Page 18 of A Chance to Believe

Shayne closed the door to the annex behind him with a bump of the elbow, grateful Cassie left it open for him, so he didn’t have to put anything down.

She was propped up on the bed, using all the pillows and a couple of cushions, looking surprised, as she might well be.

‘I found this in the storeroom and wondered if it might be useful.’ He lay the long pillow across the bottom of the bed, and she nudged it with one toe.

‘It looks very useful. I planned to get one in Brisbane, but random shopping was one thing I had to give up and I wasn’t sure if it would arrive in time if I ordered it online. Where did you get it?’

‘I have a cousin in the UK who was visiting us while she was pregnant a couple of years ago and bought it locally. She left it behind because of luggage restrictions. It was cleaned at the time and properly stored so it should be alright to use.’

Her eyes shifted to take in his other item. ‘Is that a photo album?’

‘You asked about the family. I thought it might be simpler to show you.’ He held out the leather-bound album and she took it, her hand stroking the leather in an almost erotic sensuality. She’d stroked his body in the same way.

He coughed to clear the tightness in his throat. This was going to be hard enough. ‘Most of the recent family photos are digital, but Mum made this one when we were kids.’

‘I noticed there were no family photos in any of the rooms I’ve been in so far. Is that because of opening the place to the public?’

‘I’ll explain while you look at the photos.’

She patted the bed beside her. ‘You might as well join me. It will be like story time.’

Not like story time. He used to read to Kimberley, and perching on his daughter’s bed was nothing like the tumult of feelings that swept him at the thought of sharing Cassie’s, even platonically. ‘I’ll grab a couple of cushions from the lounge.’

‘Use this.’ She prodded the pregnancy pillow with her foot again and he folded it into place beside her pillows and settled into place.

‘Where would you like to start?’

She nibbled her bottom lip. ‘I think I’m happy with the information your mother gave me at lunch about your ancestors. I’m more interested in the secret twins.’

He reached over to flick open the album propped on her knees. ‘Is it uncomfortable there?’

‘A bit. The bump makes it awkward.’

He snuggled closer, so their thighs touched and took the album.

She moved partly onto one hip, and he braced himself for the brush of her breasts and belly against his side. If they were a couple, he would have this contact as a normal part of the relationship.

‘Who’s that? Your parents?’

He shook off the sensory overload and nodded. ‘Where everything started. This was their engagement photo.’ The next page was the formal wedding photo.

‘Wow.’

‘Yeah. Mum’s family were beef cattle royalty from the eastern side of town. The wedding was massive. If the Taites could have turned the church into a full-blown cathedral, they would have. As it was, it was presided over by a bishop and there were over four hundred guests.’

‘Not my idea of a good time.’

He paused with his hand on the next page. ‘Out of curiosity, what kind of wedding would you have?’

Her hand clenched, and she stretched it out, smoothing her fingers over her belly. ‘Something small. Family mostly, and a few friends. A finger food party afterwards with minimal speeches and lots of opportunities to chat.’

‘How about dancing?’

‘Maybe a DJ and a little dance floor. Something all my girlfriends would use for the macarena.’

‘Please don’t tell me you’re a fan.’

‘I was a toddler. Of course, I was a fan. My cousin is older than me and was incredibly shy. The moment that song came on, she was ripping up the dancefloor and I would join her.’

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