“What has Kate been saying?” he asked.
“She and Jemma are planning something, but they won’t let me know the details,” Susan said. “Kate wants to come and stay for a few days so she and Jemma can work on their ‘mission’.”
His niece was trying to appear innocent and failing miserably. A suspicion formed. “When does she want to stay?”
“Tomorrow night, and for the next five days. I’m perfectly happy to have her.”
Hope and dread tussled for control in his stomach. Would Susan use this as ammunition? He had to be truthful. Walking away from Kate to the lounge room, he said, “I know what this is about. Kate wants me to go to Australia and thank Libby for the statement she wrote.”
Susan inhaled sharply. “You haven’t thanked her? I’m surprised.”
Adrian’s defensive side rose. “I didn’t know about it until it was read out today and it doesn’t seem right to say thank you in an email.”
“I think it depends on how you feel about her,” Susan said, her voice brisk. “It’s obvious she loves you and Kate. If you don’t feel the same way, an email is the kindest way.” She left the alternative open.
He closed his eyes tightly. “Susan, I can’t leave Kate for so long after just reaffirming her custody. It’s not right.”
“I’m sorry for the hurt I’ve caused,” Susan said quietly. “If I can help to make it up to you by having Kate, I’d really like to. From everything Kate has said, Libby sounds like a wonderful woman.” Her tone was earnest.
Hope bloomed in Adrian’s chest. “Are you sure you’re happy to have Kate for a few nights?”
Susan’s voice was the warmest he’d ever heard it. “Of course. It would be my pleasure.”
Adrian’s heart beat rapidly as they arranged the details. Just before they hung up, Susan said, “I wish you luck.”
“Thank you.” Adrian hung up and turned around to see Kate hovering behind him. He grinned at her. “You’d better pack your bags if you’re going on a sleepover.”
Kate threw her arms around his waist and hugged him. “We have to find you a flight first.” She raced to the computer and started typing.
***
It was a wet, gray, miserable winter’s day. The type of day that made Libby want to stay in bed under the covers and read. She had to force herself up and made herself a coffee and porridge.
Two days ago Kate had emailed and told Libby they had won the custody hearing. Libby was thrilled, but she had no idea whether her statement had been read. She didn’t even know whether George had shown it to Adrian.
She told herself it didn’t matter either way.
If Adrian had felt anything for her, he would have called her by now. He had never even responded to her voicemail message, but she didn’t regret leaving it. She’d done it for herself.
Realizing she had finished her breakfast and was staring out the window at the downpour, she stood, put her dishes in the sink and sat down in her office to start writing.
An hour later she was still staring at the last line she’d written yesterday. Her muse refused to cooperate. It had evidently decided to stay in bed.
Libby sighed and stood, stretching as she did so. Outside she heard the swish of a car going past in the rain. She wandered into the kitchen and turned on the kettle, then flicked on the little gas heater. She rubbed her hands together.
This rental didn’t have the charm of her old one, and now that she had the funds, she could look into a different apartment, one where the decor was from this millennium.
The kettle boiled as someone pounded on the front door. Libby glanced out the window at the downpour and hurried to answer it. Whoever it was would be getting drenched.
She opened the door and her heart stilled. She blinked twice, just to make sure her eyes weren’t deceiving her.
Adrian stood there, the rain blowing at such an angle that the balcony above gave no cover and water was pouring down on top of him, sticking his hair flat to his head and soaking his blue jacket and jeans.
Libby stood back in shock as she took in every inch of him.
His eyes were serious but his lips twitched up in a hesitant smile. “Hi.”
His voice, warm and melodious, thawed her frozen body. She had to say something. “Hi.” What was he doing here? How had he found her? She glanced over his shoulder and saw a hire car in the car park but there was no one else in it. “Where’s Kate?”
“She’s staying with her cousin for a couple of days.” Adrian brushed the water off his face. “She didn’t tell me you’d moved. Luckily your old neighbor gave me directions. May I come in?”
The drenched state of him finally sunk in. “Of course. Let me get you a towel.” She hurried down the corridor, leaving him to follow. The front door banged behind her, but she busied herself grabbing a couple of towels from the linen cupboard and then showing him into the kitchen, where he could drip all over the linoleum. Why was he here?
Libby thrust the towels at him, not able to look him in the eye as she turned on the kettle again. “Would you like a cup of tea?”
“That’d be real nice.”
Libby turned as he dried his hair and her heart hitched. What did he want? Her pulse was unsteady and she turned before he could see her watching him. She poured the two drinks and then, placing one on the table near him, she gestured for him to sit.
Her hand shook slightly and she spilled her tea on the floor. She swore, put the mug on the table and turned to clean up the mess.
“Did you burn yourself? You should run it under cold water.” Adrian was beside her, taking her hand and examining it.
His touch was too gentle. Too much. She snatched her hand away. “It’s fine.”
She bent down to mop up the tea, blinking back her tears, and Adrian stepped back.
The silence was unbearable. “Kate told me you won the hearing,” she said.
“That’s right.”
Libby stood and faced him, unable to put it off any longer. She forced a smile. “Congratulations.”
“I wouldn’t have won without your help.”
“I didn’t do anything.” Her throat was tight.
“George tells me Piper Atkinson’s interview with Emily was your work.” Adrian kept his eyes on hers and spoke quietly, almost as if he were trying not to spook her.
“I asked Piper to talk to her, that’s all.”
Adrian took a small step forward. “The statement you wrote really impressed the judge.”
Libby looked away. So he knew about her statement. She had poured out her heart in that document. Had he understood what she hadn’t said – that she loved him too? She swallowed. “I’m glad it helped,” she whispered. She couldn’t look at him, she couldn’t get her hopes up that he might feel the same way about her. If she looked up and saw nothing in his eyes, it would shatter her.
“It helped in a number of ways.” He moved closer. “It helped convince the judge that I cared for Kate, it helped convince Susan that I wasn’t a womanizer and it showed me what an utter fool I’ve been.”
Libby’s breath hitched but still she couldn’t face him. His hand came up and gently lifted her head. She met his eyes. They were earnest.
“I’ve treated you so badly,” he said. “I was so scared of my feelings for you and of losing Kate that I couldn’t see anything else. I pushed you away rather than face my fears.”
Tears sprang to her eyes.
He lifted his thumb and wiped them away. “I’m sorry, Libby.”
He still hadn’t said how he felt. Dare she ask him? “Sorry for what?”
“Sorry for not believing in you, sorry for pushing you away, sorry for not telling you how much I love you.”
She’d promised herself she wouldn’t love again.
But she hadn’t really stopped loving him.
The tears flowed over and she asked, “Do you really?”
Adrian pulled her close, hugging her to him, the dampness of his clothes seeping int
o hers. “Yes, I do. I love you so much it hurts.”
Libby hesitated.
Adrian stepped back, searching her face. “Your phone message gave me the courage to confront my father. You were right, I was letting my childhood rule me. I want to change.”
Libby had heard all she needed to hear. She threw her arms around him and kissed him. His scent filled her mind and his taste filled her body.
He broke away, his eyes hopeful. “Does this mean you forgive me?”
Libby laughed. “Of course.” Her heart was so big she thought it might explode. “I love you too much not to.”
“Thank God,” Adrian breathed and pulled her back into his arms, kissing her like his life depended on it.
Libby’s mind emptied and she clung on as she lost her heart all over again.
Finally he pulled away and took a small box out of his jacket pocket.
Libby stared at him.
He grinned at her, the lighthearted, mischievous grin she’d missed. He opened the box to show her a diamond ring and took one of her hands. “Libby Myles, will you marry me?”
Libby’s free hand went to her mouth. She’d never expected this.
“I don’t want to lose you again. These past few weeks have been hell.” He paused. “You know I come as part of a package. Kate is part of my life and she loves you almost as much as I do.”
“Yes.”
Adrian widened his eyes. “Yes, you know, or yes, you will?”
Libby laughed, excitement, relief and love bubbling out of her. “Yes to both.”
“Alright!” Adrian picked up Libby and spun her around before pulling the ring out and slipping it onto her finger.
Epilogue
Libby couldn’t prevent the tingle of nerves thrumming through her body as they pulled up in front of Adrian’s house. It was a red brick house with a high-pitched roof and a big wooden front door. The garden beds out the front were full of flowers and it looked like a family home. Kate would be inside waiting with her Aunt Susan.
“This is home,” Adrian said as he turned to her, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel.
She realized he was just as nervous as she was. “It looks lovely.”
As they got out of the car, Kate’s voice could be heard from inside. “They’re here!”
Libby and Adrian shared a grin and seconds later Kate raced out of the door toward them. “You’re home!” She flung her arms around both of them.
Libby closed her eyes as she hugged Kate back. With that kind of welcome, it did feel like home.
“Come on.” Kate broke away, grabbed their hands and started pulling them toward the house.
“We need to get the bags, kiddo,” Adrian protested.
“They can wait,” Kate said, not looking back.
Amused, they followed her into the house and into the lounge room.
“Surprise!” Kate yelled.
Libby’s mouth dropped open at the room full of people and the homemade banner that said, “Welcome Home, Libby.”
She scanned the faces and recognized George and next to him –
“Piper!”
Libby’s best friend grinned at her. “You didn’t think I was going to miss this, did you?”
Next to Piper were Piper’s parents and one of her brothers.
“We thought you might feel more at home if there were some familiar faces here,” Adrian murmured to her.
“You knew about this?” she asked, turning to him.
He nodded, his eyes a little unsure as to whether she was happy.
Libby flung her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly on the mouth while the others in the room cheered.
Adrian made the rest of the introductions. There was Aunt Susan, who wasn’t the uptight, prim and proper woman she was expecting. She greeted Libby with a hug. “It’s lovely to finally meet you.” Susan introduced her husband and children. Then Libby met Kate’s grandparents and George’s parents, Hank and Marla, and one of his sisters, Isla.
Libby was overwhelmed as around her people chatted, each person wanting to greet her and welcome her to Houston. Isla gave her a big hug. “I’m so glad Adrian finally found someone to make him happy. Welcome to our family.”
Tears sprang to Libby’s eyes. These people didn’t know her, but they accepted her as she was.
Adrian walked over and put his arm around Libby. “I hope you’re not upsetting my fiancée, Isla,” he said, his tone light.
Libby shook her head, unable to speak.
“I was just welcoming her to the family,” Isla said and smiled at him.
Adrian pulled Libby toward him, his eyes full of understanding. “It takes a bit of getting used to, but they’re your family now too.”
Libby’s heart swelled and she kissed him.
She was home.
Acknowledgments
This book wouldn’t be what it is without the help of many people. Firstly to my critique group both past and present; Anna, Teena, Lorraine, Susy, Juanita and Leonie. Thank you for your insightful critique, constant encouragement and good humor. Our meetings always revitalize me.
To the people who helped me with the research for this book: Carla, Rania, Rob, Nicki, Sarah and the members of ROMAUS. Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions. Any mistakes are my own and for the good of the story.
To the 2013 RWA conference team for their encouragement and support. Particular thanks must go to Jennie who did such a great job reading out my manuscript at the submission panel that Joel requested it.
Finally to the wonderful team at Momentum – Joel, Mark, Patrick, and Tara, as well as my editor, Elizabeth, and cover artist, Jon. Thank you for taking the chance on a first-time author, for your patience in explaining the publishing process to me and for helping me make my book shine.
About Claire Boston
Claire Boston was a voracious reader as a child, devouring anything by Enid Blyton as well as series such as Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, The Baby-sitters Club and Sweet Valley High. Then one school holidays when she’d run out of books to read her mother handed her Hot Ice by Nora Roberts and Claire instantly fell in love with romance novels.
The love of reading soon turned to a love of writing and she struggled to keep within the 1500 word limit set by her teachers for her creative writing assignments. When she finally decided to become serious about her stories she joined Romance Writers of Australia, found her wonderful critique group and hasn’t looked back.
When Claire’s not reading or writing she can be found in the garden attempting to grow vegetables, or racing around a vintage motocross track. If she can convince anyone to play with her, she also enjoys cards and board games.
Claire lives in Western Australia, just south of Perth, with her husband, who loves even her most annoying quirks, and her two grubby but adorable Australian bulldogs.
Claire loves to hear from her readers. You can find her at her website, www.claireboston.com on Twitter, @clairebauthor and on Facebook www.facebook.com/clairebostonauthor.
First published by Momentum in 2014
This edition published in 2014 by Momentum
Pan Macmillan Australia Pty Ltd
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Copyright © Claire Boston 2014
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A CIP record for this book is available at the National Library of Australia
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