Page 96 of Obsession Under the Southern Stars

“True,” Fraser says. “How’s Elora?”

“She’s good.” The smile in his voice is evident. “She’s asleep at the moment. She’s the reason I’m calling. Look… I know it’s short notice, but I was wondering whether the two of you might be able to fly down to Hanmer Springs tomorrow.”

Fraser and I exchange glances. “I was planning to come down anyway,” I reply. “Have you got anything on?” I ask my brother.

He hesitates, and I realize he might have something planned with Hallie, but he says, “Nothing I can’t move. Why, what’s going on?”

“We fly up to Christchurch tomorrow,” Linc says. “And I was thinking of hiring a car and driving up to Greenfield.”

“For what purpose?” Fraser asks.

“To see your parents. I know Clemmie’s been unwell, and I’d love to see her again. And I’d like to see Atticus as well.”

“I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” Fraser says cautiously. “He hasn’t changed his opinion of you.”

“I know. But I have something important I need to ask him.”

Fraser’s eyes meet mine, and our eyebrows slowly rise.

“No…” Fraser says somewhat comically, drawing out the word.

I give a short laugh. “You’re kidding me?”

“You’ve only been here a week,” Fraser says. “Any chance you’re being a tad hasty?”

“Guys,” Linc says, “There’s something you should know. Back when we were at Greenfield… I was planning to propose to Elora when she turned sixteen.”

My jaw drops, and so does Fraser’s.

“That was always the plan,” Linc continues. “My intentions were always honorable. I loved her. And all these years… she’s always been the only girl for me. I realize that now. When I saw her at the museum, it was as if we’d never been apart. I’m obsessed with her. I want to marry her.”

“Jesus,” I say. “Wow.”

“I’m going to ask Atticus’s permission,” Linc continues. “I don’t need it, not really, not in this day and age. And I don’t expect to get it. But I’m going to ask.” He speaks with his usual bravado, but then he says, “I could do with some moral support, though.”

Fraser’s lips curve up. “Sure. We’ll fly down in the morning.”

“Really?” Linc sounds surprised, as if he didn’t expect us to agree. “I know you’re not my biggest fan.”

“I thought you were going to go back to the UK on Monday and break her heart,” Fraser says. “I didn’t realize you were interested in making an honest woman out of her.”

“Christ,” I say, “why do you always sound as if you’ve stepped out of the eighteenth century?”

Linc laughs. “Well, I am. So I can count on you two tomorrow?”

“For what it’s worth,” I say. “Obviously you know us being there isn’t going to change Dad’s mind?”

“Yeah. But if all goes well, it’d be nice if you were there when I proposed. I think she’d like that.”

Secretly, I’m impressed at his courage. It wouldn’t surprise me if Dad chased him off the grounds with a shotgun. The fact that he’s even bothering to ask for Dad’s permission has to count for something, surely? I don’t know if Dad will see it that way, though.

But he knows the risks, and there’s no point in being purposefully negative. Linc has always had the gift of the gab, and there is a chance, I guess, that he’ll be able to convince Dad that his feelings for Elora are real.

“All right,” Linc says, “well I’d better get some sleep. I’ll see you guys tomorrow, then?”

“Yeah, safe journey,” Fraser says, and I end the call.

The two of us sit and stare at each other, then start laughing.

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