Page 10 of Lime Tree Hill

“It goes to various charities once I turn forty.” He paused. “It’s Norman’s way of pissing me off from beyond the grave. He liked to pull the strings, and he keeps on pulling.”

Tayla had plenty more to say, but she didn’t know where to start. The simple solution was to shut down this ridiculous conversation. She went to stand but stopped when he continued, “Now I know you’re not in a relationship, the only problem—apart from you hating my guts—is what about your life in Sydney?”

She’d asked herself that very question every waking hour for days. What about her life in Sydney? Her job? Her apartment? “Hate may be too strong a word. As for Sydney, my plans are on hold for a few months. Mum and Dad need me here.”

He waited for further explanation, but she didn’t want to confide in Mitch about her life in the city—her life on pause.

“Okay. That’s good.” Mitch leaned forward and steepled his hands. “What do you think?”

“Thank you for finally asking my opinion.” She didn’t bother to mask her sarcasm. “I think you’ve got rocks in your head.”

“But you’re keen?”

“What! No. Of course I’m not keen.” She stood and walked toward the door. “Have a nice day.”

“Tayla?” He picked up his phone. “What’s your number? In case I need to contact you.”

“Call my lawyer.”

6

BUYING TIME

Back at her family home,Tayla flopped onto the bed and buried her head in the pillow. She let out a frustrated scream. He had to be kidding. Marry him? Would he expect her to wash his socks and cook him dinner, or would their arrangement include no level of domesticity? And what about the other? Would they share a bed?

She shuddered at the thought, her breasts tingling for some traitorous reason.

Overwhelmed by the summer heat and Mitch’s proposition, she stood and opened the French doors, letting the easterly from the coast waft through the net curtains. Tayla had always loved this room. With its iron bed, monochrome tones, and sanded-back floor and dresser, it represented the very essence of home. She’d moved in after Lisa had shifted to Auckland. Before that, she and Ruby had shared.

Tayla moved to the bookcase and pulled out a copy ofEast of Eden,inhaling the musty scent as she opened it to the title page. It was the last book she and Norman had read together. And even now, she often read random passages aloud. Just as she had with Norman.

Norman. What an impressive human he’d been. Intuitive andpatient—a man who’d spoken so eloquently when they were alone yet couldn’t maintain friendships or family ties. And now Mitch thought he had a solution to his grandfather’s excessive need for control. And that solution also benefited Tayla’s need to play the role of family protector. The youngest child on a mission to make everything right, and the perfect way to let Hayden know she’d moved on. Even if that was the last thing she imagined herself doing.

Dinner that night was a lonely affair of pasta tossed with a jar of her mother’s homemadetomato sauce and topped with parmesan and fresh basil. As she ate, the texts from Hayden kept coming.Please pick up. I miss you. Call me!!!She knew she’d have to face him at some stage—to separate the domestic details of their lives—but dealing with his demands was no longer high on her list of priorities.

Later, settled on the veranda with a cup of green tea, Tayla opened her laptop and typed ‘Clifton Falls horticulture realtors’ into the search bar. She scrolled through the results.There didn’t appear to be many orchards for sale around the province.So why hadn’t Cherry Grove gained more interest?

She looked toward Lime Tree Hill as Mitch’s SUV hurried down the drive and onto the Eastern Pacific Highway. For an uneasy moment, Tayla wished she were still in Sydney, dining out or catching a movie. Going somewhere. Anywhere.

Tayla picked up her phone as it vibrated and hitAccept. “Hey, Mum, how’s Dad?”

“Stable. More to the point, how are you? You okay down there on your own?”

“Course I am.”

“We had a call from the realtor today. The settlement date for the retirement complex has moved back a month. That gives you some breathing room with the packing. Have you made a start yet?”

Tayla didn’t have the heart to say she hadn’t even filled one cardboard box—couldn’t face the thought of it. “Kind of.”

“Listen to me.” Her mum sighed, chastising herself. “I’m not even giving you time to get your feet on the ground. Have you seen Mitch?” Her mother stopped just long enough to take a breath. “If you need anything, give him a call. I know you had no time for him when you were younger, but people change, Tayla. And we’ll be forever grateful for his interest in Cherry Grove. The Lord works in mysterious ways, that’s for sure.”

For once, her mother’s use of that particular cliché was spot on. Mitch’s interest in Cherry Grove had mystery written all over it, but Tayla was certain ‘the Lord’ had nothing to do with it. “I saw him this afternoon,” she said.

“Did you? I think he’s off to visit his sisters soon. They’re both pregnant, due a few weeks apart.”

Tayla hadn’t realized Mitch had siblings. She’d always thought of him as a spoiled only child. Not that all only children were spoiled, but if there was a stereotype to fit, he’d be snug and cozy in that role.

As her mother talked nonstop, Tayla replied when necessary, but couldn’t bring herself to raise the sale of the orchard. Or non-sale as was the case now. Still, the later settlement date bought her some time. How she’d use that time, she had no idea.

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