Her Australian Summer: Corazon Books Vintage Romance (novella)

by Jean McConnell

  Laura stood beside him, not knowing now quite what to say.

  ‘What a beautiful night,’ she said at last.

  ‘At least we have that to offer,’ he said.

  She was right. He had misunderstood. Now it was going to be difficult. Still he showed no signs of leaving, so she leaned against the tree beside him.

  ‘What a strange tree,’ said Laura, stroking the smooth bulbous trunk, and looking up at its meagre branches.

  Nate turned to her squarely. ‘I’ll tell you about this tree,’ he said. ‘The legend goes that it was once the most beautiful tree in the world. But it suffered from the sin of pride. So God tore it up and turned it upside down and stuck it back in the earth. I reckon that cured it.’

  The sin of pride. She knew why he’d told her the story. Laura felt tears rise to her eyes.

  ‘I guess it isn’t exactly what you are used to out here,’ he added.

  ‘No it’s not!’ said Laura, hotly. ‘And I know I’m out of my depth! So you don’t have to tell me. So …’ So why have you been so attentive? she wanted to add. Why have you touched me, so that I can think of nothing else? Why have you looked at me till my heart is singing? Why have you made me start to fall in love with you?

  Instead, she ended lamely:‘So why invite me? Just to give everyone a laugh?’

  It was at that point that he pulled her to him and kissed her ‒ hard at first, then with passion.

  Laura was lost to the world, responding joyously. Then reason flooded in and she pulled away. In his eyes was a look that made her heart yearn.

  ‘Laura,’ he said, soberly. ‘You know what’s happening?’

  ‘But it mustn’t,’ she said. ‘It would be a mistake. It’s Jade who would fit in here ‒ who belongs here. And she loves you Nate.’

  Nate stepped back from her. He looked bewildered.

  ‘Don’t you know that!’ cried Laura. And she ran back into the house.

  She found Kyle.

  ‘Would you drive me home?’

  ‘Right now?’

  ‘Yes. I’ll get my things.’

  ‘The pleasure will he mine!’

  As she started up the stairs, Kyle swept her a low bow and Laura wondered fleetingly whether he had drunk more than would make for a safe journey.

  When she came downstairs, Nate was waiting on the step, and Kyle was standing by his car. She gave Kyle her case, and turned to Nate.

  ‘It’s best I go now Nate. Truly. It was a great party and I did enjoy myself. I enjoyed ‒ everything. But I have to go. In the morning you’ll know I’m right!’

  His face was like stone.

  Unable to bear it, she reached up and kissed him ‒ quickly. Then she ran to the car. Kyle stood there, swaying slightly. Laura pushed him purposefully into the passenger seat and climbed in behind the wheel. She fumbled a moment with the unfamiliar gears, then the car moved forward jerkily. Gathering speed, she drove out of the yard and on to the moonlit road.

  Chapter Six

  Next morning, Laura sat on her verandah overlooking the milky sea. She reflected how lucky it was that Kyle had been sober enough to guide them home, yet not sober enough when they arrived to want anything but to crawl off to his own bed.

  She sipped her coffee and thought of Nate, realising she had thought of him constantly since they met. She seemed to have known at once that there could be no casual, superficial relationship between them. Yet she knew equally well that, as it was, there could be no serious future together for them, and they might both get dreadfully hurt. And yet…

  The sun glinting silver on the water made her eyes prick with tears. That ‒ and the thought of what, in other circumstances, might have been. But Beth had said it all. Nate needed the right type of woman.

  She heard Beth arrive downstairs and called a greeting. Beth responded in a surprised voice.

  Laura set about sorting the books that Beth had taken from the shelves. She had stacked them in neat piles and everything had clearly been given a thorough clean. She went down to thank her and found her sitting behind the counter, working on a bracelet.

  ‘How was the party?’ asked Beth, without looking up. ‘Nate is usually a good host. He’s the genuine article.’

  Laura knew Beth must be wondering why she had come home when she should have stayed over. Yet she didn’t pry. And because of this, and because she didn’t want Beth to imagine Nate had been in any way the cause, she told her everything that had happened.

  ‘I suppose things do seem strange to you,’ said Beth.

  ‘It’s not the strangeness. That’s fascinating. It’s just that I would never be able to fit in. So it was best not to let things develop.’

  ‘Mm. That’s a sensible approach I suppose.’ Beth was frowning.

  ‘It’s practical. And I’m nothing if not practical, Beth. That’s been rather necessary.’ Laura gave a wry smile. ‘And the next practical thing is for me to start clearing things out.’

  ‘You’ll sell then?’

  ‘Yes. I’ve made up my mind now. I’ll sell.’

  As she spoke a shadow appeared in the open doorway.

  ‘I’m very glad to hear you say that,’ said Kyle.

  ‘Hello,’ said Laura. ‘And how are you, this morning?’

  ‘I’d feel better for a cup of strong coffee.’

  Laura laughed and led the way upstairs.

  ‘I think you’ve made the right decision,’ said Kyle. ‘And now I’ll tell you that I can get you a good price for this property ‒ considering.’

  ‘Well ‒ as you said, it’s not in marvellous condition.’

  ‘That won’t make any difference to the buyer I have in mind.’

  ‘I don’t understand.’

  ‘You’d be surprised.’ He then named a figure that startled Laura.

  ‘Does that get you tingling?’

  ‘It sounds very good. But I don’t want you to ask too much. I mean ‒ I’d sooner you made it something lower.’

  ‘I don’t get you.’

  ‘Look, I’m not certain, but I think that Beth would like to have the shop. And again, I don’t really know, but I doubt whether she could afford too much.’

  ‘Beth? Now see here, I don’t think Beth is in any position to buy the property.’

  ‘That’s what I mean. If we priced it at less ‒’

  ‘Listen, you’re not thinking straight. Your uncle left you this place and obviously he wanted you to get the best out of it. If you go giving it away, that’ll be right against what he had in mind, won’t it?’

  ‘I don’t know.’

  ‘Of course it will. He meant you to enjoy the most he could give you. Don’t you think he’d be disappointed if he thought you’d wasted it?’

  Laura was silent. Nothing Kyle was saying seemed to relate in any way to her uncle. And yet Kyle was the professional in these things.

  ‘I expect you’re right,’ she said. ‘But I’d like to have a word with Beth first.’

  ‘Do that. But meantime, I’ll get out some particulars. Because Beth isn’t in the running, believe me.’

  ‘All right.’

  How business-like he was, all of a sudden.

  When Laura tackled Beth on the subject she found that Kyle’s statement was only too true. And when Laura mentioned the sum Kyle had said he could get, Beth looked thoughtful.

  ‘But I want to offer it for a lot less, Beth,’ added Laura. ‘I mean ‒ would you be interested in buying?’

  Beth smiled and shook her head.

  ‘I’d make Kyle put it down to rock bottom!’

  ‘My dear, I’m afraid not.’

  ‘But I thought you would want the shop.’

  Beth turned to Laura, and looked at her with a strange half-smile.

  ‘I would,’ she said. ‘And not just for selling my jewellery. For me, as for you, there is a part of Jim in it, and ‒ well ‒ I was very fond of him.’

  ‘Then ‒’

  ‘But I’m in no position to buy p
roperty. I only rent the bungalow I live in. I think that you had best take Kyle’s advice and sell to the developer.’

  ‘The developer?’

  ‘Oh yes. A company has been sniffing around here in the past. They want to make it over into a hotel. It’s a good site, of course. But your uncle wasn’t interested.’

  ‘I see.’

  ‘Kyle has bought other properties for them. Anyway, whatever you do, my dear, your uncle would have wanted you to get pleasure out of what he left you. I know that. ’

  ‘I know it too.’ said Laura. ‘But just what did he intend to happen?’

  As Beth bent her head again over her work, Laura walked off into the museum.

  It was quiet and empty. Early yet for holiday visitors. The spotlight glowed on the scenes of shipwreck and sunken treasure. The great clam shells yawned. The perfect models of ancient sailing ships awakened her wonder again. Uncle Jim had assembled all this with such loving care. He had searched and researched the oceans. And written about them with wisdom and wit.

  Laura felt his presence all about her.

  The telephone went in the shop. Without hesitation Laura turned and went to answer it. She knew who it was going to be.

  ‘Hello Nate.’

  ‘Laura, how could you run off like that?’

  The sound of his voice destroyed all her firm resolve. She knew she was lost if they began to talk together. Talk together! She was too choked even to speak. She thrust the telephone at Beth.

  ‘Beth! Please! You know everything. Explain to him! Make him understand!’ She ran up the stairs. ‘Don’t let him hate me!’

  She didn’t hear what Beth said, because she shut her door. And anyway she was lying on her bed with her face buried in her arms.

  But she did hear when the door opened gently. Beth stood there.

  ‘I’ve told him how you feel. As best I can.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘But Laura ‒ believe me ‒ it’s wrong to waste love. Because it’s rare. It’s precious. I’m more than twice your age, but in all my life I was only truly in love twice. And I think I was very lucky.’

  Beth went out and closed the door.

  Throughout the day, Laura sorted books and tied them into bundles according to their type. Often she stopped and went out to watch the sea.

  As the sun was sinking, she abandoned the task, climbed down the steps from the verandah to the beach and began to walk. She clambered round the rocks and then set off along the long strand. Barefoot, she walked sometimes in, sometimes out of the water. Slowly. Once or twice she met another person ‒ walking a dog or jogging, coming the other way, making for the town. If they greeted her, she never knew, for her thoughts were miles away.

  Then there was no-one.

  It was only when she felt chilled that she realised how far she must have walked. The shrubs fringing the beach looked dark and impenetrable, and the tops of the palms were outlined black against the sky. Out at sea dusk had crept in without her noticing. A few streaks of purple and lemon painted the distant horizon.

  She turned and started back. Phosphorus gleamed on the waves as they broke quietly on the shore, guiding her along the water’s edge.

  She felt tired and dispirited, and found herself stumbling on rocks she could no longer see. Why had she come so far? Night fell so suddenly here.

  Then she saw the figure. Approaching. Black against black, it merged, reappeared, then merged again. She faltered. She was still a long way from town. She peered about, hoping to see a dog. But it was too late to be walking dogs. For what reason would anyone go walking in the dark? But then she was, wasn’t she?

  And so was he.

  She knew it was a man now, from the heavy scrunching of his step. Getting nearer. She moved on forward. The only thing to do. Then it occurred to her it might be Kyle ‒ sent by Beth to find her. Her relief turned the figure definitely into Kyle.

  ‘Kyle?’

  The name died in her throat as the figure, having spotted her, began to run towards her.

  ‘Laura!’

  It was Nate.

  Laura stood trembling, as he ran up to her and took her in his arms, hugging her close.

  ‘There is only one question you have to answer,’ he said. ‘And that is ‒ do you love me?’

  ‘Yes! But ‒’

  ‘And I love you. So there’s no other reason why you should reject me. And as for not fitting in ‒ you’re the most adaptable, practical person I ever met!’

  ‘But the life you lead out here! I couldn’t cope! I’d let you down!’

  ‘Darling Laura, you don’t know yourself. You came out here alone. You’ve always made your own way. You’re gutsy and resourceful. That spider in the plastic bag!’

  Laura laughed. ‘It was just a spider.’

  ‘If it had been a rhinoceros, you’d have coped. And there are other things I know about you, my girl. Out here people value spunk above everything else. You’re a trier. A survivor. Jim was a trier. And that’s what he saw in you, and why he loved you so. He wanted you to take chances ‒ to test yourself.’

  ‘Yes, he did.’

  ‘He knew you’d make out anywhere. You’re not going to let him down now are you?’

  ‘It was you I was afraid of disappointing.’

  ‘And you think Jade would suit me better?’

  ‘She would, Nate.’

  ‘And make me happy?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘There’s just a little matter to consider ‒ I don’t love her. I like her, of course, but I don’t love her. So you think that would make me happy? You think I’d make her happy, if I don’t love her?’

  ‘I truly meant it for the best.’

  ‘I know.’

  Laura looked down at her hands ‒ the neatly varnished nails and smooth skin. Nate grinned. He took hold of them and turned them over. ‘Capable,’ he said. ‘You’ll shape up!’

  He kissed her again. ‘I never told you the other thing about the Baobab tree ‒ the true fact. In the worst drought, you’ll always find a drop of fresh water cupped in a hollow in its branches. It’s a giver ‒ the Baobab. That’s you, Laura. Though you loved me, you were prepared to bow out when you thought I’d be happier with someone else. You’re a giver. And you’re for me!’

  Later they sat together, settled and happy, idly browsing over Jim’s own books. Laura found he had written far more than she ever realised. And there were translations into many languages.

  It was as she was glancing through his last book ‒ a large illustrated work, that the envelope fell out.

  It was Jim’s Will. Signed and witnessed and recent. Cradled in Nate’s arms, Laura read the document.

  Jim had left the shop and the museum to Beth.

  … as I promised. Because she deserves it for everything she’s done for me and for being a true friend.I hope she’ll watch out for developers’ wiles and that it will go on being profitable for her as it should …

  To Laura he had left his money and the royalties to come on all his books.

  … She will find they do rather well. I hope she’ll read them all and learn to love this part of the world as much as I do …

  Laura turned to Nate. He was looking at her anxiously.

  ‘Oh Nate! I’m so glad! So very glad! I should have known!’ She jumped to her feet. ‘Let’s go and tell Beth right away!’

  ‘Righto!’

  ‘She never even hinted, Nate ‒ although she must have felt hurt.’

  ‘That’s Beth for you. She wouldn’t want to spoil things for you.’

  ‘But it makes them better ‒ don’t you see? It makes Uncle seem nearer. And it feels right. Call her and say you’re coming to fetch her for a celebration! But don’t say why! I’ll get out a bottle!’

  ‘Will do!’ shouted Nate as he made off.

  Laura read the Will again. And watch out for developers’ wiles.

  Wiles. Now she understood as clearly as if her uncle was at her elbow. Kyle’s pl
oy had been to put her off the place ‒ to get her to sell before she thought too much about it ‒ before she settled in.

  And wiles it had been ‒ for he had made himself charming and helpful to her in every way. If there was a big company wanting the site, no doubt Kyle could make a good profit. Or maybe it was a personal friend, for whom he’d be doing a favour ‒ and expect a reward in return.

  She was rather looking forward to telling Kyle about the Will. And if he questioned its validity, it didn’t matter. That’s the way things were going to be! No hesitations now. Too right!

  When Beth arrived, Laura filled all their glasses with wine. Beth looked quizzically from Nate to Laura.

  ‘Don’t tell me,’ she said. ‘Here’s to the pair of you.’

  ‘And here’s to Uncle Jim,’ said Laura, and they all raised their glasses and drank. Beth looked down, blinking a little.

  Laura put her arm round her. ‘You loved him, didn’t you?’

  ‘Yes, I did.’

  ‘And he loved you.’

  Beth nodded.

  ‘We had a wonderful friendship.’

  ‘And he valued you very much, Beth. See ‒’

  Laura read out the clause in the Will.

  When she looked up, Beth’s face was soft with love and there were tears on her cheeks.

  ‘Dearest Jim,’ she said. ‘I’ll treasure those words.’ Then she shook away the tears and mopped up her eyes in a business-like way. ‘Jim would have preferred us to be laughing,’ she said.

  ‘You must have known the shop was rightly yours,’ said Laura. ‘Yet you didn’t say a word!’

  Beth looked at her shrewdly. ‘And you, my dear, could have torn up that Will and not said a word.’

  ‘But now I’m sure what Uncle wanted and that’s all that matters.’

  The two women hugged each other affectionately.

  Laura turned to Nate, and he kissed her. A kiss that held commitment.

  Beth, recognising it, sighed with pleasure.

  ‘And Jim would have wanted to see that too,’ she said.

  Enjoy the Corazon Books Vintage Romance series

  Vintage sweet romance novels from the 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s. Published for the first time as ebooks, with new titles released each month. For news on special deals and new releases, sign up to our Vintage Romance newsletter today.