Page 32 of Andrew’s Outback Love

“Can we manage a month, seeing each other every second week?”

“If it doesn’t work out?”

“What do you mean?”

Linda appeared confused and I had a feeling we were talking at cross purposes.

“What happens if we find we hate being apart, I’ll have everything in place ready for me in Bourke and I won’t be able to walk out on Barry.”

“Darling, I’m pretty sure it wouldn’t work which is why......”

Did I mention my heart had shattered? It was now in a million pieces.

“Drew, stop jumping to conclusions and let me explain!”

I nodded.

“I’m almost sure being apart won’t work so, when I get back to Dubbo next week, I’ll give the RFDS a month’s notice. By the time you have everything in place in Bourke, I’ll be ready to join you.”

“But....”

Linda placed her fingers to my lips, effectively silencing me.

“Darling, I don’t want us to be in Dubbo. Yes, I love the RFDS but that was before I got a taste of Bourke and its people. And.....you. I want to work alongside you, if you could stand it. I’d like to be Barry’s Nurse Manager and Ruby could be yours. That way, we’re not living and working in each other’s pockets. If Barry only works part-time, it would be perfect because I could make up the hours at the hospital. I know nurses are always in high demand, especially in rural areas. I’ll speak with them and tell them, I can only work certain days. They can only say no and I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.”

“Are you sure?”

“Absolutely, Bourke is where I want to be. If things don’t work out between us, I have enough money to buy my own place.”

“You’ll move in with me at Bagaay?”

“Unless you don’t want me to.”

“Of course, I want you too, I was afraid it was too soon.”

Linda shook her head. I gathered my beautiful lady into my arms and kissed her deeply. Everything I’d ever dreamed of was about to happen and I couldn’t have been happier. Before I could think about taking Linda back to bed and making love to her, a knock came at the door.

“That’ll be dinner.”

I hurried to the door and threw it open. I caught the glint of a gun and the force of the bullet hitting my shoulder sent me hurtling back into the room. The last thing I remember as darkness overtook me, was Linda screaming my name.

***

Linda

I didn’t hear the gunshot but saw the gun in Candy’s hand and watched as Drew reeled back towards me before crashing to the floor. I needed to get to him, but I was frozen in place. Someone was screaming and I realised after a minute or two it was me. When Candy entered the room and stalked towards me, arm outstretched, gun pointing at me; I rose from the bed and retreated until I felt my back hit the wall.

“So, you thought you could take him away from me, BITCH!”

I stayed quiet. The glint in her eye was familiar. The woman was trapped in her own fantasy and saying anything would only inflame her anger.

“Answer ME!” She screamed.

Somehow, I needed to bring the situation under control, so I could get Drew the help he needed.

I spoke softly. “Candy, I had no idea he was yours. I’m very sorry.”

“Ha, you think I believe that?”