Page 136 of Outback Secrets

They climbed out of the ute and almost got ambushed by Nerf guns as they headed through the garden gate.

Henri gasped and pulled him back out of the way as a line of kids ran past them. ‘Oh my God, I’m so sorry,’ she said, her face pale, as she surveyed the tiny foam bullets scattered all over Fiona’s usually immaculate garden. ‘I’ll get them to stop. They can play with something else.’

‘No! Don’t. I’m fine,’ Liam assured her. If he was honest, the sight was a little triggering, but he didn’t want his issues to affect some innocent little kids enjoying themselves. ‘Really. They’re just toys. Don’t ruin their fun.’

And the sight was pretty amusing. He couldn’t help chuckling as the very smallest child—who was maybe too little to join in—toddled along behind the others, collecting them all up. At least he was trying, but his hands were so tiny he could only hold a few before he dropped them again.

Henri finally smiled. ‘That’s Joe. Callum and Hannah’s youngest. Don’t tell anyone, but he’s my favourite.’

‘I don’t blame you. That’s one pretty cute kid.’

As predicted, none of the children appeared particularly interested in their arrival and so, hand in hand, they continued on towards the house.

‘Wow,’ Liam said as they stepped up onto the verandah and his gaze fell upon a ridiculously long table, with a smaller one off to the side. The chairs around it didn’t all match but aside from that, it looked like something out of a movie or a magazine. White tablecloth, gold runner down the middle, red and green cloth napkins, cutlery wrapped in ribbon, festive-patterned plates, Christmas crackers, glittery glassware and vases filled with native flowers from the garden. And this was only the beginning.

‘Did I forget to tell you Mum goes all out?’ There was a twinkle in Henri’s voice as she squeezed his hand. ‘If you think this looks good, wait until you taste the food.’

At that moment, the screen door opened and Callum and Andrew emerged from inside. They both wore shirts that looked as if Hawaii and the North Pole had had a love child. Maybe next year, Liam would get one too.

‘What took you guys so long?’ asked Andrew.

‘Mum’s stressing about the turkey getting overcooked,’ added Callum. ‘She was about to send out a search party.’

‘Liam was finishing Mum’s present,’ Henri told them. ‘It far surpasses anything you two idiots could have got her.’

They exchanged a look with each other.

‘Of course, you have no idea what you got her because Hannah and Janai handled that for you.’ Henri shook her head. ‘Hopeless, absolutely hopeless. Anyway, will you guys look after Liam while I go and get changed. Promised Mum I’d wear a dress today.’

‘Sure,’ Callum said, raising his can of Coke. ‘Can I get you a drink, mate?’

‘Mum won’t let us crack the beer open until we sit down to lunch,’ Andrew apologised.

‘A Coke would be great,’ Liam replied as Henri kissed him on the cheek before disappearing into the house.

He endured a few awkward minutes while Andrew and Callum got all big brotherly and grilled Liam on his intentions towards Henri before she emerged again, this time with the other adults in tow. Not that he really saw any of them.

‘Jesus,’ he hissed as he drank in the sight of Henri.

He loved her in her usual shorts and T-shirt, he loved her in her swimsuit, he loved her when she wasn’t wearing anything at all. But the sight of Henri in a hot pink, sleeveless dress that hugged her curves and finished just above her knees did insane things to his insides.

If they weren’t surrounded by her family, he’d have marched right across to her and taken it off.

‘We don’t take the Lord’s name in vain around here,’ said Henri’s mother, before turning back to smile at her daughter. ‘See what happens when you wear a dress.’

Henri grinned and did a little twirl.

‘Sorry, Fiona,’ Liam said, not feeling sorry in the slightest.

She stepped up and gave him a hug. ‘You’re forgiven, but don’t made a habit of it. Merry Christmas.’

‘Merry Christmas to you too. Thanks for having me.’

‘So, how’s this actually going to work between you two?’ Tilley asked after Liam had been welcomed by everyone else.

‘Well,’ Henri looked to him, ‘I’m going to make sure I fly home between contracts …’

‘And I’m going to take time off to go see her when I can as well.’