Page 24 of Outback Reunion

‘Oh?’ He took a nervous gulp of his beer. If they wanted to set him up with someone, he was going to tell them to take a ticket and get in line behind Grant. And his mother. Since he was her only chance of ever having grandchildren, she’d been almost as devastated as him when he and Tahlia separated.

She nodded. ‘We’re trying to get a new girls’ AFL team off the ground this year and we were wondering if you’d be the coach.’

Girls’ footy?Mark’s chest squeezed and his grip tightened on the glass. This might be even worse than a set-up.

‘Just a kids team,’ Stella said, adjusting the baby. ‘My daughter, Heidi, and some of her little friends want to play. I know they’re probably way beneath your pay grade but they’re really enthusiastic and—’

‘And the boys are teasing them and telling them that they’re not good enough,’ interrupted Simmo, ‘but if you coached them, that would shut the little shits up.’

‘We can’t pay you though,’ Stella added apologetically.

‘I’m not really great with little kids,’ he said when they finally let him get a word in.

It was just an excuse. He loved kids, but he’d already declined an offer to coach the local men’s team because he couldn’t bear to be around the game when he could no longer play himself. Merely thinking about it made his knee twinge painfully. And if he agreed to coach junior AFLW, the club would pester him for more involvement and commitment.

Frankie waved away his excuse. ‘They’re all as sweet as excited little puppies. They’ll love you and you’ll love them.’

If Rookie was any indication, his track record with puppies wasn’t that great. How the hell was he going to get out of this?

‘Can’t Adam do it?’ He was Heidi’s stepfather after all.

‘He could,’ Stella said, ‘but with this new bundle, the farm, and volunteering for the firies, he might not always be reliable.’

Whereas Mark had no kids, no wife, and his dad was still—currently—working with him on the farm.

He looked to Ruby. ‘What about Drew?’

She scoffed. ‘Drew only knows how to play football with aroundball. My dad’s tried so hard to teach him the rules of AFL but...’ Her voice drifted off as she shook her head.

If Ruby’s dad wasn’t currently caring for his very ill wife, Mark would suggesthecoach the girls. Just when he was thinking he might have to feign a terminal illness, Faith tipped her head towards the door.

‘Speaking of... look who’s here!’

Mark swung his neck so hard in the direction of the entrance that he almost twisted a muscle. His mind had gone immediately to Gabriela, but it was Sergeant Drew Noble striding towards them in his police blues like some cop in an American Western.

Or rather striding towards Ruby. He yanked her out of her seat, pulled her against him and planted what looked to be one scorching kiss on her mouth.

Mark’s eyes boggled and, as the women giggled, he stared uncomfortably into his beer. Someone really ought to tell them to get a room!

Finally, they tore their mouths apart.

‘Sorry, ladies, and uh... Mark,’ Drew said, grinning around the circle. ‘I promise I’m not staying, but I couldn’t go home without kissing my bride goodnight.’

‘And they say romance is dead,’ Simone hooted, grabbing the bottle and frowning as only dregs tipped into her already empty glass.

Drew laughed. ‘Well, have a good night, and call me if you need a lift home.’

‘I’m fine to drive them,’ Stella said.

‘Great.’ Drew gave Ruby another X-rated kiss, and as he left, Mark also made his excuses.

‘Junior girls’ footy?’ Stella asked, hope in her eyes as he stood.

Mark sighed. ‘I’ll think about it,’ he promised, vowing to come up with a better excuse before they asked him again, and headed back to the bar to order another half pint.

‘Your girl not here yet?’ asked Henri as she poured his drink.

‘She’ll be here soon,’ he replied, hoping he was right.

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