Outback Reunion (Bunyip Bay #6)

Chapter Twenty-two

‘What are you doing here?’ Gabi couldn’t help the skip in her heart as Mark strode across the lot towards her, Rookie dancing around on the leash like a string puppet on steroids.

When she’d woken up that morning, she’d been stupidly disappointed to find him gone. She’d thought she might feel awkward after their conversation last night, but instead, it felt like a weight had been lifted. She’d had the best night’s sleep in as long as she could remember.

He gestured to the makeshift washing line they’d strung up between two caravans where she was hanging up hers and Luna’s unmentionables. ‘Want any help with that?’

She snorted, then lowered her voice. ‘Are you sure you don’t just want to get your hands on my underwear?’

He smiled that smile. ‘It’s not your underwear I’m interested in, sweetheart.’

A warm glow spread through her at his provocative words. ‘Seriously, what are you doing here?’

Mark glanced around as Rookie tugged harder on the leash. ‘Where’s Luna? I brought her something.’

He held up a worn, obviously well-loved, red football that Gabi hadn’t even noticed until now. She’d been too busy trying not to drool at the sight of him in khaki shorts and an open-necked short-sleeved black shirt.

‘She’s in the shower, we just got back from the beach.’

At that moment, the door of their caravan flung open. ‘Rookie,’ Luna exclaimed as she burst through it, her hair sopping wet and definitely not combed through.

‘Did you wash your hair properly?’ Gabi asked, guessing she must have heard Mark and hurried.

Luna didn’t answer, instead dropping to the ground to snuggle the dog. You’d think four canines of her own would be enough, but the girl was dog-mad. Sensing they had competition, the others appeared from wherever they’d been lingering around the lot and sniffed at the new arrival.

‘How are you feeling today?’ Mark asked Luna, as he stooped to stroke Basset’s droopy ears. ‘All recovered from yesterday?’

‘Yep.’ She grinned. ‘Riding in the ambulance was awesome.’

Mark looked to Gabi, and she could tell he was trying not to laugh. ‘And you? Are you okay?’

She nodded and gave him a warm smile.

He smiled back. ‘While I’ve got you both, I wanted to invite you to a barbecue tomorrow.’

‘At your place?’ Gabi asked.

‘No. It’s at my friends’ farm—Ryan and Grant. Grant’s a school teacher and I... I think he’s going a bit stir-crazy not working, so he’s having a few friends around and I thought Luna might like it. Heidi will be there.’

‘Can we go? Can we go? Can we go?’ asked Luna, jumping up and down, startling the other dogs before they joined in as well.

Gabi wished he hadn’t asked in front of Luna. She hated to disappoint her. ‘We have a show tomorrow night, unfortunately.’

‘It’s a lunchtime barbecue,’ Mark said, winking at Luna.

‘You sure your friend won’t mind strangers coming along?’

‘Trust me, where Grant’s concerned... it’s the more the merrier. He heard I had friends in the circus and insisted I bring you both.’

She wasn’t entirely comfortable with the thought of socialising with strangers, but any time with Mark was a bonus, and at least she’d know Stella and Adam. Besides, Luna had been begging to see Heidi again. This would kill two birds with one stone. ‘Okay, then. Should I bring anything?’

‘I don’t think so,’ Mark said, ‘but speaking of bringing things...’ He held the football out to Luna. ‘I brought you this. You were so good with Jai’s yesterday that I thought you should have one of your own.’

‘Wow. Thank you!’ Luna threw her arms around Mark, her hands barely meeting at his back, before taking the ball.

He grinned. ‘You’re welcome, kiddo.’

‘Can you kick it with me?’

He glanced at the watch on his tanned wrist. Gabi liked that it was a good old-fashioned black sports watch—not a fancy ‘smart’ watch, or whatever they called them. Manly . ‘I think I can manage a few kicks.’

The basket of wet underwear abandoned, Gabi watched as Mark and Luna kicked the ball back and forth, the dogs running in and out of the action, except for Cruella who clearly thought such games beneath her.

‘I’ll see you both tomorrow,’ Mark said, when Luna had finally had enough. ‘Pick you up here about eleven?’

Gabi nodded, then Mark leaned close to her ear so only she could hear. ‘Will I see you tonight?’

His warm breath tickled the bare skin on her neck, and he may as well have whispered something wicked for the way her hormones reacted. She nodded, wishing they were alone so she could kiss him. So much for telling him they couldn’t continue their fling, but then again, the damage was done.

She may as well enjoy herself while she could.

‘I’ll come once Luna is asleep,’ she whispered. ‘Wait up.’

‘Don’t you worry. I will.’

Much later that night, when Luna’s breathing finally changed to indicate she was asleep, Gabi placed a delicate kiss on her forehead and then climbed out of bed. She pulled off the short PJs she’d put on earlier so Luna wouldn’t suspect anything and then threw on a dress she’d borrowed from Dalia Saad that afternoon. She’d already worn her faithful yellow sundress twice in Mark’s presence and wanted to make an effort, even if the dress would likely spend more time on his bedroom floor than on her.

Happy with her outfit and not wanting to waste any more time when she could be with him, she plucked a pen off the table and scribbled a quick note for Luna, on the off-chance that she woke up and found her gone.

Couldn’t sleep, so gone for a walk. Back soon, darling. If you need anything, go see Granny. Love Mum. xoxox

Then, putting the note on her own pillow next to Luna and telling Basset—who was snoring beside her—to take care of their girl, she slipped from the caravan, miraculously not waking Loud Mouth as she shut the door behind her.

The stars were bright in the sky and there were still a few lights on in caravans. She heard the scraping of cutlery on bowls as performers ate late dinners and was almost at her wagon when raised voices erupted from one of the staff trailers. It sounded like the Saad sisters were having another one of their heated arguments. These had been happening more frequently lately, ever since Jasmine had slept with a Globe of Death rider that Amina had her eye on, but Dalia, ever the peacekeeper, usually managed to get them to make up before it affected their performances.

Hopefully tonight, their loud shouts in Arabic would distract everyone from the noise of Gabi starting the wagon. Her pulse quickened as she reached for the door handle.

‘Where do you think you’re going?’

She jumped at the shrill but brittle voice and turned her head slowly to see the elderly woman stepping from behind the other side of the car. Was this what a heart attack felt like?

‘Muriel! You scared me half to death.’

Muriel’s unruly eyebrows lifted almost to the roots of her hair, which was pulled back in a tight, grey bun. ‘You’re not doing a midnight runner, are you?’

‘What? Of course not,’ Gabi spluttered, her heart rate slowly returning to normal. She may have contemplated it more than once, but it was nothing more than a fantasy. And as if she’d ever leave without Luna. ‘I’m just going to see a friend.’

‘What friend?’

Gabi swallowed, but before she could answer, Muriel barrelled on. ‘Is this the friend who was here the other day helping you with your car? The man who was lurking around like a bad smell this morning?’

Lurking? Gabi almost laughed. And bad smell ? Mark never smelled anything but delicious. ‘Yes. The friend who also saved your great-granddaughter from drowning yesterday.’

‘You think I came down in the last shower?’ Muriel made a sound similar to a horse snuffling. ‘Since when does one sneak out late at night to visit friends? You are off to sleep with that man.’ She jabbed her finger against Gabi’s chest. ‘What would your daughter think? What would Dante think?’

At the mention of Luna and Dante, something snapped inside her.

How dare Muriel treat her like a child! She was a grown-up, single woman for crying out loud and she shouldn’t have to explain herself to anyone. Especially not this woman. Whereas Eve and Lorenzo had always treated Gabi like one of the family, Muriel had never thought her good enough for her darling grandson.

Would she think differently if she knew the truth? Gabi wasn’t sure. Muriel was just as likely to make excuses for Dante or blame her for provoking him.

‘This has nothing to do with Luna or Dante. Or you for that matter! What I do with my life is no concern of yours.’

‘Of course it is.’ Spittle flew from Muriel’s mouth. Gabi stepped back and resisted the urge to wipe her face. ‘I see the way you look at each other. You’re falling in love with him, but you need to remember that Luna belongs in the circus. She’s our flesh and blood and if you try and take her away from us, you’ll lose. You’re nothing without us, Gabriela, remember that.’

Recalling Mark’s words last night, Gabi saw red. ‘I would never take Luna away from here, but you’re wrong about me. I don’t need you; I’m more than enough!’

Then, leaving the old witch to bluster, she climbed into her wagon and slammed the door. She had only a few more nights left to be with Mark, and she wasn’t going to let Muriel ruin any of them.

***

‘Mum? Can I ask you a question?’ asked Luna the following morning as Gabi was brushing Luna’s hair into a ponytail. They were getting ready for Mark’s friend’s barbecue.

‘Yes, sweetheart. You know you can ask me anything.’

‘Do you love Mark?’

‘What?’ Gabi almost dropped the brush. ‘Why would you think that?’ Had Muriel said something to Luna? She’d kill her if that were the case.

Luna shrugged. ‘No reason. I was just wondering.’

Gabi put down the brush and turned her daughter around to face her. ‘Mark and I are like Joey and Rachel from Friends . We just enjoy each other’s company.’

Luna frowned. ‘So we’re not going to leave the circus and stay here to live with Mark?’

‘No! Of course not.’ She pulled Luna against her and held her hard, not wanting her to feel unsettled. ‘If you don’t want to go to this barbecue, that’s okay. We don’t have to go.’

Luna pulled out of her embrace. ‘Of course I want to go!’ She screeched so loudly that Loud Mouth squawked from where he was perched on the kitchen tap.

‘My ears! My ears! My ears!’

‘Shut up!’ said Gabi and Luna in unison.

They both laughed, then Luna added, ‘I want to see Heidi. Mark said Heidi was going. And I want to swim in the pool, and I want to take my football and kick it around with him. Please say we can still go?’

‘Okay, okay, we’ll go.’ Gabi let out a bemused chuckle; sometimes it felt like she didn’t understand Luna at all. ‘You better let me finish your hair then.’