Page 58 of Return of the Outback Billionaire

Silence.

Bridie closed her eyes, took a deep breath and began. ‘So, yesterday was tough to navigate. Lots of new and surprising information to think about, you know?’ She rushed on without waiting for more astonishingly loud silence. ‘But I don’t want to call off our engagement. You are without question the finest man I know. I want to marry you, cheer for you, laugh with you and cherish all the little pieces that make you who you are. I still want that for us.’

No one spoke.

Bridie cringed, wishing she could see how her words were being received. ‘Do you—is that what you want?’

She heard a heavy sigh, but wasn’t sure whose it was. ‘Did someone just huff?’

‘That was me,’ confessed Reid. ‘I’m trying to get my white-knuckled, tongue-tied brother to say something at this very special moment in time but he’s not responding to my cues.’

And then Judah spoke. ‘Bridie, you don’t have to do this. You don’t owe me a damn thing.’

‘Wait!’ yelped Reid. ‘What?’ There was the sound of a scuffle and muffled words she couldn’t quite hear and then Reid in her ear again. ‘Sorry I interrupted. My brother hasn’t quite finished speaking yet.’

She waited. And waited.

And held her breath and waited.

‘I’m yours.’ Rough-cut words that sounded as if Judah had carved them out of his heart just for her. ‘Yes, that’s what I want. So much.’

‘Great. That’s perfect. You’re perfect.’ Even if he wasn’t one for fancy words. She could be the fancy-word provider. Not a problem. ‘Will you join me for an hour before sunset? And probably after the sun sets too? I want to spoil you to make up for my...confusion...yesterday.’

‘No need,’ Judah rumbled. ‘It’s forgotten.’

‘No, it’s not, even though we’ll never mention it again. Will you please let Reid bring you to me this afternoon, no questions asked?’

‘Yes.’

Yes! She punched the air with her fist. ‘See you then. Oh, and, Reid?’

‘My rotor blades are at your service, future favourite sister-in-law.’

‘I’m really glad I get a little brother out of this deal too.’ And not just because she really needed his help if she had any hope of pulling her rapidly forming plans together in a day. ‘How soon can you get here? I have so much for you to do.’

Reid found Judah in his office shortly after five that afternoon. Judah studied his brother, looking for clues as to what he’d been up to, but Reid’s aviator sunglasses hid his eyes and nothing else about him looked any different than it had this morning. Well-worn jeans, loose T-shirt, work boots, ready grin. Reid had been back twice throughout the afternoon to refuel, so he’d sure as hell been covering some ground in his compact two-seater helicopter.

‘Ready to go find your intended?’

Reid had taken to all but bouncing up and down on the balls of his feet. Nervous energy was a new look for Reid and instantly made Judah even more suspicious about what the afternoon held in store. ‘Am I going to like this surprise?’

‘God, I hope so,’ muttered Reid. ‘If you don’t, I’m thinking of relocating to Canada for a recovery holiday. Got your wallet?’

‘What for?’ Who needed a wallet around here?

‘ID in case we crash. I’ve been reading up on my aviation rules.’

His brother’s words were almost believable. Only not.

‘Just bring your wallet.’ Reid spread his arms out imploringly. One of his forearms had an ugly red scrape on it that Judah was pretty sure hadn’t been there this morning. ‘C’mon, I’ve been humouring Bridie all afternoon and it was a very tough gig. Is it too much to ask that you take your wallet out of your desk drawer and shove it in your back pocket?’

‘Testy.’ But he did as his brother asked, and Reid’s smile reappeared.

‘How about a shirt with a collar?’ Reid suggested next and Judah eyed him narrowly.

‘Why?’

‘Have I mentioned the amount of effort I’ve expended this afternoon on your behalf? Not to mention the effort Bridie’s put in. Last I saw her she was absolutely filthy, headed for a shower and obsessing about whether she had anything suitable to wear. Silk was mentioned, along with whether she had time to wash and dry her hair and do anything with it. I have never run away faster, but out of the goodness of my very kind heart I’m sharing this information with you in case you want to go and change your shirt.’

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