Page 34 of Jillaroo from Jacaranda

‘That son of a bitch.’ Ty was fighting the urge to go to Bali and give the guy what-for. ‘Why didn’t you tell me, Leah? We’ve spoken a few times over the past couple of months, and you haven’t mentioned a damn word.’ He was hurt she’d not confided in him. They usually told each other everything – or so he had thought.

‘I’m so sorry, bro. I was ashamed to tell you about it, but then, it’s not like the pickle I’m in is going to go away any time soon.’ Shifting from foot to foot, she blinked faster. ‘I hope you don’t mind me turning up on your doorstep unannounced. I just … didn’t know where else to go,’ she whispered, her gaze going to her boots. ‘With Mum too busy living her new life with her overbearing husband and two equally overbearing kids, you’re the only family I have, and the only person in the world I trust.’

Raw emotion punched Ty in the chest, hard, making it impossible to talk. Instead, he pulled his sister into his arms and held her tight while she sobbed against his shoulder. He’d spent his younger years protecting her from harm, but then she’d left and he’d had to let go of that instinct to wrap her up in cottonwool. Now she was back, he would do anything in his power to ease her burden, and put a roof over her head – and that of his nephew or niece – for as long as she needed him to.

Her body softening, she finally sniffed and tilted her head back to look at him. ‘Sorry, I’ve soaked your shirt with my waterworks. The pregnancy hormones are making me an emotional mess.’ She wiped the tip of her nose with the sleeve of her shirt as she stepped back, offering him a sad smile.

Ty mirrored her expression. ‘Yeah, there’s the rollercoaster of hormones, but I think it’s fair to say it’s probably also the stress of it all. So give yourself a pass, hey, little sis?’

She leant in and pecked his cheek. ‘Thanks, bro. I can always count on you to make me feel better.’

‘So, when are you due?’

Leah’s hand went to her belly. ‘February nineteenth.’

Ty quickly did the math. ‘Gee whizz, that’s only seven weeks away.’

‘Yup. That’s if I don’t come early.’

‘Let’s hope not, because it’ll make for a frantic trip to the hospital if you do.’ Ty whistled through his teeth. ‘We better get you booked in for the birth at the Townsville hospital.’

‘Already on my list of things to get done.’

‘Good.’ Ty gave her an affirmative nod. ‘Do you know what you’re having yet?’

Leah grinned. ‘A baby.’

‘Ha, you’re still a smartarse. Boy or girl?’

‘I didn’t want to know.’

‘Well, I suppose you’ll find out soon enough.’

Leah hooked her arm into Ty’s. ‘That I most certainly will.’

‘Come on, then. Let’s get this rental beast parked and get you unpacked in the guest room.’ Ty tugged her forward. ‘And after that, I’m going to make you and the little one something yummy and nutritious for dinner.’

‘I’ve missed your cooking, so that sounds like an awesome plan to me.’ She looked towards where the cottage roof glinted in the midafternoon sunshine. ‘I can stay there, though, if you like. You know, to give you your space, Mr Bachelor.’

‘Oh, normally you could, sis.’ Ty felt oddly like a teenage boy being busted for liking a girl. ‘But I’ve got someone staying there for the next three weeks.’

‘Ah, you have, have you?’ Leah’s forehead puckered as she folded her arms and intently regarded him. ‘Who is she?’

‘How do you know it’s a she?’ Ty fidgeted beneath his sister’s knowing stare.

‘Easy.’ She pointed towards his face. ‘Because you’re blushing.’

‘No, I’m not.’ He looked to the blazing ball of fire in the cloudless sky. ‘I’m just hot, that’s all, you weirdo.’

‘Yeah, righto, pull the other one while you’re at it.’ Leah fell into step with him. ‘I look forward to meeting her, when you let me.’

‘Don’t make a big deal of it, sis. She’s just a friend.’ He slid behind the driver’s seat and pulled the lever to slide the chair back. ‘Get in. I’ll go and park up near the house and you can put your feet up while I unpack your luggage.’

‘Cheers, bro.’ Leah hopped into the passenger side. ‘You know that saying she’s just a friend makes it even more conspicuous, right?’

‘Not if it’s the truth, it doesn’t.’ He revved the engine to life and turned back towards the homestead.

Leah chuckled. ‘I’ll be the judge of that.’