Echoes Of The Past (Fermosa Bay #1) Read online

  Choking back a chuckle, he said, “Sunshine. This is like holidays. Sitting at the beach, driving along the coast, or having a barbeque in the forest. I would have to start all over again to find a job, to make money—”

  “Part of the hotels would be yours.”

  He shook his head. “The hotels are in good hands with Ethan and Niall.”

  She looked away, desperate to hold back the tears.

  “Emily.”

  She let out a long breath.

  “Sunshine, look at me.”

  Shaking her head, she opened the door, got out, and ran towards the house, tears blurring her sight. After a short struggle opening the door, she stepped inside and closed the door behind her. With her back against the wall, she slid down, closed her eyes to collect herself. Emily replayed the conversation over and over in her head and despite wanting him to be wrong, deep inside she knew he wasn’t.

  Damn him!

  She brushed her tears with her hand. Why was she in love with such a stubborn man? Why wasn’t he able to see that Australia was his home, that Fermosa Bay was his home?

  Letting out a whoosh of breath, she opened her eyes, and stood. She walked into her room, undressed, and headed into the bathroom for a long bath. Stepping into the warm scented water, she sank bit by bit into the tub. Resting her arms along the edges of the tub, she shut her eyes, drifting in the heat, thinking again about Connor.

  Emily thought about his dark, chocolate brown eyes…and the expression of anger and hurt in them when she briefly looked at him as she’d closed the car door. She thought of that one stubborn curl just above his ear. It’d been like that even when he’d been a kid.

  The sudden ache in her stomach told her she’d been so wrong to get angry with him. Or the situation. There was no way she’d move anywhere else but Fermosa Bay. Her whole life was here. Her whole history.

  How could she ask him to uproot himself, leave his mother, family, and friends behind? It didn’t matter whether his life had been memorable or not. It was his life. There was no way she should be angry with him for being hesitant to consider a life at this end of the world.

  Pinching her nose, Emily dunked her head under the water, letting it rush through her hair, before coming up for air.

  A few minutes later, she towelled herself dry before crawling into bed. But sleep didn’t come easy. Not only were there a multitude of emotions rushing through her, but there was also something building inside her.

  ***

  Connor was woken by the soft touch of a hand on his shoulder. With the help of the moonlight, he looked around to orientate himself. That’s when he saw Emily standing next to his bed.

  “Are you awake?”

  “I am now,” he groaned.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “What’s up, sunshine? What’s the time? Are you all right?”

  She placed a finger on his lips. “It’s just after two. I wasn’t able to sleep.”

  “So you thought you’d wake me?”

  Without looking at him, she took off her shoes, dropped her jeans to the floor, and then lifted the duvet. “Move over.”

  He blinked a couple of times when she crawled next to him into bed. Instinctively, he wrapped his arm around her, resting his chin on her head. He inhaled her scent, revelled in the feel of her, and swallowed down the temptation.

  “What’s up?” he asked again.

  “I didn’t mean to push you regarding staying here. And I didn’t mean to run off like that. It was stupid and immature.”

  “You came to apologise?”

  She leaned back to look at him, and he moved a stray strand of hair behind her ear. In the dimness of the moonlight her face seemed paper white beneath a dusting of freckles.

  “In the middle of the night?”

  “It bothered me.”

  Connor placed a kiss on her forehead. “Sunshine. I’m a big boy. I can handle female hormones…oompf—”

  He felt her elbow in his ribs.

  “My apologies have nothing to do with my hormones, Mr. Hot Shot, but everything to do with the fact that I did the wrong thing. It bothered me, and I’m here to apologise.”

  Rubbing his hand over his sore rib, he replied, “Still, not sure why you had to come in the middle of the night—”

  “Bee-cause. It. Bothered. Me.”

  “Okay, be that as it is, Emily, I know this is not easy. Fact is that it seems we have an instant attraction, and fact is, I need you to remember this is not for good. The last thing I want you—”

  “Ever the lawyer,” she said with a sigh.

  “What I’m trying to say is, I understood where your outburst was coming from.”

  She snuggled in even closer, and he was pretty sure she must’ve noticed his reaction to her nearness.

  They lay in the dark for a while until Emily broke the silence. “Do you think I’m a dreamer?”

  He thought about it, not sure what she was asking.

  “Do you think nurturing a crush on you all those years was foolish?”

  “It’s most certainly a big boost for my ego.”

  This time she slapped him on his stomach.

  “Will you stop it with the violence?”

  Emily laughed softly. “Can we agree on me knowing there’ll be a day when you will leave again? And you not worrying about my heart? I take full responsibility.”

  “What about my heart?” he asked, barely above a whisper.

  Her silence told him she hadn’t expected that kind of question. It even surprised him and as he gave it some thought, he didn’t know the answer to it, either. He wasn’t a man who casually slept with any woman, especially not after having known her only for a week. Yet, all this was different with Emily. Everything about her felt familiar and for a moment this familiarity startled him. Every touch, every move, every caress was if he’d known her for years. He hadn’t expected to feel so connected.

  “Connor?”

  “Hmm?”

  “Thanks.”

  Even though he wasn’t sure what she’d thanked him for, he whispered, “Anytime.”

  When Connor woke in the morning, he was alone in his bed with only Emily’s scent on the pillow and her side of the bed still warm.

  The sunlight was streaming in through the window. Another beautiful day.

  His first day to stop denying that he wanted to stay in Fermosa Bay.

  Chapter Six

  Connor had a quick shower, dressed, grabbed a cup of coffee, and joined Jack on the veranda. A slight mist lay over the ocean, and the breeze kept the temperature comfortable.

  “Good morning,” Jack said, his voice rough and croaky.

  Connor leaned back and stretched out his legs. “This is the perfect way to start a day,” he said.

  Jack nodded with a smile.

  They sat together in silence, enjoying the sounds of the sea, the rustling leaves, the birds, and each other’s presence.

  “I saw Emily leaving this morning.”

  Connor turned to his father. Not able to read his face, he didn’t reply.

  The old man took a long, deep breath. “Son, there’s so much I missed out on as a father. So many moments which should be engraved in a dad’s memory. The first day at school. The change from a child to a teenager, or listening to your son talk about his first heartbreak. Fighting while trying to explain road rules. Yelling at you because you came home late after a night out.”

  Connor wasn’t sure where this was going, but it didn’t go past him that the last sentence wasn’t a general statement anymore, but personal.

  “Sharing our first beer,” Jack continued. Then he turned, and their gazes met. “So whether you like it or not, you will have to listen to me as I will tell you all about the bees and the flowers.”

  Connor burst into laughter, and his heart warmed when he heard Jack joining him in this amusing moment.

  Jack took his hand and started with his story, which it seemed he had practised well over the years.


  Connor listened, a constant smile tugging at his lips. But he loved it. He loved the moment between them, but sadness spread within as he realised—again—how much he had missed out in his childhood. Moments like this. Sharing a laugh. Talking about bees and flowers. Sitting next to each other, enjoying the morning of a new day. Or on the spirit of the moment, going out for a barbeque.

  He’d never had that and despite knowing his mother had done well raising him the best she could, at that moment he felt anger towards her for taking all that away from him.

  “I’m sorry,” Connor whispered.

  Jack coughed, and Connor stood to get him some water. He waited patiently until Jack’s breathing settled.

  “I’m not a mean old man,” Jack said into the silence. “If you don’t want to stay, you don’t have to. The money is still yours, but I truly believe, even more so since you arrived, you belong here. Give this place a chance. Give yourself a chance.”

  Instead of saying what he felt, that he was more and more considering it, his sense for reality kicked in.

  “I’m a business lawyer—”

  Jack held up a hand. “I know. But both Ethan and Niall are prepared, or even expect you to move into the business. Ethan has a ton of ideas to use your knowledge and connections to expand.”

  Connor chuckled. “He hasn’t mentioned anything to me about that.”

  Jack shrugged. “He wants you to stay for the right reasons, not for business.”

  “And the right reason being?”

  “Loving this place. Making this your home.”

  Connor contemplated the thought as he took another sip, then said, “Three is usually a crowd.”

  His father shook his head. “They know you’re my son and you’re entitled. There’ll be set rules. But I trust you all to work it out.”

  Connor’s phone buzzed and he quickly checked the ID. It was his mother. Not sure whether to be relieved to have the conversation cut short, or annoyed, he said, “It’s Mother. I’d better take that one.”

  Jack nodded, stood, and headed back into the house.

  Taking a deep breath, preparing himself for another emotional rollercoaster, he answered the call.

  “How are you, darling?”

  “I’m doing very well, Mother. How are you?”

  “I miss you. When are you coming home?”

  The irony didn’t escape Connor. All those years when he lived only an hour away and she wouldn’t even call him, but only tell him a quick hello while in the office. All those years he’d been close by, but she’d never told him she missed him.

  “Mother, I’m not even over my jetlag, yet.” He leaned back and with a smile in his voice added, “And I’ve got the best intentions to enjoy this summer that little bit longer.”

  “Jack put you up to this.”

  His eyebrows shot up. “Put me up to what, Mother?”

  “Staying there over Christmas. Over New Year’s.”

  He laughed. “You’re being ridiculous. We haven’t spent Christmas together for…wow, at least the last fifteen years. Now you’re worried about me missing out on the Christmas celebration with you?”

  “Don’t you talk to me like that. I simply don’t like you being so far away from me.”

  “Get used to it. I’ll be a while longer down here. At least for the summer. Out of all people, you should know how beautiful this place is.”

  He must’ve hit a nerve, because she didn’t reply.

  “Mother,” he said, letting out a sigh. “I’m sorry.”

  “Duncan said Harriet was asking about you. I think some sun would do her well, too.”

  Connor stood, fury rushing through him. “Harriet and I are past. Don’t you dare send her here. I swear, if she shows up here, you’ll never see me again. Even when I come back to London.”

  “Connor, darling. What kind of stories is Jack telling you? This is no way to talk to your mother.”

  “Then keep Harriet out of this. We’re done. We’re over. Finito.”

  “I still believe—”

  Although he felt guilty straight away, he hung up on his mother. He expected a phone call from Duncan within the next ten minutes, reprimanding him on his behaviour, so he switched off the phone and went inside where he found Jack asleep on the lounge.

  ***

  It took Emily a moment to figure out where she was when she woke in the morning. Yet, instead of snuggling up to this hot body next to her, she remembered she had a few things to organise that day—mainly going to Melbourne with her mother to do some furniture shopping. Not that she was looking forward to it. A day in the big city was okay, but the drive with her mother wasn’t on her favourite list of things to do. Especially not if Jacqui found out where she’d spent the night. Not that it was any of her mother’s business.

  Well, not entirely anyway.

  She climbed out from underneath the sheets and put on her jeans and shoes before leaving. All the way back to her house she tried to replay her conversation with Connor. He’d been honest and fair, but had her stumped with the question, What about my heart? She wondered what he’d meant by that. Was she reading too much into it, or was he falling for her as much as she was for him?

  Was she falling for him?

  She rolled her eyes at herself, forcing herself to be honest.

  “For once be a hundred percent honest,” she murmured into the silence in car.

  Emily was well and truly past falling. She was in love with Connor. It was beyond a crush, beyond falling.

  And it felt good inside to know. It felt so good, her mouth curved into a smile, followed by a grin. Although he’d told her that he’d go back to London, until then she’d enjoy their time together. Stranger things had happened. Fermosa Bay might hook onto his heart, as well, and not let go.

  What about my heart?

  Emily parked, got into the house, and had a quick shower before having some breakfast. She checked the time and knew her father would drop her mother off soon. God only knew what kind of excuse he’d come up with for not going to look for the new couch for their lounge room, but it hadn’t taken much convincing for her to drive to Melbourne. She’d be able to do most of her Christmas shopping in one day.

  She grabbed her phone and sent a text to Connor.

  Your heart will be in good hands with me as long as you let me xxx

  There was a smile on her face all day. Even the drive to Melbourne with her mother, the struggle to find a parking spot, or the in and out of shops to look at all sorts of different furniture wasn’t able to take that smile off her face.

  She was in love. And it felt good.

  “Do you have time for coffee?” her mother asked as they were about to drive into the last town before Fermosa.

  She turned and looked at her mother questioningly.

  Her mother shrugged. “Well, last time you ran off on me.”

  Emily focussed back onto the road and with a little sigh, she said, “I’m sorry.”

  “There,” Jacqui said suddenly, pointing to a small café along the road. “My treat.”

  With her heart still racing after her mother’s sudden shout, Emily set the blinker and parked in a little parking bay.

  They went inside and ordered coffee, and because Emily felt like it, she ordered a piece of chocolate cake as well. It reminded her of Connor.

  She was grateful the place wasn’t crowded. Which on the other hand made her suspicious, considering it was the height of the tourist season. It was pretty, though, and inviting. The big window front overlooked the beach. Most of the décor had a beach theme and the furnishings were white and turquoise.

  “Darling, tell me about this constant smile on your face.”

  Emily took a piece of her cake with the fork and without looking up, she said, “We’ve been through this, Mum.”

  The shadow on the table told her that Jacqui had nodded her head. “It’s Connor. Darling—”

  “Leave it be.” Emily looked up and met her mot
her’s gaze. “Please.”

  “I just want—”

  “The best for me. I know. And I appreciate it. I really do.”

  Jacqui shook her head. “You’ve never forgotten about him. I always wondered.”

  Emily swallowed. “I can’t help you with that answer or question either. I know I’ve been the talk of the town for dreaming about a little boy who I only knew as a child.”

  “You weren’t—”

  “I was and you know it. It drove you insane. And it drives you insane now that he’s here, and I’m with him.”

  Placing a hand on her daughter’s, Jacqui said, “Please, let me finish this sentence.” With her head slightly tilted to the side, she met Emily’s gaze. “Yes, you were best friends when you were little. Yes, you spent a lot of time with him as a child. And yes, you missed him dearly. But may I be so frank and say that most of your admiration came from talking to Jack. You were the one who listened to him as he grieved for his son. And then you carried these stories with you all your life. He was a child then and is an adult now.”

  “And I like the adult that he is now just as much as I remember liking him when he was a child.” Emily sighed. “Mum, he could be John Doe for all I care. The reason we clicked so quickly is because we have things to talk about. There’s no awkward getting-to-know-you moment.” She placed her fork on the table and took her mother’s hand with both of hers. “I know what I’m doing, Mum. Connor and I are aware that his life is in London.”

  “He’ll break your heart.”

  Shaking her head, she replied, “It’ll be all on me. It wouldn’t be fair to blame him.”

  Emily removed her hands from her mother’s and leaned back. Her gaze went out the window where she watched the waves gently break and lap on to the shore.

  Even if her heart got broken, it’d always have his memories in it.

  When they finally got back to Fermosa Bay late that afternoon, Emily dropped off her mother and then made her way home. She was tired. Shopping had never been her favourite pastime, but the idea that she’d been able to cross off most of the presents on her Christmas list gave her some satisfaction. She took a shower and whipped up a quick dinner before getting comfortable in front of the television. The screen on her phone told her she’d missed a few calls. Quickly flicking through them, she decided she’d call them the next day. She felt too tired to talk to anybody.