The Outback Cattleman's Hired Wife

by Natalia Elder

  He kissed her until all thought disappeared from existence. The need for him to be inside her as one - body, mind and spirit gripped her like a thrilling theme park ride. ‘I can’t seem to get enough of you.’

  ‘Is this what it’s like to be in love?’ she said, all her senses coming alive as her skin rubbed up against his and she breathed in his potent masculine scent.

  His length hardened again and he buried his face in her hair. ‘I can’t even think straight when I’m around you.’

  Couldn’t he just say that he loved her? That annoying little voice whined like a broken record at the back of her mind.

  Her heart lurched and with supreme willpower, she stepped back out of his embrace. ‘We’d better get dressed,just in case Caleb returns.’

  He grunted. ‘I’ll have a talk with him tonight,’ he said, before pulling on his clothes.

  Wrapping his arms around her, he kissed her on the forehead, before unlocking the door and scooting out.

  Kirra dressed slowly and stayed in her granny flat for the rest of the afternoon. She attempted to read another crime novel by the same author, having enjoyed the first one to her surprise. However, she didn’t get very far.

  Her mind continued to replay the incredible lovemaking they’d performed in the shower. Zac had never wanted to hear her fantasies, let alone act them out. It was all about him. Always. But why was she still thinking about Zac, when Jared had asked her to marry him?

  After the first flush of fervent sex, would marriage be any different with Jared? She pondered.

  Before she could weigh up the answer, Jared had called her for dinner.

  At a loss to work out where the time had gone, Kirra slipped in her book mark and closed her book. ‘Coming!’ she said, her mood lighter, more content. As she bounced off the bed, she slapped her book on the side table. Pinching her cheeks to look less pale, she padded out of the granny flat.

  Caleb already sat at the dinner table in his pyjamas and robe, his freshly-washed hair combed. Chocolate lapped milk from a bowl on the floor beside him, while Jesse watched the puppy with renewed interest.

  ‘Hi!’ Kirra said brightly, when she entered the kitchen.

  Jared gave her a brilliant smile as he spooned soup into bowls. ‘Hi yourself.’

  ‘Would you like some help?’ she offered.

  ‘No, take a seat,’ he said, ‘Caleb’s got something he wants to ask you.’

  ‘You have?’ Kirra turned her attention to Caleb.

  She walked over and sat down opposite him.

  Was he going to ask her to be his mother? She wondered. Had Jared already spoken with him?

  ‘Would you like to go to Natural Arch tomorrow?’ Caleb said in a rush. ‘Dad said he’d take us if you agreed.’

  The anticipation ebbed away. He obviously hadn’t spoken to him yet, so she said blithely, ‘Two’s company, three’s a -’

  ‘Family,’ Jared finished for her, as he brought the delicious-smelling soup to the table and sat at the head of the table.

  ‘My old nannies never wanted to go out with me, only Dad,’ Caleb said matter-of-factly, ‘and Granny can’t walk properly on the rocks anymore.’

  Kirra patted Caleb’s hand on the table. ‘Well, I think they were a bit silly to miss out on so much fun.’

  Jared leaned back in his chair, folded his arms and smiled. ‘It’s settled then. We’ll leave first thing in the morning and take a picnic lunch.’

  Before they ate, Kirra suggested playing a thumb game she used to play with her parents. They held hands like a real family and had thumb wrestles.

  Afterwards, Jared gave their hands a gentle squeeze and Kirra’s heart seemed like it did a somersault in her chest. So this is what it’s like to have children, she thought. Deliriously happy and more content than she’d felt in a very long time, a soft smile formed on her lips.

  Caleb talked animatedly through the whole dinner about how Max had let him milk a cow and how he watched his father vaccinate by applying a drop on the back of Chocolate’s neck to prevent worms, fleas and ticks.

  After dinner, Caleb asked, ‘Kirra, will you tuck me in and read me a story?’ He gave her a hopeful look. ‘I’ve got a present for you too,’ he said as added incentive.

  Kirra was surprised. ‘I don’t need a bribe, Caleb,’ she replied, ‘I’d love to do it.’

  ‘Take Chocolate with you,’ Jared said gently. ‘Remember to hold him with two hands. He’s pretty strong already.’

  ‘Yes, Dad.’ Caleb picked up Chocolate carefully and brought him to his chest. He cradled him with both hands.

  ‘Well done!’ Jared praised.

  Pleased that Jared had taken her advice, Kirra gave him a smile, before leading Caleb out of the kitchen, then down the hallway to his bedroom.

  Kirra’s heart sang, as she watched Caleb put Chocolate in the bed that she’d made for him. ‘Good job, Caleb!’ she praised and he grinned at her, before climbing onto his bed and under the blankets.

  Instinctively, Kirra tucked the covers under his chin.

  ‘Wait a minute!’ Caleb sat up and reached over to his bedside table. He opened the drawer and pulled out a long shell necklace. ‘This is for you. Dad and I made it this afternoon.’

  Kirra took it in her hands and her eyes shone with joy.

  ‘Don’t you like it?’ Caleb said worriedly.

  Kirra looked at him and smiled. ‘Of course, I do. No one’s given me such a beautiful present before. But I can’t accept it. You promised it for your Granny.’

  Caleb reached into the drawer again. ‘Look, we made one for her too.’

  ‘Then I will accept it.’ She gave Caleb a kiss and a hug. ‘Thank you. Do you want to put it on me?’

  ‘Oh, yes,’ he said happily and stood on his feet, lifting it over her head.

  ‘Thanks,’ she said, patting it down. It was scratchy on the back of her neck, but she didn’t care! It was the thought that counted! Without delay, she reached for the Blinky Bill story book on top of the side table. ‘Now, back to bed.’

  Caleb did as he was asked and pulled the bedcovers up to his chin himself.

  ‘How about I listen to you read?’ she suggested.

  ‘Sure. I can read.’ Excitement flickered in his voice.

  Kirra planted herself on the edge of the bed and listened to him read slowly. She helped him with some of the bigger words and praised him for his efforts. When he grew tired, she happily finished to the end of the page.

  ‘Caleb,’ she said gently, after closing the book. ‘Do you miss your mother?’

  His blue eyes met her compassionate ones. ‘No, I don’t remember her, but Dad’s shown me a few photos so I know what she looked like.’

  ‘She was pretty.’

  ‘Not as pretty as you,’ he said with an innocent kind of frankness. ‘Dad likes you.’

  ‘Did he say that?’ A tinge of pink coloured her cheeks.

  ‘No, I can tell. He never cooked our special soup for any of my old nannies,’ he told her. ‘Last time, he cooked it was for Granny’s sixtieth birthday.’

  ‘Really? Thanks for telling me, Caleb,’ she said graciously.

  ‘I like you too.’ Spontaneously, he reached up, put his arms around her neck and gave her cheek a quick kiss.

  Kirra felt her heart swell with love.

  How could she not want to love and care for his son? He was such a dear, innocent and affectionate boy.

  ‘Good night,’ she said and stood slowly. Automatically, as she’d said countless times to her cousin’s children at bedtime, ‘I’ll see you in the morning. Sweet dreams. I love you.’

  Chapter Nine

  ‘WHAT ARE YOU doing?’ Jared ground out through gritted teeth, when Kirra left Caleb’s bedroom and entered the hallway. Smiling to herself, her head was down and she almost bumped into him.

  Kirra stilled and gave him a perplexed look. ‘What?’

  ‘Telling Caleb that you love him.’ Jared raked strong fingers through his hair.
‘Have you gone mad? You only met him yesterday.’

  ‘Calm down,’ she insisted, then added on a wise note, ‘He’ll hear you. Can we talk on the verandah?’

  Jared grunted, obviously perturbed by something she couldn’t even begin to fathom. Without further explanation, he strode towards the front door, opened it and ushered her out.

  It was cold and windy outside and Kirra folded her arms across her belly to keep warm. ‘My mother used to say that to me every night,’ she explained, turning quickly to face him.

  When he remained silent, she sat down on a wicker chair out of the wind. He looked angry and out-of-sorts as he stood there with his arms crossed over his broad chest.

  She wanted to wait for him to digest what she’d said, but she wanted to reassure him. ‘It made me feel secure and well-loved. Do you tell Caleb that you love him every day?’

  ‘He knows,’ he replied. His jaw jutted out stubbornly.

  ‘Most people appreciate hearing the words, I love you,’she said, annoyed that he’d never said them to her. ‘Did your father ever tell you that he loved you?’

  ‘No,’ he said, grimacing. ‘He used to punch me gently on the shoulder. I knew.’

  ‘And your mother, did she tell you that she loved you every day?’ Kirra pressed.

  ‘No, but a few times when I’d won a sporting trophy or graduated from school and university she did,’ he refuted. ‘She hugged me a lot. It was okay.’ From the pained look on his rugged face, she knew it cost him a lot to admit his feelings.

  ‘If we’re going to parent together,’ she said with a quiet resolve, ‘I insist on us being consistent, on the same page, so we can back each other up.’

  After a moment, his shoulders relaxed and he smiled that heart-warming crooked smile of his. ‘So you will marry me?’

  ‘I haven’t decided yet,’ she said, annoyed at his attitude. You haven’t read any books on being a parent, I bet? Just because you have a baby, doesn’t mean you’re automatically a good parent.’

  One dark eyebrow rose. ‘Are you saying I’m a bad parent?’

  ‘No, but I haven’t been a parent before,’ she explained, calming down a little, ‘you need to give me a chance. Instant motherhood is like climbing Mount Everest. I’m not even at the first base camp yet.’

  Kirra stood and felt the urge to run inside. It was cold, she told herself, but in truth, she was annoyed that Jared hadn’t appreciated her ministrations with his son. ‘If you don’t believe me, then …’ she finally said, emotion catching in her throat and she started to head back inside.

  Jared caught her up in his arms and she struggled against him. ‘I’m sorry, Kirra,’ he said on a frustrated sigh. ‘This is all new to me too. Heather did very little parenting so there was no united team effort.’

  She stilled. Looking up at him, she saw his blue-grey gaze soften.

  ‘Forgive me?’ he said, his deep tone gravelled with emotion.

  ‘Alright, but next time don’t jump down my throat,’ she quipped back, ‘I’m doing the best I can with the knowledge and experience I’ve got.’

  ‘Agreed.’

  Though it felt wonderful to be in his arms, she said firmly, ‘Now let me go. I need some shut-eye if we’re to have an early start tomorrow.’

  He released her. ‘I’m tired too,’ he admitted, ‘after that very early start this morning.’ He slipped his arm comfortably around her waist and walked with her to the granny flat door. To her surprise, he kissed her forehead and said, ‘See you in the morning, my love.’

  Next morning, Kirra was startled awake, when she realised Caleb and Chocolate were snuggled in beside her under the bedcovers.

  It gave Kirra a warm, fuzzy feeling inside. She could definitely get used to this.

  Jared opened the door quickly, a frantic look on his face. ‘There you are!’ he said, relief evident in his breathless tone. ‘I don’t believe it.’

  ‘Quick,’ Kirra whispered, take a photo before they wake up. There’s a camera in my shoulder bag.’

  Jared did as he was bidden and snapped a photo. ‘When did they hop into your bed?’

  ‘I don’t know,’ she continue to whisper, ‘but it was a lovely surprise.’

  Later, when they had all dressed and the picnic ready, Jared locked the puppy in the laundry for safe-keeping, fending off Caleb’s and Chocolate’s protests.

  ‘I’m sorry, son,’ he said quietly. ‘Dogs aren’t allowed at Natural Arch.’

  Caleb cheered up after they were on the road and Kirra started up a game of ‘I Spy.’ Even Jared joined in after a while when Kirra couldn’t guess Caleb’s thing starting with the letter, ‘C’.

  ‘After cloud, cow and car,’ Kirra said, ‘What else is there?’

  ‘Cicada, creek, cattle,’ Jared chimed in.

  ‘Nope!’ Caleb said proudly. ‘Give up?’

  Kirra and Jared said, ‘Yes!’ simultaneously and Kirra held out her Pinkie finger. Jared held out his and they linked them together.

  ‘Make a wish,’ she said to Jared and they did.

  ‘That’s awesome!’ Caleb said. ‘Bridie taught me to do that.’

  ‘Okay, what is it?’ Kirra said, confounded.

  ‘Me,’ Caleb chuckled mischievously. ‘Caleb starts with a ‘C’.’

  ‘Not fair!’ Kirra opined. ‘It’s supposed to be outside the car.’

  Jared drove the Land Cruiser over the low bridge and skidded to a halt.

  ‘What’s the matter?’ Kirra said. She thought she’d said or done something wrong again.

  ‘Look!’ Jared pointed down the river slope, then drove the vehicle over to the embankment. ‘A car’s missed the bridge.’

  Kirra noticed that there were no guard-rails on the old bridge. ‘This is so dangerous!’ she said. ‘Does it happen often?’

  ‘Sometimes,’ Jared replied, ‘but it’s usually drivers that don’t know the road or are driving tired.’

  ‘There’s someone in the driver’s seat,’ Kirra realised. ‘We’d better see if he’s alright.’

  Jared said, ‘You two stay here. I’ll check first to make sure he’s breathing.’ His tone brooked no argument and he hopped out of his vehicle, after grabbing the First Aid box from the glove compartment.

  When he’d skidded down the slope, Kirra grabbed her camera and hopped out. ‘I won’t be long, Caleb,’ she said calmly. ‘Stay here.’

  ‘Is he alright?’ Kirra called out from the top of the embankment.

  ‘He seems okay, but his neck is sore.’

  Kirra snapped a photo of the front of the stricken car with the hazardous bridge in the background. An idea for a story formed in the back of her journalistic mind. She quickly hopped back in the vehicle to be with Caleb and let him know that the man was alright.

  Jared came back moments later. ‘He appears to have had too much to drink.’

  He pulled out his mobile phone and called the Emergency Number. Without preamble, he gave a concise and precise description of the accident, the driver’s condition and the location.

  They waited until Emergency Services arrived, then left it in their capable hands after Jared had answered a few questions and had given them his contact details to the Police.

  When they started on the road again, Kirra saw red. ‘You know, something really should be done about that bridge. It’s not safe! Someone could get killed.’

  ‘It belongs to the Local Council,’ Jared said flatly.

  ‘Have you tried petitions?’

  ‘Yes, but apparently, there’s not enough traffic to warrant the expenditure.’

  ‘Traffic!’ she fumed. ‘People’s lives are at stake here.’

  ‘They’ve put in large ‘Low Narrow Bridge Ahead’ signs either side in prominent positions to give adequate warning.’

  ‘But it floods too!’

  ‘Let it go, love,’ he said, groaning. ‘The locals and I have tried everything.’

  Kirra fell silent. I bet they haven’t tried the media, she thou
ght and suddenly, she knew what her first rural article would be about.

  It was just before noon, when they arrived at Natural Arch in the Gold Coast hinterland. It was a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, with its bush walk and rock pool for swimming. Though Kirra knew of it, she’d never actually been there.

  At the rock pool, there was a natural rock formation in basalt where brave hearts could climb to the top and jump through the hole into deep water below.

  Kirra could see lots of warning signs that it was risky to do it and that some daredevils had been injured or killed.

  As they walked through the arch to the rocks on the other side, Kirra shivered a little nervously, as people still jumped through the hole.

  Jared spread out a picnic rug and they sat down together. Jared plastered Caleb with sunscreen, before he applied some to his own bare skin and passed the sunscreen bottle to Kirra. ‘Want some?’

  ‘Thanks.’ Kirra applied some to her own skin. Even though it was the end of winter, the day was warm and the sun was hot enough to cause sunburn.

  ‘Can we go for a swim, Dad?’ Caleb begged.

  ‘After lunch, son,’ Jared said. ‘Be patient. There’s plenty of time.’

  Kirra had prepared a simple picnic of ham and salad sandwiches. She’d frozen the left over peach and apple pie she’d made a few days ago and planned to share it for dessert. It would be almost thawed by now.

  Jared poured them all a cup of lemonade and they ate and drank in companionable silence, enjoying the great outdoors.

  A good half an hour after lunch, Caleb asked about swimming again. ‘Dad, can I jump this time?’

  ‘Okay, you’re old enough,’ Jared decided, ‘but only with me.’

  ‘Oh, great!’ Caleb said. He stripped off his clothes to reveal board-shorts and a Rashie, a special shirt to give his upper torso protection from sun damage.

  ‘No!’ Kirra said, horrified. ‘It’s too dangerous. There’s signs everywhere not to do it!’

  ‘They’re for tourists,’ Jared said calmly, waving his hand in dismissal. ‘You have to know where to jump. I’ve done it since I was about Caleb’s age.’

  Jared stood and stripped down to his own board-shorts and Rashie. ‘Come on, it’s fun,’ he said. ‘If you want to have a go, you can jump with me.’