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The problem now, was how to make this uneasy alliance work for the sake of the children. Grace’s passive hostility she could cope with, but Morgan’s suggestion was likely to blow the uneasy truce out of the water.
She turned into the Cavanaugh driveway, noting Morgan’s car parked beside his house. He was back from Bialga already. Ned was outside with the children, his tools out mending something on Edward’s bike.
‘I’m adjusting the seat and handlebars. They aren’t quite right.’ He dipped his head towards the house. ‘Grace is waiting for you inside. She wants to talk privately.’
His sombre gaze reminded her of Morgan. ‘Thanks, Ned. Fair warning, I take it.’
He shrugged and turned back to the task at hand. ‘Fair warning.’
Conscious of Gabby’s curious gaze, Becca mounted the back steps. If Ned was worried, it meant Grace was not happy.
What will people think?
Becca stared back at Grace, wondering why the woman was incredibly obdurate about anything that brought Morgan closer to Becca. She’d only just sat down at the kitchen table with a cup of tea when Morgan’s mother went on the attack.
‘It’s not like we’re getting married. It’s a house sharing arrangement to enable Morgan to be a full-time father. I thought you’d approve.’
‘People won’t believe it’s innocent. They’ll think you’re living together.’
Becca threw up her hands. ‘What does it matter? Lots of people live together. Nobody cares.’
‘People do. Morgan is a doctor. He’s a respected member of the community. He can’t be seen to be living …’ She seemed to choke on the last word.
‘In sin? Seriously, Grace. Even if it mattered, how many people will know?’
‘The children will talk.’
‘I imagine they will. They’re thrilled at the idea they’ll be living with Morgan, though we won’t be living as a family. They love him.’
‘People will judge him … them. Doesn’t that count with you?’
‘I’ve been a single parent for twelve years, Grace. They’ve been “bastards” for all their lives. Do you think people are going to change how they look at the kids now, simply because their father is back in their lives and we aren’t married? Nothing has changed. We are still the same people we were before Morgan came home.’
‘That’s the point. Morgan’s reputation will be tarnished.’
‘Because he’s a single father not married to their mother? Join the real world, Grace. What century are you living in? Half the children in Maiden’s Landing come from single parent families.’
‘Don’t exaggerate, Rebecca.’
‘There are plenty and no-one thinks less of them for it.’
Becca’s gaze was drawn to Grace’s hands, the knuckles white as she gripped them tightly together. ‘Can’t we at least have the truth between us, Grace? It’s been twelve years and you’ve never forgiven me. It’s not about us anymore. It’s about the children and what’s best for them. You chose to deny Morgan years of his children’s lives and I let it happen. It was supposed to be only until he graduated. Maybe four or five years. I don’t blame him for being angry for missing out on twelve. I can’t forgive myself, so how can I expect him to forgive me. You could have brought him back at any time. What I don’t understand is why you let him come back now.’
‘I didn’t have a choice. He’d already organised it with Donald Farrell and paid the money out.’
‘Did you intend to keep him away from here forever?’
There was a hot ball of something in her throat. Rage? Grief? Maybe a bit of both.
‘I hoped you’d be gone. But you couldn’t take a hint. I’d have paid anything you wanted to get you away from here. Instead, you settled in here like a burr under my saddle and then had to get a job working at the clinic. I knew if Morgan came back, he’d join the clinic. He talked about it years ago.’
Becca stared at her. ‘I know you love the children. I know you love Morgan.’Obsessively. ‘So it must be me you hate.’
Grace shook her head. ‘I don’t precisely hate you. Surprisingly enough, I’ve come to respect you. But I can’t bear the thought of you and Morgan …’
‘Me and Morgan? Why specifically me? He has to marry someone eventually.’
‘He could marry Sabine Mallings and have a family with her. She’s more our kind.’
