Page 156 of Mistaken Intention

Everyone is already here, including Mick, who I’ve only met briefly before. For such a large man, he’s very unobtrusive, with gray hair and a friendly face, and I like him. Livia’s mom and dad are sitting together on one of the many couches. Julianne is just as pretty as her daughter, with blonde hair, which she’s wearing loose around her shoulders today, while Connor’s coloring is darker… but that’s not surprising. He’s not related to Livia, even if he is her dad.

In the corner, there’s an enormous Christmas tree, decorated with white lights and wooden toys. I know there’s another such tree in the library at the back of the house, but the one in here gives off a lovely, festive glow.

“When are we actually gonna get to see this famous cookery book?” Drew asks Ella and she turns, narrowing her eyes at him.

“Monday,” she says.

“Are you gonna write another one?” I ask her, sitting on the couch opposite Julianne and Connor, while Drew perches on the arm beside me.

“No. The publisher offered, and Mac’s agent was really keen for me to take the deal, but I’d rather be a full-time mom.”

“Never thought I’d hear you say that,” Hunter says, and Ella shoots him a glance, just as the buzzer sounds, letting everyone know there’s someone at the front gate. He gets up, leaving Livia behind in her seat. “I’ll go get that.”

“It’s okay. Pat’s in the kitchen. I’m sure she’ll answer it.” Drew looks up at him, but Hunter shakes his head.

“She’s busy.”

He leaves the room and I glance down at Maisie, who’s struggling to stay awake. “Do you want me to take her upstairs?” Drew says, leaning over me, but I shake my head.

“She’s no trouble.”

“You just like holding her, don’t you?”

“Yes.”

He smiles and kisses my forehead before turning to Mac. “Is your new book out yet?”

He shakes his head. “That’s launching on Tuesday, but I guess Hunter wanted us to get together and celebrate while everyone’s here.”

That’s not strictly true, but I’m not about to say that.

“Are you writing anything new?” Julianne asks and Mac turns to her.

“Oh, yes. I’ve already finished the third book. That’s with the editors, and I’m about half-way through the fourth one. I’ve got at least three, or maybe four more in the pipeline in this series, and then I might move on to something different.”

“Goodness. That must keep you busy.”

“It does. But I really love it, and there aren’t very many people who can say that about their work.”

“That’s t—true,” Connor says, stammering over his words, which he tends to do.

“It’s a detective you write about, isn’t it?” Julianne asks.

“Yes. A female one, who also happens to be a doctor. That was Ella’s idea, so if anyone should take the credit for my success, it’s my beautiful wife, not me.”

“Hardly,” Ella says. “You still have to write them.”

“I know. But they wouldn’t even be published if it wasn’t for you.”

He leans over and kisses her, just as Hunter comes back into the room, followed by the woman I know to be his mother.I’d expected this, but what I hadn’t anticipated was that she’d be with a man. He’s in his early-fifties, with salt and pepper hair and steel-rimmed glasses. Both of them look nervous as they glance around the room, and the man puts his arm through Lindsay’s as Hunter coughs, getting everyone’s attention. A silence falls, just as Pat comes in behind the small group, dodging past them, a blush on her cheeks, as she walks over and sits beside Mick. I’m not sure if she knew Lindsay was coming tonight, but I think she might have done.

Hunter steps a little further into the room, ushering Lindsay and the man to follow, and then looks at Drew, and at Ella, who are both staring at him, equally confused.

“Drew… Ella… I want you to meet our mother.”

Drew sucks in an audible gasp, but it’s Ella who reacts. Without a second’s hesitation, she pulls away from Mac and jumps to her feet, taking a step forward.

“How could you do this, Hunter? You told me she’d been to see you after Drew’s accident, and I explained I wanted nothing to do with her.”

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