Page 40 of Andrew’s Outback Love

She explained where to bring it up to the front doors so Drew wouldn’t have to walk very far. After giving him a quick peck on the lips, I hurried from the room. I was excited about getting my man out of here and having him all to myself.

We were to stay in the hotel overnight, our flight to Sydney was booked for the following day.

***

THE FLIGHT FROM MELBOURNE to Sydney had been uncomfortable for Drew and he’d been relieved when we’d landed and he was able to get out of the restrictive seating. His car, a vintage maroon Jaguar, had been in the airport parking lot so, once I had Drew buckled into the passenger seat and our suitcases in the boot, I began negotiating the traffic of Sydney. Can I just say, I was really pleased he only lived ten minutes from the airport. I was a nervous wreck driving such a valuable vehicle and if I’d thought Melbourne traffic was nerve-wracking, it had nothing on the traffic mayhem in Sydney.

I pulled into the driveway of a modern apartment block and Drew pressed a button on a remote control which was fixed to the side of the glove compartment. A large gate slid off to one side and once it was open all the way, I drove down the ramp and parked in a space which Drew indicated. I let out a deep breath as I switched off the engine and climbed from the vehicle. How the fuck was I going to cope with driving Drew to appointments all over the city? I told myself to pull up my big girl panties and deal with it.

By the time I rounded the car, Drew was climbing out. I reached out to hold his arm.

“Sweetheart, I can manage, you don’t have to do everything for me.”

I gave him a quick kiss before heaving the suitcases from the boot.

“I’ll take mine,” Drew insisted.

“It’s fine, I can manage.”

“I don’t know if I can, I’m still a little unsteady. If I take my case, you can hold my arm to keep me upright.”

“Oh, okay.”

I passed the smaller suitcase off to Drew and stepped up on the side of his recovering arm. When I slid my hand through his elbow and gripped his upper arm to hold him steady, he flinched. We both turned our eyes to each other.

“I felt you touch my elbow.”

Drew was excited.

“That’s fantastic! It seems the feeling is coming back fast now.”

Drew nodded and I watched as a tear slid down his cheek. Releasing my suitcase, I wiped it away with my thumb and placed a kiss to the spot.

“Come on, let’s get you upstairs.”

We made our way slowly to the lift, stepped inside and I pushed the button for the fourteenth floor. We were swept rapidly upward and I stood enfolded in Drew’s arm, my head resting on his chest as we waited to reach our destination. When the elevator bell dinged and the doors whooshed open, we stepped into a carpeted hallway. Drew led me a few doors to the left, inserted a key and pushed open the door.

“Oh, my.”

I entered an apartment which looked like it was straight out of a magazine and when I turned towards the living room, my breath caught at the spectacular view of the ocean.

It wasn’t over the top. The space was sparsely furnished but quality items stood in the open plan area. It was furnished with what was probably a leather couch with two chairs, glass topped coffee and dining tables and there was a sleek kitchen in black and white which appeared to have all the modern appliances. The floors were white marble with a black thread woven throughout.

It was difficult to reconcile this gorgeous place with the historical homestead he’d purchased in Bourke. The two were poles apart and I found myself wondering what Drew’s taste in homes really was.

When he cleared his throat from behind me, I realised I’d forgotten why I was here.

“Ooops, sorry.” I led Drew to the couch and waited for him to sit down before joining him. “This place is gorgeous, so different to Bourke.”

Drew’s eyes scanned his home. “I like this apartment and it suited the purpose by being close to the hospital. The agent called, the place is sold and settlement is in three weeks. It sold for much more than expected so I’ll have more than enough to buy in with Barry and do a few things to the homestead.”

“That’s good news. What about returning to the hospital here?”

“I don’t have to. My patients have been taken over by the new doctor they had organized. When he heard what had happened, he offered to start earlier. I agreed and the hospital gave him the go ahead. I have three weeks to pack up here and get moved up to Bourke.”

“It’s all coming together for you.”

“Yes, it is but you haven’t mentioned a word about what’s happening with you.” Drew raised an eyebrow.