Run Beautiful Run, page 37
‘I’m so sorry to do this to you.’ Her hand cupped his cheek, as the sweep of emotions filled her. ‘I love you, Joe. I love you so much.’
‘Finally.’ He smiled at her, resting his forehead against hers. ‘I’ve been wondering when you were going to tell me.’
‘I’m saying it now and I’ll say it again. I love you.’ She gripped his stubbly chin and kissed him.
‘And I love you too,’ he said tenderly. ‘Come on, let’s get out of here, this water’s freezing.’
Seventy-four
SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES
Regus poured scotch into a pair of tumblers resting among the paperwork on his desk. He passed one glass with a copy of the day’s newspaper to Woodcock, seated beside Maddison in the guest chairs.
‘Front page news, and the biggest scoop this paper has ever had. It’s sending shockwaves right across the country. Thanks for this, Woodcock.’ Regus picked up the box of scotch off his desk, the bottles inside clanged as he set it down on the floor by his couch. ‘Are you sure you don’t want to take a couple of bottles, Maddy?’
‘I’ve had enough scotch to last me a lifetime, thank you. Any updates on Antonio Cottillard?’ Maddison asked Woodcock, who was sipping on his tumbler.
‘Cottillard’s locked up in his own special federal cell. We’ve shut down all his operations, seized his assets and frozen his bank accounts. He’s awaiting trial for people smuggling, trafficking, murder, attempted murder, kidnap, and so many other charges, Cottillard and his men have no hope of seeing daylight again.’
‘And those Melbourne detectives?’ Maddison asked.
‘We’ve arrested them, including that politician in Canberra, all in one big sweep. We timed it so they couldn’t tip each other off.’
‘Did I tell you that those beautiful bloodhounds found Cottillard’s payroll list. It had everyone, including customs officers, immigrations officers, the lot. That information was kindly donated to the feds as an anonymous tip, of course.’ Regus nodded to the Superintendent sipping on his scotch.
Woodcock nodded back. ‘All those names, that a concerned citizen supplied to us, are being arrested as we speak.’
‘And the people Nancy and I travelled with in that sea container?’ Maddison asked Woodcock. ‘Please tell me those children are safe. You got to those vans, didn’t you?’
‘We had a team following the vans the second they left the warehouse.’
‘Are they all safe now?’
‘We’ve rescued over a hundred people,’ replied Woodcock.
‘No way?’
‘We’ve raided sweatshops, construction sites, even brothels.’
‘And the children?’ She had to know.
‘We found them all, reuniting them with their families as we speak.’
‘They’re safe, Maddy.’ Regus tenderly patted her arm. ‘And you’re safe too and that’s what matters to me.’
‘How long will you keep running the story?’ Woodcock asked Regus.
‘As long as it sells papers. Right now, its headline news. But Maddison’s done the best version of the entire events, set for the next issue of the Maddison Magazine. It’ll be an exclusive insight into this whole sorry saga. Bob would’ve been proud.’
‘It’s the least I could do. I’d promised Uncle Bob I would.’ And it was finally over. Pulled from the icy waters of Melbourne, she’d endured endless police interviews. Then, with Joe by her side, they’d flown by private jet with Nancy back to Sydney. This morning, Maddison returned to her mother’s office, shut the door, lifted the lid on the laptop and started typing.
Everything went into the article, publicly thanking all of those who’d helped her along the way, dedicating it in honour of her Uncle Bob. He’d started this journey, making her swear to keep her promise, to see his story through to the very end.
But it'll be a long time before she made another promise. Even though she’d learned a lot of life lessons along the way, unearthing secrets of her past, which helped her to decide what her focus would be for her future.
She glanced at her watch as a giddy swirl of anticipation rose from her lower belly as she rose to her feet. ‘If you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a hot date.’
‘That Joe is a fine fellow,’ said Woodcock, also standing.
‘Yeah, I don’t mind the lad. He’s got a strong backbone and puts his family and those he cares about first.’ Regus opened his office door for her. ‘Don’t forget, when you two get married, I’ll walk you down the aisle. I’ve always wanted to do that.’
‘Regus.’ The heat spread from her cheeks. ‘Joe hasn’t asked me to marry him.’
‘It won’t be long.’ Regus laughed with Woodcock.
She waved at them, nodded at Kelly on the phone behind her desk, and headed for the elevators.
The lift doors opened and out strolled Joe, dressed in his own jeans and shirt, and his lived-in boots. He looked like the cattleman he was, stepping straight off the station.
No matter the clothes they’d put on the man, Joe knew who he was and wasn’t changing for anyone. And why should he? He was perfect just the way he was.
Again, Glenda’s question came to mind: Would Maddison still look at Joe the same in her world as she saw him on the station?
She had her answer, smiling at the man who made her heart bloom.
‘Hey, am I late?’ Joe asked her.
From the lady who used to always run late, she said, ‘You’re right on time.’
‘Beautiful flower for a beautiful lady.’ Joe held out a red rose and gently kissed her cheek.
‘Thank you.’ His romantic gesture filled her heart so much, it threatened to explode from her chest.
‘Have you finished with Regus?’
‘Yes. My work is done.’ She smiled so wide her cheeks ached. She was free.
‘What are you going to do now?’
‘Well, you’ve followed me all over the country and remained by my side. Even when I tried to lose you, you still tracked me down.’ She slid her arms around his waist and leaned into his chest. ‘So now I’m going to follow you.’
‘Don’t you want to stay here? Isn’t this your home?’
‘No. It’ll always be nice to visit, but it’s even better when I leave. I remembered my reasons for leaving, too.’
‘Which are?’
‘This isn’t my future. It was my past, my childhood, and it was my mother’s life. Not mine. But I have learned to accept my past, so I won’t run away like some rabbit trying to escape. Not anymore. I don’t want to because it helped make me the person I am today.’
‘What will you do?’
She shrugged. ‘I’ll still oversee every issue, like I’ve always done. The magazine will continue to be managed by the best people in the business.’ Her mother created it, and Maddison respected it. But there was more to life than having the latest in lip gloss and designer clothing.
It was the people you loved, who loved you like family, that mattered the most and it had taken the journey of a lifetime for her to realise this.
‘But I’m in dire need of a holiday first. I was thinking of a remote location that’s filled with an uninterrupted view of a really big sky. Somewhere in the Northern Territory outback, perhaps a family run cattle station, where we can watch the warm tropical rain fall and the grass grow. Do you have any suggestions?’
‘Well …’ Joe smiled wide as he slid his arm around her shoulders and pressed the button for the elevator. ‘In that case, let’s go home. First, we’ll have to do some shopping for Mum and Greg. I’ll need your help, because I don’t know how to shop, or where to go in this city.’
‘I don’t mind playing tour guide for the tourist. And I promise to answer all of your questions.’
‘All of them?’
‘Every one of them. No more secrets, I promise.’
‘You already know all of mine. And I’ve seen how far you go to keep a promise. So let’s just promise to keep each other safe.’
‘Deal.’ Her smile was as wide as her full heart, as he pulled her close to press his lips against hers to kiss her as if they were the only two people in the room. And it was a kiss that tasted of a love that would last forever.
Did you like the story?
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It’s true. A good reader’s review is worth a lot to this author.
So, if you enjoyed this book, please leave a review & recommend it to your friends.
I’d appreciate it.
With much gratitude,
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you for reading this story and to those who have helped me on this amazing journey to get here, I wish I could name you all.
Never would I have imagined that all those times I’d travelled, racing to catch a plane, train, or truck, to trek from the outback to the city that it would end up in a story. So I’d like to thank all those strangers who helped me on my many journeys of the past, present, and future adventures to come.
I’d like to thank the amazing Handbrake for not disowning me whenever I burrow down into a new story.
Thank you to the amazing Detective Sergeant Vanessa Barton for your help with the technicalities and your amazing friendship.
Thank you to my online writer friends and to the amazing editing Deb team at DNP. Thank you to Clare Burns for having a sharp eye, and to the Fabulous First Readers team for their support, I am truly blessed to have you all join me on my writing journey.
Most all, thank you to you, dear reader, I am grateful to you for taking the time to read this story. It means the world to me.
Until next time,
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Australian bestselling author, Mel A ROWE, creates escapes for today’s busy women to enjoy from the comfort of their home.
Delivered with a dash of drama, witty humour and quirky family units, Mel is known for reinventing romantic versions of home, taking her common characters on uncommon journeys that lead from boardrooms to billabongs as they try to find their own HAPPILY EVER AFTER.
Living in Australia’s Northern Territory, Mel enjoys random outback road trips, fumbling with her camera, annoying her family with her bad singing, and making new friends in the middle of nowhere—except for water buffalos. She’s been chased by a few.
Feel free to contact Mel, as her word journey
continues, at
MelAROWE.com
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More by Mel A ROWE
Australian Bestselling ELSIE CREEK SERIES:
The ART of DUST
DIAMOND in the DUST
CAKED in DUST
XMAS DUST
MUSTER in the DUST
ROLLED in DUST
WRITTEN in DUST
Standalone Stories:
Avoiding the Pity Party
Unplanned Party
The Football Whisperer
Winter’s Walk
Run Beautiful Run
Watch for more visit: MELAROWE.COM
Mel A Rowe, Run Beautiful Run
