“Great, I’ll make all the arrangements,” he promised, his voice filled with excitement.
Greer prepared her staff to work without her, the control freak in her fearful about being even the three hours’ drive away.
“Please don’t forget to order the meat for next week. Here’s the list.” She handed her head assistant a list of what they needed. “And here’s a list for all the other stock which needs replenishing … or maybe I should do that now?” She took back the paper. It was so hard letting go.
“Greer, I promise I won’t forget or get it wrong. You’ve not taken a day off in all the time you’ve been running this place, and if I remember correctly, that was why you originally hired me.” Tilly winked and gently slipped the orders out from Greer’s grip.
She supposed the woman was right. At some point, she would have to learn to delegate more. If and when she fell pregnant, she’d never be able to keep up the pace she did now. “Okay. Thanks.”
“So, I hear you’re off on a romantic getaway.” Freya came prancing into the kitchen, a bridal magazine in her hands.
“What’s this? Did he finally ask you?”
Freya shook her head. “Doesn’t mean I can’t start gathering ideas though. So, where’s he taking you anyway?”
“Byron Bay.”
“Awesome! There’s this funky restaurant down by the beach. The Painted Love Wagon. You can’t miss it. It has this real hippie-style Volkswagen parked out front, but the point is it serves some amazing food. You’ll love it.”
“Thanks, but Hamish is planning everything. I don’t even know where we’re staying.”
Freya pulled a face. “What if he makes you camp! I’d pay good money to see you in a tent.”
Greer swallowed. “I hope he knows me better than that. Maybe glamping, but definitely not camping. If he makes me use a communal shower block, I am getting on a bus and coming straight home.”
“No, I’m sure he’s organised something lovely. Come back healthy and happy and you two can start trying again. It’ll happen—you’ll see!”
Greer hugged her sister. She prayed with all her heart Freya was right. Having a baby felt as far from her grasp as the moon. Perhaps she should first have gone and seen a doctor to make sure she was even able to conceive? What if she was never able to have a baby, then what would she do?
Greer shook her head to rid her mind of the negative thoughts.
“Why don’t you head home and pack?” Freya offered as she squeezed her hand. “Tilly and I are right here.”
“Thanks.” Greer gave her sister a grateful peck on the cheek, then collected her bag, and headed out.
“Does your Byron supplier grow his own coffee too?” Greer asked from the passenger’s seat as they drove along the long road into Byron Bay.
Hamish loved how interested in his life and passion she was. He hadn’t had that before—Sloan had never shown the slightest interest.
“Yep. He’s the bloke who helped me buy my trees down at Coffee Con.”
“I thought that was only for buying and tasting beans?” Greer shifted in her seat to give him her full attention.
“Yeah, but Ravi knew a supplier who was trustworthy and had a good reputation.” Hamish glanced at her as a glimmer of a smile crossed her face. That was his goal this weekend—to make her smile and laugh and come home relaxed and rejuvenated.
“So, like everything else in this world, it’s who you know?”
“Sure is!”
A kilometre out from their destination, Hamish slowed the ute. “Close your eyes.”
Greer’s head cocked and her eyes squinted. “Why?”
“Trust me.” He placed a hand on her knee as she nodded and closed her eyes.
“Okay, you can open them.” Excitement thrummed against the inside of his chest as he turned into the drive.
“Oh wow!” she gasped. “Are we staying here?”
“Yep.” He nodded as he pulled up to the horseshoe-shaped drive curving up and around the entrance of the five-star resort and switched off the engine.
“This …” A tear rolled down her cheek.
“Only the best for you.” He leaned over and kissed away the droplet trickling down her face.
“Come on. Let’s check in.”
They were visiting out of season, but the hotel was still fully booked. Thankfully he’d managed to secure them the last couples-only villa at the famous Byron Forest Resort.
“The concierge will see to it that your car is parked in our secure car park,” the lady behind the counter explained before waving over a young man dressed in a neat blue polo shirt and blue shorts, both sporting the resort’s logo. “Timothy will drive you to your villa, which is located here.” She placed the tip of her pen on the resort map which came in a package of keys, complimentary vouchers for dinner, and spa treatments.
“Thank you.” Hamish smiled and picked up the pack then followed Timothy and their bags outside to a golf cart.
“Oh wow. This is flash,” Greer said as they drove around the complex.
The luxury beach resort had everything that you could want and cost a small fortune to stay at. But Hamish wanted this weekend to be memorable. Every villa was spaced so that maximum privacy was assured. They were surrounded by natural tropical rainforest vegetation and the birds only added to the allure.
Timothy parked the cart in front of their villa and Greer stepped off the golf buggy.
“Oh look, bicycles.” She pointed to the pair of bikes parked neatly beside the front door, both sporting a basket with a helmet peeking out.
“They are for your use,” Timothy said as he led them up the few steps and unlocked the door before handing Hamish the key.
Inside, they took in their surroundings. The villa had a minimalist aesthetic. The furniture was modern but sleek and the areas were clean-cut. Greer turned to him and smiled. “It’s gorgeous. I love the decor.”
“Don’t hesitate to call reception should you need anything.” Timothy pointed to the phone.
“Thanks.” Hamish closed the door behind him then turned to look at her.
Greer wrapped her arms around him and placed a kiss on his lips.
“What shall we do first?”
“Definitely cocktails by the heated pool.”
“I didn’t think you were drinking?”
She shrugged. “I can make an exception this weekend. I’ve been dying for a pina colada.” Greer flopped onto the king-sized bed and spread her limbs out like a starfish. “Or we could stay here. This bed is so soft.” Her eyes drifted closed.
Hamish climbed on next to her. Damn, it was soft.
She sank into his embrace and he held her close, savouring the sensation of just being here, alone with her.
“Should we ride those bikes to the bar or walk?” he finally asked.
“Ride, if I can remember how!”
He slid his hands around her and found her mouth. She opened her lips and allowed the kiss to deepen.
“Cocktails, pool, and how about a couples’ massage before dinner? They come to our villa you know,” he murmured against her lips.
“Oh, that sounds like heaven.” Greer gave him another kiss. “Thank you for this. I really do appreciate it.”
“Anything for you, Greer,” he said, knowing in his soul he meant it.
Greer and Hamish sipped their cocktails at the swim-up bar and swam in lazy circles around the pool. The day was pleasant. The sun was warm, and the heater made the water very relaxing.
Hamish eyed up Greer’s blue and white striped one piece. Too bad she had her period. He would have liked to peel it off her, lay her down on that feather-soft bed in their room, and make love to her. She floated on her back and star-fished, her breasts jutting above the surface.
Hamish swam back to the bar and sipped his cocktail then munched on the wedge of pineapple decorating the rim of his glass.
“I haven’t been swimming in ages,” Greer said as she joined him at the bar
. “I forgot how much I loved it. Can we go to the beach while we’re here?”
“Of course. I need to go see Ravi at Beans of Byron Bay tomorrow. Are you okay if we do that first thing and then we can go to lunch and the beach afterwards?”
“Sounds good. There’s a cafe Freya told me we must check out.”
“And we should go to The Farm. I think you’ll enjoy it,” he said, referring to a property with a café that grew all their own produce as well as raising livestock.
Her eyes widened. “Oh my gosh, yes! How could I have forgotten The Farm was here. Did you know the chef recently published his own cookbook? I’d love to do that one day.” Her voice took on a dreamy tone which made him smile.
“I’d definitely buy a copy.” He reached over and kissed her, tasting the coconut and pineapple of her drink. “Now, we better get back to our room. The masseuse is meeting us there very soon.”
Greer downed the rest of her drink. “Let’s go then.”
Chapter 15
“It’s so beautiful out here.” Greer sighed as Hamish drove them into the Byron Bay Hinterlands.
“It’s so much like Maleny with the green trees and farms.”
Greer took it all in. This is what she loved—small country towns with hard-working people full of community spirit. “I spent a lot of my career in the cities, and I loved it, but there really is no place like home.”
“I’d like to see those cities,” Hamish said thoughtfully. “Maybe one day we can go there together?”
Together.
The thought of still being together, travelling after they had made a baby, sent a thrill down her spine. She’d been so focused on getting pregnant that she hadn’t thought about what happened when a baby arrived. Greer automatically rubbed her hand over her belly. Hamish was going out of his way to soothe her pain. He would make a good father, that was certain, but was there a future for the both of them? Could they make a family together work?
Hamish flicked on the indicator and turned into a large entrance with a sign across the top declaring they were now on the Beans of Byron Bay Coffee Plantation.
Greer opened her window as Hamish drove down the tarred path. Both sides of the road were lined with huge macadamia trees.
“Ravi uses macadamia trees for shade and to flavour his beans. Like what I’m doing with the bunya trees. See over there.” Hamish pointed in the opposite direction to trees that were clearly different to the macadamia.
“Those are sweet cherry trees. It’s one of my favourite beans to purchase from him. The sweet cherry gives the bean a distinctive hint.”
The road curved to the right and soon enough, a huge warehouse came in to view with an old Queenslander sitting neatly to its left.
“There are a lot of cars here.” Greer pointed out.
“Yeah, besides farming, blending, and roasting beans, Ravi also owns one of the most popular cafés out this way,” Hamish explained.
Greer smiled, now even more excited to see his set-up.
Hamish parked and they were met at the entrance by a tall, wiry-built man with tanned leathery skin. “Good to see you again, my friend.”
“Hey, Ravi.” Hamish took his friend’s hand in his and they shook. “I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Greer.”
It was the first time he’d called her that and she couldn’t help but grin. She was his girlfriend!
“Hello, Greer, and welcome.” Ravi shook her hand, eyeing her curiously. “Come, a drink first and then business, my friend.” A blended aroma of hessian sacks, dust, and coffee wafted around them as they entered the café.
It was cooler inside, with large ceiling fans spinning like propellers above them. The café buzzed with patrons and baristas, who seemed to follow the rhythm of the music which played from two large speakers as they brewed dark, steamy coffees.
Drinks ready, Hamish took a sip, then peered over the rim of his mug toward his friend. “This isn’t your usual blend.”
Ravi chuckled. “Do you like it?”
Hamish took another sip, his cheeks puffing out as he swished the liquid in his mouth, the way Greer had seen wine tasters do. Then he swallowed and nodded. “Very nice.”
Greer had to agree as she delighted in the new flavours stroking her palette. She was usually so good at identifying tastes, but there was a hint of something she just couldn’t put her finger on.
“Let’s finish and then I will show you.”
Once the coffee was drunk and Hamish and Ravi had caught up, the pair followed the man to his warehouse. “So how are your trees coming along?” Ravi asked.
“Great. I hope to harvest my first crop in a few months.” Hamish slipped his hand into Greer’s as Ravi escorted them through a side door and into a large cavernous space where a mountain of hessian sacks lay piled.
“This is my latest acquisition, and one I believe you will love.” A grin spread across the man’s face, lighting up his already bright blue gaze.
The men walked up to a sack which had already been opened.
“Smell.” Ravi scooped up a fist full of beans then pushed it under Hamish nose.
Hamish inhaled, frowning.
Ravi walked them over to a counter and opened a container, then handed a bowl to Hamish.
Hamish took it and sniffed. “What is this? Where’d you get it?”
“A rare find, my friend. A single-origin bean. Ethiopia.”
“But you’ve bought Ethiopian before. What’s the difference?”
“A new farmer. Ticks all the boxes when it comes to green growing, and uses a rare tree found only in the hills of Africa. That sweetness you tasted was blueberry, combined with African soil, and the drop in temperatures at night …”
“And this is the one you served us in your café?”
“The very same.”
He looked at Greer then. “Did you like your cup of coffee?”
“Very much. I was trying to figure out that taste. Of course, it was blueberry!”
“If Greer approves, then I know it’s a winner,” Hamish said. “I’ll take some.”
Greer’s belly grumbled as they drove back to town with a ute full of Ethiopian green coffee beans. “I’m starving. Will those beans be okay while we’re exploring Byron Bay?”
Hamish glanced over his shoulder. “Yeah. There’s a canvas over them and I’ll find sheltered parking. Where to first?”
“Well, how about that place Freya told me about?” Greer sat straighter in her seat. She’d brought her notebook along in case she happened upon any new recipes or something that would inspire a new dish for the café back home.
Once they’d found parking Hamish was satisfied with, which wasn’t an easy feat in Byron Bay, the pair strode hand in hand through the town.
It was a warm day and Greer was pleased she’d decided on an ankle-length summer dress instead of jeans and a T-shirt. The roads brimmed with cars, coming and going. The sidewalk was filled with residents, tourists, and music makers. The friendly coastal vibe soaked into Greer’s bones as they strolled along, and her recent disappointment seemed to cut less and less.
“Oh look.” She tugged on Hamish’s arm as they passed a shop window. “Natural dog bones. I think Hercules would love one of these,” Greer said, ushering him into the store. “I feel bad about leaving him at home. Will he be okay alone?”
Hamish laughed and shook his head. “Linc’s keeping an eye on him. Knowing my buddy, he’s probably used Herc to pick up girls by now.”
Greer gathered a handful of dog treats and toys for Herc. If this didn’t win him over, nothing would, and he had been so good to her this week. He deserved to be spoilt.
After eating delicious vegan burgers from the cafe, they walked barefoot along the beach. Surfers were riding the waves and children were frolicking in the shallows. They passed a family—a man and a woman with two small children who were busy building a sandcastle. That could be us one day.
She looked over at Hamish who was also watching them.
Did he want that too? Did he want them to be together, not just as co-parents, but as a real, traditional family?
When they’d had enough of the bustling coastal town, they headed back to the luxurious solace of their hotel.
“Thank you for today. I had a wonderful time.” Greer kissed him before climbing out of the ute.
He stroked her cheek. “You’re smiling again and that makes it all worth it.”
Chapter 16
Things quickly returned to normal back in Maleny. Hamish was busy experimenting with his new beans as well as filling orders which, with winter fast approaching, were coming in fast.
He and Greer spent most nights together. Often he would drive over to Emerald Hills and help her cook dinner, then they would sit down and eat with the rest of her family. Justin was becoming a good friend and he felt very accepted and welcomed by her parents and sister.
Meredith was calling him almost every day for updates. She was thrilled to see him so happy, especially after all he’d been through. His relationship with Sloan had been so different to this one he had with Greer. He was appreciated and supported now, not neglected and put down. How had he not seen it earlier? Sloan had just been using him. She’d never loved him.
Not like Greer did.
The thought had him pausing midway through pouring freshly roasted beans into a bag. Did she love him?
He lowered his hands and remembered the adoring way she looked at him. She didn’t look at anyone else that way. Maybe she felt it too—this strange, unyielding connection between them.
His feelings for her were strong, no denying it. But did he love her? He would be heartbroken if they broke up and he couldn’t imagine not being able to talk to her or touch her or watch her smile.
He was only supposed to be the baby daddy. That’s what the contract stipulated. But now he found himself wondering if he would ever be anything more.
Father. Lover. Husband?
He shook his head. It was too soon. Best just to focus on the here and now. Her period was almost due and they had certainly tried hard this past ovulation.
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