Page 32 of Crossed Wires: The Complete Series

He frowned. “Shouldn’t you be home with them?”

She sighed and closed her eyes. “I love my family, Hunter. I truly do. My sisters sort of drive me nuts, but they’re funny and harmless most of the time. They’re twins too. Did I tell you that?”

“No. I didn’t know that.”

“I’m older by four years.”

Hunter did the math. Annie, at seven, would have remembered their mother leaving, however, her younger sisters had only been three. They’d never known what it was like having a mother in the house. Annie did.

“My father’s wealth increased as we got older and with that money came more and more exposure.”

“I thought you said your father sort of promoted that.”

Annie’s lips tightened. She’d been so relaxed just a few minutes ago. Hunter hated to see that easiness go away. “He did. Apparently there’s a gene in my family that makes them crave attention. It’s dominant in my dad and sisters, recessive in me and my mom.”

Suddenly things were making more sense. The one person who’d grounded Annie, made her feel secure in her family, in her own skin, had left her alone to deal with those differences.

“Is that why she left? The attention?” he asked.

Annie nodded slowly. “Yeah. I think so.” She paused. “I know so. The tabloids drove her nuts. Do you know where she is now?”

Hunter shook his head.

“In a little villa in Tuscany. The place is completely isolated except for a few neighboring villagers.”

“Does she still live with her younger man?”

“Yeah. They’ve been married for nearly twenty years. He works in a vineyard and she putters in the garden and writes poetry. They don’t travel often because my mom says she’s never found anywhere as beautiful as Italy, anywhere that brings her that same peaceful feeling. I’ve visited her a few times. It’s nice, don’t get me wrong, but I don’t get that same sense of home there that she does.”

Hunter could appreciate that idea. He’d never left Australia and had only traveled to Sydney and Adelaide a handful of times. While it had been cool to see the lights of the bigger cities, he’d missed home. Farpoint held his heart and always would. It seemed Annie was still searching for her place in the world.

“Are you happy in New York, Annie?”

Her response came instantly. “No. Not really.”

“Then why are you there?”

This time her answer took longer. He could see her formulating her response, searching for the right words. “Honestly? I have no idea. I think I settled there after college because that’s where my family was, because that’s where the jobs were. Before I knew it, one day had become a month and a month had become a year, then six years had passed. I kept going because it was easier than uprooting, moving somewhere else.”

“Why did you come to Australia?”

“Because I’m tired of playing it safe. Tired of accepting the status quo. I want my home, Hunter. It’s out there. And I’m going to find it.”

It was on the edge of his lips to tell her to stay longer, to try Farpoint on for size. Ridiculous as it seemed given her short stay, Hunter suspected Annie belonged here. Unfortunately, he couldn’t extend that offer. Not until he cleared things with Dylan.

He’d put off talking to his brother for days, uncertain what to say. Now he knew. He wanted Annie. Somehow he’d have to make Dylan understand.

A car door slamming outside the shed recalled them to their present state.

Hunter rose slowly, hooking his pants back up. “I suppose we should head to the house. The work day is about to start.”

Annie set herself to rights as well then took his proffered hand and they descended the hay bale staircase.

When they returned to the house, they ran into Hazel at the front door, carrying a small overnight bag.

“Running away from home?” Hunter teased.

“It’s my turn to stay with your Aunt Joyce. She had her hip replacement surgery. I told you about it a few days ago.”