder. This handsome man had helped her with care and understanding. His sensuality hit her mentally and physically, like falling into a bath of champagne. She managed to whisper, “She’s on the tree. I can get down now.”

“Are you sure she won’t fall off?” Jack asked, sliding his thumbs over the small of her back while his fingers gently pressed into her midriff.

She knew she ought to stop him, but God it had been so long since anyone touched her like that. “Really,” she said breathlessly. “The angel is quite secure. You can let go now.”
Please
.

His steady gaze met hers.
Good grief, this was getting out of hand
. She tensed as the impact of his expression turned her on. Her heart beat faster. He’d shattered her protective wall, it lay in pieces at her feet. She stopped breathing when his grip tightened, then he lifted her off the ladder and gently lowered her to the floor.

Okay, that was far enough. It was time to take control. Pretending she needed a better view of the tree, Katherine took a step back from his personal space.

“Well, isn’t the tree gorgeous?” Her voice was thick and unsteady. She inclined her head left and right as if inspecting a piece of artwork. In an atmosphere heavy with desire, they both paused to admire the tree.

“I enjoyed doing this with you,” Jack said.

“Yes, me too. It’s beautiful. Thank you,” she added, not daring to look at him.

“I’d better go,” he said, breaking the spell before the storm hit and they both lost control. “I’ve got meetings lined up with a few people heading out of town for Christmas and New Year. I have to get to them before they go. Fingers crossed someone has some answers for Andrew.”

She wasn’t the only one who babbled. “I’m sorry.” She laughed.

“What’s so funny?” he grinned.

Their eyes locked. Katherine knew his mirrored exactly what hers were suggesting. Both wanted more, but neither one was ready to take the next step, until … Jack took her hand. The emotion within the depth of his eyes grew, and she wasn’t sure what was going to happen next. God, she hoped he wouldn’t lean in for a kiss.

She had to ask, “What’s that look for?”

He gently squeezed her hand. “Remember the dance I mentioned yesterday? I don’t suppose you might reconsider and come with me. I realise you have a performance on Saturday, but you’ll have a day to recover and I can bring you home early. Otherwise I’d be at the house sitting by the fire—alone—waiting, thinking, wondering,” he finished in that intriguing accent.

Help!
Katherine’s mind said one thing, but her body said another.
See, it’s all physical
.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been to a dance,” he said easily, perhaps to cover her silence. “I think the last dance I went to was a bush dance at Mudgee.”

“What’s a bush dance? A commemorative dance for a famous Australian bush?”

Jack’s laughter rolled out, deep and infectious.

“Bushman’s—no, bushranger’s dance?” she added, smiling now.

He was still laughing, and Katherine enjoyed every moment. It was the best laugh she’d ever heard, delightful and without mockery.

“No,” he said, recovering. “It’s a country dance. You know, the country, the bush, the outback.”

“Oh.” Katherine nodded. The sensuality surrounding them had cooled, but only slightly. At least she could speak now without stammering, and stand on her own two feet and not act like an infatuated teenager.

“I’m glad my ignorance of things Australian brings you such pleasure. Stop it! You’re still laughing at me. I can see it in your eyes.”

“I can’t help it. If you’re not making me laugh,” he said warmly, “you’re making me smile all the time. See you Friday night. Pick you up here at say, seven-thirty?”

Say no, there’s still an opportunity, say no!
Why was she panicking? It was just a dance.
Get over your teenage dramas and other dating catastrophes. You know this one’s leaving ahead of time so no surprises there
. She wanted to run, but couldn’t move. Gazing at her, Jack waited, smiling. She saw a change in his expression. An uncertain look in his eyes softened his face. He stopped caressing the top of her hand and released her.

“Sorry, you probably have other plans. I think I’ve made you uncomfortable,” he added apologetically.

“No—no plans.” Katherine paused. “All right!” came out before she could stop herself. Oops, how did that happen? “Better make that eight o’clock,” she added as coolly as she could. “Nothing ever starts on time around here.”

“Excellent!” he said, looking relieved. “I’ll pick you up at eight.”

Katherine watched him from the doorway as he made his way through the snow.

God help her, she loved the way he moved—confident, a woman’s man. She loved the way his hair curled at the neck. She loved the back of his head—his ears, his mouth, the look in his eyes. He turned, waved, gave her a smile and disappeared into his car.

Tuesday morning, Katherine woke with a start when squeals echoed through the cabin. She ran out to the living room to find Leandra plastered against the door, eyes the size of saucers and holding a paper bakery bag above her head. With her free hand she pointed at Bubbles, and yelled, “SIT—NOW!”
Fwoomp
, Bubbles sat.

Leandra eyeballed Katherine. “You told me you had a dog!”

“Yep, meet Bubbles.”

Leandra slanted her head for a better look. “I think she’s got something in her mouth.”

“Bubbles, what have you got?” Katherine lifted her dog’s chops and gasped. “Drop it!” Her mobile phone clattered to the floor. “Ugh!” She picked it up and, holding it at arm’s length, took it to the laundry to wipe clean.

“You so have control of this dog. It’s amazing, I am impressed.” Leandra’s tone sarcastic.

“I don’t know what’s going on, Bubbles,” Katherine called out from the laundry, “but it has to stop.”

“She’s a good guard dog at least.” Leandra rubbed Bubbles’ head.

“I heard her grumble, but she does that a lot,” Katherine said, drying her phone with a towel. “The slightest noise and she’s ready to kick arse. I just didn’t get up fast enough. Sorry Lea, are you okay?”

“Yeah, am now we’ve had a formal introduction.” They wandered into the living room. “
Nice tree
, I love it.” Leandra eyed it wistfully. “It’s just like always.”

“The tree is Jack’s contribution to Christmas in Canada.” Katherine moved closer and slung an arm around Leandra’s shoulder and kissed her temple.

“
R-i-g-h-t
,” came out almost like a song as Leandra nodded, her eyes round, signalling approval. “And there’s a present under it already.” She wandered over and picked up the tin. “It’s a lovely old tin, needs dusting.”

“No, I don’t want Mum to think I opened it. I want to give it to her just as it is, something lost and forgotten. It’s full of old letters from Dad. I found it in the attic. I hope it’s a nice surprise for her and not too upsetting.”

“It’ll hurt, but your mum will appreciate seeing them again,” Leandra said and put the tin back under the tree.

“Come on, Bubbles, breakfast.” Katherine urged her dog away. Bubbles kept looking over her shoulder at Leandra’s bakery bag.

“Go on, off you go. You can’t have our almond croissants.” Leandra wagged her finger. “I’ll put the coffee on, you get dressed,” she sang out.

Dressed in comfy sweats, Katherine came out to the delicious aroma of blended coffee and almonds. “This is just what I was craving. Thanks, Lea.”

“Not a problem. Your dog has a pair of lace panties.”

Katherine swung around. “Oh Bubbles.” She held out her hand, and Bubbles dropped the panties. “I’ve got to get to the bottom of this.”

“Good luck.” Elbows resting on the table, Leandra leaned forward, eager for news. “Tell me what happened with Jack.”

“I’m going to the Friday night dance and—”

“Yay! Excellent,” Leandra cut in. “Is he picking you up? What time? I’ll be here—got to meet this guy. Is he tall, can’t be short. What does Bubbles think?”

“Bubbles thinks he’s the best thing since sliced bread.” Katherine sat back and eyed her friend. “Now tell me what happened with Claude.”

Talking about her ex, the Frenchman Claude, refuelled Leandra’s anger. “The bastard swore he wasn’t married when all the time he was.” She paused, took a deep breath and shrugged. “Men are fickle, aren’t they? Anyway, I didn’t love him, so no real drama; I just hate being lied to.”

Sadness filled Katherine as she hunkered down to place a potted poinsettia above her father’s plaque. “Hi, Dad, I love you.” She sniffed and rubbed her eyes.

Bubbles moved closer, licked her face and sat leaning against Katherine. How could anyone dump this sweet animal in a place she knew nothing about, where all the sights and smells were frightening and alien?

“Thanks, Bubbles.” Katherine put her arm around her dog’s shoulder.

Leandra squatted beside Katherine and placed her flowers next to the plaque. “Hi, Henry,” she said softly. “Meet Bubbles, a new family member. And I speak from personal experience when I say she’s a kick-arse protector.”

Bubbles smacked her lips and made soft, warbley noises.

Neither spoke on the short drive from the cemetery to Spruce Valley Lodge. Katherine’s thoughts lingered on her dad, and then movement in the passenger seat brought her back to the present. Leandra wiped the condensation from her window and looked out. Katherine glanced her way and wondered what she was thinking.

In the next breath, Leandra straightened and said, “Your dad’s happy. Of course, he’d rather not be dead, but he’s risen to the occasion and he’s good about it.” Leandra snort-laughed. “Haha—risen to the occasion.”

Katherine nearly choked and then her jaw dropped.

Bubbles lay in the back, taking up the whole seat and didn’t stir.

“It’s a good thing it’s not summer, ’cause your mouth’s hanging open,” Leandra told her.

“Well,” Katherine began, “that’s the strangest thing to say.”

“Just blowing off the tension.” Leandra wiped the condensation from her window. “You don’t see many of those around. And he’s wearing a weird hat.”

Katherine gasped.
Couldn’t be Jack, but then it’s a small town and he’s busy searching
.

“It’s him! It’s that Jack guy.” Leandra turned as far as she could without choking on the seatbelt. “Stop the car! Stop, stop! Okay, don’t stop. Turn around!”

“No way, we’re here and you’ll see him Friday.” Katherine pulled into the lodge’s parking lot and Bubbles sat up, ears perky. She swung around to face her dog. “You have to stay for a moment while I sort out what Peggy is going to do.”

Bubbles woofed. Slobber flew and splattered the side window.

“Oh, gross.” Her face screwed up, Leandra backed away.

“Oh, come on, Lea, you’ve seen men do worse than that. Stay,” Katherine ordered.

“Good point.” Leandra climbed out.

As soon as the driver’s door shut, howling that would have put a smoke alarm to shame erupted inside the car.

“Quick, let’s get inside.” Katherine grabbed Leandra’s hand and pulled her towards the doors.

There was no one sitting at the reception desk, and the whole place seemed eerily quiet. Katherine shrugged. Leandra shrugged back and pointed at a silver bell on the desk with a note that said,
Please ring
. Without warning, peals of laughter filtered down the hall. Katherine smiled. She turned to Leandra, took her arm and led her towards the lodge’s living and recreation rooms. Aileen stood at the back of the room. Peggy was showing slides on a big screen of Bubbles growing up, and all her antics along the way.

“She loves bringing me presents, anything on the floor or within reach, Bubbles will bring it to me, saves me from having to bend over. She’s such a sweetheart.”

“Oh.” Katherine nodded.

“You’re not going to break that habit in a hurry.” Leandra told her.

Rosy cheeks and a happy face made Peggy look years younger. Everyone was in high spirits. Not wanting to intrude, Katherine and Leandra waited. Aileen caught sight of them and wandered over, dodging wheelchairs, seats and tables.

“Hi, good to see you.” Aileen drew Katherine in for a hug and kissed her on both cheeks. After introductions, she said, “It’s good you’re here. I’ve been meaning to ring. We need to talk, come through to reception.”

They sat in the small nook near the sparkling Christmas tree. The news had to be good; Aileen couldn’t stop grinning.

“In their last meeting the board talked about introducing a pet therapy program.”

Katherine’s stomach clenched. Did they want to take Bubbles? Were they going to allow Peggy to have Bubbles?
Shit, that’s great, but shit
. She tried to smile, but her face must’ve looked a little panicky.