“No, this is a good thing. If you both like each other then there’s no problem at all. Jamie and I both like you and Annie simply adores you.”
I was finding it hard to breathe as I tried desperately to sort everything out in my head. Too many emotions ran through me as I played back every single moment in time I spent with Ren and I realised she was right. I always seemed to be focused on the man. Why hadn’t I realised this before? Why hadn’t I— “Oh crap!”
I lurched away from the patio and walked to the edge of the paddock where the trough was and dunked my head in the water which had been freshly filled for the incoming cattle. Once my head was below the surface of the water I screamed long and hard.
Why was I screaming?
I have no fricken clue. All I know is screaming felt like the right thing to do. I was both elated and terrified. I was elated because I might have a chance of being with Ren, and terrified all for the same reason. What if we got together and he realised what a dork and a drama queen I really am?
When I finally got myself back under control I wasn’t surprised to find everyone standing on the patio watching me.
Man, now this was embarrassing.
Chapter Eight
On my Pat Malone
Translation: On my own
Australia Day: January twenty-sixth, the day of the barbie, came a lot earlier for most of us kitchen staff. Arthur was in fine form yelling out orders and it amazed me how all of us did whatever he commanded. I, for one, was happy to hand the role over even though I was honoured to be asked by Alec and Lester.
I was glad my friend was getting his time to shine. And hoping he was really thinking about moving over and starting his own business.
“Frog, can I ask you something?” David placed a big bowl of newly shucked corn on the counter by the sink.
“Sure.” We’d been friends a long time and still talked on the phone every other day, so I didn’t mind answering him.
“That guy, is his name Ren? I get the feeling he doesn’t like me. Do I need to be wary around him? Does Corey need to stay away from him?”
I scoffed at him. “Yes, his name’s Ren. I don’t think he has anything against you. Maybe he’s feeling off, he’s got a sore leg after all.” I didn’t want to tell him Ren thought David was stupid for leaving me.
“I think it’s more.”
Bloody hell what could I tell him? I didn’t have the faintest idea why Ren was seemingly giving him the evil eye today. And as I glanced over David’s shoulder at Ren, I saw he was indeed scowling at us both. After Darla’s revelation the other day I was taking particular notice of the way he watched me, and realised she was right he probably watched me as much as I did him.
“Honestly—”
“Honesty would be great right about now,” David interrupted.
“Okay then, I honestly think Ren has a problem with you because you are my ex-boyfriend.”
“Why would he have a problem with me being your ex?”
I rolled my eyes at him, God he could be dense sometimes.
“Think about it and the answer will come to you.” I hissed quietly as I walked away.
§ § §
By the time the guests had started arriving the ladies from the CWA had done a marvellous job of setting up. I was informed by them how every year Hazeldowns did this not only as a fun event for the community, they also used the day to raise money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service. This one event kept them flying year after year.
The food was a great hit and I had more than once heard that Miller Rush Catering had organised the whole thing. Each time I did it put a little more happiness in my life, because I knew the more Arthur heard it, the easier it would make up his mind about starting over in some new aspect. I knew the CWA ladies were singing his and Jayden’s praises and in my eyes this was nothing but good.
The noise of the day was almost overwhelming and late in the afternoon I took a breather and made my way to sit quietly near the mango trees which lined the yard. I only needed a moment to get my thoughts in order before I jumped back into the fray of things.
“Hey, you’re the cook from Billingsford, aren’t you?”
I sighed as a guy I didn’t really know walked over to me. I’d seen him from a distance but had never had the chance to talk to him before. And I was selfish enough to not to want to talk to him right now, but I was raised not to be rude and I know if my mum could see me now she’d slap me up against the side of the head.
“Yeah, it’s me.” I said as I shook the hand he offered. My gut rolled in unease and I really didn’t know where this was heading.
“I’m Ian.” We both turned as a noise sounded nearby and I was relieved to see G heading our way.
“Ian,” G grinned as he came to a stop beside us. “I see you’ve met my brother.”
Ian blushed and the unease I was feeling grew more intense until I suddenly took in how close my brother was standing to Ian. Hell, if they were any closer they would be holding hands.
“Um, little brother, is there something you want to tell me?”
G snorted out a laugh giving the act he was playing and wrapped his arm around the other man pulling him closer into his side. To say I was shocked was an understatement. Never once in all the years we had been brothers had I ever had an inkling G was gay. How blind did that make me? I felt guilty because I obviously didn’t truly know my brother at all.
“Frog, Ian is my friend. He’s one of the reasons I’m willing to stay here.”
“I’m happy for you, both of you.” I said truthfully. I was glad G found someone but it only furthered the pain of not being able to do the same thing. Despite what Darla had confided in me, Ren was avoiding me at all costs. The faint ray of hope I had was dwindling. I know I had earlier told David Ren was interested, but it was looking less and less likely.
G started pulling Ian away and heading back toward the party.
“Come on, Frog, a certain invalid is looking for you.”
Those words warmed me and I felt like a fricken rubber ball as I bounced around from emotion to emotion. I needed to find out one way or the other where I stood with the man. It was better than spending the rest of my life on my Pat Malone.
Australia Day was going to be a good day in more way then one.
At least I hope it was. I trailed behind G and veered off when Ren came into view. I walked over and then sat next to Ren on the lounger he was resting on.
I bit the bullet and finally turned my face until we were looking at each other. His eyes seemed to question me and I was about to make either the best decision of my life or the worst.
I didn’t even think as I leant in and pressed my lips against his.
His breath caught in his throat and I pulled away when someone commented beside us. The emotion that played over his face was impossible to read.
Before I could move — okay, run and hide until he forgot what I’d done — Ren laced his fingers through mine. I couldn’t honestly tell you whose hand was shaking more, mine or his. All I knew for certain neither of us was willing to let go.
“Are you okay with this?” I asked hesitantly.
“More than.” Ren lifted our joined hands and kissed the back of my knuckles.
“I wasn’t sure, but I hoped I wasn’t reading you wrong.” The butterflies in my stomach were running amok and I felt like it was full of fizzy bubbles.
“You weren’t.” The short answers were maddening but at least I was getting answers.
“What’s going to happen now?”
Ren sighed and I waited patiently until he spoke. “I guess we see where it takes us.”
Holy hell, this was more than what I’d hoped for and before I could ask anything more our area was invaded.
“Whoopee,” Bo shouted as he dragged Sally over to sit on the grass beside us. “It looks like we get to keep our cook after all.”
“Dork!” Sally shook her head in dismay.
“It’s all good, babe. Frog won’t l
eave us now, will you?”
“I’m not going anywhere,” I confirmed with a smile.
“Happy–bloody–Australia Day,” Lizzie crowed from somewhere nearby.
About the Author
NJ needs to write like she needs to breathe… It is an addiction that she never intends to find a cure for. When you don’t find NJ writing about the wonderful men in her stories you find her reading work by others… NJ lives in the SE of Qld, Australia with her family who all encourage her writing career even if she does occasionally call them by her character’s names… NJ thinks that anyone taking the time to read her stuff is totally awesome.
Trademarks Acknowledgment
The author acknowledges the trademark status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:
Akubra: Akubra Hats Pty Ltd
Blundstone: Blundstone Australia Pty Ltd
Country Women’s Association: Country Women’s Association of Australia
Jackie Howe: Tony Sheahan
“Jingle Bells”: James Lord Pierpont
“Joy to the World”: Hoyt Axton, Three Dog Knight
Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia: Australian Council of the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia
Suzuki: Suzuki Kabushiki Kaisha (Suzuki Motor Corporation)
Wranglers: Wrangler Apparel Corp.
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