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‘You know I do, Jase.’
‘And we love each other.’ The smile was a pale shadow of the usual winning variety but the clasp of Jason’s hand was warm and strong. ‘I do love you, Laura.’
‘I love you, too,’ she whispered.
‘And I need you.’ The squeeze on her hand was gently persuasive. ‘So does Megan. You, me and Megan. We could be a real family… forever.’ Jason was still smiling. ‘So how ’bout it, babe? Would you marry me?’
It wasn’t really a proposal, was it? Was Jason was just testing a possible scenario? His next words vaporised any thrill that Laura hadn’t been able to suppress.
‘I mean, if we were married, we’d have a great case for going for permanent custody of Megan.’ Jason looked around again. ‘And this is such a great house. You own it, don’t you?’
‘Yes.’ Laura swallowed hard. She had a lot going for her, didn’t she? ‘I’m sharing it with Charlie at the moment, though.’
‘Your best friend, right? The serious crash investigator?’ Laura pulled her hand away from Jason’s. It hadn’t been difficult to distract Jason from any thoughts of proposing marriage, had it? Laura couldn’t bear trying to analyse why that might be the case. Changing the subject was probably a wise move.
‘Did you hear about the mass casualty incident up north yesterday?’ Her voice sounded oddly high pitched so Laura cleared her throat and tried again. ‘The train versus bus?’
‘It was all over the news. Wish I’d been there. Once-in-a-lifetime experience working on a job that big.’
‘Huge,’ Laura agreed. ‘Charlie and her partner got sent up to help.’
‘So she’s away?’ Jason looked hopeful. ‘You do have room for a visitor or two, then?’
‘She’s back tonight. And you can’t just run away from this, Jason. It’s got to be sorted. Where is Shelley now?’
‘I dropped her off in town.’ Jason shook his head. ‘She didn’t get up until eleven and she didn’t bother even holding Megan before telling me she needed to go and meet her brother off the bus from Dunedin. They’re planning to check the availability of flights back to the UK. Apparently neither of them have enough money to stay much longer.’
‘She’s putting the pressure on, then, isn’t she?’
‘You’re not kidding.’ Jason checked his watch. ‘I’d better head off. With a bit of luck I’ll get some time to myself and a chance to try and get my head straight. My guess is that this brother of Shelley’s will be wanting a place to stay tonight as well. I’m going to have to try and talk sense into both of them so I need to figure out how I’m going to do it.’
‘Good luck.’
‘Are you sure you won’t come and stay? Help me convince them?’
Laura shook her head sadly. ‘It would only make things more difficult, Jase. Shelley’s after you, despite pretending she’d be happy with a “name only” marriage. If I’m around, she’s only going to be more determined to get exactly what she wants.’
Laura had to hold back tears as Jason kissed her goodbye. The kiss was tender but it eased the look of frustration and misery on Jason’s features only momentarily.
‘I miss having you around,’ he said sadly. ‘So does Megan.’
Laura looked away. She wanted so much to hold him, to tell him that she loved him and would be there for him no matter what, but she knew what was holding her back. She was desperate for any clue that what they had together was precious for its own sake and not just because it bonded them into a set of parents for Megan.
‘Are you managing okay… with Megan?’
‘Oh, sure.’ Jason’s smile was as tender as his kiss had been. ‘You’ve taught me a lot, Laura.’
The tears were much harder to control now. Impossible, in fact. Laura held the door open and her voice was muffled. ‘Are you coming into work tomorrow?’
‘Of course. I’m going to need a day away from my unwelcome visitor.’ Jason managed a lopsided grin. ‘Besides, Mackie would have my guts for garters if she missed out on a day with Peanut.’
* * *
Jean McKendry wasn’t thrilled with the offer of help to care for Megan the next day.
‘What does she think she’s doing? She made a right pig’s ear of changing the bairn’s nappy.’
‘I guess she’s out of practice.’
