Summer mustered a smile because she could see how starry-eyed her mum was. But she still had doubts and if this Leo didn’t pass muster, she’d make sure to voice her opinion.

  CHAPTER

  37

  Before Rayne closed up the shop at midday on Tuesday so she could meet Leo for a quick rendezvous at Wonthaggi, halfway between their homes, Heidi popped in. Rayne had been expecting her friend as she’d texted her earlier asking if she could drop by. They hadn’t spoken much over the last week and Rayne felt bad. If it wasn’t for her friend, she never would’ve rekindled her romance with Leo, and Rayne wanted to tell her face to face.

  ‘Hello, stranger,’ Heidi said, breezing into the shop wearing a huge smile. But it wasn’t Heidi’s smug expression that had Rayne doing a double take, it was her choice of outfit. Black skinny jeans, crimson silk singlet and matching ankle boots. She’d never seen Heidi in anything other than casual jeans and T-shirts, and the occasional dress, nothing this bold—and young.

  ‘What do you think?’ Heidi did a three-sixty twirl, arms flung wide, and almost knocked a crystal-edged photo frame off the shelf.

  ‘You look amazing.’

  ‘Thanks.’ Heidi tapped the side of her nose. ‘I met a younger man through that site and I couldn’t be happier.’

  Rayne laughed. ‘Turns out, I’m happy too.’

  ‘So your meet-up with that guy you’ve been corresponding with online went well?’

  ‘We’ve done more than meet up.’

  Heidi’s eyes widened in shock before she clapped in delight. ‘Good for you.’

  ‘Actually, I wanted to thank you, Heids. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t have caught up with Leo again.’

  ‘Again?’

  ‘Turns out, he’s an old flame.’

  Heidi’s eyebrows rose. ‘What are the odds of that?’

  ‘A zillion to one and I still can’t quite believe it. It’s happened so fast …’

  Heidi leaned in closer, peering at her face. ‘What aren’t you telling me?’

  Rayne hadn’t wanted to divulge her moving plans just yet. She’d discussed it with Summer before making a final decision because her daughter meant everything to her, but now she wanted to savour her secret a little longer. Besides, she knew from experience that if one person learned about her plans the whole town would know before sunset. That’s why she’d been so careful to hide the truth about Noel, even as she’d died a little every day on the inside.

  ‘Hey, what’s going on?’ Heidi snapped her fingers in front of Rayne’s face. ‘Is it something bad?’

  ‘Not at all. But I want you to keep this under your hat for now, okay?’

  ‘O-kay …’

  ‘I’m moving in with Leo. In Melbourne.’

  ‘Fuck.’

  In all the years Rayne had known Heidi, she’d never heard her drop the F-bomb, and she couldn’t help but laugh at her friend’s stunned expression.

  ‘I know it sounds crazy—’

  ‘Crazy? Girlfriend, you’ve moved way beyond crazy and entered Looneyville.’ Heidi shook her head as if trying to clear it. ‘How can you leave your entire life behind and move in with a man you barely know? Is this a midlife crisis? Hell, I’m responsible for this, aren’t I? I should’ve never encouraged you to sign up to that bloody dating site—’

  ‘Heids, slow down.’ She laid a calming hand on her friend’s arm. ‘No midlife crisis. And I know it’s fast, but I’m fifty, Leo’s forty-nine, and we don’t want to waste any more time.’

  Understanding sparked in Heidi’s eyes. ‘You feel like you’ve wasted enough time.’

  ‘Exactly. Those fifteen years with Noel were the worst of my life and I’ve shut myself off ever since. Leo makes me feel alive in a way I never anticipated.’

  ‘Then I’m happy for you.’ Heidi flung her arms around Rayne and hugged tight. ‘You deserve all the good things in life, my friend.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  When they released each other, Rayne gestured at Heidi’s outfit. ‘Now tell me more about this younger man who’s turned you into a super cool chick.’

  Heidi rested her hand on her hip, thrust it out and pouted. ‘Are you saying I was drab and uncool before?’

  Rayne laughed. ‘You can tell me all about him while I lock up.’

  Heidi shooed her away. ‘Another time. Right now, you meeting up with your new man is more important.’

  ‘That’s not true.’ Because in that moment, Rayne knew reuniting with her best friend after so many years had been the most important decision she’d made in a long time. Heidi had led her to Leo and for that she’d be forever grateful. ‘You’re important to me, Heids. If it wasn’t for you, none of this would’ve happened, and I’ll never forget it.’

  Tears shimmered in Heidi’s eyes before she blinked rapidly. ‘I’m leaving before we both start bawling. But for what it’s worth, I love you too, you old chook.’

  ‘Just because you’ve turned into a cougar, don’t go insulting those of us who prefer a more mature gentleman.’

  They laughed and hugged again.

  Heidi was right about one thing. Catching up with him was important because before she could start planning a life with Leo, Rayne had to tell him everything.

  After flicking the lock on the door, she leaned against it, sliding her mobile out of her pocket and pulling up the video he’d sent her last night. She’d already watched it ten times, the niggle in her gut solidifying into a truth that could change everything.

  She played it again and watched Leo’s daughter Josie accepting an award at a marine biology conference. He’d been proud as punch when he’d told her about it on the phone before sending her the video. Rayne loved how he adored Josie and had been curious to see what she looked like. Later, after watching the video on repeat, the old saying ‘be careful what you wish for’ had sprung to mind.

  Because now that Rayne had seen what Josie looked like, she couldn’t unsee it.

  More specifically, she couldn’t unsee the startling similarities between Josie and Summer.

  Ninety minutes later, Rayne knocked on the door of the cottage Leo had rented in Wonthaggi, he opened it, and she flew into his arms. As they tightened around her, she’d never felt so safe. This man could be her haven. But first, she had to tell him.

  The moment she’d seen the video of Josie she’d known the truth about Summer’s paternity. It wasn’t the vague similarity in looks that had detonated her previous assumption Noel was Summer’s father, it was the mannerisms. Josie held her head the same way Summer did, with the slightest tilt to the right, as if questioning everything. The way they pulled back their shoulders like Leo did. And their laughs were uncannily alike. At the time, Rayne hadn’t wanted to jump to conclusions, but if she was to move forward with Leo she had to voice her suspicions and they could discover the truth together.

  ‘What’s wrong?’

  As they eased apart, Rayne looked into the face of the man she loved and marvelled at how he could read the slightest change in her body language just by holding her.

  ‘I need to tell you something.’

  ‘Uh-oh. Do I need gnocchi for this?’

  ‘Gnocchi?’

  ‘My comfort food.’

  She smiled and cupped his cheek. ‘Could you be any cuter?’

  ‘Absolutely. But we’ll save some cuteness for when you move in. For now, let’s go sit and you tell me what’s on your mind.’

  He held her hand as they entered the tiny lounge room and she knew without a doubt that whatever she told this man he’d take it in his stride. His silent strength, his understanding, his ability not to jump to conclusions, helped her relax a little.

  When they sat side by side on the sofa, he didn’t release her hand. ‘Okay, spill.’

  ‘It’s big,’ she said, trying to lead up to it gently. ‘And it could be wishful thinking on my part, so I hope I’m not joining dots that aren’t there.’

  ‘Whatever it is, we’ll face it together, okay?’

  She wanted to kiss him senseless in that moment. Instead, she drew in a deep breath and blew it out slowly. ‘Summer was a month premature.’

  The declaration hung in the air between them and with Leo being a smart guy, she knew he’d make the connection almost instantly. His eyes widened slightly as he gripped her hand tighter.

  ‘Are you saying she’s mine?’

  ‘I don’t know. At the time it was a fleeting thought, one I relegated to the back of my mind because I knew if that was the case, Noel would go ballistic and I couldn’t risk that. But then you sent me that video of Josie and some of her mannerisms … they reminded me of Summer.’

  ‘Wow.’

  He closed his eyes, giving Rayne the opportunity to study him. There was no anger contorting his features or twisting his mouth. She knew the signs. She’d seen them often in Noel. But Leo remained calm and when he opened his eyes, she exhaled in relief at the clarity in his gaze, unaware she’d been holding her breath.

  ‘So what now? A paternity test?’

  ‘Yes. We all need to know the truth, because I want there to be no secrets between us. I’ve spent enough of my life hiding in the shadows, waiting for an axe to fall, and I want to embrace a happy, fulfilling life with you.’

  ‘And our daughters,’ he murmured, lifting her hand to press a kiss to the back of it. ‘How do you feel about it all?’

  ‘To be honest, if Summer’s yours, I’ll have mixed emotions.’

  ‘Why?’

  ‘I’ll be rapt, because I love you and she was conceived out of that love, but a small part of me will be furious I stuck with that arsehole for her sake when I would’ve probably run away to Melbourne to find you if I’d known she was yours.’

  He nodded, thoughtful. ‘I get it. But there’s no point living with regrets. If she’s mine, we’ll deal with it together.’ A slow smile spread across his face. ‘I know it’s stupid to get my hopes up, but to have another daughter … that’d be something.’

  ‘How would Josie react?’

  ‘She’s always been a bit of a princess, demanding attention of all those around her, probably my fault for spoiling her rotten, so she might be a little disgruntled at first. But she’ll come round. They’re almost the same age, so that makes it easier.’

  She marvelled at his acceptance of the situation so quickly. ‘Don’t you find this at all surreal?’

  ‘Sweetheart, the moment I saw you standing in that laneway and realised you were Hippy Chick 50, the surrealism hasn’t stopped.’

  They laughed and as he slid his arms around her and pressed his lips to hers, Rayne knew that whatever happened, as long as she had this incredible man on her side she could cope with anything.

  CHAPTER

  38

  Rayne rarely dropped by twice in a week, so when her mum insisted she pop in on Wednesday night, Summer hoped nothing was wrong. Rayne arrived five minutes early and when Summer peeped through the window after hearing the car pull up, her heart sank. Her mum looked worried, her brows drawn together, her teeth worrying her bottom lip as she walked towards the front door. If this love of her life, Leo, had hurt her mum, Summer would head to the city and give him what-for.

  She opened the door before Rayne could knock.

  ‘Hey, Mum, everything okay?’

  ‘Yeah. How are you, sweetie?’

  ‘Fine.’

  They lapsed into an awkward silence as Summer ushered Rayne in and they headed for the kitchen.

  ‘Something’s happened,’ Summer said, pointing to the kettle with one hand, the fridge with the other. ‘Tea or wine?’

  ‘We need shots of whiskey for this news,’ Rayne said, with a wry smile. ‘Take a seat.’

  ‘You’re worrying me,’ Summer said, pulling up a chair close to her mum. ‘That guy hasn’t hurt you, has he?’

  ‘Leo is fine and he’s been incredibly understanding about all this.’

  From where Summer was sitting, this Leo sounded too good to be true. Every time her mum spoke the guy’s name she got this goofy look and her eyes hazed over like a smitten teen.

  ‘Understanding about what?’

  Rayne pressed her fingertips to her eyes for a moment before squaring her shoulders. ‘I have a lot to tell you, sweetheart. And some of it’s going to be hard to hear. But I want you to be fully informed so you understand where I’m coming from and why I’ve made certain decisions.’

  ‘You’re scaring me, Mum.’

  ‘That’s not my intention.’ Rayne’s nose crinkled, her expression sombre. ‘Where to start?’

  ‘At the beginning?’ Trepidation rippled across Summer’s skin, raising goose bumps. This news couldn’t be good and she wondered if it had something to do with her father. Rayne had shut her down every time she’d asked about Noel, so what would make her mum want to come clean now?

  ‘I already mentioned I spent a weekend with Leo thirty-one years ago and fell for him. He lost my number, didn’t call and I met Noel the same week. From the outset, Noel wanted me, heady stuff for a nineteen-year-old. I was alone, so when he proposed I accepted and we got married six weeks later.’ Colour tinged her mum’s cheeks. ‘I was three months pregnant by then.’

  Summer bit back, ‘Is that all?’ Was her mum’s great secret that she’d married because she’d been pregnant?

  ‘Back then, I had a fleeting thought you might be Leo’s, but I couldn’t consider it or didn’t want to find out because if Noel discovered I’d done a paternity test—’

  ‘Whoa. Hold up. Why wouldn’t Dad want to prove I’m his?’

  Rayne paled, her fingers plucking at the hem of her top. ‘Noel wasn’t a good man. He was possessive and demanding and jealous.’

  Summer couldn’t stop a bark of laughter from escaping. ‘Dad adored you. He doted on you and wanted to spend every second with you. I couldn’t believe how close you two were compared to Nev’s parents, who could barely stand the sight of each other.’

  ‘We were close because he kept me on a leash. If I didn’t please him, say the right thing, do the right thing … there’d be consequences.’

  Summer’s blood chilled at the implication. ‘What are you saying?’

  ‘Noel was abusive. Verbally, emotionally, physically. He’d hit me where no-one could see the bruises and I grew adept at hiding my scars.’

  A wave of nausea swamped Summer, making her light-headed. She didn’t want to believe it, but her mum had no reason to lie, not now, not after her dad had been gone for sixteen years. And it explained so much. Her mum’s apparent relief after her dad had left, throwing a party the week after, not dating for so long.

  When she could finally speak, she said, ‘How did I not know?’

  ‘Because I did everything in my power so you wouldn’t know. I became an exceptional actress, putting on a front for everyone.’

  Appalled, Summer shook her head. ‘Nobody should live like that. Why didn’t you leave?’

  ‘Because he held all the power. He controlled our finances so I didn’t have a way to gain financial independence. And he doted on you, so I figured that was his one saving grace.’

  Bile rose in her throat at the thought of her mother staying in an abusive marriage because of her, and she swallowed it because she needed to know everything. ‘So what changed? Why did he leave?’

  ‘Because he turned on you.’

  Summer remembered that time at the beach with Karly and Nev, when her dad had gone ballistic. And after he’d learned she’d kissed that boy, when she’d actually been scared because she’d never seen her dad lose his cool like that.

  ‘He’d already threatened me he’d hurt you if I ever told anyone, so I kept quiet. But when I saw the way he lost his temper with you, I was terrified. No way in hell would I let him lay a finger on you so I came up with a plan. I recorded him, then I blackmailed him into leaving and not having any contact, otherwise he’d lose his precious career if the truth came out.’

  ‘I—I don’t know what to say …’ A potent mix of anger and disgust and sadness roiled in Summer’s gut. How had she been so stupid? Her mum had needed her and she hadn’t had a bloody clue, so caught up in being Daddy’s girl that she’d been oblivious. Had she been so naive she’d mistaken her father’s obsession for doting? If he was her father at all …

  ‘So why think there’s a possibility this Leo might be my dad after all these years?’

  Was her mum so caught up in the throes of love this was a case of wishful thinking? Summer didn’t know what was worse: being the daughter of an abusive prick or of the man who was stealing her mum away.

  ‘Because I saw a video of his daughter and she reminded me of you. Only vaguely in looks, but your mannerisms are similar. Enough to make me realise it’s only fair we confirm your paternity once and for all.’

  ‘Does Leo know?’

  ‘Yes. My future is with him and I won’t have secrets.’ A strange fierceness lit her mum’s eyes. ‘I’m done with hiding.’

  ‘I’m sorry you had to live like that for so many years.’ Summer hugged her mum, the tears she’d been battling trickling down her cheeks. ‘And I hate that I didn’t know, that I couldn’t have done something.’

  ‘Don’t blame yourself. There’s nothing you could’ve done.’ Rayne eased back and wiped the tears from Summer’s cheeks with her thumbs, her eyes shimmering with moisture. ‘I wanted to protect you at all costs, and I would probably do it all again if it meant keeping you safe.’

  ‘Oh, Mum.’ The tears fell harder, her chest aching with the effort to subdue the sobs.

  ‘Don’t cry, darling.’ Rayne pulled a handful of tissues from her handbag and pressed them into her hand. ‘It’s ancient history now and by the most amazing stroke of luck or fate or whatever you want to call it, I’ve been reunited with my first love.’

  ‘Who could be my dad,’ Summer murmured, curiosity finally replacing her dismay. ‘So, how do we get this test done?’

  The last two days between taking the test and getting the results had dragged as Summer tried to stay focussed at school while researching Leo Santini online at night. Now the paternity test result was due any second and she’d asked for her name to be added to the email notification list, along with Leo’s and Rayne’s. Her mum had asked if she was sure, if it would be easier if she delivered the news in person, but Summer couldn’t be swayed. This wasn’t something her mum could fix or hedge around or hide this time. It would be a simple yes or no answer. Since she’d discovered the truth about Noel, Summer had been torn between desecrating the memories of the only father she’d ever known and hoping his DNA didn’t run in her blood.