The Bridesmaid's Baby by Barbara Hannay Read Free Book Online Page B

She’d always been hurt by Will’s silence after Josh’s death and the miscarriage. He’d never given her the chance to confess why she’d become involved with his brother.
    Of course, it would be dreadfully difficult to tell him the truth, but she’d always felt guilty and she wanted to come clean. Perhaps then she would be able to put it behind her at last. She might, at last, stop dreaming about Will.
    As the truck rumbled down country lanes, past darkened farmhouses and quiet paddocks, a number of questions bumped around in her head and by the time Will pulled up in front of her house, Lucy couldn’t hold back. ‘Will, what was the point you wanted to make?’
    In the glow of the dashboard’s lights, she could see his frown. ‘I’m sorry, Lucy, you’ve lost me.’
    ‘When we were talking at the wedding, you were carrying on about how old we are now and I got in a huff, but were you actually trying to make a point?’
    He turned to face her, one hand draped loosely over the steering wheel. ‘Nothing in particular.’ He smiled shyly. ‘I simply wanted to talk to you—the way we used to.’
    A ghost of a smile trickled across his face. Then he looked out through the windscreen and tapped his fingers on the steering wheel. ‘We have a lot to catch up on, but it’s late. Why don’t I give you a call some time?’
    How could such a simple question send her insides into turmoil? It was so silly to be incredibly excited simply because Will Carruthers planned to talk to her again.
    With difficulty, Lucy overcame her desperate curiosity to know what he wanted to talk about. She managed to speak calmly.
    ‘I’ll wait to hear from you, then,’ she said as she pushed the door open.
    ‘Don’t move,’ Will ordered, shoving his door open too. ‘I’ll help you out. I don’t want you falling again. You’re an accident waiting to happen tonight.’
    A hasty glance at the huge step down to the road showed Lucy the wisdom of accepting his offer, but her heart skipped several beats as he rounded the truck and helped her down.
    ‘Thank you,’ she said demurely. ‘My elderly bones couldn’t have taken another stumble this evening.’
    His soft laugh held the hint of a growl. ‘Get to bed, Grandma.’
    To her astonishment, Will’s lips feathered the merest brush of a kiss against her temple. Her knees almost gave way.
    ‘Perhaps I should escort you to the door,’ he said.
    ‘I think I’m still capable of tottering up my own front path.’
    ‘I’ll wait here till you’re safely inside.’
    After years of being fiercely independent, Lucy had to admit it was rather pleasant to have a lordly male watching out for her. With the bouquets bundled in one arm, she lifted her skirt elegantly and took careful dainty steps as she made her way up the uneven brick path.
    She’d left her car and her other set of keys at Mattie’s parents’ house, but there was a spare key under the flowerpot on the porch. Tonight, however, there was more than a flowerpot on the porch. A hessian bag had been left on the doorstep.
    Lucy saw it and sighed. Caring for wildlife wasn’t part of her veterinary responsibilities, but people knew she had a soft heart and they were always bringing her injured bush creatures. Animals hit by cars were the most common and this was sure to be another one—a wounded sugar glider, an orphaned kangaroo, or perhaps an injured possum.
    She was dead tired tonight, but now, before she could crawl into bed, she would have to attend to this.
    She found the key, opened the front door and reached inside to turn on the porch light. Behind her, Will was waiting at the front gate and she sent him a friendly wave. ‘Thanks for the lift,’ she called.
    He returned her wave and she watched as he headed back to the truck, then, with the flowers in one arm, she picked up the sack. The animal inside wriggled, which was a good sign. Maybe it wasn’t too badly hurt and she wouldn’t lose too much sleep