Page 52 of Lime Tree Hill

Mitch laughed and slapped Luka on the back. “I bet you have.”

“Anyway, how’s CeCe?”

“You know, still pretending everything’s okay.” Mitch hesitated. He and Luka rarely discussed his sister. They’d agreed long ago to leave the past where it belonged. “Running the orchard’s too much for her, but she’s determined to see it through. That’s why I went to Tulloch Point last weekend—to give her a hand. She needs more staff.”

“Any word of Andrea and Frank coming home?”

Mitch closed the door of the Hilux and locked it. He hid the keys on top of the tire. “Nope, they’re loving the travel. But I wouldn’t be surprised if they decide to sell up and move back to Clifton Falls when they do come back. Mum loves this area.”

“What will CeCe do then?”

“No idea.” Mitch chuckled. “She’d probably move here too if it wasn’t for you.”

“Piss off.” Luka flashed a wide grin. “Is she seeing anyone?”

Flashing a wide grin back, Mitch picked up his board. “Dunno, mate. You’ll have to ask her that one yourself.”

“Yeah, right.”

The wind picked up around five, bringing with it a bank of storm clouds drifting in from the east. With the water cooler than it had been in weeks and the waves dumping him several times, Mitch only lasted an hour before calling it a day.

When he parked outside the packing shed, Tayla’s car was in its usual spot. He bounded up the stairs, expecting to see her lounging in front of the TV with Edward, a glass of wine in hand and her feet on the coffee table.

But the loft was empty.

Thinking she might be over at Cherry Grove, he grabbed a headlamp and summoned Edward to heel before strolling through the tree rows to the old homestead. The new tenants were arriving soon, and he hadn’t organized the move. Still, it wouldn’t take long once the removal guys got stuck in.

As he walked up to the veranda, the house stood in darkness with no signs of life. Mitch let himself in, calling her name as he made his way down the hallway and into the living room.

He flicked on the light and froze. The room was empty. Every stick of furniture. Every book. Every knick-knack. All gone. He checked the kitchen cabinets and pantry, all cleaned out and spotless. Even the stovetop, oven, and refrigerator were sparkling clean. On the kitchen counter sat a basket overflowing with wine, preserves, honey, and crackers with a small card that read:Welcome to your new home.

The thought of Tayla packing up the house on her own with everything else she had going on, had him shaking his head. And as he stood in the muted light of the dining area, he felt like a complete and utter bastard.

Heading back to the packing shed, a niggling doubt consumed him. He took the stairs two at a time and, once inside, checked her room. The nightstand, where a small stack of paperbacks and a water bottle usually sat, was clear. And in the closet, most of her clothes were missing. Had she left him already?

Mitch pulled his phone from his pocket and checked the time. It was now after seven. He called her again and this time, she answered.

“Tayla? Where are you?”

A sharp intake of breath. “I’m at the airport, about to board a flight to Auckland. I tried to call you. Sorry I didn’t leave a message.”

That ‘utter bastard’ feeling washed over him for the second time that evening, and for a fleeting moment, Mitch wanted toprotect her with whatever means he had. “Auckland? Is everything all right?”

“Dad’s back in the operating room.” She hesitated, and he assumed by the sound of a flight being called that she was in the departure lounge. “Um…sorry, I’m having trouble thinking straight. He should be out by now. But we’ve heard nothing. They don’t know what’s going on.”

“Shit. Luka and I went surfing this afternoon, so my phone was in the truck.”

“No problem. I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone.”

Mitch moved to the office and sat at his desk. “Okay. Is there anything I can do?”

“No…but thank you. I have to go. They’re calling my flight.”

“Tayla—”

She cut the call.

He stilled as his screen saver flicked through the half-dozen wedding photos Luka had sent him from his phone, staring while the images merged from one to another. Dressed in that stunning pink gown and with her hair flowing as free as the waves behind her, she really was the most beautiful bride.

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