Page 35 of Graciously His

“My husband died,” I say. “Yesterday. He got hit by a car.”

Mihi stops walking. I look down at her feet, planted in the sand, toes pointing at me.

I force myself to go on. “I didn’t have anywhere else to go, and Nate—”

I can’t say more.

“He brought you here,” she finishes. “And your husband, may he rest, was that Hadley’s twin?”

I nod, realising Mihi would have met Nick over the years, especially if she’s been involved with managing the property.

“Aye, Grace,” she murmurs. When I meet her eyes, she spreads her arms, inviting me to take a second hug. I step into it, grateful. She smells like sea air and coffee, and she rubs my back with a warm hand. “He being good to you? Generous-like?”

I sigh, letting myself step back when Shep starts nuzzling at the pair of us, clearly jealous. Mihi throws him another stick.

“Nate? I don’t think generosity is his problem. He’s trying to—to keep me, I guess, you could say.”

Mihi squints at the sea, her profile to me. “He’s trying to replace his brother?”

I meet her eyes. She’s incisive, even in her kindness.

“Yes and no.” I’m not sure if I can tell her the truth, or if I’ve even accepted it myself. Mother and Nick were my anchors in Dunedin, but I was drowning. I still am. Tears come into my eyes, and I try to subtly wipe at them.

“Aye, it was a shit question, Grace. I’m sorry.”

“You’re fine,” I whisper.

Mihi pats me again, and we walk. Shep runs in and out of the shining surf, and the sun heats me until the merino tunic is too warm. Mihi and I turn our steps into the ocean, frigid, shallow water lapping at our toes. It’s soothing. We walk for a long time, Mihi telling me about the paddocks along the cliffs; she’s an encyclopaedia of local knowledge, and pleased to be quizzed. Sea lions sunbathe between boulders, a cluster of tide pools shimmers, and at the farthest point of the beach, the cliffs stretch out to meet the ocean. Our steps turn back towards the house just as clouds roll in off the sea.

Chapter 17

Nate

It took longer than ten minutes to get things back in order. Dare got a quick handle on the app side, but I’m shit at client outreach and I know it. Finally, I patched together enough automated apology, explanation, and excuse-bearing emails to leave my laptop—then I couldn’t find Grace anywhere. I didn’t let myself panic this time. The outdoor camera feeds on my phone showed her heading down into the cove. Remembering her delight in my collection of sea glass, I knew just where I’d find her.

And there they were: my girl and my dog, standing on the beach with Mihi. They headed off for Shep’s usual morning walk and, though I was tempted to run after them, I know better than to get between Mihi and someone new. She’ll make her own assessment of Grace, and interference from me would only make her ask the wrong questions.

I went back to the house and did a quick tidy of the kitchen while I caught up with Watson. The lawyer confirmed that the marriage paperwork went through without a hitch. I transferred him a bonus, then instructed him to change my will to leave everything to my new wife. My conversation with the PI came next. Graves accepted my thanks and hinted that Constance Reid’s early history might merit an even deeper look. I gave him the go-ahead, topped up his retainer, then grinned inwardly at the idea that the Munchausen bitch might have even more skeletons in her past. Grace’s dad died when his daughter was three, and Constance seemed to have heightened the abuse that same year.

Now I’m in the bedroom, clearing the clothes off the floor and double-checking that everything Grace needs is stocked in the bathroom. Keeping her cycle in mind, I put together an online order from the chemist, then I check on the movers down in Dunedin. They’re making progress, though it’s definitely time for Grace to make that list of what she wants shipped up here.

Speaking of whom, Grace appears on the deck outside just as I end the call with the movers. I get the urge to run, snatch her up, and keep her in my arms until the sky darkens and the stars come out.

“How was the walk?” I call, looking beyond her to see if Mihi has decided to come up for a visit. My neighbour is nowhere to be seen.

Good.

Despite my possessive feelings, I know it’s best that they’ve met; Grace will settle in faster knowing there’s a strong woman nearby—who is on my payroll, of course.

“Did you get on with Mihirangi?”

Grace hovers by the rattan chair. “You knew I would.”

I give a shrug. “I’ve got some work for you, if you’re up for it after your walk?”

She shuffles her sand-coated feet. I admire the sight of her in rolled-up leggings and the tunic I bought months ago. Grace takes one last look down at the beach, then sighs and comes the rest of the way to the house. I hold out my hand to help her step over the threshold, but she ignores me. I take her elbow instead.

“The movers need to know what you want from Dunedin. They’ve sent a list for you to check. Want me to print it out for you, or would you prefer to go over it on your phone?”