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  We’ll be OK, she silently promised her daughter. I can do this. I’m a hard worker and in time, I’ll clear these debts and I’ll make a wonderful life for us.

  Without a man.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  AFTER the doctor left, Michael and Reece Weston eyed each other uncertainly.

  There’d been good news and not so good. At least, the results of the tests were better than Reece had feared. His father didn’t need invasive procedures and he didn’t have to stay in hospital. But there were signs of congestive heart failure and, chances were, problems like fatigue, shortness of breath and swelling of his legs would get worse in the not too distant future.

  The doctor had increased the blood-pressure medication, and he’d suggested lifestyle modifications. He’d also strongly advised that Michael should consider moving from Warringa to a retirement village in Cairns.

  ‘There’s a very good place with a nursing home attached,’ the doctor had said, and he’d asked a social worker to provide them with pamphlets.

  Now, with a disgusted grunt, Reece’s father flicked the pamphlet off his bedspread, letting it flutter to the floor. ‘If they think I’m going into one of those damn places, they’ve another think coming.’

  ‘You’d be able to see a doctor regularly,’ Reece suggested carefully.

  His father simply scowled. ‘I couldn’t stand being holed up with a lot of dreary old folk, all of them losing their marbles together.’

  Bending down, Reece picked up the pamphlet. It showed pictures of healthy, happy seniors all neatly dressed and smiling, and enjoying a range of activities—art classes, walking groups, golf, gardening...

  ‘If anything happens...’ Reece frowned as he chose his words carefully. ‘If there’s a medical emergency, you’d be looked after straight away. Think how long it would take a doctor to get out to Warringa.’

  ‘I don’t care. I’m happy to die there,’ his father announced emphatically. ‘I’ve lived there all my flaming life and I don’t plan to leave my home now.’

  It was hard for Reece to hear his father speak so casually about death. But they’d lived together, just the two of them, for so long that, of course, he wasn’t surprised. His dad had only ever known the red dust and wide open skies and the isolation that came with outback life. He couldn’t honestly imagine Michael Weston settling into an art class or going for a walk in the Cairns Botanical Gardens with a bunch of chattering old folk.

  His dad’s life had been tough and lonely—driving mobs of cattle across vast tracks of wild country, coping with droughts and floods and fires. His father’s one attempt at marriage had been an abject failure, and after the divorce Michael Weston had stubbornly turned his back on society.

  Reflecting on this now, Reece found himself remembering another time, when he was five years old, when his dad had brought him here to this same hospital in Cairns to visit his mother and to meet his new baby brother. His heart still ached when he remembered his mother in bed, looking pale and lovely in a frilly pink bed jacket.

  ‘Your little brother’s called Anthony,’ she’d told Reece as he’d peeped shyly into the cot.

  ‘But we’ll call him Tony,’ his dad had added.

  His mother had snapped. ‘No, we won’t.’

  Reece could still remember the fear that had gripped him as he’d become aware, yet again, of his parents’ tight-lipped animosity. Tension had bristled in the air around him as he’d stared into the cot at his brother. He’d been hoping for a playmate—he’d seen baby calves that could stagger onto four legs within minutes of birth—and he was disappointed that his brother was so tiny and helpless. Anthony—or Tony—did nothing but sleep.

  ‘Will Anthony be able to play with me when he wakes up?’

  His mother had laughed at this, and then she’d cried. She’d cried hard and long.

  In the end, Reece had never played with his little brother, not unless he counted their awkward attempts to kick a football around a backyard, during his infrequent visits south. His mother had never brought the new baby home to Warringa. She’d stayed in Cairns.

  In later years, Reece learned that she’d had post-natal depression, but even when the depression lifted she hadn’t come home. She’d moved back to Sydney, keeping Tony with her, and leaving Reece with his father.

  So...apart from his years away at boarding school, Reece had shared his father’s solitary life, and he understood how a man could reach a point where he accepted isolation and loneliness as his destiny.

  He was pretty damn near that point himself. It was certainly too late to expect his old man to change.

  But accepting this didn’t ease Reece’s current dilemma. If he was to manage Warringa, including this year’s cattle muster, he couldn’t also look after his father. He was going to need help, and he was going to have to find that help fast.

  * * *

  To Jess’s surprise, Reece was waiting outside the café when she finished work. He was on the footpath, standing with his hands sunk in his jeans pockets and a bulky shoulder propped against the trunk of a coconut palm. Filtered sunlight lent his black hair the sheen of crow’s feathers. With the additional bonus of his coal-dark eyes, his craggy cheekbones and a faint shadow of beard, he looked frighteningly attractive.

  She didn’t want an attractive man in her life, so it was perverse of her to care that this hunky guy always seemed to catch her looking her worst. This time, she was in her chef’s gear with her hair yanked back off her face, unattractive trousers, a smeared white jacket and sensible lace-up shoes.

  ‘G’day,’ Reece said with a slow smile.

  ‘Hello, Reece.’

  His smile lingered. ‘Has anyone told you, you make a mean steak sandwich?’

  Jess’s jaw dropped. ‘When did you eat at this café?’

  ‘My father and I had lunch here.’

  She remembered now—in the middle of the lunch-time rush, her boss had grudgingly passed on a customer’s compliments.

  ‘Best steak sandwich he’s ever had,’ Joel had grunted, but Jess had been mega busy at the time and hadn’t given it another thought.

  Now, she couldn’t help wondering why Reece was still hanging around. He wasn’t stalking her, surely?

  ‘So I guess that means your dad’s out of hospital,’ she said quickly. ‘How is he?’

  ‘Not too bad, thanks. Right now, he’s relaxing at the motel, enjoying the air-conditioning and the pay TV.’

  ‘I can imagine. I’m glad he’s OK.’

  ‘Well, he’s not totally OK.’ Reece switched his gaze to the distant horizon where the calm waters of the Coral Sea met the sky. Blue on blue. He turned back to her. ‘Were you heading somewhere now?’

  ‘I’m off to the day-care centre to collect Rosie.’

  ‘Walking?’

  Jess hesitated. She liked Reece—probably liked him too much—and she certainly appreciated everything he’d done for her and for Rosie, but she had to be careful. She wasn’t sure if he was trying to chat her up, and she couldn’t afford to give him the wrong idea.

  To her surprise, his dark eyes took on a nervous flicker. His throat worked and he shrugged awkwardly. ‘If that sounded like a pick-up line, it wasn’t what I meant.’

  Gosh, had he read her mind? Feeling just a little confused, she smiled. ‘The day-care’s this way. Let’s go.’

  Reece fell in beside her and, after a short stretch of silence, he said, ‘I was wondering if you planned to shop for the white goods today.’

  Ah...so his interest was purely practical. Jess squashed a ridiculous ripple of disappointment. ‘No, I won’t be shopping for those things today.’ The sad truth was that, for the time being, she would have to make do with a picnic ice chest and hand washing or the Laundromat, but she was too proud to admit this to Reece.

  Now, however, he stopped abruptly, and once again he shoved his hands deep into his pockets.

  They were standing near the fence of a vividly tropical garden, and afterwards,
whenever Jess remembered this occasion, she could recall every detail as if the moment had been imprinted on her.

  The hum of traffic half a block away...

  The heady scent of jasmine...

  The industrious buzzing of bees...

  Reece’s nervousness and the way his face pulled into an awkward grimace...

  ‘Is something the matter, Reece?’

  His funny-sad smile should not have sent her insides tumbling.

  ‘I’ve a suggestion I’d like to put to you,’ he said. ‘I think it could help you, but I don’t know if you’ll like it.’

  Immediately, Jess was shaking her head. ‘If you’re thinking about lending me money, forget it. I couldn’t possibly accept.’

  ‘It’s not a loan.’

  She frowned. ‘What’s your suggestion, then?’

  ‘A job.’

  ‘But...I’ve got a job.’

  ‘I know, so this may not suit, but maybe if I explain...’

  Jess nodded, as curious as a fish rising to the bait. ‘OK.’

  Reece swallowed. ‘The thing is, I need someone to keep an eye on my father, so I’m going to have to hire some help.’

  ‘A nurse?’

  ‘No, not really a nurse. More like a housekeeper. Someone to cook and look after the house and just be there at the homestead. If I can’t find anyone suitable, my only alternative is to hire a contract mustering team and let them take care of the cattle business while I look after Dad. I can’t possibly manage both jobs.’

  ‘I—I see.’ Jess certainly sympathised with his dilemma.

  Reece cleared his throat. ‘I’d pay you well.’

  Her insides were fluttering like leaves in a high wind. ‘And this—this housekeeper—would she live at the homestead?’

  ‘Yes, but it’s a big house. If you came, you’d have your own room and bathroom and a sleep-out right beside you that could be Rosie’s nursery.’

  Obviously, he’d thought it all out.

  And Jess couldn’t deny she was sorely tempted. Wow...if she took this job, she wouldn’t have to pay for her food and rent, and she’d still be earning money. She could make inroads on those awful debts...

  It was incredibly tempting.

  Too tempting.

  Surely, it had to be a tempting trap.

  Her mind raced, weighing up pros and cons. The financial benefits were very clear, and she would quite enjoy the housekeeping and cooking, and she wouldn’t mind keeping an eye on Reece’s dad.

  On the downside, she would be living with Reece—and while she felt an unwise thrum of excitement at that thought, she knew she had to be sensible. Reece was so muscly and tantalisingly good-looking, and he was thoroughly nice, but his combined attributes presented a dangerous package.

  Only last night, she’d reminded herself that she had to avoid this kind of man-trap. Going out there with Reece, living miles from anywhere, more or less alone with him, could be great fun, but it would also create all kinds of relationship dangers. She had to be sensible. Had to remember her plan to get on top of her problems before she risked another romance.

  Reluctantly, Jess shook her head. ‘I’m sorry, Reece. I think I’d rather stick to working in Cairns.’

  ‘Of course.’ Apart from the tightening of his jaw, she saw no hint of a negative reaction. So that was a good thing.

  ‘It was a long shot.’ His quick smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. ‘Worth a try.’

  ‘Thanks for thinking of me.’

  He shrugged. ‘No problem.’

  Jess glanced down the street. The day-care centre was only three doors away and she nodded towards its sign, complete with pictures of teddy bears and wide-eyed dolls. ‘I’d better collect Rosie.’

  ‘Sure.’

  ‘Reece, I hope everything works out for you. With your father and everything.’

  ‘Oh, it’ll be fine. Don’t worry.’

  ‘Please give him my regards.’ Feeling inexplicably depressed, Jess stepped closer, lifted her face and pressed a hasty kiss to his jaw. Her lips met his masculine stubble and she had to fight a longing to linger. ‘I’d better go, but I’ll keep in touch.’

  ‘Yes, do that. Give Rosie a cuddle from me.’

  ‘I will.’

  As she turned and hurried away her eyes filled with tears. How crazy was that? She knew she’d made a wise decision.

  And yet...

  If I was working in a homestead, Rosie wouldn’t have to be in day-care. I could have her with me every day, all the time.

  But no...she couldn’t give in to immediate regrets. She had to be strong, had to stick to her goals of independence and eventual security.

  Then again...taking that job would be a way of repaying Reece.

  This thought brought Jess up with an appalled jolt.

  Was she being horribly selfish? Reece was facing a dilemma. He needed help with caring for his father, in the same way that she’d needed his help on the night Rosie was born.

  He hadn’t hesitated to help them, and yet she’d dismissed him so coolly...

  Poised in the doorway of the day-care centre, Jess turned and looked back down the street. Reece was striding away on long legs and he’d almost reached the corner.

  She started to run.

  * * *

  It was for the best, Reece told himself as he walked away and valiantly ignored the gutted hollowness inside him.

  Hiring Jess to work at Warringa was a crazy thought anyway. Sure, she was a great cook, and she almost certainly needed a chance to save money, but taking her to Warringa was a risk. Already, after she’d spent one night in his home, he’d found himself caring about her and her little daughter. He could become too attached if they stayed for six months or a year or more before they left.

  And Jess and Rosie would leave.

  Reece had absolutely no doubts about that. He’d learned lessons from his mother’s desertion as well as a few failed attempts when girlfriends had found his home too isolated. He knew Jess had been sensible when she knocked back the offer, and, despite the lingering imprint of her soft lips on his skin, he was grateful.

  He’d go straight to an employment agency and find a sensible woman with good credentials. Failing that, he’d hire a contract mustering team and he’d take care of his dad himself. One way or another he’d get around this problem and—

  ‘Reece!’

  Jess’s call zapped through him like an electric charge. He turned to find her running down the footpath and, to his dismay, his heart began to pound.

  He began to run too. ‘Is something wrong?’ he called as he neared her. ‘Is Rosie OK?’

  Jess shook her head and stood panting and breathless. ‘This isn’t about Rosie,’ she said, eventually. ‘I—I’ve had second thoughts. About the job. I’d like to help you out.’

  Reece willed himself to remain outwardly calm while his heart thrashed.

  ‘I’m sorry I turned you down,’ she said. ‘I don’t know why I hesitated.’

  ‘Warringa is very isolated.’

  ‘I know that, but I wouldn’t mind. Alan and I were planning to live in Gidgee Springs, so Rosie and I would have been in the outback anyhow. And—’ She flashed a shy smile. ‘And I owe you.’

  ‘No, you don’t.’

  ‘I do, Reece. You’ve done so much for me.’

  ‘This isn’t about gratitude. It’s a practical job offer.’

  ‘Yes...’ Jess nodded. ‘And I’d be very pleased to accept the offer.’

  Was she sure about this? Reece didn’t dare to ask. She might change her mind.

  Ignoring the loud pealing of warning bells, he said, ‘That’s wonderful.’

  * * *

  ‘Jess Cassidy?’ scowled Reece’s father. ‘Isn’t that the girl who had the baby?’

  ‘Yes. She’s also an excellent cook and housekeeper.’

  His father’s eyes narrowed shrewdly. ‘So you’re keen on her, after all. I thought you were.’

  ‘Course I’m n
ot. I’m hiring her to take care of you.’

  ‘I don’t need taking care of.’

  Reece sighed. ‘OK. I’m not going to argue about this. You know I’ll have to start mustering soon and I’ll be a darned sight more relaxed if there’s someone at the homestead with you.’

  ‘A prison warder.’

  ‘Hardly.’

  ‘What about her baby?’

  ‘Her name’s Rosie and she’ll be coming too, of course.’

  ‘She’ll be crying all night.’

  ‘I don’t think she cries much, but, anyway, I’ll put her and Jess at the far end of the house, away from you. And I’ll buy you ear plugs, or you can turn the television up. I’m sure Jess and Rosie won’t bother you. You might even enjoy having a baby about the place.’

  ‘I doubt it.’ His father pulled a face. ‘You were a terrible baby. Cried all the time.’

  Reece sighed again. ‘I’m sure Rosie’s much better behaved than I was.’

  * * *

  ‘Gran, it’s Jess. How are you?’

  ‘I’m very well, dear. How are you? How’s Rosie?’

  ‘We’re fine, thanks. Rosie’s growing so fast. I wish you could see her.’

  ‘I have the lovely photo you sent on my dressing table.’

  Yes, it would be there along with the rest of her seven grandchildren. Sometimes it was hard for Jess to remember that she had to share her grandmother. Since her mum died, Gran was the only member of her close family still alive. But Gran had three sons Jess had only met once or twice and six grandchildren besides Jess. Gran and her sons’ families all lived at the Gold Coast at the opposite end of Queensland from Cairns.

  After Alan died, Jess had considered moving there, but she couldn’t afford the travel and removal costs.

  ‘I’m ringing to tell you that I have a new job,’ Jess said.

  ‘Oh. Is it a good one? Are you happy?’

  ‘I think it’s perfect, actually. I’m going to be working on a cattle property, as a housekeeper and cook.’

  ‘A cattle property? In the outback?’

  ‘Yes, it’s the property where Rosie was born, actually.’

  ‘I see. So you’ll be working for that wonderful young man who helped you?’

  ‘Yes. But I’m sure I didn’t tell you he was wonderful.’