Page 204 of Crossed Wires: The Complete Series

Puzzled confusion flittered across Marc’s face. He frowned at the paper, scanning the print on the two pages open to him.

And then snapped his stare back to Keith’s face. “Are you kidding?”

Keith scowled again. “Tell me what other option there is?”

Marc gaped at him, dropped his stare to the paper and then returned it to Keith. “Position Vacant ads? In the fucking city?”

A tight sigh scraped past Keith’s lips. “Sydney, Newcastle. Hell, I’ll even settle on Tamworth. I checked on the Department of Education’s website this morning. Harper’s American teaching qualifications mean she can teach in New South Wales after completing one year of a bachelor of arts in education. I figure I’ll earn a living while she studies.”

“And me?” Marc’s expression was unreadable. “Where do I fit into this grand plan of yours?”

Keith snorted. “You’re the house husband, dickhead. You know I can’t cook to save myself.”

Marc didn’t rise to the jest. He narrowed his eyes. “You talk to Harper about this? And when did you go to the bloody Department of Education’s website? You were still asleep when I got up this morning. Both you and Harper.”

“I was up at four. And no, I haven’t. I’m just…” Keith’s voice faded away. He was what? He didn’t know. All he knew was he didn’t want to lose what he and Marc and Harper had. He didn’t know if a happy ever after was possible with the three of them, but he wanted to give it a try. And the only way to do that was to leave Farpoint.

Which he didn’t want to do at all.

On the other side of the table, Marc sighed. Reaching up, he removed his hat, threw it on the table and raked his fingers through his hair. “Bloody hell, Blue. This is…”

It was Marc’s turn to fade off.

Keith chuckled, a dry, hollow laugh. “Insane? Insane is not seeing if what we have with Harper can work.”

Marc let out another sigh. “True. So, when are you going to tell her what you’re thinking? And what are you going to do if she doesn’t agree to it?”

Keith was saved from thinking about the answer by the arrival of Legs. The young jackaroo ran up to the table, his hat flopping about his head, his face bright red from his first real day on the job. “Thomo, Blue, the boss wants you both up at the main house.”

“Which boss?” Marc asked.

“Mr. Sullivan.”

Keith frowned. “Did he say why?”

The teenager shook his head.

Keith’s gut clenched. He returned his attention to Marc, picking up his friend’s hat and passing it to him. “C’mon, mate. Let’s go.”

The walk there was silent. Keith knew Marc was digesting the situation with Harper. Hell,hewas digesting it. He knew moving to the big smoke wasn’t a perfect solution, but there wasn’t one, save staying here on Farpoint. And as soon as Amy returned next week, Harper’s teaching position was gone.

Which brought him back to moving away from Farpoint.

Which bloody well tore his heart out.

“Whose stupid idea was it to fall in love with a bloody American?” he muttered.

“What?” Marc frowned at him.

“Heads-up, Blue,” a man shouted.

Keith turned toward Hunter, watching their boss stride toward them from the homestead. “What’s up, boss?”

Hunter pointed over Keith’s shoulder. “We’ve got a visitor.”

Keith twisted about, watching the Farpoint communal ute slow to a halt a few meters behind him. “Who’s?—”

He didn’t get a chance to finish. The passenger door flung open and out stepped Amy.