Page 47 of A Chance to Believe

‘What century are you living in, Tess? Copybook?’

‘My mother was always telling me I was blotting it. Something to do with fountain pens and books you used to practice writing at the dawn of time. I googled it.’

Of course, the distraction didn’t stick. ‘Give me one good reason you wouldn’t want all this?’

It was a hard question to answer, given they were sitting at the dining table with a fabulous chicken salad put together by Parker. ‘You know I’m not worried about that stuff.’

‘No. This is about Brian, isn’t it? You’re scared as hell and running for cover.’

‘I don’t want to take that risk. I’ve lost everyone I ever cared about. I will not put myself in that situation again.’

‘But you are in that situation already, aren’t you? You care about him and his daughter. You have the twins. There are people in your life already that you can’t run from.’

A fresh voice entered the conversation. ‘It doesn’t work. Marriage doesn’t make losing people worse.’

Parker stood inside the door that led into the kitchen with a jug of juice and a couple of glasses. His mouth twitched. ‘I’m sorry. I couldn’t help overhearing.’

Tess shifted her wheelchair slightly to face him. ‘You’re a man of experience. I’d be interested in hearing your opinion.’

He came forward, placing the drinks on the table. ‘I thought I could run when I met Jim. I put obstacles in the way and eventually they worked. He left, came back here and didn’t contact me. It was two years before I forced myself to contact him.’

‘What obstacles?’ Tess was really into this, leaning forward, her eyes fixed on the man.

‘I said I couldn’t leave my job. I wanted him to move to the coast. He could have got a job at the resort handling the horses for the trail rides on the beach and through the national park. He told me flat out that this was his place, his land. This was where he belonged. I didn’t understand at first, that connection to land.’

‘Jim’s people were from Maidens Hill?’

‘Long before the first Maiden settled here. They saved his life and there’s always been respect between the locals and the family.’

‘That doesn’t sound very fair.’

‘You should talk to Jim. His family history is linked to the Maidens and the Smiths.’

Cassie promised herself she’d do that. Her relationship with Jim was very casual because he was mostly working outside and when he came in, it was usually to spend time with Parker in their private apartments. He’d come a few times to listen to her play the piano and she knew he played the guitar. That was about the extent of it.

She wondered what had changed for Parker. ‘What changed your mind?’

‘I decided I’d rather risk being miserable with Jim in a strange place than be miserable without him.’

After he’d gone back to the kitchen, Tess tilted her head at Cassie. ‘That’s telling you. Do you think you’ll be miserable living back in the country? I know you said you’d never go back, but you were practically a kid when you made all these choices. Brian’s been gone for eight years. He wouldn’t want you to be alone. And don’t say you’ll have the children. It’s not the same and you know it. Besides, their father is going to be in your life, whatever you decide about marriage. Might as well make it official. Then he can do night duty and warm your bed in between. Win, win.’

The trouble was, Tess was selling it. If it wasn’t for that cold lump in her gut, she’d be dancing to Shayne’s tune and signing up for a wedding. Maybe not until after the twins were born. Vanity could only be suffocated to a certain extent. If there were any wedding snaps, Cassie didn’t want to look like a blimp, although Rasmus had promised her a wedding dress for whatever shape she was in. Not that she’d expected to take him up on the offer. Still wasn’t if her gut would put her heart in its place.

Even Parker had been encouraging, in his own way. Be with Shayne or be condemned to watch his life from the sidelines. He was ripe for marriage and settling down. Anyone could turn up and take advantage of him in this mellow, receptive mood he was generating.

‘I’ll think about it.’ She frowned at Tess’s broad grin. ‘I said think about it. I still think it’s not something I want to do.’ If she could be sure of what Shayne felt for her, apart from gratitude for giving him a couple of sons and a fond recollection of great sex, she might be more positive about it. As it was, caution was keeping her on the fence.

* * *

The sound of voices lured Shayne to the dining room. He arrived in time to hear Cassie telling her friend she’d think about it. He’d missed exactly what. He wished he’d arrived a little sooner because he had the feeling it was significant. Especially when they both looked up with what could only be described as matching guilty expressions. Which suggested they were most likely talking about him.

‘You must be Tess. Cassie told me you would come over.’ He shook her hand, taking in the rainbow hair matching the vibrant colours of the tie-dyed shift dress she wore and the bright yellow sandals with a large white daisy on the top. Even the wheelchair had colourful hubcaps covering the spokes. The epitome of the bohemian artist. ‘Do you mind if I join you? Parker said he would bring me some lunch.’

Tess shot a glance at Cassie. ‘By all means. I was hoping to meet you, but Cassie said you had a busy week happening.’

‘I still need to eat. Even better with company.’

The conversation was relaxed once Parker delivered a plate of sandwiches and a mug of coffee to the table. Tess asked what he was doing with the rodeo and he caught up with what her parents were doing. His mother would be interested as they’d been involved in the historical society before moving away.

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