Kate nodded and let go of his hand.
"Why don't you get the quilt from your bed and drag it out here?" Adrian suggested.
Kate brightened but then peered toward her semi-dark bedroom in concern.
"Let me help," Libby said. "This sounds like fun." Hoping she wasn't intruding, she walked over and took Kate's hand, leading her into the bedroom. She glanced back at Adrian and he mouthed ‘thanks' before heading for his room.
Libby flicked the switch, flooding the room with light, and together they stripped the quilt off the bed. Dragging it into the living area, they arranged it on the couch and then Kate hunted through her DVD collection until she found the cartoon she wanted.
"Do you think your uncle would like a drink?" Libby asked.
Kate paused, tongue between her teeth. "He'd probably like a hot chocolate and something to eat." She headed for the kitchenette.
For the next ten minutes they prepared a small meal and a hot drink for Adrian. By the time Adrian reappeared it was ready and presented nicely on the coffee table.
"We made you something to eat," Kate announced, slipping her hand into Adrian's and leading him to the meal.
Adrian whistled softly. "That looks great. Thanks, kiddo."
Libby went to the table and picked up her laptop bag. "I'd better be going." George had warned her Adrian liked his privacy and she shouldn't hang around longer than necessary. "I'll see you both tomorrow."
"Bye, Libby." Kate didn't let go of her uncle's hand.
Adrian watched her, unspoken words in his eyes. He nodded his thanks.
Libby smiled and let herself out.
She walked the short distance down the corridor to her room and waited until she was inside before she let out a deep breath and let the tears fall.
Chapter 6
Libby woke early the next morning and prepared for her morning walk. Kate's nightmare the night before kept swirling around in her head. The absolute devastation and distress on Kate's face, the vulnerability and despair.
What a thing for anyone to go through.
Libby rubbed her eyes, tucked her cell phone into her rain jacket pocket and opened the door of her room. She gasped as she came face to face with Adrian, who had his hand raised to knock.
He didn't look like he'd slept well. His short dark hair was mussed, his eyes were red and his T-shirt and jeans looked as if they'd been picked up off the floor.
He lowered his hand and took a step back. "I wasn't sure you'd be up yet."
Libby stopped, one hand on the door, and put her other hand over her rapidly beating heart. "I was heading out for a walk. Is there something wrong?"
He shifted his stance. "If you've got time, I wanted to talk to you about Kate's nightmare. George is with her at the moment."
Of course she had time. "Come in."
Adrian entered and she followed him the short distance to the main room. It was a mess. She groaned inwardly. She'd been planning to clean it up when she returned from her walk. Her bedsheets were half on the floor and her pink flannelette pajamas had been dumped in the center of the bed. Libby cringed and moved past Adrian, quickly snatching up her pajamas and tossing them into her suitcase. She shut the lid with a snap and finally threw the sheets back on the bed.
Face aflame, she indicated the armchairs near the window. "Why don't you have a seat? I can offer you an instant coffee or a tea."
Adrian's mouth twitched slightly upward. "Coffee would be great. Black, no sugar." He sat down on the chair facing away from the window.
Libby filled the little hotel kettle and turned it on, before getting out the cups and the tiny long-life capsules full of what was supposed to be milk. Adrian didn't speak, but she was acutely aware of his presence. Why did he have such an effect on her?
The bubble of the kettle boiling broke through her musing and she poured the two drinks. Carrying them over to the little coffee table, she set one in front of Adrian and sat on the chair opposite him.
Adrian reached forward to clasp the cup but didn't drink. "Will you tell me about Kate's nightmare?" He kept his gaze on the cup in front of him.
"Of course." Libby took a sip of her tea. Briefly she spoke about what had happened and how she had reacted.
Adrian sighed and traced a finger around the rim of the cup. "They're getting less frequent but I keep hoping she'll stop having them."
Libby understood. She'd only seen the one and she didn't want Kate to go through it again. "It's a lot for anyone to deal with, let alone a ten-year-old."
"I wasn't there for her." There was guilt in his voice as he looked down at the coffee table. "When the accident happened I was on tour, and it took a day for me to get back."
Libby was surprised he was being so open with her. "Do you mean Kate was alone? Didn't she have any other family to turn to? Your parents?"
The scowl was as fleeting as it was vicious. "Her mother's family were too caught up in their own grief to really pay any attention to Kate. They left her alone overnight in the hospital." He still couldn't believe it. "She'd just watched her parents die and no one stayed the night with her. When I arrived home she wouldn't let me out of her sight for three days." He looked up. "She was afraid I would leave her too."
He hadn't mentioned his own family. "That must have been difficult for you." Libby flinched inwardly at her inadequate words. She tried to explain. "You needed time to grieve as well."
Adrian met her gaze. "Kate needed me more."
Libby lost her breath with the intensity of his gaze. How strong he must be, to have put his niece's needs before his own grief. She reached out and grasped his hand. "Kate's lucky to have you."
Adrian jerked his hand away and folded his arms over his chest. "Others don't think so."
Libby sat back, sure her face must be the color of beetroot. Adrian obviously didn't like to be touched. She took in his closed body language before deciding what the heck and asked, "Who doesn't think so?"
Adrian shrugged, but then said, "Kate's Aunt Susan wasn't happy I was taking Kate on tour. She thought Kate would be better off in summer camp like her own children."
Libby's mouth dropped open. "But Kate's parents died so recently. It would be cruel to send her away with a bunch of strangers. Doesn't Susan know about Kate's nightmares?"
Adrian unfolded his arms and took a sip of his coffee. "She does, but she didn't think the tour life would be suitable. She believes I spend my nights partying and doesn't think my music is appropriate."
Libby snorted. "She needs to come and see for herself. It's obvious you've got Kate's best interests at heart." She stopped to take a breath, insulted on Adrian's behalf. "She needs family around her, not a bunch of strangers."
A hint of a smile crossed Adrian's face.
"Honestly, you spend every possible moment with Kate and that's more than a lot of parents do, especially if they have to work." She knew all about it.
Adrian chuckled, low and smoky. "I'll tell Susan to speak to you next time she calls."
Libby didn't comment, feeling flustered. She picked up her mug and took a sip, then changed the subject. "What have you and Kate got planned for the day?"
"We're going to explore Melbourne and see what we can find."
"Sounds like fun."
Adrian checked his watch. "I'd better get going. Kate will be impatient to start." He stood but seemed reluctant to leave.
Libby put her cup down and rose, motioning for Adrian to go first. She followed him the short distance to the entrance.
"What are your plans today?"
It took Libby a second to realize Adrian was talking to her. "Oh, I'll be writing. I'm hoping to finish the story today."
"Then do you send it to your publisher?"
Libby grinned. If only. "No, then the polishing starts." At Adrian's confusion she said, "It's a first draft. I'll need to re-read and edit it before it's ready to go."
"How long does that take?"
"Depends on how much work it needs, but generally a couple of months when I'm working full time."
They stood in the doorway now. There was an awkward pause.
Libby cast around for something to say. "Have fun today."
Adrian nodded, his mind seemingly elsewhere. "You too." He turned and walked down the corridor.
Libby gazed after him and then realized she was staring, so hurriedly shut the door before he turned around.
She let out a deep breath and then straightened. She was being ridiculous, mooning after him like some starstruck teenager. There was no way he'd ever be interested in her anyway. No man ever was.
She sighed. Adrian had snatched his hand away pretty quickly when she'd tried to comfort him.