Under Cover Of Dark by Juanita Kees

Author:Juanita Kees
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises, Australia Pty Ltd

Chapter 9

‘Lily? My God! Are you okay? I’ve been ringing and ringing. Is Bill there with you? Are you out in the garden?’ TJ’s voice was frantic with worry.

‘I’m okay, sorry. I…I didn’t hear the phone ring.’

TJ let out a sigh of relief that echoed through the phone. Lily looked up at Mark. He towered over her, eyes closed, forehead against the arm he rested on the fridge and the lips that had plundered hers so warmly only moments before, were now drawn in a tight line. She slipped out from the haven his body created and faced reality.

‘Mark’s here. I found some of Tiny’s stuff buried in the garden.’

‘Really? Wow! Like what?’

‘Some papers, photos, more drawings, that kind of stuff.’ She turned around to watch as Mark pushed away from the fridge and sat at the table to sip at the coffee. The strong fingers that had caressed her body pressed briefly into his closed eyes as if warding off a headache. ‘Mark’s going to look through them now.’

‘Okay. You sure you’re okay? You sound a little…shell-shocked.’

‘Yes, it’s all good.’ Mark’s head lifted and his eyes met hers. She smiled tentatively and he smiled back. Her heart lifted a little. ‘All good. Everything okay with Luke?’

‘Yes, he’s having a ball messing around cleaning engine parts and emptying rubbish bins.’

Lily laughed. ‘That has to be a first! Emptying rubbish bins. Did you want me to cook dinner tonight?’

‘Would you? You angel! We’re having a toolbox meeting after work. We have two more recruits for the apprenticeship program so I need to find another technician and we have to look at installing more equipment.’ Excitement rang in TJ’s voice.

Lily loved the passion that TJ showed for her rehabilitation project. It warmed her heart that there were people like Scott and TJ…and now Mark too…who were prepared to give kids like Luke, Marty and Tiny a second chance, without judging them by their pasts.

‘Of course I can. Lasagne and salad sound okay? I might have a go at baking some fresh bread to go with it. Bring home a list of the equipment you need and I’ll phone around for quotes for you tomorrow,’ she offered.

‘Seriously? You legend!’

‘I think it’s time I earned my keep around here,’ Lily joked as she wandered over to the kitchen window to look out at the garden. It was taking shape so nicely, despite the secrets it kept hidden. A sense of achievement flowed through her.

‘Oh, I think you’re already doing that well enough. How would you like a couple of days work here at the office? I need someone to plan rosters and training programs now that the apprenticeship program is starting to fill up,’ TJ asked.

Lily’s heart lifted a little more. A real job, a new start — another chance at getting out of the darkness, how could she refuse? ‘When do I start?’

TJ gave a loud whoop and Lily held the phone away from her ear. Behind her Mark chuckled and her stomach did a little flip flop.

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