AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I could see it.
I’m even more determined for a new life for both of us.
After all, I have the courage of my grandmother inside me.
For even fate has no idea what I would do or how far I would go for love.
EPILOGUE
EDEN
Ten Months Later…
Before I lock the door, I eye the huntsman spider in the corner of the kitchen ceiling.
“Keep the mosquitos and flies under control while we’re gone, please, George.”
“Bye, George,” Rose says as though he’s a pet. With aBlueybag slung over her shoulder, she toddles out the door. Everything on our front deck is packed safely away in time for the wet season. I gaze out over the green forest canopy to the ocean meeting the horizon. I’m going to miss this view.
Disappointment dissipates in seconds with my body overheating in the extreme humidity. I take Rose’s hand as we amble down the steps toward the car.
I head south along a road with walls of rainforest on either side until a queue of cars brings me to a stop.
After showing my pass, I press the car window button to shut out the heat. With the sun sitting directly above us, there’s no shade from the towering trees. Putting the car in drive, we crawl forward until we’re on the ferry, ready to cross the river.
From the back car seat, Rose eyes the water eagerly, searching for a crocodile sunning on the muddy banks. It’s a game we play—the first one to find a croc. We have only spotted a small crocodile twice over the past few months, unlike ‘Mo,’ the resident crocodile near Port Douglas that captures tourists’ attention as they cross the Mowbray River Bridge on the outskirts of the town.
“There.” Rose points to her left.
I follow her gaze. “No, honey, it’s a log.”
She sighs in disappointment.
“Maybe next time.”
It’s extraordinary how my daughter is excited to see a crocodile. Over the months, she has become accustomed to a place many consider has the most-deadliest creatures on the planet. We have learned what’s dangerous and what not to do, like swimming in the ocean in the summer months. The deadly Irukandji and box jellyfish bloom from around November to May, so if you’re not looking out for a crocodile, the smaller creatures are a threat.
Thankfully, we have a swimming pool in the house we bought a few doors down from Dana’s holiday home. And as for snakes, thankfully, I’ve only witnessed pythons in the garden.
Many things here remind me of Gran and my time in Ulara.
“I’m hun-gy,” Rose moans.
I meet her blue eyes in the review mirror. At two years of age, she’s a mini version of Samuel, although her eyes are bluer and more like mine.
“Seriously? We have not long left, and your snacks are for the plane.”
She huffs and folds her arms. “Yes, sewios-ly.”
I can’t wait for the sassy two-year-old stage to end.
“Mooksy might have some wild figs for you to eat.”
“Yuck.”
I hide a smirk at her expressing the distaste of bush food. I imagine, over time, it will change with her father’s encouragement and passion.
I press the button for my Spotify list to play a song list, especially for Rose, and it distracts her long enough until we reach Mossman.
