Page 14 of Tame Me

“Memphis!” It was both a question and a statement. “Of course, I remember. How are you?”

“I’m good, how are you?”

“I’m bloody marvelous now that I’m talking to you.”

My heart fluttered. “Have you been busy?”

“Crazy busy. But that’s not unusual. How about you? How are the card sharks?”

I frowned, but then recalled lying to him about working at the casino as a croupier. I cringed at all my terrible lies. “Well, that’s why I’m calling. I’m on the Gold Coast again on Sunday night and, well . . .”

“Are you asking me on a date?”

“I, ummm . . .”

“It sounds like you are.” His voice elevated a notch as if loaded with anticipation.

“I guess I am.”

“In that case, I’d love to.”

“You can come? This Sunday?”

“I need to change a few things around, but yes, sounds great.”

A smile curled on my lips. “Oh, that’s . . . that’s perfect.”

“Where shall I meet you?”

His question caught me off guard. “Oh, ummm . . .” I hadn’t thought that far ahead.

“How about the bar at the Hot Horizon Hotel? Where we had drinks last time? Say seven o’clock?” He saved me.

“Okay, sounds great.” His timing was perfect to avoid Needledick’s prying eyes.

“Excellent. I’ll see you then.”

We said our goodbyes, and I grinned so hard my cheeks quivered by the time I’d ended the call. Hunter had just saved me. It was a delightful thought. From the very first moment I’d met him, he’d struck me as the type of guy who would come to rescue me should I be lost in the jungle or something.

A sense of calm embraced me as I headed downstairs to start work. Fortunately, my nightshift was busy and the hours flew by. Before I knew it, the rising sun signified the end of my shift and I was back in my room, painting my toenails, doing my hair, finalizing my packing, and preparing to return to the place that had been the setting for the first twenty-five years of my life.

Boarding the plane filled me with dread, and with every mile I traveled toward Mildura, anxiety ate at me like a hungry piranha. When I’d left my hometown nearly four years ago, I’d been filled with a torrent of emotions: hope, trepidation, and fear of the unknown, and now, as I headed back there, all those emotions came flooding back.

The flight was over before I’d settled my tormented reflections, and after we landed, I walked off the plane into the terminal and sought out my luggage. Once I tugged my case off the one and only carousel, I headed out the exit gate and spied Dad instantly. He hadn’t changed—his full mop of silver hair stood out like a beacon, contrasting dramatically with his sunburned face.

“Hey, Dad.” I stepped into his embrace and smelled his familiar Aramis cologne that he’d been wearing forever.

“How’s my favorite daughter?” Dad was known for his corny sayings. I’m his only daughter.

“I’m great, Dad. How are you?”

“I’m really good.” He stepped back, holding our arms apart to look me up and down. “You look amazing.”

“Thank you. Where’s Mom?”

He waved a hand as if swatting flies. “Oh, she’s busy preparing for the party. Sorry she couldn’t be here.”

“That’s okay.”

---