The Secrets We Keep

CHAPTER 3

“So, is it just my imagination or is Hunter’s friend overly possessive?” Marron murmured to Olivia.

“A bit obvious isn’t it? Still, no denying she’s certainly stunning to look at.”

“Pfft,” Marron dismissed, “I’m prepared to admit to attractive, but not stunning. Where does she fit in anyway?”

“I have no idea. I’ll pump Leo for answers later.”

“Good idea, I’ll do the same with Lucas.”

Despite Marron’s insistence that Valentina Alvarez was only attractive rather than stunning, Olivia thought otherwise. The woman was stunning, right down to her perfectly manicured nails and, despite her best intentions, her eyes tracked across the wide tiled patio to where Xavier, Hunter and Valentina stood. Every now and then Valentina gave a coquettish laugh which carried in the late afternoon stillness.

“Here, I brought you a plate of food before you burn holes through those two.” Marron pushed a plate of grilled chicken, corn cobs and baked potato in front of her.

“I’m not burning a hole,” she replied.

“To be brutally honest Olivia, I don’t think he’s that interested because every now and then he keeps sneaking a look at you.”

“I’m not interested in Hunter, you know that. I am concerned for his kids; Izzy seems lost, and Mason emanates a degree of anger, although he’s definitely chilled out a bit more over the last couple of weeks.”

Marron reached for her glass of wine, “I see that as well. Maybe we can reach out to Izzy?”

Olivia shook her head, “I need to be careful Maz. Hunter has already warned me to stay away, and I know his kids seem to be rusted onto Leo, and I’d love to reach out to Izzy but I’m also aware that professionally, I can’t be seen to show too much interest in one particular student.”

“But that doesn’t mean I can’t.”

Olivia let out a soft laugh, “You are so predictable Mrs Weston and I love you for it.”

“Thank you. I won’t be too intrusive but I’m sure I’ll find a way of making her feel less of an outsider.”

They ate in silence for a few minutes before Leo and Lucas flopped onto the seats near Olivia and Marron.

“What’s up guys?” Alex asked.

“That woman, “grumbled Lucas, “She keeps staring at Leo and she upset Izzy.”

“Oh?”

“Yeah, she’s sitting on the jetty and crying.” Leo added.

“Did you speak to her?” she asked him.

“No. I mean what can you say to a girl who’s crying?”

“Well, how about are you okay?” Marron suggested.

“I guess,” Lucas shrugged, “Mum can you go and talk to her? Please?”

Marron set her plate on the table,

“Wish me luck,” Marron said.

Olivia watched her disappear down towards the jetty then turned her attention to Leo and Lucas,

“So, who is she?” she nodded her had towards where Valentina and Hunter sat.

“She’s Spanish,” said Leo, “And she’s mean and nasty. Mason and Izzy hate her and Izzy’s worried that her dad is going to marry her!”

“Yeah, and she keeps trying to boss them around,” added Lucas, “She even tried to boss us around and why does she keep staring at Leo?”

“Well,” Olivia began, “to be honest I don’t know. Maybe he reminds her of someone?”

“Izzy said it’s because Mason and I look alike. Do you think?”

Olivia froze. This was not a conversation she wanted to have here; in fact, it wasn’t a conversation she wanted to have full stop. But the reality of the situation was going to hit home soon enough, and she needed to be prepared. Leo would be so disappointed in her; she knew that and could only hope he would one day understand.

“Does it bother you that she stares?”

“Nah, not really. I don’t care one way or the other.”

She hugged him, “Good. Now, I’m going to have another look at the table because that chicken is delicious.”

“Can we sit here with you?” Lucas asked.

“Lucas, sweetie, this is your house, you can sit wherever but I’d be happy to have you right here.”

He flashed the junior version of his father’s smile and Olivia pushed her chair back and headed for the table.

Hunter watched Olivia move around the table, despite his best attempts at looking elsewhere while Valentina bored both he and Xavier to dribbles with the story of her life and her vineyard, blah, blah, blah, his eyes had tracked even the smallest of movements Olivia made. When Xavier excused himself to go and talk to Marron, Hunter excused himself to approach the table. Why? Short answer, he had no idea. The long answer was not something he intended analysing in someone else’s garden. Marron was deep in discussion with Olivia and before he could approach her, Olivia was moving away from them, down towards the bay below the property. When he drew level with Marron and Xavier, Marron’s hand rested on his arm,

“I’d give Izzy some time, Hunter. She’s asked to speak with Liv.”

“Is something wrong with Izzy?”

“No. Yes. She’s upset with some things that were said to her, Lucas and Leo asked me to check if she was okay.”

“Valentina?” He already knew the answer, but he wanted to make sure.

“Yeah.”

Hunter looked around, there was no sign of Mason,

“Has anyone seen Mason?” he asked.

“He’s gone down to the paddocks to bring the goats in. Hope you don’t mind, Hunter.”

“No, not all. I didn’t realise he was interested in goats.”

Xavier laughed, “To be honest, I think he was just trying to avoid Valentina.”

“That sounds like Mason.”

“Anyway,” Xavier said, I’m headed that way myself, you’re more than welcome to join us.”

“Better not, I’m sure Valentina will develop an all-consuming interest in goats if I do!”

They laughed, then a sense of dread enveloped Hunter. What was wrong with him as a parent? Each of Valentina’s barbs thrown at Izzy pierced his own heart and yet, not wanting to embarrass his hosts or Izzy for that matter, he let it slide which in turn gave Valentina even more ammunition.

“I ought to help Olivia out,” he said at length, “Just as I ought to have defended by daughter.”

He found Izzy and Olivia sitting on the jetty, dangling their feet in the water. Izzy laughed at something Olivia said and he watched as she gave his daughter a playful nudge with her shoulder. His chest clenched in pain and for the briefest of moments he was blanketed in sadness.

“You two look as though you’re having fun,” he said.

They both turned their heads,

“We were just chilling here,” Olivia replied, “Putting the world to rights.”

“Making progress with that?”

“Fifty-fifty.”

“You okay, Iz?”

“I am now. I’m starving too.”

“Mm, well there’s still plenty of food,” he offered.

“Is Valentina still there?”

Lowering himself onto the jetty next to his daughter, Hunter said, “Sorry, Iz. Her attack on you was so wrong and I failed you as a father. I ought to have defended you.”

“But you didn’t, Dad. She says stuff to Mason and me and you never tell her to stop.”

Hunter raised a hand to push back a wayward lock of hair, “I think I’ve failed fatherhood 101,” he said, “I need an instruction manual.”

“None of them come with an instruction manual, Hunter,” Olivia replied, “We’re all just flying by the seat of our pants, making it up as we go. Some things work, others don’t. We can see you love your kids, and they love you.”

Her words were warm and wrapped around him, lifting him from his feelings of abject failure. Olivia was staring into her phone, then looked up at Izzy,

“Marron has put a mountain of food on a plate for you, darling girl and has kept a place for you away from Valentina.”

“So, I can go back?”

“Of course, you can. Lucas and Leo are with Marron.”

“Where’s Mason?”

“With Xavier and the goats.”

He watched his daughter process the information before getting to her,

“Okay, but the first hint of trouble and I’m walking home, Dad.”

“Go eat,” he insisted.

They watched Izzy retreat up the pathway where she waved at the top.

“Thanks for taking the time to speak to her,” he said.

“I did mention to Marron that professionally I shouldn’t get too involved, but she asked to speak to me.

He nodded and sat down beside her, “She’s not mine,” he blurted out. Jesus he was an i***t. Why did he say that? And to Olivia of all people. Her face was unreadable which was a good thing. Right?

Olivia placed a tentative hand on his arm, her eyes searched his face and saw only sadness. And what about her? Here she was, keeper of a fourteen -year-old secret herself. At the corner of her vision, she saw Valentina approaching.

“Maybe this isn’t the best time to talk about this.” She squeezed his arm and he turned to face her.

“No?”

“Valentina is coming this way, so definitely no. Another time, okay?”

He nodded and she removed her hand before Valentina was close enough to have noticed. Hunter was on his feet quickly and Valentina pressed herself into him,

“There you are!” she murmured, “I was beginning to think you had sneaked away and left me here.”

“Sneaked away? The car is still here, and my kids are still here, you need to stop being so melodramatic, Valentina.”

If she was upset or hurt by the terse response, Valentina simply smiled at Hunter. Olivia got to her feet,

“Well, I better get back to the hosts. Nice to meet you Valentina.”

“Like wise,” she replied, another fake smile on her face.

“We need to get going as well,” Hunter said, “I have barriques to check and a ton of paperwork to go through.”

Olivia moved, aware of Hunter and Valentina behind her. There was no conversation, although she had seen Valentina loop her arm through Hunter’s.

She met Marron once she had almost reached the top of the path. Marron’s gaze went past her and fixed on Hunter and Valentina.

“Olivia and Hunter, you have wonderful children,” she said, “They tidied everything up for me, stacked the dishwasher and they’re now making coffee!”

“Did you pay Leo?” Olivia asked.

“No! It was completely spontaneous.”

“I can’t believe Mason and Isabella would help,” Valentina replied, “They do nothing around the house.”

“Well maybe you’re not relating to them,” Marron quipped as she fell in step with Olivia. Hunter remained silent but Olivia was aware he and Valentina were no longer behind them.

“God, she’s a piece of work, isn’t she?” Olivia murmured.

“Hallelujah to that,” Marron turned her head slightly, “Oh good. It looks as though they might be having an argument,” She turned back, a cheeky grin on her face, “What a shame!”

They were still giggling like schoolgirls when Xavier appeared.

“What are you two so happy about?”

“Cruella Deville is being put in her place.” Marron went up on her tiptoes and kissed her husband on the cheek. Olivia smiled at the two of them, so happy with one another and good to be with. She was happy with her life but sometimes it might be nice to have someone there. Still, she and Leo had muddled along for the past thirteen and she was more than happy and grateful that her son was the boy he was.

“Coffee’s up!” Mason called from inside, “Are you having it outside or in here?”

“Let’s do outside,” Xavier called.

As she sat at the large wooden table, Olivia caught sight of Valentina stalking off toward the cars and Hunter was approaching. The frown he wore lightened when he saw Mason and Izzy pitching in, his whole demeanour changed making Olivia’s heart squeeze hard. He loved his children but what about Leo. Didn’t he deserve his father in his life, to have his father look at him with such love?

“Here you go Mum,” Leo handed her a mug, “I’ll bring out the milk and sugar in a minute.” He turned to Hunter who had sat on the long wooden bench beside her.

“Black no sugar, right?” Leo asked.

“Absolutely right, Leo. Thank you.

Leo returned inside and Olivia turned to Hunter,

“That was nice of you,” she murmured while trying to ignore the fact that Hunter’s thigh was pressed hard against her own.

“He’s a good kid. I like him.”

Well, you should because he shares fifty percent of your DNA.

“Valentina not up for coffee?” Marron asked sweetly.

“No, she’s walking back to our place.” As he spoke, his eyes never left Olivia and what did she see? Loneliness, sadness and yes, anger.

“That’s a shame,” Marron added, “But more cake for us!”

Izzy placed two chocolate cakes on the table, a huge grin on her face,

“This girl, her brother and friends made these.” Marron was full of praise. The boys had the cake cut in seconds and moved out onto the grassy area in front of the patio where they stretched out.

“Can I sit next to you?” It was Izzy, her voice soft and full of hope.

“Of course, you can,” Olivia replied, “How about I move up a bit and you can sit between your dad and me?”

“Sure, I’d like that.”

Olivia moved a little further up the bench to make room for Izzy, glad to not have Hunter’s thigh pressed against her own. She looked over Izzy’s head at Hunter and he smiled and mouthed “thank you” to her. Olivia reminded herself to strengthen her resolve where Hunter was concerned and maintain a professional distance from him. Which, she stressed to herself, was not going to be easy. Especially with his sudden confession concerning Izzy and combined with her own need to let Hunter know he was Leo’s father.