Gage made his way as fast as he could to collect his prize pig. By the time he reached Tamara, she was closing the van doors.
‘Typical man, turning up when all the work is done.’ She glanced back over her shoulder and all the colour drained from her face. ‘Tell me you didn’t buy that?’
‘Nah, they let me bring it out for a minute so you could stroke it.’
‘Very funny.’
‘I thought the shop needed a lucky mascot.’
‘A bloody expensive one. How much did you pay for it? Or don’t I even want to know?’
He blurted out the truth before he could think better of it.
‘You have lost your mind.’
Gage shrugged. ‘I’d say it’s the opposite.’
‘But that’s money you could really use for other things. Like paying the sky-high electric bill in a few months?’ Her ribbing didn’t dent his wicked grin.
‘Don’t you love it, though? What’re we going to call her?’
‘Why’re you so sure it’s a her?’
‘Look at that face. It’s obvious.’
‘If you say so.’
‘It needs to be something literary.’ Gage frowned, deep in thought.
‘I don’t always choose one straightaway. Sometimes, I wait and get to know them first. It’s a bit like having a baby, or at least it was in my case. Fred had zero interest, so I picked the name George. But when they placed Toby in my arms, I knew he wasn’t a George. After about ten days, it fell into place and he was Toby from then on. Does that sound mad?’
Gage shrugged. ‘I wouldn’t know.’
‘I’ve never thought to ask if you’re married or whatever?’ She gave a nervous laugh. ‘I suppose I should’ve done before we kissed.’
‘I was married once, but it didn’t last long. I don’t mention it because it’s not important to me any longer. Before now it’s not really mattered.’ His heart thudded, waiting for her response.
‘Did you have any kids with your ex-wife? I assume that would’ve mattered enough for you to tell me.’
Gage didn’t blame her for either the pointedness or the questions, but he couldn’t help being pissed off. It was a touchy subject for him, but she couldn’t know that. ‘Time we got going, isn’t it?’
‘I don’t get an answer?’
‘I don’t have kids, okay?’ Gage swung away from her, almost losing his balance in the process. If he dropped the pig, that really would be the end.
Chapter Fourteen
Gage watched Tamara across the crowded shop. This should be one of the happiest days of his life, but a pall of guilt hung over him.
He’d been blown away this morning when she’d come downstairs wearing a dark-navy over-the-knee dress closely following every one of her luscious curves, her hair swept back in a fashionably messy bun and enough make-up to enhance her natural beauty without being what he called shouty. No one seeing her rest her hand on his arm earlier and smiling broadly at all the people piling in — an interesting mixture of serious booklovers and the curious — would guess they were at odds. Apart from working together to get the shop ready and discussing the business details surrounding today’s launch, they hadn’t spoken to each other for three days. Quite an achievement for two people sharing a house. First thing this morning, he brought out the Wemyss pig and set it at one end of the counter, hoping to use it as a peace offering. But she only broke her silence to say it wasn’t safe there and would be knocked over. Dutifully he returned it to the storeroom out of sight.
She’d asked a perfectly understandable question at the auction about his relationship status and whether or not he had children. His overreaction had been appalling. That silent drive home from Tintagel had seemed interminable, and they’d barely grunted to each other as they’d unloaded the van — correction —she’dunloaded the van. Even deciding where to place the new furniture around the shop had been accomplished by a series of grunts and nods. A few of the chairs were arranged in companionable groups, and the rest were dotted where people could sit and read in peace. The fact that most of the upholstery had seen better days and much of the wood was scratchedand scuffed added to the general impression of comfort and homeliness.
‘You’ve done a fine job, Mr Bennet, and I hope it’ll be a huge success.’ Evelyn stationed herself in front of him. ‘I don’t know what you’ve said or done to upset Tamara, but remember she has a lot of friends here.’
Now he knew how her old pupils must’ve felt when she’d torn them off a strip. Gage didn’t try to defend himself and watched her leave with a heavy heart.
Out of nowhere, someone gave him a hearty slap on the back. ‘Wotcha, Prof, you’ve done good.’ Taff Morgan stood there grinning like a loon. ‘Perhaps you’ll prove me wrong after all. Who are the bunch of geeky-looking chaps in the corner?’
