Except for Neve, who she’d shared a glamping tent with at Cressy and Denham’s wedding and who had glimpsed her in only a long T-shirt, no one knew of the physical evidence of her guilt. It had been thanks to having just met Saul that she’d been too distracted to wear leggings to sleep in. Otherwise she’d been so careful. Whenever she went swimming she wore shorts over her swimmers. When out walking in public she always wore knee-length lycra leggings. She’d never expected to see anyone in her loose-fitting shorts, especially Saul, when she’d taken the goats to the river to cool off.
A horn honked and she gave a brief wave as old Will passed by. But now her secret was out and the only thing she could do was brace herself for any fallout. Tanner was a close friend and if he mentioned what he’d seen she’d be comfortable giving him yet another sanitised version of her life story. She’d been injured while overseas. She was certain he’d never press for more details.
As for Saul, she could only hope the subject of her scar never came up. Whereas Tanner had appeared shocked, Saul’s intense gaze had never left hers. Even with the distance between them she’d glimpsed unmistakable empathy. Somehow he knew of the pain that went far beyond the physical.
Her steps faltered. She couldn’t have anyone see beneath the composure that every morning when she looked in the mirror she smoothed into place, let alone a man who didn’t appear to have any scars of his own. But instinct told her they existed. Now that she could no longer avoid her new neighbour, it was critical she kept all contact to a minimum. She couldn’t have him know that the vulnerability he’d glimpsed at the wedding wasn’t just a one-off occurrence.
At the entrance of the Windmill Café she paused to allow her emotions to settle. To deal with Edna she needed to bring her A-game. She stood tall as she walked through the doorway. The scent of coffee and the sound of laughter welcomed her. Even with there being no farmers’ markets on today, the café was busy. Locals mingled with tourists and school-aged boys in cricket whites refuelled after their morning’s match.
As she’d suspected, Edna sat at her regular table that overlooked the main street and offered a perfect view of inside the café. While others around her were on their phones or chatting, Edna sat with her hands folded, people-watching. Her beaming smile invited Ella over even before she patted the empty chair beside her.
‘Isn’t this a nice surprise,’ Edna said, voice loud as Ella approached.
Ella only smiled. Edna would have seen her through the window. As Ella took a seat, she searched the older woman’s face, hoping her remark had been innocent and not a sign that she already knew about her daughter’s plans. But there didn’t appear to be any knowing glint in Edna’s eyes.
Edna’s smile widened. ‘Have you eaten? You’re welcome to join Mrs Knox and myself for lunch.’
‘Thank you but Violet’s expecting me. I’ll just stay for a quick chat.’
‘I thought you were on your way to dear Violet’s. I must say you’re running late.’
Ella kept her smile in place. Not only did she never run late, she also hoped she wasn’t so predictable. ‘Yes, I had a stray animal turn up. You don’t happen to know who owns a sheep that wears a green collar and leads better than half the dogs I know?’
‘That must be Missy, one of Caroline’s sheep.’ Edna reached for her navy handbag to take out her phone. ‘I’m surprised you haven’t seen Caroline walking them in the park. They’re so well behaved.’ Edna touched the phone screen and then held up a photo of an elderly woman with two black-headed dorper sheep beside her. In the background was the colourful play equipment of the park beside the sportsground.
‘Yes, that’s the missing sheep, the ewe on the left.’
‘It just so happens I know Caroline’s number. She isn’t a fan of the internet so wouldn’t see any of those posts you young ones are always putting online.’
Ella stayed silent while Edna called Caroline. Even if Edna’s enthusiasm for knowing everybody’s business wasn’t always appreciated, her extensive knowledge at times proved useful.
After ending the call, Edna returned her phone to her bag with an air of satisfaction. ‘Caroline’s so relieved. She’ll come to the vet clinic in an hour to pick Missy up. I love it when things fall into place.’
‘So do I.’ Edna’s gaze turned speculative and Ella spoke while she had the chance. ‘I’ve been trying to contact you about the hay bale challenge … I haven’t put my name down because I’m helping Cressy.’
‘That’s such a thoughtful idea. I’ll add you to Cressy’s entry form.’
Ella waited but Edna didn’t say anything further. This was all too easy. She’d expected at the very least a comment about how the more entries there were the better. She’d also expected Saul’s name to crop up.
‘Edna, I believe you spoke to Saul about me entering. I hope this wasn’t why he offered for us to work together. I don’t need to remind you that I’m happy on my own.’
Edna flashed a conciliatory smile. ‘Saul’s new to town and as you’re his neighbour I was just trying to help him settle in. That was all. I won’t mention you to him again.’
That was as close as she’d ever heard the older woman come to apologising. What was she up to? ‘Thank you.’
Edna patted her hand. ‘Don’t mention it.’
Ella went to push back her chair. It was subtle but what she could only describe as smugness shaped Edna’s lips before she spoke again.
‘I’m so glad you’re helping Cressy. This hay bale challenge will not only lift spirits and raise money but it will also generate some very welcome publicity.’ Edna leaned closer. ‘I don’t want to say too much but we have a television crew coming to talk to a select few about the inspiration behind their designs. People far and wide will be hearing about our lovely little town.’
Edna paused while she waved to someone behind Ella. When she continued her voice had lowered. ‘I must say Mrs Knox has aged. The poor thing is beside herself over Harriet’s new Dubbo boyfriend. Now, are you sure you won’t have lunch with us?’
Ella had already come to her feet. ‘I’m sure. Thanks for calling Caroline.’
‘Anytime. Please say hello to Violet for me. She’s been through so much.’
It wasn’t until Ella turned away that she realised exactly what Edna had been up to. Edna’s spiel about the publicity the hay bale challenge would generate hadn’t been random small talk. What she’d really been saying was that the weekend could provide a unique opportunity to help ease Violet’s pain. The media interest would be a perfect platform to raise public awareness about Libby’s disappearance.
Ella withheld a sigh as she left the café. If she gave Edna the benefit of the doubt she simply had Violet’s best interests at heart. But if that was all that was behind their conversation, why not just simply say the media attention might help find Libby?
She didn’t realise that she was still frowning until she reached Violet’s unit. When the door opened, compassion softened the older woman’s expression. ‘Had another one of those days?’
‘Actually, it’s been a great day. I had the cutest litter of red heeler puppies to vaccinate.’
Violet ushered her in with a smile. ‘I’ll put the kettle on and you can tell me all about them.’
While they enjoyed the fresh ham and salad rolls Violet had made, they went through the new box Ella had packed from the farmhouse. As Ella placed the items in their designated piles, her attention kept returning to a mat that lay on the floor near the window. She’d assumed it was there to protect the beige carpet whenever Violet sat on her walker to watch the birds in the garden. Now she wasn’t so sure. Beneath the hem of the curtain she could see the round contours of a blue rubber shape.
When the final items, some unused exercise books, had been placed on the charity pile she again glanced at the blue object. She could have sworn it was a dog’s chew toy. The vet surgery stocked a similar range.
Violet followed her gaze. ‘That’s Duke’s. Mrs
Lewis thought he might like it when he came to visit.’
Ella fought to conceal her shock. ‘Duke … as in Saul’s Duke?’
‘Yes. Saul’s such a lovely young man. He came to introduce himself when he first moved in and now pops around for a cuppa.’
Ella only hoped Violet wasn’t paying too much attention to her face. Her cheeks felt hot as if she’d been for a run in the midday heat. It had never occurred to her that Saul and Violet would have met. And by the look of the mat for Duke to lie on, he and Saul were frequent visitors. ‘I don’t know him very well but he does seem … nice.’
There were many other adjectives she could use that she would never say out aloud. Gorgeous. Compelling. Off limits.
‘He is.’ Violet’s shrewd grey gaze met Ella’s. ‘Is there anything you want to talk about? You seem a little distracted.’
The first reason she couldn’t talk about, even more so now that she knew Violet and Saul were friends. The second reason was one she did need to mention.
She took Violet’s thin hand. ‘Apparently the hay bale challenge will bring all sorts of media to town. It might be an opportunity to talk about Libby.’
Violet stiffened. ‘How so?’
‘I haven’t worked out the finer details but people will be interviewed about the inspiration behind their displays, so maybe I could do one in memory of Libby.’
Tears welled in Violet’s eyes but her voice emerged steady. ‘I’ve never given up hope … but so many years have passed. It’s time we do talk about her again. It might be my last … chance.’
Ella gently squeezed her hand before reaching for the exercise book on the top of the donation pile and then delving to the bottom of her tote bag to find a pen.
Ella turned to the first blank page. ‘What things did Libby like?’
Violet stared into the distance as treasured memories took her to another time and place. ‘While Libby’s friends were interested in boys and makeup, she still loved her dog, her horse and her art and craft. Lloyd and I kept waiting for the teenage hormones to kick in as they’d done with Annette. But she was never in any trouble.’
‘What type of dog did Libby have?’
‘A kelpie called Chip. Her horse was called Mrs Potts.’
‘Are any of her friends still here?’
Violet shook her head. ‘Fee was her main friend. They were always swapping books. I think Fee’s a teacher in Sydney now. Her family left town years ago.’
‘What about movies?’
‘She loved Disney movies, which might sound childish but she was young at heart. She was also quiet and sensitive and hated any form of attention. Annette was the noisy and confident one.’
Violet’s voice had thinned and her hand resting on the table trembled. Ella made a final note and closed the exercise book. Violet had talked enough for today and Ella didn’t want stress to trigger an asthma attack. It had been when she’d been rushing to reach her inhaler that Violet had fallen and broken her hip.
‘I’ll let you know what idea I come up with.’
‘Thank you.’ The hope that shone from Violet’s eyes renewed Ella’s resolve to find the answers that the older woman needed. ‘This might be it. Someone might know something.’
Ella kissed her cheek. ‘I have everything crossed that someone will.’
She packed away the next lot of items that needed to go to the charity shop and with a smile at Violet and a quick glance at Duke’s mat, she left.
Her thoughts raced, even though her steps were slow, as she walked along the concrete garden path towards her car. One of these days Edna wouldn’t get her own way. But, on this occasion, she had yet again. Not only would Ella now be entering the hay bale challenge with her own project, but as much as it sent her nerves into a freefall, she was going to have to work with Saul.
There was no other flat space beside her house to construct a design except for his paddock that fronted the road. If she wanted to attract media interest she had to go big and Saul also had the machinery to move the heavy bales she’d need to achieve this. The question now was whether or not his offer to do a joint project had been genuine.
Ignoring the pitch in her stomach, she slid into the driver’s seat. She was about to find out.
The pool water muffled the volume of Duke’s barking but not its message. Saul had company. Company he hadn’t planned on having.
He came to the surface and swam over to where his shirt lay near the pool steps. He’d only stripped off his T-shirt as his old rugby shorts doubled as swimmers. But depending on who his visitor was, even then he could be far too exposed. He was due for another Edna house call. Not to mention Ella’s goats might have come for a second visit. When he’d taken Cisco for a late evening ride yesterday, the goats had been in Ella’s garden and walking along the lower fence line looking for a way in. If the goats were here, Ella might not be far behind, seeing as it was Saturday afternoon and she wouldn’t be at work.
The grey T-shirt snagged on his wet hair as he reefed it over his head. Just as well he was supposed to be doing bookwork so wasn’t dressed in his usual jeans and thick cotton work shirt. Trying to pull on wet jeans could have proved interesting.
Conscious that water dripped down the back of his neck and pooled at his feet, he dragged a hand through his wet hair. Whoever his visitor was they’d just have to take him as they found him. Duke’s barking reached a crescendo, which made it more likely it wasn’t Ella’s goats but a vehicle that had driven up the driveway and now arrived.
Feet bare, he headed through the pool gate and around the side of the house. The silence warned him that his visitor was someone Duke was happy to see. He rounded the corner and was met with the sight of the Australian shepherd melting against Ella’s legs. His steps slowed.
He’d spent the past four days blanking out thoughts of Ella by cramming his head full of farm plans and lists. Except at night there proved nothing he could do to get her out of his mind. If Tanner, a close mate, hadn’t known about her scar, then he’d bet he wasn’t privy to the other wounds she carried. He didn’t know what haunted him the most—the physical pain she must have endured or the realisation that she carried the burden of her past alone. Generous, compassionate and warm-hearted, Ella deserved to have support in her life. Instead every day she faced her demons on her own.
She glanced up from where she patted Duke. Her brown gaze flickered over his damp grey T-shirt before she gave him a smile that was just a little too bright. ‘Hi.’
‘Hi.’
Unlike when he’d last seen her, she wore an oversized white top that covered her thighs and black leggings that stretched to her knees. Instead of making her look shapeless, the outfit revealed the length of her tanned legs and accentuated the curves that had filled out her dusky-pink bridesmaid dress. In her hand she carried a phone.
When she noticed his attention on her mobile, she held it up. ‘I don’t have any pockets and I’m on call this weekend.’
He nodded, resisting the urge to fold his arms. When Ella’s direct gaze met with his, his light-headedness had little to do with the glare of the sun. Even though he was far from comfortable with seeing her, his body language couldn’t communicate his uneasiness. It was still important to him that he put her at ease. He couldn’t let his emotional baggage compound her vulnerability. She had enough to deal with.
‘What can I do for you?’
He hadn’t meant for his words to sound clipped but with every second his awareness of her intensified. The too-large neckline of her shirt revealed the fragile hollow of a collarbone and the satin-smooth texture of her tanned skin.
‘I’d like to chat about Violet.’
‘Come inside.’ He led the way along the path, the pavers hot beneath his feet.
‘Don’t mind the mess,’ he said, as he held the screen door open.
When she stepped through the doorway, he didn’t immediately follow. As spacious as the farmhouse was, it would still feel too small when they
were both inside. At the wedding he and Ella had been surrounded by people. When she’d helped with his young bison they’d been focused on a combined task. And down at the river Tanner had been with him. Now there was nothing to distract him from the intense pull of attraction but unpacked boxes.
‘Tea, coffee or a cool drink?’ he asked as they entered the open-plan kitchen.
‘A glass of water would be great.’
Ella took a seat at the table he’d nodded towards and set her phone beside her. Duke went over to his favourite spot beneath the air conditioner and flopped onto his dog bed.
Ella gazed around at the box-cluttered kitchen. ‘Call me strange but I quite like unpacking, if you need a hand.’
He didn’t know if it was her unexpected kindness or that wariness again flittered across her face, but he opened the cupboard he’d just looked in only to find it empty again. He wasn’t the only one needing something to do as a distraction. ‘Actually, we might need to find the glasses.’
‘Consider it done.’
She moved to the closest box and the sound of tape ripping filled the kitchen. She held up a small saucepan.
He rubbed at his chin. ‘I was wondering where that was.’
Without waiting for any instructions she carried the box over to a large kitchen drawer and arranged the rest of the saucepans inside. He didn’t make any comment. He was having a hard time maintaining the illusion he was relaxed. The subtle scent of cherry blossom was doing strange things to his pulse rate. He opened a box to his left and found a set of glasses. He wiped one with a clean tea towel, filled it with ice and chilled water and set it near her phone.
From over in the walk-in pantry she smiled her thanks. She’d already grouped the non-perishable items he’d bought in town that morning into neat rows. It was no surprise she liked unpacking, seeing as she liked things ordered and tidy.
The Boundary Fence (A Woodlea Novel, #7) Page 6
