Roberta dumped another load of dirty dishes beside the kitchen dishwasher before washing her hands.
There was another meal waiting to be brought out for her section of tables. With her mind focused on one task at a time, this was next up.
“You okay, Roberta? You’ve been quiet today.”
Roberta acknowledged Natasha with a shrug and a forced smile as she picked up the prepared meals and walked out onto the deck. She couldn’t be trusted to talk because, at any moment, she would break down. Now wasn’t the time or place.
She squinted into the bright lunchtime sun. Usually, an astonishingly beautiful day like this one would have her at least humming. Had she sung her last song?
She shook the fuzziness from her head. She hadn’t eaten the night before and missed breakfast, too. Running on adrenaline only was bound to trip her up any moment. She concentrated on getting the meals placed correctly in front of the diners and smiling at the right moments.
Soon she would have to tell Natasha she was leaving the teahouse. She knew where Sally kept her spare key and would crash there for a couple of days before making her way back to Melbourne. She racked her brain trying to remember when Sally was due back, but in her fatigued state, it was beyond her.
Nate had appeared in her periphery a few times that morning while she worked her shift, but so far, she’d been able to avoid him. She needed to. In her sleep-deprived state, losing the white sapphire was a big deal. Why she was making such a ruckus over it, she didn’t understand. She’d never known Billy. Why should she care? But somewhere in the deep recesses of her brain, she did. If Billy stole the rock, this reflected badly on her. The revelation that her mother had sex with Bob didn’t help. Her life was a lie. Was she the result of a loving relationship or the byproduct of a violent one? Not knowing the whole story irked her. This time, the blame was solely hers. If she’d stuck around, instead of running away, her mother might’ve told her everything.
As the afternoon wore on, she continued to clear tables and deliver meals. Robotically doing her job while Sophie and Hannah eyed her cautiously, aware she wasn’t her usual self.
Back at the cottage the previous night, she’d showered and crashed, crying most of the night, sleeping fitfully. Then there was Nate. Good, kind, loving Nate. Her environmental warrior. He would go to the ends of the earth to protect every single leaf on a tree if he could. Would protect her with his last breath if she allowed it.
This was the same man who insisted Officer Molloy remove the handcuffs after she attacked him. He’d done everything right until he gave up the stone. She’d wanted more evidence. More time. The happy ending. Returning the rock signalled the end of her stay. How could Nate want her if her father was a thief? If her mother slept around? It was better that she left and didn’t taint Nate and his beautiful family.
Gradually, the rush subsided, and the clock rolled over to three pm. Roberta made her escape, needing to work out when and how to tell Natasha she was leaving. Right now, her priority was to get away from the lake and all the memories until she could think clearly again. She rushed towards the cottage intending to collect her car keys and a change of clothes, but when she took a step inside, Nate was in the kitchen. She stopped short. Nate would usually be in the maintenance shed at this time of the day. Not standing in the kitchen looking all ruffled and to die for.
“I made you a sandwich. Come and eat it.”
“I’m not hungry.” Her stomach rumbled loudly, mocking her.
Nate arched his brows. “Doesn’t sound like it. Now sit, and I’ll make you a coffee too.”
“I’m not hungry,” she repeated, which was ridiculous considering Nate heard her traitorous stomach. “And I was about to leave.”
“Sit!” Nate carried a plate with two thick slices of bread filled with what looked like delicious ham and a mountain of salad. Her stomach rumbled louder, causing Nate to frown as he set the plate down. “Your mum and Bob are due here soon. They want to talk to you.”
“How do you know?”
“Because she rang and told me she’d be here this afternoon.”
“Why would she do that?”
“Why would you run away?”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“We have something happening between us and you’re willing to give it all up?”
“You don’t understand.”
“Damn right I don’t. I want your mother to clear the air first with whatever it is she has to say so I can then deal with the daughter and this fallout we’re having. I’m not ready to give up yet, even though you’re prepared to do just that.”
“What fallout?”
“Eat, will you. You’re going to need something in your stomach.”
“I don’t know what the heck you’re talking about.”
Nate came from behind, gently guiding her to sit down. “Your coffee is nearly ready, and don’t tell me you’re not hungry because I know you haven’t eaten.”
“Have you been watching me all day?”
“No, but Tash has. You haven’t spoken a word to anyone, so I was wondering when you were going to tell Tash you were running away.”
“Stop it, I’m not running away.”
“You’re not? You weren’t planning on going somewhere just now.”
Roberta dropped her face, eyeing the sandwich which was calling her faster than the need to drive away was. Was she that much of an open book?
Her shoulders dropped as she picked up one half of the sandwich. “I was coming back to tell Natasha. I just wasn’t sure when. I just needed a break from her, the lake … you.”
Nate put a mug of steaming coffee before her and sat down with a hot drink of his own. “Look, it’s okay to be mad at me, your mum and the world in general.”
When she didn’t reply and wouldn’t look up, Nate said, “Look at me, Roberta.”
She was having trouble swallowing the mouthful of sandwich she’d chewed off. Couldn’t process the taste. Refused to look up because any moment now, she would break down. She wasn’t sure of the reasons anymore.
She gulped once, allowing the food to pass by her throat and slowly shifted her gaze up. Nate looked at her with a worried frown. Her heart was breaking with his concern. “I’ve never given a damn about anything in my life. I was raised happy and loved by parents I thought I knew. Normal, happy, boring. The stuff dreams are made of. No questions asked. But—” One sob escaped, and she dropped the sandwich back onto the plate. Gritting her teeth, she clenched her jaw, determined not to end up blubbery. “My whole life has been a lie. Do you get that, Nate? Do you understand where I’m coming from? My younger brother is only my half-brother, and I’ll have to tell him soon. My Aunt Fiorina in Italy, who is Dad’s sister, has adored me my entire life. We’re no longer blood related. Who do I belong to, Nate? Billy’s parents don’t even want a bar of me.”
Nate took her hand, covering it with his warmth. “I understand this has been a shock to you, but I’m here, Roberta. I’ll help you every step of the way.”
“But do you? You have the perfect family. What do you really understand?”
“Now you’re being obstinate, and I don’t deserve that.”
Roberta tried to take her hand back, but Nate held on tight. “Are you going to let me eat?”
Nate reluctantly freed her. “So you can run away sooner?”
“I’m not running away, okay? I just need to get away for a few days. To breathe, think things through.”
“Where will you go?”
“To Sally’s place.” Feeling like the threat of tears had subsided, Roberta picked up her discarded sandwich again.
“I thought she was away.”
“She is, but I know where she keeps her spare key. She won’t mind.”
“And you want to be alone during this time?”
Roberta took another bite and looked across at Nate. Pain reflected back, sharp and piercing. Her stomach muscles clenched and knotted. At this rate, she’d never get another mouthful down. It wasn’t meant to be like this. “Nate, I’m—”
“Don’t say it!”
The bulky emotion was back, hovering, ready to spill over.
“Don’t you dare say you’re sorry for what happened between us. Don’t you dare walk out of here believing I’m sorry one bit.” Nate’s chair scraped back as he got up. He ploughed a hand through his hair as a knock sounded on the door.
Nate stood motionless, his body tense like he dreaded opening the door. It was her mother. Hadn’t he already told her this?
When the knock sounded again, it was Roberta who called out, “Come in.”
The door opened, and her mother and Bob tentatively entered. Again, the niggle that something was happening at lightning speed between these two. Didn’t they bury her father only a handful of months ago, and already Lily was moving on? Roberta wanted to shout that this was all wrong, but she kept her mouth shut. Lily looked nervous. Her hands were twisting in front of her, fingers knotted tightly together. Bob didn’t look any better.
An awkward silence descended over the room. Roberta’s heart thumped erratically. Was something wrong? “What’s going on?” she asked Lily.
Bob had his arm around Lily’s shoulder and was kneading it.
“Roberta, your biological dad isn’t Billy, it’s—”
Again, awkward silence.
“It’s who?” she demanded.
“I’m your biological dad, Roberta,” Bob finished for Lily.