Chapter 40
The dead gum tree reared its stark white head from the river. How on earth? Not Sophie marooned in its branches like Ric had feared, but Nina. His heart swelled with dread, but also with love, a love as powerful as the raging flood itself. He angled his boat towards her. It had been taking on water right from the start. He’d only got this far thanks to constant bailing, and the little inflatable wouldn’t float forever.
Ric sneaked in sideways at an angle to the current until his dinghy was parallel to the tree, and Nina was almost within reach. Two of Sophie’s geese were with her. How extraordinary. He nudged closer. They’d have to hurry. The dinghy wouldn’t withstand being pinned by the full force of the current for long. ‘Are you hurt?’
Nina shook her head. ‘I found Sophie,
