Outback Ghost

by Rachael Johns

  Stella smiled. ‘I’m interested. Did your parents farm up here too?’ Listening to Frankie speak about anything had to be better than the churning mess that was her brain cells at that moment.

  ‘Yep, sold up a few years back because they didn’t have anyone who wanted to take over.’ Frankie rolled her eyes. ‘Anyway even if you are interested, you won’t be within about five seconds. My life is seriously boring.’

  ‘I’m sure that’s not true. You must meet lots of people in your line of work.’

  Stella took a sip of her coffee and felt an immediate buzz. She knew that was ridiculous, that the caffeine likely needed at least half an hour to take effect but the knowledge that it would was almost enough.

  Frankie sighed. ‘Not nearly enough young, single, rich and hot men. But I suppose I’m preaching to the converted. Must be hard for you to meet guys being a single mother.’

  Stella almost spat her coffee over the table.

  ‘Oh, I’m sorry.’ Frankie put her hand over her mouth. ‘That came out wrong. I think Heidi is adorable, but I know how hard it is to meet men without having to work out babysitting and all that into it.’

  Just invite them round for sordid shenanigans while your child sleeps. Of course Stella didn’t say that. She hadn’t been offended by Frankie’s comment – only following so close to her night with Adam she hadn’t known how to respond.

  ‘I know what you mean.’ She smiled to try to alleviate Frankie’s embarrassment. She didn’t want the other woman to feel like she had to censor herself around Stella. She’d like them to be friends.

  ‘Phew.’ Frankie wiped her hand over her brow theatrically. ‘By the way, where is the little cherub?’

  ‘She’s with Adam at Ruby’s. Getting to know the horses.’

  Frankie grinned. ‘Oh, she’ll love that. Ruby is such a great and patient teacher. By the way, Adam told me that Heidi has been spending a lot of time with Esther while you two were working. He said the change in her is amazing.’

  ‘Yes, they’ve been good for each other.’

  ‘Seriously,’ Frankie’s tone matched her word, ‘I can barely recall a time when Aunty Esther has been happy. She’s kind of just functioned from day to day, going through the motions, as long as I can remember, but the other day when we had that barbecue, I saw a spark of life within her. No wonder Adam wants to spoil Heidi with pony rides. She’s a little miracle worker.’

  ‘I don’t know about that.’ Stella flushed, the credit they were giving to Heidi felt like a lot of pressure and she was glad her little girl was unaware of it. But Frankie’s talk about Esther added yet another aspect to consider in her dilemma about Lily-Blue.

  ‘Do you know much about Adam’s sister?’ she blurted. Luckily Frankie didn’t appear to think the question odd.

  ‘What do you want to know?’

  ‘Oh, I just wondered what she was like.’

  ‘She was a bit of a tomboy, more like a brother to Adam I reckon. Aunty Esther gave her such a pretty name but she didn’t let that hinder her adventures. I can’t remember much about her but Simone says she loved the outdoors, the only time she remembers her ever staying inside for long was when she was playing the piano.’

  ‘She played the piano?’ A chill scuttled up Stella’s spine that had nothing to do with the café’s super efficient air-conditioning. She remembered the clunking on the keys and Heidi’s explanation that Lily-Blue was practising her scales.

  ‘Yes, Uncle Tom taught her and she practised at his place because he was the one with the piano.’

  ‘The one that’s still in the cottage now?’

  ‘Yep.’

  ‘Frankie!’ One of the workers called from the kitchen. ‘Have you got a moment?’

  ‘Looks like my break’s over.’ Frankie stood and nodded to Stella’s untouched cake. ‘You enjoy that and say hi to your gorgeous girl for me.’

  ‘Thanks. I will.’

  ‘You’re coming to the Christmas tree, aren’t you?’ She didn’t give Stella the chance to reply before adding. ‘I’ll see you then.’

  Frankie went back into kitchen and Stella sighed as she stabbed at the cake with her dessert fork. As she shoved the comfort food into her mouth, she mentally went through her options. She could tell Adam her concerns. Go straight to the police. Contact a medium. She almost laughed out loud at the prospect as she’d never had any faith in those sorts of things. Then again, until a few days ago, she’d been pretty sure she didn’t believe in ghosts.

  Or she could pack up their things, buckle Heidi into her car seat and run away from it all. This option looked pretty appealing except for two things. One, Heidi would never forgive her. And two, she’d never get to see Adam naked again.

  ‘Heidi, thank Adam for your fabulous treat,’ Stella instructed as she pulled her car up in front of the cottage. Revived after her coffee at the café, she’d insisted on driving back to the farm and Adam hadn’t seen any point in arguing. Tiredness had finally landed and he planned on taking an afternoon nap before repeating last night’s shenanigans all over again. At least, that was his hope.

  ‘Thanks, Mr Adam.’

  ‘You’re welcome.’ He turned to glance into the back seat at Heidi. She’d been talking non-stop since they left Ruby’s place about her new friends Roberta, Roxie and Ruby and was most excited that Stella had agreed to let Ruby give her a few lessons while they were in Bunyip Bay. He and Stella had made noises in all the right places, glancing at each other and smiling as Heidi maintained what was pretty much a one-sided conversation.

  Stella tugged the keys out of the ignition and opened her door. Adam followed and opened Heidi’s door as Stella trekked around the front of the car. While Heidi dashed ahead to open the gate, only to be almost knocked over by Mutton who was happy to have company again, Adam transferred the esky from Stella’s car to his ute.

  ‘Thanks again for today,’ she said, standing awkwardly between the two cars.

  He let the esky drop onto the tray and then turned to look at her. Her tone sounded formal and stilted and she stood with her arms crossed over her chest, defensive. She’d been giving out mixed signals all day.

  ‘You know, you don’t need to keep thanking me,’ he said, taking a step towards her. ‘I reckon I had almost as much fun as Heidi. Watching her on that pony was like being injected with a feel-good potion.’

  She bit her lower lip and laughed half-heartedly.

  He frowned. ‘Are you okay? Is there something on your mind?’

  She blinked. ‘I’m fine. Thanks again and I’ll see you later.’

  No invitation inside for coffee? Even if at this time of the day with Heidi around coffee couldn’t be a euphemism for something else, he’d still kind of expected the offer of a cold drink or something for afternoon tea. He smiled, trying to shove aside the feeling of anxiety rising within him. ‘I’m hoping later means tonight.’

  ‘As wonderful as that option sounds, can we take a raincheck? I’m exhausted and I have a deadline looming for my book. I’m supposed to be editing in the evenings.’

  He couldn’t help himself. ‘You’re turning my offer of hot sex down for a date with your computer?’

  Her cheeks flushed in that delicious way they did whenever he said something teasing. She groaned and then whispered. ‘Don’t make this any harder than it is. I need to be sensible. The publisher’s paid me a nice advance for this book and I need the money; I can’t afford to stuff it up.’

  ‘I can be quick,’ he said. It was the closest he’d ever come to begging a woman but the thought of not spending the night with Stella made part of him ache.

  She rolled her eyes. ‘I’m sure you can, but I’m so tired that tonight I’ll probably fall asleep at the same time as Heidi.’

  He nodded, trying not to feel angry or hurt. Which excuse was it? She had editing to do, was too tired to spend time with him or simply didn’t want to? Pride conquered his urge to ask her about tomorrow night and he figured if she wanted him t
o come over, she’d find a way to let him know.

  ‘Okay then.’ He slipped his hands into his pockets and whistled for Mutton. For once, the pup stopped his crazy antics and ran to join him. Adam raised a hand to the little girl now sitting on the porch steps, looking as if she might collapse into slumber at any moment. ‘Bye Heidi.’

  She lifted a hand and half-heartedly waved back.

  ‘Thanks for understanding, Adam,’ Stella said, still hugging her arms tightly around herself as he turned back to his ute.

  He managed to stop himself from snorting. Understand? He didn’t understand what was going on in her head any more than he understood the pages of the Koran. ‘No worries.’ He tossed her a smile as he opened the door and gestured for Mutton to jump up into the ute. ‘See you tomorrow maybe.’

  ‘Sure.’ But she didn’t sound anything of the sort.

  The next two days Adam threw himself into odd jobs around the farm. He fine-tuned machinery, scoured the property for fences that needed fixing, fixed them, moved sheep between paddocks and fixed a couple of leaky taps for his mum. He did anything and everything to stop himself showing up on Stella’s front door step and begging her to sleep with him again. Ryan Forrester and his boyfriend Grant had lured him into a few drinks and a few games of pool at The Palace last night, where opportunities with eager members of the opposite sex had been flaunted in his face but he hadn’t been able to bring himself to follow through on any of them. One night with Stella seemed to have ruined him. A month ago he hadn’t even known she existed and now he couldn’t go five bloody minutes without thinking about her. He wished Monty was still around to discuss his woes but they’d never been big phone chatters, so in the absence of his friend, he bottled everything he was feeling up inside. Anger and frustration whirled in his gut, pushing upwards and giving him heartburn.

  He wasn’t proud to admit it but yesterday he’d driven past the cottage at least ten times, hoping for a glimpse of Stella or even Heidi. Early in the morning and late at night her car had been parked out front, but they’d been absent all day. It had been the same today. That, of course, had sparked a drive into town and he’d spent the last hour driving around the tourist hot spots – the park, the beach, the main street – hoping for a sighting. No matter, he realised, that this made him seem like some kind of crazed stalker, he couldn’t help himself. He wanted to know what Stella and Heidi were getting up to during their days and, truth be told, he wished he was with them.

  It wasn’t just sex he wanted – although that would be a bonus – he missed the companionship he’d shared with Stella during their days working together. And he missed the funny things Heidi said. Still he’d made himself more than clear when they’d said goodbye the other day that he’d be open to spending another night or two together and he wasn’t going to beg. If she didn’t come looking for him, he guessed that was it. Game over. Thank you for playing.

  He was all shook up inside and didn’t like it one bit. A drink was in order but in the mood he was in, he didn’t want to head into The Palace where he’d be forced to socialise, to discuss harvest with other farmers now finished and biding time until they went on holiday with their happy families after Christmas. What Adam needed was a six-pack and a quiet night at home where he wasn’t liable to take his foul mood out on someone who didn’t deserve it. Decision made, he parked outside the pub and went inside to ‘takeaway’.

  ‘Oh, hi Adam.’ Ruby, coming out, met him as he was going in. She was wearing her usual smile, a flower in her hair (also the norm) and carrying a bottle of Liam’s finest wine.

  He nodded towards the bottle. ‘Got something special planned for this evening?

  ‘Yep. Drew’s working tomorrow night for the Christmas tree but tonight he has a rare evening off. I’m cooking up a storm and we’re planning on making the most of it.’

  Adam imagined having someone to go home to. Someone who looked forward to spending time with him and something inside twinged. ‘Have you seen Stella today?’

  Ruby gave him an odd look and nodded. ‘Heidi’s been having lessons the last few days. She’s got guts and determination, that kid. I thought you knew?’

  He shrugged. ‘I’ve been busy working and I haven’t seen much of my guests since the other day.’ He was pretty certain they were avoiding him, or at least Stella was. ‘I’m glad they’re enjoying themselves.’

  ‘Yes.’ Ruby nodded. ‘And Stella’s great. I wish her stay in town wasn’t temporary.’

  So do I. Thankfully Adam managed not to say these words out loud. They weren’t his thoughts. They were those of some sex-deprived beast that lived inside him. As lovely as Stella was, if she stayed in town that would make no-strings-attached sex tricky. And he couldn’t be the kind of man she needed in her life on a permanent basis. He wanted her for a holiday fling, but maybe she’d only been after a one-night stand.

  ‘Well.’ Ruby glanced at her watch. ‘My kitchen awaits. See you tomorrow night, Santa. Maybe you should offer to drive Stella and Heidi into town. I’d love to have a drink with her. Bye.’

  ‘See ya.’ He held the door for Ruby as she headed outside. The Christmas tree? His mind full of other things, he’d almost forgotten his promise to dress up as Santa tomorrow night for the local event. Offering to drive Stella and Heidi would be the perfect excuse to make contact with her, but as fast as this idea landed, he dismissed it. He didn’t want to look like a desperate fool and worst of all, he didn’t want to suffer another rejection if she turned him down.

  After buying his six-pack from Liam, he escaped the pub as fast as he could, careful not to make eye contact with anyone. He didn’t want to be drawn into conversation. The moment he clicked his seatbelt in, his phone started ringing. Caller ID told him it was his mother. ‘Hi Mum.’

  ‘How’d you know it was me?’

  He laughed. ‘This newfangled technology displays who’s calling on the screen. What can I do for you?’

  ‘Well, speaking of newfangled technology I was wondering if you can come over and help me set up Skype on my computer. I’ve made an appointment for next week with the long-distance counsellor and I want to make sure it works before then. Apparently we just have to download it or something?’

  Adam glanced at the six-pack sitting on the passenger seat. Playing with computers was the last thing he felt like doing right now but how could he say no when his mum had initiated this major step towards getting help? ‘Sure. I’m just leaving town. Will come straight there.’

  He diverted to his house only to pick up his laptop and Mutton. The pup was looking sorry for himself sulking under a tree. ‘I’ll throw a ball or something with you later,’ he promised as they both got back in the ute. The dog missed Heidi as much as he missed Stella.

  Esther met him at the front door. ‘Thanks for popping round, darling. Your father always looked after these kinds of things for me. Maybe after I’ve sorted my head out, I’ll have to take a course. Something to bring me up to speed with the twenty-first century.’

  Adam raised an eyebrow as he walked past her into the house. That was the first she’d mentioned his dad since the day he’d left and the first she’d indicated any interest in anything apart from her grief, and Heidi, for a long time. Should he ask how she was coping without her husband? Dad had sent a couple of emails from the cruise ship and seemed to be having the time of his life. Had he emailed her as well?

  ‘Do you want to stay for dinner after we’re done?’ Her words interrupted his contemplation and he pushed thoughts of his dad out of his head. His parents seemed to be functioning just as well, if not better, without each other and so it was time for him to start thinking of them as separate entities. He’d always thought of his family as strange – the sad couple and their son who’d lost their daughter and their way. If they divorced it would actually work towards making them seem more normal.

  ‘Not tonight,’ he replied, thinking of the six-pack waiting in his ute. Lost in his thoughts of Stella, he’d forg
otten to take it inside and put it in the fridge. ‘Can’t stay too long anyway.’

  ‘Oh really?’ Esther raised her eyebrows and smiled at him as if she knew something he didn’t. ‘Are you seeing Stella again?’

  ‘What? No.’ He shook his head, feeling uncharacteristically flummoxed. ‘I’ve just…’ What could he say? Gotta get home so I can drown my sorrows in beer? ‘Never mind. I’ll have a quick coffee and let’s get started.’

  While Esther went to put on the kettle, Adam downloaded Skype onto her desktop computer and then set his laptop up alongside it. He went through the motions of testing the connections on autopilot, all the while wondering if his mum had seen Stella or Heidi lately. On returning to the room with a tray carrying two coffees and some Lions fruit cake, she said, ‘I guess Stella and Heidi have been out and about busy since you finished harvest but I wondered… should I invite them over for Christmas lunch?’

  His hands froze on his laptop keyboard. Strangely the first thought that came into his head was who would do the cooking? His mum’s Christmas fare wasn’t the type of thing you’d want to serve to non-family guests. But he pushed that thought aside and imagined how he’d feel spending a whole day in Stella’s captivating presence with the way things were between them. Christmas Day at the homestead often ended with a swim in the pool and the thought of Stella in a bikini, or even a simple one-piece swimsuit, left him breathless.

  ‘Why would we do that?’ he managed after an uncomfortable pause.

  ‘Hmm… let’s see.’ She put the tray down on the end of the desk. ‘To be hospitable. Because Christmas with just the two of us won’t be the same. Because—’

  ‘Okay, okay.’ He held up a hand. It would be pointless to voice all the arguments in his head – number one, asking why showing hospitality was suddenly high on her list of priorities. ‘Invite them if you must. But don’t feel bad if they’ve already got plans or want to spend the day together.’