keep a straight face. Her lovely brown eyes were alight with laughter. ‘And a reprimand where it’s not. I’m sure, as the new director, you’d agree, Luke.’
‘I do agree.’ Luke smiled, sending a promise of private retribution in his gaze.
Her answering smirk had his overworked pulse leaping about in anticipation.
His father’s expression eased into a relieved grin. ‘As long as the two of you are working it out.’
Luke could see Terri’s teasing had been a thousand times more effective than all his attempts to soothe his father’s concerns.
‘Now, can I show Terri the garden?’ said Allie in long-suffering tones.
‘Sure,’ said Luke. ‘Don’t be too long, though. Dinner’s nearly ready.’
‘Come on, Terri.’ Allie took Terri’s hand and tugged her along the path.
As they disappeared round the side of the house, his father said, ‘Perhaps I should go, too. Terri might appreciate my tips for growing roses.’
‘Perhaps another time, Dad.’ With only the smallest trace of guilt Luke handed the wine bottle to his father. ‘Terri brought this. Would you mind putting it on ice?’
He set off down the path after Terri and Allie, leaving his father to draw his own conclusions.
‘Oh, this is gorgeous,’ said Terri, when she saw the neatly laid-out garden.
‘Dad put up the arch and we both planted the rose. See, it’ll grow up all over the trellis.’ Allie waved her hands expansively to demonstrate. ‘I put in the little plants where Granddad said. And we have this bench. Come and try it.’ Allie sat on the concrete seat and patted the area beside her. ‘There’s thyme on the ground underneath. It grows flat so when you stand on it, it smells nice.’
‘You’ve all done a fabulous job.’ The fresh clean aroma of the herb rose to greet Terri as she sat on the bench.
‘Yes.’ Allie’s face held deep satisfaction. ‘Dad said Mummy would like it.’
‘I’m sure he’s right,’ Terri said, a lump in her throat. Sue-Ellen had been a much-loved wife and mother. What a wonderful epitaph to have earned.
‘Yes.’ Allie leaned sideways and rested her head on Terri’s upper arm.
The simplicity of the moment was a gift that had Terri’s heart stuttering. A snug, warm band tightened around her chest as she looked down on the dark head.
‘And how are
‘I’m good. Daddy said you and him might go out sometimes.’
‘Did he?’ Terri swallowed. ‘Well, we might. Is that okay with you?’
‘I think it’d be cool and I’d be able to come, too, sometimes, wouldn’t I? Like today with the plants.’
‘Of course. I’d like that.’
Terri looked up and saw Luke. He’d propped one shoulder against the smooth trunk of a gum, hands in the pockets of his jeans. He’d obviously showered and changed not long before she’d arrived because his hair was still dark and spiky with dampness.
His face, as he looked at Allie, glowed with love and pride. But when he moved his eyes to her, Terri read something different altogether. Dangerous. Seductive. Irresistible.
Her heart jolted, her defences crumbling. In that moment she realised she had little hope of protecting herself against this man and his daughter. By sharing themselves so unconditionally, they’d made a serious chink in her armour.
It was more than she’d ever thought she’d have in her life.
More than she deserved.
A shadow passed over her spirits. Would she end up letting them down, failing them in some way she couldn’t predict?
She would have to make sure she didn’t.
Terri worked her magic effortlessly on his whole family, Luke realised as he looked around the table a couple of hours later.
He took a sip of wine as he watched his mother. Her face was alight with laughter at something Terri had said as the two of them stacked the dishes from the meal.
His mother obviously adored Terri…and this from the woman who’d given him and Kevin such a hard time about their motorcycles.
Carrying a pile of plates, Terri set off towards the house. Luke ran his fingers absent-mindedly over the rounded belly of his wineglass and down the stem to the base as his eyes followed her slender figure. She moved gracefully with effortless elegance. Womanly curves, nicely proportioned. Long, long legs. He suppressed the urge to gulp. Altogether a
‘Earth to Luke?’ He started slightly and glanced up to find his sister standing beside him, a grin on her face. ‘Have you finished with your glass?’
He handed it over silently and Megan walked after his mother and Terri.
His sister. Another member of his family under Terri’s spell. It was Megan who had sensed that Terri might help Allie. By taking her down to visit at the beach cottage, a link had been established between his daughter and the woman who had saved her life only a matter of days later. That link had set up the trust that had enabled Allie to confide her agonising guilt and set her on the road to recovery.
His father had thawed completely after Terri’s banter. Anxiety that she felt displaced by the hospital board’s decision was understandable. At least now, with concern eased, Luke would be able to get a better idea of how the man was coping psychologically after the heart attack. It was a relief because the faint ongoing hostility hadn’t been good for any of them.
They were all putty in Terri’s hands-including himself. Any way she wanted to handle him was just fine with him. Any way at all. The sooner the better for his sanity…
‘Nice girl.’ His father broke into his thoughts. ‘Something special.’
Luke swallowed and hoped the rush of heat warming his face wasn’t visible in the dusk. He yanked his thoughts back into line and looked across at the older man.
‘Terri,’ his father clarified, arching one eyebrow at him.
Luke cleared his throat. ‘Yes, she is.’
‘Allie likes her.’
‘She does.’
‘So does your mother.’
‘Mmm.’ Luke looked into his father’s interested gaze. ‘What are you getting at, Dad?’
‘Nothing. Just making an observation.’ Will brushed the leg of his shorts. ‘Your mother would like to do some travelling.’
‘Would she?’ It was a curious segue. Luke wondered what was coming next.
‘She’s been at me again to retire.’
‘Has she? How do you feel about that?’
‘I used to think it was a ridiculous idea.’ He sighed then continued after a moment, ‘But since the heart attack…’
‘You’re thinking about it seriously, then?’
‘Today, anyway.’ A wry smile curled his father’s mouth. ‘Maybe tomorrow I’ll change my mind. Anyway, I thought I’d float the idea at you, just in case. I’m sure the board would look favourably on you taking the director’s job permanently. If you wanted it.’
‘Okay. Thanks for the heads up.’
‘Would you want it?’
‘I’m not sure, Dad. I’d have to think about it. Sound Allie out. I promised her we’d only be here for a year.’
‘She seems to have settled in.’
‘She has now.’
There was a companionable silence for a few minutes and then his father said, ‘Well, it’s something for you to think about.’
‘Yes, it is.’
The back door opened and Terri came out with a coffee pot in hand. Allie, her faithful shadow, was beside
