Page 76 of Outback Reunion

‘What the f—’ Mark stopped just before letting out the F-bomb and Gabi stifled a smirk.

Luna stooped a little and held out her hand to Rookie. ‘Shake paw.’

Mark’s jaw dropped as once again, the dog did exactly as she was told. ‘How the... how on earth did you get her to do any of that?’ He looked to Gabi. ‘Is she a witch? Are you both witches?’

She laughed.

‘Well, I didn’t have treats, so it wasn’t as easy as usual,’ Luna said, ‘but she’s a smart dog. She probably just doesn’t see you as her master.’

‘Ouch!’ He pressed his hand against his chest. ‘You got any advice on how to fix that?’

‘Plenty.’ Luna handed Mark the leash as she stretched out on her towel beside Gabi. ‘You might wanna take notes in your phone.’

Mark dug his mobile out of his pocket and listened earnestly as Luna told him everything he’d been doing wrong. Gabi tried to read again but kept getting distracted and smirking at the conversation going on beside her. She was so damn proud of her girl, who was not only a gifted dog whisperer but also spoke easily with people of all ages.

She was so much more confident than Gabi had ever been.

‘Excuse me?’ A shadow fell over them—a boy with a mop of near white hair, who looked to be a few years older than Luna and had a beach football tucked under his arm. ‘Are you Mark Morgan? From Essendon?’

‘Ah...’ He looked slightly shocked at being recognised. ‘Yeah. I guess so.’

The boy grinned. ‘I can’t believe it. I said you were but Mum and Dad thought you must just look like him. Essendon’s my team. We’re road-tripping around Australia, but when I grow up I wanna play for the Bombers just like you.’

‘Cool.’ Mark said a little standoffishly and Gabi wondered if maybe he wasn’t shocked, but uncomfortable.

Thankfully, the boy didn’t seem to notice Mark’s lack of enthusiasm. ‘D’you reckon you could kick my footy with me for a bit?’

‘Um... I’m a bit busy at the moment.’

The kid’s face fell.

‘It’s okay,’ Luna said, smiling at Mark. ‘I think I’ve taught you enough for now.’

‘You sure?’ He scratched his head. ‘I feel like there’s a lot left to learn.’

‘We can practise later.’ She grabbed his hand. ‘Let’s go kick the ball.’

‘You sure your parents are okay with this?’ Mark asked the boy.

He nodded and pointed up the beach. ‘Yeah, they’re just sitting over there. Under that blue umbrella.’

A couple who looked to be in their mid-thirties waved back.

Mark looked back to Gabi. ‘Will you be okay with Rookie for a while, Gabriela?’

She got the feeling he wanted her to say no, so that he could use the dog as his final excuse, but Luna would be mad and unfortunately for Mark, she was more scared of her daughter’s wrath than his. ‘Of course. Have fun.’

He sighed as he handed her the leash, then pushed to his feet and dusted the sand off his butt. Gabi looked away before he—or Luna—caught her looking, running her fingers through Rookie’s straggly fur to distract herself.

‘Let’s do this,’ Mark said to the kids.

As they walked down the beach, so they weren’t kicking amongst sunbakers and toddlers digging in the sand, Gabi heard Luna say, ‘What’s your name?’

‘Jai,’ the kid replied then kicked the ball to Mark.

Once again, Gabi attempted to return to her book, but it was futile. Watching Mark run back and forth along the sand, kicking the ball to the kids, and encouraging them even when their aim was way off, made her feel all warm and fuzzy inside. He wasn’t only good in bed—understatement of the century—he was also a genuinely nice person. How had his wife looked elsewhere when she hadthatto come home to every night, and in a place like this?

The woman had to have rocks in her head.

---