Page 76 of Where the Heart Is

And he had no doubt that once she learned the truth, she’d be glad to see the back of him.

‘How will Mick react?’ he asked, only to hear a footfall behind him.

‘How will I react about what?’

Sawyer’s heart sank as he turned and fixed a smile on his face. The last thing Alli needed was her husband thinking they’d been talking about him behind his back.

‘Hey, Mick.’ Sawyer thrust out his hand. ‘Good to see you.’

‘You too, mate.’ A lie, and they both knew it. Mick shook his hand quickly and released it. ‘What’s going on?’

Sawyer shot Alli a quick questioning glance and when she nodded, he said, ‘I was just telling Alli I have ADHD. How I acted out at school because of it, how I couldn’t concentrate long enough to learn anything, but I got diagnosed in my early twenties and never looked back.’

‘Sounds a bit like Brett,’ Mick said, his expression thoughtful. ‘He can’t sit still for two seconds, especially when it comes to homework.’

‘He’s a great kid. Aimee too. You and Alli are lucky,’ Sawyer said, relieved Mick had taken his interference in the right way and hadn’t reacted defensively.

‘Yeah, we are.’ Mick slung an arm across Allison’s shoulders and Sawyer had never been happier to see his sister lean into her husband rather than stiffening, which would’ve happened if they were truly on the outs and Mick was a controlling prick. ‘So you think we should get Brett assessed or something?’

Sawyer nodded. ‘Can’t hurt.’

‘I agree,’ Mick said. ‘How about you, Al?’

Allison glanced up at her husband and smiled. Looked like Sawyer wasn’t the only one relieved by how Mick was taking the news. ‘Our kids are incredible and we want to give them every opportunity in life, so if that means maximising Brett’s potential if he needs help, we do it.’

Mick’s fond smile at his wife made Sawyer wish he hadn’t misjudged the guy. ‘You’re a smart woman, Allison Fogarty, one of the many reasons I married you.’

Pleased that this had gone better than expected, Sawyer said, ‘Want me to pick up the kids so you two can sort out appointments?’

Mick nodded. ‘Thanks, mate. And we appreciate you telling us about what you went through in an effort to help Brett. You must’ve had it tough growing up.’ He sent a pointed stare at Allison. ‘Especially with much-older sisters who were more interested in chasing after boys like me than keeping an eye on their little brother.’

‘You’re an idiot,’ Alli said, elbowing Mick hard enough he let out an ‘oomph’. ‘But seriously, Sawyer, we do appreciate it.’

‘No worries.’

At least, not with his family. But with his impending plan to tell Mila the truth, that was a giant worry.

CHAPTER

46

Knowing she would see Jack for the first time in fourteen years at Mila’s wedding, Adelaide had wanted to make a good impression—equal parts‘See what you’ve been missing out on’and‘I’m rubbing your nose in it’—so she’d packed a knockout dress.

She’d grabbed it for next to nothing at a vintage market in Tally Bay. While the floor-length, layered chiffon one-shoulder dress had been second-hand, it fitted like it had been made for her. She paired the ice-blue gown with silver kitten-heel sandals, a beaded clutch, and simple diamanté drop earrings, kept her makeup to a minimum with coral lipstick, blush, and mascara, and twisted her hair into a loose chignon at the nape of her neck.

As she gave a final twirl in front of the mirror, she knew she’d never looked so good. Though the natural glow she sported might have more to do with the last few nights spent in Jack’s bed than any serum regimen she adhered to diligently.

The way they’d reconnected … it’s what she’d envisaged for their future in later life but had given up on a long time ago. They talked well into the nights, they cooked together, they watched movies together, he read while she painted, they made love …

It scared her, how good they were together after all the acrimony of the past, and it made her entertain thoughts she never would’ve. Thoughts like, what would happen if she stayed in town longer? Would Jack be willing to give them a second chance? Would she be giving up her independence and all she’d achieved if she moved back permanently? Was this just the best make-up sex/reunion and it would wear off if they got back together?

So many questions she needed answers to before she made any life-changing decisions, but they could wait for tonight.

Tonight, she intended on making every moment count.

She’d planned on heading over to Jack’s for a quick drink before they left, but when she opened the door, he stood on the other side, one hand raised to knock, the other clutching a bunch of daisies.

‘These are for you,’ he said, reminiscent of the first night he’d given her a bunch with those exact words, the night they met at the B & S ball in Nhill, when he’d run out to the nearest paddock and picked her a bunch after they’d danced for an hour straight.

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