Libby grabbed her hand. “I’m not saying you can’t. I’m just trying to explain that even with a hands-on partner like Nick, there are times when being a mom is the toughest job you’ll ever do. Your current job’s not exactly flexible and when kids are involved, everything’s a juggle. Being home alone with a baby can be long and lonely.

“When I had Lucy, some nights I stood in the yard waiting for Nick to walk through the gate so I could handball her to him the second he got home. Then I’d go for a walk to nowhere in particular just so I could be alone with my thoughts. I found it tough and I’ve got Nick, and Mom and Dad, as well as Nick’s parents. Thank God, because we’re really going to need them next year.”

And there it was again. Lucky Libby. Although her friend had stopped short of saying, “And you don’t have any family,” the words hovered between them.

Libby rushed on. “You’re barely thirty. You’ve still got time to meet someone and have a baby. What about Will Azzopardi? He adores you.”

Jess’s brows rose. “And living in Kurnai Bay. No thank you.”

“Living in the bay in a lovely home by the water with a man you love who’s earning a decent income is nothing like living there with your mother.”

Did Libby realize she’d just described herself?

Excitement skipped in Libby’s voice. “Plus, it’s a fabulous place to bring up kids. Think about it. Will is to Nick what you are to me. Best friends. Family. Our kids would grow up together like cousins.”

A picture formed in Jess’s mind and a spurt of excitement sent jitters hurtling through her. “Perhaps I should come down and visit.”

Libby squealed and clapped her hands. “When you do, I’ll get Nick to invite Will out on the boat. Oh, wait! I’ve got a better idea. Nick can give Will a free hire and he can take you. The two of you alone on a yacht, job done!”

The past unexpectedly rose up and slapped her. “You mean just like you and Nick?”

Libby beamed. “Exactly.”

Chapter Three

The six o’clock sun bore down on the bowling greens at the RSL club, which were open to the public for the evening. Many barefoot tourists were attempting to master the fine art of lawn bowling with a drink in their hand. The sea breeze usually brought some relief from the heat, but this evening it was absent, leaving the tidal lake a still and silver pond, rippled only by the occasional cormorant diving deep for its fish dinner. The dry heat shimmered above the damp turf and even sitting in the shade of an umbrella, Alice felt rivulets of sweat running down her belly. Why had she allowed herself to be talked into volunteering tonight?

Because online dating’s been going so well.