The Wildwood Sisters (33 page)

‘I know, crazy huh?'

‘Yeah, crazy, but in a good way.'

Silence fell between them. Renee's eyes were briefly drawn to Dylan's hand, where the gold wedding band he'd been wearing was replaced by a white suntan mark. He'd taken it off. As much as it broke her heart, knowing how hard it must have been for him to do that, it also filled her with hope and joy.

Oblivious to Renee's observation, Dylan smiled and motioned towards the house with a nod of his head. ‘We should head on over and say g'day, and then we can jump in the pool before dinner if you like. Annie's hanging out for a swim.'

‘Sounds like a plan.'

‘Follow me. I promise my mum won't bite. She'll probably love you to death if anything.'

Dylan headed off towards the cottage, and Renee walked beside him, his easy-going nature helping to relax her. She wouldn't have guessed he was feeling nervous—he looked so cool, calm and collected. Claire met them at the gate while Annie remained playing with Bossy.

‘Mum, this is Renee. Renee, this is my mum, Claire.'

‘It's so lovely to meet you,' Claire said as she reached out and pulled Renee into a hug.

Renee hugged her back, feeling instantly at ease in her company. ‘It's lovely to meet you, too, Claire.' She grabbed the bottle of local mango wine she had brought along for Claire from the bag and passed it to her. ‘This is for you. I hope you like white wine.'

‘I don't drink much, but when I do, white wine is my favourite, and I still haven't had a chance to try this one. Thank you, love, that's very kind of you.'

Renee breathed a sigh of relief. She shouldn't have been so worried. ‘You're welcome.'

‘While you settle in, love, I've just got to go over home and check on the potato bake. I was going to make potato salad but changed my mind at the last minute. We don't want to be eating charcoaled potatoes. Back in a jiffy,' Claire said as she toddled off towards her granny flat.

‘Annie, come and say hello,' Dylan said, placing the pie and beers down on the outdoor table.

Happily obeying her dad, Annie jumped up from where she was rolling around on the ground with the giant dog, and skipped over towards them. Renee knelt down to greet her. ‘Hi, Annie, I'm Renee.' She held out her hand. ‘Nice to meet you.'

Annie smiled in a way that melted Renee's heart, the little girl's eyes full of vibrant life as she enthusiastically shook her hand. ‘Hi Renee, it's nice to meet you too.'

The dog came skidding in beside Annie, clearly eager to meet their new guest.

‘And who is this?'

‘She's my dog, Bossy.' Renee reached out and gave her a rub on the head. Bossy responded by trying to lick Renee on the cheek, but she warded the doggy love off just in time, giggling.

Annie giggled too. ‘Looks like she likes you.'

Renee stood, smiling. ‘I reckon she might.' She reached into the shopping bag and pulled out a small box. ‘I thought you might like this. It's a loom-band kit. You can make bracelets and necklaces, and even rings.'

Annie gasped with delight as she took the box from Renee's outstretched hand. ‘Oh wow, I've seen these on telly.' She smiled gratefully. ‘Thank you so much, I love it.'

‘My pleasure. I can show you how to make them later, if you like.'

‘I'd love that,' Annie said as she sat down on the ground and eagerly opened the lid, grinning as she began sorting through the multicoloured little elastic bands.

Dylan smiled appreciatively. ‘That's so kind of you, Renee. Thanks.'

‘That's okay, I'm glad she likes it.'

‘So who's up for a swim?' Dylan raised his eyebrows at Annie, but the little girl was in a world of her own. ‘Earth to Annie,' he added, chuckling, as he gently tapped her on the head.

Annie looked up at him, beaming from ear to ear. ‘Yes, Daddy?'

‘You still want to go for a swim, sweetheart?'

‘Oh, yes please!'

‘Well, you run inside and get changed into your togs then, okay?'

‘Okay, Daddy.'

Watching Annie skip off inside the cottage with her loom-band kit tucked safely under her arm, Dylan turned to Renee and smiled. ‘Looks like you've won a little girl's heart, and simply by just being your thoughtful self.'

‘She's so beautiful, Dylan,' Renee said, returning his smile. ‘No wonder she's your everything.'

‘Yep, she sure is.' He stopped, searching her eyes. ‘And so are you.' He reached out and tenderly stroked her cheek with his fingers. ‘In a matter of minutes you've just made me feel like everything's going to be okay.'

His tone was so deep and rich Renee felt as though she was going to gain weight just by talking to him. ‘I hope so, Dylan. I really do.' She placed her hand over his and the two of them stood staring into each other's eyes, words evading both of them.

‘You need to get changed into your swimmers?' he said vaguely, his penetrating gaze making her feel giddy.

There was so much Renee wanted to say right now but instead she just nodded. ‘Uh-huh.'

‘Well, we better head inside and get changed then.'

‘Uh-huh,' she said again, biting her bottom lip.

Turning around, Dylan made sure the coast was clear before bringing his lips hard up against Renee's, and with a quick swirl of his tongue he had her feeling as though her legs were going to give way yet again.

A few hours later, refreshed from a few fun dips in the pool and their bellies full from the delicious food, Renee and Annie sat together at the end of the alfresco table, an assortment of colourful bracelets and necklaces in front of them. Renee, Claire and Dylan also sported quite a few around their necks and arms and fingers.

Annie was beside herself with excitement as she gabbled on about all the friends she was going to give her newly made treasures to. Dylan watched on with a huge smile on his lips, conscious that it was half an hour past her bedtime but not wanting to break the magic between Annie and Renee. He would put her to bed soon. Claire sat beside him with a now almost-empty glass of wine in her hands, an equally happy smile lighting up her face.

‘They're getting on like a house on fire,' Claire whispered.

‘They surely are. It's like they've been best buddies for years,' Dylan said softly before taking a casual sip from his beer.

‘It's beautiful to watch,' Claire said before she hiccupped. ‘Oh dear, I think I've had my share of wine for the evening. Two glasses and I'm ready for bed. Talk about a wild party girl, hey.' She chuckled heartily as she stood, padding over to lay a kiss on Annie's head. ‘Night my darling. I'll see you in the morning.'

‘Night Grammy. Love you to the moon and back,' Annie said, blowing Claire a kiss.

‘Love you 'til the cows come home,' Claire said fondly as she caught Annie's kiss and placed it upon her heart. She gave Renee a peck on the cheek. ‘It's been really lovely meeting you, Renee. I hope to see you again soon.'

Renee stood and gave Claire a tight hug. ‘Thank you for making me feel so very welcome tonight, and thank you for that yummy potato bake that I ate
way
too much of.'

‘It's been my absolute pleasure. And thank you for my very first taste of pecan pie. You'll have to give me the recipe.'

‘I'm so relieved you all liked it. It was the first time I've ever made it.'

‘It's the best dessert I've ever tasted,' Claire said sincerely.

‘I'll be sure to give you the recipe next time I see you.'

‘That'd be lovely, Renee, thanks.'

‘Night then,' Renee said as she went back to work with Annie on a necklace for her teacher.

‘Night, son.' Claire leant in and gave Dylan a hug, making sure to keep her voice to a whisper. ‘She's a keeper. Don't let her get away, will you?'

Dylan choked back emotions, his mother's observation meaning the world to him. ‘I'll try my best not to.'

‘Nighty night, then,' Claire said a little too loudly as she wobbled off in the direction of her granny flat, with Bossy close beside her. Bossy always walked her home before returning to her bed on the back verandah—forever the protective dog.

Dylan stood, tossing his empty beer bottle in the nearby bin. ‘I've just got to duck to the loo, you two, and when I get back, it's time for bed, Annie.'

‘Okay Daddy,' Annie replied sadly.

***

Bossy returned from walking Claire home just as Dylan disappeared into the cottage.

‘Can I ask you something?' Annie said, expertly twisting a loom band onto another to form a chain.

‘Sure, shoot,' Renee replied casually.

‘Are you Daddy's girlfriend?'

‘Um.' Renee's heart pounded. How in the hell was she meant to answer this? Honestly, she supposed, because really, she and Dylan weren't officially girlfriend and boyfriend. She relaxed, knowing she wasn't lying. ‘Your daddy and me are just really good friends.'

‘Well, you're really pretty and very nice so I think you would make a wonderful girlfriend for Daddy one day. He needs somebody other than Grammy and me to love him, so will you please have a think about being his girlfriend?'

Annie smiled at her with so much innocence that Renee wanted to just take her into her arms and hold her. This poor little girl had suffered immeasurable loss and heartache, and yet here she was, at only six years old, thinking of her daddy and what would be nice for him. And also welcoming Renee into their lives with open arms, and even more importantly, an open heart.

Blinking back tears, she reached out and gave Annie's little hands a gentle squeeze. ‘Thank you, Annie, that means a lot. And I promise, I'll think long and hard about it.'

Annie thought for a few seconds and then tipped her head to the side. ‘Do you like my daddy?'

‘I think your daddy is a very lovely man, and I like him a lot.'

‘Good, that's settled then. You have to be his girlfriend,' Annie said, beaming.

After Renee read her two books and then looked on as she used her nebuliser and explained how cool her locator watch was, Annie turned over and was now sleeping soundly in her bed.

Renee said her goodnights to Dylan in the darkness of the front verandah, wishing the night didn't have to end. She was enjoying the sensation of his arms around her waist, and the feel of his breath on her cheek as they stood staring out at the beautiful starlit night. Turning to face him, she clasped her hands around the back of his neck, her full lips curling into a smile as she admired his rugged features. ‘You're one sexy man, Dylan Anderson, still just as damn hot as the first day I laid eyes on you. No, actually, I reckon you're even hotter now.'

Dylan rolled his eyes. ‘Yeah right, whatever. You're the sexy one here. I haven't been able to keep my eyes off you all night.'

Renee felt her cheeks go warm with his compliment. ‘Ditto.'

They were silent for a few moments as they contemplated one another, neither knowing what to do next. Dylan broke the silence. ‘Thanks so much for coming over tonight. I'm really happy it all went so well. Mum and Annie absolutely adore you.'

‘And I adore them. I feel like I've known them both forever already. It's a very comforting feeling.' Renee tucked her long hair behind her ears. ‘I have to tell you something, though. Annie asked me if I was your girlfriend when you went to the loo.'

Stepping back, Dylan blew air through his lips as he ran his hands through his hair. ‘Oh shit, really? She's too switched on for her own good, my little girl.' His eyebrows shot up in question, but his tone was still soft and gentle. ‘What did you say to her?'

‘Don't worry, I just told her we were really good friends, but then she told me I'd make a wonderful girlfriend for you and that I should think about being your girlfriend one day—' Renee chuckled softly, ‘—and then when I told her I'd think about it she said “Well that's settled then,” and went back to making her loom bracelet like it wasn't a big thing.'

Dylan sank down on the edge of the well-used rattan chair, blinking wet eyes but refusing to let his tears fall. His emotions almost getting the better of him, he sucked in a deep breath and smiled. ‘Oh bless her beautiful little heart. She's an old soul, Annie is. I swear to God she's been on this earth many times before.'

‘I know, she's wise beyond her years. I just wanted to hug her so tight, Dylan.' Renee sniffled, her throat tightening with sentiment. ‘She's just so damn loveable, it's beyond ridiculous.'

Dylan stood and wrapped both arms around Renee again, pulling her in until there was not an inch of space left between them. ‘Tonight has gone even better than I could have ever imagined. The fact that you and Annie get on so well means the world to me. Thank you, Renee, just for being you.'

Renee sighed softly as her body melted into Dylan's. ‘Thank you for trusting me enough to invite me…' She pulled her head back and gripped Dylan's gaze with hers, the soft moonlight illuminating his chiselled jaw in the most erotic of ways. ‘I love you, Dylan Anderson. I always have, and no matter where this road we are on leads us, I will never stop loving you until the day I die.'

Dylan's smile spoke a thousand words. ‘And I love you, Renee Wildwood, more than I ever have before, and tomorrow, I know I'm going to wake up loving you even more than I do now.' He let his hands drop from her waist and then he tenderly cupped her cheeks. ‘I know you have a life back in the city, and I know I still have a few inner demons to deal with, and I know we have to take things slow for Annie's sake, but I'm willing to work through everything to be with you. Are you?'

Renee nodded, tears now pouring down her cheeks. ‘Yes, yes I am. I want to give us a go with all my heart and soul.'

Dylan smiled, the depth in his eyes unfathomable. ‘You've just made me a very happy man.'