Second Chance Lane (Brockenridge #2) - Nicola Marsh Page 0,28

with her because she’s smart and will pick up on how much you loathe me. And that won’t help.’

‘I don’t hate you,’ he said, surprised he actually meant it. He couldn’t hate Tash, not when she’d once been his everything. They’d only dated for a few months but in that time he’d fallen hard, so hard he’d contemplated asking her to accompany him to LA. He’d been torn over it, knowing how much her nursing degree meant to her but wanting her by his side as he embarked on a huge adventure that could result in his dreams coming true. In the end, she’d made the decision for him and it had taken a while to get over her.

‘Is there a medical centre in Brockenridge or do you work at the hospital in Echuca?’

She took too long to answer. ‘I’m not a nurse. I work at a local roadhouse as a waitress.’

Surprised, he glanced at her. Her chin was tilted, her jaw clenched. If being famous had been his dream, being a nurse had been hers. He’d assumed she would’ve completed her degree, even if she’d kept Isla. The thought of this smart, caring woman serving people meals rather than dispensing meds or offering comfort really irked.

‘It’s rude to stare,’ she said, sounding cold and haughty.

‘Why didn’t you finish your degree?’

‘Because I had a daughter to raise, no money and minimal support, Einstein.’

‘But what about your parents—’

‘Turns out religious zealots don’t take too kindly to having their only child return home pregnant and unwed, so they disowned me and moved several hundred kilometres away to make sure my evil didn’t taint them.’

‘Fuck,’ he said, unable to stop the pity sneaking under his guard. ‘So you’ve done it tough.’

‘I’ve done what I’ve had to do to raise my daughter, who I adore.’ Her chin tilted higher. ‘And I’d do it all again in a heartbeat because Isla’s an amazing kid, and I’d like to think I’ve had something to do with that.’

The right thing to do would be to thank her for bringing up his kid right, but the way she’d said ‘my daughter’ rammed home yet again how she’d deprived him of so many years. He knew nothing about Isla and it made his chest ache in a way he never could’ve anticipated. He’d interacted with people from all walks of life over the years: eager fans; swooning teens; parents who’d eye him with suspicion like the mere fact he sang rock songs made him the devil. But he’d never spent a lot of time with kids and he hoped he’d get a clue before he interacted with his daughter, because he wanted her to like him.

‘She seems like a good kid, but you had no right to keep her from me all these years.’

Tash flinched at his bitterness and blinked several times.

‘You better not cry—’

‘Shut up,’ she said, the quiver in her voice ensuring he did exactly that for the remainder of the ride back to Brockenridge.

CHAPTER

13

Jane had consumed her second vanilla slice and was feeling the effects, surreptitiously sliding open the top button of her jeans before reaching for her skinny latte. The juxtaposition never failed to amuse her, how she sought comfort in sugar-laden baked goods while forgoing sweetener and full cream milk in her coffee. Story of her life really—over-indulging in some areas, skimping in others. Seeking comfort in the wrong things—withholding her true self from the people who mattered.

‘You look like you could use another vanilla slice.’ Betty sat on the chair opposite. ‘You can’t sit here with a sour expression. You’ll scare away the customers.’

‘Sorry.’ Jane forced a smile. ‘By the way, your vanilla slices get better every day.’

‘Tell me something I don’t know.’ Betty’s wide grin warmed Jane’s heart. The baker was one of the few people in town Jane could honestly call a friend. She’d poured her heart out to Betty on more than one occasion while drowning her sorrows in sugary treats and the older woman had never judged, just been supportive in a way Jane treasured. Pity her son hadn’t inherited his mother’s sunny personality.

‘Actually, I’m glad you popped in today. I want to get your opinion on something.’ Betty pointed at the wall behind them. ‘We’re expanding. I’ve already instigated proceedings to buy the empty shop next door and want to knock down this wall to open the place up.’

‘That’s great.’

‘I’m really excited about the expansion.’ Betty pressed her palms together in a begging motion. ‘Would you mind taking