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“So, how long have you been in the cottage?” I ask as I flop down on the sofa.
“About six months. When we found out about the baby, we knew our old place wouldn’t be big enough. Savannah and Josh had a house built on some land by the river and were moving out. It all kind of fell into place,” Libby replies as her hand rests on her swollen belly. “If we have any more children, then we’ll need to move, or maybe we could extend. For now though, it’s perfect.”
“There will definitely be more babies, Lib,” Mason shouts from the kitchen, and Libby rolls her eyes.
“How about we have this one first, then we’ll see. Last time I checked, it wasn’t you who’s got to do the pushing!”
“Would if I could, sweetheart.” He pokes his head around the kitchen door and grins stupidly at my sister. Her face softens as she grins back at him.
Happiness radiates off them, and for the first time, I feel jealous. I don’t begrudge my sister her happiness. God, after everything she went through, she more than deserves it. I just wonder sometimes if I’ll ever experience what they have. Life as a single dad leaves no time for dating, and honestly, up until right now, I haven’t been interested. Jacob has always been enough. But maybe there’s more than falling asleep on the sofa alone every night. My mind drifts to Aria, and I know that’s crazy. We’ve only just met, but something is pulling me toward her, something I can’t explain.
Standing from the sofa, I walk toward the small window that looks out over the front garden. “Does Aria live nearby? What time did you tell her to come?” I ask as I peer through the glass. Libby giggles from behind me and I turn around. “What? What’s funny?”
“She doesn’t have too far to come. Maybe five hundred meters.”
I frown and turn back to look out the window.
“Five hundred meters? What do you mean?” She laughs again and kisses Jacob, who’s sitting beside her, on the cheek.
“I think Daddy might have a little crush on someone,” she whispers to him. Thankfully, he has no idea what she’s talking about and continues to play with the cars he has in his hand.
“Lib, what do you mean? Where does she live?” I ask, exasperated.
“She lives next to you.”
“Next to me? Will you stop talking in riddles and just tell me?”
She must hear the tone of my voice and grins. “You like her, don’t you?”
Sighing, I run my hand through my hair. “I barely know her… but, yeah. I like her.”
“She has a room at the ranch house. She was only ever meant to stay a couple of weeks. Sav had a horse she was struggling with and Aria offered to help. That was almost a year ago. Her room is Sav’s old one.”
“Next door to mine…” I trail off wondering how I’m ever going to get any sleep knowing she’s going to be in the room next to me.
“I asked her to come for six. So, any minute now.” Before I can respond, there’s a knock on the door. “That’ll be her now. Why don’t you get the door? It takes me too long to get up.”
Nodding, I move the short distance to the door and swing it open. My breath catches in my throat as I see her standing on the porch. Her long hair is loose and falls in waves over her shoulders, and the blue of her top makes her eyes pop. Her jeans accentuate the curves of her body, and I hold on tightly to the door, forcing myself not to reach out and touch her.
“Hi, Jack,” she says after a few minutes as we stand staring at each other. “Can I, erm… can I come in?”
“Shit! Yes, of course. Come in.” Dragging myself from my lust-filled haze, I step to the side, holding the door open for her.
“Thanks,” she whispers as she passes me, the scent of strawberries invading my senses. Closing the door, I turn to see her hugging Libby, who’s still sitting on the sofa. “How you feeling, Lib?”
“I’m good, Aria. You want a drink?”
“I’ll get it,” I say, heading across the room to the kitchen. “What would you like?”
“Wine, please. If you have it?”
I glance at Libby, who nods.
“There’s red and white in the kitchen,” she says.
“White, please, Jack.”
“Sure, I’ll be right back. Lib, you want anything?”
