Promise of Hunters Ridge

by Sarah Barrie

  He had to focus on keeping his eyes off her incredible figure. She’d actually believed he’d never noticed? ‘Thought I’d come out here, see how you were going.’

  ‘All good.’ He caught a small hesitation then she pulled her singlet top lower over her back and led him inside, pouring herself a water from the fridge. ‘Would you like anything?’

  ‘No, thanks.’ He paused. ‘Mia, you remember how you said someone tipped Rob off that we were on our way the night of the hunt?’

  ‘Yeah. It came over the walkie-talkie.’

  ‘Did you hear the name Liam Jones mentioned?’

  She came over, pulled her top down again and sat opposite him. ‘No.’

  ‘And no one there that night other than Rob and Carter were familiar?’

  ‘No. Why?’

  ‘Just looking into something. Have you given any more consideration to staying up at Cam and Ally’s for a while?’

  ‘Nope. Rob’s not coming for me yet and I’m not leaving.’

  She seemed pretty damn sure of herself. ‘How do you know?’

  She shrugged. ‘He’s enjoying himself too much taunting me.’ She got up and grabbed an apple from a bowl, unconsciously pulled at her top again.

  Something was off.

  ‘What’s wrong with your top?’ he asked casually.

  She quickly masked the flash of anxiety. ‘Just hot and sticky. I might go and change.’

  ‘What are you worried about?’

  ‘What is it with you?’ she asked just a little too sharply.

  ‘We’re talking about women being murdered by number and you’re hell-bent on covering your back …’ Even as the thought occurred to him he didn’t want to believe it. ‘Is that why you’re so sure?’ He got quickly to his feet to block her exit. ‘Turn around.’

  Her eyes turned stormy. ‘No!’

  ‘Show me or I’ll look for it myself.’

  ‘You’re not going to touch me.’

  ‘Want to bet? Turn around.’

  The look she gave him wasn’t pretty but she did as he asked. He slid the top up the creamy skin of her back, and saw the faint white line of the jagged circle.

  ‘My god. He cut you.’

  ‘Hence I know I’m not next,’ she snapped, spinning out of reach.

  ‘How did this get missed at the hospital?’

  ‘I washed it under the shower, threw some gauze on it. No big deal.’

  ‘Why?’

  She lifted her arms, dropped them. ‘He didn’t tell me what it meant. At the time I just needed it to be over. I didn’t work out it was a zero until I found out he’d marked that girl with a five.’

  ‘And then?’

  ‘Because I didn’t want to deal with the questions, with everyone knowing and stressing over it. Ally would have been even more on edge all this time, so would Cam—all of you. He was either going to follow through with it or he wasn’t. I was hoping you’d catch him. That it wouldn’t matter.’

  ‘In order to do that it’s helpful to have all the information!’ He moved away from her and calmed himself down. ‘Mia, I’m sorry, I just … god … I want to kill him. What else did he do to you?’

  ‘Nothing.’

  He still had his back to her, staring out the window over the trees. ‘Was there any other reason you refused to be properly examined at the hospital?’

  She sighed. ‘I just didn’t want … I’d had enough.’

  ‘You wouldn’t even let your friends give you a hug.’

  When she didn’t reply, he turned around. She was staring into space as though lost in thought. ‘I know what you’re asking and, no, I wasn’t raped. But there was lots of taunting and groping and Brent … tried, but I got away from him. If he’d succeeded, I wouldn’t have kept it quiet. I’d want him to pay for it.’

  ‘And you went and saw that bastard in prison. You blow me away, Mia. I’m going to add that attempt to his list of charges.’ He wanted to reach out and hold her but kept his hands by his sides. ‘Is there anything else I need to know?’

  ‘Nothing else is going to make any difference.’

  ‘Do you think you could let me make that decision when I hear it?’

  She closed her eyes and took another deep breath. He’d upset her. Again. He needed the truth, but was it so hard to believe she didn’t trust him? She was right: he was always questioning and pushing. He’d said they were friends, that he cared. He could do better. Wanted to. An idea came to mind.

  ‘You want to do something?’

  The question was met with wary consideration. ‘Like what?’

  He smiled. ‘Go get changed.’

  Genuine curiosity had her doing as requested and Mia soon found herself headed down the highway in Ben’s car. ‘Where are we going?’

  ‘I want to stock up my wine cellar. There’s some good wineries out here, right?’

  He wasn’t serious. Was he? ‘We’re going wine tasting?’

  ‘Sure, why not? And we’ll grab some lunch.’

  It took her a minute to come up with a response. ‘What about Rob?’

  ‘I suppose it’s possible. If he turns up, I’ll arrest him.’

  It made her laugh. ‘I meant, why would you want to take me wine tasting?’

  ‘Because like you said the other night, I’ve been hassling you for one reason or another for more than four years. I told you I’d do something about that. Now I’m doing something about that.’

  ‘That’s very nice of you and everything, but there’s a serial killer still needing to be caught.’

  ‘Rob’s been out there needing to be caught for a very long time. I’m doing everything I can. But if you sit around waiting for that to happen, it’ll screw your head up.’

  ‘But—’

  ‘Stop. We’re not talking about this again this afternoon. I think we both need to stop worrying about it for a few hours.’

  He wasn’t making any more sense than the butterflies in her stomach. ‘You’ve been trying to get me to talk about it for weeks and now that I want to, you want me to shut up?’

  ‘The irony’s not lost on me.’

  ‘Do you know where you’re going?’

  ‘Where would you suggest?’

  ‘There’s a lovely winery on Ulan Road that has a café.’

  ‘Sold.’

  Still having trouble getting her head around this latest development, Mia stared out the window, watching the scenery flash by. Ben Bowden was voluntarily taking her for an afternoon of wine tasting. There had to be more to it. What was she missing? Was he trying to get something out of her? He’d told her not to talk about it. Reverse psychology? She wouldn’t put it past him. She was determined to come up with something, because she didn’t want to linger over the thought that she liked the idea a little more than she felt comfortable with. But what if that feeling wasn’t entirely one-sided? Could Ben have thought this up because he simply wanted to spend more time with her? She snuck a glance at him. He looked relaxed enough, shot a glance back.

  ‘Okay?’

  ‘There has to be another reason for this. I’ll figure it out.’

  ‘You’re so suspicious, Mia.’

  ‘Like you said, four years of hell.’

  ‘It hasn’t all been hell.’

  ‘No, I slapped you once.’

  He sent her a wicked grin. ‘I deserved it.’

  She felt the pull of that smile, the expected flush of attraction. This was Ben at his most dangerous. ‘Eyes on the road, Bowden. You’re about to miss the winery.’

  They spent an hour sampling wines and selecting purchases, then another on a wide veranda overlooking vineyards and stunning countryside, having a late lunch. She was enjoying herself. No questions, no serial killers, no pressure. Just a nice meal in a pretty spot, the wine taking the edge off her nerves, but not the buzz she couldn’t deny spending time with Ben was giving her.

  When she’d finished all she could manage of her meal, Mia lingered over a glass of chardonna
y while Ben finished eating.

  ‘Want another one?’ he asked.

  She considered it but shook her head. ‘No. I’m actually a little dizzy from the amount of wine I’ve been sampling.’

  He smiled lazily. ‘That’s okay, I won’t take advantage of you.’

  ‘No, you won’t,’ she agreed in a tone that was more threat than acknowledgement. Still, she had to silently lecture herself over the stab of disappointment she felt.

  He was studying her again, that smile still in place as he toyed with his water glass. ‘It would shock the hell out of you if I tried, wouldn’t it?’

  It shocked her that he’d bring it up. Especially with that look in his eyes. About the only thing that didn’t surprise her was the way her body kind of imploded at the idea, at the look.

  She made a show of putting her glass down. Enough wine. This was getting dangerous. And she couldn’t blame Ben’s mood on alcohol because other than a few small sips in the tasting room and a glass over lunch, he’d stuck to water.

  ‘There’s a look that’s a little harder to read,’ Ben said. ‘You want to share?’

  ‘No.’

  He chuckled at the tone that had come out much more definite than she’d meant it to. ‘It’s fun being friends with you.’

  And why did she get the impression he’d again picked something up she’d prefer he hadn’t? ‘Are you done?’

  ‘With lunch? Yeah. I think I’ll get a case of that Special Reserve Shiraz as well as those ones we’ve got stacked waiting for us from the tasting.’

  ‘What are you going to do with it?’

  He looked at her a little strangely. ‘Drink it?’

  She pulled a face. ‘I mean, the back of your rental car is tiny and already full of stuff. By the time you fit in the wine rack you wanted and the six cases plus that …’

  ‘You can hold it.’

  ‘Can I? That’d be nice of me.’

  ‘Considering two of those cases are yours.’

  ‘What’s the point of wine tasting if I like it and don’t buy any?’

  ‘Getting to spend time with me?’

  ‘Maybe the wine fumes have gone to your head.’

  His eyes sparkled with humour as he got up. Before she could do the same he took her hand and pulled her to her feet. When her gaze flew to his face in surprise, he held it for one very warm, contemplative moment. ‘Maybe they have.’

  With her hand still firmly in his, he walked towards the shop to collect their purchases, then once in the car park, he eyed the small car with concern. ‘Let’s see how creatively I can pack.’

  They were almost done when Cassie’s car turned into the carpark. ‘We shouldn’t have bought that last case,’ Mia said. ‘We could have gotten out of here in time.’

  ‘In time for what?’

  ‘Cassie. She’s lovely but she drives me—’

  ‘Mia!’ Cassie said, getting out of her car.

  ‘Mad.’ Then louder, she said, ‘Hi, Cassie.’

  ‘Oh, and Detective Bowden, isn’t it?’

  ‘That’s right. Hi.’

  ‘I remember you from the nursing home,’ Cassie told Ben, ‘when you were trying to question poor old Mavis.’

  ‘Well, I’m sure she’d be happy with how everything turned out.’

  ‘Hmm, perhaps. What are you doing here?’

  ‘Just having an afternoon out.’

  ‘I see. Are you two … friends?’

  ‘I like to think so,’ Ben said with a smirk for Mia.

  ‘I didn’t realise.’

  Or sound particularly happy about it, Mia thought.

  ‘And you’re staying …?’

  ‘In town.’

  ‘What are you up to, Cassie?’ Mia said.

  ‘I’m going to showcase some of the local wines in one corner of the gallery. Just a small selection. Classy, don’t you think?’ She was still eyeing Ben thoughtfully.

  ‘Absolutely. Well, we were just on our way.’

  ‘Will I see you tomorrow?’

  ‘Most likely. Bye, Cassie.’

  She shut the car door with relief. ‘I don’t know what it is. Something’s just …’

  ‘Off?’

  ‘Yes. Exactly.’

  ‘Why will she see you tomorrow?’

  Mia told him about the gallery, the photos for the book, the little office.

  ‘That’s good of you,’ he said.

  ‘I don’t mind doing my part for the community.’

  ‘So you’ve pretty much decided you’re a Hunters Ridge girl then?’

  ‘I’m buying the cottage from Ally.’

  ‘You—really? Are you keeping Surry Hills?’

  ‘It makes sense to. I’ll just have to see how it all goes.’

  ‘How did you end up with that place, anyway?’

  ‘It was my grandmother’s house. She and Pop originally owned the one next door as well—and a couple of other investment properties around the city. She left one each to Ally and me. Ally sold hers to buy her farm, I kept mine.’

  ‘And your parents?’

  ‘They got the others. They rent them out—they’re travelling all the time.’

  ‘I met them once, when Ally was in the hospital. They’re nice people.’

  ‘They are.’ And it occurred to her she knew absolutely nothing about him. ‘Are yours?’

  ‘I was raised partly by my father, partly by my aunt. No siblings.’ His tone didn’t invite further questions.

  ‘Oh.’

  ‘And it was fine,’ he said. ‘Not great, but we got by. It’s only you and Ally?’

  ‘And back to me, right? We’re not talking about you?’

  ‘It’s boring.’

  ‘One fact.’ She shifted in her seat to look at him and smiled. ‘Dazzle me.’

  ‘Okay … In high school I was both the school swimming star and the chess club champion. I shifted constantly between cool kid and super nerd. It made for a very mixed experience.’

  She laughed. ‘Brains and brawn. The girls must have fallen all over you.’

  His grin was lopsided. ‘I did all right.’

  ‘No broken hearts?’

  ‘Only mine. Natasha Miller. She preferred football.’

  ‘Blonde-haired, blue-eyed cheerleader?’

  ‘No, studious redhead. Moved to Perth, became a surgeon.’

  ‘Redhead, huh?’

  He very deliberately looked her over. ‘Got a thing for them.’

  She made a sound of disbelief. ‘That obviously doesn’t extend to copper-blonde.’

  ‘I thought you were more perceptive than that.’ He turned into her driveway and drove down the winding track while she faltered over finding something to say.

  Was he hitting on her? It sounded a hell of a lot like he was admitting he had a thing for her. But he’d never shown any sign of being interested. He had made a few comments lately … and then there was today’s trip …

  No. She was misreading him. Misreading the tone of the afternoon. She’d had a few glasses of wine and he’d said he wanted them to be friends. Friends.

  ‘Good grief,’ he muttered playfully as he pulled up at the house. ‘I’ve silenced her.’

  She frowned, hand on the door. ‘I still don’t get you.’

  ‘Maybe you still just refuse to. I’ll help you unload that wine.’

  He climbed out and said hello to the very excited dog, then opened the boot and handed her a case. He took the other and followed her up the stairs. Mia put hers down on a low table by the deckchair, and Ben put his with hers before dropping down into the chair to give Jasper a scratch on the belly. ‘He has no pride.’

  Mia unlocked the door then looked back, and despite her mixed emotions, smiled at the deliriously happy expression on Jasper’s face. ‘Absolutely none.’ She wondered if she should just ask Ben straight out what he’d meant earlier. But he’d either say he was just teasing, being friendly, or he … wouldn’t. In the first instance she’d feel silly, in the s
econd, hell—what would she do?

  ‘Is everything okay?’ he asked.

  Oh please god, he’s not reading what’s going on in my head this time.

  When she didn’t immediately answer he got to his feet with a warm, curious smile and stepped towards her.

  Her heart skipped in her chest. ‘Yep. This afternoon was fun. Thanks.’

  ‘My pleasure.’ Then he simply smiled again and headed back to his car. ‘See you later.’

  ‘Yeah, see you.’ She watched him go, released a breath. This was getting out of control. And what had she been doing, anyway, standing there hoping he’d kiss her goodbye? This was not what she wanted. She pressed a hand to her stomach as it danced with nerves. Was it?

  CHAPTER

  14

  Mia had the music on loud as she worked out. There was no one to complain about it around here. Five more, she thought, lifting the weights with increasing difficulty. Four, three … Her arms shook. There wouldn’t be time for these feelings about Ben to sneak up on her if she kept busy. Two—

  ‘Hey.’

  Suddenly her arms were weightless. Indy stood over her and put the barbells back on their holder.

  ‘You’re going to hurt yourself,’ she said loudly, only just audible over the music.

  Mia got up and turned off the music, then wiped her face with a towel. ‘Hi, what are you doing here?’

  Indy’s gaze raked over her. ‘I didn’t get the full impression until I saw you in the suit. What have you done to yourself?’

  Mia shrugged and tossed the towel down. She took a drink from her water bottle. ‘Just keeping fit.’

  ‘You look like you’re in training for a Terminator movie. The next Sarah Connor?’

  ‘I think you’re exaggerating.’

  ‘I think you’re preparing yourself to face Rob. That’s smart, so why not just say so? Strap a weapon on that body and Rob’ll be the one running for his life.’ She sat herself down and looked around. ‘Ben brought me out here the other day, looking for you. This place is gorgeous.’

  ‘Thanks. Nice hair,’ Mia said, admiring the long auburn locks.

  ‘Looks better on you. Mine was too dark to begin with. But then, I don’t think Rob will care.’

  Mia stared at her for several moments and wondered how she could possibly be so upbeat about what she was thinking of doing. She sighed. ‘You’re a worry, Indy. Don’t die.’ She walked to the kitchen to refill her water bottle.