She stepped into his embrace. It had only been two days since he’d left her in Adelaide but it seemed much longer. Kate had been discharged the morning Veronica went home and they’d gone back to the apartment. Sean had spent the day in the city doing some jobs for the family business and Natalie had kept a watchful eye on her daughter, tempting her with food, keeping her amused so she’d rest. The following day she’d gone out and given them space. She’d spent nearly all day at Burnside shopping centre where she’d wandered, lunched and shopped. She’d had no idea how much stuff you could buy for babies these days and hadn’t been able to resist selecting a few basic clothing items and a couple of soft toys. She hadn’t shown Kate and Sean her purchases. Last night she’d cooked the two of them dinner then this morning she’d driven home.

“How’s Kate?” Milt asked as they pulled apart.

“Doing well. Better since Sean arrived. They’re staying one more night in Adelaide then they’ll come here tomorrow before they go on home.”

“Is she up to that?”

“Physically, the doctor says yes. The mental stuff, we’ll have to see, but they’ve organised an appointment for her with someone closer to home.”

Natalie pulled her sleeves lower and shut the kitchen door to block the cold air from the passage; she was still adjusting to being back in winter. She glanced around the room. Everything was neat and tidy and something was brewing in the slow cooker. Her gaze rested on a vase of gerberas in the centre of the table. She bent over them.

“What a beautiful combination of pinks.”

“Laura bought them.”

She smiled. “I see someone’s weeded my patch.” She’d noticed as she’d come in the yard.

“I did.”

“Thanks.” That was something he’d never done before.

“Where’re the girls?”

“Bree’s out checking troughs and Laura’s gone with Mum into town to do some shopping.”

“Was Olive here?”

“She’s been staying the last couple of nights, helping Laura with the cooking. They’ve been thick as thieves. You made good time. We didn’t expect you till lunch.” He crossed to the coffee machine. “Would you like a cup?”

“I’d love one.” Natalie watched as he set the machine in motion. “I don’t think I’ve seen you do that before.”

“Just because you haven’t seen me doesn’t mean I don’t know how.” He brought the coffee to her. “I had one a while ago.”

He rubbed his hands together and put more wood on the fire. The kitchen door popped open and he shoved it shut. “I did try to fix that while you were away.”

“I see you’ve done the back-door stopper.”

He nodded.

“And there’re hooks and a shelf in the bathroom.”