Page 27 of Christmas at Black Cherry Retreat
Chapter Thirteen
‘Higgins gets out next week.’ Sandy’s blunt statement hit Tom straight in the gut.
‘You’re fuckin’ kiddin’ me!’
Sandy shook his head. He wore the same blank, serious expression he used to cover up his feelings in front of criminals and defence attorneys. ‘You knew he was goin’ in front of the parole board again. They sent an invitation foryou to go and speak but you refused and never asked how it went.’
Tom grasped the arms of the chair. ‘I couldn’t face seeing him again and didn’t think they’d be dumb enough to listen to his whining excuses.’ He leapt to his feet. ‘I’m goin’ to walk. Leave me alone, alright?’ The pity written across his brothers’ faces made him give the table leg a swift kick, sending the remains of thepizza and a couple of beer bottles skittering across the porch.
Tom leapt down the porch steps and strode out towards the lake. There was enough moonlight to stop him falling flat on his face on the rough path. He’d prefer to run and pound his feet into the gravel while pretending it was Gary Higgins’ pale, fleshy face but that wasn’t an option. He turned left to walk clockwise aroundthe trail so he wouldn’t pass the other cabins until he could manage a polite greeting if necessary. He launched into a brisk pace and twenty minutes later emerged from the trees and gradually slowed down until his breathing returned to normal. Tom hovered near the shed where he stored the boating equipment. He couldn’t face his brothers again yet but didn’t know what else to do.
The glowinglight on Fee’s porch lured him closer to her cabin. There was no reason to think she was sitting outside this late at night so he guessed she’d left it on for security. No way could he go and knock on her door.
‘Tom, is that you?’
Her tremulous voice cut through the crisp night air and he cursed under his breath. The last thing she needed was him sneaking around and scaring herhalf to death. ‘Yeah, sorry, didn’t mean to freak you out.’ Tom walked over and hesitated by her bottom step.
‘Then don’t creep up on me another time,’ she teased, smiling at him from one of the rocking chairs. She leaned forward and frowned. ‘Is something wrong?’
Tom swallowed hard and stared down at his feet. Her light, clean perfume drifted in the crisp night air and when heglanced again she’d made her way down the steps to stand in front of him.
‘What it is, Tom?’
He could still walk away. Go back to his own place and talk to his brothers. Tom froze as she took hold of his right hand.
‘Do you want to join me in a mug of chamomile tea?’
He’d received some unusual offers from women in his time but this beat them all. Tom managed tonod and gave her a tight smile.
Fee tugged on Tom’s hand to encourage him. As soon as they stepped onto the porch he wrapped his arms around her waist and clutched her against his broad chest.
‘Tea?’ Her voice wobbled.
‘In a minute. Just let me hold you. Please.’ His deep voice, smooth as honey and dark as the night settling in around them, trickled over her senses andshe snuggled further into his gentle, caressing hands. ‘You’re an extremely peaceful woman. That’s a rare thing.’
Fee took it as a compliment and decided to take a huge chance. ‘I’ve never told you why I came here.’ Tom was smart enough to guess she was giving him a break by offering something of herself. ‘How about we sit and talk a while.’
Tom tightened his hold. ‘But, I need…’
She silenced him with a light kiss, brushing against his warm lips while aching for so much more. ‘I know, but I don’t intend to be someone you regret.’ Fee pulled away.
‘I’ll be a good boy and sit here while you fix whatever weird drink you offered.’ He walked over to grab one of her chairs, shifting it closer to the other one and lowering himself into the seat with a quietsigh.
Fee hurried away inside and headed for the kitchen. She boiled the kettle and made a fresh pot of tea. While it steeped she rested against the counter and wondered if she’d manage to send him away later or whether she even wanted to. Without coming to any decision she poured out two mugs and made her way back to the porch. For a moment she stopped by the open doorway to watch Tom,his face etched with worry. Doctor Michael would tell her to run as fast as she could in the opposite direction because she wasn’t strong enough to take on Tom’s problems as well as her own. He’d encouraged her to come here largely because she didn’t know anyone and could hold herself apart. But he hadn’t bargained on Tom’s kind eyes and gentle voice luring her in.
‘It’s safe to come out.I promise I’ll behave.’ He flashed one of his endearing smiles.
Fee managed a bright smile. ‘Here’s your tea. It’ll soothe you and help you sleep.’
‘We’ll see. Thanks.’ He nodded and took the cup she was holding out, sliding his fingers around hers so she couldn’t move or she’d spill hot tea over them both. After several lingering seconds Tom loosened his grasp and Fee pulled away.She sat down and wrapped her hands around her drink to steady her shaking fingers.
‘You know how to be quiet too,’ she commented after several companionable minutes slipped by without a word between them. ‘A police habit or simply you?’
Tom shrugged. ‘Bit of both I guess. I’ve always been an observer.’
‘So what’re you seeing now?’
‘A starkly beautiful woman, highlyintelligent and well-travelled but who doesn’t know her destination anymore.’
