No Place Like Home, page 17
“They’re good people,” he replied.
“Yes, I suppose they are. Better than I’ve given them credit for. We all make mistakes. I don’t know why I hold them to account and don’t hold myself to the same standard.”
“That’s because we all judge ourselves by our intent, and others by their actions.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You’re so right — that’s exactly what we do. It’s certainly what I’ve done with Mum and Dad.”
“Maybe they’re not pretending everything’s fine between them. Perhaps they’re actually working on it, doing their best to make everything fine.” He offered her a wan smile. “It’s worth thinking about anyway.”
She considered his words as they drove. She’d been too hard on her parents. She’d talk to them when she made it back to the house — do her best to make things right before they returned home to Sydney. If she couldn’t do that at Christmas, when would she?
“Thanks, that actually helps me with my perspective. You’re kind of smart, you know?” She chuckled.
He shrugged. “I suppose you’ll have to keep me around then, so I can share these nuggets of wisdom when you need them.”
She grinned. “It’d be irresponsible not to.”
When they arrived at the airport, she pulled the car into the kiss and drop section. She climbed out and helped him with his bags. He looped his arms around her and kissed her soft on the mouth.
“Keep safe while I’m gone.”
“I will.” She nestled against his chest.
“This thing between us, I want you to know that I’m serious. This isn’t something casual for me. I haven’t had a relationship in about three years. I’ve been waiting to find someone to share my life with.”
Her breath caught in her throat. She looked up and met his gaze. His hazel eyes were dark, his expression earnest.
“I feel the same way. Trina keeps telling me I should date, but I haven’t in a long time because I don’t want to waste my time, or my heart, on someone who won’t appreciate me. Not anymore. I’ve had too much of that.”
He kissed her again. “I definitely appreciate you. Every little thing about you. In fact, if I appreciate you too much more, we might get in trouble. So, I should probably wait to appreciate you when we have a little more privacy.”
She chuckled. “That’s a good idea.”
As she drove away, she waved at Jay through the window. He watched her leave, then in the rear-view mirror she saw him gather his things and head into the terminal.
She sighed with satisfaction, her heart full. The future had been a scary thing not so long ago. A looming, lonely, empty shadow on the horizon. Now, she wasn’t sure what it would hold, but something inside her told her whatever it was, she’d be okay. At least she wouldn’t face it alone. And a sense of peace she hadn’t felt before settled over her soul.
Epilogue
Lisa sat on the swing on the front porch of Trina’s house, beside her best friend. Cinder lay at her feet, his black and white fur rising and falling with the depth of each breath. Trina held up her hand to examine her engagement ring. The light reflected off it, bright in Lisa’s eyes.
She laughed. “That thing is a menace. It could blind someone while they’re driving and cause a car accident.”
Trina turned her hand from side to side. “Oh, trust me, I’ve almost crashed the car a few times. When I turn the steering wheel and it catches the light, I can’t help looking at it.”
“Trina! You’re going to hurt someone,” exclaimed Lisa.
Trina laughed. “I promise not to let my beautiful ring distract me while driving, ever again.”
“Thank you,” huffed Lisa.
“But while we’re sitting here, not endangering anyone’s life, we can appreciate it together. Right?”
“Absolutely,” agreed Lisa, leaning forwards to appreciate it better. “It really is beautiful.”
“I know.” Trina sighed. “Who would’ve thought I’d be swooning over a diamond ring in my forties?”
“And a police officer,” added Lisa with a snort.
“A very attractive police officer,” corrected Trina.
“I can’t argue.” Lisa sighed. “So, you’re getting married tomorrow.”
“I am.”
Lisa grabbed Trina’s hand and held it between her own. “I’m so happy for you, honey. I mean, with everything you’ve been through I hoped this day would come, but I definitely had my doubts.”
“Everything you helped me through. And I know what you mean.”
“My dream was that one day you’d manage to salvage the pieces of your life, your heart, and find some happiness.”
Trina gazed off into the distance. “I still catch myself sometimes, when I smile or laugh, when I feel happiness or joy, and I think about Seb. But now it doesn’t hurt so much. I miss him all the time, but I know I can take this next step without feeling guilty about it. I’m still here, I have to live my life.”
Lisa nodded. “He’d want that. I know he would.”
“He was such a sweetheart.”
“The best,” agreed Lisa, memories swimming across her mind’s eye.
Trina leaned closer, letting her head rest on Lisa’s shoulder. “You’re a good friend. Which is why I’m glad to see you finding your way.”
“I don’t know, sometimes I wonder if that’s what’s really happening. It seems like a bit of a dream.”
Trina chuckled. “You’re so much more confident these days. You’re not at the end of your journey, but you’re on your way. Having to care for the children while Callie was missing really brought out the strength in you that so often you don’t seem to realise is there. You’ve always been strong, but now you know it.”
“Thanks, honey. That means a lot.” Lisa inhaled a slow breath. Trina’s words resonated with something deep in her soul. She felt like a different person to the one who’d scuttled from Sydney to Murwillumbah all those months ago, looking for a safe place to land. A place to call home. She’d found that place where she belonged, and she’d found herself along the way.
The backyard was lit up with twinkle lights in the waning summer evening. Trina and Pete held hands as they walked across the yard. Behind them, Jay followed at a discreet distance, snapping photographs of the couple. Trina wore a knee-length cream suit, and her hair was piled on top of her head in loose curls. Lisa couldn’t remember her friend ever looking more beautiful, or happier.
She walked side by side with Hannah.
“You’re so pretty,” she said.
Hannah hugged her, kissed her cheek. “You too, Auntie Lisa. And the service was lovely.”
“Yes it was, wasn’t it?”
“It was so perfect having Bill run the ceremony. Made the whole thing more special.”
“How do you feel about it all?” asked Lisa.
Hannah pushed a long strand of blonde hair behind her shoulder, her face turning sombre. “It’s strange to be here without Dad and Seb. But I’m happy for Mum.”
Lisa squeezed Hannah’s hand. “You’re a good daughter.”
“Thanks.”
Hannah headed for the large white tent that’d been set up in the back yard. Music drifted out to greet them. Inside, the rest of the guests were already seated at long, white tables, sipping wine and dancing on the small, square dance floor. Lisa had helped set the entire thing up the day before, she was happy to see it all come together the way they’d imagined it.
Right before she stepped through the doorway, a hand grabbed her and pulled her to one side. Jay kissed her hard on the lips, his hands finding their way to her back and pressing her to him.
She laughed against his lips, winding her arms around his neck. “Well, hello.”
He grinned. The top button on his white shirt was undone, his tie loosened. “I’ve been wanting to do that for hours.”
“You were thinking about kissing me while you were taking photos at my friend’s wedding?” she asked, with mock indignation.
“Every single moment,” he whispered, leaning in for another kiss.
She giggled and returned his kiss with a passion that surprised her. He’d woken something inside of her that was new, a desire to be with him every moment, to be in his arms, to never let him go.
“Dad, don’t be disgusting,” hissed Toni, poking her head out the door of the tent. “Come inside! You’re so embarrassing.”
Jay arched an eyebrow. “Uh oh, I’m in trouble.”
Lisa laughed. “Me too. Let’s go in before we get a time-out.”
Hand in hand they walked into the tent. Lisa scanned the tent, taking in the dance floor with guests moving to the music played by a deejay in the back corner. People had flown in from Sydney and joined the group of locals who were there to celebrate Trina and Pete’s wedding. Trina wanted a relaxed, fun party for the reception, so they were already dancing, ignoring the steaming trays of food on the buffet table for now.
Happiness bubbled deep down in her soul. It rose through her body like the glow of a warm fire, lighting her up from the inside. She’d been so afraid of committing her life to someone, so scared that she’d end up like her parents. But now she saw that she wasn’t anything like them, she was her own person and she’d make her own choices about her relationships. She didn’t have to live the way they did or fail in love like them. And perhaps they were doing better than she gave them credit for anyway — children never see their parents in a fair light, only ever in half shadow.
She wasn’t terrible at dating, or impossible to love. She simply hadn’t met Jay. And now, love came easy for her.
“Let’s dance,” said Jay. He pulled her to the floor, then into his arms. She melted against him, letting him lead her in slow, rhythmic movements. They blended into the crowd and she rested her head against his chest. The world faded away as she danced to the steady beat of his heart.
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THE END
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Author’s Note
Dear reader,
I’m so grateful you took this journey with me to the small rural township of Murwillumbah in the Home Sweet Home series.
This series has a special place in my heart because it’s set in my home town. I grew up just outside of Murwillumbah on a beautiful little farm with rolling green hills and grazing cattle in the shadow of Mount Warning. It’s a wonderful village, where people know each other and neighbours step in to help whenever it’s needed.
I hope this series has given you a little taste of what my home town in New South Wales, Australia is like.
Don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter to find out when my next book releases, and for special exclusive giveaways.
With love,
Lilly xo
Also by Lilly Mirren
The Waratah Inn Series
The Waratah Inn
Wrested back to Cabarita Beach by her grandmother's sudden death, Kate Summer discovers a mystery buried in the past that changes everything.
* * *
One Summer in Italy
Reeda leaves the Waratah Inn and returns to Sydney, her husband, and her thriving interior design business, only to find her marriage in tatters. She's lost sight of what she wants in life and can't recognise the person she's become.
* * *
The Summer Sisters
Set against the golden sands and crystal clear waters of Cabarita Beach three sisters inherit an inn and discover a mystery about their grandmother's past that changes everything they thought they knew about their family...
* * *
Christmas at The Waratah Inn
Liz Cranwell is divorced and alone at Christmas. When her friends convince her to holiday at The Waratah Inn, she’s dreading her first Christmas on her own. Instead she discovers that strangers can be the balm to heal the wounds of a lonely heart in this heartwarming Christmas story.
Emerald Cove Series
Cottage on Oceanview Lane
When a renowned book editor returns to her roots, she rediscovers her strength & her passion in this heartwarming novel.
* * *
Seaside Manor Bed and Breakfast
The Seaside Manor Bed and Breakfast has been an institution in Emerald Cove for as long as anyone can remember. But things are changing and Diana is nervous about what the future might hold for her and her husband, not to mention the historic business.
* * *
Bungalow on Pelican Way
Moving to the Cove gave Rebecca De Vries a place to hide from her abusive ex. Now that he’s in jail, she can get back to living her life as a police officer in her adopted hometown working alongside her intractable but very attractive boss, Franklin.
* * *
Chalet on Cliffside Drive
At forty-four years of age, Ben Silver thought he’d never find love. When he moves to Emerald Cove, he does it to support his birth mother, Diana, after her husband’s sudden death. But then he meets Vicky.
* * *
Christmas in Emerald Cove
The Flannigan family has been through a lot together. They’ve grown and changed over the years and now have a blended and extended family that doesn’t always see eye to eye. But this Christmas they’ll learn that love can overcome all of the pain and differences of the past in this inspiring Christmas tale.
Home Sweet Home Series
Home Sweet Home
Trina is starting over after a painful separation from her husband of almost twenty years. Grief and loss force her to return to her hometown where she has to deal with all of the things she left behind to rebuild her life, piece by piece; a hometown she hasn't visited since high school graduation.
* * *
No Place Like Home
Lisa never thought she’d leave her high-profile finance job in the city to work in a small-town bakery. She also never expected to still be single in her forties.
Glossary of Terms
Dear reader,
Since this book is set in Australia there may be some terms you’re not familiar with. I’ve included them below to help you out! I hope they didn’t trip you up too much.
Cheers, Lilly xo
Terms
Beanie - knitted cap
Biscuit - cookie
Boot - car trunk
Chook - chicken or hen
Cutlery - silverware
Doona - comforter
Icing - Frosting
Jelly - jello
Jumper - sweater
Lolly shop - candy store
Mobile phone (or mobile) - cell phone
Real estate agent - realtor
Rearview mirror - rearvision mirror
Sausage roll - sausage mince rolled in pastry
Skivvy - turtle neck
Tablet - pill
Tomato sauce - ketchup
Tummy - stomach
About the Author
Lilly Mirren is a USA Today Bestselling author. She lives in Brisbane, Australia with her husband and three children.
She always dreamed of being a writer and is now living that dream. When she's not writing, she's chasing her children or spending time with friends.
Her books combine heartwarming storylines with achingly realistic characters readers can't get enough of. Her debut series, The Waratah Inn, set in the delightful Cabarita Beach, hit the USA Today Bestseller list and since then, has touched the hearts of hundreds of thousands of readers across the globe.
Follow Lilly:
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Copyright © 2021 by Black Lab Press
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events, locales, and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
Cover design by Erin Dameron Hill.
Lilly Mirren, No Place Like Home
