Page 9 of Outback Secrets

‘Nothing boring about radio—you should hear some of the people who call in. But wouldn’t you guys like to see something in the local rag besides cricket scores, petty crimes and notices of the upcoming AGM?’

They all agreed it would be a nice change.

‘Can I get anyone any refills?’ Liam asked.

Henri nodded. ‘Yes, another Guinness please.’

Everyone gave their orders and Liam retreated to the bar.

‘You know, if this guy’s—I mean person’s—identity is revealed, they might put an end to the good deeds,’ Drew said as Liam retreated to get their drinks.

‘But the donations keep getting more and more outrageous,’ Frankie said with a shrug. ‘Maybe they want to be outed?’

‘I am curious about why whoever it is does it,’ Logan admitted. ‘And where they got all their money from.’ He looked to Drew. ‘Shouldn’t you be a little interested as well? I mean, what if it’s dirty money?’

Drew snorted and shook his head. ‘You journos have vivid imaginations. Why don’t you stick to radio and writing up missing cat notices in the Bunyip News. I’ll stick to fighting the bad guys.’

‘Why do you care so much about me finding out?’ Logan teased. ‘You got something to hide? Didn’t the benefactor give Ruby a whole load of money for new horses a couple of years back?’

‘Hah,’ Ruby said, ‘if you’re asking if Drew is the mysterious benefactor, then that would be mega news to me. And I’d be very disappointed that he hasn’t forked out for the kitchen renovation I’m desperate for.’

‘If you’re such a good researcher,’ Drew added, and Henri couldn’t tell whether he was amused or pissed off, ‘then you’d know that the random acts began long before I arrived in the Bay.’

She grinned as the discussion heated up and people either sided with Logan or Drew. But just when it was really starting to get interesting, Frankie put a stop to it, very obviously changing the topic of conversation.

‘So, Henri,’ she said loudly after Liam had delivered the next round of drinks, ‘tell us what you’ve been up to. Any exciting stories from the sky?’

Exciting stories?Henri’s stomach tightened and she reached for the comfort of her glass. ‘Um … not really. I was mustering up north until November. Before that I was in Quebec spraying budworms.’

‘Where are you off to next?’ Logan wanted to know.

‘I’ve got a fire contract starting up down south just after Christmas and then later in the year I’m heading over to Canada again.’ At least she hoped she was.

‘Wow,’ Ruby said, ‘you certainly get around. Don’t you ever get sick of living out of a suitcase?’

‘Not really. You get used to travelling light.’

‘And do you get much chance for romance on the road, or rather in the air?’ Grant asked, his arm wrapped around Ryan’s shoulder.

Henri chose to ignore the question, taking a large gulp of her Guinness instead. There hadn’t been what she’d call ‘romance’ in years, but people still insisted on asking and it really got her goat. She was fairly certain single men didn’t get asked this question so much.

At the other end of the table, Tilley laughed. ‘Romance? Much to Mum’s disgust, Henri doesn’t know the meaning of the word.’

‘My lifestyle isn’t really conducive to a relationship,’ Henri explained, annoyed that she felt she had to. ‘And I’m not really the settling-down type anyway.’

‘Don’t you want to have babies?’ Stella asked, looking at Henri as if she had reindeer antlers growing out of her head.

Henri didn’t want to offend the pregnant woman—not that anyone seemed to be worried about offending her! The last week at home with her mother, sometimes she’d felt like she was living in a Jane Austen novel where all anyone cared about was marrying people off. And procreating. She’d hoped for a reprieve from that tonight.

‘Nieces and nephews are quite enough for me,’ she said finally.

‘What about sex?’ This from Tilley, but everyone leaned forward a little, their eyes twinkling with interest.

She shot her sister a warning glare. ‘I’m not a nun, if that’s what you’re asking.’

It might have been years since her last serious relationship, but she knew how and where to find someone to scratch the itch when the need arose. And she had a very good vibrator when the available talent didn’t take her fancy.

‘Yeah, from what she tells me, Henri does okay in that department,’ Frankie said with a knowing wink and Henri could have hugged her.