Page 57 of Where the Heart Is

‘Good. Though my granddaughter’s wedding didn’t go ahead.’

His smile faded. ‘Is everything okay?’

‘Yeah. Long story. I’ll tell you when I get back.’

‘And when’s that going to be?’ Raven wiggled his bushy eyebrows. ‘I’m missing my favourite gal.’

Raven said that to every woman over the age of eighteen who entered the juice bar. An outrageous flirt, he made her laugh most days, and she knew that was a major attraction after the fraught silences of her marriage. Their occasional coupling suited her. Scratching a physical itch and keeping the doubt demons at bay, the ones that whispered in her ear she was lonely and selling herself short.

‘Probably another two weeks. I’m enjoying catching up with Mila and I think she needs me right now.’

‘Gotcha.’ He winked and peered closer at the screen. ‘I must say, that country air suits you. You’re glowing.’

Adelaide blushed, wondering if her glow had more to do with Jack’s attention last night than the air.

‘You’re gorgeous, woman,’ he said, his grin salacious. ‘Get back here ASAP, so I can prove in the best possible way how much I’ve missed you, okay?’

Usually, Raven’s overt antics entertained. Today, he came across as sleazy.

‘I’ll let you know when I’m back,’ she said, ignoring his blown kiss and ending the call.

So much for a distraction. She thought seeing Raven’s handsome face, hearing his voice with the faint Irish lilt, would take her mind off her wayward thoughts about Jack. Turns out, not so much. In fact, she couldn’t help but compare the two men. How easy things had been between her and Jack last night despite their tough history, how he’d made her feel relaxed, whereas Raven’s interest came across as slimy rather than funny as she usually found it.

She knew no good could come of acknowledging her growing attraction to Jack, which is why she’d embarked on this long walk at the crack of dawn. But not even a two-hour round trip had helped, and as she stood and dusted off her butt before striding towards the final bend, she knew she might have to leave sooner rather than later. Once her car had been repaired, she’d see if the lawyer had any cancellations, so she could finalise what needed to be done and head off.

As the cottage came into view, an unexpected peace descended over her. She shouldn’t be getting too comfortable but in a short space of time, the cosy bungalow had become a refuge. It probably had to do with the sandstone walls she’d coveted forever, and the feel of the place … She really hoped she wasn’t getting too attached because of the man who lived a hundred metres away.

Sighing, she opened the door, and stopped. Her mouth hung open as she saw what someone—had to be Jack—had propped by the window flooded with morning light.

A wooden easel with a blank canvas, and a caddy filled with brushes and tubes of paint.

How on earth … Why … Then she remembered mentioning to him yesterday how much she missed painting. It had been a throwaway comment, something she’d thought he hadn’t paid any attention to. Why would he, when he hadn’t taken any interest in her painting in the past?

But to find this …

Overwhelmed by emotions she had no hope of interpreting, Adelaide burst into tears. Loud, racking sobs that had snot streaming out of her nose and made her chest ache.

She couldn’t believe he’d done this.

The man she’d hurt, the man she’d abandoned, the man who should hate her, had given her this thoughtful gift.

When her tears petered out, she cleaned herself up in the bathroom and made a beeline for Jack’s cottage. Nerves made her stomach churn as she knocked on the back door, though what she had to be nervous about she had no idea. Jack had done something incredibly thoughtful so she’d thank him, then go explore those paints. Nothing grounded her like staring at a blank canvas and imagining it come to life, and she couldn’t think of anything else she needed more right now.

Jack didn’t answer so she knocked again, louder this time, and when he finally opened the door, wearing a towel and a bashful smile, she did an impulsive, crazy thing she knew she’d regret.

She flung herself into his arms and kissed him.

CHAPTER

35

Phil’s ute pulled up shortly after Sawyer left and Mila quashed her annoyance at him showing up without letting her know first. She wanted to tell him off, but regardless of what had happened, Phil was still her neighbour and friend, and they’d be seeing more of each other whether she liked it or not. Besides, with Sawyer coming through for her and securing a buyer for her land, she should be happy she’d had a lucky escape and hadn’t had to marry for money.

‘Howdy, neighbour,’ Phil said, raising his hand as he got out of the ute.

‘You’re not a cowboy,’ Mila muttered, earning a grin.

‘Can’t you give a guy a break? I’m still feeling awkward around you.’

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