Du Rose Family Ties

by Bowes, K T

  “Then sit down.” Hana raised herself up on her knees and nudged Wiri out from behind the fire guard. “I’ll do it.”

  Leslie shook her head. “I need to phone my Alfie. I think better when I’m cooking.” She left the room and closed the door behind her.

  “Where’s Caleb?” Hana asked, looking towards the empty sofa where he usually sat.

  “I’m here.” The voice sounded sad and came from the bench in the bay window, over which the curtains were drawn against the cold night air. Hana glanced at Wiri and then over to the window seat, regretting the lack of privacy in their conversation. Wiri pursed his lips in annoyance and then calmed at Logan’s hand ruffling his hair.

  “Wanna watch a movie?” Logan asked the children and their mood lightened during the process of choosing and arguing over which one they collectively wanted. Mac crawled around behind them, lifting cases and throwing them; laughing as they skittered across the floor boards.

  Hana latched the fire guard and waited until the children settled in front of the TV before following Logan to the window seat. “What’s happening?” she asked, sitting next to Caleb.

  Logan leaned against the side window and shoved his hands into his pockets. “Linc drove up and locked the main gates. There’re no guests expected late and the conference party won’t leave the hotel tonight.” He narrowed his eyes at Caleb. “Unless you’re messing with me, kid.”

  Caleb shook his head with the kind of vehemence teenagers muster up from somewhere and use to good effect. “No, I promise. That’s what he said.”

  “What if they get in another way?” Hana chewed her lower lip. “They might go through the bush or the camp site. Then what?”

  “On foot?” Logan shook his head. “There’s a barrier arm at the holiday park and robust security on the whole site. Linc’s alerted the stockmen and they’ll keep watch. We can lock that place like a safe, Hana, honestly. Trust me.”

  Hana swallowed. The two significant words set off alarm bells in her brain and she tried to focus on Logan’s sense of confidence and lack of concern. Insecurity niggled at the back of her head even so. “I’ll check on Leslie,” she said, feeling the testosterone arc between the two males. Whatever Logan needed to say to Caleb didn’t involve her.

  Chapter 40

  Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

  “Want some help?” Hana closed the kitchen door behind her and washed her hands under the hot tap. Leslie gave a disgusting sniff and nodded.

  “That stupid old man caused all this.” She waved a meat cleaver in front of her face and Hana winced.

  “With the marijuana? Yeah, I guess so. But you and I both knew he did it so we’re as much to blame.”

  “I’m not!” Leslie’s voice rose to a screech and Hana patted her upper arm and glanced back towards the door.

  “Shh! For goodness' sake, Leslie! Please don’t wind Logan up any more than he already is.”

  “He’ll blame me.” Leslie triangulated a ham sandwich with one swipe. “He always blames me.”

  “Does not.” Hana snatched the cleaver away and cut the crusts from the next victim. “I wish I knew why Alfred asked Asher to help him; of all the people who weren’t a great idea, he’s one of them. He couldn’t know that Asher would sell the stuff. No, this is on that ratbag teenager. Logan can sort him out; I don’t want him anywhere near my family.”

  “Talking of ratbags, did Bodie text you back?” Leslie used her sleeve to dry her eyes.

  Hana hissed out a sigh of annoyance. “Thanks so much for that. Let’s poke my sores instead of yours, shall we?”

  “Well, did he?”

  “No!” The word seared Hana’s heart with as much force as the cleaver dismembered the next sandwich.

  “He’s got everything he wants from you, that boy. He bought your lovely house for a pittance and now he’s realised Logan won’t let you act as his private babysitting service, you won’t hear from him again.”

  Hana swallowed and let her redheaded temper get the better of her. “Bloody hell, Leslie. Just because you’re hurting, there’s no need to take it out on me!” She slapped the knife onto the bread board, watching as the blade stuck in the wood and balanced there. Shaking her head, she left the room, slamming the door behind her.

  Logan appeared as she seized the rounded end of the newel post and swung onto the bottom step. “Give me your phone!” she demanded. “Mine’s in the kitchen and I don’t want to go back for it.”

  Her husband eyed her with wary curiosity and Hana watched his thought process churning through the options. The redheaded temper didn’t frighten him and she started up the stairs, assuming he wouldn’t give in.

  “What did she say to you?” His level tone fanned the flames of injustice in her and Hana pouted.

  “She said Bodie won’t call me ever again because there’s nothing left to take.”

  Logan wrinkled his nose and cocked his head. “I don’t think that’s fair, Hana. There’s other stuff going on. You can have my phone babe, but I don’t recommend you ring him right now, not while you’re feeling upset. Ignore Leslie; she knows nothing.”

  Hana nodded and flexed her fingers on the bannister. Her green eyes filled with glittering tears and she lowered her head. “Can I have a hug?”

  “Course you can. Let me just check the kids.” Logan ducked his head around the door and smiled at what he saw. He withdrew and pulled the door closed behind him. “Mac’s sitting on Wiri’s knee sucking his thumb and Phoe’s asleep on the rug.” Strong, scarred hands opened to Hana and she clambered down the steps and met Logan half way across the hall, burying her face in his warm chest. His arms pressed her into him and she inhaled his gorgeous scent of mountain air and sweet, green grass laced with the heat of a summer sun. Hana pushed her fingers beneath his shirt and Logan snuffed at her cold hands and shivered as she ran them up his spine. Kisses began at her temple and moved down to her cheek. “I love you, Hana Du Rose,” he whispered in her ear and a warmth began in the pit of her stomach.

  “Do you?” Her voice held a tease and Logan lifted his head and put his hands either side of her face.

  “What do you think?” Soft lips brushed hers and Hana sighed and leaned into him, enjoying the intimacy of his touch. Her lips parted to allow the gentle brush of Logan’s tongue and her fingertips roved beneath the waistband of his trousers as though by themselves.

  “Dinner’s ready.” Leslie banged through the kitchen door bearing a tray and the couple sprang apart like guilty teenagers. Hana stifled a laugh but Logan’s eyes darkened to thunderous shades. His expression snapped closed to hide his frustration and Hana reached up and stroked his cheek, her fingers lingering over the rugged scar beneath his right eye.

  “Stop wahine,” he groaned, his voice a hoarse whisper. “It’s driving me crazy having a house full of people. I need some time with you by myself.” Gentle fingers strayed to the back of Hana’s neck, caressing the delicate skin beneath her red curls.

  “A little help here!” Leslie’s voice sounded acerbic and she balanced the tray on her knee and battled the door. “I’m not your bloody housekeeper anymore.”

  Logan’s eyes flashed and Hana pushed her hands up his shirt further, so her fingers rested on strong, muscular pectorals. She gave a small shake of her head and stood on tiptoe to kiss her husband. “I’ll help her,” she whispered. A smirk lit her green eyes. “Now who needs to cool off?”

  Logan’s jawline worked beneath his skin and he exhaled, bringing himself back under control. “You’ll keep,” he said, his voice low and sultry. His teeth grazed her bottom lip and Hana felt the hunger for him grow in her chest, craving more of his nearness. She left to help Leslie with the tea tray, feeling far more rattled than her husband.

  The little family seemed subdued as they huddled in front of the warm fire devouring sandwiches. Even the children hung together like a flock of wary birds. Hana sighed with relief as she kissed the last child goodnight and closed her bedroom door against the
chill in the hallway. Logan met her by the bay window, pulling the curtains closed in front of her. “It’s freezing!” he exclaimed, removing his pullover and mussing his dark hair. Hana sat on the bed and watched as he unbuttoned his shirt.

  “It’s only eight o’clock,” she said in surprise, focussing on the tight muscles either side of his spine. “What are you doing?”

  Logan groaned. “It feels much later.” He ran a hand through his hair. “What a bloody day!” The pullover and shirt went onto a chair near the window and Logan stood with his back to her, hands pushed into his trouser pockets. “Whose stupid idea was this?”

  “Caleb? Mine.” Hana rose and slipped her sweater over her head, hauling a thermal vest after it. Her jeans seemed to stick to her flesh in the bone chilling cold and she walked across the room to Logan in her socks and underwear. “It’s my fault. I’m sorry.” Her tiny hands barely touched as she splayed her fingers across Logan’s broad back. His warmth radiated through to her soul and offered relief from the dark cloud hanging over her head. Silky soft flesh slipped beneath her touch and she added her lips, sensing Logan’s interest as though through a telepathic knowing. Little darts of desire sparked in the pit of her stomach and she longed to tumble in the big, cold bed with him. “I’m sorry,” she said again, her voice a hushed whisper.

  Logan turned under her hands and Hana felt the roughness of his scars brush beneath her questing touch. She traced the longest of them with an index finger, moving from beneath his armpit to the waistband of his trousers and knowing he couldn’t feel it. “I didn’t mean that.” His grey eyes narrowed, the pupils black and round in their quest to obscure the smoky irises. “Coming back here to Hamilton seemed a great idea, but it’s not.” Logan’s lips twitched and he wrapped coarse fingers around Hana’s wrists, pulling her arms up and around his neck. “Now I’m here, I just want to go home.”

  Hana’s fingers played with a stray curl at the back of Logan’s head and she stood on tiptoes to reach, pressing her breasts against his stomach. “You don’t like school?” She struggled to keep the surprise from her voice. “But you love teaching.”

  “Yeah, I do,” he conceded. “But I’m getting too old to play management games with principals and boards of trustees. I wanna make a difference to a child’s learning, not tick boxes and lay paper trails.” His lip curled back in distaste.

  “It’s just a blip.” Hana let her bottom lip trail close to Logan’s nipple. “You’ll feel different after a few weeks.”

  Logan’s eyes closed and he nodded, running his hands along Hana’s arms to her shoulders. He dug his fingers into the soft hair at her nape and sighed as the coils caressed the backs of his fingers. “Hana,” he began, “there’s something I need to say.”

  “Shh.” Her finger against his lips sealed the words into his mouth, expecting further admissions of disappointment in his career choice. “It’s okay,” she whispered. “I know.” She reached up and nibbled the supple skin near his sternum and heard the moan of satisfaction escape Logan’s lips. Her fingers wrenched at the top button of his trousers and fumbled the zipper, snagging her flesh and drawing blood in her haste. Hana sucked at the wound, her lips full and enticing, eyelashes fluttering as Logan dealt with his own fasteners and laid the trousers over the arm of the chair. He turned back to her, urgency in his eyes. “No!” Hana protested, flashing him a heart stopping smile. “No talking.” Taking his hand, she led him to the bed and slipped out of her underwear, pushing herself beneath the cool sheets and giggling as he followed.

  They pulled the sheets over their heads and barricaded themselves against the chill. Logan’s kisses busied Hana’s lips and her thirsty soul soaked up his affection. Rough hands stroked her leg from thigh to ankle and he pulled back, a smile in his voice. “You’ve still got your socks on, Mrs Du Rose.”

  “It’s cold!” she complained and pulled his mouth over hers. “Warm me up.”

  Hana flushed with embarrassment at the noise they made, broadcasting their activities for the household. “Shh!” she told Logan once, pausing for a moment to listen for voices or creaking floorboards. The silent house wrapped around her and she relented, falling under her husband’s spell with the same degree of wonder as she did the first time. He touched her and she lost herself.

  The silence of the house seemed oppressive when she emerged from the sheets to breathe, hair on end and her cheeks flaming. Logan exhaled and threw himself back on the pillow. Hana’s hair tickled the soft skin over his ribs and he lifted the red tresses in his right hand and twirled the curls in his fingers. She sighed, pressing her lips to his pectoral and feeling it flex against her kisses. “What’re you thinking about?” she asked.

  “Nothing much.” Logan turned on his side and wrapped his arms around Hana’s slight frame. Her hand strayed to his taut stomach and then lower. Logan groaned. “I’m getting thoughts in my head now. I don’t think you wanna know what they are.”

  Hana sniggered. “Are they X-rated?” She sighed and snuggled deeper, absorbing his warmth against her chest and shuddering against the cold at her back.

  “They are now, but they weren’t.” Logan moved his head, making his hair swish against the pillow. He sighed. “The school’s different without Angus. This new woman rules with a rod of iron but the staff don’t respect her. It’ll end in tears.”

  “Whose?” Hana pressed her nose against Logan’s right nipple and darted out her tongue. He moved away with a jerk and grunted.

  “Mine. Behave.”

  “Why yours? You only just got here.” Hana adjusted her head so her cheek rested on Logan’s shoulder. “I thought she’d be more likely to go after Pete because of his indecent hundred metre dash.”

  Logan snorted. “Yeah. Idiot. She watched him through the window. It looked like she threw up in her mouth.”

  Hana shivered. “So why you, babe? Do you think she’s singling you out already?”

  “Yeah, I do actually. She wants a deputy and Angus led her to believe I might be interested. I blew her out ten minutes after arriving and she’s been spiteful ever since.” He exhaled through pursed lips like a smoker. “I just wanna renew my teaching registration and get the hell out of here.”

  “Why don’t you like Angus anymore?” Hana chewed her lip in the darkness, knowing Logan wouldn’t answer. He sighed.

  “He did something I don’t approve of and it’s not up for discussion.”

  Hana pouted and dug her fingers into his ribs as punishment, enjoying his deep groan of discomfort. “I’ll ring the hotel tomorrow,” she mused, reality forcing its way back into her peace. “Macky’s appointment at the hospital can’t be very far away. It’s why I agreed to come back to Hamilton.”

  Logan pulled her closer. “And I thought it was to support me.” He kissed the top of her head.

  Hana tilted her head back. “Did you read all your grandmother’s diaries?” She waited a beat for him to answer, feeling his chest tighten against hers.

  “Why?”

  Hana sighed. “Because the one you gave me is boring. It’s got cattle prices and things I’m not interested in.”

  Logan snorted and she gritted her teeth, suspecting a set up between her husband and Will. “Well, is that so?” he said, amusement in his voice. “Fancy the kuia having nothing to say. Are you sure she doesn’t mention a dead body in there somewhere? There must be some family mystery left for you to solve, babe. Geez, you’re slipping.”

  “Not funny!” Hana prodded him again and smiled at the resulting groan. “You did it on purpose to put me off reading them. As soon as I get home, I’ll make Will tell me where they’re hidden and I’ll read the bloody lot!”

  “Yeah, whatever. Shut up and cuddle me.”

  Hana wriggled but gave up when Logan pinned her to his chest. His forearms felt rock hard to her touch and she couldn’t break free. She protested enough to make a point and then allowed herself to be held, loving their closeness after the busyness of the move. “Logan?” Her q
uestion broke into the silence and her husband jumped, his momentary relaxation disturbed.

  “Mmmn?” His voice sounded lazy and the word slurred next to her ear.

  “Did you move Caleb’s drugs from under the stairs?”

  Chapter 41

  An Old Tragedy

  Logan pushed himself up the bed, running a hand over his face. Hana heard the stubble scrape against his palm and pitied her chin, the skin burnt from her husband’s enthusiastic kisses. “Is that where he hid it?”

  Hana tensed in anticipation of anger, but Logan sounded amused. “I thought it seemed quite clever,” she said and felt Logan shrug.

  “Not really. Everyone knows that turn-of-the-century villas have a hiding place at the bottom of the stairs.”

  “I didn’t.” Hana frowned and her husband sniffed.

  “You weren’t raised here.”

  She smarted under the distinction; the remark forming a boundary she couldn’t cross. The reminder she didn’t belong acted as a knife in her soul and she sat up in bed, the sheet tumbling from her breasts. “I can’t sleep,” she stated. “I think I’ll get up for a while.”

  Hana heard Logan swallow, but he offered no alternative and she pulled pyjamas over her nakedness. “Hana.” His voice sounded soft in the eerie light from the moon which intruded through a crack in the curtains. “Believe nothing Caleb says, babe. He’s full of crap. Toby went up to see Alfred and he reckons the marijuana got incinerated. He admits he gave Asher cash to pull it down from the roof garden and to power wash the greenhouse and roof space. But he says he shipped the bags up to the incinerator himself and stood there while it burned.” He paused but stopped Hana interrupting by raising his hand. “I know what you’re gonna say. Alfred’s lying or Asher nicked only some of it, but these people are family and that kid isn’t. He’s trouble, Hana. You know it, I know it and as soon as he’s healed, he’ll be on his way. Make sure he knows that and don’t let him fill your head with anymore roke.”