Raven Falls: Australian Rural Romantic Suspense

by Suzanne Brandyn

  ‘After yesterday’s discovery, I’d like to set up the tests as soon as possible.’

  ‘What’s the hurry?’ Samantha looked around Cameron, her gaze resting over Brad.

  ‘The sooner the better. I have other jobs to attend to and some personal matters to take care of. As soon as we get the go ahead from my boys, we can apply for the necessary licences. Get a start before the real heat peels in.’

  Samantha nodded, knowing exactly what he meant by the real heat. It hadn’t swung over to summer and the days seemed hotter than usual for November. Usually February was the hottest and driest month of the year. ‘I thought it’d take longer to construct.’

  ‘We can get the main irrigation channel set up. It can be up and running before we follow up with more pipes. Cameron said your parents used to grow wheat. That could be something else to consider.’

  ‘We’ve spoken about wheat. That’s on our to do list in the future. One step at a time.’

  ‘At least the cattle don’t destroy the land as much as sheep,’ Brad said.

  ‘That’s a godsend,’ Cameron replied. ‘Cattle use their tongues to tear the plants rather than their teeth to gnaw.’

  ‘Cattle are only capable of grazing to a height of three to five centimetres, due to their grazing habit and mouth shape, so pasture with a high grass component is best. Cattle have a higher fibre requirement than sheep and need larger amounts of feed.’

  Oh here he goes, Mr Know It All making himself into a big shot.

  Samantha didn’t take her eyes from the television and when a model in a bikini made a show, the men whistled and yapped amongst themselves.

  ‘Keep it down a bit boys. Sam’s here,’ Steven said.

  Her lips thinned but she made no comment.

  Samantha had had enough of pretending that Brad’s presence wasn’t short circuiting her hormones. Hell, she could barely contain herself over dinner, and when nightcap came around, she was in a complete dither.

  She shuffled in her seat, picked up a cushion, and tossed it aside only to repeat the actions.

  ‘Have you got nits or something Sam? Will you quit it?’ Cameron gave her a gentle shove.

  ‘I can’t help it if I’m uncomfortable.’ She picked up a cushion, and sat it in her lap, picking at the balls of fibre. She didn’t mean to say it like that and added, ‘Sitting...I mean posture.’

  ‘Are you okay?’

  ‘Yes. Just dandy.’

  ‘I’m off to bed.’ Christopher got up to leave the room.

  ‘Night, Christopher.’

  ‘Me too. I’ve got a big day tomorrow. I need the sleep,’ added Steven. On his way out he glanced over his shoulder. ‘Night sis. He doesn’t bite you know.’

  ‘Night, Steven.’

  Samantha’s cheeks burned, and she’d felt the rush right down to her toes. Doesn’t bite. How little did Steven know? She shuffled some more, and drank the last of her port, feeling the burn ease to her stomach. It had little effect upon her nerves.

  ‘I think I’ll head off to bed too. How about you, Brad?’ Cameron said.

  ‘Soon. I’ll finish my drink first.’

  ‘Okay. See you first light, sharp.’

  ‘Done deal.’

  All the blood in Samantha’s body slowed.

  ‘Are you finished watching the television? I might turn it off.’

  ‘I wasn’t watching, only looking and not taking much in.’

  Samantha could relate to that. She’d often stare at the television and not absorb anything while her mind pondered other matters. Had he been thinking about something? By the look on his face, he appeared to be in deep thought.

  ‘Great.’ She got up and picked up the remote control. The room fell in silence, and as she turned she glanced upwards into vivid, intoxicating eyes. Her hands went up in front of her chest, palms outward.

  ‘What?’

  Before Samantha could step out of the way, before she could say no, warm lips tasting like the port she’d swallowed moments ago, invaded her senses. She drank him in. Her arms crept around to his back, and he tugged her closer, cupping one hand under her chin. He’d backed her against the wall, pinning her firmly with her breasts pressed up against his chest. She could barely move. Samantha took the length of the journey, savouring and devouring a dream she once had on a white sandy beach.

  Breathless and startled, he broke the kiss and stepped back.

  ‘I...’

  ‘Sam, we really need to talk.’

  He jerked to one side. Winced.

  She craned her neck forward. ‘What’s up?’

  ‘Nothing.’

  It repeated.

  ‘What’s the matter?’

  ‘I said nothing.’

  His face paled and while she stood so close, she wondered if he’d enjoyed the kiss at all.

  ‘I should be off to bed.’

  ‘Yeah. Me too. Sorry about that.’

  Samantha didn’t say any more. She pivoted to one side and left the room. On reaching the staircase, she diverted her course and headed for the back veranda. Once outside the night air calmed her heated skin.

  Awareness prickled along her spine, dug into her innermost receptors while she continued to shudder from his kiss. Grabbing the railing, she checked her back. She was alone. He hadn’t followed. Sinking onto a seat she gazed up toward the glistening sky and realised it wasn’t a place where she should be alone, not in her frame of mind. This night was a night for romantics, a night armed with a full moon, loaded with thousands of twinkling stars.

  Her limbs dragged as she walked toward the door, and tiredness crept in making her aware of the sleep she needed. It was something she hadn’t had much of lately, considering... And yes, she told everyone she’d been out like a light all night. A little fib helped to ward off her brothers’ suspicions.

  When she entered the kitchen, the house was in darkness and she heard a sound, a wincing painful sound. Heading through the dimly lit kitchen, she eased closer to the doorjamb and spotted a shadow. She craned her neck forward, and listened.

  What the?

  The moaning continued.

  She drew in a desperate breath as she tried to make out a shadow in the darkness. Cameron? Deep pants, breathless and seemingly out of control drifted through the air. The guttural sounds of continued and she reached up to switch on the overhead light.

  ‘Brad. Are you okay?’

  He pushed upwards from the lounge as she closed the distance between them. He was definitely in some type of pain.

  ‘I might have a stomach upset.’ He moved his hand over the belt buckle on his jeans. ‘I think I’ll call it a night.’

  ‘Oh. Okay...Night. Are you sure you’re okay?’

  ‘Yeah. See you in the morning.’

  Brad walked away and she wondered if a stomach upset would have a person in so much pain, or pale his face as ghostly.

  After switching off the light she made her way upstairs and into the bedroom. So much for having a talk. And that kiss. Where did that come from? It was as though he was attracted to her, yet he was standoffish most of the time. She gave her head a shake. Men. She could never work them out. Take her brothers for instance. Cameron had a girlfriend for several years, Anna, from Raven. It took him a while to get over the break up, and yet he was the one to end it. He’d said they weren’t compatible and he didn’t attempt to clarify, although they seemed to get along well.

  Steven fell in love with every girl he met and had had several girlfriends lasting a month if that. As for the youngest, Christopher, he had eyes on girls at school but that was as far as it went. She huffed out a breath and crawled under the sheets.

  Tomorrow was another day. Her mother would say, The sun will rise. The day will be good.

  Footsteps sounded near the door followed by a shuffling sound. Samantha pushed up from the bed, and tiptoed toward the door before swinging it open.

  Through the limited light, an outline of Brad moved into focus. ‘Did you wa
nt something?’

  He turned, and took the few steps between them.

  ‘Again, another apology. All I seem to be doing lately is apologising. That kiss shouldn’t have happened. I’m sorry to lead you on.’

  Samantha’s stomach muscles tensed. ‘Anything else you’d like to kick me in the guts with before this gets out of hand?’

  ‘Sam.’ He reached out, rested a hand on the doorjamb and leaned in closer. ‘It’s obvious there is a strong attraction between us. I know you feel it, I do too, but it can’t go anywhere.’

  She raised her eyebrows. ‘Can’t go anywhere. I wasn’t expecting marriage, babies, or anything like that.’

  ‘You know what I mean. I’m sorry to disturb you.’ He dropped his arm, turned and made his way down the hallway, leaving Samantha at wits’ end as to what was really going on.

  Brad couldn’t believe he’d kissed her like that where one of her brothers could have possibly walked in. He was such a heel. Why did he move in without a thought, especially when he swore he’d never get close to a female again?

  He lay in bed, arms above his head, staring at the shadows dancing over the ceiling. Since his accident, he hadn’t been near another woman, not since that last night with Samantha. It’d been almost a year of wondering what she’d thought about him for not calling her, for not keeping his promise. Damn it.

  He’d craved her touch and now to have her silken fingers over him, her sweet lips and that spirit he’d missed so much, he’d refused it all. He’d moved in, walked out, moved in and walked out again. She must think he was a real nutcase. But how could he marry now or even think of having a girlfriend? It was out of the question. He had enough on his plate without involving someone else. He couldn’t subject them to a life like his.

  Kissing Samantha was as though a raging bushfire had stormed through his veins, and lifted him from his feet. He’d been captivated by her all night, loved the rapport she had with all three of her brothers and the respect they held for her was something he rarely witnessed. She was a unique star, the brightest in the paddock. Almost an evening star, except she sparkled all day. Samantha was a woman that any man would be proud and bloody lucky to marry.

  He couldn’t deny that his response to her eagerness had hooked him with such powerful endorphins he didn’t know a damn thing about what was happening, except he was kissing her. A kiss he’d thought about for so long he scarcely believed would happen again. Now he’d kissed her his body wanted more, but his brain told him to back off.

  Perhaps the real reason was that he hadn’t been with a woman for almost a year. That was it. Pent up sexual tension. It had to be. Hell. He’d never acted like that toward any woman. Even before his accident, nothing like this had played havoc with his brain, with his body. He’d have to steer clear; after all, he had nothing any woman would want, and nothing to offer. He was a damaged package.

  He’d returned to Raven to be with his mother in her dying days. Three months prior to her death, his life changed due to the accident. After his operation and physiotherapy, he had a few more months to go before his condition stabilises, although he’d never be the same, never be a hundred percent. His intentions to return to Sydney had been put on hold due to his mother’s last words on her dying bed. Not long after she passed, he’d moved all his belongings up from Sydney. He grimaced.

  Get the job done. Take care of some personal business and move on to the next job. That’s all he could do at present. It was that simple but avoiding Samantha was going to be difficult. She spent most days inside the house cleaning up after her brothers and cooking, so there wouldn’t be a problem. He’d spotted her a few times riding Raven, apart from their trip to the Falls. The black sheen of Raven’s coat couldn’t be missed.

  Samantha looked like she was born to ride, straight back, with a smooth easy style. It was as though horse and woman could communicate, that they also had a rapport. Deep in the recess of his emotions, he truly longed to have such a rapport with a woman. He cursed under his breath. It was time to move on.

  ***

  Samantha woke to noise, and lots of it. She rolled over and groaned, squinting at the clock. It was six in the morning. She slipped from her bed, moved the lace curtains aside and spotted machinery being hauled in the direction of the Falls. Men stood around chatting, and Cameron rode up to them before Brad moved into her line of vision.

  He rode one of the good stock horses, and she craned her neck forward trying for a better look. He wore denim jeans, a blue chambray shirt and a tan Akubra. She raised her eyebrows. For someone that had an upset stomach last night he sure made a quick recovery. He rode off with Cameron in the direction of the Falls.

  Samantha showered and dressed in jeans and a singlet top, covering it with blue long-sleeved cotton top. She didn’t know how long she’d be out in the hot sun that day and being cooked wasn’t something she particularly liked. After being nearly burned to a cinder once, she’d learned the value of covering up. The sting of that day embedded in her bones, ate at her flesh and she made sure she took the necessary procedures to avoid sunburn ever again.

  She stilled as her mind drifted to her mother’s words. ‘Skin cancer isn’t something to be taken lightly. Your grandmother and I have always covered up. Besides, your skin is olive. You don’t need to colour it by the sun.’ Her mother had glowing skin and she always covered up. Even on the hottest of days, Christine wore long flowing shirts, but Samantha never forgot the tiny tops she wore under those shirts. A grin touched her lips. She wanted to be like her mother, to be the woman she was, to be loved and to have a family. She sighed and made her way downstairs.

  After devouring some toast and coffee, she slipped on her boots and grabbed a hat on the way out the back door to head toward the stables. To her surprise, Mike had saddled up Raven.

  ‘Gee, thanks Mike. How’d you know?’

  ‘Cam said you’d probably want to oversee them this morning.’

  Samantha smiled. ‘Thanks. I need to know exactly where they’re drilling.’

  ‘Here you go.’ He handed her the reins. ‘You’re so much like your mother.’ He grinned.

  ‘Thanks Mike. I believe that’s a compliment.’

  ‘It sure is. Don’t you forget it.’

  After a quick chat to Raven, Samantha mounted and turned in the direction of the mountains.

  ‘You can catch them you know.’

  Samantha grinned. ‘Yeah. I know.’

  Mike shook his head. ‘Take it easy.’

  ‘Oh I will, don’t you worry.’

  She rode off, full force into a gallop down beside the two lower paddocks before coming up over the ridge, and slowed while she watched the men below, not far ahead.

  Raven snorted.

  ‘Easy boy.’ She reached down gave him a few pats before trotting along the rise, keeping well behind the men and the machinery. Even from up there the noise wasn’t something they were used to.

  Raven Falls had always been serene, and she suspected there wouldn’t be any sighting of the few kangaroos, crows or cockatoos that lived in the area. Perhaps the rumbling sounds would also scare away the snakes. Even Raven was having second thoughts about getting too close.

  Samantha kept well behind, following them until the noise from the trucks died down. Upon her approach, she noticed Brad lingering behind the men, and she directed her horse toward him. He was adjusting something under his shirt.

  As she drew closer he looked up, ducked around to the opposite side of the horse out of sight, and then reappeared.

  ‘You okay?’

  ‘Why wouldn’t I be? I stopped for a drink.’

  Samantha dismounted when she neared him, her left hand clinging to the reins. ‘How did you go last night?’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘With the stomach bug.’

  ‘Short lived.’

  ‘That’s good.’ Hell, they were making small talk.

  ‘Sam. Last night…I don’t want to lead you
on. That’s my last intention.’

  ‘Lead me on. Don’t worry, you didn’t lead me on.’ Her eyes rounded. ‘You said your mobile was destroyed. I get the rest.’

  ‘After that something important came up and I was pretty busy twenty-four seven, well almost.’

  ‘I thought there was more to our relationship than being friends.’ Samantha was beginning to think he’d used her to get what he wanted and now he didn’t want anything more. She shuddered when he stepped closer.

  ‘My life is quite different now Sam. A lot of things have changed.’ His voice was low, deeper than usual and a scowl set over his face. ‘For starters, would you trust me again? I broke my promise.’

  Samantha hesitated, and slid a step backward. ‘Probably not.’

  ‘You said it was a year ago, that you hardly remember the time you spent with me.’

  Samantha nodded, recalling her hasty words.

  ‘I thought you’d be married by now. I didn’t expect you to be single.’

  ‘And there’s something wrong with being single? What if I like my life, what if I like being single? Actually I do like my life. I love being my own person, being in charge and I wouldn’t change it for anyone.’

  ‘Exactly. Sam let’s be amicable about this. I’ve got a job to do and then I’ll be out of your hair.’

  ‘Are you leaving Raven?’

  ‘I meant I won’t be at Raven Falls as often. I also have a few things to chase up. I would have also liked to set up my property, get it to how it once was.’

  ‘You mean a stud farm.’

  ‘Yeah. I’ve been thinking along those lines. I’ll see what happens further down the track.’

  ‘So what’s happening today?’

  He mounted. ‘You’ll have to hang about to find out. There’s too much going on to explain in detail.’

  He rode off into a gallop, leaving Samantha surrounded in a cloud of dust while she clung to Raven’s reins and onto her emotions. Okay she got what he said, well her mind got it and she prayed her heart understood as well. It was apparent he didn’t enjoy the kiss as much as she had. She’d steer clear of him from now on and he was right, she couldn’t trust him.

  Instead of continuing toward the mountains, she back tracked toward the house. Who wanted to hang out with a bunch of dirty dusty jackaroos? When she reached the house, she admitted she did, but not today. How could one man stir up her emotions like that and get away with it? She hadn’t an answer.