AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Forking some chicken and mashed potato, then dunking it into the creamy sauce, he took his first mouthful. ‘Oh, my good god,’ he garbled. ‘This is absolute heaven.’
‘I’m glad you think so.’ She tucked in, too, gobsmacked at how delicious it was. ‘Mmm.’ It was an involuntary sound, which Connor mirrored. Thank goodness for Shea’s endless array of cookbooks, and her friend’s easy directions as she waded her way through ingredients and method.
Taking a swig from his beer, Connor eyed her over the top of the bottle. ‘How’s the alterations going with your mum’s dress?’
‘Yeah, really good, Magda’s almost finished.’ Her fork paused in mid-air, she smiled. ‘Shea looks absolutely stunning in it.’
His forearms came to rest on the table. ‘It was really noble of you, to give it to Shea to wear, Sammie, because we all know how precious that dress is to you.’
‘It is, but then again I did have the opportunity to wear it, and didn’t, because I married in a hot minute and didn’t have time to get it sent over to me.’ Guilt flooded her. Holding her emotions at bay, she shrugged. ‘I’m not going to get to wear it now, so Shea might as well put it to good use.’
‘Like I said, selfless.’
She thanked him with a small smile, and then they ate in a companionable silence, all the while with Connor occasionally looking at her as though he was contemplating something deep. She didn’t dare ask what it was, for fear of allowing him a glimpse into her own inner thoughts about him and her, living a happy life together in another time and place.
Gathering up his last forkful, Connor paused and regarded her kind-heartedly. ‘You really think you’ll never marry again.’
And there it was, what was on his mind. ‘After going through an unpleasant divorce, no, not in the foreseeable future, and maybe never.’
‘Oh, Sammie, don’t let a mistake take away your right to be everlastingly happy with your person.’
Connor had hit a sore point, and she jumped to her own defence. ‘I can be happy without being married, you know,’ she snapped, regretting it straight away.
Offering an understanding glance, he nodded. ‘Yeah, I suppose you can be, but life is so much better when you get to share it with someone special, don’t you think?’
She grimaced, nodded, and then shook her head. ‘Yes, and no.’
‘Ha, you and your yes and no answers, Evans, talk about being elusive.’
She grinned at his cheeky hint of a smirk. ‘Kind of like the Aussie “yeah nah” that makes other countries confused.’
He pointed his fork at her. ‘Yes, exactly.’ He placed it into his empty bowl. ‘Now that, Sammie Samsung, was bloody amazing.’
‘Why, thankya, kind sir.’ She wiped her lips with her napkin and pushed her bowl a little away from her. Then she rested her head back, turned her cheek and gazed at the starry sky out the bay windows. ‘It’s such a beautiful night. I reckon we should head outside and stargaze.’
‘Yes, we should.’ He shot to his feet and gathered the plates before she could stop him.
‘Leave it, Connor, I’ll do it later.’
‘No, you won’t do anything of the sort.’ Having piled everything up, he carried it over to the sink. ‘I’m going to clean up, seeing as you cooked. It’ll only take me a couple of minutes, unlike how it would’ve taken you hours to make that delicious meal.’
‘Okay, fair point.’ How could she not adore the man he was, stacking the dishwasher so sexily.
Fifteen minutes later they were stretched out on a picnic blanket beneath a sparkling blanket of stars. With only a few inches between them, and Connor’s hands tucked beneath his head, Samantha lay on her belly, her chin propped up on her hands and her eyes looking up to the wonder of the country night sky. A sneaky glance here and there in Connor’s direction affirmed he was loving this just as much as she was, if the dreamy smile on his handsome face was anything to go by. She liked how neither of them felt the need to fill the sweet silence with useless chatter. It was so nice to just be with another, just because they wanted to be. There was no agenda, no expectations, no timeframe. No matter what they were doing, she noted how she always felt at peace within his company. There was a lot to be said for such security. Time spent with him was easygoing, natural, effortless, just like it had always been when they were kids. It was heartening to know some things really did stay the same in what was usually a very fast-paced world spinning beneath her feet.
Gazing at the bright, silvery glow of the full moon, then to the graceful silhouettes of the horses grazing languidly beneath it, their tails swinging casually, she breathed a serene sigh. There was so much to appreciate in this landscape filled with so few man-made monstrosities and so much untainted countryside. She was really starting to love the slower pace here, where everything revolved around Mother Nature. If only she didn’t have to go back to a life she wasn’t sure she wanted to exist in anymore. If only it was as easy as packing her things up and coming back here.
If only … She whispered to herself, unaware that her utterance had travelled to the man beside her.
‘If only what, Sammie?’
She drew in a breath. ‘If only I hadn’t left here all those years ago.’ She bit her tongue, not wanting to let the cat out of the bag.
‘Yes.’ He rolled onto his side and propped his head up on his hand. ‘Keep going.’
She took her time to summon an explanation. ‘I do wonder where I’d be now, you know, what I’d be doing, if I’d be married with kids, and all of that.’
If I’d have married you, she thought.
