Page 85 of Where the Heart Is

‘At the risk of repeating myself, you’re an idiot.’ She pointed at his face. ‘Any fool can see you’re in love with her.’

‘Even if I am, what’s the point? She can’t ever leave Ashe Ridge and I live in Melbourne.’

‘Ever heard of long-distance?’

‘Ever heard of butting the hell out?’

She laughed, instantly regretting it as she pressed her fingertips to her temples again. ‘In every relationship, someone always makes more of a sacrifice. It’s what couples do if they want to make a go of it. In your case, if she can never leave the farm, you’ll need to rethink where you live.’ Her expression softened. ‘Would it be so hard for you to move back here?’

If Alli had asked him that question any other time, he would’ve said hell yes. He’d never consider moving back to this town, a place that held nothing but bad memories for him.

Except the memories he’d made with Mila back then. And now … He’d convinced himself that walking away from her was inevitable. They had no future. How could they? He had to move around. His ADHD meant he couldn’t stay in one place too long. He may call Melbourne home, but he could count the weeks he spent in his house in Hawthorn on one hand. Being on the road suited him. Land broking was the perfect job.

What would happen if he gave it all up to stay in one place for longer than a month or two?

Would he grow to resent her? Would he be physically and mentally incapable of staying put? Would he run again, but this time leaving her heartbroken?

‘I can see you’ve got a lot to think about,’ Alli said, draining her coffee. ‘For what it’s worth, you can stay here as long as you like, because we love having you around, but I think you should sort out your shit with Mila.’

She stood and moved around the table to press a kiss to the top of his head. ‘You’re smart, little brother. I’m sure you’ll do the right thing, for both of you.’

Sawyer was glad one of them had confidence, because he couldn’t shake the terror that this life-changing decision could make or break him.

CHAPTER

52

When Jack hadn’t returned by six that evening, Adelaide started to worry.

She’d tried painting when she got back from Mila’s, but all she’d managed to do was create a few slashes of crimson, black, and grey that matched her mood perfectly. She’d tidied the bungalow, scrubbing it from top to bottom, and had stocked up on groceries, cooking a Thai prawn curry they could share for dinner tonight while she tried to make Jack see sense.

But she couldn’t do that if the man in question wasn’t around and by late afternoon, she wondered if she was doing the right thing in giving them a second chance.

Jack had closed off again. Retreated to the point of disappearing, which is exactly what he did for most of their marriage. Had he really changed as much as she’d thought?

Only a fool would make the same mistake twice. If she moved back and he ran away like this every time they had a disagreement, where would that leave her?

She couldn’t go through the coldness of their marriage again. She wanted a fresh start with the man she’d grown to love again over the last few weeks, not a stroll down memory lane that would end in disaster.

‘Stubborn mule,’ she muttered, referring to Jack, not herself, as she paced the living room, peering out the window every now and then in the hope his car would pull into the drive.

Her gaze fell on the locked door in the corner of the studio, the one he’d freaked out over when she’d asked what was behind it when she first arrived, and it struck her that she hadn’t asked him since despite her curiosity. Maybe if he ever returned, she could ask him again.

Her annoyance built as she continued to pace. This wasn’t her style, waiting for a man so she could knock some sense into him. She’d left passive Adelaide behind a long time ago. These days, she made things happen. Which meant she needed to find Jack and have the talk to end all talks.

The talk that would reveal whether she stayed or left.

Now she had her car, she could drive into town and try to find him, but after fourteen years, she wouldn’t have a clue where to start. When they were married, he’d always retreat to his favourite spot near the dam on the farm, where an old shed stored his fishing equipment.

She wondered … could he be there?

It was a long shot, but waiting here wasn’t helping, so she grabbed her keys and headed out the door before she could second-guess the wisdom of chasing after a man who might not want her.

Dusk descended as she walked the last hundred metres to the dam. A kerosene lantern shone like a beacon from the shed and as she got closer, she spied a small campfire, with a figure sitting in front of it.

Jack.

She should’ve been angry at him for stomping out this morning rather than sticking around and talking through their issues. She should’ve been annoyed he’d reverted to type. She should’ve wanted to yell at him for being so damn immature and overreacting over a stupid phone call.

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