Page 11 of Her Dom's Secret Past

“These are only grays, you should see the big reds. They can stand over two meters.”

He gaped at me, stunned. “You’re joking?”

“Nope. They are huge. The front legs and upper body are enormous, and all muscle. Give you a run for your money.”

He laughed. “At the moment, even a dead snail could give me a run for my money. So these red kangaroos, are they around here?”

“No. You’d have to go out bush to see them in the wild, but I think theTarongaZoo in Sydney has some.”

“Out bush?”

“Way out of the city. They live inland.”

“Okay, I’ll have to hire you as my guide.”

Oh yeah! I’ll be in for that, for sure.

Thinking aboutRolly, I asked, “Have you ever seen a wombat?”

“A wombat? No, I’ve heard of them.”

“Well, in that case, you’re in for a treat if we’re lucky. There’s one that lives near this villa and he loves apples. Yesterday morning, he came and sat on me then ate my apple. Maybe when you’re up to it we could sit outside and crunch an apple or two.”

“He actually came to you?”

I laughed, remembering how he’d steamrolled himself onto my lap.

“Yes. I had no choice but to give him my apple, and he sat beside me and went to sleep after I rubbed his tummy.”

John looked excited as he said, “Well, in that case I’m definitely up for trying later today.”

“Great.”

“Not married, Anabelle?” he asked casually.

“Me? No.”

“Never met anyone you liked, or what?”

“Time was my problem, I think. I was learning the ropes, then I was trying to build up my business. Looking back, it seemed like I never had time to date much, and no, I never met anyone I’d like to spend my life with. What about you?”

“Never married.”

“Do you like living in Australia?”

“Don’t know yet. I only flew out to Australia the day before I came here. From what I’ve seen, I think I’m going to love it.”

“Gee, I didn’t realize you’d only been here a few days.”

“Yeah, stopped overnight in Sydney then flew toMoruyaAirport, picked up my hire car, and came down here to recuperate. I’ve got a house. Bought it while I was in England.”

“And you haven’t seen it yet?” I asked, surprised.

“Not yet, seen hundreds of photos. It appears amazing and exactly what I want. Lots of land, right on the river.”

“Lucky you. I live in an apartment. Don’t get me wrong. It’s nice, but it isn’t a house.”

“Yeah, know what you mean. I’ve lived in apartments most of my life.”