Page 2 of The Talk Around Town
Emma nodded vaguely in the direction he’d indicated. “I’ve looked at the area map a few times this week. Just to try and get my bearings. It’s so lovely here. Why only part time for your practice?”
“I’m scaling back. Once my herd is at optimum numbers, I intend to only be a large-animal practice, since Vi is in town and looks after a lot of the pets already. The cattle are taking up more and more time.” He shrugged.
“That makes sense. I don’t know so much about the cows though. They’re a bit scary.”
Gabe let out a surprised laugh. “Scary? Nah, they’re just big ole steaks on legs. Pretty harmless really. Unless you get in the way of a bull.”
Emma’s smile widened. “Steaks on legs? I like that. But yes, now you know my secret fear. Cows. They’re just so big. They’re a little intimidating.”
Gabe shoved a hand through his collar-length black hair. “Once you get to know them, they’re all right. You should come out one day once you’re all settled in and I’ll introduce you to some. You’ll see they’re not so bad.”
Damn!Had he really just invited her out to his place? That was the last thing he wanted her to do. His brain was having a hard time keeping up with his mouth around her.
Emma looked surprised. “Thanks. I’ll think about it. So, what exactly is my house’s problem?”
Gabe glanced at Emma again. Harry thought he was helping the girl by being a good neighbour. Gabe wished he hadn’t. She was too pretty for her own good and too darn distracting. He didn’t need to be distracted.
“Your pipes are rusted out.”
Emma grimaced. “I figured as much. I suppose that’s what you get for buying an old house on the internet. I bought it on impulse. The estate agent said it had no termites or major structural damage—I didn’t think to get a building inspection done.”
She turned to Gabe, and the deep blue of her eyes hit him sharp in the belly. He edged toward his ute, torn between needing to be away from her and the unwanted feelings she seemed to stir up, and wanting to bask in them at the same time. For heaven’s sake, he’d only seen her twice and already his body was reacting like a teenager’s. It couldn’t be good for his health.
“The internet, huh? Seems a strange way to buy a house, from another state and all. But I suppose it was easier than having to come all this way just to see it. An inspection probably wouldn’t have shown up the problem with the pipes, unless they turned on the taps and it burst while they were there.”
Emma went to answer him, but her eyes narrowed when she glanced over at her driveway.
Gabe looked over and groaned out loud.
A light-blue, late-model sedan pulled up in front of them. Gabe shook his head. This was going to be hell.
The driver’s door opened and a slim young woman stepped out onto the gravel drive. She picked up a cake platter, bounced the car door shut with her hip and smiled broadly in their direction. She looked athim, the questions in her grey eyes obvious.
Grey eyes just like his.
The woman walked the few steps to Emma and held out a hand, balancing the cake on one arm.
“Hi, I’m Darby Jameson. I thought it was about time someone welcomed you to Kurrajong Crossing. But I see I’ve been beaten to it.” She sent a pointed glance in his direction. “You’ve met my brother?”
Emma smiled and sent a surprised look to him.
“Apparently so.” Emma looked back to Darby and took her hand. “Thank you. Would you like to come in?” She stepped back, making room for Darby to follow her up the steps.
“Love to.” Darby looked at Gabe. “You coming too?”
Gabe shifted to his other foot and shook his head. “No. I was just on my way out.” He flicked his gaze back to Emma, who stood a couple of steps above him. “Nice to meet you, lady… I mean, Emma. I’ll see you around. You let me know if that pipe acts up again before Monday, okay?”
Emma nodded. “Thanks so much for coming. I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t.”
Gabe placed his toolbox onto the back seat of his ute and looked back up at her, his hand on the door handle. “No problem. See you, Darb.”
He slid into his ute, not waiting for an answer. She’d be in his ear later anyway, and he needed to get out of there before he changed his mind and stayed for some of that cake. He didn’t want his twin noticing how much that woman had affected him in such a short space of time.
And notice she would, if he stayed one minute longer.
Chapter Two
Emma held thedoor open then followed Darby into the house, leading the way after Darby stopped in the entry. She glanced over her shoulder at her guest.