Return to Riversleigh

by Anne Ashby

  Luke recognized despair behind the words. His eyes narrowed. Finally he was onto something plausible for Thomas’s attitude. Here’s my chance to understand what makes this boy tick. “You were pretty good?”

  “Pretty good?” the boy scoffed, his chest expanding before Luke’s gaze. “I was going to be the best. Coach said in a couple of years I’d be ready for Nationals.” His body deflated quicker than a pricked balloon. He turned his head aside. Spitting the words out showed how distasteful they were. “That was before we came down here.”

  Sympathy flooded through Luke. Poor kid, no wonder he’s so tied up in knots. “Bummer. That’s tough,” Luke commiserated.

  He then remained quiet while options which might ease the boy’s frustration raced through his mind. His gaze flicked toward the sea. Colac is a huge bay, reasonably safe. If Thomas had a boat, he could at least sail. Perhaps I can find someone to coach him… Something hit him right in the gut. The air sucked out of him and he struggled to recapture it. What?

  His heart pounded so loud the sounds of the squawking seagulls milling around seemed to quieten. Am I considering Thomas being part of my life?

  He swiped an unsteady hand across his face and eyed the now-morose boy beside him. Luke slumped farther into the canvas seat of the yacht, his frown slowly morphing into a smile and then a grin as his mind churned. Too bloody right I am. Shannon, Thomas, Jake, Amy, and me—what better family could any man want? What better woman?

  Okay, I still have to figure out how to convince Shannon, show her we’d blend well together.

  Doubt crept into Luke’s thinking. Would Shannon be interested in blending our families? Is she even interested in me? Just because she’s responded to a couple of kisses doesn’t mean she’d consider marriage.

  The heat encompassing his body turned to ice.

  Marriage! Hell, the word had never entered his mind before. Never. Not once. No previous relationship had ever evoked any consideration of marriage. He sucked some air into his tight chest. I don’t even have a relationship with Shannon.

  His fingers tightened on the mainsheet. Not yet I don’t, but I will soon.

  “Race you back, last man stinks,” he called to Thomas.

  ****

  Shannon paid only enough attention to Jake and Amy to ensure their safety. She absently spoke to them a couple of times but had no clue what about. Her focus was on her son. Her gaze darted from farther up the beach, back to the children, but instantly returned to the little white sail in the distance.

  Is Luke right? Is Thomas really keen on his sailing? She frowned as her mind slipped back over the last couple of years. Is that something else important I’ve taken from him? She groaned, unable to bring to mind any sign that either supported or denied this. Was I so wrapped up in my own anger and misery I didn’t even see what was important to my son?

  Thinking harder, she did recall Thomas’s disappointment his father was away over that last summer. But Eric had always disappointed Thomas. Always disappointed us both. Why would I have considered last summer any different from the other times?

  Shannon clasped arms around her churning stomach. No surprise Thomas hates me. I’ve taken everything he cared about away from him and given nothing back.

  She sank to her knees, her chin bouncing onto her chest. Her arms tightened. What can I do? How can I begin to make it up to him?

  It was a subdued group assembled on the blankets to eat their picnic lunch. Jake and Amy had eventually stopped chattering when no one else joined in.

  Shannon watched Thomas, knowing he didn’t notice her attention. She fluffed around handing out sandwiches and biscuits, or refilling glasses of cordial.

  Luke appeared unusually quiet, too, but he wasn’t the center of Shannon’s thoughts.

  No doubt about it, Thomas was glum. He didn’t even interact with the children, something she’d come to expect. His gaze kept slipping away out to sea as if a magnet was tugging it.

  The yearning she witnessed knotted her stomach as secure as macramé-entwined rope. Oh Tommy, I’m sorry. I didn’t know. I didn’t understand.

  “Luke, I’ve been thinking…” Shannon chewed her bottom lip. Her words had to come out right or Thomas might react differently than she hoped. “With all the advertising for Jase’s mud run…some of those people will want to visit your park.”

  She’d gained Luke’s attention. Now to collar Thomas’s.

  “We’ll need some extra help. You’re going to have to think about employing people soon.”

  Shannon smiled at Luke’s twisted expression. He made no secret of his distaste for the practical needs of his venture.

  “Thomas might want to help out a bit.” Her son’s head shot up in her peripheral vision. “I know he’s still young, but he’s pretty smart. We’ll need someone who can whip about between the various sites. If Thomas could ride either a horse or the quad bike, he’d fit your needs. You know, until we see about permanent staff.”

  She dared to look at Thomas. “And I guess he wouldn’t mind earning a little more pocket money, would you?”

  She gulped as his face reddened.

  Just for a moment, his eyes sparkled before he schooled his expression to blank. “Is this for real?” he asked dubiously. “You’re going to let me on a quad?” His voice rose. “And a horse?”

  Her throat clogged up. Words jammed, so she nodded.

  “And not freak out? Yeah, right!” The depth of his contempt for her stance up until now surfaced. “I won’t hold my breath.”

  “I’m serious.” She turned to Luke who watched with a supportive light in his eye. “Once we’re home, can you take Thomas—?”

  “Great idea. We’ll give the four-wheeler a burn tonight. And then tomorrow after school, we’ll see how Alice’s horse feels about a new rider.”

  No one missed Shannon’s shudder, but she kept herself in hand and didn’t mutter a sound. She did catch Luke’s gaze and warmth raced through her at his congratulatory wink.

  Luke veered the subject in a different direction. “Jase has some sort of arrangement with the high school. If we had a yarn with him, we might hear of some local kids looking for work.”

  The tension eased from Shannon as easily as water through a colander.

  “Or you could try outdoor education students. I’d have loved this type of summer job during my studies.”

  “Good idea. Can I leave that with you? Uni students would probably be a better fit than high school.”

  By mutual consent neither she nor Luke looked Thomas’s way. Shannon attacked the job of clearing away their picnic things.

  While she’d done something right in Thomas’s eyes—for the first time in over a year—she wasn’t expecting a complete return to the lovely boy he’d once been. That would be too much to hope for.

  She took a deep breath as she closed the chilly-bin lid. But I’ve taken a step. Time would show her other ways to restore a relationship with her son.

  ****

  They’d had an enjoyable day, but now the younger two children were tired. Amy was nearly asleep against Thomas’s shoulder.

  Thomas, on the other hand, reeked of suppressed excitement. He fidgeted, he wriggled, and one knee kept bouncing up and down. He kept shooting overt glances her way.

  He thinks I’m going to change my mind, go back on my word. As much as part of Shannon wanted to do exactly that, she couldn’t.

  She had to trust someone and, adventurer though he admitted being, Luke’s attitude toward danger was more acceptable than Eric’s had ever been. Shannon had to believe he would instruct Thomas with as much care as possible.

  And Thomas deserved some consideration. He’s growing up so fast. Breath caught in her throat and she concentrated on the farmland whizzing past the truck window. Luke’s right. I can’t keep treating him like a baby.

  The truck was soon unloaded and Shannon again chewed on her bottom lip. She ignored the emptiness invading her. I can do this. I can. It was time to
unravel at least one of those apron strings.

  “Will you mind the kids for a while?”

  She nodded in acknowledgement of Luke’s request.

  “But I’m coming with you, Uncle Luke.” Jake headed toward the kitchen door.

  “No, not this time, buddy. Go and watch TV, or something.” Luke grinned at Jake’s sour look as he stomped off into the lounge.

  “Let’s go, Thomas.”

  Thomas took off at a run. Shannon grasped Luke’s arm before he followed. “You will explain…you will show him…it’s so dangerous…you will—”

  Luke covered her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I will explain exactly what he may and may not do. And the probable consequences if I find out he’s ignoring the rules. Don’t worry.” He solemnly traced his finger down her face. “I will call attention to the dangers. He’s a smart kid, Shannon. He’s got a good head on his shoulders.”

  Shannon lifted one shoulder as he stepped away, trying to control a chin gone wobbly.

  He turned at the door. “You ought to give him more credit, Shannon. He’s got your genes, too.” He paused as if to consider the wisdom of saying more. A hand clutching the door tightened until his knuckles turned white. “Trust me. He’s not like his father.”

  Shannon slumped against the table as the door swung shut. So Luke did know Eric.

  Over the months, Shannon had wondered how often the two adventurers had crossed paths. She hadn’t been able to bring herself to ask. She wasn’t proud of Eric and his ways.

  ****

  “Thomas?” Shannon intercepted her son on the way to his room later that night. “You will be careful, won’t you?” She refused to allow any tears to show although they choked her throat. She mustn’t appear weak in front of him. “There are so many accidents with quad bikes. Even experienced riders can—”

  “Don’t worry, Mum. Luke was strict as. He says he’ll have my guts for garters if I don’t keep to his rules.” A little smile played around his lips. “He means it, too.”

  Shannon nodded, only slightly mollified, and turned back to the sink and tonight’s dishes. As long as Thomas realizes how dangerous these things can be. And Luke would have stressed the safety points.

  She didn’t notice Thomas hadn’t continued on up into his room until he spoke.

  “Mum?”

  She glanced over her shoulder, her eyebrows rising. It had been a long while since he’d initiated any conversation with her.

  “Thanks, aye?” he mumbled, his face turning red.

  He disappeared up the remaining steps before her brain had a chance to analyze or respond. She stood glued to the floor beside the kitchen sink, only shutting her mouth when she caught sight of the incredulous expression on her face in the darkened window.

  As she watched her reflection, a tentative smile played around her lips. It grew until she was grinning like some idiot. Life was beginning to take on an even brighter shine.

  The time was fast approaching for decisions. Only what were the right decisions?

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Luke shook his head as he retrieved Jake’s jacket from the kitchen and threw it at the unrepentant boy. “Hurry up or the bus will have to wait for you.”

  “You haven’t forgotten anything else, have you?” Thomas’s exasperated tone reminded Luke of his brothers’ ribbing him years ago. “We’re going to miss the bus.”

  “No, we won’t. Not unless you’re a slowpoke.” Jake touched his heels to the sides of his pony.

  “What an idiot,” Thomas muttered, rolling his eyes.

  “Have a good day.” Luke patted the horse’s rump as Thomas urged his horse after Jake. He was rewarded with a half wave.

  Thomas had changed. He appeared happier, seeking jobs around the farm, asking questions, learning. The previously ever-present scowl had gone.

  Luke whistled as he returned to the kitchen and Amy. Although Marcia’s return signaled some changes to their routine, the working schedule he and Shannon had forged around the children during Marcia’s absence was easy to continue.

  Luke readily accepted Marcia’s suggestion they return to sharing evening meals, but for the rest he’d asked if he might call on her for babysitting duties as needed, rather than her looking after Amy daily.

  Instead of being put out at not being needed anymore, Marcia’s sly smile confirmed Luke’s suspicions. His aunt had used the arrival of her granddaughter to force Luke closer to the children. And wise woman that she was, she’d been right.

  In just a few short weeks, Luke had learned so much about himself. I’d never considered being a family man. Now I know I can be a competent father-figure.

  His whistle faltered. I’ve still got a long way to go if I want to be a husband, though. He glanced along the hallway to the door at the end. I need a plan.

  “C’mon, Amy.” He helped his niece down from the table. “I want to be back from town before midday. We need to leave now.” Need to come up with this plan, too.

  The trip to Invercargill took longer than Luke expected and they’d ended up with fast food for lunch. Not that Amy had complained. She’d been so excited to get her cast off nothing had upset her today.

  Hanging around at the timber yard because his order had been incorrectly put together didn’t bother her. She’s such a good kid. Luke smiled into the rear vision mirror as he swung off the road into their driveway. She deserved the treat. Her falling asleep in her car seat meant him unloading the truck before checking in with Shannon.

  Luke frowned as he pulled into the yard. A strange car sat beside the gate. Parking behind it, Luke alighted and strode into the house. The place appeared deserted. He checked the office and knocked on Shannon’s door. Silence greeted his shout.

  He wandered back out to the truck and drove across to the sheds. Rod hadn’t mentioned anyone visiting, but, Luke shrugged. The car probably belonged to one of the stock agents who called in periodically.

  Keeping the noise to a minimum, he began unloading the truck. If Amy’s still asleep when I’ve unloaded, I’ll start on the next platforms.

  He thought Shannon must have gone to Riversleigh, although he hadn’t noticed her car passing his along the main street.

  Luke grinned. She insisted on working her allotted number of hours, so Luke didn’t object to her taking time out for herself. He wished she’d think of herself a little more.

  Luke had the truck unloaded, had nipped back to the office for blueprints, and was assembling his tools when he caught the sound of a motor bike. Surprised, he wandered out of the shed and leaned against the truck’s tray as the bike sped into view.

  When Shannon spied his truck, she changed direction and headed right for him. It wasn’t until she skidded to a stop beside the truck a pillion passenger, glued to her back, was visible.

  Barbed wire encircled Luke’s chest and contracted at the shared laughter from the pair.

  “Amy’s asleep,” he growled.

  Shannon stretched up and glanced in the truck window at the stirring child and turned off the bike. “Oh, hell. Sorry.”

  Luke glared at the pair. Exhilaration seeped from them. The guy appeared in little hurry to unlatch himself from Shannon and climb from the bike.

  “What are you doing? Why aren’t you in the office?”

  Shannon’s eyebrows jerk up at Luke’s abrasive tone.

  The laughter disappeared from the bloke’s face and he left his seat. His obvious reluctance to do so heightened Luke’s blood pressure and he itched to wipe off that smirk.

  Shannon appearing unperturbed by Luke’s annoyance irritated him even more. What the hell does she think she’s doing, gallivanting around with some bloke while I’m away?

  Instead of showing any sign of guilt or embarrassment, Shannon swung her leg over the bike and heaved it onto its stand. “Luke, this is Darren Thompson. He’s from the local mountain bike club. He offered to come out and give us his opinion of our bike track.” She turned to the guy. “Darren, this i
s my boss, Luke Prescott.”

  Her boss? I’m more than your boss, lady. He glared at her. Aren’t I? His stomach reacted to his doubt by contracting painfully.

  Shannon’s eyes narrowed and she avoided meeting his gaze.

  Luke rolled some of the tension out of his shoulders before reluctantly shaking the hand held in his direction.

  “Shannon showed me your trail. It looks reasonable. A little on the short side but I guess it’ll attract some riders.”

  Luke planted his feet and crossed his arms. Reasonable? The arrogant sod. “Short? So you’d suggest we lengthen it?”

  The younger man shrugged, flashing a smile at Shannon. “If you want riders to come this far out of town you’d probably want to give them a bit more. Successful trails need―”

  Does this guy think he’s talking to an idiot? “I’ve checked out those trails at Sandy Point.” He’s not listening to me. He’s too busy ogling Shannon.

  “I reckon—”

  I don’t care what you reckon, sunshine. “Most of them are grade three, right?”

  Luke noted a slight stiffening in the man’s back. Good, he’s getting my message, loud and clear.

  “Maybe our trail will be a grade five.” He flashed his own—probably unpleasant—smile. “There’s not too many grade five trails around here, are there?”

  Luke had no idea how to turn their track into a grade five but he was sure as hell going to find out. And not from this wannabe Casanova, either.

  “Thanks for coming out, Darren.” Shannon took his arm and drew him toward his car.

  Amy’s call allowed Luke to ignore the man after a stiff nod in his direction.

  “We appreciate your input and hope your club will try out our park once we’re open.”

  Luke didn’t hear what else Shannon said, but their furtive conversation prior to Darren’s car edging out of the yard was enough to raise his body temperature another ten degrees.

  Marcia arriving to start preparing their evening meal gave Luke a needed excuse. He lifted Amy into his arms—when she could have easily walked into the house under her own steam—and went to talk to his aunt, with barely a nod of acknowledgement to Shannon.