A Forever Family: Their Miracle Child. Susan Carlisle

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СКАЧАТЬ his feet and stepping back. He tried to mask his confusion and disappointment. He had been looking forward to spending time with the fun-loving Jade he had heard about but this very tame version was definitely giving him the cold shoulder. He got the message loud and clear. They had nothing in common, except their fondness of the little girl now walking like an Egyptian mummy in her oversized towel towards the door.

      ‘There’s a great breeze up now so I’m going to spend the afternoon windsurfing.’ With that, he disappeared from the doorway.

      ‘Don’t forget the sunblock.’ His mother’s words echoed down the hallway after him.

      ‘I’m thirty-six years of age and I’ve spent four years in Africa and two in Saudi Arabia so I think I’ll be just fine.’ He shook his head and waved goodbye but didn’t turn around.

      Jade watched his mother’s lips curve into a smile. There was clearly something in Mitchell that made his mother happy, but Jade wasn’t buying it. To her, he was selfish and self-serving. Extremely handsome, she conceded, but that was not the point, she reminded herself. He was everything she didn’t want or need to influence Amber’s choices in life.

      ‘Really, Maureen, do you want to scare your son away again?’ Arthur asked with a grin as he scratched his shaking head. ‘He’s an adult, so just do your helicopter mothering with little Amber … And be careful, Jade, she’ll have her sights on doing the same to you if you let her.’

      Jade knew she had to mask the animosity she felt for Mitchell. She would be happy if he windsurfed for the entire four weeks and left them alone. Or, better yet, a huge gust took him safely back to Africa.

      She was unnerved by the man. She didn’t like the feeling at all. Although she didn’t like simmering anger either, it was preferable to what he was stirring inside her.

      Her pulse had slowed after he’d left and that was how it needed to stay, she thought as she followed Amber and Maureen back to the guest room. It was a pretty room, decorated in soft peach hues with two double beds and a view of the beach. The balcony doors were closed, and Jade intended on keeping them that way, even though she knew the high glass-and-chrome balustrade would more than protect Amber. Better safe than sorry was her new mantra. Life is short had been replaced the day she had held Amber in her arms for the first time.

      ‘There’s another guest room but I thought Amber would want you to sleep in the same room as it’s a strange house to her.’

      ‘She would, thank you.’

      ‘I bought a few bits and pieces for Amber to wear here and then take back home to America with you,’ Maureen announced, and slid open one of the built-in wardrobe doors to reveal clothing fit for a little princess or three. ‘I wasn’t sure what Amber’s favourite colour was—’

      ‘So she bought them in every colour,’ Arthur cut in, rolling his eyes before he walked away and left the women to themselves.

      ‘It’s too much. It will never fit in her suitcase,’ Jade said softly, not wanting to offend Maureen but also aware that Amber shouldn’t become accustomed to a lavish lifestyle as she would not be able to keep it up when they returned to Los Angeles.

      Amber and Jade were living in the home that David and Ruby had bought. Although it was sad at times, Jade thought that it was important for Amber to grow up surrounded by her parents’ belongings. The house had been left to Jade and Mitchell in the will but Mitchell had sent a message through his lawyer that he wanted his share given to Amber. She had sent a letter back to him through the lawyer, showing her gratitude at his generosity, but she’d never received a reply. She didn’t know if he hadn’t received her thanks or if he’d just chosen to ignore them.

      Either way, Jade had left it alone. Whatever his reasons, he had given Amber his share of the property and his actions did allow them to own a house. It was a lovely home in Hancock Park, not too far from the hospital. Her neighbours were an older couple who had never been blessed with children and they were very happy to babysit Amber when Jade was working. They’d told her it was better that she got out of the house and they loved the time they spent with the little girl. She was like the grandchild they’d never had.

      But working only part time didn’t allow for too many luxuries. Jade had invested the insurance money that David and Ruby had left behind to ensure that Amber had her college education well covered.

      ‘Nonsense,’ Maureen replied. ‘I will have them shipped back to LA for you. Now, what about shorts and a pretty top for the beach?’

      ‘That would be lovely,’ Jade responded, accepting that Maureen had every right to spoil Amber and it would save her buying clothes for at least two years, judging by the number of outfits decorating the brightly coloured hangers. ‘Her favourite colour this week is yellow.’

      ‘Yeth, yellow!’ Amber said, jumping up and down and losing her towel, which fell to the floor.

      Maureen looked up at Jade with a knowing smile. ‘Then yellow it is, Missy Amber,’ she said, giving the little girl a yellow bikini before she pulled a pair of yellow shorts with daisies embroidered on the pockets and a yellow-and-pink-striped top with pretty capped sleeves.

      Jade walked over to the long line of glass doors as Maureen happily helped the little girl into her new outfit. The breeze had picked up, sending white-tipped waves gently rolling into the shore. The huge expanse of sand was dotted with large colourful beach umbrellas. The Australian coastline was even more stunning than she had imagined.

      Suddenly, something caught her eye, and she saw a figure crossing the road below. She leant forward against the glass and recognised Mitchell. He was carrying his windsurfing board to the steps that led to the beach. His broad shoulders were tanned and his shorts still hung low on his hips. Her view was spectacular and the ocean had nothing to do with it. The vision of the man made her heart skip a beat involuntarily and stole her breath away yet again. Nervously, she bit her lip and tucked her hair behind her ears. Neither action distracted her. Mitchell had her full attention. And she didn’t like it because she didn’t want to like Mitchell Forrester.

       CHAPTER TWO

      ‘WHY DON’T YOU lot come on in? The water’s fine.’

      Jade fought her desire to look up, but her eyes had a mind of their own and even convinced her chin to lift in the direction of the voice she knew full well was Mitchell’s. It was deep and mellow, not unlike the smooth delivery of a late-night radio host on a programme that played love songs to those people who had no one beside them in bed. Jade knew the tone very well. It was how she fell asleep most nights. She had tried talk-back radio but listening to strangers’ intimate thoughts didn’t do anything for a good night’s sleep, and the news was at times distressing, so late-night love songs became her preferred bedtime companion.

      ‘I’m sure it is …’ she started coolly, and paused as she watched through the filter of her sunglasses the water trickle down his sculpted body. She had already witnessed the firmness of the curves when he’d steadied her from tripping, but this close, and with the sun hitting every muscle and the salt water still dripping from his hair, the image was magnified. A life drawing class would not have seen a model more perfect. She tried to blink away the thoughts he was stirring but they were standing their ground and disturbing her equilibrium. ‘We’re happy here making sandcastles,’ she finally managed to mutter with a lack of interest at his proposition she hoped was evident in her tone.

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