Matilda Next Door - Kelly Hunter Page 0,58
chance Rowan isn’t mine. Another bloke was in the picture around the time of her conception. That’s why I went to London. I wanted facts, not rumours. I needed to know that I could protect Rowan, and you, against claims on her in years to come.’
‘And you couldn’t tell me that was what you were doing?’
Her eyes pleaded with him to say the right thing, but he was who he was. ‘I didn’t want to worry you and I didn’t have all the facts. Speculation is useless without enough facts.’
He willed her to understand him, and finally she nodded.
‘The other man who had a relationship with Amanda, I met him, we spoke, and he’s relinquished all legal rights to Rowan. Doesn’t want to know—even if a paternity test can prove he’s the father, and there’s a fair chance it could. Anyway, the solicitor saw to the legal aspects, and in the eyes of the law Rowan’s all mine. Tilly, even if she’s not biologically mine, Amanda gave Rowan to me for a reason. I honestly can’t say what I would have done if the other guy had wanted to claim her, but he didn’t and that suited me more than I can say. I don’t want to walk away from her, ever. I want her to be part of our family.’
He watched in horror as her eyes filled with tears again. ‘Do I get to ask why you’re crying?’ Because he really wanted to know. ‘I didn’t want to worry you before I had all the facts. Then once I went looking for the facts, I ended up sorting it out along the way, and now it’s past time to tell you and I really wanted to do it face-to-face, because then there could be pacing and longer explanations, and then hugging and kissing, and … you’re still crying. It’s good news. Why are you crying?’
‘Because I’m so glad you’re mine.’ She wiped at her eyes. ‘Can I confess my bit now? Because your paternity test result got faxed through to the Red Hill kitchen, and I saw the result and I hated that I saw it and broke that confidentiality, but it happened.’
‘So … what did it say?’ A thin sliver of hope still remained.
‘She’s not yours. Biologically.’
And there it was, and all that went with it. Amanda’s decision to involve him regardless. The actions that had brought him and Matilda together. ‘It doesn’t matter.’ Because it didn’t. ‘Does it matter to you?’
‘Only in that I worried you would be hurt by the news. Believe me when I say I have imagined every possible horror scenario when it came to what you might be facing over there, but you never did say, and I promised not to push. But Henry, you have to trust in me too. Trust is like love in that it runs both ways—and I don’t ever want to be left out of a loop that big and terrifying again. I’m right here and I can help, no matter what. I’m sturdy.’
‘You’re a sprite.’
‘Sturdy. Sprite. Whatever. I’ve got your back.’
‘Oh.’
‘Yes, oh.’
‘Guess I could get used to that.’
‘Try very hard. It shouldn’t take too long. I hear you’re bright.’
Bright enough to heed what she was saying, yes. He took her in his arms, and she sagged against him, warm, willing and so very beloved. ‘I love you so much.’
Tilly’s face took on an edge of spritely delight. ‘Henry, you added more words!’
He had and he would. ‘I like to improvise, once I have the basics down.’
‘Match made in heaven; so do I.’ Gleeful, spritely delight. ‘For example, it is a long-held fantasy of mine for you to turn up in one of your fancy London suits, all pristine and buttoned up …’ She began tugging him towards the shower. ‘So we’ll ignore the fact that this one looks like a cow sat on you while you slept in it.’
Fair cop. ‘What happens when I turn up in my suit?’
‘Well, we start with the basics.’ That smile would get her anything. ‘And then I improvise.’
Epilogue
The wedding took place as autumn leaves covered the modest bluestone church with a blanket of burgundy, orange and gold. Because it was a local wedding, between two established farming families, every seat was taken, and more people peppered the aisles and spilled out the church doors.
The hardworking florist in town had been bombarded for days by Wirralong residents bringing in their autumn roses for use in Tilly’s wedding. Henry had been hearing all