“I’m afraid not. I have commitments in Christchurch I can’t get out of.” His gaze shifted to Amber. “But I couldn’t resist Amber’s invitation to meet you all.”
Suddenly there was jostling and chatter from young voices, and Rachel’s daughter Etta and Lizzi’s daughter Aimee appeared carrying large trays. Aimee’s continuous chatter was punctuated by Etta’s odd dry, and to the point, comments. Aimee adored her newly found cousin, thinking her the epitome of cool.
“Careful, Etta,” said Zane, steadying the plate just in time before it fell off the edge of the table. Etta was more accomplished at scoring a try in her beloved rugby than waiting at table.
“So,” said Jim, clearing his throat. Here it comes, thought Amber. “Do you plan to stay around Akaroa? Is this a permanent or temporary move?”
“Dad!” exclaimed Amber. “That’s David’s business.”
“And it’s mine now, since he’s shown an interest in you.”
“That’s okay, Amber. I understand your family is protective of you, and that’s as it should be.” He turned to Jim Connelly—the family patriarch. “It’s temporary.”
Amber felt her heart drop and it must have showed in her face.
“For now,” he said, looking at her. She gave a wan smile.
“Anyone like a top up?” She held up a bottle of wine, and wandered off, digesting this piece of information. Did she really want to get involved with someone who was passing through? One look at David, now talking to Jim and Pete about property prices in Central Otago, told her that she shouldn’t, but that she would.
Lizzi held out her half-empty glass for Amber to refill and nodded toward David. “Trial by Connelly,” she muttered. “He’s done well to survive us this far.”
“He seems pretty solid to me,” said Max, with grudging respect, coming up behind Amber and Lizzi and following their gaze to David.
“Solid?” asks Lizzi. “Not sure that demolishing a beautiful old cottage could be called solid. But he seems a nice guy despite that. Andreallyinterested in you, Amber.” Lizzi nudged Amber with her elbow.
Amber felt herself blush. “He does, doesn’t he?” she whispered to Lizzi.
“You’re wrong, Lizzi,” said Max. “Not about his interest in Amber. Of course he is, who wouldn’t be?” He gave Amber a quick hug. “You’re wrong about demolishing the cottage. What could be more solid than demolishing a rickety old cottage and putting something in its place which will last another couple of centuries? Nothing wrong with that. Nothing to be gained by clinging to old things.”
Laura jumped up and came and stood in front of Max, sliding her hands up his chest and around his neck in one sinuous movement. His expression changed immediately.
“Are you saying, Max Connelly,” said his beautiful wife, her sexy brief top and tight jeans vying with her bright, mischievous expression to entrance her husband, “that clinging to old things is bad?”
It looked as if Max hadn’t a clue what he’d been saying only a few minutes earlier. “I might have been.”
“And who is it, dearest husband, who has insisted on keeping the old lanterns at the Lodge because they remind you of your mother?”
Max had the grace to look a bit sheepish. He cleared his throat as if to rid himself of the weakness. It didn’t work. “It could have been me.”
“Itwasyou. Just as it was you who refused to allow anyone to revamp your man cave into something vaguely resembling clean and modern lines.”
“There’s nothing wrong with it.”
“Nothing that a bomb wouldn’t rectify.”
“Laura,” said Max in a low voice.
“Max,” said Laura, echoing his threat and trumping it. She squeaked in surprise as he caught her in his arms and stopped any further talk with a devastating kiss.
His sisters groaned, and Gabe and his two brothers-in-law—Zane and Pete—laughed and shook their heads.
When eventually they parted, Max couldn’t take his eyes off Laura.
“I reckon it’s time to go.”
“No way!” Laura grinned. “I’ve been promised a swim, and a swim is what I’m going to get before we head back to Queenstown.” She turned to the others. “Are you guys going to join me?”
“Not us,” said Rachel. “We’ve got to be back at the marae by seven. Summoned by Zane’s mum. Besides, Laura, it’s winter, it’ll be cold.”
