Читать книгу The Australian Affairs Collection - Margaret Way - Страница 47

Оглавление

CHAPTER ELEVEN

MIA BARELY SLEPT that night. She gave up trying just before dawn. So when Carla pulled up at the front of the cottage just after six a.m. Mia happened to be sitting on her front step, nursing a mug of coffee.

She stood and opened the front gate, ushered Carla through. Carla trudged up the path and collapsed on to the step, and Mia’s heart clenched at the sight of her friend’s red-rimmed eyes.

Then she noted the faint blue bruise on Carla’s right cheekbone and a hot pit of anger burned in her belly.

She brushed her fingers beneath it, unable to stop her eyes from filling. ‘Not Thierry?’

Carla’s eyes filled too. ‘No. He’s a jerk, but not that much of a jerk.’

‘Not Dylan.’

It was a statement rather than a question. Dylan would never strike a woman.

Carla gave a short laugh. ‘I think he’d rather throw himself off a cliff than hurt a woman.’ She glanced at Mia and rolled her eyes. ‘I mean physically hurt a woman. From what I can tell he’s broken his fair share of hearts. The fact you’re up so early leads me to believe he’s given you a sleepless night.’

Mia felt her lips twist. ‘In this instance I believe it’s safe to say I’ve returned the favour.’

Carla’s attempt at a smile almost broke Mia’s heart. She sat down and put her arm around Carla’s shoulders. ‘Your uncle?’

Carla rested her head against Mia’s. ‘Yes...’ she whispered.

The swine!

They sat like that for a while, letting the early-morning peace seep into their souls.

A sigh eventually shuddered out of Mia. ‘He hit you because of me, didn’t he? Because you refused to end our friendship. I’m sorry I’ve caused trouble for you, Carla. You don’t deserve it.’

Carla lifted her head. ‘He hit me because I refused to obey him—because I’m choosing to live my life the way I see fit. And it’s not the first time it’s happened.’

Mia called him one of the worst names she could think of.

A giggle shot out of Carla, but she nodded in agreement.

‘C’mon.’ Mia hauled her to her feet. ‘Have you had an ounce of sleep?’

Carla shook her head.

She led her inside and pushed her in the direction of the bathroom. ‘Go wash your face.’ She pulled a soft cotton nightie from a drawer and ordered her to put it on, then pulled the covers back from her bed. ‘In.’

‘Oh, but...’

‘We’ll make a game plan after you’ve had some sleep.’

Carla glanced at the bed. ‘A couple of hours would be good.’ She glanced back at Mia, biting her lip. ‘I really, really don’t want to see either Thierry or Dylan at the moment. I know it’s asking a lot of you, Mia, but I just...’

‘You want to sort through things at your own pace. That’s understandable.’

‘I’m tired of men thinking they know what’s best for me, telling me what to do.’

‘I’ll take care of Thierry and Dylan if they show up.’

Carla climbed into the bed.

Mia pulled the covers up to her chin, squeezed her hand briefly. ‘Sleep well.’

She fortified herself with more coffee and went to sit back out on the front step to keep guard.

* * *

Dylan showed up at nine o’clock.

He looked tired and haggard and her heart went out to him. She forgave him—a little—for her own sleepless night.

He collapsed onto the step beside her. ‘I’ve been looking for her for a couple of hours.’ He gestured to Carla’s car. ‘Thierry rang at seven. I thought she was with him. That’s when I realised she was missing. I’m glad she’s here.’

Thierry chose that moment to pull up behind Dylan’s car.

‘She’s a grown woman, Dylan. If she chooses to spend the night elsewhere, surely that’s her business? Not to mention her prerogative. I’m sure you wouldn’t appreciate it if she sent out a search party whenever you didn’t come home.’

He thrust out his jaw. ‘She’s not answering her phone.’

‘Likewise.’

She said it as gently as she could, but Dylan’s eyes narrowed, the irises going a deep sapphire.

Thierry charged up the path. ‘I want to see her!’

‘I’m sure you do.’ She kept her voice calm. ‘But the fact of the matter is she doesn’t want to see either of you at the moment.’

‘Me?’ Dylan shot to his feet. ‘Why doesn’t she want to see me?’

‘I believe the phrase was, “I’m tired of men thinking they know what’s best for me.”’

Both men’s jaws dropped.

Dylan paced.

Thierry just stood there with his hands clenched. He glanced at the door.

‘It’s locked,’ Mia said. ‘And if either one of you has the slightest interest in her well-being you won’t start banging on the door. She’s asleep.’

Dylan halted his pacing. ‘You put her to bed?’

‘I did.’

Thierry rested his hands on his knees, his face grey. ‘I don’t know what to do. I’ve been such an idiot.’

Dylan leapt forward and grabbed him by his shirtfront and shook him. ‘What the hell have you done to her?’

‘If I have to get the hose out to cool the pair of you off, I will.’

Those blue eyes swung to her. She read the anger in them—and the indecision.

‘Let him go, Dylan. Carla is perfectly aware that the two of you have her best interests at heart, but she’s entitled to a time out whenever she needs one. She doesn’t have to consult with either of you beforehand.’

Dylan stared into her eyes so intently it felt as if he was scouring her soul. Finally, with a nod, he released Thierry. ‘Sorry.’

Thierry straightened his shirt. ‘No problem.’

She glanced back at Thierry. ‘I don’t know what your argument was about last night, but if you’re truly sorry—’

‘I am!’

‘Then I suggest you come up with an honest explanation for why you behaved the way you did, promise to do better in the future, and have a heartfelt and grovelling apology ready.’

His fists opened and closed several times. He nodded hard. ‘Right.’

His earnestness almost made her smile. ‘Flowers might help too.’

His chin lifted. ‘I can come back?’

She knew she wouldn’t be able to keep him away indefinitely.

‘You can come back at four. I’m not making any promises. It’s up to Carla to decide if she wants to see you or not.’

‘Right.’ He swung away and made for the gate. He halted when he reached it and turned back. ‘Thanks.’

With a nod, he was gone.

Had Thierry just thanked her? Wow!

Both she and Dylan watched him drive away—Mia from her spot on the step, Dylan from where he stood in wide-legged masculine magnificence on her pocket of front lawn.

As soon as Thierry’s car had disappeared, he swung back to face her. ‘Okay, you can let me see her now.’

‘I’m sorry, Dylan, but the same holds true for you too.’

‘You have to be joking!’ He stalked across to loom over her. ‘You know I only have Carla’s best interests at heart.’

She stood, using the step to give her a height advantage. ‘Has it never occurred to you that all your big brotherly protectiveness—some might call it over-protectiveness—could be a little stifling?’ She uttered ‘little’ in such a way that he couldn’t miss the fact that she meant a lot.

He gaped at her. ‘It’s my job to look out for her.’

‘She’s an adult. She can look out for herself.’

‘Just because your family let you down, it doesn’t mean that’s the way every family works.’

He spoke the words in a voice so low and controlled it sent ice tiptoeing down her spine.

He held out his hand, palm flat, eyes glittering. ‘Give me the key.’

Her heart quailed, because she suddenly realised what a betrayal he would see this as—her keeping him from his sister. She wanted to weep. She’d finally found the one sure way to distance him, and now that she had she didn’t want to use it.

Give him the key.

She lifted her chin and forced steel to her spine. ‘No.’ Planting her hands on her hips, she leaned towards him. ‘Carla doesn’t want to see you at the moment. Go home, Dylan. Stop being a bully.’

His hands fisted and his entire body started to shake. ‘I could take it from you by force.’

She folded her arms and raised an eyebrow. They both knew he wouldn’t.

He swore and she flinched. He didn’t apologise, but she didn’t expect him to.

‘A bully?’ The word ground out of him. ‘I can’t believe you’re lumping me in the same class as Thierry.’

The pain in his words cut at her. ‘I do put you in the same class as Thierry. Thierry loves Carla—adores her. He’d lay his life down for her. I know you would too. It doesn’t change the fact that Carla doesn’t want to see either of you for the time being.’

His eyes blazed, but his face turned to stone. He turned and stormed down the path, leaving as she’d ordered him to.

The backs of her eyes burned and her vision blurred. A lump lodged in her throat. Whatever fragile link had bound them together had been severed, and she felt the pain of it deep down inside her. It tore at something she thought might never be fixed.

At the gate, he halted. His shoulders sagged. She hated it that she’d hurt him, but she readied herself for a different form of attack.

He came back, his face sombre, his eyes throbbing. ‘I owe you an apology. I just acted like a two-year-old throwing a tantrum because he’s been denied what he wants. But I’m worried about Carla.’

‘I know.’

He clasped her shoulders. ‘Is she okay?’

He stared into her eyes and she realised he meant to trust whatever she told him. Her mouth went dry.

‘Mia?’

Her heart thudded, though she couldn’t explain why. ‘She’s upset.’

‘With Thierry?’

‘I suspect so. But mostly with your uncle.’

Dylan’s lips pressed together in a tight line. ‘His car was at the house when I got back last night. It was late, so he was already in bed. He left after breakfast. We shared a few home truths. I don’t think he’ll be back. I told him that if he caused trouble for you at your place of employment you’d come and work for FWE. I don’t think your job will be in jeopardy from that region, Mia.’

‘I... Thank you.’

‘I didn’t know he’d spoken to Carla.’

It wasn’t her place to tell him about his uncle’s violence. ‘I think that after some sleep, and some lunch and some talking, Carla will be fine. She just needs time to clear her head.’

He squeezed her shoulders and then released her. ‘Okay.’

He really meant to trust her?

‘Thank you for looking after her.’

‘She’s my friend. Of course I’m going to look out for her.’

His eyes throbbed into her. ‘I don’t mean to be a bully.’

It took all the strength she had not to reach out and touch his face. ‘I know that too.’ And he wasn’t—not really. ‘If you were really a bully you’d have taken the key from me by force.’

‘You don’t see it, do you?’ he said.

A desolation that made her heart catch stretched through his eyes. Her mouth went dry. ‘What don’t I see?’

‘I just harangued you, bullied you, all but emotionally blackmailed you, but you held firm. You chose to do what you thought was right rather than submit to my will. Do you still believe you’re weak and easy to manipulate?’

She froze. ‘I...’

The yard spun.

‘I can’t keep doing this, Mia.’

Her gaze speared back to his. ‘What do you mean?’

‘I love you.’

Her heart stuttered in her chest.

‘You know I love you. With everything that’s inside me. I’d do anything to win your love. But it’s not enough, is it? You’re still so far away. I lose myself and I get so frustrated... I start to yell and then I turn into a bully.’

‘Dylan, I—’

He pressed his fingers to her lips. ‘I love you, Mia. I want to have a life with you. But I won’t bully you into that. If you ever come to me, I want it to be because you love me too.’

She did love him, but...

Confusion swirled through her and she couldn’t make sense of the riot raging through her. The smile he sent her made her want to cry.

He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to her brow. ‘Tell Carla if she needs anything to call me.’

She nodded.

He held her gaze for a moment. ‘I mean to give you all the space you want, Mia. If you change your mind, you know where to find me.’

Fear clutched at her heart.

With a nod, he turned and strode away. This time he didn’t stop at the gate.

Every step that he took away from her increased the ache in her chest tenfold.

* * *

Carla slept until noon.

‘Did Thierry show up?’

‘He did. So did Dylan.’

‘What did he say?’

‘Dylan said you’re to call him if you need anything.’

‘What did Thierry say?’

Oh. ‘The man is half out of his wits with worry for you...and fear that you’re going to dump him.’

‘Good!’

‘I told him to come back at four. I didn’t guarantee that you’d see him. But if you really don’t want to see him again he’ll need to hear it from you.’

Carla bit her lip.

‘Can things not be fixed?’ Mia asked.

Carla folded her arms. ‘I guess that depends on him. He wants to be all strong and solitary and untouchable—but that’s not how relationships work. It’s not how marriage works.’

Each and every one of those darts found their mark, although they hadn’t been aimed at her.

Mia rubbed a hand across her chest, trying to ease the ache there. ‘I believe he’s sincere in wanting to make amends.’

‘You think I should see him?’

She recalled the absolute happiness on Carla’s face when she and Thierry had picnicked. ‘I think you should give him a hearing. I think things can be patched up.’

The other woman tried to hide it, but she brightened at Mia’s words. ‘What about Dylan?’

‘I think you should call him.’

‘I meant what about you and Dylan?’

Oh. She glanced down at her hands. ‘I don’t know. I need to go somewhere quiet and think.’

‘So there’s hope?’

She met Carla’s gaze. ‘I hope there’s hope.’

After a moment Carla said, ‘I’m going to ring Dylan. I want Uncle Andrew charged with assault.’

Mia’s head shot up, a fierce gladness gripping her. ‘Good for you. Women shouldn’t have to put up with violence at the hands of men.’

Carla twisted her hands together. ‘It’ll create a media circus, though.’ She eyed Mia uncertainly. ‘And the reason for our argument will come out—which means you’ll be spotlighted in the media too.’

‘Me?’

Carla reached out and took Mia’s hand. ‘I know how much you’ve dreaded the media getting hold of the story that you and Dylan are dating. If the thought of publicity freaks you out that much, I won’t go ahead with it.’

Her heart thumped. She waited for dread and fear to fill her, but they didn’t. Why wasn’t she crippled with fear?

The answer came to her in an instant. Ever since she’d been released from jail she’d thought that scandal and losing her job, losing the chance of the quiet life she craved, were the worst things that could happen to her. She’d been wrong. Watching Dylan walk away this morning—that had been the worst thing.

Very slowly she shook her head. ‘It doesn’t freak me out. At least, not much.’ She met her friend’s gaze. ‘You have every right to slay your dragons. I’ll help in any way I can.’

Carla wrapped her in a hug. ‘Thank you.’

* * *

At four o’clock Mia let herself into the Plum Pines office. Sunday was one of the busiest days as far as the general public were concerned—lots of barbecues, picnics and viewing of the exhibits. It was a busy day for the volunteers who helped to run the wildlife displays too, but the administration of the reserve was a strictly Monday-to-Friday enterprise. Which meant she’d have the office to herself.

With a heart that pounded too fast, she switched on one of the computers and then pulled Felipe’s memory card from her pocket. Swallowing hard, she retrieved the image he’d snapped of her.

It filled the screen. She flinched and had to look away.

It’s only a photograph!

She glanced back and tried to study the picture objectively, but after only a few seconds she had to look away again.

Muttering something rude under her breath, she pushed out of her chair and paced across to the far wall. Hauling in a breath, she turned back to the image once more.

Her heart squeezed tight and her eyes filled. Felipe had captured something that attracted and repelled her at the same time. He’d captured something that both soothed and frightened her.

What was it?

In that photo her expression was so unguarded it made her head spin. Was it hope?

She moved back towards the computer monitor to study the image more minutely, biting down on her thumbnail.

Hope was part of it, but...

She reached out and touched the face on the screen.

That smile...

The emotion pulsing through the photograph was joy. It was so present she could almost feel the laughter wrap around her.

Joy? She’d spent so long feeling ashamed of herself, so determined not to repeat her mistakes, she’d forgotten. She’d forgotten she had a lot of good inside her too.

Her hands clenched and unclenched. She’d told herself that she couldn’t have fun and hope and joy in her life because she didn’t deserve them—not after the things she’d done.

But...

She’d made a mistake—a big one—but that mistake didn’t have to define the rest of her life unless she let it. Her heart hammered against her ribs. She didn’t need to shut herself away. She just needed to choose the right path...the right life.

She fell back into the chair, her cheeks wet. There wasn’t a tissue in sight, so she dried her cheeks on the sleeves of her shirt and sniffed rather inelegantly.

‘Right, then.’

She might as well start living that life right away.

She seized the phone and punched in a number.

‘Felipe Fellini.’

‘Felipe, it’s Mia.’

‘Mia, darling—what can I do for you?’

She told him.

After she’d hung up she pulled in a breath and rang Dylan.

He answered immediately. ‘Mia! Is everything okay?’

His caller ID must have given her away.

The sound of his voice made her throat dry and she had to clear it before she could speak. ‘Yes.’

‘I’ve spoken to Carla. Are you sure you’re all right with the publicity that a suit against Andrew will involve?’

She nodded, and then realised he couldn’t see her. ‘I’m sure.’

There was a pause. ‘That’s a surprise.’

She nodded again, more to herself this time. ‘Yes.’

‘What can I do for you?’

‘I was wondering...’ She wiped a damp palm down her jeans. ‘I was wondering if I could invite you on a date next Saturday night. There’s something I want you to see.’

‘Has this anything to do with Carla and Thierry?’

‘No. It’s to do with me.’

‘What time would you like me to pick you up?’

* * *

Dylan’s heart thumped when he knocked on Mia’s door. All week he’d alternated between hope and despair. Hope that this was the new beginning with Mia that he craved. Despair that this would be her way of bringing things between them to an end once and for all.

She opened the door. For a moment all he could do was stare. ‘You look stunning!’

She wore a scarlet dress with a shimmering satin bodice, fitted beneath her breasts. The skirt fell to her knees in a cloud of chiffon that moved as she walked.

She pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. ‘You look very nice yourself.’

He was glad he’d worn a dinner jacket. Especially when her hand fluttered up to her throat, as if the sight of him made it hard for her to breathe. The smile she sent him, though, held a hint of shyness—like a girl on her first date.

This probably was her first real date in nearly four years. Tenderness washed over him.

After she’d locked the front door he held out his arm, ridiculously pleased when she placed her hand in the crook of his elbow. ‘Your chariot awaits.’

For good or for ill, he had a feeling he’d remember tonight for the rest of his life.

‘Where are we going?’

She gave him an inner-city address. He had no idea what was there, but he didn’t ask any further questions. He’d let the evening unfold at the pace she chose for it.

* * *

Dylan glanced out of the car window. Light spilled from the industrial-sized windows of a warehouse. He opened his mouth to ask Mia if she was sure she had the address right, but closed it again when she lowered her window and waved a card at an attendant standing on the footpath. The attendant directed them to a parking spot in front of the warehouse’s huge double doors—the doors were closed except for a smaller door inset into one of them.

He switched off the ignition and turned to her. ‘What is this?’

‘I—’ She broke off and hauled in a breath.

That wave of tenderness washed over him again, threatening to crush him. He reached for her hand. ‘Are you nervous?’

‘A little.’

‘Of me?’

‘Yes.’

The word whispered out of her and something blossomed in his chest. Hope. And it took firm root. ‘You don’t need to be nervous about me, Mia.’

He was hers. All hers. He didn’t tell her out loud that he loved her, but he pressed a kiss to her palm, knowing that if she wanted to see it his love for her would be written all over his face.

Her gaze travelled over him and her breath snagged, her gaze catching on his mouth. Hunger and need chased themselves across her face. An answering hunger roared through him.

‘Oh!’ Her hand tightened in his. ‘You can distract me so easily!’

The grin inside him built. ‘Excellent.’

‘Before you distract me further, I want to show you something. And then I want to talk.’

‘And then can I distract you?’ He waggled his eyebrows.

She gurgled back a laugh. ‘Perhaps. If you still want to.’

He’d definitely still want to.

Without another word, he pushed himself out of the car and went around to open her door. She took his arm.

‘This—’ she gestured to the building in front of them ‘—is something of a first. Felipe has been prevailed upon to give the people of Newcastle a preview of his up-and-coming Sydney show.’

Dylan’s stared at her. ‘Who prevailed upon him?’

She moistened her lips. ‘Me.’

She had?

Before he could ask what that meant, Felipe came towards them, arms outstretched.

‘Darlings!’ He kissed them on both cheeks in flamboyant greeting. ‘I’m honoured to have you as my guests. Come!’

Dylan’s head whirled as Felipe gave them a personal tour of some of the most amazing photographs Dylan had ever seen—his commentary both entertaining and revelatory.

Dylan glanced at Mia. She’d contrived this for him? Because she knew he appreciated art and photography? His heart gave a giant kick. Nobody had ever arranged anything so perfect for him in all his life. It had to mean something.

‘And this, darlings, is the pièce de résistance! The jewel in my crown.’

Felipe led them around a screen to an enormous photograph positioned on one of the warehouse’s end walls.

Mia!

He took a step towards it and Mia’s hand slipped from his arm. It was the photograph of Mia! Her joy, her laughter and her love greeted him from the wall and he almost stopped breathing.

His every muscle tightened. He swung back to her, hands fisted at his sides. He’d lost the ability to be charming. Everything had been stripped away except raw need. ‘What does this mean?’

Mia glanced at Felipe, who put a key into her hand.

‘Lock up when you’re done.’

She nodded her thanks.

It was only then that Dylan realised they were alone in this magnificent space. The show had been for him alone.

Mia didn’t speak until the clang of a door informed them that Felipe had left. She moistened her lips. ‘Are you cross that I gave Felipe permission to use the photograph in his exhibition?’

‘Cross? No.’ He glanced at the photo again and searched himself. He didn’t feel disappointment either. Only wonder. ‘I just want to know what all this means.’

‘It means I’ve finally realised you were right.’

She moved to stand beside him and gestured up at the picture, though he could only look at her—the flesh and blood woman.

‘That is the person I should become. It’s...’ She met his gaze. ‘It’s the real me.’

Her admission stunned him.

‘I’ve realised that I deserve to be happy. More to the point, I’ve realised I want to be happy. And I’ve realised that being a field officer and leading a quiet life won’t make me happy.’

She glanced at the photo and then at him.

‘You make me happy, Dylan.’

He stared at her, humbled by the vulnerability in her eyes.

‘I... I couldn’t be happy until I forgave myself for my past.’ Her hands twisted together. ‘I know I’ve hurt you, and I’m so sorry for that. Truly. I’m hoping I haven’t hurt you so badly that you can’t forgive me. I’m hoping—’

He didn’t let her finish. He kissed her instead.

The shock of his assault made her wobble on her heels, but he wrapped an arm about her waist and pulled her close, steadying her. She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back.

When he lifted his head her eyes glittered and her chest rose and fell. And then she smiled, and it was just like the smile in the frame behind her—full of joy and love.

‘That felt an awful lot like a you-still-love-me-too kiss.’

He stroked his fingers down her face. ‘I will always love you.’

She took his face in her hands. ‘I promise I will look after your heart and be the best person I can for you.’

He stared into her eyes, humbled all over again. ‘Nobody has ever made a more meaningful vow to me. I’ll cherish it forever.’

A cheeky smile peeped out. ‘Good, because I’m also going to ask you to give me a job. I quit Plum Pines yesterday.’

He gaped. She just grinned back at him, so delighted with herself that he had to laugh.

‘I don’t want to be a field officer, and I don’t want to be an events manager either. I just want you to give me a regular office job so I can put myself through a psychology major at university. I want to be a counsellor.’ She lifted her chin. ‘I think I have something of value I could offer to people.’

He ran his hands up and down her back, revelling in the way it made her shiver. ‘How about I gift you the opportunity for full-time study as a wedding present?’

She went very still and Dylan held his breath.

‘You want to marry me?’ she whispered.

Very gently he took his arms from around her and, gripping both her hands, went down on one knee. ‘Beautiful Mia, will you do me the very great honour of becoming my wife?’

Tears shone in her eyes. When she nodded, they spilled onto her cheeks.

He rose and she threw her arms around his neck. ‘I can’t think of anything I want more than to spend the rest of my life with you, Dylan.’

He laughed for the sheer joy of it, swinging her around. ‘How does November sound? We have a wedding going begging. We might as well use it.’

She eased back. ‘What on earth are you talking about? Carla and Thierry have made up and—’

‘They flew out to Vegas yesterday.’

She gaped. ‘No!’

‘So... November is ours if we want it.’

An enormous smile spread across her face. ‘It’s...perfect!’

He glanced at the photo on the wall and then down at her. ‘No, Mia, you’re perfect.’

She touched his face, her smile radiant. ‘We’re perfect. Together.’

He couldn’t top that, so he kissed her instead.

The Australian Affairs Collection

Подняться наверх