Page 18 of The Talk Around Town

No matter how his blood surged when he remembered how she tasted.

He gazed out the kitchen door to the porch where his parents had set up the afternoon’s seating. Emma sat relaxed in one of the upholstered outdoor chairs that surrounded the table. A smile flashed across her face as she laughed at something someone opposite her said.

Gabe frowned, certain whatever it was couldn’t be that funny. The sound of deep male laughter joined hers.

Ryan.

He’d know that laugh anywhere. He and Ryan had been friends since kindergarten. Gabe’s eyes narrowed as he watched Emma raise her hand and tip it in a rocking motion.

More laughter joined in. What was that goofball going on about now?

“From that frown on your face, it wouldn’t be a long shot to say you’re not as unaffected as you’d like us all to believe, are you? Why don’t you—”

“No. Emma and I have already agreed on friendship. Neither of us wants anything else.” He gestured to the drinks fridge sitting just outside the kitchen door. “I’m getting a drink. Do you want anything?” Not waiting for an answer, he turned and took the steps in one stride, heading for the table where everyone seemed to be having such a good time.

Gabe grabbed a can of soft drink from the fridge and seated himself beside a grinning Ryan. He avoided eye contact with Darby. Most wouldn’t notice the slightly rigid set to his shoulders, but she knew him too well. If she hadn’t already, she’d figure out quite fast that the kiss atMax’s bar last night had most definitely had an effect. If she’d been taking any notice of his reactions today, she’d know it had rattled him.

He sighed. His mother getting him to agree to help with Emma’s renovations was one thing, but anything else would be impossible. He could be as stubborn as them when he wanted to be.

Gabe couldn’t help a smile as he looked around. Ryan had no such qualms. He liked Emma and wanted everyone to know it. Mind you, Ryan wasn’t shy when it came to what he wanted. He looked at his friend. He knew Darby had had a thing for Ryan years ago, but luckily she seemed to have gotten over it pretty quickly. It was a pity, because he’d love to see them both happy, but he wasn’t interested in seeing Darby get her heart broken by a player like Ryan. He’d never been with anyone longer than a week or two his whole adult life. He simply wasn’t a keeper.

He made no excuses for himself. What you saw was what you got. And what Ryan had, Gabe didn’t want anywhere near his sister.

Emma seemed flattered by the attention, but also a little bewildered.

Once again, Gabe wondered what could have brought Emma across the country, away from all family and friends. What had happened to make her think the only answer was to escape? Running never solved anything, and usually the problem—or problems—found you in the end.

Another reason not to get involved. He wouldn’t know what problems might come knocking when her past caught up with her. Some things were best left alone.

Including beautiful women with secrets.

Chapter Eight

Emma stared atthe gaping hole in what was supposed to be her bathroom wall.

Oh crap.

A small patch-up job she could handle, but this? She didn’t even have a clue where to start. Exposed pipes, brilliant with the shininess of new metal, gleamed at her from within the cavity.

At least she wouldn’t have any more busted pipes.

She sighed, daunted by the task in front of her. The whole wall had been removed to replace the rusted-out pipes Gabe had patched. Luckily the patch had lasted this long, almost a week later, long enough to get hold of the plumber. Hank had just left, apologising for not staying to help clean up. Being the only plumber in town he’d had to squeeze her in as it was.

Emma sighed and lifted the broom, wiping the back of her hand across her cheek, intent on making some kind of progress before she asked Mr Forster to deliver the plasterboard panels she’d ordered. Heaven knows how she would actually fix it herself, but she’d tackle that problem later.

Cheerful whistling from outside caught her attention. Grasping the broom, she stepped into the hall. Her front door stood open to catch the faint, cool breeze. Emma stepped out onto her porch and squinted in the bright light.

“Mornin’, darlin’!” Ed Jameson called over his shoulder. “Ready? Lift!”

A huge sheet of plasterboard tilted off the bed of the ute, then sat up vertically, moving slowly toward her, with Ed at the front.

Ed grinned up at her. Shock stopped her dead in the doorway.

“You might want to move if you want this to stay in one piece.”

Nodding, Emma stepped to the side to make room. The huge slice of plasterboard moved past. When she turned to follow, she saw Gabe’sstrong back.

“What’s going on? Why do you have my plasterboard?”

---