The Wildwood Sisters (29 page)

Renee stared back at her nan in shock. ‘You can smell that too? So I'm not going insane?'

Pearl nodded slowly as she opened her eyes. ‘I sure can. I only used to get a whiff of it occasionally, like once or twice a year, and so fleetingly I wondered if I was imagining things, but over the last six months I've been smelling it a lot more. I just wish I could take her in my arms and feel her close to me again.' Pearl drew in a deep breath, and then sighed. ‘I haven't told your pa any of this either—he'd think I've lost my bloody marbles—so keep it between us, okay?'

‘My lips are sealed. I thought I was losing my mind at first, too, but now the scent gives me a weird type of comfort. I feel so much better now I know you can smell it too, Nan. And like you, I just wish there was a way I could reach out and touch her.'

Stretching up on her tippy-toes, Pearl cupped Renee's face, her five-foot frame only coming up to Renee's chest. Her nan's lashes were heavy with unshed tears. ‘It's a blessing her spirit is still with us, but it does make me wonder what she's trying to tell us. If only ghosts could talk, hey.' She smiled gratefully. ‘Thank you for coming home to take care of me. I really do appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. I've missed having you around all these years, my love.'

Renee choked back tears. ‘You don't have to thank me, Nan. You'd do exactly the same for me. It's just what family is meant to do.'

Pearl kissed Renee on the cheek before turning back to the sink. ‘I just hope we find her body before I pass on, so we can give her the burial she deserves. The hardest part is not knowing where she is, even after all these years. And I hope the cops find the horrible person that took her from us so they can get the justice they deserve.'

Renee placed her hand lovingly on Pearl's back, resolve filling her. She had to get the diary to Craig as soon as possible—at least that way she would feel as though she was doing something to aid their plight. ‘We will find her, Nan. I have no doubt in my mind.'

‘I do hope you're right. I've prayed for justice for Scarlet every single night, and I will keep doing so until my prayers are answered. God has to hear my pleas for help sometime, surely.'

‘When the time is right, he'll heed your prayers, Nan,' Renee said, her voice cracking with emotion.

Sniffling, Pearl wandered back over to the fridge to pop the milk bottle back in. ‘Anyways, my love, that's enough moping. Let's join your pa out the back before the old bugger thinks we're missing in action. He's probably eaten all the cake by now, knowing him and his sweet tooth.'

‘He better not have eaten it all. I've been looking forward to devouring a piece or two of that cake all day,' Renee said, chuckling as she placed the last of the cups onto the serving tray.

Following her nan out of the kitchen, Renee's gaze travelled out the large bay window and off into the distance, where the Opals Ridge National Park met with the edge of Wildwood Acres. There had to be a defining clue out there somewhere, but where? It was like trying to find a needle in a damn haystack, but she wasn't going to give up—she couldn't. Something was telling her she was close, closer than she or anyone else had ever been to unravelling the tangled truth. Scarlet was making her presence known for a reason, and Renee was determined to finally give her beautiful sister the justice she deserved.

That evening, Renee chuckled to herself when she caught herself yawning and looked at her watch to find it was only eight thirty. She was already bone tired and longing to hit the sack, and the gorgeous sound of rain hammering down on the roof of the homestead was aiding her lethargy. If she were back in Melbourne she would still have a few hours of life left in her—going to bed before midnight an absolute rarity. But she now loved getting up early in the morning, the change of routine suiting her and the surrounds she was in. There was something so very satisfying about rising just before daybreak and watching from the back verandah of the homestead as the earth came alive.

Much as she loved city life, this place was taking hold of her again. Going back would be harder than she'd expected. And if she and Dylan decided to make a go of things, how in the hell was she meant to walk away from the two things in the world that truly owned her heart? She just couldn't bear to think of it.

Making sure Scarlet's diary was still tucked safely under her mattress—she'd rung the police station and Craig had informed her he was on late shift tomorrow, so she was going to drop it off in the afternoon—Renee climbed beneath the feathery pleasure of her doona, turned on her side, and then snuggled into her boomerang pillow. Her ears rang from the beautiful silence, and the pitch black of her bedroom made her body sink even further into blissfulness. Country life could be so delightfully peaceful.

It had been lovely sitting around the dining room table with Pa and Nan and Mick, enjoying a Sunday roast like the good old days—the only difference being that Renee had cooked it herself. And her nan had been very impressed by her culinary skills, even going back for a small helping of seconds, while Pa and Mick had devoured every last drop of the luscious minty lamb gravy with thickly buttered bread. Then it had been onto the bread-and-butter pudding, which she'd made from Nan's CWA cookbook. It had been lip-smackingly delicious and was just what the doctor had ordered, the four of them enjoying the simple pleasures of life while catching up over humble home-cooked food.

Closing her eyes, Renee's thoughts turned to Dylan, and she wondered how he was feeling about spending last night with her at the ball. He had seemed smitten when they had awoken still wrapped in each other's arms, but they had quickly parted ways before anyone could spot them together, only briefly chatting to each other again over the barbecue breakfast. They had swapped mobile numbers before saying their goodbyes, and she had been checking her mobile every ten minutes just to make sure it was turned on, but she'd heard nothing from him all day. The silence was killing her, although she wasn't going to hound him. He had enough on his plate to deal with at the moment. And he'd been very firm about the need to spend some time together as friends. All in good time, she hoped.

Just as she was about to slip into a peaceful slumber, her mobile phone beeped, sending her flying from the covers and over to her dressing table. Her heart flopped around like a fish on the end of a line when she spotted it was a message from Dylan.
Hallelujah!

Hi Renee. Hope your nan is doing ok. Was wondering if you'd like to come out to my place tomorrow arvo for a swim and a BBQ with Annie and me? No worries if you can't.

Renee jiggled on the spot, excitement filling her completely. A swim and dinner…
and
she'd be meeting Annie. She understood this was a huge step for Dylan, introducing her to his daughter, even as a friend—kids were clever little beings—and she was honoured. She couldn't wait to meet Annie in person. She texted him back straight away.

Hi Dylan. Nan is doing ok. I reckon she'll be back to her feisty self in no time. And I'd love to. Pa said he's only got half a day of work tomorrow so he'll definitely be around the house with Nan—I don't want to leave her on her own just yet, even though she keeps telling me she's fine! I'll be there around 5ish, if that's okay? I'll even bring a six-pack and some dessert.

While waiting for him to reply, Renee did a happy dance around her bedroom. The love of her life was finally
back
in her life, even if it was just as mates. She wasn't sure if he was ready to commit to a relationship—or if he ever would be after losing his wife so tragically—but at the moment she was happy to take whatever Dylan was offering, and a firm friendship was a very good start. One step at a time, she reminded herself. The phone buzzed once again.

Sounds great, whenever you can get here is fine. Text me when you're leaving so I know to look out for you. I've got a bit of work to catch up on around the place but I won't be far away from the house. Catch you tomorrow. Sweet dreams beautiful lady. Xoxo

Renee grinned, feeling like she was seventeen all over again as she wrote back to him.

Okay, catch you then. I look forward to seeing your place and meeting Annie. Night. Dream sweet. Xx

Freefalling backwards with her arms stretched out wide, Renee collapsed back onto her bed, grinning for all of Australia. Between having her nan back home and being invited to spend the afternoon with Dylan and Annie, life was looking brighter. Tomorrow was going to be a wonderful day.

It had only just gone past six in the morning, but life on Ironbark Plains was, as usual, in full swing. Never one to be a night owl, Dylan loved the early morning starts that country living brought with it, his land stealing his heart each and every morning he watched it come to glorious sunshine-filled life.

Leaning against one of the timber railings, he watched as three of his mum's prized silky bantams went tearing past where he and Annie were standing in the shade of the stables, followed closely by Annie's two pet ducks, Funky and Groovy. Bossy raced behind the clucking birds in hot pursuit, her long gangly Great Dane legs making ground fast as she barked animatedly. Claire hurried behind the crazy mob, straw broom in hand, hair in curlers with a hairnet tied over the top and her pink terry towelling robe flapping out behind her like a cape as she shouted at Bossy to stop. It was a sight to behold.

Annie giggled as she brushed Rascal and the horse turned his head to watch the commotion, nickering as if laughing at the chaos. Dylan had to agree with Annie and Rascal—it was highly amusing, although very naughty on Bossy's part. Bossy ignored Claire's pleas to stop and she finally gave up the chase, huffing and puffing and shaking her broom out in front of her. Dylan shook his head and whistled to his mischievous canine friend, commanding Bossy come to his side immediately. He knew Bossy wouldn't hurt a fly—unless it was to defend Annie—but the terrified birds clearly weren't so sure. Bossy skidded to a stop, eyeing Dylan and then the absconders before doing as she was told. Panting heavily, she charged over, then leant her eighty kilograms against him, almost knocking him over in the process. Bossy was forever leaning against people. It was a well-known loving trait of the Great Dane.

Dylan gave her oversized head a loving rub. ‘You've really got to stop scaring them like that, Bossy. Every time you do it they stop laying eggs for a few days.' He leant in to whisper in her massive upright ear. ‘That really pisses Ma Anderson off, and you don't want to do that because then you won't be getting any treats off her in the near future.'

As if on cue, Claire came up beside them, out of breath and clearly not impressed. She wagged her finger and Bossy eyed her like a naughty child before dropping her head. ‘Yes, you know you shouldn't be doing that, you cheeky thing. Stop chasing my chickens, and Annie's ducks, or I'll smack you on the backside with my broom.' Claire shook the broom for good measure and Bossy eased her way behind Dylan.

Dylan observed Bossy, smirking. ‘Don't you hide behind me, you chicken.' He laughed out loud, winking at his mum. ‘Get it?
Chicken
? You know… Bossy was chasing the chickens, and well, bad joke… Forget it.'

Easing herself down awkwardly, Bossy lay on the ground, both of her paws resting on Dylan's boots, as she appeared to sulk. He had to stifle a chuckle. She was a clever dog and knew she'd done wrong. She'd got into trouble countless times for chasing the chickens and ducks, so clearly the fun was well worth the stern talking to.

Claire rolled her eyes at Dylan, her frown disappearing as she giggled. She gave him a quick peck on his cheek. ‘It's great to hear you joking about again, son. I think the psychologist is helping you a lot.'

Dylan smiled as he observed Annie and Rascal. ‘Yup, she sure is. It's like magic. Even after two visits I'm already feeling a heck of a lot better than a few weeks ago—and I haven't had one nightmare since I spoke to her. I've got another appointment at the end of this week.' He turned to his mum. ‘Thanks for keeping on my case about going to her, Mum. I reckon I'm actually ready to put Shelley's things away—' he touched his wedding ring tenderly, ‘—and maybe even take this off…
Maybe
.'

Claire reached out and squeezed Dylan's arm, her eyes full of compassion as she blinked quickly. ‘That's so very wonderful to hear. I know it's going to be hard for you, but it really is time you let go, so you can move forward. I can help you pack up her things if you like.'

‘No, I need to do it on my own, but thanks for the offer.'

‘Okay then.' Claire smiled lovingly. ‘I'm proud of you, Dylan, getting help like you have. It's a big step.'

‘Thanks, Mum.'

Claire waved to Annie, who'd finished brushing Rascal and was now standing with her arms wrapped around the horse's neck in a loving embrace. ‘Morning sweetheart.'