the Parramatta River, a waterway that fed into Sydney Harbour. The old federation-style home, typical of the area, was large and spacious, perfect for entertaining. The backyard was shaded by enormous gum trees and landscaped with many native Australian plants—kangaroo paw, red waratah and grevillea. Lavender shrubs and yellow wattle scented the air, as well as the pretty white sweet-smelling flowers of the flourishing frangipani trees.
Pippa couldn’t believe how much JT’s children had grown. When she had left Sydney nearly five years ago for university, Elaina had been a shy three-year-old and Mandy had still been expecting their second child. Now Elaina was a smiling, confident seven-year-old with curly black hair and big, brown, owlish eyes. JT’s son, Jay, was a little tank just like his father, and was happily kicking a footy around the yard.
Mandy and Caitlin looked different as well—both women were absolutely radiant. Married life obviously agreed with them, Pippa concluded. She was amazed at the radical changes in Mandy’s appearance. When they had first met, Mandy had been a little scary-looking, dressed in all black, a bit like a goth. It was hard to believe this was the same woman, now wearing a pretty yellow sundress, her long, curly hair adorned with frangipanis.
Caitlin, who had always been a natural beauty, was still stunning, but now quite rounded. Pippa guessed that the beautiful redhead was probably at least seven months pregnant. And as they came rushing up to hug her, her nerves disappeared. Pippa was quite overwhelmed by the genuine warmth of the welcome she received, but finally remembered to introduce Cassie to the women.
“Mandy, Caitlin, I hope you don’t mind but I bought a friend along. I was a bit nervous and Cassie is good backup.” She laughed. It wasn’t long before the women were all chuckling and reminiscing, regaling an enthralled Cassie with stories about the old days.
Caitlin also filled Pippa in on the latest gossip. Pippa found out that Caitlin and Brodie already had a son.
“Luke Patrick is two, and just between you and me, Pip, be glad he is inside taking a nap. He is quite the handful. And as you can probably imagine, Brodie spoils him rotten.”
Pippa loved the melodic sound of Caitlin James’ voice. No wonder she had made a living singing.
“What a load of rubbish, Cate,” Mandy said with a laugh. “Don’t you believe a word of it, Pippa—Luke is an angel compared to Jay. If Jay isn’t destroying something, then he is thinking about ways to destroy something. My boy is just like his daddy, steamrolling over everything in his path!”
Pippa was having fun catching up with Mandy and Caitlin. She and Cassie had fit in easily and all four women were clearly enjoying each other’s company and their conversation. Pippa was pleased to have some familiar female company around the Jets club to help settle her in.
Distracted, she nearly jumped out of her skin when a large hand fell on her shoulder and a very deep, husky, but unfamiliar voice said her name.
“Pipsqueak, what the hell did you do to your hair?” the male voice growled.
“Riley Walters, you watch your mouth. That is no proper way to greet Pippa. You might be big, but not too big for me to clip around the ear, especially if Brodie or JT are around to give me backup,” Caitlin lovingly chastised her now very grown-up brother.
Pippa nearly fell out of her chair as she gazed up—then up some more—at the giant of a man who had once been her gangly-limbed, red-headed young friend.
“Riley Walters! What happened to you? Did you take illegal growth hormones, or is just being around Brodie and JT enough to make you become enormous too?” Pippa said as she jumped up and threw her arms around Riley’s neck.
Riley took advantage of the situation by picking Pippa up and swinging her around a few times before setting her back down to her feet gently.
“So, it’s Pippa now, is it?” he said
Pippa couldn’t believe how much JT’s children had grown. When she had left Sydney nearly five years ago for university, Elaina had been a shy three-year-old and Mandy had still been expecting their second child. Now Elaina was a smiling, confident seven-year-old with curly black hair and big, brown, owlish eyes. JT’s son, Jay, was a little tank just like his father, and was happily kicking a footy around the yard.
Mandy and Caitlin looked different as well—both women were absolutely radiant. Married life obviously agreed with them, Pippa concluded. She was amazed at the radical changes in Mandy’s appearance. When they had first met, Mandy had been a little scary-looking, dressed in all black, a bit like a goth. It was hard to believe this was the same woman, now wearing a pretty yellow sundress, her long, curly hair adorned with frangipanis.
Caitlin, who had always been a natural beauty, was still stunning, but now quite rounded. Pippa guessed that the beautiful redhead was probably at least seven months pregnant. And as they came rushing up to hug her, her nerves disappeared. Pippa was quite overwhelmed by the genuine warmth of the welcome she received, but finally remembered to introduce Cassie to the women.
“Mandy, Caitlin, I hope you don’t mind but I bought a friend along. I was a bit nervous and Cassie is good backup.” She laughed. It wasn’t long before the women were all chuckling and reminiscing, regaling an enthralled Cassie with stories about the old days.
Caitlin also filled Pippa in on the latest gossip. Pippa found out that Caitlin and Brodie already had a son.
“Luke Patrick is two, and just between you and me, Pip, be glad he is inside taking a nap. He is quite the handful. And as you can probably imagine, Brodie spoils him rotten.”
Pippa loved the melodic sound of Caitlin James’ voice. No wonder she had made a living singing.
“What a load of rubbish, Cate,” Mandy said with a laugh. “Don’t you believe a word of it, Pippa—Luke is an angel compared to Jay. If Jay isn’t destroying something, then he is thinking about ways to destroy something. My boy is just like his daddy, steamrolling over everything in his path!”
Pippa was having fun catching up with Mandy and Caitlin. She and Cassie had fit in easily and all four women were clearly enjoying each other’s company and their conversation. Pippa was pleased to have some familiar female company around the Jets club to help settle her in.
Distracted, she nearly jumped out of her skin when a large hand fell on her shoulder and a very deep, husky, but unfamiliar voice said her name.
“Pipsqueak, what the hell did you do to your hair?” the male voice growled.
“Riley Walters, you watch your mouth. That is no proper way to greet Pippa. You might be big, but not too big for me to clip around the ear, especially if Brodie or JT are around to give me backup,” Caitlin lovingly chastised her now very grown-up brother.
Pippa nearly fell out of her chair as she gazed up—then up some more—at the giant of a man who had once been her gangly-limbed, red-headed young friend.
“Riley Walters! What happened to you? Did you take illegal growth hormones, or is just being around Brodie and JT enough to make you become enormous too?” Pippa said as she jumped up and threw her arms around Riley’s neck.
Riley took advantage of the situation by picking Pippa up and swinging her around a few times before setting her back down to her feet gently.
“So, it’s Pippa now, is it?” he said
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