Second Chance Lane (Brockenridge #2) - Nicola Marsh Page 0,35

sight of her ex’s muscled, tanned body. How did a guy who spent most of his time indoors get a tan like that anyway? Then again, he probably spent his downtime in hotspots like Nice or Barbados or Cancun. As for the muscles, they were new, and her fingers had tingled with the urge to see if they felt as good as they looked.

Tash rarely allowed herself to dream but for those few seconds after his bath, when they’d sat across from each other at the dining table and he’d placed his hand over hers, she’d wished she did. The kind of dream that featured her and Isla as part of Kody’s life, a dream where the three of them were a happy family. If spending only a short time with him had that kind of effect, she’d need to be more careful moving forwards. She’d help Isla get to know her father but would make herself scarce as soon as she felt Isla was comfortable.

Too much time with Kody wouldn’t be good for her peace of mind.

When she reached Isla’s friend Ellen’s house, she pulled over and shook out her hands. Her cheeks felt hot. This wouldn’t do, not at all. She had to be cool and calm when she talked to Isla, not hot and bothered over a man she had no future with other than as a coparent.

The front door opened and Isla stepped out. She watched her daughter give her friend a hug before trudging towards the car as though spending time with her mother was the last thing she wanted to do. Isla never looked this reluctant to see her so Tash knew her daughter still harboured resentment about the Kody fiasco.

The passenger door flung open and Tash pasted a welcoming smile on her face. ‘Hey, did you have a good time?’

‘Yeah.’ Isla’s response was cool, dismissive, as she slid onto the seat, placed her phone on the console and snapped her belt into place. ‘Ellen’s always cool to hang out with. We listened to music.’

Tash inadvertently stiffened but she needn’t have worried as Isla continued, ‘I didn’t tell her about Kody, if that’s what you’re worried about. I’m not telling anyone until I get to know him, see if he’s a good dad.’

Isla’s honesty and insight impressed Tash. ‘That sounds like a plan.’

‘When can I see him?’

‘That’s entirely up to you, sweetheart.’ Tash knew how eager Kody was to meet Isla for real but this whole process had to be guided by their daughter. She felt guilty enough for lying to them both for so long and didn’t want to force anything.

‘How about tomorrow?’ Isla wriggled in her seat, excitement and trepidation warring across her expressive face. ‘Could you ask him if that’s okay? I mean, tomorrow is great but it’s soon. Does he want to see me?’

‘He can’t wait to spend time with you,’ Tash said, glad to hear some of Isla’s usual verve in her voice. ‘I actually spent the last few hours with Kody. He wanted to see you sooner but he took a tumble off a quad bike and broke his ankle—’

‘What? Oh my god, is he okay?’

‘He’s in plaster but he’s fine.’

‘How come you spent time with him?’ A hint of anger underlined Isla’s question, like she resented not being the one to do it.

‘Someone needed to pick him up from the hospital in Echuca and he gave my name.’

‘Oh.’

Tash heard the reservation in that brief syllable. What was going through her daughter’s mind? ‘He wanted to see you tonight but he’s pretty sore and is dosed up on painkillers, so he’s resting. And I wanted it to be your decision to see him, but I reckon he’ll be thrilled about tomorrow.’

‘I can’t wait. What do you think I should wear? Should I straighten my hair? What do I call him—’

‘Hey, slow down.’ Tash reached out to squeeze Isla’s hand, relieved when her daughter didn’t avoid the contact. ‘You don’t have to get tizzied up to see your dad. Just be yourself.’

‘But he’s so famous and I’m … ordinary.’

Tears prickled Tash’s eyes and she blinked several times before replying. ‘You are amazing and don’t you ever forget it.’

A glimmer of a smile twitched Isla’s lips as she rolled her eyes. ‘You have to say that, you’re my mum.’

‘And proud of it.’ She leaned over the gearstick and hauled Isla into her arms, grateful when her daughter relaxed into the hug rather than pulling away. ‘You’re incredible, Isla, and I