Du Rose Vendetta by K T Bowes

Author:K T Bowes [Bowes, K T]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: K T Bowes
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Edin

Hana halted at the sight of the child toddling around beneath the climbing frame. Dark curls tumbled around her elfin face and her tiny feet moved in a staccato rhythm as though drumming the ground. She chattered to herself and moved her head from side to side as she touched the slide and then ran to the struts. She repeated the action over and over in a loop. Hana swallowed and her eyes raked the park for the child’s parent. Surprise parted her lips as the little girl glanced up and grey eyes twinkled in the sunshine. The child possessed the classic Du Rose colouring, her genes mingling with another’s creating a thing of beauty.

Mac released her hand and Hana’s gaze fell on a woman sitting on a nearby bench. The long blonde hair ruled out Aroha and Hana felt her shoulders relax. Logan said both Michael and Liza declined their invitation to Kane’s tangi, but she didn’t trust either of them not to just show up and expect star treatment. Hana took a deep breath and readied herself to meet another Du Rose wife of indeterminate origin.

Mac ran across the rubber matting towards the climbing frame and the little girl. He’d spent most of the day at the marae eating something that came out purple and gave him belly ache. Logan admitted defeat at tea time and texted her to fetch him. The truce between them strengthened with each small compromise.

Mac’s courage failed and wariness halted him at the first of the metal supports. He clasped it and placed one bare foot over the top of the other. His body language radiated uncertainty. The little girl saw him waiting there and her face opened into a radiant smile. She toddled over without reservation and slipped her fingers into Mac’s hand. He looked back, sending his mother a vibe of confusion and her heart stilled in her chest. Hana heard herself swallow and her footsteps halted as the perfect mirror image of Phoenix babbled sentences Mac couldn’t hear.

The blonde woman rose from the bench and shoved her mobile phone into her jacket pocket. “I guessed we’d meet eventually,” she said. She glanced at the floor and then back up at Hana. “I’d hoped for a little longer before you threw us out.”

Hana swallowed and forced air into her lungs through a pure act of will. “I’m glad of the opportunity to speak to you before it gets busy.” She pursed her lips, regretting her crass choice of words to describe Kane’s burial. Her bottom slid onto the bench and she pressed her hands over her shaking knees. In her peripheral vision, Mac helped the toddler onto the bottom of the slide. “I wanted to tell you I’m sorry for your loss. In private. Just the two of us.” Caroline sank onto the bench and she gripped the metal arm to support herself. Her face muscles worked through myriad unreadable emotions. Hana forced herself to face her. “I also wanted to apologise.

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