“And you are?” the woman asked as protective as a mother bear, but who was she protecting? Phillip Clarke? Was Sarah okay? Was she safe? Suddenly Sarah appeared behind the woman, her hand settling on the woman’s shoulder, and relief tore through Mick like a flash flood.

“Mick.” Sarah smiled. Her warm gaze alighting on him made him feel like he was standing in the midst of a brilliant rainbow bathing him in love. He swore he could hear birds start chirping in the trees like some cheesy soundtrack. “What are you doing here?”

Mick suddenly felt a little foolish. What am I doing here? Sarah is obviously fine. “I . . . uh . . .” he said. “I had a feeling, was scared you were in danger, so I tore out of the police station like a madman, went to the hotel, Phillip’s office, and ended up here.” But instead of laughing at his imaginings, Sarah got misty-eyed.

“Mick,” she said. She stepped forward, and he wrapped her in his arms, no matter that her clothes were soaking wet, covered in mud, and she had a tea towel tucked in the neck of her blouse like a bib. She nuzzled her muddy face into his neck and inhaled deeply. “Thank you. You are such a sweetheart, racing here to try to save me. Did you hire that helicopter?”

“Yeah.”

She beamed at him. “You’re the best. I’m so glad you’re here. There is so much to tell you! So much has happened, but first”—Sarah gestured to the elderly woman behind her—“there are a couple of people I want you to meet. Mick, this is my auntie Jane. Jane, this is Mick.”

“Lovely to meet you,” her aunt said. Sarah’s aunt seemed to be a real sweetheart.

Sarah tugged his hand. “There’s someone else I need to introduce you to. Come inside.” Her eyes were sparkling like the brightest of sapphires, full of joy and love. And he didn’t want to tamp it down, but there were things she needed to know.

“Wait. Sarah.” Mick glanced over her shoulder down the hall. No telling where in the house Phillip was, but if his suspicions were founded, Sarah might be in danger. “We need to talk first.”

She looked bemused. “Out here in the rain? Wouldn’t it be nicer inside with a warm cup of tea?”

“It’s about Phillip,” Mick said. “I was at the police station and—”

A low moan escaped the older woman’s lips. “Oh no. What else has he done . . . ?” Her elegant posture had evaporated. Her chest was caved inward slightly, as if the weight of the world had descended upon her shoulders.