by Lisa Ireland
Faced with the choice of bad wine and beer, Jenna decided to stick to soft drink and grabbed a Coke. She cracked open a can and watched the revellers on the dance floor. There was a hotchpotch of activity. In the middle, a large group continued to line dance, with some of the city dwellers on the edges, giggling and doing their best to join in. There were couples doing a sort of rockabilly dance and others just moving in time to the music. Everyone seemed to be more concerned with having a good time than whether they could dance or not. It was very different to the pubs and clubs Jenna and her friends frequented, where image counted for everything. Jenna shook her head. She wouldn’t be caught dead making a fool of herself by joining in. She had to admit it did look like fun, but imagine if a snap of her line-dancing somehow ended up online? Twitter would go into overdrive and Simon, being the egomaniac that he was, would probably imagine that she was having a breakdown over their break up.
It looked like she had lost Luke for the evening. Maggie was nowhere to be seen and even Charlotte had joined the throng on the dance floor. This was going to be a long night.
* * *
Luke was exhilarated when he left the stage. He could have played all night, but he didn’t want to leave Jenna fending for herself forever. He looked around the stage area, but she was nowhere to be seen. Luke wandered amongst the crowd, stopping to accept congratulations and high fives from locals who were happy to see him performing again. His eyes scanned the crowd, but he couldn’t see her.
Maggie appeared at his side. She threw an arm around his shoulder and planted a kiss on his cheek. ‘You were wonderful,’ she said.
Luke grinned. ‘Thanks. It felt great to be back up there.’
‘You did a great job. Everyone thought so.’
‘Yeah?’ Luke tried to sound casual. ‘What about Jenna?’
Maggie shook her head. ‘I haven’t seen her. She went off with Lottie ages ago, but I’m sure she thought you were great.’
Luke shrugged. ‘I could use a beer. Can I get you something?’
‘I’m fine. You go have fun.’
Jenna was standing by the makeshift bar nursing a Coke. She was looking out over the dance floor, a bored expression on her face. Poor girl, she was probably dying to join in the line dancing but didn’t know how. He could fix that problem. He strode up to her and held out his hand. ‘May I have this dance?’
Jenna looked startled. ‘Dance? Oh…no thanks.’
‘Are you sure? It’s got to be more fun than standing there like a stale bottle of Coke.’
Jenna’s mouth tightened. ‘It’s not really my style of dancing.’
‘Line dancing’s easy. You just follow the group. Or we can just get on the dance floor and have a spin. It’s pretty much open slather out there.’
‘So I see.’
‘Well?’ He held out his hand again.
‘No thanks. I don’t think I’m wearing the right shoes for line dancing.’
‘Take them off, then.’
‘Luke, I don’t want to dance, okay?’
‘Okay.’ Luke looked at her. ‘So what do you want to do?’
Jenna shrugged.
‘Are you hungry? There’s a spit roast dinner on offer.’
Jenna appeared to have little enthusiasm for the idea. ‘I haven’t eaten spit roast in years.’
‘You don’t know what you’re missing out on. Come on.’ He took her by the hand and led her to the barbeque area, where a large rotisserie had been set up. A trestle table groaned under the weight of homemade salads and condiments. ‘Looks good, doesn’t it?’ Luke said. ‘How many slices of beef do you want?’
Jenna shook her head. ‘None thanks. I don’t eat meat.’
‘You’re joking, right?’
‘I’m deadly serious.’
‘Why didn’t you say something earlier?’
‘I didn’t need to.’
‘What about at the barbeque this morning?’
‘I had a fried egg on a roll.’
Luke was silent as he watched Jenna filling her plate with salad. This night was not turning out the way he had expected. She was obviously annoyed about something, but he had no clue what it might be. She hadn’t even mentioned his stint on stage, which stung a little. Maybe she hadn’t realised it was him up there. That would explain her huffiness. She probably thought he had just ditched her for the past hour.
Jenna wandered back over to him, her plate full. ‘I managed to find plenty to eat,’ she said.
Luke nodded. ‘Shame about the beef, though. It’s good.’
Jenna raised her eyebrows at him. Perhaps a change of subject was in order.
‘Did you happen to see me up on stage a little while ago?’
The expression on her face told him she wished he hadn’t asked.
‘Yes, I did. You were great.’ Her forced smile was less than convincing.
Luke felt his face flush. He knew charity when he saw it. ‘Don’t feel obliged to lie. I don’t need your sympathy vote.’ He didn’t know what Jenna’s problem was but he wasn’t going to persist in pursuing her when she was so clearly not interested. He’d known from the start that a liaison with Jenna couldn’t last, but he hadn’t realised he was making a fool of himself.
He threw the remains of his dinner in a nearby rubbish bin. ‘Excuse me,’ he said. ‘I’ve lost my appetite.’
* * *
Jenna debated for a minute whether to go after him. Her own disappointment in the way this evening had turned out had caused her to act like a spoiled brat. Luke had been right all along.
He at least deserved an explanation for her behaviour. She owed him that much. She ran after him as fast as her impractical shoes would allow. ‘Luke, wait!’
He turned to face her. ‘Just forget it, Jenna.’
‘Please. Let me explain.’
‘There’s no need to explain. It’s quite obvious that you think I’m not good enough for you and you know what? You’re right.’
‘Luke!’
‘I don’t know what I was thinking, wanting a girl like you. You’re way out of my league, Jenna. I’m a simple country boy at heart.’
‘I’m not “out of your league”. You’ve got the wrong idea.’
‘This weekend was supposed to be about fun. That’s what we agreed on. Seeing as neither of us seem to be having any I reckon we should just go our separate ways.’
‘I’m sorry,’ she said. ‘I’d built up an image in my mind of what tonight would be like and — ’
‘I didn’t live up to your expectations.’
‘It’s not that. I just… I guess I just realised how little we have in common. But just because we come from different worlds doesn’t mean we can’t — ’
‘What? Be friends? I’ve got all the friends I need.’
Chapter 9
Maggie knocked softly on Jenna’s bedroom door. ‘Jenna, can I come in?’
‘Sure,’ Jenna said, pulling her silk bathrobe around her as Maggie opened the door.
‘I hope I didn’t wake you.’
‘No, I was just reading a little before I went to sleep.’
Maggie’s face was serious. ‘There was a message on the answering machine from Rob. It seems that Brooke has broken her leg quite badly.’
‘Oh no. I was hoping it was just sprained.’
‘It seems she has broken a bone in her foot and fractured a bone in her leg. Rob said that she might need surgery and that they’re keeping her in hospital for the time being.’
‘For how long?’
‘I don’t know. That’s all the information he gave us. We can ring the hospital first thing tomorrow and find out what the story is.’
Jenna nodded. ‘I’d like to go and see her, if possible.’
‘Of course. I’m sure Luke would be happy to drive you up there.’
‘Oh…I don’t want to put him out. I’m sure I can find it myself.’
Maggie gave her a sympathetic look. ‘We can talk about that at breakfast.
I think we could all use a good night’s sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.’
A good night’s sleep was not likely. Images of Luke swirled around her head. The hurt look on his face before he walked away was etched into her memory. Her heart told her to forget their differences, to embrace these wonderful new feelings, but her head, of course, disagreed. This was what happened when she strayed from the plan. Of course kissing Luke felt good. He was gorgeous, desirable and a damn good kisser, but did that make him husband material? Did the fact that one look from him could make her insides molten mean that he was reliable? Did the fact that one graze of his hand made her skin quiver with pleasure mean he would stand by her forever?
Of course it didn’t.
These were the feelings her mother described when talking about meeting her father. And where had that got her? Nowhere at all.
Jenna threw back the covers and swung her legs out of bed. It was time to stop all this nonsense and be sensible. She rummaged in her suitcase for her Filofax, flipped it open and extracted her list from a compartment in the back of the diary.
She smoothed the paper as she read down the familiar list. 10 points to keep her safe. Follow the rules and don’t get hurt.
The whole purpose of the list was to avoid situations like the one she now found herself in. Normally she sized up a man’s potential before entering into any type of romantic liaison, only dating men with a perfect score. Luke Tanner would be lucky if he scored three.
She had to pull herself together and stop wasting emotional energy on something that could never be.
* * *
Jenna was woken by Maggie entering her room. ‘Jenna, I’m sorry to wake you, but it’s late.’
Jenna opened her eyes to find the sun streaming in under the blinds. ‘Oh my goodness. What time is it?’
‘It’s almost 11.’ Maggie set a breakfast tray down on the bed beside her. ‘I thought this might help get you going.’
‘I’m sorry,’ said Jenna. ‘I had trouble sleeping last night.’ She busied herself with the breakfast tray in order to avoid Maggie’s gaze. ‘I guess I was worried about Brooke.’
‘I’m sure you were,’ said Maggie. ‘That’s why I woke you. Rob rang to give us all the details. He said that the orthopaedic surgeon can’t see her until tomorrow. She’ll have to stay in hospital until then. If she has surgery she may end up being in for a few days.’
Jenna looked up in alarm. ‘A few days?’
Maggie nodded. ‘The hospital has visiting hours at two o’clock. You’ll have to leave here by one if you want to get there in time.’
Jenna put her hand to her forehead. ‘I’m supposed to be going home today. I can’t have time off work, it’s impossible.’
Maggie nodded sympathetically. ‘Of course Brooke won’t be able to drive when she gets out of hospital, either, so she’ll need someone to drive her back to Melbourne.’
Jenna groaned. ‘I hadn’t thought about that. I’d better get myself over to the hospital so we can work out what we’re going to do. I’ll have to get you to draw me a map.’
‘That won’t be necessary. Luke has agreed to take you.’
‘I’m sure he has better things to do with his time. I’ll be fine on my own.’
‘He’s cancelled all his plans for the day so he can take you. I’m sure he’s happy to do it.’
Jenna’s heart sank. There was no way of getting out of this without seeming rude and ungrateful. ‘Okay,’ she said. ‘I’ll get ready as fast as I can.’
Maggie nodded. ‘I’ll leave you to it then.’
* * *
Luke vented his frustration by mucking out the stables. Physical labour was a comfort to him. He figured if his head was rendered useless then his body may as well compensate. But no matter how hard he shovelled he couldn’t rid his mind of Jenna. It would be fine if he could simply avoid her. Once she went back to Melbourne, the whole episode would be over and he could resume his anaesthetised life.
Now that Brooke’s leg was broken, who knew how long Jenna would be staying? Not only was she here, in his house, but Maggie was insisting that he drive her all the way to Mynyip to visit Brooke.
Maggie appeared to be oblivious to his feelings, and wouldn’t listen to his feeble protests. An hour alone in the car with Jenna was going to be pure torture. Last night her petulance had made him seethe. Her lack of enthusiasm for his way of life cut him to the quick. He had so wanted to impress her with his performance on stage and her obvious indifference stung.
He wasn’t sure why he was so surprised by her attitude. The difference in their lives was a giant chasm, unable to be bridged. When would he ever learn? Had his relationship with Nicola taught him nothing? There was no room for a woman like Jenna in his life.
He’d known that from the start. Somehow he’d lost sight of the fact that he had nothing to offer her but a life that included another woman and a baby, a life devoid of pretty things and “A list” social events. A life that would clearly make her miserable if last night was anything to go by.
‘Luke? Are you in here?’
He swung around, startled by the sound of Jenna’s voice.
‘I came to tell you there is no need for you to take me to see Brooke. I can get there under my own steam.’
‘I promised Maggie I’d take you.’
‘I’d rather go alone.’
Despite his reluctance to spend hours alone with Jenna, Luke knew this was not the best idea, especially as driving didn’t seem to be Jenna’s forte. ‘The quickest way to the hospital is via some back roads, which can be tricky to negotiate if you don’t know the area well. I’m busy enough without having to conduct search and rescue missions for damsels in distress.’
She bit her lip in obvious annoyance at his remark. ‘I’ll go back to the highway and find my way from there.’
‘That will take double the time. Really, Jenna, it’d be easier if you’d swallow your pride and let me take you.’
‘It has nothing to do with pride,’ she said, her voice rising. ‘You made it clear last night that you wanted no more to do with me. I’m trying to make that easier for you.’
Luke turned his back for a moment and placed his shovel against the stable wall. None of this was easy, which was why he had to put a stop to it, right now. He turned back and looked at her. ‘Look, it’s clear that there’s some type of chemistry between us; I don’t think either of us can deny that. But it doesn’t change the fact that we are from different worlds.’
She looked back at him with big, glassy eyes, but said nothing.
‘We’re playing a dangerous game and it has to stop before one, or both of us, gets hurt.’
The anger began to drain from her face. ‘I’m sorry about my behaviour last night.’ The expression on her face was sincere, but what did it matter? Her apology didn’t change anything.
‘There are things about me you don’t know, but you do know that I’m not free to leave here. And I think last night provided us both with a very clear example of why you would never fit in.’
‘Please, Luke, let me explain. I was overwhelmed by all that had happened in the day. I’d built up an image of what the night would be like and things just didn’t go as I expected. I’m so sorry for being such a pain in the butt. Can you forgive me?’
His shoulders slumped. ‘It’s not a matter of forgiveness, Jenna. We are who we are. Yesterday we both thought we could forget about that and have a little fun, but I don’t think that’s going to work out.’
Jenna nodded. ‘You’re right of course.’ To his horror tears began to well in her eyes. She suddenly seemed very fragile.
Luke moved towards her and took her by the hand. ‘I’m sorry, Jenna. I should never have put you in this position.’
‘It’s not your fault. I allowed this to happen too.’
‘Will you please allow me to drive you to see Brooke? It’s the least I can do.’
She hesitated for a moment before answering. ‘Do you
really think it’s a good idea for us to spend so much time together?’
Luke shrugged. ‘We’re both adults and we like each other. There’s no reason why we can’t be civil, right? Really, it would make me feel better if I could help out in some way.’
‘Okay,’ she conceded, ‘but only because I hate driving in unfamiliar territory.’
Luke smiled. ‘Right then. I’ll get cleaned up and then we can head off.’
* * *
Jenna was mesmerised by the passing scenery. The land was certainly dry out here but there was a rugged beauty to the landscape that she hadn’t noticed on the drive in with Brooke. Coming to Barlow she had been filled with negativity, her eyes only noticing what she didn’t like. Now, two days later, she was amazed at how spectacular the landscape actually was. She was grateful for the distraction, because conversation with Luke had been non-existent for the past 20 kilometres. She glanced in his direction, but his eyes were fixed firmly on the road.
‘Is it much further?’ she asked.
‘About another 40 kilometres. Do you want to listen to some music?’
Jenna paused for a second before answering. If she had to spend the rest of the journey listening to the likes of Keith Urban the drive would be unbearable. ‘Umm…’
Luke laughed. ‘Your choice,’ he said. ‘The CDs are in the glove box.’
Jenna smiled and opened up the glove box. She was pleasantly surprised to find a wide selection to choose from. Luke’s taste was quite eclectic. She flipped through half a dozen then held up a Michael Bublé CD. ‘Wouldn’t have picked you for a fan.’
Luke grinned. ‘That’s Maggie’s.’
She pulled out a Powderfinger album instead. ‘I love Powderfinger,’ she said.
‘There you go. That’s something we have in common.’
Jenna smiled and slid the disc into the CD player.
The music helped Jenna relax and after a while Luke seemed to unwind as well. He started to sing along with the music, his rich voice melding with the sound of the band.
