by Juanita Kees
‘Got a head on it, I guess. You like a good head, lass?’
Travis almost choked as he sipped on his milkshake. Heather patted his back.
‘As much as the next girl, Harry. Now behave. You’re embarrassing Travis.’
Harry barked out a laugh. ‘You go all right for a girl.’
Under the table, Travis gripped her hand and squeezed. Heather smiled up at him, not objecting at all when he didn’t let go.
Chapter 7
Travis shifted on the bench in the booth. With Heather’s hand clutched in his, he figured she was safe. For now. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t be keeping a close eye on Zac Bannister. The man was trash, an embarrassment to the Bannister name and a danger to the people of Wongan Creek.
No matter what John Bannister thought, Travis doubted the old man had control of the situation. Zac’s behaviour was escalating again and the last time he’d been so out of control, someone had died. Unfortunately Travis still didn’t have the means to prove it had been at the hands of Bannister’s unstable grandson.
Heather squeezed his fingers and smiled at him. Some of the edge lifted from his mood. This whole holding hands thing must mean some of Heather’s control was rubbing off on him. He felt less like beating Zac Bannister to a pulp with every passing moment. At least for now.
He liked the warmth of her small, soft hand in his. He wanted to feel her touch on his thigh again, like he had the night on the veranda. Hell, he’d like to feel her hands on a few other places too.
Dangerous territory considering her position at the department and the repercussions it could cause if they fell into a relationship. Any romantic link between them could jeopardise his guardianship of Casey if the department thought Heather might be biased in their case.
He couldn’t help but feel a connection with this beautiful, strong, brave woman who could take on arseholes like Zac Bannister and ignore Harry’s politically incorrect innuendos. No doubt about it, she was one of a kind, and he had the horrible suspicion he was falling in love, whether he wanted to or not.
Thankfully the tinkle of the bell above the shop door distracted him from his thoughts. Casey pushed through, leaving Janet to catch the door as it swung closed.
‘Uncle Trav, Uncle Trav!’ she called out, skipping down the aisle between the booths.
Travis grinned, let go of Heather’s hand and stood up out of the booth, arms wide open to catch Casey as she picked up her pace. She slammed into him, throwing her arms up around his waist as she pressed her cheek to his side.
Travis’ heart squeezed with love for his precious niece as he hugged her tightly. She wriggled out from under his arms, slid into the seat next to Harry and gave him a smacking kiss on the cheek before turning to greet Heather. ‘Hey, Miss Penney.’
Travis turned back to Janet. ‘Thanks for bringing her over.’
‘You’re welcome.’
Janet’s flirtatious smile said he was welcome to a lot more, but it didn’t stir him the way Heather’s did. Travis rubbed the back of his neck, feeling awkward. He sneaked a glance back at Heather and found her studying them with interest.
‘Um … yeah, thanks.’
‘Hey, you know how there’s the bush dance after the rodeo next week?’
Janet laid a hand on Travis’ arm to get his attention and he tried not to flinch under it.
‘Ah …’
‘Would you like to partner up with me?’
Shit, he should have known that was coming because in the past, he had. Not that he’d ever been in a relationship with Janet, but he had been her plus one on a few occasions. Normally he’d accept, but with Heather on his mind, it didn’t feel right.
‘No, he wouldn’t,’ barked Harry. ‘He’s taking Heather.’
‘Harry!’ Heather patted the old man’s hand on the table. ‘Mind your own business.’
Travis rolled his eyes and put his hands on his hips. ‘Well, I hadn’t got around to asking her yet, so thanks for nothing, Harry. But, yes, I’m sorry, Janet. I won’t be able to partner you this time.’
Janet looked between Heather and Travis then winked. ‘I get it. No harm done. Enjoy your lunch.’ With a little wave to Heather, she mouthed, ‘you lucky girl’ and moved across the shop to chat to her mum.
Travis felt the tips of his ears burning as he sat back down into the booth. ‘Jeez, Harry.’
‘What?’
‘Well … like … jeez.’
Harry snorted. ‘You’re too slow, boy. No wonder you haven’t had a sh—’
‘So, Casey,’ Heather broke in, cutting Harry off. ‘How was school today?’
‘Pretty cool. Benji and I found this huge gecko climbing up the wall outside the toilet block. We had to call the teacher cos the other kids wouldn’t go inside cos they were scared. But Benji and I weren’t scared.’
‘Oh? What did they do with it?’
‘Well, they called the ranger and I think they took it away cos it wasn’t there at recess.’
As Casey chatted away, Travis felt Heather slip a hand on his thigh under the table and give it a gentle pat. God damn it, she’d meant it as reassurance, but his hormones had read the whole thing wrong. He shifted on the seat and fidgeted until the pressure in his jeans eased, but he kept a hand firmly over hers in case she moved it away.
***
The temptation was too much. With Travis’ denim-wrapped thigh so close to hers and embarrassment turning his ears red, she had to give him a signal that it was okay.
The moment her palm felt the heat of his body under it though, her thoughts turned to another direction entirely. She was sure that if she let her hand travel north a little, she’d feel a definite reaction. When he squirmed in the seat, she knew she was right.
Casey chatted on about her day at school and Harry retreated into his lost world again, staring blankly out the window into the street. Heather’s heart ached for him. There were so many things he’d forget, so many memories he’d lose, and so many faces he would no longer recognise.
Sitting here close to Travis with Harry and Casey across from them, it would be easy to fool herself into thinking they could be a family. One she realised she wanted badly. It was far too late to warn herself against falling in love with little Casey and Harry, she was already there. And Travis, God help her, she was falling deeper for him every day.
With each layer she uncovered, she wanted more until she had him stripped bare, and not just his soul. No, she wanted to take off that shirt, feel the muscles ripple beneath her hands, touch the skin that stretched across his body, all tanned and taut.
She listened to the rumble of his voice as he talked to Casey, deep and sexy with rich velvet tones she’d like to hear whispering words of love in her ear as they moved like dancers in a darkened room with nothing but skin between them.
Her hand twitched under the warmth of his as if her fingers agreed and wanted to begin the journey of exploration.
The movement brought his gaze to hers. He smiled, slow and sweet with a touch of mischief that told her he knew exactly what she was thinking before turning his palm up and threading his fingers through hers. The pad of his thumb grazed her wrist where her pulse pounded, and all plans to stay away from him on a personal level melted away like ice cream on a forty degree day.
‘Well, isn’t this just cosy.’
Zac Bannister’s bulk shadowed their table. Heather’s heart stuttered and stopped, all thoughts of Travis fleeing from her mind as fear gripped it instead. She eased her hand from Travis’ and clung to her empty tea cup with both hands.
Travis stretched his legs under the table and took a lazy sip of his milkshake. ‘Bannister.’
Big apish hands slapped down on the table. Casey edged closer to Harry, her eyes wide with fright before she hid her face against the sleeve of his blue flannel checked shirt. Her tiny hands fisted into the faded material as Harry patted her head gently.
‘It’s okay, kid,’ he soothed.
‘You’re
scaring my little girl, Bannister. Take a hike.’
There was control in Travis’ voice that Heather admired and wished she could summon.
‘Your little girl? You see, I have a theory about that.’
‘No one gives a toss about your theories. Rack off.’ Travis eased out of the booth, all hard muscle and broad shoulders, dangerously calm and controlled.
‘I reckon Miss High and Mighty Penney here would like to know. I bet her boss would like to know who the kid’s real daddy is. Now that would throw a spanner in the works, wouldn’t it?’
Heather watched as Travis straightened to his full height, squared his shoulders and towered over the ape-like Zac, his neck corded with control. ‘Take your filthy mind somewhere else.’
‘She was a good lay, your sister. Opened her legs for anyone. Kid could be anybody’s, but you know that, don’t you?’
Casey whimpered, her fear of the man tangible. Heather reached out for her hand across the table. ‘It’s okay, honey.’
‘The truth will come out eventually,’ taunted Zac, stepping into Travis’ space, his beer belly the only thing stopping him getting too close. ‘You can’t escape it, Bailey. That slut’s reputation will follow you no matter where you turn.’
Travis’ fists clenched and unclenched at his sides and Heather knew he was itching to put the man flat on his back. Her heart pounded in her chest. ‘Travis,’ she said, willing him to back away.
‘Tracy lived a tart and died a tart.’
Travis’ eyes narrowed. ‘Be careful what you say, Bannister. I’d hate to make you eat your words. Now back off. This is a family restaurant and I don’t want to get blood on the floor.’
‘Take a swing, Bailey. I dare you.’ Zac leaned in, his width and weight making up for what he lacked in height.
‘The only person taking a swing here is me!’ Bella cruised between the booths like a battleship on the warpath. ‘The first one to throw a punch gets this rolling pin across their arse.’ She waved it in the air then crossed her arms across her ample breasts. ‘Get out, Zac. You’ve caused enough trouble today and I won’t have you smashing up my shop.’
Zac backed away. ‘See you around, Bailey.’ He turned and walked away with the swagger of a bully who thought he’d gotten away with terrorising his prey.
Travis relaxed his shoulders and put his hands on his hips as he watched Zac push his way out of the shop and into the street.
‘That boy is a few hidings short,’ said Bella. ‘You be careful, Travis. I’m not sure what it is he thinks he knows, but you’d better be sure of the truth. There’s trouble coming. I see it.’
Travis sighed. ‘I know, Bella.’ He looked at Casey then at Heather. ‘You girls okay?’
Heather nodded as Casey sniffed back tears.
‘He’s so big and scary, Uncle Trav.’ Casey’s lip quivered. ‘He said nasty words about my mum.’
Travis scooped her up out of the booth and cuddled her close. ‘Your mum was a champ, Casey. Sometimes people say mean things because they don’t know the truth and they want to hurt others with lies.’
‘But I don’t have a real daddy. And that makes me a … a … illegit … a …bast …’ Her bottom lip quivered and her big green eyes filled with tears. ‘Those naughty words.’
‘Oh, sweet pea, who told you that?’
‘The kids at school. They said that man told their daddies so at the pub. And they also said those words he said about my mum.’
Travis sighed as Casey lowered her head to his shoulder and snuggled her forehead into his neck. ‘Baby girl, you’re not any of those things. They’re horrible words and the kids shouldn’t be repeating them. Nor should their daddies be saying those words in front of them. You have me and Harry, Nanna and Pop when they’re home. We all love you more than a daddy ever could.’
‘And Miss Penney. We’ve got her too now,’ she murmured on a hiccup.
Heather’s heart flip-flopped as Travis looked across at her, easing a little of the sadness she held there for Casey. No child should be so afraid, so hurt by words.
‘Yes, we have Miss Penney too.’
She wondered at the fleeting doubt that made his brow narrow in a frown and his eyes cloud over. What secrets did he hold? What truth lay behind the mystery of his sister’s death and his niece’s lineage? And what threat was Zac Bannister in the middle of it all?
‘Heather,’ said Travis quietly over Casey’s head. ‘We need to talk.’
‘Ah bugger,’ said Harry, who until now had remained silent and watchful. ‘Now the shit’ll hit the fan.’
***
Loaded down with shopping bags, Travis let Casey lead the way into the house, happily sporting her new pair of shoes. No fancy Mary Jane’s for Casey. No, she preferred her pull on brown leather boots.
She clumped down the hallway revelling in the squeak and thud of the rubber soles against the polished wood floors, the earlier scare at Mama Bella’s all but forgotten. Travis wished he could shake it as easily.
It had taken a lot of cuddling, soothing and a scoop or two of Bella’s magic rainbow ice cream to settle her back down. Something about the confrontation today niggled in the back of his mind, but he was too exhausted to process it. He only hoped Casey wouldn’t have nightmares tonight.
Those nightmares caught him by surprise every time. He’d wake up to her crying and then he’d find her under the bed in his parents’ room with her teddy cuddled close and her thumb in her mouth. That meant half an hour of coaxing, singing and cuddles before she was calm enough to come out from under the bed. He was still trying to figure out what set them off because Casey could never remember what the dreams were about.
Heather had promised to stop by later when Casey went to bed. Travis didn’t want the little girl overhearing the discussion to come. God, it was one he’d avoided since Tracy died. Even before that. The truth no one in their family had ever wanted to face even though it was bound to bite them on the arse sooner or later. That moment had arrived. The band aid would be ripped off the wounds and all the ugliness would resurface. All he could hope for was that he could keep Casey protected from the worst of it.
He packed the cold stuff into the fridge and rearranged the pantry shelf to fit in the canned goods and remainder of the groceries. Regret, fear, sadness—all of them churned in his belly. Dread jumped into the pool at the sound of a four-wheel drive engine coming up the corrugated road leading up to the house. Too early to be Heather.
He made his way back down the hallway and out the front door onto the veranda. Sure enough, old man Bannister pulled to a stop, turned off the engine and got out. He shrugged out of an orange high visibility safety vest stamped with the Wongan Creek logo before making his way towards Travis.
‘I’m sorry, I can’t allow you on the property without the proper gear.’
John Bannister stopped and eyed him warily. ‘What?’
Travis waved a hand at his navy cotton drill pants with the silver hi-vis stripe and the bright yellow shirt. ‘Where’s your jeans, gloves and akubra. Have you done the cow pat induction?’
‘What are you on about, boy?’
‘Seems fair you should be appropriately dressed to come and see me on my farm. Apparently, you’ve forgotten the dress code.’ Travis pushed away from the veranda post. ‘I tried to come and see you today. I wasn’t allowed on site because I didn’t have the right gear and hadn’t done an induction. All I wanted was to say g’day. If I’d been able to reach you we could have avoided at least two of the incidents that took place today.’ He strode down the stairs.
John grimaced then put a hand to his lip. Travis had a small moment of satisfaction knowing it must still hurt like hell from Harry’s fist.
‘Security told me someone was asking for me. Rules are rules. Heard my boy’s been causing trouble.’ He held out a hand to shake.
Travis took it, despite the urge to ignore the greeting. ‘He needs a lesson in manners.’
‘For what it’s
worth, I’m sorry. Bella bailed me up and ripped me a new one. I’ve had a word with him.’
‘I don’t think having a word with him will cut it anymore. He’s gone beyond that. I heard what happened up at the mine today.’
‘Yeah, had a word about that too.’
Travis stared at the old man in front of him aware for the first time that just like Harry he seemed older and frailer. He’d seemed so much taller and broader before. His hair appeared whiter, his leathery skin more wrinkled and his eyes rheumy and tired. Not so long ago, he’d had a straight back and strong arms. That’s what happened to a man of the land who traded his seat on a horse for one behind a desk, Travis thought. There was a time when John Bannister had been the wood chopping champion of the south-east. These days he was a champion arsehole, a slave to gold and profit margins.
‘Keep him out of my way, John, because if he threatens my family or Heather again, I’ll make sure he doesn’t come out of it with just a few words.’
‘Righto. Fair call. It won’t come to that. But that’s not what I’m here for. I came to talk some sense into you about Harry’s place, and yours too.’
‘Our land is not for sale. And keep your legal boys away from Harry.’
‘Come on, Travis. Be sensible, boy. You’re literally sitting on a gold mine here. Harry could retire to one of those fancy lifestyle villages down south and you could shake the dust off your boots and get a life.’
‘I like my life fine as it is, thank you. The gold will still be there when I’m done farming. And I reckon you need to respect Harry’s wishes and let him live out his last years in peace. Haven’t you destroyed enough of this town by selling off prime cattle grazing and replacing it with a great gaping hole in the ground?’
‘It brought jobs.’
‘It killed cattle and plant life. It spread dieback disease and created an environmental nightmare in the making.’
‘It’s under control now.’
‘Is it, John? The environmental issues, maybe.’ Anger vibrated through Travis’ body. ‘But how do you explain what happened to Heather today, the fights at the pub or the harassment the girls in town are experiencing. Zac’s mates ride in at every opportunity they get so they can make trouble with the locals and trash the town. And don’t get me started on you destroying good farming land to build houses that will stand empty in twenty-odd years’ time because the boom is over. What then, when we’re another ghost town on the map?’
