Page 5 of A Chance to Believe

‘Because they’re twins?’

‘Yes. They share everything, so it’s a higher risk pregnancy.’

She didn’t seem worried. But she could be like him, hiding emotions. Even in their fortnight together, she had revealed nothing of herself. That wasn’t quite true. The facts of her life were unknown, yet she’d revealed a lot about who she was. He also knew her body intimately. She’d been open about her pleasure in his company and having him in her bed.

‘Are there any concerns now?’

‘I’m not supposed to be on my feet too much and must rest regularly. More frequent appointments with doctors, etc. Otherwise, things are progressing normally.’

‘Do you have your due dates?’

‘Technically early May. More likely in April.’

‘Because twins.’ He could understand that much. They’d had prime rams in with the sheep for the last month aiming for them to drop in late winter. Better feed coming into spring. April would be good timing. Not too busy. He shook his head. He had no idea what Cassie was planning. She’d be back in the city by then. He’d need to organise time off so he could go down. In the meantime, he could think about supporting her in whatever way she needed.

‘How can I help?’

‘I’m financially stable. I don’t need any help. It was something I thought you should know.’

‘I’m grateful you thought of me at all.’

A corner of her mouth twitched. ‘Believe me, Shayne Smith, you’ve been on my mind.’

As much as she’d been on his? He didn’t have a pregnancy to prompt the recollection of what they’d done, but she had been on his mind constantly. He couldn’t count the number of times he’d scrolled through his contacts to call her. Remembering she came from the city had kept him from the urge to make a fool of himself. Been there, done that. Somehow, the broken heart didn’t count any more. It had kept him from dating anyone seriously for years.

Until Cassie had captured his interest and kept it for two weeks and beyond. He’d been in Brisbane half a dozen times on brief trips since the Ekka. He hadn’t been tempted to pick up someone once. Afterwards, he’d told himself it hadn’t been worth it for a night or two. In fact, it was the memory of what he’d had with Cassie and that uncalled number.

Looking at her now, he should have called. It would have made today less awkward. She’d probably thought this would be something he didn’t want after six months of silence. She had guts, fronting up to tell him in person.

He waved at her stomach with one hand. Now he’d seen it, he couldn’t understand why he hadn’t noticed immediately. ‘I’m guessing this wasn’t planned. How are you feeling about it?’

Her face lit up. ‘Really pleased, to be honest. I’m closing on thirty and single and I’d given up any hope of having a family. I can appreciate you might not be so happy, but I’m good with it.’

‘Could you tell me your plans?’

‘I don’t have to work. I’m not supposed to. Too much standing in my job.’

He could understand it. Modelling was all on your feet work as far as he’d seen. He’d never made it to any of her other gigs, but he thought she’d be good at it and with that dramatic colouring, showing off the clothes superbly.

‘I never figured out where you were based. Did you fly up?’

‘Brisbane. I live in the outer suburbs though, so not convenient. The committee paid for my rooms, so I’d be on tap for the full two weeks. Cheaper than parking in the city or at the Ekka or paying me travelling time.’ There was a wry twist to her full lips. He found himself watching them, wondering if they still tasted as good as he remembered.Not appropriate.

Chapter 2

Shayne Smith was a disturbing influence. Cassie could sense his interest, still strong despite her advanced pregnancy. She could feel it herself, visualising the air between them cluttered with jostling pheromones. Even at this distance, his scent was a tangible reminder of what they’d shared. Or maybe it was this room, redolent with leather and hay and something absorbed from his occupation.

They hadn’t had a hope of resisting such an explosive chemical reaction. They’d both been shellshocked after that first time and she’d made no objections when he suggested pooling their resources for the rest of his stay. The hotel hadn’t quibbled at cancelling his room, still juggling late bookings that meant they’d found another taker before he’d put down the phone.

If he was hoping for more, he was out of luck. Her obstetrician had been regretful but firm about sex in the next few months, the final trimester. Too risky. At the time she hadn’t cared, but with the glitter in Shayne’s eyes taunting her with the recollection of how good they’d been, she regretted it.

‘I thought I might spend some time here at Maiden’s Landing. Get to know the town.’Get to know you. Get to know his family, now she knew he had one. That might be the tough one. Ben seemed easy-going, but Kimberley looked like she had a territorial streak in her makeup. Who could blame her?

He picked up a pen and twirled it around his long fingers. They had surprised her at that first meeting when he’d held out his hand to shake hers. She expected the callouses and the strength, but not the beautiful shape of them. They’d wrapped themselves around hers with such tenderness, she’d melted on the spot. Rasmus had eyed them both with a humorous smile and excused himself. She’d hardly heard him go. A novelty for a man as beautiful and charismatic as the designer.

He looked up, a frown creasing his brow. ‘How did you know where I was?’

They’d shared phone numbers but nothing else, and he didn’t have a personal social media presence. Smith wasn’t exactly rare, until she had a location to narrow down the possibilities. He’d been a little off-putting when she’d rung asking if she could come and speak to him personally. He’d offered to come to Brisbane in a few weeks, but she couldn’t wait that long. The silence when she’d mentioned Maiden’s Landing had said a lot about how he valued his privacy. If he’d had his way, they would never have met again. He’d probably deleted her number from his phone before he left Brisbane.

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