Page 54 of Lime Tree Hill
“I’ve been called worse,” Ned said with a wink. “But a marriage must be worked at from the get-go. A little flirting, movienights. Play your cards right, and you’ll have her pregnant in no time.”
As an image of a pregnant Tayla flashed into his mind, Mitch couldn’t help but smile. “Speaking from experience, are we?”
“You young fellas think you have this romance business sorted, but I still like to lie with my woman. Keeps me young and sprightly.”
Mitch pictured Ned’s frail wife, Maggie—eighty if she was a day—snuggled up on the couch next to an equally frail Ned as they ate popcorn and watched movies. He burst out laughing. “Anyway, Casanova, what are you doing here? You realize it’s Saturday, you’re supposed to have the day off.”
“Yeah, I know. But we may have a problem with the grapefruit.”
“What sort of problem?”
“I’m not sure yet, but it looks like someone’s been helping themselves.”
24
OTHER PEOPLE’S SECRETS
As her father’spost-surgery recovery stretched into two weeks and then three, Tayla settled intoRuby’s guest room, while her parents stayed in the granny flat at Lisa’s.
Mitch texted most days and called every morning, leaving voicemail messages of concern as if he were her real husband and she a devoted wife. But Mitch and her father were close neighbors—friends—so his concern was genuine, of that she had no doubt. However, she still didn’t understand why he’d paid a hefty deposit on a property when he knew the sale going ahead depended on him fulfilling a condition of marriage. It made no sense.
Then again, men and their black and white rationale had never made much sense to Tayla, Hayden being a prime example. Why had he insisted they marry a few weeks before his baby was due?
It was rare for Tayla and her father to be alone together at Lisa’s. But when she called in that afternoon, she found him sitting in a chair, flicking through a magazine, the rest of the family nowhere in sight.
“Hi.” She kissed him on the cheek. “Where’s Mum?”
“Getting her hair done.”
“Wow, that’s a big step in the right direction.”
“It’s about time she had a little pampering. She’s been with me every day for weeks.” Barry rearranged the blanket in his lap while Tayla made tea.
“Actually, I’m glad we’re alone,” he said as she placed the cup of tea on an occasional table next to him. “I wanted to talk to you about the orchard.” A trembling hand pointed to a chair in the corner of the room. “Pull up that chair.”
Tayla had always had a strong relationship with her father, but they’d seldom talked about the business. She still wasn’t sure why he’d given her power of attorney. After all, she was the youngest and didn’t even live in the same country.
She pulled the chair over and sat in front of him. “I’ve sorted everything out with the accountant. All the bills are paid and the rest of the money’s in the bank.”
“Yes. I spoke to him the other day. Your mother still doesn’t realize how bad things were. I’d like to keep it that way. You know how she worries.”
“Okay.”
“I always thought we’d trade out of it. When Mitch made his offer, a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I headed home with a spring in my step, knowing we’d have enough money to clear our debt, buy the retirement place and still have a small nest egg.”
She nodded but remained silent.
“But there’s something I don’t understand,” he continued.
Tayla’s already tight gut tightened a little more.
Her father held her gaze. She remembered he’d done this when she was about to get into trouble as a child. It still had the same effect. “Last I heard, Mitch was engaged to that Prue what’s-her-name. Next thing, you’ve left Sydney, Hayden’s out of the picture, and Mitch is at my bedside asking for your hand.”
Tayla frowned. “He asked for my hand? When?”
“He called in on his way to the UK. I wasn’t thinking straight at that stage, so I didn’t pay him much heed. Not long after, youguys have eloped, and your mother’s all excited over the wedding photos.”
Her father leaned his head back and closed his eyes for a second. He’d always been physically strong, and it broke her heart to see him so frail.
