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Leo swore softly beside her as Xander returned the embrace, his arms tightening around the slender figure. They disengaged, after what seemed like forever but was probably a matter of seconds. Tamara reached down to pick up Colin and Xander smiled at the boy, saying something to him to make him grin.
The transfer was quick, Colin on Xander’s hip as the three joined the rest of the group looking like a family.
She couldn’t cope with this. It was her fault she and Xander weren’t together, but that didn’t make it any easier seeing him with someone else. It was hard enough seeing photographs of him with women on social media and magazine covers. At least none of the paparazzi had caught him in a clinch so his touch-me-not attitude must have its place in public life as well. This was different. You couldn’t dismiss it as media hype when it was right in front of you.
Leo rested his hand on Bonnie’s arm as she went to leave. “Stay. Please.”
Her stomach roiled and she forced out a “Why should I?”
“Because we’re your friends and we want to spend time with you.”
Xander frowned at her with a question in his eyes. “You’re staying, aren’t you?”
Tamara sent her a pleading look. “Please don’t leave. I can’t stay long, because of Colin.”
Everyone was looking at her expectantly. “All right.”
They sat indoors, though a few people braved the verandah with the big gas heaters keeping them warm. Tamara sat at one end so Colin could have a high chair, with Xander on one side and Leo on the other next to Colin. Bonnie angled for a seat at the other end of the table between the easy-going Ben and Andrew, but ended up beside Xander with Ben on her other side. She’d made the mistake of excusing herself to go to the bathroom and when she returned, the only vacant seat was the one near Xander.
The waitress was taking orders and with a quick check of the menu, Bonnie ordered a hummus dip with vegetables, and black tea. The others were less frugal, filling up with burgers and fries. Colin sat happily eating a bowl of chips and gravy.
“He had a nap this afternoon while I was working, thank goodness.” Tamara tucked into pasta, chatting all the time to Xander. Even Leo managed to come out of his mood and join in the conversation, entertaining the three-year-old.
“What was your favourite song tonight?”
Colin mushed a chip into his mouth. “He come Satta Claus.”
Leo laughed. “That’s one in the eye for us, Xander.”
The whole group laughed and it seemed to break the ice, the initial awkwardness of people who hadn’t seen each for a while being overcome.
Bonnie focused on her meal, feeling the warmth of Xander’s thigh brushing against hers under the table. The other band members were talking about their holiday plans and she forced herself to join in, recommending places she’d been and reminiscing about holidays. She’d only been on a couple of holidays with her nan. A cleaner’s wage didn’t stretch to lavish living. Flo and Don had paid her as well as they could, but the B&B hadn’t always done as well as these past few years with the new tourism initiatives.
Even while she listened to the band members making plans, she was aware of the intimate way Xander leaned forward to talk with Tamara. Most of it was innocuous, inquiries about her father and her jobs and how Colin was doing. Making an appointment to meet her in town in her off-duty time was not so innocent. Especially as he specifically asked if Colin could be left with someone.
It was logical. Bonnie had been away for four years and their final argument had put a full stop on their relationship, such as it was. It wouldn’t be surprising if he started to take notice of Tamara, who had matured into a lovely young woman after the birth of her son. The ditzy teenager with her manic obsession with country music stars had given way to a serious-minded young mother in the four years since Bonnie had last seen her. She’d briefly helped train her to work in the B&B before leaving for Canada and she noticed the difference when she returned. Xander hadn’t seen Bonnie for years; he would have seen Tamara on all of his visits home, much as he’d seen Bonnie in the past.
She stared at Xander’s profile. There’d been a lot of hopes wrapped up in Canada that hadn’t come to fruition. There’d been no way she could have travelled to the US with Xander for all those months while he was recording an album. Her medical insurance wouldn’t cover health care for a long-term stay in the United States. Canada had been a short flight away, yet he hadn’t taken the opportunity until it was too late. Now it sounded like he was planning to settle back in Australia, and she’d told him she was returning to Canada. Something she might have to do. She made a mental note to check about renewing her visa.
She had money in the bank and a job to go to in order to meet all the residency requirements. The only problem being, she didn’t want to go. Flo would be recovered enough to take over at the Highland Inn in another few weeks, and Tamara was doing a great job managing the housekeeping, leaving no place for her. There were a few restaurants in the district who might be hiring. Accommodation would be the big problem. Rents had skyrocketed since the Crossing became a tourist destination. Landlords could do better providing holiday rentals and backpacker accommodation at higher rates.
Chapter Three
It didn’t takelong for Colin to droop once he finished his meal and Tamara started gathering her things. “I’ll have to get him home. I’ve an early start tomorrow at the inn anyway.”
Xander immediately rose to his feet. “I’ll carry him back to the car for you.”
The party started to break up, the other band members expressing their intention of going downstairs to the bar for a drink or two before bed.
Bonnie pulled on the warm woollen coat she’d purchased in Canada and held her gloves in her hand. “I’ll head straight home.”
Xander looked up from helping Colin into his parka. “Come with us to the car park and I’ll walk you home from there. You shouldn’t walk alone this late, anyway.”
Warmed by his concern, she followed the small group downstairs and waved to the other guys as they parted in the foyer. The snow had eased off, leaving puddles in the open areas and small drifts around the trees and seats in the mall “They say there’ll be more falls overnight.”
Tamara shivered. “I hope not. I’ll have to drive through it in the morning.”
Bonnie hastened to reassure her. “If you’re late, don’t worry. We can cope.”
