not knowing a peep about her missing father, she’s suddenly OCD, having to learn everything.”
Thomas chuckled. “I suppose that’s a child for you.”
“Well, Lullu’s reached Inquisitive 2.0. ‘When will Daddy leave the program? Can Daddy come and watch me at nationals? It’d be so cool if Daddy could join us for Sunday lunch when Oupa and Omie are here.’”
“She calls him Daddy?” Thomas cocked an eyebrow.
“Yup.” Mina shrugged
“You haven’t seen the man in more than a decade. Do you think it’s wise?”
“One thing I have learned is that when it comes to matters of the heart, wisdom is rarely involved. At this stage, I’m going with the flow, or trying to.” She looked away as memories of her and Ray’s tryst resurfaced. “Speaking of …” Mina decided a change of subject was in order as they both stood and walked out of the study. “Are you and Rochelle planning to expand your family?”
Thomas shrugged. “We’re trying. I guess it’ll happen when it happens. We’re not in a rush right now. But yeah, it’d be nice to give Lullu a cousin or two.”
Mina drew closed her door and twisted the bronze key in its lock. The door was a wooden frame with a lead glass centre; it’d do little to stop anyone who really wanted to gain entrance, but locking it told her house staff they were being watched.
“Well, why don’t you and Rochelle head down to the beach? The day is perfect. I have some issues to deal with.” A sit-down with Ben was in order. She had too much respect for the man not to be honest with him—that, and she wanted to look him in the eye when she made it clear for the last time that there would never be anything more than friendship and a working relationship between them.
“If it’s confronting your manager, I’d suggest you don’t,” Thomas said.
“I won’t ask him about the poaching – I just want to clear things up with him about Ray. You don’t understand the complex relationship I have with him. I’ll tread carefully, I promise.” She patted the man’s shoulder as she headed out and down to her farm manager’s office.
Clenching her fists as she strolled down the garden and steps, she revisited her demons.
Was it at all possible to work toward a future with Ray in it? As her lover and partner, and the father to their daughter? Or was she simply acting like the impulsive teen who’d gotten in over her head all those years ago?
Mina sighed, and rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand. There were no answers—only a plethora of raw, sticky, molasses-like emotions. Was their future filled with pain and indecision, or would she and Ray get through this and just maybe, find their happy every after? Rochelle and Thomas had.
Ugh—there was so much to consider and sort out. She wished she could simply run away with Lullu and Ray to an isolated location with only a house, wine, and the ocean.
Ben’s door was closed but his air conditioner was running. Mina walked up to the door and knocked.
“Come in,” he called.
Mina stepped inside, closing the door behind her. Ben’s office was unlike hers. He had a window looking out onto the ocean, but his wall stood bare, and only a desk, filing cabinet, and three chairs decorated the room’s innards.
His face was drawn and his gaze dark. “Sit, please. Coffee? Something stronger?”
She shook her head. “No. You know why I’ve come.”
He nodded solemnly. “Let’s get this over with.” His tone resigned, he folded his hands on his lap and looked at his feet.
“Ben. Please look at me?”
The man hesitated, then slowly raised his head until his empty, sad eyes found hers.
“I never meant for you to get hurt. I’ve always told you where you stand with me.”
“I know.” He nodded.
“You’ve always had my and Lullu’s best interests at heart, but …” She paused.
“So what happens if he completes his time here?”
Mina’s brain homed in on Ben’s use of the word if. “That’s between me and Ray.”
“And what happens to me?” Ben’s tone hardened.
“I hope you will stay. I need you. Redemption needs you …”
“Pfft.” He rose from his chair and walked over to his window, hands tucked in his pockets. “I’m not sure I want to. If anything, I deserve time to sort my own future out, Mina. But don’t expect me to go light on that man just ’cause he’s your lover.” He turned and leaned on the back of