Her Australian Summer: Corazon Books Vintage Romance (novella) by Jean McConnell

Author:Jean McConnell [McConnell, Jean]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Tags: vintage, holiday read, feel good romance, sweet romance, beach read, Australian romance, summer read
Publisher: Corazon Books (Vintage Romance)
Published: 2016-05-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Six

Next morning, Laura sat on her verandah overlooking the milky sea. She reflected how lucky it was that Kyle had been sober enough to guide them home, yet not sober enough when they arrived to want anything but to crawl off to his own bed.

She sipped her coffee and thought of Nate, realising she had thought of him constantly since they met. She seemed to have known at once that there could be no casual, superficial relationship between them. Yet she knew equally well that, as it was, there could be no serious future together for them, and they might both get dreadfully hurt. And yet …

The sun glinting silver on the water made her eyes prick with tears. That ‒ and the thought of what, in other circumstances, might have been. But Beth had said it all. Nate needed the right type of woman.

She heard Beth arrive downstairs and called a greeting. Beth responded in a surprised voice.

Laura set about sorting the books that Beth had taken from the shelves. She had stacked them in neat piles and everything had clearly been given a thorough clean. She went down to thank her and found her sitting behind the counter, working on a bracelet.

‘How was the party?’ asked Beth, without looking up. ‘Nate is usually a good host. He’s the genuine article.’

Laura knew Beth must be wondering why she had come home when she should have stayed over. Yet she didn’t pry. And because of this, and because she didn’t want Beth to imagine Nate had been in any way the cause, she told her everything that had happened.

‘I suppose things do seem strange to you,’ said Beth.

‘It’s not the strangeness. That’s fascinating. It’s just that I would never be able to fit in. So it was best not to let things develop.’

‘Mm. That’s a sensible approach I suppose.’ Beth was frowning.

‘It’s practical. And I’m nothing if not practical, Beth. That’s been rather necessary.’ Laura gave a wry smile. ‘And the next practical thing is for me to start clearing things out.’

‘You’ll sell then?’

‘Yes. I’ve made up my mind now. I’ll sell.’

As she spoke a shadow appeared in the open doorway.

‘I’m very glad to hear you say that,’ said Kyle.

‘Hello,’ said Laura. ‘And how are you, this morning?’

‘I’d feel better for a cup of strong coffee.’

Laura laughed and led the way upstairs.

‘I think you’ve made the right decision,’ said Kyle. ‘And now I’ll tell you that I can get you a good price for this property ‒ considering.’

‘Well ‒ as you said, it’s not in marvellous condition.’

‘That won’t make any difference to the buyer I have in mind.’

‘I don’t understand.’

‘You’d be surprised.’ He then named a figure that startled Laura.

‘Does that get you tingling?’

‘It sounds very good. But I don’t want you to ask too much. I mean ‒ I’d sooner you made it something lower.’

‘I don’t get you.’

‘Look, I’m not certain, but I think that Beth would like to have the shop. And again, I don’t really know, but I doubt whether she could afford too much.

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