by Julie Kenner
Was their relationship strong enough to survive time and distance apart? If they didn’t make any promises to each other, there wouldn’t be any failures or regrets. Why couldn’t she accept this for what it was—temporary?
If she knew what was good for her, she’d return to Sydney before she lost her heart completely. She had scripts to memorize and she hadn’t been to the gym in ages. Plus, she’d promised her agent she’d make the trip to L.A. before she was due back on the set.
She pushed to her feet and walked inside the room, the dew from the veranda creating tracks across the wooden floor. Slipping out of the expensive robe that the resort provided, she crawled beneath the down comforter.
Teague was warm, his naked body stretched out beneath the cotton sheets. This was the third morning she’d awoken beside him without having to think about the repercussions of spending the night together. This was how it should be.
Hayley slid her arm around his waist and pressed her body against his, throwing her leg over his thigh. He stirred and then slowly opened his eyes, turning his sleepy gaze on her.
“Your feet are freezing,” he complained.
“I was sitting out on the veranda. Listening to the birds.”
“What time is it?”
“Early, she said. “The sun is just coming up.”
“I like waking up with you,” Teague said, drawing her closer.
“How would it have been,” Hayley asked, “if I had come to Perth to be with you?”
Teague frowned. “What brought this on?”
“I’m curious. How would it have worked?”
He drew a deep breath then raked his hand through his tousled hair. “Well. We would have had to find a place to live. I don’t think they would have allowed you to stay in my room at Murdoch. We would have found a flat in the city, something we could afford. I worked while I was in school, so we would have had some money, although my parents might have cut me off if they’d known we were together. You would have had to find a job. I’m not sure we could have both afforded to go to school, but I could have—”
Hayley reached up and pressed her finger to his lips, stopping his words. “Do you realize how complicated it would have been? Teague, it would never have worked. As much as we dreamed it could.”
“You don’t know that,” he said.
“I found a job when I first got to Sydney and I could barely afford to eat, never mind rent a place to live. We were so young and so stupid. We thought love would solve all our problems. Love doesn’t pay the bills. It was best that things turned out the way they did, don’t you think?”
“We spent ten years apart,” Teague reminded her.
“But we both made something of ourselves in that time. We’re happy with our lives, aren’t we?” she asked.
“Are you? You don’t seem anxious to get back to yours.”
“Don’t try to analyze me,” she warned. “Best leave that to professionals.”
He sighed softly. “I wish I could find a bandage to fix all the bad things that happened to you in your life, Hayley. I wish there was medicine or some kind of cure for all the pain that you’ve had to endure.”
“I know I’m pretty much a wreck,” she said with a weak smile. “It’s a wonder you can tolerate me. But don’t stop trying.”
“You’re not a wreck. You’re a little banged up. A few dents here and there, but nothing that will stop me from wanting you.”
“So do you think you can fix me, Dr. Feelgood?”
“I’m Dr. Feelamazinglygood.” He pulled his hand out from under the comforter. “These fingers are magic. They can cure anything that ails you.”
“What about what ails you?” Hayley slipped her hand beneath the comforter and smoothed it along his belly until she found his shaft, which was already growing hard with desire. “I think you have a problem. Something very strange is happening here. There’s an unusual swelling. Oh dear, I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Very strange,” he said, kissing her softly.
Hayley giggled, then felt a warm blush creep up her cheeks. “I remember the first time I touched you down there. I had absolutely no idea. I mean, I’d seen horses and cattle, but I never imagined that boys would function the same way.”
“Are you saying I resemble a stallion? Or a bull?”
“Oh, definitely a stallion,” she said. “Long legs, a nice mane, beautiful eyes.”
“So, you want to go for a ride or what?”
Hayley gasped at his request, then gave him a playful slap. “You’re terrible. All you think about is sex.”
“No, all I think about is sex with you. There’s a big difference.”
“You don’t ever think about other women?”
“Not since you came back into my life. You’re it. All my fantasies, you’re right there. Dressed in sexy lingerie, doing all kinds of nasty things to me, whispering in my ear, telling me how much you want me.”
“We need to take another holiday together,” she said. “This has been perfect.”
“It would be this way all the time if we lived together,” he said.
Hayley shook her head. “You’d toss me out in less than a week. I’d make a horrible roommate.” She knew what he was offering, but if she made a joke of it, she wouldn’t have to answer him.
She sighed inwardly. She’d like nothing more than to accept. It would be wonderful to share a place and to share their lives. But marriage was difficult enough, even without long periods apart. If she was going to commit to Teague, then she’d have to be prepared to give up her life in Sydney and start a new life with him.
“You haven’t been a bad roommate these last few days. I wish we could stay longer,” he said.
“Me, too. I’m not looking forward to my homecoming at Wallaroo. In fact, I’ve been thinking maybe you ought to fly me straight to Sydney.”
“You want to go home to Sydney?” he asked, a trace of hurt in his voice.
“No. It’s just that… I told Harry about us. Right before I left. That I was going away with you. I’m not sure if he’s going to want me staying with him anymore.”
“Why did you do that?”
“I was tired of pretending. It was silly. And you and I have nothing to do with the fight between him and Callum. So what difference does it make?”
“He won’t see it that way,” Teague said.
Hayley shrugged. “I expect all my things will be tossed in a big pile in the yard. Or maybe he’ll have burned them. When he’s given enough time, he can work up a pretty bad temper.”
“The longer that feud goes on, the more ridiculous it seems.”
“It’s a matter of honor,” Hayley said.
“What are you talking about?”
She pressed her face into his naked chest. “That’s what Harry says. It’s a matter of honor. Promises were made and promises were broken.”
“What promises?”
“You don’t know?”
“No. I assumed it was some mistake made on the deed years ago.”
“According to Harry, his father traded a mail-order bride for that piece of land. Your great-grandmother fell in love with your great-grandfather and didn’t want to marry my great-grandfather. So they made a trade. Only, your great-grandfather kept the land and the girl.”
“Why did I never know that story?”
“Probably because it proves that Harry is right about the land. It belongs to Wallaroo. Unfortunately, the paperwork was never filed. It was a gentleman’s agreement, which doesn’t count for much these days.” She glanced over at him. “So, I guess that if it weren’t for my great-grandfather and that little piece of land, you and your brothers wouldn’t exist.”
Teague frowned. “I’m not sure I believe anything Harry says. He’d do anything to have his way.”
“It is a good story, though. Especially if it proves to be true.”
“Maybe I should trade Harry the land for you,” Teague teased, nuzzling her neck. “That
would end the feud and we’d both get what we wanted.”
“What about what I want?” Hayley said. “Doesn’t that count?”
Teague pulled back, his gaze searching her face. “What do you want, Hayley?”
It was a simple question and Hayley ought to give him an answer. She could tell he was getting weary of always asking where he stood. And truly, if she knew, she’d give him an answer. But fabulous sex and long, romantic meals with Teague had only made her more confused. It wasn’t just about a relationship now, it was about a lifetime together.
“Breakfast might be nice,” she said.
“Don’t do that,” Teague warned. “Don’t brush me off like that. Whenever I talk about the future, you seem to find a way to make a joke out of it. We’ve spent three incredible days together, just the two of us and no one else. Has that made any difference?”
She tried to twist out of his arms, but Teague wouldn’t let her go. “Hayley, I’m falling in love with you all over again. But you’ve got to let me know if I’m making a fool of myself. Or if there’s a chance for us.”
“Don’t do this,” she said. “I can’t—I don’t know how—”
“What?”
“I can’t go through that all again. Watching you walk out of my life. I can’t do it.”
“But you won’t have to. That’s the point. If we decide to be together, then that’s it. Neither one of us will be walking out.”
“I will be. All the time. My work doesn’t exactly allow me to stay in one place for very long. Not if I want to be successful.”
“Is acting what you want to do for the rest of your life?”
“I’m not sure. But my career is the only thing in this world that truly belongs to me. I made it happen. And I don’t think I can give that up.”
He exhaled slowly and drew her closer. “All right. At least I know where we stand on that. And I’m all right with a long-distance thing. You’ll come home when you can. We can make it work, Hayley.”
“Are you going to come to Sydney? Are you going to follow me around the world when I have work outside Australia? Would you give up everything to be with me?”
“I’m not sure I’d have to give up everything,” Teague said. “We don’t need to be together every minute of every day in order to be happy.”
Hayley felt tears of frustration pushing at the corners of her eyes. “Oh, brilliant,” she muttered. “Now I’m crying again. I seem to do that a lot lately.”
Teague ran his hands through her hair, then dropped a soft kiss on her lips. “Don’t cry. There’s no need for tears.”
“I just…can’t.”
“I know,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to her temple and then another to each of her eyelids. “I know.”
Hayley drew in a ragged breath, then let the tears come. She had fought so long against her emotions. But now that they’d finally broken free, she realized how much good came of crying. It felt as if all the pain was draining out in her tears.
Teague held her close as she wept. After a time, she wasn’t sure why she was still crying. Was it for her parents? For the perfect childhood she’d never had? For the love and loyalty that Teague was so determined to give her?
It didn’t matter. All that mattered was that she was finally capable of crying. And whether Teague understood her tears or not, the ability to let loose her emotions meant more to their future than anything she might say.
“I CAN’T BELIEVE we have to leave in a few hours,” Hayley said. She glanced up at Teague and then reached across the breakfast table to take his hand. “This was the best holiday I’ve ever had. Thank you.”
“Next time it will be your turn to plan,” he said. “I’ll provide the plane.”
“All right,” Hayley agreed. “It’s a date. No matter what happens, we’ll have another holiday together.”
“And then another and another,” Teague said. “We could survive on a string of holidays.” He paused. “I would be satisfied with that if that’s what you’re offering.”
Teague felt like a fool willing to settle for scraps when he might have the entire meal. But if it was what Hayley wanted, he didn’t have much choice.
She nodded. “We’ll choose a date and I’ll make the plans. And this time, it will be my treat.”
“Christmas,” he said. “I’d like to spend Christmas with you.”
“Christmas it is.”
They finished their breakfast in silence. Teague was happy they’d managed to agree on future plans at last. But it hadn’t escaped him that the plans didn’t address the things standing between them and a real relationship.
In a few weeks, he would sign the papers that would give him ownership of Doc Daley’s practice. When he’d first returned to Kerry Creek, Teague had been certain that taking over an established practice would be the perfect opportunity. Doc Daley had been ready to retire, and Teague figured he could make enough to buy Doc out in five years. He already had the plane, so he could handle much more business than Doc had ever managed, which would increase his income substantially. His future had looked brilliant.
But now Teague had to wonder if tying himself down in Queensland was really the answer. He could establish a practice on the outskirts of any large city—Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne. Or he could work for another vet and not worry about keeping a business afloat.
Funny how he’d spent the last ten years of his life happily cruising along, never worrying about his future. It was easy when he was on his own, with no responsibilities for another person. But he’d begun to see how complicated things could become once he’d decided on a life with Hayley.
Hell, there was no point thinking about it now. He had a few weeks. Things might be completely different between them by then. They’d just planned a holiday together. Who knew what could be waiting around the next corner?
“Mr. Quinn?”
Teague looked up at the waiter. “We’re fine. The breakfast was great.” He glanced over at Hayley. “Would you like more juice?”
She shook her head. “No. Thank you.”
“Mr. Quinn, there’s a phone call for you in the office. It’s a Dr. Daley. He says it’s urgent.”
Teague frowned. He’d nearly forgotten they’d been without phones for the past three days. Messages were delivered in person. No telephones, no television, nothing to distract from the solitude.
He pushed away from the table. “This will only take a minute,” he said to Hayley. “He’s probably wondering if I can make a call on my way home to the station.”
He followed the waiter to the small office where the manager was waiting with the phone. “Thanks,” Teague said. “Doc?”
“Sorry to interrupt your holiday, Teague.”
“No worries. Is something wrong?”
“I got a call from Cal early this morning. He’s been looking for you and thought I might know where you were.”
He’d told his brother that he’d be gone until Friday afternoon. He hadn’t given him all the details, but had assumed he wouldn’t be bothered with station business. “I’ll call him. I’m sorry that he—”
“No, he wanted me to pass along a message. This is for Hayley Fraser. She is with you, isn’t she?”
“Yes,” Teague said.
“Hayley’s grandfather took a bad fall. He rode over to Kerry Creek and wanted to stir things up with Cal. He fell getting off his horse and broke his hip. He’s in the hospital in Brisbane. Things aren’t looking too good. He’s refusing care and insisting that they let him go home. They want Hayley there as soon as possible to try to talk some sense into him.”
“Which hospital?” Teague asked.
“St. Andrew’s.”
“Call Cal and tell him we’ll get there as soon as we can.”
“Take a few more days to be with your girl,” Doc said. “I can handle things here.”
“Thanks,” Teague said. He returned the cordless phone to the manager. “Can we get an earlier flight to Hamilton? We’ve
got a bit of an emergency.”
“I’ll call the pilot right now,” the manager said. “Why don’t you get packed and I’ll send someone to let you know when the helicopter will arrive.”
Teague hurried back to the dining room. This was going to be difficult. Hayley had finally asserted herself with her grandfather and now she’d get drawn in again by guilt. Teague wasn’t sure how she’d react to the news.
She saw his expression before he had a chance to sit down. “What’s wrong?”
He took a deep breath. “It’s your grandfather. He must have rode Molly over to Kerry Creek. He was looking to mix it up with Cal, probably over the land dispute. He somehow fell off Molly and broke his hip.”
Hayley gasped. “Oh, no. That’s serious, isn’t it?”
Teague nodded. “They’ve taken him to the hospital in Brisbane. But he’s refusing treatment. They want you to come and convince him.”
“He has a broken hip. He can’t walk with a broken hip. What does he expect to do?”
“I don’t know, Hayley. But we need to go there. The resort manager is calling for the helicopter. We can fly directly to Brisbane from Hamilton. We’ll be there in a few hours.”
“Could he die from a broken hip?” Hayley asked.
“No,” Teague said. It was the truth. But Teague knew the complications that came with an injury like that. For a man Harry’s age there was pneumonia and blood clots to consider. And if he refused treatment, he’d be stuck in a wheelchair for the rest of his life, probably living in a great deal of pain.
Teague stood and held out his hand and Hayley laced her fingers through his. “Everything will be all right,” he said.
Hayley nodded, her face pale and her eyes wide. He walked to the room with her, then packed for both of them while Hayley stood on the veranda, looking out at the ocean. Without her grandfather on Wallaroo, there was little to keep her in Queensland.
Teague said a silent prayer that the old man would see reason and accept treatment for his injury. Maybe, with rehab, he could live on his own. But it was unlikely he’d be fit to run Wallaroo again. Chances were far better that Hayley would have to find him a place where she could watch over him.
