The second the outlandish idea shimmered into her consciousness out in the car, she’d known there could only be one outcome.
She’d end up sleeping with Hudson.
And she was looking forward to it way too much.
CHAPTER
25
The only picnics Heidi had been on in the past involved half the town, usually when celebrating the big holidays, and everyone would BYO plate and grog.
This twilight picnic with Jem at a secluded spot not far from Serenity Cove was nothing like that.
For starters, he’d lit a small campfire that provided illumination, warmth and a romantic ambience she hadn’t anticipated. He’d spread a blanket for them and as she unpacked the food, he poured them each a glass of merlot. As he handed her a glass, their fingers brushed and his lingered, sending heat streaking through her body that had nothing to do with the crackling flames.
If this was his idea of taking things slow, she was all for it.
‘To new friendships,’ he said, holding up his glass, and she parroted him, feeling like a teen on her first date when he leaned in to brush a kiss across her cheek.
‘What was that for?’ she blurted, immediately regretting spoiling the moment with her signature bluntness.
Rather than being offended, he smiled and reached up with his free hand to cup her cheek. ‘You look beautiful, and I wanted to show you how much I appreciate you being here with me.’
Heidi struggled not to gawp. Men today didn’t say stuff like that. At least, none of the males she knew.
Sensing her shock, he said, ‘Too much?’
‘While I like the sentiment, it sounded like a line out of a movie.’
He chuckled. ‘I’m not sure whether to be offended or not. Then again, I’m a few decades older than you so maybe I did hear it in some flick before you were born.’
While their age difference was a fact, she didn’t like hearing about it. Not because it mattered, but because she had trouble quelling her insecurities, the main one being ‘Am I good enough?’ Despite his flattery, Heidi had never been beautiful and she’d hazard a guess she had more wrinkles on her forehead than he did. So what was this charming, handsome man doing with someone like her?
Was it a pity date? A way to soothe her embarrassment after making a move on him and being rebuffed? Did he feel bad for her?
The mere thought made her want to run back to the car, but she was made of sterner stuff than that. She’d suss out the situation tonight and if she suspected this was anything other than two people getting to know each other, she’d distance herself from him before she made a bigger fool of herself than she already had.
‘This is a lovely spot,’ she said, relieved when he bought her distraction and nodded.
‘This was Christopher’s favourite spot when he deigned to visit Karly. And even after he died, I’d come here to do my best thinking.’
Heidi had heard the rumours about Jem’s wayward son, the wild life he’d led in Melbourne, and had joined in the town’s outrage when they learned Christopher and his partner Janie had abandoned their daughter and dumped Karlana on Jem to raise. But the townsfolk’s judgement had turned to sorrow when they heard of Christopher’s and Janie’s deaths and everyone had rallied around Jem and his young granddaughter.
‘Do you still miss him?’
‘Every damn day …’ He stared into the distance, towards the waves they could hear breaking on the shore. ‘I harboured so much anger when he left Karly behind and didn’t return. I couldn’t fathom it … we argued … then he was killed. He was only eighteen when he fathered Karly, practically a kid himself. That’s why I moved here in the first place, because Janie lived in Serenity and I knew Christopher wouldn’t step up to be the father he should be. I resented them both so much but being a part of Karly’s life made it worthwhile.’ He shook his head, sorrow accentuating the lines on his face and making him look every one of his sixty-nine years. ‘Their deaths were so pointless, young people doing stupid things at twenty …’
Sadness mixed with regret deepened his voice and she hesitated, wanting to hug him but unsure whether he’d welcome it. She wanted to ask more because no-one knew what had happened to Christopher and Janie. Sure, there’d been speculation, but Heidi never listened to rumours.
‘I’m sorry you had to go through that,’ she said, settling for a simple heartfelt apology.
‘Worst time of my life, but I had Karly and I had to be strong for her.’
His pragmatism was admirable but she could see how badly the memories affected him by the way his fingers dug into the sand. The veins on his forearms stood out and she noticed that his hands were the only true indication of his age. The beginnings of translucent, crepe-like skin.
On impulse, she reached out and covered one of his hands with hers, offering whatever silent comfort she could, relieved when his turned over and their fingers intertwined.
‘This is nice,’ he said, squeezing her hand, and her soft sigh echoed his sentiment. ‘You’re easy to talk to.’