Page 12 of Lime Tree Hill

“I know, but I have a secret, and it can’t be shared.”

She could almost hear Tim clap his hands. “I love secrets. What time? Half six?”

“Perfect.”

As the sun shone in a cloudless sky and the willows along the bank dipped their lower branches into the river, Tayla looked over her shoulder to make sure no one was watching. She removed her dress and slipped into the water, the coolness stealing her breath. And as her breasts adjusted to the cold, her tight nipples peaking just above the waterline, she wondered what Mitch would think if he found her swimming topless in his branch of the river. She smiled at the thought.

Immersing herself to shoulder height, Tayla gripped the smooth stones with her toes and took three slow, steady breaths. Keeping contact with the bottom, she lowered herself to the tip of her chin, her arms swirling across the still surface of the water.

Earlier, she’d rummaged in the vegetable garden, hoping to selvage some salad greens for dinner. But the few rotting lettuces, dried-up cucumber vines in the greenhouse, and trusses of cherry tomatoes—split and decaying on their stalks—proved one thing. The orchard and garden were too much for her parents and probably had been for a while.

Still, she’d visit Lime Tree Hill’s farm gate store before dinner to stock up on vegetables and soft cheese and crusty bread. Maybe even a carton of their organic ice cream her father raved about. Once nothing more than a tin shed selling a few odds and ends, the popular stall was now a bustling food market with organic treats to die for.

For now, she lay back, recalling her swimming coach’s instructions, her arms keeping her afloat in the shallow stream. She took another deep breath, trying to clear all fears from her mind and stayed that way until her heartbeat stilled.Bliss. Pure bliss.

Clambering up the bank later, she glanced toward the packing shed loft window that overlooked the river, certain she’d seen a shadow cross the glass. She grabbed her towel and scampered behind a tree to get dressed, adrenaline rushing through her veins. Had he seen her?

Smiling at the thought, Tayla wrung out her wet panties before walking home, blissfully naked underneath her dress of cotton voile.

It was time to call Ruby.

Tim arrived early, bearing a bottle of wine, a huge bunch of flowers and flashing a grin. Tayla wanted to wait until they’d eaten to tellhim about the proposal, but he was having none of it. With a glass of merlot in one hand and a vegetable knife in the other, he insisted on making the salad while she talked.“So, what’s this big secret?”

“I might be getting married soon.”

Knife poised, he stoppedmid-chop.“Shut the front door! Has that Hayden guy finally come to his senses?”

Tayla froze. She hadn’t thought of Hayden since lunchtime. “No, we broke up…before I left Sydney. Sorry, I should have told you before now, but life’s been crazy lately.”

“What? I thought you were solid as. What happened?”

“It’s a sorry story I can only share after a second glass. Until then, I have something I want to run past you, but don’t interrupt until I’ve finished. Okay?”

“Sure. Wait—you’re pregnant?”

Tayla chuckled as she reached for a slice of cucumber off the chopping board. “Tim! What did I just say? I’m not pregnant. So if you don’t mind…”

“Go right ahead,” he said with a wide grin.

Tayla chose her words carefully while Tim listened without interruption. By the time she’d finished, his mouth was as wide openas his expression and the salad bowl was still empty.

“What do you think?”

“Let me get this straight. You’re going to walk down the aisle with Mr. Lime Tree to save your parents’ financial ass?”

“Pretty much. But you can’t tell anyone. It has to look legit. But Ruby knows.”

“And? What’s her take on all of this?”

Snippets of her earlier phone conversation with Ruby surfaced. Her sister had plenty to say about Mitch’s proposal, none of it good. “She thinks I’m crazy.”

“And she’d be right. But, we’re all a little crazy sometimes.” He waggled his brows suggestively. “Do you get to sleep with him?”

“What? No, of course not. It’s a business arrangement!”

“Pity. I bet he’s rocked a world or two in his time.”

Tayla tried to fight the mental picture. She failed. “Stop it. As if he’d be interested in rockingmyworld.”

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