Imago Page 2

  The corner of his mouth drew up. “I knew that, yes.”

  “So maybe the design was not so illogical after all.”

  “Or maybe Da Vinci thought it was so illogical he just had to see how it worked.”

  I went to rebut his argument, but the more I thought about his reasoning, the less I could argue. “Possibly.”

  He grinned like he’d won first prize. Then he said, “You should get going.”

  Oh, yes. Right. I got out of the vehicle, and before I shut the door, I said, “Thank you, Mr Brighton. I truly do appreciate the lift.”

  “Anytime,” he answered. “And please, call me Jack.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  Jack

  I sat there and watched as Lawson raced into the museum. He appeared to be the picture of perfection, impeccably dressed and not one hair out of place. But I got the feeling he ran late to every appointment he ever made.

  He was like no man I’d ever met. Crazy smart―genius, apparently―and absolutely clueless about how gorgeous he was. He dressed like it was the 1920s and he spoke the Queen’s English like he’d just swallowed the Oxford Dictionary.

  Jesus. He made my chest feel too small for my heart.

  I wanted to spend more time with him. I wanted to discuss the illogical reasoning of humans and dragonflies, and why butterflies? I wanted to taste those pink lips and see how far that blush ran down his neck…

  By the way he’d checked me out when I bumped into him on the plane and then again standing at the car rental desk, I was pretty sure he was gay. Or interested. Or curious. Or something.

  I just had to figure out a way of seeing him again… Then I remembered he’d left his suitcase in the back of my ute. I grinned victoriously, and without knowing how long his appointment at the museum was to go for, I had a reason to sit and wait.

  And wait, I did.

  Two hours later, he scurried out of the front doors, and he tripped over his feet when he saw me leaning against my ute, waiting for him. He looked around and behind himself to see if I was smiling at someone else, which only made him more endearing.

  “You forgot your suitcase,” I called out.

  “Oh!” He looked horrified. And cute. He hurried toward me. “I made you wait all this time. I do apologise.”

  “Well, I could lie and tell you it was a terrible inconvenience, but I didn’t mind. It gave me a pretty good opportunity to ask you out for dinner.”

  He stared at me like my words made no sense, then a shade of pink bloomed across his cheeks. “Oh.”

  “If you want to, that is,” I clarified. God, I didn’t even know if he was seeing someone… Or even if he was inclined to want to have dinner with a man. “If you’re interested.”

  He stammered, his mouth opened and shut a few times, and his blush deepened.

  So I softened the question for him. “I don’t get to have dinner with guys who can hold an interesting conversation very often. And that’s all it has to be, if you want. Just dinner and conversation. My treat.”

  He blinked and swallowed thickly. “I… well, I… yes. Yes, I think I’d like that. Though I must warn you, as I said before, my conversation skills are not my strongest quality.”

  I was grinning. I couldn’t help it. “I think we’ll manage just fine.”

  He huffed out a breath, then patted down his already perfect hair, looked around nervously, and smiled.

  “Right then,” I said. “Which hotel are you staying at? Did I hear you say it was out of town?”

  “Oh!” He looked horrified again. “When you said dinner…”

  I burst out laughing when I realised what he thought I was implying. “No, no, that’s not what I meant. I’ll drop you off at your hotel and, like a gentleman, pick you up again for dinner. If that’s okay? I mean, I’m not opposed to seeing the inside of your hotel room, but I was actually looking forward to dinner and a conversation too.”

  Now he blushed a deep burgundy. Damn, and if it didn’t disappear down underneath his collar. He looked down the street, anywhere it seemed but at me. “Well, I’m supposed to be staying in a place called Scottsdale―”

  “Scottsdale?”

  “Yes. Professor Tillman suggested it would be a good deal closer to where I needed to go. But my rental car wasn’t available. If we could find another rental place, I’d really appreciate that.”

  “I can do you one better than that,” I said. “I can drive you to Scottsdale.”

  His gaze shot to mine. “No, I couldn’t ask that of you. You’ve already been terribly inconvenienced.”

  “I live in Scottsdale, so it’s not an inconvenience at all.”

  He didn’t miss a beat. His eyes narrowed. “You told me the museum was on your way when you offered me a lift here. I only accepted the ride because it wasn’t out of your way. Now you’re saying you live sixty kilometres away? Downtown Launceston is hardly on your way. And what of dinner? You would drive all the way back just for dinner?”

  “Yes I would,” I said honestly. “It’s only a forty-five-minute drive. I make this trip all the time. And the museum kind of is on my way, if I choose to drive through the city, which in this case I did. And who’s to say I didn’t have something to do here anyway? Maybe my reason wasn’t all about you.”

  This shut him up. “Oh. Well, of course it wasn’t.”

  I tried not to smile but couldn’t help it. “But it kinda really was. I only offered the lift to the museum because you were stuck. And because you’re very cute, I won’t lie. That was also a deciding factor.”

  He blinked.

  I laughed. “You don’t get compliments very often, do you?”

  I didn’t wait for him to answer; I just opened the passenger door of the ute. “Hop in.”

  I walked around the car and got in behind the wheel while he still stood at the door. He frowned seriously at me. “Are you making excuses about driving to Scottsdale? Is that some ploy also?”

  “Nope. No ploy. I really do live there. And my dog is probably wondering where I am. I told her I’d be home today at lunch time.” I started the truck. “And what ploy would I have? You’ve already agreed to have dinner with me.”

  “I could take that back,” he said defiantly as he climbed into his seat. “Rescinding a dinner invitation would be well within my personal boundaries.”

  I barked out a laugh. “Well, we can discuss your personal boundaries over a drink if you don’t want to eat.” I could tell by the look on his face and the colour he went what he thought I meant by that, which wasn’t what I meant at all. It only made me laugh more. “Not those kind of personal boundaries. That’s not where my mind went, but clearly yours did.”

  He spluttered. “It did not.”

  “It totally did. And I’m okay with that. But please, let me buy you dinner first. I’m a gentleman, after all.”

  He tried to speak but couldn’t seem to find the words. So instead, he looked out the window at the passing city. I could see the tips of his ears were pink and he was still clutching his laptop satchel on his lap. I felt bad for taking advantage of his embarrassment, but before I could apologise, he turned to me abruptly. “So we are clear, my personal boundaries are mine to divulge when and where I choose fit. Not you. Whilst I do appreciate the taxiing me across Tasmania, which you have graciously afforded me―and I am most grateful―I don’t divulge such personal information on a first date. Because I am a gentleman also, after all.”

  Nerdy, gorgeous, intelligent, and sassy. God, he just keeps getting better.

  “And you can stop smiling like that,” he continued.

  “No, I’m good, thanks,” I said, grinning at him. “You just called dinner a date. I’m well within my personal boundaries to smile.”

  He sniffed indignantly, but now he was trying not to smile. “I think you missed the point.”

  I was pretty sure I didn’t. I was so intrigued by this man, I was excited to know more about him. “So, I take it your meeting with the professor
at the museum went well?”

  “Very well. He’s a very generous man. He’s donated a reasonable find of specimen to the museum. He’s been a lepidopterist for the better part of sixty years, and his collection is quite remarkable.”

  “He works there?”

  “Not at all. He’s into his eighties now. He has simply given his entire collection to the museum and wished for me to see it. For some reason, he seems to have taken a liking to me,” he said. “He has asked me to do a field study. Chosen me, I should say. He claims to be too old to be trekking into the field these days, and he trusts me.”

  “Have you met him before?”

  “Not before today. I’ve studied his works and read his many journals. I attended a lecture of his at Melbourne University.”

  “How can he trust you if you’ve only just met today?”

  “Because he’s studied my work and read my journal entries. My thesis, he said, was brilliant.”

  He spoke of his own merits without ego. I guess he didn’t need to. If he was as brilliant as he claimed to be, it spoke for itself.

  “I think he likes the fact I’m not… cohesive with my peers,” he went on to say. “I tend to speak my mind, which annoys my superiors to no end. I also refuse to blindly agree with their decisions only to further my career.”

  “What’s the field study he trusts you with?”

  “Ah…”

  “You’d rather not say,” I concluded. “He trusts you with it, I get that.”

  “Thank you.” Lawson sighed and studied the passing scenery again for a short while. “It’s very dry here. I was expecting Tasmania to be greener.”

  “The drought has hit hard,” I explained. “This is the third year with rainfall well below average for these parts. The west and south coasts haven’t experienced any drought at all, but the north and east have struggled. Farmers are doing it tough. Towns have been on level three water restrictions for going on two years now.”

  “I assume water conservation is a substantial part of your job.”

  “Yep. You assume correctly. Land, water, ecosystems, flora, fauna. It has to be about conservation.”

  He smiled at me like something clicked into place inside him. “I wholeheartedly agree.”

  And driving down the highway at a hundred k’s an hour, our gazes locked for just a moment, and something clicked into place inside me.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Lawson

  Scottsdale was a small agricultural town. With a population of two and a half thousand people, there was a primary school, a high school, a small supermarket, a pub, post office, a bakery, and not a great deal more. It was very scenic, though. The main street had kept its heritage look with old-fashioned bull-nosed verandas, window shutters, and antiquated signs. It was charming.

  “Where am I taking you to?” Jack asked as we drove down the main street.

  I took out my phone and read the email confirmation. “Bloom’s Bed and Breakfast. It was either that or the pub. I don’t fancy the noise of a pub, so I opted for the quieter option.”

  He smiled knowingly. “The B&B is lovely. Well, I’ve never stayed there, but it looks real nice and the owners are good people. The pub’s not bad, though. No real late nights out here, and never any trouble, if that was what you were worried about.”

  I ignored his implied question. “Do you know everyone in this town?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “How long have you lived here?”

  “Three years. And I love it. It was a helluva lot greener when I moved here. A lot prettier, but I do love it here regardless.”

  “Where are you from?”

  “Hobart. And you?”

  “Melbourne.”

  Jack nodded and pulled the ute to a stop out the front of a quaint looking cottage with a Bloom’s Bed and Breakfast sign swinging from a post in the front yard. “Well, this is you.”

  “It is.”

  “So, about dinner,” he started. “I had every intention of taking you somewhere nice in Launceston because I thought that was where you were staying. But now you’re staying here. I mean, we can still go back to the city if you’d prefer because our dining options are limited. We have the pub or the corner takeaway shop. Their fish and chips are good, and the bowlo has pretty good Chinese food, but if I were wanting to impress, I’d rather eat somewhere a little fancier.”

  “Are you?” I asked. “Wanting to impress?”

  Jack looked right at me. “Yes.”

  My stomach twisted in a strange but pleasant way. “Then I shall leave it to you to surprise me.”

  “Oh good,” he said with a laugh. “No pressure then.”

  I smiled, feeling victorious. Over what, I had no clue. “And so you’re aware, my expectations are not directly related to the food we eat, but rather the company. And I’m already impressed.”

  His smile was immediate and heart stopping. Before I could do something stupid, I unbuckled my seatbelt, pushed on the door handle, and climbed out of the ute. Jack scrambled to do the same, and he met me around my side. He lifted my suitcase out and put it between us, his hands still around the handle. “So, is six o’clock okay? It’s three hours away. Is that enough time?”

  “Six o’clock would be perfect.”

  He grinned and stared at me.

  “Uh, can I have my suitcase?”

  “Oh. Sure.” He took his hands off it and wiped his palms on his thighs. “Six o’clock, then. I’ll just park right here.” He took a step backwards, his smile still in place. He took another step backwards as if he didn’t want to turn away from me, and even when he walked around his ute, he still smiled at me. He really was ridiculously endearing. The fact he was as sweet as he was tall was purely a bonus.

  I found myself smiling as I dragged my suitcase to the cottage front door. I was greeted by a small, grey-haired woman with rosy cheeks who introduced herself as Nola. After I confirmed my booking and handed over my credit card, she kept eyeing my bow tie. “We don’t get many folks during the week. Here on business?”

  “Yes.” I smiled pleasantly, and she was a friendly woman, but I wasn’t one to blurt all my personal details to a stranger. A handsome, mountain-sized stranger with a delightful smile, maybe. But I got the feeling this lady was partial to gossip.

  “Did I see Jack Brighton drop you off?”

  Yes, gossiper for sure. “Ah, yes.”

  “Such a nice fellow. Moved here about three years ago. Works in the Rangers offices, lives out on Stanning Road. We didn’t give his city-self long to stay before he got bored with it all, but he fit right in from day one. They say it takes twenty years to become a local, but I’d reckon he’s as good as one already.” She looked around the room conspiringly, like someone might overhear her. “They say he’s not inclined to date women, if you know what I mean. Not that that’s any of my business…”

  It was clear she made everything her business, and it was also clear by the way she was looking at me, she was suggesting he may be interested in men and in particular, me. I’m surprised she didn’t wink at me.

  “No, not that it’s any of your business,” I said with a smile that belied my tone. “If you could show me to my room, I’d be most appreciative.”

  “Oh yes.” She didn’t miss a beat. She just prattled on about the goings on of Scottsdale as she showed me to my room. “It’s a private room. You’re the only guest here tonight, and Bill and I are at the other end of the house. You won’t hear a peep from us.”

  “Thank you,” I said, opening the door and wheeling my suitcase in. I could see all my personal effects had been delivered, as organised.

  “Oh, they arrived yesterday,” Nola said, nodding toward the plastic storage tubs. “We stacked them in here for you, but of course we didn’t look in them. I didn’t want to pry.”

  That told me she’d looked inside every one. She was still talking, but I needed some time. “Thank you. I do need to rest. It’s been a long day.”

&nbs
p; “Oh, of course. Don’t mind me. I’ve been known to chatter,” she said with a grandmotherly smile. “What time would you like dinner served?”

  “Oh, I won’t be requiring dinner this evening. But thank you.”

  “Oh.”

  She waited for me to explain, which I had no intention of doing.

  “Well, then. What time would you like breakfast?”

  “Seven, if that’s suitable.”

  “Yes, yes. Very suitable.” She sighed dreamily. “I must say, it’s such a pleasant change to have someone your age who speaks properly. Most kids these days―”

  “Thank you, Nola. If you’ll excuse me. I need to use the bathroom.”

  “Oh!” she said and stepped quickly out of my room. “Gracious. And here I am keeping you.”

  As I closed the door behind her, I could still hear her talking as she walked down the hall. I fell back on the bed, which was surprisingly soft and comfortable. I sighed loudly, taking in the blessed silence. I was lying about needing to use the bathroom, but I wasn’t lying when I said it had been quite a day. Not only had I met Professor Tillman and had yet to truly absorb all he’d told me, but I’d also met one Jack Brighton.

  And I somehow had a date with him.

  Me, Lawson Gale. Nerd and brains extraordinaire. The guy who never gets asked out, who never dates. I wasn’t a eunuch, by any means, but I wasn’t… promiscuous either. I never caught the eye of handsome strangers. Hell, I never caught the eye of any strangers. Yet, despite all odds and reason, he’d seemed quite interested in me.

  I wished we’d exchanged phone numbers. I’d call him and advise him not to pick me up for our date. Surely I could walk down to the main street and meet him, away from the prying eyes of Nola Bloom. I’d also be able to ask about what my expected dinner attire should be. I had no idea where he was taking me, if it were back into Launceston for five-star dining or to the park for a picnic.