Sunshine reservations, p.15
Sunshine Reservations, page 15
Karen shook her head, tears in her eyes. “You were never on my side.” Then she strode from the sunroom and slammed her bedroom door behind her.
Bill shuffled his feet. “Sorry about this, Jo. There are a lot of emotions involved.”
She smiled. “It’s okay. I understand. It’s a tricky situation.”
“I just want them both to be happy.”
“I know you do, Bill. But sometimes that means you’ve got to speak up. Karen can get like a steamroller if you let her.”
He nodded. “You’re right.”
Joanna walked down the hall to stand outside Eva’s doorway. She couldn’t hear a sound coming from within, so she gave a gentle knock. There was no response. She opened the door and peeked inside. Eva lay on her bed, face down in the pillow. Her body shook with sobs.
Joanna tiptoed across the room, watching the bassinet to make sure the baby didn’t stir. Then she sat on the edge of the bed and laid a hand on Eva’s back.
“It’s going to be okay, honey,” she whispered. “Your parents love you, and they want what’s best for you. But you’re staying here, okay? For now, at least. Let’s see how things go after a while.”
Eva rolled over, her eyes red and her cheeks wet. She wiped her nose with the back of her hand. “You’re not going to let them take me?”
“They won’t do that,” Joanna reassured her. “Everything is going to be okay. I promise you.”
Chapter Thirty-One
The next day was Thursday, and it was Debbie’s final day in the office. The rest of the staff was long gone, as was the furniture. Thankfully she’d managed to get a good price for it, which meant it wasn’t a total loss. And she stood in the empty office space in her jeans and T-shirt, spinning around to take it all in. This was it. The end of an era.
The computers had been returned to the vendor. The floor was scattered with rubbish and dust. The kitchen was empty. No more dirty coffee cups in the sink for Phil to complain about. She wandered through the empty space and stopped where Evelyne’s desk had been. Evelyne had given her a call a few days ago to let her know she’d landed a job at the Brisbane City Council as a project manager. Debbie was happy for her. She knew she’d do the job well. And she’d be happy there.
With a sigh, she stepped into her empty office. It looked so different without the heavy desk and the leather chairs. There was an indentation in the carpet where the furniture had stood. So much dust in the air made her sneeze. The office looked old and tired, in need of a facelift and a good scrub. It’d been such a dream to work there for all these years. A dream she’d harboured all her young life—to be a successful barrister who won the big cases, wore stilettos and carried a briefcase to the courthouse as she clacked across the cement footpath.
She’d done it all. She’d achieved her dreams and then some. And now it was time for those dreams to be put away for new ones. She no longer had a burning desire to win, to achieve, to strive. Now all she wanted was to spend time with her loved ones, to travel and enjoy good things to eat. Maybe even to write another book, but this time, it wouldn’t contain recipes.
There was a knock at the office door. She went to open it and found cleaners with their vacuums on the other side. With a smile, she opened the door wide to let them in. Then with one last glance around the empty space, she walked out into the hallway. She left it all behind. This season was over, and a new one was beginning. It felt strange but good. She didn’t know what the future held, didn’t know what she’d do tomorrow. That wasn’t something she was accustomed to. Her days were usually planned by the hour. But now it was wide open, like the office door when she walked away from it.
Downstairs, she handed her keys over to building management. They waved her goodbye, and she walked out through the marble lobby. Outside, she looked around at all the people in business suits rushing here and there. They were either on phones, or speaking to colleagues in animated voices, or hurrying with their heads down to the next meeting. She smiled to herself, thinking of all the times she’d done exactly those things and how much joy it had brought her.
It wasn’t for everyone. Gwen had never wanted to live that way, but it had been perfect for Debbie. It had fulfilled her in ways she found hard to describe. Her husband understood. They were so similar in that regard. And it was nice to have someone who knew and recognised in her what he found in himself. He’d often told her that he loved the ambitious part of her, the go-getter, the businesswoman. It was what had attracted him to her in the first place.
She climbed into her sports car where it was parked in the garage. Then she took down the top, leaving it open to the temperate spring air. There was a scarf in her glove box. She pulled it out and wrapped her hair up in it. Then, donning a pair of oversized sunglasses, she revved the sports car’s engine and inched out of the parking garage. As soon as she was on the open highway, she gunned it, the car flying easily along the smooth road. The wind whipped at her scarf, and she laughed into the sky.
When she arrived at the beach house, she parked outside the garage and climbed out, then took off the scarf and returned it to the glove box. The house was quiet inside, but she could hear the sound of nineteen-seventies beach music outside. She found Caleb out there, wearing an apron and holding a pair of tongs in the air.
“There you are,” he exclaimed with a grin. “Steak or prawns? I couldn’t decide, so I’m making both.”
She laughed, then hurried to kiss him passionately on the mouth. He pretended to faint. “Wow. What was that for?”
“It’s over,” she said. “I handed in the keys. Everything’s gone. I’m finally done.”
He arched an eyebrow. “You okay?”
“I think so. I feel a little empty—lost, maybe. But I’m good.”
He wound an arm around her waist. “You’re very good. I’ve always told you that.” Then he kissed her neck.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Emily waved goodbye to Todd, then packed her things into her bag. After four weeks of working twice a week with Todd as her tutor, she was feeling much better about her studies. He’d helped her make sense of some of her subjects, but he’d also given her handy study tips for how to commit things to memory more easily. She was using flash cards and rhythm techniques. And she found it really helped her to remember better, especially for her anatomy class.
He still flirted with her every time they got together, but she didn’t let it bother her. He knew she had a boyfriend. And she saw Aaron two or three times per week. She’d never been this happy before. She finally believed in herself to do something hard and had chosen a career she could be proud of. And she had Aaron—the man of her dreams.
She strode through the university, waving at students here or there who she recognised. She couldn’t wipe the smile from her face. She was going out with Aaron tonight. He’d promised to take her to Sunshine for the weekend, and she couldn’t wait. Her bag was already packed and waiting at the apartment. Madi wasn’t there—she’d gone home to see her family—so there was no one to rib her about her boyfriend coming over. She really liked calling him that. Boyfriend.
When she got back to the apartment, she found Aaron already there waiting for her.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realise you’d be here so early,” she said, giving him a warm kiss. She unlocked the door to let him in. “I hope you haven’t been waiting long.”
“No, I only got here about five minutes ago.”
“I’m so excited. A weekend in Sunshine. I can’t wait to go. I’m packed, but I’d really like to grab a shower first. Do you mind?”
“Go for it. I’ll watch some TV.”
She showered and changed. Her hair was still wet when she carried her bags out to the lounge room to join him.
“Would you like a drink or something to eat before we leave?”
“No, thanks. Can you sit? I think we should talk.”
Her stomach sank. What did he want to talk about? Surely he wouldn’t break up with her. Only a few weeks ago, he’d suggested they get married.
He patted the couch next to him. She sat, bracing herself, pulse racing. “What is it?”
“About a month ago, I suggested we should get married. To help you out. You remember?”
She nodded. “Of course. How could I forget?”
“Oh, okay.” He inhaled a quick breath. “Only, you haven’t mentioned it. So I wondered…”
“Well, I guess I wasn’t sure how serious you were.”
“You were stressed…”
“I’m doing better,” she interjected.
He hesitated. “That’s good. I’m glad you’re feeling better about everything.”
“I don’t want to get married because of convenience. And right now, I need to focus on my studies.” Her face flushed with heat. “I’m sorry—that sounded callous. I don’t mean it that way. What I meant to say is, when I get married, I want it to be because we both desperately want to be together. Not because I’m worried about making the rent. Does that make sense?”
His green eyes were piercing as he studied her. “Right. That makes sense, yes.”
“You’re not upset?”
“No, of course not.”
“Because you know how I feel about you.”
“I think I do…”
“I love you,” she said softly.
He smiled. “I love you too.”
“So where did we land on that whole marriage issue…?”
He laughed. “We’ll put a pin in it for now.”
She nodded. “Good. Now, let’s get going before the traffic builds up. Friday afternoons are horrific.”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Emily and Aaron stayed at a lovely little boutique inn on Bribie Island. It was old and a bit run-down, but the owner was an elderly lady who put freshly baked sourdough bread in a little box outside their door each morning. And the fridge was packed with local produce—eggs, butter, milk, homemade jam, chocolates and more.
“This is luxurious,” Emily said the next morning as she sat in a rocking chair wearing only a white robe. She raised a piece of sourdough slathered in jam to her mouth and took an enormous bite.
“It’s perfect.”
They ate scrambled eggs, bacon, bread with jam and drank cappuccinos from an espresso maker in the small kitchen. After breakfast, Emily had a bubble bath and read a book while Aaron went hiking on one of the trails that ran parallel to the beach. She could hear the waves crashing to shore while she read.
After she felt as though she was pruney enough, she climbed out of the bath and towelled off. Then she got dressed in a pair of loose-fitting pants and a singlet top. She put on suncream and sunglasses and went out onto the beach to see if she could find him.
He was out there, sitting in the sand in his hiking clothes—shorts and a T-shirt—staring off into the distance over the curling waves. She sat next to him and put her head on his shoulder. He wound his arm around her.
“Did you have a nice bath?”
“Lovely,” she said with a yawn. “I haven’t felt this relaxed in…well, I don’t know how long.”
“I’m glad.” He turned to face her and pulled a small velvet box out of his pocket. “Because I want to ask you a question.”
Emily gasped and pressed both hands to her mouth. “What?”
He smiled. “I’ve known you longer than I can remember. I knew you were cute and fun.”
She laughed.
“But that was the extent of most of my attraction in the teen years. And the fact that you were Tristan’s little sister was enough to keep me from asking you on a date. But that was a long time ago. Now, things are very different.”
“I’m so glad,” she said, her eyes brimming with tears.
He grinned. “I’ve learned that you are warm, kind, sweet and thoughtful. That you spend all of your time, energy and attention helping and caring for other people. You’re the most selfless person I know. And when I’m with you, I feel happy.”
“I’m happy with you too,” she said, holding back a sob.
He opened the box, and a small diamond glinted back at her in the morning sunlight. She wiped a tear from her cheek.
“Emily Miller, I love you and want to spend the rest of my days with you. And I know I’ve asked this once already and been turned down…” He laughed. “But I’m hoping you won’t make it twice. You asked for me to do it properly, and you were right.”
She loved his heart. Loved his face, his eyes, his sweet nature even as he was tough and strong. But was it his compassion provoking this proposal? She didn’t want that. She wanted to be longed for, desired as a wife. Not someone he felt responsible to take care of. He’d said that before, and she couldn’t get those words out of her head.
“I don’t know…” she replied with a sniffle. “I don’t think we should get married out of convenience. And I’m worried…”
“But it’s not convenience,” he replied. “We both know where we’re headed. And I was giving you time to finish your studies first because that’s what I thought you wanted. But after our recent discussion, I started thinking more about it, and I’m ready. I don’t want to wait. We’ve waited long enough. I want to marry you. I love you. You’re the one for me. I want to get married because I’m dying to marry you. Will you marry me?”
Emily pressed a hand to her mouth. She nodded her head slowly in disbelief. Could this really be happening?
“Yes!” she shouted. “Yes, I’ll marry you. I love you too. And I can’t wait to be your wife.”
He cried out for joy and leaned forward to kiss her on the mouth. Then he slipped the golden ring around her finger. She held it aloft to admire the glimmer. Then he kissed her again.
“I’m the happiest man in the world,” he whispered as he pressed his forehead to hers.
Chapter Thirty-Four
In October, Gwen stood outside the completed inn and bistro. The Aurora Inn and Bistro was even more magnificent than she’d anticipated. Freshly painted white with black trim, it was modern, but with an old-fashioned architecture that gave it character and charm.
Mark Hunter strode over the freshly laid green lawn with a clipboard in hand. He stopped in front of her. She was used to seeing him in a hard hat, but today he wore a button-down shirt with slacks and had his hair neatly combed to one side. He was rather handsome.
“It’s that time,” he said with a smile. “The final payment, and it’s all yours.”
She shook her head. “I can’t believe it. October sounded like it was so far in the distance, and now it’s here. And you’re finished. You promised to deliver, and you did it. I’m very impressed and so happy with how it’s all turned out.”
“You did your final inspection?” he asked. “Nothing to report?”
“It’s perfect. We’ve already worked out all the kinks. I know you’re sick of hearing from me. You’ll be glad not to get a phone call from me tomorrow, I’m sure.”
He laughed. “I’ve come to enjoy our many, many conversations.”
She handed him an envelope with the final payment receipt in it. She’d transferred it to his account earlier. “That’s the signed completion paperwork and receipt for payment.”
He nodded and attached it to his clipboard. “It’s been a pleasure working with you. I hope to see you around.”
She waved goodbye, then crossed her arms to study the inn. It was hers. All hers. And it was beautiful.
Just then, a sports car pulled up at the curb behind her. Joanna and Debbie climbed out. Both wore jeans and jumpers. It was a cool day for October, but Gwen enjoyed the cooler weather. They didn’t get it often in Sunshine.
“It looks amazing,” Joanna said. “I can’t wait to see the finished kitchen. They didn’t have the fridge done when I looked last, and the oven hadn’t arrived.”
“You’ve done such a great job. People will love staying here.” Debbie rested a hand on Gwen’s shoulder.
“Thanks for all your help, both of you. I really appreciate the support. Let’s go and take a look around. It’ll never be this perfect ever again.”
“I’m so looking forward to the opening,” Debbie said, following her up the footpath to the front porch.
“Me to,” Gwen replied. “I’m excited to have all of my family and friends try it out for the first weekend.”
“It’s a great idea,” Joanna said. “And the party is going to be huge.”
“I’m a little nervous,” Gwen said.
She unlocked the front door just as a removal truck pulled up outside.
“Hold on a moment,” she said. She left the door open and hurried down the footpath again to meet the movers. They had brought the remaining furniture from storage. She pointed out each piece and where to take it, then rejoined Joanna and Debbie to walk through the place while the movers carried everything inside.
“It’s so much bigger than I thought, and more spacious,” Debbie said as she looked around the main dining room. “I love these timber floors, too.”
Everything looked new and fresh. The expansion had grown the structure but retained the historical feel. And Gwen was delighted by the finishing touches that gave a modern twist to the colonial style of the structure. They inspected each of the bedrooms, and all had their own unique décor, something Gwen had a lot of fun putting in place. Then they finished with a tour of the bistro.
She flicked on the lights. There were round tables with matching chairs dotted throughout the space. A grand piano in one corner, an outside area with heat lamps and cheerful lighting, but it was the kitchen Joanna was most enthralled with. She’d helped design the space. It was large and roomy with every modern convenience, and Gwen was very proud of it.
Joanna hugged the stainless-steel bench top. “I’m in love.”
