Going Home

Part 63

After they finish eating Robert volunteered to wash the dishes and Grace offered to help.  This suited Margaret perfectly, she’d like a minute alone with Josh and this may be her last chance for a while. They were going home tomorrow and she needed to make some head way with Josh before they went. Who knew how long it would be before they were back. So deciding to make the most of the opportunity she turned to Josh and said “can we go for a walk? I’d like to show you something.”

When Grace heard Margaret’s request she watched Josh for his response hoping it would be positive. She knew they hadn’t really had a chance to talk yet.

Looking at his mother Josh wondered what she had in store for him, but after a minute he said “okay.” Then standing, Josh looked over at Grace before following Margaret outside.

As they strolled along Margaret gathered her courage and without looking at him apologised again for what she’d said earlier “Josh I’m really sorry about earlier I never meant to bring up anything that was painful for you.”

Josh frowned, he hated having to express himself and he didn’t normally do it except to Grace. But he could tell his mother was tearing herself up about this, so he attempted it.

“Don’t worry about it” he said “coming back has helped and I’d like to talk about Gavin, but I need some time.”

Relieved Margaret swallowed hard to clear the lump in her throat before she said “of course Josh, whenever you’re ready.”

Eager to change the subject Josh said “What did you want to show me?”

Smiling Margaret said “ah, something you may remember.”

Lies

Monique tried to hold it together as she continued to drive home. She was glad she didn’t have far to go. Her chest hurt and her eyes burned from unshed tears. She blinked and taking a deep shuddering breath, blew it out again. As she did she considered, knowing what she did now, what else had she been told that wasn’t the truth. And this was the thing that hurt her the most. In one swipe, their relationship was changed forever. The lie she had just discovered wasn’t huge but its implications were massive. She knew she would not only question everything she had been told but everything she would be told from here on out. A trust had been broken and it would not be easily repaired, if that were possible at all. At that point, she wasn’t sure it was. It felt like something within her was dying and unable to hold it in anymore she pulled over to the side of the road and laying her head on her arms on the steering wheel she cried as her heart broke.  

Going Home

Part 62

As Grace and Josh walked down stairs to dinner Josh couldn’t help but wonder what Grace had in mind for later. Not that is mattered really, as long as it involved her and somewhere private, it was fine with him.  

Reaching the kitchen Josh looked at his mother and could tell by the worried look on her face that she was still upset about referring to Gavin earlier. In an effort to make her feel better Josh smiled at her as she handed him a plate.

Seeing his smile Margaret smiled herself but turning away she had to take a deep breath to compose her self. Even though she’d seen Josh smile many times since he’d been there it had always been at Grace and she was beginning to think it would never be directed at her.

As they start to eat Robert said “it was great to see you working today Josh.”

Looking over at him Josh said “well what happened today is not exactly typical of what we do but yeah some rescues are involved.”

Turning to Grace Robert asked “is climbing normally part of your job Grace?”

Smiling, Grace said “no, not normally although I did do it as part of my training for TR. Normally I leave that stuff to Josh and just try to talk my way out of trouble.”

“Well you looked pretty much at home scaling that cliff today. Watching you I’d have said you did it every day.”

“Thanks Robert.” Grace said. “But luckily that cliff was pretty straight forward.”

“So doesn’t everyone in the team do the same things?” Margaret asked looking at Josh.
”Basically we do, but we all have our specialties.”

Margaret was pleased the conversation was so relaxed. For the first time she felt able to press for more information. “And what you did today and what I saw when I was in Melbourne, is yours?”

Nodding Josh agreed, “pretty much.”

Then turning to Grace Margaret said “what about you Grace?”

Grace smiled, “oh mine’s negotiating.”

“Ah that explains it then.” Robert said with a smile.

“What?” Grace asked, frowning.

“Oh nothing really” Robert laughed “just that you are good with people.” And as he looked at Josh, whose eyes are on his plate, Grace understood what he was referring to.

“Oh” Grace laughed “I don’t know that that has anything to do with my negotiating skills. I think I am just very lucky.”

Smiling Robert said “well you’re not the only one.”

Not really paying attention to the conversation Josh looked up from his meal and realising he’d missed something, he frowned at Grace.

But she just smiled and shook her head.

Going Home

Part 61

Walking back into the room dressed again after her shower Grace smiled as she spotted Josh lying face up on the bed. His feet were on the floor and his arms were spread wide like he’d sat down then just lay back and fell asleep. She noticed he had managed to take off his top, exposing his toned upper body. But he was still wearing his jeans and boots.

Walking over as she rubbed her wet hair with a towel Grace drops the towel and winding her hair into a single strand so it didn’t fall forward on to him she stood between his legs. Then leaning over with one hand planted on either side of his torso she bent lower to gently touch his lips with hers. Even half asleep Josh responded straight away to the touch of her lips on his and unable to help herself Grace increased the pressure and deepened the kiss.

Fully awake now Josh wrapped his arms around Grace and pulled her down on top of him. He wasn’t sure how it happened but he wasn’t at all upset at this turn of events. However just as he was getting serious about what they were doing Grace raised her head.

Having heard Margaret’s voice letting them know dinner was ready, Grace called back to indicate they’d heard then turned back to look at Josh with a smile.

His arms falling back to the bed, Josh groaned and glared at her “that wasn’t nice.”

Smiling at his obvious frustration she pretended not to know what he was talking about “what? It felt pretty nice to me” she teased.

“That’s the problem” Josh growled “you shouldn’t have started something you knew you weren’t going to finish.”

Grace laughed but then looked remorseful “I know Josh and I’m sorry but I just couldn’t help it, you looked so good lying there half naked, I couldn’t resist.”

Groaning again Josh closed his eyes and putting his arms around her held her against him. “Grace don’t” he said “I’m only just hanging on here.” Then opening his eyes and giving her a stern look, he added “but let me tell you what ever you have planned for tonight better be good.”

Laughing again Grace pushed herself up, pulling him to a sitting position in the process. She teased “well you’ll have to wait and see now won’t you.”

But Josh was in no mood for jokes and grabbing her arm before she could move away he warned “Grace?”

Looking at him she decided she’d probably pushed him far enough and running her free hand down his face, her touch tender, she relented “don’t worry Josh it’ll be good, trust me.”

Then standing and giving her a tense smile Josh let her go.

 “Now go shower will you, I’m starving.” she ordered.

Grinning Josh said “oh so am I but I guess we can eat first.”

Smiling Grace shook her head at him and shoved him in the direction of the door.

Going Home

Part 60

As Josh watched Grace move about the room, his mind once more turned to other things. He noticed her jeans and boots were dusty but this didn’t detract from how good she looked with the close fitting material hugging her hips and thighs. Then his gaze moved up and he took in the way her tight top showed off her lovely curves.

With her back to him Grace asked “do you want to shower first or will I?” But Josh didn’t answer and after a few seconds Grace turned back to look at him, “Josh?”

As she met his gaze she realised he has been watching her and surveyed him with suspicion as he smiled and sauntered over.

“How about we conserve water and shower together, we are in the middle of a drought you know?” Josh said grinning.

But Grace had already been thinking about this and had other plans so smiling she gently put him off “ah no, I don’t think that’s a very good idea. But if you are good I do have something in mind for later.”