Taking Chances

Chapter 50

Bec and Ryan watched as Jen drove off. They stood on the pavement in front of North Brooksdale Service Station, their bags at their feet.

The spring morning was calm and the sun rose above the beautiful red and yellow brick buildings that Bec loved so much. The smell of spring was in the air. It smelled warm and fresh.

Bec took Ryan's hand in hers. She kissed him on the cheek. "Nervous?" she asked.

"A little. I'm glad Jen decided to move into my place. Makes things a bit easier."

Bec hugged Ryan. She knew he was feeling anxious about leaving his home town, his life. She also knew what it meant to him, but they would be back. Jen was settled here, and Ryan's mother was here.

Then there was the trial. Phil's trial was in three months. Both Ryan and Bec would need to return from Melbourne for that.

The wind rustled the Spring flowers, filling the air with a dusty-sweet smell of rural Australia in spring. Bec pulled closer into Ryan. His warmth and strength comforted her.

Ryan checked his watch. Eight o'clock in the morning. The bus was due to arrive. Jen had dropped them off and stayed for only a few minutes.

After a lot of hugs between the sisters and promises to phone everyday, Jen had pulled away, got in her car, and went to work. Life went on.

Ryan looked at Bec. Had he made the right choice? Quitting his job, leaving his mother to his brother's care, leaving his friends, his youth centre?

No, it wasn't his. It was the town's and the town would have to decide whether to keep it or not.

The whir of the bus broke Ryan's thoughts. The Greyhound's air brakes hissed and its suspension groaned as it went up the lip of the footpath to the service station and bus stop. His gaze shifted to Bec and he saw excitement in her eyes like bright lights in the windows of her heart.

The bus swayed as it came to a stop and Bec watched Ryan lovingly as he handed the bus driver their tickets, then hefted their bags into the luggage bay of the bus.

Bec looked about her. Brooksdale had been good to her after all. Ryan brought her out of her thoughts. "Having doubts?"

"I was just thinking that this is where one part of my life ended and another, more exciting part, is starting."

Ryan stepped up onto the steps of the bus, then extended his hand towards her, like an English nobleman helping a lady across the street. Bec took his hand and he pulled her swiftly yet gently towards him and he kissed her sweetly on the lips. Her heart fluttered with excitement.

The bus driver looked at them with deep lines of amusement crinkling his eyes, "C'mon you two. On the bus with you; we've got places to go!"

The End