Outback Blaze Read Online Free PDF Page A

culprits pronto.’
    â€˜You think it’s arson?’ Ruby asked, the thought only just crossing her mind.
    He looked at her as if she was a plank of four-by-two. ‘Fires just don’t start themselves in the middle of the night, missy.’
    He turned slightly, blocking her out of the conversation. Ruby stepped away from them and squinted trying to see through the smoke into the building. Her forehead ticked like a bomb as she tried to account for all the local firefighters. Destruction of property and stock was terrible, but no reason for loss of life. She felt so helpless standing here in her impractical heels and tight jeans.
    â€˜Here, have some water.’
    Simone’s voice broke through Ruby’s thoughts. She turned to see her friend standing beside her, her arms full of cold bottles of water. ‘They’re from Frankie’s café. She’s opening up to make sandwiches for the firies and sent Grace and I down with water. I still haven’t seen or heard from Harriet. I would have thought excitement like this would bring her out.’
    â€˜It seems to have brought out most of the town,’ Ruby said, taking a couple of bottles of water from Simone. She passed one over to her mum who would share with her dad.
    â€˜What do you expect?’ Simone shrugged. ‘There ain’t a lot of drama in Bunyip Bay.’
    â€˜Well, I’m glad my family could oblige,’ Ruby snapped, feeling uncharacteristically grumpy.
    â€˜Hey, keep your chin up.’ Simone gestured behind her. ‘These people might be busybodies, but they’ll pull together to make sure all this turns out all right in the end. Small towns are like one big family – the good and the bad – but they look out for each other. How are your parents coping?’
    Ruby let out a deep sigh and rubbed the gooseflesh that had appeared on her arms despite the sweltering temperature. She glanced over at her mum and dad. ‘Don’t know. It’s early days. Guess it will depend on how much damage is done. Hard to tell right now.’
    A loud shout from near the building interrupted whatever else she might have said. The women looked up to see the firefighters leap back a few steps. More shouts followed but the words weren’t clear enough to hear over the roar and crackle of the fire and the whoosh of water overhead.
    And then, more impressive than the annual sky-show for Australia Day, fire ripped through the middle of the building and shot through the roof. Incandescent debris scattered across the car park, not quite reaching the disbelieving crowd. The roof clattered inwards, the rush of air venting the fire.
    Robert swore, his four-letter word ringing out over the stunned and silent crowd. Ruby rushed back to her parents and the three of them huddled together in a solemn embrace. ‘It’s all right,’ she whispered, needing to say something. ‘We’ll get through this. At least we still have each other.’
    Her parents had been her rock this past year, keeping her spirits up while she was in hospital and then welcoming her home afterwards. Now it was her turn to stand by them, to keep them positive when it looked like all was lost.
    â€˜This is what insurance is for.’
    Her father sighed. ‘It’s one of those things you fork out for but hope you never need.’
    Holding her parents close, Ruby looked over their shoulders to see Drew coming their way. Her stupid heart did a silly flip at the sight of him, his jeans now covered in soot and his safety jacket equally as grubby. His expression was as dark as the smudges on his face.
    â€˜Good evening Mr and Mrs Jones, Ruby.’ At the sound of Drew’s voice the embrace broke. Ruby’s parents turned to face him. He nodded his head slightly and she saw the flames of the fire reflected in his deep brown eyes. Despite the dire situation she couldn’t help thinking he had the most amazing eyes