Return to Riversleigh

by Anne Ashby

  She dragged herself from his arms and fled. Her heart drove heat through her body. The thump in her ears matched her steps as she all but ran back to her room.

  Later, she would argue she had been totally unprepared, been unaware of his intent—which of course she had. But that gave no excuse for the way anger had drained from her body to be replaced with a different emotion—a much more dangerous emotion.

  ****

  With a deep breath, Luke slid into the office next morning, uncertain of the reaction waiting for him. He’d listened from the kitchen for Shannon’s arrival. He’d leapt at the chance to watch Amy for the morning. Anything to distract from the tense atmosphere he expected to find in the office.

  But before he involved himself with Amy, he had to apologize. Taking the initiative before Shannon even acknowledged his presence, Luke stepped in front of her desk. “I’m watching Amy this morning while Marcia’s at the hairdresser. Before I do, I need to apologize.”

  Luke leaned over to capture her gaze. “I have no right to interfere between you and your son. I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”

  He wasn’t sure about sticking to this promise, but he would try. As he gained a little more insight into Thomas’s character, it irked him to see what Shannon couldn’t—or wouldn’t—see about the boy.

  Shannon’s fingers paused on her keyboard. Is she waiting for me to say something else?

  Unhurried, he leaned even closer. “But I’ll be damned if I’m going to apologize for kissing you,” he whispered. “That’s something I’ve been itching to do for weeks.”

  He risked dropping an eyelid in a wink.

  A smug sense of satisfaction rose in response to the glazed look on Shannon’s face and set him whistling as he retreated down the hallway.

  Unable to manufacture some excuse to go out onto the farm—anywhere out on the farm—with Amy in tow, Luke suffered through a silent, tension-filled morning. A couple of quick, necessary forays into the office were met with stony silence.

  If Amy hadn’t been there, perhaps he and Shannon could have hashed out the problem—he took a huge breath and imagined alleviating their dilemma in bed—but it was pointless thinking such things.

  Hurry up, Marcia. Luke didn’t relish lunching with Shannon with only Amy as an ineffectual shield. Nor did he relish having to explain to Marcia why Shannon hadn’t joined them for lunch. Nope, as soon as Marcia got home, he’d saddle up and disappear for a few hours.

  ****

  Shannon sat frozen over her keyboard. Her breath lodged somewhere in her throat as more heat rose into her face. Numb fingers rose and pressed against her burning cheeks.

  I never figured this situation might arise. Oh, maybe for the first day or two when I caught Luke checking me out a couple of times, but not since. He’s as intent as me to keep a relaxed working relationship between us. Even the other day in the bush…

  She’d forced that little incident to the back of her mind, ignoring it. I thought I was imagining things. Shannon groaned. She’d ignored it because she was refusing to think about Luke in that way, not because she had imagined the vibes zinging between them.

  She was onto a great thing up here, a job she’d grown to love, a wage beyond what the work deserved, a warm home and a son—she groaned again—a son who hated her even more after she’d embarrassed him in front of Luke.

  She validated her stance with Thomas as she stared blindly out the window. His safety was paramount.

  Last night her words had done nothing but inflame Thomas further. But in the cool light of a new day, her position hadn’t changed. She couldn’t risk anything happening to Thomas, too.

  The situation with Luke? Shannon leapt up from her chair and stomped across to the window. Why did he have to spoil everything? She gripped the windowsill and leaned her head against the cold glass. Why does emotion have to infringe on such a great working rapport? If I’m going to keep working here, I have to do something fast.

  With no idea where Luke might be, but suspecting he’d be somewhere in the house with Amy, Shannon spun around and stormed down the hallway. She found him sitting in the lounge flicking through a farmers’ weekly magazine while Amy watched cartoons.

  He’s using television as a babysitter to limit his responsibilities. Shannon’s lips tightened even more at his lack of parental care. She marched in and stood between him and the television screen. Her fingers rolled into fists at the lazy, relaxed expression on his face as he looked up.

  “I told you the day I arrived here, Luke. I’ve come to work for you, not to provide you with some plaything whenever you might become bored. If you’re unwilling to accept this, you can have my resignation.”

  With a hasty glance toward his niece, Luke jumped to his feet. “Jeez, Shannon.” He rubbed an agitated hand around his neck. “It was only a kiss.”

  Only a kiss? More an earthquake under my feet.

  Her expression must have blackened as he thrust up a hand. “Okay, okay, whatever you say. I sure as hell don’t want your damned resignation.”

  Shannon continued to glare at him for some moments before she turned and stomped across to the door. Remembering then what had started this angst, she paused. Without taking time to consider her words, she snarled across at him, “And keep away from my son.”

  She stormed back to the office, her legs shaking as she dropped into her chair. Her arms sneaked around her and held her tight as a shiver ran through her. At her final shot his expression had changed from what she deduced as embarrassment to intense anger.

  Thank God it’s Friday. I can survive until four o’clock. Shannon’s mind rushed through possible ways to avoid Luke for the next few days. Thomas and I can go away for the weekend.

  On Marcia’s return, Shannon overheard Luke tell his aunt he’d be gone for the rest of the day. Shannon’s angry breath rushed from her as she slumped in her chair. She closed her eyes and slowly allowed her anger to drain away, leaving her oddly empty.

  I need some space. She twirled her chair around and stared out the window toward the Takitimus. After a couple of days away surely things between her and Luke could return to normal.

  After a dismal weekend with Johnny and his family, where Thomas made no effort to be polite, let alone join in with any of the family, Shannon reluctantly reported for work on Monday morning.

  Luke was already in the office. A glance at the chaotic state of his desk suggested he had been there for some time.

  He leapt to his feet the second she entered the room. “Are we talking, or still fighting?”

  Shannon realized his woebegone expression was almost wistful as she read the worry in his eyes. She swallowed, and cleared her throat before words would emerge from her mouth. I’ve had a lousy weekend worrying about this moment. “I guess we cleared up our little disagreement on Friday.”

  Luke dived forward and caught her arm. “So you’re okay? No more talk about resignations?”

  His fingers feel like a hawk’s talons. He’s hanging on my reply. The beginnings of a smile twitched around Shannon’s mouth. Perhaps he hasn’t had a great weekend either.

  “I’m fine.” She smiled. “Let’s get down to some work, shall we?”

  He looked deeply into her eyes. “I don’t want anything to stuff around with our friendship, Shannon. You need to know that.”

  Our friendship? Not our working relationship? Warmth invaded Shannon as she busied herself turning on her computer and reorganizing her already spotlessly tidy desk. She wasn’t sure about making eye contact with Luke at that moment.

  He’d flopped backward into his armchair with an audible sigh, his clenched hands slowly relaxing against the arms. His head lay against the seatback, his eyes closed.

  He’s been worrying, too.

  Chapter Thirteen

  Luke unsaddled his horse and turned it loose. He carried the saddle to the tack shed, a real sense of achievement sitting on his shoulder. Finally things were beginning to fall into place. His par
k was becoming a reality. He grinned as his mind slipped over the accomplishments of the last weeks.

  Thank heavens Shannon had forgiven, and apparently forgotten, his lapse. Not that he had. He could still imagine her taste, the feel of her crushed against him. He was careful not to let on though. We’ve been working our tails off, but the hard work is finally producing something.

  The concrete base for the reception area had been laid. Yesterday the framing for the building had been delivered. The earthworks for the motor-cross tracks were virtually complete. The cutting where the tramlines lay had been cleared and allowed much easier access to where his treetop walkways would be. He’d even completed framework for a couple of the platforms that were ready to put up into the trees.

  Another month and he’d have something to offer potential visitors. He strode toward the house, intent on telling Shannon to launch the advertising campaign she’d been developing.

  Furtive movement in the utility shed caught his eye and he altered course. He quickened his pace as a smell alerted him to danger.

  “What the hell’s going on in here?” he yelled as he spied his niece and nephew beside a little fire behind the hay baler.

  He stomped out the flames before turning on the two. “What are you trying to do, burn down the shed?” His heart rate increased as he spied the dry straw scattered across the floor. “Or kill yourselves? Of all the stupid, idiotic things to do.” More straw hung out of the baler.

  The possible repercussions sent vivid pictures flashing through Luke’s head. Pictures of the kids retreating farther back into the shed as flames caught hold of the straw and set the shed ablaze. He could almost hear the kids’ cries for help.

  Sweat broke out and fear leaned fury to his voice as he grabbed Jake by the arm and practically lifted him off the ground. “What are you doing with matches? You’re old enough to know better, Jake. You could have burnt down the shed and destroyed all this equipment. Do you have any idea how much all this would cost to replace?”

  He shook the boy. “Do you have any idea how easy you and Amy could have been caught in here, been unable to get out, been burned alive? What the…?”

  Whether it was Amy’s whimpers, or the tearing in Jake’s bulging eyes, Luke stopped his tirade. He realized how much he was frightening the children. Not that he regretted his outburst. They needed to understand how dangerous…

  “Get out of here. Get in the house before I tan your backsides.”

  Luke sagged against the baler after the children had hurtled out of his sight. Relief surged through him. What if I hadn’t walked by? What if the flames had spread? He pressed the heels of his hands against his eyes to help steady his erratic breathing. Oh hell! What if something happened to those kids?

  It took some moments before strength seeped back into his legs. He stepped toward the burnt patch on the ground to ensure there were no sparks or embers to reignite the fire. Then he groaned.

  Jake had not been as careless as Luke assumed. Luke hadn’t noticed the small circle of stones. A half packet of marshmallows sat close by, with a couple of sticks each already loaded with a treat ready to melt. Now he saw Jake had brushed any sign of straw well away from where it appeared he’d lit a little campfire to cook the marshmallows.

  Luke slammed a fist against the baler, not caring he might damage either it or his hand. I came down too heavy. Another groan slipped out. Common sense warred with the certainty he’d put his relationship with these children back months. Perhaps I’ve blown ever getting close to them.

  He strode toward the house, knowing he must talk to them again but having no idea what he might manage to say. Still, they had to know how dangerous fire could be, how devastating. Somehow he’d make them understand.

  ****

  Luke gave an enormous sigh as he looked into the children’s bedroom on his way to bed. They’d been in separate beds when he read them a goodnight story—because Marcia had told him that’s what a parent did—and wished them goodnight.

  Prior to their parents’ accident they’d even slept in separate rooms. But since that day—or was it since he’d taken over as their guardian—a night had not gone past when Amy hadn’t crept into her brother’s bed once Luke had left the room.

  Luke let his forehead rest against the doorjamb as he stared through the shadows made by their night light. Will this ever change?

  Jake had his arm around his sister. Comforting her or—Luke grimaced—protecting her from the harsh ogre who now directed their lives?

  While they’d appeared to understand when he’d calmly talked with them about the fire before the goodnight story, Luke doubted his words had done anything to ease the ever-increasing gap between them.

  His fists ached as he crept down the hallway to his own room. Patience wasn’t a strong suite of his. In fact he suspected he was one of the most impatient men alive. He struggled to curb his natural tendency to attack all obstacles in his path like a bulldozer on full power.

  But six months? Hell, it had been six months since he’d got landed with these kids and they still didn’t want him around. They hadn’t responded in any way. And after today, what hope did he have?

  Taking agitated steps across his room he again cursed fate putting these kids’ lives into his hands. Luke’s gaze flew heavenward. I knew right away this wouldn’t work.

  When Gordon and Alice’s wishes had been made known to the family, he’d actually laughed. He wasn’t capable of looking after kids. No matter everyone’s assurances, he knew he’d make a lousy father. Six months down track he was proving how right he was, and how wrong everyone else had been.

  How the hell can I cope without Marcia? Her and Rod’s bombshell at dinner tonight had floored him. He hadn’t hidden his extreme distress when Marcia calmly told him she and Rod would be going to visit their daughter in Christchurch for the imminent arrival of their first grandchild.

  His stomach still hadn’t stopped doing a concrete mixer impersonation. Sensing Rod’s possible solidarity, Luke had attempted to enlist his support, but Marcia wouldn’t be swayed.

  All Luke’s assertions he couldn’t cope with the kids on his own hadn’t moved her. In fact, by the end of their conversation, Luke suspected Marcia had been planning to leave him dangling by his unmentionables.

  Of course, if I’d paid more attention I’d have remembered Kirsty’s pregnancy must be coming to an end.

  Luke cringed as he remembered how selfish he must have sounded. Of course Marcia and Rod wanted to be close when the baby arrived.

  Marcia was right in at least one way. The kids wouldn’t starve or die of neglect while she was away. He could handle feeding them and making sure their basic needs were met. But their emotional health—he shuddered just thinking of the harm he could do, even without knowing how he was digressing.

  He took a swipe at the tallboy near his door, nearly knocking it over. What have I ever done to deserve this? He groaned before sinking onto his bed. I should be in the U.S. or Europe. I shouldn’t be impacting on other people. In particular I shouldn’t be screwing up some poor little kids’ lives.

  Climbing into bed didn’t mean sleep would come any time soon but he jerked the covers up anyway.

  Damn Marcia. He thumped the pillow.

  Damn Gordon and his misguided instructions.

  Damn my own inadequacies.

  ****

  Luke was stomping around the office like a wounded bull when Shannon arrived next morning. With a subdued “good morning” she settled at her desk. Whatever had upset him, she didn’t intend to antagonize him further.

  She switched on her computer and readied herself to continue work on her recently-neglected advertising strategy.

  Sometime later he burst into speech. “I can’t do anything this week. Marcia’s gone to Christchurch.”

  “Oh, has the baby arrived?”

  Luke scowled. He appeared to feel no pleasure at the arrival of his cousin’s baby.

  “What was it, a boy
or a girl?”

  Luke shrugged.

  “You don’t even know what your cousin’s produced?” Shannon tsked. “I hope you don’t ever let on to Marcia how jaded you feel about her first grandchild.”

  “It hasn’t arrived yet,” he snapped.

  Luke glared as he took another turn across the room, thumping the doorjamb before retracing his steps. “What am I supposed to do now? I’m stuck with looking after Amy all day for a whole week.”

  A thud followed by the squeak of the lounge door drew Luke into the hall. He swore as he looked along the hallway.

  “Damn.” He swung around to Shannon. “Do you think she heard me?”

  Shannon’s eyebrows shot up. She hadn’t quite figured out the relationship between Luke and his wards. Although he appeared to settle them and be there for them at night, no other apparent warmth seemed to exist between them. He didn’t joke with them, or give them cuddles.

  In the weeks she had been here, she’d heard no sound pass Amy’s lips.

  “Well?” Luke groaned.

  Shannon took a deep breath. “I suspect, by her hasty retreat, she probably did.”

  Luke swore some more.

  “What the hell am I supposed to do with her all day? I don’t suppose you—”

  Thankfully his voice faded before he relinquished his responsibility. Her opinion of him would have fallen had he continued. “I hoped to be out onto the site every day. See how the earthworks are progressing.”

  “What’s stopping you?”

  Luke’s startled reaction suggested she’d lost some of her ability to think straight.

  “Why can’t you take Amy with you?”

  “But—”

  Shannon could almost see Luke’s brain ticking over.

  “I’ve seen her riding with Jake. Why can’t she ride with you?” Shannon gave a shudder at the thought of anyone so little atop such a huge animal. “As for the rest of the time, I hope you’re not considering sitting her in front of a television screen?”

  Luke’s guilty expression suggested he might be planning to do just that.

  “What does she play with?”