Page 31 of Outback Secrets

‘Crafting? You!’

‘I know, I know. Don’t worry, I’m not doing that much. I’ve helped her make a few Christmas gifts but mostly I’ve been working with the boys on the farm. So, what’s new with you?’

‘Well, I’m about to put the café up for sale.’

‘What? You serious?’ The café was Frankie’s pride and joy, although she had recently bought another one in Geraldton because she and Logan planned to settle there.

‘I’d hoped to keep both, but as you know we’ve been dividing our time between here and there, but we’ve realised it’s just not realistic. With Logan’s deteriorating eyesight, he can’t drive at night and it’s becoming a bit too much.’

‘I’m sorry,’ Henri said, unable to imagine how she’d feel in Logan’s shoes. Just before he and Frankie started dating, he’d been diagnosed with a medical issue, which meant he was slowly going blind.

‘Thanks. He’s got a great attitude and doesn’t let it get to him too much, but there are moments, and … we do have to make some adjustments. Besides, after the wedding we want to have a baby, so the sale and the move just makes sense.’

‘A baby. Wow. So very grown up,’ Henri teased just as Liam appeared to deliver two massive burgers with a side of fries to the table.

‘Thank you,’ they said in unison.

‘You’re welcome,’ he replied, brushing a hand over Henri’s shoulder as he departed. The skin beneath his touch tingled and she felt the effects all over her body.

She looked up to see Frankie frowning at her. ‘You still planning to leave again after Christmas?’

Henri nodded. ‘Of course, but don’t tell Mum.’

‘Won’t you miss him?’

‘I’ll miss some things,’ Henri said, playing the game. ‘But, Frank, we’ve only just got together. Who knows what will happen?’

‘Eileen said you told her you were crazy about Liam?’

Henri rolled her eyes, while silently berating her loose tongue. ‘You know she has a habit of over-exaggerating.’

Frankie laughed. ‘Too true. You better come back for the wedding though.’

‘You know I wouldn’t miss that for the world. I’ll be back in Australia after my Canada contract by then.’ She was thinking positively, hoping that she’d have actually made it into an aircraft at all. ‘And I’ve already given my boss the heads-up that I’ll need some time off.’

After that, they ate and talked about Frankie and Logan’s wedding plans. Although such things weren’t among Henri’s favourite topics of conversation, it was different when it was her best friend. She couldn’t help but catch some of Frankie’s enthusiasm.

Somehow Henri’s little flying problem never came up and she was having so much fun that she didn’t want to put a dampener on the evening by talking about it. Not yet.

Eventually, Liam called last drinks and Henri couldn’t believe how late it was.

She hugged Frankie goodbye and, ignoring the tightness in her stomach, crossed back to the bar. Sexy Rexy had long gone, but the hi-vis guys were still throwing back beers and balls at the pool table.

‘Good night?’ Liam asked as Henri approached.

She opened her mouth to reply but yawned instead, the events of the day finally catching up with her.

‘You know, you don’t need to hang down here and wait for me,’ he said as he wiped a cloth over the bar. ‘I’ll still be a while. You can get settled upstairs if you’d prefer.’

‘Okay, thanks.’ Henri jumped at the chance. ‘If you’re sure.’

As easy as Liam was to talk to down here, she was already anticipating the awkwardness of the two of them alone in his apartment. Better if she was tucked up in bed by the time he joined her upstairs.

Guilt again squeezed her at the thought of taking his bed. The guy was already doing her favour enough.

‘Are you sure I can’t sleep on the couch?’

‘Don’t even think about it,’ he said, pulling a key from his pocket and pressing it into the palm of her hand. ‘I’ll only carry you to bed if I find you there.’