Outback Reunion (Bunyip Bay #6)

Chapter Eight

The moment Gabi cartwheeled into the ring and saw Mark in the audience for the second night in a row, her heart slammed into her rib cage. This time he was right near the front, which is why she saw him so easily, and when their eyes locked, shivers shot through her body.

Good or bad ones she couldn’t quite decide.

Part of her felt joy and relief that she might now have the chance to apologise for last night, but perhaps she should be creeped out by his presence.

For all he knew, she’d changed her mind about meeting him; a gentleman would respect that decision and stay away.

Yet when he smiled at her, all her fears and defences crumbled.

During intermission, she spotted Mark lingering not too far away from the teacup ride, sipping on a can of Coke. Even though she was focused on the kids, she could feel his gaze boring into her. The queue was never-ending, and she had to return backstage for the second act before they had the chance to talk.

She didn’t allow herself to even glance his way while she was performing, but whenever she wasn’t in the ring, she watched him from a tiny gap in the curtain. He laughed along with the rest of the crowd as Luna skipped out in her full-body leotard and pink tutu, performing dogs obediently following her and then forming a line across the ring. Gabi’s heart swelled with pride as she waved at the audience, then introduced her team.

‘First up, we have my darling, Basset. She’s fourteen years old and suffering a bit from arthritis,’ Luna explained as the old basset hound waddled towards her. ‘But she still does her best.’

She twirled her hand in a circle and the dog spun around before tripping on his paws and flopping to the ground.

Everyone laughed.

‘Next up is—’ The dalmatian started forward, but Luna held up her hand. ‘No, not you, Cruella, wait your turn.’ She turned back to the audience. ‘Cruella likes to be the centre of attention. Russell, let’s dance.’

Taylor Swift’s ‘Bad blood’ blasted from overhead as the Jack Russell darted forward and lifted his paws up for Luna to take hold of them.

After their hilarious dancing—if you could call it that—came tiny but fluffy Princess, a Maltese-cross-chihuahua, who Luna picked up and placed on her shoulders, before walking around the ring with the dog balancing its paws on the top of her head.

Finally came Cruella’s turn. One of the tent boys tossed Luna a bright red fitball, which she rolled towards the dalmatian, who hopped up and showed how clever she was by walking on top of it.

And this was only the beginning of Luna’s act—the dogs, as usual, kept the audience cackling for ten fun-filled minutes.

Next, in keeping with the animal theme, which always dominated the second half of the show, the Saad sisters trotted out on their camels. Gabi couldn’t help wondering if Mark found them attractive. They were young, gorgeous, and so impressive as they danced and did acrobatics atop their animals. Since they’d joined the circus eighteen months ago, they’d broken several of the tent boys’ and technicians’ hearts.

After the finale with all the performers singing and dancing, the crowd rushed back into the pre-tent to queue for selfies with their favourite acts, so she couldn’t immediately seek Mark out. Everyone had their position—Eve and Lorenzo in front of the circus banner, the Saad sisters outside with the camels, the Dangerous Duo back in the main tent letting kids venture inside the Globe of Death, Luna on one side of her grandparents with one dog in tow, and Gabi off to the other with Loud Mouth on her shoulder.

As she smiled for endless photos and Loud Mouth squawked insults at the kids, making them laugh and occasionally cry, Mark waited patiently off to the side. When her line finally ended, he stepped forward until there was barely a foot between them.

‘Hello, Gabriela. Heard you were asking about me.’

If anyone else had come this close to her, she’d tell them to get out of her personal space, but his proximity made her too breathless to object. ‘How’d you know that?’

‘I saw my friend, Adam, this arvo. He mentioned you’d asked for my number.’

‘Oh, that’s right.’ She was so bamboozled to see him again, she’d almost forgotten that exchange. ‘I just wanted to apologise for not turning up last night.’

‘Did something happen, or did you just change your mind?’

His question jolted her from her admiration of his gorgeous face. ‘Ah...’ She swallowed. ‘Something came up. I’m sorry. I hope you didn’t wait long for me?’

His gaze softened and he shook his head. ‘Not really.’

‘Big nose. Big nose. Big nose,’ Loud Mouth squawked. If a bird could have a disapproving expression, he did.

‘Don’t be rude,’ Gabi told him, stifling a giggle.

Mark chuckled and touched a finger to his nose. ‘Yeah, I got teased about that at school too, mate. You must be Blabbermouth.’

Gabi coughed out a laugh. ‘Loud Mouth, but close. You have a good memory.’

‘I remember everything about that night,’ he said, his gaze hot and intense.

She shivered and her mouth went dry. She remembered everything too.

‘Well,’ he began, ‘what say we try again this evening? I’d still love to catch up. Hear all about what you’ve been up to the last eight years.’

No. No. No. Stupid idea. Stupid idea. Stupid idea.

The voice in her head sounded a lot like her parrot and the way she was feeling right now, it might be safer to stay away, but after Mark had come into town again specifically to see her, she could hardly refuse him.

‘Yes. Okay. I’ll put Loud Mouth away.’ She gave the bird a little tummy stroke to appease him. ‘Then go get changed and meet you at the pub as soon as I can.’

This time, she wouldn’t wait for Luna to go to sleep. Ignoring Dante’s voice in her head, she told herself Luna would be safe enough in the caravan if Gabi let her have one of the dogs in there, and no one would dare harm her with Loud Mouth on guard outside.

Mark’s grin stretched from ear to ear. ‘Awesome. Can I grab a selfie before I go?’

Actually, that was a good idea. She’d already seen Eve watching them, so him leaving without a photo would raise questions. ‘Sure.’

He closed the gap between them even more, sliding his hand around her back and holding her against his side as he stretched his other arm out in front and took the photo. Gabi was too bamboozled by the touch of his warm palm against her almost bare skin to worry about whether Loud Mouth might peck another man for getting so close, but miraculously the parrot behaved.

‘See you soon,’ Mark said, slipping his phone back in his pocket and then striding out of the now almost empty tent.

‘Bit of alright. Bit of alright. Bit of alright,’ chirped the parrot.

‘Shut up,’ she snapped, even though she absolutely, completely one-hundred-per-cent agreed.

‘Who’s that?’ Luna asked, coming over, Princess wriggling in her arms. ‘Was he the man you were speaking to Heidi’s dad about this morning? Dad’s friend?’

Gabi nodded, although she hadn’t exactly said that.

‘Bit of alright. Bit of alright. Bit of alright.’

She could throttle Loud Mouth. ‘Shut up,’ she hissed again as Luna crossed her arms and pouted.

‘Why didn’t you let me say hello?’

The thought hadn’t even occurred to Gabi. What would be the point? Mark wasn’t Dante’s friend, and it wasn’t like anything serious was going to happen between them.

Anything serious ?

She scolded herself. Nothing at all was going to happen between them. Nothing more than a quick drink, that is. Tonight was about finally putting the past to rest. It was about giving him the goodbye she should have given him eight years ago.

‘I’m sorry, sweets.’ She reached out to push the hair that had fallen out of Luna’s ponytail off her forehead. ‘You were busy.’

Of course, Eve chose that moment to join them. ‘Are you okay?’ She put her hand to Gabi’s arm, concern creasing her brow. ‘That guy at the end there looked like he was getting a little touchy-feely. I was about to send Lorenzo over to kick him out when he left anyway.’

‘I’m fine,’ Gabi said, heat rushing to her cheeks. This was getting out of hand. Poor Mark had done nothing to deserve Lorenzo’s wrath.

‘He’s a friend of Daddy’s,’ Luna informed her grandmother, still giving Gabi the evil eye.

Her stomach twisted. No way her mother-in-law would believe that Dante had a friend who lived in these parts she didn’t know about.

‘ Dante’s friend?’ Eve asked.

‘Yeah,’ Luna said. ‘Remember, I told you I made a friend and she’s coming to the show tomorrow, Granny?’

Eve nodded.

‘Well, Mark is some guy who Mum and Daddy used to know who lives here and my new friend’s dad knows him too.’

‘Is that right?’ Eve smiled at her granddaughter, then raised her eyebrows at Gabi. ‘And how exactly did Dante know this man?’

Gabi swallowed—she was such a terrible liar. ‘Um... he didn’t know him well. We met him once at a bar and we friended each other on Facebook.’

‘I see. That’s one of the wonders of social media,’ Eve said wistfully. ‘So many people that Lorenzo and I met decades ago, and I still think about them occasionally. If we’d had the internet and mobile phones back then we might still be in touch, but it was almost impossible relying on letters when we all moved so frequently.’

Bizarrely, it sounded like Eve might have bought Gabi’s story.

She breathed out her relief. ‘Yes. It’s nice to see him again, which is why I’ve agreed to meet him for a quick drink at the pub. Do you mind listening out for Luna? I won’t be long.’

Eve smiled. ‘Of course not. I’ll be happy to keep an ear out. In fact, why don’t I come over once I’ve got my PJs on and we can watch an episode of Friends before you go to sleep?’

Luna usually loved having a girls’ night with her granny, but didn’t even acknowledge Eve’s offer.

‘Why can’t I come with you?’ she whined.

Gabi should have anticipated this question. They rarely went anywhere separately. Even the girls’ nights usually involved the three of them, snuggling up in one of their caravans while Lorenzo and Dante—when he was alive—made themselves scarce.

‘Because pubs are no places for children,’ Eve told her firmly. ‘Now go start getting ready for bed. I might even bring ice cream.’

‘I’m almost eight. I don’t need a babysitter,’ Luna snapped, then stormed towards the exit, Princess pumping her little legs to keep up with her mistress. If there was a door, Gabi was certain her daughter would have slammed it. If this was almost eight, she was dreading almost eighteen.

She winced. ‘Sorry.’

Eve chuckled. ‘Don’t worry about her. She’ll be fine. You have a good night catching up with your friend, darling.’ She leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. ‘You deserve it.’

Gabi still wasn’t sure whether Eve believed the story about Mark being Dante’s friend, but at least she wasn’t going to question it.

Luna was sitting on the bed sulking— all her dogs surrounding her—when Gabi entered the caravan after putting Loud Mouth into his night cage.

‘Weetbix or toast, or are you just going to eat all of Granny’s ice cream?’ she asked, deciding not to comment on the dogs, who were supposed to be in their crates outside as well.

‘If you’re friends on Facebook,’ Luna said, her tone suspicious as she hugged Cruella tightly to her chest, ‘then why’d you need Mark’s phone number? How come you couldn’t just message him.’

Oh boy . Why did kids these days have to be so switched on?

‘I forgot,’ Gabi said, then snuck into the bathroom to get ready.

Not wanting to leave Mark waiting any longer than necessary, she didn’t bother removing her stage make-up, but took off her leotard and then pulled the yellow maxi dress over her head.

Luna hadn’t moved an inch when she emerged. Gabi marched across to the bed, dodged the dogs that were surrounding her daughter like throw pillows and kissed her on the forehead. ‘I won’t be long, but Granny should be here soon. Be good for her. Please ?’

Luna didn’t grant her a reply and Gabi tried not to let her animosity bother her as she walked through the lot towards the main road. She’d be fine with Eve. If Gabi gave in to guilt and the need to keep her child happy, she’d end up standing Mark up again.

And she didn’t want to do that—for either of them.

For the next half-hour, she’d just have to put Luna out of her mind and make it up to her later. A short time away from her didn’t make her a bad mother, did it?

As she approached the area where she kept her car, she saw a man standing just outside the temporary fencing that surrounded the lot. His hands were resting casually in his pockets and the bottom of his shirt blew up a little in the warm evening wind. Because it was now dark with only a nearby streetlamp casting a glow around them, she couldn’t make out his face, but she recognised him anyway.

Mark. Even his silhouette was sexy.

As if sensing her presence, he turned and lifted his hand in a wave. ‘Hey, Gabriela.’

Just the way he said her name sent ridiculous shivers down her spine.

‘You look beautiful,’ he whispered as she hurried over to him.

When was the last time someone had said such a thing?

‘Thanks. You didn’t have to wait for me. I told you I’d meet you there.’

Her words came out harsher than she’d meant them to, but she thought she’d have a few more minutes to prepare herself. Even if this wasn’t a date, it was the first time she’d been out alone with a man that wasn’t her husband. Eight years ago, as it wasn’t planned, there’d been no nerves or pressure. Back then he’d been so easy to talk to and the chemistry between them impossible to ignore but tonight, her stomach swarmed with butterflies.

‘Walking into a country pub alone can be daunting,’ he said.

Oh , that was so sweet. She couldn’t help smiling back. ‘I know how to look after myself, Mark.’

‘I’m sure you do, but the truth is, I wanted to make sure you didn’t stand me up again.’

‘I’m sorry,’ she said sheepishly.

He smiled—‘Water under the bridge’—then gestured to a white crew-cab ute parked alongside the lot. ‘Shall we walk or drive?’

When she hesitated, he added, ‘I promise I won’t try anything, and I’ll drive you back whenever you say the word.’

‘Okay. Thanks.’ She’d planned on walking herself, but that would add more time and she suspected Luna would be waiting up for her, so she didn’t want to waste the half an hour she was allowing herself.

On the very short journey down the road and onto the main street to a classically Aussie pub—dirty-cream bricks, red tin roof and verandahs along the front—Mark asked, ‘Do you pretend to fall off the highwire every night?’

Not wanting him to know how he’d affected her when she’d seen him in the audience again tonight, she’d made sure to repeat last night’s near slip. ‘Not every night, but the audience does like the drama, and we aim to please.’

‘Aren’t you scared of actually falling off and hurting yourself?’

‘You can’t allow fear to get a grip. Besides, I’ve had a lot of training. Walking on a rope isn’t much different for me than walking on rocky ground.’

He shook his head as if he didn’t believe her. ‘And you must be stronger than most footballers I know to be able to do what you did up on those silks.’

‘I’m pretty good in an arm wrestle,’ she admitted.

Was the air conditioning not working in his ute or was she simply glowing from his praise?

‘Is that a challenge?’ he asked as he parked in between two silver four-wheel drives.

She laughed, feeling her nerves vanish like a puff of smoke. He was just as easy to be with as he was all those years ago. ‘Are you game?’

‘Definitely.’ He jumped out of the ute and Gabi had barely unclicked her seatbelt before he was opening the passenger door for her.

‘Wow. I’ve read about creatures like you,’ she said as she climbed out.

‘What do you mean?’

‘Gentlemen. Men who hold doors open for women and things like that. I thought they were only in fiction.’

‘If that’s true, you clearly haven’t been treated the way you should be.’

Her heart squeezed at his words. Maybe not, but then again, maybe she hadn’t deserved to be. She hadn’t exactly been the best partner to Dante either.

‘Let’s go inside and finally get that drink,’ he added, closing the door behind her.

Although it was long past dinner time, there were still people sitting at the tables and a group playing pool in the corner. Mark nodded at two elderly couples who looked to be solving the problems of the world over red wine as he led her towards the bar. A scruffy-looking middle-aged man appeared to be propping it up, and behind it a man in his mid-thirties was pouring a beer next to a slightly younger woman who was drying glasses.

‘Second time lucky, hey?’ The scruffy guy addressed Mark and gave Gabi the once-over.

‘Evening, Rex,’ Mark said, his cheeks colouring a fraction.

‘Hey, Mark,’ said the woman with a smile. ‘And who is this lovely creature?’

He smiled back. ‘Hi, Henri. This is my friend, Gabriela. Gabriela, this is Henri; her family are local farmers. She came home for Christmas, got together with Liam.’ He gestured to the man who’d been pouring the beer and now had moved on to some kind of cocktail. ‘Then broke her foot so she wouldn’t have to go back to work.’

Henri rolled her eyes—‘Still full of shit, I see’—and then thrust her hand at Gabi. ‘Nice to meet you.’

Gabi noticed she wore a moonboot and there were crutches leaning against the bar. ‘You too. What was the job you couldn’t go back to?’

‘Henri’s an ag pilot,’ Liam said, notable pride in his voice.

‘Nowhere near as exciting as being with the circus, mind you. Now that’s what I call an interesting gig.’ She ditched the glass she was polishing and planted her elbows on the bar. ‘I want to hear all about it.’

Mark wrapped his arm around Gabi’s shoulder and pulled her to his side like he’d done for their selfie—once again, her insides buzzed at his touch. ‘No, no, no,’ he said. ‘All we require from you are drinks. What do you want, Gabriela?’

‘I’ll have a glass of white wine, please,’ she said, awkwardly shrugging out of his grip. She didn’t want to give him the wrong impression.

He nodded. ‘A glass of your finest for the lady and a pint for me.’ He lifted his phone to use the EFTPOS machine.

‘I’ll pay for mine,’ she said, but it was too late. The transaction had already gone through. Déjà vu.

‘You can get the next one.’

Gabi’s stomach flipped. ‘I thought we were only having one drink?’

He winked. ‘We’ll see.’

She couldn’t help but smile at his cockiness.

‘So, how d’you know this tosspot?’ Henri asked as Liam pulled the beer and she poured the wine.

‘We met in Melbourne, years ago,’ Gabi supplied.

Henri handed her the glass. ‘Well, if you want to know all the embarrassing stories about him, I’m your girl. Our mums are good friends, so we grew up together. I can also tell you how I used to whip his ar—’

‘Thanks for the drinks,’ Mark interrupted, glaring at Henri as he ushered Gabi away to the far corner of the pub.

‘That was a bit rude,’ she scolded.

‘Says the person who stood me up last night.’

Gabi blushed. ‘I said I was sorry; besides, Henri seems lovely, and I wanted to hear all the embarrassing stories.’

‘Anything you want to know, I’ll tell you myself,’ he said, putting his glass down on a table. ‘But I’m not sharing you with anyone tonight. We have a lot to catch up on.’