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‘Right. Off you go, then. Just don’t go hitting the ball into that thick bush over there. Can’t count the number we’ve lost in there over the years.’
Ben resolved to peg back his batting ability a bit. No need to be a smart Alec.
Jess watched Ben stride off, a wry smile on her face. If she knew Ben, he would be anything but an ordinary cricket player. He wasn’t ordinary at anything he did. He was an exceptional man, with exceptional abilities and exceptional social skills.
She was still amazed at how he instinctively knew what to talk about with every member of her family. He talked cars with her father, sport with her brothers and the advances in technology with her very smart sisters-in-law. He didn’t mention his wealth when he was introduced, or sit back and play the role of honoured guest. He was happy to help with the food and very happy to drink beer. She imagined that over in New York his social life was very different. He’d go to fancy restaurants and fancy parties where they’d eat caviar and drink the most expensive champagne.
Jess frowned at this last thought. She would be uncomfortable with that kind of life. It was shallow, in her opinion. And snobbish. And way out of her league. She was a simple girl at heart with simple wants, like love, marriage and a family. She wasn’t cut out for the high life.
Such thoughts renewed her resolve not to go to New York with him, if and when he asked her again. Jess suspected she would not enjoy the experience. The sex part, yes. And possibly some of the sightseeing. New York was a fabulous city, she was sure. But she shrank from the idea of meeting any of Ben’s American friends or ex-girlfriends; shrank from being looked down upon by the type of people he mixed with.
* * *
The barbecue finished early, as the younger children got tired and the older ones had to go to school the next day. Ben seemed reluctant to leave, however, staying to help clear up and to have a final beer with her father. It was after ten before Jess could drag him away.
‘You have a wonderful family, Jess,’ was the first thing he said on the way back to Blue Bay. ‘You’re very lucky.’
‘Yes, I am,’ she agreed. ‘By the way, my mother knows about us.’
His head jerked her way. ‘You told her?’
‘No, she guessed. Like I said, she’s very intuitive.’
‘How much does she know?’
‘No details. Just that we’ve had sex.’
‘That’s good, then. She won’t worry if you get home late.’
‘She’ll still worry. That’s a mother’s job. Frankly, I was surprised at how calm she was over my sleeping with you.’
‘That’s because she knows I’m one of the good guys.’
‘Hmm. I doubt that’s the reason. Now, I’m not coming inside with you tonight, Ben,’ she went on firmly, determined not to weaken and be seduced by him. Again. ‘I’m dropping you off and going straight home.’
‘Fair enough.’
She blinked her surprise at his easy acceptance of her stance. Maybe he was tired. Yes, that was probably it. He’d had a very tiring weekend.
In no time she was pulling into the kerb. She did get out to open the boot and, yes, she let him give her a kiss goodnight after he’d placed all his things on the pavement. Not too long a kiss, as it turned out, both their heads lifting when his phone rang. Frowning, Ben rifled the phone out of his pocket and stared at the ID.
‘Damn,’ he said. ‘It’s Amber.’
‘Aren’t you going to answer it?’ Jess asked, trying not to sound as sick as she was suddenly feeling.
‘I might as well,’ Ben said. ‘She has to know sooner or later that it’s over between us.’
He put the phone to his ear. ‘Hello, Amber. I thought you said we weren’t to contact each other till I got back.’
Jess just stood there, listening to a one-sided conversation, her stomach tight with tension.
‘What?’ he suddenly snapped. ‘Say that again?’
Jess watched as Ben suddenly lost all his normal glow, his face going a ghastly ashen colour. Whatever Amber was telling him had to be dreadful.
‘No, no,’ he choked out. ‘I’ll come home straight away. Tell the funeral home to delay things till I can be there to make the arrangements.’
Jess’s heart sank. She could think of only one person’s funeral which would make Ben look this way. His father must have died. Oh, dear God, poor Ben…
‘No, I don’t want you to help,’ he was saying, his voice under control again. ‘No, Amber, I don’t want to marry you either. I’m sorry but I’ve met someone else… Yes, an Australian girl… Yes, yes, I do,’ he said and looked a startled Jess straight in the eye. ‘I’ll be bringing her back with me.’
