Falling for Mr. Mysterious Read online

  Jude was much more relaxed and smiling as he listened to her, and his questions about his nieces and nephew revealed genuine interest rather than mere politeness.

  Emily told him about her walk through the Noosa National Park, how she’d seen porpoises and an eagle.

  ‘A white-breasted sea eagle?’

  ‘Probably. I’m not great on identification, but it was certainly white and it was beautiful. I decided it was a good omen.’

  ‘I’m sure it was,’ said Charlotte warmly, but Jude made no comment.

  ‘I’ve also had a brilliant idea for an online business,’ Emily said, too excited to keep this news to herself.

  Jude turned to her, clearly interested. ‘Come on, tell us.’

  ‘The idea hit me yesterday while I was watching mothers and children playing on the beach—’

  ‘Well, what’s this?’ interrupted a voice from the doorway. ‘The Jude Marlowe fan club?’

  Emily turned as yet another young woman entered the room. Tall as a model, and wearing a neat navy trouser suit, she wore her dark hair pulled back from her intelligently attractive face. Emily instantly recognised her as the woman in the photo at Jude’s place—Dr Keira Arnold.

  Keira didn’t wait for Jude’s introduction. ‘I’m guessing you must be Emily,’ she said, breezing into the room. ‘I’m Keira. We met over the phone.’

  As she shook Emily’s hand she let her keen dark gaze linger for a shade too long, as if she were sizing her up. Then she turned to Jude, smiling.

  ‘Move over,’ she ordered him and she sat on his bed, nudging his legs with her bottom, very much at ease.

  Emily hung on to her smile—just—and she thought she heard a small huff that might have been reproach from Jude’s sister. Shooting a quick glance Charlotte’s way, she caught her fleeting raised-eyebrow look of sympathy.

  Apparently she had an ally, which was interesting. Grateful for small mercies, Emily took a deep breath and secured her smile more firmly. But there was an awkward atmosphere in the room now that hadn’t been there before.

  ‘Emily was telling us about a new business idea,’ Charlotte told Keira.

  ‘Oh? Do tell…’

  ‘It’s OK,’ Emily said uneasily. ‘I can fill Jude in with the details some other time.’

  Similarly, Charlotte’s chatter about her family seemed to have dried up and Jude, for his part, looked tired.

  Their conversation was reduced to unexciting small talk about the traffic on the freeway, the length of Charlotte’s stay in Brisbane and the weather. After less than five minutes, Charlotte looked at her watch, then jumped to her feet.

  ‘If you’ll excuse me, I really must hurry to make a phone call. I’ve just remembered something I need to remind my babysitter about.’ She kissed Jude and gave him a gentle hug. ‘See you later, big brother.’

  She sent Emily a warm smile. ‘Lovely to meet you.’ Impulsively, she gave Emily a hug, too. ‘I might not see you again before I leave tomorrow, so let me thank you now for taking such great care of Jude.’

  Surprised, Emily wondered what Jude had told his sister. Judging by Keira’s dark expression, she may have been pondering the same question.

  After Charlotte left, the conversation might have become really awkward if Jude hadn’t yawned.

  Emily took this as her cue. ‘You need to rest, Jude, and I should be on my way. Granny Silver is probably ready and waiting for me.’

  Jude smiled. ‘How is Granny?’

  ‘As sprightly as ever. She sends her best wishes.’

  This time, when she kissed Jude’s cheek, she was uncomfortably aware of Keira watching them.

  ‘Take care,’ she told him softly.

  ‘You, too,’ Jude murmured.

  Before she could draw away, his hand closed around her wrist, holding her close to him. His lips brushed her cheek again in a deliberate unhurried caress. ‘Thanks for coming,’ he murmured. ‘You’re a breath of fresh air.’

  It was ridiculous that such brief, sweet contact with him could set Emily’s skin flaming. Unfortunately, the knowledge that she was being watched by his ex made the flames even hotter.

  Gamely, she flashed Keira a brilliant smile. ‘Bye, and nice to meet you.’

  Outside in the hallway, she let out her breath in a whoosh of relief. Visiting Jude had been so much harder than she’d expected.

  His remoteness had been disconcerting, but she’d also been puzzled by his relationship with Keira Arnold. What was this woman’s role, exactly? Control freak, or extremely close and caring friend?

  Or was she still in love with Jude?

  ‘Emily?’

  Keira’s voice sounded behind her. Talk of the devil. Emily took a quick breath before she turned.

  ‘Can I have a word?’ the doctor asked.

  Emily gulped. What was this about? She smiled. ‘Yes, of course.’

  ‘We can talk in here.’ Keira pushed open a door, revealing a small, surprisingly empty sitting room with vinyl seats, a rack of tattered magazines and a coffee machine in the corner.

  Emily’s stomach tightened. Why the seclusion? Was Keira going to grill her about her connection to Jude? Would she quiz her about the fake engagement?

  ‘Would you like a coffee?’ Keira asked.

  Emily shook her head. ‘I don’t have long. My grandmother’s waiting.’

  ‘Of course.’ Keira sat, crossing her long athletic legs, and she indicated for Emily to take a chair opposite. ‘This won’t take a moment, but I wanted to talk to you about Jude’s recovery.’

  Instantly alarmed, Emily sat forward. ‘Is there a problem? He’ll be OK, won’t he?’

  ‘Physically, he’s on track to make a fine recovery,’ Keira began with a watchful smile. ‘It would help, though, if he didn’t feel compelled to play the tough guy. In the Army, I deal with men like Jude all the time. They keep their problems, particularly their medical problems, to themselves. It’s part of the masculine thing. To bottle it up.’

  Emily nodded, and wondered again where this was leading.

  ‘Believe me,’ Keira continued, ‘I’ve seen a lot of hardened men serving in dangerous situations and it’s the guys who play it cool who often suffer the greatest emotional pain when they’re suddenly helpless. They hate to lose control.’

  ‘I know Jude’s very worried about his eyesight.’

  ‘Of course he is. The risk of going blind is a huge deal for him. It would be for anyone.’

  ‘Is there still a risk?’ Emily pressed her hands over the sudden painful ache in her chest.

  ‘To be honest, I don’t think there’s a huge risk now. His vision’s still very blurry, but that should settle down, if he takes it easy. I see my role as trying to keep him calm, which is important.’

  With a self-satisfied smile, Keira said, ‘I’m just so glad I took leave this week. I usually stay at Jude’s mountain retreat, clearing my head in the fresh air and the rainforest, but I’m so pleased I can keep a professional eye on him now. I don’t have to be back with my unit for another ten days.’

  Ten days?

  Just in time, Emily stifled a gasp of dismay. ‘I thought he’d be out of hospital in a day or two.’

  ‘He will, but he’ll need ongoing professional care.’

  Emily had planned to do any necessary caring. She could stay on at Alex’s apartment for at least another week, and she’d imagined cooking for Jude and possibly reading the paper to him until his vision cleared. She could take him to the park and they’d go for walks together. Each day they’d walk a little further and he’d grow stronger.

  ‘My plan,’ said Keira, ‘is to get him out of hospital as soon as possible. I’ve already spoken to his surgeon and he agrees that Jude wil
l do much better in familiar surroundings. The mountain is a bit isolated in terms of any post-op problems, though, so I think your cousin’s place is the best option. I’ll stay on until things have fully stabilised.’

  But there are only two bedrooms in Alex’s apartment.

  ‘I’m used to kipping down on stretchers,’ Keira added, as if she’d already guessed the direction of Emily’s thoughts. ‘I’ll monitor the severity of Jude’s headaches and make sure that he either wears his dark glasses or stays in a semi-darkened room.’

  These tasks didn’t sound particularly difficult to Emily, certainly not matters that required the skills of a fully qualified Army surgeon. But if she questioned Keira’s generous offer, she would imply that she hadn’t Jude’s best interests at heart.

  She tried to imagine staying on in Alex’s apartment while Keira set up camp on a stretcher in the living room. Keira would be constantly caring for Jude. Keira would always be there as a buffer between herself and Jude.

  It was selfish of her to resent this, of course. She knew Jude should have the best possible medical supervision—and she’d known all along that her future with Jude was unclear at best.

  If only he hadn’t grasped her wrist and kissed her as she’d said goodbye. There’d been something so very intimate in the heat of his handgrip and the brush of his lips, almost as if he’d been staking a claim. In front of Keira.

  Walking away from him had been so painful.

  But how much worse would it be to try to hang around like a fifth wheel, becoming more and more aware each day that she wasn’t really wanted?

  ‘You shouldn’t have to camp on a stretcher,’ she told Keira, covering her disappointment with a tremulous smile. ‘I’ll move my things out so you can be comfortable.’

  The other woman frowned. ‘But where will you go?’

  Emily hesitated. She wasn’t ready to go home to Wandabilla yet. ‘I can stay on at my grandmother’s at Sunshine Beach.’

  ‘The beach? Lucky you.’ Keira couldn’t quite hide the flash of triumph in her eyes. ‘That’s perfect then, isn’t it?’

  CHAPTER TEN

  JUDE dropped his overnight bag in his bedroom, set his laptop on the desk, but left it unopened. His eyes were gradually improving, thank goodness, but it would be a while yet before he was reading a computer screen.

  Just the same, he was relieved to be back in the apartment, the next best thing to his own home.

  He went to the kitchen, which seemed strangely empty without Emily. Not that he thought of her as a ‘kitchen’ kind of woman, but they’d had some great times in here, just hanging out, preparing meals, eating, washing up.

  As he continued on to the living room, he realised the whole damn apartment felt empty without Emily.

  He wondered where Keira had got to. No doubt he should offer her tea or coffee before she headed off.

  To his surprise, he heard noises coming from Alex’s bedroom. He headed down the hall, turning at the doorway, remembering the last time he’d been in this room. In bed with Emily.

  Now, the white sheets that he and Emily had tangled in were in a heap on the floor, and Keira was smoothing a new navy-blue sheet over the king-size mattress.

  ‘I didn’t expect you to start on the laundry,’ Jude said, surprised.

  Keira shrugged and pulled a coy face. ‘Call me fussy, but I like clean sheets.’

  ‘You like them?’ Jude frowned at her. ‘I’m sorry. Have I missed something? You’re not planning to stay here, are you?’

  ‘Naturally, Jude. How else can I look after you?’

  ‘I don’t need looking after.’

  ‘Don’t be stubborn. Of course you do. You’re just out of hospital.’

  Jude scowled. How had he not seen this possibility? Why hadn’t he guessed that Keira would be in her element when a man was in a weakened state?

  He suppressed a sigh, which she might have interpreted as tiredness. ‘I’ve been released from hospital because I’m fine, Keira. I’ve been told what to watch for. I have a phone if I need help. Apart from that, I can manage just as I always have. On my own.’

  ‘But why put yourself to all that trouble when I’m perfectly willing to help?’

  Jude knew there was no point in repeating the obvious—that he didn’t need help. It would only lead to an argument and that was the last thing he wanted today.

  Just the same, he didn’t want Keira supervising his every move, taking his blood pressure half a dozen times a day, asking questions about his headaches or the colour of his urine, for crying out loud.

  More to the point, if Keira was moving into this room, where would Emily sleep?

  Jude’s frown deepened. ‘It’s a bit rich of you to move in before I check with Emily.’

  ‘Oh, that’s not a problem. I sorted it with her.’ Keira smiled at him as she stuffed a pillow into a navy-blue case.

  ‘Sorted? How?’

  ‘We had a nice little chat yesterday, at the hospital.’

  That was quick work. Jude’s temper stirred. Why hadn’t he been included in this discussion?

  Keira stuffed another pillow into its case and set it neatly on the bed.

  Jude watched her with mounting irritation. ‘I assumed you were dropping me off here and then heading on to Mount Tamborine.’

  ‘Good heavens, no. I couldn’t desert you, Jude. You’re more important than my recreation.’

  ‘Now hang on. I’ve already told you I don’t need a nurse. I certainly don’t need you to give up your precious leave from Afghanistan. You know the mountains clear your head and get you centred again.’

  At any rate, that was the line Keira had always spun him.

  Truth was, he didn’t want her here now. He didn’t want any woman fussing over him. That was why he’d sent Emily away. He needed to deal with this recovery on his own, and he didn’t want to see anyone until he felt confident within himself that he was going to be OK.

  Now, without warning, a wave of dizziness made him sway a little. He gripped the doorframe, hoping Keira didn’t notice.

  ‘Listen,’ he told her, ‘I don’t want to be rude, or to sound unappreciative of your efforts, but I’d like to have a little time on my own.’

  The bed was made now and Keira was bundling up the dirty linen—the linen Jude and Emily had slept in. He wondered if she’d guessed.

  ‘I think you’re being very foolish, Jude. Stubborn and foolish. I’m sure Dr Stanley wouldn’t approve.’

  ‘First sign of a problem, I’ll be in touch with Stanley.’

  Keira stood clutching the sheets against her stomach, lips clamped together in a scowl. She was making it clear that she thought he was crazy. ‘Are you certain?’

  ‘Absolutely.’

  ‘Then be it on your head,’ she said in a tight, hurt voice and, letting the sheets drop to the floor, she pushed past him out of the room.

  In the hallway, she whirled around to send him a parting scowl. ‘There’s something you should realise, Jude Marlowe. This need of yours to hide your imperfections is not a strength. It’s a failing.’

  Jude sighed. All he’d wanted was a little peace and quiet.

  * * *

  With an overnight bag in one hand and a heavy supermarket bag in the other, Emily climbed the stairs to the apartment.

  She’d changed her mind about retreating to her grandmother’s place and letting Keira Arnold take over caring for Jude, and she’d switched tack for two very good reasons. First—Jude, in his weakened state, might actually need shielding from Keira’s bossiness. Second—staying away was wimpy, passive behaviour.

  Emily was tired of being a loser in love.

  Ever since her teens, she’d been hoping that love would fall int
o her lap, the way it had apparently done for her parents and her brother. Finally—and yes, finding the nerve to try that striptease had helped—she was beginning to understand that love wasn’t a gift that arrived from above. It required a little risk-taking. Winning took courage.

  She certainly needed courage now. Coming hot on the heels of her break-up, she hadn’t wanted to believe she might be in love again so soon. But she loved Jude with a depth she’d never experienced before. She felt truly connected to him on so many levels.

  Just two weeks with him had shown her how totally superficial her previous relationships had been. Now she believed she could be best mates with Jude as well as his lover. It was exactly the kind of relationship her parents had, and it was too special to let slip away.

  This time she was determined to win.

  She straightened her shoulders as she reached the top of the steps, but had to take a step back when the apartment’s door flew open and a women’s figure stormed out, letting the door slam behind her.

  Keira Arnold glared at Emily. ‘What are you doing here?’

  Emily’s stomach clenched. ‘I changed my mind.’ It sounded hopelessly lame. Not a good start. She held up the supermarket bag. ‘I’ll take care of the cooking. It’s not exactly Jude’s forte.’

  ‘Jude’s forte is pigheadedness,’ Keira spat. ‘Watch out.’

  Then she rushed down the steps, pushing past Emily so roughly that her large shoulder bag banged against her, knocking the shopping bag to the floor. Apples spilled from the bag and bounced down the concrete steps. A packet split, seeping white flour.

  ‘Bloody hell,’ groaned Keira.

  She didn’t apologise, but she did chase after the apples and dump them into the bag, while Emily did her best to seal up the flour packet.

  ‘They’re not too bruised,’ Keira said, referring to the apples. She cocked her head towards the door. ‘Good luck in there, but I don’t like your chances.’

  Open-mouthed with surprise, Emily watched as she hurried down the steps and disappeared into the car park.