Christy McKellen - Mills & Boon Showcase

‘C’mon, haven’t you got awards to present?’ she said.

She slipped her arm through his and they headed towards the elevator.

* * *

The first person Sandy saw when she walked with Ben into the hotel conference room where the dinner dance was being held was his mother. She clutched Ben’s arm, shocked at the feeling of being cast back in time.

Maura Morgan had been wearing jeans and a T-shirt the last time she’d seen her; now she was wearing an elegant brocade dress. She was handsome, rather than beautiful, and she’d hardly changed in the intervening years. Her hair held a few more strands of grey, her figure was a tad more generous, but her smile was the same warm, welcoming smile that had made Sandy’s stay at the guesthouse all those years ago so happy. And her voice still held that hint of a lyrical Irish accent that was a legacy of her girlhood in Dublin.

‘Eh, Sandy, it’s grand to see you. Who would have thought we’d see you here after all these years?’ The older woman swept her into a warm hug.

‘It’s wonderful to see you again.’ It was all Sandy could think of to say. But she meant every word. That summer, so long ago, there had been a wire of tension between her parents that at times had come close to snapping. Maura had been kind to her, and covered for her with her father when she’d snuck out to meet Ben.

Maura stepped back, with her hands still on Sandy’s shoulders. ‘Look at you, all grown up and even lovelier than when you were a girl—and friends with Ben again.’ Her face stilled. ‘Fate works in amazing ways.’

‘It sure does,’ Sandy agreed, reluctant to talk more deeply with Ben’s mother. Not wanting to bring up the tragedies that had occurred since her last visit. She didn’t know what Ben had told Maura about her reasons for staying in Dolphin Bay. The reignited feelings between her and Ben were so fragile—still just little sparks—she wanted to hug them close.

Maura released her. ‘Your mum and dad...?’

Sandy shrugged. ‘Divorced.’

Maura shook her head slowly. ‘Why does that not surprise me? And your sister?’

‘Lizzie’s still my best friend. She has a little girl, Amy, who’s five years old and a real cutie.’

As soon as she mentioned Amy, Sandy wished she hadn’t. Ben’s son Liam had been Maura’s only grandchild. But Maura’s smile didn’t dim. ‘It’s lovely to hear that,’ she said. ‘And do you—?’

Ben interrupted. ‘Mum, I’ve sat you and Dad at my table so you’ll get a chance to talk to Sandy during the evening.

Maura laughed. ‘So quit the interrogation? I hadn’t yet asked Sandy if she has room in her heart for a homeless puppy.’

Ben groaned, but Sandy could hear the smile in his protest.

‘A puppy? I’d love one,’ she said without hesitation. ‘That is if...’ Her voice trailed away. Get dog of own once settled in Melbourne. Could she really commit to a dog when her future had become so uncertain? Until she knew exactly how she felt about Ben at the end of the four days?

Maura patted her hand. ‘I won’t hold you to the puppy until we’ve talked some more.’

The genuine warmth in her voice did a lot to reassure Sandy that Maura did not appear to have any objection to her reunion with Ben.

She felt she could face the rest of the evening with a degree less dread.

* * *

Sandy outshone any other woman in the room, Ben thought as he watched her charm the bank manager and his wife. It wasn’t just the red dress, or the way the light caught her glittery shoes just like that darn fairy dust. It had more to do with the vivacity of her smile, the way her eyes gleamed with genuine interest at the details of the couple’s daughter’s high school results. He knew she was nervous, but no one would guess it.

It was a big, public step to bring her tonight—and he was glad he’d made it. It felt good to have her by his side. Instead of ill-disguised sorrow or embarrassed pity, he saw approval in the eyes of his family and friends. It was a big step forward.

But for the first time since he’d been elected president of the chamber Ben resented his duties. He didn’t want to make polite chit-chat with the guests. He didn’t want to get up there on stage and make a speech about the business community’s achievements. Or announce the awards. He wanted to spend every second of the time he had left with Sandy—alone with her. They had less than four days—three days now—of catching up to do. If that included being behind closed doors, slowly divesting Sandy of that red dress and making love to her all night long, that was good too.

‘We must catch up for coffee some time,’ the banker’s wife gushed in farewell to Sandy as Ben took Sandy’s elbow to steer her away towards his table. He wanted her seated and introduced to everyone else at the table before he had to take his place on stage for the awards presentation.

‘I’d like that,’ Sandy called over her shoulder to the banker’s wife as Ben led her away.

‘Would you?’ he asked in an undertone.

‘Of course. She seems like a nice lady. But not any time soon.’ She edged closer so she could murmur into his ear. ‘We’ve only got a few days together. I want to spend every second of my spare time with you.’

‘I’ll hold you to that,’ he said.

It felt unexpectedly good, being part of a couple again—even if only temporarily. He’d been on his own for so long. Maybe too long. But his guilt and regret still gnawed at him, punishing him, stopping him from getting close to anyone.

And now Sandy was back with him in Dolphin Bay.

The president’s table was at the front of the room. His parents were already seated around it, along with Kate, his brother, Jesse, and two of the awards finalists—both women.

If his father remembered how disparaging he had been all those years ago about the sincerity of a city girl’s feelings towards his son, he didn’t show it. In his gruff way he made Sandy welcome.

Jesse couldn’t hide the admiration in his eyes as he rose from his seat to greet Sandy. ‘I would have recognised you straight away,’ his brother said as he kissed her on the cheek.

Ben introduced Sandy to the awards finalists, then settled her into the seat between him and Kate. ‘I have to finalise the order of proceedings. I’ll be back in five minutes—in time for the appetiser,’ he said.

He wanted to kiss Sandy. Claim her as more than a friend in front of all eyes. But it wasn’t the right time. Instead, he brushed his hand over her bare shoulder in parting before he headed backstage. Only Kate’s big grin made him realise the simple gesture was more a sign of possession than a friendly kiss on Sandy’s cheek would ever have been.

* * *

Sandy heaved a quiet sigh of relief as she sank into her chair. The worst of the ordeal was behind her. From the moment she’d entered the room she’d been aware of the undercurrent of interest in her presence beside Ben. Her mouth ached from smiling. From formulating answers in reply to questions about how long she intended to be in town. Even though Ben had smoothed the way, she felt she was being judged on every word she spoke. She reached gratefully for her glass of white wine.

Ben’s empty seat was to her left, between her and Kate. Tall, dark-haired Jesse—every bit as handsome as in her memories of him—sat on the other side of her, engaged in conversation with his mother.

Kate sidled close enough to whisper to Sandy. ‘Note that Ben didn’t sit me next to Jesse. Probably worried I’d fling myself on his brother, wrestle him to the ground and have my way with him under the table.’

Sandy nearly choked on her drink. ‘Really?’

‘Nah. Just kidding. I actually asked him not to put me near Jesse.’ Kate’s green eyes clouded. ‘It’s hard to make small-talk with the guy I’ve wanted all my life when he sees me as more sister than woman.’