could never have done that with her own brother, and suddenly she envied Kath the careless gesture.
‘Don’t start trying to tear yourself in two again.’ Reece held up an admonishing finger and Kath shrugged and nodded. ‘If you can run some of that excess energy out of Trader this afternoon while we get sorted, that’ll be fine.’
‘Right. Later, then.’ Kath grinned cheerily at Sara, and Trader followed her to the door with an air of almost palpable joy.
‘At least Trader’s found someone who’s got their priorities straight.’ Sara smiled, nodding at Kath as she jogged to her car, Trader trotting obediently behind her.
‘Yeah.’ Reece grinned. ‘Cattle dogs can be a bit of a handful if they’re not trained and exercised properly. Trader’s ancestry is part dingo.’
‘Yes, Simon told me. He said you helped him to train Trader.’
‘Yep. He didn’t have a clue where to start.’ Reece shot her a quizzical look.
‘No, he wouldn’t. We didn’t have pets at home. Too much mess.’
‘That’s a shame.’
‘Yeah.’
Reece seemed to be waiting for Sara to elaborate, and when she didn’t, he collected the empty coffee cups and put them into the dishwasher, leaving her to stare aimlessly out of the window. This sitting in one place, waiting to find out what someone else was going to do next, was the downside of being rescued.
‘Right, then.’ Reece obviously had a plan, even if she didn’t. ‘I expect you’ll want to wash off some of that dust.’ He turned, without waiting for her assent, and disappeared into the hallway. The only option available was to follow him.
‘This is your room.’ He flung one of the doors open and walked inside. ‘The shower’s through there, and Kath’s left some things for you, so I hope you’ll have everything you need.’
The room was bright and welcoming. Clean, cool shades of cream and green that just demanded you stay a while and relax. On the wide bed was a small pile of clothes, neatly folded. Next to it were towels and a small wicker basket containing soap, shampoo, toothpaste and some packages wrapped in paper. A large bunch of flowers sat on the table next to the bed, strange, brightly coloured blooms mixed with others that were more familiar to Sara.
This was a safe place, an oasis, where she could wash off the dust and sweat of the road. She couldn’t accept it. She needed to stand on her own two feet. Make her own decisions.
‘This is my guest room. It’s yours for as long as you want it. At least until Simon gets out of hospital.’
From what Reece had said, that was going to be more than a week. ‘I really can’t impose. I’m very grateful for everything you’ve done already …’
‘And what? Do you know anyone else here?’
No one. Apart from Simon, Reece was the only person who even came close to being a friend. ‘I can book into a hotel. Near the hospital.’
‘What, with Trader? Even if you find somewhere that’ll take him, he’ll get bored and tear the place apart.’
He had a point. ‘Perhaps you wouldn’t mind taking him. Just for a while, until I get something sorted.’
Reece rolled his eyes. ‘Right. So I get to do a full day at the surgery then come home and take him out for a couple of hours to work off his excess energy. Anyway, what kind of person takes a mate’s dog in and sends his sister to a hotel?’
Sara’s hand flew to her mouth. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to …’
‘Impose? You already said that. And you’re not. You’ll have to fend for yourself while I’m at work, but treat this place as your own.’ He looked at his watch. ‘It’s half past ten now … an hour’s drive to the hospital … We can catch our breath, have something to eat and be with Simon by lunchtime. What do you say?’
‘That sounds wonderful. Thank you.’ If she was going to stay here, she may as well do it gracefully. Her mother had told her that. Whatever you do, do it gracefully. Sara had been berated too many times for almost never following that advice.
‘Good. Shall I call Simon, let him know that we’re here, or would you like to?’ He nodded at the phone extension next to the bed.
‘I’d like to if that’s okay.’
‘Of course.’ In one fluid movement he caught her hand, and Sara felt her cheeks redden. He produced a pen, pulling the cap off with his teeth in a gesture that was oddly almost piratical, and wrote on her palm. ‘Here’s the number. It’s the main switchboard, but if you ask for Simon, they’ll put you through to his room. Tell him that you and Trader are staying here.’
‘Yes. I will. Thank you, Reece.’ There was something else that she needed. The thought that Gran might have somehow heard about the fires was thudding at the back of her skull, like a headache about to happen. ‘Would it be okay if I used your phone to call England?’
‘Of course. Call whoever you want, you don’t need to ask.’
‘Thanks. I’ll just be quick …’
He dismissed the notion with a weary gesture. ‘Take as long as you like.’ Turning swiftly, he strode out of the room and closed the door behind him. Sara heard the sounds of his footsteps along the hallway and another door opened. A thud as his heavy boots were dragged off and hit the floor. Then silence.
CHAPTER THREE
SARA had made her calls and taken a shower. She sat on the bed, wrapped in a towel, and forced herself to take a couple of deep breaths. Gran was okay, Simon was okay. It was going to be all right.
Kath had left T-shirts, sweatpants and a skirt with a drawstring at the top, which would pretty much fit any size, along with a pair of open sandals. There was also a cotton nightdress and a note, saying that she should call her and let her know if there was anything else she needed. Sara smiled. The resemblance in tone to Reece’s, kind but brooking no argument, was striking.
She dressed in her own jeans and one of Kath’s T-shirts, and padded barefoot along the hallway and into the open-plan living area. Reece’s car was still parked out front, but the house was silent and there was no sign of him outside on the veranda either. She took a deep breath. She knew exactly where he was, and it was the last place that she wanted to have to go and find him.
The door was slightly ajar, and she tapped on it nervously. Not a sound. Frowning, Sara cautiously craned her neck around the door to see inside.
He was lying on the bed, fast asleep. His boots, jeans and heavy shirt had been slung in the corner in the approximate direction of the laundry basket. It was as if he’d stripped down to his boxer shorts and then lain down, thinking just to close his eyes for a few moments, until it was time to move again.
His skin was smooth, golden. One arm thrown out to the side and the other rested across his chest. Sara caught her breath and for the first time allowed herself to stare at Reece. He looked so peaceful. The temptation to join him there on the bed, feel the steady, reassuring swell of his chest against
