Page 151 of Sugarloaf Ridge Lies

Chapter Forty-Seven

Liv

Sunday breakfast isspent at Emily’s, followed by a tour of the town. When our visit to Banridge Station grows close, my stomach—which not only is being squashed by a certain acorn squash—is tied in knots.

When we finally arrive, Jerry’s family are welcoming of Jean and Jayson. Bernie and Aunt Jean get along as if they were long lost sisters, while Jay and Pirate play with an old tennis ball outside on the grand porch. Mick, Jerry, and I talk farming.

Penny fusses around, refusing offers of help, not really talking to anyone. Is she tired of maintaining that plastered on smile yet?

Don’t be petty. At least she’s trying.

Penny is yet to apologise. I hope she takes a moment to talk to me soon, because the longer this goes on, the hotter the fire burns in my belly. We’re here because of herolivebranch.

“Sorry we’re late,” a small voice says from the entry.

The moment Finn and Daynah walk into the lounge room, all the oxygen escapes my lungs.

In an oversized cream knitted jumper and maternity leggings, my gaze fixes on the necklace hung proudly around her neck, the chain sitting between the swell of her boobs, the owl resting at the top of her rounded belly.

My heart pumps harder.Oh, God. After the doodling conversation with Jean yesterday, will she be perceptive enough to pick up on the necklace?

Relax.As if she’s going to be focusing on something so small.

“’Bout time you two showed up,” Jerry teases. He shakes Finn’s hand and pulls Daynah in for a hug.

“You’re lookin’ well, Liv,” Finn says and takes off his hat.

“Thanks, you too,” I reply.God, did I just say that?

Daynah moves in front of me to give me a hug. We both laugh as our bumps touch before we can hug properly.

“You look beautiful.” She releases me and scans over the long-sleeved top that hugs my torso, ankle-length boho skirt stretching to the widest part of my hips.

“Thanks, same to you. Not sure I feel it, though.” Maybe one of these days we can get together and chat. It’ll be a nice bonding experience for us. And once our babies are born, getting the cousins together will be nice. I want them to be close.

“We need to catch up one of these days, Liv. Maybe go have a pedicure or something.”

A smile stretches across my face. “That’d be great. I was just thinking it’d be nice to chat.”

She takes my hand and squeezes it. “Definitely. Let’s do it, soon.”

“Grub’s up,” Penny calls from the dining room, halting everyone’s conversations.

Bernie cheers and does a little dance, her rounded hips swaying, causing her long floral dress to swish around her brown suede ankle boots.

Mick claps and rubs his hand in circles over the front of his dark blue flannelette shirt. “I could eat the crutch out of a low flyin’ duck.”

I laugh at Mick’s remark and kiss Jerry on the cheek. “I’ll go get Jay.”

“I can go?” he offers. He looks down at my feet. Despite assuring him I’m fine, he’s still focused on my puffy ankles, a result of being on my feet too much yesterday.

“I’m fine. Save me a seat.”

He leans in and kisses the skin below my ear. “On my lap?”

“Jerry,” I warn. My heart beats faster as I imagine sitting astride him.

He chuckles as I head for the porch.

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