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Ana couldn’t be more grateful for Liam’s offer to let Louis come and play. The thought of leaving him in their yard again had made her ache, but he certainly expended all his energy playing with Steph on Tuesday. The moment they returned home, he curled up on his bed and fell asleep.
On Wednesday, she attended the Australia Day celebrations at James Abbott Park. The smell of sausages drifted from the CWA tent and kids ran around waving blue and red flags, adding to the overwhelming small-town atmosphere that continued to capture her heart. When the afternoon began to cool, she and Liam took the dogs down to the highway to let Louis watch cars.
‘Now, there are a few techniques we could use,’ Liam said as they sat on a blanket of fallen pink flowers beneath the trees. Rosy tulips, Liam had called them. ‘But you said he knows “look at me”, so we’ll try that. When he locks a car in his sights, give him the command. Eventually, the hope is he’ll use the car as a cue to look at you and stop lunging.’
It sounded good in theory, but Ana still had doubts. She’d tried ‘leave it’ and that hadn’t worked. But Liam seemed confident and she wanted Louis to enjoy his walks without frustrating them both, so it was worth a try.
An hour later, Louis had lunged at four noisy cars and gone ballistic at a truck, but he’d looked at her for the last few and gobbled up his treats. Ana smiled as they stood and Liam rubbed Louis’ head.
‘It’s progress,’ he said.
Ana nodded as Louis had indeed done well. ‘We’ll continue to work on it.’
‘Maybe we can go for a walk tomorrow?’
Smiling, she welcomed the flutter inside her chest. ‘I’d like that.’
The next morning, she drove Louis to Liam’s. This new arrangement may be better for her precious boy, if not inconvenient, but since it meant she could see Liam every day, Ana wouldn’t complain. Nor would she let her worries plague her, despite taking a big risk. For the first time in years, she felt like her old self—happy, confident, and willing to take a chance. Since the night she’d escaped Rick as a broken, beaten, and emotional mess, there had been times she’d thought she’d never feel safe again. She’d lived many months in fear and had worked hard to recapture her peace and sense of security.
She’d almost had it too. Then they’d set Rick free.
Her heart clenched as she changed into a blue dress and slipped on a pair of heels. Friday night had arrived and after a wonderful first week at work, Ana planned to enjoy herself. She wouldn’t pretend that Rick might not find her in Elizadale, but it would do her mental health no good if she spent every day worrying about it. She’d moved here so she wouldn’t have to live in fear, and she needed to remember that if she wanted to enjoy life.
But just because she wanted to celebrate her newfound happiness, that didn’t mean she’d let her guard down.
Ana fed Louis, then swung by Jackson Villa number one to pick up Isabella.
‘You look nice,’ Isabella said, locking her screen door with the key.
‘Thanks. So do you.’ Isabella always looked lovely in pastel dresses with her pale blonde hair cascading over her shoulders.
They strode to the footpath and waited for Meg, who looked stunning as she crossed the road in her skin-tight purple dress.
‘We’re going to catch some eyes tonight, ladies,’ Meg said.
They arrived at the Royal just as Lucy pulled up. It was the first time Ana had seen Lucy in a dress and she looked fantastic in the little black number. Together, they entered, and indeed caught the eyes of some men at the bar.
But there was only one man Ana was interested in.
Liam moved out of the booth with Michael to greet them and everything inside Ana shivered as his blue gaze absorbed her. He reached for her hand and bent to kiss her. ‘You look beautiful.’
Ana beamed. ‘Thank you.’
She sat beside him while Isabella and Lucy fetched drinks. Ana frowned as she glanced around the table. ‘I don’t know about you guys, but it doesn’t feel right without Adam here.’
Meg shrugged. ‘You’ll get used to it.’
Ana didn’t know about that. She liked Adam, but she didn’t approve of him fighting with Paul over something so pointless. And she hated to admit it, but her opinion of him had lessened since then. Adam was a charming man and she didn’t want to think of him in any negative context, but she couldn’t help it. The bottom line was she didn’t condone violence and it’d be nice to have an evening without tension raging between the Maguires and the Kellys.
Lucy and Isabella returned with drinks and settled into the booth. Jack told them what was happening on the farm and Lucy shared anecdotes about guests at the retreat. Then they spoke about Michael’s progress on The Bent Banana and his house, a subject that piqued Lucy and Isabella’s interest.
‘Granite benchtops are the way to go,’ Isabella said.
‘Definitely,’ Ana agreed. ‘They’re much nicer than laminate.’
‘You know that you live in the middle of nowhere, right?’ Jack said.
Michael shrugged. ‘Yeah, but a bit of luxury doesn’t hurt. I need to win a woman over one day.’
‘It’s lovely to have a nicely finished home,’ Isabella said. ‘Especially when you live rurally.’
‘Absolutely. The house sounds amazing, Michael,’ Ana said, looking forward to seeing Michael’s masterpiece complete. Then she remembered she didn’t plan to still be here and her heart sank.
‘It is.’ Isabella grinned. ‘Michael chose a gorgeous colour scheme. Lily and I helped him pick out paint and tiles.’
Michael smiled. ‘You were both a great help. God help me though when Lily wants a house.’
‘She wasn’t that bad.’
‘She’s bossy.’
Liam laughed. ‘That’s nothing we didn’t know before.’
‘Does she plan to set up a vet clinic here after uni?’ Ana asked.
Jack shrugged. ‘Apparently. Which isn’t a bad idea since the closest vet is in Mareeba. There are quite a few farms around so she’ll get enough business.’
Liam wrapped his arm around Ana’s shoulders. ‘You’d like Lily, Ana.’
‘I’m sure I will,’ she said, relaxing against him.
‘Is she coming home for her twenty-first, Jack?’ Lucy asked.
‘April isn’t a good time for her with exams.’
Lucy’s shoulders slumped. ‘That sucks.’
‘She’s having a party though,’ Isabella said. ‘She and her housemates are inviting people over.’
Jack frowned. ‘She didn’t tell me about a party. If she’s having one, I’ll probably go.’
‘It’s a Friday, so we could.’
Liam straightened. ‘If we take Mum and Dad’s LandCruiser, we can fit seven of us. Isabella can squeeze into the back and then no one will miss out.’
Ana smiled. ‘Lily would love that. And if it’s just a backyard party, don’t even tell her you’re coming. Just show up.’
Lucy gasped. ‘That’ll be so much fun! We could make a big deal about not being able to make it, then turn up and cry, “April Fools”!’
Ana laughed at Lucy’s excitement.
‘It couldn’t hurt to drive down for the day.’ Jack made it sound like a plan as he turned to Meg. ‘You want the last seat, darlin’?’
She smiled sadly. ‘I’ll have to work.’
‘So, you can’t either, Ana?’ Liam asked.
Surprised to be considered, Ana shook her head. ‘Perhaps someone who knows her should go. But it sounds exciting.’
The surprise element would be fun indeed. Natalia would be twenty-eight in October and even though it wasn’t a milestone age, Ana would love to surprise her if she had the opportunity. Perhaps she could turn up unexpectedly during the June holidays? Liam might even go with her.
But the thought of returning to Sydney ... Ana’s throat tightened. No, it wasn’t worth the risk.
Jack placed his beer down with a thud. ‘Should we order dinner?’
‘Yeah, order me the rib fillet, Jack,’ Michael said. ‘I’ll guard the booth.’
Sighing, Ana followed her friends into the bistro. ‘What are you going to have?’ she asked Liam.
‘I’m thinking the steak sandwich.’
‘Sounds good. Would the others think I’m weird if I eat dinner before I come?’
‘No. But who cares if they do?’
Ana nodded. Very true. ‘Well, I might have the garden salad again.’
‘All right. But ... hold on. I have an idea.’
Jack finished ordering and Liam approached the register. ‘Hey, Hayley. Could I speak to Tom for a sec?’
‘Ah ... I’ll check.’
Hayley poked her head through the kitchen door. Ana frowned as she glanced at Liam. What was he up to?
A man in a black cook’s uniform emerged from the kitchen, grinning and extending his hand to Liam. ‘Hey, mate. What’s up?’
‘Hey, Tom. I know you’re busy, but I was wondering if you could do me a favour?’ Liam gestured towards Ana. ‘Ana’s new in town and vegetarian. She’s been enjoying the salads, but do you maybe have something else you could whip up?’
Ana’s belly clenched. She’d never have thought to ask such a thing, but Liam seemed confident while Tom regarded her with thoughtful eyes.
‘You’re the new teacher,’ he said.
‘Yeah, I am.’
‘My niece Molly is in your class.’
Ana smiled. ‘She’s a sweet girl.’
‘She likes you a lot. But yeah, I can offer you something else.’ Tom frowned up at the board. ‘I guess our menu’s not very vegetarian-friendly.’
‘Your salads are delicious,’ she said, not wanting him to think otherwise.
‘But you’ll get bored if you eat them every time you come here. I could do you the chicken alfredo without the chicken? Or a pasta napolitana?’
Ana’s shoulders relaxed. She exchanged a glance with Liam and smiled. ‘You know, pasta napolitana sounds perfect.’
As Tom had a quick word with Hayley, Liam wrapped his arm around Ana’s waist. She leaned into him. ‘Thank you.’
‘No worries. In small towns, we look after each other.’
Yes, but it wasn’t just that. It was all Liam. And, heaven help her, it would break her heart to leave Elizadale.