Outback Reunion (Bunyip Bay #6)

Chapter Sixteen

Just after eight o’clock the next morning, Luna burst into the caravan. ‘Mark’s here,’ she exclaimed, bouncing up and down on her toes. She was already in her bathers, the snorkel her grandma had bought her on her head. ‘Can he come to the beach with us?’

Gabi sat up in bed. Usually, she was long awake by this time, but after a third night in a row tossing and turning until the early hours, she’d overslept. ‘Already?! Where is he?’

‘Outside. I told him I had to make sure you were dressed before he could come in.’

Thank the lord. Gabi scrambled out of bed and looked around for some shorts to pull on. Not that it really mattered—Mark had not only seen every inch of her naked body but pretty much touched and tasted it all as well. She shivered at the recollection; her body still not recovered from his magic caresses.

‘Do not let him inside! I’ll be out in a moment.’

‘Okay.’ Luna shrugged then disappeared again, closing the caravan door behind her.

Gabi fled into the bathroom, ran a brush through her hair, splashed water onto her face and wept at the sight before her in the mirror. Once upon a time she could get only a few hours’ sleep and still wake up looking fresh faced, but those days were long gone. After the year she’d had, she needed a full eight hours to scrape by. But she didn’t have time for a shower or to make herself look properly presentable, because a strange guy on the lot would garner the attention of everyone, and she didn’t want Mark being grilled about how they knew each other, or worse, how her car had ended up stranded on his farm.

Luna might have bought her story about visiting an old friend, but she doubted anyone else would, and they’d all be curious about the man who’d lured Dante’s wife out of her apparent mourning.

Cringing, she tugged her hair up into a high ponytail and threw on a t-shirt, along with some shorts and thongs.

What did it matter what she looked like anyway? She wasn’t trying to impress Mark; they’d already had their one night. She wasn’t even supposed to see him again. Last night was meant to give them closure, but her stupid car had ruined everything.

Okay, not exactly her car. It wasn’t the car’s fault she hadn’t told him about Luna. Why hadn’t she told him? It didn’t make sense. She wasn’t ashamed of Luna. But whatever her stupid reasons, she knew Mark had jumped to his own conclusions, and only hoped he’d have the good sense not to confront her about his suspicions in front of anyone else.

Just because Eve had guessed about their prior liaison didn’t mean she wanted everyone knowing her business.

‘Mum! Are you coming?’

Gabi jumped at the sound of her daughter’s voice just outside the caravan. ‘Yes,’ she shouted, then took a long, slow breath before heading out.

Loud Mouth squawked from his night cage, wanting to be let out, but she ignored the bird, her attention focused on what was going on only a few metres away.

Her heart skipped a beat at the sight of her gorgeous two-night stand surrounded by her mother-in-law, grandmother-in-law and half a dozen of her colleagues, including the Dangerous Duo and the Saad sisters, the latter three who were flapping around him like moths at a flame. Amina Saad—looking immaculate as usual—twisted her long, dark hair round her index finger as she leaned far too close to Mark as she spoke.

Jealousy flared in Gabi’s chest like heartburn, and she had a good mind to march right over there and shove Amina out of his way. To take Mark’s hand and put her lips on his, to brand him as hers. But he wasn’t hers and she couldn’t blame the other woman. What single woman wouldn’t want to flirt with Mark? Unlike Gabi, he didn’t look like he’d had any trouble sleeping. He looked fresh faced and absolutely freaking fantastic, his tan glowing in the morning sun.

Just like a model on a Hot Farmers calendar.

Whatever month he was, she’d keep him up all year round.

As if he sensed her gaze, he glanced past the little posse and they locked eyes. Although Gabi couldn’t quite read his expression—was he happy to see her or still pissed off that she’d lied by omission?—she sucked in a breath and almost stumbled.

Never before had she gone weak at the knees from just one look. No wonder she lost her head around him.

‘You’re here early,’ she said, already on the defensive as she closed the distance between herself, Mark and their captive audience.

‘The early bird catches the worm,’ he replied. ‘Besides, I didn’t know when you needed your car and didn’t want to keep you waiting.’

‘Thank you,’ she managed. ‘Has Luna introduced you to everyone?’

‘Oh, we’ve been introduced, haven’t we, Mark?’ purred Amina, leaning in close and squeezing his biceps as if they were old friends.

Gabi wanted to throttle her but luckily Muriel interrupted, her hands perched on her hips as she barked, ‘What happened to your car?’

Gabi swallowed. If anyone could see through her lies it was Dante’s grandmother, but what she was about to say wasn’t a total lie. ‘Um... it broke down near Mark’s place when I was driving back from dropping Luna at her friend’s house last night.’

‘I thought you said you went to visit him on your way home,’ Luna said, perching her hands on her hips exactly like her grandmother and narrowing her eyes.

Oh shit. Gabi was too exhausted to keep up with her lies. ‘I meant it broke down at Mark’s.’

Muriel raised her wiry, white-grey eyebrows and opened her mouth again, but Mark rode right over the top of her. ‘I’ve already picked up the new battery from the local mechanic, but if now’s not a good time... I can come back later.’

‘No, now’s the perfect time,’ Gabi said, desperate to get him away from the circus. She didn’t like her worlds colliding.

His smile didn’t quite meet his eyes as it had the day before when she’d showed up at his place. ‘Okay. Great.’

‘Don’t you want to have a look around the lot first?’ Luna asked.

Mark’s brow creased. ‘What’s the lot?’

Luna giggled and waved her hand around them like a model on a game show. ‘This. It’s what we call wherever we’re staying—you know, where we pitch the tents and park our caravans.’

‘I’m sure Mark doesn’t have time to waste. Farmers are very busy,’ Gabi said at the same time as he replied, ‘That sounds awesome. Lead the way.’

Gabi’s chest tightened as she watched Luna take his hand and lead him towards their caravan, her four dogs trotting along behind them. She couldn’t remember the last time her daughter had willingly taken her hand.

Eve raised her eyebrows and smirked at Gabi. ‘Guess you took my advice?’

Heat rushed to her cheeks.

‘What advice?’ asked Muriel, her eyes narrowing as she watched Luna and Mark disappear inside the caravan.

‘Nothing for you to worry about,’ Eve said, then looked back to Gabi. ‘Hope you got what you needed before Little Miss put a stop to it.’

Gabi couldn’t bring herself to reply, instead jogging away to catch up with Luna and Mark, praying she hadn’t left anything embarrassing lying around inside.

‘Let me out, let me out, let me out,’ screeched Loud Mouth as she stepped past his cage and into the caravan.

‘And this is where we eat dinner. And that’s where we sleep. The couch also turns into a single bed but...’ Luna paused a moment and blinked—Gabi knew she was fighting tears. ‘Since Dad died, I’ve mostly slept with Mum.’

‘I’m really sorry for your loss.’ Mark looked large and awkward in their tiny home, even smaller because all four of Luna’s dogs had joined them, sniffing around his legs, no doubt smelling Rookie on him.

Luna sniffed. ‘Thanks. We miss him so much, don’t we, Mummy?’

Gabi nodded, guilt stabbing her right in the heart.

After the tour of the caravan, Luna led them back outside and left no stone unturned as she showed Mark the other trailers with their bunk rooms, the fenced-off area where the camels were grazing, the dog cages, and then led them inside the Big Top, where the Saad sisters had just begun practising their contortion routine. She described every last piece of equipment in the tent as if she were a mini real estate agent trying to sell Mark the circus, but he appeared to be hanging on her every word.

‘How long does it take you to put the tent up and down?’ he asked.

‘That depends what time we get to our new place. But usually about two days; isn’t that right, Mum?’

Gabi nodded.

‘First the tent boys have to dig the holes for the king poles,’ Luna said, pointing to the two massive poles that held up the skins in the middle. ‘And the pegs for the outside of the tent. Putting up of the Big Top takes a long time and then the next day we do all the inside stuff, like the seating and flooring. It’s my job to help make the ring look pretty.’

‘Sounds like a lot of hard work,’ Mark said.

‘You have no idea. And sometimes we even do a show that night.’

‘Wow, that’s impressive.’ He smiled at Luna, who sounded so earnest. ‘And I thought farmers worked hard.’

Heat flushed through Gabi’s body as she thought about exactly how hard he’d worked last night.

‘I think that’s enough now, Luna.’ Every moment near him when she couldn’t touch him felt like torture. ‘Mark’s a busy guy, and he’s generously given up his time to come help us, but we shouldn’t take advantage of that. I’m going to head out to his farm with him to collect the car now, but I shouldn’t be long. Can you do your morning chores, please?’

‘ Aw , why can’t I come with you to the farm?’ Luna asked, looking to Mark rather than Gabi. ‘I wanna meet Rookie.’

He immediately glanced over to her. ‘That’s up to your mum.’ They exchanged a look that said a thousand words. Mark wanted to talk to her alone, but having Luna along as chaperone might be a good idea. She couldn’t give in to her stupid hormones and their desire to jump his bones again if her daughter was around.

Then again, she owed him an explanation.

‘Not today, Luna.’ Not ever. ‘I’ll be quick. Now please, go do your chores and if you get them all done, we’ll go to the beach as soon as I get back.’

‘Bye, Mark,’ Luna said, ignoring Gabi as she stamped off through the back of the tent.

‘She’s quite the little firecracker,’ Mark said, looking Gabi right in the eyes. It was the same look he’d given her when they were both naked and he was on top of her.

She swallowed. Why did the mammoth tent suddenly feel tiny? ‘She certainly keeps me on my toes. Now, shall we go?’

He nodded and gestured for her to lead the way. It felt like the walk of shame as they marched through the lot, her fellow performers watching knowingly as they headed for his Cruiser, which was parked just outside the temporary perimeter.

What must they think of her hooking up with someone so soon after Dante’s death?

Instead of getting in the driver’s side, Mark went around to the passenger door and opened it for her. Ever the gentleman, once again, his hand brushed against her back as he helped her into her seat. She sucked in a breath. How could something that was barely a touch feel so freaking good? And more to the point, how had she ever thought that sleeping with him one more time—or more accurately a few—would ever be enough?

She should never have given in to the urge to go see him last night. Saying goodbye again was going to be even harder now.

As he shut her door, her eyes prickled with tears and she tried to remind herself that even if it were possible, even if he wanted another relationship—which he’d been clear he didn’t—she didn’t want one. Her newfound freedom tasted far too good.

Mark frowned as he slid into the driver’s seat and clocked her expression. ‘You okay?’

‘Yes. No. I don’t know,’ she said as she clicked her seatbelt on. ‘Last night was... it was a lot.’

He started the engine but didn’t drive off. ‘Are you sure that’s all it is?’

Gabi’s insides squeezed as she looked at him. ‘I know what you’re thinking, Mark.’

‘Luna’s mine, isn’t she?’ His voice sounded raw, almost hopeful, or maybe she was projecting because a small part of her wished her daughter was his.

All she could do was shake her head.

‘But...’ He frowned. ‘Are you sure ? The timing seems right, and she even looks a bit like me. We’ve got the same nose.’

‘Yes, I’m sure.’ Emotion flooded her throat and tears threatened again. ‘When I found out I was pregnant, I was overjoyed. It was a surprise, but I knew immediately I wanted it. The thought of finally having someone in my life who was my own flesh and blood felt like a gift, but I knew there was a chance the baby could be yours. It seemed more likely that Dante was the father—I’d only slept with you once—but I couldn’t handle the guilt, so eventually I came clean to him.’

He blinked. ‘What did he say?’

‘He was upset. Obviously. He asked me whether I wanted to be with him or with you. He said he loved me, and he wanted to make us work but he wouldn’t stand in my way if I wanted to leave.’

‘Wow—he sounds like a saint. And clearly you decided you didn’t?’

‘I was nineteen years old with no friends or family outside the circus, barely a cent to my own name and no skills that would be useful anywhere else. If I left him, my baby and I might have ended up on the street—just like my mother—and I couldn’t risk that for a crazy-hot one-night stand.’

His lips twisted a little at that. ‘It was crazy-hot, wasn’t it?’

She nodded, her mouth suddenly dry. ‘He told me that whether the baby was biologically his or not, he’d stand by me—by us—and be its father in every way that mattered. We told Lorenzo and Eve and the rest of the circus that we were having a baby, never once mentioning that there was a possibility the child might not be his.’

At the time, it had irked her because Dante almost made it sound like the baby was more his than hers, but she told herself she should be grateful for his forgiveness. That she was lucky to have such a good man standing by her, which was more than she deserved.

‘Hang on,’ Mark said, his expression turning serious again. ‘Do you actually know Dante is her father or did you just—’

‘We had a paternity test done just after she was born. Or rather Dante did. I didn’t know about it until the result came back. He ordered some online kit, and he swabbed her himself and sent it off. So that was that. We never spoke of you or our night again.’

He let out a long, loud breath, then asked, ‘What would you have done if you’d found out Luna was mine? Would you have stayed with him?’

Gabi had often pondered this exact question, or variations of it. At times when things were tense between herself and Dante, she’d sometimes fantasised about what might have happened if she hadn’t run from Mark’s apartment that night. Instead of going back to the lot and slipping back into bed with Dante, what if she’d been brave enough that night to just walk away? To see if she could make a life outside the circus?

Maybe she would have hated it... or maybe she’d have thrived.

But she would never know what kind of life she and Luna could be living now. Where they might be and who they might be with. It was futile playing the what-if game.

‘I don’t know,’ she replied eventually. ‘The circus is all I’ve ever known, Mark, and although we had a wonderful night together, it was only one night. I didn’t know you at all. And you were at the start of your career. I didn’t know whether you’d have wanted a baby. I didn’t know how to contact you. I didn’t even know your full name! I had nothing; no money, and no means to earn it outside of the circus. Dante was familiar, whereas you and the outside world were scary and unknown.’

He nodded, finally moving out of the carpark. ‘I still don’t get it, though. If she isn’t mine, why didn’t you tell me about her?’