Page 40 of A Chance to Believe

She still had to ask. ‘Are you absolutely certain she wasn’t in love with you?’

‘About as certain as anyone could be about another person’s emotions. She was young and insecure. If nothing else, I think I helped her feel more secure financially. Kimberley helped her grow up.’

‘Yet she left her behind.’

‘It was part of our agreement that Kimberley stayed. It was done properly, legally, with full disclosure. She wasn’t cheated.’

‘That’s a little cruel, isn’t it?’

‘We might have compromised if Courtney had pushed, though having Kimberley helped us all when Brittany died. If she’d married locally, it wouldn’t have been a problem, but that’s not how it worked out. It made sense for Kim to stay here when her mother planned to follow the circuit in the US. She couldn’t have done that with a small child. She can have access so long as it doesn’t interfere with Kimberley’s schooling. When she met Cal, she realised that clinging to ties here wasn’t what she wanted. We’ve sent Kimberley over during the school holidays a few times, but recently it hasn’t been convenient. For them, not us.’

Cassie dragged her mind back to the present as the Lexus pulled into the drive. It had been enlightening seeing a little more clearly how Shayne managed his co-parenting with Kimberley’s mother. It was reassuring that she should be able to keep the twins with her once a custody agreement was reached and she moved out of Maidens Hill. She was getting to know more people locally, beyond the Smith family, so she could make a life here. She didn’t need a job, but there were community organisations she could join if she wanted to be useful when the twins were older, or while they were at Maidens Hill with their father.

Shayne was out of the car and holding the passenger side door open before she made it down the stairs. Such a gentleman. She’d noticed it in Brisbane, the old-fashioned courtesy. It had been one more thing that had endeared him to her, despite her determination to stay emotionally aloof.

The doctor’s surgery was busy, with a good number seated in the waiting room and an older couple at the reception desk being looked after by a young woman with hair of a rather faded blue tied back in a high ponytail.

After she checked in, they found a couple of seats away from the crowd, who were mostly sitting in the main area watching morning television. It wasn’t until they were sitting down that Cassie realised what she’d let Shayne in for.

Most of the people in the waiting room were giving him speculative looks, their eyes darting to her stomach and back again. She took a sip from her water bottle to moisten her dry mouth.

‘I’m thinking this might have been a mistake.’

Shayne was sitting upright in the chair, his hands resting on his knees. He seemed oblivious to the interest of the locals. He leaned into her, keeping his voice low. ‘Why a mistake?’

‘Everyone is staring. The rumour mill will go double time to make sure the town knows you were sitting with a very pregnant woman at the doctor’s surgery today.’

‘It doesn’t bother me, Cassie Long. I’m proud to be the father of your babies. It’s not a secret.’

‘Don’t you worry about being talked about?’

‘We went through the mill years ago when my sister died. It was a scandal far more exciting than me knocking up a woman having consensual sex.’

Cassie caught the eye of an older woman who had lain her magazine on her lap to study the newcomers. She nodded at them before ostentatiously returning to her reading. ‘Do you know her? She seems to know you.’

‘Beryl Harmsworth. Excellent catch. We’ve known the Harmsworth’s forever. Ninety per cent of the town will have the information before nightfall. We’ll be a one-day wonder and it will save us having to inform anyone not in the immediate family.’

‘I don’t see how you can laugh about it.’

One hand shifted to rest on her thigh. Beryl’s magazine dropped a fraction.

‘I can tell you’re a city slicker. We’re a community. Much as we might value our privacy, our neighbours are interested in us. It’s only natural. I guess it’s the price we pay for having a supportive community.’

She’d never really lived in a small town despite her early years on a rural property. They’d been too far out of town to socialise much, though she understood about community. ‘I’ll have a lot to learn if I stay in town.’

‘Do you think you will?’

‘It’s going to be more convenient for the children.’

‘Will you miss the city life?’

‘Not really. I lived a very suburban life. Almost small town, but the community aspect was more spread across interest groups rather than neighbourhood proximity. It’s not like I can’t go down for a weekend now and then, especially if it’s your turn for the children.’

His spine straightened and his gaze settled on the poster across the room. ‘We can cross that bridge when we come to it.’

‘It’s only a few weeks now. I’m not likely to go to term.’

The softening she’d sensed while they were talking about generalities had gone. It might have been a mistake reminding him of their unresolved decisions about parenting. It had to be faced. ‘I haven’t heard anything from the real estate agent. I should do more about finding myself somewhere of my own.’

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