Donovans 03 - Pearl Cove

shower.
    She discovered that it was disconcerting to look out over the slowly thickening traffic while you showered, even when you knew the glass was one-way. Even more unsettling was the shampoo she lathered all over herself.
    It smelled like Archer.
    Trying not to think about him, she toweled herself dry with quick efficiency, raked her fingers through her hair by way of styling it, and climbed into the underwear she had rinsed out in the middle of the night when she hadn’t been able to sleep.
    The clothes she put on were the same ones she had worn in Broome—white slacks and a flowered shirt. The slacks had a tea stain on one knee. The blouse had stains, too, but they didn’t show through the bright flowers. The sandals, at least, were her own. They looked as worn and ragged as she felt. She thought of makeup, then flinched at the memory of Archer applying it to her face, his eyes intent and his mouth smiling as he proved how waterproof the stuff was by kissing her deep and long.
    She didn’t bother to look in the mirror on her way out of the bedroom. She had done the best she could with what she had. Stomach growling, she set off down the hall in search of food. The smell of coffee led her to a big kitchen that managed to look cozy despite its size. A woman with gold-streaked chestnut hair and graceful hands was sitting at the breakfast bar, eyes closed, nursing a redheaded baby. Not wanting to intrude, Hannah began edging back out of the room.
    Naturally, she bumped into something.
    “Lianne, are you up, too?” the woman said, turning toward the sound. “Oh, hello. You must be Hannah McGarry.”
    “Um, yes.”
    “I’m Honor Mallory, Archer’s sister. Kyle’s, too, but I try to keep that a secret.”
    The mischief in Honor’s voice and her striking, green-gold eyes put Hannah at ease instantly. “Good morning, Honor. Sorry to disturb you. I’ll come back later.”
    “When Summer’s nursing, you couldn’t disturb her with a ten-ton bomb. She has her daddy’s focus.”
    Hannah thought of Archer, the laser intensity of his eyes and mind when he wanted something. “Or her uncle’s.”
    “You mean Archer?”
    “Right.”
    The flavor of Australia made Honor smile. “She certainly has Archer’s eyes.”
    Drawn by the contented baby, Hannah walked closer. As though sensing her presence, Summer opened her eyes and stared. An odd, silvery feeling went through Hannah, part pleasure and part pain. No matter what problems it might bring, the thought of holding Archer’s baby called to her at a level too deep to deny.
    “You’re right,” she whispered. “The baby has Archer’s eyes.”
    “If Summer gets his discipline along with it, she’ll be the first female president of the United States.” Honor yawned. “If she gets my discipline, she’ll be hell on wheels.”
    Summer released the nipple with a distinct pop and waved her little hands at her mother.
    “All through, pumpkin?” Honor asked, laughing softly as she tucked herself back into her clothes. “Lord knows you ate enough cereal for both of us.”
    For the first time Hannah noticed the tiny gobs of cereal splattered here and there on the counter. And on Honor.
    “The counter ate enough to be full, too,” Hannah said, laughing. “Where’s a rag?”
    “There’s a clean sponge in the sink, but you don’t have to wipe up after my messy daughter.”
    “You can pay me back by letting me hold her. Unless she doesn’t like strangers?”
    “She’s never met a stranger. They’re all just big toys to her. Here, take the butterball and give me the sponge.”
    Though Honor’s words were casual, her eyes were intent while she handed over the baby. When she saw Hannah’s easy expertise as she supported and cuddled Summer, Honor relaxed and began mopping up after the arm-waving baby who was determined to feed herself and everything else within range.
    “I can see Summer’s in good hands,” Honor said. “Do you have kids?”
    The pain was accustomed, but still sharp. “No. At first my husband didn’t want any. Then . . . it wasn’t possible.”
    “I’m sorry. My tongue wakes up a lot sooner than my brain. Jake said something about you losing your husband recently.”
    The sympathy in Honor’s eyes made Hannah feel like a fraud. She wondered how she could possibly explain her relationship with Len. Or more precisely, her lack of one.
    “For the last seven years, Len and I shared a name and a place. That’s