Leigh took a step back. Her body missed the comfort of Nina’s, and she wrapped her arms around her own waist. “Let me think about it. I can’t promise I’ll come up with anything, but I don’t know how I’m going to walk away from you.”
Nina’s throat worked as if she was holding back tears. “If there’s any other way, I’ll try it. How long do you need?”
“Can you give me two days?”
“What’s two more days after all of this? I’ll wait for your call.”
If there was an alternative that would see justice done and keep Wakefield away from the farm, then Leigh would find it. She had to—for both of their sakes.
Chapter 26
Nina sat in the farm shop, the sales book in front of her. She slammed the calculator on the desk. The figures didn’t add up right; she had three different totals from three separate attempts. She drummed her fingers on the desk and frowned at her phone. It still didn’t ring. After the other evening when it had all fallen apart for them again, she’d sent a text to Leigh, saying that maybe it was best that they cancelled their tentative Friday plans.
Leigh had acknowledged her text, but there had been nothing since. Nina would only hear from her when—if—she came up with an alternative solution.
She closed her eyes briefly as a wave of tiredness swamped her. Worry about Wakefield had kept her awake—again. Every unusual sound in the night had her convinced someone was prowling the farm, intent on sabotage. She’d even thought of sleeping in the barn to be closer to the animals, but, of course, she couldn’t leave Phoebe alone, and there was no way she’d put her daughter in harm’s way.
Nina leant back in the chair and massaged her temples. In light of her decision to go after Wakefield, should she have told Stella she’d changed her mind and Billy couldn’t come back to the farm? She didn’t know. But Leigh had said it could take years to get to court. And in the meantime, Stella and Billy could have that time at the farm, even if things changed after that.
She picked up her phone again. Ring. Leigh, please call me. Her fingers hovered over the display. She stared at the phone for a long moment before setting it down. She wouldn’t call. She trusted Leigh to contact her when the time was right. But please let it be soon.
Her stomach hopped with nerves, and she swallowed against the acid in her throat. What if there wasn’t any alternative? What would she do then? If going after Wakefield meant losing Leigh, what would she decide?
Nina picked up the calculator again and totted up the sales columns for the fourth time, which resulted in yet another different total. All this sitting around with time to think was making things worse. She pushed the sales book aside and leapt up to arrange the shelves of preserves. They were nearly full again after the vandalism. Her usual stalwarts had pulled together to come up with preserves and pickles to restock the shelves.
The door of the shop crashed open, and Kiren stalked in. “That bloody black car is blocking the driveway again. It’s parked on the median strip of the main road so nobody can get in or out of the driveway without driving up the kerb. I had to turn in around his bonnet and scraped my undercarriage on the kerb. The driver didn’t even look at me. He was reading the paper.” A vibrating fury replaced Kiren’s normally calm demeanour.
“Did you get the registration?” Nina clenched her fist on the jar she held.
“No need. It’s the same car as yesterday and the day before. I say we call the police again. I took a photo on my phone.”
Nina had called the police yesterday and the day before. It had done no good. The moment the driver of the black car had seen the police slow down, he’d driven off, as if he had merely stopped for a moment. Bloody Wakefield. If she wanted any more proof she was doing the right thing by bringing a charge, it was at the end of her driveway in the shape of a black car. “I say we confront him. I’ll do it. You stay at a distance.”
Kiren nodded, and together they went back to the road.
The black car was still there; the driver now had the music turned up loud.
Kiren waited in the driveway.
Nina went around behind the car and came up to the driver’s window. She rapped loudly on the glass.
The driver ignored her—or maybe he didn’t hear her over the music.
Nina slammed a hand down on the bonnet.
The driver jerked up. “Watch what you’re doing!”
“You’re parked across a private driveway. Please move.”
He shrugged. “Don’t see no one wanting to get in or out.”
Nina bent so that her face was level with the glass. “Tell Jon Wakefield,” she enunciated clearly, “that it’s not going to work.” She had the satisfaction of seeing the man’s face start in surprise before it smoothed clean.
“I’ve got no idea who you’re talking about, love.”
She itched to mention that Wakefield was about to get the surprise of his life when he was investigated for a criminal charge, but she held her peace. Justice would be done. And she would be in court, every single day if she could, watching him squirm.
A car indicated to turn into the drive and slowed to a stop, waiting for the drive to clear.
Nina pointed to the car. “That car wishes to access my property. Please move now.”
He shrugged. “Don’t see no car.”
The driver of the other car hooted.
“Don’t hear nothing either.” He opened up his paper again.
Nina straightened and went to speak to the driver of the other car. But as she approached, a line of traffic came up from behind, and it was forced to move on. Helplessly, she watched it drive off. She hadn’t recognised the car. That could have been a new visitor, a new volunteer, a deserving kid who would now miss out because of this…fuckwit.
Jon Wakefield was behind it. She was one hundred percent convinced of that. Maybe he now knew Billy’s claim had failed, or maybe he was yet to learn of it. But it seemed he wasn’t letting up.
He wouldn’t win. And jail was too good for him.
Two days, she’d said. Leigh had thought that would be enough time for her to work through the issues. Two days for her to think about Nina’s desire to prosecute Wakefield. Two days for her to think about what that decision meant for her, for them together. And what she might do about it. Those two days were nearly up.
She’d wanted to call Nina even though she had nothing definite to tell her. Twice, she’d picked up the phone and held it in a clenched fist while her heartbeat thundered in her ears. Her finger had hovered over the call button. Both times she’d put the phone down. She still needed time to see if there was a way around this before she spoke to Nina.
Correction, she had found another way. It would work; Leigh was sure of that. But was she really comfortable with it?
Leigh looked around her office, her gaze lingering on her framed practicing certificate. She picked up one of her business cards from the holder on her desk. Leigh Willoughby, Partner. The embossed card represented everything she’d worked for, everything she’d tried to uphold in her professional life. A good lawyer fought for the best result for their client within the legal system. A good lawyer was ethical and upheld what was right and just. Her potential solution—one she hoped would get Wakefield off Nina’s back and allow Nina and her to pursue their relationship—skirted those boundaries.
Could she live with that? She didn’t know, but if Nina was comfortable with her plan, then Leigh owed it to them both to try.
She’d been over and over the possible scenarios in her head, and this was the only solution. Leigh punched in Nina’s number.
The phone rang for long enough that she thought the voicemail would kick in.
“Hi.” Nina sounded breathless, as if she’d been running.
“Hi. Have I called at a bad time?”
“No. I’m clearing a drain. Shovelling mud a
nd rocks is hard work, and I’m filthy. Had to wipe my hands before I could pick up.”
“I’ve been thinking.” The words she should say sat thickly on her tongue.
There was silence on the other end of the line.
“Have you found—?” Nina said.
“I think there might be another—” Leigh said at the same time.
Nina huffed an awkward laugh. “You first.”
“I think there’s another way of dealing with Wakefield. It might work.” Leigh glanced at her office door. Still firmly closed. “But it would be best to talk about it face-to-face. How about if I come to the farm this evening?”
“If there’s another way, then I’m listening. Will this mean we can—?”
“I’ll bring dinner.” Leigh talked over her. She couldn’t discuss this at work. “Do you and Phoebe eat Vietnamese food?”
“We do. I’ll see you then. Leigh?” A pause. “I’m looking forward to seeing you.”
“Me too.” Leigh whispered the words, then ended the call. Now all she had to do was convince Nina to give her crazy idea a try.
Phoebe didn’t so much as blink when Nina said Leigh was coming over and bringing dinner. Her only comment was a request that Leigh include rice paper rolls in the dinner order.
Nina sat on the sofa, trying to watch the news, but the political shenanigans of the day failed to hold her attention. What did Leigh mean? There might be an alternative way. She picked at the loose tassel on a cushion and wished for a glass of wine. She’d been an idiot. She’d had no idea that going after Wakefield would mean—once more—that she and Leigh couldn’t have a relationship. Nina ground her teeth together. Bloody Wakefield and his interference in her life. Even if she didn’t burn with the thirst to see him brought down, there was no way she could drop this. Not as long as he appeared hell-bent on destroying the farm one way or another. The black car had again blocked the driveway for over an hour at the busiest time of the morning.
Nina stood, went over to the window, and stared out at the farm. What if there was more vandalism? What if he hurt one of the animals or burnt down the barn? Or, sweet baby Jesus, if someone was injured? So far, there had been nothing, but Nina knew that eventually there would be.
No. Laying charges against Wakefield was the only way to stop this.
Leigh’s cream BMW purred up the drive and came to a stop beside the house. Leigh got out and retrieved bags of takeaway food from the passenger side.
Nina went down the steps to help. “Hi.” She took one of the bags from Leigh. “You’ve brought enough to feed all of the Barn Kids.”
Leigh smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkling. “I doubt that. I remember how much Phoebe eats.”
She had brought wine too, and it was all Nina could do not to gulp the first glass in an attempt to settle her nerves.
Phoe appeared as if drawn on elastic by the smell of food. She helped put the plastic containers in the centre of the table and managed to eat a rice paper roll while Nina and Leigh were still finding plates. Phoe demolished a huge plate of food, all the while talking nineteen to the dozen.
Nina’s stomach churned with anxiety, and she picked at her food, barely tasting the lemongrass chicken.
Once the table was cleared and Phoe had disappeared off to read in her room, taking some mung bean cakes with her in case she got hungry, Nina picked up the remainder of the wine and her glass. “Outside?” She gestured to the veranda.
Leigh followed her out, and they sat on the couch.
Nina stared out across the paddock, where Mr Petey and Jellybean grazed side by side. “This is killing me slowly. Waiting for Wakefield to try something else.” She faced Leigh. “Do you think he knows yet that Billy’s claim has failed?”
“Maybe not. Unless Stella has told him—which I doubt, given her remorse.”
Nina picked up her wineglass and took a sip. “I’m a mess, Leigh. Wakefield, Stella, Billy…they all take a part of me, and I’m falling apart.” She grimaced. “And when I thought I had a chance of something good in my life, that you and I could build something meaningful between us, it’s shot down in flames once more. If you’ve figured out a way around this, then I’m listening.”
“I think so.” Leigh spoke slowly. “It’s not perfect. It won’t give you everything you want, but I think it will work.”
“If it gets Wakefield off my back and behind bars, that’s all I want.”
“How about one out of two?”
Nina was silent for a moment. “You must mean he won’t go to jail.” She lifted her gaze to Leigh’s. “I want him in jail. Even if he’s not sentenced to time, I want him to think that he might be. I want him to suffer for all he’s put us through. He’s a criminal. If your solution means letting him off the hook, then I don’t think I can live with that.” She studied her clenched hands. “Not even for you.”
“Is it revenge or justice that’s so important to you?” Leigh’s voice was husky, as if she was fighting emotion. “Does either of them rank higher than the farm, than peace of mind?” She drew a quick breath. “Than me? Than…love?”
Love. Was this what it was? This hollowness inside when Nina had thought it was over? This warmth and rightness when Leigh was close, even now when Nina leaned towards a path that would break them apart.
Love directed her life in every way: Phoebe, the farm, Gino, the Barn Kids, the volunteers. Why should she change now, especially when it was Leigh? Leigh who loved her. Leigh loved her. Sure, she might have the satisfaction of seeing Wakefield in jail, but it would be at the cost of something so much finer.
Leigh had a solution. Not a perfect one, but one that might work. One that might stop Wakefield’s harassment. If he stopped, would it be enough? Or would she always be eaten up by hatred of him, the desire to punish? Nina looked at Leigh.
Leigh had an ethereal paleness to her, and her eyes held a wariness and hesitation that tore at Nina. Leigh had laid her heart out for Nina to take—or reject.
She bit her lip. The decision was obvious. If she pursued her thirst for vengeance, then Wakefield would win again, as he would cost her someone dear. Someone good who had come into Nina’s life and wanted to stay there if at all possible.
There was no decision to be made. She had to be true to herself and all that she was.
Nina closed her eyes briefly. The rightness of her choice stole through her and filled her with warmth. “Kiss me. Kiss me as we’ll kiss every day from here on if your plan works. Then tell me what we’ll do.”
Nina shuffled forward and met Leigh halfway. She slid her palms along Leigh’s forearms up to her shoulders. Since they were sitting, their lips were at the same level, so all Nina had to do was lean in and wrap one hand around the back of Leigh’s neck. Her heart thundered in her chest. This moment couldn’t pass without words. It would seal the commitment, seal their relationship. Seal their love.
Love.
“I love you too, Leigh.”
And then Nina surged forward and pressed her lips to Leigh’s. Nina was instantly immersed in her, Leigh’s body in Nina’s arms, the tickle of Leigh’s hair on Nina’s cheek, the sweet taste of her mouth.
Leigh kissed with a persuasive warmth, a subtle teasing. Softly, lightly, her lips danced over Nina’s, and Leigh’s hand curled around Nina’s shoulders, bringing her even closer.
Nina couldn’t stop, even if Phoe was to come thundering in. For this was the moment when it all became possible. When she knew at least part of what her future would bring.
When they broke apart, Nina rested her palm against Leigh’s cheek. “Tell me your plan.”
Chapter 27
The receptionist’s gaze travelled up and down Nina’s body, taking in her messy ponytail, the faded singlet, the shorts that had seen better days, and her gumboots, which dropped dust on the pristine carpet of Jon Wakefield’s office. He
r gaze switched to Kiren, who stood slightly to one side and was dressed in a similar manner. “Do you have an appointment?”
“No.” Nina gave a sweet and insincere smile. “Please tell Mr Wakefield that Nina Pellegrini is here with an offer for him. I think he’ll see me.”
The receptionist’s expression altered subtly. “Please take a seat, Ms Pellegrini.”
Nina and Kiren sat on the leather couch in the reception area. Nina set the briefcase she carried at her feet, picked up one of glossy magazines from the low table, and turned the pages, hoping she appeared engrossed.
Kiren selected a similar magazine. “Do people really wear shirts that cost over a thousand dollars?”
“I would,” Nina said. At Kiren’s startled glance, she added, “If I found it in the op shop for five bucks.”
Kiren suppressed a laugh, turning it into a cough, and flicked the pages of the magazine again.
Nina crossed her legs. The smoothness of the briefcase against her calf reassured her. Sweet baby Jesus, let me pull this off. Leigh had said it would be best if Nina did it but suggested she take along someone as a witness. Just in case. When she had heard the plan, Grizz had volunteered, but Leigh said it might be better if Petersen & Blake were kept out of it at this stage. When Nina had asked Kiren, she’d immediately agreed.
Five minutes passed. Nina kept her face blank and the charade of interest in the magazine, even when shiny leather shoes appeared on the edge of her vision.
“Good morning, Ms Pellegrini.”
Wakefield’s unctuous tones set her teeth on edge. She flicked another page of the magazine before setting it aside and rising. She ignored his outstretched hand. “Jon. May we talk in private?”
“Of course. Of course.” To the receptionist, he said, “Please can you bring some refreshments to my office?”
Nina ignored that. Let him think they would be there long enough to need them.
Wakefield led them along a wide corridor and showed them into his corner office. The artwork on the walls was no doubt designed to impress, to foster the impression that this was a successful man, one not to be trifled with. Nina barely spared it a glance.
A Heart This Big Page 27