Common Ground

by Wendy Smith

  Me: I got the flowers and the chocolate. Thank you. Love you xx

  “Which one do you think we should open?”

  Melly’s index finger goes straight to her mouth as if it’s the most important decision she’ll ever have to make. She examines each box and bar before picking a brightly coloured bar.

  “This one.”

  I laugh, peeling back the wrapper and snapping off a piece each.

  “Mmm, thank you, Daddy,” I say.

  She laughs. It’s only one piece, but she’s already managed to smear it around her lips.

  “You’re a mess. We’re going to have to clean up before school.”

  “Do I have to go? Can’t we see Daddy?”

  I shake my head. “Sorry, baby. He’s working. But he’s coming to see us really soon.”

  “I miss him.” Her lower lip wobbles.

  “So do I. But he’ll be spending some time with us in a few weeks, and maybe he can take you to school in the mornings and pick you up. That’s what I think he should do for a while, anyway.”

  She beams. “Really?”

  “He’s going to here for a few weeks, so we need to make the most of it. And he’ll want to be with his little girl for as much time as possible.”

  Melly flings her arms around my neck. “I can’t wait for Daddy to get here.”

  I swallow down the lump in my throat. “Neither can I, baby. Neither can I.”

  The school principal smiles when I walk into the office.

  “Delaney. I thought we might see you today.”

  I nod. “Stacey. I guess you’ve seen the story.”

  She sighs. “I did. We talked about it in the staff meeting this morning. There have already been calls into the office.”

  My mouth drops. “I’m so sorry.”

  Stacey shakes her head. “Don’t be. I can’t say we’ve ever been through this before, but we all want to keep Amelia safe. No one will be able to get near her who shouldn’t be.”

  “Thank you.” I tear up.

  She walks around the front desk and gives my bicep a squeeze. “The good thing about being in a small-knit community is that we all know each other. You and Amelia are family. And we take care of family.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I will call you myself if anything unusual happens. And until this settles down, we’ll keep a closer eye on her during breaks. Maybe pick her up from the office instead of the gate for a while. I’ll tell her to come here when the bell rings.”

  “That’s a good idea. I really appreciate it.” I sniff.

  “We all know the truth, and what was in that article was far from it. Amelia’s safe with us.”

  I smile and nod.

  “I’ve got to get to work. Thank you so much for everything.”

  By the time I reach the car, I’m in tears. At least this time, it’s because of the kindness of others..

  Pull yourself together, Delaney.

  I take a deep breath and start the car. Work at least will keep me busy and hopefully keep my mind off everything else.

  I’ll still worry about Melly, but she’s in good hands.

  The day drags.

  I’m a bit crampy all day, and my head hurts. I could go home, but being away meant Pania carried the load, and I need to make up for that.

  The highlight of my day has to be the flowers and chocolate.

  My phone buzzes.

  Josh: Glad you got them. Sorry they couldn’t get there sooner. Hope the chocolate’s still of some use. Love you too. FaceTime me after school. I need to see you. xx

  Damon walks in just after one and sits in his usual spot.

  “What did you want today, Damon?”

  He visibly shrinks when I address him. It’s so unlike him, and I spot it straight away. What the hell?

  “That story wasn’t fair on you. I wanted you to know that.”

  After a hugely emotional weekend, I blink back tears. Again. “Thank you.”

  “I …” He gulps. “I thought that it would focus on how he abandoned you. Not paint you the way it did. I’m so sorry, Delaney.”

  The floor falls out from underneath me.

  “What did you say?”

  He hesitates. “He’s not good enough for you. And I thought that article would be about him. You have to believe me.”

  “They were your photos?” I croak.

  Damon nods. “I sold them. You can have the money.”

  “You fucking bastard,” I scream.

  “Delaney. I’m sorry.”

  The smell of Pania’s perfume alerts me to her presence behind me.

  “She’s five, Damon. Do you know how much damage you’ve done? Get out of my diner and my life,” I yell.

  He holds up his palms. “I’ll sort it.”

  “You can’t. You’ve taken the last bit of privacy she had and you destroyed it. Did you ever think once about what this would do to me and my daughter?”

  Pania steps around me. “Get the fuck out of here before I slap you. Don’t you dare ever come back.”

  He stands and backs away. “I never meant to hurt you. I swear.”

  “It’s way too late for that.”

  Pania turns me around. “Go sit in the kitchen. I’ll be there in a minute.”

  My feet are like clay, but I move them, one in front of the other. But it’s like I’ve forgotten how to walk as I force each step all the way to the table.

  We’ve planned so much at this table—and had so many conversations. Now it’s the support I need as I collapse in tears face first.

  “Oh, honey.” Pania’s beside me minutes later, pulling me into her arms. “I’ve got rid of him. We’ll have him served with a trespass notice. That man’s not stepping foot on this property again.”

  “I never thought anyone from here would do that to Melly.” I sob.

  “Neither did I. I guess when there’s money involved, it pays not to trust anyone.” She hugs me tight. “Except me. I’ve always got you.”

  “I know you do.”

  She rubs my back. “You have to tell Josh.”

  I nod. “I’ll do that when I get a grip.”

  “He loves you. He’ll take care of this.”

  Pulling back from her, I struggle to breathe at first. “Will he? I’m the one getting the tweets and the nasty comments and having to make sure Amelia’s safe.”

  Pania brushes my stray hair off my face. “He’d climb mountains for you. Anyone can see that. Give him a chance. Did you tell him about the comments and tweets?”

  I shake my head. “He’s got enough to deal with.”

  “Then give him this too. He’s your partner, and he deserves the chance to protect you.”

  She’s right. Josh has to know everything. I can’t bottle it all up and hide it from him. If we’re doing this, I need him.

  Especially where our daughter’s concerned.

  I pull myself together before school pickup and drive down to get Melly.

  Instead of parking outside, I drive in the gate and use the visitor’s park outside the office. I get a few odd looks, but I ignore them and head inside where my girl waits.

  “Mummy.” She flings her arms around me.

  “Come on, sweetheart. Let’s go home.”

  “Are we going to the diner?”

  I shake my head. “Not today. We’re going home to call Daddy.”

  Her whole face lights up, and she jumps up and down on the spot.

  “Thank you,” I call out to anyone who can hear me.

  I’ve never been so relieved that the day is over as I buckle Melly into her seat and we set off home. Once we’ve FaceTimed Josh, I’ll be cooking some kind of comfort food to disappear into.

  And attacking that basket of chocolate.

  It took a while to get used to living in the middle of nowhere, but right now, I’m grateful for the peace. If I was in the city, there’d be reporters on my doorstep, and even though there’s no one waiting when I get home, I still drive straig
ht into the garage, which I haven’t done since I moved here.

  Melly skips from the garage into the house. At least she’s unaware of what’s going on. All she knows is that we’re about to call her father and that’s enough to keep her happy.

  I hope her life continues to be like this.

  Once I’m inside, I join her on the couch.

  “Can we call Daddy now?” She’s so excited, and even as tired as I am, I muster a smile.

  “We sure can. He’s waiting for us to call.”

  I pull out my phone and FaceTime Josh.

  It takes everything in me not to burst into tears at the sight of him.

  “My girls.”

  “Daddy, I just got home from school,” Melly says.

  “Did you have a good day?”

  She nods. “I had to go to the office for Mummy to pick me up. But the teacher said it was to keep me safe.”

  His lips twitch. “That’s good then. My girl has to stay safe.”

  “I miss you, Daddy.”

  “I miss you, too. But I’ll be there soon. I promise.”

  Leaving Melly with the phone, I head to the bathroom to splash water on my face. Between still feeling gross and the events of the day, all I want to do is curl up in bed with Josh. But he’s thousands of kilometres away.

  Melly hands me the phone when I get back.

  “Daddy wants to talk to you. I need to go to the toilet.”

  I smile. “Okay. You go and do that.”

  Her footsteps thud down the hall.

  “Hey, beautiful,” Josh says. I smile at him. He scans my face. “You look tired.”

  “I am tired. It’s been a really long day.”

  “Tell me what’s going on.”

  I let out a sigh. “I found out where the photos came from.”

  “What? Where?”

  I suck on my bottom lip, willing myself not to cry again. “Damon.”

  “That son of a bitch.” I’ve never heard Josh so angry. “At least we know where it’s come from. How did you find out?”

  I take a deep breath. “He came in to apologise. He thought you would be the subject of the article.”

  He growls. “Are you two okay?”

  Closing my eyes, I lean back on the couch. “I’m glad you turned off my social media notifications. I’ve had tweets from reporters, and plenty of people want to tell me what a bitch I am. The school’s taking care of Melly.”

  “I’ll organise some security. I should have done it the other day. You two need to be protected.”

  I blink rapidly. “No.”

  “I need to make sure you’re safe.” His tone is so anguished. “After what happened in Hawaii, I don’t want anything else coming between us.”

  “It’s not coming between us.”

  “Whether we like it or not, these things are going to wear us down. The sooner we’re all together the better, and I’m working on that right now.” He pauses. “At least, for a little while. I miss you like crazy.”

  I rock as I cradle the phone. “I miss you too. Want to have phone sex?”

  Josh’s strained laugh gives him away. He’s as tired as I am. “You’re sounding more like yourself.”

  “I feel more like myself now I’m talking to you. I’m looking forward to you coming to stay with us.”

  “Me too. Listen, I’ve got to get going, but call me tomorrow or I’ll call you. If you’re going to be stubborn about security, then I need to know what’s going on and when to step in.”

  This is the part I hated thinking about. There was always a chance we’d end up with our carefree life being curtailed. I just thought we had more time. But Josh is right. We have to make sure this gets under control before it damages our relationship.

  And that’s all that matters.

  Forty-One

  Delaney

  Thankfully, nothing more happens before Josh is due to arrive.

  Damon hasn’t been near the diner, to my relief. I’ve seen him in passing from across the street, but he hasn’t tried approaching me. I think Pania put the fear of God into him. She’s good at doing that.

  The bell rings to say someone’s walked in, and Jo has to nudge me to get me to look up.

  Dark eyes greet me from the other side of the counter.

  My heart races as I run around and into his arms.

  All the pressure of the past few weeks flows from my body as I cry happy tears, his arms wrapped tightly around me. Josh is always what I need.

  “Hey, baby. Miss me?” he murmurs, pressing a kiss into my hair.

  “I’m so happy you’re here. You didn’t tell me.” I pull back and slap his chest.

  “I just wanted to see my girl.” He reaches up and pushes a lock of hair behind my ear.

  “Delaney. Get out of here.” Pania’s voice comes from behind us. I turn to see her smiling at me.

  “Are you sure?”

  She nods. “Nothing’s more important right now. Go and spend some time together. Want me to pick up the munchkin?”

  I look at the clock. It’s a little after one in the afternoon. “No. We can go and get her. Thank you so much.”

  “It’s obvious this is what you need. Call me later?”

  I grin. “You know it.”

  Josh takes my hand and squeezes it. “Let’s go for a drive. Then we can pick up Amelia.”

  I nod. “I’ll just grab my bag.”

  He’s waiting by the door when I come back out, and I walk into the sunshine hand in hand with him. I still feel like I could cry, I’m so happy, but I’ve had enough of crying lately.

  His rental car sits outside the diner, standing out like a sore thumb because it’s some expensive European thing. I let out a moan as I sink into the leather seat.

  “You’re a sight for sore eyes,” he says.

  “So are you. Why didn’t you warn me you were coming?”

  He chuckles as he starts the car. “I thought about it, but then I thought it’d be a nice surprise. Amelia’s going to freak out.”

  “She really will. Where are we going?”

  His expression’s so hard to read, but he leans over and gives me a tender kiss. “That’s a surprise too. I promise we’ll be back in time to get Amelia.”

  “You’ve got my curiosity piqued, Carter.”

  “Then let’s go.”

  It only takes a minute or two to work out that we’re leaving the town centre and heading toward the mountain. As we hit the winding road, I know we’re going to Richard’s house. I’m not sure why. Josh will be staying with us, won’t he?

  What’s going on?

  I say nothing, but enjoy the scenery. With spring arriving, the road is lined with green trees and colourful flowers. It’s a much nicer drive this time of year.

  We pull up outside the house, and Josh gets out, walks around the car, and opens my door.

  “What are we doing here?”

  He takes my hand in his and leads me to the front door. I sigh a little at our return to this house. It’s so beautiful. The cream stucco walls blend it into the background in the winter, and with its wall to floor glass on the top floor, the views must be amazing.

  This is the home of my dreams.

  Without a word, he slides the key in the lock and turns. After pushing the door open, he disarms the alarm and we step inside.

  “Do you remember when we had our date here?”

  I smile. “You mean when you burned the toasted sandwiches?”

  He laughs. “Yes. And you fell in love with the kitchen.”

  Nodding, I squeeze his hand. “Oh, I remember.”

  “It’s yours, Delaney. Well, ours. I bought the house.”

  My mouth falls open. “I … we …”

  “I’m not saying you have to move up here. You’re so close to work and school, and it makes sense for you to stay where you are. But later on, when you and Amelia are with me, we can come back here for holidays and reminisce about when we fell in love again.”

  Des
pite my earlier promise not to cry, I tear up. “Josh.”

  “And with you not wanting security, this is also a getaway if you’re harassed. You can shut yourself up here and close the gates and get any time away you need.”

  My heart’s so full, it might just burst. Right when I was dealing with all the hurt of someone I knew betraying me, and trying to cope mentally with the fallout over something so simple as people knowing about our daughter, Josh goes and does something incredible like this.

  “You’re crazy.”

  He laughs, wrapping his arms around me and kissing my temple. “Like I keep saying—crazy about you.”

  I raise my face, and a soft kiss turns into more and then I’m lost as the heat of the moment takes over.

  And when we break apart, Josh presses his forehead to mine. “Want to explore?”

  “Yes.” I grin.

  “Come on.”

  I didn’t tour the house last time I was here. We got as far as the kitchen and the room where we watched the movie, but the house is so much more than that. The first place we reach is the kitchen where I run my index finger over the shiny appliances and across the marble benchtop. Josh almost has to drag me into the next room which I’ve seen before, but then he leads me upstairs to a large hallway with five bedrooms. And right at the end is the massive master bedroom, with a big bed and a huge bay window.

  I was right about the breathtaking views.

  “The deal includes all the furniture. Richard wasn’t interested in getting it shipped out of here. The beds down the other end of the hallway are new, so we can swap this one out for one of those and have a new bed. It’s all ours.” Josh smiles.

  “This is insane.” I sit on the end of the bed, grab his hand, and pull him to me.

  He takes a seat. “This house is important to me. It’s the location of our first second-time-around date, and where I opened that letter. I don’t want you to ever feel that if you come to live with me, you have to give up this town completely. We can holiday here.”

  “I love it.” I chew on my bottom lip. “How much did you pay for it?”

  Josh chuckles. “It doesn’t matter. We negotiated a fair price. The settlement date is still a couple of weeks away, but Richard was happy to hand over the keys early. So, anytime you need to get away we can come up here.”