Okay, there was some panic pounding in her chest because big, rugged, emotionally elusive Finn—was running across an airstrip like a man with a purpose.
And holy hell, the things that did to her body, mind and soul.
‘What’s he doing?’she whispered.
Mickey squinted.‘Did he forget something on the plane?Or does he wanna smack around the prisoner some more, like Izzy did?’
Finn skidded to a stop right in front of her, his eyes locked on hers.‘Mickey, go make yourself useful somewhere else.’
‘Righto.I’ll just… pet the buffalo then.’Mickey shuffled a whole two steps, maybe four, only to lean against Cecil, where both man and flower-wearing beast stayed glued to the drama like it was prime-time telly.
Taryn folded her arms, bracing for something… Sarcasm?An apology?Or more grunty silence?
But Finn took a step closer.
Then another.
And then—he spoke.‘I never wanted this… Not the squad, the house or this job.Not after my boy.’
Her breath hitched at his personal heartache, putting protective hands over her own belly.
‘I came to Elsie Creek to watch over a grave.Because I was a ghost when I got here.’His eyes filled with hurt as he spoke.‘And then you showed up with your spreadsheets and rules.Your rants about my coffee tasting like mud, with your need to always have the last word.And yet you got under my skin so fast, and so much deeper than anyone has before.’
Taryn swallowed hard, trapped by the open vulnerability in his eyes.
‘I didn’t see it coming,’ he said, taking another step closer.‘Not when I didn’t want to feel again.And yet you’ve somehow made me want everything.’
He paused to take a breath or two.
There was no way she was going to interrupt and ruin this.Not a chance.
‘I’m scared, Taryn.’
Holy mother of mayhem!
‘Because you’re not just strong,’ he said.‘You’re going somewhere and you don’t need anyone.While I’ve spent my whole life thinking I wasn’t worth staying for.’
Then he looked at her like she was the only thing left in a world worth chasing.Like he saw past the sass she wore like armour, and past the humour that hid the loneliness.
He saw the parts she didn’t even know how to name.The bite that kept people at arm’s length, so they never got close enough to bother her when she left.Because she was the one whoalwaysleft.Each new posting, every new embassy transfer, she’d learned to pack fast, settle quicker, and never get too attached.Goodbyes always came before hellos.
And now here she was, getting ready for another departure, another rotation, falling into the same old rhythm.
Only this time, Finn was standing there, more stubborn than the buffalo blocking the runway.
And for the first time, she didn’t want to swerve.
Somehow, the more he unburdened, the more she unfolded herself, as if opening to let him in.
‘I’m…’ He rubbed the back of his head as if trying to find the words, from a man who didn’t do speeches.‘If you go to Canberra, I’ll follow.I’ll climb on this jet with you, right now, and sit beside you.I’ll sleep on the floor at your place, whatever you want.Because I want to be there for you, for the baby, and whatever future you’ll let me have… I don’t need to read a map to know I’m meant to be with you, Taryn.I just need you to say you want me there, too.’
Taryn stared.Unsure where her voice went, of if she could remember the English language.
Nearby, Mickey sniffed as he wiped his eyes with the same towel he used to clean aeroplane parts.Even Cecil snorted like he approved.
Finn stepped in closer, to gently tuck a stray hair behind her ear.‘I’m here, Taryn.I’m not going anywhere, not unless it’s with you.’
That was it.That was all it took.Speech over, it was now the real Finn— the man of action, whose deeds and silence spoke more than any words ever would.And with one hand curled at her waist, the other found her jaw.His thumb traced just beneath her cheekbone like it had every right to be there.And then…
