Page 99 of Beautifully Wild

“Are you doing anything special on the weekend?” The weather forecast predicts the rain will clear by the evening, so it should be fine.”

“We’re heading to the Barossa for a wine tour. What about you? Or are you still recovering?” Dana stands and wraps a silk scarf around her neck.

I glance out of the window. I don’t think I’ll ever recover, nor do I want to.

“I’m no clairvoyant, but something tells me it’s not jetlag why you’re still lethargic. Could it be something orsomeoneelse?” She gives me one of those looks she must have learned from my grandmother.

“You could say it’s both,” I say. I haven’t shared much about Samuel with my family. I won’t until I’m strong enough to talk about him without any tears.

“If you’re smart, you’ll tell me abouthimon Monday while Ethan is around.”

I laugh at her. “You haven’treallytold me what it’s been like to work with him.”

Dana shrugs. “Can’t complain because he does what’s asked. He’s your father’s robot. But if you ask me, he has an ulterior motive for being here. I know a rat when I smell one.”

Dana has never forgiven him for breaking my heart. “Maybe I have one as well, so beniceto him.”

“What are you not telling me?” Her eyes fixate on me while adjusting the collar of her coat.

I smile. “If the pieces line up for me, then you’ll be one of the first to know.”

“You’re going to leave me to deal with him, aren’t you?” she asks, pointing the curved handle of her umbrella in my direction.

“I’m not saying anything. Have a good weekend. Enjoy your wine tasting.”

“By the sounds of things, I’m going to need it.”

Eden: Being back at work is harder than I anticipated. I miss you so much. I don’t want to be here. I want to be back in the jungle with you—it’s something I didn’t think I’d say, yet I miss everything about it.

Love you with all my heart.

E xx

It’s the fifth text message I have sent Samuel.

Each message lines up below the other with zero replies in between. I have no idea when he’ll respond. Yet, I’m thankful to keep in contact and have a form of communication with him, even though it could be weeks or months before he responds. For now, it’s enough.

Grabbing my coat, I head out the door to Faith and Jake’s house. She arranged the Friday night family dinner party to hear about my travels since we only caught up briefly last weekend. Mum is picking Dad up from the airport and driving directly to Faith’s house. I’m not sure Dad wants to know everything, so I placedsafephotos in an album to share on my phone.

Faith lives twenty minutes from my parents’ beachside residence and only minutes from the city. As much as I admire the Edwardian architecture of her luxurious home, I carry some envy in how everything has come easy for her. It only lasts momentarily because I’m happy for her, and right now, my heart warms knowing I get aunty cuddles with my nephew.

I hesitate before knocking to appreciate the old stained-glass panels surrounding the front door. Beyond the door, there’s the patter of tiny feet on the floorboards. My brother, Will, unlocks the door, and before I have a chance to respond to his surprise visit from college, Seb jumps onto my leg.

“Edes,” Seb says excitedly and leaps into my arms.

I reach to Will with my free hand to pull him in for a hug. “This is a nice surprise. Are you on a semester break?”

“Good to see you, too, sis. Yeah, a brief break before mid-year exams. Have to say I like hearing stories about your trip. For once, I’m not the one stirring trouble.”

I laugh. “It’s not intentional. And you’ve grown again,” I say, tilting my head back more so than I remember.

Seb grabs my cheeks with both hands and turns my face, so he has my undivided attention. I kiss his cheek and plant my nose in his hair and inhale his freshly bathed scent. “Aunty Eden’s missed you.” He raises his head and nods at me. “And you’re going to be two soon? You’re growing up so fast.” Sebastian holds up two fingers. “That’s right.” I kiss his fingers and carry him into the kitchen, where my sister is placing a lasagna in the oven. The roundness of her stomach is now evident beneath her jersey.

“He’s missed his Aunty Eden, too.” She smiles at me. “Like your other surprise?”

I smile at Will as he takes a seat at the table and scoops a handful of cashew nuts from a bowl. “She didn’t recognize me.”

I roll my eyes. “You might be taller than me, but you still have the face of a little-shit brother.”

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