by Rachel Lyndhurst; Carmen Falcone; Ros Clarke; Annie Seaton; Christine Bell
“Oh, shit!” Her rucksack was still on the floor of the back of the taxi. She waved madly as the rear of the taxi disappeared around the corner, but it was too late. Thank God her passport and travel documents were in her money belt. She closed her eyes, trying to remember what was in her rucksack, and groaned when she thought of the letter from the lawyer. She had slipped it into the side pocket when she got back in the taxi.
Shit. She hadn’t taken any notice of his details once she’d read the contents. All she knew was the office was on Lipari Island.
Wheeling her suitcase behind her, she decided there was nothing she could do about it now without missing her check-in. Squaring her shoulders, she moved to the end of the check-in queue and vowed to be more careful in future.
Ha! As if.
The queue was moving slowly and Brianna tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for her turn. No matter how hard she tried, things never came together for her. Her throat clogged. Maybe if she’d been more organized, she may have found her mother somewhere other than her grave? Never mind, she’d survive without the letter. All she had to do was buy a new toothbrush and some underwear, and remember the name of the lawyer once she arrived on Lipari.
Thank goodness she’d kept her computer out of the rucksack and hadn’t lost her manuscript as well. Which reminded her, she’d forgotten to back it up. First job once she was settled on the plane. That was an easy problem to address. Then all she had to do was find someone who was willing to play the part of a loving fiancé.
She had four days to figure that one out.
If only she had more time, she was sure one of her mates from Scotland would have played the part for a holiday in Italy.
Of course…that was it! She would pay someone. Surely she would be able find someone to play a role for a couple of days while she checked out the lawyer and Lipari. And found out about this inheritance and the conditions attached. All she wanted was to find out about her mother and why she’d left her thirty years ago. It wouldn’t hurt to playact for a few days.
Four days…for someone who usually did things at the last minute, that would be plenty of time.
Her phone beeped in her pocket and she pulled it out.
“Oh my God.” Heads turned and Brianna grinned back as curious looks were directed her way. For once things were going her way. Phil was flying back into Sydney from Bali and his flight was on time. He was through customs and she’d get to see him before she turned around and flew back to Europe. Now all she had to do was find the coffee shop he was waiting in after she checked in.
Chapter Two
Long, bare legs flashed past the edge of Tomas Richards’s vision and he swiveled around as a high-pitched squeal from their owner interrupted his reading of the Financial Review. The tall, dark-haired girl slid to a stop on the polished floor of the concourse next to the coffee shop before flinging herself into the waiting arms of a hippie-looking guy with red dreadlocks hanging over his shoulders. His tattooed arms encircled her and she rained kisses on his cheeks, as she wrapped her legs around the hips of the young man.
Tomas was sitting in one of the coffee shops at Sydney Airport waiting for his flight to Italy to be called. He watched with amusement as the young man disentangled himself and led his girlfriend across to the coffee shop, one arm slung around her shoulder. They stopped in the queue next to Tom’s table, and he turned back to the newspaper. The girl’s excited chatter drifted across to him.
“I can’t believe you got here in time. Oh, Phil, how lucky was it that our flights were on the same day?” Then she clapped her hand over her mouth. “Oh, shit, wait here.” She threw her handbag onto the empty table behind Tom’s chair, narrowly missing his head, and ran back across to the lounge area. He watched as she retrieved a laptop case from a vacant chair. He shook his head. She was lucky security hadn’t removed it. Hadn’t she seen the signs everywhere asking passengers not to leave bags unattended? And now she’d left her handbag on the table next to him.
What a scatterbrain.
She placed the laptop case on the table next to her handbag and her hippie boyfriend looped his arm back around her shoulders as they waited to be served.
“What do you mean ‘had’ a letter?”
Snatches of their conversation rose and fell in the general noise of the café, and Tom tried to concentrate on his newspaper, until the sound of coins hitting the floor interrupted his reading. He lifted his head. Those long tanned legs filled his vision again, and he appreciated the view of a shapely derriere molded by close-fitting cargo shorts when the girl bent to retrieve the scattered coins. As she twisted around, a sapphire blue stone hanging from a ring in her belly button glinted in the light. Her face was level with Tom’s and a pair of chocolate-brown eyes stared at him from beneath raised brows. He grinned at her. Okay, so he’d been caught checking out her ass. As he returned her bemused look, he realized she was not as young as he’d first thought, so she should doubly appreciate him checking her out.
Closer to his age. She should know better than to leave her bags lying around the whole airport. But a nice ass.
He shrugged and turned back to the newspaper as they crossed to the table behind him and their conversation could be heard over the hiss of the coffee machine.
“Well, I sort of left it in the taxi,” she said.
“Sort of?” Her boyfriend sounded exasperated and Tom marveled at his patience. “Brianna, what aren’t you telling me?”
“Well, it was in my rucksack and that’s still in the taxi, too. But look, it’s all good. Now that you’re here, you can contact the company and chase it up for me. Much easier than me trying to do it from Italy. Besides, I’m going to be busy. I’ve got four days to find a husband.”
Bloody hell, talk about a soap opera. He’d heard enough. Tom folded his newspaper and tucked it under his arm, picked up his laptop, and headed for the boarding gate where he might find more peace and quiet.
The lounge at gate forty-five was deserted and he smiled to himself. Alex, his younger brother, had teased him at the country airport this morning because he’d left for Sydney so early. His siblings all liked to rib him about his attention to detail and ticking all the boxes, but it had paid off—little did they know how well, and he wasn’t ready to share that news just yet. Excitement filled him at the thought of life on Lipari Island. He had every intention of relaxing and living life to the full. His days of working in an office were over— careful planning and wise investments had enabled him to do that. He’d only bought the marina to help Aunt Carmen out.
Tom waited for his flight to be called as the early-afternoon queue of departing international flights started on the runway. His other brother, Nick, had been the only fly in the ointment when he’d questioned his decision to take off for Italy. Nick had called the shots for too many years. He had married life and Lissy to focus on now. His years of wandering the Pacific were over, and if Tom wanted to head to Italy and become the brother with the wanderlust, it was none of Nick’s damn business. It had taken him a few months to wrap up his contract at the university and sell his apartment. He didn’t want to leave any loose ends behind him. Now Nick and Lissy had been married for eight months, and Alex and Emily were engaged, even though Alex was barely out of university and way too young to think about getting married. Despite both his brothers having partners, he was content sitting here alone. Women were trouble. He hoped they had chosen wisely. As for him, he’d pulled his office door shut for the last time on Friday afternoon and closed a chapter in his life without a backward glance. For the first time in a long while, he was looking forward to the coming weeks.
Tom folded his newspaper and waited for his flight to be called.
…
The now boarding sign flashed next to the Sydney-to-Rome flight on the departure board, and Brianna hugged Phil. It had taken ages to calm him down after she had dropped the bit about finding a husband.
“It was great to catch up. I’m sorry I have
to go so soon.” She blinked back the tears that seemed to be ever present since she’d received the letter from the lawyer.
Phil pushed her back, placed his hands on her shoulders, and bent down to look into her face. “I’m worried about you. Forget this stupid idea, no matter what the letter says. Take some time to find out what it’s all about.”
“That’s what I haven’t got. I’ve only to the end of the week to turn up or the cottage goes to someone else. The blasted letter has followed me around the world.” She took a deep breath and tried to make him understand. “This is my last opportunity to find out about my birth mother, Rosa. I have the chance to live where she lived, to talk to people who knew her. I’ll do anything it takes to grab that chance with both hands.”
Phil shook his head. “Did you tell Mum and Dad why you were going?”
“No, they wouldn’t care. I haven’t even told them I found her or about the inheritance, so please keep it to yourself.” She sighed and pulled her braid across her shoulder. “You know what Mum can be like.”
“You’re too hard on her, Brianna.” Phil pulled her close for a brotherly hug and she rested her head on his shoulder. “Even though she doesn’t show it, she loves you. She’s just a very private person. Anyway, at least you’re on leave from work. You can live anywhere and write your book. Promise me you won’t do anything stupid.”
Brianna smiled back at him. Phil had looked out for her since his parents had adopted her as a baby, and she’d always respected him as a sensible, older brother. She’d never fit in with the family. Her adoptive parents were staid and elderly now, and couldn’t understand her desire to travel the world when she had a secure job at home in Scotland. Reaching over, she tugged Phil’s long dreadlocks. He had the complexion and hair coloring of a true Scotsman, even though he looked more like a hippie with his wild hair and patterned pants. Their parents accepted Phil traveling the world, so why did she always feel like the outsider in the family?
“I think Dad would be more upset about your hair than me taking off to the wilds of some Italian island. It’s okay, chill. Once I see the lawyer, I’ll get all the details and I’ll e-mail you.”
The robotic voice of the announcer came across the system. “Final call for Qantas flight QF46 to Rome. Calling passenger Brianna Ballantyne. The gate is about to close. Please make your way to the boarding gate immediately.”
“Oh, damn…how embarrassing.” She grabbed her bags and leaned over and kissed Phil’s cheek before she headed toward the security corridor. “If you’re talking to Mum and Dad, you can tell them you saw me and I’m fine.”
Phil gave her a wave and she strode along the corridor. Luckily, the checkpoint queue had cleared.
Jeez, I can’t believe I’ve only been in Australia for five days and now I’ve got that godawful twenty-hour flight back to Europe again.
It would have been a shorter flight if she’d gone through Dubai, but she’d picked up a good deal online through Qantas. Two international flights in over a week had severely dented the advance payment she’d received for her book.
She quickly cleared security through to the duty-free area and then realized gate forty-five was at the far end of the terminal. “Oh, shit, that’s all I need, to miss the flight. Get your skates on, girl,” she said to herself, running for the gate. Grateful for her flat boots, she sprinted along the concourse and ignored the accelerated walking bays. Arriving at the gate with seconds to spare, she pulled out her boarding pass and hurried down the jet bridge. The cabin services officer smiled and he directed her to the row at the back of the plane, before he turned and shut the door. Most of the passengers were already settled into their allocated seats and belted in.
“Excuse me. Oh, sorry.” She pushed past the few passengers who remained standing and were loading their luggage into the overhead compartments. Her laptop bumped the seats all the way up the aisle and she apologized, hitching it higher on her shoulder. She cursed softly when she reached her seat at the very back of the plane and opened the hatch above her seat row to find it was already crammed full with bags.
I hate it when that happens. Next time I’ll be on time, she promised herself.
She handed her laptop over to one of the cabin staff to stow it in another compartment. Glancing down at her boarding pass, she smiled when she saw she’d been allocated the window seat. No matter how many times she flew, she preferred sitting near the window so she could see the ground approach when the plane landed on terra firma.
“Excuse me.” She smiled at the man sitting in the middle of the three-seat row. The aisle seat was vacant. “I need to get past.”
He ignored her.
“Excuse me.” She stood with her hands on her hips as the fasten seat belt sign came on and the flight attendant gestured for her to be seated. She shrugged her shoulders and pointed to the man who was ignoring her, and then she realized he had earphones in. She reached out and tapped his shoulder, and when he looked up, she grinned at him. It was the sleaze who’d been checking out her ass in the coffee shop.
“Sorry,” she said pointing to the window. “I’m in the window seat. I need to get through.” He closed the laptop and slid his legs to the side so she could get past. Settling into her seat, she reached over and held out her hand.
“I’m Brianna. I hate flying and I talk too much when I’m nervous so I’ll apologize in advance.”
He ignored her outstretched hand and nodded at her briefly before turning back to the computer screen. She’d had a brief glimpse of deep blue eyes beneath lowered lids set in a tanned face. He was a big man, tall and broad, and he looked uncomfortable in the small airline seat.
He is a bit of eye candy. Might as well have something decent to look at during the flight, even if he is going to ignore me.
“Pleasure to meet you too, mister. Wake me up when we get to Singapore,” she said. But the sarcasm was wasted as the headphones remained in his ears and his gaze fixed on the screen. With a yawn, she settled into her seat and closed her eyes, but sleep eluded her as she wondered how the hell she was going to find the lawyer, find a fiancé, and claim her inheritance.
Four days to find a husband. It echoed through Brianna’s mind like a mantra.
Chapter Three
After the jet reached cruising altitude, the seat belt sign went off. Tom looked across at the woman sleeping beside him. She was sprawled like an adolescent stretched out on a sofa. Her long bare legs finished in short socks and boots, and took up the space in front of his seat. He undid his lap belt and moved one seat over to the vacant seat next to the aisle, so they both had a bit more space.
When she’d shoved past him to the seat, he’d been scrutinized by a piercing gaze and a shiver had snaked down his spine. He was surprised by the strong Scottish accent. He hadn’t noticed that in the airport. He’d pegged her for an Aussie or Italian with her olive skin. Her parting shot about it being a pleasure to meet him had him smothering a grin. She might be a scatterbrain, but she was feisty.
And quite beautiful.
Even in repose, her eyes were circled by dark shadows. Soft pink lips were parted as she slept beside him, breathing softly. Her olive skin was unblemished, and dark lashes fanned onto high cheekbones. A long plaited braid lay across her chest, which rose and fell with each breath. He wondered where she was going and why she looked so exhausted. Before she’d fallen asleep, he’d noticed her dab at her eyes a couple of times. He’d shrugged and turned his laptop on.
Not my problem. He had no idea why she was so desperate to find a husband, and he didn’t want to know. He’d had enough of women to last him a lifetime, although when he looked at Lissy and Nick, he knew they were perfect for each other. God knows he needed a change after the fiasco with Jill. He’d been sucked in by her and she’d played right along, always interested in the plan he’d mapped out for his life.
And too interested in his financial status, he’d discovered just in time.
Her parting shot about hi
s boring corporate life when she told him about the husband she’d left behind in Melbourne had cemented his desire to get away. He’d called Italy and finalized the paperwork with his aunt’s lawyer the same day.
He was well aware that he held the reputation of being the boring brother, but he preferred to think of himself as sensible. His shrewd and careful approach to playing the stock market through the global financial crisis had paid off, and he’d made a killing, although only his broker knew how successful he’d been. It had given him the opportunity to dump his career and buy the marina. He’d never have to work again if that’s what he decided he wanted out of life. He would stay commitment-free, and that was the way he wanted it.
Closing his eyes, he thought about the next few months. He had to find somewhere to live. He knew how small his aunt’s apartment was, and besides, he preferred to live alone. Then he’d sort out the finances of the marina and get a handle on the day-to-day running of the tourist side of things. He’d exchanged several e-mails with Aunt Carmen’s accountant, and it looked like he would be able to leave that side of things as they were. Then it was time to start living and experience life beyond the four walls of an office—he was way overdue for a bit of fun. He smiled to himself. By about ten years. Everything a man could ask for in his life—great career, secure finances, and solid investments—had come to him through dedication and hard work. But restlessness had overtaken him over the months since Nick’s wedding. What was he missing out on?
He opened up his laptop and tapped away at the keyboard and began a list. To pass the time, he thought of some ludicrous things that were totally out of character and added them.
Didn’t hurt to dream.
“How many guys do you know who wear a suit on a holiday to Europe?” Alex, his youngest brother, had teased him at the airport when they saw him off to Sydney.
He’d pushed Alex’s hand away as he’d played at straightening Tom’s tie. “One of the sons in this family has to dress respectably. However, I’m not going to have a haircut while I’m away, and the suit will go in the cupboard as soon as I unpack.”
