"But what about you? Don't you miss Libby too?"
Adrian's heart clenched. He missed her more than he'd thought was possible. He'd wake up already looking forward to seeing her and then remember what she'd done. He'd finish sound check thinking ahead to when he'd return to the hotel and then remember she wouldn't be waiting for him. He shouldn't have such strong feelings for someone he'd known for three weeks.
He wasn't going to tell Kate the truth. "First and foremost Libby was your nanny. She failed in her duties to protect you and I can't risk it again."
"But you love her! You can't punish her because of something I did." Kate's anger melted and became wails of anguish.
Adrian paused. Did he love Libby?
No, he couldn't possibly. It was ridiculous to fall in love in so few days. She was just easy to be around.
He turned to face Kate. "We're going home to Texas in a couple of days. Libby's home is here. Do you think it's right to ask her to leave her parents behind?" He hated himself for playing the parent card, but it was the only thing that might stop Kate wanting something she couldn't have.
"She might if you asked her." Kate's voice was quiet but he saw her thinking things through.
"Why don't you get your backpack? George is waiting."
Kate picked up her bag and, subdued, followed Adrian to the door.
He felt like the biggest jerk in the world.
***
Libby threw herself into moving. She packed like she was doing a time trial and had everything arranged within a day. As she reviewed the boxes she realized she didn't have a whole lot to show for her life.
The only person she'd spoken with was her neighbor, who had dropped by to give Libby the mail she'd collected. She'd promised to forward along any more mail that came after Libby left.
By the end of the week Libby had settled into her new apartment.
Saturday came and went without a phone call from Adrian or George. Libby finally gave up. He wasn't going to call.
She threw herself into her final edits to keep herself busy. She'd put the photo from the bridge climb on her desk, but after a day she slipped it into her drawer. She couldn't look at it without tearing up.
Kate emailed her every day, asking her to visit, and she hated the emails' pleading tone. Libby simply told Kate she had to work on her manuscript, because she knew she wouldn't be welcome at the hotel.
When Libby checked a news website on Monday night, she found an article saying Kent had finished his tour and headed home. The tiny part of her that had hoped Adrian would change his mind and realize he loved her died.
She hadn't even been allowed to say goodbye to Kate in person.
Libby allowed herself a night of tears but woke the next morning determined to put it all behind her. She had known from the beginning the relationship was temporary. She had been stupid to fall in love.
It was too late now. She needed to move on.
If only it didn't hurt so much.
In the week before her new job started, she finished her novel, sending it to her editor two months before her deadline. There was none of the usual flush of success she felt when she finished a novel. Adrian had taken that away from her too.
Libby began her next novel, working until late at night. She was determined to meet her shorter deadline and it didn't hurt that when she fell into bed she was too exhausted to dream.
By the time she started work, she'd finished a third of the book.
Amazing what heartbreak did.
***
Adrian finished his concert tour and flew home to Houston with Kate. During the last few days in Perth he'd refused to ask George if he'd spoken to Libby. There was no point. He'd messed things up and Libby hadn't tried to explain. She obviously didn't care for him enough.
Besides, he'd been busy gathering the evidence he needed to prove to a court he was a good guardian for Kate.
They arrived home exhausted from the flight and slept for hours. Kate woke him. "Uncle Ade, can Jemma come over?"
Adrian opened his eyes and stretched, simultaneously feeling the comfort of being home and the strangeness of not being in a hotel room. He checked the time. It was after midday.
"Sure. Why don't you call and invite her? We can pick her up in an hour." He needed a shower to wash some of the jet lag away and his stomach was grumbling for food.
Kate grinned and raced for the phone while Adrian hauled himself into the shower.
When he'd finished and dressed, he headed for the kitchen, where he found Kate rummaging through the cupboards for something to eat.
"We'll stop for some groceries after picking up Jemma," Adrian told her as he reached over her to snag the cereal box.
"Jemma's not allowed to come over," Kate said. "But Aunt Susan said I could go there. Is that all right?"
Adrian forced a smile. "Sure. Let me eat something and I'll take you."
Kate grinned and ran to get organized.
What was Susan playing at? Jemma had always played over here. The girls had spent hours in the pool or holed up in Kate's room working on some secret project or other.
Did she still believe the hype the media was putting out? More likely she was thinking about the court case, and how badly it would look if she let her daughter play at Adrian's house when she was trying to prove he wasn't a fit guardian.
He'd not received any summons or details about a hearing, so maybe she'd changed her mind.
Adrian hoped she had but didn't believe it.
On the drive over, Kate talked a mile a minute, pointing out what had changed in their six weeks away. As they approached Susan's drive, Kate sighed. "I wish I could show Libby all of this. We'd have a great time exploring."
Kate might as well have shot him, for the shock it gave him. She hadn't mentioned Libby in days. He'd hoped she realized Libby had been part of their life only temporarily.
He'd made such a hash of it.
Adrian pulled into the drive. "Here we are, kiddo."
As he opened the door, Kate's cousin Jemma came running out of the house. Kate scrambled out of the car and they met halfway, stopping to do some greeting ritual with their hands before hugging each other.
Adrian watched their enthusiasm bubble over. He wished Susan had allowed Jemma to go on tour with them. Both girls would have been a handful, but they would have loved it, and Kate wouldn't have had to spend so much time in adult company.
He followed them up the drive to where Susan was standing at the front door. Kate greeted Susan with a quick hug before disappearing inside.
"Hi, Susan," Adrian greeted her, inclining his head.
"Adrian." She crossed her arms and stood in the doorway as if guarding it.
He had to talk to her about the media and the accusations, but this wasn't the right time. Perhaps after she had seen Kate was fine and had no scars from the experience, she would realize their niece was being properly cared for. He'd talk to her when he picked Kate up.
"I'll be back at five," he said.
"That will be fine."
He wasn't going to get anything more from her. He gave a half-smile, turned and went back to his car, pretending nerves weren't playing dodgem in his stomach. He'd buy some groceries on the way home and rest.
***
Adrian didn't get a chance to talk to Susan when he picked Kate up. Kate and Jemma were waiting on the front step of the house. Jemma was wearing a pink dress that was too nice to be wearing around the house. Kate said goodbye to her cousin and jumped in the car. "They're going out tonight and Aunt Susan is still getting ready," she said when he asked about the dress.
He'd speak to Susan later.
"Did you have fun?"
Kate squirmed. "Sort of." She paused. "I didn't know how to tell Aunt Susan I don't want to live with her, especially when she was asking me a lot of weird questions."
Immediately Adrian was alert. "Like what?"
"Like what happened with Emily and if Libby ever stayed overnight."
Adrian clenched the steering wheel tighter. He kept his tone light. "What did you say to her?"
"I told her Emily was no fun and she was more interested in you than me. And I said Libby didn't need to stay overnight because she had her own room."
Adrian smiled, pleased Kate didn't understand what Susan was implying. He was thankful that the one time Libby did stay, they'd been up before Kate. "Did she ask anything else?"
"Only if I spent much time with the crew, but it was only those last few days in Perth, really."
Susan was fishing for information, but to what end? Adrian changed the subject. "How was Jemma?"
"Great! She had fun at summer camp but agreed I had the better holiday. Maybe Aunt Susan will let her come next time." Kate told Adrian all about Jemma's summer camp adventures until they reached the house.