Page 26 of The Cornish Christmas Book Clu
‘The sooner this knee heals, the better,’ Gage murmured against her hot cheek. He lifted a hand and waved to their fan club. That spurred several people to move away, but now she spotted someone who hadn’t been visible before. The very last person who needed to see her kissing someone he’d never even met, someone she’d assured him she didn’t even much like. Toby’s white face and bulging eyes said it all.
‘Your son?’ By Gage’s flat voice, he sensed this was a disaster.
‘Yeah. That’s Toby.’ It raced through her head whether to go out and drag Toby in here, do the introductions and get it over with. But he sprinted off and was soon out of sight. If she chased after him, it might make things worse.
‘Hell, I’m sorry. I didn’t think—’
‘Neither did I.’ She managed a feeble smile. ‘I’ll catch up with Toby later. It was a shock, that’s all. Once I introduce you properly, he’ll be fine.’ Would he though? He’d become more protective recently, as though it was his turn to look out for her. Tamara pulled herself together. ‘We’d better get to work. Show me how we’re going to shelve these books according to your master spreadsheet.’
‘I love it when you get all take-charge on me.’ His brows knotted together. ‘That’s not me making fun of you either. Women weren’t allowed to fight in the Royal Marines until 2018,and many blokes I served with were dead set against it. I never understood why they felt so threatened. To my mind, anyone who could pass the bloody hard training deserved to wear the green beret and play their full part. You’d have done great.’
‘Me?’
‘It would’ve suited you down to the ground.’
Tamara’s face heated. ‘I think that’s the best compliment any man’s ever given me. I’m not the red-roses-and-fancy-perfume type, but tell me you think I could do a route march with a heavy backpack and slog through mud, and I’m your girl.’ She beamed. ‘Now, Prof, let’s get busy with those books.’
* * *
A sharp rap on the front door stirred Gage from his thoughts. He’d been brooding over where this morning’s kiss had left him and Tamara. His determination to keep her at a safe, friendly distance had flown out the window. The last thing he wanted was to hurt her. His ex-wife had once called him emotionally closed-off. She claimed he hid behind the macho culture of the Royal Marines, where, in her view, his inadequacies were seen as a plus rather than a hindrance. But Ophelia’s comment crept back into his brain. If she could see beneath his stoic surface, to what she’d called the ‘marshmallow’ underneath, perhaps Victoria was wrong? He really hoped so, because if not he’d probably screw up with Tamara too. That thought was unbearable.
He pushed out of the chair and tucked the crutches securely under his arms before hobbling out into the hall. Evelyn stood on the doorstep and gave him a tight smile.
‘Are you checking up on me to make sure I haven’t damaged your valuable book?’
‘Hardly, Mr Bennet.’ She held out a stout, ornately carved walking stick. ‘I bought this on my hiking holiday in the Alps and thought you might find it useful.’
‘Thank you. I appreciate it.’
‘I would like a quick word if it’s not inconvenient?’
‘Uh, no, of course not. Come in.’ Gage’s heart sank as he stood back to let her step inside. It didn’t take a genius to guess why she was here. He’d learned how to deal with hostile enemy interrogations in the marines, but had the feeling Evelyn might be a match for anything he threw at her. ‘May I take your coat?’
‘I shan’t be staying long.’ She propped the stick up by the coat stand in the hall and followed him into the living room.
Gage gestured for Evelyn to take a seat on the sofa and commandeered his usual chair.
‘I’ll get straight to the point because I believe it’s far better to be honest. Not that it’s always appreciated.’ She shrugged. ‘Ophelia doesn’t care for it. She never did.’ Evelyn fixed him with what Tamara referred to as her headteacher stare. ‘Are you going to tell me what she’s being so secretive about?’
‘No.’
His swift response visibly took her aback.
‘Even if I knew the full story — which I don’t — it’s not my place to share it. If you’re such a proponent of honest conversation, why don’t you try it with your sister?’
‘You don’t understand. The history between us is... difficult.’ Her penetrating eyes studied him. ‘I suspect you’ve heard speculation around the village. Mostly down to the oh-so-reliable Mr Bull, who knows Ophelia of old.’
He couldn’t deny it without lying.
‘Suffice to say, there’s been no love lost between us for a very long time.’ She looked wistful. ‘There’s the chance I’ve been wrong about something, but I don’t think so. Ophelia has made it clear she’s only here now because she has no choice, but why is that?’
Gage gave her credit for persistence. ‘Ask her.’
Evelyn scoffed. ‘You think I haven’t?’
‘Ophelia needs you right now, but the two of you are equally stubborn and she won’t beg.’ He spread his hands on his thighs. ‘That’s all I’m saying.’
She threw back her head and laughed. ‘No wonder Tamara’s losing her head over you.’
