He didn’t recognise any of the other parents waiting to collect their children. They were grouped together, chatting and gossiping, and he couldn’t help but feel like a fish out of water.
He didn’t care what people thought though. He was here for Hannah and Hannah alone.
He perused the posters on the door. One caught his eye, inviting parents to a reading competition. He made a mental note of the time and date.
“Lachie? What are you doing here?”
He turned to see the local butcher and grinned.
“G’day, Johnno.” Lachie grinned, pleased to see a friendly face.
Johnno greeted him with a frown. “Since when do you have kids?”
Lachie smiled, unable to keep the pride from his voice. “I just found out myself. My daughter is Hannah Forsyth.”
“Really? Hannah Forsyth? She and my daughter Lilly are good mates.” Johnno narrowed his gaze. “So you and Abbie then?”
Lachie nodded. The word was going to get out sooner or later, so he might as well explain the full story. “We used to know each other. But it wasn’t until recently that we made the connection.”
Johnno put his hands on his hips and raised his eyebrows like he knew there was more to the story. “Well, congratulations. Hannah’s a great kid. She comes over for play dates all the time.”
“Thanks. We should get your family out to Brigadier Station then.”
“That’d be great. Always wondered what the big deal was about.” Johnno winked as the school bell chimed and the doors were swung open.
Little people came flying out, huge bags on their backs and excited expressions on their faces. Lachie searched the uniformed children until he spotted Hannah’s long blonde locks.
“Daddy,” she said and ran up to hug him. Adults everywhere turned to watch with wide eyes.
Yep, the news was definitely out.
“Hey squirt. How was school?”
“Good. I didn’t know you were picking me up.”
“I asked your mum if it’d be okay if we spent the afternoon together and she said yes.”
Abbie had had to think about it and make him promise to stay in town.
“Do you want to meet my teacher, Mrs. Phillips? She’s really nice.”
“Sure,” he said and followed her inside the classroom.
When they were finished meeting Hannah’s teacher, and Lachie had learned how good a student Hannah was and how well liked she was, they finally strolled out the gates, hand in hand.
“I’m hungry,” Lachie said, “How about we go to the bakery for a snack?”
“Can I have a lamington?” Hannah beamed.
“Lamingtons sound perfect.” He swung her arm and she giggled, the sound touching his heart in a way he’d never expected.
How was it possible to love another person so completely and feel so protective of them? He might not have been a father long but he planned to make up for it by being the best one possible.
Lachie treasured every precious moment he spent with Hannah over the next few weeks. Abbie allowed their daughter to stay at Brigadier Station overnight on the weekends while she was working, and Lachie took the opportunity to teach Hannah all about farm life. So far they had watched chicks hatch out of eggs and found a stray cat and her kittens take up residence in their shed.
“It’s not just about looking after the animals. We’ve got to look after the land too,” he explained as they tended Harriet’s veggie patch together. Hannah had wanted to try growing lettuces, so together they had bought the seedlings and tended them.
“Will they be ready soon?”
Lachie studied the small green leaves. “In another couple of weeks I’d say.”
“Then we can make Mum a green salad. Gran said we can use her tomatoes and cucumber too,” Hannah said.
Lachie smiled. “I bet your Mum will love it. I know how much she likes her salads.”
“Dad, can we go camping?”
He handed her the watering can. “Sure, squirt. Have you ever been camping before?”
“No, but I think I’d like to sleep under the stars.”
He stood back and surveyed his daughter in her new work jeans and the bright pink work shirt Harriet had ordered online. Lachie had even bought her a child’s size Akubra. She really looked the part of an outback kid now.
“We’ll ask your mum. Maybe she’ll want to come too.”
Hannah just laughed. Lachie didn’t think Abbie would like the idea much either. She had probably never camped a night in her life. But that didn’t diminish his opinion of her in any way.
He had been finding her more attractive than ever. Lachie often found himself staring at her and wishing they didn’t have this stupid rule about not dating. It was killing him not to touch her and kiss her whenever he saw her. She showed so much love and affection to her daughter, and he craved it for himself as well.
Hannah handed Lachie back the empty watering can. “Now what?”
He grinned at her. “Have you ever been on a quad bike?”
Abbie was in a good mood as her car rattled over the cattle grid and pulled up outside Lachie’s house. The last few weeks had been amazing and filled with happy memories they would all cherish.
As well as Hannah and Lachie spending plenty of good-quality one-on-one time together, they had also done things together, just the three of them. She couldn’t deny her heart was softening to Lachie. How could it not when he was being so kind and respectful of her decision not to get involved romantically.
Only, the more she tried to fight her feelings, the stronger they grew. Her resolve was crumbling. Maybe she was being too cautious after all.
Maybe they could have the happiness Lachie was so confident in. After all, he had compromised about so many things. Maybe she could let herself take a chance on love.
Abbie glanced at her watch. They had agreed that Lachie would bring Hannah home tonight, but she had finished work early and was lonely by herself so had decided to surprise them.
“Abbie, great to see you.” Harriet stood from pruning the rose bushes and came over to hug her. “I thought Lachie was dropping Hannah off today?”
Abbie opened her mouth to explain when she heard the roar of an engine. She and Harriett both turned and watched as Lachie drove up the dirt path on his quad bike, Hannah perched in front of him.
Fury burned in the back of her throat. “What is he doing?”
Harriet shrugged. “They’ve been having a great time.”
“But she’s not even wearing a helmet.” Abbie stormed off towards them and Lachie slowed to a stop.
“Hey, Mum’s here.” Lachie said.
“What the hell is she doing on this thing?” She didn’t try to quell the anger she felt. “Hannah, get off now.”
Lachie held up his hands. “What’s the problem? She’s fine.”
“Don’t tell me she’s fine. These things are dangerous. Do you know how many injuries I see because people are riding these death traps?” Abbie stalked forward and pulled her daughter into her arms. She felt herself shaking with anger and something else. Disappointment?
Lachie killed the engine and swung off the quad. “Don’t stress. I’ve been riding all my life. This is what kids do in the bush.”
“Not my kid,” she spat at him and turned on her heel.
“Mum, you’re squeezing me.” Hannah twisted.
Abbie kissed her forehead and put her down. “You go inside with Gran and get your things. We’re going home.”
“But we were going to make dinner.” Hannah pouted.
“Now.” Abbie thrust out her arm and pointed towards the house.
Her daughter walked away, shoulders rounded.
When she was out of hearing range, Abbie twirled back to Lachie. He had come up behind her though, and she slammed into him. He caught her in his arms and for a moment she forgot her anger and just wanted to savour the sensation.
“I’m sorry,” he said gently and turned her chin up
to face him.
Abbie swallowed hard, then remembered what he’d done. She pushed him away with a strength even she didn’t know she had. “You put her life in danger.”
“I didn’t. I swear she was safe the whole time. We didn’t go very fast.”
“She never should have been on it. You should have asked me.”
She watched as Lachie inhaled slowly. “She’s my daughter too. I get some say in this.”
The floodgates opened, and she couldn’t control the anger she unleashed. “She was my daughter first. I raised her so it’s my decision. You’ve been her father for five bloody minutes so don’t tell me I don’t know what’s best for her.”
Turning her back on him, Abbie practically ran to the house.
But he was right behind her, grabbing her arm. She tried to pull away. He was too strong.
“That wasn’t my fault, was it? If I’d known about her then I could have been there.” His anger met hers now, the pain of the past and missed years surfacing.
She tried to refocus the argument. “It’s illegal to take a child on a quad bike.”
“And I said I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.” He knocked his Akubra off his head and clasped his head in frustration.
“Damn right you won’t,” she said snakily before going in for the kill. “Maybe you’re not fit to be a father after all.”
The moment the words were out, she regretted them. She covered her mouth with her hand and watched as Lachie paled.
“So that’s how you really feel? That she’s better off without me?” His voice was defeated and his whole posture slumped like she had just punched him hard in the gut.
“No, I—”
“Don’t.” He waved his hand at her. “Take her then.” He scooped up his hat before climbing back onto his bike and revving the engine.
She moved towards him, apologies on her tongue. But he cast her a defeated look before spinning the quad and speeding away.
Shit. She had gone too far. She had let her anger get the better of her and had hurt someone she cared about.
And she did care about Lachie McGuire.
More than she’d realised before right this moment.
Chapter 17
That was a low blow Lachie hadn’t seen coming from Abbie. Even if she’d been thinking it, he never would have expected her to say it to his face like that.
“Maybe you’re not fit to be a father after all.”
He couldn’t get her voice out of his head. Those words had wounded him more deeply than anything else ever had.
Not even the rejection of being left at the alter by Meghan had been as bad as this. He was reminded of how unpredictable life could be and how it could change in a heartbeat.
He wanted to smash something, to yell and scream. But most of all, he wanted a drink.
Not just one drink. He wanted to drink until he felt numb again. Until he forgot the horror of his father’s abuse; Dylan’s death; and Abbie’s gut-wrenching words.
He spun the quad sharply, throwing up dust before driving into the shed and killing its engine.
He paused next to his ute. He could drive into town. The pub was open, and he was sure he’d be welcomed back.
He could already taste the bitter alcohol at the back of his throat.
There was nothing and no one to stop him now.
The knocking on her front door pulled Abbie from her restless regrets. She had picked up the phone and started to call Lachie several times to apologise to him, to tell him just how much she regretted saying those things. That they weren’t true.
She glanced down the hallway to Hannah’s room. The door was still closed and she should be sound asleep. The argument with Lachie, then the one they’d had on the way home, had left her worn out.
She opened the front door and surveyed the tall figure in the doorway. Stubble shadowed Lachie’s chin and his dark hair was tousled like he’d tunnelled a hand through the front. It had only been a few hours since their last encounter but he looked like he’d aged in that time.
“Lachie?” She exhaled deeply as she took him in. That look of complete despair seemed to weigh his shoulders down. He appeared defeated.
“Can I come in?”
She nodded and stepped aside. He walked past her and sat on the couch. She followed, sitting in the space next to him.
She covered his hand with her own. “I’m so sorry for what I said.”
He looked down at their hands for a moment before raising those cerulean-blue eyes to hers.
Abbie swallowed hard. His guards were down and she could see right into his soul. She had never seen him so vulnerable. It made her feel even more ashamed.
“What you said about being a bad father …” His voice was raw. “Cutting off my arm would have hurt less.”
Tears stung her eyes and Abbie blinked them back.
“My dad was a horrible man. I didn’t know how horrible until last year when Mum finally told us how she’d been abused and how Noah and Darcy had been beaten up and mistreated. Daniel had always been different with me, so I hadn’t seen it. Now I do.” He turned her hand over in his and held it with both of his. “I don’t want to be like my dad. If you really think Hannah is better off without me then I’ll walk away now and never see her again. If that’s what you want, I’ll do it.”
“No.” She sobbed out the word, then flung her arms around him. “You’re a great father. She’s so lucky to have you.” Her words were muffled as she spoke against the softness of his neck.
His arms tightened around her back. “Are you sure?”
She nodded. She breathed in the musky smell of him, then moved her hand up his back and into his hair. It felt so good to be this close to him. She’d missed it so much.
“Abbie.” Her name came out on a sigh.
In reply, she pushed closer to him and pressed soft kisses against his neck, his pulse quickening under her lips.
He pulled her more fully onto him and leaned back, surrendering to her. She relished the power. Straddling his hips, she stared into his eyes. Lust had replaced agony.
Abbie had no idea who moved first. All she knew was that she was in his arms and this time, kissing him wasn’t going to be enough. When his mouth left hers and he grabbed her hand to tug her along the hallway towards her room, she knew that he felt exactly the same way.
With the bedroom door safely locked behind them, Lachie slid his hands up under her shirt until they spanned her ribcage, his thumbs resting against the underside of her breasts. She leaned into him, thankful she had already changed out of her bra. He skimmed his hands higher, palming her softness, uttering a moan she echoed. She let him pull her T-shirt up and over her head, revealing her naked body above her shorts.
When she lifted her hands to his shirt, he tugged it over his head and tossed it aside. She splayed her hands over his chest. It felt so good to be touching him, feeling his muscles ripple under her fingers. Being able to explore every inch. She had no fears or concerns about what was about to happen. She’d never been so sure of anything in her life. She wriggled out of her shorts before turning to help him.
When they were naked, Lachie led her to the bed and knelt between her thighs. He leaned down and kissed her. Abbie moaned at the electricity between them, everywhere they touched. He trailed kisses over her mouth, her jaw, down the side of her neck, and into the hollow at the base of her throat. She thrust her hands through his hair as he continued his journey south. His fingers touched her sensitive, wet nerves moments before his tongue.
Her hand flew to her mouth, muffling sounds she couldn’t contain. His expert strokes and licks brought her to the edge within minutes.
As she recovered, her body still tingling, he looked up at her. Her face was warm but need still surged through her. She reached for him and he responded by nuzzling her neck and kissing her again.
“Condom?” he asked when he came up for air.
“Nightstand.” She waited as he rustled around in the
drawer before tearing open a packet and moving to push the condom on himself.
Ready, she cradled him between her thighs and he moved slowly, pushing inside her. She savoured every sensation as pleasure spread through her again. She met each thrust with a lift of her hips, bringing him deeper into her. He moaned as his lips found her breast. She urged him on, moved against him, opened up to him until he lost control. They went over the edge together, both of them crying out, neither bothering to hold back until Lachie finally collapsed beside her, breathing hard. She rolled and cuddled up against him, not wanting to break physical contact. He tucked her under his arm. She smiled as she listened to his heartbeat finally slow to a normal rhythm.
In this moment, everything was perfect. Everything else would work itself out.
Lachie held her close to him, content and happy with her safe in his arms. Right from the start she’d affected him like no other woman ever had. She made him feel deep emotions of happiness, joy, contentment. He could spend a lifetime loving her and he knew it still would never be enough.
She wiggled her bottom against his hips, and he felt his body stir. He drew in a deep, slow breath, hoping to quell the unexpected fluttering low in his belly.
“I’m glad you came over last night,” she said into the stillness of the early morning.
“Me too.” He kissed her bare shoulder. “Abbie, I need to tell you something.”
He felt her tense before she rolled over to look at him with wide eyes. “What?”
Lachie swallowed. He needed to tell her everything. There could be no lies or half-truths between them. “I didn’t plan on coming here when I left the station. I was going to the pub. I wanted to get so drunk that I’d forget everything.”
In the dim light of the lamp, he watched as guilt clouded her face. “I’m sorry.”
He reached out and stroked her cheek. “No, I am. I’ve been bottling things up—what my father did to us; Dylan’s death. Then the thought of losing you and Hannah …” He choked back the emotion building in his throat.
The Legacies of Brigadier Station Page 12
