Read Online Echoes Of The Past (Fermosa Bay #1) by Iris Blobel - Free Book Online Page A

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    “I’d better go, Mum.”
    Jacqui stood and placed a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “Darling, I just want you to be happy.”
    “I am happy. Being with Connor makes me happy.”
    “It’s a fantasy world—”
    “It’s not. He’s here. And so am I. Let me enjoy the time with him. I’ve waited so long, tried so hard to like someone else. Give me a chance to finally understand, close the door to that chapter, and move on. But to move on, I need to be with him. Why don’t you understand?”
    There was a slow, but hesitant nod from her mother. Emily leaned in and placed a kiss on Jacqui’s cheek. “I’ll catch up with you over the weekend.”
    Then she left, her emotions riding a massive rollercoaster, making her feel queasy. How could she make her mother understand when she knew herself that every word sounded silly—the words of a dreamer.
    The afternoon dragged along as Emily had only a few more patients to visit and spent most of the time in the office, dealing with the bureaucratic side of her job. She didn’t like it. It made her think too much, gave her mind too many opportunities to drift off.
    Her phone buzzed as she was about to call it a day. It was Ethan.
    “Hello, pumpkin. How are you?”
    She was wary at his question, wondering how much he knew. Was Connor the kind of person telling everyone about their night together? She recalled her mother’s words and remembered Jack had only mentioned the dinner and Connor returning in the morning. For all they knew, Connor could’ve stayed the night because he’d had too much alcohol.
    She sighed.
    “Emily?”
    “I’m here. In the office, having just spent two hours on paperwork and forms and—”
    He laughed.
    “How was your day at the waterfalls?” she asked.
    “You heard?”
    “Mum told me.”
    “Is that why you’re in a lousy mood?”
    The comment stopped her in her tracks. Was she in a bad mood because of her mother?
    “Possibly. But doing all this bureaucratic crap doesn’t help either. Anyway, tell me about your day.”
    “How about you come over for dinner? Debbie’s brought over a nice stew.”
    “Your assistant Debbie? She cooks for you?”
    “I know. But hey, it tastes really good.”
    “That is weird.”
    “Why? She’s kind and helpful.”
    She laughed. “And you call me a dreamer.”
    Ethan stared at her. “Want to enlighten me?”
    “Oh for God’s sake, Ethan. It is so obvious how much of a crush Debbie’s got on you. I mean…” She smiled. “I’m the queen of crushes. I know these things.”
    “That’s different.”
    “You’re in denial. I know a thing or two about that, too.”
     
    ***
     
    An hour later, Emily did her best to keep up with Nicholas on the Wii as he thrashed her in a virtual tennis game.
    “So tell me, Nicky, who’s your teacher next year?”
    The boy’s shoulder sagged. “Miss Ryker. She’s from Melbourne.”
    “Why so disgruntled?”
    “I really wanted Mr. Javier. He’s cool.”
    “Miss what’s-her-name might be cool as well. You never know.”
    Nick shrugged. “Want to have a race on the formula one track?”
    Emily laughed. Nick’s subtle hint that he’d had enough of the subject was received. “I’d better beat you in this one.”
    “No hope, Auntie Em.”
    When Nicolas was finally in bed later that night and the kitchen cleaned, Emily sat next to Ethan on the couch.
    “Thanks for getting the kid ready for bed. He’s so excited about the end of the year. About meeting Connor. Christmas.” He chuckled. “Basically about everything at the moment.” Leaning back into the couch, he said, “I booked a motorhome to travel around the south island of New Zealand in January.”
    “Oh my God, Ethan, that is great. You’ll love it. Good for you to finally take some time off.”
    He nodded, but his smile didn’t reach his eyes.
    “But?” she asked in a whisper.
    Shaking his head, he replied, “I hope the old man will make it either way.”
    “Either way?”
    He