"I wish Libby was here. She'd love a pool party," Kate said.
Adrian's heart stuttered. Kate was right. He could picture Libby in bathers splashing around with them. "Mmm," he responded, as noncommittal as he could.
Kate glanced up from setting the table, eyes wide and innocent. "Did you thank her for her statement?"
"I'm trying to figure out the best way to do that."
"Why don't you call her?" Kate asked and then grinned as another idea came to her. "Better yet, why don't you fly back to Australia?"
He really wished he could. He held up a hand. "Hold on, kiddo. It's not as easy as that. You're starting school soon."
"You do love her, don't you?" She looked at him. "Like she loves you?"
He didn't know what made Kate think Libby loved him. Perhaps it was just her way of seeing the world. But she was right about him. He did love Libby.
Of course he did. It might have taken standing up to his father and almost losing Kate to make him realize he wanted Libby as a permanent part of his life, but he'd got there in the end. Just remembering the time he'd spent with Libby brought a smile to his face and lightened his heart. "Yes," he said. "I love her."
"You have to tell her. Libby says people often say things they don't mean when they're mad. But if you love someone, you forgive them." Kate paused. "She forgave me when I was mad at her."
It wasn't that simple, but he couldn't explain that to a ten-year-old. "We've got to buy your school things," he said.
"Jem and I are going shopping for that together. Aunt Susan is taking us."
Adrian couldn't ask someone to look after Kate while he went to Australia. Not after he'd just had his custody of Kate confirmed. It would make him seem irresponsible. "If I take you to Australia, you'll be too jet-lagged for school." There had to be some way to make this work.
Kate frowned, concentrating, and then brightened. "I'll be right back." She jumped up and ran out of the room before he could ask her what she was up to.
Adrian got a bag of chips out of the cupboard and poured them into a bowl. In the next room he could hear Kate talking. He stood and wandered toward her voice. What was she up to? He found her in her bedroom with the phone to her ear. "That would be awesome, Aunt Susan. Thanks." She turned, saw him and gave him a guilty smile. "Maybe you should tell him what we agreed," she said into the phone, then thrust it at Adrian. When he took it, she hopped back a couple of steps, her fingers in her mouth.
"What has Kate been saying?" he asked.
"She and Jemma are planning something, but they won't let me know the details," Susan said. "Kate wants to come and stay for a few days so she and Jemma can work on their ‘mission'."
His niece was trying to appear innocent and failing miserably. A suspicion formed. "When does she want to stay?"
"Tomorrow night, and for the next five days. I'm perfectly happy to have her."
Hope and dread tussled for control in his stomach. Would Susan use this as ammunition? He had to be truthful. Walking away from Kate to the lounge room, he said, "I know what this is about. Kate wants me to go to Australia and thank Libby for the statement she wrote."
Susan inhaled sharply. "You haven't thanked her? I'm surprised."
Adrian's defensive side rose. "I didn't know about it until it was read out today and it doesn't seem right to say thank you in an email."
"I think it depends on how you feel about her," Susan said, her voice brisk. "It's obvious she loves you and Kate. If you don't feel the same way, an email is the kindest way." She left the alternative open.
He closed his eyes tightly. "Susan, I can't leave Kate for so long after just reaffirming her custody. It's not right."
"I'm sorry for the hurt I've caused," Susan said quietly. "If I can help to make it up to you by having Kate, I'd really like to. From everything Kate has said, Libby sounds like a wonderful woman." Her tone was earnest.
Hope bloomed in Adrian's chest. "Are you sure you're happy to have Kate for a few nights?"
Susan's voice was the warmest he'd ever heard it. "Of course. It would be my pleasure."
Adrian's heart beat rapidly as they arranged the details. Just before they hung up, Susan said, "I wish you luck."
"Thank you." Adrian hung up and turned around to see Kate hovering behind him. He grinned at her. "You'd better pack your bags if you're going on a sleepover."
Kate threw her arms around his waist and hugged him. "We have to find you a flight first." She raced to the computer and started typing.
***
It was a wet, gray, miserable winter's day. The type of day that made Libby want to stay in bed under the covers and read. She had to force herself up and made herself a coffee and porridge.
Two days ago Kate had emailed and told Libby they had won the custody hearing. Libby was thrilled, but she had no idea whether her statement had been read. She didn't even know whether George had shown it to Adrian.
She told herself it didn't matter either way.
If Adrian had felt anything for her, he would have called her by now. He had never even responded to her voicemail message, but she didn't regret leaving it. She'd done it for herself.
Realizing she had finished her breakfast and was staring out the window at the downpour, she stood, put her dishes in the sink and sat down in her office to start writing.
An hour later she was still staring at the last line she'd written yesterday. Her muse refused to cooperate. It had evidently decided to stay in bed.
Libby sighed and stood, stretching as she did so. Outside she heard the swish of a car going past in the rain. She wandered into the kitchen and turned on the kettle, then flicked on the little gas heater. She rubbed her hands together.
This rental didn't have the charm of her old one, and now that she had the funds, she could look into a different apartment, one where the decor was from this millennium.
The kettle boiled as someone pounded on the front door. Libby glanced out the window at the downpour and hurried to answer it. Whoever it was would be getting drenched.
She opened the door and her heart stilled. She blinked twice, just to make sure her eyes weren't deceiving her.
Adrian stood there, the rain blowing at such an angle that the balcony above gave no cover and water was pouring down on top of him, sticking his hair flat to his head and soaking his blue jacket and jeans.
Libby stood back in shock as she took in every inch of him.
His eyes were serious but his lips twitched up in a hesitant smile. "Hi."
His voice, warm and melodious, thawed her frozen body. She had to say something. "Hi." What was he doing here? How had he found her? She glanced over his shoulder and saw a hire car in the car park but there was no one else in it. "Where's Kate?"
"She's staying with her cousin for a couple of days." Adrian brushed the water off his face. "She didn't tell me you'd moved. Luckily your old neighbor gave me directions. May I come in?"
The drenched state of him finally sunk in. "Of course. Let me get you a towel." She hurried down the corridor, leaving him to follow. The front door banged behind her, but she busied herself grabbing a couple of towels from the linen cupboard and then showing him into the kitchen, where he could drip all over the linoleum. Why was he here?
Libby thrust the towels at him, not able to look him in the eye as she turned on the kettle again. "Would you like a cup of tea?"
"That'd be real nice."
Libby turned as he dried his hair and her heart hitched. What did he want? Her pulse was unsteady and she turned before he could see her watching him. She poured the two drinks and then, placing one on the table near him, she gestured for him to sit.
Her hand shook slightly and she spilled her tea on the floor. She swore, put the mug on the table and turned to clean up the mess.
"Did you burn yourself? You should run it under cold water." Adrian was beside her, taking her hand and examining it.
His touch was too gentle. Too much. She snatched her hand away. "It's fine."
She bent down to mop up the tea, blinking back her tears, and Adrian stepped back.
The silence was unbearable. "Kate told me you won the hearing," she said.
"That's right."
Libby stood and faced him, unable to put it off any longer. She forced a smile. "Congratulations."
"I wouldn't have won without your help."
"I didn't do anything." Her throat was tight.