“I can’t stand waiting.”
“Though, I must say, having cell phones has helped.” She looked at him. “That’s when they answer or are in range or haven’t gone flat.”
Blaise harrumphed.
“I need your help with something.” Claire turned the cup of tea around on the kitchen table.
“Of course, what would you like me to do?” Blaise needed something to take his mind off the fact that Dusty was driving with Aaron, and they should’ve been back by now.
“You need to keep a secret from Dusty.”
“You sure that’s a good idea?” Last time he’d gone behind Dusty’s back and helped Claire by going through the farm’s accounts, it had tested her patience, to say the least.
Claire waved her hand in a dismissive gesture. “Don’t worry about her. She’ll be fine.”
Blaise couldn’t be sure. Too much had happened in the lead-up to Christmas, and he wasn’t sure she’d come back wanting to be with him. The time he had with his family in the city reinforced he wanted to move here and live with Dusty, but he wasn’t going to wait around for her to make up her mind.
He was sure what he wanted.
Her.
Forever.
If she couldn’t make up her mind, then he couldn’t help thinking that it would mean their future was going to be rocky, and the lack of commitment from Dusty was going to push him away.
That, in itself, was telling him that their future wasn’t likely to be together. Christmas or not, the direction of their relationship had reached a critical point.
“She won’t take any of Aaron’s lip, so stop worrying.”
Blaise glanced at Claire. He didn’t really want to tell her what he was really considering—to stay or to head back to Adelaide.
The lights of the Christmas tree caught his eye. It had been a genuinely fun night when they’d decorated the tree. It felt like he was beginning to make his own family with Dusty as they hung the ornaments.
Why did relationships always seem to get rocky near Christmas?
“I know… well, I know you two need some privacy.”
“Claire, don’t worry, I’m not moving in.” He couldn’t hide the bitter tone from his voice.
“Don’t be so sure about that.” Her voice took on a motherly tone of ‘I know better.’
He shrugged his shoulders. What she did say was true. He wasn’t sure of that. And it was tearing him up inside. That, and she was driving hundreds of miles with that bastard Aaron.Who knew what could happen?Dusty had almost gone back to him just after he’d met her two years ago, even after Aaron had hit her.
“Will you help me?” Claire asked again.
“What do you want to do?”
Claire smiled. “I’m moving out.”
“You’re what?” Blaise nearly spilled his tea.
She looked very proud of herself. “I’m moving out. I’ve bought a unit in the retirement village.”
“What? Why?” His mind was racing—this was Claire’s home here on Acacia Plains.
“Because you two need your space.”
“You’re jumping ahead a bit, I haven’t moved in, and I’m not sure Dusty will ever agree that I can.”
