His Outback Temptation (Pickle Creek)

by Annie Seaton

  She was surrounded by the family group, either patting her on the shoulder or kissing her cheek.

  “We haven’t had a finalist since Lucy was in high school,” Gran said. Soft fingers took Isabella’s and cool lips brushed across her cheek; she was surrounded by Lily of the Valley perfume. She’d been about to protest that she didn’t want to go in it until Dad had come over and hugged her. Now she didn’t have the heart to disappoint everyone.

  “Well,” she paused and took a deep breath. “Thank you, everyone, you’ll have to tell me what to do.”

  “Just stand there and look beautiful.” Despite the hot wind, Sebastian’s voice sent a shiver to her toes.

  As she looked away, she noticed Gran and Lucy sharing a look.

  …

  The first two races had been run, and the judging was about to take place. The crowd was happy and his whole family, including Gran and Pop, had come over to cheer for Isabella as the judging took place. Sebastian lifted his camera and snapped the finalists standing on the small verandah of the tiny building that was the Come-by-Chance race club. In his opinion, Isabella was a shoo-in. But he was biased. The other women up there were elegantly dressed, too. But no one was as pretty as Isabella. He grinned, letting his gaze linger on her legs and down to those gorgeous shoes that had made it necessary for him to hold her hand for a good fifteen minutes as they’d walked through the crowd. He’d been hard-pressed not to puff out his chest as quite a few envious glances had come his way, and it was pretty clear that Isabella was with him.

  And he was really happy by that. And the flirting had been mutual.

  He lifted his camera and zoomed in on her face. Her eyes were wide and alight with happiness, and her lips were parted. A pink flush tinged her cheeks, and that sexy veil covering half of her face sent a rush surging through him.

  It was a damn shame she wasn’t here to stay, because he was falling for her.

  Yep, falling for her. He finally admitted it to himself. For the first time in his life, a woman was in his thoughts day and night. Up until now, his love life had been occasional with a rapid turnaround. He’d had a few casual relationships. Ever since he’d lost his mother he’d been hesitant about trusting his heart to anyone. But really, he had never been seriously tempted.

  Until now.

  He was pretty sure his interest in Isabella was reciprocated, and he lowered the camera thoughtfully. But she was leaving, so maybe he should pull back a bit with the flirting.

  Why couldn’t they have met when he was in Florence?

  But then what was wrong with having a fling while she was here? That would get her out of his system and he could focus on the farm.

  Maybe that’s why he was having trouble settling down now.

  Yes, that’s it!

  If he had a fling with Isabella, once she left, he’d be able to devote his attention to the farm.

  He looked over at her, caught her eye, and gave her a thumbs-up as the judging spokesperson walked to the verandah and took the microphone.

  The gorgeous smile she returned almost melted his heart.

  No, not his heart. His heart was not involved.

  …

  Isabella stood self-consciously beside the other young women. She felt like a bit of a fraud, not being a local, but no one seemed to mind. The mood of the picnic races was happy, and a couple of girls she’d gone to high school with had come up and congratulated her as she’d made her way up to the platform. The MC blew into the microphone and it crackled and squawked. The crowd quieted as he held up his hand.

  “I’m sure you’re all keen to get to those picnic tables,” he said. “But first we have to announce the winners for this year. They all look gorgeous, what do you think? How about a round of applause for these lovely ladies?”

  Not only was there clapping but many a wolf whistle filled the air.

  “First up, the winner of Fashion of the Fields is Jeanette Perkins. Well done, Jettie!”

  Applause filled the air as the winning lady made her way to the front.

  “Now, unfortunately, there can only be one winner of Miss Come-By-Chance, but we do have a lovely runner-up today. Erin Nickleby, you look stunning. Congratulations.”

  A surge of relief ran through Isabella, and she smiled as Shirley from the milk bar stepped up and presented the two women with a small posy of flowers.

  Erin and Jeannette waved to the crowd as the cheers got louder.

  Isabella held her fascinator as a huge gust of wind shook the building behind them.

  “Now it gives me great pleasure to announce Miss Come-by Chance for 2017.”

  Sebastian was staring at Isabella, and she focused on him. He tipped his hat back and his dark eyes were intense as he held her gaze. The noise of the crowd faded as she stared back. He nodded slightly, and she shook her head. She really hoped it wasn’t her.

  “Isabella Romano. Congratulations!”

  The smile on Sebastian’s face got wider, and Isabella shook her head again. Oh my God, she was Miss Come-by-Chance. She lifted a trembling hand to her lips.

  Shirley came over and put a ribbon over her shoulder. “Well done, love,” she said in her husky smoker’s voice. “Look at your dad. He’s jumping up and down.”

  Isabella looked at her father and decided to enjoy the moment. It was an honour, and it obviously meant a lot to the locals. And it would be a story to tell.

  After a flurry of congratulations, she walked across the stage clutching the huge bouquet of flowers Shirley had given her.

  Lucy grabbed her in a tight hug. “See, I had great taste in helping you shop, didn’t I?”

  Isabella laughed and smiled as Helena and Harry stood on either side of her.

  “Photo, please Sebastian,” his grandmother called out. Once the photo was taken, she leaned in and brushed her lips across Isabella’s cheek. “Well done, Bella.”

  Dad came in for a photo, too, looking so proud, Isabella couldn’t help but smile.

  Five minutes of having her photo taken with what seemed like dozens of people, the crowd thinned as they moved over to the picnic tables.

  “Oh, I have to unpack the coolers,” she said.

  “We’ll go and make a start. Come on, Gran,” Lucy said.

  “Sebastian, you help Bella over that rough ground again,” Helena said and nudged Bella.

  Sebastian walked over as the journalist from the local paper took her details. Isabella was conscious of his gaze on her as she answered the questions. Finally, it was done, and it was only Sebastian standing there with her. She watched curiously as he lifted his camera strap from his neck and put his camera carefully on the wooden floor.

  “Is it flat already?” she said with a laugh. “Too many photos of me. I’m embarrassed.”

  He stepped closer and shook his head. “No, it’s fine, but I wanted to congratulate you properly.”

  “Properly?” She lifted her face as he put his arms around her.

  “May I?”

  Before she could reply, warm lips descended on hers, and he held her close against him. Isabella closed her eyes as Sebastian kissed her.

  The rest of the world disappeared as he slid his lips slowly across hers. The noise of the crowd, the dusty wind, and the neighing of the horses in the stalls all faded as warmth suffused her.

  After a full minute, she pulled her head back and he smiled down at her.

  “Congratulations, Miss Come-by-Chance.” His voice oozed sexy, and a lovely little quiver ran rampant in her tummy. Before she could reply, a shrill whistle came from the direction of the picnic tables.

  “Go, Seb!” Liam’s voice was full of encouragement. Isabella and Sebastian turned and she groaned. His whole family was watching.

  And Dad.

  Chapter Eighteen

  The next week passed in a blur as the wedding preparations took up everyone’s time. Sebastian had been kept busy on many errands for Gran, Angie, and Jemima, but he didn’t mind. Every trip to town was another opp
ortunity to call in and see Bella. Every night this week was taken up with rehearsals, dinners, and making sure his camera gear was right for the wedding, so there was no chance of taking her out anywhere. He’d called her a few times and knew she was as busy as everyone else with the wedding catering. Yesterday afternoon, he and Liam and Ned had driven into Dubbo to collect their monkey suits, as Sebastian referred to them.

  “Do I really have to wear that?” he’d complained as they stood in the formal hire suit.

  “Yep. You do.”

  “I’ve never worn a suit in my life,” Sebastian said, staring at the light grey suit and white shirt.

  But no arguments were accepted, and the three men headed back to the Prickle Creek Farm where Gran hung the suits in her wardrobe.

  The next day when he was in for smoko, Gran asked Sebastian to go into town. “I need more strawberries.”

  Even though Bella was catering for the wedding, Gran had been cooking up a storm as well.

  “I’ll come, too. I have to go to the produce store,” Liam said. Sebastian bit back a comment. If Liam was there, it would be a quick trip into town and straight back to work.

  Liam dropped Sebastian at the IGA grocery store with a wide grin. “Say hello to Bella. I’m sure you’ll be there as soon as you’ve got the strawberries for Gran.”

  “A milkshake wouldn’t go astray,” he replied with a smile.

  “You’ll be next, mate.” Liam’s grin was wide.

  “Next what?” But he knew what Liam was getting at.

  “In your own monkey suit.”

  “Not a chance.”

  …

  Bella came down from the kitchen upstairs when Dad hollered up the stairs that she had a visitor. She wiped her hands on her apron and pushed her hair back into the cap she wore. She was back in full chef mode and loving it. Sebastian was waiting at the bottom of the stairs, and her heart kicked up a beat.

  “Hi there,” she said.

  He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “Only a quick visit. Liam’s picking me up in five minutes.” He was carrying a bag from the grocery store.

  “How’s it all going out there?” she asked.

  “It’s a madhouse.” Sebastian shook his head. “But everyone seems to be happy. Are you organised?”

  “Yes.” She tipped her head to the side. He looked hot and tired. “A milkshake?”

  “Thought you’d never ask.” His smile sent a quiver down her back, and she tried to ignore it. All too soon, she’d be heading back overseas, and Sebastian was well aware of that. Besides, he’d kissed her on the cheek, not the lips.

  Not that I’m disappointed. Not one little bit.

  That explosive kiss at the races was the only time he’d kissed her properly, unless you counted the kiss at the airport. She knew he’d just been showing off when she’d won the title. The kiss had meant nothing more than “look at me, I’m kissing the winner.”

  She knew she was being unfair to him, but she wasn’t being very honest with herself. It was too risky.

  Isabella slipped behind the counter and made a milkshake for Sebastian while Dad chatted to a group of customers from a coach that had come into town late in the morning. She put the tall anodized milkshake cup in front of him on the table and pulled out the chair opposite.

  “Thank you.” She smiled at the look of utter bliss on his face as he sipped at the straw.

  “Double ice cream?” he asked.

  She nodded.

  “You’re a wonderful woman, Bella.”

  Again, that silly little quiver in her tummy. Maybe she needed to eat something.

  He put the cup back on the table. “After all this wedding kerfuffle is done with, I can get back to taking the photos for my contract. Are you still okay to come out on the photo shoot with me the weekend after the wedding?”

  “Sounds good,” she said.

  “I was talking to Liam about it before I came into town. He and Angie aren’t going away for a couple of months, and he can spare me for an extra couple of days. That’s if you don’t mind having a long weekend away from your dad?”

  “That’s fine. I’m happy to help. Where are we going?”

  “We’ll be roughing it out on the other side of Narrabri, at a place called Yarrie Lake. As well as a gorgeous landscape, there’s an array of telescopes up there, and I thought I’d have a look at taking some photos there. There’s a mountain, and there’s a great view, if it’s clear. Plus, it’s not too far away.”

  “So we’ll be camping?” she asked, tilting her head to the side.

  “Yes. Have you got a swag?” Sebastian asked and then immediately shook his head. “Of course you won’t have one. Don’t worry. I’ll borrow a spare one off Liam.”

  “Um, what’s a swag?” she asked feeling a bit silly.

  “I forgot you didn’t live here for very long. You didn’t ever go camping?”

  “Uh-uh.” She shook her head.

  “A swag is a canvas bedroll with zips, a thin foam mattress. It zips up and it’s waterproof.”

  “Luxury,” she said with a smile.

  “I’m really looking forward to getting out in the bush with my camera.” He looked at his watch. “I’d better get back.”

  Isabella was really looking forward to spending time with Sebastian, too.

  There was no harm in a holiday fling.

  The scraping of the chair leg on the floor snapped her out of her thoughts.

  “Liam will be chafing at the bit if I don’t get out there.” He picked up the bag of fruit, went to lean over towards her, and then must have changed his mind. Instead, he lifted his hand and nodded. “I guess I’ll see you tomorrow bright and early.”

  “Dad and I are coming out this afternoon with some of the food.” She followed him to the door and out onto the footpath. “Your gran actually asked me to stay the night.”

  Was that a flicker of interest in his eyes?

  “And?”

  She shook her head. “I said no. It’s a family night.”

  He stood there staring down at her, and she was damned if she could figure out what he was thinking.

  “Fair enough.” He gestured to the ute coming along the street. “Here’s Liam. I’ll see you when you come out later.”

  “Okay. Bye.”

  Isabella stood staring after the ute as it disappeared around the corner. There was something different about Sebastian, but she couldn’t put her finger on it. He did still want her to help with his photo shoot, though.

  With a shrug, she headed back up to the kitchen.

  Chapter Nineteen

  As it turned out, Isabella didn’t see Sebastian when she and her father called out to Prickle Creek Farm later that night. There’d been some problem over at Daniela, Ned’s farm, and everyone except for Gran and Jemima was over there sorting out some issue. Ned and Jemima were heading straight to Sydney after the wedding, leaving the children with Ned’s parents when they took a quick honeymoon to the north coast. So the farm had to be running like clockwork.

  “My last chance to have a break for a long time.” Jemima patted her stomach with a smile, and Isabella thought how beautiful she was. Even after travelling the world, and having a fabulous job, Jemmy was happy here in Spring Downs.

  Dad had told her Jemima’s story about ten times. Isabella was sure that it was another ruse to convince her to stay.

  “Do you want to stay until everyone comes back?” Gran had looked at her shrewdly when Isabella asked where everyone was.

  “No, but thanks anyway. We’ll have to get going. I’ve still got some last things to organise before I come out tomorrow. What time do you want me here?”

  “As early as possible. Did you see I got the boys to move the portable cool room to the back of the laundry? It’ll save you a lot of time tomorrow.” Helena pointed to the small white building on wheels just visible through the kitchen window.

  “That’s great. Thank you.” Isabella glanced around the huge country kitchen
. “This is going to be a great space to prepare everything.”

  “The roster with the CWA ladies is on the fridge,” Gran said.

  “And Lucy and I have decorated the shed. Poor Angie’s been at a conference all week.” Jemima gestured to the door. “Do you want to come and have a look? The only thing we have to do—”

  “The CWA ladies have to do,” Gran butted in with a smile.

  Jemima nodded. “…is to put the white tablecloths on about noon. The florist is coming with the flowers just after that.”

  “Is there anything else you need, Bella?”

  She looked towards the laundry. “Just one tiny favour?”

  “Yes?”

  “Do you mind if I use your laundry to wash my chef uniform after we are finished? Dad’s washing machine leaves more rust stains than it cleans the clothes.”

  “Of course. And you know we expect you to join in the celebrations, too.”

  Isabella shook her head. “No, this is your family time.”

  Helena smiled. “We’ll see.”

  …

  Just after seven the next morning, Isabella pulled up in the house yard of Prickle Creek Farm. Apart from the dogs barking at the bright yellow car, all was quiet. She unloaded the food from the car into the kitchen and then moved the Citroën so it was out of sight behind the hayshed. By the time there was any sign of life in the house, she had the ovens going and three pots bubbling away on the stove. She looked up as a movement in the doorway caught her attention. Her mouth dried, and she couldn’t look away.

  An expanse of glorious tanned bare chest filled her vision. Sebastian was standing there, bleary-eyed and running his hands through his hair. It was the first time Isabella had seen his hair loose and was surprised how much younger it made him look. As she looked more closely and took in the dark shadows beneath his eyes and the pale face, she smiled. It could have been the Simpsons satin boxer shorts that made him look youthful, too.

  “Had a rough night, did you, Seb?”

  He jumped and peered into the kitchen. “Bella? What are you going here?” His voice was raspy. “Is it morning already?” He winced as he stepped into the light.