‘You know …’ She cocked her head to one side as she leant back against the kitchen counter. ‘Stuff him into a jar, seal the lid, then pop him onto a shelf so you can preserve and admire him. That way he won’t go off with someone else or die on you! All the best men seem to do one or the other.’

I snorted. ‘I’m going to miss your crazy outlook on life.’

‘So, is it true you’re not coming back to the Point?’

I nodded glumly, blinking back more tears as emotion welled in my throat. ‘I’m sorry to desert you in the cafe and on the Reporter. I’ll miss working for you.’

‘Perhaps you don’t have to give up everything.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘Well, working off site in the cafe would be impossible, of course,’ Jedda said, ‘but I’d love it if you continued to help me with the paper. I could send you articles to edit and you can do some of the layout and then send it back. That’s if you want to. No pressure, but I thought it also might help fill out your resume.’

‘Thank you.’ I put down my coffee and threw my arms around her. ‘I’d absolutely love that.’

I might have chosen to leave Ragged Point because of the kids, but that didn’t mean everything was going to go back to normal. I’d keep helping Dan and the IPA as much as I could, and I’d rather spend time helping Jedda than join any school committees again. At least until I could get a proper job.

She chuckled. ‘Ah, don’t go getting all emotional on me. This situation is as much for my benefit as it is yours.’

‘Whatever you say.’

Both smiling, we took our drinks in to join the girls and talked for another hour before Jedda called Dan to come collect them. I snuck out to see him while she and Bindi were still inside with Payton.

‘Thank you so much for organising my car and everything,’ I said, sliding my hands around his back and pulling him close. ‘What did I do to deserve you?’

‘Absolutely nothing.’ He winked, then added, ‘Except be your amazing self.’

I swatted him on the arm and then we kissed goodbye with the promise of phone calls and sexting to keep us busy until we saw each other again.

Who knew? For Dan, I might even be prepared to take a naked selfie.

Epilogue

Epilogue

Ragged Point