Outback Blaze (44 page)
Authors: Rachael Johns
As he wove through the streets of town, waving at the volunteers who marked the various turning points, a buzz washed over him. This was his town, his people. He couldn't recall ever being so happy to call a place home. What a difference three months could make. Sure, occasionally some of the people in Bunyip Bay could be small-minded but they were in the minority. He liked that most of the townsfolk would go out of their way to help a neighbour and how he couldn't walk down the main street without stopping to talk to someone about their day. Maybe the attraction would wear off but for now the prospect of settling in Bunyip Bay with Ruby didn't fill him with the dread it once did.
And whatever happened down the track, one thing was certain â Ruby would be with him wherever he went, whatever he did. She was the most amazing woman. So strong, so brave, so gorgeous, justâ¦so much. He could almost look back and thank the Torchers for burning down his house. If they hadn't, he'd never have done a stint down under and he might never have found her.
âHey Drew, want a drink of water?' Grace's voice jolted him from his thoughts. He looked up to see her waving to him from one of the stands along the route.
âSure, that'd be great.' He stopped for a moment to pour the cup of water down his throat. âHow's things?'
âWicked. Mum and Harriet are fighting a lot less at the moment, so it's kinda not too awful living with them.'
He chuckled and handed her back the plastic cup. âI'm glad. And thanks for the drink. See you later.'
âYeah, at the Bunyip Parade.'
Drew smiled and kept running. Truth was he'd been wondering about the Bunyip thing ever since arriving in town. Although most of the locals favoured the Undies Run part of the day for the perve or humiliation factor, he couldn't wait to see what this so-called Bunyip Parade involved. Various people had told him stories but some of them sounded so outrageous, he wanted to see for himself.
Having run around the outskirts of town and a grid through the middle, he was puffing when the finish line came into sight. Seeing Ruby standing there, smiling and congratulating the runners, spurred him on to the end.
âWell done, Drew.' She went to offer him a participation ribbon, but he grabbed her hand instead and pulled her against him. The first, second and third place runners may have won a monetary prize but the kiss he stole was priceless.
Cheers erupted from all around them. Someone cried out, âWould you two get a room?' Ruby laughed against his mouth â the most beautiful sound in the world â and Drew knew he was the real winner.
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ISBN: 9781488710247
Title: Outback Blaze
First Australian Publication 2014
Copyright © 2014 Rachael Johns
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilisation of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the permission of the publisher:
Harlequin Enterprises
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
MIRA and the Star Colophon are trademarks used under license and registered in Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, United States Patent and Trademark Office in other countries.
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