Lean on Me (The Mackay Sisters) (23 page)

“Manly aftershave.”

“Womanly perfume.”

“Is that perfume down below as
well?”

She blushed.  “Matt!  Not here.”

“Of course not.  I’ll check when
we get home.”

She smacked him on the arm with
her purse.  Laughing, he hugged her, dropping a kiss on the top of her head
before leading her into the pub.

Once seated at their table with
Ghost and Ali on the opposite side, they chatted until their drinks arrived,
followed by their meal.

Relaxed, Lori couldn’t remember
when she’d felt so contented.  A handsome boyfriend, a wonderful, outspoken
sister, a sometimes over-protective friend who was the brother she never had,
and life was good.

Could it get any better?

“Lori.”

“Mmm?”  She turned her head to see
Matt extending his hand.  One look where he obviously wanted to go and she
groaned.  “Oh shit.”

“Not quite what I expected.”  Matt
laughed at her.  “Come on, I promise you we’ll do fine.”

Leaving her purse on the seat, she
put her hand in his and was drawn to her feet.  “You’ve never seen me dance.”

“You’ve never seen me.”  One hand
at her waist, he steered her out onto the dance floor which was crowded, not
too much of a stretch considering it was a small dance space.

With a flourish, Matt spun her
around, gathering her close with a chuckle as she squeaked in dismay.  “Remember,
I’m leading.”

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“I warned you the other day and
did you take notice?”

Remembering that heated encounter,
Lori blushed.

“Oh love, I see you
do
remember.”

“Stop it.”

Laughing, he spun her around the
dance floor, keeping her close as he steered her with expert efficiency.

“Wow,” she finally said when she
found herself moving without toppling over his feet.  “I didn’t know you danced
so well.”

“I’ve been known to cut the rug a
time or two.”  He spun her back out, holding onto her hand and reeling her back
in.  When she pressed back up against his chest, he waggled his eyebrows. 
“Impressed?”

“Immensely.”

“My, aren’t we the proper pair
tonight?”

“One has to be good in company.”

“Not nearly as much fun.”

Lori gasped when his hand squeezed
her bottom suddenly.  Cheeks fiery, giggling in amused mortification, she
reached back, grabbed his hand and jerked it back up to her waist.  “
Matt!
”

“Yes, love?” He smiled innocently
down at her.

“You know what.  Keep your hands
in the one spot.”

“I’m keeping them in a special
spot later.”

Unsure what he meant, she glanced
up to see that his smile had turned from innocent to wicked.  “
Matt!
”

“Yes, love?”  Laughing, he placed
a smacking kiss on her lips before spinning her away once again, pulling on her
hand to spin her back into his arms.

“You’re so bad.”

“And I’m so good at it.”

Laughing, Lori glanced around to
check where Ali was, only to notice Tommy standing before the bar, a scowl on
his face.  The laughter died from her lips.  “Oh dear.”

“What’s wrong?” Matt followed her
gaze.  “Ah.  Poor sod.”

“I wish I could fix his problem.”

“You can’t fix everything.”

“True, but-” Her eyes widened. 
“Uh-oh.”

Harriet Keller hovered at the
doorway, her gaze searching and falling upon Tommy at the bar.  Throwing her shoulders
back, she sucked in a deep breath and crossed the room.

“Oh crap.”  Lori stopped dancing.

Not far from her, she could see
Ali doing the same, whispering to Ghost.

Matt pulled her back into the
dance.  “Too obvious, love.”

“But-”

“Trust me.”

The music slowed, enabling Lori to
keep an eye on the couple at the bar.  Harriet stopped in front of Tommy and
said something.  Shrugging, he turned away to grab his glass of beer.

Harriet tapped on his arm,
glancing around nervously.  He turned back to her and whatever he said must
have been harsh, because she turned white.

“Uh-oh,” Lori muttered.

Matt swung her around so that he
could see.  “What’s happening?”

“I don’t know now, do I?  Turn me
back.”

“Then I can’t see.”

“I thought you didn’t like
gossip?”

“I’m not gossiping.  I’m
watching.  Gossiping is verbal.”

With a little effort, Lori managed
to turn around in Matt’s arms to see Harriet running from the room with tears
coursing down her cheeks.  Tommy stood there looking furious, only to change
within seconds to miserable.

“Crap.”  Lori looked at Ali’s to
see her sister jerking her head in the direction of the door.  “Crap on a
stick.”

“Where are you going?” Matt asked
as she walked away from him.

“Back in a minute.”

Intent on finding Harriet if she
was still outside, Lori was halfway to the door with Ali beside her when it swung
open again and Harriet came running in.  She shoved past Ali, nearly knocking
her over, Lori’s fast grabbing of her sister saving her from hitting the floor.

“What the hell-”Ali began, only to
stop and stare.

Lori’s mouth fell open as Harriet
ran straight up to Tommy, and grabbing his cheeks, she kissed him full on the
mouth.  Hard.  And long.

Lori looked at Ali.  “I think
Harriet’s making a statement.”

“You don’t say?”  Ali grinned.

“I think it’s working,” Matt
observed.

“I think there’s tongue
involved.”  Ghost squinted.  “Yep, definitely tongue.”

Finally releasing Tommy’s cheeks,
Harriet looked up at him and said loud enough for everyone in the now silent
pub to hear, “I’m your woman, Tommy, and you’re my man.  I’m fifteen years
older than you, which makes me a cougar.  I’m here to tell you, straight down
the line, that that makes you one lucky man.  Now come on home, baby, I’m going
to give you a night you’ll never forget.”

Tommy couldn’t stop the grin that
stretched from ear to ear.

There was dead silence in the pub
as everyone watched them leave, Harriet’s head held high, Tommy so proud he
nearly burst the buttons on his shirt.

“Jesus,” said Ghost, “that had to
be the worst speech I’ve ever heard.”

“True,” Ali agreed.  “But I bet it
was the best one Tommy ever heard.”

Sliding an arm around Lori’s
waist, Matt gave her a squeeze.  “Seriously?  Fifteen years older?”

“Got a problem with that?”  Lori
arched an eyebrow at him.

“I wouldn’t dare.”

“Good, because it’s your job to
stick up for them against the gossips.”

“What?”

Ghost laughed.

“You, too,” Ali told him.

Ghost stopped laughing.  “You mean
I can’t poke fun?”

“No.”

“Not even in private?”

“
No
.”

“How about I just poke in
private?”

“Are we still talking about Tommy
and the cougar?”

“No.”

“We’ll take this conversation up
again when we get home.”  Ali led him back to the dance floor.

“Wow.”  Matt slid one arm around Lori’s
waist and followed them.  “So that was the secret?”

The music started again, slow this
time, and Lori snuggled up against Matt.  “Yep.”

“I can see why Harriet didn’t want
everyone to know.”

“Being a cougar is fashionable, I
told her that when she first came around to the house.”  Lori smiled.  “She
didn’t take that well.”

“Might be okay in the city where
you’re one person amongst tens of thousands, and if you’re a woman with a lot
of confidence, but in a small country town?”  Matt shook his head.  “This’ll
give Old Man Parker, Mrs Hubble and Mrs Swanson fodder for a month.”

“Unless someone else causes a
bigger scandal soon.”

“Huh.”  After a few minutes of
swaying peacefully around the dance floor, Matt murmured, “We could always have
mad monkey sex in the backyard where Shirley can see us over the back fence.”

“Yeah,” said Lori.  “Let’s not.”

“Take one for the team, so to
speak.”

“Harriet and Tommy aren’t exactly
on our team.”

“So you would if they were?”

“Dream on, monkey boy.”

Laughing, Matt rested his cheek on
top of her head.

Smiling, Lori dreamily followed
where he led.

Around them were hushed
conversations, and one woman was on her mobile phone talking animatedly. The
latest scandal involving Tommy and his fifteen year older woman was out.

Out and proud like Harriet.

You go, Harriet!

Smiling wider, Lori snuggled even
closer to Matt, feeling his arms cradle her closer, his stance protective.

“Some things,” he murmured in her
ear, “are worth fighting for.”

“You bet your sweet arse.”

“I think that’s my line.”

Chapter 9

The scandal flew through the town,
but a lot of the edge was taken off already by Harriet letting it loose first,
just as Lori had predicted.  It didn’t mean everyone took it well.  Tommy’s
mother was livid and the atmosphere in the café was not good.

It didn’t stop people going there,
of course.  Most of the town had known Tommy since he was born, the older
members his mother from her childhood as well, and their friends weren’t going
to let a scandal break up their friendships.  But it certainly made for some
interesting conversation out in the kitchen that filtered through into the
café.

To be fair, Tommy and his mother
did try to keep their uncomfortable and sometimes volatile relationship behind
closed doors.  Lori’s previous dressing down of people’s behaviour in public had
obviously struck home and they’d taken notice.  Plus, they didn’t want their
business to suffer.

Were Harriet and Tommy any happier
now that their relationship was known?  Tommy smiled more, Harriet held her
head high in the supermarket, but only the future would tell if their
relationship would hold.  Whether it lasted or not, Lori didn’t know.  They seemed
happy in their own way.

Tommy’s brother and a couple of
his friends certainly weren’t supportive.  They thought he was mad and told him
so often.

  Harriet didn’t have any friends
apart from Lori and Ali, but she was still restrained even with them, not
talking much about the happenings between her and Tommy, but that was fine by
Lori.  She really didn’t need to know and if Harriet wanted to talk, she knew
where to find her.  Publicly, she supported Harriet and Tommy, believing
everyone had a right to happiness in their own way and it was no-one else’s
business.

Lori herself was happy, incredibly
happy, but there was something missing.  That little furry face, that little
warm body, that companionship that was so special between pet and owner.

She wanted another cat.

“I’m not replacing Minx,” she
hastened to explain to a silent Ali.  “I’m just filling an empty space.”

Ali glanced at the empty spot
where Minx’s bowl used to be.  “I miss her, too.”

“So what do you think?”

Ali looked at her for several long
minutes before she stood up and crossed the room to place a hand on Lori’s
shoulder.  “It’s your decision, sis.”  When Lori opened her mouth, she added, “Ghost
and I are getting married soon and I’ll be living with him and his five crazy
cats.  You’re the one with no fur-baby.  It’s your decision.”

“Okay.”

“Let me know if you want me to come
on the kitty hunt.  I’m more than happy.”

Ali left for work not long after,
leaving Lori standing by the kitchen bench. 

Picking up the hot mug of tea,
Lori walked outside, going down the steps of the veranda and across to the
little grave in the garden.  Autumn had arrived and the air was cold.  Huddling
into her jumper, she cradled the mug in her hands.

Her beloved furry’s little body
might be resting in the garden, but she knew her little soul was running free.

“Love you, Minxie.”  Smiling, she
reached out to touch one of the white roses that grew abundantly on the small
rose bush.  “Always will.  You’ll always be my special furry.”  Straightening,
she looked into the garden where Minx played as a kitten.  “Somewhere out there
is a kitty who needs a loving home, and I can provide that home.  But you’ll
always be in my heart, okay?”

One of the petals broke free of a
rose, whirling in the chill air, sweeping up to brush against Lori’s cheek
before dancing off in the breeze.

Somehow, Lori knew that Minx approved.

That night while working, she met
Matt who was also on nightshift.  While filling up the ambulance, she told him
of her plan.

“What do you think?” She screwed
the fuel cap back on.

“Totally agree,” he replied. 
“Minx’s passing left a big hole.  Somewhere out there is a lucky kitten needing
a loving Mum.”  Bending down, he brushed a kiss onto the tip of her nose. 
“You’ll make a great mum.”

“Flatterer.”

“So, know of any kittens around?”

“Not lately.  Autumn isn’t the
breeding season, that’s usually summer and spring.”

“Well, you never know, love.  I’ll
keep my ears to the ground.”

“Thanks, Matt.”

Unfortunately, breeding season was
well and truly over and no kittens were available. 

Resigned to not finding one until
spring at least, Lori spent her spare time weeding the well-overdue garden with
Matt’s help.  Monday morning found them both snuggled in bed, neither having to
work until the next day.

When the phone rang, Matt
tightened his arm around her waist.  “Don’t answer it.”

Peeking at the alarm clock, Lori
sat up.  “It’s ten o’clock.”

“Indecent hour to call.”

Laughing, Lori slid out of bed,
wrapping the dressing gown around her.  “Lazy bones.”

“I’d come after you for that, but
it’s too damned cold.”  He winked at her.  “I’ll be waiting here to punish
you.”

“Don’t fall back asleep.”

He faked snoring.

Shaking her head, Lori went out to
the kitchen and picked up the phone.  “Hello?”

“Lori?”

“Yes.”

“It’s Julia from the vet.”

“Hi.”

“Listen, I know you’re looking for
a kitten, but…”

Lori glanced out at the wind
tossing the branches of the tree in the backyard.  “But?”

“Well, we have this cat here.  Are
you averse to having a full grown cat?”

She was taken aback.  “I’ve never
thought about it.”

“He’s really sweet.”

“He?”

“Yes.  Look, how about you just
come in and have a look at him?  I’ll tell you about him when you get here and
then you can decide for yourself if you want him or not.”

“You’re being very persuasive.”

“He deserves a chance.”

“Okay.  I’ll come in.”

“Great!”

“I’m not making any promises, though.
 I never thought about an adult cat.”

“I know.  Most people want
kittens, no one wants an older cat.”

That was the deciding factor for
sure.  “Now I’m definitely coming in.”

“Awesome.  See you when you get
here.”  Julia hung up.

Returning to the bedroom, Lori opened
the wardrobe and removed winter pants and a top.  Suddenly she was eager to
meet this older cat, something in Julia’s voice had spiked her curiosity. 
Although she did have some reservations, she had to be truthful.

Matt looked at he in disappointment. 
“Not coming back to bed?”

“That was Julia.  From the vet,”
she added at his blank look.

“She found you a kitten?”

“Not exactly.”

“A young cat?”

“I don’t think so.”

Matt arched one brow.

“An older cat.  I’m just going to
have a look.”  Gathering her clothes in her arms, she made for the bedroom
door.  “I’ll have a shower and then I’ll go.”

When she left the bathroom
anticipation was curling inside her regardless of her uncertainty.  She loved
cats, she loved kittens.  True, she’d always imagined a cute little kitten
gambolling around the house, not an older cat, but still… 
I can just look
.

Matt was dressed and sitting at
the kitchen table reading the newspaper when she entered. 

“You’re coming?” she asked.

“Kitty hunting with my hot
girlfriend?  Nothing better I’d like to do.”

“My hero.”

“Always, love, always.”  For a few
seconds his gaze was inscrutable, but when she looked at him more intently, he
grinned.  “Heroes always get rewarded.”

“I knew there was an ulterior
motive.”

“You have no idea,” he muttered as
they walked down the hallway.

The drive to the vet was done in
companionable silence, but Lori admitted to feeling a little flutter of
anticipation as they entered the vet clinic.

Julia, the vet, smiled widely at
them.  “Hi guys.  Cold outside?”

“Good day to be inside,” Lori
replied.

“I hear you.  It was a real
struggle to get out of bed this morning.”

“I know what you mean,” Matt
replied.  “Bed is so nice and warm, isn’t it?”

Lori shot him a warning look as
they followed Julia into a consult room.

“I’ll just get him for you,” Julia
said, closing the door and leaving them alone.

“I saw that look,” Matt said. 
“What was that for?”

“You know very well.”

“I’m a bad boy.  You better
discipline me when we get home.  Send me to bed.”  He winked.  “You’ll have to
come to make sure I stay there.”

“You are uncontrollable.  I blame
Ghost’s influence.”

“You think this is Ghost’s doing?”

Lori pretended to think for a few
seconds before sighing and dropping her shoulders.  “Alas, no.  It’s all you.”

“Definitely me, love.”  He winked
again.  “I’m happy to prove it to you anytime.”

Before she could answer the
consult room door opened and Julia came in.  Lori’s mouth dropped open.  This
was no delicate little female cat like Minx.  In Julia’s arms was …“A miniature
pony?”

“Not quite.”  Huffing, Julia set
the cat on the bench.  “This is a Main Coon.”

“He’s beautiful.”  Reaching out,
Max let the cat sniff his hand.

The cat looked warily at him,
sniffing carefully before looking up at Lori.

Big gold eyes, an elegant nose,
thick black and white coat, and paws that seemed the size of dinner plates.  Slight
exaggeration.  Paws as big as saucers.

“Wow,” Lori said faintly.

The cat continued to stare at her
and she slowly held her hand out.  It sniffed her fingers and continued to look
seriously up at her.  So serious.  Too serious.

Not sure what to think, but
enchanted just the same, Lori gently scratched behind his ears.  Immediately a
rusty purring reverberated through the room.

“Impressive,” Matt commented. 
“Sounds like a motorbike on its last legs.”

Smiling, Julia stroked down the
cat’s back.  “He is rather loud, isn’t he?  Wait until he meows.  It’s like thunder.”

“What’s his name?”  Lori shifted
closer, her heart melting as the cat blinked slowly at her and his purring grew
louder.

“Dougie.”

Matt was speechless for once.

“Dougie,” Lori said softly,
smiling when the big cat blinked once more at her, then closing his eyes, he leaned
his head into her palm.

Lori’s heart went into a puddle.

“Of course, he is an older cat.” 
Julia hesitated.  “He’s twelve years old.”

“That’s not too old.”

“Lori’s gone,” Matt said.  “It’s a
done deal.”

“He’s at the age when he could
start developing age-related issues,” Julia continued.  “But he’s such a sweet
cat, and his life hasn’t been easy the last few months.”

Lori didn’t care about old age
issues.  She’d had an elderly cat, she’d loved her and all her age issues. 
Just as she knew she was half in love with Dougie already.  One look into those
so-serious gold eyes, one sweet rub of his big head against her palm, and she
was falling fast.

“What’s his story?” Matt asked,
reaching over Lori’s shoulder to stroke Dougie’s back.

“Sad, really.  He was the pampered
baby of a woman who died in a car accident in another town not far from here.  Two
months ago, in fact.  Since then he’s been bounced from one member of the
family to another.”

“Bit of a problem cat?” Matt
asked.

“Doesn’t matter,” Lori said
immediately.

Matt smiled at her, stroking her
back absentmindedly just as he’d stroked Dougie’s seconds before.  “Never said
it did, love.”

Julia’s gaze followed Matt’s hand,
her grin widening. “Caring touch of a paramedic?”

“Soother of savages,” Matt
replied, poker-faced.

Ignoring him, Lori rested her
elbow on the bench, leaning her chin on her hand.  Dougie stood up, his height
and build impressive, like a miniature lion, and his stance was pure grace - if
a little arthritic, Lori noticed - as he moved the small distance separating
them.  Sitting down, he closed his eyes and leaned his head against Lori’s arm.

“Oh, how sweet,” Julia exclaimed. 
“He used to do that with Lizzie.”

“Lizzie was his owner?’ Lori’s
heart completely gone now.  Dougie was coming home with her.

“Yes.  And no to your question,
Matt.  Dougie isn’t a problem cat.  He’s an older cat and no one really wanted
him.  I make monthly visits to the town as they have no vet, and I heard that
Dougie was often seen sitting outside at night in the cold, and once even seen
kicked out of the way by Lizzie’s cousin who had him last.  I was really
worried, but before I could even think of a way to rehome him, which is pretty
impossible with an older cat, the cousin brought him in to be put to sleep.”

“Oh, no.”  Anger flashed through
Lori.  “After what that mongrel did to Dougie?”

“Yep.  I was relieved in one way
that Dougie wouldn’t suffer anymore, but I didn’t want to put him to sleep,
either.  I wanted to give him a chance.  I asked Lizzie’s cousin if I could try
to rehome him and he agreed.  Didn’t really care, actually.  Dougie needs a
special home.”  Julia looked at Lori.  “I want him to go to someone who will
love him and care for him the way he’s used to.”

Lori glanced up at Matt.

“He’s a nice little bloke,” Matt
commented. 

“He’ll take up most of the room on
the bed,” Lori joked.

“We’ll just buy a bigger bed.”

“He…um…” Julia sighed.  “He’s just
starting to get some arthritis in his back leg.”

“And a step to get onto the bed as
well,” Matt suggested.  “Add that to the shopping list.”

There went her heart again, this
time turning to mush for Matt.

“He’ll need medicine soon.”  Julia
looked anxiously at Lori.  “But he’s good at taking medicine.  Took his worming
tablet like a champ.  He’s got a few good years in him yet.”