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She turned to race in that direction, when Wazza took her by the shoulders and forced her to look at him. “I am worried about her, as well. But before you get hysterical, I have an idea where she might’ve gone.”
“Where? Where is she?” Kee wailed.
Wazza took Kee by the hand and tugged her back up the hill, away from the billabong, through the orchard and past the raised garden beds, going so fast they were almost running.
“Benni. Where are you?” Kee called at the top of her voice, unable to stop the shaking that was taking over her body. Where had she gone? What if Bruno had found her? The thought stopped her dead in her tracks.
“What’s wrong?” Wazza had stopped, as well.
“Bruno. What if he’s got her?” The thought was too much to bear, and her knees nearly buckled beneath her.
Wazza’s face was lined with worry as he considered this scenario. “Come on,” he said again. “If she’s not in the machinery shed, we’ll mount a full-scale search. She won’t get far, I promise.”
The machinery shed? Why was Wazza taking them to the machinery shed? No. They had to search the billabong. Or the parking lot. The long driveway. If Bruno had her, he could be driving away with her stashed in his car right now. Her heart was torn in a million different directions. She pulled back against him, but he was too strong, towing her along behind him.
The inside of the machinery shed was dim, but Wazza didn’t stop and take the time to flick on the bank of fluorescent lights, he stalked toward the rear, intent on his mission, dragging Kee with him.
“There she is.” He let go of her hand and dropped to his knees beside Benni. “Hi, honey. Are you playing with the puppies?”
Kee stood frozen, relief flooding her veins, replacing the cold dread with heat.
“Jebi ga.” The Croatian curse slipped quietly from her lips. Jesus Christ, the fucking puppies. Why didn’t she think of that? Kee landed on the concrete next to Wazza, scooping up her little girl into her arms. “Benni, you scared me. You can’t run away. You have to ask me before you see the puppies.” She hugged her tight, drawing in her familiar scent. Benni squirmed, wanting to be let down so she could continue to play, but Kee would have none of it. She placed her daughter firmly on her lap and grabbed her chin with one hand, forcing Benni to look into her eyes. “I mean it, Benita. Don’t you ever do that again.”
Benni finally seemed to grasp the seriousness of the situation, and she stopped squirming. “Sorry, Mummy,” she said contritely. “But I wanted to see the puppies. And I knew the way. I’m a big girl now.”
Kee drew in a shaky breath. “Yes, maybe you are a big girl. But that doesn’t mean you can go off on your own. Do you understand me?”
“Yes.” Benni lowered her gaze, her chin giving a telltale wobble. Kee got to her feet, placing Benni on the ground next to her, keeping her hand firmly locked in hers. They should probably continue this conversation back in the cabin. Kee didn’t need Benni breaking down in tears right here.
“How did she even find her way up here? I didn’t realize she knew how to navigate around the outbuildings,” she asked, flapping her hands in the air.
“Like I said, she’s a smart girl.” Wazza replied. But his answer was too blithe for Kee’s liking. He was looking at Benni like she’d just done something amazing. But she hadn’t. She’d done the exact opposite, by ignoring her mother’s request that she stay close. By causing Kee to panic. The naked fear that’d been turning her legs to jelly now bubbled up and morphed into anger.
“Well, smart or not, a cattle station is no place for a child. It’s too dangerous. There’s way too many things that can go wrong,” she snapped. A part of her knew it was wrong to take her anger out on Wazza. Benni was her responsibility, not his. She’d only let her focus stray from her daughter for a few moments, but that was all it took.
“That’s not altogether true. Plenty of kids grow up on cattle stations, and they’re all completely fine. Benni just needs to learn the rules, that’s all.”
“Well, Benni’s not like any other kid. And she doesn’t just need to learn the rules, because we’re not staying here. I can’t wait to get her away from this place.” The unfair words were out of her mouth before she could stop them. It was too late to take them back, and she was too angry to take them back, anyway. She hauled Benni around and stalked out of the shed, ignoring her daughter’s cries of protest. Three more days was too long to spend in this godforsaken place.
