Page 26 of Return to the Waratah Inn

“It made me focused. That’s how I look at it, anyway. But let’s not talk about that. I’m on a high—did you see that crowd? The whole place was packed. The mood was electric.”

He let out a hoot and pumped his fist in the air. People around them glanced over with surprise on their faces. Mima covered her mouth with one hand, giggling as they broke into a run. Before long, they found themselves in a lane, alone. They slowed their pace and then stopped, puffing.

Luca looked around. “I ate way too much to run that way.”

Mima was still puffing. “I know what you mean. I think I have a stitch in my side.”

There was movement farther down the lane, and the squeak of a rat as it foraged around a pile of rubbish. Mima moved closer to Luca with a shiver.

“It’s too dark. Let’s get back to the main road.”

He released her hand and then put his arms around her, pulling her against his warm body. “Are you cold?”

She nodded. “A little.”

“We’re almost to my place. I’ll make you a cuppa. Or a whiskey. Whichever you prefer.”

“I should get back to the hospital,” she replied with weak resolve. His arms around her were strong. His body was lithe and hard. He smelled like cigar smoke and steak.

“Come on—I promise to take care of you. I don’t want you to go home yet. We’re having fun. Aren’t we?”

Mima chewed on her lower lip. “Yeah, we’re having fun. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to have a cup of tea.”

He grinned at her in the darkness, his eyes glinting from a street lamp at the intersection nearby. “No, it wouldn’t hurt at all, bella mia.”

Chapter Fourteen

January 1998

Kingscliff

The rush and sigh of the ocean was louder than usual today. The air was still and hot. Somewhere nearby, a kookaburra let out a chortle but cut it short. No one wanted to expend energy in this humidity. Reeda pushed her dark hair away from her sweaty neck, fixed it up with a banana clip, and then reached for the salad bowl on her back seat. She’d made a chicken Caesar salad for Kate and Alex. After her last interaction with Kate, she was worried her sister wasn’t getting enough sleep, or eating well.

She slammed the car door shut and strode up the footpath to the front door. No one answered the first ring of the doorbell. Then a sudden wave of panic rushed over her—maybe the baby was sleeping. She should knock quietly instead. She raised a fist and rapped it gently against the door. Within a few moments, Kate flung it open with a tired smile.

“Good morning. Come on in. I’m sorry about the mess. I haven’t got around to… doing anything, really.” She held baby Noah against her shoulder.

“I hope I didn’t wake him.”

“No, he hasn’t slept since about four am.” Kate closed the door behind her. “He’s not much of a sleeper.”

“Four am is criminal.” Reeda followed Kate into the kitchen. “I brought you a salad. I was going to make an apricot chicken casserole with rice, but then realised no one wants to eat that in this heat. So, chicken Caesar salad it is.”

Kate opened the fridge, and Reeda slid the dish inside. “Bless you.”

Reeda kissed Kate’s cheek. “Can I hold him?”

“Please. That would be amazing.” Kate handed Reeda the baby, then leaned her head first to one side, then the other.

“Sore neck?”

She exhaled a slow breath. “Sore back, sore neck, headache. I think I should grab a drink while I’m in the kitchen.”

“Yes, please drink, eat, do what you need to do.”

“Can you stay for a cuppa?”

Reeda frowned. “Sorry, I can’t this time. I’m going to cuddle this little guy while you take a break and then I’ve got to meet with the case worker about fostering a child. I wouldn’t want to drink hot liquid while I’m holding him.”