Harriet stayed for lunch and before any of them knew it, Hannah came bounding in, schoolbag flailing and long blonde hair whipping her flustered face.
“Hannah, this is Lachie’s mother, Harriet.” Abbie introduced them as she collected her daughter’s discarded belongings.
“Hello.” Hannah smiled and waved at Harriet before sitting next to Lachie and turning her attention to him. “Guess what I can do?”
He leaned toward Hannah. “What?”
“I can curl my tongue.” She opened her mouth and curled up the sides of her tongue to form a tube shape.
“Hey, look at that.” He smiled back at her. “Guess what? I can do it too.”
Hannah’s mouth dropped open as she watched him demonstrate.
“My teacher said it’s something not everyone can do.” She turned to Harriet. “Can you do it?”
With a wink, Harriet curled her own tongue. “Both Lachie’s brothers can do it as well.”
Hannah’s mouth was wide open and her eyebrows high. “Mum, can you do it?”
Abbie squirmed slightly in her seat. Not obviously, but Lachie could see it. She seemed to concentrate hard on manoeuvring her tongue into the position but just couldn’t do it.
“My teacher said that most people can’t.” Hannah explained. “It’s hereditary, so my father must be able to do it.”
There was an awkward silence for a moment before Abbie stood. “You must be hungry.” She walked swiftly into the kitchen and busied herself preparing afternoon tea.
“I’ll help.” Lachie followed while Hannah turned her attention on Harriet and started explaining everything else she had learnt that day at school.
“You okay?” Lachie asked Abbie quietly when he was sure Hannah wasn’t listening.
Abbie nodded but concentrated hard on cutting up the apple in front of her. “She doesn’t mention her father. I mean, we don’t talk about him.”
The hair on the back of his neck rose. “Did he hurt you?”
“No, nothing like that.” She looked over at Hannah, still deep in conversation. “She’s never met him. He doesn’t even know about her.”
“Oh,” he said, not sure what to make of the situation. He knew Abbie must have a good reason for doing what she did, but the idea of not being told you were a father just seemed wrong to him.
She sighed. “I’m sorry. Let’s not talk about this.” She put the apple in a bowl and took it to the table.
He leaned back against the kitchen bench and watched as Hannah sat down and munched on her fruit. If he were her father, he’d want to know about her. Hell, he’d want to be in her life. This man, whoever he was, didn’t know what he was missing out on. Poor guy.
Abbie was paler now. Whatever had happened must have been big. Abbie wasn’t the sort of woman to lie or deceive anybody. Then again, maybe that was why she had taken a job in the middle of nowhere. Maybe she was running from her past. From him.
A surge of protectiveness overwhelmed Lachlan. He couldn’t let anything happen to these two. If they needed his protection, then he would keep them safe. Whatever the cost.
After a delicious reheated meal courtesy of Harriet—chicken pie tonight—Hannah was ready for bed. She tugged on Lachie’s hand and pulled him into her room.
“These two please.” She handed over the picture books she had selected for him to read.
He sat next to her, on top of her pink doona cover, and she snuggled in beside him. When she nudged at his arm, Lachies draped it around her shoulder, before opening the first book and starting to read. She stopped him every now and again to point out a feature of the picture or ask him to explain a word. The more he read, the more comfortable he felt and the more animated his performance became.
When he closed the last book, he felt a tinge of disappointment that she didn’t beg for more. Instead her eyes were starting to droop and she opened her mouth in a yawn.
“Good night, squirt.”
She held out her arms for a hug and he obliged. He breathed in her fresh soapy smell and wondered at the tightness of her arms around his neck. Was this what it felt like to be loved unquestioningly?
When she finally let go, he climbed off the bed and caught Abbie watching them. She walked past him and bent to kiss her daughter good night. He left the room, giving the family some privacy.
Pausing in the living room to gather the library book Abbie had brought home for him, he brushed his fingers over the hard cover. The picture of an old farm house spiked his curiosity.
He had never been much of a reader. Having been forced to read the classics at boarding school always seemed more like a punishment than a way to escape the troubles of the real world.
Lachie read the back cover description again. It promised to be an outback murder mystery story.
“I can take it back if you’re not interested.”
He turned in surprise to find Abbie standing right behind him.
“No, it sounds good.” He shot her a smile of gratitude. “Thanks.”
“No problem.” She moved into the kitchen and flicked on the kettle. “Would you like some tea?” Hair had escaped her ponytail and fallen across her cheek. He curled his fingers into a fist to stop himself reaching out and tucking the silken strands behind her ear.
“No, thanks. I think I’ll have an early night.” He watched as relief flickered over her face.
“Good. You should be resting,” she said. “Do you need anything?”
He shook his head. “See you in the morning.” He walked past her and headed to bed. He needed to sleep and regain his composure.
The prudent action would be to leave before he became any more involved with Abbie and Hannah. To hell with what the doctor said—he’d be just fine at Brigadier Station.
But the thought of leaving them now tore at his heart. He liked it here with them. He enjoyed their company and easy banter.
He enjoyed being the man he was when around them. Maybe he was growing up, away from the carefree, spur-of-the moment man he used to be when drinking and flirting had been second nature to him. That man was gone, and he could see now why he couldn’t have remained living that lifestyle. He had never meant to hurt anyone, but he had never thought about the consequences of his actions.
As he slipped into Abbie’s bed, he reminded himself of the pain he’d caused his mother and brothers over the years. The worry and disappointment he’d often seen in their eyes.
He never wanted to see it again. And he never wanted to be the one to cause it in Hannah or Abbie’s eyes either
Work and her regular routine kept Abbie busy the next few days. Lachie continued to spend mornings and evenings with them, but as soon as Hannah went to bed he would disappear to his room. As a nurse, Abbie was pleased he was resting so much, but as a woman, she missed his company. There was just a new intensity in his gaze when Lachie looked at her, and a constant vigilance when they were in close contact.
Well, he wouldn’t have to avoid her company much longer. Tonight would be his last night in her house. Tomorrow he would go home and they could both resume their normal lives.
With the dishes cleaned up and Hannah asleep, Abbie was surprised that Lachie was still up, stretched out on the couch.
“Not having another early night?” she asked.
He turned his attention from the television. “Nah, I finished the book this afternoon.” He pointed to the novel she’d borrowed for him. “I’ll drop it off tomorrow on my way home.”
Abbie walked over and sat opposite him. “Did you enjoy it? I thought I might read it after you.”
He nodded. “It was good. I think you’d like it too.”
Abbie fought to keep her attention on his face and not on the curl of his bicep as he rubbed his chin. “How about we watch a movie?” she said. “That is, if you’re not watching anything on TV?”
His eyes widened. “I haven't watched a movie in a long time. I’d like that.”
“Really? I guess I'll let you choos
e one then,” she said before listing all the movies she had on DVD or could stream. “We also have every Disney movie ever made.”
Lachie chuckled and the sound of his laughter warmed her from the inside out.
They settled on a blockbuster and after starting it, Abbie sat at a safe distance next to him on the couch, the last bag of salt and vinegar chips between them.
She wasn’t taking any chances on chemistry blindsiding her. Thanks to the volatility of her emotions, she was already far too aware of the cowboy beside her.
Lachie awoke later, the movie having finished and the night still dark. He stretched his stiff neck, his gaze catching the top of Abbie’s blonde head resting against his chest. Her hand was warm against the top on his thigh.
He liked the way it felt, her weight resting against him. The smell of hair, so close and inviting. He carefully brushed a strand of her pale blonde hear from her cheek. Below his fingers, her skin was soft and warm. Attraction kicked deep within him. Since he’d arrived, he’d struggled to repress the realisation he’d never met a woman quite like Abbie. But it didn’t matter how much she affected him or how much he was drawn to her. Their timing couldn’t be worse. Besides, he would never be worthy of Abigail Forsyth and her daughter.
She stirred and rubbed her face against his chest, sending his blood south. It was a good thing he was leaving in the morning. Keeping his distance from Abbie was proving harder every minute he was around her.
She rubbed her eyes and stretched away from him.
“We missed the end of the movie.” He spoke with what he hoped passed as a casual tone.
She stared at the TV screen, still dazed with sleepy confusion. “I must have fallen asleep. Did you too?”
He nodded and stretched has arms out in front of him.
“I should go to bed.” She pushed herself up from the couch, putting a safe distance between them. “I have work tomorrow.”
“Yeah, me too. Big day.” He stood and walked to the kitchen where he poured himself a glass of water. “Thank you for letting me stay here this week.”
She placed a mug in the sink next to him. “No problem. I’m glad you’re feeling better but remember, only light duties for the next few days.”
“I will.” He lost the battle to look away from the soft sweep of her bottom lip. Silence shrouded them. His heartbeat thundered in his chest. Then he leaned close and kissed her on the cheek. He didn’t even realise he was doing it until his lips were on her soft skin.
He heard her draw in a shaky breath.
“Night,” he said and moved past her, then he paused, wondering if he should apologise. When he turned his head to look at her, she had raised her hand to her cheek, to the spot where moments before his lips had been.
He turned and forced himself to walk away before she spotted him. And before he did something really stupid.
Abbie waited until she heard the bedroom door close then collapsed onto the nearest chair. Feelings and sensations she hadn’t felt in such a long, long time were now brimming at the surface. When he’d kissed her cheek, all she’d wanted to do was move her head and taste him right back.
She had been fighting this attraction since she had first met him; now all she wanted was to give into it.
But she couldn’t. She lived in a small town. Small enough that people knew each other’s business, and as a nurse she needed to be respected. The last thing she needed was patients talking about her behind her back. And they would talk. Lachie was a big enough figure around town to be of interest to all the town gossips.
Earlier, at work, a woman had come in with a suspected broken arm. While Abbie was assisting the doctor, the patient had asked how Lachie was doing. It seemed everyone knew he had been injured and that he was staying with her. Stunned, Abbie had brushed it off, simply saying he was recovering well and would be back to his usual self soon enough.
Abbie never should have offered her home to him. It was unprofessional. And dangerous. He could have been a thief or a drug dealer for all she knew.
He was a recovering alcoholic, after all.
But she had trusted her gut and now she was really in trouble. The handsome grazier from Brigadier Station might not have stolen anything from her, but she knew she could too easily give him her heart if she wasn’t careful to protect it.
She turned off the lights, brushed her teeth, and climbed into the spare bed beside Hannah. She needed to sleep; she had a long shift ahead of her. But she knew Lachie would fill her thoughts again tonight and that tomorrow, when he was gone, she would feel his absence keenly.
Chapter 6
After an expectedly restless night, Abbie got up and dressed in her uniform. She attached her pendant watch to her shirt and tied her hair back before waking Hannah.
Her daughter rubbed sleep from her eyes as she climbed out of bed and yawned. “Is Lachie really leaving today?”
Abbie looked up from tying her shoelaces. “Yes, he’s got a lot of work he needs to do on his farm.”
“They’re not called farms, Mum. They’re called cattle stations.” Her daughter said matter-of-factly.
Abbie smiled. “You’re right, of course.” She stood and assessed herself in the mirror.
“Do you think we can visit Lachie? At his station?”
Abbie looked at Hannah’s reflection in the wall-length mirror. “Would you like to do that?”
Hannah nodded. “It’s really big, and they have lots of animals. They used to have horses too, but his brother took them when he moved. I’d like to go horse riding one day.”
“Well today you need to go to school, so get up and get ready.” Abbie made a shooing motion before leaving the room and heading to the kitchen. She could smell coffee brewing.
Lachie was already awake and dressed in those just-tight-enough jeans and a red-checked work shirt. She swallowed hard and tried to still her thumping heart.
He smiled at her. “Good morning. I made you a cuppa.”
She watched as he added milk to her mug and ignored the pang of pleasure that he knew how she liked her tea. ”Thanks.”
She busied herself making two bowls of cereal and trying not to get too close to the hunk of a man taking up most of the space in the tiny kitchen.
“Darcy has to pick up some supplies today, so he’s going to pick me up around ten,” Lachlan said as he settled into a chair at the dining table. “Okay if I stay until then?”
“Of course,” she said. “Now, remember what I said about rest. You don’t want to get another hernia.”
He quirked an eyebrow. “I could put up with any injury, so long as you were my nurse.” The sound of his low, deep voice curled through her.
She swallowed but her mouth was dry.
She concentrated on making breakfast, but she could feel Lachie’s gaze on her. It was unnerving and exciting at the same time.
Hannah skipped into the room, always so full of energy and excitement.
“Can you teach me how to ride a horse?” she asked Lachie as she climbed into his lap.
He wrapped an arm around her middle so she wouldn’t fall off him. “I’m not the horseman of the family. But Darcy could. He breeds them out at Arabella Station.”
Her eyes widened. “Why don’t you ride?”
He shrugged. “Horses just aren’t my thing. I like motorbikes.”
“Harriet said you had an accident on a bike. Maybe you should ride horses instead,” Hannah said.
“You know you can have accidents on horses too?”
Hannah just shrugged off his comment.
Abbie put her cereal on the table and Hannah moved off Lachie to eat.
“Would you like to come visit the station? Most of our cattle are away where there is better grass and we don’t have horses, but you know what we do have?” Lachie asked.
Hannah looked up. “Dust?”
Abbie laughed alongside Lachie.
“Yes, there’s lots of dust, just like at Maddie and Dylan’s because they�
�re our neighbours. But we also have chooks.”
“Are they friendly? Can I pat them?” she asked in between mouthfuls.
“Yes, you can pat them and cuddle them.” He smiled.
Hannah looked at her mother. “When can we go there?”
Abbie couldn’t disappoint her daughter when she was so excited. And she would be able to check in on Lachie, make sure he was following her instructions. “How about next weekend? I have Sunday off.”
Lachie caught her gaze and nodded. “It’s a date.”
Chapter 7
Come on, Mum.” Hannah poked her head out the car’s window as Abbie stood outside the house, trying to think if she had everything she needed for their adventure to Brigadier Station. Hannah had been up early, so excited to see Lachie again and his famous property.
After pulling the door shut behind her and locking it, Abbie walked down the path and climbed into the driver’s seat.
She twisted to check on her daughter. “Do you have your seatbelt on?”
“Yep. Let’s go.” Hannah clapped her hands together.
Abbie started the car and took a deep breath. This was probably not such a good idea. It had only been a few days since Lachie had gone home but the house felt so empty without him. That first night back in her own bed had been hard. She had come home exhausted from a busy day at work and hadn’t bothered changing the sheets. His strong masculine scent had filled her dreams and by the time she had woken up, she had been hot and needy. Just thinking about him while she touched herself had made her come within seconds.
Changing the sheets hadn’t been enough though. His spirit seemed to linger in her kitchen and living room. She expected to see him walk in the door at any moment and ask if she needed a hand.
The Legacies of Brigadier Station Page 5