‘I just wanted to give us some time and some privacy. I didn’t think
we could sort things out with everything else going on, and I still think that. But I’m not going to force you to marry me, Nola. Or even to stay here if you don’t want to.’
Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a phone and held it out to her, watching her eyes widen with confusion.
‘I didn’t lie to you. There is no coverage here. That’s why I have this. It’s a satellite phone. If you want to leave you can call the pilot. If you stay, I want it to be your choice.’
Nola stared at him, her tears beaten back by Ram’s words. This was a concession. More than that, it was a chance to get her life back.
She glanced down at the phone, her brain fast-forwarding. They could handle this through their lawyers. There was probably no need even to see one another again. But was that really what she wanted? What was best for their baby?
‘I’ll stay.’ She held his gaze. ‘But I might ring Anna later, or tomorrow. Just to let her know I’m okay.’
He pocketed the phone and nodded, and then after the briefest hesitation he reached over and took her hand in his.
‘I know this is a big step for both of us, Nola. But I think we can make it work if we compromise a little.’
Nola gazed at him blankly. ‘Compromise?’
He frowned. ‘That is a word, isn’t it?’
She smiled weakly. ‘It is. I’m just not sure you understand what it means. Maybe you’re thinking of another word.’
His grey eyes softened, and she felt her pulse dip as he lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed it gently. ‘Let’s see... I think it means I have to stop acting like a tornado and listen to what you’re saying.’
She felt her stomach drop. Ram might have been difficult to defy when he was angry, but he was impossible to resist when he was smiling.
‘That sounds like a compromise,’ she said cautiously. ‘But what does it mean in real terms?’
‘It means that I think we need time to get used to the idea of getting married and to each other.’
She bit her lip. ‘How much time?’
‘As long as it takes.’ He met her gaze. ‘I’ll wait, Nola. For as long as it takes.’
Her pulse was jumping again. For a moment they stared at one another, breathing unsteadily, and then finally she gave him a hesitant smile.
‘That could work.’
And maybe it would, for suddenly she knew that for the first time she was actually willing to consider marrying him.
* * *
They spent the rest of the morning together, watching lizards and frogs and birds through the glass. Ram knew a surprising amount about the various animals and plants, and she found herself not only relaxing, but enjoying herself and his company.
So much so that as she dialled Anna’s number the following morning she found it increasingly difficult to remember that he was the same person who had made her feel so horribly trapped and desperate.
‘So let me get this right,’ Anna said slowly down the phone. ‘You’re staying with Ram Walker in his rainforest treehouse. Just you and him. Even though we don’t work for him anymore. And you think that’s normal?’
‘I didn’t say that,’ Nola protested, glancing over to where Ram lay lounging in the sun, a discarded paperback on the table beside him. ‘Obviously nothing he does is normal. He’s the richest man in Australia. I just said that me being here is not that big a deal.’
Her friend gave a short, disbelieving laugh. ‘Is that why I wasn’t invited?’
Nola grimaced. ‘You weren’t invited because you’re in Edinburgh. With a broken foot and a husband.’
‘I knew it!’ Anna said triumphantly. ‘So there is something going on!’
‘No!’ Nola froze as Ram turned and glanced over at her curiously. Lowering her voice, she said quickly. ‘Well, it’s complicated...’