by Valerie Parv
Judy wondered if Ryan was remembering that they’d almost made love only a short time after he broke the news. Coldness washed through her. Surely he couldn’t think she was only interested in him for that?
“It doesn’t matter anyway,” Horvath went on. “Without the deed, you have no chance of claiming the land. We’re back to square one, with me holding a mortgage over the lot.”
“Get out,” Judy snarled. Ryan’s hold on her was all that held her back from clawing Horvath’s eyes out. Bad enough that he’d taken back the hard-won document. He had no right to suggest her motives were in any way similar to his.
“Keep the flowers to remind you of me,” Max said and walked out. Soon afterward, they heard the sound of his Land Cruiser start up and drive away.
Judy sagged against the table. “How could you hand over the deed to him after all you went through to get it?”
“Who says I did?”
“But I saw…”
“What you saw was one of your mother’s old recipes I found at the back of a shelf while I was listening from the pantry. Hopefully Horvath won’t look at it until he gets home, then he’ll find he has everything he needs to make a nice batch of pickled mutton.”
The stress of the moment gave way to the urge to laugh hysterically. “Good grief, Ryan. If he’d checked the paper while he was here, he might have killed you.”
“He wouldn’t have pulled anything with so many witnesses around,” he said with a confidence she didn’t share. “He’s been too careful to distance himself from everything that’s happened. He isn’t about to dirty his hands now, when what he wants is within his grasp, or so he thinks.”
She thought of the coldness she’d seen in Max’s eyes when he’d showed her the photo. “Max may not have wanted to be implicated up to now, but he’s getting desperate. Filing a false insurance claim for the burglary may buy him a little time with his creditors, but there’s a limit to how much he can pretend to have lost. These days, insurance companies generally prefer to replace goods rather than hand over large amounts of cash, so he may not come out of it as well as he hopes.”
Cade came in carrying the barbecue grill. “I saw Horvath hightailing it out of here. What did he want?”
When Ryan explained, Cade gave a low whistle. “He’ll be on the warpath after this. You sure you want to stick around, Ryan? You’ve set yourself up as his prime target.”
Ryan’s hand went to the dressing at his temple. “The feeling’s mutual. I’m not leaving until this is finished, one way or another.”
Judy struggled to keep her expression from betraying how much his promise meant to her. She told herself it was for the sake of her father and Diamond Downs, and the people depending on them, but in her heart she knew the truth. She wanted Ryan to stay while she explored her feelings toward him.
Having him stay was dangerous, she recognized. And not only because Max would have him in his sights. The longer she and Ryan were together, the more she risked falling for him. Needing him when she didn’t want to need any man.
She looked up to find his gaze on her, the fire in his eyes telling her she’d been read like a book. Could he possibly be aware of the physical needs clamoring inside her whenever he was within touching distance? Or the confusing yearnings he sparked in her for home, family, a future she’d sworn to avoid? If she had half an ounce of sense, she would send him packing now, for his safety as well as her sanity.
She was glad Cade was in the room, stopping her from falling into Ryan’s arms and making a complete fool of herself. How could she, when her feelings were in such turmoil? Sleeping with him for mutual pleasure wasn’t the issue. But she doubted Ryan would be content with casual sex. And with everything he made her feel, could she be sure it was enough for her any more?
Chapter 10
The next morning, Judy and Tracey were organizing breakfast for the children at the barbecue tables they’d left set up when another car pulled up. A woman and a small boy got out. Tracey’s face lit up with pleasure. “Heather and Daniel made it through after all.”
Judy was happy to see the glamorous woman she’d met at the hospital the night Des had suffered a suspected heart attack. From the way the little boy raced toward his companions, Judy gathered he was fully recovered from the bout of asthma that had put him in the hospital for a time.
Heather approached the table where Judy was pouring orange juice into glasses. “I hope everything’s all right. I would have come sooner, but I was told the road wasn’t safe in the heavy rain.”
“There was no need to risk it, everybody’s fine here,” Judy said. “How is the road this morning?”
“Churned up in parts but dried out now, and my car has four-wheel drive, so we had no trouble. After the sun bakes the mud for a few more hours, Tracey’s minibus shouldn’t have a problem getting through.”
“Have you and Daniel had breakfast?”
Heather glanced toward her little boy. “We ate before we left Halls Creek, but Daniel’s probably ready for another round and I’d kill for a cup of coffee.”
“No need to go that far. There’s plenty,” Judy said with a laugh. “My day doesn’t get going till I’ve had my caffeine fix.”
With Heather’s help, the children were soon settled with bowls of cereal, thick slabs of toast and Vegemite or the bush honey known locally as sugarbag. Judy poured coffee for the adults and carried it to the table.
“Where are Cade and Ryan?” Tracey asked when Judy joined her and Heather.
“Dodging this lot, I suspect. They drove out to the muster camp. Andy had a few questions about some cattle they rounded up yesterday, and one of the muster vehicles was acting up. That’s Ryan’s specialty.”
Judy suspected that her foster brothers mainly wanted to make sure Horvath and his men weren’t hanging around to cause trouble but she didn’t say so, not wanting to alarm the visitors.
“So his injury isn’t giving him any trouble?” Tracey asked.
Heather’s eyebrows lifted. “He was injured? What happened?”
“Only a graze, nothing serious,” Judy said without further explanation. How did she explain Ryan’s close call with a bullet while indulging in a little breaking and entering? Before he left this morning, he’d discarded the dressing, revealing a livid mark on his temple that would settle into an interesting scar, she thought. He’d refused her offer to redress the injury, insisting he was fine.
She wished she could say the same for herself. Half the night had been spent tossing and turning, worrying about what Max Horvath might do. After discovering Ryan had foiled his plan to steal back the deed to Cotton Tree Gorge, Max wasn’t likely to rest until he’d exacted revenge. Thinking of Ryan, vulnerable out at the muster camp, made her uneasy until she reminded herself that he wasn’t alone. Cade was with him, and Andy and the men would provide backup if Max tried anything.
The heat of the coffee penetrated her fingers and she put the cup down hastily, spilling a few drops onto the checked tablecloth. “You’re distracted this morning,” Tracey observed, watching her. “Worried about your father?”
Guiltily, Judy lowered her gaze. She should have been worrying about Des; instead, her thoughts were divided between him and Ryan, and her longing to be with him. “I spoke to Dad this morning at the crocodile farm,” she said. “He relaxed once I assured him everything’s under control here. He’s been helping out with a few light chores and showing visitors around. I got the impression he’s enjoying the break.”
“Tracey arranged with Blake to take the kids to Sawtooth Park the day after tomorrow,” Heather put in. “Thank you for suggesting the idea.”
Judy sipped her coffee. “What else do you have planned for this week, Tracey?”
“Weather permitting, we’re going to Windjana Gorge and Tunnel Creek,” Tracey said, naming two local landmarks. She added, “The kids are keen to see Wolf Creek crater, so we’re going there tomorrow. I told them it’s a huge hole in the ground made by a met
eor millions of years ago, but I think they expect signs of alien life-forms.”
Heather spread Vegemite on a piece of toast. “TV and computer games have a lot to answer for, even in the most remote places.”
The children had finished eating and were playing noisily between the tables. “Looks like the end of peace and quiet,” Tracey said and got up. “I’d hoped we could be out of your hair after breakfast but from the sound of things, the road needs more time to dry out before it’s safe for my van.”
“What about if we take the Bowen River Road?” Heather asked. “According to my map, that would get us back to the highway.”
Judy hesitated. With Max on the warpath, she would feel happier if the other women took the children back to Halls Creek and out of danger. Last night before going to bed, she and Ryan had agreed they didn’t want to alarm the visitors by telling them about the threat from Max. “Bowen Creek Road usually dries out quicker than our main access road, but it’s a much longer way,” she felt bound to point out.
“We’re in no hurry,” Tracey said. “The kids will enjoy driving back by a different route.”
Judy’s glance went to Heather. “You can’t be ready to leave yet. You only just arrived.”
“I feel we should go while Tracey’s van can make it,” Heather admitted. “Another time, I’d love to stay longer.”
“You’re welcome anytime,” Judy repeated. “I don’t want to rush you away.” She did, but for their own protection. She hoped her anxiety didn’t show too much.
Tracey gestured toward the noisy group. “They’re getting restless. We should make a move before they start tearing your place apart out of boredom.”
“They were great last night at the barbecue,” Judy said.
Tracey smiled in agreement. “We had a wonderful time. Thanks for organizing everything. The kids thought sleeping in the bunkhouse was a treat, not that there was much actual sleeping done.” She yawned as if to prove her point.
Judy’s gaze went to the long, low building, with its timber sides and louvered windows. “The old place has fond memories for me, too. The boys and I used to sleep out there whenever Dad would let us. Not much sleeping got done then, either. Pillow fights were the activity of choice.”
“Children never change.” Tracey clapped her hands, snagging the children’s attention. “We’re leaving now, kids. Thank Judy for having us.”
Judy struggled not to smile as the children chorused their appreciation. Sunny came up to her dragging a large piece of paper that looked the worse for wear. “Ryan said I could take home the kangaroo we made.”
She hugged the child. How slight he felt, but strong, too. “You can play the game when you get home.”
“Will Ryan come back and see me soon?”
“Of course he will. And you can come and visit him again, too.”
His dark eyes saucered. “Can I? That’d be great. I’ll be bigger then. Ryan says I can go to the muster camp with the men when I’m bigger.”
Her heart went out to the little boy, so obviously longing for a father that he had cast Ryan in the role. Her admiration for his involvement in the child’s life grew until she felt a painful lump in her chest. She blinked hard to clear her vision. “Ryan’s right. You’ll be able to do lots of things when you’re bigger, but don’t be in too much of a rush.”
“He didn’t say goodbye,” Sunny complained.
“He had to leave before sunrise,” she explained. “He looked in on you, but you were sleeping. He left a goodbye hug for you on your pillow.” The phrase was one her mother had used many times when Des had left for work before she awoke. When she’d been tiny, she’d dragged her pillow out to her mother and demanded to be shown where her goodbye hug was.
Wiser than she, Sunny took her assurance at face value. “That’s good.” Then he asked, more shyly, “Can I leave you a kiss to give him?”
Warmth rushed through her. She held out her arms. “Of course.”
Sunny threw himself against her and planted a wet kiss against her mouth. “You won’t forget to give it to him?”
“I won’t forget.” Kissing Ryan wasn’t exactly a hardship. The challenge would be remembering that it wasn’t on her own account.
Sunny started to run off, then slowed and came back. “Thank you for having me,” he said dutifully, before joining the other children getting into the minivan.
Judy touched a hand to her mouth. The child’s affection had touched her in ways she didn’t want to think about. The feel of his wiry body in her arms was another unwanted distraction, triggering an aching sensation in her fallow womb. What were these males doing to her?
The feeling of emptiness was strong enough to make her walk to the van and touch the small hands reaching out to her from the windows. “Watch out for the aliens when you get to Wolf Creek crater,” she said on sudden impulse.
“See, I told you there’ll be aliens,” Matilda called out to Tracey, who was helping the last child to board.
Tracey shot Judy a wry look. “Now look what you’ve done.”
Judy felt unrepentant. “Just because you’ve never seen any aliens at Wolf Creek crater doesn’t mean there aren’t any.”
“Some things have to be taken on faith,” Tracey agreed with a wink. She stretched up to hug Judy. “Like the reason we landed on your doorstep last night.”
Judy didn’t want to think some power had arranged the incident to show her another side of Ryan or to create this sense of aridity inside herself. How cruel would that be? But the sensation lingered as she said goodbye to Heather and Daniel and waved as the small convoy headed in the direction of Bowen Creek Road.
Slowly she turned back toward the house, where a couple of the men who hadn’t been needed at the muster camp were folding tables. No time to feel sorry for herself, she thought as she cleared away the breakfast things. There was work to be done. At an outback cattle station, there was always work to be done.
Finishing his inspection of the cattle the men had mustered, Ryan dropped the reins over his horse’s head and left the animal to graze while he approached Andy Wandarra. “Everything okay here?”
Before retiring the night before, he’d told the other man about Horvath’s late-night visit and his threats. They’d decided to check on the muster camp at first light to make sure Horvath hadn’t been up to no good. There were many things he could have done to cause trouble, from damaging plant and equipment, to stealing horses and cattle.
Evidently nothing had been touched. “After you told me what happened, I sent a couple of the men out here last night,” Andy explained. “Don’t want any more trouble. Mr. Logan has got more than his share as it is.”
“You said it, Andy. This place couldn’t manage without you.”
Wandarra looked pleased, but gestured dismissively. “That’s rubbish talk, Ryan. Diamond Downs will go on long after me and my people are gone.”
Ryan nodded, adding quietly, “Let’s hope it’s not in Horvath’s hands by then.”
He drank a cup of coffee out of an enamel mug with the men gathered around the campfire. Their chatter was sporadic, mostly concerning work to be done that day, peppered with the occasional ribald joke. He didn’t join in, aware of a sense of unease he couldn’t shake off.
Anyone connected with the land eventually developed a sixth sense for events yet to come, whether they were approaching storms or, rarely, a death. Such matters were never discussed openly, but they’d all experienced premonitions that defied explanation, like the way he felt now.
He looked around. The camp was located on an open belt of grassland a forty-minute ride from the main homestead. A creek cut a deep swath along one boundary, normally dry but now running with water after yesterday’s rain. With the coming of the Wet proper, the creek, like its neighbors, would soon spill over its banks and spread across the land, creating a shallow brown sea all the way to the horizon.
The waterbirds would fly in from as far away as Russia to nest and br
eed. Crocodiles would migrate from their isolated waterholes to claim new territories, wildflowers would bloom and the land would complete its annual cycle of regeneration.
He looked upward. A dozen feet in the air, a battered metal kerosene can hung from a tree. Visitors always asked about the cans hanging in the trees and never believed his explanation that they marked the height the river would reach at full spate.
A movement jarred his reverie, pulling his attention away from the can. He’d seen movement in the distance. Too far away for easy identification, so he went to his horse and pulled binoculars out of the saddlebag. Training them on the source of the movement, he swore softly.
Andy came up behind him. “What is it, Ryan?”
He handed the glasses over. “Hard to tell for sure, but it looks like Mick Coghlan and a couple of his men.”
After a minute Andy lowered the glasses. “That’s Mick all right. What do you think they’re up to?”
“They must know they’re on Diamond Downs land. They could be looking for strays from Willundina.” Ryan knew his tone lacked conviction. While rounding up their own straggly cleanskin cattle—cattle that had, until now, escaped mustering and branding—the men had seen no cattle carrying their neighbor’s brand. The fences were regularly checked for breaks and none had been found recently.
Ryan debated following the car to investigate, then thought of Judy and Tracey and the children back at the homestead. Without consulting her, Ryan had detailed two men to stay behind, ostensibly because they had enough hands at the muster camp but really to protect Judy and the others. She’d have objected if he’d explained. Precisely why he hadn’t. “Whatever they’re up to, we can be sure it isn’t anything good,” he said.
“You want me to take some men and chase them off the land?”
“They’ll be gone before you can catch up. I’m heading back to the homestead. Keep an eye on things here and call me if you see them up to anything suspicious.”
