Elephants and Ever-Afters [Dark Desires 5] (Siren Publishing Sensations)

by Suzy Shearer

  She and Tobias must have been on the same wavelength because he gave her a beautiful hand-carved chess set and table. He expressed his delight with the Mah-jong set as she was caressing her new chess men. It turned out that all but Melanie could play chess, and Darren actually knew the rudiments of Mah-jong, so they all decided to play a game or two later.

  When all the paper had been cleared up and everyone thanked and kissed, Tobias took an envelope off the tree.

  “This is for you, sweetheart.”

  Laura wondered what it could be and gave him a puzzled look before tearing it open. Inside was the registration papers, now in her name for the Range Rover he’d bought earlier.

  “It’s been two months.” He grinned at her as she gave an exasperated sigh.

  “Toby!”

  “A deal’s a deal.”

  “What is it, Laura?” Gino asked.

  So she and Tobias launched into the explanation of the car she’d been driving.

  “I thought he’d buy something like a Sedan, but no, he had to get another Range Rover with all mods and cons. I was so scared to drive it at first.”

  “Hey, I told you it wasn’t as expensive as mine.”

  “Oh, that’s right! It was only two hundred thousand instead of four!” she retorted sarcastically, then hugged him before kissing him.

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “I told you I wanted to spoil you and I always will.”

  Coffee and tea was made and desserts served, the guests settled outside again, and the grandchildren went swimming.

  “Hey, Uncle Jules, come in and swim with us.”

  “I’ll sink after all the food I ate.”

  “No, you won’t.”

  Julian gave a very loud fake groan as he stood and pretended to stagger inside. Five minutes later he was back, now in his swimmers and took a running jump into the pool. It signalled more madness as Gino, Adam, Darren, and Tobias followed suit. There followed a ‘bombing’ competition with Peter being declared the official judge. Laura thought she’d never stop laughing as the boys tried to outdo each other.

  “I don’t suppose you girls brought your swimmers?” she asked hopefully.

  Joyce gave a silly grimace.

  “Don’t look at me or Maeve!”

  “I did,” Melanie said.

  “So did I. Adam told me to pack them.”

  “Well, in that case, let’s go swimming!”

  Chaos ensued. The grandkids declared the adults were behaving like five year olds but joined in their games. When everyone finally got out exhausted, Laura thought she would never forget such a wonderful day.

  The Bailey’s left around six-thirty to visit other friends, and Melanie and her family said goodbye to spend some time with Darren’s grandparents. She pulled Laura aside and told her how much she’d enjoyed the day.

  “I was nervous about meeting you.”

  “You were? I was terrified to meet you!” Laura admitted.

  “I don’t suppose you’d like to have lunch sometime?”

  “I’d love to.”

  “Wonderful. I’ll ring you soon and work out a date.”

  Going back outside, Laura felt a warm glow that she realised only came from being really content and happy. Julian was flirting outrageously with Rachel and she was basking in his attention. Gino nudged Adam and pointed with his eyes. Adam gave a thumbs up and Laura wondered if Julian had finally met someone who would rock his world like Tobias did to hers.

  Gino and Adam ended up drinking a little too much and Laura insisted they spend the night. When Adam protested because Rachel had come with them, Julian immediately offered to drive her home. Laura had to hide a smile at how quickly she agreed.

  It was close to eleven when Julian, Rachel, and his parents left. Gino and Adam were sent to bed upstairs on a blow-up mattress Laura had discovered last month in the laundry. Conall, Tobias, and Laura packed away the worse of the mess so the dogs wouldn’t take anything before they, too, found their beds.

  Laura lay in Tobias’s arms.

  “Thank you for a wonderful day, Toby. I’ll never forget it.”

  “Neither will I, but I’m sure we’ll have many more.”

  “I really hope so.”

  “We will, I promise.”

  Laura snuggled against the man she had come to love so passionately and fell asleep safe within his arms.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Toby arranged the transport for the four of them to get to the airport, their flight was due to leave at nine. Laura seemed overwhelmed by the limo that picked Tobias and her up then collected Gino and Adam. She seemed to just stare out the window watching the passing parade, although she did keep a tight grip on Tobias’s hand.

  He had to grin to himself, how would she react when they got to the airport and she discovered he’d arranged a private charter aircraft for them? His company had been using chartered planes for years when needed so it made sense to him to hire them for the trip. They were about thirty minutes early, but once they reached the airport their luggage was swiftly taken away while Tobias led them to a private lounge. Once there they were able to check in with the charter company. Laura and the others were bemused as Tobias was greeted by name.

  “Would you and your guests like a coffee or tea, Mr. Duncan?”

  “Coffee all around would be nice, thank you.”

  Very quickly a large pot of freshly brewed coffee, a jug of milk, sugar, and a selection of tiny breakfast pastries and croissants were placed on a low table in front of them.

  Adam grinned in delight as he played “mother” and poured for everyone.

  “I could really get used to this very quickly, Toby.”

  Laura, on the other hand, seemed completely lost. Tobias passed her a plate with a few of the little pastries and had to nudge her a couple of times to get her attention.

  “Do you live like this all the time, Toby? When you travel.”

  “Yes, sweetheart, makes sense to just hire a plane rather than sit around dictated to by an airline.”

  She could only shake her head in reply. He was pleased to see she did eat and drink her coffee. Ten minutes later a very pretty young woman came over to them.

  “Mr. Duncan, your flight is ready. If you’ll follow me.”

  They were escorted to a small jet and made comfortable inside.

  “We’re scheduled for take-off in five minutes, Mr. Duncan.

  “Thank you.”

  The flight attendant made sure they were all safely strapped in then spoke with the pilot. He then came back and sat at the rear of the plane as it began to taxi out to the runway.

  “Toby,” Laura hissed. “It’s just us!”

  “I know. Too crowded on a commercial flight.”

  She looked stunned and looked over at Adam and Gino who gave her a thumbs up.

  “Hey, this is the life.” Gino grinned like a child then added, “I feel like a rock star. You’ll have to let us know how much our share of the costs is.”

  “It’s on me so just relax and enjoy.”

  Tobias didn’t think it wise to tell them the ride cost just over thirty-five grand—he had the impression Laura would have fainted and the boys would probably be embarrassed. To him it was just convenient and a way to get from A to B without any hassles.

  Once they were airborne, they were offered drinks again and a light snack of a cheese and antipasto platter. Laura finally began to thaw and before long was enjoying the flight. She kept jumping from window to window pointing out the view to the others.

  When Tobias laughed at her, she said, “I’ve never been on a plane before, Toby, this is fantastic!”

  The four chatted with the flight attendant and among themselves until they fastened their seat belts for landing.

  “I hope you had a pleasant trip, your return flight has been arranged for Sunday afternoon leaving at three-thirty.”

  “Thank you.”

  “Any more surprises, Toby?” Laura a
sked curiously.

  “Don’t think so. I’ve hired a car for us to use while we’re here, a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, that’s all. Oh, I did ring an agency I use up here to get the house ready for us. You know—food, make sure the beds are made, the house aired, that sort of thing.”

  She just shook her head in disbelief as they walked across the tarmac to the terminal. Tobias went to the car hire counter while Gino and Adam took charge of the bags.

  “Okay people, let’s roll.”

  Tobias led the way outside after grabbing a bag from Gino. He led them to the SUV and they all settled inside.

  “It’s eleven, what do you want to do?”

  “I told the nursing home staff we’d be in tomorrow around ten so I guess we go unpack, get something to eat and relax.”

  “Good idea, buckle up.”

  Tobias punched in the address of his house then pulled out of the car park. Within an hour they were pulling up to his house.

  “My God, Toby, this is yours?”

  “Yep, Gino. Bought it a few years back and renovated it completely.”

  It was a huge white Queenslander with navy trim. Inside it was like a period piece filled with beautiful antique furniture. The house was enormous. Six double bedrooms each with their own bathroom then the master suite. Laura walked through in a daze. Tobias ended up steering her to make sure she didn’t trip as he took her into their bedroom.

  “Heavens, Toby. I thought my house was huge but this, this is enormous!”

  “True, but the kids use it. Dad and I like to come up here in the winter time. There’s a pool around the back but as you can see it’s just a hop, skip and jump to the beach.”

  “Well, I’m going to hop and skip there now.”

  “How about you have something to eat first?”

  “Nah, I’ve already eaten too much. I want to go to the beach.” She turned to Tobias. “I’ve never been to one before.”

  “Never? You really meant it that day you said you’d never been to a beach?”

  “Yes, never.”

  “Well, in that case, let’s put on our swimmers, lather ourselves in sunscreen and go.”

  He stuck his head out of the bedroom door and shouted down the long airy hallway.

  “We’re going swimming.”

  “Hey wait for us!”

  When they came back into the house a few hours later, Laura was glowing and not just from the sun. She’d swum about then collected everything she could find on the beach from shells to little pieces of pumice and driftwood. She carried her treasures up to the house and left them on one of the outdoor tables Tobias had brought outside from in the garage when they entered the house.

  Tobias opened the refrigerator door and smiled. There was plenty of food for them to last the five days, as well as cold drinks, milk, juice, and plenty of fruits and vegetables. The freezer was well stocked as well. Opening the pantry door, he pulled out a loaf of bread.

  “I say we eat.”

  “I second that!” Gino shouted.

  “Third!” Adam chorused with Laura, the pair bursting into laughter.

  “So what’s to eat?”

  “Help yourself, there’s plenty of food here.”

  In the end, they pulled out a leg of ham and salad things and made ham and salad sandwiches, sitting outside on the veranda to eat and watch the world go by.

  “Toby, can we come again?”

  “Of course, sweetheart, anytime you like.”

  “I don’t suppose you’d like to offer it to us, too?” Gino asked hopefully.

  “Hell, you guys can come up as often as you like. Like I said the family uses it, but more often than not it’s empty. Be good to know it’s being used. So I gather you liked your first foray at the beach, sweetheart?”

  “It’s wonderful!”

  That evening they drove to Woodgate Bowling Club and ate, then came back to sit on the veranda and watch the sun set. The next morning they drove back to Toogoom, arriving at the home just before ten. Laura said she was nervous, not in a scared way but excited. When they walked down to the rooms Richard called home, she held tight on to Tobias’s hand and Gino’s.

  Richard stood shakily when they entered and took both her hands in his. Tobias could see the family trait of light blue eyes although Richard’s were now cloudy with age. A tall man, bent over with age, but still with a hint of the attractive man he had been, his eyes filled with tears as he held Laura’s hands.

  * * * *

  Laura couldn’t help but feel emotional meeting her adopted mother’s brother. It was like meeting family, then she realised of course he was. His hands shook in hers as she leaned forward and kissed his leathery cheek. His blue eyes gleamed with unshed tears and love. Sitting unsteadily, Richard gave a huge sob as Laura sunk to her knees in front of his chair to look up at him.

  “I never thought I would ever meet you. I thought when Judy took you that would be the end. When Genaro rang me and gave me the news I couldn’t believe it at first and now, now you’re here.”

  Laura found she couldn’t speak, she was too overcome. All she could do was nod through the fast flowing tears. Tobias handed her a tissue and she dried her eyes. Gino and Adam greeted Richard and introduced Tobias. Adam pulled over chairs and they all sat, Laura finally coaxed into sitting alongside the old gentleman.

  “You know I wrote to Judy, I begged her to let me meet you, but she refused, said grandfather didn’t want me corrupting you. I was still living in France at the time. Then I came out here about thirty years ago, turned up on your doorstep, but Judy shut the door in my face and threatened to call the police if I contacted you or her.”

  He rubbed a hand over his eyes then took Laura’s hand.

  “Can you forgive an old man? I should have ignored her, I should have let you know but I didn’t, I didn’t want to cause you any trouble. I knew what your grandfather was capable of. I’m so sorry.”

  “Please don’t say that. You’ve nothing to be sorry for. I think I finally understand what type of man my grandfather is. It makes so much sense—my adopted mother was always so distant, so cold.”

  “She wasn’t the maternal type. If she could have stood up to your grandfather she would have refused to bring you up, she hated children, but he said she had to adopt you so she did.”

  “I still don’t quite understand why they wouldn’t let you meet me. I mean, you may tell me the truth but what would that matter?”

  “I have no idea. Probably didn’t want you rejecting your grandfather. I imagine he still thinks you know nothing. He has dementia, been in a home for the past few years so he wouldn’t even know Judy had died.”

  He took a breath and looked at Gino. Laura and the others could see he was struggling with something and waited until he finally spoke again. “I…I’m homosexual. I should have told you, Gino, but…” he shrugged. “That was what caused the split with my family in the first place. When I came out to them, I was twenty and they immediately kicked me out. I don’t know why I never told you, you deserved the truth especially once you met Adam and had to deal with your grandfather.”

  Gino took a weathered hand.

  “I guessed, at least I thought you were, but I respected your privacy. It would have been hard coming out then.”

  “It was. I never had the good luck to meet my soulmate like you and Adam, but I had a wonderful life, with wonderful friends.”

  They stayed talking with Richard for a few hours until they could see how tired he was. Promising to see him the next day, the three left just before his lunch arrived. Laura hugged him tight and whispered in his ear. “Thank you for standing up to my grandfather. I love you.”

  He could only squeeze her hand in reply—his tears, his emotions far too deep for words.

  Laura was quiet as they walked back to the car. Gino suggested they drive into Hervey Bay and find somewhere to have lunch then look around. After lunch they wandered along, occasionally entering shops. Laura bought a large stra
w sun hat and a large box of mixed seashells. Once again, they swam in the afternoon before deciding on a barbecue for their evening meal.

  The four visited Richard each day, on the Friday he was feeling sprightly so they took him out for lunch then to Tobias’s house so he could relax before dropping him back to the nursing home late in the afternoon. He told them it had been a wonderful day and when they left on the Sunday afternoon, after one last visit that morning, Laura wasn’t too sure who was the most upset.

  They settled back to their normal routine in January with Tobias staying over each weekend. Julian had been taking Rachel out a lot and had met her children and grandchildren. He called in one Friday evening in the beginning of February to have dinner with Tobias and Laura, Rachel was visiting her daughter. During dinner he confessed he wished he’d met her when he was younger.

  Tobias shook his head and said, “It probably wouldn’t have worked. You both needed to grow. I imagine the Rachel of today is different from the Rachel at twenty, the same as you’re not the same person you were back then.”

  “I guess you’re right,” he answered morosely.

  “Why so sad, Jules?” Laura asked gently.

  “I keep thinking about lost time. I’m fifty-eight, Rachel’s fifty-one. I don’t know if she wants to start again.”

  “It’s that serious?”

  “Well, it is for me.”

  “Have you told her how you feel?” Laura enquired.

  He shrugged and sighed.

  “Not game enough. What if she just wants something casual?”

  “Isn’t it worth the risk?” Tobias asked. “Remember how it was when I was trying to find Laura, you told me if I met her not to stuff it up, that she was a keeper. Well, Rachel’s a keeper and you need to get your arse into gear. The worst that can happen is she says she’s not interested in a serious relationship.”