Second Chance Lane (Brockenridge #2) - Nicola Marsh Page 0,37

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‘How did you go today? Is Kody okay?’ Alisha slid a half-glass of chardonnay towards her without asking.

Tash took a sip before answering. ‘He’s fine. A broken ankle is the worst of it.’

Alisha shot her a sly look. ‘So, are you dusting off the old nurse’s uniform? Because I’m sure he’d love a sponge bath or two.’

‘You’re sick,’ Tash said, her cheeks heating.

‘Well, well, will you look at that? Harry could fry eggs on your cheeks.’

‘Drinking wine on an empty stomach always makes me hot.’ As if to prove it, Tash sculled the rest. ‘Now, can we change the subject please?’

‘Why, when the fact you’re blushing over a guy for the first time in years is so much fun?’

Tash and Alisha had confided in each other forever, but could she tell Alisha about that tense moment with Kody in the bathroom and expect objectivity when her loved-up friend was planning a wedding? Alisha had been the most practical person Tash knew until she’d hooked up with Harry and begun walking around with hearts in her eyes like a love-struck cartoon character. Not that she begrudged them happiness, but if Tash told her what had happened with Kody, Alisha would give her all sorts of crazy advice, like: ‘Flirt with Kody and see what happens’.

So she settled for: ‘I blush at the slightest glimpse of that hot farmer from Mildura who pops in here once a year, so it means nothing.’

‘Keep telling yourself that, babe.’ Alisha’s grin stretched from ear to ear. ‘What are you doing here on a night off?’

‘Isla had a hankering for fajitas.’

‘Like everything Harry cooks, they’re the best.’ Alisha’s grin turned goofy. ‘You know how much I hate exercise but if I don’t start taking those local Zumba classes soon I won’t fit into my wedding dress.’

‘You have a dress?’

Alisha nodded, her eyes glittering. ‘I found it when I was in New York a few months ago. It’s simple but stunning and I love it.’

‘I’m so happy for you.’ Tash gave her an impulsive hug, thrilled for her friend, but unable to ignore the niggle of discontent that she may never find the same happiness. The dating pool in Brockenridge was a minuscule pond and until Isla was older and independent, Tash had no intention of leaving.

Alisha released her. ‘Looks like your fajitas are ready. You better get over there before Isla demolishes the lot.’

‘I’ll just grab a water jug and two glasses—’

‘You go eat, I’ll get it.’ Alisha hesitated, as if she wanted to say more, before blurting, ‘I know how hard it must be for you, having Kody back in your life. And you’re probably worrying about what kind of impact he’ll have on Isla, but I’m here for you, sweetie, whenever you need to talk.’

‘Thanks, Lish.’ Tash touched her arm in gratitude and managed a wan smile. ‘When I feel like chatting, you’ll be the first to know how I saw him almost naked in the bathroom today.’

With a smirk at Alisha’s shocked expression, Tash headed back to the table.

CHAPTER

16

Jane arrived ten minutes early for her meeting with Mason. She told herself it was to see his reaction when he walked into the roadhouse but in reality she couldn’t bear second-guessing her choice of outfit for another minute. She’d already changed five times, swapping dresses and skirts and tops until she’d flung the lot on her bed and grabbed skinny black jeggings, a free-flowing paisley blouse and her comfortable crimson ankle boots. She never dithered over what to wear on a date these days. Then again, meeting Mason to discuss interior design plans for his new café was far from a date. This was business and nothing like going out with guys over the years, when she’d been searching for … something. A connection. A bond. A way to feel cherished.

She’d never got that from her mother, though it hadn’t mattered how non-maternal Gladys was because her dad lavished enough attention on her for the both of them. But he’d been dead for over a decade and there wasn’t a single day that went by when she didn’t mourn him and remember who drove him to it.

Nobody in town understood. They saw Jane with a beautiful mortgage-free house, exercising a lot because she didn’t have to work, filling her spare time with a variety of hobbies from pottery to bowling, and labelled her a privileged brat at best, a rich bitch at worst. Throw in her healthy dating life and she’d been judged and