An hour later, the RFDS aircraft arrived on the station airstrip with the flight nurse. Hana drove out to pick up the nurse in Ava’s car and brought her to the homestead. Another car pulled up at the same time and a tall, dark-haired, older gentleman climbed out as Hana directed the nurse through to the house. She walked over to see what he wanted.
He bowed his head with an Old World gesture. ‘I am Lorenzo DeFortelli.’
Hana smiled. This was different. ‘I’m Hana May. What can I do for you, Mr DeFortelli?’
‘It is I come to see if I can help you. I heard the emergency flight and I’ve come to see if Stella, Mrs May –’ he sent a hopeful look towards the house – ‘requires assistance?’
‘Ah, thank you. You know my mother-in-law?’
‘Yes, she was kind enough to repair my injured hand last week. Though we have met before. I came across from Dreamtime Station.’
Oh my goodness, Hana thought with a suppressed smile. ‘Our neighbour. Yes. I heard. Thank you for the kind thought. Stella is well. A small child from the community has had an accident and they are flying him back to Alice. Would you like to come in?’
Stella hadn’t said he was gorgeous. ‘The doctor says the child will recover well.’ She gestured to the house. ‘Stella’s daughter is a midwife and her doctor friend is with her. We’re fine, but you’re welcome to come in.’
How fascinating that this lovely man had rushed over to see if Stella was okay. Hana had been intrigued by the way Stella had brushed off Mim’s and Hana’s questions about him last week, and they both wanted to meet him. Mim had been dying to, actually. She could see now why Stella had been flustered. He was a middle-aged hunk. ‘Come in. Stella will be pleased to see you.’
Lorenzo shook his head. ‘No. No. There are enough people if another family is involved. As long as all is well.’
As long as Stella is well, you mean? This good-looking man had been worried about Stella. And he had such a commanding stance. That thick head of hair, greying at the temples in just the right amount, made him extremely distinguished.
Hana wasn’t letting him get away that easily. Mim would kill her if she did. ‘Then come tomorrow for morning tea. Ten o’clock. Stella can tell you all about it. It’s good for us to have visitors.’
Lorenzo nodded and smiled, and Hana wanted to grab Ava and whisper the news to her, but Ava and Stella would be busy with the child and his mother until they were transferred. She smiled as she watched him stride with that particular European elegance back to his expensive car.
She couldn’t wait to tell Ava. She might leave Jock to find out a little later. He could be a little over-protective.