Page 24 of Hard Road Home

“Why shouldn’t it be? We’d have everything we need.”

She fiddled with the drink coaster in front of her. “Things go wrong. You can’t count on everything going your way forever.”

Going his way. He knew as well as anyone how wrong things could get for a kid. But not his kids. He’d protect them. His kids would be safe. “You never used to be so negative.”

A small flex of her shoulders indicated her dismissal of his claim. “We all have to grow up sometime.”

“And you think I haven’t grown up? Because I plan to enjoy every moment?Having fun.” The last bit came out with a tinge of sarcasm, but he didn’t care.

Bonnie stood, resting her fingertips on the table. “I know you had it rough as a kid, but if you plan on having kids you have to be the grown-up sometime. Kids aren’t only about fun. There’s responsibility. They get sick, they get hurt. You can’t protect them from everything. Not all the money in the world will stop a kid from trying their wings and maybe falling on their face. Unless you plan on locking them in a padded cell all their lives.” She rested her hand on her stomach and he realised she wasn’t only talking about kids. She didn’t trust him on anything.

He pushed himself to his feet so he could face her head-on. “Fine. Forget I ever said anything.”

Walking away, he detoured away from the table where her friends sat, chatting with a couple of other people. He didn’t stop until he’d collected his violin and gone out the side door into the street. The cool air hit him in the face, stinging his flushed skin. He placed his palm over his cheek and felt the heat.

The street was empty and he looked back at the door, Bonnie’s words echoing in his mind.You run.

Why the hell not? With the exception of his grandparents, everyone in his life ran. Usually away from him. A boy not even his mother could love. Why did he think Bonnie would be any different?

Chapter Seven

Bonnie fingered themagazine on the newsagency rack, wondering if buying a copy ofRolling Stonefitted with the demographic of the B&B. Zac Hart was on the cover, which had local interest. She was pretty sure any of the female guests would enjoy the bad boy eye candy, tats, abs and all. Flo tended to buy style magazines focusing on decorating and entertainment, along with travel magazines to complement the local tourism-focused offerings.

The newsagent wandered over. “Pretty hot, huh? Nothing with Xander Mac this month, apart from the local paper.”

Bonnie wasn’t sure she liked Mali’s implication. She’d tried to be discreet about her interest in Xander. Not hard to do when Flo buzzed in looking for anything fresh with her grandson featured. She had theRolling Stonecover featuring Xander and the Highlanders from a couple of years ago framed in the guest lounge at the inn. Not as sexy as the Hart one, but rock and roll legends had a different image to soft country. She could pretend the interest was on her employer’s behalf. “Flo already has about six copies of the paper.”

She laid the stack of magazines on the counter. The ones at the B&B were starting to look their age.

Mali put them on the account with a distracted air, glancing through the window to some activity in the mall. “Looks like some Xander Mac fever.”

Bonnie picked up her bag, following the other woman’s gaze. A mob of television reporters, it looked like, outside the cafe. Of course, Xander had his interview with the local reporter today, though she’d expected it to be over by now. “He was supposed to be interviewed by the Bialga paper.”

“Word must have spread.”

Stepping into the mall, Bonnie joined the clump of locals watching the event. It wasn’t every day major television stations hit town, even if it were the rural representatives. Xander stood in the centre of the group, his broad grin in place as he answered questions. He was in his usual uniform of tight white tee and jeans, his belt buckle gleaming under the opening of a cosy tartan lumber jacket taking the place of the flannel shirts. It was still chilly, even though the snow had melted away under two bright sunny days.

He looked alone, keeping his distance from the crowd by force of will. It reminded her of their conversation last night. He really didn’t like people getting close, and not only physically. The adroit way he avoided personal questions, apart from a plug for the Highland Inn, didn’t sit well with a couple of interviewers, but he simply smiled wider and excused himself, forging a path through the group and disappearing behind the door of the solicitor’s office, further along the street. Clever. Not many reporters would be intrepid enough to follow him into a nest of lawyers.

Once the excitement faded and the reporters dissipated, the rest of the town went about their business. Bonnie watched Tamara head into the solicitor’s office. Something to do with Colin, she supposed. If what the girl said about Xander helping out financially was true, Bonnie wasn’t convinced it showed personal responsibility. If Flo and Don felt some responsibility for the girl getting pregnant while working at the inn, he’d want to make it easy for them.

*

Both her employerswere waiting for her in the kitchen when she returned with the shopping, Don putting together a tray with a pot of tea and cups and some of Flo’s signature shortbread biscuits; made in this instance by Bonnie. Flo had a bright-eyed look about her that Bonnie knew usually meant trouble. Or, if not trouble, some inspired idea meaning extra work.

“Could you come into our apartment when you’ve finished putting away the groceries?”

She agreed, watching them make their way into their private quarters with a vague unease. It didn’t take long to unpack the shopping and drop the fresh magazines in the visitor lounge. Glancing at her watch, she figured she had a few minutes to change out of her boots and warm outdoor clothing for a light jumper and comfortable sneakers. Her jeans were fine, the boots having protected them from the sloppy remnants of snow and mud.

Don was pouring the coffee when she arrived back downstairs. “We have a favour to ask, love.”

Flo sipped at her tea, obviously seeking inspiration. “When were you planning to go back to Canada?”

Bonnie’s heart clenched in her chest. Were they wanting her to leave sooner? Flo was gaining confidence day by day and Tamara was doing really well. “September. The plan was to be back there at the beginning of September.”

“You wouldn’t consider staying longer? Until the New Year?”

Bonnie glanced at Flo’s cast. “The New Year? Surely your arm will be okay long before then? Isn’t it healing properly?”

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