She walked out of his house, her butt swinging sexily as she strode to the truck in the early-morning haze.
Nathan watched her walk away and wondered if he should call her back or run after her. Fear and common sense made him stand his ground, and the woman walking away no longer looked like Libby. In his mind, he saw Eliza picking up her suitcase and walking out the door. His heart clenched in his chest when he heard the car door slam, and he tried to tell himself he’d done the right thing. He turned and walked back into the house.
Chapter 9
The kids were in the kitchen attempting to make their own breakfast when she got home. Libby breezed in, took over and sat them down while she made French toast and bacon. “After breakfast we’re going to move Tom’s things into the house and you can choose his room.” She smiled at the looks they all gave her. Winton was the first to speak up.
“You know he’s going to make a fuss over it, eh, Libby?”
“Yeah, I know. I’m up to it though.” She smiled. “Eat up, and let’s get to it.”
“Mum, I have to do the lambs first.” Holly looked at her with her serious expression and Libby melted. Her little girl had taken on the role of surrogate mother so well.
“’Course you do, baby.” Libby ruffled her hair. “We’ll go and do that before you guys choose Tom’s room.”
Libby dished up breakfast and sat with the kids, her appetite suddenly like a wildfire that had to be doused. Foreplay did that to her—even after all these years apparently.
“Tom is going to spit.” Josh scuffed his shoes in the dirt as they all stood waiting for Tom to come home.
“Mum’ll sweet talk him.” Holly laughed and bounced around with the pup at her feet. “Just you watch.”
The four of them stood in the driveway when Nathan drove up with Tom. Libby walked around to the passenger side of the vehicle and opened the door.
“Hey, handsome.” She took the older man’s hand.
“Hey, yourself.” He smiled wanly as she helped him from the vehicle.
She tried not to let the tears get away on her, but when he was wrapped in her arms, she lost the battle.
“There, there, Lib. It’s okay.” He soothed her as he rubbed her back with his good hand.
“I know that.” She hiccupped, wiping her hand across her face and sniffed loudly. “It’s just such a relief to have you back.”
“Well, it’s been a long time since such a pretty woman has missed me, I’ll tell you.”
“You’re home now, and that’s all that matters.” She turned to Nathan. “Thanks for bringing him home. Can I offer you a cup of coffee?” Libby turned on her charm as if nothing had happened this morning, and they were best friends.
The look he gave her could have melted paint but she held her ground.
“Thanks, I won’t say no.” Nathan surprised her after his snappy attitude earlier this morning. He followed them into the house and took a seat at the kitchen table. Holly had walked with her hand snuck into Tom’s, and she sat next to him.
Libby went about making the coffee with a surprising bounce in her step. Tom was home, and she was so relieved...but that wasn’t all of it. Nathan was at her table, and the thought thrilled her. He acted like a jerk, but she had a sneaking suspicion he was covering up his true thoughts. I know he has feelings for me; that much was obvious from his body’s reaction this morning. I just have to convince his brain to follow. His ehaviour that morning had left her feeling like a young girl in love again, not a lover scorned even though she’d stormed away from him. Although she should have been upset by his ehaviour, she wasn’t. The drive home had made it all clear to her. Nathan wasn’t immune to her, and she was going to make sure they got into bed, the sooner the better. Libby knew he was confused, and that added to her delight. She would have him eating out of her hand if it was the last thing she did. Things were going to change around here now that he was no longer in charge, and the thought tickled her down to her toes.
Libby poured coffee for the men and juice for the kids, then cut some cake and passed the plate around. She leaned into Nathan as she offered him a slice, feeling how his body stiffened when she touched him.
“It’s so good to have you back home, Tom, where you belong.” Libby took a seat next to him, opposite Nathan.
“I was only gone one night.” Tom’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
“Still, it’s not the same when one of our family members is missing.” Libby cleared her throat. “Just so you know, we moved Winton into the house yesterday, and your stuff is in the room at the end of the hallway.” She held her hand up as Tom started to protest. “No, don’t argue with me, Tom. My mind is made up. You’re part of this family, and I will not have you living in the sheds when you could be in one of the perfectly good bedrooms.”
“No point arguing.” Josh grinned at him as he and Winton walked into the kitchen. “I know from experience that when Mum wants something, nothing you do will change her mind, eh, Winton.”
“I tried to talk her out of it, Tom, but as Josh
