Page 16 of The Talk Around Town

Emma clutched thecupcake container closer to her body as Gabe pulled into his parents’ drive. Kurrajong Crossing wasn’t a large town, so the trip hadn’t taken all that long. They lived near the river, up on the hill overlooking the town.

She glanced down at the offering, small as it was, that she’d brought with her. Cupcakes from the awesome little cupcake shop on the Lakewalk. A token of thanks for the invitation. She refused to come empty-handed, afaux pasher nan would never have let her forget.

A little smile erupted. She’d been standing behind a guy in the shop who’d looked vaguely familiar; she’d lost all ability to speak when he’d turned around. Zac Hart, the sexy guitarist with the smooth voice who’d been in all the magazines recently had smiled at her and said hello. She couldn’t have spoken if she’d tried. The friendly retro-dressed shop owner had laughed and taken pity on her sudden incapacity, introducing him as her fiancé. Emma had managed to stumble through what resembled a reasonable reply, her embarrassment clear for all to see.

She held the container tighter. Her nerves were getting the better of her now that they were here.

She looked down and realised what she’d done. What on earth was she thinking to bring baked desserts to the home of a woman who made the most unbelievable cakes and baked goodies of her own? She’d probably be insulted.

Emma looked for a way to leave the container behind in the ute as they rolled to a stop. Maybe if she stashed it under the seat…

“Don’t look so worried. They’re nice folks, my parents. You’ve already met the rest of them. Just relax and you’ll have a good time. Mum will probably want to introduce you to some of her friends around town later in the week, since you made the effort to come today. It’ll go a long way to easing you into the community. She’s on alot of the committees, so she can put a good word in for you,” Gabe said, misreading her apprehension.

Emma just nodded. She wanted so badly to fit in. To make this work. She’d needed a new start, and here she was getting the chance. This family obviously had a lot to do with the running of the town and the people in it. If she made a good impression it would help make her life there easier, and herself more readily accepted.

Emma smiled tentatively at Gabe. She slid from the seat and shut the ute’s door more forcefully than needed, wincing as the sound echoed. People glanced up at the noise. The ground looked very interesting all of a sudden. Emma dropped her gaze and followed Gabe up onto the porch toward them.

*

“Well! Who dowe have here? You wouldn’t happen to be the little filly who’s caused such a ruckus, now would you?”

Gabe winced at the sound of his dad’s booming welcome.

Good one, Dad. Way to make Emma feel comfortable.

His mother turned around. The empty salad bowl in her hands seemed all but forgotten. An assessing glint entered his mother’s eyes as she considered the newcomer. His mother liked what she saw.

Gabe frowned, positive he knew the direction her thoughts were turning. It annoyed him that the sight of a new face could bring out his mother’s matchmaking tendencies. It annoyed him even more he could see straight through it.

His mother’s smile spread further. Colour heightened Emma’s face. He was certain she was embarrassed and that was why she hung back behind him. He took her hand to bring her forward, encouraging her, willing his mother to forget about seeing him married off.

She sent Darby a calculating look.

Oh no.By the looks of it, Darby was in on it, too.

Neither she nor his mother had forced the subject of women. They had both been content to sit back and give him time to lick his wounds, but they thought he hung on to Sami and what she’d done as a shield to hide behind.

In truth, he’d long ago given up on the idea he would find someonehe could fully trust. Someone to share his life with. Sami’s deception and callous disregard for others had been the final straw in a bad relationship.

“Mum, this is Emma. She brought something for dessert,” Gabe said.

Mary put the salad bowl down on the outdoor table and held out her hand. “A pleasure to finally meet you, Emma. I’m Mary. I’m sorry I couldn’t come by with Darby, but I had a workshop I had to attend yesterday. I’m glad you decided to accept the invitation to our little gathering. We’d hoped you would.”

Emma inclined her head and smiled nervously at Mary. “Thank you. I really do appreciate it. It’s harder than I thought, this moving to another place. I’ve lived in the same city all my life, in almost the same area. This is a big step for me,” she finished off, her voice quiet. “I want to thank you all for giving me a chance.”

Mary took hold of her hand. “No thanks are necessary. You are more than welcome here, and not only if you are in the company of my children. Feel free to drop by anytime.”

Emma’s smile grew to fill her face, making her blue eyes dance. Gabe blinked, unable to hide his reaction.

“Are you a model by any chance?” Mary asked, bringing Gabe’s thoughts back to the conversation.

Emma’s laughter burst out, enveloping him in a bubble of sound. It was almost musical. Gabe’s body jerked in response. He breathed deeper to control his suddenly increased heart rate.

Man, that laugh.It did strange things to his insides every time he heard it.

“Goodness no! What would make you say that?” Emma asked. Curiosity shone from her face.

His mother smiled brightly at Emma. “Well, you’re not hard to look at, child. I thought perhaps that was your job.”

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