‘This can’t be real,’ she said. ‘Can it?’
‘Oh, it’s real all right,’ he said, hoping his sister knew what she was doing. ‘I’ve spoken to Tasha and she’s calling a couple of people to try and find out more. I’ll let you know if she comes up with anything.’
‘She’s there with you now?’
‘Mum, I think that’s irrelevant, don’t you?’
He heard his mother mumble something to herself. ‘I despair with you and your sister sometimes.’
Callum had no intention of discussing anything about Tasha with her. ‘Mum, there’s nothing we can do about this anyway. Erin is an adult and in her mid-twenties with her own business. We have to trust she’s made a decision that’s right for her.’
‘Is that all you can say?’
He understood his mother’s shock and wished there was some way he could reassure her.
‘That silly, reckless girl.’
‘Realistically,’ he continued, ‘I think the only thing we can do is be there for her in case this does all go wrong. If it does, we need to be there to support her.’
Hearing light footsteps coming into the kitchen, he looked over to the door and saw Tasha gently rubbing her eyes, wearing his dressing gown that was so long on her it reached the ground. She stopped in front of him and shook her head.
‘Thank you,’ he mouthed.
‘Are you there, Callum?’ he heard his mother ask.
‘Sorry, Mum, I am.’ He decided to end his mother’s call on a positive. ‘Anyway, who knows, Erin and Riley might surprise us all and enjoy a long and happy marriage.’
‘And you really believe that, do you?’ she asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm.
He had no idea but liked to think Riley could make his sister happy. ‘It’s possible.’
He bent down and gave Tasha a kiss on her forehead.
‘I’m going to have to go, Mum. Why don’t you speak to Barry about this. Maybe he’ll have some suggestions. If I find out anything useful I’ll give you a call later.’
‘Thank you, darling,’ she said, sounding calmer.
The call ended. Callum placed his mobile on the kitchen counter and focused on Tasha.
‘I don’t know about you but I need a cup of tea,’ she said.
He did too. After their amazing day yesterday when anything seemed possible, Callum knew that today they would need to focus on his sister and damage control where his family were concerned.
First though, he wanted some quiet time with the woman he loved and decided he was going to cook them breakfast. He took Tasha by hand, opened the balcony door and led her outside. ‘I think we need to eat something. I have a feeling today is going to be a very long day.’
49
TASHA
Tasha gazed in disbelief at the photos of Erin and Riley together. They did seem joyous and strangely enough as if they were a couple who had been together for years, rather than barely weeks. She noticed that in the second photo they were kissing standing inside a heart shape someone had made in the white sand.
Her face flushed as she recalled how incredible her previous night had been with Callum, and how she had lost herself in the romance and sensuality of being in bed with him. She wished it was her and Callum on that beach now, together. Although as much as the depths of her feelings for him seeped into every second of the day, she wasn’t ready to jump into marriage.
She studied Riley’s face in the photo, hoping his feelings for Erin were real and not just another whim he had given in to.
‘I need to call him,’ she said, handing Callum’s phone back to him.
He frowned, clearly confused. ‘But you don’t work for him any more, Tasha. Do you think that’s wise?’
