Page 24 of Cinderella and the Outback Billionaire

‘You made lists for and against coming forward? I’d like to see that.’

‘It’s not something I carry on me.’ Or that he ever needed to see. ‘How’s your arm?’

‘Pinned in two places, so it’s a good thing I never have to rope another steer.’

‘And your leg?’

‘They used new surgical techniques to help with muscle regeneration.’

‘And your head?’

He raked his hand through unruly hair, pushing it back to reveal a spiderweb of jagged scarring still pink against his otherwise tanned skin. ‘They pulled a bunch of metal fragments from my head. It hasn’t affected brain function so far, although after tonight Judah might beg to differ. The optic nerve in my left eye is permanently damaged but it could have been worse. If I’d stayed in the tent much longer it would have been worse.’

She nodded. ‘I left at daybreak. The dust...’ No way could she have left any earlier.

‘I’m grateful, Ari. Why do you think I’ve been looking for you all this time? I want to pay you back. I owe you my life, and I am filthy rich and very well connected so if there’s anything you want or need, ask.’

‘I’m not really into payback. Look, I’m glad that you’ve made such a strong recovery and that I didn’t do anything to make things worse. That’s a load off my mind.’ She still had nightmares about his face. ‘If you don’t mind me doing a bit of seed collecting in the area, and sometimes I might take cuttings—that’d be awesome. I’m not doing any damage and you said you wouldn’t sue.’

‘I won’t sue.’

‘Then that’s all I need by way of thank you.’

‘I don’t believe you. Where’s your ute?’

‘Getting fixed. The radiator’s busted but they found a second-hand one for me. It’s under control.’

‘Are you digging into your savings to pay for it?’

He remembered that conversation? ‘Not after working for your brother this weekend. The hourly rate is generous.’ She hated the sunglasses because they hid his eyes, so she stared at his hands instead. They were big and lean, much like the rest of him He kept his nails short and the watch on his wrist looked understated in a way that probably meant it was worth a fortune.

‘Let me buy you a new twin cab,’ he pressed. ‘You’ll need something reliable if you’re going to be driving back and forth from Cairns.’

‘No, it’s too much.’

‘It’s pocket change for me.’

‘La di dah, Reid. Stop throwing your money in my face. I don’t want to be your little charity project that you check in on from time to time out of the goodness of your noblesse oblige.’ Why had Gert put those words in her head? ‘I would love for you to see me as your equal—for us to meet as equals—but I’m not. I never will have your kind of generational wealth or the status you enjoy. I really liked it in the tent when money and status meant nothing, and you needed my help. I had value—I think that makes me a terrible person that you needed to be practically dying for me to consider myself of value to you, but there you have it. I really liked the way we connected, and I still do like...you. I put that under reasons not to contact you.’

He leaned forward, elbows on walnut inlay, and steepled his hands. ‘That makes no sense.’

She wished she could see his eyes. ‘Yes, it does. Self-protection. Why fall for the unobtainable when I can avoid you instead? My reasoning is sound.’

‘I’m not unobtainable. I’m right here.’

Yep, right there being deliberately wilful.

‘Within reach,’ he added helpfully. ‘Looking for a woman who’s brave and resourceful and who knows this land as well as I do and who won’t drive me crazy. Big bonus points if she doesn’t want me for my money or status. Sound like anyone you know?’

‘No.’

‘Now you’re just being wilful.’

‘Me?’ He could talk!

He took off his sunglasses, possibly so she could quiver beneath his narrowed glare. ‘I dreamed about meeting you again. This isn’t how it went. There was touching—lots of touching and bonding. Definitely no arguing.’

‘Hey, I have great dreams too,’ she murmured dulcetly. ‘And then I wake up.’

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