Second Chance Lane Read online

  Tash smiled at her friends and headed towards the stage, where Kody had ducked into a makeshift room where he’d warmed up. When she reached the canvas door his hand snuck out, grabbed hers and tugged her inside.

  ‘Hey, watch the dress,’ she said, laughing as he picked her up and twirled her in his arms.

  ‘Why? I’m going to tear it off you later anyway.’

  She smacked his chest playfully. ‘Cut the bad-boy act. I know you’re a softie on the inside.’

  ‘Only for you,’ he murmured, nibbling on her earlobe. ‘You know that last song was for you, right?’

  ‘“White Wedding”?’

  When he didn’t speak, Tash eased away to find the man she loved staring at her with hope.

  ‘What do you think about you and me having one of those some day?’ He grasped her hand and pressed it to his chest, directly over his heart. ‘We’ve got a lot of lost time to make up for.’

  Tears of joy burned the back of her eyes as she leaned into the love of her life and whispered, ‘If that’s a proposal, my answer is hell yes,’ a moment before she kissed him.

  CHAPTER

  45

  Two weeks later

  ‘Where are we going?’ Tash asked, as Kody closed the back door and snagged her hand. ‘We have to be at the roadhouse in twenty minutes.’

  ‘It’s a surprise.’ Kody lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to the back of it. ‘Besides, do you really think anyone’s going to begrudge the band going on a few minutes late?’

  ‘Good point.’

  True to his word, Kody had ensured Rock Hard Place would be performing at Ruby’s blues night and the event had been a sell out. Considering the crowd expected, Ruby had hired a sound technician to set up giant speakers and a screen in the car park so folks who missed out on a ticket could watch outside.

  ‘Let’s get this show on the road.’

  Walking hand in hand, they headed for the driveway. As they neared the car, Tash spied Isla sitting on the bonnet, her legs swinging as she tapped at her phone.

  ‘I can’t believe she’s ours,’ Kody murmured, his grip on her hand tightening. ‘She’s an amazing kid.’

  ‘She has the best of both of us,’ Tash said, her heart full to bursting when Isla glanced up, caught sight of them, slipped off the bonnet and ran towards them with joy on her face.

  ‘Dad’s got a surprise for us,’ Isla blurted, hopping excitedly from one foot to the other like a kid half her age. ‘And he won’t give me any clues.’

  He laughed. ‘Why don’t my two favourite girls in the world get in the car and you’ll soon find out what it is?’

  Isla rode shotgun, giving Tash the opportunity to study the loves of her life, their profiles so similar her heart ached. She remained silent as Isla chattered, her enthusiasm making Kody laugh.

  They headed out of town a short way before Kody turned onto a dirt road not far from the dried-up creek where the high school kids hung out to get up to mischief. As far as she knew there was nothing on this road but as it started to gradually climb she noticed a killer view. When they reached the top of a steep incline, Kody pulled over and switched off the engine.

  ‘Here we are,’ he said, getting out of the car and flinging his arms wide. ‘Home sweet home.’

  Tash chuckled as confusion crinkled Isla’s forehead.

  ‘It’s a scrubby old hill, Dad.’

  ‘Where our house is going to be built.’ Kody beckoned them in close. ‘A home where we can be a family.’

  Isla’s face lit up. ‘You’re the best, Dad.’

  ‘I second that,’ Tash said, slipping into the family embrace, staving off tears that threatened to fall at any second.

  ‘I love you both so much,’ Isla said. ‘I’m going to explore a little, okay?’

  ‘Sure, kiddo,’ Kody said, releasing her, leaving Tash to snuggle into his arms.

  She tilted her face up to his. ‘You’re amazing, you know that, right?’

  ‘Right back at you.’

  He kissed her and Isla yelled out, ‘Gross. You better not be doing that all the time when you’re married and we’re living in our new house.’

  Tash smiled as they separated. She knew she was the luckiest woman in the world to be granted this second chance. ‘I love you.’ As Kody rested his forehead against hers, she murmured, ‘But why did you bring us here now? You could’ve waited until after the gig.’

  ‘Because I’m shitting bricks at performing with the band for the first time in months and I needed the distraction.’

  Tash laughed. ‘You’ll be fine. You’re the Kody Lansdowne, and folks in this town already love you.’

  ‘Yeah, but this is different …’ The amusement in his eyes faded. ‘It’s the first time we’ll be on stage together since Wellington, and I’m bloody petrified.’

  ‘I know.’ She cupped his face between her hands. ‘I also know you’ve got this.’

  When she pressed her lips to his, she hoped she conveyed her belief in him, because though she’d never admit it, a small part of her was freaking petrified too.

  ‘Stop that,’ Isla yelled, breaking the tension. They smiled as their daughter added, ‘You two really are gross but I love you anyway.’

  Time stood still as Tash watched the love of her life perform.

  She clapped and stomped and whistled along with people she’d classed as friends her entire life as Rock Hard Place played one classic hit after another, raising the roof on The Watering Hole.

  There’d been a hiccup when Kody initially took to the stage, a hesitation as he strummed his first chord and the words hadn’t come. She’d willed him to look at her and, somehow, their eyes had met across the packed room. Corny as it seemed, everything had been okay. He’d visibly relaxed as he moved a fraction closer to the microphone.

  When he’d sung the first note, Tash had cried with relief, silent tears trickling down her cheeks. The haunting melody filled the air, raising the hairs on her arms.

  He was singing her song. The one he’d written especially for her all those years ago, the one that never failed to make her heart swell.

  As he crooned about fate and heartbreak and star-crossed lovers, their eyes met again, and she knew this time they would be together forever.

  ‘Isn’t he amazing?’ Isla leaned in to her and Tash slid an arm around her daughter’s waist, hugging her tight.

  ‘He sure is, sweetheart.’

  ‘I’m so happy we’re going to be a real family,’ Isla said, the joy in her daughter’s eyes mirroring hers.

  ‘That makes two of us …’ She trailed off as the deep timbre of Kody’s voice reached the last verse. The man of her dreams singing about a forever kind of love.

  The kind of love they shared.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

  While I’m a city girl, small country towns hold a special place in my heart. Their warmth makes me want to recreate the same vibe in the rural romances I write and I hope I’ve done that again in returning to Brockenridge, my fictional town based on Echuca, a real town on the Murray River that I love.

  It takes a team to bring a book to fruition and I’d like to thank the following people.

  Rachael Donovan, my publisher at Harlequin Australia, for loving my books. Being published by Mira and having you champion my rural romances is fantastic.

  Julia Knapman and Kylie Mason, your editorial guidance helps polish my manuscript into the final product. I appreciate it.

  Sarana Behan, the publicity hours you put into Long Way Home helped propel sales and I’m so grateful. Fingers crossed Second Chance Lane flies off shelves too.

  Shirley Tran Thai and Christine Armstrong of the HarperCollins Design Studio, who created my amazing covers. Shirley, the gorgeous colours of Second Chance Lane pop and Christine, your beautiful design contributed to Long Way Home’s success. Very grateful to you both, as the cover is what draws a reader’s eye first and I’m so lucky mine are stunning thanks to you.

  Annabel
Adair, for your comprehensive proof edits.

  The entire team at Harlequin Australia and HarperCollins Australia, with special shout-outs to Sue Brockhoff, Adam Van Rooijen and Johanna Baker, for placing my rural romances into readers’ hands.

  Jacqui Furlong, the Field Sales Manager at HarperCollins. Huge thanks for getting my books into stores and organising a fantastic launch.

  Erica, the manager at Robinsons Bookshop in The Glen, for championing my books and throwing a fabulous book launch.

  My agent, Kim Lionetti, for being my support in this ever-changing business.

  Rachael Johns, for featuring Long Way Home as a book of the month on her online book club, spreading the love for my venture into rural romance.

  For the bookshops, librarians, reviewers and bloggers who help spread the word about my books.

  For my family and friends who took the time to let me know how much they enjoyed Long Way Home, and are looking forward to this one.

  Martin, for your ongoing support.

  My boys, who shared in my excitement at the launch of Long Way Home and took loads of shelfies for me as we spotted it in various bookshops. You know there’ll be plenty more shelfies to come, right? Love you.

  My loyal readers, I’m eternally grateful you buy my books. Our lives are so hectic these days and knowing you take the time to read my stories means a lot. I hope you enjoy revisiting Brockenridge and have as much fun delving into the lives of the characters initially created in Long Way Home as I did bringing them to life on the page.

  Happy reading!

  Nic x

  PROLOGUE

  This was categorically the best day of Ruby Aston’s life.

  She’d thought getting a beaten-up Holden as a gift from her mum on her eighteenth birthday last week had been the best day but she’d been wrong. Attending Brockenridge High’s graduation ball tonight as Connor Delaney’s date easily topped the car. It was even better than that momentous day last month when he’d asked her to go with him.

  Her, not Jane Jefferson, the most popular girl in school and the town’s resident blonde bombshell, who proudly displayed her D cups in the tightest T-shirts ever invented. Not Louise Poole, who had the perky cheerleader look down pat and made guys fawn over her with a bat of her mascaraed lashes. Not Becca Boag, who had honed the fresh, wholesome outback girl look that had the boys at school clamouring for a date.

  Connor asking Ruby to the graduation ball rather than one of the popular girls had been significant—and the girls hadn’t let her forget it. They’d made her life hell for the last thirteen years, and the fact the most gorgeous guy in school—and the richest in the district—chose her over Jane had ensured they’d ramped up their bitchiness to unbearable.

  Ruby pretended not to care, like she’d done forever. But every time one of the terrible trio called her a slag for living behind a roadhouse, or a slut like her mum, who ran the roadhouse and the motel attached to it, Ruby died a little inside. The cyber-bullying was the worst even though the school had tried to clamp down on that. As if that would stop the bitches; they’d opened fake accounts and continued their relentless campaign of hate.

  Ruby couldn’t wait to get out of this dead-end country town halfway between Echuca and Swan Hill on the Victorian–New South Wales border and head to Melbourne to start her life. But first, she’d count down the hours until she saw the bullies’ expressions when she waltzed into the ball on Connor’s arm.

  Thankfully, they hadn’t seen her just now in the op shop where she’d bought a faux fur stole and crystal drop earrings that resembled mini chandeliers to complement the vintage strapless gold dress she’d found for a bargain online. Those three could afford the best of everything, so spotting them rifling through second-hand stuff was plain weird, but Ruby hadn’t stuck around to find out what they were doing. No way would she let them ruin her big day.

  As she left the shop, Natasha Trigg, who worked as a waitress at the roadhouse with Ruby’s mum, waved her over from outside the bakery. Ruby would’ve preferred to rush home and get ready but Tash seemed anxious. She placed her shopping bag in the front basket of her rusty bicycle and strolled across the main street.

  ‘Hey, Tash, what’s up?’

  ‘Could you give me a hand? Harry asked me to bring the scones back to the roadhouse for the CWA meeting but I didn’t realise he’d ordered so many and I can’t carry them all to the car.’

  ‘Sure.’ Given the way the Country Women’s Association members devoured the other delicacies Harry whipped up for their monthly meetings, Ruby thought they didn’t need scones, but Tash looked frazzled and the faster Ruby helped, the faster she could head home and prepare for her big night.

  Her mouth watered as she stepped into the bakery and inhaled the tantalising aromas of chunky steak pies, red velvet cupcakes and the town’s signature vanilla slices. Betty’s Bakery had won a recent award for the best vanilla slices in Victoria, as though any one of the three thousand people who lived in Brockenridge needed an award to tell them that—they had been gorging on Betty’s delicious slices for years, long before the bronze award plaque appeared in her front window.

  ‘Smells good, huh?’ Tash grinned as she hoisted a tray of foil-covered scones off the counter and placed it in Ruby’s outstretched arms. ‘Pity we don’t have time for a quick snack.’

  ‘Yeah.’ Ruby nodded, knowing she couldn’t eat anything despite the tempting smells wafting from the kitchen. The knot of nerves in her stomach at the prospect of being alone with Connor put paid to squeezing food in there too.

  ‘My car’s parked around the corner,’ Tash said, lifting the second tray and following Ruby out through the multicoloured plastic strips strung over the doorway to keep out the flies. ‘We’ll dump these in the back seat and you can skedaddle home to get ready.’ Tash winked. ‘You must be excited, going to the ball with Prince Charming.’

  ‘Connor’s just a regular guy,’ Ruby said, as she felt heat flood her cheeks, making a mockery of her fib. There was nothing regular about Connor Delaney at all—six-three, lean, chiselled jaw, enviable cheekbones, chocolate-brown hair and blue-grey eyes that could melt a girl at twenty paces. He’d had the women of Brockenridge drooling since he’d hit his mid-teens and morphed into supermodel material.

  He was one of few kids in school who didn’t treat Ruby differently because of where she lived, who didn’t tease her for working part time at The Watering Hole during the holidays, who didn’t snigger when kids made jokes about why the place was so popular with truckies who stayed at the motel. Connor had always treated her with respect and she could’ve kissed him for it. With a little luck, she might get her chance tonight.

  Tash chuckled. ‘Your cheeks are neon red so I’m guessing you’re playing down just how regular Connor is.’

  Ruby grinned and rested the scone tray on her hip to open the back door of Tash’s car. ‘Connor’s a good guy.’

  Some of the amusement in Tash’s eyes faded. ‘Be careful, sweetie. You’ll be heading to Melbourne soon. No point starting something.’

  Tash meant well. Considering she had abandoned her nursing degree two years ago to return to Brockenridge, pregnant, and was now a single mother raising a toddler, Ruby knew the warning came from the right place.

  ‘I’ll be careful.’ Ruby placed the scones on the back seat and straightened. ‘We’re going to a ball, not the local registry office.’

  ‘Don’t let your mother hear that,’ Tash said, sliding her tray into the back of the car. ‘She already has enough qualms about you dating the richest boy in the district.’

  Ruby rolled her eyes. ‘We’re not dating. He asked me to be his partner to the graduation ball, that’s it.’ But it wasn’t, because every night over the last month since Connor had asked her, Ruby had dreamed about what it would be like for a boy like Connor to be seriously interested in a girl like her.

  ‘Do you want a lift home? You can stow your bike in there.’ Tash pointed to the boot. A puzzled frown c
reased her brow. ‘Actually, why are you riding and not driving your new car?’

  ‘It needs a tune-up.’ The lie slid from Ruby’s lips with some difficulty—she hated fibbing—but she’d never tell Tash the real reason, that she’d spent her first month’s fuel on the vintage dress for tonight.

  Thankfully, Tash believed her. With a brisk salute, she said, ‘See you back at the Hole.’

  Ruby nodded and returned to her bike, keen to ride home, take a shower and start prepping. She’d practised a few up-dos she’d seen online and had decided on a classy chignon that made her cheekbones and brown eyes pop.

  However, as she neared her bike, she saw a cluster of people around it. Namely Jane, Louise, Becca and Nancy, the owner of the op shop, who appeared to be going through her shopping bag.

  Ruby broke into a run. ‘Hey, that’s my stuff!’

  She skidded to a stop when four pairs of eyes, three calculating and smug, one horrified, fixed on her.

  Nancy held her hand up, a necklace hanging from the end of her index finger. ‘You didn’t pay for this, Ruby.’

  A flicker of fear stabbed at Ruby’s defiance. ‘I’ve never seen that necklace in my life.’

  Nancy’s eyes narrowed and her lips pursed in disapproval. ‘Then what’s it doing in the bag with the stole and earrings you just bought?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Ruby said, but as the corners of Jane’s glossed lips twitched and Becca sniggered, she did. That’s why they’d been in the op shop. They’d framed her. They’d waited until she’d left her bag in her bike basket before slipping the necklace in there. Cows.

  ‘Stealing is an offence,’ Nancy said, her tone frosty. ‘I should report you to Sergeant Brennan.’

  ‘But I didn’t take the necklace.’ Anger made Ruby shake.

  Jane stepped forward, tut-tutting. ‘Lying’s as bad as stealing, Ruby.’ She grinned and gestured at the girls. ‘We all saw you take it.’

  Ruby’s anger turned to fury as she watched them nod like wise sages.