‘No.’ Guilt smote Tilly. She had been so focused on her own tragedy that she had forgotten her mother’s. Watching the slow destruction of a spouse through dementia was probably worse than losing that spouse outright. From now on, she promised herself, she would be more mindful of the fact. Just because she had no love for her stepfather didn’t mean that Elaine hadn’t. Could you still love the husk, she wondered, once the mind that made it a person was gone? Were memories enough, or was it simply duty that kept the habit of caring going?

Sophie broke into her ruminations. ‘So what’s Luke got planned for today?’

‘Oh, he volunteered to do the camp duties this morning, then he’s going to pick me up and we’re heading out after lunch.’ She grimaced. ‘Working on that old fenceline near Blooms Rock, which means rusty wire again.’ It was something that the rangers toiled at between other duties. ‘Matt’s got the kitchen today.’

‘Be sure and take gloves then. And it wouldn’t hurt, next time you’re in town, to check if you need a booster shot for tetanus.’

‘It’s on my list,’ Tilly said. ‘Meanwhile, I think I’ll prepare Jane’s room. Save myself some time later.’

The day, long awaited by Luke, finally dawned and Jane arrived. She was every bit as pretty as Tilly remembered and seemed a pleasant, conversable person. Her unfortunate experience hadn’t turned her against the bush either. Tilly, asking how she felt about camping now, received a laugh and a brilliant smile from her.

‘It couldn’t happen twice,’ she said. ‘I admit it put me off a bit at first, but I decided I was being silly. Like never getting into a car again because you once ran into a post. Luke says nothing’s ever worried him and he never uses a tent.’

Love was not only blind, Tilly thought, but infinitely suggestible. ‘So,’ she said, ‘you know I’m a trainee ranger now under Luke? Which means – I’m sorry – but I’ll be playing gooseberry when you two go anywhere.’

‘Yes, it was in his letters.’ She grinned impishly. ‘He’s told me a lot about you.’

‘Really? Like what?’

The girl tipped her head considering, her brown eyes sparkling. ‘Well, that you’re a marvellous cook, you have absolutely no sense of direction, and you’re really good with hurt, and baby, animals.’

‘No sense of direction! Just because I got lost and drove the wrong way once,’ Tilly said indignantly. ‘You do know there are about fifty million tracks all over Binboona? And not a signpost among them? I bet Daniel Boone’d get turned around too.’

‘Are there?’ Jane was intrigued. ‘Why so many? Do stations need lots of roads? Luke said it was a cattle property once.’