Loe raamatut: «A Forever Family Collection», lehekülg 34

‘Are you all right?’ His voice matched his appearance. It was as deep as the tan of his skin and very masculine.

She stepped back and smoothed down her dress. Words had completely escaped her and his nearness made her conscious of his sensuality. Astoundingly, he had managed to remind her of her own. It was ridiculous, she knew it. She had no interest in men. Any men. They were off limits to her. She had signed a deal with herself to forget dating, to forget men in general until Amber was married or at least enrolled in college. And by that time she surmised she would probably have no appeal for them, or them for her. It hadn’t been a hard deal to keep. The men she had dated previously, her type, no longer appealed. In fact, no man had been appealing since the accident. But somehow Mitchell’s touch had left her dizzy.

His expression was serious and his concern seemed genuine but she knew his type, a very handsome drifter with no ties. What she didn’t know was why she was reacting this way. There was something about the man, other than his looks, that was attracting her to him. Then she realised that looking into his eyes was like looking into Amber’s. The stunning blue eyes staring back at her were the same colour as those of the little girl she had kissed goodnight for almost three years. He was a part of the little girl as much as she was. They both shared a special bond with their beautiful niece.

But looks alone was where his bond ended. The bond of family was one he had chosen not to act on. He had never tried to see Amber. Mitchell had apparently been too busy enjoying life to bother checking in on his niece. He’d left that role to Jade and although she was more than happy to be the sole caregiver, the occasional call might have been nice. It might have shown that he actually had a heart and cared.

Mitchell hadn’t displayed any interest in the little girl up to now so she wasn’t about to just let him step into Amber’s life without any scrutiny. And without a damned good explanation.

He had returned home to spend time with his parents for reasons known only to him and at a strangely coincidental time, but Jade supposed the shine would wear off the situation and he would be riding back into the sunset very soon. His type was nothing new to her.

‘I’m fine,’ she finally mouthed, still confused by the way he was affecting her, given the situation. Bringing her niece to Australia was not about to change the way she looked at men, or didn’t look, as the case had been.

The idea that she could in any way be attracted to Amber’s uncle was ludicrous. She snapped her wandering thoughts back to reality. She was beyond angry with him for not investing some time in his niece over the past three years, although she wasn’t about to take him to task over it on meeting him. Maureen and Arthur deserved better than that. They were gracious and generous to a fault and she would not show any animosity to their son in front of them. And she also didn’t want Amber to feel anything but love when she thought of her family so she wouldn’t let on how she really felt about Mitchell when anyone else was around. That was between the two of them.

Jade was aware that Amber might ask questions about Mitchell as she grew up, but she had already planned on being diplomatic about the absent uncle purely out of respect for David. She owed nothing to Mitchell so it was not out of respect for him.

Jade planned on asking the hard questions when they were alone. She deserved to know why he had never bothered to reach out and get to know the little girl who was a living bond to the brother who had adored him. Jade did not understand how he could move on with his life and not want the child to be a part of it. It made no sense at all to her.

Neither had her feelings when he’d touched her. Suddenly, nothing made sense. How could she be attracted to a man she resented? It was ridiculous.

‘Are you sure you’re okay?’ Mitchell gave her a wary look as he studied her. She was pretty, very pretty, he thought, but she appeared quite uptight. Almost like a governess. Her dress was plain, not unlike something a farmer’s wife or librarian might have in their closet. It was safe, almost virginal. Then the word came to him. Prim. Jade’s appearance was the epitome of primness. Proper and nice and completely disguising any sign of her womanly curves. The hem of her sundress was just above her ankles so even her legs were almost hidden from view. Her arms were bare but he suspected she would have a cardigan or shawl close by. Her hair was practical and he saw there was no sign of make-up, although she truly did not need it anyway. She was naturally pretty.

Yet this woman before him did not match the one described by David as Ruby’s wild-child sister. The one who lived life like one long party. Mitchell had arrived at his parents’ home expecting a fun-loving Daisy Duke and was sadly disappointed. There was no reality he knew in which wild-child and Jade would sit comfortably side by side. They were poles apart—in fact, Mitchell thought there was close to a universe dividing them. He had imagined from his brother’s reports that they would have much in common and would enjoy spending time together while she was in town. But as he had no interest in spending time at the local library, it wasn’t going to happen. Life was short and he wasn’t about to waste any of it.

It was a not a coincidence that he had returned while Jade and Amber were in town. He had wanted to meet her and extend his condolences. Something he hadn’t been able to do after the accident. He had been working in a remote village with Doctors Without Borders and he hadn’t managed to secure passage home in time for the funeral. There had been no internet or phone coverage and he’d only found out about the accident the day before the service. After that he’d seen no point in going. He hadn’t wanted to fly to the US and have expectations and responsibility put upon him the moment he landed. He was not father material and suspected that, however wild, Jade would be a better guardian for Amber. Better by far.

Coming to Australia meant he could meet Jade and Amber and then disappear again back to his own life and leave them to theirs. He’d wanted to meet his niece more than anything and it had torn at him not to have done so before, but he’d been afraid about the damage he might cause by raising expectations he couldn’t meet. He hadn’t wanted to step into their lives when he had no intention of staying.

But this visit was different. It was a holiday and that in his mind equated to no residual scars for any of them. It was neutral territory for the meeting. Jade and Amber would have Maureen and Arthur to depend on in the future if the need arose. It was a better option all round.

He had, however, imagined he might enjoy his time with Jade. With everyone in holiday mode it might be fun, but looking at her now he felt sure that the word fun was not in her dictionary. He wondered how his older brother’s idea of wild could be that different from his own.

Or had Jade changed?

Something just didn’t add up.

‘I’m absolutely fine,’ she responded politely, and turned away from what she found to be a scrutinising gaze from an absurdly handsome man whom she wanted to scold for his apathy where his niece was concerned.

‘Are you ready to build some sandcastles?’ Jade asked Amber to steer her mind and mouth from telling him what she was really thinking.

‘Yeth, pleath,’ came the lisped reply.

Maureen laughed and reached into the warm water and pulled the bathplug free. ‘Grandma will lift you out then, sweetheart,’ Maureen began as she pulled the little girl from her watery surroundings and wrapped her in the fluffy white towel.

‘Amber, this is your uncle Mitchell.’

Mitchell dropped to his knees and put out his hand. Amber met it with a handshake.

‘Very pleased to meet you, Amber,’ Mitchell said softly. Then, looking from side to side, he added, ‘If you want some fun away from the fuddy-duddies you call me and we’ll go pony riding or maybe up to the Monarto Zoo, where they have lions and tigers and bears … Oh, my …’

Amber giggled at him. The Wizard of Oz was one of her favourite movies.

‘I think that Amber will be just fine building sandcastles,’ Jade cut in firmly with an expression of horror. Lions and horseback riding? Was he completely mad? Not a word or sight of the man in almost three years and now he wanted to whisk his niece off on a wildlife adventure and call it a fun day out. Hell would freeze over before she would let him take Amber anywhere.

‘Then I guess I’ll leave you ladies to it,’ Mitchell said, climbing back to his feet and stepping back. He tried to mask his confusion and disappointment. He had been looking forward to spending time with the fun-loving Jade he had heard about but this very tame version was definitely giving him the cold shoulder. He got the message loud and clear. They had nothing in common, except their fondness of the little girl now walking like an Egyptian mummy in her oversized towel towards the door.

‘There’s a great breeze up now so I’m going to spend the afternoon windsurfing.’ With that, he disappeared from the doorway.

‘Don’t forget the sunblock.’ His mother’s words echoed down the hallway after him.

‘I’m thirty-six years of age and I’ve spent four years in Africa and two in Saudi Arabia so I think I’ll be just fine.’ He shook his head and waved goodbye but didn’t turn around.

Jade watched his mother’s lips curve into a smile. There was clearly something in Mitchell that made his mother happy, but Jade wasn’t buying it. To her, he was selfish and self-serving. Extremely handsome, she conceded, but that was not the point, she reminded herself. He was everything she didn’t want or need to influence Amber’s choices in life.

‘Really, Maureen, do you want to scare your son away again?’ Arthur asked with a grin as he scratched his shaking head. ‘He’s an adult, so just do your helicopter mothering with little Amber … And be careful, Jade, she’ll have her sights on doing the same to you if you let her.’

Jade knew she had to mask the animosity she felt for Mitchell. She would be happy if he windsurfed for the entire four weeks and left them alone. Or, better yet, a huge gust took him safely back to Africa.

She was unnerved by the man. She didn’t like the feeling at all. Although she didn’t like simmering anger either, it was preferable to what he was stirring inside her.

Her pulse had slowed after he’d left and that was how it needed to stay, she thought as she followed Amber and Maureen back to the guest room. It was a pretty room, decorated in soft peach hues with two double beds and a view of the beach. The balcony doors were closed, and Jade intended on keeping them that way, even though she knew the high glass-and-chrome balustrade would more than protect Amber. Better safe than sorry was her new mantra. Life is short had been replaced the day she had held Amber in her arms for the first time.

‘There’s another guest room but I thought Amber would want you to sleep in the same room as it’s a strange house to her.’

‘She would, thank you.’

‘I bought a few bits and pieces for Amber to wear here and then take back home to America with you,’ Maureen announced, and slid open one of the built-in wardrobe doors to reveal clothing fit for a little princess or three. ‘I wasn’t sure what Amber’s favourite colour was—’

‘So she bought them in every colour,’ Arthur cut in, rolling his eyes before he walked away and left the women to themselves.

‘It’s too much. It will never fit in her suitcase,’ Jade said softly, not wanting to offend Maureen but also aware that Amber shouldn’t become accustomed to a lavish lifestyle as she would not be able to keep it up when they returned to Los Angeles.

Amber and Jade were living in the home that David and Ruby had bought. Although it was sad at times, Jade thought that it was important for Amber to grow up surrounded by her parents’ belongings. The house had been left to Jade and Mitchell in the will but Mitchell had sent a message through his lawyer that he wanted his share given to Amber. She had sent a letter back to him through the lawyer, showing her gratitude at his generosity, but she’d never received a reply. She didn’t know if he hadn’t received her thanks or if he’d just chosen to ignore them.

Either way, Jade had left it alone. Whatever his reasons, he had given Amber his share of the property and his actions did allow them to own a house. It was a lovely home in Hancock Park, not too far from the hospital. Her neighbours were an older couple who had never been blessed with children and they were very happy to babysit Amber when Jade was working. They’d told her it was better that she got out of the house and they loved the time they spent with the little girl. She was like the grandchild they’d never had.

But working only part time didn’t allow for too many luxuries. Jade had invested the insurance money that David and Ruby had left behind to ensure that Amber had her college education well covered.

‘Nonsense,’ Maureen replied. ‘I will have them shipped back to LA for you. Now, what about shorts and a pretty top for the beach?’

‘That would be lovely,’ Jade responded, accepting that Maureen had every right to spoil Amber and it would save her buying clothes for at least two years, judging by the number of outfits decorating the brightly coloured hangers. ‘Her favourite colour this week is yellow.’

‘Yeth, yellow!’ Amber said, jumping up and down and losing her towel, which fell to the floor.

Maureen looked up at Jade with a knowing smile. ‘Then yellow it is, Missy Amber,’ she said, giving the little girl a yellow bikini before she pulled a pair of yellow shorts with daisies embroidered on the pockets and a yellow-and-pink-striped top with pretty capped sleeves.

Jade walked over to the long line of glass doors as Maureen happily helped the little girl into her new outfit. The breeze had picked up, sending white-tipped waves gently rolling into the shore. The huge expanse of sand was dotted with large colourful beach umbrellas. The Australian coastline was even more stunning than she had imagined.

Suddenly, something caught her eye, and she saw a figure crossing the road below. She leant forward against the glass and recognised Mitchell. He was carrying his windsurfing board to the steps that led to the beach. His broad shoulders were tanned and his shorts still hung low on his hips. Her view was spectacular and the ocean had nothing to do with it. The vision of the man made her heart skip a beat involuntarily and stole her breath away yet again. Nervously, she bit her lip and tucked her hair behind her ears. Neither action distracted her. Mitchell had her full attention. And she didn’t like it because she didn’t want to like Mitchell Forrester.

CHAPTER TWO

‘WHY DON’T YOU lot come on in? The water’s fine.’

Jade fought her desire to look up, but her eyes had a mind of their own and even convinced her chin to lift in the direction of the voice she knew full well was Mitchell’s. It was deep and mellow, not unlike the smooth delivery of a late-night radio host on a programme that played love songs to those people who had no one beside them in bed. Jade knew the tone very well. It was how she fell asleep most nights. She had tried talk-back radio but listening to strangers’ intimate thoughts didn’t do anything for a good night’s sleep, and the news was at times distressing, so late-night love songs became her preferred bedtime companion.

‘I’m sure it is …’ she started coolly, and paused as she watched through the filter of her sunglasses the water trickle down his sculpted body. She had already witnessed the firmness of the curves when he’d steadied her from tripping, but this close, and with the sun hitting every muscle and the salt water still dripping from his hair, the image was magnified. A life drawing class would not have seen a model more perfect. She tried to blink away the thoughts he was stirring but they were standing their ground and disturbing her equilibrium. ‘We’re happy here making sandcastles,’ she finally managed to mutter with a lack of interest at his proposition she hoped was evident in her tone.

‘And it’s an awesome castle, but how about you and I hit the shallows?’

Jade was confused. The shallows? Why would she want to hit the shallows? It seemed an odd suggestion but he was being persistent and she thought it would give her the opportunity to question him over his lack of contact with his niece out of earshot of his very sweet parents. It wasn’t his fault the universe had bestowed a body upon him that was causing her dormant hormones to suddenly feel alive. She would just have to deal with that. Maureen was there to take care of Amber so perhaps a stroll along the shallows would be a nice idea. The rationale for her decision to accept his proposition seemed logical, so she slowly stood to her feet. He had generously given his share of the house to Amber so her line of questioning would be polite but firm. She just had to keep her cool.

‘I think that’s a lovely idea,’ she said, thankful that her voice did not betray her breathlessness. Now she was angry with herself as well as him.

‘Great. Amber, let’s go. Aunty Jade has given me approval to take you in to get your feet wet.’ He stretched his hands down and playfully pulled her to her feet.

‘Yippee,’ came Amber’s excited response, followed by a huge smile.

‘Do you want to race me?’

‘Yeth, I’ll win!’

Jade was speechless. The invitation hadn’t been for her. It had been for a splash in the shallows with his niece. Embarrassment brought the colour rushing to her cheeks as the pair took off across the sand.

‘Would you like a cool drink?’ Maureen asked. ‘You look a little flushed. Perhaps you should come back under the umbrella with me.’

Jade nodded sheepishly and, dragging her dress in the sand, walked over to the shade where Maureen was sitting with her legs stretched out. Jade lifted her sun hat off and sat down in the soft sand. Words had escaped her. She felt like a fool but was at least grateful she’d been the only witness. It could have been worse, she thought. At least she hadn’t put her hand up to be lifted from her sandy rest, so no one knew she had mistakenly thought Mitchell wanted to spend time with her.

As if he would … And as if she was interested.

It was only ever going to be a chance to hear his reason for being the absent uncle, nothing more. There was no other reason that could possibly make her want to spend time with Mitchell. Now she was doubly angry. With him … and with herself.

‘Here, take this.’ Maureen handed Jade a cold can of soft drink. ‘It might help you to cool down.’

Jade wanted to put the icy metal can against her reddened cheeks but decided against it and drank the sweet fizzy drink instead. It felt good. And it made for a good cover. Maureen would have no idea it was pure embarrassment and not the sun that had made her blush.

‘Look over there at the pair of them. Isn’t he a natural father?’ Maureen proudly stated rather than asked.

Jade raised her brow sceptically as she watched Mitchell and Amber splashing in the shallows. ‘They’re having fun,’ she conceded, but she wouldn’t commit to anything more. She wasn’t about to agree to his paternal potential. In her eyes, he was a rolling stone who didn’t show any interest in anyone but himself. Not even close to the criteria for the title of father.

‘So what about you? How have you been?’ Maureen asked with genuine concern and interest in her voice. ‘Everything has been about Amber but what’s happening in your world?’

Jade appreciated the question. It was nice to be asked but not something she had expected. ‘I’m fine. Amber keeps me busy and I do part-time nursing in Neonatal ICU … I mean Intensive Care.’

‘I know the acronym. Arthur’s used the term enough. But it must be hard for you. Taking care of a little one and working.’

‘We get by. Amber is a joy and a blessing so you’ll not ever hear me complain.’

‘Well, we just want you to relax and enjoy your time here. You can do with a break. I’m more than happy to help with Amber. She’s so adorable and a credit to you, Jade. You’ve done a wonderful job, bringing her up.’

‘Thank you, but it hasn’t been too difficult. She’s her parents’ daughter and a sweetie, she rarely complains—well, except for her current dislike of broccoli and Brussels sprouts.’

‘I’ll remember no green vegetables when I put dinner on tonight.’

Jade returned a distracted smile as she looked back at Mitchell and Amber, now lying on the sand and letting the water hit their feet. Amber was doing her best sand angel and Jade knew her niece’s toothy grin would be from ear to ear.

‘Arthur told me you’ve applied to do some agency work while you’re here. I’m more than happy, as he probably told you, to look after Amber any time. So if you want to do a shift, please, don’t hesitate, but …’ She paused for a moment and then her perfectly manicured hand patted Jade’s, whose hands hadn’t had a manicure in years. ‘I just think that you, with your role as a single parent for the last three years, could do with spending the summer on the beach with a good book.’

Jade would love to do just that but she needed to work. A month without work could not be accommodated by her tight budget. While there was no mortgage, running the big house meant a lot of bills and Jade would never touch the money put away for Amber. Six months before the planned trip she had applied to the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Board for recognition of her qualification to ensure she met the criteria to allow her to work for a health professionals’ agency over the month’s holiday.

‘I appreciate you taking care of Amber but I will try to fit my work around you and Arthur, I don’t want to impose or overstep your kindness …’

‘Nonsense,’ Maureen countered. ‘It’s our pleasure and I insist that you spend the next four weeks doing whatever you want. Maybe even fit in a massage at my favourite spa. They have the most serene ambience with scented candles and soft music and I know Enrique’s hands could do wonders for you.’ Maureen’s eyes were closed as she described the sensation.

Jade felt a tingle suddenly run down her spine. She wasn’t sure if Mitchell had awakened something in her but suddenly didn’t think it would be a good idea after three years of solitude to be in small softly lit room with Enrique, mood music and massage oil.

She drew a deep breath and blinked away the images.

‘So …’Maureen dropped her already soft voice and leant in towards Jade ‘… is there a special man in your life?’

Jade was still pushing unsettling thoughts of the spa from her mind, and was about to answer the personal question diplomatically when she realised Amber was standing in front of her, dripping wet and smiling and looking a little like sand-crumbed chicken. And beside her was her very handsome beach chaperon.

Jade was painfully aware that he might have heard the question his mother had dropped on her without warning. Quickly, he confirmed her suspicions.

‘Don’t be shy,’ Mitchell urged with a smile that showed his perfect white teeth. ‘My mother is quite a busybody and if you’re single she’ll try to matchmake you with an eligible neighbour. So if marriage is on the cards for you and you’d like her to fix you up with an Aussie husband, let her know. Personally I couldn’t think of anything worse than being trapped in that institution, but each to his, or her, own.’

Jade wasn’t surprised by his views on marriage. To a man with wanderlust surging through his veins marriage would be like a prison. Ruby had been fortunate that she had met David. He had been the staying type and, no matter how short their lives had been cut by fate, they had loved each other completely. It had been a love and commitment that Jade had admired and respected but doubted she would ever find.

‘I’m happily single,’ she announced, not meeting Mitchell’s gaze. ‘And not looking for a husband here or in the US.’

Mitchell thought her answer made sense. From the way she was dressed he thought she should be singing on a hilltop in Austria. It wasn’t the way a woman dressed to get a man’s attention, unless he was looking for a reliable nanny for his army of children.

Jade was definitely not his type of woman. It wasn’t her appearance alone that was sending him running, it was her lack of interest in anything that even slightly resembled fun. She was more like a retired army colonel than a young woman. Strict and staid.

‘Well, now you know, you can leave the poor woman alone,’ he told his mother with a wink that didn’t go unnoticed by Jade. She wasn’t sure what to make of it. Was it a signal that she was indeed a lost cause and Maureen was off the hook in trying to matchmake?

It didn’t matter. Mitchell was a confirmed bachelor and she was single by choice too.

Later that evening, Mitchell and Jade found themselves sitting together after dinner on the balcony of the house. Amber and her grandparents had gone to bed early but Jade wanted to stay up a little longer to unwind from the day. Knowing Amber was safely tucked into bed, she was able to relax for the first time in many years. Finally, she had the feeling of family support and reassurance that she and Amber were not alone in the world. She knew they would only be in Adelaide for a few weeks but the love Maureen and Arthur had shown in just one day was a gift she had never expected to receive and she felt in her heart that they were forming a bond that would last a lifetime.

She didn’t expect or particularly want Mitchell to stay but he did of his own choice. Maureen and Arthur had appeared exhausted from the excitement of the arrival and, Jade suspected, from the preparations for the visit. Amber’s rag doll had been washed and hung in the sun to dry, so she and her favourite doll were clean between pretty pink sheets.

Mitchell was relaxed as he swung away from the table, stretched out his tanned legs and placed them on the padded footstool. He thought the meeting with Jade and Amber had gone well. They were family and he felt good to have finally met them. Amber was a cutie and would without doubt be a heartbreaker in the future. Jade was not what he had expected but as a caregiver she fitted the bill.

He had no clue that Jade didn’t feel the same way. She didn’t think he fitted any bill, and she was looking for answers. With the others asleep, she decided that it was as good a time as any to get some.

She wanted Mitchell to explain his absence from Amber’s life, particularly if he wanted a place in her future. But she was also mindful that his generosity in forgoing his inheritance from his brother had provided a lovely home for them. It was a little like an emotional landmine, but one she wanted to navigate to a satisfactory conclusion for all of them.

Biting the inside of her lip awkwardly, she tried to find a way to ask without the question escalating to something unpleasant, particularly in Maureen and Arthur’s home. She shifted uncomfortably in her seat and drew a few short breaths. She felt a little torn about her line of approach. Gratitude, confusion and anger were all vying to direct the opening line of the conversation.

‘What is it?’ Mitchell asked, a little confused by her demeanour as he watched her becoming increasingly agitated.

‘I just don’t …’ she stumbled, and paused and looked away from his intense stare. His deep blue eyes were drawing her in. The softness of his mouth was a stark contrast to the angular lines of his jaw. The same way her demure dress was a stark contrast to the desire he was unwittingly stirring deep inside her.

The old Jade would not have hesitated to see where this infatuation might lead. To flirt a little and find out if it was a two-way street. To see if Mitchell’s strong, tanned arms would pull her close and hold her as his sensual mouth claimed hers. She hurriedly blinked away the mental images that were crippling her line of thought. It was crazy. Perhaps that was a side effect of jet-lag, her sensible side suggested. But she knew the change in hemisphere wasn’t bringing her to life. That it was Mitchell doing it all on his own. And she had to stop it.

Reminding herself that she didn’t even like the man sitting opposite her, let alone desire him, she took a sip of her iced tea. It was old Jade’s healthy but unwanted libido rising to the surface again.

‘I just don’t understand why you never visited Amber. She’s your niece. The daughter of the brother you lost, and you didn’t want to meet her. I just don’t get it.’ She blurted the words out at lightning speed to block out everything else she was feeling.

That was exactly the question that Mitchell had hoped to avoid. Not that it wasn’t warranted. It just wasn’t something he wanted to go into. He wasn’t ready to once again be responsible for others. He’d been there and done that. He had hoped his financial contribution would be far more valuable than anything he could offer emotionally.

‘I’m not a fan of LA,’ he offered up as a reply. It was a half-truth as he didn’t like big cities. ‘I’m more of an uncharted waters kind of a guy. Not into multi-lane freeways and high-rise apartments. Frankly, Hollywood just isn’t my scene.’

Jade’s face contorted at his response, and harshness coloured in her voice. ‘She’s your niece. It wasn’t a sightseeing trip that I was suggesting.’

‘I’m here now,’ he retorted with no audible emotion. ‘Amber’s a sweet little girl and I just want us to enjoy the next few weeks.’