“Daddy, can we go yet?”
A boy, no older than four or five hauled himself out of the Land Cruiser, and Nick turned, calling out, “Murphy, we said no getting out of the truck.”
The man to Nick’s side shook his head. “I’ll get him. You know how bloody nosey that boy is.” He stepped towards the car, and I couldn’t look away if I tried, my brain misfiring at what I was seeing, trying to piece together their story.
A moment later, the guy returned, Murphy all but skipping while holding his hand.
“George, this is Ross, the school librarian.” My eyes met Nick’s when he spoke before travelling to George. “Ross, this is my husband, George, and this rascal here is our son, Murphy.”
Well, blow me hard and colour me surprised.
The hours I’d spent defending myself from Nick blurred in my spinning brain, right alongside the hours spent convincing myself I was brave and strong and wouldn’t take any shit, right before I’d vomit, anxious about what the day would bring.
Rendered speechless, I nodded at George, unable to say a word.
Heat engulfed me, taking me unaware, and amusement bubbled in my chest.
No fucking way I’d release it, though, certain it would come out sounding hysterical. But, fuck, seriously? Not knowing what to do, I clamped onto the inside of my cheeks, the inappropriate laughter edging dangerously close.
I swallowed hard, unsure how to process this information or even begin to analyse my reaction.
This… development didn’t impact me… my life one bit, so why the hell was my brain misfiring?
The sound of my name snapped my attention, dragging me away from my thoughts.
Worried eyes peered back at me, kind and so similar to her son’s.
“Right.” My smile was tight, controlled as I clapped my hands together. It was the only reaction I could manage while hysteria loomed. “Let’s take a look at this car of yours and see what’s going on.”
George and Alan helped work out the best way to tow out the car, and we agreed—albeit reluctantly on my part—it made sense for George to do the towing. His Land Cruiser would handle the job much easier than my Hilux, so it wasn’t even anything I could disagree with.
Hazel stayed close to Nick and Murphy, seemingly enjoying entertaining the young boy, while I moved on autopilot.
By the time we were ready to haul the car out of the ditch, I was more in control of my reaction and less robotic with my movements. It was best I didn’t think about Nick’s revelation. There’d be enough time for that afterwards.
“Okay,” I called out through the open window of Alan’s car. I’d volunteered to wade in and jump in behind the wheel to help steer the vehicle out.
George gave me the thumbs-up, and I braced, ready for the jolt. It came a moment later, Alan standing just off to the side, shouting the occasional instruction at George. I steered the best I could, wincing when I heard a loud, metallic scrape, but the noise didn’t halt the car, not with the power of the V8 Land Cruiser.
“Got it!” Al shouted. I grinned despite the weird tightness in my chest. “You beaut!” Al followed up with a tap on his SUV’s bonnet.
Once George had stopped, I engaged the handbrake and exited the car, a slush of water coming out with me. I had no idea if the engine had survived the ordeal or not, but knowing Dan’s parents, they’d have good insurance so they’d be covered.
“I’ll just follow you,” George said.
I bobbed my head. “Sounds good. It’s not too far from here.”
George offered a smile, and I couldn’t help but think he seemed like a really decent guy, and in that case, how on earth had he ended up with the likes of Nick?
Within twenty minutes, we were at my house. I’d shot off a text to Dan before leaving, letting him know his parents were with me and safe. I chose not to share my latest discovery with him. It seemed too much like a big deal to share via text.
We’d all piled out of the cars, and I eyed the group speculatively. Good manners had me struggling to keep my mouth shut from offering them a drink or something. They’d gone out of their way to help Alan and Hazel.
Before I could offer, Nick entered my line of sight, his boy swinging on his hand. Murphy was all but bouncing up and down on the spot. I smiled in amusement at him and cast a glance at Nick. “Bathroom?”
“If that’s okay.” His smile was the warmest it had been, less tentative and forced.
“No worries. I’ll open up and show you the way.”
