Mim crossed to her, leaned up to give her a kiss on the cheek, and patted her arm as she stepped back. ‘If that’s what you want, sweetie, then that’s my plan too.’ She turned to Stella, then handed her a paintbrush. ‘I’m not in the mood to work. Can you finish this, please? I might have a wee lie-down.’

Ava and Stella watched Mim walk away and Stella dipped the silver paintbrush in the tin. ‘She’s feeling everything is out of her control and she’s not used to that.’ She grimaced. ‘I’m not used to it, either.’

Ava crossed to her mum and leaned in, avoiding the wet paint on the tiny homestead. ‘Thanks for last night. I did sleep well.’ She rested her head on Stella’s shoulder as they both gazed over the paddocks. ‘The women in this family like to be on top of everything.’

‘Or at least look like we are,’ her mother said cryptically. ‘We’ll all hope your Zac gets his memory back, darling. But if he goes back to Alice, we’ll still be thankful you’re both alive.’ She straightened into Sergeant Stella. ‘That’s the most important thing.’

Chapter Thirty-nine

Zac

Zac waited for the moment when Ava left the shed. When she reappeared she didn’t look his way, but turned and headed towards the river. Watching from the verandah, he strode quickly to catch up.

She walked fast but he was faster. ‘I’m sorry, Ava.’ He spoke to her spine, which was ramrod straight, pushing the distance between them as she walked a little ahead. He caught up and touched her shoulder until she stopped, and as if impatient, she spun around.

Her eyes were glinting with unshed tears and a well of protectiveness swelled in him as she looked up to face him. Her features were so beautiful, her eyes so tragic, he couldn’t help pulling her closer to curve his fingers around her chin and draw her in. ‘What have I lost, Ava, and how much has it cost you? What was I thinking doing this to you?’

‘We’ve both lost, Zac, lost a lot. It’s not just me.’ She stretched up on tiptoes to reach his mouth with hers and the light touch of her made him pull her closer.

For Zac, something did shift in his mind at that second touch. Her blue eyes were dark pools, like a mermaid’s lure drawing him in, her pupils dilated and bottomless. He stared into them, and she stared back, and the moment lengthened as each of them tried to see into the other’s soul.