Red Dirt Heart 3 by N.R. Walker Read Free Book Online

feeling a bit crook, I mean she’s not very well.”
    I was expecting a look of surprise or shock, but instead he looked to the floor and sighed. “She hasn’t been well for a while.”
    My body took a step toward him of its own accord. “What has she said?”
    He shrugged. “She’s good at hiding it.”
    “Why didn’t she say something sooner?” I asked quietly. “To me, I mean. I could have made her take time off, get rested or something.”
    “You’ve met her, son. She’s stubborn and proud. Don’t want to worry anyone.”
    “I’ll call the doctor,” I said.
    George smiled and shook his head. “I’ve been saying that for two weeks. She’s threatened bodily harm every time.”
    “George, she’s never sick,” I said, like I was telling him something he didn’t already know. “For as long as I’ve known her, she’s never been like this.”
    “I know,” he said sadly. He tried to smile, but it didn’t work. “And she says it’s just a cold or a flu or something. This winter’s been hard on her, but she says she’ll be right as rain in a day or two.”
    Whether he was repeating something Ma had said a dozen times or he was trying to convince himself, I wasn’t sure. I shook my head. “She said that to me weeks ago when Trav and I went to Alice.”
    George nodded. “I know, Charlie.” He didn’t sound mad or even resigned. It sounded like he’d had the same argument with her over and over.
    “She’s not to work until she’s feeling better. I don’t care if it drives her crazy, she can yell at me all she wants. She needs rest and she needs us to look after her for a change.”
    George smiled then, it was small and brief. “I’ll tell her.”
    “We’ll keep an eye on her,” I told him. “But if she doesn’t pick up in a day or two, I’ll drive her to Alice myself.”
    He ducked his head, and as he turned to leave, I handed him the cup of tea and spoke more gently. “I promised her some Panadol.”
    “I’ll get it,” he said. He sounded grateful. “Thanks, Charlie.”
    I turned then to see Travis just standing there watching me. “You okay?” he asked. “You’ve had one helluva morning.”
    I nodded, very aware that Nara was still in the kitchen loading trays up with breads and meat. “I’m fine,” I told him.
    Travis didn’t seem to care that we weren’t alone. He wrapped his arms around me, and despite my hesitation, I leaned into him. The hug was warm and strong and everything I needed. I could feel my worries disappear, and the weight of the morning—finding that box full of my childhood mementos in the roof—didn’t feel so heavy when he hugged me.
    “What was in the second box?” he asked, pulling back but keeping his hands on my arms.
    “Just papers, more clippings,” I told him. “I don’t know what any of it means. None of it’s about me.” I shrugged. When the back door squeaked open and the others walked in for lunch, I looked over to see that Nara had already taken one tray out to the table.
    I picked up the second tray, full of cut fruit, Travis grabbed the tray of sauces and condiments, and we followed Nara into the dining room. Everyone was sitting there, kinda quiet and waiting. I wondered why no one started eating, and that’s when I realised. They weren’t gonna start because George wasn’t there. I picked up a plate, filled it with sandwiches and fruit. “Um,” I started, “Ma’s not feeling the best. George is in with her now, so I’ll take this for him. You guys, please eat.”
    I left them kinda wide-eyed and stunned and took George in some lunch. I could hear a low murmur, but when I knocked on the door, their conversation stopped. George was sitting on the bed, and Ma tried to smile. I carried the plate in and handed it to George. “I can make you some toast?” I said to Ma. “All the times I was sick and you made me choke down dry toast, it’s the least I can do.”
    She laughed quietly. “Maybe later.”
    I left them