Beaded bracelets on each wrist.
Marco makes a bee line up the wooden stairs, wrapping her in his arms.
“Missed you so much,” he says.
“I've missed you too, kiddo.” She holds him tight. “Found the place okay?”
I stand awkwardly behind them, placing our overnight bag at his feet.
But she pulls me in to join their huddle.
“So good to meet you, Amos. This lad talks about you non-stop.”
“Same here. Feels like I already know you.”
Marco's ears tinge pink.
He looks so happy, and it fills my heart.
“Come inside, let's get you settled. The guest room has clean sheets and towels.”
She leads us through a door on the left.
“Nice big bed. And you've got this bathroom all to yourselves.”
Such a beautifully renovated home.
I think we should move in.
“I imagine after camping in the wild, you'll feel like a hot shower?” she says.
She’s right.
We probably smell like a farm.
Easing the curtains shut, she leaves us to it.
“Dinner should be ready in about forty or so. I'll holler when it's done.”
“Whatever you’re cooking smells amazing, thank you,” I smile.
“Chicken pie and roast potatoes, hun,” she calls from down the hallway.
Marco closes the door behind us.
???
“Can we stay here forever?” I ask. “She's lovely.”
“She is,” he agrees. “She makes anywhere feel like home.”
Unzipping the bag, we find what we need.
“There's something you should know about showering in west Queensland.”
“Oh?”
Clothes scatter onto the floor.
