Calamity Jena (Invertary Book 4) (21 page)

Jena spat her tea. “You’re related to the Queen? The real one? The one in Buckingham Palace?”

Abby waved the questions away as though they were nothing but hot air. “Distant cousin. It’s not like we pop down for holidays. It’s no big deal. The Queen is related to half of England.”

Jena wasn’t convinced. If she was related to the Queen, however distantly, she’d get a T-shirt printed so everyone knew. Maybe even invest in a tiara. “You know, Abby McKenzie, you are really good at keeping secrets.”

“Isn’t that good for you, because if I wasn’t I’d tell everyone you and Matt were getting it on.”

“We are not!” Well, not really.

“Why not? He’s gorgeous. Single. Honest. Fairly intelligent—when he’s not being a sexist fool. Although I’ve often thought that most of the offensive things he says are deliberately spoken to get a reaction. He does love to wind people up. Especially the twins.”

Jena reached for another scone as Abby topped up her teacup. The memory of Matt’s kiss derailed her thought process. She could still feel him on her lips. Still taste him. Thinking about the kiss made her think about the way he’d held her in the hardware store. Which led to a full-colour replay of their time in the kitchen. She shivered. The man oozed sex appeal. It flowed from him like a waterfall. It was impossible to get close to him and not get a little wet.

“I’m not dating Matt. You can ask him. He’d tell you.” She had no idea what she was doing with Matt, but it definitely wasn’t dating. “We’re not talking about this,” she told Abby.

Abby huffed. “We never talk about the good stuff.”

“Yeah, that’s because there isn’t any. You don’t have a love life and I am a serial first dater.”

“True.” Abby smiled, her eyes gentle with compassion. “What are you going to do about your mum?”

“I’m thinking of hiding from her until she goes back to America. That’s the tactic I’m using with Frank. It’s a one-size-fits-all plan.”

Matt saved her from Abby’s lecture by sauntering into the room. “Josh has been duly warned. I told him your mother isn’t hard to miss—she looks like a blonde version of Chrissie Hynde. What’s with all that eyeliner, anyway?”

Jena ignored him. Not that he was expecting an answer. Her mother was forgotten now he had the rest of the scones in front of him.

“What do you need my input on, then?” he asked Abby as he filled his plate.

Abby looked at Katy nervously. The little girl was busy making a picture with crayons and glitter. She didn’t care what the grown-ups were talking about.

“I think someone’s been messing with things around the property.”

Matt was instantly alert. The food was forgotten. “Messed with in what way?”

Abby shrugged, but it was clearly forced. “It’s probably nothing. Things aren’t where I put them. Some things have gone completely missing.” She picked at a speck on the tablecloth. “I hear noises in the back of the mine, behind the mushroom farm. It was closed up when we moved in here—there shouldn’t be anything in there to make a noise.”

“When you say things are being moved, what do you mean?” Matt studied her intently.

Abby waved a hand as she gave a little laugh. “Katy’s bike was outside the back door, and then I found it down by the stream. The boxes I put out for recycling disappeared. I can’t find them anywhere. Things like that. Silly things.” Her grey eyes blinked at Matt. “I’m worried I’m moving things and can’t remember. I get tired. Although I can’t figure out why I’d take Katy’s bike down to the stream. I feel like I’m losing my mind.”

Matt’s eyes were sharp. “Do you have an alarm for this place?”

Abby nodded. “David had one put in shortly before his illness.”

“I’ll get Lake out to check on it. It wouldn’t hurt to have him look over your house. Make sure everything’s being done to make it secure.”

“I’m probably making a fuss about nothing. I mean, why would anyone move Katy’s bike?” She nodded as though coming to a decision. “I’m sorry I called you, Matt. I’m sure this is just my imagination and bad memory.”

“Better safe than sorry, Abby. Trust me, talking to you about your worries beats dealing with Morag’s missing cat.” He smiled at her. Jena knew it was supposed to be reassuring, but his eyes showed concern. “What about your employees? Would any of them play around like this?”

Abby shook her head. “You know the people who work for me. I have three retirement-age worker who come in part-time to help with the mushrooms. I don’t see them moving my things. They’re more interested in gossiping and swapping mushroom recipes.”

“I’ll have a chat with them anyway. We’ll get Magenta in to look at the mine as well.”

“Didn’t you do that already?” Jena said.

Abby gave her a sheepish look. “I meant to. I forgot.”

More like she didn’t want to bother Magenta with her worries.

“Now,” Matt said, “enough of this. We’ll sort it out. You got any more scones? Or is this it? I’ll just make a call to Lake while you’re getting the food. Coffee would be great too. I don’t do tea in fancy wee cups.” He disappeared outside the back door again.

“I dare you to give him coffee in a fancy wee cup,” Jena said as she watched him go.

“You are bad, Jena Morgan.” Abby reached into the cupboard. “I have just the thing, though.” She held up a tiny espresso cup and matching saucer. It was delicate, pale purple and covered in daisies. Abby gave her an innocent look. “It is an actual coffee cup, after all.”

“I like how you think.” Jena laughed. “But don’t put the pot within his reach. He’ll take one look at the cup and just drink from the pot.”

Abby was laughing when she turned back to the counter.

21

It said a lot about Jena’s relationship with her mother that she spent more than an hour trying to pick the perfect clothes to wear to dinner. It was a wasted effort. She knew no matter what she wore, her mom would find fault with it. She threw her latest outfit onto the pile of all the other ones that didn’t make the cut. With a groan, Jena fell back onto her bed. It was all getting a bit too much. She felt like her head would burst with all the worries crammed into it. There was only so much one person could take.

“Wear the bronze dress you had on the other night.”

Jena used what little energy she had left to lift her head and look at Matt. He was leaning in her bedroom doorway, hands in his pockets, ankles crossed. Dressed in a dark blue tee and faded jeans, he was effortlessly sexy. Typical. Men had it so easy. All they needed was a pair of jeans that cupped their ass and a tee that stretched across their shoulders and they were good to go.

“I set fire to a man in that dress. It has bad memories.” She might never wear it again. Not without seeing a hysterical Bob rolled in a rug.

Matt grinned, and it melted her organs, turning them to mush inside her body.

“Aye, but it has good memories for me. You set Bob the butcher on fire in that dress, then I got to hold you while he whined like a baby. Good times.” His eyes darkened. “Wear the dress, princess, and I’ll give you some good memories to replace the bad.”

She resisted the urge to fan herself at the heat in his eyes. “I doubt an evening with my mom will improve the mojo of the dress.”

“She won’t be with us all evening. Wear the dress. Do it for me.”

Her mouth went dry. “If I wear it for you, what will you do for me?”

“If I tell you that now, princess, we won’t make it to dinner with your mother.”

Jena let her head fall back onto the thick duvet as she laughed. The tension eased from her body. Man, she needed that.

“I forgot about you thinking you’re a sexpert.” She wiped her eyes. “Thanks, Matt, I needed a laugh.”

“Happy to be of service. Anytime. Anywhere. In any way.”

She could hear the humour in his voice. Jena let out a heavy breath. “Dinner is going to be horrible.”

“Hate to break it to you, but I already figured that out.” She felt the bed dip as he sat beside her. He stroked her cheek. “Don’t worry about it. We’ll get through whatever this evening brings. Together.”

Her heart clenched at the word. Together. Like she belonged. She wondered if he knew how much she longed to belong to someone. To be part of a family. To be wanted instead of used.

“You’re really lucky with your family, Matt.” Even Jena was aware how wistful she sounded.

“I know. They drive me nuts, but I hate being away from them. It’s one of the reasons I’ve stayed around Invertary this long. That and Dad. Mum needs support right now.”

What was unsaid was heavy in the air between them. His mum wouldn’t need him forever, because his dad wouldn’t be around forever.

“You’re a good man, Matt.”

“Not that good, Jena. Right now I’m undressing you in my head and wondering if I can get you to stay in bed instead of going to the pub.”

Jena laughed at his frustrated expression.

“You don’t have a hope. I keep telling you—we’re not in a relationship. We’re not even dating.”

“And yet you want me.” He waggled his eyebrows at her, making her giggle.

“Right now, I
want you
to get out of here so I can get dressed.”

“I can do that. If you wear the bronze dress.”

She rolled her eyes at him. “Fine. You win. I’ll wear the damn dress.”

“I win. I like that. Keep it in mind. Persistence usually pays off, and I’m very persistent.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her to sitting. “One more thing before you get ready.”

Before she could ask what he was talking about, his lips were on hers. His fingers wove into the hair at the back of her head. His other arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her tight against him. She offered no resistance. She wasn’t an idiot. The guy made her toes curl just from a kiss. What woman in her right mind would pass up on that?

The kiss finished all too soon for Jena’s liking. It took a minute to calm her pulse and focus her eyes on his face.

“Better get ready, princess. I want to get there, get this over with and get home as fast as we can. I have plans for you and your dress.” With a sexy little smile, he kissed the tip of her nose, then sauntered from the room.

Leaving Jena dazed, horny and seriously confused.

The pub was packed, more so than usual for a Monday night. As Matt led Jena into the restaurant area, he got the impression people were there for more than the food. Word had spread round Invertary at warp speed. The curious were out to watch Jena and her mum. Matt wasn’t surprised; the locals treated everybody else’s business as the equivalent of a live reality TV show. There was an air of expectation in the room, a buzz of anticipation. He didn’t like it one bit.

As soon as Dougal spotted them, he rushed over. Another bad sign. If the town’s unofficial mayor and pub owner was tense, there was usually a reason for it. One Matt knew he wouldn’t like.

“Hi, Jena.” Dougal gave her a tight little smile. He grimaced at Matt. “Jena’s mother is in the booth round the corner of the bar.” He paused as he gave Jena a sympathetic look. “She has company.”

Matt was instantly on alert. “Don’t tell me she managed to get hold of Josh and Mitch. I gave them a heads-up that she was on the prowl.”

“No, lad, it’s not the boys. She’s with Frank.”

Jena froze beside him. He rubbed the small of her back through the silky material of his favourite dress to reassure her, and to remind her she wasn’t alone. Anyone wanting to mess with her had to get through him first.

“Your mum has been telling everyone you’re going back home with Frank. She also told anyone who would listen that you were”—he cleared his throat—“only sowing your wild oats with Matt, that your relationship isn’t serious.”

Jena hung her head. Matt felt her heart pound under his hand. “Everyone thinks we’re dating.” She looked up at him, her honey-coloured eyes wide and panicked at the thought. Matt wasn’t sure whether to be insulted or amused.

“No they don’t, princess. Remember, I’m still in one piece.”

She elbowed him in the ribs. At least she didn’t look so desolate anymore. “Be serious for one minute. This is a mess. We’re not dating. Tell him we’re not dating.” She pointed at Dougal.

Matt did as he was told. “We’re not dating.” He even managed to keep his face straight while he said it.

Dougal’s eyes flickered with amusement. “So what are you doing, lad?”