‘The only man in your life! Was marriage mentioned?’
‘Even Anna didn’t go that far!’
‘Pity. Jo’s opinion would have been interesting.’
‘She thinks we look sort of right together, if that’s any comfort.’
‘Damn right it is! Dad’s very happy about Sunday, by the way. Last I heard he was off to buy the biggest Easter egg in town.’
‘How sweet!’ Kate took in a deep, unsteady breath. ‘Oh, God, Jack, I do hope there’s a happy ending to all this.’
‘Amen to that. In the meantime I’ll call in tomorrow evening to make the most of my daughter while I can.’
Jack’s second visit was as much a success as the first. Joanna opened the door to him again and greeted him with such open pleasure that Kate could tell he wanted to hug her. He stayed for an hour, admired the sweatshirts purchased as birthday presents for the twins, and approved the white jeans and jade-green top Joanna fetched to show him.
‘I was going to wear my mini-skirt to the party,’ she told him, ‘but Kate and Anna said the jeans would be better.’
‘Try them on and show Jack how you’ll look tomorrow, if you like,’ said Kate, and Joanna rushed off immediately.
Jack groaned. ‘Mini-skirt with those long legs?’
‘My sentiment
s exactly,’ said Kate, grinning. ‘Anna’s, too.’
Joanna came back into the room in her party gear, her eyes sparkling as she did a twirl. ‘What do you think?’ she asked Jack.
‘Absolutely gorgeous,’ he said without hesitation.
Kate and Joanna saw him to the door when he left soon afterwards, and Jack kissed Jo’s cheek and Kate’s mouth before getting into his car.
‘You really like him, don’t you?’ said Jo as they waved him off.
‘Yes, darling, I really do. Now, take the new things off and climb into your pyjamas. You need an early night tonight if you’re partying tomorrow.’
It was hard to know who was the more tense when Kate delivered Joanna to the Carey house the following evening. Music was thumping from a barn decorated with fairy lights and a large streamer wishing Josh and Leo a happy birthday, and Jo took in a deep breath as the two boys raced towards her, their eyes snapping with excitement as she handed them the parcels she’d taken ages to pack earlier.
‘Hi,’ they said in unison as they tore away the paper. ‘Great! Just what we wanted—thanks a lot.’ They handed the presents to their mother and grabbed Jo’s arm. ‘Leave your coat with Mum and come on, it’s party time!’
With anxious eyes Kate watched her ewe lamb run with the twins towards the lights and music, then turned to smile ruefully at their mother.
Megan Carey patted her hand. ‘She’ll have a great time. Don’t worry; the others are a nice crowd of kids and Jim and Ben are on hand to keep a discreet eye on things.’
Kate thanked her warmly, told her she was at the Maitland house if needed and, with a last glance towards the barn, waved at Ben at his post on the door and went to join Anna.
As usual Anna’s company was a calming influence as Kate reported on the previous evening.
‘He seems to be calling in quite a lot lately. Are you still just good friends?’
‘Jack wants more than that.’
‘Of course he does—he’s a man!’ Anna looked at her curiously. ‘Does he want to marry you?’
‘Yes.’
‘Do you want to marry him?’
‘Yes.’