Page 81 of Seduction Under the Southern Stars

I nod, then walk up the path.

Chapter Seventeen

Elora

The door opens to reveal the guy in the photo that Linc showed me. He’s tall, like Linc, and of the same build, so broad shouldered but not too big. His dark hair is gray at the temples, and he has a neat gray beard. His eyes are a bright green, just like Linc’s. Oh my God, there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind at all that this is his real father.

The two of them stare at each other for a moment. I remain quiet, letting them drink each other in. Edmund looks amused, presumably at the likeness, and curious. I glance at Linc. His eyes are wide, and he’s breathing fast. I know he’s super nervous; he’s been like it all day.

Edmund finally smiles and holds out his hand. “Well, hello at last.”

“Hi,” Linc replies softly, and he slots his hand into Edmund’s. The two of them shake, then stop and laugh. Edmund pulls Linc toward him, and to my delight he puts his arms around Linc and gives him a big blokey bearhug.

Linc holds his arms out to the side, obviously shocked, then returns the hug, and they stand there for a moment, both enjoying this first contact. Emotion rushes through me as I think about what Linc must be feeling. For so long he’s lived in the shadow of Don Green. How absolutely fantastic to finally step out into the sunlight.

Eventually, they release each other with another laugh, and Edmund steps back and says, “Come and meet Isabel, she’s in the living room, just down there.”

Linc walks in, and I step into the house and smile at Edmund. “I’m—”

“Elora,” he says. “Of course. How nice to meet you.” He shakes my hand. “It was kind of you to come with Linc today.”

“He’s very nervous,” I say softly. “This means so much to him, you have no idea. Thank you for reacting to the news so well, and asking to meet him.”

“Well it’s not every day you find out you have a son you didn’t know about,” he says with Linc’s easy manner, closing the door behind him. He gestures for me to go ahead of him along the corridor, and I walk down to where Linc is standing at the entrance to the living room, hesitating.

Edmund slips past me, goes up to Linc, and says, “In you go.”

Linc walks in, and I follow him. A woman is in the process of putting a coffee plunger and cups onto the table along with a plate of biscuits. She’s in her fifties, with a mass of curly salt-and-pepper hair that reaches past her shoulders, and she’s wearing black cut-down jeans and a loose white top.

She straightens as we enter and stares at Linc. “Oh my God,” she says, and then she laughs. “Well, that’s got rid of any doubt.”

Linc just stands there, flustered, and suddenly he’s the fourteen-year-old boy I remember who hadn’t yet developed his social skills, and who was baffled by everyone else’s casual ability to do small talk.

I smile and walk forward, holding out my hand. “I’m Elora, Linc’s friend. It’s so nice to meet you—thank you for inviting us to your home.”

“Aw, you’re very welcome.” She shakes my hand, although her gaze slides to Linc, who’s still standing there awkwardly.

“He’s all right,” I say. “His brain’s just shut down for a moment. He’ll be back in a minute.”

Isabel and Edmund laugh, and Linc gives a bashful smile.

“Come and sit down,” Isabel says, gesturing to the sofa. “Can I get you both tea, coffee, or a cold drink?”

“Coffee would be great, thank you,” I say, “and I’m sure he’ll have the same.”

She nods and begins pouring as we sit on the sofa, side by side.

Edmund sinks into the chair opposite us, leaning forward, elbows on his knees and his hands linked. “Hard to know where to start,” he says, his brows drawing together.

I can understand why everyone feels so awkward. Even though Isabel has obviously been positive about the news and supportive of her husband, I’m sure Edmund’s worried that Linc is going to ask questions about how he met his mother all those years ago and what happened. It might have been before he met Isabel, but I would expect that few people are comfortable with talking about ex-partners like that.

Linc is still tongue-tied, and I remember him saying, I always say the wrong thing and put my foot in it, so maybe he’s worried he’s going to do that now.

I give his hand a quick squeeze, then say, “I understand you’re both teachers. At the local high school?”

Edmund nods. “Both history teachers.”

“That’s wonderful,” I say. “Linc and I are mad about history and archaeology.”

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