‘Oh, Spence, I don’t want you spending all your money on us. I feel a bit bad.’
His laugh was quiet and warm. ‘I can’t think of anything better to spend my money on than setting up a home for my family, and I know Rebecca and George would be pleased to see the inheritance go in that direction.’
‘I just feel uncomfortable about it all falling on you.’
‘Doesn’t have to. You can buy the car with your savings or use it to decorate the place. We’re in it together, honey.’
Beth warmed at him calling her honey. She glanced at Archie, still happily chewing his toy ring. For so long she had assumed it would be just him and her, juggling life, coping as best they could, and now Spencer was in her life, offering all sorts of wonderful opportunities.
‘Don’t stress it, Beth. We can work on a plan later that makes you feel comfortable, okay?’
She nodded. ‘Wow, we really are future thinking, aren’t we?’
‘I told you. I’m all in.’
It was nice to hear, but it was still early days for them as a couple, so she figured she’d just see how things went as they moved forward together.
She leaned forward once more to stroke his shoulder. ‘Can you believe it’s the festival in a few days? Where has the time gone?’
‘I know, and the weather report says dry, so that’s good. I reckon it’s going to be a brilliant day.’ Spencer sounded excited as he nattered on about the day, and Beth was happy to be part of the event. To feel her joy rise once more.
Chapter 31
Spencer
Spencer couldn’t stop smiling as he walked around the kindness festival. So many people had turned up for the event and many stalls held all sorts of useful information.
Having spent most of the morning helping to set up, he was taking a moment to relax with a coffee and absorb the positive atmosphere.
Bonnie and Chris were in his eyeline, holding hands and laughing while their sons were drawing pictures with other kids in the Sunshine Centre’s large tent.
With so much to be happy about, he just wished he hadn’t done a paternity test now. It kept coming back to play on his mind, and it all seemed so simple online, so he’d ended up ordering a test, mostly to close down the niggle. Ever since he’d sent it off, he’d held regrets, more so for not discussing it with Beth. There wasn’t much he could do now but wait for the email to come through. Perhaps then he would stop feeling so guilty about the secrecy and tell Beth what he had done. Or maybe not. He really hated the confusion.
The squeal of a child had him return to the present moment. Smiling, Spencer turned to see Samuel approach.
‘Looks like you had the same idea as me,’ said Samuel, raising his disposable coffee cup.
‘I haven’t even had a chance to say happy birthday to you. Happy birthday.’ He tapped his cup on Samuel’s. ‘Nice day for it.’
Samuel glanced up at the clear blue sky. ‘I’m too busy to think about it.’
‘Lottie said you don’t like a fuss. I’m the same. Not that she pays much attention to what I want, as you saw when it was my day.’
Samuel laughed. ‘Yeah, she managed to talk me into dinner tonight with my sister and Felix.’
Spencer glanced over at Hannah and Felix snuggled together by the paintings they were selling for the centre. ‘How’s your sister getting on since you moved in with mine?’
‘She’s good. Loved up, as you can see.’ Samuel sipped his drink, then glanced over at Lottie. ‘Life’s a lot easier when you’ve got a good partner by your side.’
It wasn’t something Spencer had thought about until he fell for Beth.
Samuel turned back to him. ‘What about you? You okay?’
‘Did Lottie send you over to interrogate me about my relationship with Beth?’
‘Sounds like her, doesn’t it?’ Samuel grinned. ‘But no. I was just asking.’ He patted Spencer’s shoulder. ‘I’m glad it all worked out for you, mate.’
Spencer could feel his smile deep within his heart. He’d never felt so complete before. Watching Samuel head over to Lottie made his smile widen. He was so pleased his sister had so much love in her life, and now he did too.
