Читать книгу It Started With... Collection - Miranda Lee - Страница 39

TEN o’clock Monday morning saw Kane sitting at Harry’s desk, feeling quite satisfied with the way his relationship with Jessie was going. Yesterday, he’d proved to her that they didn’t have to be making mad, passionate love to enjoy each other’s company. He’d also showed her—at least he hoped he had—that he had the makings of a good father for Emily.

On the Saturday, he’d bought a child car seat so there’d be no objections to his driving them out to the rural outskirts of Sydney on the Sunday. After an hour’s investigation on the internet, he’d found a horse-riding establishment that catered for children, and had other entertainment as well. Bouncy castles and the like.

Emily had enjoyed herself enormously, although by the time they arrived back home around six o’clock, she’d been very tired and a little out of sorts. She hadn’t eaten much of the take-away pizzas Jessie had allowed him to buy this time, which Jessie said wasn’t like her at all.

Kane had insisted on taking Emily’s temperature—he’d heard horror stories of children coming down with meningitis lately—but her temperature proved to be normal. Jessie had said she was probably over-tired. They’d done a lot that day. After a bath, Kane had read Emily a story till she dropped off.

Afterwards, even though Jessie had let him stay, Kane had made no attempt to make love to her. He’d watched the Sunday-night movie with her—a Harrison Ford action thriller which could bear reviewing—and chatted about various topics during the ads. Books. Movies. Music. Kane had discovered she had a wide taste and knowledge of all three, which didn’t really surprise him. She was a smart cookie. He’d known that from the first moment he looked into her eyes. She had intelligent eyes.

Although he’d been dying to make love to her, Kane had contented himself with a goodnight kiss. He suspected Jessie wouldn’t have objected too much if he had seduced her, but he hadn’t wanted to take the chance. She always seemed so quick to believe the worst of him.

By Friday, however, he wouldn’t be capable of being so noble. He wouldn’t be waiting till the party finished, either. Hell, no. Kane shuddered over the thought of how long this week would prove to be.

When the phone rang, he reached forward and snatched it up.

‘Kane Marshall.’

‘Kane, I have a problem.’

Kane snapped forward in his chair. It was Jessie, sounding worried.

‘What is it? I thought you were here, at work.’

‘I am. The day-care centre has just rung me. Emily has come down with conjunctivitis. Apparently, one of the other children had it on Friday. Anyway, because it’s so contagious, they want me to go and pick her up.’

‘That’s fine, Jessie. You go. No problem. I’ll square it with Michele.’

‘That’s just it. Michele’s not here. She had an appointment with her obstetrician this morning, and she’s relying on me to do this magazine layout by the time she gets back. I would really hate to let her down, Kane. I’ve tried to ring Dora but she’s out, too. Lord knows where. She’s usually home on a Monday. I can leave Emily at the centre but they’ll put her in a room on her own. It’s a kind of quarantine rule they have. They did this to her once before when I was working at the restaurant and she got very upset. She thought she was being punished. I…’

‘I’ll go get her, Jessie,’ Kane immediately offered. ‘Just ring them and let them know who I am and that you’re giving me permission to pick Emily up. I’ll take her to the doctor, too. Get her some drops for her eyes.’

‘Would you, Kane? Would you really?’

Kane was amazed at the surprise in her voice. ‘Yes, of course. It would be my pleasure. Poor Emily. There’s nothing worse than having sore eyes. Does she have a regular doctor you take her to?’

‘Not exactly. I always go to a nearby twenty-four-hour clinic. They bulk bill, but you have to be seen by whatever doctors are on call that day.’

Privately Kane resolved that little arrangement would change, once he was responsible for Jessie and Emily. And he aimed to be, one day. Still, that clinic would do for today.

‘Right. I’ll come and get her medicare card from you. Jot down the address of the clinic and I’ll be on my way.’

Kane jumped to his feet and reached for his suit jacket straight away. It could only have been thirty seconds before he’d made it to Jessie’s desk, where he was stunned to find her with tears running down her face.

‘Jessie. Darling. What’s up?’ he said as he hunched down beside her chair. ‘Why are you crying?’

She could not seem to speak, just buried her face in her hands.

‘Jessie, talk to me. Tell me what’s wrong.’ He took her hands in his and lifted them to his lips.

She stared at him through soggy lashes. ‘I’ve never known anyone like you,’ she choked out. ‘You can’t be real.’

Relief zoomed through Kane, as well as the most ego-boosting pleasure. She wasn’t unhappy. She was actually complimenting him with her tears.

But how sad that she would feel disbelief that a man would do something nice for her and her daughter.

‘I’m real, all right,’ he said with a soft smile. ‘Just ask my mum. Now, stop being a silly billy, give me what I came for, then get back to work. You don’t want everyone saying I hired a nincompoop just because I fancied her, do you?’

He liked it when a smile broke through her tears. God, but she was beautiful when she smiled. Her eyes glittered and her whole face came alive.

‘We couldn’t have that, could we?’ she said, dashing the tears away with her fingers.

‘Absolutely not.’

‘OK. Here’s the medicare card and the clinic’s address. Now, what are you going to do with Emily after you’ve been to the doctor? They didn’t say she was actually sick, but perhaps she should go home. I could give you the keys to the granny flat if you wouldn’t mind staying with her. There’s plenty of food in the fridge and the cupboards. She usually has a sleep after lunch. If she gets bored or stroppy, she likes to watch videos. She has a whole pile of them in the cabinet under the TV.’

‘Sounds good to me. I’ll give you a call when I get there, and I’ll wait with her till you come home.’

‘I don’t know what to say, Kane,’ she said as she drew her keys out of her handbag. ‘Are you sure you can manage? I mean…you haven’t much experience looking after kids on your own.’

‘I happen to be an extremely devoted uncle, so you’re wrong there. What do you think I did on Saturday night when you wouldn’t let me come over? I minded the two terrors so that their parents could go out and relax together. Actually, I don’t know what their mother complains about. They were as good as gold. Of course, I plied them with junk food and lollies till they fell asleep on the sofa in front of the TV. Then I carried them up to bed. Works every time,’ he said with a quick grin.

‘Now, don’t you worry,’ he added. ‘I’m more than capable of looking after Emily. And I won’t feed her junk food, or lollies. To be honest, it’ll be a pleasant change from sitting at that damned desk, pretending to work. Things wind down leading up to Christmas. My entire workload this week is choosing what grog to buy for the Christmas party. Very challenging.’

He stood up, pocketing her keys and picking up the medicare card and piece of paper with the address. ‘I’ll call, OK? And don’t worry.’

‘I won’t,’ she said, looking much more composed. ‘I can’t tell you how grateful I am.’

Kane threw her one last smile and whirled on his heels.

Nothing made a man feel better, he decided as he strode manfully away, than being able to help the woman he loved.

Jessie worked hard and fast for the next few hours, not leaving her desk till the magazine layout looked perfect. To her, anyway.

Michele returned shortly after she’d finished, and only minutes after Kane had rung saying he was at the flat with Emily and that her conjunctivitis wasn’t too bad. He’d already put one lot of drops in, they’d shared Vegemite toast and a glass of milk, followed by a banana each. Now they were settling down to watch The Lion King.

With her worries about her daughter waylaid, Jessie could focus on Michele’s reaction to her work. When Michele started frowning, Jessie’s alarm grew. Maybe the layout wasn’t as good as she thought it was.

‘I would never have imagined doing it this way at all,’ Michele said at last, tipping her head from side to side as she studied the computer screen. ‘But yes, I like it! You are very creative, Jessie. Kane’s found a real gem in you. Harry’s going to be delighted at your joining his staff.’

Jessie sighed her relief. ‘Thank you. But…would you mind if I left now?’ she asked hurriedly. ‘I know it’s only two o’clock, but my little girl has conjunctivitis. The day-care centre rang and wanted me to go get her straight away, but I didn’t feel I could without finishing the layout first.’

‘That was very professional of you, Jessie. But honestly, I would have understood. That kind of thing happens to me all the time. And yes, of course you can go. I hope your little girl is OK.’

Jessie didn’t want to tell her about Kane coming to the rescue. That was her own personal business.

‘I’m sure she will be,’ Jessie said, standing up hurriedly and getting her things together. ‘Thanks, Michele. I did work through my lunch-hour. And I’m happy to do some extra work at home to make up for the extra hour and a half.’

‘Are you kidding me? You’ve achieved more here in less than a day than your predecessor would have done in a week!’

Jessie laughed and left.

The day outside wasn’t overly hot, but it was humid, Jessie’s blouse sticking to her back as she hurried to the train station. Sydney in December could be very sticky.

The train she caught was quite crowded, Jessie lucky to get a seat. But she was still pressed up against other people, and the air-conditioning didn’t seem to be working too well. Everywhere seemed crowded at the moment, even outside of peak hours. Lots of people doing Christmas shopping, she supposed.

Jessie was glad she’d finished hers. She had Emily’s Felicity Fairy doll and accessories all wrapped up and hidden on a high shelf in one of Dora’s wardrobes, along with a few little cheaper gifts she’d bought during the year. She’d long sent her mother’s card and gift to Ireland. A lovely set of linen serviettes and holders that her mother would probably put away and never use. Truly, she was a difficult woman to buy anything for.

For Dora, she’d bought some place mats and matching coasters in a blue and white willow pattern. She hadn’t spent as much money on her as her mother, but she knew Dora would appreciate the gift more, and actually use it. Dora loved that willow pattern. She had a tea set in it, a vase and a large serving plate.

It came to Jessie during the train ride home that she hadn’t bought Kane anything. In truth, his rather sudden intrusion into her life had driven Christmas from her mind, which was ironic given what she’d said to Dora that night before she’d gone to the bar. Hadn’t she wanted a man for Christmas, some gorgeous guy who’d give her a good time?

Kane had certainly done just that, and more. Much more.

Jessie still found it incredible that he loved her.

But he said he did and she had no real reason to doubt him. Frankly, she didn’t want to doubt him any more. She was tired of her cynicism, tired of trying to stop herself from falling in love with him. Dora was right. Life could be cruel but it could be wonderful.

Kane was a wonderful man, despite his not wanting children of his own. Why he didn’t she had no idea, but she would certainly ask him. Soon.

And if he still insists he doesn’t, Jessie, where can this relationship go? You would want children with the man you loved. And you do love him, don’t you? That was one of the reasons you were crying earlier. Because you knew you couldn’t stop yourself loving him any longer.

You love him and you’d make any compromise just to be with him.

But maybe you’re jumping the gun here, Jessie Denton.

Maybe he just wants to continue being your boyfriend and your lover. Maybe he doesn’t want to live with you, or marry you. Maybe the way it is now is all he’ll ever want.

Dismay clutched at Jessie’s heart. It wasn’t enough. Just seeing him on a Friday night. And occasionally at the weekend. Not enough at all.

But it would have to be enough. She couldn’t force him to want marriage, let alone children. She couldn’t force him to do anything.

Unless…

No, no, that wasn’t right. She would not try to trap him with a baby. It wouldn’t work, anyway. The man who’d written Winning at Work would never succumb to that kind of emotional blackmail. He was strong on his beliefs, be they right or wrong.

The train pulling into Roseville brought a swift end to her mental toing and froing. During her hurried walk home Jessie told herself she should stop questioning everything and just live one day at a time for a while. Things were good in her life at the moment. Kane was good for her. And he was good for Emily. Why risk what they had by wanting more? She was a fool.

‘Sssh,’ Kane said when she burst in through the back door. ‘Emily’s asleep. She nodded off during the video and I carried her into bed. But that was only ten minutes ago. Gosh, you look hot.’

‘I am hot. It’s terribly sticky outside.’ The granny flat was nicely cool, with double insulation in the roof and fans in the high ceilings. Kane looked very cool, sitting on the sofa with his arms running along the back of the sofa and his long legs stretched out before him, crossed at the ankles. Very cool and very sexy.

Suddenly, Jessie felt even hotter.

‘I’ll have to have a shower and change,’ she said hurriedly. ‘Once Emily’s asleep, usually nothing wakes her up, so we don’t have to creep about. I won’t be long,’ she said, and fled into the bedroom.

Emily stayed blessedly asleep whilst her mother stripped off, showered then pulled on a simple cotton sundress in pink and white checks, which looked sexier on her than she realised.

Kane gritted his teeth when she emerged, thinking to himself that he’d better make himself scarce, or all his resolutions about not touching her till Friday were about to fly out the window. But when he rose and reached for his jacket, which was draped over a kitchen chair, her face betrayed that his leaving was the last thing she wanted.

They stared at each other for a long moment. And then she said something that floored him. His mouth literally dropped open.

‘Say that again,’ he blurted out, not daring to believe what he thought he’d heard.

‘I love you,’ she repeated, her face flushed, her eyes glistening.

Kane knew that in years to come, he would always remember that moment. A dozen different emotions warred for supremacy. Disbelief? Shock? Joy? Delight? Satisfaction? Desire?

Desire won in the end. Or was it just his own love for her? How could you not take a woman into your arms who’d just told you she loved you with such moving simplicity?

She went without any hesitation this time, not a trace of doubt in her face any more.

But he didn’t kiss her straight away. He looked down into those beautiful eyes and savoured the sincerity he saw in their depths.

‘When did you decide this?’ he said softly.

‘On the way home on the train.’

‘A very good place to make decisions.’

‘Much better than when I’m like this,’ she told him with a small smile. ‘I can’t think straight when I’m in your arms.’

‘That’s good to know as well.’

Her arms slid even tighter around his neck, pulling their bodies hard against each other. ‘Aren’t you going to kiss me?’ she asked breathlessly.

‘Soon.’

‘You have a sadistic side to you, Kane Marshall.’

‘I never claimed to be a saint.’

Neither was he a masochist. His mouth was within a millimetre of contacting hers when there was a knock on the door.

His head lifted, and they groaned together.

It was Dora, all a-flutter.

‘I saw Kane’s car out the front,’ she said. ‘Is anything wrong?’

Jessie gave her a quick run-down on the little drama with Emily. Dora looked relieved.

‘I’m so glad it’s nothing serious. And that Kane could help. Sorry I wasn’t here, dear. But you’ll never guess what’s happened.’

Kane and Jessie exchanged a look that carried both amusement and exasperation.

‘Why don’t I make us all some coffee,’ Jessie said, ‘and you can tell us what’s happened?’

Kane suppressed a sigh and pulled out a kitchen chair for Dora, sitting down himself once the old lady was settled.

Apparently she’d received an unexpected call from her brother that morning, the one who hadn’t been much support to her during their mother’s last years. Dora hadn’t spoken to him for a good two years.

‘If it hadn’t been Christmas I wouldn’t have spoken to him today, either,’ she said defiantly. ‘But I’m so glad I did.’

Apparently, her brother explained how he’d been inundated with business and family problems when their mum had been ill, but admitted that he knew he hadn’t done enough. He’d recently had a health scare himself and had been thinking that he wanted to make it up to Dora. The upshot was he’d come and taken Dora out to lunch, over which he’d asked her to go to his place for Christmas, and for the week afterwards, right up to New Year. It seemed his business was doing very well now; he owned a couple of cafés down around the Wollongong area on the south coast. He had a huge holiday house down there, and every one of their relatives was coming.

Kane saw Jessie’s face fall at this news, and guessed that she and Emily always spent Christmas with Dora. After all, she had no one else. It was just the opportunity he’d been waiting for.

‘That’s great, Dora,’ he piped up. ‘And it sure takes a load off Jessie’s mind. You see, I asked her and Emily to come spend Christmas with me and my family. But she was worried sick about you, thinking you’d be all alone. Of course, you’d have been welcome to come too, but this solves everything much better.’

Dora seemed relieved and pleased at this announcement, whilst Jessie went a little quiet. After Dora bustled off to go do some more Christmas shopping, Kane was left to face a slightly cool Jessie.

‘What a smooth liar you are,’ she said.

Kane could feel the doubts rising in her again.

‘There’s nothing wrong with little white lies, Jessie,’ he pointed out. ‘Especially when they’re partially true. I was going to ask you to spend Christmas with me.’

‘And with your family?’

‘Yes.’

‘And what were you going to introduce me as?’

‘What would you like me to introduce you as?’

‘I don’t know. You tell me.’

‘How about fiancée?’

She stared at him and he sighed. ‘I guess that is rushing you somewhat. How about my new girlfriend, then?’

Jessie just kept shaking her head, her expression bewildered. ‘Were you seriously asking me to marry you? You weren’t joking?’

‘I wouldn’t joke about something like that.’

‘But we’ve only known each other ten days!’

‘I know I love you and I know you love me.’

‘But we don’t really know each other.’

‘I beg to differ. I know you very well. Much better than I knew Natalie when I married her, and we’d been dating for months. The problem is you don’t think you know me. But you had the wrong picture of me from the start. I rather hoped I’d managed to get rid of that poor image by now, but it seems I haven’t.’

‘That’s not true. I…I think you’re wonderful. You must know that. But marriage? That’s a very big step, Kane. For one thing, we don’t agree on one very important issue. The same issue you didn’t agree on with your first wife.’

‘What? You mean you don’t want children, either? Hell, Jessie, I thought…’ A great black pit yawned open in Kane’s stomach. He could not believe it. Jessie didn’t want his children. The woman he loved. The woman he adored. How cruel was that?

Jessie blinked. Had she heard that right? His ex hadn’t wanted children? But that couldn’t be right. She’d said she was pregnant that day in Kane’s office and that she was keeping the baby. Of course, lots of women who didn’t think they wanted children changed their minds once they actually got pregnant. But if that was the case…

‘Hold it there,’ she said. ‘Why, exactly, did you divorce Natalie?’

‘Mainly because she refused to have children. But I think I also realised I didn’t really love her.’

‘Oh!’ Jessie exclaimed with a gasp. ‘I thought it was you who didn’t want children!’

‘Me? I love children. How on earth did you get that ridiculous idea? I thought I explained the reasons behind my divorce quite clearly.’

‘You told me you disagreed with your wife over the matter of having children and I just assumed it had to be you who didn’t want kids.’ Jessie felt truly chastened. But secretly elated. ‘I’m so sorry, Kane. My old prejudice against men again.’

He nodded, unable to feel unhappy, now that he knew Jessie wanted more children. ‘An understandable mistake.’

‘So you really do want children?’

‘A whole tribe of them, if possible. The more the merrier.’

Jessie beamed. ‘Me, too.’

‘What about your career?’

‘My career would never come before my kids. But hopefully I could juggle both.’

Kane’s delight was as great as his despair had been. ‘In that case, come here, woman, and make it up to me for thinking such dreadful things.’

She ran into his arms. This time, he actually got to kiss her for five seconds before they were interrupted.

‘Mummy…’

They pulled apart to find Emily standing in the bedroom doorway, rubbing her eyes.

‘Hello, sweetie,’ her mother said. ‘You feeling better now?’

‘I’m thirsty. And my eyes are sore.’

Jessie gave a small sigh. ‘I’ll get you a drink of water. Kane, where are those eye drops?’

‘Over here on the coffee-table. I’ll get them.’

Their eyes clashed momentarily, Kane seeing that Jessie was watching him for signs of impatience.

Instead, he smiled, then hurried over to sweep Emily up into his arms. ‘Did you have a good sleep, princess?’

She tipped her head on one side. ‘Were you kissing Mummy just then?’

Jessie stopped breathing.

‘I sure was,’ Kane said. ‘It was very nice, too. Do you mind my kissing Mummy?’

‘No. Will you kiss me, too?’

He laughed and planted a peck on her forehead. ‘There. Now let me get those eye drops into you.’

‘Do you have to?’ she wailed.

‘Yes. I have to,’ Kane returned firmly.

Jessie heaved a great sigh of happiness. Even more wonderful than everything which had happened today was having someone else put Emily’s eye drops in.