“Hi Tasha.” She hugged her then added, “Shall we get you lot all settled in?” She led the way to the guest rooms she’d prepared for Dan and Pippa.
Tasha left her siblings to settle in and began to unpack in her own room. She wondered what the hell Jim was up to with Mickie and shuddered at the possibilities, but then reminded herself that they were friends, like her and Gerry, although since their final goodbye she and Gerry had put any thoughts of unfinished business behind them. She had been surprised that there were no sparks between them and the idea of the kiss becoming anymore hadn’t entered her head at all. Maybe that’s what Jim was doing with Mickie, but there would be sparks, sparks of pyrotechnic proportions, for Mickie if not Jim.
“Shit!” she said simply as she put her case in the walk in wardrobe before dropping down onto the bed, this really was not the welcome home she’d imagined or hoped for.
She looked down at her phone and sighed at Jim’s message.
“I bet you bloody would.” Her mind filled with confusion before her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door followed by Juan appearing.
“You good?” Before she replied he answered his own question, “Of course you’re not. You were expecting Jim to collect you from the airport.”
Tasha nodded. “I’m fine though. It’s not the end of the world, is it?”
“No, but you seem very upset by him not being there or here,” observed Juan.
“I’m not upset that he didn’t pick us up or that he isn’t here yet. It’s more a case of where he is.”
“So where is Jim?” asked Juan nervously.
“With Mickie.” A wobble threatened her speech now.
“Mickie? Why? She is such a bitch!” spat Juan.
“You don’t like her?” asked Tasha curiously.
“Hate might be nearer to what I feel towards her.” For the first time since they’d first met Juan sounded genuinely angry.
“Why?” Tasha’s interest was piqued now.
“Long story. Let’s do lunch, soon and I’ll bring you up to speed on Mickie. But why is Jim with her and not you?”
“I don’t know, not a clue, but I intend to find out,” she said firmly.
Chapter 23
Suddenly Philip burst in on them, “Daddy’s home,” he cried melodramatically as he left them again making Tasha and Juan laugh at his excitement even though Philip was not the one who had just returned home from overseas.
“Now’s your chance,” observed Juan warily.
Tasha and Juan were the last two to arrive downstairs in the family room. Lizzie looked as though she was physically attached to Jim who had just released Dan’s hand and was in the throes of hugging a very uncomfortable looking Pippa who Philip was just about to rescue.
“Where’s Tasha?” Jim asked before looking up and seeing her in the doorway.
“Scratch that.” He freed himself from Lizzie’s grip and moved to where Tasha stood and pulled her to him.
She looked up at him and as much as she wanted to demand to know what was going on, she said nothing. Jim ran his fingers through her hair and tilted her head up so that she was looking into his eyes.
“Hello,” he said darkly.
“Hello,” she almost stammered in response as his lips lowered towards hers.
“Dear God, get a room!” cried Lizzie.
“Lizzie, please don’t encourage them or they may never leave their room,” said Philip seriously to the other’s amusement.
Tasha looked across at her siblings first. “Sorry.”
