Page 53 of Outback Reunion

‘But it’s time to get out now, girls, so Adam can get the barbecue started,’ Stella told them. ‘You must be starving after all that swimming.’

Miraculously, Luna and Heidi agreed. They climbed out of the pool and wrapped themselves in towels that had been hanging on the fence, before drying off on the lawn. Adam grabbed his own towel then slipped inside to change.

Stella gestured for Gabi to sit in one of the cane-basket chairs.

‘So, did you grow up in Bunyip Bay as well?’ Gabi asked, as Stella put her foot on the base of the bassinet to rock it.

‘No. I’ve only been here a few years.’ At Gabi’s confused frown, Stella added, ‘Adam is Heidi’s stepfather.’

Gabi blinked. ‘Sorry, I just assumed. He’s so good with her.’

‘It’s okay. He’s her daddy in all the ways that matter, and I love that you noticed their special connection. I’m grateful every day that we found him,’ Stella said with a dreamy smile. ‘It had just been me and Heidi on our own since she was born. I brought her here a few summers ago for a holiday, and we stayed in a cottage that Adam’s mum, Esther, rents out. The last thing I expected was to fall in love, get married and end up staying, but I’m pretty glad I did.’

‘Where’s Heidi’s biological father?’ Gabi asked, then immediately felt bad for prying. ‘I’m sorry. That was rude. It’s none of my business.’ This was why she was always awkward around people outside the circus—she didn’t know how to behave.

Stella shook her head as the baby began to whimper. ‘It’s absolutely fine.’ She pulled back the flynet and peered down at Lily. ‘Hello, my beautiful, gorgeous, darling girl. Are you hungry?’

In reply, Lily made a cooing sound as her mother picked her up.

Stella sat back down with the baby and lifted her top and positioned her at her breast, making Gabi remember fondly when Luna was that small. She’d loved breastfeeding; it was one of the few things she seemed to be good at that Dante couldn’t do. He hadn’t liked it—he was jealous that Luna was the centre of her world now and had suggested bottle-feeding so his parents could sometimes have the baby overnight, but she’d been adamant in her refusal.

In hindsight, it might have been one of the few times she’d ever stood up to him.

‘Now, where were we. That’s right, Heidi’s father,’ Stella said.

Apparently, she and him were only in their teens when they fell accidentally pregnant.

‘That sounds a little similar to my mum’s story,’ Gabi said, and then filled her in.

Stella shook her head. ‘I honestly can’t imagine how any parent can turn their back on their children like that. I’d kill for my girls.’

‘Same.’ Gabi looked over to where Luna and Heidi were now playing with a football, imagining how different her life might have been if her grandparents hadn’t pushed her mum away when she’d gone back to them asking for forgiveness and help.

‘And what about Luna’s father?’ asked Stella. ‘Is he in the circus too?’

Gabi hoped Luna hadn’t heard the question—the last thing she needed was a reminder of her loss and grief when she was having such fun—but thankfully, she seemed too enthralled by Heidi trying to show her how to kick the ball.

‘He was. You met his parents this afternoon—Eve and Lorenzo. But Dante, their son, my husband, died last year.’

‘Oh, my goodness.’ Stella’s eyes widened with shock and pity. ‘I’m sorry. I can’t imagine how tough that must have been for you.’

Gabi swallowed, once again guilty at the assumption that she must be upset over her husband’s death. Of course, she was sad for Luna and her in-laws, but her relief was stronger. Did that make her a monster?

‘Thanks,’ she said simply.

Thankfully, Adam appeared not long after that, his hair still damp and an open bottle of beer in his hand. He was wearing a fresh pair of board shorts, a polo neck t-shirt and thongs; he was unquestionably good looking. Gabi couldn’t help thinking there must be something in the water around Bunyip Bay, because if he and Mark were anything to go by, they had an unfair proportion of hot men.

He crossed over and kissed both Stella and Lily on their heads. ‘Thanks for letting us borrow Luna this arvo, Gabi. She’s a great kid.’

‘Thankyoufor having her.’

‘Yeah,’ Stella echoed. ‘Heidi is super friendly but there’s more boys than girls around her age at school so it’s nice for her to have another girl to play with.’

Gabi sighed. ‘Same for Luna. We don’t currently have any other kids in the circus, and sometimes I think she forgets she’s not a grown-up. It’s good to see her spending time with someone closer to her own age.’

Adam’s gaze drifted to the girls. ‘Has Luna played footy before?’

Stella shook her head. Just another thing to feel guilty about; Luna had never played any kind of team sport.

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