by Lily Harlem
“This is wonderful,” Lucas said, smiling at her. “We have lots of love to give two more children in our family.”
“I agree.” She stood, holding on to both Evan and Harry as she did so. Her knees were a little weak, as if emotion had taken away some of their strength.
“And I think,” Lucas went on, “they should have the surname MaCadam, as there are two of us already.”
Everyone turned to him.
“Good idea.” Mason nodded and shoved his hands into his jeans pockets.
“MaCadam?” Harry shook his head. “No, it goes without saying they’ll be Vidals.” He pointed at the screen. “That way, even at tadpole size, our kids are billionaires.”
“Nothing goes without saying.” Olivia frowned at him.
“Yeah. And what happens when Dante wants a blood test?” Evan asked. “To check their DNA. He’s not going to give his billions to grandchildren who are not biologically his.”
“And when they pop out looking like little Spanish twins.” Raul folded his arms and tipped his chin. “A Scottish name will not suit them.”
“They won’t look Spanish,” Mason said. “Not with Olivia’s pale coloring.”
“Apart from any of that,” Evan said, “the residents of Valley Point think Olivia is my wife and these are my babies. They should have the surname Tate. They’ll get the ranch one day; it’s not worth billions but it’s an income and a roof over their head.”
“I have a restaurant to leave them,” Raul snapped. “Worth lots of money, also income.”
“The MaCadams have a long lineage,” Lucas said, “a clan of strong, brave warriors and—”
“Stop!” Olivia swung her gaze around all of them. “The babies will have my surname, Bailey. I want them to be the same as me. And while we’re at it, Banna, Amal, and Darius can also become Baileys. I don’t have a fortune to leave them but I have lots of love.” She squared her shoulders. “Which is what you should all be thinking about, not your masculine egos and whose name our children get.”
She stormed from the room, pulling the door up behind her with a sharp click.
“Everything okay?” Dr Grace asked, lifting her attention from a set of notes.
“Yes, fine, thank you.” She could hardly say that having five husbands was on occasion, exhausting.
Dr Grace studied her. “You all living up at the Tate Ranch?”
“Yes.”
“You’re going to have your work cut out. All that testosterone.”
“Tell me about it.” She leaned on the counter.
Dr Grace rested her hand on Olivia’s forearm. She wore a slim wedding band, as though it had gotten thinner with time. “It’s a shock, but you’ll be fine. You’re not the first woman to have twins.” She paused. “And Evan is not his late father. Old man Tate had…problems.”
“Yes, I know.” She glanced at the door. “Evan’s a good man. They all are.”
“In which case, you’re a very lucky woman.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
The children were smiling and excited when Olivia and the men collected them from Valley Point Community School. They each held bright paintings, not quite dry, and Olivia got the feeling all three kids would have stayed longer.
“They can start tomorrow,” Mrs Klein said.
Olivia hesitated. “I think Monday would be better. They don’t have uniforms and they’re still jetlagged. A few days getting used to being on the property would be best after what they’ve been through.”
“Whatever you think is fine.” Mrs Klein stroked Amal’s hair the way Olivia had that morning. The wayward strands still wouldn’t stay down despite her attempts at flattening them. “But don’t worry if you haven’t got uniform organized, we’re all about the child here, not the clothes.”
“Thank you, I appreciate that. But I’m sure they’ll concentrate better if they start rested and are in the right time zone.”
“You’re probably right, we’ll see you on Monday.” She smiled at the children. “And on Monday’s everyone brings something in to talk about at circle time. It can be a teddy bear, a toy car, anything that’s a little bit special.”
“Okay, we will,” Darius said, climbing into Mason’s arms and managing to deliver a splodge of red paint onto Mason’s arm.
As they headed out of the school gate, Olivia had a pang of hunger. “Is there anywhere to eat around here? It’s too early to go back to the house.”
“Sure.” Evan nodded down the high street. “The shop has a café in it. It’s not Michelin star, but from what I remember it’s good.”
“I’m hungry,” Amal said, slipping his hand into Olivia’s.
“Me, too.” She smiled at him. “Let’s go and see what’s on the menu. Perhaps we can read it together.”
Ten minutes later, and feeling hot from the short walk in the heat of the day, they arrived at a small, glass-fronted shop. Much to Olivia’s relief it was air-conditioned.
A bell rang as they stepped in, and a young woman with curly auburn hair and pink lipstick looked up from a counter. Her eyes widened. “Evan Tate, Jesus on a bicycle, is that you?”
“Hey, Marlene,” Evan said with a smile.
She scooted from around the counter, bypassing a shopping trolley full of boxes. “I thought you’d gone forever.”
“I’m back.”
She rushed up to him and threw her arms around his neck, pressing her slender body to his.
He embraced her in return, briefly, then gently pushed her away. “Er, I’ve got some people to introduce you to.”
Her cheeks had reddened—she couldn’t seem to take her eyes from Evan. But when she did, her gaze settled on Harry. “Oh, I’ve seen you on telly. You’re Harrington Vidal. The guy Evan did the sailing challenge with.”
“Pleased to meet you.” Harry nodded, then stooped and picked up Amal who was scrabbling to see into an ice cream display. “Eat some proper food first, buddy, then you can have any color you want.”
“I can?” Amal’s eyes widened as he scanned the selection.
“This is Olivia,” Evan said, reaching for Olivia’s hand and gently tugging her to his side.
“G’day,” Marlene said with a nod. “You were on the boat, too, right? The one that sank.”
“Yes.” Olivia sensed Marlene had issues with her. What was the history between her and Evan? Female instinct told her it was more than friendship, certainly on Marlene’s behalf.
“Olivia and I are married.” Evan set a kiss on Olivia’s cheek.
Olivia enjoyed the gesture. He was making it very clear he was off the market. Whatever there had been between him and Marlene had been and gone.
A small crease formed between Marlene’s eyebrows. “Really? I didn’t think you were the settling down type. What with your father being…” She paused. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
“His death is hardly a loss.” Evan scowled.
Now Olivia knew for certain there’d been a closeness between them. Evan was picky who he told anything about his relationship with his father.
“Excuse me, do you sell school uniform in here?” Banna suddenly asked.
Marlene turned to her and smiled. “Actually, we do, because we’re the only shop in town. Do you need some?”
“Yes, we start on Monday.”
Marlene frowned at Evan. “These kids are going to Valley Point? They’re going to be living with you?”
“Yeah, we’ve got temporary guardianship, hoping to make it a permanent thing as soon as possible.” Evan smiled at Banna. “It’s a big house up there, isn’t it, plenty of room for us all.”
“All.” Marlene looked around, her gaze settling on the twins for the first time. “You’re going to be living with your wife and four new mates, plus three kids? I don’t get it.”
“It’s what suits us, and there’s work to be done. A ranch that needs laborers.” Evan shrugged. “You serving food?”
“Yeah, Shania is out back, she’ll knock you some
thing up. Take a seat.” Marlene’s attention left the twins. She studied Raul, ran her tongue over her lower lip, then smiled again at Evan as she tucked her hair behind her ears. “I’ll get you some menus.”
They sat at two tables pushed together. When Marlene was out of earshot, Olivia leaned close to Evan. “Ex girlfriend?”
He turned to her, pushing his hair back from his brow. “Yeah, from years ago. Didn’t work out.”
“She’s still got a sparkle in her eye for you,” Harry said, glancing at the doorway to the back of the shop.
“No, she hasn’t.” Evan huffed.
Raul laughed. “It is more than sparkle, it is flame. Be careful, Evan.”
“I don’t need to be careful, there’s only one woman in my life.” Beneath the table he rested his hand on Olivia’s knee. “And I love that woman very much. I love my new family, all of you. You know that.”
There was a moment of quiet. Evan wasn’t prone to group sentiment.
“We do know that.” Olivia swept her lips over his. “And we all love you.”
“Here you go.” Marlene flapped several long laminated menus in front of them.
“Thanks,” Harry said, taking them.
Marlene tipped her chin. “If you’re married, where’s your wedding ring?” She nodded at Olivia’s bare hand.
Olivia touched her necklace.
“There was a problem with it.” Evan reached for Olivia’s hand. “Small fingers, it’s being resized.”
“Oh, okay. Where did you get married?”
“Africa.”
“Wow, that must have been wild.”
“Yeah, it was.” Evan nodded past Marlene. “Say hi to Shania for me.”
“Ah, she’ll be out in a minute to see you.”
“Has she got that degree yet? What was it, psychology?”
“Nearly. The kids keep her busy, she had to put one module on hold. But it won’t be long.”
“Ah, good.”
Marlene left the table and began sorting through boxes.
Olivia helped Amal read the menu, and they both settled on eggs and toast accompanied with a glass of juice. Raul declared no one should order bacon, which to Olivia’s surprise, and relief, they all went along with. She was sure the smell of it would put her off eating anything.
Twins.
The word spun in her mind, and she had to keep taking a deep breath and reminding herself it would all be okay. She wasn’t the first woman to have twins, or be surprised beyond belief at the news.
As they rattled back to the ranch late afternoon, Olivia was glad to have some time alone in the cab. She let her thoughts drift again to the two babies in her stomach. She’d imagined how big her belly would get with one baby, how uncomfortable it would be, but two? She was slender-framed, her men were all tall and broad. Chances were, her babies would be of the same design as them.
But tangled in with the nerves and shock was delight. Two had to be better than one, right? And it wasn’t as if there wasn’t enough of them to muck in and help.
It will all be okay.
They passed two vans on the long driveway, their shadows stretching over the grassy meadow as the sun began to dip. She took this as a good sign that the work in the house, had by some miracle, been completed.
When she pulled the rattling tractor to a halt, the project manager, Ted, wandered out of the house to meet them. He held a clipboard in one hand and a mobile phone in the other.
“Hey,” Harry said, jumping from the trailer, dust puffing up from around his sneakers. “How’s it going?”
“Good. Nearly done, in fact.”
“Excellent.” Harry grinned.
Raul held his hand out as Olivia climbed down. “It’s done?” she said, amazed that they’d pulled the ambitious plan off.
“And my kitchen?” Raul asked.
“Yes, I hope you’ll be pleased. They’re still in there, in case you needed any final adjustments.”
“I will go and see.” Raul set off at a jog.
“And the kids’ rooms?” Evan asked.
“All done. The windows are open; the paint is still a little tacky in some places, but they’ll be ready for little people to sleep in tonight.”
Darius and Amal grinned at each other.
“Let’s go and see,” Banna said, looking at Olivia. “Can we?”
“Of course, go.” Olivia smiled. “I’ll be there in a minute to check them out.”
“We couldn’t finish the decking area,” Ted said. “There was more rot than anticipated. The new planks have only just gone down and been treated. That will have to dry overnight before the barbeque, furniture, and parasols are put into position. We extended it slightly, too, so there was room for a hammock as you asked. I can have some men come back tomorrow and move those bits of furniture round.”
“Sure thing.” Harry nodded.
“No,” Mason said. “We can do that.”
Harry shrugged. “Yeah, you’re right. Won’t take us a minute.”
“You’ve completed all three bathrooms?” Lucas asked. “That’s impressive.”
“Many hands make light work.” Ted smiled. “Go ahead, take a look around. Anything we’ve missed let us know. But we’ll be out of your way as soon as Raul has given the okay on the kitchen.”
The group wandered to the house, and Evan opened the front door.
“It’s got air-conditioning,” Olivia said, stepping into the haven of cool.
“Sheer luxury out here,” Evan said with a grin. “And I’m glad they left the clock.”
“Of course.” Harry pulled out his phone. “There should be Wi-Fi, too. I had the password sent to a text message earlier.”
“Let’s check out the living area.” Olivia stepped past Harry, who’d come to a halt directly in front of her to stare at his screen.
The living area was now fresh, spacious, and comfortable. There was an abundance of soft sofas and chairs, several footstools, tables, and a huge TV screen hanging on the wall. Soft, pale-gray and white drapes hung at the doors leading to the decking and the windows. The cushions were pale green, as was a picture above the mantel giving just a hint of color.
“This is lovely,” she said. “A blank canvas for us to personalize.”
“It’s…different,” Evan said.
“Do you like it?” She took his hand.
“Can’t believe it’s the same room.” He stared around it.
“Is it strange, to see it like this?”
“Yeah…but nice. As you say, a blank canvas, to make new memories in.”
She smiled and set a kiss on his cheek. “The photographs are on that shelf, look. You can decide which ones you want up.”
“I’ll do that tomorrow. Let’s go and see this kitchen.”
Like the living room, the kitchen had pale-gray walls and soft curtains at the window. A huge table dominated the left side, with enough seats for them all. The kitchen area was smart, sleek, and shiny. Raul was inspecting it, fiddling with the hob and extractor.
“A fully stocked refrigerator. Riley thinks of everything,” Mason said, pulling open the door. “Who wants a beer?”
“I’ll have one.” Lucas plonked himself down at the table.
“I will have a rum and Coke to celebrate,” Raul said, grinning and holding up his hands. “This is perfect, so good for me to cook in. And what a view.” He gestured out of the window.
As Mason popped beer lids, and Olivia grabbed a sparkling water, the three children dashed into the room along with Harry.
“How are your rooms?” Olivia asked.
“Awesome.” Darius rubbed his hands together and grinned.
“Cool!” Amal reached for Lucas’s beer.
“Er, I don’t think so,” Lucas said, lifting it out of reach. “There’s probably some juice in the fridge, you want some of that?”
“Yes.”
“Yes, please,” Lucas corrected.
“Yes, please.”
Lucas sto
od.
“Are you pleased with yours?” Olivia asked Banna.
Banna nodded.
“Are you sure?”
She nodded again, her eyes a little misty.
“What is it?” Harry asked, concern crossing his face as he slipped his phone away.
“It’s so nice. I never thought I’d…” Banna buried her face in her hands.
“Oh, sweetie.” Olivia pulled her into a hug. “I know it’s all a bit overwhelming. But you deserve a nice bedroom. You really do. You’re special and important to us.”
“Thank you.” Banna sniffed. “For everything.”
Olivia hugged her tighter. Harry rested his hand on her head.
“I’m pleased you like your room,” Evan said. “And it’s yours for as long as you want it.”
“I’ll always want it.”
Evan smiled and walked to the window. He stared out.
“Pizza!” Raul suddenly shouted. “Who is going to help me make pizza?”
“Me, me.” Darius jumped up.
“And me,” Amal added.
“It’s not that long since we ate,” Olivia said, handing Banna a tissue.
“But we will be hungry again, and we can’t barbeque tonight. Tomorrow we will, but tonight, pizza. Plain cheese and tomato for you, mi niña hermosa?”
“Yes, thanks, but I can wait a while. I’m going to take a shower and have a look at the master bedroom.”
“I’ll come with you,” Harry said.
“Me, too. It will be interesting to see if the old man’s ghost has gone from it,” Evan added.
“Ghost?” Amal’s eyes widened. “Old man?”
“He is joking,” Raul said. “Silly Evan.”
Amal giggled. “Silly Evan.”
Evan ruffled Amal’s hair as he walked past. “You make us some good pizza now, okay?”
Chapter Twenty-Three
The house felt new. All cool and smelling of paint and polish. The hallway was white, the walls bare except for one large canvas of the Australian outback which stole the view on the walk up the staircase. The portraits had been stacked and covered in a sheet, so Evan could decide which ones to rehang.
After admiring the children’s rooms, Olivia, Harry, and Evan went into the main bedroom.
