by Cathryn Hein
A wall had been opened up so the kitchen fed straight into the space. A worn modular couch took up one corner. A mid-sized telly the other. A small pine bookshelf held more books, hardcovers from the looks of their spines.
‘I don’t use this much. Fixing it is a low priority.’ He moved behind her and pointed to the fireplace. ‘The old one was buggered, but I found this at a clearance sale up the mountains. Solid marble. Great, isn’t it?’
‘Yes. It is. Very.’ The fireplace looked like it had come from a stately home. The columns either side were classically grand without being overdone, the broad mantel similar. Contrasting black-and-white stone gave it extra class.
‘Carpet’s stuffed. The floorboards aren’t great either. I’m keeping an eye out for recycled timber to replace it. The room will look better with polished floors.’
‘It won’t be too cold in the winter?’
‘Probably, but I’ll buy rugs to help sort that.’ He walked to the first of the lounge’s two wide but short windows and peered out. ‘I wouldn’t mind knocking these bigger, but it’ll probably cost too much.’
His mouth suddenly thinned as he spotted something, gaze hardening with it. Curious as to what had caused his abrupt change of expression, Teagan moved to look. A large black car was cruising along the road.
‘That’s the Wellness Centre’s Humvee, isn’t it?’
‘Most likely.’
His tone and tension had her alert. She studied him, wondering. ‘You really don’t like Dom, do you?’
He shrugged. ‘I’d have to care about him to feel anything, and I don’t.’
The answer struck Teagan as odd. She waited for him to elaborate, but Lucas’s attention remained on the Humvee until it disappeared around the bend.
He straightened and checked the clock on the mantel. ‘I’d better get you home.’
The soft, smiling Lucas from the morning was gone. She’d said something wrong and now their time together was over. It shouldn’t matter but it did. She hid her disappointment with briskness, talking as she took the initiative and strode back to the kitchen. ‘Yes, I’ve work to do. I’m sure you have plenty to get on with, too.’
At the kitchen door she looked back. For a long moment he stayed at the window, his hands in his pockets and a brooding rigidity to his mouth and eyes. He glanced towards the lounge’s other door, the one she assumed led to the rest of the house, then at the floor. Finally, he shook his head and with a slump of his shoulders followed.
Lucas kept quiet on the drive back to Falls Farm. He wanted to touch her. He’d wanted to all day. Then had come the house, the forge, Teagan’s reaction to the pendant, and the urge to drag her to bed had become almost primitive in its intensity.
Whether she’d follow was another matter.
She hadn’t pulled away when he’d taken her hand, but perhaps she’d felt she didn’t have a choice. He’d gripped her firmly after all, and they were alone on his small property, surrounded by hills. The road was a good few hundred metres away. His neighbour’s land was close but their houses weren’t. Lucas was big, strong. No woman in her right mind would want to cause offence.
Besides, Lucas had promised her no funny business. He’d had every plan to ignore that directive, but the way she’d looked in the forge, when she’d spotted the silver pendant, touched it as though it was the most incredible thing she’d ever seen before lifting her amazed gaze to his, had made him reassess. This wasn’t a bit of fun anymore. The way his heart had clenched watching her proved that. Why ruin what progress he’d made by trying to get her into bed? It’d only confirm what she thought of him.
The sight of the Humvee had wrecked his mood and the moment anyway. Fucking Dom.
‘You’re quiet,’ she said, when they approached the turn for Falls Farm.
‘Just thinking.’
‘About what?’
‘Not much. Work. What I have to do tomorrow.’
She nodded as though she understood and faced back to the window. The road was busy and he had to wait for a stream of cars. In a few minutes they’d be in the yard, their time together over. He might not get her alone again for days.
He should have made her lunch, stuff it.
An idea struck him. ‘You haven’t seen the waterfall, have you?’
‘Not yet.’
He flicked his blinker off and, waving an apology to the driver caught behind him, pressed on the accelerator. Past the bowling club he indicated again and turned right down a worn bitumen road. The few houses along it quickly gave way to thick scrub. The road dipped and became dirt. Another kilometre on it swung around to the left and flattened, becoming narrower and more enveloped by trees with each turn of the wheels.
Lucas glanced at Teagan, checking for nerves. That she might be worried where he was taking her. She was observing closely, one hand on the dash as she peered into the thick scrub. Unlike in the kitchen, nothing about her face or body suggested anxiety. If anything she seemed eager.
The track curled to the right and opened up into a cul de sac edged with a low treated pine fence. Picnic tables that had seen better days lined a large deep pond beyond. In the summer the area was a popular spot with locals looking to cool off. Now, with the weather still mild and finding its spring step, the area appeared damp and isolated.
Lucas parked and turned off the engine. ‘Right for a walk? The falls are a bit further up, beyond the pond.’
‘Sure.’
He waited for her at the front of the ute and held out his hand in invitation. She glanced at it, her tongue darting slightly out to moisten her lips. For a second he thought she wasn’t going to accept, then her slim palm was against his and his heart was thumping like it had in the forge.
‘Not cold?’ he asked as they dodged around a puddle.
‘No.’
‘Just say if you are. You can have my jumper.’
‘I’m okay.’
The pond was teardrop shaped, fed by a small creek into the top. Lucas led her along a track that followed its course. Weak sun filtered through the tree canopy, leaving dappled light that moved and changed in an almost otherworldly play of colour and shadow. The air was full of noise – birds calling, frogs and the increasing, unmistakable sound of falling water. He smiled when Teagan caught it.
‘It must be close,’ she said, a thrill in her voice.
‘Just up ahead.’
The track twisted left and opened up again. He halted, saying nothing, simply letting her drink in the beauty of it. She tilted her head back, eyes shiny with delight as she took in the view.
The waterfall wasn’t spectacular or large, but it had a pristine prettiness that easily outstripped it’s lack of size. A small rock cliff rose in front of them, perhaps five metres in height. The cascade was small and gentle, the water falling in an easy bubbling stream to splash in another clear pool below. Trees overhung the edges and ferns dipped fronds like beachgoers testing their toes. Moss coated some of the rocks in colours so vivid they seemed painted on. The pond water rippled as though caressed by a breath.
Teagan’s grip tightened on his. She turned to him, smiling. ‘It’s magical. The sort of place you expect a unicorn to come and drink at.’
He couldn’t take his sight off her awe-parted mouth, her plump, moist lips. The way her breath made her chest rise. The colour of her cheeks, made pink with cold and perhaps something more.
Her own gaze dropped to his mouth. It lingered, briefly, before darting quickly away to the falls. A flush rose up her exposed neck, joining her stained cheeks. He wanted to press his mouth against it, taste the sweetness.
‘Thanks for showing me. It’s a special place.’
‘You’re welcome.’
They stood in front of the waterfall, holding hands, the tension between them as thick as the damp air. Several times he thought she was going to say something, only to remain silent.
He started to ask her if she’d like to come for a picnic here one day, but his stomach go
t in first, the thought of food inducing a loud rumble that had her raising her eyebrows at him.
‘Sorry,’ he said, wincing.
But she only laughed. ‘Don’t be. Mine was going in the car, too.’
‘My fault. I should’ve offered you lunch. I had plenty of sandwich stuff.’
‘It’s okay. Ness usually makes me something. She’s determined to fatten me up.’
The romance of the moment was gone. Lucas cast a last look at the waterfall and pond, and then at Teagan. ‘Come on. We’d better get you back to the farm, and fed.’
The journey back was held in contemplative silence. Teagan kept her elbow propped against the door, hand curled near her mouth, gaze on the village and paddocks.
‘It’s martini night tonight,’ she said as he indicated and turned into Vanessa’s drive.
‘Is that an invitation?’
‘I doubt you need an invitation. Ness likes having you around.’
‘What about you?’
She dropped her hand, a smile curving her mouth that made him curse his hesitation at the pool. He should have kissed her. He should have done a lot of things. ‘As Ness says, you’re very decorative.’
He laughed, turning through the second gate into the yard and braking. ‘Glad I’m good for something.’
‘After today, I get the feeling you’re good for a lot of somethings.’
The tease in her voice made him stare at her. ‘Teagan Bliss, are you flirting?’
The moment he saw her mouth drop Lucas knew he’d fucked up. She seemed horrified by the thought, as if there was something wrong with the attraction between them. Not understanding, he reached out to take her hand. ‘Teagan . . .’
But she was unclicking her seatbelt and sliding away.
‘Wonderful,’ she said, pushing the door as though nothing had happened. ‘Colin’s here.’
Sure enough, Colin’s old Ford was parked near the gate. Col was on the steps, twiggy, grey-haired legs on display.
‘I can turn around. Whisk you back to Astonville.’
‘I’d better stay. Ness looks like she needs rescuing.’
Lucas turned off the engine and undid his own seatbelt, but as he went to open the door, she twisted around.
‘It’s all right, you don’t have to come in. I’m sure you have work to do.’
‘No other appointments today. I might as well take a look at Claudia while I’m here.’
‘You only saw her the other day.’
‘Won’t hurt to check her again.’
So it was a weak excuse, but he wasn’t about to admit that he didn’t want to leave her. Not with Colin loose. And he wanted to make certain Teagan talked to her aunt about Nick’s offer. With two of them pushing, they might convince her to take it up.
Vanessa welcomed them with barely concealed relief. Arms wide and gesturing, and a voice higher and louder than normal. ‘Darlings, did you have a good morning?’
‘Great, thanks,’ said Teagan as she attempted to sidle past Col with a polite, forced smile. She pointed towards the house as he tried to block her. ‘Just need to . . .’
‘We’re protesting!’ He thrust a whiskery chin at her, forcing her backwards into the handrail. ‘The whole village!’
Lucas didn’t need to ask what about. Talk of the expansion pissed him off enough as it was. Anything to do with Dom did, but the old fart was in Teagan’s face and thanks to his own flirt comment she was backpedalling enough.
Not in the mood to put up with his shit, he turned on Col. ‘The whole village? Including your daughter? The same daughter who just so happens to work at the centre? Who lets you camp in her drive, using her electricity for free? Electricity that she pays for with wages that she earns from Dom? Piss off, Col. You’re talking out of your arse.’
Col’s mouth opened and closed. Teagan regarded him with the same surprised, curiosity-laden look she’d given him at Astonville, when he’d made that reckless comment about Dom.
‘Well,’ said Col, finally finding his voice. ‘Well!’
‘Lucas didn’t mean it,’ said Vanessa, placing a hand on Col’s arm and giving Lucas a meaningful look. ‘Did you?’
Lucas considered before answering. Then he sighed. Village infighting was the last thing he wanted to be involved in, no matter how he felt about it. ‘Sorry, Col. Your and Maggie’s domestic arrangements are none of my business.’
‘Too bloody right they’re not.’ Col was doing his best to sound outraged but he couldn’t quite maintain eye contact. There was guilt in his manner, as if he knew the truth of Lucas’s words. He addressed Vanessa. ‘We’ll see you at the rally?’
Vanessa shook her head. ‘I’m sorry, Col. I can’t take sides with this.’
The old man’s mouth tightened. ‘Kathleen said you’d say that.’ He nodded at Vanessa and Teagan before scuttling past Lucas without acknowledgement.
As soon as the Ford was gone, Vanessa sagged into her chair. ‘I thought I was never going to get rid of him.’ She scraped her hair back from her face, looking unusually hassled. ‘I know he means well, but I do wish they’d leave me out of it.’
‘Is everyone really on their side?’ asked Teagan, taking the other chair.
‘Not everyone, but more than you’d imagine. I did a little canvassing myself. There are quite a few who believe the centre is big enough. Some of them would surprise you. It’s not the villagers, but the absent landowners like Callum. The ones who come up here for weekend and holiday peace and quiet. They couldn’t care less about escaping drug addicts, but they do care about maintaining their fairytale village. What they can’t see is that the people who keep this fairytale village alive are the ones who live and shop here on a daily basis. And for that they need jobs. Dom’s expansion could well provide those jobs.’ She gave a tired sigh. ‘Honestly, what harm is he doing?’
‘Maybe some people believe their charlatan accusation.’
‘I told you,’ said Vanessa shortly. ‘A load of rubbish.’
‘Dom? A charlatan?’ said Lucas. ‘I doubt it.’ Charlatanism smacked of not caring. The centre, making money from it, was the one thing that mattered to Domenic Ashe. He wouldn’t dare risk the accusation.
Vanessa glanced at her watch. ‘Is it too early for a drink?’
‘One over lunch won’t hurt,’ said Teagan.
‘Oh, darling, haven’t you eaten?’
‘My fault,’ said Lucas.
‘Well, there’s a quiche inside and a bowl of salad. Dressing in the fridge, too. You two go help yourselves. And bring back that bottle of pinot gris in the door.’
‘I’ll get it,’ said Teagan. ‘You stay here and cheer Ness up.’
‘A good morning?’ asked Vanessa, shooing away Saffy who’d snuck onto the verandah to say hello. Her curly blonde coat was stained with something dark, half dried and foul-smelling. Saffy slunk off, casting reproachful looks between Lucas and her mistress. ‘That dog!’
‘She’s just doing what dogs do.’
‘I wish she’d do it with something better smelling.’ Vanessa sat back and folded her hands under her chin. ‘Well?’
‘She was fine.’
‘Are you sure? Only she looked a bit tense when you arrived.’
Unwilling to admit that was his doing, he shrugged. Besides, the reason for it was something he intended to explore himself.
Vanessa glanced at the screen door and lowered her voice. ‘I’m worried about her, Lucas. This business with her family and the farm has affected her terribly. She’s not as strong as you might think.’ She looked suddenly back at him, concern lining her face. ‘You wouldn’t hurt her, would you?’
As she spoke, the sound of Teagan’s footsteps carried from inside. The door pushed open and Teagan exited, carrying a tray containing two plates with a slice of quiche on each, cutlery and a bowl of salad glistening with dressing.
Teagan placed it down, throwing them both an unsteady smile, as if she knew she was the topic of conversation. ‘I’
ll fetch the wine.’
He waited until she’d disappeared back inside before answering. ‘Not if I can help it.’
Vanessa scanned his face for a long moment, then relaxed. ‘No, I don’t think you would. Which is just as well.’
‘Oh, yeah?’
‘I only have one niece. And I intend to look after her. Do bear that in mind.’
Although sweetly delivered, the message was clear. Hurt Teagan and he’d better watch his manhood.
Lucas refused wine but poured for the two women before settling down to his lunch.
‘So,’ said Vanessa, watching them eat. A frustrating exercise when it came to Teagan’s picky forkfuls. For a girl who should have been starving, she ate like a fussy bird. ‘Anything exciting happen on your rounds?’
Teagan spent a moment toying with her salad. ‘I was offered a job.’
Vanessa set down her wineglass and tipped forward excitedly. When Lucas had mentioned taking Teagan out on his rounds they’d hoped this would happen, but neither was certain how she’d react after the loss of her own horse.
‘Don’t tell me, Belgravia.’ When Teagan nodded, Vanessa clapped her hands. ‘But that’s perfect, darling. Nick’s a wonderful man and his wife, Stacey, is a total sweetheart. She’s just had the most adorable baby. They could do with someone reliable like you around. The agencies keep sending them kids who don’t want to work or keep running off. To be fair the pay isn’t great, but the youth of today do seem to possess a terrible sense of entitlement.’
‘It’s only part-time. Six mornings a week.’
‘But that’s even more perfect. You don’t need to be working yourself to the bone. You’ve had quite enough of that for one lifetime.’ She reached across to cover Teagan’s hand with her own. ‘You’re going to take it, aren’t you, darling?’
‘I don’t know. I’d hoped to find something a bit more, you know, farmy.’
‘That could come,’ said Lucas. ‘Belgravia’s a fairly big property. Nick’s always complaining that he doesn’t have time to manage it the way it should be. Owners keep getting in the way and with Stacey busy with the baby he’ll have even less time. You might start as just a stablehand, but prove yourself and who knows where it could end up.’
