Copper Creek: The Complete Boxed Set

by Smith, Wendy

  I lead her down the hallway toward the bedroom. “A tent would be no good.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “I can’t imagine all four of us in a tent. When would I get you alone?”

  She laughs as I slip my arm around her waist. “That’s a good point.”

  We pause at our bedroom door, and she sighs as I pull her in for a kiss. I love kissing Lily. Her soft, warm lips always bring me comfort and reassurance. Maybe I should stay in bed and kiss her to make myself feel better. Even the thought leaves me feeling selfish when she’s struggling with lack of sleep.

  “Come on,” she says, in a tone so soft and loving.

  Everything else is forgotten as we go back to our bed.

  Even the blood.

  14

  Hayley

  It’s early when I wake to knocking on the door, and I pick up my phone to see it’s just a little after six. Too tired to think straight, I stagger to the door and pull it open. Breathing a sigh of relief that it’s Owen Campbell on my doorstep. I lick my lips.

  “Aren’t you a sight?” He casts his gaze over me, and I look down in horror as I realise I’m wearing Drew’s shirt and nothing else. For once in my life I’m thankful I’m not that tall, and that Drew’s long shirt more closely resembles a nightgown than a T-shirt on me.

  “It’s too early. What are you doing here?”

  “Are you okay?” He studies me closely. My eyes are still sore from crying the night before, and they’re probably red.

  “Yeah. I was, once I could speak to your brother and make sure we were good.” I shoot Owen a glare, and his expression grows sheepish.

  “I’m sorry about last night. Can I come in? I brought breakfast.”

  “I’ll put the kettle on.”

  He follows me into the kitchen and sits at the table, tearing open the bag. “Cheese and bacon croissants. They’re freshly cooked. I hope you’re not vegan or anything.”

  Yawning, I shake my head. “That sounds good. How do you take your coffee?”

  “Milk, no sugar.” He sighs. “I wanted to apologise for last night. Drew called and tore a strip off me.”

  I pluck two mugs from the cupboard and flick the water on to boil. “He said he was going to talk to you.”

  “He’s just a crazy man in love. I’ll forgive him.”

  Spooning the coffee into the cups, I smile. “You think so?”

  “He’s crazy about you. He said you had some trouble with that weirdo.”

  I sigh as I pour the milk. “He tried to kiss me. I don’t know if he’s used to people saying no to him.”

  “That’s not a good thing. I’ll leave you my number and if you need any help, give me a call.”

  Placing the cups on the table, I sit opposite him. “Are you always this helpful?”

  “Why wouldn’t I be? If you’re Drew’s girl, you’re practically part of the family. Better than the last one.”

  He pushes the paper bag into the centre of the table. Four croissants sit on it, and the scent wafting from them is amazing.

  “From what Drew’s said, that’s not difficult.” I pick up a croissant. It’s soft and warm, and I can’t wait to sink my teeth into it. “Thank you for breakfast.”

  “It was the least I could do after being so rude last night. Drew deserves better than what he had with his ex, and it sounds like he’s got that now. I feel bad.”

  I take a bite and close my eyes as the melted cheese and bacon taste fills my mouth. After the stress of the night before, it’s heaven. “I really appreciate you making the effort. This is so good. You can bring breakfast any time.”

  He grins. “I wouldn’t tell Drew that.”

  “That’s not what I mean, and you know it.”

  Laughing, Owen leans back in his chair. “You don’t have to worry about me. It’s not going to stop me flirting shamelessly with you when Drew’s around. He torments Adam like that.”

  “I noticed. He has a nickname for her.”

  “Lily-Belle?”

  I nod.

  “He used to call her that when we were kids to get a rise out of her because she hated it. After all the shit that happened with her mother, he stuck with it because it was familiar.” He leans over a little. “She’s like the sister we never had, so don’t ever read too much into it.”

  I laugh. “Okay. I won’t.”

  “So, what are you guys going to do?”

  “What do you mean?”

  He takes a sip of his coffee. “It makes no sense for Drew to come back here, so I assume you’re moving to Hamilton.”

  I shrug. “We haven’t got that far yet, but it’s the only thing that does make sense.”

  Owen nods. “Are you okay with that?”

  I finish my last bite and pick up my mug, cradling it in my hands. “I love this place. It’s been my saviour in so many ways, but I want to be with Drew. I’m not really sure what I’ll do.”

  “He really is smitten. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him like this.”

  “Did you ever meet his ex?”

  Owen rolls his eyes. “Once, when I went to Hamilton to check out a new supplier. She’s a real piece of work, that one.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “She was just so whiny. Drew came out for a drink with me, and she decided to tag along only to complain that where we were going wasn’t nice enough. She wanted somewhere fancy where the drinks were probably twice the price. All she did was sit in the corner and whinge the whole time.”

  I shake my head. “I’m trying to picture Drew putting up with that.”

  “I’m pretty sure he only did because he felt guilty finishing things. She quit her job five minutes after moving in without speaking to him, and I think he felt obligated to look after her.”

  “That’s the kind of thing he would do. He’s such a softy.”

  Owen nods. “Yeah, he is. That’s why I reacted the way I did last night. I’ve seen enough of his kind nature being taken advantage of.” He sighs. “I should have known you weren’t like that.”

  “To be fair, how would you have known? It’s not like we’re close friends. I just buy bread from time to time.”

  He laughs. “Maybe we should remedy that. My flat is useless, but I’ll talk to Adam about having a barbecue at his place. We’ll have a family get-together.”

  “Does that include your parents?”

  “Have you met them yet?”

  I shake my head. “No. Drew hasn’t met mine either, so I think that’s fair enough. I’ve heard a bit about your mother.”

  “Then you’ll know why they won’t be invited.”

  “I guess. She sounds a lot like my mother to be honest.”

  He rolls his eyes. “You and Drew will be perfect together then. Just stay away from all of the parentals.”

  I grin. “My mother wants to hook me up with a man of her choosing. I’m sure she’ll like Drew, though. He ticks all her boxes.”

  Owen smiles. “Why do you think I’m still single? It’s so I don’t have to deal with all this shit. As if you don’t have enough to deal with too. The last thing I’d do is hook up with someone in a different city. Screw having to travel for sex.”

  I know he’s just chatting, but that hurts. Every day, I feel the distance more and more. It’s not as if we’re in different countries and unable to see each other, but our distance still reminds me of the years I spent in boarding school, abandoned by my parents.

  When I first went there, I cried every night for weeks. I only got to go home during the school holidays. I even spent long weekends as a boarder and learned for the first time what loneliness was. When I let my mind still and relax, it’s what I feel now.

  “Shit, Hayley, that was insensitive. If it works for you two, that’s awesome.”

  I shrug. “I’m not sure if it is. Drew means everything to me, but I hate the time in between, you know?”

  He nods. “If I know Drew, he hates it too. He’s such a nice guy, and he gives hi
s heart away way too easily. But I think he’s found something special with you.”

  “It is special.”

  “So you two will make it work somehow. I can guarantee that if he’s sleeping with you, there won’t be anyone else in his life.”

  I smile. “I hope it’ll work. He’s a nice guy, your brother.”

  “Yeah, he is. And that’s from the brother who had to put up with sharing a room with him for the first twelve years of my life.”

  That brings a grin to my face. “Tell me about you guys growing up. Was Drew always so sweet?”

  “Always. Corey was the one who constantly got in trouble. Adam followed in his shadow until he met Lily.”

  I nod.

  “Drew would bring home stray animals and pretend to be a doctor.”

  His memory makes smile. I could just picture Drew doing that, he’s so caring.

  He tilts his head. “At least you’re smiling again. I thought for a bit I’d put you off a long-distance relationship with my brother.”

  I can’t pretend it doesn’t still bother me, but I don’t want to talk about it anymore. “What about you? What were you like?”

  He shrugs. “I just never wanted to settle down. Still don’t. I have my bakery, and that’s enough for me.”

  “Really?”

  Owen shifts in his seat as if he’s uncomfortable. “Really. I’m not the type to get tied to someone forever.”

  “Maybe the right person is out there for you.”

  “It’s okay if they’re not.” He nudges my arm. “Drew’s never sounded the way he does talking about you. That’s love.”

  Glancing at the clock, his eyes widen. “Shit. I told Mel I’d be back in twenty minutes. It’s nearly half past.”

  “Do you need a hand in the bakery? I’ll help.”

  He grins. “I bet you would too. You’re as nice a person as Drew is. That’d be why you’re so sickly sweet together.” He lets out a loud breath. “We’ll be fine. Mel complains a lot, but she’s turning out to be such a great baker. I hope she stays with me when she finishes her apprenticeship.”

  “For your sake, I hope so too.” I stand, taking the paper bag and scrunching it into a ball. “Thank you for visiting, Owen. It means a lot.”

  “You’re welcome. Pop by for a chat whenever you need to. I’ll give you my number, and I mean it—call me if you need anything.”

  “I will.”

  He stands and hugs me.

  “Be good to my brother and he’ll worship the ground you walk on. Promise.”

  I nod.

  “I should go before you realise I’m feeling you up. Give me your number and I’ll text you mine.”

  Laughing as he lets go of me, I tell him my number.

  He leaves me with fresh croissants and a smile on my face.

  I know I’ve found a friend.

  15

  Drew

  I miss her.

  Hearing her so frantic on the phone didn’t help. This distance is coming between us, even if we’re happier than ever. It’s such a screwed up situation, and I hate it as much as I love her.

  And I do.

  Every time I close my eyes, I see her. She’s so full of life, and the thing I’ve come to love most is making her smile. Why did I have to fall for a girl who lives back in Copper Creek and not here?

  It’s dark when I get home, and my phone rings just as I get to the front door. I pull out my brand-new iPhone and roll my eyes at the name on the screen. What did I ever see in Lucy?

  My curiosity gets the better of me. I don’t want a confrontation, but why the hell would she still be calling me? My lawyer hasn’t heard from hers, although I prepared him and did the groundwork just in case.

  “Lucy.”

  “Drew. We need to talk. I need money.”

  “You need to sort that out for yourself.”

  “You owe me.”

  I shake my head, memories of the past few months filling my mind.

  “Drew, I hope you don’t mind, but I quit my job.” That was a week after moving in.

  “Drew, I bought some new clothes today. Your credit card declined at the third place. You might need to do something about that.” That was often her refrain as I dropped the limit bit by bit to stop the spending.

  Yeah.

  Life was fun with her, but I have so much more money now she’s not a part of my life. Plus, I have love, actual love. The kind of love you want to scream from the rooftops. Even if it is a long-distance love.

  “Ahem.”

  I roll my eyes.

  “I’m pretty sure you owe me. It’s over, Lucy, but you already know that. Go home to your parents if you need money.”

  “I’ll talk to my lawyer.”

  I sigh. “That’s what I keep telling you to do. Do whatever you want. Just leave me alone.”

  Hanging up the phone, I slide my key into the front door and turn it. When I first moved in, living here felt like the right thing to do. Plenty of space, and lots of time to just be me. But I’m selfish now. I want to come home to Hayley. I want her sweetness around me every day, that gentle demeanour I love so much. She’s everything I ever needed and more.

  The house is quiet, and it’s missing the one person I want here.

  I dial her and lie back on the couch.

  “Hello?”

  Immediately, I regret my timing. Her voice is thick with sleep, but a little husky, which stirs something in me. “Hey.”

  “Drew? Your number didn’t come up. I didn’t know it was you.” There’s joy in her voice, and my heart warms hearing her.

  “I got a new phone, and I’ve been playing with it. I’ll have to work out how to turn the caller ID back on. I’m sorry if I woke you.”

  “It’s okay. It’s been a long day, but I’m not going anywhere else tonight.”

  I smile and roll onto my side. “I wanted to hear your voice. I miss you so much.”

  “I miss you too. Wish you were here.”

  My heart pangs at her words and her sad tone. She’s as empty without me as I am without her. It’s ridiculous that the distance between us isn’t that big, but when we’re apart it might as well be a million miles. “I do, too. I’d love to curl up in your bed with you and just sleep. I had a busy day. What have you been up to?”

  “Mostly ante-natal checks. I stopped in to see Lily. She’s doing so well, and that baby of hers is just the sweetest.”

  Before this, I never got homesick, but just the sound of her voice makes me long for Copper Creek. More specifically, her little cottage.

  “She’s got the Campbell DNA—that’s why. We’re all sweet.”

  Hayley laughs. “You are, anyway. I don’t know your brothers well enough to comment.”

  “The diplomatic answer.”

  “You’re the one I want to spend time with.” She sighs, and I know that feeling. “Was your day long too?”

  “The longest.”

  “I hate this,” she whispers. “It’s my birthday on Thursday and I wish you could be here for it.”

  My heart breaks when I hear her sadness. I did this by calling her when I could have let her sleep. It’s such a tough situation to be in. I just want my girl with me. All I can think about is what she told me about her relationship with her parents. They abandoned her in boarding school, and this must be a similar feeling for her, even if it’s not me sending her away. “I hate this too. We’ll work out what to do, I promise.” I sigh. I just want a distraction—anything other than just thinking about the miles between us. “Tell me about my niece.”

  Hayley takes a deep breath. “I think she’s going to be a lot like Lily. She’s got the same blue eyes, although you know they could change at some point. That dark hair is disappearing, and there’s some fair hair coming through.”

  “Max was like that when he was born. Then it all fell out and he was bald and looked a lot like my grandfather.”

  She laughs, and even though it’s accompanied by a sniff, it brings a
smile to my face. “How’s Max coping with his sister? Any better?”

  “I think so, but it’s a gradual thing. He’s impressed by the way she burps.”

  I chuckle, picturing my nephew and how he gets hung up on all kinds of things. “It’s a big change to his world.”

  “He seems to be adjusting.”

  “I’m glad.”

  I don’t let the phone call go too long. She sounds tired, and I’m a dick if I keep her awake when she needs her rest.

  It’s driving me up the wall that she’s not here resting with me.

  * * *

  I’m lost in thought, standing at the reception desk in the maternity ward the following day.

  I need more time with Hayley, but travelling back and forward is tiring with my work schedule. It’d be easier if there was another midwife in Copper Creek. Margaret and Hayley depend on each other, and I can’t expect her to pop up and see me at short notice.

  “Everything okay?” Caitlyn asks, shoving a customer chart in my face.

  I smile. “Yeah.”

  “How’s Hayley doing?”

  “She’s good. Working hard. Seriously, country-town midwife life is just like running a farm. There’s lambing season, and there’s baby season. She’s busy.”

  Caitlyn nods. “I wouldn’t mind going somewhere a bit more remote. Less stress than this place, I’m sure.”

  “Yeah and no. Hey, do you remember a story about a midwife in Auckland about four years ago? Lost a patient to placental abruption and got put under supervision?”

  Caitlyn narrows her eyes as if she’s concentrating. “It rings a bell. The doctor involved said she didn’t tell him in time or something.” She frowns. “It’s not often things like that happen, so they stick with you.”

  “Do you know who the doctor was?”

  She shakes her head. “I can probably look it up and see if I can find out. Where was it?”

  “Auckland.”

  “I’ll take a look.” She licks her lips. “Why?”

  “Hayley was the midwife.”

  Her eyes soften. “Oh, Drew, I’m so sorry for her. I can’t remember the details, but I have a feeling she got hung out to dry.”