Outback Sisters (46 page)

He frowned and he looked from her to their daughter. They'd spent the last four months—ever since they'd found out they were having a girl—arguing about names and had finally settled on Charlotte Rose. ‘I'm not sure you look like anything when you're only five minutes old,' he told her.

She laughed and then winced, indicating that the epidural was already wearing off.

‘Sorry. Are you all right?' he asked, hating to see her in any further pain. ‘Do you want me to take her?'

‘Yes, please. My arms are a little shaky.' She nodded, smiling at their girl as he lifted the baby off her and cradled her in his arms. She was so tiny and perfect. He'd forgotten how little newborns were.

‘So did you have something else in mind?'

‘I was thinking Celeste Ruth,' Simone said.

A lump formed in his throat. ‘Celeste was my mother's name.'

‘I know. And Ruth is mine. Do you like it?'

‘Celeste Ruth.' He tried the name on for size as he rocked their little bundle. The baby opened up her eyes at the sound of his voice and his heart melted. He couldn't remember the last time he'd shed tears but he sure as hell shed them now.

‘You big baby,' Simone said, her tone warm and amused. ‘I guess this means you either hate it or love it.'

He blinked back the tears and laughed, loving the fact that after being awake for almost thirty-six hours, Simone could still see the humour in things. ‘I love it. Celeste Ruth Knight,' he said again, putting his little finger in the palm of his daughter's minuscule hand. ‘Almost as much as I love the two of you.'

‘Oh, stop.' Simone shook her head. ‘You'll turn me into a big blubbering mess as well. Do you think they're going to move me to a room soon? Or should I try to feed Celeste in here?'

The middle-aged, motherly midwife who'd been hovering nearby approached them. ‘Your obstetrician has given you the all clear and the pediatrician said your baby is perfect, so I'm just waiting on an orderly to take you to your room. Shouldn't be more than five minutes but I'm happy to help you feed her here if you'd like?'

‘Nah, it's okay. I'll have a five-minute rest,' Simone replied.

The midwife chuckled and Angus grinned, not at all upset about having to hold his girl for little longer. ‘I reckon you deserve it,' he said.

True to her word, the midwife introduced them to an orderly just under five minutes later, then together they pushed Simone, holding Celeste in her arms, to her room with Angus walking alongside them.

‘I'll stay with you and help you with your first feed,' said the midwife once she'd settled Simone into her bed. ‘This your first baby?'

Simone shook her head. ‘Number three.'

The midwife smiled. ‘One for you, one for him and one for the country, eh? Good work. Are your other two boys or girls?'

‘Two girls,' Simone said, ‘but—'

Before she could explain further the midwife chuckled and turned to look at Angus. ‘Ooh, three princesses! Completely outnumbered, aren't you, love? And I bet they all have you wrapped around their little fingers.'

Simone looked at him, discomfort flashing across her face, but he grinned and nodded at the midwife. ‘They sure do. As does their mother. I'm a lucky man.'

And this was one hundred per cent the truth. Over the past eight and a half months, he'd grown to love sweet little Grace and feisty Harriet in a way he could never have anticipated. Grace had been having counselling for her eating disorder and was ecstatic to be living on the farm. She'd already made him promise to teach her all the tricks of the trade. Harriet couldn't wait to be a big sister again. He thought of them both as his own and truly loved them as much as he did Simone and little Celeste.

He'd lay down his life for all of them and Lord forbid any boy break any of their hearts, because he had a gun and he wasn't afraid to use it.

‘Ah, you're a natural at this,' the midwife told Simone, jolting Angus back to the present.

He stared down at his woman and child and had to agree. Simone's chest was bare and Celeste nuzzled against her, her tiny hand resting on her mother's breast as she made quiet suckling noises. The picture before him was more perfect than any postcard sunrise and even if he didn't have a camera to take a photo—which he did—he knew it was a moment he'd remember forever.

Marriage, babies, new directions … none of this might have been in any of their plans, but sometimes the best things in life were unexpected. And from now on, Angus Knight was just gonna go with the flow.

As usual I am in debt to a number of people who helped or supported me during the writing and publication of
Outback Sisters
.

My first thanks must go to my publisher, Sue Brockhoff, and the awesome team at Harlequin who work behind the scenes on my books. There are so many of you who do so much that I'm now too scared to list you all in case I miss someone. But know I appreciate you all and everything you do.

Thanks to my brilliant editor, Lachlan Jobbins, who always makes my least favourite part of writing a book not so bad after all and also Kylie Mason who helped edit this time around.

To my agent Helen Breitwieser, who is always so enthusiastic about my books and works damn hard to make sure others all over the world will one day be able to read them as well.

Thank you to my die-hard readers and all the reviewers who have taken time to read my books—with a special shout-out to those who send me lovely emails, chat on Facebook or write glowing reviews.

I think most writers suffer doubt at some stage or another during the writing of every book. Because the plot of
Outback Sisters
was a little bit complicated, this doubt came to me in spades about halfway through when I was certain the story was ridiculous. Without my faithful writing support crew (aka the buddies who understand the voices in my head) I may never have finished—so thank you to all who hold my hand and chivvy me on, you know who you are.

And a special mention to lovely readers Julie Hutchins—you know why—and Bec Climie for the vodka oranges (you naughty girl, you).

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ISBN: 9781760374204

TITLE: Outback Sisters

First Australian Publication 2016

Copyright © 2016 by 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:

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