Her half-sister’s eyes lit up at the sound of her preferred name. However, before they could head into the pub to toast their new-found tentative truce, Summer spied a familiar car pull in not far behind Josie’s.

  ‘What’s wrong?’

  Summer wanted to say, ‘Nothing.’ But she saw Jy get out of the car, and everything felt wrong.

  ‘A friend’s just arrived. I’ll see you inside shortly.’

  ‘Okay.’ Josie enveloped her in a quick hug. ‘For what it’s worth, I think it’s great I finally have a sister and I can’t wait to get to know you better.’

  Summer didn’t know if the tears filling her eyes were from Josie’s unexpected sentiment or the sight of Jy striding towards her.

  This was turning out to be some night.

  CHAPTER

  50

  Jy had been a fool to trust Gus. He’d thought he’d earned his promotion, that they were finally giving him an opportunity he deserved.

  What a crock of shit.

  His first instincts had been right. He’d been banished to Acacia Haven as punishment and nothing he’d said in his report had made an ounce of difference. They’d sent him on a mission to justify their decision to close the school down. Not only that, they’d blamed the entire closure on him when they’d informed Hugo and Jill.

  Gus had confessed everything when Jy had confronted him and Jy had felt sick to his stomach. No wonder Summer had landed on his doorstep flinging wild accusations. She hadn’t been irrationally upset over nothing, as he’d assumed. She’d had good reason to hate his guts. But she was wrong and he had to set her straight.

  As for the other outcome from his meeting with Gus this morning—he hadn’t seen that coming. Initially, he thought he’d overreacted, throwing the promotion back in Gus’s face as a way of giving him the finger with some kind of dignity. But it had been more than that. Sitting in that conference room at the Education Department where he’d first been assigned to Acacia Haven over a month ago, he’d realised he couldn’t fight bureaucracy from the inside and if he accepted the promotion he’d be giving in. He’d be expected to toe the line they set, no matter how much he disagreed with it. He’d never have full control or final say over curriculum changes, despite what they led him to believe. Ultimately, he’d be one of them.

  After this debacle, he couldn’t do it.

  Considering his position at Korrungal had already been advertised and Olga was one of the short-listed applicants, he couldn’t go back there either. Which left him with too much time to ponder impossible scenarios that might work if he could get Summer on board …

  His idea was rash and outlandish and he could hardly comprehend it. But the more he’d mulled it over this afternoon, the more feasible it became.

  He rarely stood up for what he believed in. He’d never made a stand with his parents, never told them how depressing it had been growing up in their frigid household. He hadn’t fought for Aggie either. Instead, he’d retreated, convincing himself he’d done nothing wrong, that nothing he could do or say would change anything. Even at school, he delegated when the going got tough, an unconscious protective mechanism so he wouldn’t be seen as the bad guy.

  But where had remaining in the shadows, leading a staid, dependable life, got him?

  He’d fooled himself into thinking what he had was enough. A good house, a great job, independence, no messy involvements, just the way he liked it. But did he?

  Summer wasn’t like him. She stood up for what she believed in. She fought. She was passionate and dedicated and driven. And she inspired him. It may have taken him a while to get to this point but he wanted to prove to her that he was done backing down. He wanted to make a stand.

  With her.

  However, now he’d arrived in Acacia Haven and was approaching her, he wondered if contacting her mum for details about where she’d be had been a good idea.

  Because Summer didn’t look happy to see him.

  She looked like she wanted to take a running leap and roundhouse kick him in the balls.

  ‘What are you doing here?’ She folded her arms and glared: fierce, fiery, magnificent.

  ‘I’ve come to set the record straight.’

  ‘And what record’s that? That you’re an arsehole?’

  ‘I’m not.’

  ‘Could’ve fooled me.’ One eyebrow arched as her disgusted gaze swept over him.

  ‘I quit my job.’

  That got a reaction out of her and her eyes widened slightly. ‘Of course you did. You had to, to accept your precious bloody promotion, the one you were probably promised for screwing over our school.’

  ‘No. I quit the promotion.’ He spoke slowly, clearly annunciating every word so there could be no misconceptions, not this time.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘Because they screwed me over too. Turns out, the department was going to shut down your school all along and they used me as a stooge. Which I pretty much thought at the time, but then they seemed amenable to the changes I proposed in my updates so I thought there was a slim chance they’d change their mind and I bought their bullshit.’

  A flicker of uncertainty lit her eyes as she uncrossed her arms. ‘So your report wasn’t responsible?’

  He shook his head. ‘I already told you. Once I got to see firsthand the amazing job being done at the school by the teachers—even the stubborn, headstrong one I’m looking at—and I interviewed the kids, spent time in the classroom, I knew you were right. Marks aren’t everything and Acacia Haven College is producing fine, upstanding citizens who want to give back to their community.’

  Her shoulders deflated a little, as if all the wind had been knocked out of her. ‘I guess I owe you an apology.’

  He shrugged, relieved she’d lost her angry stance. ‘You don’t owe me anything, but you could’ve given me the benefit of the doubt last week when you seemed determined to think the worst of me. I thought you knew me better than that.’

  She winced. ‘That’s the problem though, isn’t it? I don’t really know you. It’s been five weeks and we’ve spent most of that time apart, arguing or … in bed.’

  He wanted to go to her then, to hold her, to tell her everything would be okay. But he had to say the rest first.

  ‘You do know me. You know I’m a dependable guy. You know I’m willing to help and change and weigh up options. You know I’m here for you.’

  Confusion crinkled her brow. ‘How can you be? Your life is in Melbourne.’

  ‘What if it wasn’t?’

  Her lips parted in surprise and she inhaled sharply. ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Turns out Gus Bosch and his cronies at the department don’t like the idea of a certain outspoken principal of an elite school going to the media to discuss unnecessary school closures. Especially when those closures go against a very detailed, very expansive report recommending the opposite. So they’ve given Acacia Haven College a year to improve their final year grades and then they’ll reassess.’

  He stroked his chin, pretending to think. ‘But with Hugo and Jill leaving at the end of second term, the school might not be viable anyway, so I’m stepping in to work alongside this other amazing, forward-thinking teacher they currently have.’

  Summer paled and swayed a little, and he was by her side in an instant, reaching out to steady her.

  ‘I could’ve sworn I’d only had one vodka and lime before you arrived, but I’m either drunk or hallucinating.’

  Smiling, he tipped up her chin. ‘There’s only one problem. I don’t have a place to live. The motel’s unsuitable long term and rentals are scarce at the moment apparently. At least, that’s what Karly said when I called her this afternoon to check available accommodation, so she suggested I ask you if you’re after a roommate?’

  ‘I swear everyone in this town and the universe is plotting against me,’ she muttered, the last thing he’d expected her to say and not exactly what he’d hoped to hear.

  ‘So you’re against the idea?’

  The hope in her eyes faded as she shrugged out of his grasp and stepped back. ‘What you’re doing for the school is remarkable and I don’t know how to thank you. But we can’t live together.’

  ‘Why not? I thought you feel the same way I do.’

  She’d already half turned away and she swivelled back to face him, incredulous. ‘And how do you feel? Because in your noble speech about saving the school, I didn’t hear one word about you coming back here for me.’

  ‘Why else would I do it?’ This right here was why relationships confused the hell out of him. He never seemed to be able to articulate what he meant, always assuming others knew what he was thinking. ‘I’m crazy about you, Summer. I’ve never felt so totally off-kilter. You’re all I think about. And when I’m not with you, I feel it, here.’ He pointed to his heart.

  Her lips quirked in a lopsided smile. ‘For a well-educated guy, you sure find it tough saying what you mean. Are you saying you love me as much as I love you, as crazy and ludicrous as that is after such a short time?’

  The L word didn’t come easily to Jy. But if spelling it out was what it took …

  ‘Hang on. Did you just say you loved me?’

  ‘Yeah, dufus. Took you long enough to figure it out.’

  Warmth flooded his chest, swift and expanding, filling him with a peace he hadn’t experienced in a long time, if ever.

  ‘Looks like this dufus loves you too.’

  Her radiant smile took his breath away. ‘Good. Then come over here and prove it.’

  He wasn’t big on public displays of affection but kissing this incredible woman on the main street of the town he would soon call home seemed fitting.

  EPILOGUE

  ‘How many more Friday nights at the beach do you think we’ll have?’ Nev handed Summer a champagne and topped up Karly’s.

  ‘What do you mean?’ Summer took a sip and savoured the slide of bubbles down her throat. It had been a big week since Jy had surprised her at her mum’s pub farewell and she still couldn’t believe how her life had upended when she least expected it.

  ‘Well, with you and Jy living together, and this one ramping up her business—’ Nev gestured at Karly, who appeared surprisingly sombre ‘—I’m worried we won’t catch up so often.’

  ‘Stop being so sentimental; of course we’ll make time for each other,’ Karly snapped, earning raised eyebrows from Summer and Nev.

  ‘What’s going on with you?’ Now she was happy, Summer wanted everyone to feel this good.

  ‘It’s that bloody competitor I met at the conference a few months ago.’ Karly pulled a face. ‘He’s up to something, I just know it.’

  ‘Work never gets you this riled up,’ Nev said. ‘Are you sure there’s nothing else going on?’

  ‘Isn’t that enough?’

  Summer wanted to push further but Nev subtly indicated Karly’s downcast expression and shook her head, so she changed the subject instead.

  ‘Guess what?’

  ‘If you tell me you’re pregnant I’m going to scull this entire champagne bottle,’ Karly said, picking it up and brandishing it.

  ‘Hell, no,’ Summer said, not prepared for that much of a surprise just yet. ‘Josie called me today and said she’s thinking of moving out here for a while.’

  ‘How do you feel about that?’ Nev asked.

  ‘I thought I’d be indifferent, even annoyed, but strangely, I understand why she’s doing it.’

  ‘Why is she doing it?’ Karly leaned forward, her expression curious rather than glum.

  ‘At first, I thought it might be part of some grand plan for her to suck up to me, to gain my forgiveness or something, but the more she spoke about being in a rut in Melbourne and needing to get away from relationship issues, I felt for her.’

  ‘What does she do?’

  ‘That’s the cool bit,’ Summer said. ‘She’s a marine biologist, so she’ll never be short of work around here.’

  ‘Wow. Smart and beautiful. I hate her already,’ Karly muttered, downing the rest of her champagne.

  Nev shot her another concerned glance and Summer gave the barest of nods in agreement. Something—or someone—was seriously bugging their best friend.

  ‘When’s Jy moving in?’ Nev asked, obviously keen to keep Karly distracted.

  ‘He’s brought some stuff up this afternoon and we’ll do the rest next weekend.’

  ‘I can’t believe you’ll be living with a boy,’ Nev said, her smile soft. ‘About time one of us took the plunge and grew up.’

  ‘You’ll get boy cooties,’ Karly said, and they all laughed, the sound of her friend’s chuckles a relief.

  ‘Speak of the devil.’ Nev pointed behind Summer and she turned to see Jy striding towards them, her heart giving a predictable leap.

  That would fade with time, and the challenges of cohabiting when she’d never done it before would be tough, but for now she’d savour every exciting moment of being in a new relationship with a hot guy who made her want to throw herself at him every minute of the day.

  Summer stood as he neared them, reining in the impulse to run towards him. Instead, as he reached her, she settled for a quick kiss that set her pulse racing.

  ‘Hey, Karly, Nev. How’s it going?’

  ‘Just peachy,’ Karly muttered, as Nev said, ‘Great.’

  Jy shot her a quick look and Summer mouthed, ‘Later.’

  ‘Do you mind if I nab Summer for a few minutes? There’s something I need to show her at the school.’

  Nev practically sighed her agreement while Karly shooed them away. ‘Go. But if she’s not back here in ten minutes to have the rest of this champagne, I’m going to spray paint nasty names on the school wall.’

  Jy laughed. ‘I’ll make sure she’s back in nine.’

  ‘See you soon, girls,’ Summer said, slipping her hand into Jy’s, almost relieved to be getting a reprieve from Karly’s moroseness. She hated seeing her friend like that and hoped there wasn’t more to it than a little healthy work competition.

  As they strolled out of earshot and along the boardwalk towards the school, Jy said, ‘Is everything okay with Karly? She seems out of sorts.’

  ‘She says it’s a work problem but I’ve never seen her like that.’

  ‘This can wait, if you want to be with her.’

  Summer squeezed his hand. ‘If you tell me what this is, maybe I can decide?’

  ‘I’d rather show you.’

  ‘I’ve seen that.’

  ‘Don’t be naughty.’

  ‘You love it when I’m naughty.’

  His lips quirked into the lopsided smile she loved so much. ‘Yeah, I do, but this is something else.’

  ‘Something good, I hope?’

  ‘I think so.’

  They lapsed into a comfortable silence as they walked and Summer marvelled at the feeling of completeness being with a guy she loved, in a town she loved, content in a way she’d never been before.

  Rayne had been gone for five days and she missed her mum, but they’d talked several times and video conferenced once, with a beaming Leo, who couldn’t believe his luck, if the way he kept staring at Rayne was any indication. And with Jy insisting they could head to Melbourne to spend time with her family whenever she wanted, her life was falling into place.

  As for Josie moving to Acacia Haven, Summer’s initial shock and wariness had given way to a flicker of hope. It would be nice to have her half-sister close, giving them a real shot at establishing some kind of relationship.

  ‘We’re here,’ Jy said, and Summer realised they’d stopped under the towering eucalyptus outside the school.

  ‘So you meant it when you said you had something to show me here.’

  ‘I always mean what I say,’ he said, releasing her hand to reach into his pocket.

  When he pulled out a small jewellery box, Summer’s heart stopped. This was too much, too soon.

  ‘Relax. You look so horrified, I’m glad this isn’t an engagement ring,’ he said, flipping the lid to reveal a delicate band of interwoven rose gold and white gold. ‘I wanted to give you something, here, where we first met, because I’m not so good with showing my feelings and this way, whenever you look at this ring, you’ll know how I feel about you.’

  Summer blinked rapidly, her throat closing with emotion. ‘I swear I’m the least sentimental woman I know, but I’ve cried more tears because of you in the last few weeks than I ever have before.’

  ‘Tears of joy, I hope.’

  ‘They are now.’ She managed a wan smile and held out her right hand.

  He slipped the ring on her third finger. It fit perfectly.

  ‘Lucky guess?’

  His cheeks reddened. ‘I may have enlisted the help of your mum in Melbourne earlier this week.’

  ‘I’m not sure how I feel about my two favourite people in the world colluding behind my back.’ She tried a mock frown and failed as she angled her hand this way and that, loving the gleam of the gold and the intricate design. ‘But this is beautiful and I love you, so you’re forgiven.’

  ‘I love you, too.’

  He cradled her face between his hands and pressed his lips to hers in a tender kiss that snatched her breath and infused her with hope.

  Hope for the future, hope for the school that meant everything to her and, most of all, hope they’d make a great team now, and forever.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  I’m thrilled with how many readers love my small country town stories. I know some of you hoped I’d be returning to Brockenridge with my next book but I had a new idea that couldn’t be denied so this time we’re venturing to the coast. I hope you fall in love with the laidback vibe of seaside Serenity as much as I did when I created it.

  Bringing a book to fruition takes a team effort and I’d like to thank the following people: Rachael Donovan, my publisher at Harlequin Australia, for your invaluable support. I love having my rural romances published by Mira and your astute team. Julia Knapman and Kylie Mason, I appreciate your editorial guidance in ensuring my manuscript is the best it can be. Sarana Behan, my publicist, who’s always coming up with savvy ways to sell my books. Michelle Zaiter of the HarperCollins Design Studio, who created this lovely cover. The gorgeous colours and warmth of this cover are so eye-catching. Annabel Adair, for your proofreading skills. The entire team at Harlequin Australia and HarperCollins Australia, for placing my rural romances into readers’ hands. Jacqui Furlong, the Field Sales Manager at HarperCollins, for getting my books into stores. Erica, the manager at Robinsons Bookshop in The Glen, for her valuable feedback on my covers and championing my books. My agent, Kim Lionetti, for being my rock in this publishing business. My reader group on Facebook, Nic’s Super Novas (where every reader is a star!) for helping me brainstorm character names. For the bookshops, librarians, reviewers, bookstagrammers and bloggers who help spread the word about my books. You are appreciated! Martin, for making me laugh even when I’m drowning in edits. My boys, who give the best hugs when I’m juggling back-to-back deadlines. Love you. My folks, for cooking meals when I’m under the pump with deadlines. Such a massive help!