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‘I know, buddy. I wish I was too.’

‘Why don’t you come with us?’

‘Because I have to go to work.’ Jeremy turned around to the back seat and grinned at Ellie. ‘Excited?’

‘I am. I just have to clear my head and get into the mindset that we’re actually going.’

Ellie had tried to stop worrying about Dru. She’d spoken to her on the phone last night, and Dru had seemed calm.

Kane climbed into the front seat. ‘Okay, guys, we’re off. Cy’s fine.’

‘There’s a black Jeep coming down the drive,’ Jeremy said as he put the car into gear.

‘We’ve got time to say hello, haven’t we, Kane?’ Ellie leaned forward. ‘It’s a bit rude if we just get in the car and pass her on the drive.’

Kane glanced at his watch again. ‘Okay. We’ve got three minutes. We can’t risk any hold-ups along the highway into Darwin.’

‘You’re such a worrywart.’ Ellie lowered her window and Matilda started to grizzle as the Jeep approached.

‘Verity, can you play peekaboo with Tilly, sweetheart, please?’

‘Adora can.’ Within seconds, Matilda’s grizzle had turned to her delightful giggle as Verity hid her doll around the side of the car seat and started playing a game with her baby sister.

The vehicle came to a stop beside the Land Cruiser as Kane jumped out and came around to Ellie’s window. The Jeep door opened, and a tall, thin woman jumped out and hurried across to them.

‘I’m so, so sorry I’m late. I was stopped at least fifteen times on the highway. They’re burning off the bush.’

Ellie considered getting out but decided to greet the visitor through her window. Time was fast running out and not only that, if she got out Matilda was likely to start crying.

‘It’s okay,’ Kane said. ‘We thought that might have happened. It’s that time of the year. When they burn off the savannah woodlands the highway traffic can be disrupted. Local knowledge, but look don’t worry, you’ve caught us. I’m assuming you’re Tarni Morgan. Welcome. I’m Kane and this is my wife, Ellie.’

Ellie gave the young woman a small wave through the open window. ‘Hi, Tarni. I’m strapped in so I won’t get out. It’s great to meet you. Thanks so much for agreeing to come when we were away.’

The dark-haired woman seemed flustered. Her cheeks were pink as she shook her head. ‘It’s good to meet you too, but I don’t want to hold you up.’

Kane held out his hand and looked over to the shed. ‘We will have to leave now. Cy Prescott’s our manager. He’ll show you around, and get you settled. He’s working at the dam down the back behind the trees.’

Tarni took the hand that Kane held out and shook it briefly. ‘I’m truly regretting I didn’t come down last night, but I was so tired after driving from Mataranka, I decided to stay there two nights.’

Ellie had only seen Cy briefly since he’d arrived on Saturday night. He’d been extremely polite and seemed to be a very different man to the brash cowboy she’d met mustering at Ryan’s place a few years back. She hadn’t seen him since Ryan and Dee’s wedding.

Tarni wasn’t what she’d expected either. She’d imagine someone more outdoorsy. The newcomer was so fair it looked like she hadn’t ever been in the sun. Dark shadows sat beneath her eyes, and she was very thin. She looked as though the first puff of wind would blow her away. Ellie wondered if she’d been ill.

‘Cy’s looking after the place while we’re away,’ Kane said. ‘I’ve asked him to show you the work shed where you can set up all your gear. He knows the trees you’ll be working with. I’ve taken him around the last couple of days and he’s got a good handle on it. He’s sort of a relative of the family, but he’s going to bunk in the shed so you’ll have your own space in the house.’

‘I hope it suits you,’ Ellie chimed in. ‘He’ll be sharing the kitchen with you. I’ve stocked up the fridge and cupboards for both you and Cy, so just make yourself at home.’

Tarni’s flush deepened. ‘Really, you didn’t have to do that.’

‘We’re a long way from the shops.’

‘I’ll replace what I use when I go to the city.’

‘Don’t worry about that,’ Ellie said. ‘Honestly. Make yourself at home. Get yourself settled inside before Cy comes up.’

‘I’ll give you a call before we take off in case you’ve got any questions,’ Kane said. ‘We’ve got to hit the road.’

‘Have a great trip,’ Tarni said. ‘I’ll be keen to hear what you see over there.’