Single Dads Collection. Lynne Marshall
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The breath whooshed out of her. She’d taught him that?
‘It’s time to look to the future instead of the past. That’s what I’ll be working on this year.’
‘Amen,’ Verity said softly. ‘Ooh, look, it’s nearly time for the countdown to midnight. Keith and Cade, top up everyone’s glasses while I turn on the radio.’
They all stood and counted down the final ten seconds to midnight and the brand new year. Nicola prayed that this year she would be able to hold her head high and prove her worth—to herself. It had become less and less important to prove it to anyone else.
‘Happy New Year!’ all of Cade’s family called out, clinking champagne flutes. Then there were hugs and kisses.
‘Happy New Year, Nicola.’ Cade kissed her cheek and then backed off in super-quick time.
‘Happy New Year,’ she said, fighting a sense of awkwardness. ‘Nice resolution, boss man.’
‘Right back at you,’ he returned.
He grinned. She smiled. And the awkwardness slipped away and it felt as if their friendship was back on track. And it felt right … even if she had to tamp down on the desire that threaded through her.
‘Okay, bedtime for me,’ Verity declared. ‘Especially if I’m to wake in time for the traditional New Year trek.’
Nicola glanced at Verity. ‘Traditional trek?’
They all turned to stare at her. ‘Hasn’t anybody mentioned Lake Campbell to you, darling?’
Umm … no.
At her blank look, Cade said, ‘Every New Year’s Day we pack a picnic and head out to the lake. It’s a bit of a trek as the lake is two hours away, but …’
‘But the children love it,’ Dee said, picking up where Cade left off. ‘The swimming and the change of scenery.’
‘So do the adults.’ Verity smiled. ‘I know you’re used to the coast and the seaside, but the lake is a lovely place to swim, and it’s a beautiful spot. I promise you’ll enjoy it.’
‘I don’t doubt that for a moment. It sounds lovely,’ Nicola said. It would be wonderful to experience more of this compelling Outback landscape. ‘You’ll have to excuse me from the swimming, though. I’m afraid I didn’t bring a swimming costume.’ She hadn’t expected to need one.
‘The kids won’t let you get away with that,’ Dee said. ‘You’ve become too firm a favourite. Besides, we play lots of water games and it would be a shame to sit those out. I’ll lend you a cossie. We’re about the same size.’ She suddenly chuckled. ‘After all, I did bring four with me.’
Keith shook his head. ‘The woman has no concept of packing light.’
Dee slapped him playfully and then her eyes gleamed in a way that reminded Nicola of Cade. ‘In fact, I know the exact costume that would suit you best.’
All through this exchange she was aware of Cade’s watchful surveillance. The thought of appearing in front of him in a swimsuit … Something inside her trembled. She forced a smile. ‘Lovely, thank you.’
As they all drifted away to their separate bedrooms to retire for the night, it occurred to her that tomorrow Cade would appear before her in nothing but a swimsuit as well.
She couldn’t quite stamp out the anticipation that threaded through her.
‘What do you think?’ Cade asked as she climbed from the ute.
For a moment Nicola couldn’t form a coherent sentence. The wild beauty of Cade’s lake stole her breath. Never in her wildest dreams had she ever imagined that such a place could exist, or that she’d ever be lucky enough to visit it.
They’d arrived along a long, low, green-brown plain that had extended for mile upon mile and had lulled her with its unending monotony, but that was all at her back. In front of her stretched a large lake, bordered on its far side by a wall of orange and yellow rock that curved at least halfway around towards them. Not even a breeze ruffled the calm surface of the water that reflected back the sky’s perfect blue. Paper daisies dotted the shore and a flock of pink cockatoos squalled in a stand of tall skinny gum trees off to her left. ‘It’s an oasis,’ she breathed.
Holly’s imperious squeal from her child’s seat in the back of the car had her swinging away from the amazing view. ‘I’ll get her,’ Cade said, grinning at whatever he saw in her face.
Ella slipped her hand into Nicola’s. ‘This is one of my favourite places ever.’
‘Mine too,’ Nicola found herself agreeing.
It was an almost perfect day. Everyone was in a determined holiday mood and, as Verity explained to her, this really was the last hurrah for their holiday. Tomorrow, she, Dee, Keith and the twins would be returning to Brisbane and ‘the real world’ as she called it.
The borrowed swimsuit wasn’t an exercise in self-conscious agony either. For a start, it wasn’t the bikini she’d feared but a one-piece that nipped her in nicely at the waist, even if the bust line plunged much lower than she was used to.
The expression on Cade’s face when he first saw her in it made that more than worthwhile. It made her feel beautiful, glamorous even. And then she’d taken in his bare chest and shoulders—the latent power and strength of him on display—and heat had shimmered between them with a dangerous intensity that had held them both in thrall.
Someone’s laughter had broken the spell. Cade had turned and plunged into the lake and Nicola had been able to breathe again. After that they were careful to avoid eye contact.
They all swam. They joked and laughed. They played water cricket. They relaxed on the shore and demolished the picnic Harry had packed for them. When offered, Nicola took two whole handfuls of chocolate sultanas and savoured every single one of them. They dozed under makeshift shelters during the worst of the heat and then swam again.
And all the while Nicola was aware of Cade’s compelling presence. Of his ease and patience with the children. Of his courtesy to his mother and sister … and to her. And of the undisputed beauty of his body.
In the evening the men built a contained campfire. Not for warmth but to toast marshmallows. It was the perfect end to the perfect day.
Ella planted herself on Nicola’s lap, her head resting in the hollow of Nicola’s shoulder. Her clean wholesome smell, her soft weight, stirred all of Nicola’s not so latent maternal instincts and created an ache deep inside.
She did her best to ignore it. One day maybe she’d be lucky enough to have a little girl as loving and trusting as Ella. She pulled Ella close for a hug and to plant a kiss on the crown of her head.
‘I had the best day in the world, Nic.’
‘Me too, sweetie.’
The child was silent for a while and Nicola thought she’d fallen asleep. ‘I wish you were my mummy.’
Ella’s words were clear in the evening air and rang out around the circle they’d formed about the campfire. Nicola didn’t dare look at any of the other adults. Not that she would’ve seen them for the sudden tears that blinded her. She blinked hard, but nothing could clear the ache that stretched her throat … or the bigger one settling in her chest.
‘Honey …’ she swallowed ‘… I think that’s just about the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.’
Ella suddenly straightened. ‘Daddy, you could marry Nic. I know you like her because I saw you kissing her.’
ELLA’S innocently revealing words