Page 28 of Where the Heart Is

‘Tell me about the wedding and why it didn’t happen.’

‘Not much to tell. Phil arrived here yesterday morning, told me he’d met someone online, and didn’t want to marry me. End of story.’

Incredulous, Addy snorted. ‘You’ve just told me your future husband abandoned you with as much emotion as if you were reciting new silo prices. What’s going on?’

Mila didn’t want Gramps knowing the truth of why she’d been about to marry her neighbour, because the last thing she needed was him reiterating the burdens of taking on a big loan or swooping in to try and fix everything. Not that he could. If Gramps could offer financial aid she would’ve already approached him. But he’d invested the proceeds of the farm’s sale in a long-term deposit that paid him annual interest, enough to live on but not enough to bail her out.

But confiding in Gran would be okay, assuming Addy wouldn’t run to Gramps and tell him everything. Unlikely, considering they hadn’t spoken in years.

‘You can’t tell Gramps this.’

Addy rolled her eyes and made a zipping motion over her lips. ‘Jack may have been chivalrous last night in letting me stay and dropping me here this morning, but that doesn’t make us besties. We haven’t spoken in fourteen years so I’m not about to go telling him anything you divulge in confidence.’

Mila smiled. ‘In that case, do you remember those romance books you used to read which occasionally had a marriage of convenience?’

Addy’s eyes widened. ‘You’re telling me you were going to marry Phil but didn’t love him?’

‘Yes.’ Mila sighed. ‘Phil and I are mates, and he’s good company. It gets lonely out at the farm, and we’ve spent a fair bit of time together, so it made sense that our marriage would be based on friendship while being a business arrangement. He’d get some of my land and I’d get some of his cash to fund my farm-stay project, which I’ll show you later.’

Her grandmother’s eyebrows rose. ‘So your marriage would’ve been a mutually beneficial financial agreement and that’s it?’

Mila nodded. ‘We had a frank conversation. There were no romantic expectations.’ She shrugged. ‘As you know all too well, farming life can be isolating and it’s nice to have someone who understands. Someone to offload to at the end of a hard day. Phil and I were already doing that some nights, so making a more permanent arrangement would’ve given us both comfort.’

Addy touched her arm. ‘Sweetheart, it sounds like you were settling.’

‘Not settling as much as making the most of our situation. Anyway, it’s irrelevant now.’

Addy frowned. ‘Well, I for one am glad you didn’t marry Phil.He’s not the right man for you.’

‘Then why didn’t you say anything when I let you know I was marrying him?’

Guilt shadowed Addy’s face and she glanced away. ‘Because I hadn’t been here in years and I had no right to judge. For all I knew, you’d discovered Phil was the love of your life.’ She shook her head.‘I had no right to interfere in your happiness, so I kept my opinions to myself.’

‘Fair enough,’ Mila said, knowing she wouldn’t have taken her gran’s advice even if Addy had offered it. Saving the farm was too important to her.

‘For what it’s worth, Jack mentioned he thought you might be marrying Phil for his money.’ Addy tapped her temple. ‘Your grandfather may be the strong, silent type, but he’s astute.’

So much for keeping Gramps out of the loop. ‘Don’t confirm his suspicions, okay?’

‘So you are in financial trouble?’ Addy sighed and reached across the table to grab her hand. ‘This is serious, sweetheart, and I’m sure Jack can help if you need—’

‘I need to do this on my own,’ Mila said, her tone resolute. ‘Surely you of all people can understand?’

Confusion creased Addy’s brow and Mila continued. ‘You’re strong and independent and left your family behind to make it on your own. You’re self-sufficient, and that’s what I want. To make my mark.’

Sombre, Addy nodded. ‘I understand, but there’s a big difference between painting and working in a juice bar to earn a living and farming in the Wimmera. You’ve got droughts to contend with, and fluctuating legume prices, not to mention the hardship of being out here on your own and trying to make this place viable.’

‘Is that why you left? It got too hard for you?’

Mila hadn’t meant to sound accusatory, but Addy paled and released Mila’s hand, leaving her wishing she could take back the question. Though she’d always wondered what had driven her grandmother away to the point she never came back.

‘Everything got too hard for me,’ Addy murmured, pain clouding her eyes as she blinked and reached for the teapot.

An awkward silence descended as Addy poured the tea, but her grandmother being here was an opportunity too good to pass up to grill her some more. Their annual catch-ups in Sydney were a time when they drank champagne out the front of the Opera House, indulged in a high tea at a five-star hotel, strolled between Bondi and Coogee, and chatted about their lives, but on a superficial level. They avoided the tough stuff because they loved each other and didn’t want to mar their brief catch-up.

But having Addy home after fourteen years, Mila wanted to know why her grandmother had left her.

‘I know it’s not my place to grill you about your marriage, Gran, but to stay away so long …’ Mila sighed and took a sip of tea to ease the tightness in her throat. ‘You might’ve been punishing Gramps, but I got hurt too.’

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