Shane's dogs ran towards the truck and barked in excitement. Max hung his head out of the window and barked back.

As Beau pulled up in front of the house, Maude and Shane stepped onto the front verandah.

Beau held his hand in greeting and waited for Max to jump to the ground. He closed the door and then headed towards the house.

"Hey, Cody, long time, no see."

Beau jerked his head in agreement. "Hi, Maude. How are you?"

She put her hands on her hips and chuckled. "A lot better than you by the looks."

"Shit, Cody what the hell happened to your face?" Shane put his hand on Beau's forehead to get a better look.

"Long story. Have you got the time?"

"Has this got anything to do with the police?" Shane queried. "They came here asking questions about you and Fin Hamilton."

Beau ran his hand through his hair. "Like I said it's a long story, but the first thing I've got to tell you, is my name isn't Cody Compton."

"What the fuck?"

"It's Beau." He smiled. "Beau Hawkins. My twin brother is Cody."

Maude tittered, "Well... come on in, Beau. I think we might need some coffee and cake." She shuffled inside and headed for the kitchen.

"Sounds good, Maude," Beau laughed. "My name might be different but my tastes are still the same."

Shane shook his head in disbelief. "Mum said you were hiding secrets." He shook his head again. "Come on. I think you better spill your guts."

Once Beau had finished the whole story, he took a deep breath and leaned back on his chair. Neither person had asked him one question while he had talked. They both lifted their cups and stared at him. Beau smirked. "For fuck's sake will one of you please say something?"

Shane shrugged, set his cup down and stretched his legs. "Okay. What's next?"

"What do you mean what's next?"

"You love her, don't you?" Shane folded his arms across his chest and gave Beau a stern school teacher's glare.

"Of course, I love her."

"What are you going to do about it? You can't leave it at that just because she says she doesn't want to see you."

"Shane. Did you even hear a word I said? Even if I didn't rape her, I hurt her. There is no way she's gonna want to have some scary fuck back in her life."

"Yeah... well... I don't believe that." Shane stood and paced the floor. "I know what you did was wrong, but by taking her with you, you did the best for her." Shane stopped pacing and pointed at Beau as he said, "That crazy blacking out thing is seriously weird and you need it looked at so I guess you fucking deserve the busted-up face that you've got, but it's obvious the girl cares about you."

He cocked his head and pinned Beau with his eyes. "Don't you see? She knows you weren't right in the head for a while there. I reckon she knows you grabbing her and scaring the shit out of her isn't part of who you are. I think she'll forgive you. What do you reckon, Mum?"

Maude grinned and looked her son up and down. "I reckon I did a bloody fantastic job of raising you."

"Mum!"

"Okay, okay. I think you're right." Maude looked from one to the other and settled on Beau's face. "I think Shane's right. If you're the man we think you are, you'll make it up to her."

Beau shook his head in despair. "I don't know how."

Maude took hold of Beau's hand. "We all do some fucked things in our lives, Beau. No one's perfect. I think the first step you've got to take is to get yourself sorted. Check in with a doctor who deals with depression and that blanking-out thing. You know. One of the specialist types. I think your brother's death has taken its toll on you and maybe all those drugs screwed you more than you think." Maude shrugged. "I gotta say that shit never fixed anything and I don't understand young people getting sucked into it, but here you are, moving on and I gotta say I'm proud to know you."

She struggled out of her chair, cuddled him, and then said, "You have the warrant to deal with and it sounds to me you have unresolved issues with your family. Fin needs some time to sort her life too. You give her that time, Beau, and in the meanwhile, you go home and fix things with your family. By the time you do that, she'll be waiting. I can guarantee it."

These people were good. Beau couldn't believe the faith they had in him. How many others would turn their backs and tell him to piss off and stay out of their lives? He covered his face with his hands and nodded. "Okay. You're right." Beau sucked in a deep breath of air and looked at them with determination. "Can I ask you to look after Max and my chooks?"

"Of course, you can."

"I'll clean the freezer and fridge and bring it all here when I come with the animals." His face lit with hope. "I'll lock the place and leave you the key. It shouldn't be more than a few weeks. Do you think that'll give Fin enough time?"

"It's a start, Beau, and you need to start somewhere."

He let out a breath. "You know what? I've gotta tell you this and don't think I'm a pussy but I fucking love you people."

Shane roared with laughter. "Who's the Nana now?"

Maude grinned and nudged her head at Shane. "Maybe it's time you told Beau your news."

Beau cocked his head and gave Shane a cheeky look. "What? You and Mandy finally did it, eh? You're getting some action?"

"Better," Shane smirked and folded his arms across his chest. "She said she'd marry me."

"Yowie!" Beau thumped his foot on the timber floor. "How did you talk her into that?"

"It's because I'm such a good catch." He smirked and jerked his chin at Maude. "Ain't that right, Mum?"

She laughed and nodded. Seeing her son happy and in love was the best thing in the world.

"That's great, Shane." Beau stood and held his hand out. "Congratulations. I mean it. It couldn't have happened to a better guy."

"Are you gonna be my best man?"

"You mean that?"

"We are mates, aren't we?"

Beau pulled Shane into an embrace and thumped him on the back. "I'd love to be your best man." He took a step back and screwed up his face. "Though..." Beau grinned. "Grace isn't going to be the bridesmaid, is she?"

Shane roared with laughter. "No. Mandy has a sister. You know what? If it doesn't work out with Fin, I could set you up if you like, and then we'd be almost brothers."

Beau shook his head. "No thanks. If it doesn't work out with Fin." He sighed and looked into Shane's eyes. "Well. Fuck. I don't even want to think about it."

I'm so happy Maude and Shane have stuck by Beau. ♥

And wow. Shane and Mandy getting married. xoxo

Maybe this chapter deserves a vote because these good people deserve it. ♥

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