Page 137 of Outback Secrets

In between other pursuits, they’d spent the morning working out logistics. They weren’t silly enough to think this was going to be easy, but where there was a will there was a way and Liam had never wanted anything in his life to work more.

‘Aw, isn’t that sweet?’ Tilley said, pressing her hand against her chest. ‘They’re already finishing each other’s sentences.’

‘It’s very sweet,’ Fiona agreed, her eyes gleaming as she grinned at them, ‘but if we don’t eat soon, the lunch will be ruined.’

Liam noticed that while he’d been gaping at Henri in the dress, the long table had filled with food, almost like a miracle.

The kids were summoned, and everyone took their places—Fiona Forward at one end, the other empty in respect to the absent but much-loved Fred. The rest of the adults sat along each side and the children at their own table nearby, all except Joe, who sat in a highchair between Hannah and Callum, banging a spoon on the tray.

‘Can you say grace please, Andrew?’ Fiona asked, and everyone reached for each other’s hands and closed their eyes as Henri’s brother began.

Liam felt Henri’s eyes on him and opened his to find her looking at him. She leaned in close and whispered, ‘You sure you’re okay?’

He nodded. His anxiety had completely evaporated the moment she walked out in that dress. It was impossible to have any dark thoughts with her sitting beside him wearing it.

Finally it was time to eat. In addition to the turkey and roasted vegetables, there was a leg of ham, prawns, potato bake and at least four different types of salads. Henri hadn’t been kidding when she said her mom went all out. The only things missing were a green bean casserole and a yam and marshmallow one, but this was an Aussie Christmas not a Silver Ridge one.

He only allowed himself a moment’s reflection before picking up his cutlery and getting stuck in.

Life might not have turned out the way Liam imagined—he’d never get over the brutal loss of his family—but maybe it was finally going to be another kind of good. Although it was Christmas not Thanksgiving, he sent up a silent prayer, thanking the powers that be for gifting him Henri.

He couldn’t imagine another present that could ever top that.