“I gave them a letter to give you.” In that moment, I realized I’d spoiled my daughter, giving her everything within my power. “You could have rung. The phone number was there.”
“I came to talk sense into you.” She glared at Isaac. “Just as well I came.”
“You remember Isaac.” I indicated the silent man at my side. He looked disinterested, but now I knew him better I recognized his worry.
“I can’t believe you’re sleeping with Isaac.” She looked him up and down in an insulting manner. “He’s the same age as me!” Susan glared at his bare chest. “He could be your son.”
“But he’s not my son.” I was amused rather than angry or abashed. And I wasn’t about to let my daughter jerk my chain. “Isaac is my lover.”Take that. I’d let my daughter have her way, I’d spoiled her, but I really loved Isaac. I wasn’t going to give him up because my daughter didn’t approve. I glanced at Isaac before closing the distance between us. I curled my arm around his waist and leaned into him, inhaling his spicy scent. Silently, he hugged me, returning the encouragement. I felt the strength of his feeling even though no words passed between us. Emotion brought tears to the back of my eyes.
Susan stamped her right foot, propelling a bark of laughter from me. My grin and patent amusement prodded her temper. “You can’t stay with him. Can’t you see he’s using you? You’re easy sex for him.”
“That’s enough,” Isaac snapped.
I squeezed his forearm, and he subsided with a dark mutter. “Susan, contrary to your beliefs, I am an adult. I do know what I’m doing,” a little devil made me add. “And believe me, there’s nothing easy about the sex between Isaac and me.”
Isaac laughed, and Susan whirled on him. “Is that why you broke up with me? Because of Mum. Was she the other woman you couldn’t stop thinking about? The woman you loved?”
Isaac tensed.
Both Susan and I observed him closely.
“I love Sophie. And I’m not about to apologize for it.” But he wouldn’t meet my eye. He looked discomforted.
He’d been attracted to me way back then?Food for thought.
“You want a mother,” Susan scoffed.
I didn’t believe that for a minute. The sex between us was too hot. Mutually fulfilling. We made love. We were equals. No way did I mother him.
The age difference meant nothing.
Time to take a stand. “Susan, I love Isaac. I intend to stay with him, and nothing you can say will change my mind. I’ve never been so happy.”
“But what about grandchildren,” Susan wailed. “You’re so far away!”
I stared in shock. My daughter was a selfish brat. “Coolangatta is a three hour flight from Auckland. I’m hardly on the other side of the world.” Hmm. Children with Isaac. I hadn’t thought about that…
Isaac brushed a kiss across my cheek, and I frowned at Susan. I wanted to drag Isaac off to bed and could hardly do it with Susan here.
“I’m pregnant,” Susan blurted. She scowled at Isaac. “You’ll be a grandfather, but you’ll never be a father!”
“Congratulations, Susan.” I kept my tone even, but my daughter was embarrassing me. She couldn’t talk to Isaac like that. “Isaac and I will have children if and when we decide. Our relationship is none of your business. Get used to it. Is Michael here?”
Susan nodded miserably, her shoulders slumping. “He told me not to come.”
“You should have listened to him,” I said in a mild tone. “Where are you staying? Isaac and I will meet you for dinner tonight. We’ll celebrate your good news.” I glanced at Isaac and received a smile and a nod of acquiescence. My heart started to race when his gaze stroked across my lips.
“Paradise Grove,” Susan said, this time a trifle diffidently.
“Good, we’ll pick you up at six. See you and Michael later.” I practically shoved my daughter out the door.
Isaac cupped my face between his hands. “I love you, Sophie. You’ll marry me, won’t you?” Emotion and love shaded his words.
“Have you really loved me all that time?”
“Yeah. I thought about asking you out, but the age difference was too great back then. Now it’s not.”
I kissed the tip of his nose, excitement and love dancing through me like a spring tonic. “You’re a very wise man, Isaac Shepherd. Of course, I’ll marry you.”
