The Maxwell Sisters

by Loretta Hill

  ‘It’s complicated.’

  ‘Complicated how?’

  She placed her hands on her face. ‘I shouldn’t have told you anything. It’s not even my news to share.’

  He sat back a little. ‘More secrets you want me to keep for you. Is this all really necessary, Eve?’

  As she searched his face, she realised the true reason she’d called him over wasn’t just because she liked his company but because she needed his witty banter and teasing tone right now. He always knew how to make light of everything and lift her spirits. The only problem was, he wasn’t playing ball.

  ‘Sorry,’ she said on a rush. ‘I shouldn’t have bothered you with this. I just wanted a friend to talk to.’

  He looked down at her. ‘So we’re friends now, are we?’

  She nodded with a shy smile. ‘Well, yes. After everything we’ve been through together, I think we can call us that.’

  He frowned. ‘I thought you didn’t want to be my friend.’

  ‘Well, I’ve changed my mind.’ She looked at him crossly, slightly offended by the furrow in his brow. ‘I’m sorry if that upsets you.’

  ‘Damn right it upsets me.’

  ‘Why?’ Her own brows drew together. ‘Because I think you’re a nice guy?’

  ‘Eve,’ he took her hands, ‘you know that I’m always happy to talk to you about anything. But I haven’t pretended to be your boyfriend because I’m a nice guy.’ Then he grabbed her face under the chin and pressed a hard, determined kiss to her lips, causing all the breath to rush out of her body in one single blast.

  He let her go. ‘Just wanted to make that perfectly clear.’ As soon as he stood up, she felt bereft.

  ‘Where are you going?’ she demanded.

  His eyebrows jumped wickedly as he looked back. ‘You want me to stay?’

  She blinked in confusion. The truth was, she didn’t know what she wanted. ‘No, no. I’ll be fine. I’ll just sit here by myself and worry.’

  ‘Eve,’ he laughed, ‘you know what you need to do?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Cook.’ He nodded decisively. ‘Go to your restaurant and invite everyone to breakfast and cook.’

  ‘What?’ Her mouth went dry.

  ‘You wouldn’t do it for me,’ he shrugged, ‘but do it for your family. Do it for yourself. Breathe some fresh air into your life. You’ll feel so much better for it. And,’ he groaned, ‘so will I.’

  As he walked out of the cellar door, she was left to contemplate his words, and they couldn’t help but ring true to her. Why was she sitting here moping, dwelling on her own fears? It was a stupid thing to do. Her own advice to Tash came back to her.

  ‘Try to live in the moment. Just let the past go, and try to look at the future and picture what you want it to be.’

  Wasn’t she a hypocrite if she couldn’t follow this advice herself? She remembered it was her father who had first told her to stop waiting around. She smiled. The parable of the grape varieties – he had not planted the eighth variety and time had taken the choice from him. Was that what she wanted for herself too? For all her opportunities and choices to disappear?

  Life’s not that much of a bitch, Eve. She remembered Adam’s words from the vineyard and hearing his voice in her head again was like a little cut against her heart.

  You’ve got to let it go. Cut yourself some slack. She stood up from the couch, determination straightening her spine. All right, I’ll do it.

  On Sunday morning, they finally completed renovating the restaurant and it was ready for use. Her sisters and their partners, Adam and a few others who had worked on the project, gathered there to admire their handiwork.

  The tables were already dressed with pristine white tablecloths and flanked by high-backed, polished pine chairs. They’d painted the walls cream to bring out the dark shininess of the boards they had laid and freshly varnished. The pictures they had hung on the walls were photos from the Tawny Brooks gardens – with camera zooms so close you could see the dew on the petals of orchids and the lines of age in the leaves of the gums. As everyone stood around congratulating themselves on how good it looked, with its freshly washed windows and modern light fittings, Eve made an announcement.

  It was probably one of the first announcements she had made in her entire life. Public speaking was another fear she tended to give in to. ‘To celebrate,’ she lifted her voice, ‘I’ve decided to make pancakes for you all in the restaurant kitchen.’

  Faces turned towards her, nobody said a word.

  ‘You know,’ she continued, feeling like she needed to fill the awkward silence. ‘Kind of like an early lunch, late breakfast. If you’re keen, that is.’

  Phoebe clapped her hands.

  Tash gave a whoop.

  ‘Of course we’re keen,’ said Heath.

  Spider threw open the double-doored entrance to her old workplace. ‘We’ll help you.’

  As they all walked through, she caught Adam looking at her, a gentle smile on his mouth. He gave her the thumbs up sign, causing her to flush. However, instead of following her in with the others, he turned around and left. She hid her disappointment by getting straight to work.

  Five minutes later, however, her mother and father and Graeme and Patricia, who had not been there when she’d made the announcement, walked into the room. Anita came immediately to her side, folding her in her arms as pancakes sizzled in three different pans on the stove. Her sisters were sitting on stools teasing Eric big-sister-style and chopping fruit. Heath and Spider were whipping cream. Judging by the size of the feast in store, none of them would need lunch.

  ‘Adam told us,’ Anita whispered in her ear. ‘We had to come see for ourselves.’

  Her father squeezed her shoulder and kissed her cheek. ‘And it was definitely worth it.’

  A lump formed in Eve’s throat. ‘It’s just pancakes, Dad.’

  Mad Maxwell’s eyes twinkled. ‘It’s a new beginning.’

  She smiled. It was true and she felt lighter for having done it. The only thing that hung around her heart was that Adam had not returned with them. Of all the people in this room, he had been the one person she definitely owed breakfast to.

  With the restaurant ready to go, the Maxwells and the Fitzwilliams turned their attention to the remaining wedding preparations. Eve and Natasha got together the next day to plan Phoebe’s hen’s night. It was also an opportunity to talk without their sister around. Ever since the bride had made up with her groom there didn’t seem to be anything that could upset her. And they wanted to keep it that way.

  Eve watched her sister’s tired face as she focused on a computer screen. They were both sitting in front of their mother’s laptop, surfing through local restaurants and reading menus.

  ‘How are you feeling anyway?’ she asked tentatively.

  Tash grimaced. ‘Oh, you know, nauseous, tired and totally confused.’

  ‘Have you told Phoebe anything about you and Heath?’

  ‘Only that we’re still trying to work things out and I want it kept under wraps for now.’

  ‘Does she know you’re pregnant?’

  ‘No,’ Tash quickly shook her head, ‘but let’s not talk about me.’ She tried to lighten the expression on her face by looking up from the screen. ‘Tell me about Adam.’ She leaned forward. ‘You’ve been awfully quiet about him. Given us absolutely no details.’

  Eve sighed. It was time to come clean. ‘That’s because there are none. It was all a ruse, we aren’t having an affair.’

  Tash’s eyes narrowed. ‘But the lingerie and the –’

  ‘It was all just a big misunderstanding.’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Tash said doubtfully. ‘He looked pretty keen on you to me.’

  Eve blushed. ‘Maybe he is, but I don’t think I should go there.’

  ‘Why not?’ Tash’s eyes widened. ‘You’re not still hung up on …’

  ‘No, no.’ Eve immediately sliced her hand through the air. ‘Definitely not.’


  It was the truth. She was completely happy for her sister. Ecstatic in fact, that she was finally able to let go of all those fruitless feelings she’d harboured for years and realise for the first time that she and Spider would never have been good together. Not like Phoebe and Spider were. They were just too alike. Phoebe challenged him in ways that she never could.

  In exactly the same way that Adam challenges you.

  She banished the thought. Yes, in a perfect world she would love to date Adam. But she wasn’t going to set herself up for a fall. And that’s exactly what going out with Adam would be. She quickly outlined to Tash everything she knew about him, hoping she’d be able to confirm that she’d made the right decision.

  ‘So let me get this straight,’ Tash said as she clicked back to the search engine, ‘he came to town to get over a broken heart.’

  ‘Yes,’ Eve nodded.

  ‘And you’re afraid he might be using you to do it.’

  ‘Well, isn’t he?’ Eve demanded. ‘I mean, look at him. Him and me together? It’s just totally unrealistic.’

  Tash snorted. ‘I don’t think so. Eve, you’ve got everything going for you. Looks, brains and talent. Don’t sell yourself short. He’d be lucky to go out with you.’

  She blinked. ‘You reckon?’

  ‘I know,’ Tash responded adamantly. ‘But that doesn’t mean you should. You’re right to be cautious. You need to do what’s best for you.’

  Eve sighed. ‘Thank you. I just feel the kind of relationship I want is not the relationship that’s on offer.’

  Tash licked her lips. ‘You think he’ll hurt you.’

  ‘I think it’s more likely than not,’ Eve shrugged. ‘I wish there were some way to know for sure.’

  ‘You and me both, darl,’ Tash squeezed her hand and Eve wanted to cry. ‘You and me both.’

  After a moment’s pause, Tash turned back to her screen. ‘Hey, it looks like Saracen’s has a new menu. I say we go with this one.’

  Tash had paused on the website of the Saracen’s Estate. It was a winery and brewery in one. They had a large spacious restaurant that doubled as a pub; both classy and elegant for its decking on the water and a giant fireplace for those cold winter nights.

  ‘Okay,’ Eve agreed. ‘I don’t have a problem with that.’

  ‘Now for the guest list.’ Tash pulled a pad and pen towards her. ‘Who are we inviting?’

  Eve shrugged. ‘All the ladies going to the wedding?’

  Tash pulled a face. ‘Then we’ll have all Mum’s cousins there and Spider’s aunties as well.’

  Eve giggled. ‘Not to mention Mum and Patricia. Can we really trust them not to fight?’

  Tash hesitated slightly before saying, ‘Nope. Let’s keep it small. Just a few of Phoebe’s girlfriends and us.’

  ‘Great.’

  Just at that moment, Phoebe walked in. ‘There you are!’ She was sunny smiles and suppressed excitement. ‘I’ve been searching all over for you guys.’

  Tash smiled back. ‘We’re making the guest list for your hen’s night.’

  ‘Oh,’ Phoebe clasped her hands together, ‘that reminds me. You know that girl we saw at the Wildwood Bakery, Bronwyn? The really nice one.’

  ‘Y-yes,’ Tash drew out the word as she caught Eve’s gaze.

  ‘I found out she’s not actually staying with Claudia, she’s filling in for her. Claudia’s gone to the big smoke for a break or something. So I say we invite her.’ Phoebe’s face lit up like it was the best idea anyone had had since they turned strawberries into jam. She leaned in confidingly. ‘She’s all on her lonesome there with a bunch of scruffy vineyard workers and could probably use a night out. I for one would like to get to know her better. What do you reckon?’

  ‘Well –’ Eve hunched a shoulder, darting her eyes towards Tash for guidance.

  ‘I suppose we –’ Tash searched Eve’s face for clues on what to say.

  ‘I knew you guys wouldn’t mind,’ Phoebe burbled on before Tash finished her sentence. ‘But we can work the other guests out later. Dad’s got a surprise for us in the barrel room.’

  ‘The barrel room?’ Tash repeated as Phoebe flew out into the hallway, calling over her shoulder, ‘Meet you there.’

  Eve groaned. ‘I hate surprises.’

  ‘And with Phoebe,’ Tash agreed, ‘you never know what you’re going to get.’

  ‘What are we going to do about Bronwyn?’

  ‘Let’s invite her,’ Tash nodded. ‘Dad won’t talk to us. But there’s no harm in slipping a hint in her ear to back off.’

  Eve touched a hand to her temple. ‘At the hen’s party? I was afraid you were going to say that.’

  The barrel room was a large brick and timber warehouse located in the winery. It was one of the oldest buildings on the property and in Eve’s opinion the most romantic. With a tall gable roof set with muddy red tiles, it had that old barn look from the outside, until one realised that there were no windows – just two large wooden doors at the front.

  This was where Tawny Brooks stored all their oak barrels, on large steel racks. With the doors closed, it was dark and cool. The perfect conditions for fermentation of must in oak. Eve loved the smell of the place, woody, sweet and heavy. The locals called the aroma ‘angel’s share’ – the vapour of evaporated wine saved for heavenly spirits.

  When she and Tash arrived, their father, Adam, Heath, Phoebe and Spider were already there, standing in the centre of the room. As vintage wasn’t even halfway through yet, the barrel room was mostly empty.

  ‘So what are we doing?’ Tash folded her arms.

  Eve could tell she trusted the situation almost as much as she did.

  Phoebe’s grin could have rivalled Willy Wonka’s at the beginning of a tour. ‘Dad is going to teach us all how to waltz.’

  It was a well known local fact that at one point Mad Maxwell had been a ballroom champion for five years in a row. It was one of the many legends in his rather extensive and mysterious résumé that had not yet been fully disclosed.

  Eve glanced into his smiling grey eyes and he nodded ever so slightly.

  ‘Is this really necessary?’ Tash sounded completely unenthusiastic.

  ‘Come on, Tash.’ Phoebe grabbed her arm and tugged her in front of Heath. ‘Don’t be like that. This is going to be fantastic. After Spider and I do the bridal waltz, the bridal party has to get up and dance as well. It’s tradition.’

  Eve glanced nervously at Adonis, who winked at her. It made her want to run for the hills and leap into his arms at the same time. He was just so beautiful. The word handsome wasn’t strong enough. He was perfect. So perfect, in fact, that she had the sinking feeling that he would probably be an excellent dancer as well. The last thing she needed was to put her complete lack of coordination on display.

  ‘Won’t I be dancing with Spider’s brother?’ she asked quickly. ‘He’s the best man, right? And Heath’s the other groomsman.’

  ‘Yes,’ Phoebe nodded. ‘But since he’s not coming till the day before the wedding, I thought you could practise with your boyfriend.’

  Of course. Maybe she should have taken Phee into her confidence.

  ‘Come on, sweetheart.’ Adonis took her hand and twirled her in a circle. ‘Surely you can put up with me for half an hour.’

  She swallowed. ‘It’s going to take longer than half an hour to teach me how to dance.’

  Phoebe nudged her. ‘Oh, Eve, you’re always so pessimistic.’

  In the next instant she was back in Adam’s arms, which played havoc with her decision to protect herself at any cost.

  Yes, but where has that ever got you, Eve?

  She had hidden from her restaurant dream too and it was only in setting herself free that she had realised how much she stood to lose.

  He smelled like sunshine and man and felt so strong and dependable, it was hard to imagine him ever letting her down. Had she made the right decision to keep their relationship platonic?

 
‘Concentrate, Eve,’ her father smiled as she bumbled her way helplessly through his instructions, stepping on Adam’s feet several times before he had to stop, sit down and take a ‘pain’ break.

  She watched in embarrassment mixed with apology as he rubbed his feet. ‘I told you I wasn’t good at this.’

  ‘Maybe you guys should change the dress code to include steel-capped boots,’ he grinned.

  Her eyes lit up. ‘Can we do that?’

  ‘No, we can’t,’ Phoebe said over her shoulder. She was dancing fabulously, of course. Thank goodness Tash wasn’t also her usual over-achieving self. In fact, if she had to describe her elder sister’s face at all, it would be to say that she looked rather green. Eve hoped she wasn’t having another bout of morning sickness.

  She turned back to Adam as he stood up, vowing to keep focused this time. The steps weren’t actually that complex. The hard part was working out in which direction to take them.

  ‘Eve.’ Her father put his hand on her arm when she bumbled in the wrong direction yet again. ‘Stop trying to work it out. That’s the man’s job. Just let Adam lead you.’

  ‘Surrender,’ Adam leaned down and whispered in her ear, sending a shiver straight through her body. It worked though. When she gave in, she floated around the barrel room easily enough as though they were one body instead of two. He gripped her tighter as they increased speed, pulling her in so there was no space between them at all. It was so weird dancing like that in her father’s barrel room, warm and heady. They broke apart after one last circle and everybody clapped for them.

  ‘Woohoo, guys! Well done,’ said Phee.

  Adam held on to her hand, his fingers laced through hers and that feeling of daring returned.

  Why shouldn’t she have him? Why shouldn’t her fake boyfriend become real?

  As he loosened his hand and walked away from her to get them both a bottle of water from the esky, she watched that long lean body, those broad dependable shoulders.

  If you want a real relationship then why don’t you go after it, Eve?

  The concept was so simple it sent a jolt of electricity straight through her, rooting her feet to the floor as she wondered if she dared.