by Mandy Magro
Glancing at his mobile phone in the holder on the dash, he marvelled at the Google map showing him the exact course to take to get to Ivy’s place. He had a fair idea of where it was, but he wanted to be there on time and didn’t want to risk taking a wrong turn and pissing Ivy off any further by being late – he’d already done enough by knocking back the offer of work in the first place. The map told him he’d be on her doorstep in less than ten minutes, and the knowledge made his stomach tighten in more ways than one. How was she going to be around him? How was he going to be around her? Was she going to let him take the job on, or would she tell him to bugger off? He wouldn’t blame her if she did.
He started as the phone rang – Ivy. Talk about ESP. He smiled broadly at the sight of her name then answered.
‘Good morning, Miss Tucker.’
‘Hey, Ronny, just wanted to make sure you’re still okay for today and to give you a heads up on how to get to the cottage.’
Ivy sounded very … businesslike, and there was a trace of sadness in her voice. He wished he could reach through the phone and hug it out of her, but then again he wouldn’t be able to do that in person either.
‘Yup, sure am, I’m actually not too far from your place now.’
‘Far out, you’re keen then – it’s only six thirty.’
‘Yeah, wanted to make a good first impression and all that.’ Ronny chuckled but Ivy didn’t join him.
‘Righto, well, I’m heading over to the cottage now to make a start on oiling the back deck. You could usually come along the main drag to get to it but there’s some council workers doing a drain out the front of the cottage today and the road’s blocked off, so it would be easier for you to cut through Healing Hills.’ She sucked in a breath as though in a rush. ‘So when you pull into the driveway just head on past the homestead and shortly after there’ll be a sharp right turn past the stables, take that one and after a kilometre or so it’ll lead you up to the cottage. Oh, and I have a dog that’s not overly keen on men, so don’t get out of the car until I come out and introduce the pair of you.’
‘Will do, Ivy, see you soon.’
‘Yup.’
And she was gone, in more ways than one. Part of him wanted the Ivy who had embraced him the night of the fundraiser back. But then again, maybe treating their relationship as purely business was the best way – it meant there was way less chance of giving in to temptation. And boy oh boy, she was a huge temptation.
With the map announcing he’d reached his destination, he slowed the Kingswood to a stop and peered out his window. A metal business sign hung from rustic timber posts, stating he’d most certainly arrived at Healing Hills. Turning down the long gravel drive and crossing a cattle grid, the Kingwood rattled as he drove through a wrought iron gate that looked as if it had been forged a century ago, and probably had. He felt as though he’d just driven through the gates of heaven. He brought the old girl to a halt once more, wanting a few moments to absorb the beauty of Healing Hills. The sight before him stole every last bit of oxygen from his lungs, the lush green landscape disappearing into a horizon thick with fog. The mountains lay in a great line like the spine of the land, dominating the panorama in the most evocative of ways. Up on a rise the silhouettes of horses were just visible. Ronny’s heart swelled at the sight of them. They were such exquisite creatures. Healing Hills was Mother Nature at her glorious best. Just like Sundown Farm. He drove slowly so he could soak up the surrounds properly. The green blanket of grass all around him made him consider ditching the car and running across it barefoot – maybe not a good look for his potential employers though – they’d think he’d lost his mind. Driving onto Ivy’s property seemed so unreal – he would never have believed it if someone had predicted this day.
The glimmer of the homestead’s roof came into view and shortly after the building itself. Yet again Ronny was impressed – the place was the epitome of what a country homestead should be: majestic yet rustic, grand yet inviting. He could just imagine sitting on the wrap-around verandahs and strumming his guitar while admiring the view that seemed to go on into infinity. Ivy was so very blessed to call this her home. Someone exited the homestead’s front door and gave him a wave and he squinted into the sunshine to try to make out who it was.
He pulled up out the front and leant on his windowsill, tipping his hat in greeting. ‘Morning, Alice, top day for it.’
‘It sure is, Ronny. Mother Nature’s being kind to us today.’
Alice walked towards him, her fluffy hot-pink robe and matching slippers making Ronny smile. She was certainly the kind of person who glowed from the inside and warmed all around her. She reminded him of Lottie and the likeness somehow made him feel closer to Alice. Ronny switched off the engine as Alice opened the gate that led down the garden path.
‘Would you like a cuppa before you start, love?’
‘Thanks for the offer, Alice, but I grabbed one from the bakery on the way and I don’t want to go irritating the boss by turning up late. I might find myself fired before I’ve even started.’ He chuckled, even though he believed every word he’d just said.
Alice stood by the car and waved a hand through the air. ‘Oh, don’t worry about Ivy, love, her bark is worse than her bite.’ She sighed, her smile fading. ‘And about that … I wanted to have a quick word with you before you head over to the cottage. Can you spare a minute?’
Ronny took his sunglasses off, wanting to meet Alice’s apprehensive gaze properly. Anxiousness pummelled his stomach. Did Alice know something she shouldn’t? ‘Sure, I can spare five minutes, if you need them. I don’t have to be there until seven.’ He fought to keep his voice even.
‘Goodo.’ Alice eyed him thoughtfully. ‘I wouldn’t normally bombard someone I’d just met with our dramas, but I feel this situation calls for it and I like to be upfront with people. You see, we’re in a really dire situation with the renovations on the cottage. If we don’t get them done soon, so the cottage can be sold, there’s a big chance we could lose all of this.’ She gestured to the sweeping countryside while blinking back tears. ‘And none of us could bear it. This place means everything to us. Nowhere else would ever feel like home.’
Ronny felt as though a red-hot coal had been placed against his chest and sorrow stole his smile. ‘Oh, Alice, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.’
Alice patted his arm kindly. ‘I know. And I understand Ivy’s a bit annoyed because Shirley said you were looking for work and then you told Ivy you weren’t.’ She eyed him inquisitively. ‘Is there a particular reason you wouldn’t want to take the job here? And please don’t be afraid to tell me what it is, because I won’t judge you.’
Ronny felt like crawling under a rock. Fuck it – he didn’t want to lie to Alice, of all people, but there was no way he could speak the truth. Thank God he’d already decided to take the job, because he wouldn’t be able to live with the guilt of leaving May, Alice and Ivy in the lurch now. He could understand how much Healing Hills meant to them, and he wanted to do everything he could to help. He cleared his throat, willing himself to sound convincing.
‘No, not at all, actually, I’ve reorganised a few things at Sundown Farm so I can take the job on now – that’s if you still want me to.’
‘Oh my goodness! Thank you, Ronny.’ Alice almost leapt through the window as she reached in and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Moved by her gesture, Ronny took a few seconds to respond. ‘I’m glad I can help in some way. I’m so sorry to muck you about the way I have. I didn’t mean to cause any unnecessary stress.’
Alice nodded as she sniffled. She wiped at the tears that had escaped down her cheek, smiling through them. ‘No need for apologies, Ronny, you’re here now and happy to take the job on and that’s all that matters.’
Ronny wanted to get out of the Kingswood and give Alice a hug, but he didn’t feel a hundred per cent comfortable doing so. ‘I sure am, and I’ll be here as much as you need me to be.’
‘Thank you.�
�� She pulled a tissue from the pocket of her robe and blew her nose. ‘There is the subject of wages to discuss, and I’m a bit worried you won’t like what we can afford, but I’ll leave that conversation for you and Ivy to have.’ She chuckled. ‘I think I’ve said enough.’
Ronny already knew he’d take whatever they could afford. There was no way in hell he was going to abandon them in their time of need. ‘It will be fine, Alice.’
She held his gaze. ‘Geez, I hope so. You truly are one of the good ones; I knew it the minute I laid eyes on you.’ She folded her hands and placed them against her chin. ‘And you know what else? I’ve been praying for a miracle to help us through this hard time, and I’m thinking you might be it.’
Ronny laughed uneasily. If only you knew the truth, maybe you might think otherwise. ‘I’m not sure about being a miracle, but I’ll sure do my best to do everything I can to help you lovely ladies out.’
‘And humble too.’ Alice smiled fondly. ‘Just a word of warning – Ivy’s not in the best frame of mind at the moment, the poor darling has had a lot to deal with of late, so if she seems a bit tetchy, please just take it with a grain of salt, won’t you?’
Ronny offered Alice an understanding smile. ‘Don’t worry, I will.’
Alice looked at her watch. ‘Anyway, I better let you go. It’s two minutes to seven.’ She patted the car. ‘And nice wheels by the way, Ivy’s going to be very impressed.’
‘Really?’
‘Yes, Ivy’s a classic car lover from way back. She’s got a 1964 EH Holden, her pride and joy. It used to be mine.’ Alice chuckled. ‘She was absolutely mortified when I went to trade it in for my new car, so I decided to give it to her for her twenty-first instead.’
A woman after his own heart – how many exciting layers did Ivy Tucker have? ‘Well, I look forward to seeing her pride and joy. I’ve always loved the old classics myself.’
‘Excellent, something you’ll both have in common then.’
Ronny tapped his guitar case beside him. ‘I think we have a few things in common …’
Alice dropped her head and peered into the car, her eyes widening as she did. She took a step back, one hand fluttering to her chest. ‘Oh, a guitar … you play, do you, Ronny?’
Ronny was confused by Alice’s reaction – it was almost as if he’d brought along a loaded gun. ‘I sure do, have since I was an ankle-biter. Is it okay I’ve brought it along?’
Alice coughed gently before smiling. ‘Of course it is, with me, but it might be a different story with Ivy. You’ll have to check in with her on that one, though.’
‘I don’t want to upset the apple cart any more than I already have. Can you tell me why?’
Alice shook her head. ‘You haven’t really got time for me to explain it all to you now, and it’s not really my place to do so.’ She tipped her head to the side, her eyebrows furrowing. ‘Can I ask, though, how do you know Ivy plays the guitar, because she hasn’t touched it for almost ten years?’
Fuck. Ten years? That coincided with that horrible night. Ronny’s heart squeezed tight and his brain went into overdrive as he did his best to try to cover the huge mistake he’d just made – his first slip-up, but hopefully his only one. He rolled his eyes skywards, feigning thought, even though it was a ploy to get his gaze as far away from Alice’s questioning one as he could. ‘Oh, I’m not sure, but I think Lottie might have mentioned it to me.’
‘Oh, I see. I didn’t know Lottie very well so it’s strange she mentioned such a thing … but there you go.’ Alice did her best to smile, but Ronny could almost hear her mind whirring.
He shrugged his shoulders like it wasn’t a big deal. ‘Anyway, I’d better get going because now it’s a minute past seven and I’m officially late – catch you later on maybe.’ He gave his best charming grin, as he revved the car to life and drove off, not waiting for her goodbye. He looked in his rear-vision mirror just as Alice waved and he stuck his hand out the window to return the gesture, mentally slapping himself for being so damn stupid. He’d just proven how easily he could slip up, and he was going to have to do his very best not to do it again – that had been way too close. From the look on Alice’s face, a seed of doubt had been planted and the last thing he wanted was for that seed to grow.
CHAPTER
13
The crunch of tyres out the front of the cottage, as well as Bo’s energetic bolt around to the front and then his incessant barking, alerted Ivy to Ronny’s arrival. Putting her paintbrush into the tray of decking oil, she glanced at her watch. He was pretty much on the dot too. After talking to him on the phone earlier she’d been expecting him about ten minutes ago, but clearly he’d been sidetracked somewhere along the way. Her do-good aunts instantly came to mind. She hoped to God neither of them had already been in Ronny’s ear about him taking the job, because she didn’t want him changing his mind out of pity. She was no charity case. Nevertheless, he’d certainly scored a brownie point by being on time. Not that she was going to tell him that after he’d let her down four times – okay, twice he’d done so unwittingly – in the past week.
Mumbling to herself, she went to make her way out to greet him but discovered she’d painted herself into a corner against the timber railing of the verandah – she’d failed to think ahead, the classic mistake of a deck-oiling amateur. Thinking quickly, before Ronny decided to get out of the car giving Bo the opportunity to possibly take a chunk out of him, she climbed over the railing and jumped the two metres into the garden without a second thought.
Bad move. Where she’d expected garden mulch to be was actually the concealed concrete septic system she’d forgotten all about. Her left foot twisted at an awkward angle and an excruciating pain shot through her ankle. Everything blurred as she screamed and crumpled to the ground. The pain merciless, her eyes filled with tears and her head spun, and for a moment she thought she was going to either heave her breakfast up or pass out.
After a few deep breaths she was calmer, although the pain was only getting worse. Accustomed to what a sprained ankle looked and felt like after falling down the steps of the attic a few years back, she knew what she’d done, and also knew roughly how long it was going to take her to heal. This was the last thing she needed. Feeling completely defeated, she stared down at the offending ankle, already swollen and beginning to bruise, as heavy tears rolled down her cheeks.
‘Why do I have to be such a damn klutz all the time?’ she wailed between sobs. She reached out and gently touched her ankle with a clammy hand, wincing as soon as her fingers met with the swelling. The bruising appeared to be getting worse before her eyes. She needed to get ice on it, and the sooner the better. Then she remembered Ronny was still out the front, and hang on – she strained her ears – Bo wasn’t barking anymore. Oh hell, what had happened? Feeling a complete and utter fool, she tried to pull herself up to standing by yanking on the shrub beside her. She was halfway up when the branch snapped and she thumped back down to the ground again, only this time it was firmly on her butt. Part of her wanted to laugh. Could her situation get any worse?
After a few seconds of wishing she could start her day over again, she sat up slowly, cursing as she tried to remove leaves, twigs and bits of mulch from her hair.
‘Shit, Ivy, are you okay?’
Ronny’s hands were reaching out to her. For a split second she worried about how dreadful she must look, then the sensation of his skin against hers sent a shot of something through her, like she’d just downed a tequila slammer – and she liked it. A lot. And a lot was way too much.
Bo skidded in alongside her seconds later, sneaking a lick to her cheek. A smile tugged at her quivering lips as she wiped his slobber away with her hand, but it was quickly swept away by the pain of her ankle.
‘Um …’ At a complete loss for words, Ivy’s eyes met with Ronny’s concerned amber gaze, now only inches from her, and for a few blissful seconds she felt as though she were going to fall into that beautiful sea of gold. Blinking
then focusing on the whole manly package, her stomach somersaulted and then back-flipped for good measure. The sight of Ronny in his jeans and singlet, wide-brimmed hat shading his face and the look of concern was almost too much to cope with right now. And if that wasn’t enough to send a girl into la-la land, his burly arms flexed in all the right places making the tattoos upon them dance as he held her hands. Damn it all, why did she have to be so attracted to him? She noticed a small scar above his lip and had the urge to gently place her fingertips upon it before kissing him – so much for keeping her feelings businesslike.
