Jacaranda

by Mandy Magro

  Heath was next up. A bunch of women screamed like lovesick teenagers when he walked into the spotlight – it was as though he was Tim McGraw. Molly rolled her eyes at Jade and they both laughed. Heath tipped his hat to Molly, smirking sexily beneath it, sending a quiver through her entire body. She was taken aback. What was that all about? If this was flirting, it had to stop, even if it was harmless. Although she had to admit that he looked hot up there. She bit her bottom lip, her mind in a spin. God, what was she getting herself into? She refused to allow herself to think like this. It was immoral! The bell rung out, pronouncing Heath had made the eight seconds. He threw his hat up in the air, grinning broadly as he jumped off, winking at Molly.

  Within seconds, women were swarming over Heath like moths to a flame. Molly smiled ruefully to herself. She couldn’t deny that she could see the attraction. But it made her uncomfortable even to be thinking that way about Heath. After all, he’d been her good mate since forever – and not to mention one of her dearest mate’s boyfriends. She glanced again at the women fawning over Heath – Heath seemed uncomfortable with the attention – then quickly looked away, telling herself she didn’t mind at all. It would be nice to see him move on in life, meet a woman he could love again. Wouldn’t it?

  At that moment, Molly saw Trev across the room, playing pool with a big group of guys he used to muster with. She knew some of their faces from when she had done some mustering up north. She caught Trev’s eye and he grinned and gave her a big thumbs up, congratulating her on her eight-second ride. She smiled back warmly, feeling blessed to have a father figure like Trev in her life. She pulled out a bar stool and sat down, enjoying watching the happy crowd while reflecting on her deep bond with Trev. He had gone to school with her dad, so he was practically part of the family. When Molly’s father Peter died, Trev had offered to help Molly’s grandfather out with the everyday running of the farm – and ended up helping to raise Molly as well. He had never been married or had children and he was happy with that, always saying that the land was his missus and his dogs were his kids. As long as Trev had his three Johns – his John Wayne movies, his Johnny Cash music and the family’s John Deere tractor – he was content. His weather-beaten face showed the years he had worked out in the sun, and he looked ten years older than his forty-eight years. He smoked rollies like a chimney and drank beer like it was water, but he was the hardest worker Molly had ever met. They were lucky to have him on Jacaranda Farm.

  The crowd cheered as the band was introduced and took centre stage. They belted out their first tune of the night, the all-time classic Garth Brooks’ song ‘Ain’t Going Down (Til the Sun Comes Up)’, sending the throng of partiers into a massive bootscooting frenzy. The whole place shook as people boogied on the dance floor, the tables and even the bar. Molly thought it was just like a scene out of the movie Coyote Ugly.

  She closed her eyes and danced with Jade until her legs ached and her throat was hoarse from singing. When she signalled to Jade that she was going back to the bar for a drink, Jade nodded and followed her off the dance floor.

  The girls collapsed on bar stools, happy to have a rest. Molly leant back on her elbows and squinted through all the smoke and colourful flashing lights, trying to see the band. She’d been so busy dancing she hadn’t even checked them out properly. A sharp pang hit her when she finally caught a glimpse of the lead singer. He looked strangely familiar. Could it be? But his hair was different and he was a bigger build than she remembered. Then again, it had been seven years … And she’d been so drunk that night … Oh my God, Molly thought, almost panicking. It couldn’t be him, could it? She turned to Jade, but found Jade and Melinda were deep in conversation. As she watched, Melinda leaned in to whisper in Jade’s ear, and Jade responded with her sexiest smile. Molly smiled and looked away. No way was she going to interrupt her friend at this point.

  Molly’s mind began to race, a thousand questions coming to the surface, begging to be answered. What if it really is him? Should I just go right up to him and start talking to him or will he think I’m just some chick trying to hit on him? Will he be the type of father for Rose that I’ve been dreaming of all these years? Is he a man I could fall for? Love? Create a life with? Shit! Slow down, she thought, I’m not even sure it’s him yet and if it is him I don’t even know him from a bar of soap …

  The loud cheers as the band finished a song brought Molly back to the present. She stared again at the lead singer, more and more convinced she did know him. She noticed her hands were shaking. She began to wonder if she’d just had too much to drink. She couldn’t even ask Jade what she thought because Jade had never met him in the first place. Heart pounding crazily, Molly knew she had to get a closer look. She slipped off her stool and headed inconspicuously in the direction of the stage.

  She weaved her way through the dance floor, squeezing past the people packed in like canned sardines, and taking cover behind one of the massive speakers so she could see the singer without him seeing her – or so she thought. But their eyes met briefly and Molly hit the deck like she was an actress in some Hollywood shoot-em-out movie. She kept her gaze fixed on the floor as she caught her breath, calling herself all the names under the sun for reacting in such a crazed manner. It was him. Now she had seen him up close she was one hundred and ten per cent sure. She knew he had recognised her too. His eyes had stayed locked onto hers for that second too long and he had smiled at her like he knew her. What in the hell was she going to do now?

  Molly had dreamt about this day for the last seven years and in her dreams she was always so strong and confident. She’d imagined if she met him again she would just walk right on up and proudly tell him that he had a beautiful daughter. But now it was really happening, here she was hiding behind a giant speaker and cowering on the floor! She wondered if he had ever thought about her after that night. She had never forgotten him. How could she? She had spent the first years of Rose’s life desperately wishing she could see him again. But so much had changed since that time. She wasn’t the wild, carefree girl who had slept with a stranger in the back of her Land Cruiser. That girl had disappeared when Rose was born. Molly reasoned with herself that she had to eventually get up off the floor so she jumped up and raced back to the bar, apologising as she bumped into people in her haste to get away. She sat down beside Jade, her head in a spin.

  ‘Molly? What’s up, mate?’ Jade asked in concern. ‘You look like you’ve just seen a ghost.’

  Molly took a minute to catch her breath before trying to explain, talking a hundred miles a minute.

  Heath had just come up but moved a little away from the girls, enough to give them some privacy. He could tell from the deliberate way Molly was leaning in and whispering in Jade’s ear that they needed to talk about something serious and he wasn’t one for eavesdropping, especially on women’s conversations. He just hoped that Molly was okay, because if it had been a bloke in the crowd that had bothered her, he would knock his bloody lights out.

  Jade covered her mouth, her eyes wide. ‘The singer is Rose’s dad? Oh my God. Are you sure?’

  Jade listened, still in shock, as Molly told the story, this time slowly enough for Jade to understand. Jade sat with her mouth hanging open like a fish just waiting for the hook to fall in.

  Molly clicked her fingers in Jade’s face to snap her out of it. ‘What am I going do, Jade? Holy shit! I know he saw me and I do really feel like he should know he has a daughter. I mean, I’ve waited years for this day! But we only knew each other for one night … I reckon he’s going to freak out!’

  Jade nodded. ‘You have to give him the benefit of the doubt, Molly, for Rose’s sake. She’d love to get to know her dad – if that’s what he wants, of course. If he doesn’t, well, to hell with him. At least you’ll know in your heart that you did the right thing. But this isn’t the time or place to be telling him something as serious as this. And you need time to think about it rationally before you go doing or saying anything you might regret,
okay?’

  Molly took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. ‘Yep, I know you’re right. I’ll take my time and have a think. I don’t even know the guy, really. This is so crazy!’

  Jade gave Molly a hug. ‘You’ll be right. You’re a strong woman and a brilliant mum. You’ll do what’s best for Rose. Just remember I have your back if you need it, okay?’

  Molly squeezed Jade tightly, brushing away a tear. ‘Thanks, mate. I’m so lucky to have you.’

  Noticing the girls had finished chatting, Heath moved back over near them, placing his hand protectively on Molly’s back.

  ‘Is everything okay? You look a bit shaken up.’

  Molly nodded. She wanted Heath to enjoy his night, not be worrying about her, so she put on her biggest smile. ‘Yeah, mate, nothing to worry about. Just a bit of girly stuff, that’s all.’

  ‘Good. I thought I was going to have to knock some bugger out!’ Heath smiled, relieved Molly appeared to be okay. But was she? His senses told him otherwise. But she clearly didn’t want to tell him, and he couldn’t force her.

  ‘Thanks, Heath. I can always count on you, but don’t worry, I’m fine. Now let’s grab a beer, shall we?’

  Molly watched nervously, shuffling from foot to foot, as the band took a break and the DJ took over on stage. She watched as the singer moved through the crowd, making his way towards her. Holy crap! She felt as though it was all happening in slow motion. As he moved closer and closer her heart was pounding, faster and faster. Then he was leaning into her space, his hand outstretched to shake hers. Gee whiz, she thought, this is a little formal after we’ve seen each other naked. She shook his hand, smiling timidly, her face going a brighter shade of red by the second. He eventually pulled his hand free from her firm grip.

  ‘Hi, I’m Mark. We’ve met before, haven’t we? I’m sure I know your face from somewhere.’

  Molly’s heart skipped a beat. He didn’t remember! Then again, how could she blame him? They’d both been so drunk.

  ‘Um, yeah, I’m Molly Jones. We, ah, met many years ago, at the Mount Garnett rodeo, actually.’

  Mark looked up at the ceiling for a few seconds as if searching his brain for a foggy memory, then looked back at Molly with a flash of recognition. ‘Oh, yes. Now I remember. God, you must think I’m such a shit! I’m sorry I took off without saying goodbye, but as I remember it you just wouldn’t bloody wake up. No matter how much I shook you. You mumbled something about how I should bugger off and let you sleep … So I did.’ He ran his fingers through his hair. ‘Wow, how amazing to meet you again like this. I couldn’t help noticing this gorgeous woman hiding behind the speaker and checking me out. Have to say I liked the death roll you performed for me too,’ he added with a cheeky grin.

  Molly felt every litre of blood in her body rush to her face and she thanked God it was so dark in the pub. ‘Oh, no, that was … I just had a leg cramp from all the dancing, that’s all. No worries. Um, sorry about telling you to bugger off, I was feeling pretty dusty that morning. Way too many Bundys the night before, I’m afraid.’

  ‘So my wicked plan to get you drunk and have my way with you worked like a dream, did it?’ Mark joked.

  Molly wasn’t sure how to respond. Mark pulled a stool close to Molly’s, turning his back to Heath, who was standing nearby. Molly didn’t know if Mark’s move had been deliberate or not, but she could see Heath was not impressed. In fact, if looks could kill, Mark would have been dead on the spot. She briefly wondered what was up with Heath tonight. He seemed to be very protective of her. She hoped nothing was bothering him.

  ‘So, Molly Jones, what’s been happening since I saw you last? You must be married by now, a beautiful woman like yourself?’

  Molly shook her head, uncomfortable with the question. ‘Nope, not married.’

  Mark looked pleased. ‘Fair enough. So what do you do for a living?’ he asked.

  Molly found this an easier question to answer. ‘Oh, I work with horses. Teaching them that they can trust us humans, and also training them up to be good at whatever it is their owners want them to do. I’m still amazed I get paid to do something I’m so passionate about. Horses are my life. I love them.’

  Mark looked impressed. ‘Wow! You do have a great job. Funny that you should mention it – I have a mare that needs some training. She’s a bit green, was broken in by some guy down south but she’s been turned out for a few years. I reckon with some training she’ll make a fine horse, but I haven’t ridden her yet because I know she’d throw me straight off if I tried. Maybe I could hire you to help me out with her. What do you reckon?’

  ‘Sure, I’d love to. But since you don’t live around here, how would that actually work?’

  Mark raised his eyebrows. ‘Well, Miss Jones, it just so happens that I’m house-sitting a property out on Wolfram Camp Road for the next year. A mate of my brother’s has had to go to New Guinea to manage one of the mines over there and I owed my brother a huge favour. The guy was desperate – he was in a tight spot with wanting to take on the job, but had no one to look after his place. So, ta-da, here I am! It’ll be nice to stop in one place for a while. I’m just about always on the road with the band.’

  Molly tried to take in everything Mark was saying. It sounded like Rose would have the chance to finally meet her father, and to make things even better, he would be living near them for a while. What a stroke of luck!

  ‘Well, it’s always good to have new faces around here, especially ones that can sing like you do. I loved the way you belted the songs out up there. Your voice reminds me a little of Jimmy Barnes,’ Molly replied happily, finding herself relaxing in his company. From first impressions – well, second ones, really, if she factored in the Mount Garnett rodeo – Mark seemed like a really nice guy.

  ‘Geez, thanks, Molly. I’ve had a few people tell me I sound like Jimmy, and to me that’s a huge compliment. I admire the bloke’s musical talents.’

  Molly smiled genuinely. ‘You’re more than welcome, it’s well deserved. Anyway, tell me how you got into music. I had no idea you were even in a band when I met you in Garnett.’

  ‘I wasn’t really in a band then. Just dipping my feet in the water, so to speak, by writing songs and practising them at home, where no one could hear me. Let’s just say that music saved me. That’s why I’m so passionate about it.’ Mark glanced at his watch. ‘Anyhoo, been nice meeting you, again, Miss Jones. My break’s over so I better get back to work. Before I run off, what do you reckon about my horse?’

  ‘I’d love to work with her. Bring her over during the week if you like.’

  ‘It’s a deal,’ Mark answered. ‘So, to get in touch with you I’d have to get your number?’

  ‘Oh, of course! I didn’t think of that.’

  Molly asked Melinda for a pen, writing her number down on a cardboard coaster and passing it to Mark, who shoved it firmly in his pocket, giving her an adorable smile as he did so.

  ‘Right, then, I’ll give you a call next week, Molly.’

  ‘Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one … Happy New Year!’ The passion and joy of the crowd singing out made Molly break out in goosebumps all over her. She adored this town and she loved the people in it.

  Jade wrapped her arms around her, jumping up and down like a yo-yo. ‘Happy New Year, babe! This year is going to be a great one. I can feel it in my bones!’

  Molly laughed. ‘Same to you, buddy! I think the feeling you have in your bones is alcohol, though!’

  Molly tapped Heath on the shoulder, aware he had been quiet since she had spoken to Mark. Not knowing what to do about it she pretended she hadn’t noticed. ‘Hey, you. Got a new year’s hug for me?’

  Heath turned, smiling. How could he not? He could never stay angry at her for too long, even though she had completely ignored him at the bar when that jerk had turned up. Who did the dickhead think he was anyway? Molly wasn’t the type for one-night stands, so Heath found a little solace in the fact that the
bloke wouldn’t have a chance in hell with her. He leant in and picked Molly up off the floor, spinning her around in circles.

  Molly laughed out loud, throwing her head back, watching the ceiling revolve. When Heath stopped to put her back on the ground their eyes caught for a moment too long. Molly felt her heart lunge out of her chest, her legs barely able to hold her up.

  Heath grinned at her. And then, with no warning, he placed his tattooed hands around her face and kissed her gently on the lips, lingering long enough for her to want more of him. She was filled with the desire to run her tongue over his, to taste his sweetness. It was so intense. She very nearly gave into it.

  ‘Happy New Year, Molly,’ he whispered in her ear, his warm breath filling her with a passionate quiver.

  Molly felt her legs go weak; her mind trying to catch up with what had just happened. No! She couldn’t go here with Heath. Or could she? She didn’t want to ruin a friendship. He was way too important to her and Rose. And it would be as bad as cheating behind Jenny’s back. She swiftly took stock of the situation, gathering her emotions up and packing them into her imaginary suitcase. Her voice of reason took over.

  She cleared her throat, hoping he didn’t pick up on the tremble in her voice. ‘Happy New Year.’

  Heath glanced casually back at her, a tiny smile forming at the corners of his full, kissable lips. ‘That it is, Molly. That it is. Happy New Year.’

  Heath was over the moon. He’d finally had the guts to kiss her and he had felt it. Molly Jones did like him. He could tell from the way she had kissed him, and the look in her beautiful emerald-green eyes said everything. She had quickly recovered, though, and now looked to be pretending she had felt nothing. But he was a patient man, and was willing to wait as long as it took for her to realise he was her knight in shining amour.