Her heart galloped.She couldn’t take much more of this.“To talk about things?”
“No, to live.”
Dot stared at him.This was happening too fast.“But your work and your family are in Perth.”
“But you’re here.That’s all that matters.”
She shook her head.“You love your job.You’re so good at it.I saw it in every episode I watched.”Her heart told her mouth to shut up.She shouldn’t be trying to convince him moving to Retribution Bay was a bad idea.
He raised his eyebrows.“You watched the show?”
Heat filled her cheeks.“Maybe one or two episodes.”Or every single season like the sad case she was.
“I was thinking about it before I woke you.I’ve got an offer for a book contract, and one of the producers might spin off an Australian version of the series.”He smiled.“It would mean I’d still be away sometimes, but a lot of the research I would need can be digitised.”
She couldn’t let him throw away his career when hers was so uncertain.“I’m not sure where I’ll be after this is all over,” she admitted.“The tone from up high hasn’t been great.”
His eyes widened in outrage.“Your job is in danger?Who do I need to talk to?I can tell them how amazing you’ve been.”
She held up a hand.“I can deal with it.”But his defence of her made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
“I guess Rodney hasn’t been singing your praises.”
She chuckled.“No, he hasn’t.”
He squeezed her hand.“Whatever happens with both of our careers, we’ll work it out.As long as we have each other.”
The promise sang to her, luring her in with its sweet words.
“I won’t let you down again.”His earnest expression was hard to resist.
“You’ll talk to me, discuss what is happening with your career?”she asked.
He nodded.“And you’ll tell me what is happening with yours.We’ll make it work, Dot.We were always stronger and better together.”
She was silent, the final string of restraint plucked tight.Could she risk her heart again?
“I love you, Oliver, but I’m scared.I can’t handle another broken heart.”
“I’ve never stopped loving you.”He fumbled with the necklace around his neck, unclasping it and slipping off the ring.He smiled at her.“When I chose this, I always thought I would one day give it to you.The bright green reminded me of your love of colours.”He held it out to her.
“It’s your good luck charm.”But she couldn’t resist reaching out and brushing a finger over the gem.
“I don’t need luck if I have you.”He smiled.“Please start a life with me, Dot.”
His words snapped the last of her resistance and dissolved her fear.She wouldn’t throw away what they had a second time.“All right.”She leaned forward to kiss him.“Together,” she murmured.“We’ll do this together.”
He slid the ring onto her finger and it fit perfectly.
Chapter 21
Dot’s steps slowed as laughter floated out of Oliver’s hospital room the next day.She would recognise that infectious laugh anywhere.Oliver’s mother had arrived.She should have remembered they were coming, but she’d been called back to work early that morning to answer more questions from her supervisors.
She exhaled and braced herself as she stepped into the room.Oliver’s parents sat facing him, and his mother was regaling him with a story about their new puppy.
Oliver’s eyes widened and lit up when he saw her and his smile caused the others to turn.
Dot forced a smile, but before she could speak, Mrs Anderson jumped to her feet.“Dot Campbell.Don’t you look amazing!It’s been too long.”
