Free Hold On to Me by Victoria Purman Page A

trouble.’
    When he laughed, his rich voice was like honey. And she found herself laughing too.
    â€˜Gotta love my sis. I’m looking forward to working with you, Stella.’
    â€˜Thanks.’ Stella hesitated before saying anything more. She had to remind herself that this was different from what had happened with Sully. Everything would be checked off by her insurance agent and she knew enough now that she would keep track of every invoice and dollar with a fervour bordering on the religious. Luca was a means to an end: that was all. And then he would be gone.
    â€˜Listen. Sorry about this. Can I call you tomorrow morning? I’m waiting to confirm the glazier to come and fix your window.’
    â€˜Sure.’
    â€˜Hey, one more thing.’
    â€˜What’s that?’
    â€˜There better be good coffee in Port Elliot, that’s all I’m saying.’
    â€˜We’re one coffee shop down but there are other places. I can definitely guarantee good coffee.’
    â€˜Good. G’night then.’
    â€˜Good night.’ Stella ended the call. Put the phone down on the coffee table. Closed her eyes and let her pounding pulse settle.
    Okay. It was done. She was one step closer to getting on with her life.

CHAPTER
8
    Luca checked the clock in the dashboard of his truck, which told him it was seven in the morning. He’d been up since five thirty and there was a takeaway coffee sloshing next to him in the centre console of his HiLux as he drove through the city on his way to the south coast. His call connected and he looked around with a grin as he anticipated Anna’s reaction to his early call.
    â€˜What do you want?’
    â€˜Hey, Anna. You awake yet?’
    â€˜Very funny. I have a six-month-old baby. What do you think?’ Anna’s laugh echoed around the cabin.
    â€˜And how is my gorgeous niece? Is she there? Ciao, Francesca.’
    The distinct sound of a gurgling baby split Luca’s face with a smile. That kid was the light of his life. The first Morelli grandchild was loved impossibly by her grandparents, Paolo and Sonia, her Auntie Grace and by Luca himself. He’d been surprised at how she’d found her way into his heart so quickly. From the minute she was born, Luca knew she would have his unconditional love and, in the best Italian uncle tradition, he would watch over her like a ninja when boys started hovering. Not that she’d need it if she’d inherited her mother’s smarts, which he was sure she had. But he knew what teenage boys were like. He’d been one, once. Still felt like one half the time.
    â€˜Look what you’ve done, Luca. I put my phone to Francesca’s mouth and now there’s dribble on it.’
    â€˜Hey, Luca.’ The man who was not his brother-in-law. Joe Blake.
    â€˜Hey, Joe. Don’t let my sister boss you round.’
    Luca heard Joe’s hearty laugh. ‘You’re kidding, right? Between Anna and Francesca, I’m totally P-U-S-S-Y whipped: you know that.’
    â€˜Why are you spelling that out? Francesca’s still a baby.’
    â€˜But she’s smart, Luca. Just like her mother.’
    There was silence down the line and Luca rolled his eyes. ‘Seriously? Are you guys kissing? In front of the baby? Get a room.’ He checked his rear-view mirror and turned onto the Southern Expressway, which would lead him out of Adelaide’s southern suburbs to the McLaren Vale wine district and then on to the coast. He was already halfway to Stella, he thought with a smile. Then he pulled himself up. Halfway to the site. Yeah, the job.
    â€˜So, what are you doing so bright and early, little brother?’
    â€˜I’m on my way to the beach.’
    Anna gasped. ‘Does that mean you agreed to work on Stella’s shop?’
    Luca shook his head. ‘More like she agreed to let me work on her shop. I had to practically audition for the woman. She’s