63

They ate together on the couch, morning TV droning on in the background as they chatted lightly about nothing in particular. Muffin was gnawing on a bone she had been keeping in the fridge from Friday’s butcher trip.

Her phone vibrated across the table, Rob’s name beaming on its screen and making her heart swell, she excused herself, taking it to her room before answering him.

‘Hey beautiful.’ That familiar wash of coming home at the sound of his voice, Rose gushed.

‘Hey handsome.’ She replied, smiling like a loony, aware how easily he could make her feel this way. Just a call and two little words.

‘Is it okay to head down and finally meet my future in-laws? You know as the idiot who broke their daughters heart instead of the Laird.’ He sounded more upbeat than this morning, his normal humour present in that sexy voice. Rose giggled.

‘Only if you’re prepared to be interrogated and made to explain yourself in detail. My mother isn’t the push over that I am.’ She warned lightly, knowing that despite saying it jokingly, there was a little truth to it.

‘Don’t worry I brushed up on my spy torture evasion techniques, I’m ready for it baby. Damien is bringing me down in a few minutes.

He popped by to say goodbye.’

‘Tell him I said goodbye too.’ She replied coquettishly with a smile on her lips.

‘Don’t make me hurt him.’ Rob threatened in humour, hinting that he had not forgotten Damien’s attempt on Rose at the dance.

‘Oh weesht, you know it’s only ever been you.’ Rose sighed. ‘Hurry up and stop making me wait.’ She giggled girlishly.

‘You’re wish is my command gorgeous, and it will always only ever be me, baby.’ He ended the call with a goodbye and Rose rolled her eyes with a happy grin. Her heart was beating fast to the thought of him and her parents meeting again in this way, knowing the truth finally, but she was also just eager to see him again. She hated when they were apart, more so now than before after losing him for so long.

Moments later the car tyres on gravel alerted her to his arrival. That surge of anticipation rising in her stomach, she rushed to the door to answer it as he chapped lightly, being pulled out the door slightly by him so he could kiss her without her parent’s keen eyes. Leaning close to her ear and keeping his voice for her ears only he muttered huskily.

‘Best friend brought up to speed and dutifully warned off. He apologises profusely for trying to steal my girl and told me to man up and make my claim public.’ He smiled, brushing her temple with a kiss and winking at her amused expression. She shook her head as she brushed past, leading the way to where her parents were waiting, jumping slightly as his hand pinched her butt from behind. She glared at him and put distance between them as they met her parents in the lounge.

It was tense at first; her mother grilling him unashamedly. Wanting to know what his intentions were with her daughter after Morag was stable enough to come out. Chiding him over the whole messy situation and the stupidity of thinking he could carry on a secret romance in a town as small as this.

Rob took it all on the chin like a trooper, he explained, he apologised and he even asked for their forgiveness. Rose stayed tense and silent, perched on the arm of his chair and bit her lip nervously. Feeling much like the teen who first brought a boy home.

Finally, they made their peace. Her father, the strong silent type, nodding and listening intently. It was excruciating for her to sit watching, listening, but Rob was used to difficult board meetings and awkward clientele. Smooth, confident and calm. He never fluttered an eyelash, fully aware that this relationship depended on winning them over. Knowing that it mattered to Rose.

Finally satisfied and allowing Rose to let out her breath and relax, they all seemed to sigh and sit back a little.

‘Well, if you love her and the nonsense of hiding her is over, then I can only say that we approve.’ Her mother injected and got to her feet, extending a palm to Rob, who obediently took it and stood up. Her mother hugged him and gave him a mock slap on his shoulder. ‘Don’t hurt my baby again or you will see the lioness come out in me and you won’t like it.’ She threatened, her little face full of raised eyebrow seriousness. Rose giggled, and Rob merely bowed his head to meet her small height.

‘I don’t intend to hurt her again, or lose her, so mama lion can retire.’ He grinned back and then was met with Rose’s father standing to give him a manly pat on the back.

‘Welcome to the family son, my condolences on being lumbered with a Turner woman... They are very trying on your nerves but wholly worthwhile.’ He winked and gained his own slap in the shoulder from Rose’s mother.

‘We’re beyond worth it, you will never find any woman quite so special as us.’ She pouted. Rob turned, catching Roses eye with a heart stopping smile.

‘I already know that.’ He moved forward towards her, catching her wrist and tugging her to his chest, placing a light kiss on her cheek and embarrassing her completely in front of her parents. Her mother made it worse by ‘ahhhhiiiing’ loudly and then thankfully they all sat down, only this time Rob pulled her onto his lap onto his chair and wouldn’t let her escape, her face instantly flushing with colour.

She suggested they all go out for lunch before her parent’s departure, the confines of the small cottage and tense last hour suffocating her. She needed breathing space and a new setting, she also didn’t like the way her parents were watching Rob snuggle her into his lap, completely unaffected because they were not his parents. Not that she thought he would be embarrassed, even in front of Hamish, he just didn’t seem to be the kind of man who was phased that way; but to her, Rose would always be her parent’s little girl and she didn’t like to shatter their illusion.

Her parents loved this idea of a final outing, and on Rob’s suggestion chose a nice garden center a couple mile away. It was all arranged. They would go in their own car, easier that way to leave from the lunch and go check out of their boarding house before the trip home. Rose would come with Rob, him back at the wheel of his purring beast. Thankfully, and some alone time once more. She needed that right now, more than ever.

Less than half an hour later and snugly buckled in his passenger seat he reversed out, letting her parents manoeuvre and turn out of the car park first; they turned around the small space and headed out down the long gravel road. Looking back as they headed out Rob unclipped his belt, pulling the handbrake on. Rose frowned, confused at what he was doing.