The Boundary Fence (A Woodlea Novel, #7)

by Alissa Callen

  ‘Can you imagine having our wedding with Edna’s birthday party?’ Fliss laughed so much she dabbed at the corner of her eyes with a serviette. ‘Apart from the fact she’d scare away my groom, I wouldn’t put it past her to think we only got married to provide a smokescreen for her birthday celebrations.’

  Ella too laughed so hard she had to press a hand to her chest. She’d deeply missed Fliss and it was so enjoyable to be sharing a laugh with her again.

  Still chuckling, Fliss typed on her keyboard. She glanced at the notebook and the checklist Ella had made about where she’d so far looked for information about Jeb. ‘Okay, so nothing’s come up from a general or social media search. Let’s see if there’s anything on the phone record database.’

  Fliss angled her laptop screen so Ella could see and took a sip of her hot chocolate while the results loaded. There were no hits.

  Fliss’s brow furrowed. ‘This man’s a ghost. Let’s try Jebediah and if that fails we’ll tweak the spelling. I wonder if Irvine doesn’t have an E.’

  This time when Fliss did a general search the screen filled with information. ‘Now we’re talking.’ She clicked on the first link.

  Ella leaned in closer to scan the newspaper that publicly listed the names of drink and drug drivers convicted in a local Queensland court. ‘Well, we now know he lived in Bundaberg and blew high range and lost his licence for fourteen months, and that his middle name is Arthur.’

  Fliss opened another link. ‘Three years later he was again convicted of drink-driving.’ She sighed. ‘Maybe I’ve been around emergency departments for too long but I have a bad feeling about why Jeb has no social media presence.’

  She typed in his three names and this time Fliss didn’t have to click on the link as the brief description contained all the information they needed. Fliss’s hunch had been right. Jeb had died six years ago when his car had left the road and hit a tree.

  Fliss brought up the full article from a small-town newspaper. Alcohol was suspected to be involved as he’d been driving home from the pub. He’d left behind a partner as well as a son and daughter.

  Ella sat back in her chair. Sadness filled her for Jeb’s second family; Gemma, who had two half-siblings she never knew; and for Violet. There could now be no answers about Libby. Despite all of their hopes, the sketchbook had proved nothing but a dead end after all.

  Unlike the previous time his new neighbour had visited, this time Saul knew Ella was about to arrive. She’d texted while he’d been out spot spraying Bathurst burrs to ask him if he was busy and if she could come around. The heads up gave him a chance to make sure his restraint was as rock solid as it could be.

  He parked the gator in the shed. Duke jumped down and together they walked across the yard to the farmhouse. Ella wouldn’t be far away. If she needed to see him he assumed she’d found out something about Jeb Irvine and it hadn’t been positive.

  Last night, after seeing Violet’s anguish and Ella’s deep concern, his own emotions had refused to settle. He’d stared at the white expanse of his bedroom ceiling well past midnight. As for the distress on Ella’s face when she’d mentioned her brother, he was thankful they’d had the bulk of the F-truck console between them as otherwise he would have held her close. As it was, covering her unsteady fingers with his only intensified his deep need to comfort her. He took off his cap and speared a hand through his hair. A need that had no place in his plans to get his bison farm operational or in his making sure that his second chance stayed on track.

  He made a detour by the water tank to check the new fitting was holding as the grass remained green on the left side. Everything appeared to be in order. A guinea fowl ruckus sounded from within the front garden and he looked around to check where Duke was.

  When the agitated screeches intensified, he called Duke over and tied him outside his kennel. If the guinea fowls had cornered a snake, he didn’t want Duke anywhere nearby. As a child he’d seen firsthand the potency of a brown snake’s venom and the speed with which it could kill a neighbour’s kelpie.

  He didn’t need to walk far into the garden to know his hunch had been correct. Heads bobbing, the guinea fowls stood in a semicircle around an eastern brown snake. When the snake moved towards the circle opening, two guinea fowls flapped into the air. With harsh and loud shrieks, the flock herded the snake out of the garden and towards the slashed paddock. As soon as the eastern brown disappeared beneath the wire, the guinea fowls ran up and down the fence line.

  Duke’s frenzied barking alerted Saul to Ella’s arrival. By the time he’d walked around to the front of the house, Ella had left her four-wheel drive and was patting Duke. She again wore denim shorts and this time a fitted white top that left her toned arms bare. The hot breeze tousled her shorter hair.

  She greeted him with a smile. ‘I missed having my welcoming committee race me from the front gate.’

  ‘You were right about guinea fowls not liking snakes.’

  Ella’s smile ebbed. ‘Claire’s treating a Jack Russell for a snake bite as we speak.’ Ella ruffled Duke’s neck. ‘You be nice to those guinea fowls, okay? They’ll keep you in one piece.’

  When she looked back at him, he dipped his head towards the house. ‘Shall we chat inside?’

  ‘No need. You’ll have things to do. I just wanted to let you know Jeb Irvine didn’t appear to learn any life lessons. He died six years ago in a car crash on the way home from the pub.’

  ‘That’s no good … for him or for Violet. Would you like me to come with you to tell her?’

  ‘She already knows. She called while Fliss was still there. When I said I would head over to see her, she said that whatever we’d discovered I could tell her there and then.’

  ‘That’s Violet. How did she take the news?’

  ‘She went quiet. When I then told her Gemma had a half-brother and sister, she ended the call so she could ring Gemma.’

  ‘So, we’re back to square one.’

  ‘We are, but now I know about Jeb, I’ll keep an eye out for anything at the house that might connect him with Libby.’

  ‘It can help looking at things through fresh eyes.’

  As he spoke he glanced away to stare into the garden. Looking at things in a new light could also cost you everything and everyone you loved.

  The guinea fowls now rested in the shade of a tree, so he moved to unclip Duke’s chain. The snake would be long gone.

  Duke took about two steps before flopping at Ella’s feet and with a groan rolled over for her to scratch his belly.

  She laughed as she used the toe of her black slip-on shoe to rub his belly. ‘Duke, you do know your ancestors were all tough working dogs?’

  ‘He will be soon, we’re about to check the bison.’

  Ella’s head lifted and interest sparked in her gaze.

  He spoke without thinking. ‘You’re welcome to come.’

  There was only a slight hesitation before she replied. ‘I’d really like that. I’ll grab my hat.’

  Even before she turned towards her four-wheel drive his jaw hardened. Strides long, he went inside to cut up apples for the bison. If he could he’d have retracted his words. He was a fool to prolong the time he spent with Ella.

  The thought echoed in his head as she sat beside him in the narrow gator. Unlike in the truck, or even the tractor, they were so close he only had to move his elbow a little and their arms would touch. The subtle scent of cherry blossom clung to her tanned skin.

  Her cap and dark sunglasses concealed her expression but her mouth appeared relaxed as she gazed around. She smiled when Duke hung his head over her shoulder from where he sat behind her.

  Saul made a conscious effort to keep his tone casual as he initiated small talk. ‘Aircon working okay?’

  ‘It is, thanks to you.’ She briefly glanced at him. ‘Do you know what that electrician said when he returned my call?’

  ‘Going by how you sound, something you didn’t want to hear.’

  �
�He was glad I changed my mind about not seeing him again.’

  Saul almost felt sorry for the man. If Ella’s words were half as fierce as her frown he would have copped an earful. ‘I take it he wished he hadn’t said such a thing?’

  ‘Put it this way … he won’t be calling again.’

  The conversation stopped as a herd of six bison thundered towards them. He wasn’t sure if Ella drew a quick breath but when she took off her sunglasses to see the bison better he caught awe in her eyes. ‘No wonder they’re called thunder beasts. It’s a wall of moving bison.’

  ‘Yes, they don’t like moving in single file.’

  The bison stopped at the fence and he left the gator to walk over. Ella and Duke followed. The cows in this herd were all accepting of humans; it was the bull at the back who wasn’t so trusting. He eyed them with a belligerent and hostile stare.

  Ella looked over at him. ‘I never thought I’d see a bull more intimidating than Reggie, but this fellow isn’t happy to see us.’

  Saul passed Ella several pieces of apple. ‘Hercules has mellowed. You should have seen the dents in the truck when he arrived.’

  He stepped forwards and through the fence fed two of the cows and rubbed their curly brown foreheads. Ella stood beside him and fed apples to the others. She scratched the nose of any cow who was in reach.

  Once Saul had checked over the bison in this herd they drove to a second breeding group two paddocks over. They again fed the bison apples and, unlike Hercules the bull, Dakota was pleased to see them.

  On their way back they passed the stables and Cisco’s shady paddock. When Ella turned to look at the gelding, Saul stopped the gator.

  ‘What’s his name?’ she asked as she reached into the bucket that contained the last piece of apple.

  ‘Cisco, but he doesn’t like apples.’

  ‘Seriously?’

  ‘Or carrots.’

  Ella left her seat. ‘I have to see this. A horse that doesn’t like treats.’

  Saul followed and joined her at the fence. ‘If we’re lucky, he’ll look at us.’

  Cisco swished his black tail before lifting his head from where he grazed near a cluster of gum trees. He stared at them. Then he picked his way through the clumps of grass over to Ella.

  Saul silenced a groan. He didn’t need any reminder of Ella’s appeal. Duke was already besotted and now even his aloof quarter horse found Ella irresistible.

  The vet held out the apple on her flattened hand. While Cisco dropped his nose close to the apple, he didn’t eat the fruit. Instead he took a step closer and sniffed Ella’s hair.

  ‘You don’t like apples but I bet you like neck rubs.’

  She smoothed his glossy black-and-white neck and the gelding gave a contented sigh.

  Ella cast Saul a quick glance. ‘Where did he come from?’

  ‘Up north. Denham found him for me. I’ve also got a young mare coming next week who Tanner thinks will be good to work bison with.’ He paused. He’d already taxed his self-control by showing Ella around, he now couldn’t stretch it further by creating another opportunity to be around her. But there was something about the longing in her expression as she stroked Cisco’s shoulder that silenced his reservations. ‘When Amber’s here, maybe we could go for a ride?’

  ‘I’d love that. I’m planning on getting a horse. I just haven’t had time.’

  He only nodded as he didn’t trust that his reply would sound casual. This was how Ella should be. Shoulders relaxed and smile content. Whatever the trauma was that caused her scar and the shadows in her eyes, he could only hope that one day it would fully free her from its grasp.

  Feeling the hold on his feelings slip, he returned to the gator. He hadn’t come here to become emotionally entangled with anyone. If he didn’t start staying on his side of the boundary fence, he was in danger of breaking every vow he’d made on the day he discovered his marriage, and his future, had been built on a lie.

  CHAPTER

  9

  What had she missed?

  Ella turned at the doorway to take a last look at Libby’s freshly dusted bedroom. Her second job for the weekend was completed. But despite looking through Libby’s things and checking under the furniture, she’d found nothing that connected the teenager to her older sister’s boyfriend. She’d also been through Annette’s room next door and had come up empty-handed.

  Ella again scanned Libby’s bedroom. Everything was just as the sixteen-year-old had left it. Horse books filled the bookshelves and half-finished art projects sat in clear plastic containers on her desk. A black-and-white doona cover was matched with a pair of white cushions. Sitting in front of the cushions was a large soft toy of a border collie.

  She tucked the dusting cloth beneath her arm and slid her phone out of her shorts pocket. Another week had passed with only a handful of texts from Saul, and when he had messaged they’d all been about Violet. If it wasn’t enough of a bad habit that she regularly checked her phone for a new text, when she turned on the veranda light at night she’d stare across at his farmhouse and wonder what he was doing. As hard as she fought, she was losing the battle to keep him at bay.

  Last weekend mightn’t have turned out to be Saul-free but there was no reason why this one couldn’t be. Except a persistent and irrational part of her wanted to see him. She needed to hear his deep voice, see his slow smile and glimpse the emotion in his eyes when he spoke about his bison. When he was around them, his reserve fell away.

  She stared at her phone. As aware as she was of Saul, he remained oblivious to her. Both of them weren’t in the market for a relationship, and she should be thankful she wasn’t fending off his attention. But as much as she had donated her hair to help others, she had also done it to become invisible. Except when it came to Saul, this was increasingly becoming the last thing she wanted to be.

  She rubbed at the scar on her leg. If she had any sense she’d put her mobile away, but this wasn’t about her. Saul was right—fresh eyes could prove invaluable. She’d been through Libby’s room numerous times, but she might be missing something. For Violet’s sake, Saul needed to take a look. He’d view things from a different perspective and she knew from when they’d built the hay bale castle that he had an eye for detail.

  She sent him a quick text.

  Found nothing in Libby’s room. Might be worth you taking a look?

  She went into the kitchen to check on the banana bread. Cressy was having her over for lunch and to help choose nursery furniture. Since the dessert night, the soon-to-be mother craved anything sweet. She’d just tugged off her oven mitts when her phone chimed from over on the kitchen table.

  Good idea. After lunch?

  She stepped away from her mobile. For her own sense of self-worth she couldn’t reply straight away. When it came to Saul she had to exercise more restraint. She turned off the oven and loaded the dishwasher before sending an answer.

  Late afternoon? Will text when back from Cressy’s.

  Saul’s thumbs-up reply was instant. She quashed her happiness that he’d been waiting for her message. After rereading their conversation she put her mobile into her tote bag. She wasn’t checking it again or thinking about seeing Saul that afternoon; she had a lunch to get ready for.

  Right on schedule, Ella crossed over Glenmore’s cattle grid. She lifted the sun visor so she had an unobscured view of the horizon. The pristine blue sky had turned a dull pewter-grey and the temperature had dropped, but no sheets of distant rain fell. All that would arrive with the approaching storm front would be more winds that whipped up the dust into twirling red spirals.

  Through the trees she glimpsed the historic homestead with its four distinct chimneys and wraparound veranda. It seemed a lifetime ago since Cressy and Denham’s wedding had been held in the paddock overlooking the river. The bridal party had used the homestead to get ready and her partner was to be Denham’s rodeo friend who hadn’t yet arrived as storms had delayed his flight from San Francisco.
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br />   She’d heard Saul before she saw him. Taylor had been doing her hair when a deep voice with American inflections had rumbled outside the living room door. Then Denham had brought Saul in. Weary and stubbled, his shoulders had filled the doorway. All she could do was stare at the cleft in his chin and the strong line of his jaw and remember to nod when Denham introduced her.

  When Saul’s dark-blue eyes had met hers it was as though the laughter and bustle around her faded. In his intense gaze she’d glimpsed an integrity and a strength that went beyond the physical. The man she was to accompany all night had the power to breach the defences she’d so carefully constructed. Even knowing this, she hadn’t been able to break eye contact. Then, the real world had returned with a vengeance.

  She’d had no idea that Taylor had even spoken to her, let alone what she’d said, until the hairdresser stopped blow-drying her hair to look at her. Embarrassed and shaken, she’d somehow thought of something witty to say before the noise of the blow-dryer again enveloped her. She’d spent the rest of the night not looking at Saul unless she had to. Even if she’d remained acutely aware of everything he said or did.

  She slowed to take the sharp corner in Glenmore’s driveway. Her throat ached as more memories broke free. The bridal waltz, where Denham and Cressy had gazed deep into each other’s eyes, had been her undoing. Charles had once looked at her with such love. Young and foolish, she hadn’t realised the value of what she’d had or that her choices would have inflicted so much damage.

  After she’d danced a brief waltz with Saul, she’d sought solace in the shadows behind the reception marquee. There in the darkness and solitude, she’d wrapped her arms around her chest and her silent despair and guilt had slipped over her cheeks.

  In hindsight she should never have turned when Saul said her name. She should have ignored him. But there was something in his grave and husky tone, as if he shared her anguish, that made her swing around. They’d simply stared at each other. She still didn’t know what it was in her expression that caused him to give her a solemn nod and return to the other wedding guests, but it was the outcome she’d wanted and needed.