CHAPTER FOUR

      FROM his position in the corridor just outside the hospital cafeteria, Tom watched Kayla through the glass window and listened with half an ear to his sister’s plans for the coming weekend. Kayla turned from the counter and threaded her way through the tables.

      ‘Tom!’

      ‘What?’ He looked down at his sister’s indignant features.

      ‘You haven’t heard a thing I’ve said, have you?’

      He arched an eyebrow. ‘Mum’s still jet-lagged after travelling back from England on Tuesday and you’re concerned about her overdoing it at the barbecue on Saturday night,’ he said smugly and glanced back into the cafeteria as he spoke. Kayla had selected a seat by the window. ‘You’ve arranged for Dad to get the meat and everyone else to bring salads and sweets.’ He looked back at Charlotte, who gave him a narrow-eyed glare. ‘Am I right?’

      ‘Do you know how irritating it is when you can do that?’

      ‘What? Prove I’ve been listening?’

      ‘Mmm.’ She craned her neck to look into the cafeteria. Tom had an overwhelming urge to block her line of sight to Kayla. ‘What’s so interesting anyway?’

      He was saved from answering by the piercing beep of Charlotte’s pager. ‘Damn. Got to run. See you on Saturday night, then.’

      ‘Sure thing.’

      Thankful for the narrow escape, he pushed open the door and headed towards Kayla. A moment later, her head came up, eyes darting around the room as though she’d sensed imminent danger. No mistaking the dismay on her face as her gaze settled on him. He suppressed a sigh. Nothing had changed—he was a sucker for punishment. Continuing towards her, he set his mouth in a grim smile. Her instinctive intention to bolt was plain. He wondered for a moment if he’d get some early cutting practice for the weekend camp draft—perversely, the thought made his smile broaden. Kayla sank back in her chair—he could practically see each muscle relax as she realised that flight was not an option.

      She’d managed to avoid him for a couple of days, once in the supermarket and the other time at the library. And she hadn’t returned the message he’d left her but that wasn’t a surprise because he’d made it clear the message was private, not official. Perhaps he’d have to resort to something official to get a response.

      A roadworthy check, a breathalyser set up outside the hospital just for a chance to talk to her. She was reducing him to a sad state.

      But not today.

      He tightened his grip on the bag he carried. Today, he had a cast-iron reason to see her. And plenty of time, too, since he knew she’d only just started her lunch break.

      He stopped beside her table. ‘Kayla.’

      ‘Sergeant.’

      He let that slide as he pulled out the chair on the diagonal from her and sat down, setting the bag on the floor. ‘You’re a hard woman to pin down.’

      Her brows arched over darkly lashed grey eyes. ‘I wasn’t aware that I needed pinning.’

      A glorious procession of X-rated images sprang unhelpfully into his mind and he could feel an unfamiliar warmth mushrooming in his face.

      Hell, he was blushing.

      He never blushed.

      ‘You don’t…er…need pinning.’ He coughed to clear the huskiness from his vocal cords, all the while aware of her faintly perplexed expression. ‘I’ve been trying to catch up with you.’

      ‘I know. I got your message but it didn’t seem urgent. Is there a problem with my statement about the accident?’

      ‘Nope. No problem with that.’

      ‘Good.’ Her soft mouth pursed briefly and then she made a production of looking at her watch. ‘I really should be getting…’

      She trailed off as the cafeteria owner slipped a plate in front of her and then a cup of coffee. Tom stifled an urge to laugh at the comical look of guilt on her face.

      ‘Hey, Tom,’ said the woman with a smile. ‘Can I get you anything?’

      ‘A coffee would be great.’

      ‘Black, no sugar, coming right up.’

      He turned back to look at Kayla. ‘Tsk, don’t you know it’s bad form to lie to a policeman?’

      A strange spasm crossed her face. Pain? Then she lowered her eyes. ‘Yeah, I do, as it happens.’

      His interest sharpened but he left the questions unasked. Instead, he filed her response away with all the other things he wanted to know about her.

      ‘I’ll let you off this time.’

      ‘Gee, thanks.’ The sarcasm was unmistakeable as she lifted her eyes back to his.

      He frowned and let his gaze roam over her face, watched with interest as she fidgeted and a tinge of pink crept into her cheeks. ‘You know, if I was a suspicious man, I’d think you were avoiding me.’

      She tilted her head to give him a considering look. The corner of her mouth crimped for a moment and then she said, ‘You’re a policeman. Suspicion is in your job description.’

      ‘Okay. Good point,’ he said, biting back the laugh that threatened. She had a quick wit and he was damned if bandying words with her wasn’t wickedly good fun. Hoping to provoke another exchange, he reached over and snagged a chip off her plate. ‘Eat up. Don’t mind me, I’ve already eaten.’

      ‘Not enough by the look of it,’ she said as he blew on the chip.

      ‘Always room for a chip or two.’ He popped it in his mouth.

      ‘In that case, do feel free to help yourself,’ she said, her tone withering as she picked up her knife and fork.

      He grinned and grabbed another. ‘I hear you’re going to the camp draft this weekend.’

      She narrowed her eyes at him. ‘Yes. I am.’ She sounded reluctant to part with the details.

      ‘With Liz and Jack?’

      ‘Yes.’

      ‘Looking forward to it?’ he said, making a mental note to check with Jack to see if they intended to stay out at the grounds over the weekend. They did usually but with Liz being pregnant they might opt for the comfort of home and just drive out during the day.

      ‘I’m sure it’ll be interesting.’ She pushed the grilled fish around on her plate then cut a small portion off the end. ‘What was it you wanted to see me about? ‘

      ‘I’ve got some gear for you from Penny. Boots and a hat.’

      ‘Oh. I was going to pick it up from her tonight.’

       He shrugged. ‘I was coming this way so I offered to drop it off to you.’ Which was a long way from the truth. He’d practically had to prise the bag out of his confused constable’s fingers.

      ‘Thanks.’ She laid the knife and fork on her plate.

      ‘My pleasure.’ He looked at her substantially untouched food and frowned. ‘Not hungry? You should eat more. There’s nothing of you.’

      More colour flooded into her cheeks and the grey eyes sparkled with irritation. ‘Thank you for that professional assessment, Sergeant.’

      ‘Tom. And it’s not a complaint. What there is of you is a very nice package.’ He knew he was out of line but something about seeing her mouth open in a perfect oval of outrage was irresistible. Baiting her like this was probably doing little to help his cause, but he couldn’t seem to help himself. ‘I