Page 26 of Winter at Wishington Bay
‘You’re too lean.’
It was his turn to give me a look. ‘I’m twice your size.’
‘I’m small boned. Eat.’
‘I don’t know about small boned. Bossy, though, I could agree with.’
‘Oh, shush and eat or I’ll put a sea slug in your bed.’
‘I make my own bed.’
‘And you think that’ll stop me?’
He slid his gaze across again but this time I could see a glimmer of humour. ‘Probably not.’
‘You’re not boring, Nate. Don’t let anyone make you feel you are.’
‘It’s not others. It’s me,’ he answered, too fast for me to believe the truth in his words. It was like a defence. An automatic answer, and my mind went back to what he’d said earlier about Gabe being a good judge of character. I already knew from Holly that Gabe and his family had done their best to like Nate’s choice of wife but it’s hard to watch someone you love change and be manipulated. But there’s also nothing you can do when that person is so head over heels they don’t see any faults. It’s an impossible situation. And one that often doesn’t end well – one way or another.
Nate cleared the bowls and held out a hand when I made to dismount the breakfast stool. ‘Coffee? Or would you prefer tea?’
‘Tea. Please.’
‘Thought so.’ There was a hint of amusement in his tone and I frowned.
‘What does that mean?’
He turned and leaned on the counter as the kettle behind him boiled, his long legs crossed loosely at the ankles, cosy thick socks on his feet.
‘That accent. It couldn’t get more upper-class English. I kind of feel like I should be in a butler’s uniform waiting on you.’
I swallowed.
If only he knew…
‘I just went to a good school. They were up on that sort of thing. I guess it stuck.’ That was true, at least. ‘And in case you haven’t noticed, I’m not wearing a uniform.’
‘Maybe I should have had Gabe put that in the contract.’
I threw him a look but felt my traitorous cheeks try to colour.
‘I didn’t think women blushed any more. It’s kind of endearing.’ He moved and took two mugs from the cupboard, setting them alongside the kettle.
‘And men aren’t supposed to make comments about frilly maids’ uniforms! So, we’re even.’
His laugh rumbled clearly this time, and when he turned it was like a different person. Now the resemblance to his brother, despite the difference in colouring, was clear. His eyes crinkled the same way, the smile was almost the same, but a little more off kilter which made it all his own, but the joy that Gabe tended to radiate, even more so since meeting Holly, was there. I’d met their parents a few times when they were over earlier in the year and we’d chatted on and off when they’d come to the restaurant. They were warm and welcoming and relaxed, and for the first time, Nate seemed a part of them.
‘I’m not sure why you’re laughing but as you’ve been wound like a spring since you got here, I’m at least relieved to see you relaxing a little more.’
‘I’m laughing because I hadn’t mentioned anything about the maid’s uniforms being frilly. That was all you!’
‘Oh pfft!’ I said, trying not to blush again as I swept crumbs from the breakfast bar with the side of my hand.
‘True. I was thinking more of a lab coat style.’
‘Oh, you were.’ My tone was disbelieving.
‘Yep.’
