Page 55 of Her Dom's Secret Past

“Bathroom cabinet.” He almost grunted his answer.

I went to the master bedroom wing and rummaged, finding some Endone. I gave him a tablet and together we managed to get him into the bedroom and on the bed. After taking off his shoes, I went to leave him sleep, but he grabbed my hand so I lay alongside.

“I’m sorry, dearest, I should have listened to you.”

“It’s okay. Just rest.”

“How did I get this lucky to find you?”

“Beats me. I guess we are meant to be.”

“We are.”

Within ten minutes, he was asleep. I carefully got out of bed and decided to walk down to the little jetty thing. Grabbing a warm top, I headed down the stairs. At the bottom was a ramp, then more steps leading to a huge sandstone outcrop. Whoever had lived here before had made a shelter here. I bet John didn’t even know. He’d told me he hadn’t risked climbing down to the jetty in case he couldn’t get back up. Here was this delightful natural grotto-shelter thing. There was sandstone paving, and the huge rock curved back and around to make a back and side wall. The previous owner had constructed a roof to blend in and it was large enough to shelter a few dozen people. I had a pretty good idea once John saw it he’d be buying more outdoor furniture.

Anyway, from the shelter there was a vast grass area leading to the pier and the boat house. A wide sandstone path wound down to the jetty. I was fortunate there was a path because the grass needed mowing. Thank goodness it was the start of winter, because if it was summer it would have been up to my waist. I walked to the end of the jetty, then sat and dangled my feet. It was as if I was miles away instead of half an hour from my home and the hustle and bustle of Hornsby. I breathed in deep, fresh air with a slightly salty, fishy tang, as well as the light scent of eucalyptus—not surprising considering the amount of bushland surrounding the house.

I sat there for about twenty minutes, until it started to get cold, then I wandered back to the house. Going into the kitchen, I made myself a coffee. Opening one of the sliding doors, I stepped out onto the deck, glancing up and down the river. It was truly magnificent.

Leaning on the railing, I watched a few boats wend their way up past the house. A little later, a houseboat came into view and anchored not far from the curve in the river on the opposite side. I watched as they broke out fishing poles, a man, a woman, and a child. It was very peaceful.

The sun was beginning to dip low in the sky and as I watched, about a dozen kangaroos hopped out from the safety of the trees and began feeding on the grass—natural lawn mowers. John would love to know he had his own. Maybe he already did. I’d ask when he woke.

About twenty minutes later, strong arms wrapped me in a warm embrace. Turning in them, I faced John.

“How do you feel?”

“A lot better.”

“Maybe next time you’ll listen to me.”

He kissed my nose and said, “Maybe next time I will.”

I turned back within the circle of his arms to face the water again.

“Did you know you have a mob of kangaroos?”

“A what?”

“Kangaroos, you have a group of them. A bunch of them is called a mob and you have one. Think there’s about a dozen kangaroos in it.”

“I do? Where?” He craned his neck to check over the wooden railing.

“They’ve gone back into the bush now, but they came out around sunset and ate your grass. I think you’ll find they are living here.”

“Oh wow! That’s exciting. Do you think they’ll be back tomorrow night?”

“Possibly. They come out usually in the early mornings and at dusk. You’ll have to keep an eye out for them.”

“That’s why I wanted to get the outdoor furniture. I sat out here once but it took ages to get back on my feet.”

I laughed and shook my head at him. “You haven’t been down to the pier yet, have you? I think I remember you saying that.”

“Not yet. I didn’t know how my leg would cope with all those steps. The three levels of the house are enough.”

“Well, I did, and you have an outdoor area at the bottom of the stairs just before that grass area starts.” I pointed. “See that rocky outcrop? Well, that extends and someone has made a paved area with a weatherproof roof. It’s quite large.”

“I’ll have to go see.”

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