‘What? Why is Zane Turner still hanging around, and why didn’t you boot him off your property?’
‘Aaah, I couldn’t – he was officially on the other side of the fence.’
‘Shame – I’d pay good money to see you boot him up the bum,’ Tash said with a smile.
Bec let out a laugh. ‘Oh, there’s a thought. Sorry, I just got a visual. Anyway, he was trying to convince me that marrying him would be the smart thing to do.’
‘God, the nerve of him! How could that possibly be smart?’
‘You know, merging the properties and having the best farm in the shire,’ Bec said with a shrug.
‘You’ve already got that.’ Tash grinned.
‘Well, it was, but since Dad’s accident . . . maybe not so much.’
Tash reached over and gave her hand a squeeze. ‘You’re too hard on yourself. You’re doing a great job of running the farm.’
The jingle of the doorbell sounded and stopped Bec mid-sentence as Nicholas Langtree stepped into the shop.
He was tall and his plaid shirt seemed to strain across his broad shoulders. His Akubra was pulled down low on his forehead and his ink-black hair brushed his collar. Without making eye contact he gave Bec a brief nod as he walked past her to the counter. Tash hurried over to serve him.
‘Natasha.’ His voice was deep and low and sounded as if he didn’t use it much.
‘Nick. Have you been well?’ Tash asked.
‘Yes – you?’
‘Fine . . . busy,’ Tash said with a smile. ‘What can I get you?’
‘Um . . . some bread, please.’
‘What sort?’
‘You choose.’
Tash grabbed a large paper bag and stuffed it with two loaves, rolls, a handful of cheesy muffins and an apple and walnut scroll on top. ‘There you go,’ she said as she placed the bag on the counter.
‘How much do I owe you?’
‘Nothing.’
‘Tash . . . I . . .’
She covered his hand briefly with hers. If Bec had blinked she would have missed it.
‘Just take care of yourself,’ Tash said. ‘I’ll see you next week?’
He nodded. ‘Alright.’ Nicholas held her gaze for a second before he turned and hurried out of the shop.
Bec jumped up from the table and headed over to Tash. She leaned on the counter and looked at her friend.
‘Wow, that’s more than I’ve heard him speak in years.’
Tash was looking past Bec, watching as Nicholas climbed into his ute across the road.
‘Wow indeed,’ she said quietly as he drove off.
***
When Tash had said that she felt a connection of sorts with Nicholas Langtree, Bec had thought that she was being more than a little fanciful. The man was a recluse and he had basically spent the last seven years of his life holed up at his family farm. He had shunned help after the fire, and even though a lot of people from the town had tried to help him, he’d refused all offers, politely stating that he was fine and shutting the door in their faces before they’d had a chance to respond.
But after witnessing Nicholas and Tash in the bakery, Bec thought for the first time that her friend might have been right. They had indeed seemed to gravitate towards each other, somehow. Bec couldn’t help worrying about her friend and wondering if Nicholas might be beyond Tash’s reach. But she supposed that even if it never progressed further than Nicholas coming into the bakery every week, at least he was away from Winter’s Hill and actually talking to another human being.
As Bec drove home her musings about Tash and Nicholas gave way to thoughts of Matt. Tash was open when it came to Nicholas. Like most things she wore her heart on her sleeve, which was in stark contrast to Bec. She on the other hand had gone out of her way to keep her relationship under wraps. Bec told herself that it was no one elses business who she went out with – which was true. But even though she didn’t want to admit it, there was more to it than that. There was an underlying fear that when her life imploded the whole of White Gum Creek would be standing on the sidelines discussing it. She knew what she had with Matt was pretty solid but there was something that held her back, stopped her from having the courage to stand up and say – we’re together.
Bec frowned as she entered the large sweeping bend just before Bluestone Ridge. She’d never thought herself a coward but maybe she was. When she’d broken up with Zane she felt that the entire population of the town had followed the whole thing with morbid fascination. It was awful to discover that everyone and his dog had an opinion on what had happened and how she should live her life. Bec couldn’t bare to think the same thing could happen again; in fact she didn’t think she’d survive a second round. Deep down she knew it wasn’t fair to Matt, he was nothing like Zane. But the thought of her private life being once again the topic of discussion turned her stomach.
Chapter 14
It was almost nine o’clock in the evening when Matt hurried into the kitchen to grab something to eat. For the first time in a long time he had been swept up in writing the opening of his new novel. His attempts so far had been pretty dismal and he had deleted each one, but today was different. It was as if Matt had managed to catch hold of the old inspiration he’d had with his first two books.
He’d been at the cottage now for months, and during that time he’d been trying to write. But only some of it had been right or salvageable. A few weeks after moving in, ideas about different scenes and plot points for his new novel had begun to pop up in his head. That was nice, as they were basically the first ideas he’d had since the accident. Matt would spend time getting them down but many of them didn’t pan out. There were so many great ideas that either petered out or died a boring death and even worse, he kept writing himself into a corner. He found himself spending almost as much time hitting the delete button as he did trying to craft the bare bones of a story. It wasn’t as if he wasn’t progressing – but it had been hard work, and he seemed to be struggling more than he ever had before. Things changed when Bec came onto the scene; the ideas were stronger and Matt found that he’d been able to plot the entire story and it was solid. Not only that but as weeks went by he was able to write several chapters that he was really happy with. Whatever caused the change, he wasn’t going to question it – hey, maybe it was as simple as Bec was his muse. Matt found it was easier to just go with the flow and write scenes out of sequence. He knew that some writers started at the beginning and wrote in order but Matt liked to jump around from scene to scene and from one chapter to another. Some days it was still a struggle to get the words down but today was different. Today there wasn’t any struggle, the words not only flowed but kind of made sense, which was always a bonus.
He would have stayed at his computer all night, tapping out his story while listening to the steady patter of winter rain outside. But hunger pangs finally pushed him out of his chair and into the kitchen. He grabbed the large bowl of curry out of the fridge and put it into the microwave.
His mind was still on his story, and it took him a moment to realise that Boxey was barking and trying to tell him that someone was knocking on the front door.
‘Hang on – I’m coming,’ he called out.
Matt was surprised as he opened the door to find Nicholas Langtree standing on the other side. Of all the people in White Gum Creek who might drop by, Nicholas was the last Matt would have expected.
‘Hey, you said that I could come . . . I mean . . . oh, I don’t know,’ he said.
‘Good to see you,’ Matt said as he stepped back. ‘Come on in. I was just getting something to eat – are you hungry?’
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb your dinner.’
‘You’re not – come on, I’ve got curry and beer.’
Nicholas hesitated for a second before stepping through the door. ‘If you’re sure? Okay then – thanks.’
Matt led the way back to the kitchen.
‘Take a pew,’ he said as he went and grab
bed another plate and a couple of beers from the fridge.
Nicholas took a seat and looked around the small kitchen. ‘It looks good in here . . . cosy. I remember this place; it always seemed to be run-down, but not anymore.’
‘Thanks, it’s a bit of a work in progress, but I like to think I’m bringing the old place back to life.’ Matt handed him a stubby. ‘There you go.’
‘I’m not sure why I came,’ Nicholas said as he put the beer on the table. ‘You know, when I saw you up on Winter’s Hill you were the first person I’d seen in almost two weeks.’
‘You don’t go out much?’
Nicholas shook his head. ‘I go into town every fortnight or so just to grab some supplies and maybe go to the bakery, but other than that I keep to myself.’
‘Your choice?’
‘I guess it is. When I lost Sophie and the baby, people kept coming up and trying to help. I appreciated it, I really did – but basically all I wanted to do was be by myself. After a while, people stopped coming and I never went looking for them.’
Matt looked at Nicholas. He’d been there too, and if it hadn’t been for Jules he’d probably still be holed up in his old apartment with the curtain drawn.
‘I get it,’ he said.
Nicholas looked up. ‘I reckon you do.’
‘Well, I’m glad you dropped by. Here, help yourself to some curry, if you want,’ Matt said as he pushed the large bowl towards Nicholas.
‘Thanks.’
‘So any particular reason for the visit?’ Matt waited for Nicholas to say why he’d turned up tonight but was met with silence. Well, that was awkward, but Matt didn’t want to push him.
Nicholas ate his dinner, drank half of his beer, but said nothing. Matt cast his mind back to the days and weeks after his accident. He’s sat in his room, not saying a word from sunrise to sunset – living inside his head. People came and talked at him, and then would finally leave after they hardly got a response, let alone polite conversation. Jules was different; she was the only one who had understood. She would sit with him in silence, reading or sometimes watching stuff on her laptop. Jules had never demanded his attention, but her quiet presence was comforting. She’d probably never understand just how much that had meant to him.
Matt figured that he’d do the same for Nicholas. The man would talk when he was ready. And whether he did or not, at least he was off Winter’s Hill.
The minutes ticked by, but just as Matt finished his meal and went to get up and put the kettle on, Nicholas finally spoke.
‘Like I said, I never look for company. I’m happy to keep my own counsel but tonight the emptiness started to close in.’ He shook his head and shrugged. ‘I don’t know why.’
‘It happens, usually when you least expect it. We all need to connect but sometimes it takes a while to realise that.’
‘Well, that’s just it – I realised that I didn’t have anyone to talk to.’
‘I’m sure that’s not true. I bet there’re plenty of people in town who would be more than happy to talk with you.’
‘Doubt it. They tried, you see, and I sent them away. I shunned the whole damn town, so why would they want me?’
‘You didn’t shun them, you just retreated, and believe me – everyone will understand that.’
‘Maybe, or maybe I’ve burnt my bridges and that’s why I’m sitting in a stranger’s kitchen eating his curry.’
‘Well, all friends were strangers once.’
A small smile tugged at Nicholas’s mouth. ‘Did you just rip that off from a greeting card?’
Matt grinned. ‘Maybe. Do you want another beer?’
‘Sure.’
***
Bec and Tash had already ordered their meal when Matt sauntered into the Black Sheep. He paused at the doorway and for a moment his gaze locked on Bec. She felt a tingly warmth wash over her as she met his stare. He gave her a slight smile and a nod before he kept walking towards the bar.
Tash grinned at Bec. ‘Oh, so now I know how it is.’
Bec dragged her eyes away from Matt. ‘What?’
‘You’ve been holding out on me.’
‘What are you talking about, Tash?’
‘Don’t give me that,’ Tash said as she took a sip of her white wine. ‘There’s something going on.’
Bec tried to form a convincing denial but couldn’t come up with a single thing.
‘Your silence is damning, you know.’
Bec shook her head and grinned. ‘Oh, shut up.’
‘Spill – I want to know what’s going on and all the juicy details.’
‘There aren’t any.’
‘Sure there are.’
Bec let out a long sigh. It was useless to try and talk her way out of this. Tash was right – she couldn’t hide anything from her best friends.
‘Matt and I kind of have a thing going on. It’s new and I just wanted to keep it low-key and private.’
Tash looked affronted at the suggestion. ‘Well, I won’t tell.’
‘I know that. We were both at a loose end and a bit lonely and so we’ve sort of gravitated towards each other.’
‘That sounds intriguing. So how long have the two of you been gravitating?’
‘A while.’
‘You’re a sly fox.’
Bec shrugged. ‘I just wanted to take it slow and I didn’t want the whole town sticking their noses into my business. I needed to keep this thing just between Matt and me.’
‘But why?’
‘Just because . . .’
‘Oh, give me strength. This is all because of that arsehole, Zane. You can’t possibly compare the two of them, that wouldn’t be fair. You know that they’re very different men . . . and Zane Turner is a total tool.’
‘I know. I know. As I said, I didn’t want people getting in our business. I don’t know if this liaison with Matt will go anywhere, I mean, let’s face it, it probably won’t. So I want to enjoy it while I can, without the entire population of White Gum Creek rehashing the old engagement story. I just wanted to have some privacy.’
‘Yeah well, to do that I reckon you’d have to change your name and move to a different town.’
‘Maybe I should,’ Bec said with a shrug.
‘Like that’s ever going to happen. You’d never leave Bluestone Ridge, you love it too much.’
‘I really do, but things have been difficult over the past couple of years.’
‘You mean with your dad?’
‘Yeah.’
‘I can’t imagine how hard it’s been for all of you. You and your mum holding things together and your dad trying to adjust to never walking again.’
‘Dad can’t control his legs so he needs to exert control over the farm. I just find it so . . .’
‘Difficult?’
‘That’s an understatement. He’s got to manage everything himself. I get it, but it doesn’t make it easier.’
Tash reached over and gave Bec’s hand a quick squeeze. ‘I’m sorry.’
‘Why, what did you do?’
An easy silence fell over them and Tash took the opportunity to take another sip of her wine while Bec studied the menu. After a minute Tash put down her glass and levelled an unflinching stare at her friend.
‘I’m waiting.’
Bec placed the menu back on the table and frowned. ‘For what?’
‘For all the hot and steamy details about you and Matt, of course.’
***
‘Oh hey, Nick,’ Matt said as he opened the door. ‘How are you?’
‘Good, I was in town and I thought . . .’
‘No need to explain,’ Matt said with a smile. ‘Come through – there’s someone here I’d like you to meet.’
‘Oh, I don’t know. I mean, I’ve caught you at a bad time,’ he said as he took a step back.
‘Don’t be ridiculous – it’s not a bad time.’ Matt threw an arm over his shoulder, mainly to stop him from actually running away, and ushered him through into t
he kitchen. ‘Come on, it’s just my sister, Jules.’
Jules looked up from the kitchen table. ‘Hi,’ she said with a smile. ‘I’m Juliet, Matt’s keeper.’
Matt pulled a face. ‘This is, as I said, my brattish little sister. Juliet, this is Nicholas.’
Nicholas sat down, a slight smile tugging at his mouth. ‘Does he need a keeper?’
‘Oh, you have no idea. It’s a hard job but someone has to keep him in line. Isn’t that right, Boxey?’
Boxey’s ears picked up at the mention of his name, and his tail thumped loudly on the kitchen floor.
‘Now I’m beginning to regret introducing you,’ Matt said.
Jules ignored him. ‘So do you live in town?’
Nicholas shook his head. ‘No, I’m a bit out. I’ve got a farm up on Winter’s Hill.’
‘Oh, that’s a pretty name. It conjures up warm fires, icicles and snowflakes.’
Nicholas stared at her for a second. ‘I reckon you’re the only person I ever met who thought of it that way.’
‘Well, it’s all so romantic – I love winter, don’t you?’
‘Um . . . not so much.’
Jules gave him a grin. ‘Well then – maybe you should rename it.’
‘Maybe I should.’
Jules glanced at her brother. ‘I’m just going to run into town for a minute.’
‘Why? You’ve brought the equivalent of half a deli with you – what else could we possibly need?’
‘Well, there’s that great tomato relish from the general store and we could do with some of the dark rye bread from the bakery. Anyway, I’ll be back in a while.’
‘Okay, if you think it’s necessary.’
‘Oh absolutely,’ Jules said as she stood up. She turned to Nicholas. ‘If you’re not here when I get back, it was lovely to meet you.’
‘You too.’
Jules grabbed her bag and headed out the back door.
‘She seems nice,’ Nicholas said. ‘Sort of like a gust of spring air. Um, that sounded weird – I was trying to say that she’s refreshing.’
‘Well, I guess that’s one way of talking about her. But yes, she is nice and sweet; that is when she’s not bullying me into doing things. The truth of the matter is that I wouldn’t be where I am today without Jules. She supported me and kept me going, even when I didn’t want to. Anyway, would you like a coffee and a selection of about half a dozen different cheeses? I’m not kidding when I said that she brought half a deli this visit.’
Country Roads Page 20
