Page 99 of Outback Secrets

Had Max been her hero too? Liam desperately wanted to ask who Max was, but now was hardly the time or the place. If this Max bloke was important enough for Monty to mention, talking about him might upset Henri. Still, as he went back behind the bar and poured another pint for Rex, he found the mysterious man was all he could think about.

Max. Max. Max.Who the hell was Max?

He racked his mind trying to think of all the Maxes in Bunyip Bay and could only come up with two: one of the Poker Pensioners was Max, and Sara and Jake McDonald had recently had a baby they’d called Maxwell, but neither of them were likely contenders.

‘Thanks, Liam,’ Ruby said as he handed her a glass of prosecco.

He contemplated asking if she knew Henri’s Max, but then again, she’d only been in town a couple of years herself and the way Monty had spoken, Max and Henri were a while before that.

‘No worries. Drew working tonight?’ he asked.

She nodded glumly. ‘Highway patrol. Again. He says it’s starting to get crazy out there with people travelling for Christmas.’

Liam offered her a sympathetic smile. ‘And how’s your mum doing?’ Lyn had been diagnosed with Motor Neurone disease a couple of years back and was currently touring Australia with Ruby’s dad, Rob.

Ruby sighed and looked morosely into her glass. ‘Rapidly deteriorating unfortunately. She and Dad will be home early in the new year. He’s going to need me and Drew to help look after her from now on, I think.’

‘I’m sorry to hear that.’ It was a miracle Lyn had managed to go on as long as she had. ‘Let me know if there’s anything I can do to help. Anything.’

He wholeheartedly meant it but didn’t actually register Ruby’s reply as the sight of Henri shuffling towards them on her crutches distracted him.

‘What are you doing?’ he asked, rushing around the bar to help her. Although she’d insisted he bring her crutches downstairs so she wouldn’t be a nuisance that didn’t mean he expected her to use them. He knew how important her recovery was for starting her next contract and he didn’t want her to do anything to hinder that.

‘Coming to get my medicine,’ she replied.

‘Ah sorry, I completely forgot.’

‘It’s fine. As much as I enjoy your Florence Nightingale routine when we’re alone …’ Her suggestive smile made him gulp. ‘I can fly a plane, so I think I can manage crutches.’

He leaned in close. ‘Ah yes, but maybe I like carrying you.’

She winked. ‘Only one place I want you to carry me right now. How long till you can get rid of all these people?’

‘Too long,’ he sighed, glancing again at his watch. ‘Start praying for a fire or an earthquake or something?’

‘I’ll pray for a fire and an earthquake and something else.’

Although Liam let Henri make her own way to the bar, he waited until she’d rested her crutches against it and safely manoeuvred herself onto a stool before he returned behind and poured her pint.

‘You did a fabulous job with the Christmas Tree this arvo,’ Henri said as Ruby turned to go.

‘Thanks. I’m just glad it’s over. I’m knackered. In fact, I think I’m going to drink this and call it a night. Do you want me to carry your drink back to the table first, Henri?’

She shook her head. ‘Nah, thanks, but I think I’ll sit here for a while and keep Liam company.’

‘Well, see you guys later then.’

‘Bye,’ they said in unison as Ruby departed.

When Henri lifted her glass, Liam checked to see whether anyone was listening before leaning in a little closer, just in case. ‘Who’s Max?’

Her mouth fell open and her hand froze midair. ‘Who told you about … about Max?’

‘Monty mentioned him. He sounds like someone who had a big impact on your life.’

She shook her head. ‘Not really. He’s no one important.’

But the way her nostrils flared slightly and her gaze didn’t quite meet his told him otherwise. ‘If he’s not important, you won’t mind telling me about him?’