I forced down a few breaths.Stay put. Erin can handle this.But I couldn’t just stand around. Jeremy had already cornered Erin away from her friends. Every conversation had to be on his terms. I walked closer to overhear whatever lies he was spewing this time.
“Erin, I can’t live with you…” A mournful tone swelled in his voice. “Please, beautiful. I’ll do anything.”
Her gaze drifted over his shoulder. She found me hovering in the background and rolled her eyes. None of his pitiful speech was working on her. “Jeremy, I’ve told you a hundred times. I’m going ahead with the divorce. I’m in love with Cal. We’re living together—”
“FuckCal. We’re a family. You, me, and Matilda. The only thing I want is for us to be back together. Please, Erin.” He drovea hand through his hair and exhaled a shuddered breath. “I need you on my side right now.”
She tilted her head. “Oh?”
“The medical board’s up my ass. I’m being investigated for, well… Look, it’s all bullshit. Erin, you know what I sacrificed to get us where we are. You stood by me so we could have this life.” He reached out to touch her but never got the chance. She sidestepped away from him. “I know I wouldn’t have made it this far without you. You’re my strength. I need you.”
Erin knew exactly why he was being investigated. She was the one who reported him—anonymously—but she didn’t throw it in his face.
“There was a time I would’ve fought for you,” she said. “I would’ve done anything… sacrificed everything… All you needed to do was love me.” Sadness pulled her smile down. “You couldn’t even do that.”
“Erin, I…”
“It’s okay. I’ve moved on. I’m so happy now. I didn’t even know I could be this happy. And, hey”—her smile brightened—“you’re here. Matilda will be thrilled you came down for her birthday party, and she’s going to love opening her present.”
“But… but…”
Erin pushed forward, the edge of her shoulder knocking square into his arm as she flounced past. Her hair flicked in the breeze, and that shimmery dress sparkled around her thighs as she barreled into me. I was about to say, “Hey,” but her lips were on me. Kissing was more important right now.
“I was beginning to think you were avoiding me,” she said.
I shook my head. “I was doing the rounds… chatting to the other dads… pretending I was useful at the petting zoo.”
“Was Matilda having the best time ever?”
“Other than being attached to those gumboots, I reckon she’s more princess than farmer.”
Erin grinned. “You might be right.” She pecked a kiss on my jaw. “Thanks for making today so special.”
“It was a family effort. And I needed the practice. I figure I’ve got a few more parties heading my way. Matilda’s birthdays… Our wedding…” I hadn’t asked yet, but Bronte had put Erin on notice my proposal was coming. “And maybe… one day…”
Another little one in the mix. Or a couple. We had time to figure that out. Right now, my heart was soaring over the valley, overwhelmed by where life was taking me.
No, not just me.
Us.
I swiped at the water pooling in the crease of my eyes.
Her hand found my cheek. “Cal…?”
“Aw, get on with you.” I ducked my head and scrubbed my palm over my eyes. “Don’t look at me getting all emotional. Head back to your friends and have fun.”
“You sure?”
“You know I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it.” I tapped her on the rump. “Go on, then.”
Erin floated back to the circle of women waiting for her, twisting around to give me a magic smile and a wave before losing herself in whatever conversations had the mums huddled together for hours. I loved seeing her head tip back when she laughed. She was happy with her life here. Notpretendhappy. No brave face. Just…happy. I was part of that.
I wasn’t the only one who noticed.
Jeremy’s eyes were locked on Erin, too.
I understood the devastation darkening his face better than anyone. For years, I’d watched helplessly while she lived her big city life with nothing to cling to but the impossible hope that one day she’d wake up beside me instead of him. Erin was gorgeous on my arm, sure, and our bedroom was like a bus rocking off itswheels. None of that compared to knowing she’d be there for me when life upended everything.
