‘It’s okay.’ This was an opportunity for much-needed honesty. ‘A short visit like this isn’t enough for y’all to really size me up, is it?’
Paul gave a fleeting shrug, but said nothing.
‘Lyndsey loves you both a whole lot, so how you feel about me — and us — matters to us both. I know this trip was originally put together for other reasons, but I jumped at the chance when it was offered to me too.’
‘I’m some glad you did. Maureen was worrying herself half to death over who Lyndsey had got herself tangled up with — especially after that to-do with Tristan.’ His color deepened. ‘Have I put my foot in it?’
‘Nope. You’re good. I’ve heard all about it.’ Griff’s jaw tightened. He hoped he’d get away with the lie.
‘He’s a fine chap. We’ve known him all his life. Tris and Lyndsey were always good mates.’ He looked rueful. ‘Then she had the idiotic idea it wasn’t a huge leap from there to being a romantic couple. He was more than willing to give it a go, so they tried for a bit, but it didn’t work. Daft girl. You can’t make yourself fall in love with someone. It’s sad, but he didn’t take it well when she came to her senses.’
‘I don’t suppose he did.’
They fell silent.
‘Why’s the door closed?’ Lyndsey breezed in. Griff loved seeing her first thing in the morning, devoid of make-up but glowing with vitality. Her slender figure was wrapped in her new favorite emerald green robe and her shiny black corkscrew curls cascaded around her face. ‘Are you two up to no good?’
‘Your dad’s offered to take me and Theo out mackerel fishing tomorrow.’
‘Right.’ She didn’t sound convinced that there wasn’t more to it.
Griff held her gaze and watched a faint blush brighten her cheeks. She’d picked up the hint to leave it alone, at least for now.
Lyndsey gestured to the teapot. ‘Is it still drinkable?’
‘Oh, I haven’t got around to making it yet.’ Her father’s admission sent her eyebrows shooting into her hairline.
‘Honestly, you’re both hopeless.’ She brushed past and switched the kettle back on, gathered up mugs and fetched milk from the fridge. ‘We’re leaving here at half nine, so that way we make it to the Eden Project before they open at ten. That gives us time to see the highlights, at least, before lunch, then get back here for Nora to have a quiet afternoon nap.’
‘I think I’ll give it a miss, love,’ Paul said.
‘Have we overtired you, Dad?’
Griff had heard that the extensive tourist attraction, with its massive biomes and surrounding gardens, was well worth seeing, but a lot of walking.
Paul shook his head. ‘It’s not that, but I’ve been there enough times already.’ He brightened. ‘Why don’t you leave Nora with me? The rest of you won’t have to rush around that way.’
‘I think it’s a great idea, but I’m not her mum, so it’s not up to me. You’ll have to ask Becca.’
The touch of wistfulness threading through her voice brought Griff up short. Was he running ahead of himself by mentally making plans for a future with Lyndsey? There were a whole lot of things they hadn’t discussed, and children was one of them. When he was solely focused on his career, he’d freaked out when girlfriends assumed the next step in their relationship was a proposal, followed by the white wedding of their dreams, a house in the suburbs and a family.But now that his mindset was in a far different place, he needed to do some re-evaluating. Griff noticed Lyndsey frowning at him and could’ve kicked himself. She’d read his mind as usual, but misinterpreted his thoughts. This wasn’t the right time or place for an explanation, so he had no choice but to hold his tongue when her expression closed down.
‘I’ll go and ask her.’ Lyndsey fled the kitchen.
Paul gave Griff a puzzled stare, as though he knew something crucial happened, but couldn’t for the life of him work out what it was.
* * *
Compartmentalizing was Lyndsey’s thing. After all, she did it every day — literally — at work. If she couldn’t pull it off now, her mother and sister would guess something was up between her and Griff. And there was no way she’d clearly know how he felt until they had a chance to speak in private.
If anyone asked a couple of months ago if she was pining for a baby, Lyndsey would’ve laughed her head off and told them not to be ridiculous. Her lack of interest in having children was one of the arguments she used when making it clear to Tristan they’d never be anything more than good friends. Tristan’s large boisterous family were his pride and joy. No one doted on their nieces and nephews more, and he’d never made a secret of the fact he couldn’t wait to have his own children. When she told him bluntly that she had no interest in that direction, it shook him. Suddenly the love he professed for her came with conditions, and that was one of them.
But all that was before she met Nora and fell head over heels in love. At first, she tried to rationalize it as nothing more than a simple family connection. But that changed. As she spent more time with her niece, watching her change and grow with every day, it shone a light on another gaping hole in her life. Did Griff feel the same way, though? She’d seen him with Nora enough to know he adored her too, but earlier, he’d looked distinctly worried. If they weren’t on the same page, what did that mean for them?
‘You look as though you’ve lost a pound and found sixpence.’ Becca’s careless remark made tears spring to her eyes. ‘Spill the beans.’ She draped an arm around Lyndsey’s shoulder. ‘Remember we’re supposed to be best mates, now.’
Guilt grabbed her by the throat. They’d wasted so many years because of stubbornness on both their parts. Everything poured out uncensored.
‘You silly girl.’ Becca rested her forehead against Lyndsey’s with a sigh. ‘You can listen tomyadvice for a change. When we’re at Eden, I’ll steer Theo and Mum off at some point, so you and Griff can talk. You won’t get a chance here, because we’re on top of each other all the time.’
