‘I can’t believe it!’ Gloria held Clover’s hands in her own and looked up at her daughter with sparkling eyes from the hospital bed. Her hold was weak, but warm. Her joy so infectious, a smile lit Clover’s face and she beamed down at her mother.
‘My daughter. Married. To such a handsome man!’ Gloria looked between the two of them, excitement pulsing in the air.
‘And she didn’t tell me she was paying for it.’
Clover nudged Liam. ‘I found it easy to accept now you don’t have a job.’
Liam sent Clover a round-eyed stare. ‘Not for long. We have a new business to set up.’
Gloria frowned. ‘New business?’ She put a hand to her forehead. ‘Things are moving too fast.’
Liam smiled. ‘We’re franchising “Four-Leaf Clover”. Winning formula. Fantastic new recipes. But first, things are going to change for you too.’
Clover explained the work going on at the house, the extra finishes that were being built to help her mother at home, and the nurse and aide she was going to hire to watch her mother while she was out.
‘Tell me how all this happened? It sounds too good to be true,’ Gloria exclaimed.
Clover laughed, telling her mother about the sale of her recipes and Liam’s part in making sure she was paid for them. She omitted how it came about, that was something she didn’t need to worry about. At least now, Clover could take comfort that she could look after her mother with the best of care given her physical state. The longer she could keep Gloria at home, the better it would be.
And she didn’t have to deal with slime-bucket Lenny. She paid him out with enough money left over to trademark the new recipes she created for their new business venture.
Things had fallen into place with the café. Holly was more than happy to manage it, and with a chef and waitress to work there too, she wouldn’t be run off her feet. Clover watched Liam. Thanks to him, it had all worked out.
Not wanting to exhaust her mother, Clover made sure she had everything she needed and together they went back to the café.
Liam opened the door, letting Clover in before him. As they walked through the door, a lone man stood from one of the tables. He looked a little worse for wear. His clothes were crumpled from their usual crisp lines, his hair was tousled and his shoulders sagged. He looked like a man life had defeated. A man Liam thought he’d never see this way. His father had always seemed infallible, but here, now, was the real man beneath the veneer.
‘Dad!’ Liam exclaimed.
Henry stood silently, hands loose at his sides. The look on his face said it all. Liam looked at his father. Really looked. And this time he didn’t see the hard-ass business man, the pinnacle of a billion dollar company. He saw a lonely, ageing man who didn’t have the empathy in him to hold a family together, let alone have a meaningful, adult relationship with someone who would love him back.
He wasn’t angry any more. He was…sad. Liam walked to him. Henry stiffened. Liam shook his head. Always ready for a fight. He placed his hands on Henry’s shoulders, and for the first time in years, hugged him. Hugged him until Henry relaxed and took Liam in a burly bear-hug.
This was what having a relationship was all about. Not a battle of wills, one dominant over the other, but a levelling of understanding. Of empathy.
Liam pulled away, but kept his hands on his father shoulders. Saw the mist in Henry’s eyes and wondered how long it had been since he’d been hugged.
‘I didn’t think you’d do that,’ Henry said.
‘What did you think I was going to do? You’re my father, not my enemy,’ Liam said.
‘I’ve…been foolish. I shouldn’t have done what I did. It was wrong. I should have listened to you. Can you forgive the ravings of an old man like me?’
‘You didn’t rave. Well, not as much as you usually do.’ Liam threw him a quick smile.
Henry grew serious. ‘I want you to come back to the business.’
‘I know. But I’m not. There’s other things I need to do and Connor is more than up to the challenge. Give him the experience that I had.’
‘It’s because of me,’ Henry said.
He’d finally found a place in the world where he was happy. And if it meant chipping away from the start again, with Clover at his side, then he was more than happy to do it.
‘There are a lot of reasons, Dad. I’ll tell you about them one day.’
Henry’s gaze slipped to Clover. He watched her, assessing. ‘Is it because of Clover?’
Lima was surprised Henry remembered her name. He’d listened more than Liam thought. Liam sighed. ‘More because of myself.’
Henry’s gaze shifted to Liam. ‘The boy becomes a man. Then I’m happy for you. Happy for your decision.’
Henry reached and shook Clover’s hand. ‘I’m sorry for my behaviour. Can we start again? This time, I’ll just be Liam’s father and not anyone else.’
Clover smiled and shook his hand. ‘It is a pleasure to meet you.’
Henry crumbled. Just seemed to cave in on himself. He looked at Liam. ‘Your mother was an outstanding woman.’
High words from a man like Henry. ‘I know she loved you, Dad…I have found someone who loves me for myself. Just like Mum was for you’
‘Then you’re a lucky man.’
Liam beamed at Clover and took her hand in his. ‘More lucky than you think. She’s agreed to be my wife.’ Liam tensed, ready for Henry’s cutting remark. But it never came. Surprised, Liam saw that Henry had his eyes locked on Clover. He felt a tremor in her hand and squeezed her fingers. She didn’t back down, but kept her eyes levelled at Henry. She was a proud woman. A fighter. Another reason why Liam loved her so much.
Henry’s face relaxed and a smile curved his mouth. The years drained out of him as the grin changed his features. ‘Anyone who has the love of a woman like her is a lucky man. I’m glad you’ve found more than I have.’
‘I think we all need a cup of coffee.’ Clover winked at Liam. ‘And a muffin.’
‘Do you have any of those muffins with the cream cheesy icing on top with the strawberry?’ Henry asked, reminding Liam of the man he’d once known as his father.
Clover laughed. ‘How about I serve up one of each.’
‘Oh, that sounds…delicious,’ Henry said.
Liam whispered to his father. ‘Just one thing. Don’t give the position to Ray.’
Henry laughed. ‘I’m not going to listen to that man again.’
Liam stepped into the kitchen, catching Clover in his arms, pressing her back into his chest. He dipped his head, placing a kiss on her neck. ‘You smell delicious.’
Clover laughed, ‘If you don’t stop that, I’ll have muffins all over the floor.’ The trays she balanced in each hand wobbled when he kissed her again.
‘Have I told you how much I love you?’
‘Not in last five minutes.’ Clover tilted her head so that he could kiss her again. Which he did. Gladly. Clover placed the trays on the bench and turned in his arms, hooking her hands over his shoulders. Her smile was bright enough to light a city. ‘Have I told you how much I love you?’
‘Not in the last five minutes, but you have a lifetime to tell me.’ He dipped his head catching her in a deep, slow kiss. His body responded with lightning speed, instantly hungry for her. He broke the kiss, heart thudding as he looked into her deep, soulful eyes. ‘I love you Clover,’ he murmured.
Clover smiled. ‘I love you back. Later I’ll show you how much, but now I have a tray full of muffins and hungry men to feed them to. Which one would you like to taste?’ She brought the tray between them and he savoured the delicious smell of them. A quick smile curved his mouth.
‘First, I’ll have the chocolate.’ He kissed her cheek. ‘Then I’ll have the blueberry.’ He kissed the corner of her mouth. ‘Then, I’ll have you.’ He took her lips in his, sealing their love with a kiss. And she didn’t object at all.