She nodded, not liking the incredulity on his face.“I visit Mum and the kids a couple of times a month.”She sipped her tea, trying to think of a change of subject.“Do you still play football?”
He shook his head.“Not so fast, Chels.Why don’t you have any friends?”
Why did he have to be so direct with his questions?She took her mug to the sink.
“Chelsea?”
The quiet, gentle way he asked made tears burn in her eyes.She swallowed.“It’s not through choice.I’m just not someone who people want to hang out with.”She couldn’t look at him.Instead she opened a few of the top cupboards looking for Aunt Maggie’s recipe books.She didn’t hear him get up or walk closer, but she definitely felt his warm hands on her arms as he gently stopped her from reaching for the next cupboard and turned her around.
“Who told you that?”Though the question was quiet, there was a hardness in his eyes.
“No one.But when you’re the one always making arrangements and no one calls you, you have to wonder whether they’re busy, or if it’s you.”She shrugged.“My track record with people wanting to stay in my life is pretty dismal.”And didn’t that make her sound pathetic?
“Christ, Chelsea.I’m sorry for ever making you feel unwanted.”Ethan rubbed her arms.
“You weren’t the first.”She took hold of his hands to stop him from soothing her like she was a child.“I’m reconnecting with Lauren, and when I spoke with Libby recently, she mentioned they were considering a trip back to Australia soon.”Which reminded her she should tell Libby she was back in Western Australia for the foreseeable future.“I’m happy in my own company.”
He nodded though he didn’t seem convinced.
She smiled.“I need to get some social media done before Barry gets here.Why don’t you see if the hammock will still hold your weight?”
He chuckled.“Maybe I will.Can I help you with any of the internet stuff?”
“Are you any good with website design?”
“No, but my friend Noah is a technology whiz.”
It was nice of him to offer.“It will be quicker if I do it myself.”She kissed him and then shooed him towards the door.“Now, I need to work.”
He gave her a salute.“Call me if you need me.”
She watched him leave, her heart swelling at his easy offer.
She smiled.
Wasn’t it nice she could call him now?
Chapter12
Ethan headed for the peppermint grove, but when he reached the hammock, he couldn’t stop, his brain too busy to relax.Instead he took the path through the public garden, walking slowly, trying to figure out why the sweetest woman he knew didn’t have any friends.
He’d destroyed her confidence, and that was unforgivable.The fact she was even willing to give him a second chance spoke volumes to the kind-hearted person she was.Or maybe she still loved him.
No, he wouldn’t get ahead of himself.
She could simply be lonely and wasn’t that a fucking travesty?She should be surrounded by a solid group of friends who would drop everything to help her, like he had with his teammates.
Instead she had two childhood friends who she hadn’t seen in years.
Not good enough.
He needed to prove to her she was important, worthy.He would ensure Lilydale Cottage was restored to its former glory even if he had to do all the work himself.
He spotted some flattened grass away from the path and frowned.They hadn’t been over there this morning, and it hadn’t been flat yesterday.
Ethan’s eyes followed the trail to the north of the property where the road ran along one side.Someone had come onto the property overnight.
His muscles tensed as he scanned the trail in the other direction leading further into the garden.No one was in sight.He snapped a few photos with his phone and slowly followed the trail, searching for any evidence; a footprint, a cigarette butt, a torn bit of clothing.
