Page 95 of Outback Reunion

Luna shook her head. ‘Granny says that’s an old wives’ tale.’

‘What’s an old wives’ tale?’ asked Heidi, a slight frown creasing her large forehead.

‘Dunno.’ Luna shrugged. ‘I think it means rubbish.Come on, Mark.’

He looked to Gabriela beside him and remembered what Grant had said about showing off his sixpack. ‘You wanna go get wet?’

‘I’ve already washed my hair once today, but don’t let me stop you. I don’t think these two are going to take no for an answer.’

‘You sure?’ He’d promised not to leave her.

She smiled. ‘I’ll be fine.’ Then she lowered her voice. ‘Everyone is lovely.’

‘Okay, then.’ He pushed back his chair and turned to the girls. ‘Lead the way.’

As Luna and Heidi took his hands and dragged him over to the pool where some of the older kids were already doing bombies, Mark looked back one final time to check that Gabriela was alright. Despite her initial reservations, she looked to bemorethan alright. Her shoulders were relaxed and the laugh that drifted in his direction warmed his soul.

She was already fitting in so well. As he ripped off his shirt and dived into the pool with the girls, he couldn’t stop grinning.

Chapter Twenty-four

When everyone finished eating, Gabriela helped Ryan, Grant and a woman called Frankie, who owned the local café, clean up in the kitchen. They protested but she insisted. Although everyone was being super friendly, she was conscious of being the outsider here, tagging along only because of Mark, and she didn’t want to take advantage. Of course, she worried a little about not being near Luna when she was in the pool but knew he wouldn’t let anything happen to her and there were plenty of other adults watching as well.

‘Mark tells me you’re a teacher,’ Gabi said as she scraped plates clean and handed them to Grant who was stacking the dishwasher.

‘Yep. For my sins.’

Ryan snorted from near the fridge where he was loading containers of leftover salads. ‘Don’t pretend you don’t love it.’

‘The holidays are good.’

But Gabi could tell that wasn’t all he enjoyed. ‘What do you teach?’

‘Drama,’ he declared. She should have guessed. ‘I always wanted to be a performer like yourself, but it turned out my talents lay more in being a drama queen than an actor. I enjoy inspiring the next generation of Hemsworths andHome & Awaystars though. I’m also reinvigorating the Bunyip Bay Theatrical Society. We’re going to put onLegally Blondesoon and I’m thinking of a pantomime for Christmas. You’re welcome to join us. We could use someone with your talents.’

Gabi shook her head at his ridiculous offer. If she ever left the circus, the last thing she’d want was to perform in any capacity, whether professionally or as an amateur. ‘Do you do this often?’

Grant blinked. ‘Do what? Try and solicit actors for my small-town, big-energy productions?’

She laughed. ‘No. I meant the party. Do you guys entertain a lot?’

Ryan puffed out a chuckle and Gabi looked across just in time to see his eyebrows raised.

‘Not as often as I’d like,’ Grant concluded, slamming the dishwasher door shut.

Frankie took hold of Gabi’s arm. ‘I think the boys can finish off here. Shall we go sit out the back so we can watch the kids in the pool?’

‘Okay. Sure.’ Gabi guessed maybe Ryan didn’t love Grant’s parties as much as his husband did and she hoped she hadn’t put her foot in it, making things strained between them.

Of course, the moment she stepped out the back, all such worries vanished as her gaze fell on Mark, shirtless, with Luna on his shoulders in the pool. Adam was opposite him—also shirtless—with Heidi on his shoulders, the four of them playing some kind of game together. Hoping she wasn’t drooling, she joined Frankie at a large outdoor table, just outside the pool fence, the shade of a massive eucalypt tree above them.

‘Did you grow up in Bunyip Bay as well?’ Gabi asked.

Frankie nodded. ‘My mum and Adam’s mum are sisters. I moved to Perth after school, but missed Simone, my sister, and her kids, so I came back, started working at the café and eventually bought it and rebranded.’

‘I’ve not had a chance to go in there yet, I’m afraid, but it’s always looked very busy when I’ve passed.’

‘It’s not a bad little business. I’m in the process of selling it though.’

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