Headstrong by Meg Maguire

yet.”
    “I saw. When did he come back to New Zealand?”
    He frowned, thinking. “Three months ago, maybe.”
    “And he still hasn’t unpacked?”
    “I don’t think he’s ready to admit he’s back. Or that he plans on staying.” He bounced the baby, smile fading.
    “You don’t look happy about that.”
    He pursed his lips. “I don’t care what he does. Nobody asked him to come back, but he seems to think it’s his responsibility to be the man of the family now or something… But you know, we’ve been okay without him for the past seven years.” Colin paused. “Sorry, that’s probably more than you felt like having dumped on you.”
    Libby shrugged, pleased simply to hear about the Nolans, the breed of family she’d have killed to be a part of when she was a kid, flawed or not. “I don’t mind.”
    “Well, anyway. I’m going to order some lunch.” He opened a drawer and handed Libby a stack of takeout menus. Soon there was Thai food on the way, and the station they were watching announced Dirty Dancing was coming on at one thirty. Libby didn’t suspect life could get much better…then she wondered what time the other Nolan would be getting home.

Chapter Five
    Before he even laid his hand on the pub’s door handle, Reece knew trouble was afoot. No one used their jukebox, though it did apparently work. And none of their afternoon customers would ever play ABBA. He hadn’t even known that album was in there.
    He stepped inside and found himself joining a party attended by just about his entire family. His mother was smiling skeptically, standing behind Libby as she attempted some sort of dance with Colin. She interrupted Libby’s movements to adjust her shoulders and arm. The baby was propped on the bar in her car seat, sleeping in spite of the music and excitement.
    Colin noticed Reece as the door closed and waved.
    Reece dropped his bag on a table and sat near the front to watch the proceedings. He felt a swish of cold air and turned as his sister stepped inside.
    “All right, Reece?” Annie stopped behind him and tousled his hair the same way she’d been doing for twenty-five years. “Just saw you pull up and take the good space from under my nose.”
    “What in the hell do you make of this?” he asked, wanting his suspicions about how wrong this was confirmed.
    Annie smiled at the festivities. “I think it’s the Hustle. Mum used to love doing that when I was little. Look at Colin—he’s not half-bad. Libby’s rubbish, though.”
    Reece looked over his shoulder at her to express his surprise.
    “I met her earlier, when I dropped the baby off. That’s her name, right?”
    “Yeah.” The word tasted sour in Reece’s mouth.
    “Why do you sound so annoyed?”
    “I don’t want her here.”
    “Why not?” she asked.
    “She’s trouble.”
    “This doesn’t sound like you at all. Did she break your heart or something?” Annie grinned, clearly thrilled to have found a subject that could make Reece squirm.
    “She’s a nutjob. And all this is her fault, mark my words.” He circled a finger in the air to indicate the music and the activity.
    “Maybe, but how’s that a problem? I mean, when’s the last time you saw either of them having this much fun?” Annie nodded to their brother and mother.
    Reece frowned.
    “Come on. This place has been Depression Central for the past year. Don’t knock the woman if this is what she’s doing to the family.” Annie mussed his hair again and went to join the nonsense, adding over her shoulder, “Lighten up, Reecie.”
    After a few minutes, the jukebox ran out of songs and the excitement wound down. Reece rose and approached the partygoers.
    Colin grinned. “Gidday, Reece? Mum was showing us how to do the Hustle. Libby is an atrocious dancer.”
    “It’s not my fault my legs are like ten feet long,” she cut back.
    “How did this…materialize?” Reece asked.
    “We were watching Dirty Dancing on the telly after lunch, and you know