Kenzie shakily knocked on her sister’s door. She heard the music playing inside get turned down followed by footsteps approaching.
‘Oh, hi,’ Brook greeted her, then paused, peering closer at her face. ‘What’s wrong?’
‘I tried calling you,’ Kenzie said and suddenly, she was crying.
‘Kenzie? What is it?’
She heard the alarm in her younger sister’s voice and felt bad for arriving in such a state, but she hadn’t known where else to go. She allowed Brook to lead her into the lounge room and sit her on the sofa, before she disappeared, returning a moment later with a glass of something that she pushed into her hands and commanded her to drink.
Kenzie took a sip, gasping as a burning sensation traced a path down the back of her throat. ‘What the hell, Brook?’she managed in a voice that sounded like sandpaper on gravel.
‘It’s bourbon. You needed something strong to calm you down. Now, tell me what’s happened.’
‘I found him,’ Kenzie finally said, staring down at the liquid in the glass.
‘Found who?’
‘Poppy’s father.’
Brook’s mouth dropped open as Kenzie made a rueful sound in her still-raw throat.
‘How did you track him down?’
‘I didn’t actually find him so much as he … just turned up. For an appointment. With my client this afternoon.’
‘With your client?’ she asked slowly.
‘As the groom.’
‘Oh. My. Gawd.’
Her sister stared at her, seemingly speechless, which was almost a first. The only other time Kenzie could recall her being too stunned to speak was moments after Kenzie had told her she was pregnant.That damn déjà vu is working overtime today.
‘Did you tell him?’
‘No,’ Kenzie said irritably. ‘He didn’t even remember who I was until he saw my name and worked it out.’
‘So what happened? Once he recognised you?’
‘Not much. I was trying to get away before he could ask too many questions. I didn’t exactly stick around to have a conversation with him.’
‘What’s he evendoinghere? Wasn’t he some backpacker, leaving to head back home when you guys met?’
‘That’s what he said.’ Kenzie shrugged.
‘So what are you going to do?’
‘Nothing.’
‘Kenz,’ Brook said in a warning tone. ‘This has happened for a reason.’
‘I don’t care. I never asked him to come back. I don’t need him reappearing in my life now, just to ruin everything.’
‘He has a right to know he has a daughter, Kenz.’
‘He didn’t even remember who Iwas. He doesn’t have any rights.’
The two sisters sat side by side as Brook’s chillout session music played in the background. The bourbon Kenzie had drunk slowly began to reach her toes.
