Page 39 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
‘Oh, Tom.’ Fee sighed and leaned closer to rest her head on his shoulder.
‘Remember, I didn’t know you were Superwoman reincarnated.’ He struggled to crack a joke.
She must put this to rest before he tore himself to pieces. ‘I took an extensive self-defence course before I went to Afghanistanthe first time. I’m an expert marksman and my defensive driving skills are up there with James Bond.’ A little exaggeration wouldn’t hurt. He needed to know she could take care of herself. ‘Another time no fretting.’
‘Another time? You promised…’
She stopped him with another kiss. ‘I’m joking, okay?’
‘Sorry if I don’t have much of a sense of humour when people I love arein danger,’ Tom muttered. ‘Aw hell, probably shouldn’t have said that, should I?’
‘Did you mean it?’ Fee could have kicked herself for asking. ‘I mean, um…’
‘Hey, don’t panic.’ A quiet smile crept across his face. ‘There are many kinds of love. I’m thinkin’ we got one figured out last night. Maybe we’ll be lucky enough to find a different kind one day.’ Tom cradled her hands.‘Are you willing to give it a chance?’
Was she?
‘Think about it,’ he said. ‘I’m not sure how I’m doin’ with the idea either if that’s any consolation?’
‘It helps.’
‘Fair enough. Now, eat your soup before you fade away,’ he insisted.
‘You like bossing people around, don’t you?’
‘And you enjoy arguing.’
‘I’ll eat if it’ll shut you up.’ Feepicked up her spoon again and shovelled a big spoonful into her mouth. ‘That’s wonderful.’
‘Yep, my mama sure knows how to cook.’ Tom chuckled. ‘I expect she could even teach you.’
Fee pinched his arm. ‘Don’t push your luck.’
‘This’ll make you smile. Poor Mary-Jo is tearing her hair out because she sewed an awesome butterfly costume for Lulu but the little minx has changedher mind. Two days until Halloween and she’s insisting on being Little Red Riding Hood instead.’
‘And being a good mother she’ll make it happen.’ Fee hoped she didn’t sound bitter. Every time she thought she’d made it past her resentment over her mother’s indifference she was pulled up short.
‘Yep I expect so. Anyway how did you get on in Knoxville?’
Fee happily launchedinto every detail of the new camera she’d been tempted to buy.
‘I hung around Market Square for a while to try it out and got some great shots of the older buildings. I stopped and listened to a fiddle player and he let me take his picture. His whole life was written in his face and that set me off thinking about a new project.’ A level of enthusiasm she hadn’t experienced in a very longtime took hold of Fee and she tripped over her words. ‘I took a few candid shots in the cafe the other day. Everything about your Aunt Ina’s outward appearance says what a capable, strong woman she is and yet she had tears in her eyes because Lulu wrote her own name for the first time.’
‘Some of the best work I’ve seen of yours is close-ups of people.’ Tom’s quiet praise touched her.
‘The problem is how to find a new angle – pun intended.’ She chuckled. ‘Seeing a community or a country through people’s faces isn’t a unique idea. I’ll have to give it some thought.’ Fee picked up her bowl. ‘Let’s get all this cleared up.’
‘How about you take a long, hot bath while I do the dishes? Isn’t it what all women crave after a tough day?’
She struggled not to laughat his desperate efforts to please her. ‘I’m notall women,Tom. I hate baths. I’m a brisk shower sort of girl which comes from the distinct lack of hot water in most of the places I’ve lived. I never wear make-up, have manicures or fuss over what to wear. I’d break my neck if I tried to walk in high heels and if you’re looking for a girly sort of woman I’m not your type.’
His intense,sweeping gaze heated every inch of her skin. ‘I’m a plain man, Fee Winter. I’ve never been one for fuss of any sort.’
‘What about Gina? I get the impression she was…’ Her voice trailed away and she wished she’d never mentioned the other woman’s name.
He stroked her cheek and rested his fingers on her lips. ‘You’re two very different women that’s for sure. But I’m not the sameman either, Fee.’
‘Fair enough.’ She’d leave it there for now. One day she suspected she’d want to know more, but not today. ‘Do you know what I think?’ Fee kissed him and sighed with pleasure as he pulled her to him. ‘The dishes can wait.’
