Page 20 of Seduction Under the Southern Stars
She swallows hard. “I missed you so much when you left. I cried for days and moped for weeks.”
My brows draw together. “Getting on that plane was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.” I reach out and take the strand of hair that has had the audacity to escape from her bun and tuck it behind her ear. “I’m sorry I made you cry.” I bring my hand forward to cup her cheek. “Did I do the right thing, telling you? I hope I haven’t caused a problem between you and your dad.”
“You did the right thing.” She lowers her gaze to my tee and swallows. Then, surprising me, she moves forward and slides her arms around my waist. “Are you going to be okay?” she whispers.
I don’t know yet. I need to think about what I’ve found out today, and what kind of impact it’s going to have on me going forward.
But I just say, “Yeah. I’m always all right.”
She gives me a quick, hard hug.
Then she moves back, flashes me a smile, and says, “See you at seven,” before walking away.
I lean on the door jamb and watch her as she presses the button. She doesn’t know I’m watching, and I see her press her fingers to her lips, clearly emotional. I wait for the carriage to arrive and watch her enter it, and the doors close. Then I go back into my room.
Chapter Five
Elora
As I walk out of the hotel lobby, I pull up Fraser’s number and press dial. He answers in a couple of rings.
“I texted you that I was free tonight,” he says.
“I know. I just wanted to ask if you mind if I’m a bit late back so I can get the dinner on the go.”
“Elora, you didn’t take a single day’s vacation last year. You work harder than anyone.”
“Except for you. Have you actually moved into the museum now?”
“Don’t change the subject.”
“I had two months off last year, remember?”
“That was to be with Mum, so it doesn’t count. Take the afternoon off, please.”
I sigh. He’s so bossy. “All right, thanks, I will. I’m going to the supermarket, then I’ll go home and get started.”
“Are you okay?” he asks.
I look both ways, then cross the Terrace and head toward the steps down to Lambton Quay. “Of course I’m okay. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“It’s not every day you meet a ghost from your past.”
I walk fast, head down, not saying anything.
“Hello?” he says eventually.
“I’m still here. I’m a little cross with you and Joel for not telling me he was coming.”
He sighs.
“Does Dad know he’s here?” I ask.
“Yeah.”
“I thought it must have been his idea not to tell me.”
“What do you mean?”
