Page 8 of Return to the Waratah Inn

“They’re talking about coming to visit us. Would you be okay with that?”

“Of course,” he replied. “We have so much space, I’d love someone to use it.”

“Great—I’ll let them know. I’m really looking forward to seeing them again. They both took such good care of me while I was in Italy. I owe them a lot.”

“Well, in that case, I’ll welcome them with open arms.” He ate a forkful of chips, the downed them with a mouthful of beer. “Not to change the subject, but we can talk about the fostering situation now if you’d like. I’m feeling much better.”

She stopped eating and wiped her hands on a napkin. “Yes, I’d really like to do that, if you’re ready.”

“I’m ready. And I’ve had a few minutes to think it through. We should do it.” He reached for a hot chip and dunked it in tomato sauce.

“Really? Just like that?”

He nodded. “Yeah. You took me by surprise before, but all the way here, I was asking myself what I was so afraid of. And the truth is, I’m scared, but that’s not a good reason to keep from doing something good. I spend so much of my time and energy helping people in far-off countries these days, this is a way for me to help someone close to home. To actually make a real difference in another person’s life. It’s a good idea.”

Emotion welled up Reeda’s throat. She couldn’t speak. Instead, through a veil of tears she reached out to squeeze his hand.

“I don’t know if I’m cut out to be a father, but I’ll try my best. And I know you’ll be a wonderful mother.”

“You’ll be great,” she said, her voice wobbling. “I know we can do this.”

He leaned over to kiss her on the head. “Yes, we can. It’ll be great. Let’s do it.”

Chapter Five

January 1998

Cabarita Beach

After a long day of work managing the inn, Bindi Summer sat in Dr Ash’s office, her feet tapping nervously on the carpet beneath her. She pressed both hands to the sides of her plastic chair and chewed on her lower lip as she waited for him to close the office door and take a seat behind his large timber desk. He shuffled a few papers and then met her gaze above a pair of glasses that’d slipped down the bridge of his nose. He pushed them back into place with two fingers, then cleared his throat.

“I have the results of your Gallium-67 scans here, and it’s all looking good. You’re still in remission.”

Bindi exhaled as relief washed over her. “That’s great. Thanks, Dr Ash. I hate getting the scans, lying still for so long in that awful machine, but I’m glad the news is positive.”

“I know they’re a pain, but it’s important for us to check every few months for at least three years to make sure the lymphoma doesn’t recur. So far, you’re in the clear, and I’m fully confident you’ll remain cancer free. You’re young and healthy—there’s no reason for you to worry.”

As Bindi walked out of the clinic, she let the coastal breeze blow over her face. With her eyes squeezed shut, she raised her visage towards the sun. It was a good day. Twelve months after going into remission, she felt better, stronger and happier than ever. Facing death had given her a different perspective on life, and she was determined to make the most of every day.

Soft, fluffy white clouds slid through the sky on the back of a strong breeze that flew in from the Pacific. Shafts of light from a golden afternoon sun reflected off their surface, giving them an ethereal look. She wandered across the street to the edge of a cliff face that looked out over craggy black rocks and clear blue waves that crashed against them, sending frothy sea spray hurtling into the air. She sat on a park bench and watched the surging ocean for a few minutes, letting the anxiety that’d tightened her shoulders all morning long dissipate.

Then she climbed into her car and backed out of the parking lot to head for home. It wasn’t far to the small three-bedroom brick house in Banora Point she and Josh had moved into the previous week after returning from their month-long honeymoon in Europe. Josh had bought the place prior to the wedding, and she loved everything about it. It was cozy, set on Sexton’s Hill overlooking the mouth of the Tweed River. Houses hugged the side of the hill, with driveways winding short and steep into garages and carports attached to red and brown brick-veneer structures with tiled roofs.

Bindi climbed out of the car to tug the brown garage door open, then pulled her vehicle inside through the curved archway. She carried her purse inside and hung it on a peg by the door. The scent of roasted meat set her stomach grumbling and her mouth watering the moment she stepped into the kitchen. Josh stood at the bench, her frilly lace apron tied around his waist, as he tasted a bite of steak.

“Busted!” she cried with a belly laugh.

He grinned as he chewed. “The chef has to taste the goods. Don’t wanna poison my wife.”

She hugged him from behind, wrapping her arms around his waist. “I love the apron. It suits you.”

He smirked and turned around inside her hug to lean in for a kiss. “I can pull it off.”

“Of course you can. You look good in anything.”

“You hungry?” he asked. “We should eat while it’s hot.”

“I’m starving.”