Outback Sisters

by Rachael Johns

  ‘Aw, baby, let me have a look at them,’ Ruby said as she slid along the couch to make room for him. It felt very squishy with the three of them there.

  ‘What’s up with you, Frankie?’ Drew asked, looking over at her as Ruby examined his arms.

  Frankie blinked. ‘Me? Nothing. Why?’

  He raised an eyebrow. ‘You look different. You’re glowing or something?’

  ‘Am I?’ Frankie asked, fiddling with her collar.

  Although Frankie had her hair tied back in her trademark plaits and was wearing her usual uniform of black chef pants and the café polo shirt, Simone could see what Drew meant. There was something different about her today. ‘That’ll be down to her new man,’ she said, without thinking.

  ‘What?’ exclaimed the others.

  Frankie gave them a shrug and a sheepish smile.

  ‘Spill,’ Adam said, leaning forward.

  ‘There’s not much to say … yet.’ Frankie’s cheeks flushed. ‘We’ve only … just started seeing each other.’

  ‘What’s his name?’ Stella asked.

  ‘Is he cute? What does he do for a living?’ This from Ruby.

  ‘Um …’ Frankie looked at the counter as though hoping for a reason to escape this interrogation, but Stacey had everything under control.

  ‘Leave her alone. She’ll tell you when she’s ready.’ Simone remembered how awkward and pressured she’d felt when her friends were teasing her about Logan. They all meant well, but they were so blissfully happy in coupledom that they’d forgotten how hard dating and trying to find The One could be. She shouldn’t have put her foot in it and told everyone about Frankie’s new man.

  ‘Sorry,’ Stella said, glancing down at her hands, looking chastised.

  Ruby nodded. ‘You don’t have to tell us if you don’t want to.’

  Frankie smiled. ‘It’s fine. There’s really nothing to tell yet and besides, we’re here to look at Adam and Stella’s wedding photos. I, for one, can’t wait.’

  ‘And I can’t stay too long,’ Drew said.

  Simone raised an eyebrow, biting down on the impulse to remind him that he was the one who raised the distraction.

  ‘You’ll love them.’ Stella leaned down to grab her iPad out of her bag. ‘But first I want to thank you for your parts in our wedding—you all made the day extra special.’

  ‘Yes,’ Adam agreed and patted his stomach. ‘Thank God Heidi finished off the leftover cupcakes while we were away or I’d need new jeans.’

  Everyone laughed. Adam didn’t have an ounce of fat on his hard, lean body.

  ‘And Simone, thanks for helping Esther clean our house for us. It was lovely to arrive back and have nothing to do but relax some more.’

  ‘It was my pleasure,’ Simone said. ‘But if you don’t show us the photos soon—’

  ‘Okay, okay.’ Stella put the iPad on the table, flipping back the purple cover to make a stand, then angled it so everyone could see. ‘These are only the proofs. The album won’t be ready for a while but we need to choose the best ones. You guys can help.’

  They all leaned in to get a closer look, Ruby swiping from photo to photo because she was the closest. They spent the next fifteen minutes oohing and ahhing over the beautiful photos—first of the ceremony on the beach, then the shots of the bridal party, most of which had been taken in Kalbarri National Park, and then photos of the fun and frivolities at the reception.

  Stella kept a running commentary until Adam patted her knee and reminded her that everyone here had also been at the wedding so they probably didn’t need quite such a detailed description.

  ‘Sorry.’ Stella bit her lip. ‘I’m just so happy.’

  ‘And who can blame you?’ Ruby said, smiling over at her. ‘These photos are amazing. You look gorgeous.’

  Simone and Frankie murmured their agreement.

  ‘Heidi!’ The little girl shrieked and pointed at the screen, clearly excited to see a picture of herself in her white princess dress.

  Looking at these photos, Simone couldn’t help thinking of the night before the wedding. Snapshots from that surprising evening kept landing in her head and giving her hot flushes.

  ‘Stacey?’ she called. ‘Can we get some water over here, please?’

  ‘Sure. Coming right up.’

  ‘Sorry,’ Frankie said, looking up. ‘Does anyone want anything else?’

  Too engrossed in the photos, nobody replied. Frankie shrugged and went back to them as well.

  Stacey arrived with a glass bottle of water and six icy-cold glasses. ‘Here you are.’

  ‘Thanks,’ Simone said, taking one and filling it quickly.

  ‘You’re welcome.’ Stacey lingered and peered over Frankie’s shoulder at the iPad.

  Simone lifted the glass to her lips just as she caught a glimpse of Angus in the background of one of the photos. Even looking like he’d rather be anywhere than at the reception, he was way hotter than any man had a right to be. Oh Lord. This was just what she needed. She’d spent the last ten years comparing every guy she met to Jason, all of them coming up short. And now her one night with Angus had probably ruined her again. Even if it weren’t for the complication with Logan, it was clear that Angus was emotionally scarred and not a good prospect for a committed, ongoing relationship. But knowing this didn’t stop her wishing things were different.

  She downed the whole glass of water in two seconds flat.

  ‘I’m sorry, but I need to get back to work.’ Drew stood. ‘Your photographer did a top job with these shots.’

  ‘And gave us a great price too,’ Stella said, looking up at Drew. ‘Maybe you guys should use him for your wedding.’

  ‘Have you set a date yet?’ Frankie asked.

  Simone tried to look interested, but the prospect of another wedding so soon didn’t fill her with warmth and joy. Weddings were fine for couples, but if you were single they were hell. Just like Valentine’s Day. Maybe Frankie’s new man could set her up with a mate? She chuckled inwardly at the thought and then wrote it off. Nope, she was done with men.

  Ruby and Drew exchanged a look and then Ruby said, ‘We haven’t quite settled on a date yet but we have settled on a location.’ She paused.

  ‘Well?’ Stella asked after a few moments. ‘Don’t leave us hanging.’

  ‘Bali!’ Ruby clapped her hands together. ‘Of course you’re all invited.’

  The others all shrieked their excitement but despite the fact Simone had just said she needed a holiday, this was not what she’d had in mind. Not that she had anything against Bali, but having to keep an eye on two teenage girls—one of whom wasn’t currently talking to her—wasn’t her idea of a rest. And no way would she be able to relax if she left Harriet behind. Who knew what the girl would get up to home alone?

  No-one appeared to notice Simone’s lack of enthusiasm, so she cuddled into Heidi and chatted to her about why she wasn’t at school today.

  ‘Having a holiday with Mum and Dad.’

  Simone smiled at the way Heidi referred to Adam and before she knew it, the others were also saying goodbye.

  ‘Come on, Heids,’ Stella said, reaching out her hand. ‘We’re going for a walk on the beach.’

  Simone said her farewells but couldn’t find the energy to raise herself from the couch. She had fifteen minutes before she needed to be home for the girls.

  ‘You okay?’ Frankie sat down beside her as the door clanked shut behind the others.

  ‘Not really,’ she said, contemplating whether to confess everything to her sister. Surely Frankie would understand. One little slip up didn’t put her among the likes of serial cheaters and marriage wreckers. And the Knight brothers were ancient history now anyway.

  Frankie picked up a cupcake and held it out. ‘Here, this’ll help.’

  Simone shook her head. ‘I’m not hungry.’

  ‘Are you sick? That’s not the first time you’ve turned down my cake recently.’ Frankie raised her eyebrows as she laid her hand o
n Simone’s forehead. ‘You’re actually really hot.’

  ‘Am I?’ Probably due to the torrid thoughts she’d just been having about Angus, but maybe she actually was sickening for something. She’d been so drained the last week.

  ‘Yeah.’ Frankie nodded. ‘I think you should go see the doctor. Get some drugs and rest up. Are you sure you’re going to be up to looking after the café for me this weekend?’

  ‘Where are you going again?’ Simone asked, trying to remember if Frankie had actually told her. ‘Seeing your new boy?’

  ‘Yes. We’re meeting in Geraldton again.’

  ‘For the whole weekend?’

  ‘Don’t look at me like that!’ Frankie exclaimed. ‘You’re not my mother. Besides, we have to make the most of the time we get together.’

  ‘Just be careful, little sis,’ Simone said, forgetting about her own woes for a minute. ‘You only met this guy last week.’

  Frankie was quiet a few seconds, then, ‘I will be. Don’t worry about me.’

  ‘Okay.’ Simone sighed. ‘And I’m sure I’ll be fine to watch the café. I think all this business with Harriet is just getting to me. But I’ll drag her and Grace along to help in here. The compulsory time together will probably be good for us.’

  Frankie laughed, but, like Simone, she didn’t sound like she completely believed that.

  * * *

  ‘Simone McArthur,’ called Dr McDonald from just outside the door of her consulting room.

  Simone put down the ancient magazine she’d been flicking through and stood. She felt the other locals in the waiting room following her with their eyes as she headed to the doctor’s open door; no doubt the moment she was inside they’d be speculating about what her issues were. That was the problem with small country towns—everyone seemed to know your every move.

  She smiled as Dr McDonald closed the door behind her.

  ‘Hello, Simone. Take a seat.’

  ‘Thanks,’ she said, doing as she was told.

  Dr McDonald sat too and swivelled her chair to face Simone. ‘What seems to be the problem?’

  ‘I’m not exactly sure. I had a bit of a fever yesterday afternoon and I’ve been feeling tired and a little off lately.’

  The doctor frowned. ‘Can you describe what you mean by “off”? Flu-like symptoms? Nausea?’

  She nodded. ‘Kinda queasy. Don’t feel like eating.’

  ‘Okay.’ Dr McDonald grabbed a sample pot off the back of her desk and handed it to Simone. ‘Do you think you can do a sample for me?’ At Simone’s confused expression, she continued, ‘You’ll be amazed what urine can tell us. I just want to rule out a few things before we investigate further.’

  ‘All right.’ Simone rose and went into the little bathroom that was off the consulting room. As she dropped her pants and sat down on the toilet, it suddenly hit her.

  She thinks I’m pregnant!

  Her first reaction was a giggle, but then a cold feeling consumed her, freezing her heart and clenching her stomach. The fatigue she’d felt this last week was akin only to two other times in her life. She’d been so tired in the early months of pregnancy with Harriet and Grace that occasionally she’d laid down on the floor wherever she was and napped. And, now she thought about it, her period was a few days late. Oh fuck! How had she been so stupid? Maybe she’d gotten her dates wrong that weekend with Angus, so crazed with lust after a ten-year man drought that she’d convinced herself she was safe. The least she could have done was gone and got the morning-after pill!

  Hoping she was wrong, she screwed the lid back on the pot, pulled up her pants and went out to face her fears.

  ‘I’m pregnant, aren’t I?’ she said as she thrust the little pot at the doctor.

  ‘Is it a possibility?’ Dr McDonald asked, keeping her face carefully neutral.

  ‘Perhaps.’ She placed a hand on her stomach, which felt like it was home to a pack of angry moths—or whatever the collective term for a group of moths was—and sank into the chair. As Dr McDonald unscrewed the lid and dipped in the little cardboard stick, Simone held her breath. How the hell would she cope with a baby? It wasn’t like she was doing a stellar job with the two she already had.

  The doctor drew out the stick and looked at it. ‘I’m not sure whether to congratulate or commiserate, but yes, you’re pregnant.’

  No! Simone sat there in shock for a moment. Just her luck that the first time she had sex in ten years she got pregnant. This had to be her body’s idea of a sick joke.

  ‘Do you know the date of your last period?’

  ‘Huh?’ She couldn’t think straight, so she dropped her head into her hands and cried.

  After much comforting and assurances that she would be there whatever decision Simone made about the baby, Dr McDonald saw her out of the office. Like a zombie, she paid her bill and then made her way out onto the street. As she arrived at the Pajero, her mobile beeped with a message.

  Without thinking, she tugged the phone out of her handbag and glanced at the screen.

  Hope you’re feeling better. If not, Stacey said she can hold the fort over the weekend. I’m setting off early. See ya Monday! Frank x

  Her hand shook around the phone as she stared down at the message.

  She no longer had any choice about telling Frankie about Angus, but at least she had the weekend to get her head around it.

  And oh, dear God, how the hell was she going to break the news to Angus?

  Chapter Twenty-five

  As Logan grated chocolate to go on the top of his tiramisu, he surveyed the kitchen—once again clean after his mad cooking afternoon. His duck ragu simmered on the stove and his handmade pici pasta was draped over a dowel, ready to be cooked when needed. Everything smelt amazing and he only hoped Frankie thought so too. Earlier in the week, during one of their long phone conversations, he’d grilled her on her tastes. Most chefs had an open mind where food was concerned and were willing to try just about anything once, but he wanted to make sure he didn’t serve up something she didn’t like.

  He wanted everything about their weekend together to be perfect, starting with dinner.

  With that thought, he glanced at the time on the microwave again. Although he’d been busy in the kitchen since just after Angus had left for his appointment, time had dragged all day, but now it wasn’t long until Frankie would here.

  Time to get a move on. Just the chocolate to sprinkle on top, then a quick shower and change and he’d be ready. Emptying the grated chocolate into a bowl, he looked out the window and felt the blood pump through him at the sight of her little white hatchback churning up the gravel drive. Judging by the speed it was going, she was as eager to get to him as he was to see her.

  With no time to change now, he abandoned the chocolate, wiped his hands on a tea towel then ran them quickly through his hair before hurrying outside to greet her. Angus’s dogs got there first, though, leaping up and trying to lick her as she tried to climb out the car.

  ‘Well, hello there, cute stuff,’ she said and he almost felt a prick of jealousy that she was referring to the mutt, not him.

  ‘Oi, you two, leave her alone. She’s mine.’

  Frankie laughed, trying to fend off the dogs as she met his gaze. Her gorgeous smile lit up her whole face and hit him like a blow to the solar plexus, before heading lower. Ignoring the ache in his groin, he lunged forward and pulled the dogs away.

  ‘Go on,’ he yelled at them. ‘Back to your beds.’ Their heads drooped at being chastised and they slowly turned and trundled back in the direction of the front verandah.

  ‘Damn dogs,’ he said, standing in front of Frankie and hoping she wouldn’t glance down. He didn’t want her to think him some kind of sex maniac, but it had been a long time since he’d felt such attraction to someone and his body didn’t care for waiting. ‘Sorry about that.’

  ‘It’s fine.’ She dusted herself off and his gaze flicked down her body, taking in her cute black T-shirt, short denim skirt and knee-h
igh boots. Good God, how was a man supposed to control himself when his girl turned up in an outfit like that?

  He swallowed. ‘Did you find your way easy enough?’

  She nodded, then rubbed her lips together and Logan decided that was enough small talk. He’d waited almost a week to kiss her again and he didn’t want to wait another moment longer.

  ‘Good,’ he said, and then he stepped right up close and pulled her against him, their lips colliding in a frenzy of lust, need and desperation. She tasted delicious, felt so damn good—her soft breasts pressed up against his chest—and he couldn’t get enough of her. He slipped his hands up into her hair, which was down for the first time he’d ever seen it, and her arms wrapped around him, gliding down to cup his butt.

  He groaned into her mouth. Impossible to hide the package in his pants now, but somehow, the way her tongue was sliding over his, he guessed she didn’t mind it at all. His hands started an exploration of their own, first caressing her neck, then moving lower and slipping around the front, one thumb grazing the bare skin at her throat before dropping down to cup her breast. It fit perfectly in his hand and his patience for the material between them started to wear thin. Realising if he didn’t slow things down, they’d be consummating their relationship on the bonnet of her car, he reluctantly ripped his mouth from hers and jammed his hands in his jeans pockets.

  She smiled at him, her lips raw and red. ‘Hmm … you taste like chocolate.’

  He grinned. That’d be the chocolate he’d broken off and popped into his mouth before grating the rest of the block. ‘And you taste better than anything I’ve ever tasted before. Have you got a bag or something?’

  She nodded. ‘My stuff’s in the back seat.’

  He opened the door, grabbed her backpack and hitched it over his shoulder. ‘I’m so glad you’re here.’

  ‘Me too,’ she said, slipping her hand back into his as they started towards the house. ‘Lucky Angus decided to go away for the weekend. Would have been risky you coming to Bunyip Bay.’