The Australian's Bride. Alison Roberts

his memory for ever. Not just the feel of it, either. She had smelt perfect. Tasted perfect. Responded in a way Alex had never encountered before.

      He sucked in a breath that earned a glance from Stella, and he said the first thing he could think of.

      ‘How about dinner with me tonight, sweetheart? Something special over at the resort. Five-star stuff.’

      ‘Um…no, thanks, Dad. We’re having nachos at camp. That’s my favourite.’

      ‘Is it?’ Alex blinked. Since when had Mexican food become a favourite?

      ‘Yeah. And it’s movie night. We’re getting the new James Bond movie and popcorn and everything.’

      And she would get to sit next to Jamie, no doubt. Holding hands.

      ‘Take Susie to dinner.’

      ‘What?’ Alex was even more startled. Had Stella seen something in their body language maybe before she’d called out to him earlier?

      ‘She’s really nice.’

      ‘I’m sure she is.’

      ‘She’d like dinner. And you don’t have to come back early. I’ll sleep in the dorm again.’

      Was Stella trying to encourage him to date Susie or was this a means of getting her father out of the way for the evening? Alex’s hackles rose.

      ‘I don’t think that sounds like a very good idea.’

      ‘It’s a great idea,’ Stella said firmly. ‘Susie’s been great. I wouldn’t be walking like I am if it wasn’t for her, and it would be a nice way to say thank you.’

      ‘True. So you should come to dinner with us.’ Alex raised an eyebrow. ‘You could bring Jamie along if you want.’

      ‘Wewant nachos. And the movie. Besides…’ Stella’s grin was impish ‘…if I’m there, you won’t be able to talk about me and how well I’m doing. I might get a big head.’

      The reminder of how well Stella was doing was enough to make Alex relax. To make a concerted effort to embrace the encouragement she was getting, rather than his suspicions of the boy’s motives.

      And he was a nice boy. Responsible. Caring. Plus, he must know after that first meeting that Alex would kill him if he did anything to harm Stella. The camp was well supervised and the dormitories were full of kids. It was perfectly safe.

      ‘Fine,’ he said with only a hint of resignation. ‘I’ll take Susie to dinner, then. By myself.’

      ‘It’s only dinner, Dad.’ Stella’s tone was soothing. ‘I know she’s not your type.’

      ‘Oh? What is my type?’

      ‘Dark and kind of brooding. Like those pictures of Mama. Like…you know…Greta.’

      Yes. Dark and sultry. Or should that be sulky? Funny how that didn’t seem remotely appealing any more.

      ‘Susie’s different,’ Stella concluded.

      ‘Yes. She certainly is.’

      But Stella wasn’t listening any longer. Jamie had reappeared, with a surfboard under his arm, and Stella’s face was glowing—her eyes alight with joy. Starstruck.

      Alex understood. Too well maybe. It might be totally hidden but there was a part of himself that was feeling the same way. Blown away.

      Touched by magic.

      And his daughter, bless her, had just ordered him to spend the evening—the whole night, in fact— exploring more of that magic.