Copper Creek: The Complete Boxed Set

by Smith, Wendy

  There’s nothing more on the news, but I flick channels to see if there are updates anywhere else.

  “What are you doing?” James asks.

  “Trying to see if there’s more news. There has to be. Surely.”

  He shrugs. “I guess we’ll find out when they have their press conference.”

  “Call Corey. I want to know he’s okay.”

  James’s lips twitch. “You’re such a big softy. You know that, don’t you?”

  “He’s family. I’m allowed to worry.”

  I squeal as he pushes me back on the couch and covers my face with kisses. “I’m so lucky to have you.”

  “Why?” I laugh.

  “You care so much. I think you’re going to fit into my family just fine.” He links his fingers with mine. “I need to go and finish cooking dinner. Tell me if you find any updates.”

  “I will.”

  With another peck to my lips, he gets up and walks to the kitchen. I sigh, watching him leave. I love that man.

  * * *

  We wake in the morning to a message from Corey.

  Constance is home.

  “Did he say anything else?” I ask.

  “There’s a bunch of very happy emojis. I didn’t think Corey knew how to do that on his phone.” James laughs. “I’ll get the full story out of him when he’s ready. I’m sure they’re busy.”

  I grin. “I’m sure they are too.”

  “As long as he’s happy.”

  19

  James

  This is the first Christmas I’ve ever been away from home.

  I thought long and hard about it, as it’ll be Dad’s first Christmas without Mum. But then he’ll have everyone else around him.

  Adam, Drew, Owen, and Corey will all be there. And with them come their wives and partners, not to mention all the kids. The thought of Dad with Ava, Rose, and the twins running rings around him makes me smile.

  Mia and I decided to take that tropical holiday, and flew to Samoa on Christmas Eve.

  Well, Mia decided. I was happy to be with her wherever we were. Her paying for everything leaves me self-conscious, but it makes me more determined than ever to make sure she has the best trip ever.

  At least we don’t have to worry about hiding here. While there’s always a chance we’ll run into someone, it’s a lot less likely on an island far from home. Especially at this time of year.

  On the flight, I hold her hand. She looks nervous, her eyes darting from one side of the plane to the other.

  “I’m right here.” I catch her gaze.

  She shoots me a nervous smile. “I guess I should have told you that I hate flying.”

  I shrug. “It’s just one of many things I’m sure I have to learn about you.”

  When the seatbelt sign goes off, we stay in our belts, but raise the arm between us. She snuggles in against me.

  “Thank you for coming with me,” she says.

  “There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”

  “Your family are going to miss you.”

  I nod. I’ve got no doubt that’s true, and I’ll miss them. But I plan on spending next Christmas with them and Mia. My heart warms at the thought of her making friends with Lily, Hayley, and Ginny.

  I have yet to meet Constance, but Corey adores her, and that’s good enough for me. Both Constance and Ginny are pregnant, so next Christmas there’ll be two more Campbells in the fold.

  “I’ll call them on Christmas Day. They’ll be fine.” I press a kiss to her temple. “Why don’t you watch a movie and try and take your mind off us flying?”

  “I might just do that.”

  * * *

  I feel free.

  Once we land and get to the resort, it’s like a weight’s lifted from my shoulders. I’m sure Mia feels the same way. Though, I think a lot of it is that she’s just glad we’re on the ground again.

  On the way to our room, we walk down a pathway lined with plants and frangipani flowers. The scent coming from them is heavenly.

  “This is so beautiful,” Mia says, linking her arm in mine. “And just what we needed.”

  “I think so too.”

  When we get to the room and the door’s closed, I take her in my arms.

  “I want to go out and explore, but I’m so tired after flying,” she says.

  “Me too. Why don’t we have a nap first?”

  She runs her fingers up my chest. “Just a nap?”

  I chuckle. “What else did you have in mind?”

  “Well, I thought we could kick things off with a shower because that drive from the airport made me hot and sticky.” She gives me a sly smile.

  “Hot and sticky, huh? I think we can take care of that.” I grin.

  Her expression softens. “I’m glad we’re here. Leaving the rest of the world behind is the perfect Christmas present.”

  “I agree. I get to spend the whole week showing you just how much I love you, and not caring who sees.”

  I kiss her softly, but with Mia it’s so easy to get carried away. I skim my tongue over hers, and she relaxes in my embrace.

  “Forget the shower. Let’s do that after.” She’s breathless.

  “After what?”

  Taking me by the hand, she leads me to the bed.

  I nod. “Ohhh after that.”

  “Are you complaining?” She climbs onto the white linen and scoots across to the other side, beckoning me with her index finger.

  “Never.”

  * * *

  It’s mid-morning the following day when I call Dad. Mia’s still in bed.

  We emerged from our room last night for dinner before returning and spending the night in each other’s arms. The air con is a lifesaver.

  “Hello?” Dad answers.

  “Dad, it’s James.”

  “James.” I love the warmth in his voice. I’ve no doubt he misses me.

  “I just wanted to call and say Merry Christmas.”

  “And the same to you. I hope you had a good trip.”

  I smile. “Long flight, but it’s warm, and we’ll go and get some sun today.”

  “Grandad.” Ava’s voice is in the background, and I find myself grinning. How excited will she be today? She’ll be spoiled rotten if I know Owen.

  “Just a minute, Ava. Uncle James is on the phone. Do you want to talk to him?”

  There’s a clatter, like Dad’s dropped the phone, and I laugh.

  “James. Where are you?” Ava asks.

  “I’m in Samoa, sweetheart. Are you having a good Christmas?”

  “Daddy bought me a bike with training wheels.”

  “Did he?” I turn my head as Mia places her hand on my shoulder. Her eyes are so full of love and happiness, and I peck her on the lips.

  “Yes.” She starts listing the things she got, and my heart’s so full. Next year, we’ll all be together.

  I swear.

  20

  James

  Mondays suck.

  Not only in the general sense, but somehow I managed to draw the eight a.m. lecture for this class. At least I’m not the only one having to deal with it. It’s our first morning back at uni for our master’s year.

  “Have you seen what Mia Scott is wearing today?” Cody asks.

  I look up. “No. Why?” When I left her place this morning, she was in the shower.

  “Over there.”

  It’s her legs I notice first. Those long, slim legs that wrap around me just perfectly. She’s wearing a tight white skirt that comes to about halfway down her thighs. Over her white shirt, she’s wearing a black jacket. She looks professional, and hot as all hell.

  My cock twitches at the thought of sliding between her red-painted lips.

  I can’t do this while I’m here.

  “Jesus, she’s hot,” Cody says.

  I nod, and return my attention to my book. Only it’s hard to concentrate now because I know what it’s like to be buried inside her. Roll on the end of the year, when Mia and I can mo
ve on.

  “I would fuck her in a heartbeat.”

  “Dude.”

  He shrugs. “She can’t hear me.”

  “But I can, and it’s not appropriate.” Even if she wasn’t mine, I still wouldn’t talk out loud about a woman like that.

  “Good morning, everyone.” Mia’s voice rings out over the top of all the talking. “Take a seat and we’ll begin.”

  Her eyes meet mine, and the warmth that was in them this morning is there, but held back. She’s so good at putting a mask on.

  When everyone’s quiet, she smiles. “With today being our first day, I’ll start with introducing myself, and then we’ll quickly go around and you can tell me who you are.”

  Cody puts his arm up, and she points at him. “Yes?”

  “That could take all morning, Doctor Scott.”

  She nods. “It could do, but the class isn’t too big, and I doubt any of you are going to concentrate on anything serious with this being your first lecture of the year. Especially at this time of the morning.”

  Laughter crosses the room, and she smiles. “My name is Doctor Mia Scott. I have a doctorate in biotechnology, and I know some of you will have read various papers of mine. At least, I hope so, if you’re pursuing a career in biotech. I’m a self-confessed geek, and I love science fiction.” She scans the room. “Now, who wants to go first?”

  I chuckle as Cody puts his hand up again. Mia knows who he is. I’ve told her all about him. And she’s aware of some of the higher-achieving students in the class too. Biotech is her baby, and she loves the idea of people moving into the field.

  Mia smiles and nods at my friend “Okay. You go first.”

  “My name is Cody Johnson. I got into biotech because I wanted to study genomes and work with DNA. To be honest, it’s a miracle I got this far as my interests also include girls and partying. But I’m here.”

  I bury my face in my hands.

  Mia laughs. “Okay. Who’s next?”

  I look up to see her gaze fixed on me. I guess it makes sense, with me sitting next to Cody.

  Taking a deep breath, I start. “I’m James Campbell. It was a toss-up between botany and biotech. But I’m really glad I chose biotech because I think it’s going to lead to something in the future for me.”

  She licks her lips. This year is going to be so tough. She knows I’m not talking about the science.

  “And are you like Mr Johnson as far as your interests go?”

  I shrug. “I’m not big on partying. I’d much rather have a quiet life.”

  Mia smiles. “I know what you mean.”

  She moves onto the next person, but there’s such a big part of me that wants to just abandon all pretence and show the world she’s mine.

  At first, we didn’t tell anyone because we didn’t want her douchebag ex to know. And now, I’m in her class. We just have to get through this year, and we’ll be free. I’ll graduate, she’ll have her divorce, and the two of us can go away together and start a new life.

  For now, I listen to her lecture, make notes, and try desperately to ignore the fact that there are several male students looking at my girlfriend as if they want do the dirty things I do with her.

  We’re stuck, and it’s so fucking awkward.

  21

  Corey

  Six months later

  “Push.”

  Constance glares at me. It’s nearly midnight, and she’s been pushing for an hour. The tension’s obvious on the midwife Margaret’s face. Con’s exhausted, and Margaret’s worried about her and the baby.

  “Come on, sweetness. You can do it.” I say.

  Tears appear in Con’s eyes as she bears down. “I’m so tired, Corey.”

  “I know you are. I wish I could take it all away.”

  Her face is red with effort, and I take the wet washcloth and wipe her cheeks.

  “You’re so close, Constance. Keep going.” Margaret sounds as if she’s trying to keep her tone neutral, but we both know what could happen if this goes wrong. We’re remote, and it’s a long way to the nearest hospital.

  I should have booked her into Tauranga, or even asked Drew if she could deliver in Hamilton. But it’s too late, and she has to get through this.

  “I love you,” she whispers.

  “I love you too, sweetness. Let’s get that baby out.”

  “It’s easy for you to say.” Despite her pain, she laughs before her face distorts again.

  She lets out a moan.

  “That’s it. The head’s crowning. Push down as hard as you can.” Margaret’s voice is so full of hope, and I exchange a relieved look with her.

  “I can’t do this.” Constance’s tears are back, and I squeeze her hand.

  “You’re so strong. You have no idea.”

  It’s times like this when I can still picture her in Ash’s grip. His hand had been wrapped around her throat, and he’d had a gun against her temple. I nearly lost her then. I will not lose her now.

  She nods, her features contorting as she bears down hard again.

  I turn my head in time to see our son slip out of her. It’s the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen.

  He’s covered in blood and mucus, but he’s pink, and he’s perfect from what I can see.

  “Con.” I turn back. Her eyelashes flutter, and I wipe her forehead tenderly with the washcloth before I kiss her. Her lips are soft, and there’s no sign of the tension that held her in its grasp just a few seconds ago. “He’s beautiful, Con.”

  “He is,” Margaret says. “And very healthy.”

  She places him on Constance’s bare chest. He squawks, then settles, his head resting over his mother’s heart.

  My heart’s about to explode.

  * * *

  While Constance showers, I hold my son for the first time.

  How can something that small be so difficult to get out? Constance is amazing.

  “He’s a lovely baby,” Margaret says.

  “He’s perfect. Will Constance be okay?”

  She nods. “She needs a lot of rest, but I think you’ll help her with that. Do you have a name for him?”

  “Eli.”

  Margaret smiles. “It’s a nice name.”

  “Con and I spent hours going through a baby name book, and it was one of the few we both liked.”

  “It’s lovely.”

  Eli stares at me. He’s got a shock of dark hair, just like both his mother and me. His eyes are grey, just like Constance’s, though they could change colour later on.

  “I was so scared, little man. I was really worried about you and your mum. But now you’re here, and I’m going to pamper your mother more than usual.”

  Margaret pats my arm. “I’ll be back later today to check on her. It was a difficult labour.”

  “Thanks. You were fantastic. But I still wish we’d gone to a hospital.”

  She nods. “I can understand that. But they’re both okay now.”

  “That’s so much better.” Constance walks into the bedroom. We set up the spare room as the birthing room, so we can sleep in our own bed now. Her smile is faint, and her exhaustion still clear, but she’s looking so much better than she was half an hour ago.

  “Hey.” She reaches for Eli, and I hand him over. “You two look good together.”

  She smiles at our son, cradling him in one arm while she holds his tiny hand. “Were you having cuddles with Daddy?”

  Daddy.

  I’m a father.

  “I guess I should text everyone.”

  She nods. “We’ll never be forgiven if we don’t let them all know.”

  “I’ll take care of that. You go and get into bed with Eli.” I lean over, giving her a tender kiss on the lips.

  “I’ll just finish cleaning up here, and I’ll see you later on after we’ve all had a sleep.” Margaret smiles.

  Constance nods. “Thank you for everything.”

  “You’re welcome. You have my number. Call me if you need anything, and
don’t worry about the time. It’s what I’m here for.”

  Con disappears back out to the living room, and I turn to Margaret. “Don’t worry about the rest. I’ll sort it out later on.”

  “The bed’s remade and I’ve got all the rubbish in a bag. There’s not much left to do.”

  “Thanks, Margaret.”

  She smiles. “I’m so happy for you two. Give my love to Hayley if you’re talking to her.”

  “Will do.”

  When she’s gone, I sit with my phone and compose a message to the family. Max set up groups on my phone to make this easier for me, and I just send out a mass text to the lot to tell them Eli’s been born and attach a photo. I even remember to include his length and birth weight because I know Hayley, Lily, and Ginny will all want to know.

  When I get to the bedroom, Constance lies in bed, Eli at her breast. It’s a breathtaking sight. The earlier struggles of this evening are forgotten as he feeds in peace.

  I’m sure the quiet won’t last for long, but for now we enjoy it.

  22

  James

  My phone buzzes beside the bed.

  “Ignore it. Let’s go to sleep.” Mia’s voice is tinged with tiredness. It’s been a long week for both of us, and spending all of Friday evening in bed hasn’t helped. Not a lot of sleep has gone on so far.

  “I should check. As far as I know, Constance is still in labour.”

  She nods, and I grab my phone, grinning as I see what’s come through.

  “Check this out.” I hand my phone over to her, and a smile lights up her face.

  “What a beautiful baby.”

  “That’s my new nephew, Eli. Born about an hour ago. Ginny and Owen’s baby is only a few weeks away too.”

  “That’s so sweet. The two cousins will be able to grow up together.”

  I nod. It’s times like this that make me homesick. Having Mia in my life distracts me from missing home.