Spencer kissed her head. ‘It certainly does.’
‘Let’s go home and have something to eat. I need to prep for my interview, and can you get the ball rolling on this place?’
‘I can do that.’
Beth hugged him tightly. ‘I missed you.’
‘I’m sorry about—’
‘Hey,’ she said, cupping his face. ‘It was a shock, and it hurt us both. I want us to move past that now, else we’ll always live in that moment. One of the things I learned from Jan was howto let go. Let’s just put our energy into what’s happening now for our future.’
Spencer gave a slight nod. ‘Sounds like a good plan. But, Beth, I want you to know that I’m not interested in the test results. I’m not letting that tell me what I know in my heart. I never should have done it in the first place, and I’m sorry, and—’
‘We’re moving forward, Spence. No more apologies. Let’s focus on our future as a family.’
They shared a kiss before heading back to the van, where he watched Beth glance over her shoulder and smile at the old cottage, and something told him their offer on the place would be accepted.
Chapter 36
Beth
Watching the kids run around the gardens of the Sunshine Centre, searching for colourful toy Easter eggs for their small wicker baskets, was making Beth smile no end. She sat back in a patio chair beneath a red canopy while Spencer bounced Archie in front of a large ornamental rabbit over by the entrance to the nature reserve.
It was hard to believe it was the middle of April. February seemed years ago not months. The changes during that time seemed unreal, and Beth was so thankful for the life she was living now. No more dark clouds over her head, no shivers and shakes keeping her awake, and no more feeling alone.
Had someone told her what was in store when she moved to Port Berry, she wouldn’t have believed them. Just the community spirit alone was heart-warming.
‘You look deep in thought,’ said Matt, sitting down by her side.
Beth smiled. ‘Oh, I was just having a surreal moment. It just blows me away sometimes when I think about how much my life has changed since moving to Port Berry.’
Matt chuckled. ‘Tell me about it. I have those all the time, and it’s been a year now since I moved here.’
‘They’re a friendly bunch, aren’t they?’
‘Best circle of mates I’ve ever had.’
Beth bobbed her head. ‘Me too.’
Matt glanced over the small wooden table between them. ‘When you’ve been stuck in one long dark tunnel for so long, then you come out the other end somehow and the light is so beautiful, it feels like magic.’
Beth grinned. ‘Do you think Port Berry is enchanted?’
Matt chuckled. ‘If it is, then my Sophie was definitely a magical potion that helped raise me to the next level in this game of life.’
‘Aww, Matt, that’s so sweet.’ She smiled at his blush, then followed his gaze to Sophie. ‘I hear you’re getting married this December.’
‘Yeah, that blows my mind. I still can’t believe how blessed I am.’
Sophie waved him over, and Beth watched him walk into his fiancée’s embrace. It was lovely to witness such love, and her heart warmed even more when she spotted Spencer approaching.
Just like Matt, she too felt blessed.
‘Hey, is that my lemonade?’ asked Spencer, pointing at the blue glass on the table.
‘Yep.’ She smiled at him as he sat, Archie on his knee.
Her phone buzzed, showing the last email to come through from the paternity test clinic. Spencer hadn’t wanted to know about them, but she had looked when alone, smiling as each one proved he was the father.
