The Outback Heart

The Outback Heart by Fiona Palmer

Book: The Outback Heart by Fiona Palmer Read Free Book Online
Authors: Fiona Palmer
Tags: Fiction, General, Romance
with life. She moved to sit on the edge of his bed, putting her feet on the chair she’d just vacated.
No wonder she was so comfortable,
Troy thought,
she’d probably spent so much time here.
    ‘How long did you have your LVAD for?’ he asked. It was exciting to have someone to talk to who knew what he was going through.
    ‘Well, I was sixteen when I had mine put in and I had to carry that battery pack around for just over two years before a donor heart became available.’
    ‘Wow, that long?’
    ‘Yep. Oh, and I had some close calls in that time too,’ she laughed as she flicked her hair back.
    ‘What do you mean?’
    ‘Times that the battery had run down and I had to get back to a power supply and plug myself in. I tried to think of myself like Iron Man. Needing my power source to survive. This place is like a second home for me. I know everyone; Niki is my favourite, don’t tell the others.’
    ‘She’s mine too,’ he agreed.
    They both laughed.
    ‘What was it like when you got your new heart?’ Troy asked.
    He listened with rapture as Peta spoke, and he found himself asking her things not even his parents or the nurses had mentioned or known. He didn’t even know what questions to ask but Peta was answering so many things he’d never thought of. Little things, like he was getting the inside scoop on how it really was going to be for him with an LVAD. From the looks he’d get to simple things like getting dressed around his line. No one knew that better than Peta. They even discussed the hospital food. Before too long she had to leave. ‘I’m sorry, I have to drive back home. Mum’ll be worried.’
    ‘Will you come visit again?’ he asked, and then felt embarrassed for begging. Heat filled his checks as he added, ‘I just have so much more to ask you.’
    ‘Sure, I’d like that. I have heaps more to tell you.’ She jumped down from his bed, tapping his hand quickly and then waving. ‘I’ll see you again soon, Troy.’
    As she walked out of his room Troy thought that having a new heart mightn’t be so bad after all. He never would have known Peta had a new heart, and she was so beautiful and energetic. Who needed football when there were girls like her.

10
    INDI held up the sexy blue dress as she chewed her lip. She didn’t feel sexy. There was no way she could pull this off – could she? Indi pulled the silky material over her head. The strapless garment stopped high on her thighs. Luckily Tegan had loaned her a padded bra: Indi didn’t have enough boob to hold the dress up on her own, the downside to being lean.
    Tegan had told her that the dress was sexy but casual, and if she teamed it with some simple black flats and wore her hair out, she’d look perfect. The jury was still out for Indi. She touched the cool fabric, so light and soft. She spent so much time in long pants for work that she almost forgot she had good legs.
    Her dark hair was wavy, and she brushed it until it shone around her shoulders.
    ‘Sis, I’m heading off now,’ said Jasper, banging on her door before sticking his head around. ‘What happened to you?’ he said as his eyes widened.
    ‘What? Too much?’
    Jasper rolled his eyes. ‘No, you look great. It’s just different. I’m not used to seeing you look so . . .’ He waved his hand around as he looked for the right word. ‘Hot,’ he said awkwardly, before pulling a face and walking out. She smiled at Jasper’s sort-of compliment. If Jasper thought she looked good, then maybe Troy would too.
    ‘I’ll be right behind you,’ she yelled after him.
    With one last adjustment, Indi picked up her black purse and headed to the kitchen. ‘Bye, Dad. Dinner’s in the oven.’ He was sorting through invoices and he glanced up as she planted a kiss on his cheek. He smelt like chemicals – Roundup.
    ‘Wow, sweetheart, you look gorgeous. Just like your mother when I first met her.’ He squeezed her hand. ‘Did I tell you the story of when I met her at the

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