Page 43 of Andrew’s Outback Love

It was a special side of my lady. I’d seen her compassion, her thoughtfulness and loyalty. She had all of them in spades, but what she showed David was honor and respect. I think that was why the old man had taken to her. She was genuinely interested in what he had to say, never becoming impatient when he struggled to remember the correct word in English. She honored him by always bowing when he gave her some trinket and I watched as his old, wrinkled face lit up with joy. I suspected the two would miss each other a great deal. Linda refused to discuss how she felt about leaving him except to say, she would stay in touch via his grandson on Skype once a week. The grandson would set up the connection at an agreed time and leave Linda and his grandfather to talk. It wouldn’t be the same but it would help both keep the connection. I had also made arrangements with the grandson for me to bring Linda down once a month to visit so the two could go somewhere for lunch and catch up. She wasn’t aware of this yet, it was to be a surprise.

“Drew?”

“Sorry, I was a million miles away. Yes, of course, Chinese.”

Linda jumped to her feet and took me by the hands, encouraging me to stand. She didn’t risk pulling on my arms but I got the message and stood.

I willingly followed her through to the bathroom. I had other things in mind, not only a shower.

EPILOGUE

Three Weeks Later

A lot had happened in the past three weeks. My shoulder had fully recovered and I had full use of my hand. We’d flown to Sydney four days ago and while Linda had caught up with David, I’d paid a final visit to the surgeon who had taken over the recovery process of my shoulder. He was satisfied everything was as it should be and had no hesitation in giving me the go ahead to return to surgery. I was both relieved and thrilled. Linda and I had celebrated with – yep, Chinese – and had spent the rest of the night making love before returning to Bourke the following day.

The hospital had been more than happy to take Linda onto their staff and had made allowances for the time she worked with both Barry and I. I’d also been accepted by them to update my emergency medical knowledge. Bagaay Downs was looking fantastic. Together, Linda and I had repainted the entire home in traditional heritage colors and purchased furniture which was both practical and reflected the age of the home.

We’d met with the local land owners and discussed a few changes to both preserve the native bushland and enhance it. We’d learnt a great deal from the men and woman who met with us and I marveled at their ability to live in such harmony with both nature and the land. Everything was right in my world and I’d never been happier.

“Earth to Drew.”

I spun to face Linda who was seated beside me as Cam drove us out to Barrawon Station. Ruby was seated beside him in the front passenger seat.

“Sorry, I was thinking about the past few weeks and how fortunate I am.”

Linda leaned into me and her fingers entwined with mine.

“I’ve fallen in love with you, Drew.”

The words were whispered so quietly I barely heard them over the sound of the engine as we bounced along the dirt road. I turned further in the seat and lifted her chin so I could look into her eyes.

“I’ve fallen in love with you, too. I have no idea how it happened. I thought instant love only happened in sappy movies or between the pages of a romance novel. It’s too soon to ask you to marry me, we both need to be certain of our feelings and we need time to really know each other. But rest assured, I will make you my wife.”

Linda’s face lit up at my words and I leaned forward, kissing her deeply. We bounced apart when the car hit a pothole before coming to a stop by the new clinic building which was now operational. Gary and Viv were nearby and waved.

We both released our seatbelts and stepped from the car. I again held Linda in my arms and kissed her.

“Get a fucking room,” Cam grumbled as he headed to the boot to grab our equipment.

“You’re just jealous,” Ruby laughed. “What the fuck?”

The three of us snapped our heads towards Ruby and followed her line of sight to find she was glaring at Sergeant Phil Thacker. Again I wondered, what the deal was between the two of them.

I hadn’t known Phil for long but I’d found him to be a pleasant young man. I guessed he was in his mid to late thirties, probably around the same age as Ruby. He was tall and slim with coffee colored skin and large brown eyes which seemed to be shadowed in sadness whenever he looked at Ruby.

Ruby stomped over to where he now stood beside Gary. She came to a stop in front of him and slammed her hands on her hips.

“What the fuck are you doing here? I’ve told you, I don’t want you anywhere near where I am. Hell, I don’t even want you on the same goddamn planet. You know we have a clinic today so get the fuck out of here.”

When she spun to head into the clinic, Phil reached out and grabbed her wrist. Ruby fisted her hand and collected the officer, square in the nose. He growled and released her, dragged a handkerchief from his pocket and attempted to stem the blood which now poured from his nose. I suspected Ruby may have broken it.

“Serves you right, don’t you ever lay a fucking hand on me again.”

It was time I interfered. Patients were gathering around us and watching with interest. I had never seen my nurse so angry, her eyes were full of fire.

“Ruby, please go and set up for theatre.”

“Gladly, just get that arsehole out of here.”