Outback Flames
by
Suzanne Brandyn
Copyright © 2015 Suzanne Brandyn
All Rights Reserved
Sunburnt Enterprises
Edited by Sally Odgers
Cover Design by Steven Novak
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organisations, places and events are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
Outback Flames. Australian Rural Romantic Suspense
Blurb:
A sexy jackaroo and a sultry jillaroo. Will fate take over from where they left off?
Zoe Montgomery's life changed overnight, the night her family and their property, Montagreen, went up in flames. The incident and her previous memories are wiped from her mind. Whisked away moments later by an unknown aunt, Zoe learns to grow up fast and learns the value of hard work.
Fifteen years later, after overhearing her aunt's whispers about Montagreen, and a girl called Zoe Montgomery, the name on her bracelet, Zoe's suspicions increase. She flees the only life she has ever known, and escapes her aunt's bitter lies and abuse, to return home to find answers and rebuild.
However, returning opens not only the devastation she'd left behind, it reveals the torment her childhood sweetheart suffered which almost destroyed his life.
As Jordan works on the restoration of Montagreen, can they battle their way through a mountain of obstacles and take over where they left off, or is it too late?
Dear Reader
I'm delighted to bring you a Rural Romantic Suspense story, after receiving emails inquiring about upcoming books similar to my first Rural Contemporary Romance, Heat in the Outback.
2015 is going to be an exciting year, as I'm looking forward to bringing you more Rural Romantic Suspense novels.
I would like to thank you for your continuing support and feedback. I'd love to hear from readers through Facebook, Twitter or my Website.
Thank you
Enjoy x
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Table of Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter One
The strike of a match can change a life.
Jordan figured he'd doused enough flames in one lifetime without having to extinguish another, although by the looks of things, the early signs were smouldering on the opposite side of the street.
His sister Jade sat at a rustic table, alfresco style, with a woman he'd never met. For some reason he squinted, trying to zero in for a better look, but tore his gaze away hoping he hadn't been spotted.
Curiosity got the better of him, and he took another pleasurable view at long slender legs crossed at the ankles. He shook his head and set his body into escape mode, but as usual, Jade honed in on him before he had time to flee.
'Jordan, Jordan. Over here.' She shot a hand in mid air and waved him over, accompanied by that cheeky grin he'd known all his life. He'd been through this scenario a couple of times now. Her idea of pulling Cupid’s love bow was over the top, but he had to admit, she tried hard.
He sucked back a breath, stepped off the kerb and sauntered across the street toward them, praying for a quick getaway. Drawing closer, he regarded the woman under the shadow of his Akubra. A hint of recognition tapped at his senses. His stomach muscles clenched and sweat beaded across his brow.
The woman looked up, snagging him in her line of vision. His heart tripped over a few beats when her cursory glance suggested he was a mere stranger. There wasn't a sign of recognition or something to indicate they had a past together. He felt mighty out of sorts, and turned his attention toward Jade.
'Do you want to join us? I know you can't do without your coffee.'
He found it difficult to articulate his thoughts. The blood in his body thrashed about in his veins. Could he be mistaken?
'This is my brother Jordan...um' Jade glared at the woman sitting opposite her. 'I'm shocked.' She placed an open palm to her chest. 'Here we are chatting like long lost friends, and we haven't even introduced ourselves.' A light chuckle escaped her lips. 'I'm Jade Townsend.' Jade reached across the table and they exchanged a brief handshake.
'I've also only realised.' The woman smiled. 'My name is Zoe Montgomery. I've recently moved here. My family used to live in the area.'
'How nice.'
Jordan didn't know if Zoe had noticed his sister's face pale, and he wondered if she could sense the galloping of his heartbeat.
'I've inherited my parents’ property, Montagreen. I'm going to rebuild and I'm looking for a good carpenter...builder.'
'That's fabulous,' Jade said and took a quick gulp of coffee. She cleared her throat. 'Um...Jordan is looking for work. He's a great carpenter.'
Jordan's body temperature upped a few degrees and his mind slipped back to when Zoe was thirteen. Overloaded with memories, his chest tightened. Jade gave him a glance, trying to signal him in sign language and for the life of him, he couldn't figure out what she was going on about. His little sister was in the matchmaking arena once again and she enjoyed every minute of it.
Jade’s eyes narrowed, and she shot him a scolding look. 'Jordan. Have you heard anything we've been saying?'
'Yeah. Sorry.' He took off his Akubra, held it in his left hand and angled his body slightly, facing Zoe. 'It's good to meet you, Zoe.'
She smiled the smile he'd treasured for years, forcing cute dimples to indent her cheeks.
Zoe extended her hand and they exchanged a light handshake. He tried to swallow and made the connection brief. Talk about feeling out of sorts. He expected her hand to feel soft but instead, he felt calluses at the base of each finger.
What in the hell had she been up to for the last fifteen years?
'Hi. It's nice to meet you Jordan. So you're looking for work?'
Her green gaze coolly assessed him, and the hairs over his skin prickled with unease.
'Yeah. The more work the better, I always say.' He anchored his boot on the step in front of him.
'I guess you're familiar with what happened at Montagreen?'
'Yeah, we sure are. It was a rough time for a lot of people.'
'I lost everything
that night, including my memory. It went up in flames along with the house. I don't remember a single thing or anything else before.'
'No kidding. I'm sorry.'
'Me too Zoe. I don't know what to say.' Jade added, 'I hadn't realised.'
'It's fine. I'm hoping by returning to Munna, to Montagreen, it may jolt my memory. Pick up the pieces.' Zoe's lips thinned.
'I hope it helps as well...um...about building. Jordan's an excellent carpenter. He also helps out on Mum and Dad's cattle station as a jackaroo. He's the best you'll find around these parts,' Jade said.
'Jade does exaggerate. I do a lot. Renovated my parents’ place and I've started on my own joint.'
'He could go to the site this afternoon, couldn't you Jordan? Have a look.' Jade made hand signals when she spoke, flapping them about in mid air as though she was in charge.
He almost laughed but bit his tongue.
'Um. Well.'
'He's the best, Zoe.'
Zoe nodded. 'I don't know what needs doing. I haven't been out to Montagreen. Does one this afternoon suit you?'
'I'll be there.'
She finished her coffee, and stood. 'I'm sorry. I do have to go. I have to pop into the solicitor's office, make sure it's all mine before I make a start.'
'I'm sure everything will go your way,' Jade said. 'It was great to um...meet you.'
'I hope we see each other often.'
'You can count on me. There're not many females our age around here. Most of the girls I went to school with hightailed it to the city.'
Zoe smiled. 'Perhaps we can catch up for another coffee. I'm staying in town for a while.'
'That'd be great. Where are you staying?'
'The little motel over there.' She nodded in the direction of a small white weatherboard home with attached motel style rooms. A white fence divided it from the street. 'It's clean and the owners are friendly.'
'Oh, Banners Motel. The people who own it are lovely,' Jade said. 'How about we exchange mobile numbers? Then when you want to go for a coffee or just chat you'll know where to reach me.'
After the women exchanged numbers, Zoe flicked her gaze in Jordan's direction. 'I'll see you at one, Jordan.'
'Sure. See ya'.'
'I hope I haven't put you out too much.'
'Not at all. Mum and Dad live half an hour from your property. I was heading out that way later today anyway.'
'How lovely. I'll see you, then.'
As he watched her leave, his body locked in freeze mode. He couldn't move.
Zoe acted as though their past was just that, a past. He'd never forgotten her, yet it was obvious she'd forgotten him. His gut churned.
'Are you okay, Jordan?'
'Hell, it's Zoe Montgomery.'
'I know...sit down.' Jade tapped the seat beside her and Jordan dropped onto it.
'She came back.' He watched Zoe wander down the street. 'I feel as if I've been kicked in the guts.'
'You look like it too.' Jade hesitated, and stared at her brother.
'Thanks for that.'
'Oh Jordan...I'm sorry.'
'It's okay. I didn't think I'd react that way, this way, like I'm doing now if I ever saw her again.'
'Are you sure you're okay?'
'Yeah. It's shock, that's all.'
'I didn't mean to do this to you. I had no idea who she was. I’d have thought you'd be pleased to finally see her, though.'
'I am pleased.' He was more than pleased, but at present, his insides were partying hard, as though he was running barefoot through a paddock full of bindies with a bull charging behind. 'What did she have to say?'
'Not much. Only just what you heard. Her mind has blocked it all out. Imagine that.'
'That explains why she doesn't remember me.'
'I wanted to ask her questions, but didn't want to pry.'
Jordan recalled the last night he'd seen Zoe, as though it happened just months ago. 'Where has she been for the last fifteen years? She seemed as though she was managing things, whatever happened to her.'
'I'm not sure about that. I sensed something was bugging her. She kept looking over her shoulder as though she was expecting someone to sneak up behind her. It's like she's hiding from someone or something.'
Jordan ran a hand around the back of his his neck, and gave it a rub. 'She didn't seem too impressed to see me.'
'Give it time. She doesn't remember you. We don't know where she's been or what she's been put through. I think I'll see Matt, let him know she's shown up. She's lost her memory and after fifteen years it's not back. Pretty weird if you ask me.'
'It does happen. Sometimes people remember after a year, and some people never get it back. I can't get over it, even now, after so long. On the night of the fire, I watched that woman drag Zoe away. I stood there, frozen stupid while a crime was committed right in front of me and I didn't do a thing to prevent it. I'll never forget it. It's haunted me all my bloody life.'
'Still? Are you getting the nightmares?'
'Yeah. You think they'd be gone years ago. They pop up from nowhere.'
'I'm sorry. I know how much you cared for her. It wasn't your fault she went missing. You were only a kid. How would you know what was happening? And it wasn't your fault the fire started either.' Jade rested her right hand over the top of his on the table, and gave it a few pats.
'That's not what everyone thinks.'
'Don't be so hard on yourself. Are you going to tell Zoe what happened that night after she went missing?'
'She wouldn't believe me.' He raked splayed fingers through his thick-cropped hair.
'I wonder if she already knows and didn't want to let on.'
Jordan let out a groan. 'I don't think she'd be sitting with you having a cuppa or speaking to me if that was the case. I didn't think I'd see her again, ever.' He rubbed his chin in thought.
'Same goes here. It's strange. No news for all those years and she suddenly makes a show.'
He continued to stare after Zoe.
'When it's all out in the open perhaps...you do still like her. You never know what's around the corner. I think—'
'Jade, I don't want you to think anything. Okay? God, she's not a girl anymore...she's a woman. A woman I hardly know.'
'You could get to know her all over again. Wouldn't that be nice? I saw the way you looked at her. You haven't looked at a woman like that since Michelle died. You even told me you were going to marry Zoe one day.'
'I was bloody fifteen for cryin' out loud. It was kids’ talk. A lot has changed since then.'
'What has changed?'
'She left and I grew up.'
'And it's been six years of being by yourself. Michelle wouldn't want you to go on alone through life. She wouldn't want you to punish yourself. Her death wasn't your fault either.' Jade shook her head, sending her dark hair swirling about her chin.
He shot her an intent gaze. 'Leave it alone, will you? Zoe would hardly fall for me, especially knowing what went down the night of the fire.'
'She'd understand.'
Something was gnawing at the lining of his gut. 'It was in a different lifetime.'
'Don't forget one o'clock this afternoon.'
Jordan sighed. 'I don't think it's a good idea.'
'Don't be silly. Besides, you promised her you'd take a look at the house. You can't back out now.'
'Why did you bring up the subject?'
'Fat lot of thanks I get. It was only yesterday you said you wanted more work, to do something with your hands.' She grinned, and her pixie face lit up.
'Jade. Don't you ever think of anything else?'
'Yeah. My kids and my husband.' She chuckled.
'So you didn't talk about that night?'
'No. I just met her. I only found out who she was when you arrived. Besides, how do you talk about something that's so sensitive? I wouldn't know where to begin. She'll eventually find out, either from you or someone else, the solicitor perhaps; but I know the cops will want to know what
happened. I'm going now. I'll pop on down to the police station, see Matt.'
'Let him know she's back in town. That's all. Okay?'
'Yes, boss.' Jade stood and ruffled his hair.
'Get out of it.' He tried to duck out of her way, and heard her fading laughter as she headed in the direction of the police station.
At least his sister had handled something with a bit of tact. She was lucky she didn't bring the subject up, especially not knowing who Zoe was. He swiped a hand over his brow.
He did need the work, but didn't think it was a good idea. He'd go over and see what Zoe wanted to rebuild, and then decline...What was he thinking? A small town like Munna didn't have that many job opportunities available for a carpenter and he had to take what he could get. The problem was; how could he put his body through whatever he went through moments ago and survive? He'd never reacted that way when looking at the female species.
He wasn't ready for this. He wasn't ready to face his past, to drag up old memories. Or was he?
Chapter Two
Zoe was lucky to score a job at the age of fifteen helping with the cooking, and whatever needed doing at the cattle property next to her aunt's, although weekends and nights were never something she'd recall as pleasant.
Zoe had worked hard, learned all she could and moved on to become a jillaroo. Now she had the qualifications and the hands-on experience to run a cattle station, thanks to Thomas and Lily Patterson.
After years of being brainwashed, of thinking she owed her aunt for raising her, Zoe had paid her dues and she'd walked away without even as much as a backward glance.
She'd returned to Montagreen to rebuild a past she had no idea about. Although her parents weren't around, she had to cling onto the hope that someday her memory might return.
Her mind wandered back to Jordan. He wore denim jeans and a dark blue t-shirt stretched over a wide, muscular chest that sent goosebumps prickling over her flesh. He would have been a wild stallion in his younger days. The slow curve of his smile set a dimple to the left of his cheek, and along with his loose-legged walk, any woman would experience an undeniable attraction.
Outback Flames: Australian Rural Romantic Suspense Page 1
