Georgie raised her eyebrows. “You think I’d let you go in there alone?”
Matt swore again.
Thunder rumbled, and Arthur glanced up. Dark rain clouds were blowing in.
“It’s about to rain,” Gretchen said. “The tunnels won’t be safe, and I need to get Cody and Jordan home.”
Matt looked back towards the ranges. “I’m coming back.”
Arthur clapped him on his shoulder. “We’ll all help look for her.”
Matt relaxed a little. “Thanks, mate.”
As soon as they got phone reception, Gretchen called Holly and told her they’d found Cody. Arthur heard her tears from where he sat in front of Gretchen. She organised to meet Holly at the hospital so a doctor could examine Cody’s ankle.
While they were there, the doctor checked over Jordan and prescribed some cream for Arthur’s rash. It was dark before Sam dropped them all at Gretchen’s house.
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” Sam said as he drove off.
While Gretchen placed the parcel of fish and chips on the table and added some condiments, Arthur called Amy to update her.
“Dot took Kurt to the Carnarvon gaol,” Amy said. “She’s organising a search for Nhiari in the morning if the weather is clear.”
Arthur hated the thought of Nhiari with Lee. It didn’t matter if Georgie believed he was on their side, Nhiari was being kept against her will. “What about Miss Simpson?” At the least she was complicit in ignoring the situation.
“They can’t find her. Dot rang her team to go and question her and she wasn’t at the school or home.”
Sounded guilty to him. “We’ll keep an eye out for her.”
“Yeah. Take care.”
Arthur hung up and Gretchen pressed him into a chair. “You need to rest. Take off your leg.”
Jordan nodded. “You helped me, now it’s time for me to help you.” He got some glasses and the cold water from the fridge and poured Arthur a glass.
Arthur squeezed Jordan’s arm before he walked away. Such warmth filled him. “I love you.”
Jordan smiled and then threw himself in Arthur’s arms. “I love you too. I wasn’t really scared today, because I knew you’d come for me.”
The absolute faith on his face staggered Arthur. He squeezed Jordan, blinking back tears. This child was incredible.
“I didn’t tell Dad though.” Jordan grinned. “He thought you were useless, but we proved him wrong.”
“We did,” Arthur agreed.
“You were both amazing.” Gretchen joined their hug.
Arthur held on to them, savouring the moment.
“Are you all right?” Gretchen asked.
“I don’t want to let go,” Arthur admitted.
Jordan hopped onto his lap. “We’re not going anywhere, are we, Mum?”
“I’m not planning to,” Gretchen said.
Jordan’s eyes widened, and he glanced between Arthur and Gretchen. “What’s up?” Arthur asked.
