The Giving Tree: A heartwarming Christmas mystery (Charlotte Dean Mysteries Book 5) by Phillipa Nefri Clark

Author:Phillipa Nefri Clark [Clark, Phillipa Nefri]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-11-27T16:00:00+00:00

“It isn’t as easy as it sounds.” Charlotte was curled up on the sofa with Trev’s arm around her. “There’s only one chance to make this decision so I need to weigh everything up.”

“But, darling…” Rosie trailed off. It was the second time she’d started to speak and stopped since they’d moved into the living room. Lewis joined them with a tray of coffee.

Dinner had been cleared from the table while Charlotte freshened up. She’d apologised for disappearing into the bathroom and explained, in broken sentences, about the way her parents used to behave. It wasn’t much of a reason to cry when she said it aloud, but Rosie kept patting her hand and saying how sorry she was for being so pushy.

Once they were all settled, Charlotte told Rosie and Lewis about the letter and how she’d spent the past fortnight mulling over all the implications. She spoke of her practice in Brisbane before Alison came into her life. How many patients she’d treated. How many lives she’d helped. A sense of accomplishment filled her. Rosie had stayed quiet, apart from the attempts to say something and changing her mind.

“Now that you all know, and Zoe knows, I’m going to shelve making the decision until after Christmas. We’re all so busy and this time of year can make for emotional responses,” she laughed shortly. “Look at me tonight!”

Rosie drew in a long breath and caught Charlotte’s eye. “Darling, I need to ask you something and if you’re not ready to answer, then tell me to mind my own business. But I need to ask before I change my mind again. Are you thinking about returning to live in Queensland? Because if you are…well, you have every right…but I shall miss you—”

Charlotte climbed off the sofa and threw her arms around Rosie. “Oh, don’t you cry! Please don’t. And no. I have no intention of leaving Kingfisher Falls. Didn’t I make that clear?”

She looked around as everyone shook their heads.

“Oh. Oh, I’m so sorry. I can practice here. I can work in a hospital or a clinic or start my own practice somewhere in the region. But I will never move away.”

“Thank goodness.” Lewis hurried over to cuddle her and Rosie at the same time until Charlotte giggled. It was that or cry some more. She managed to wiggle out from between them and returned to the sofa. Trev’s arms were crossed and he gave her a long, considered stare that she didn’t understand.

“Did you not realise either?” she whispered.

“You’ve not said a thing otherwise. When we talked at the pool you made it sound as though this was a now or never situation. A here or there one. And even just now you’ve spoken about Brisbane with a glow in your eyes. I thought you might leave.”

He was right. She’d let him believe she was contemplating a life without him and even in the midst of it, he’d still reached out to comfort her when she was distressed.

“We’re going to find a night cap for us all.

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