“Sorry to hear that.” What he was saying was inadequate but he couldn’t think of anything else that would show her that, to the extent that he could understand her life, he felt her pain.
She shrugged. “That’s okay. It was the best thing he ever did for us, walking out like that. At least I didn’t have to watch my mom crouching by the wall with blows raining down on her. Damned alcoholics.” She spat the words out in disgust.
Stone was feeling disgust, too – at himself. He’d gone and stirred up all sorts of bad memories with his stupid questions. The cross examination would end right here. He’d done enough damage for one night.
“Be ready to fly out day after tomorrow,” he said. As she opened her mouth to speak he put up a hand, stopping her. “I know you’re available as early as tomorrow but I need a day to tie up some loose ends before I move again. And besides,” he said, “you need the day to get your police record and drop into the clinic to get your shots.”
“Oh.” Her face fell. “Forgot about that.”
“There’s no great rush,” he said, trying to reassure her. “The day after tomorrow will be good enough for me. A lot earlier than I expected, actually. I thought you would tell me you’d need at least a few weeks to get ready for such a move. To tell the truth,” he shook his head, “I’m in shock. Your being ready to move right away seems almost too good to be true.”
For some reason that made her look flustered. “Oh, it’s just lucky timing, I guess.” She shrugged. “Maybe it’s fate.”
Stone chuckled. He could believe that. Everything was falling into place so easily for him, the stars must be lined up just right. And he wasn’t complaining.
Around a half hour later, after they’d gone through the details of the job, Stone walked Indie to her vehicle. As she turned toward him he looked down at her, at the lips that looked so soft and inviting. He kept that thought to himself. This had been a business meeting and he’d best remember that.
He put out his hand to her. “Thank you for agreeing to work with me on such short notice,” he said. “I really appreciate it.”
She looked down then slid her hand into his. Her fingers were warm, her handshake firm, and again that comfortable feeling flowed through him. This was a woman he could trust.
She jumped into the Land Rover and just like last time she gave him a wave. “See you in a couple of days.” Then she was off.
As she drove out of the parking lot he stood there staring after her. If Indie’s chameleon act was anything to go by, this trip to South Africa promised to be an interesting one. He was looking forward to what this mystery woman would do next.
CHAPTER FIVE
“You have to find lots of opportunities to catch him alone.” Tessa’s eyes twinkled with excitement. “If you can’t find opportunities, create them. Just do anything you can to get him alone with you.”
Skeptical, Indie shook her head. “I’ll do my best but there’s just so much you can do in four weeks. No, three and a half.”
“Just use the strategies I gave you,” Tessa pressed her.
“Yeah, like last time?” Indie grimaced. “I almost broke my behind walking in those high heels you put me in. It was darned embarrassing, too.”
“This is different, Indie. This time I’m not going to try to make you into something you’re not. No more makeup or high heels, I promise. You just have to remember these three little things.” She went and sat on the bed next to Indie, her face earnest. “If a girl wants to snag a man in the shortest possible time she has to use frequent proximity, inviting body language and attitude.”
Indie leaned back against the headboard and stared at her friend. “I get the frequent proximity and the body language part,” she said as she folded her arms across her chest, “but give me that attitude part again. I thought I had more than enough of that.”
“You’re not listening, Indie.” Tessa punched the bed with her fist. “I’m going to explain this one more time and you’d better listen because I’m not going through it again.” She scowled at Indie. “I swear, whenever I speak you have a filter in your head that holds on to some of the stuff and the rest, it just leaves by the wayside.”
Indie smiled at her sheepishly. Tessa was right. Half of the stuff she said, she didn’t listen to anyway. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to. It was just that if you absorbed all of Tessa’s chatter your head would explode. “Okay, okay,” she said, releasing her arms and putting her hands up to defend herself from Tessa’s wrath. The girl had been known to punch with very little provocation and a punch on the arm from that little fist could leave you in pain for days. “I’m listening now. Give it to me again.”
Tessa heaved a sigh. “Okay, one more time. When I talk about attitude I mean that you should carry yourself like a princess. Never ask yourself if you’re worthy of him. Ask if he’s worthy of you.”
“Okay.” Indie drew out the word which made her sound doubtful which, of course, she was.
“Let him know he’s the one who’ll have to work for your favor. Let him do the chasing. And never, ever, come across as desperate.”
Indie cocked an eyebrow. “Even though I am?”
Tessa sighed. “Yes, Indie, even though you are.” She touched her friend’s arm. “The fastest way to send a man running is to let him know how badly you want him.”
“Got it,” Indie said and hopped off the bed. "Now come help me finish packing.” Then she grinned. “If all goes well, the next time you see me I’ll be a married woman.”
“That’s the plan.” Tessa grinned back and slid off the bed. Then her face went thoughtful. "One more thing. Please be helpless every once in a while. I know you always love to do everything by yourself but men love to help a maiden in distress. It makes them feel manly.”