Sting (34 page)

“He totally just smiled at me,” I brag.

I totally rock this father shit.

“I’d say that’s wind,” Willow says, in her I’m-his-mother-and-I-can-read-him tone. Willow fusses with her short blond hair. I’m totally loving this new cut on her.
Total MILF, and she’s mine.

“How do I look?” she asks.

“Beautiful as ever, Blondie. Come on. Let’s get moving.”

Willow scurries up beside me, juggling her handbag on one shoulder, and the backpack with all Toby’s bits and pieces on the other. It’s not like we’re in here all day; we’re just gonna be in and out.

“Are you sure you need all that?”

She rolls her eyes and huffs.

“Want me to carry some, then?” I ask, offering my hand. As far as I’m concerned, I brought all the cargo we need.

She shakes her head and gives me a brilliant smile. I know she’s going to melt into a puddle when she sees Gabby.
It’s inevitable
. They talk for an hour or more on most days, about God knows what. The girls being apart for the last four months have been tough on Willow, but in saying that, she’s out of the WITSEC program and she has her family back. Her parents are good people and they’ve moved here to be with us. Melbourne was a clear choice for me, not being that far from my parents in Canberra.

It certainly makes it easier to walk out the door, each day, knowing that we have support. I’m excited with the work I’m doing in the Cold Case unit in the anti-gangs division. It’s interesting work and I’m lucky I’ve struck an arrangement which provides me with a good balance between work and home; something I promised myself, and Willow, that I would make a priority.

We walk into the terminal towards the baggage collection area and wade through a sea of fresh arrivals.

A high-pitched squeal has me clutching Toby to my chest with one hand and reaching for the imaginary weapon at my side. Even though it’s been a year, I still fucking overreact to shit like this.

Willow squeals beside me, drops both her bags, and runs, colliding with someone whose bright pink ponytail swishes over her shoulder.

Trust Gabby to make an entrance, and try to give me a heart attack in the process.

I grab both bags and march in their direction.

“
Lolo
,” a familiar voice screeches. Willow and Gabby untangle their arms from each other and wipe the tears from their eyes. Willow sweeps Sienna into her arms, her mop of long blonde hair flying every which way. “I missed you!” she says, equally as loud.

Sienna wriggles out of her grasp and rushes over to me. I lean down and give her a hug.

“He’s so tiny,” she says, pushing her finger at his button nose. “Will he have big muscles, like you?”

Aw, she doesn’t say big mussies anymore? Man, kids grow up way to quick.

I chuckle and prod her nose just the same. “I’d say he will, Princess.”

Toby squirms against me. Heat seeps into my shirt.

I look down and heave as the stench of fresh baby puke soaks into my shirt.

“Oh, man. What’s happened here?” I ask Toby, as if he’s gonna talk back to me. “Ah, Blondie? Little help here please?”

Willow walks over and fishes through the backpack and comes up with a bib and some baby wipes. I unclip the carrier and hold Toby at arm’s length. There’s not a drop of vomit on him anywhere.
Nice play, buddy.
My stomach flips as she wipes away at my shirt. Luckily, it’s white.

Willow chuckles softly. “See, always be prepared,” she says with a wink.

“Where’s my beautiful Tobias,” Gabby says, arms outstretched. I hand her the baby and she makes a series of high-pitched noises that probably only small animals can make sense of.

“Yeah, but we call him Toby for short.”

“You’re right, lady,” she says and smirks at Willow. “He looks more and more like his daddy.”

I lean in close and peck Gabby on the cheek. “You’d better lock up your daughter, then.”

The look of alarm that ensues on her face is nothing short of priceless.

****

WILLOW

We load the last of Gabs’ cavalcade of bags into the car and head towards Williamstown. After thirty minutes, we’re almost there. I’m busting inside. I can’t wait to show her the space, talk about the future, and reminisce. Poor Ryan has had to listen to me ramble on for months, and now I get my beautiful friend to myself. My plan is coming to fruition.

“So now that you girls have stopped to draw breath, how was the flight?” Ryan asks, as he slows down for a red light.

“I need champagne, something,” Gabs says. “The flight was no less than what you’d expect with a four-year-old who is beyond overtired. I should’ve packed some of that knock-out stuff from the chemist. Here I was, thinking that booking a midnight flight would ensure sleep.”

“Lucky I know a good place for coffee,” I chirp.

“Ah, there was never any doubt,” she says, and places her hand on my shoulder from the back seat.

“We’re here,” I announce.

With Toby fast asleep, I unhook the capsule from the car seat and click it into the base of the stroller that Ryan has already assembled and wheeled around for me.

“Hey Sienna. You wanna come for a walk?” he asks her.

I watch as my gentle giant takes her small hand in his. She skips beside him, twirling her pink-spotted dress as they progress down the path.

I unlock the front door and show Gabs in. I still haven’t arranged all the tables and chairs, but I’m happy with the aged timber counter that’s been installed this week, and how it matches with the rough brick texture on the walls. The polished concrete floors have come up well, too.

I flick the coffee machine on and prepare to make the first ever coffee in my café. Of all people to make it for, it’s my buxom ray of sunshine.

I bring two coffees over to the table with a view of the water, and we sit with a snoozing Toby close by my side.

“Welcome to Willow’s of Williamstown,” I announce, swinging my arm out like I’m one of those ladies presenting prizes on a game show.

She raises her coffee cup. “To Willow’s!” she declares. I clink the side of my cup against hers, spilling coffee onto the table.

“Lady, I did not want to cry today, and you’re really testing me, here.”

“It was always going to happen,” I say and laugh as a happy tear rolls down my face.

She takes a long sip of her coffee and stares at the view. “You’re never coming back, are you?”

I’ve been dreading this conversation, but she has to know that I have to be with my family.

“Oh, Gabs. I will always love you, and I promise you’ll forever be a part of my life, but my family is here now.”

“You don’t know how happy it makes me, to see you in this place, Willow. You’re gonna shine, honey.”

My heart aches in my chest.
I made her proud.

“The café in Freo is yours, Gabs.”

“No,” she breathes. “I can’t take it, lady.”

“It’s as much yours as it is mine. I have plans, Gabs. I wanna make a franchise out of Willow’s, and you have a head for business, and a heart for the customers. I know you wanted to be a silent partner because of the insurance money, but I want you to have it. You deserve it, and I know you’ve been working hard since I moved here.”

“Yeah, Zac is doing wonders with the customers. We’re getting more kids from Notre Dame University, and Sarah has really stepped up in the kitchen after the training you gave her. The space next door has been up for lease for a while, and I’m thinking we should talk to the owner and see what we can negotiate and expand our space. We have enough money coming in to support another staff member.”

“See! You were meant to do this, Gabs.”

“Yeah, well, if you hadn’t come into my town and provoked me into action, I wouldn’t have got this far.” We’re lucky we had each other to draw us out of the depths of despair.

I raise my coffee cup. “To us,” I toast.

“Yeah, to us.” She clinks my cup once more.

“So, how is Mick?” I ask.

She grins and does this weird kind of lovesick flop with her head as she sighs. “I think we’re both grateful for second chances.”

Toby makes a cooing sound and I roll the pram so he’s facing me. He’s bright-eyed and smiling.
Sweet cupcakes
. It’s not an I’ve-got-wind kind of smile, but a genuine one. It’s so beautiful and perfect, I tear up.

The front door opens and little footsteps slap across the concrete floor, growing louder. Sienna throws herself into Gabs’ arms with a whoosh. I swing my head around in time to watch Ryan stride across the café floor in his long jean-clad legs. The muscles across his chest flex beneath his tight, slightly stained white T-shirt with each step. With one hand he runs his fingers through his hair and then flashes me that beautiful dimple. When he winks, I almost turn into a pile of emotion-filled goop.

I got my second chance, alright.

I got my happily-ever-after.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Sting
has been in my thoughts ever since Ryan’s introduction in
Spike
. I know so many of you were eager to hear his story, and I hope you love my gentle giant as much as I do.
Sting
was definitely a challenge to write with two such guarded characters in Ryan and Willow.

So I guess you’re wondering what’s next for the
Spark
series? Well, book five will be coming later in 2015, but I won’t be releasing the name or the cover just yet. Yes, I know I’m a giant tease! Book five will return to the MX track and is centred around the complicated lives of Rocco De Luca, the mechanic introduced in
Strike
, and Sophie, April’s best friend. You’ll also get to see if April and Spencer make it to the altar. This book is going to be a rocky ride, and I can’t wait to bring it to you! You will also see more of Vicky, Spencer’s sister, and young ‘Billy Boy’ Valentine. #WillThereBeASixthBook?

So, moving along, there are some awesome people that I need to thank. Please, bear with me.

First and foremost, my beautiful, hard-working, understanding rock for a husband, Ben. I love you from the bottom of my heart. I couldn’t do this without you. To my two growing cherubs, my #1 fans, I love you more than anything. Thank you for sharing me with so many people.

Lauren “McStellar” McKellar, you are truly a gift, a dear friend, and I am so lucky to have you as my editor. You always know where I can do better, and I thank you once again for really pushing me so that
Sting
is the beautiful story I envisaged it’d be. It wouldn’t be where it is without you.

I’d like to make a special mention to Kristine Barakat from Glass Paper Ink Bookblog for her exceptional beta reading of
Sting
. Sometimes I think you know my characters better than I do! You have an uncanny knack for getting inside my characters’ heads, and you have been instrumental in the development of this story. You’re stuck with me for life, because I will not publish anything without you looking at it. Thank you for being there from the very beginning of the
Spark
series, and for being such a pillar of strength and support.

As always, SydVegas is my light that keeps me pushing on, working harder. Kristine, Lauren, Simone and Carmen, you all play such an important part in my writing journey, and I know that the friendships we have forged will only grow stronger. #SydVegasFTW #LYFFF

I am very lucky to have had so many wonderful beta readers for
Sting
. As well as Kristine, I would like to say a big heartfelt thanks to Simone Nicole, Kayla Kennedy, Natasha Awkar and Mandy Pederick. Thank you all for taking the time at the end of 2014 to read
Sting
, and answer the many questions I had! Your comments and enthusiasm have made this such an enjoyable experience, and it was a comfort knowing I was on track.

A big thanks to author TJ Hamilton, whose keen eye and advice helped me strengthen the law enforcement side of things. I also have a couple of working detectives to thank, but it’s best I don’t name them here. I have a lot of respect for the men and women who carry a badge, which is another reason why I had to write this book. I swear in another life I was a cop!

Thank you to Jesse McConaghy: body-builder, fitness guru and my kick-arse cover model. Thank you for bringing all the muscle, and for exuding the attitude fitting for my detective. I should also thank your gorgeous wife, Kim, for letting me borrow your body.

Louisa from LM Creations exceeded all my expectations in creating the
Sting
cover. I have loved working with you, and can’t wait to work with you on the future projects we have planned. Your professionalism and attention to detail is second to none.

Thanks to Max Henry from Max Effect for formatting and design. As always, you are a joy to work with. You really bring my words to life beautifully on paper.

Thank you to David Gobbitt for your super keen eye in proofreading
Sting
. You did such an amazing job, and I’m so grateful.

Thank you to the members of Ryder’s Spark Support Crew. I get a real kick out of sharing stuff with you guys, and every like, share and comment means the world to me. Thank you for your support, helping me share my work, oh, and of course, thanks for our shared love of MX boys and smokin’ hot detectives.

To my family and friends, bloggers, fellow authors and dedicated fans who have helped me along the way. Special credit goes to Kristine from Glass Paper Ink Bookblog, Karen from The Danish Bookaholic, Angela from Books and Friendz, Tash from Book Lit Love and Becky from Bex ‘n’ Books. A big thanks to Kylie and Beth from Give Me Books who have been amazing in pimping the
Sting
cover, sale promotions, hosting the
Sting
release day party and blog tour. Your work is exceptional, and you are a pleasure to deal with, ladies.

There are so many authors in the author community which I would like to thank, but I am getting to the point where I fear I may leave someone out. I think you all know who you are by the interactions we have and the messages we share. As you know, I am always willing to lend a hand, and I thank you for doing the same for me. Thank you for your support. I wouldn’t be where I am without you, so thank you for helping a girl reach her dreams.