Long-Lost Son Read online

  Most people had already gathered when they came down towards the water, but there were still some late arrivals streaming ahead of them onto the sand, carrying eskies or baskets or foil-covered dishes. The Grubbs’ way of catering for the event had been to get everyone to bring a contribution.

  Janey saw several smoking pits of coals in the sand, and there seemed to be a massive array of food, either already baking or waiting to go in. She saw pineapples and prawns and whole fish, two dozen parcels of something wrapped in fresh banana leaves, cubes of chicken and meat on bamboo skewers, piles of marshmallows and pots of chocolate sauce, salads and cakes and wine.

  She recognised Georgie and Alistair—the latter gave Georgie’s backside a lascivious pat as she watched—and Christina and Joe. Christina sat in a wheelchair that looked somewhat bogged down in the sand, and she had baby Isabella in her arms. There was Mrs Grubb and her husband Walter, Max and CJ, Charles and Jill and little Lily. She found faces that she couldn’t put a name to yet as well, but could make guesses about.

  Those two pretty blondes had to be Susie and Hannah Jackson, because she didn’t think Crocodile Creek had two pairs of identical medical twins. And the twin with her arms around a good-looking man had to be Hannah, because the man would be Ryan Fisher, her new fiancé. They were returning to New Zealand early next week, she thought.

  The slightly plump and freckled but beaming woman standing next to a uniformed police officer was Grace O’Riordan, whom she’d only met briefly, and the officer was Harry Blake. That was the groom, Cal, standing with a couple of mates, near a woman who must be the marriage celebrant. He had bare feet and wore white gabardine jeans and a tropical patterned shirt in white and silver-grey. She realised that CJ was dressed the same way. Several cameras clicked, and everyone looked nervous, including the two groomsmen, but what were their names?

  My head’s starting to hurt!

  Janey gave up her attempt to identify everyone. She’d get to know them soon enough. She was staying in Crocodile Creek. Rowdy ran down the beach and spotted Max and CJ, who were doing long jumps in the sand, vying for the most impressive style and the most wildly scissoring legs. ‘Hey, guys, watch this!’ he yelled, and launched into the air, windmilling his arms and landing in a messy heap.

  ‘No, watch this!’ yelled Max, immediately determined to outdo a mere five-year-old. He didn’t bat an eyelid at the fact that Rowdy had spoken, and neither did CJ.

  But several of the adults turned to Janey and Luke, surprised, questioning, pleased. Georgie gave a thumbs-up sign. She was grinning her head off.

  ‘We worked a couple of things out,’ Luke said. He glanced up to the path leading down to the beach. ‘Tell you later.’

  Because here was the bride, wearing silver thongs and a white slip dress shimmering with beads. She had white flowers in her hair. She waved at CJ and he hurried to take his place beside Cal.

  ‘I can do an even bigger one!’ Rowdy yelled to Max.

  ‘Listen to him,’ Luke said softly.

  ‘I know,’ Janey whispered back. ‘It’s wonderful.’

  They stepped close to each other, he put his arm around her and she leaned against him, belonging there with every cell in her body. A beach wedding might be really nice, Janey decided, when it was their own turn…

  ‘Looks like you worked out a heck of a lot,’ said Georgie.

  ‘All the important stuff,’ Luke answered. ‘We still have to refine a few details.’

  ‘Are you staying in Crocodile Creek?’

  ‘What can I do? Janey loves a bit of heat.’ He slid his hand down to her hip and she turned her face up for a kiss.

  ‘Whew, you don’t have to tell me. I can feel it from here,’ Georgie said, fanning herself.

  Gina arrived at Cal’s side, everyone fell silent—even Rowdy—and their simple ceremony began, with the waves lapping on the beach and a certain happy realisation in the air that there would be more weddings in Crocodile Creek before too long.

  All the characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the author, and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names. They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the author, and all the incidents are pure invention.

  All Rights Reserved including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form. This edition is published by arrangement with Harlequin Enterprises II BV/S.à.r.l. The text of this publication or any part thereof may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, storage in an information retrieval system, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.

  ® and TM are trademarks owned and used by the trademark owner and/or its licensee. Trademarks marked with ® are registered with the United Kingdom Patent Office and/or the Office for Harmonisation in the Internal Market and in other countries.

  First published in Great Britain 2007

  Large Print edition 2008

  Harlequin Mills & Boon Limited,

  Eton House, 18-24 Paradise Road,

  Richmond, Surrey TW9 1SR

  © Lilian Darcy 2007

  ISBN: 978-1-4603-5605-0