Page 95 of The Flirty Vet

"…but that meringue has won the Country Women's Award."

I don't know exactly what that means, but I figure it must be a pretty big deal if she's bringing it up.

"Well, it's a very worthy winner," I say. "This really is delicious."

While I inhale her award-winning pie, she fusses about in the kitchen. And even though she's acting friendly enough, I can't help but wonder what's going through her mind. My job, my presence here, affects her just as much as it does Wilby and the rest of the family.

"I don't hate you, Col," she begins, as if sensing what I'm thinking about. "This is a tough predicament for everyone involved. It's obviously hard for us since this place…"

She stops what she's doing and gazes out the window, a wistful look on her face. "This place means everything to me. It'swhere I was born. Where I had my daughter, then saw her go on to give me grandkids and great-grandkids. It's not just a place where life unfolded, it's…it's my soul. It's me."

She exhales deeply and returns to wiping down the counter. "But I also understand that you have a job to do, and just between you and me…"

She turns and levels me with a serious look. "I'd like to take you at your word that we can find a way to reach a good settlement here."

"That would be great," I say, looking directly into her eyes. "I meant it when I said that, and I would very much like for that to happen. If we work together, I am confident we can reach a good outcome."

She holds my gaze for a while, and as she does, I see her. More than a grandmother, or even a matriarch, I see her as a person. She's stronger than she looks, and I'm filled with an overflow of respect and admiration for her.

Noticing my empty plate, Polly leans over and collects it. "Another one?"

"It'd be rude to say no," I say, smiling warmly at her.

She smiles back, a twinkle in her eye. "Wouldn't want that now."

During my second helping, Polly leans against the counter and asks, "What's this about Wilby avoiding you?"

Oh. Of course he's kept her in the dark about that. I don't exactly want to rat him out. He didn't tell Polly about my fear of flying, so I feel I owe him for that.

"Oh, it's nothing. Wi-Fi's a little spotty in Scuttlebutt," I say, wiping my mouth. "Maybe my messages aren't getting through to him. It's probably just that."

The look on Polly's face suggests she doesn't buy it for a minute. "Bullshit. Scuttlebutt's got the highest rate of connectivity to satellite internet in the entire country."

Okay, and her words confirm her skepticism.

"Um, well…"

"Is Wilby not getting back to you?"

"He isn't."

"Right. Well, I'll give him a firm kick up the backside when he gets back."

"Gets back?"

"He flew down to Sydney to visit a friend from uni. Dunlop Palmer. You heard of him?"

"The name rings a bell, but I'm not sure from where."

"He's from one of the richest families in Australia. Made their fortune in property development. Wilby met him when he was studying in Sydney."

Ah. So Wilby's on a quest to secure some funding. That's…not the worst idea in the world. I just wish he'd told me, and I wouldn't have wasted my time hanging around here.

"Handsome fella, too," Polly continues. "I even thought they might have ended up together. But now Dunlop's found himself a lovely chap. They got married recently. He's an American, just like you…"

My breath catches, and I zone out as Polly keeps talking.

That name. Dunlop Palmer. I know where I remember it from.