‘I really can’t.’
‘Why?’
She blinked. No one ever asked her to justify her actions. She wasn’t starting now. She set off towards the homestead. ‘I have things to do
here
.’
Once through the orchard gate she stopped to wait for Tait and Dusty.
Tait shut the gate behind them. ‘I promise it’ll be a quick trip. No coffee breaks.’
He rubbed behind Dusty’s ears as the dog sat at his feet. ‘You think Paige should come with me, don’t you?’
The red heeler’s tail thumped in the dirt. An idea stretched into life.
‘Okay. I’ll come, if it’s a two-for-one deal.’
‘I’d love to take Connor but he’s already said he wasn’t up to going.’
‘It’s not Connor I’m talking about.’ Paige looked down at Dusty pointedly, who
grinned a wide doggy smile up at them.
Tait’s hand lowered to his side. ‘The dog. You want to take the dog in
my car
to Glenalla.’
Paige tried not to smile. ‘Yes, in your very fancy, very fast car. He loves going to town. He enjoys playing with Bella, the librarian’s dog.’
‘You’ve done this before?’
She nodded. ‘It’s simple. He goes. I go.’
Tait briefly closed his eyes. ‘I must have rocks in my head but you have a deal.’
‘Great.’ She gave in to the laughter strumming inside. ‘You won’t regret it.’
‘I already do. Please tell me Glenalla has a car-detailing service.’
Paige shook her head as she walked up the verandah steps. ‘It won’t be that bad. I’ll throw a blanket over your precious back seat. He’ll be a model passenger.’
‘What about my precious front seat?’
She held open the screen door for him. ‘Sorry? Front seat?’
Instead of striding through the door, he halted. ‘I’ll need a blanket for that as well unless you’re planning on changing your jeans.’
Earlier she’d debated whether or not her jeans needed a wash. They were only going to get dirty again, so in the end she’d removed them from the washing pile.
‘My shirt is clean and my jeans were.’
‘In a previous life. But it’s not so much the dirt that will be a problem.’ Laughter threaded his words. ‘If you’re so concerned about what people will say when they see you in town with me, wait until they notice the rip in your jeans.’
‘Rip?’ The screen door swung shut with a loud bang as she released it. Both hands flew to the seat of her jeans to find out exactly where the rip was. She’d given up mending every little tear and she barely registered the sound of splitting denim anymore. The only
criterion for tossing out jeans was if her bottom basically hung out. Her left hand encountered warm, bare flesh. She froze. Like now. Heat flooded her cheeks. All this time when Tait had followed her to the orchard, climbed the steps behind her, he’d never said a word.
‘
Now
you tell me,’ she hissed.
Tait held his hands palms up, his bucket hanging from the crook of his arm. ‘What can I say? I thought if it didn’t bother you it wasn’t worth mentioning.’
She contented herself with her most so-not-impressed scowl and opened the screen door again for Tait to walk through.
He didn’t. He bowed. ‘Ladies first.’
Head high, she waltzed through the door. Tait had already seen all there was to see.
Paige went upstairs to change her jeans and to swap her work shirt for a sleeveless, white linen blouse that had once fitted her like a glove. It now hung off her. She tucked the shirt into her jeans and buckled her plaited leather belt, refusing to look in the mirror. At the last minute, she ran her fingers through her hair. She was only making an effort to appear presentable as she had to maintain appearances that the Quinns were surviving the drought. Her extra attention to detail had nothing to do with the infuriating man waiting to take her and Dusty to Glenalla.
She grabbed her hat and Dusty’s lead off the hallway hatstand and stepped out into the sunshine. Her father and Tait were talking beside Tait’s car, in which Dusty had already claimed ownership of the blanket-covered back seat. Her heart warmed. The red heeler would be enjoying first-class travel in air-conditioned comfort, unlike his usual seat in cattle-class on the tray-back of a ute. At her approach Tait slid into the driver’s seat. She kissed her
father’s cheek and could have sworn emotion moistened his eyes.
‘Say hello to Anne for me,’ he said, voice gruff.
‘Will do.’
She sat in the passenger seat. Behind her Dusty whined in excitement. The outing was already doing the old dog good. Tait finished sending a phone message before placing the mobile into the car’s hands-free car kit.
‘All good to go?’ he asked, turning on the ignition.
She waved at Connor before answering, ‘Not quite.’
Hands on the steering wheel, Tait turned to her. Whatever he’d been about to say didn’t leave his lips as Dusty leaned forward from the back seat to rest his head on Tait’s shoulder.
Paige smothered a chuckle at Tait’s stunned expression. Dusty always liked to look through the windscreen when driving and he’d use the driver’s left shoulder as a head rest. Just as well he didn’t have bad doggy breath.
‘Now we’re good to go,’ she said with what she hoped passed for a straight face.
Despite the unfamiliar weight of Dusty’s head on his shoulder and thoughts of how much dog hair clung to his upholstery, Tait relaxed.
He’d achieved what he’d set out to do. He’d managed to confine Paige to a single spot, even if it would be only for the next hour and a half. She’d nowhere to go, except where their conversation would lead. And he’d make sure it headed down the path he needed it to.
Yesterday things had worked out despite the day’s rocky start. In the morning he’d established Paige’s commitment to Banora Downs was genuine and then he’d spent the afternoon going over financial records with Connor. He now had a broad picture of the property’s current position. The next step was to nail down the farm’s future direction, a direction only Paige could give him. What did she envisage for the coming years? What were her hopes and dreams for her home? He’d have the answers by the end of today – he glanced at the doggy muzzle on his shoulder – even if he had to be Dusty’s personal pillow the entire way to Glenalla.
His nerves tightened. Here, in the back of beyond, he’d found the unimaginable. A woman who didn’t want more than what was on offer. In fact, Paige didn’t want
anything
that he offered. Not chocolate, help or herbs. She possessed an altruism and unselfishness that was as foreign to him as seven-star service was to the outback. She operated under a different set of rules to the ones he was used to playing by. Her parameters of loyalty and integrity
didn’t feature in his world of competition and self-interest. And now that he understood her, he knew money hadn’t been behind why she’d doubled his room rate.
He concentrated on the ribbon-straight road. But it was irrelevant if he was out of his comfort zone dealing with Paige or that a glimpse of her curves beneath her ripped jeans fired his blood. He had a business plan to finish, secrets to protect and answers to find.
‘So, Paige, Connor tells me this is the worst drought he’s ever lived through.’
‘Yes, and Dad has seen a few.’
‘He also mentioned something about drought-proofing Banora Downs, but I didn’t quite catch what he said.’
Tait thought Paige nodded but he was having trouble seeing past Dusty’s head. He also harboured the suspicion that should he turn his head too far, Dusty would deliver an affectionate lick to his face.
‘Dad worked hard to prepare Banora Downs for the next drought. He’s invested in new bores and pumps and focused on improving pastures so they are more reliable when it’s dry. Compared with others who are no longer on their farms, we aren’t doing too badly.’ She sighed. ‘But the drought just won’t end.’
He blanked out the way her wretched tone tapped into emotions he always kept well guarded.
‘It will, and when it does, where do you see Banora Downs heading?’
She groaned. ‘Not more hypothetical questions.’
‘Sorry, I’m just curious about what you see in Banora Downs’ future. Even a city boy like me can tell it is a special place.’
‘Yes, you’re right. It’s a special place and needs to be preserved for generations to come.’
‘So you’ll be providing the generations to come?’
Tait ground his teeth. He was supposed to be focusing on the business plan not delving into Paige’s personal life.
‘Let’s just say as an only child it is my responsibility to carry on the family name.’
Even though he couldn’t really see her, he knew Paige was frowning. Her fingers were tightly interlocked on her lap. ‘But in saying that,’ she continued, ‘I’ve no immediate plans to do so. My priority is looking after Dad and if there ends up being no other “generation” there’s always cousin Charles. He married last summer and I’m sure a little Charles will be on the way soon.’
‘Is Charles the boy your father mentioned who fell out of the tree?’
‘Yes, one and the same, even though actually he is my second cousin. For some reason no one believes me when I say his fall had nothing to do with me.’
Tait risked a look at Paige’s profile. Dusty’s hot breath soon had him turn back to the road again. ‘Dare I ask why?’
‘No you can’t.’ Paige laughed. ‘Let’s just say a tomboy can out-climb a boy wielding a bow and arrow.’
‘I take it cousin Charles gave up archery?’
‘Not quite. When his broken bone healed he settled for shooting targets that didn’t move.’
‘A wise choice.’
‘That’s what I thought.’ She paused. ‘Were you ever a tree-climbing archer?’
Tait fought the tension that locked his shoulders. And failed. Dusty lifted his head and then lowered it as if in protest that his head rest had become too uncomfortable.
Tait chose his words carefully. His childhood was a no-go zone but he couldn’t afford for Paige to become too curious. ‘A tree-climber for a brief time, yes. Archer, no.’
‘That’s lovely you had a tree to climb. Not many little boys would have such an
opportunity growing up in the city. Did you have a big garden?’
His hands tightened on the steering wheel. ‘So tell me more about how Banora Downs could be preserved for generations to come.’
If Paige noticed his change of topic, it didn’t show in her thoughtful reply. ‘I guess the main thing is to make the farm financially viable again. We’ll need to continue to drought-proof though. Also we’ll need to rebuild our breeding herd. Then once the farm can again pay its way, it will be a matter of preserving the homestead.’
‘So no plans to move into any alternative industries like olives, emus or alpacas?’ Even before he’d finished talking he realised he sounded far too knowledgeable.
Paige leaned forward and gazed past Dusty towards him. ‘For a suit-wearer you know a lot about rural industry.’
He scanned the roadside for a sign advertising a hotel, garage or anything to show they would soon enter Glenalla town limits and to steer the conversation in another direction. What was supposed to be an information-gathering car trip had descended into the journey from hell. Paige had the uncanny ability to home in on the things he didn’t want to discuss.
He cleared his throat. Yet again he couldn’t tell her the truth, just a partial truth. ‘I run an investment company that dabbles in agriculture.’
Apparently satisfied, she leaned back in her seat. ‘And people have invested in such things like emus and olives?’
‘Yes.’
‘How did they work out?’
‘Sometimes good and sometimes not so good.’
‘Well, I’m glad for those for whom it worked and sorry for those it didn’t. I’m not much of a risk taker so would probably prefer to stick to something I know.’
He breathed easier. The trip hadn’t been a total failure. One of his questions had at least been answered. Paige wasn’t interested in diversifying too far away from the traditional enterprises of sheep, cattle and crops.
‘You have experience in tourism, so maybe that would be another option for Banora Downs?’
‘To be honest, no. As you’ve no doubt gathered, Dad is the social one and as much as he won’t admit it his health isn’t as good as it used to be. It’s only in this past year that he’s relied on his wheelchair instead of his walking stick. Also I wouldn’t be able to run the farm as well as cater for guests. There’s a reason why Dad is the cook.’
‘So do you see Banora Downs as continuing to be a strictly farming enterprise or do you have another back-up plan in mind?’
This time it was Paige who avoided a direct question. ‘You know, I still don’t understand how you found out about us. I’m positive our advertisements were removed from the web. It would help to know where your PA discovered our details so I can make sure they are pulled. We really aren’t in a position to accommodate any more guests.’
He mentally crossed his fingers to absolve himself of the lie he was about to tell. ‘Sure. I’ll follow up with my PA.’
A sign advertising a local B&B flashed past. Relief dulled the pounding at his temples. They’d soon be in town. He desperately needed a coffee – and to get away from Paige’s perceptiveness. The walls around his secrets were wearing paper-thin.
‘Slow down, guys,’ Paige said with a smile as Dusty and Bella raced each other around Anne’s small town yard. But the panting dogs failed to hear her. It’d been at least a month since they’d had a play date and they weren’t letting the heat sabotage their fun. Still smiling,
she turned to Tait, who stood beside her, but instead of enjoying the dog’s antics he played with his phone. She looked skyward. Boys with their toys.
‘Okay, we’re all good,’ she said. ‘You go and do what you have to do. I’ll meet you back here in an hour.’
Tait slid his phone into his shirt pocket. His sunglasses shaded his eyes but the lines that slashed either side of his mouth spoke volumes. He needed caffeine. She pointed to her right. ‘If you go down there three blocks, there’s a plant nursery and café that I’ve heard does a good cappuccino.’
‘Thanks but I’m right for the moment.’ His mouth relaxed a little. ‘I’m not a total coffee addict, you know, more like a coffee enthusiast.’
She couldn’t stop her burst of laughter. ‘A coffee connoisseur?’
The last of his tension dissolved into a grin. ‘Yes, exactly, someone who appreciates a good coffee.’
‘Okay, Mr Coffee Connoisseur,’ she waved her hand to her left, ‘I’m walking this way to visit Anne at the library and then going to the vet’s to pay some bills, so should you wish you can come with me or you can head off and find a coffee to appreciate.’
‘I’ll come with you as far as the library. Seeing as there are books and papers for Connor, I’ll carry them.’
Before she could say she didn’t need any help, Tait set off towards the red brick building on the corner sporting a big white ‘library’ sign out front. With a final check on Dusty and Bella, Paige followed. As she drew alongside Tait, he again pulled out his phone.
‘What’s your mobile number so I can text you to check when you’re ready to head home?’
‘No need.’
‘We can still meet in an hour but it might be handy to swap numbers in case something
crops up.’
‘No.’ Paige stepped over a crack in the footpath where a nearby gum tree’s roots had warped the concrete.
Tait’s brow furrowed as he pushed his sunglasses on top of his head. ‘No, we won’t meet in an hour? Or no, swapping numbers won’t be handy?’
‘No.’ She turned through the library gateway and onto the narrow path. ‘I don’t have a mobile.’
Tait’s fingers snared her wrist. She stopped and swung around, her words of protest dying on her lips. He stared at her with such concern, such disbelief, that all she could do was gaze back at him.
‘You don’t have a mobile?’
She managed to shake her head. He was so close she could smell the scent of the rose soap they’d bought last town visit and see the darkness of his lashes. So close that even though he no longer touched her she remained frozen in place like a wallaby trapped in a spotlight.
‘Paige, you must have a mobile.’
‘I’m fine without one. It doesn’t bother me if I’m a techno-dinosaur.’
‘This is serious. For your own safety you should carry a mobile.’
She took a step backward and the metal rail lining the library path pressed into her lower back. ‘Why, so I can call for a tow-truck if I break down? Or for road service to change my flat tyre? I can look after myself.’
‘I’ve no doubt you can but there could be a day when you need one. Or need to be contacted.’
‘The two-way radio works perfectly in the ute.’
‘What if you aren’t in your ute and are, say, walking around town. How could
people contact you then?’
‘Easy.’ She continued along the path. ‘They’d call Anne. She always knows where I am.’
She heard Tait groan. ‘You might have an answer for everything, but I’m buying you a phone.’
Paige stopped and faced him. Behind her the automatic library doors slid open. She hardly noticed the waft of cool air that pushed past her. Why did Tait insist on being a Good Samaritan? She’d didn’t want or need his help or his charity.
‘Why? I’m not your girlfriend. I’m not family. You won’t ever see me again after next week. Why on earth would you buy me a phone?’
His blue gaze held hers. ‘Because a mobile saved my life. And one day it could save yours.’
She blinked. Standing before her was no polished, charming, city pretty-boy. Just a serious man with weariness in his eyes.
A woman’s calm, quiet voice spoke into the tension. ‘Paige, he’s right, you know.’
Paige turned on her heel. Anne had seen them through the window and had left her post behind the counter to come and greet them. Paige smiled and walked forward to give the librarian a hug.
‘I seem to remember having a similar conversation with you a couple of years ago,’ Anne said as she drew away.
‘I haven’t forgotten, but what I said then still applies. When the drought breaks I’ll get a phone. Until then I’ll be fine.’ She glanced between Tait and Anne. ‘Anne, please meet Tait. He’s …’
Anne clasped Tait’s outstretched hand. ‘It’s okay, I know who you really are.’ She winked.
To Paige’s surprise Tait’s smile froze. ‘You do?’
‘Yes. Connor told me. He said not to listen to any town gossip about you and Paige. He said the real reason why you’re at Banora Downs is for a break.’
Tait’s smile again shone sunrise-bright. ‘Yes, that’s right. I’ve come for a change of scene.’ He threw Paige a swift glance. ‘And to bolster the local economy by purchasing a mobile phone.’
Paige gritted her teeth. Tait’s glib, easy charm had returned.
‘That’s very thoughtful of you,’ Anne said, ‘but I think what we have here is a mobile-phone stalemate. And I happen to have the perfect solution.’
Anne’s sensible shoes whispered across the carpet as she headed to the counter. Paige followed slowly in her wake. She gazed around at the book-lined shelves, losing herself in the past. Over in the children’s corner she used to fill her basket with books and sit in the colourful chairs and enter magical kingdoms of fairies and happy endings. The touch of her mother’s gentle hand would then return her to the real world. Together they’d lug the mountain of books to the counter where Anne would smile, check them out and press a red star stamp onto the back of her hand.