Free The Millionaire by Victoria Purman Page A

feet kicking up behind her and her arms pumping as she ran across the grass to the front veranda. It was a typical Australian country farmhouse, single level and in a square shape, with a high roof and overhanging verandas all around it to keep the summer sun – and winter rain – off the windows.
    As some of the dust settled, he could make out two people sitting on a bench by the front door. There was something familiar about it and then he realised it was the scene Ellie had captured and framed for her mantelpiece. He got out of the car but hung back, watched as her grandmother stood slowly and held her arms open in a wide embrace and a second later, Ellie was enveloped by both her grandparents. Even from where he was, the happy sounds of laughter and easy conversation flowed over him and moved him. There was genuine affection and happiness between these three people.
    He wondered if Ellie knew how rare that was in families.
    There’d been no such reunion when he’d made his own discreet entry back into Australia a month earlier. He’d flown in two weeks before Christmas and had gone underground from his father and his brother. He was happiest when he stayed away from them and all their bullshit. He hadn’t been able to stomach the idea of sitting around the enormous dining table at The Meadows for Christmas dinner, as bitter and twisted as each other. His other brother, Cooper, made a habit of staying away, too. For him, the lure of the waves had always been stronger than the lure of his family.
    Chris grabbed his camera bag, and the overnight bags they’d brought with them, and walked over to the house. When he took a step up onto the veranda, Ellie turned, her face beaming and her voice a little breathless. Her brown eyes were brighter than he remembered and that smile… man, that smile could power a small Pacific nation. Something shifted in him. Something opened up. A place that had been snapped shut for so long revealed itself. It was such a shock to him that he felt his chest tighten and he cleared his throat to let a breath in.
    Who the hell was Ellie Flannery and what was she doing to him?
    “This is the photographer I told you about. Chris Malone, this is Grandpa and Nanna. Trev and Vilma Kennedy.”
    Chris put the bags down and held out a hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”
    “G’day there, son.”
    Chris kissed Ellie’s grandmother on the cheek. “Now I see where Ellie gets her good looks.”
    The older woman laughed and he glanced at Ellie, who’d suddenly found her sneakers very interesting.
    “Lookie what we have here. A big old flirt, as well as being handsome as the devil.” Vilma slapped him playfully on the arm. “Come inside and have a cup of tea.”
    Ellie clapped her hands together. “ Please tell me you’ve made jelly cakes, Nanna.”
    The older woman tsked tsked. “Of course I have. I know they’re your favourite, Ellie love.”
    “They definitely are. And we need cake to celebrate because I’ve brought your Christmas presents with me.” Ellie turned back and reached for her bag but Chris stepped forward.
    “It’s all right,” he said quickly, nodding to Ellie. “I’ve got it.”
    “Thanks.” Ellie’s wide-eyes and gentle smile slammed him in the chest.
    Ellie looped an arm through her grandmother’s and they went inside. Trev turned to Chris. The old man adjusted his dusty bush hat, crossed his arms over his chest, and glanced down at the camera bag by Chris’s feet.
    “So you’re here to take my photo.”
    “Sure am.” Why did Chris have the bizarre urge to call him “sir”?
    “You’re not gonna put makeup on me, are ya?”
    Chris laughed. “No. No makeup.”
    “Good. This is all a lot of bloody nonsense.” Trev patted the dust of his faded old jeans. “But who can say no to that girl, huh?”
    “Not me,” Chris replied with a rueful shake of his head.
    Trev paused. “She’s a good lass that Ellie.”
    Chris nodded. He could her hear