by Shirley Wine
‘I’m not sure what help I’ll be. I’m a carnivore, pure and simple. But the thought of not needing to cook makes the proposition very tempting.’
‘Why do I get the impression I’ve just been conned?’
Brooke chuckled. Luke looked so harried and put upon.
‘So will you help me help Rose and Otto?’
Slowly, she turned to face him. Their gazes caught and held. Heat flared in an instinctive, primal reaction—one that overpowered both logic and caution.
‘I will,’ she said quickly, needing to break that connection. ‘If my father agrees, but I’m giving you fair warning. I’m not at all sure how Dad will react: he does not like change.’
Chapter Seven
The move out to Whitby Downs was accomplished without stress or inconvenience. No sooner had her dad agreed to the move, than Luke was on their doorstep to help her pack.
He was certainly nothing if not efficient.
It all happened so swiftly that she had no time to second-guess this life-changing decision. Within a day, Luke was ushering her into a large airy bedroom in his home and leaving her to unpack while he helped her dad.
It was her father’s reaction that left Brooke thoroughly disconcerted. She was so sure he would resist any suggestion to move out of the home he’d shared with her mother all their married life. Not so.
She paused in her unpacking.
She’d been more than a little nervous at broaching the suggestion that they move into Luke’s home on Whitby Downs to chaperone Rose, and help with the children’s rehabilitation. To her surprise, her concern was totally misplaced.
‘Change is good,’ her dad had informed her, his tone decidedly testy. ‘Your mother was as kind and gentle a woman as you’d ever meet, but she was also as stubborn as all get-out and resistant to change.’
Brooke had stared at her father, taken aback. ‘Mum was the reason you’ve stayed in Sweetwater all these years?’
‘Why so surprised? Didn’t you know this about your mother?’
Disconcerted, she’d patted his hand. ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you.’
He’d laughed, his genuine amusement startling her further. ‘There’s no need for such concern, Brooke, I’m not at all upset.’
‘So you’re okay with us moving into Luke’s house out on Whitby Downs?’
‘Calloway’s suggestion is a good one. I suspect young Rose needs you far more than I need to cling to this old house.’ Frank’s rheumy eyes had become suspiciously moist and his gnarled hands had trembled. ‘I often found your mother’s unwillingness to accept change stultifying.’
Brooke had been shocked to the core. She’d never heard her father level a word of criticism at her mother, ever.
Well hell! Why didn’t I know this? And I thought I knew my parents so well.
Her dad had chuckled at her stunned reaction. ‘I loved your mother, Brooke, don’t get me wrong. Colleen was a wonderful woman and an even better wife—’ he’d gripped her hand with surprising strength, ‘—but she sure didn’t take kindly to the idea of change, about anything.’
Now, as she recalled that conversation, Brooke still struggled to adjust her perceptions about her mother and her parents’ marriage. Her dad was right about Rose; was he also right about her mother?
Frowning over this, Brooke shook out the creases in an evening dress and hung it in the capacious wardrobe.
She had always considered that her father lacked ambition, that he was content to remain here in Sweetwater. Now, his surprising revelations forced her to reconsider. She had always regarded her father as the dominant partner in her parents’ marriage, but his candid revelations challenged this assumption.
What children ever see their parents with an unbiased eye? I certainly didn’t.
Her dad’s eagerness to accept Luke’s help and his undisguised and excited embrace of the move subtly reinforced his assertions.
Brooke was forced to reassess her mistaken impressions.
With her unpacking done, Brooke went in search of her dad and found him deep in conversation with Luke and another man, a stranger she didn’t recognise. Something about the men, their low-voiced conversation and their stance, sent all her warning antennae spinning into overdrive.
Taking in a slow, deep breath she approached the trio. ‘Is there something wrong?’
‘No. We’re just having a man-fest,’ Luke said, grinning as he drew her forward. ‘Rio, this is Brooke Galbraith. Brooke, Rio Jacobs.’
Brooke stepped forward and extended her hand.
As Rio grasped it, she looked up into piercing grey eyes that reminded her eerily of her father. He was tall and spare, with more iron-grey in his hair than its original dark colour, and in that lightning survey she understood that very little would escape this man’s notice.
‘Pleased to meet you,’ she said shaking his hand.
It was disconcerting to realise that she was being just as thoroughly sized up. Added to this, Brooke was also aware that Luke was watching their interaction with acute intensity.
‘I’ll leave you folk to your discussions,’ Frank said, his keen glance encompassing them all, ‘and I’ll go roust out young Otto and his chess board.’
‘They’ve claimed the sunroom at the end of this corridor as their den,’ Luke said to Frank. ‘You’ll find him and Rose there.’
After her dad left them, Luke opened the door to a room on the opposite side of the wide central corridor. ‘Come into my office, both of you,’ he said to Rio and Brooke.
As she stepped into the room, Brooke looked around with interest. An oak flat-topped desk dominated the room; the huge black leather chair drawn up behind it was well-worn. Large bookcases lined one wall and overflowed with books, many of which looked to be well thumbed. On the opposite wall was a large topographical map dotted with red, black, green and yellow flags.
Intrigued, she stepped closer to look at it. ‘Is this a map of Whitby Downs?’
‘It is.’ Luke smiled at her curiosity.
‘Wow,’ she breathed, glancing from the map to Luke. ‘I knew it was a big station, I didn’t realise just how big.’
Luke chuckled at her awed comment.
‘It’s set to get even bigger. Matt and Charlotte have just bought the Surrey spread—’ his smile faded as he turned and gave them a serious look, ‘—hence my need for reliable domestic staff. Take a seat, both of you.’
They sat on chairs near the window and Luke settled in the big chair behind his desk. As he looked at them from across its width, she was left in no doubt that he was the boss. He made the decisions, his word was final, and the buck well and truly stopped with him.
Brooke found this both reassuring and intimidating.
Seeing Luke in his own domain, studying his chiselled profile, stubborn chin and firm lips, she remembered their conversation about the children and their grandfather. In that instant she knew that Duncan McLellan would have one hell of a fight on his hands if he thought he could wrest Rose and Otto from Luke’s guardianship.
Unease feathered up and down her spine.
This strength and domination was a side of Luke’s character she’d not guessed at before. And in a blinding moment of insight, she knew that the heat that flared between them, this inconvenient attraction, had nowhere to go.
Never again will I succumb to a man’s charisma and lose my sense of self.
She had already walked that path. Brad’s lies and betrayal had all but destroyed her. Without her parents’ unwavering support, she would have taken the coward’s way out, and ended what was, at the time, a miserable existence.
Fear shivered through her at the memory.
It had been a close-run thing, far too close for comfort. It had taken enormous courage and determination to rebuild her shattered self-esteem, and begin redeeming her tarnished reputation—something she now realised was impossible. No man, no matter how attractive, was worth that kind of heartbreak. And Luke Calloway would not te
mpt her to break this self-imposed rule.
‘Brooke, you are responsible for the day-to-day management of the homestead.’
Luke’s quiet, definite statement jerked Brooke out of her introspection. The command allowed no room for argument or negotiation.
‘Rio, you’re to liaise with Brooke over menus, especially Rose’s dietary needs.’ He continued watching them both with an unnervingly direct regard. ‘Brooke, I’ve delegated you the authority to make decisions about any domestic issues that arise in my absence.’
Shocked, Brooke stared at Luke as this directive sank in. It was one thing to move into his home as the children’s physical therapist and as a companion for Rose, but to be appointed manager of his household—
Luke held up a hand forestalling her stunned protest.
‘In any operation, there needs to be one overall manager. Does that sit okay with you, Rio?’
‘That seems reasonable to me.’ Rio nodded and leaned back in his chair. ‘I’m a decent basic cook, but I’d appreciate Brooke’s help to cater for your niece’s finicky tastes.’
Luke expelled a slow breath and his stiff posture eased to a more relaxed stance.
‘Good, that’s sorted.’ He opened a drawer in his desk and withdrew a credit card and some papers before shutting it with a decided snap. ‘Brooke, I’ve authorised your use of this card. You need to sign these papers and take them with you to the bank. Use the card for food, supplies or any other personal or household items that any of you may need.’
He pushed the papers across the desk and, as she picked them up, she gingerly bent the card between her fingers. ‘Do you think this is necessary?’
In response, Luke spun his chair and pointed to the map of Whitby Downs on the wall behind him.
‘My position here entails me overseeing this entire station.’ The terseness of his voice betrayed more than a hint of impatience. ‘If Rose or Otto suddenly need some item for their personal hygiene, or to see a doctor, it’s often impossible for me to drop what I’m doing to deal with such issues. It’s imperative that I delegate responsibility. And as you’re here to help my niece and nephew with their rehabilitation, Brooke, you’re the logical choice.’
Luke glanced from her to Rio.
‘God forbid that you expect me to go shopping for sanitary pads or tampons,’ Rio said with great feeling. ‘Or minister to the girl if she needs hot pads for her monthlies. I’ve agreed to cook and clean for you here, Luke, but I’m telling you right now my housekeeping duties sure don’t stretch to dealing with female problems.’
It was all Brooke could do not to laugh.
Rio displayed the true horror of a male confronted by a woman’s natural biological functions.
Brooke glanced at Luke and caught the gleam of answering amusement in his vivid eyes despite his grave expression.
‘Understood, and this is the reason I’ve delegated overall responsibility for domestic matters to Brooke.’
‘You’ll get no argument from me.’ Rio stood. ‘If that’s all, I’ll leave you. I need to do an inventory of the pantry if we’re to eat this side of midnight.’
Luke nodded his dismissal and Rio fairly bolted from the room. When the door closed behind him the silence that settled was not the gentle or companionable kind. Luke stood, walked around his desk and sat in the chair Rio had vacated.
‘How—’
‘There is—’
They spoke simultaneously. Luke waved a hand. ‘You first.’
‘How is Rose’s appetite since you discovered she’s a vegetarian?’
‘Much better.’ He ran a finger under his shirt collar. ‘We’ve been putting our heads together at mealtimes and coming up with passable fare, but I’m damn glad Rio is here to take over that chore.’
‘Is he capable of accommodating Rose’s dietary needs?’
‘He says he is, but you may have to oversee his meal choices.’
‘I thought as much—’ Brooke smiled at him, ‘—so I went ahead and borrowed some books from the library on vegetarian cookery for Rio to look through.’
‘That’s a great idea, and not one that crossed my mind.’
Brooke grimaced and looked down at the hands threaded together in her lap. ‘It was, but I didn’t pause to consider that Pat may eavesdrop on my conversation with Molly.’
Luke let rip with a colourful curse.
‘I couldn’t agree more and I’m sorry.’ Brooke gave a wry grimace. ‘Molly Cardno’s such a nice young woman; I’m darned if I know how she can stand working with Pat at the library day in and day out.’
‘Molly’s the short-sighted blonde?’
‘Yes, she’s a real sweetheart and so very helpful.’
‘So what did Pat overhear?’
‘I explained about Rose’s dietary problems and how concerned you were about her weight loss. Molly suggested some books with loads of easy-to-follow recipes that will give Rose a wide variety of food choices.’
He sighed, the sound echoing. ‘I guess it’s a vain hope to imagine that Pat will keep that titbit of information to herself.’
‘Pigs might fly.’
He winced.
Troubled by his expression, Brooke took a slow, steadying breath.
‘I guess there’s no option except deal with any fallout if it occurs, but if Ian’s parents—’ He broke off, shaking his head.
Brooke hesitated a moment, then said, ‘If you’ve identified a problem, Luke, and have taken steps to remedy it, then it can’t be used against you in a custody challenge.’
His lips twisted in a cynical smile. ‘That depends on how McLellan can get his lawyers to skew the information.’
His fatalistic tone worried her, as did his distrust of the law. Was this another impact of his years spent undercover, the cause of the lingering darkness she sensed in him? Instinctively, she knew that Luke was a man who preferred to shoulder his burdens alone. His approach to her, his request for help, was out of character for the man she was coming to know. The fact that he’d dropped his guard and discussed his fears with her had her heart doing a little tap dance in her chest.
So much for my determination to keep him at arm’s length.
‘Rose and Otto are both of an age where their wishes will be considered if your custody is challenged.’ Brooke kept her voice brisk and impersonal. She knew Luke would welcome neither sympathy nor sentimentality.
‘That only works if there is no bribery involved.’
‘I never took you for someone who’d cave in to a threat before it eventuated. Children are remarkably astute, and to my mind, love and genuine caring trump bribery any day.’
‘You think?’
‘I know.’ She looked directly at him. ‘Involve Rose in the kitchen, let her help in the preparation of meals for all of us, and she’ll know that you genuinely care about her wellbeing.’
‘Even if it means eating vegetarian meals,’ he muttered, his expression enough to let Brooke know that he was far from thrilled with this idea.
‘Spoken like a true carnivore. I love a juicy steak as much as the next person, but I also regularly eat and enjoy vegetarian dishes. You may be agreeably surprised.’
‘Maybe, but I’m damned if I’m prepared to exist on a diet of tofu and bean sprouts.’
‘Oh please,’ she said on a burst of laughter. ‘A vegetarian eats much better than that. Give it a chance, give Rose a chance.’
Luke grimaced. ‘If Rose’s wellbeing depended on it, I’d eat bloody bean sprouts for breakfast, dinner and tea.’
Did he think she didn’t understand this? His love for his niece and nephew was very clear, as was his dedication to their recovery.
‘I’ve never doubted your commitment to Rose and Otto, not for one single minute.’
He ran an unsteady hand through his hair. ‘As their mother lay dying, I promised her I’d take care of the children she adored. I owe Jenn far too much to ever betray her trust.’
His vehemence warned Brooke th
at, to Luke, this was a very sensitive subject. ‘She was your only sibling?’
‘Yeah, she was.’ The gruff words seemed torn from him. ‘Jenn was sister, mother and best friend to me, all rolled into one.’
‘Your parents?’
‘Died in a motorway crash when I was Otto’s age. Jenn was twenty and studying for her law degree. She left university and fought the state for my guardianship. She was determined that I wouldn’t get lost in the foster care system.’
‘That’s young to become a guardian. You had no other relatives?’
‘No, and social services sure didn’t make it easy for her.’ Luke sucked in a harsh, unsteady breath.
‘You were close? How did she manage?’
‘We were.’ His vivid eyes were shadowed with grief. ‘At first, she took a low-paying job as a checkout operator in the local supermarket. It was there that Jenn struck up a friendship with Ian. When he learned that she’d been studying law, he hired her as a researcher. His father hit the roof when they fell in love and married. Old man McLellan didn’t consider Jenn good enough to marry his son and heir.’ Luke’s lips curled on the bitter, angry words.
Brooke winced. ‘Ian worked for his father?’
He nodded. ‘After he married Jenn, Ian left the family firm and started his own practice.’ Luke scowled. ‘And this was one more thing his father held against my sister.’
Brooke heard his raw pain and knew he had good reason to be afraid. If a custody battle did eventuate, Luke would face a formidable opponent.
This disquieting insight made him asking her to live-in out here on the station more understandable. ‘Is this why you asked me to move in with you?’
‘One of the reasons.’ Luke stood and walked to his desk; head bent, he fiddled with some papers before looking directly at her. ‘McLellan has already hinted that Rose isn’t safe living with me.’
Brooke inhaled a harsh breath. ‘What? He said that?’
‘Not in so many words, but it was heavily implied.’
‘Surely, he couldn’t make that stick?’
