Page 62 of A Chance to Believe

‘What are you thinking about?’

The question came as they were pulling into his parents’ driveway. He parked the car and sat back, not in a hurry to get out and face his parents’ questions. ‘I was thinking about us. You don’t want to be involved because it’s hard when you lose someone. Today I put myself in a situation that could have been dangerous.’

‘It was dangerous. You could have died.’ She held up a hand at his protest. ‘I’m not deaf. I heard the SES team talking. Anything could have gone wrong. You and Morgan and Jordan could all be dead now.’

‘We aren’t, though. We did everything possible to be safe.’

‘I wonder how Becca Cavanaugh would feel if she knew her husband was in danger.’

‘I doubt if Morgan will tell her, especially as she’s as close to giving birth as you are. Closer, going on due dates. He was saying she’s overdue.’

‘Finding out he put himself in danger will probably do the trick.’

He stiffened, wondering if she was dropping a hint. ‘You think so?’

She rolled her eyes. ‘Men. I don’t know why we had to come here. I’m filthy and you’re worse. What will your mother think?’

‘She’ll send you off to have a shower and find you some clothes.’

‘I’m not likely to fit into anything of hers.’

‘Dad will have some t-shirts and someone will have some tracksuit bottoms you can wear.’

‘Glamour.’ Her tone was wry.

‘I doubt if he has your favourite pink, but it will do until we get home.’

If they made it home. She was shifting on the seat, stretching to put her hand to her lower back. After the day they’d had, he wasn’t taking any chances. Especially after her doctor had said the twins could come at any moment.

‘Shayne?’ His mother’s voice made him jump as she tapped on his window. ‘What are you doing out here? Are you and Cassie all right?’

‘You’ve heard about Jordan?’

‘Grace rang. Morgan let her know. Jordan’s sister is looking after the children, so Celie can travel down to Brisbane. The Life Flight helicopter is on its way, so Morgan and Doctor Long are stabilising him ready for the transfer.’

She stepped back as he opened the car door. He put his stiff leg down gingerly and jiggled a bit until he was sure it would hold him. ‘We’re fine. Just grubby. I thought we should drop in and catch up. Can we have a meal before we head home?’

Her eyes narrowed as she craned her neck to look past him. Cassie was rubbing her belly this time with an odd expression on her face.

‘Good idea. Both of you look like you need a shower. Come on in, Cassie, you can have the main bathroom and Shayne can use the guest ensuite.’ She bustled off and he helped Cassie out and grabbed her large handbag. Her smile was perfunctory, but she made her way into the house. Dawn was in the main bathroom with a pile of apricot-coloured towels and a bundle of neatly folded clothes.

‘There should be something in there that will fit, even if the bottoms have to sit under your belly.’ She went off, muttering about checking the ensuite.

He was reluctant to leave Cassie, but she shoved him out with a firm hand on his arm. ‘I’ll be fine, really. Your parents have put grab rails in the shower and a seat, so if I feel wobbly I’ll be safe enough.’

‘Don’t lock the door. Just in case.’

She wrinkled her nose at him, but there was something tender in her smile. ‘You are a worrywart, aren’t you?’

It was hard to speak past the knot in his throat. ‘Don’t tell anyone. I’d lose all credibility with my workers.’

‘I won’t. Your secret is safe with me.’ He wondered if other things would be safe. Like his heart.

He hurried to have his own shower, changing into an old pair of chinos and a polo shirt belonging to his father that should have gone to the charity store back when his dad had lost the extra weight. His mother was a bit of a hoarder.

He was starting to worry and found himself hovering outside the bathroom door when she appeared. ‘Nice.’

She looked down at herself. ‘Surprisingly decent.’

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