Page 26 of A Chance to Believe

He took a deep breath, and she guessed he was following her lead, putting aside the herd of elephants in the car.

‘Extended family. Mum’s cousin Grace, her husband Ned Cavanaugh and their son and his wife and kids. You might know them. Morgan and Becca both work at the clinic.’

‘Dr Cavanaugh? I met him at my last appointment. Not sure about his wife.’

‘She’s pregnant, so I think she’s only part-time.’ He slowed at the edge of town. ‘I should have thought. We could have asked your brother.’

‘He isn’t usually in town on the weekend unless he’s on call.’

‘You’re in touch.’

‘Only on social media. I’ve been slack with real life socialising.’

‘You were a bit knocked up when you arrived in town. It’s understandable.’

She chuckled, looking down at her belly. ‘In more ways than one.’

There was a pause, as if he wasn’t sure if he should join in, but eventually a low laugh broke the silence.

‘You’re telling me?’

He flashed a grin at her and the tension that had been building at the thought of meeting strangers dissipated a fraction. They were probably nice people being related to Shayne’s family. It would be okay. ‘Anyone else?’

‘Another cousin. Jordan does cattle and grain and his wife Celie works at the school. They’ve had a tough few years with the drought. Things are only just turning around.’

‘Any kids?’

‘Three. All younger than Morgan’s.’

Children were good. They kept people’s attention, so keeping under the radar might be possible. Shayne was turning into a side street, going past a nursing home. It looked new in parts. ‘Is that where your Nana lives?’

‘Yes. Normally I’d pick her up on the way, but Ben and Kimberley would have done that. Kim likes to show off her prowess. It’s within walking distance of my parents’ place so it’s handy.’

He rounded a corner and turned into a wide driveway to park behind his parents’ luxurious compact SUV almost immediately. There were a couple of cars on the street, so the other guests had already arrived. Ben’s Subaru was missing, but maybe they were still picking up his grandmother.

All the same, she’d made them late with her meltdown. Opening her mouth to apologise, she shut it again when Shayne’s hand gripped her knee.

‘It’s all right. It’s a casual affair and they probably haven’t even started the barbie.’

The house was built in an old-fashioned Queenslander style, yet the timber was freshly painted, the ornamental details picked out in a gum leaf green. Larger than she’d expected for a pair of retirees, but when she thought of spacious Maidens Hill and Dawn’s enjoyment of the history, it made sense. She’d probably completely refurbished the house to her own specifications before she’d even moved in.

Shayne steered her down the side of the house. She could hear children laughing and splashing and the indistinct murmur of adult conversation. The yard was a large one with the pool on the far side along the fence. Apart from the group in the pool and a woman on a lounger watching them, there weren’t any others around.

He indicated the house with the wave of a hand. ‘They’ll be inside getting the food organised.’

They paused at the gate in the fence separating the driveway from the backyard and he turned her to face him. ‘Remember, whatever happens between you and me, you are family now.’

You and me.She wondered if there was any meaning beyond the simple fact. ‘What if something happens to the babies?’

‘Still family. You could cross the world and you would remain the mother of my children. We’ve lost people and they are still loved. Still family.’ His knuckles brushed over her hand where it lay on her stomach, heating the skin down to the bone. ‘I know there are risks, Cassie, but they’ve made it this far. Their odds for survival are improving every day.’

‘I know. I’m just …’

He dropped a light kiss on the corner of her mouth. ‘I know. Cursed.’ He dropped another kiss, right on her mouth. ‘We are going to break the curse for both of us.’

‘You can only break curses with true love’s kiss.’

Lifting her chin with his forefinger, he smiled into her eyes.

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