Every goddamn house we’ve seen she’s loved – most I’ve hated. There was only one that we both agreed on. It’s a street away from her parents with a view to die for, and the security system is top of the line. I’d be happy for her to live alone here. Now she’s talking about sharing with Sarah, something I think’s a great idea. That way they can look out for each other and if at any time they needed help, her parents are just a few houses away. The deck on the back of the house has a view over the bay and Woody Island. It’s a place that just begs you to stay and enjoy the view, even has glass doors which can be closed in winter to block the wind without blocking the view. This will surely be the entertaining space and most popular area in the house. Haven’s more impressed with the master bedroom, mainly the huge walk in robe and master bathroom. I don’t think she’s even looked at the rest of the house. Saw the master suite and decided she wanted it and put in an offer immediately. I must admit the whole house was built with the best materials and would definitely be out of my price range, but I’m happy for her as she signs the documents. If this is going to make her feel comfortable, secure and ensure that she stays around, then I’m all for it.

We stop in so she can share her good news with her parents, who welcome Amelia and I like long lost family. Milly loses her battle with sleep after her tiring weekend and falls asleep on their sofa as we chat. Lifting her tiny body into my arms I strap her into her car seat and promise to help Haven with the move in two weeks, not that she has anything to move at the moment. She needs to go furniture shopping, planning a trip to Perth to coincide with some stock buying next weekend.

Farm work keeps me busy as I spend every hour I can planting the crop and seeing to the stock.

Haven is never far from my mind it seems. The memory of her in my arms sleeping the night of the races brought back so many pictures of her as a teenager, her body developing into a woman’s while I lusted after it every time I was close to her. I thought that we’d be together forever, that I’d be making love to her for the rest of my days and I would have been fine with that. I never looked at another woman while we were together and for months after she left. I couldn’t believe that anyone else could make me feel the way she did. That was until Kelsey came along and stole my heart completely, pushing Haven’s memory to the back of my mind – the space reserved for your first girlfriend, your first love – your first heartbreak.

Sarah decided to take Haven up on her offer to share the house so we all spend the weekend moving furniture from her unit to the new house and rearranging the furniture that Haven bought in Perth. After lifting and moving stuff all day, I decide that maybe farm work isn’t so tiring after all. I’d hate to be doing this for a living and I consider myself pretty fit and strong. Though my back muscles don’t think so right now.

“Haven?” I hear called from the front door. “Knock, knock.”

“Mrs. Montgomery, come on in. She’s in making her bed I think.” I tell her as I flop down on the sofa and watch Micah connect up the TV and stereo for them.

“Righto then. I’ll go and give her a hand if you could pop this champagne in the fridge for me?

I thought we needed to christen the house with a bottle of Dom.” She says, handing me the bottle. “Where’s that husband of mine? Always MIA when there’s hard work to be done.” She scoffs.

“Umm I think he went to pick up some Chinese food for dinner.” Just as I finish saying the words he walks in laden down with food.

“Hey Love. Come to join us?” he says with a laugh and a nod to the food.

“After I help Haven. I’ll be back in a sec.”

I get up and go to the kitchen, searching through the pile of boxes for the plates that I know are in one of them. I set the table and go check on the girls, hoping they’re ready for dinner. Sarah nods to me as I poke my head in her bedroom door. “I’m done and I can smell the food from here. Be there in a minute.”

Moving on to Haven’s room I lean against the door jamb, crossing my arms over my chest casually as I watch them move as a team making the king sized bed. “Food’s here. You guys nearly done?” I ask as I straighten up and move towards the large bed.

“Yep. All done.” Haven says, placing the pillows neatly. I take my opportunity and dive bomb onto the bed wriggling around and messing it up, whilst laughing my head off at their startled expressions.

“What the hell do you think you’re doing Dalton???” she admonishes me, trying to stifle her laughter. “Get off my bed, you big ape!”

I laugh harder as she grabs my arm and tries to pull me off the bed. I flick my arm down and pull her with it, sending her face down on the quilt beside me.

“Okay. Well I’m hungry so I’m going to eat. You two kids need to remake this bed now.”

“Mum!! Help me!” Haven cries desperately, eyes pleading.

“Nope. You handled him for years, you’re on your own Sweetie.” Her mother says laughing loudly, as she walks away.

“Get off my bed!” She says, trying to move me by kicking my legs. Her effort’s in vain as she barely moves me an inch. Dissolving into laughter she tries to push me with her hands – again with no effect. I grab her around the waist and pin her down like I used to when we were young and would rough house like this.

“So help me Dalton...get off me!” She says, tears of laughter filling her eyes.

“Nope.” I say looking down with a grin.

“Get off me before I scream loudly!”

“Nope. Not happening.” I say with a shake of my head. “You have to say “Dalton is a stud and a chick magnet and king of the world!””

Looking up at me with a wide smirk she laughs, “You’ve got to be joking. I won’t lie on the first day in my new house.”

“Then here we stay until you get so hungry you have to say it or you need to pee. I can wait.”

“What if you need to pee?”

“Oh damn. Now I’m thinking about it – I do. Shit.”

Throwing myself to the side I quickly walk to her en-suite, leaving her to straighten the bed...again.

A loud banging on the front door startles me as I leave her bedroom. She didn’t say she was expecting anyone but I’m not her keeper. I look to her as she hurries to the door and pulls it open. Something makes me stop where I am – hidden from view. My instincts tell me that pounding wasn’t a friendly neighbour welcoming her.

“Bout bloody time. I’ve been standing here for ages waiting for someone to answer the frickin’ door!” a male voice says harshly. From where I stand I can see Haven pale as if she’s seen a ghost. Moving quietly behind her I stay out of sight hidden behind the half open door and wait to see her reaction to this dickhead. I have no idea who he is but right now he’s incredibly close to being knocked out cold if he talks to her like that again.

“Ben!” She says quietly, the remaining colour draining from her face. “What are you doing here? What do you want?”

“Is that any way to talk to your brother-in-law? Where’s my warm welcome and my hug huh?”

“I...I...How did you find me? Why are you here?” she asks again, taking a step back from the door and I can see her trembling as she does so.

Stepping out from the shadows I stand behind her, lifting my hands to her shoulders in support. She jumps- startled at the touch.

“Can I help you?” I ask, glaring at him over her shoulder. This fuckwit must be Ryan’s brother, but what the hell is he doing here and what does he want from Haven?

“Who the fuck are you?” He asks in surprise. “Oh, I see now. You’ve moved on already and my brother isn’t even in his grave a few months. I always knew you had someone on the side Bitch.” Looking at me, he snarls the last sentence.

“I don’t know who you think you are, but you’d better leave right now. Nobody gets to talk to her like that. Now shove off and don’t bother bloody coming back.” I say, leaning forward to grip the door so I can close it. Just as I slam it in his face, I hear him yell, “I’m not going anywhere, Mate. Not till I get some justice for my brother. She fucking killed him, she needs to pay! I’ll make sure her name is mud around here before I’m done. She killed him and I know it!”

Trying to ignore him, I turn her around in my arms and hug her closely. She’s stood here throughout the exchange not saying a word. I can still feel her shaking badly as she sags in my arms. Lifting her, I carry her to the lounge and quickly explain to everyone what happened. Her mother’s the first to move to her side, as her father and Micah make a beeline for the front door. He’s already disappeared into the darkness. We can only hope he stays there. Why the hell would he be here bothering her anyhow? Didn’t she say that his family lived in Victoria? I wrack my brain trying to remember what she told me about his family, other than they were leeches and she didn’t get on with them, I draw a blank.

Sarah brings her a glass of wine which she gulps down rapidly before handing it back for a refill with shaking hands.

Oh this is not good. Not good at all.

“Honey. Wanna explain what he’s doing here? That was Ryan’s brother wasn’t it?” her mother asks softly.

Haven nods her head slightly, still not saying anything.

“Did you know he was in town?” she asks quietly, pushing stray hair from Haven’s face.

She shakes her head and takes another large gulp of the wine Sarah hands her. Her hands are still trembling and she uses both of them to steady the glass.

“Haven?” I say, getting her attention. “I don’t know what he wants but I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to stay here with him around. He looks like trouble...and he seems to have come a long way to track you down. I’d feel better if you stayed out at the farm for a while till he leaves. You too Sarah, if you want.”

Micah immediately says, “I’ll stay with Sarah. That bastard won’t get such a polite greeting if he shows his face here again, I can guarantee it.”

“Ok but I’d be happier if Haven came out and stayed with Milly and me for a while, till we can track him down and have a chat with him ourselves Micah.”

“Yeah, that’s a good idea. He wouldn’t have a clue where to find her out there. She’d be safe here with Micah staying but I’d be grateful if you’d take her with you Dalton. She’s safer out there I think.” Her mother says, watching Haven for her reaction. When there isn’t any, I begin to really worry. It’s like she’s gone into shock. That bastard has a lot of explaining to do...and sooner or later we’ll get him to explain it to us, man to man.