Page 55 of Lime Tree Hill

“So why the hurry?” he continued. “You’re hardly the spontaneous type.”

She struggled to keep her gaze steady.“That’s true, but sometimes life takes you on an unexpected twirl. You either embrace it or miss the opportunity.”

“Yeah, well, I’ve always said, fate can’t be contained or explained.” He hesitated. “You know, I never liked that Hayden guy much when we met him in Sydney that time.”

Tayla suppressed a smile and sipped her tea. “Now you tell me.”

“He’s just a bit…superior. Mind you, I always thought you’d end up with Tim.”

She chuckled. “Dad, you know Tim’s gay, don’t you?”

“What does that even mean these days? Lots of people swing both ways, as you young ones say. I thought when you went to the school ball together, well…”

“Tim was never my boyfriend. He’s like a brother to me.”

His eyes bright, he reached for her hand. “I just want you to be happy, sweetheart. To wake up in the morning wearing a smile and go to bed at night knowing he gets you. Do you know what I mean?”

“Course I do.”

“I remember what young love is like. Your mother and I, we never played the hard to get game. Never pretended. I bet you can’t wait to go home. It’s been what—three weeks?”

“Yeah. It will be good to get back.” She reached forward and pulled him into a soft hug, his once muscular frame now wasted on his bones. “And please don’t worry. Mitch is a good man—he’s kind and considerate.”

“Yes, he is. So, tell me this, what happened with the surgeon?”

Sometimes Tayla wondered the same thing.What indeed?“Let’s leave that conversation for another day, shall we?”

“Only if you sneak me one of those cupcakes from the pantry. I need fattening up.”

Ruby’s house was unusually quiet when Tayla returned from Lisa’s. Even the toys, which covered the family room floor on a good day and totally overtook it at other times, had vanished. But the best part of walking into Ruby and Noah’s home that evening was the delicious smell wafting from the kitchen.

“It’s so peaceful. What’s the story?” Tayla dumped her bag on the floor beside the kitchen table.

“The girls are in bed, Noah’s at the gym, andweare going to relax with a glass of wine and a bowl of linguine followed by a silky panna cotta. How does that sound?”

“Wonderful.” She kicked off her shoes and took a sip of the shiraz Ruby had poured for her. “Dad looked good today. Better than I’ve seen him in ages. He even wanted a cupcake with his cup of tea.”

“I thought the same when I saw him yesterday.” Ruby raised her glass. “To Dad.” They clinked. “And to many more years of sharing him with Mum. Are you ready for tomorrow?”

“Yes, I think so. I thought Mum and Dad might come with me, but when I mentioned it, he got a bit emotional.”

“I’m not sure he can face going back to Clifton Falls just yet. I think their money troubles worried him more than we realized.” Ruby handed her a bowl of steaming hot pasta, and as they sat at the table, she asked, “Does Mitch know you’re coming home?”

Home?“Not yet.” Tayla sighed as she twirled the linguine around her fork. “I might stay at Mum and Dad’s new place for a few days. Clear my head a bit.”

“So, things aren’t going too well?”

“I have no idea. He’s…complex.”

“Well, whatever happens, you did the right thing. You know that, don’t you? I doubt Dad would’ve survived if they’d lost the orchard.”

“He asked me today…about our marriage.”

Ruby’s eyes widened. “What did you say?”

“As little as possible.”

“You can’t tell him. You know how proud he is. He’d be devastated.” Ruby sipped her wine. “That settlement was all he looked forward to for a while there.”

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