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Sandra hesitated, waiting for the rest to go, but Graysen stayed beside her.
‘Are you okay?’ he asked. ‘Maggie shouldn’t have pushed everyone.’
‘She’s a strong-willed woman,’ Sandra said as she finally pushed her chair back and stood.
‘Actually, I don’t think she is. I think the clothes and jewellery and the brashness might cover a lack of self-confidence.’
Sandra chuckled as Graysen stood. She pointed to herself. ‘This is what a lack of self-confidence looks like.’
He shook his head slowly. ‘No. I think you’re very wrong. After dinner, would you sit outside with me and have a nightcap? Or a coffee?’
Sandra met his gaze steadily. ‘I’d like that very much.’
Chapter 12
Royal Darwin Hospital
‘I’m fine, Kane. I’m allowed to walk.’ Ellie stabbed at the elevator button on the ground floor of the hospital.
‘It’s a long way along the corridor,’ her husband said.
‘And it’s a bloody long time until the baby’s due,’ she said shortly. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. This is a happy day, and I won’t spoil it by being cranky. You have to trust me. I know what I have to do and I won’t do anything to put our child in jeopardy.’
‘I’m sorry, love. I know you won’t. Just a nervous husband and father.’
‘Kane? Over the past week I can’t stop thinking about Gina and how she must have felt when she was kidnapped and locked in that house.’
‘Thanks to you and her strength, she survived, so stop dwelling on it. Look at them now.’
‘Living in a Tuscan villa. I had an email from them the other day. Gina and David said congratulations on our pregnancy, and they invited us to go over and visit after the baby arrives.’
‘Would you like that?’
‘I don’t know. I’m an outback girl, but I guess I should broaden my horizons.’
‘We’ll pick a time next year. Something to look forward to.’
Ellie touched her growing stomach. ‘I think we’ve got plenty to look forward to.’
‘When can we see the babies, Mummy?’ James leaned over Kane’s shoulder as the elevator door finally dinged open.
‘Maybe today. They’ll probably be in their special cribs, but you can say hello to your cousins. We’ll go and see Aunty Dee first.’
‘Can they play with me when they get out of their cribs?’
‘They have to grow a little bit first, sweetie, but I’m sure you’ll play with them lots of times when they grow bigger.’
Kane put his free arm around Ellie’s shoulder. ‘Love you, Els.’
‘Love you too.’ She reached up and kissed him. ‘Ignore me when I’m cranky.’
‘I always do.’ Her husband’s smile was cheeky.
Ryan was standing outside the door to Dee’s room, looking down at his phone. Ellie walked over and put her arms around him. ‘Congratulations, big brother.’
Kane shook Ryan’s hand. ‘Way to go, mate. James, hold Mummy’s hand for me. I’ll be back in a minute.’
Ryan gestured towards the private room. ‘The doctor’s in there. Everything’s good, though. I stepped out to make some calls. What do you think we should do about Sandra?’
