Authors: Louise Forster
“Sure, don’t think I haven’t agonised over that. I don’t want to blunder in and stomp all over Ellie’s life. All I want is for Andrew to know she’s fine, happy, or whatever.”
“A delicate task, though. Do you have photos or letters?” she asked, taking a sip of coffee.
“Andrew doesn’t remember Ellie’s extended family. In the jungle when he was sick with fever, he remembered what mattered to him, and that was Ellie.”
“How much time do you have?”
“Until I’ve exhausted all avenues. Or until the grape harvest, whichever comes first.”
“Your business card says you’re a vintner. Where in Australia is Blue Gum winery?”
“The Hunter Valley, about an hour and a half north of Sydney. Beautiful country and we make exquisite wines. Shiraz, Semillon, Merlot are a few that we produce.”
“So Andrew and your mum live there?”
“Andrew owns the vineyard. Mum died a couple of years ago from …”
“I’m sorry.” Katherine could see him swallow several times. There was something he wasn’t telling her—something painful. Katherine decided not to push. No point to it anyway. “I suppose it’s like anything a person produces. There it is on your table, and you made it.” She bit into a piece of toast.
A devilish half smile eased into his face. “Canada produces some pretty special performers. Where and when do you dance again?”
“Saturday night, right here in Spruce Valley. Then that’s it, there is no more. I’ve officially retired from ballet.”
“What!” With a look of shock, Jack fell back in his chair. After letting it sink in, he leaned slowly forward. “You can’t!”
Katherine raised her eyebrows, looked straight at him and said, “Of course I can.”
“But it was just last night, in Calgary—you were brilliant. You brought tears to a grown man’s eye.”
Katherine laughed. “I made you cry?” She shook her head. “I think Millie’s been spreading rumours.”
Amused, he wagged a finger at her. “No, I managed to control myself.”
“It couldn’t have been your friend Dave, he was asleep.”
“Yes, that’s true, but I bet you anything there was a grown man in the audience having a quiet weep because
you
were so …” His hands came up as if it might help him find the right words. He held his breath, his expression an agonising mixture of frustration and awe. With an outward gasp, his breath left his lungs. “Brilliant!” Scanning her face, Jack paused. “If you don’t mind me asking, why are you leaving?”
“Too many injuries. You look fit, so you know what it’s like to keep your body in peak condition. It’s bloody hard work, and injuries make it harder.”
“I understand. But that night in Calgary …” He shook his head in wonder,
“Unbelievable
. You moved me … and everyone in the audience.” His hands slid across the table to cover hers, a gesture Katherine found disturbing in too many ways. She wasn’t sure whether to withdraw or enjoy the moment. His warm, strong fingers slowly caressed hers. “In the foyer, er lobby, people couldn’t stop talking about how superbly you danced.”
“Thank you, that’s lovely and I do appreciate you telling me.” Katherine slipped her fingers out from under his and downed the rest of her coffee. “People will flock to see my understudy and the new principal Bianca Katsikova. Just her name evokes excitement. And that’s enough about ballet.”
Jack’s slow, easy smile dashed Katherine’s moment of regret. Not that she regretted leaving, but more to the point, she had no choice.
Looking for Julie, she noticed her coming through the swinging doors that led to the kitchen. Julie sashayed around the tables, heading in their direction with a tray.
“Thanks,” Katherine said as Julie put their plates aside and replaced them with cream, pancakes and maple syrup. “Could we have another coffee please?”
“Coming up.” Julie moved to the counter, came back with a coffee jug and refilled their cups. She smiled and left, hips swaying.
“One last question about ballet and then I’ll shut up. Where can I buy a ticket?” Jack asked.
Oh God, she hadn’t meant for that to happen. “Try the library. Or get one at the hall on the night. You should enjoy it. Uncle Pierre’s dancers are wonderful.”
“Maybe—but I’ll be going to see you.” Jack gave her a wicked grin.
“Sure you are.” An unexpected flutter erupted in her stomach and Katherine choked out a laugh. “You can’t be making a pass at me?”
He said nothing, just looked into her eyes and gave her a lopsided grin.
“Right.” Katherine could hardly believe it as heat rose to her cheeks. “You’ve got to be kidding. You live on another continent. I’m sure you’ll be going back there just as soon as you’re done here. You need a chaperone. Andrew should have come as well.”
“He wanted to, but I persuaded him to stay home. No point both of us freezing our …” he stopped.
“Your arses off?” Katherine asked.
“Yeah—that and other bits. Andrew can’t afford to freeze at his age. Are your parents in town? Perhaps I could ask them a few questions. You know, where to look.”
“Dad passed away nearly a year ago, car accident, a truck skidded … he died in hospital.” Katherine fought hard to control her emotions. It didn’t help that the anniversary of his death was only days away. “A friend took Mum to Spain for a rest in the sun, hoping it would help heal her injuries and in some part help Mum get her life back together.”
“I’m so sorry,” Jack said in earnest. “Is your mother okay?”
“Mum’s much better. And I’m getting better at saying Dad’s gone.” Katherine took a deep breath. “It’s strange how, when I’m by myself or with a close friend, I can enjoy talking about Dad, his jokes and his idiosyncratic ways. I can look at his photo and talk to him, but as soon as I start telling a stranger, I fall to pieces. See that glass of cold water? You have my permission to throw it at me if I start blubbering. Dad would hate all this sadness.”
“I know what you mean. My Mum wouldn’t like it either. Any plans for the future?”
“Of course. When I injured myself, I didn’t just lie around and stare at the walls; I studied. I’m a qualified physiotherapist and exercise planner. I’m a volunteer at Spruce Valley Lodge, and after Christmas I’ll start my own practice.” She concentrated on her pancake, piling on the cream and taking a bite. A blob of cream stuck to the tip of her nose. She was just about to reach for her napkin when …
Jack reached toward her. “You’ve got cream …”
“I know, thanks.” Katherine cleaned her nose with a serviette, drained her coffee and said, “I’d better get going. It’s been interesting, Mr Riley. Good luck with your search.”
Jack jumped to his feet. “I’ve got things to do as well,” he said, and moved to the counter to settle the bill.
“Hold on, I’m paying my share.”
“Nuh uh.” Jack put a hundred dollars down on the counter. “Julie, don’t listen to Katherine. Keep the change.” He leaned forward. “There is change—yeah?”
“Oh yes.” Julie nodded.
“Julie!” Katherine protested. They both looked at her, with rounded innocent eyes. “Oh, I give up.” Katherine moved to where their coats hung. Jack followed close behind, reached for her jacket and held it out for her. She slipped it on and zipped it up, then tucked her hair into her hat. “Wouldn’t want it to snap off,” she muttered.
Jack laughed, shrugged into his coat, pulled the colourful hat on, slung his snowshoes over his shoulder and picked up her skates.
Outside, Katherine held out her hand. “Nice to have met you, Jack.”
With grey-blue eyes meeting hers, and a gentle smile that made her wonder how many women he’d ever given that smile to, Jack slowly took her gloved hand in his. She tried to ease out of his grip, but he merely placed his other hand over hers, holding it firmly but gently.
Where’s Gerard—Gerard who?
“Listen, you may think I’m being forward,” he shrugged, “but nothing ventured … Earlier this morning, Ted mentioned there’s a Christmas get-together dance in the community hall,” Jack said huskily. “May I take you there? I promise to behave like an adult,” he said, smiling again.
Time stood still. A car backfired and Katherine flinched. Damn noises interfering with her moment. Jack remained transfixed.
Boy, he’s good at this seduction stuff
. Way-back-when stirrings were happening to her body. A local woman walked passed, greeting her with a cheery, “Hi, Katy.” Katherine pulled herself together.
Don’t involve yourself with him, he’s only going to leave. Put an end to it right here, right now
.
“What did you say?” Katherine asked.
Jack cleared his throat. “The Christmas dance?”
“That’s right. Thanks, but no thanks,” she said hesitantly. “Good luck with your search.” She tugged her hand out of his. But why, Katherine asked herself, did her spine tingle as she walked away from him?
“Wait!” Jack called out.
Her breath snagged in her throat.
That’s why. And so unfair
. She paused for a couple of heartbeats, then swung around.
“Are you still going skating?” he asked, her forgotten boots dangling from his hand.
“Yes, thank you,” she said, retrieving her skates. Oh-oh, too much information. She should have taken her skates and made a run for it. Damn. What was it about him that pulled her in?
“You’re not worried about injuring yourself on the ice? What about your last dance on Saturday night?” Jack asked, studying her closely.
“It’s like walking, only gliding; it gets the blood flowing on a day like this.” Not that she needed it with him around. Why was she even explaining anything to this man?
A grin tugged at the corners of his mouth, and he couldn’t hide the laughter in his eyes.
It was obvious. He wanted an invitation to join her. She was not going skating with this man. Just the way he looked at her spelled trouble. And if she weren’t careful, she’d find herself at the dance with him—and then what?
He spoke again before she had time to grab her skates, make excuses and scamper off. “Would you mind if I came along—only to watch, of course. I’m a skier not a skater.”
A mischievous idea flowered in her mind, and it was just too sweet to let go. A slow smile worked its way from her mouth to her eyes. If he agreed to her conditions, this would make an interesting morning. And cut his charm off at the knees.
“You can come along on one condition; that you join me on the ice—with a pair of skates.” That should stop him. Being a skier not a skater, he was bound to pass it up, and she wouldn’t have to worry about him anymore. She noticed a shift in his manner; his eyes twinkled and his face erupted into a wide grin.
God, now what?
In a flash, she had an inkling of what he was planning and quickly added, “The skates of course have to be on your feet.”
Ha, gotcha!
She pointed to his boots and tried to suppress a giggle while watching his face closely for any sign that he might think her request unfair. But there was nothing of the sort. He simply gave her a wicked look.
“You’re on,” Jack said, meeting the challenge.
Her heart behaved as if she were at a debut performance. Damn, he hadn’t wimped out as she’d expected. Skating was a difficult sport for the uninitiated, yet he’d embraced her dare with a sense of humour.
As soon as this is over
, she told herself firmly,
you’re putting an end to it. No more falling for his cheeky good looks
.
After collecting a pair of skates at the winter-sports hire shop, they strolled to Spruce Valley Pond. It occurred to Katherine, as they walked side by side, how attentive Jack was. She’d heard about men like him, the ones that shortened their stride for you, the ones that walked on the kerbside to protect you from passing cars and muddy splatters. The ones that drove all logic from your brain and had you in bed before you knew what you were doing. Her whole body stirred with feelings she couldn’t control—didn’t want—but found impossible to ignore. She took a deep breath to steady herself. The cold air hitting her lungs didn’t help control her nerves, as if on the edge of something, a cliff. She gave herself a mental slap and tried to focus on what lay ahead as they took a path through snow-laden firs.
The vista opened wide to reveal an icy pond, and a scene straight from a Christmas card. Colourful skaters skimmed across the ice to music floating out of speakers sitting on top of two light poles. Smoke rose from a chimney on a portable diner, where skaters recharged on hot chocolate and cinnamon doughnuts.
Katherine sat on a bench, tied her skates on and walked carefully onto the ice, gliding back and forth while she waited for Jack.
Finally, he had the laces on his skates tied but he didn’t join her. Instead, he reclined against the bench, legs stretched out, arms folded, and gazed at her.
Aha, he’s going to back out after all
. He was not the man she’d thought he was. Shame, it could have been fun.
She skated backwards in a wide arc, coming to a stop in front of him, head tilted and hands on hips. “If I remember correctly, I did say on the ice—but hey, if you’re worried!”
Slowly, Jack shook his head. “You drive a hard bargain.”
Reluctantly, he dragged his legs up under him and gingerly made his way through the snow to the edge of the iced pond. He managed to avoid falling on his bum, and wobbled to a rigid standstill.
He looked at Katherine and gave her a toothy grin. “I’m on the ice!” he announced triumphantly.
“Yes, I’m glad we didn’t have a protracted debate about that. I’m getting cold Mr Riley; you’ve kept your end of the bargain. I’ll be seeing you.” Taking off, she waved and called out, “Hope you find your girl.” She glanced over her shoulder and quickly clapped a gloved hand over her mouth to stop her laughter from echoing across the ice. Teetering on his blades, Jack struggled to keep his balance. She thought it unfair to take advantage of his lack of skill, and skated around the pond to make her way back towards him.
Jack’s head snapped left and right. She saw a flash of his “Oh crap” expression. Finding a soft place to land wasn’t going to happen. His arms windmilled. His torso swayed. He was about to crash.
Katherine increased her speed, racing to approach him from behind and grab his coat.