The Wildwood Sisters (28 page)

Dylan squeezed Annie's hands reassuringly. ‘Of course she can, sweetheart. Even though we can't see her, Mummy is with us all the time now. She stays alive in our hearts, and our minds.'

‘You always say that, Daddy. But how do I
really
know she is with me all the time, and you're not just saying that to make me feel better?'

Dylan drew in a breath as he stroked Annie's face, taking a few moments to gather the right words. ‘Well, sometimes in life, we have to just believe in things we can't see, Annie.'

Annie tipped her head to the side, taking in Dylan's words, her brows furrowed. ‘You mean, kind of like Santa, and the Easter bunny, and the tooth fairy?'

Dylan smiled at her uncomplicated comparison. ‘Yup, that's exactly what I mean.'

Cuddling into Dylan, Annie looked up to the sky and smiled. ‘I love you, Mummy.'

‘Love you, Shell,' Dylan whispered before closing his eyes and lying back with Annie in his arms.

They usually spent an hour or so here, lying by Shelley's graveside, and as long as the weather held off, today would be no different. Sometimes, he and Annie would have a chat with Shelley about what they'd all been up to and the like, but today he needed to speak privately with her. There were things he needed to say that Annie shouldn't hear. So, silently, he asked Shelley to forgive him for having feelings for another woman, and begged her to somehow show him a sign that it was okay for him to move on with his life.

And it was at this instant that the black clouds parted for a few brief moments, allowing the sunlight to burst through in distinct golden beams right where he and Annie were lying, and at the edge of the cemetery a rainbow appeared in all its gloriousness. The sudden warmth brought goosebumps to his skin. He wanted to—
needed
to—believe this was a sign from his dear departed wife. And just as he'd told Annie only minutes ago, sometimes you just had to believe in things you couldn't see.

***

‘I'll have to run in a minute, Tia. I think I can hear them coming up the driveway.' Renee pulled the curtains aside, watching as her pa's Land Cruiser came into view, followed by a cloud of dust. She'd tried to talk him into picking Nan up in the going-to-town car, but he refused to drive it, telling her his only means of transport were his feet, a horse or his Land Cruiser. ‘Yup, they're back.'

‘Okay, Reni, make sure you keep me updated on the lurve interest. It makes my boring life here a heck of a lot more interesting hearing all about yours. I still can't believe that your childhood sweetheart has simply walked back into your life. It must be fate, hey? Destiny and all that.'

Renee had told Tia about Dylan, but she wasn't going to mention the diary yet—not until she'd taken it to Craig and he'd looked it over. She didn't want to worry her friend unnecessarily. ‘I know, mate. I can hardly believe it myself. Time will tell if it's meant to be, or not. As much as I'd love to dive in head first with him again there's a lot to work through before we know for sure, including the major factor that I don't live here anymore. I don't know how we're going to get around that. But I promise I'll keep you updated. At least I know he still has feelings for me—and that's a damn good start.'

‘It sure is, Reni, so keep the faith that everything will work out how it's meant to, okay?'

‘I will, honey, thanks.' Renee sighed. ‘Far out, I miss you.'

‘And I miss you—heaps! I'll try and visit you soon, before you come back home to Melbourne, if I can swing some time off work. I really want to meet this Dylan Anderson, especially seeing as I've heard all about him for the last decade. Who knows? I might just score myself a country boy while I'm there too and then we can both live happily ever after.'

Renee laughed. ‘I'd love you to come and visit, and you never know—stranger things have happened.'

‘Are there any potential hotties you can introduce me to?'

‘There is this one guy, called Ralph. He's Dylan's best mate. I've known him since I was in nappies. He's a top bloke and good-looking to boot—he looks almost like Colin Farrell but with shaggy sun-bleached hair. I'd love to introduce you guys.'

‘Ooh, really? I love Colin Farrell! He's one sexy beast. You'll have to send me a pic.'

‘Next time I see him I'll sneak a photo and text it to you.'

‘I'd love that. Thanks Reni, you little cupid you.'

‘Yeah, well, you know me. I love love!' Out the window, Pa was trying to help her nan from the Toyota and Nan was defiantly shaking her head as she muttered indecipherable words. ‘Shit, I gotta go, they're at it already… Thanks once again for looking after Kat, and my apartment.'

‘Oh, I've trashed the place with all the parties I've been having, and Kat has turned feral and is pregnant with kittens, but my pleasure!' Tia replied, laughing.

‘You smart-arse. I miss you!' Renee said, hopping on one leg and then the other as she pulled on her boots.

‘Miss you too, mate. Say hi to your nan and pa for me. Bye,' Tia replied before hanging up.

Racing out and giving her nan a big hug, Renee had to stop herself from giggling as Pearl returned the embrace while still barking orders at Stanley to stop fussing. ‘I told you, Stan, I'm not an invalid. I can very capably get out of the car and up the front steps. Yes, I had a heart attack, and I know you're worried about me, but my ticker is still ticking and that's all that matters in my eyes. I won't have you fussing all over me. It'll drive me darn batty!'

Looking over the bonnet of the Toyota, Pa rolled his eyes skyward, smiling cheekily. Renee certainly knew where she got her stubbornness from—the pair of them.

Stan sighed resignedly. ‘Yes, dear, I know you believe you can take on the world and all, but—'

Pearl cut him off, her hands going to her hips. ‘There will be no buts about it, Stanley Wildwood. You have enough to do around here without having to wait on me hand and foot. You'll end up giving
yourself
a bloody heart attack if you take on any more than what you're doing now. I know I'm no spring chicken, but I'm home and I'm going to get back to living my life just the way I used to. Any longer in that darn hospital bed and I would have grown roots into the mattress.'

‘That's going to be my job, Nan—waiting on you hand and foot,' Renee piped in as she reached into the back of the Land Cruiser and grabbed Pearl's suitcase, the three of them heading up towards the front door of the homestead as the discussion continued.

Pearl's challenging gaze turned to Renee as they climbed the five front steps. ‘Oh no it's not, love. Your job is to get back on that plane and get back to Melbourne, where I know you're safe.'

Renee placed the bag on the ground as she pushed open the front door and shook her head, mustering as much confidence as she could. ‘Honestly, I feel safe here, Nan. No-one is going to hurt me.'
Thanks to Dylan protecting me,
she thought silently.

No way was she going to tell them about being followed at the ball last night. Hell, she wasn't even sure now that anyone had been following her—maybe her fears and a good dose of alcohol had conjured up something that wasn't even happening. Stepping into the dimness of the hallway, her eyes took a few seconds to adjust after standing outside in the sunlight—little white speckles floated like miniature fireflies in front of her.

‘And I'm not going anywhere until I know you're back to a full bill of health. End of story.'

Although a little intimidated by her nan's defiant gaze, Renee matched her nan's stance and folded her arms too, just for good measure.

Pearl turned to Stanley, her eyebrows raised almost to her curly salt-and-pepper-coloured hairline. Her small frame did nothing to take away from the determination in her eyes. ‘And what do you have to say about Renee staying here, Stanley?'

Renee noted the fact her nan had just called her pa by his full name. Things were getting serious. She stifled a smirk.

Stanley shrugged as he removed his boots and hung his tattered wide-brimmed hat on the hook at the doorway. ‘Sorry, dear, but I tend to agree with Renee. I'm out working a lot of the time and I need to know there's someone at home with you—just for a little while. Mick, Dylan and me are making sure we keep a close eye on her, so there's nothing to worry yourself with.'

‘I would like to say I'll take your word for that, Stan, but I still feel very uneasy about Renee being back here.' She huffed, shaking her head. ‘And who's this Dylan anyway?'

‘Dylan Anderson is my new right hand until Mick is fit enough to come back to work. And he's an old school friend of Renee's too, so that's a positive. I told you about him the other day at the hospital—I didn't think you were listening to me at the time, you were too busy reading your
Woman's Day
.'

‘Did you? I
can
read and listen at the same time, and I do listen to everything you have to say, my dear. My memory has been a bit like a sieve lately, with everything that's happened, that's all. Dylan Anderson?' Pearl said out loud as she tipped her head to the side in thought and tapped her chin. ‘Where do I know that name from?'

Stanley stepped inside, shutting the screen door behind him. ‘He's Peter and Claire Anderson's son.'

Pearl sucked in a breath. ‘I hope to God he is nothing like his hoodlum father? It was a blessing when that horrible man skipped town. I don't know Claire very well, but I've heard Peter left her in quite a state, the poor woman.'

‘No, Pearl, Dylan's a good lad. I wouldn't have hired him if I had any doubts.'

Renee felt the urge to jump in. ‘Pa's right, Nan. Dylan's nothing like Peter. He's actually a really charming guy. You'll love him when you meet him, I just know it,' she said a little too quickly, a stupid lovesick grin tugging at the corners of her lips. She bit her bottom lip to stop it spreading across her face. Nan knew her inside out and back to front, and she didn't want to give away her feelings for him. Not just yet.

Pearl's mouth dropped open a little as she regarded Renee, a knowingness flickering in the depths of her hazel eyes. Then she smiled ever so slightly, cheekily almost. ‘Is that so, love? I hope to meet him soon, then—just to make sure he's trustworthy, even though I do trust your pa's judgement.'

Shit, too late.
Her nan could read her like a book. ‘He'll be here for work tomorrow, I think, so you can meet him then if you like.' Renee looked to her pa for confirmation.

‘No, he's not here tomorrow, but he will be the day after—on Tuesday. We have some fences to fix and a few of the horses to shoe.'

‘Goodo then, I'll be sure to pop my head out when he gets here. But regardless of all these men keeping an eye out for you, love, I'm still very uncomfortable with you staying here because of me. I'd rather you got back home to your apartment, and got on with your life there selling those stupidly expensive houses.'

Renee smiled lovingly. ‘My life is here, too, Nan. This is also my home, my
real
home for that matter.'

‘But what about your work? Surely your boss can't be happy with you taking so much time off.'

‘It's all sorted, Nan, so no need to worry yourself. To be perfectly honest, I think I needed a break from work. It was pretty hectic and I was starting to feel burnt out.'

The two women stared at each other for a few seconds, as if in a Mexican stand-off, until Pearl threw her hands up in the air in defeat. ‘Okay, okay, I know I'm not going to win. But as soon as the doctors give me the all clear—' she pointed to Renee, ‘—you, my love, are going back to your other home.' She brushed her hands together as if satisfied she'd had the last word. ‘Now, let's all go have a cuppa on the back verandah. I've been dying to sit out in the sunshine. I feel like I've gone mouldy in that hospital.'

Renee got to helping her nan make a pot of tea in the only-for-special-occasions fine china while Stanley cut the red velvet chocolate cake she'd baked yesterday in preparation for Nan's return home. Cake cut, Stanley excused himself as he wandered out to the back verandah with the plate, licking chocolate icing off his fingers.

Watching her nan flutter around the kitchen like a butterfly that had just emerged from its cocoon, Renee had to silently admit that Pearl was looking ten times better already. Being out of the hospital and back in the fresh air was obviously giving her some of her legendary oomph back. And this home was where her nan's heart lived—just like her own heart, if she was completely honest with herself. There was something healing about being here, that fixed you from the inside out.

‘It's so great to have you home, Nan. I've missed having a woman here to chat to. The blokes just don't get us sometimes, you know?'

‘It does get a bit lonely not having a woman about the house, hey love,' Pearl said as she stopped pouring the milk into the pitcher, her eyes coming to rest on the photo on the windowsill of Renee and Scarlet with their mother.

Renee followed her nan's soulful gaze, her heart squeezing for not only what she had lost but for the insufferable loss her poor nan had endured, firstly her only son and daughter-in-law, and then her granddaughter too. Parents weren't supposed to bury their children, and especially not their grandchildren—not that they'd had the chance to do that with Scarlet—and that made it even worse. ‘I miss Mum and Dad and Scarlet every day, too, Nan. I wish they were all still here with us.'

‘I believe they still are, in their own way,' Pearl said softly. ‘I especially still feel Scarlet around the house.'

The unique scent of frankincense suddenly filled the room and Pearl turned to Renee as she closed her eyes and breathed in deeply—her unspoken words loud and clear. And then as quick as the aroma had arrived, it was gone.