“So, are you going back to Sydney, or are you going to follow your heart and stay here?”
“As I said, it’s not that easy. I have a contract with the studio for the series that I either have to fulfil or get out of. My boss is a pretty nice guy, but this is a cut throat business.” A sigh escaped her lips. “I emailed him and asked for a meeting in Sydney in a couple of weeks. Being the person I am, I can’t bear the thought of letting him down. I need to go home and sort it out before I can let myself fall into a relationship with Blake.”
“Isn’t it a bit late for that? Looks like you’ve already fallen for the guy.”
“Yes well, it’s like you, I guess. You don’t get a say in who pushes your buttons in love. I tried not to fall for the man, but I seem to be losing that fight. The kids reeled me in easily too. Guess it’s all part and parcel of the man’s charm that also shines in his children. I think I’ve fallen rather hard. That’s what I’m afraid of, to be honest, but I have to do things this way or I’ll never be able to settle down and enjoy life. I hate the thought of letting anyone down.”
“But what will Blake think? Won’t you be letting him down going back to Sydney?”
“It’s not like that. I mean I only came out here for six weeks. We both knew that. Just because we’ve fallen for each other doesn’t mean I can stay here ignoring everything I’ve left behind.” She fiddled with the sachet of sugar on the saucer beside the coffee. “He’ll have to understand, because for me there is no other way to do this.”
“I guess so.” Sara called the girls over. “I hope it works for you, Delilah, I really do. The kids adore you, and it looks as though the feeling is mutual, especially with this little lady anyway.”
Lilly and Tara ran up to the table and grabbed their milkshakes, giggling as only little girls can. After a couple of sips, they exchanged grins and ran away again to the playground.
“We will have to do this more often, I think. Make sure you bring Lilly when you come over for the next morning tea fundraiser. Tara will complain if you don’t, I know she will.”
“Fair enough. I will, thanks.”
* * *
On the drive home, she pondered over Sara’s advice and that of Sue’s from the other day. Lilly must have run herself ragged because she was asleep before they hit the highway home. She looked cute with her little pink glasses perched on her nose, sleeping peacefully. Delilah decided to try and talk to Blake after the children were put to bed that night. She needed to ease him into the idea of her returning to Sydney to sort out her contract issues. Surely he would understand. Leaving him in the lurch didn’t make her feel very good, but there was supposed to be another nanny arriving soon anyway. Now the shearing was finished, surely they could cope for a week or so until she arrived.
Lilly woke up as they drove over the cattle grid. She raised her hand to rub her eyes and realized she still had on her new glasses. A smile broke out over her face and a wash of heat settle in Del’s heart. She was going to miss this little lady while she was away. I hope she isn’t too young to understand why I’m going back. I’ll have to sit down and have a chat with the both of them soon. I don’t want them to think I’m abandoning them.
Blake drove up on the tractor with a large round bale of hay for the sheep just as she pulled into the shed. He grinned and jumped down to open her door. With a quick glance at his little girl, he dropped a kiss on Del’s lips before moving to help Lilly from the car.
“Look at you, princess. You look very pretty with your new glasses.” He undid her seat belt and carried her out of the car.
“Yes, and I can see everything now, Daddy,” she murmured sleepily.
His face clouded for an instant and Delilah’s heart broke for him. She placed a consoling hand on his back and leaned into him. “Don’t torture yourself. She’s fine now. That’s the main thing.”
He turned his head and smiled, albeit a little sadly. “I know you’re right, but still—”
“No buts.” Del let her hand slide down his back to cup his denim clad butt, squeezing firmly. “Except this one.”
He laughed and hooked an arm around her shoulders. “You are going to pay for that one tonight, ready or not. It’s time to get back to normal now the shearers have gone.”
She swallowed. Telling him could wait another day, surely. Her body heated with the memory of their last encounter and she wanted more.
“And this time I want you in my bed.” He kissed the sensitive spot under her ear and put Lilly down. “I have work to do still. See you ladies at dinner time.”
Del watched him walk away with a swagger that spoke volumes to her lusty body.
“Are you going to be my new mummy?” Lilly grabbed her leg and looked up at her, the small pink glasses still sitting crooked on her button nose. Delilah reached down and straightened them.
“Um…honey, we need to talk about that some more. Let’s go up the house and get sorted shall we?” Panic set in and Delilah hurried to the house, breathing heavily as her heart pounded.
Mummy. She hadn’t gotten that far with the visions in her mind of how it would all pan out if she stayed and committed to a relationship. Why not, Del? What the hell were you thinking you were going to be to the kids? You can’t stay
