Within My Reach by Amy Blythe

Author:Amy Blythe
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: second chance, jane austen, adaptation, classic, love story, angst, love triangle, holiday, vacation, summer, christmas
Publisher: Amy Blythe
Published: 2020-09-30T16:00:00+00:00

“WE CAN NEVER THANK you enough, Anna.” Marian enveloped her in a ferocious hug. "What you did for Louis!"

Dominic gave a solemn nod. "Made all the difference."

Charlie smiled wide and hugged her too.

Mere sighed—once again overlooked.

“Selina, have the seat by the window.” Marian pulled out a chair. “We’ve changed the menu since you were last here. I’m sure Anna can recommend something you’d like.”

Charlie shepherded the kids into their seats and Mere took the spot beside Selina. “How was your holiday? I love the Gold Coast. Haven’t been in a couple of years.”

Charlie said, “Anna, you’ll be happy to hear Nicky is thinking of coming to visit when Louis is well enough to return home. She’s offered to take new photos for our menu and marketing. She’s going to teach me how to do a Facebook campaign.”

Selina looked up. “Anna mentioned Nicky. Is she a photographer?”

“And so talented,” Charlie gushed. “Shy about it, but that picture of the hang glider!” He turned to Mere. “With the cliffs and the surf crashing.”

“It’d be impressive if they were paintings,” Mere said. “A photo is just click and done.”

Charlie laughed dismissively. “From what Harvey was telling me, I think you made a world of difference, Anna. Nicky hadn’t smiled, let alone laughed, in months. And now she’s talking about the future, making plans.”

“We just talked about books.”

“Auntie Anna has read every book.” Oscar grinned at her. “She read me the whole Dinosaur Rescue series.”

Anna shook her head and tried to tell him she hadn’t read all the books. Just all his books.

“Harvey said it was like watching her come back to life.” Charlie sighed. “Poor girl, she’s been through hell these last few months. She’d stopped taking photos completely, but yesterday, just before we left, she got out her camera and took one of all of us together. Frida had already left, but...”

Selina was giving Anna a funny look, a mix of pride and curiosity.

“What?” Anna asked her.

“I think I’ll have the prosciutto and nectarine salad. Is that good?”

Anna nodded. “We had it at Christmas. You’ll love it.”

Mere turned to Selina. “How are Dad and Max liking life on the boat? I haven’t had a chance to visit. I’ve been so busy.”

“I stopped in the day I got back—very briefly.” Selina poured herself water from the carafe. “We’re actually going down after this.”

“Perhaps I’ll join you.”

Charlie cleared his throat. “The birthday party.”

“Oh, that’s right. Who does a pot-luck for a birthday party? It’s for Cam’s friend. Not very well-off.” She whispered the last to Selina, but the boys almost certainly heard.

Not two bites into their lunch, Mere suddenly said, “Oh, did Anna mention who we met up at Langs Beach? Before all the unpleasantness—did you tell her Anna? Elle Johnson!”

“Elle Johnson?” Selina stopped chewing.

“She has a beach house right next door to Harvey and Janine’s.”

“Well, there you go,” Selina said. “You probably haven’t heard: she’s been playing nice with your father for a change. I don’t quite know what to make of it. But how weird that you just happened to cross paths!”

Anna turned to Selina.

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