Blaise turned from the dirt road into Acacia Plains driveway. He’d slept in his old room in his parents’ house last night. The noise of the city kept him awake for hours. He couldn’t wait to get back to the quiet of his rental in Wilkton. His dad was still in the hospital. It would take a while before he was back on his feet, and then walking again as his broken legs healed. His dad was alive and would be fine. Blaise took a punt and told them he and Dusty would be down Christmas evening.
Fuck, he hoped that would happen.
It was as if saying that to them would help it to come true. Then he had no idea what could go on in her mind during the trip to and from Melbourne with Aaron. The whole sharing the same room left him unsettled. He had some way of getting under her skin.Would Aaron manage to again?
I can trust her. He knew that, but he wanted to see her to be sure.
Blaise slowed down looking ahead at the combine. There was no activity. No Dusty. Bluey wasn’t there either. It was late morning. It was meant to be a trip there and back. Overnight. It worried him that she’d be too tired to keep driving, and after his dad being in a car accident, his stomach had been roiling with worry. The road to Melbourne was notorious in parts for high-speed accidents.
Could that have happened to Dusty?
Is that why there was no sign of her now?
Blaise parked his Audi car near the back gate of the farmhouse, got out his phone and checked it. There were no messages from Dusty. No calls. Nothing. His gut tightened with worry.Had something bad happened?
Ted came up to greet him as he got out of the car.
“Good boy. Where’s Dusty, hey?” He patted the kelpie behind the ears before walking into the house yard.
“Dusty? Claire? Anyone home?” Blaise had learned quickly that calling out was the best way to get their attention.
No one answered. He knocked on the back door, then checked if it was locked. It wasn’t. He pushed the door open.
“You there, Claire?” he yelled out.
“In the kitchen, Blaise.”
He breathed out with relief. Glad that someone was home.
“Is Dusty back?”
“Not yet. Have you heard from her?” She was at the kettle, two cups ready. “Tea?”
“Thanks.” He plonked onto one of the kitchen chairs at the table. It was Claire’s pastime to make everyone a cup of tea. Right now, he could do with one.
“I haven’t heard from her. You?”
“Not this morning.” She turned from the kettle, two cups in hand. “I’m sure she’s fine. She was when she rang me a few hours ago.”
“They got the part then?”
“Yes.” She set a cup of tea in front of Blaise, then sat opposite him. She seemed distracted. Her eyes reflected a dark shadow of worry.
He hated that Dusty and Aaron shared a room at a hotel. Sure, he wanted Dusty to drive safely. But had it ended up as something more?
If only I could’ve gone instead.
“Oh, look at me, how could I forget. We need some cake. I made some last night.” Claire got up from her chair and went over to the counter area. “Jubilee cake, which I think now is one of your favorites?”
“Only if you’ve made it.” He’d first tasted a Jubilee cake nearly two years ago when he first came to Wilkton as part of his job as an accountant. The cake had sultanas and raisins it in, and tasted delicious fresh with butter smeared on a slice.
Claire placed a plate of sliced cake on the table, then took out the butter from the fridge. “Argh, I’m forgetful today. Let me get some plates.”
“I should ring Dusty.” Blaise got out his phone. He couldn’t blame her for being absent-minded with Dusty not being back, but the call went straight to voice mail.Dammit.
Blaise put his phone on the table. “Maybe she’s out of cell phone range.”
“You sort of get used to being kept in the dark like this. My husband would be gone for hours and hours working on the farm.”
