Page 88 of Finding Forgiveness

“I’m sorry,” she says. “These pregnancy hormones are playing havoc with me.”

Mason places his closed fist against his mouth and coughs, so I give him a dirty look. “I hope you washed your hands,” I bite.

My father clears his throat. “Would you like me to carve the chickens?” he asks.

“Please,” I reply. “But I have a few words to say first.”

“Go ahead, Son.”

I reach for Cassie’s hand under the table and lace my fingers through hers. “I’d just like to say a special thanks to Henry and Henrietta.”

“Who’s Henry and Henrietta?” Jacinta asks. Cassie points to the chickens with her free hand and Jaz’s eyes widen. “You knew them personally?”

“No.”

“Are they from Martha’s?”

“Woolworths,” Cassie says.

“Can I finish?” When my sister nods, I continue. “They lived a long and happy life on the farm … they spent their days frolicking in the sun, pecking for food and scratching around in the dirt. At night they’d snuggle up together, safe and cosy in their coop … we appreciate the sacrifice they made for us tonight.”

Mason throws his head back and laughs. “How much did you two have to drink before we got here?”

“Rude much,” Cassie mumbles before tightening her grip on my hand. “That was beautiful, Con,” she says, looking over at me and smiling. “Thank you. Henry and Henrietta would’ve appreciated it.”

I’ll be the first to admit what I just said was a dumb, stupid and completely ridiculous thing, but I did it for Cass and her alone. Some may say she’s a little wacky—I prefer unconventional—but her quirks are just one of the many things I love about this woman. It’s what makes her, her.

She’s been weird with meat since our talk about Christmas ham at the farm in Mudgee. So even if I just made a complete fool of myself in front of my family and friends, I don’t care. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to see her smile.

“Have you got a moment?” Logan asks, pulling me aside.

“Sure.”

“We got her.”

“Amanda?”

He places his hand on my shoulder. “Yes. I got a call from Mike on my way here.”

“What did you find?”

“When they audited her doctor’s records, they found two prescriptions she wrote, and it marries up perfectly with the timeline. One was for Mifepristone and the other for Misoprostol.”

“That’s what she used to …” I can’t even bring myself to finish that sentence.

“A medical or medication abortion can be used in place of surgery if done before nine weeks. From what I’ve been told, a pregnancy needs a high level of the hormone progesterone to continue. Mifepristone blocks the action of progesterone to stop the pregnancy from progressing. Misoprostol softens the cervix and contracts the uterus to expel the foetus.”

“That bitch.”

“I know. I still can’t wrap my head around it. The detectives were en route to the hospital when I got the call. She’ll be arrested and charged before the night’s out.”

The news is bittersweet, but I still manage to extend my arm and shake his hand. “Thank you for everything.”

“You’re like family, Connor. I was happy to help.”

“Can we keep it between us for now? I want to tell Cassie myself.” I can hear her laughing with the girls in the kitchen, and I don’t want to ruin her night. “I’ll wait until everyone has left before I say something.”

“Of course. As you know the trial won’t be for months, maybe longer, but once she’s formally charged, she’ll lose her job and her license to practice medicine. It’s a small consolation for now, but I’ll make sure she goes away for a long time for this.”