Daddy's Precious Jewel

by Polly Carter

  Marcus was becoming more animated and Jack increasingly more interested as they started going over the major points in the presentation.

  “I reckon they might be settling in for the night,” Mary said. “Shall we get a cuppa?”

  “Marcus wants to drive me home,” Pearl told her mother after they’d poured their tea, taken a piece of carrot cake each, sat down and were watching Jack and Marcus deep in discussion.

  “Are you okay with that?” Mary asked with a small frown of concern. “You don’t have to if you don’t want to.” Pearl shrugged and sighed, her feelings so jumbled she wasn’t sure what she wanted. “Well, whatever you decide, Marcus is always welcome,” Mary continued. “And he’s welcome to a bed for the night, too, if he wants one. Do you want a cup of tea, love?” she asked Jack who was joining them after Marcus had excused himself to talk to another interested farmer.

  “No thanks,” Jack answered, clearly excited. “Gee, this stuff is interesting. I’ve invited Marcus out to the farm so we can carry on our conversation there. I want to hear more about his plans for partnered experimental lots. This could be what we need at our place, and maybe even the thing that turns this district around. I’m reserving judgement until we see some results,” he added, trying to sound cautious, “but it’s definitely worth a try. Nothing else is working, the place is going downhill, and so far there’s no help coming from anywhere else. Too many families are in danger of losing everything, but with the foundation offering financial help as well, it might give them a chance to save their farms or at least make them worth something if they decide they want to sell anyway.”

  Mary fondly observed her husband’s enthusiasm. She hadn’t seen him this fired up for a long time. “Do you want to talk to Marcus any more tonight?”

  “Nah, I’m pretty right I think. He’s coming over in the morning, so we can head off if you like, love.”

  “What about you, Pearl?” Mary asked. “Are you coming with us or waiting for Marcus?”

  Pearl felt herself blush. “I’ll wait,” she managed to mumble.

  From the other side of the room, Marcus saw the Sinclairs getting ready to leave and pursed his lips as Pearl stood up with them, but then Mary gave her a quick hug and she and Jack walked off leaving Pearl behind. He grunted with satisfaction as something inside stirred after being dormant for too long. He couldn’t afford to get his hopes up. If Pearl remained adamant she wanted nothing to do with him, he would accept that, at least for now. She looked across at him and he winked. She sat down in a chair to wait.

  The hall was emptying as people got answers to their most pressing questions, made appointments for meetings over coming days, or finished chatting with other guests and left after deciding not to do anything for the moment but to wait and see.

  Marcus took down the contact details of the farmer he was talking to and promised to give him a call during the week, and then handed out his card to a few other men who were getting ready to leave. At last, Len, Marcus and Pearl were the only ones left, and Marcus brought his colleague over to meet her.

  “Len, this is Pearl. Her dad, Jack Sinclair, has a property not far out of town along Forest Road. I met Pearl while she was working in the city and I’ve been to Jack’s farm a few times. Actually, it was Jack who gave me the idea for all this and I think he’s keen to get involved.”

  “Hi, Pearl,” Len greeted her. “I hope you enjoyed the presentation. Marcus has often mentioned your dad. I don’t know about you two, but I’m ready to get out of here, so I think I’ll make a start on tidying up.”

  Pearl pitched in, cleaning away the refreshment things and washing up while the two men stacked the chairs and tables, and collected up their posters and brochures and carried them out to the car. When it was all done, they switched off the lights and locked the doors.

  Len sighed loudly and clapped Marcus on his upper arm. “I think that went well in the end. Probably better than I expected. Of course, it’s early days, but I think we can safely say we’re not going to be run out of town just yet, and I reckon I’ve got at least a couple of good leads. Could be a few farmers around here willing to try something new if they think it might help. Well, I’m off then. Catch you guys later.”

  “Okay, mate,” Marcus said with a nod. “You did a great job tonight, Len. Thanks. You’re excellent at explaining things so they’re easy to understand. I reckon that’s why we got such a good reception. I’ll see you in the office on Monday, eh?”

  Their leave taken, Marcus led Pearl to a four-wheel drive.

  “Thanks for waiting,” he said opening her door and resisting an almost overwhelming urge to touch her. He didn’t want to frighten her away, so he had to tread carefully. It was killing him, though, when all he wanted to do was scoop her into his arms and hold her there forever.

  “New car. Yours?” Pearl asked as she climbed in.

  “Yep. Ray’s got the Jag, but this is much more practical out of town,” he said without emotion as they pulled out of the car park and headed for the Sinclair’s farm. “So, you’ve seen something of what I’m doing these days, but what about you? Still in the jewellery business? Or a full-time farmer these days?”

  “I still help around the farm sometimes, but John and Debbie came to live here a couple of months ago. John’s out of the army and they decided they want to raise their kids in the country, so John’s working with Dad now. They’re away visiting Debbie’s folks for a week or so, that’s why they’re not here tonight, but I guess you’ll get to meet them if you’re around for a while.”

  “That’s good news for Jack. I’m sure he appreciates the extra help, and I guess both he and Mary enjoy having their family closer,” Marcus replied. “So, what about you?”

  “I manage the jewellery shop in town and have an online jewellery business, and I’m still studying for my gemmology diploma.” Shyly, but with pride, she told him about her work.

  “Do you buy all the stock you sell online off the internet, too?” he asked. She shook her head.

  “No. I get some pieces from other places. I travel around to local markets and swap meets, and deceased estate auctions are always a good place to find things. Most people who go to auctions can’t value jewellery, so they have no idea what it’s worth. They buy because they like it or they are hoping to snag something valuable. I only buy if I’m as sure as I can be that I can make a profit.”

  Marcus grinned proudly to himself listening to her. He admired her so much for following her passion, putting in the effort to become knowledgeable and then having confidence in herself to take risks.

  “And it’s going well?” he asked.

  She smiled. “Yes. It’s building slowly, but I’m happy enough. And I just gambled on a bag of junk jewellery because I thought I saw a valuable ring in it.” She told him the story of the ring and then grinned mischievously. “I checked out the ring at the shop and it’s definitely real and definitely worth way more than I paid for it.”

  “Well, good for you, Pearl,” he said with a chuckle when she’d finished.

  “What about Holding Corporation?” she asked. “You became CEO, didn’t you?”

  “Not really,” he said. “I was only keeping the seat warm for Ray. I never wanted to be CEO, that was Mother’s idea, but I had to take it on until Ray was up to speed. We talked it over and agreed he would let the company use his money for its restructure, in return for which he would be appointed CEO, but in name only for six months during which I would have final say on everything and he would be my shadow. We managed to rustle up enough support on the board to make it happen, and at the end of the six months he was doing great and I left him to it. He can call me if he gets stuck with anything, but he’s actually very good at his job, and he loves it.”

  “Do you work there at all then?”

  “Nope. As soon as Ray could fly by himself, I quit. I kept my office for a while so I was nearby if he needed anything, but spent my time researching, planning and setting up the fo
undation. Once that was off the ground, I packed my cardboard box and left for good. Holding Corporation will sink or swim without me now,” he added with a wry smile.

  “Wow. How did your mother take that?”

  “She cut me off without a cent, as she’d threatened to do, until I came to my senses. Her words. So, you see before you a man who is financially independent.” He grinned again.

  “Oh. Are you living in the same apartment? At your mother’s?”

  “Nope. I moved into your apartment the day you left. I’d planned to move in with you that weekend anyway if you wanted me to, but I didn’t get a chance to ask.” He kept his eyes focused out the windscreen and his voice casual. This was dangerous territory. He didn’t want her to think he was accusing her of anything or trying to make her feel bad.

  “Oh.” Pearl was also looking straight ahead. “What did your mother say about that?”

  “Not much. She did try and make me change my mind but I moved anyway, so there was nothing she could do about it. And Ray moved straight into my old apartment, so that was that. He and Tina live there. They were married three months ago, and they’re expecting a baby, I gather.”

  “Wow, that was quick. I guess. Tina? I thought she was planning to marry you?”

  He pursed his lips. “That rumour was floating about for a while, but it had nothing to do with me. When I told her she was absolutely wasting her time and even if it meant Mother cutting me off without a cent, which of course she did anyway, there was no way I would marry her, she finally accepted it was a lost cause. Meanwhile, Ray was there, arms open, to pick up the pieces and offer her an alternative. They started seeing each other, and once she’d taken off her rose-coloured glasses with my name on them, she decided Ray would do instead. He’s been in love with her forever, so he’s been as happy as a kid in a candy store, and she’s thoroughly enjoying being spoiled rotten by her husband and grandmother-to-be.”

  “Your mum?”

  “Yep. Mother is tickled pink, although you might be forgiven for not being able to tell. She’s never been one for big displays of affection. So, that’s all sorted. She’s got Ray, Tina and the baby, and I’m officially out on my own and out on my ear. I think Mother believes I will eventually come to my senses.” He looked at her, his eyes dark, his cheeks taut and his voice low. “But I truly feel that that is exactly what I have done at last. Finally come to my senses and made a break for it.”

  “Oh,” Pearl said, momentarily taken aback by his intensity. “So, are you still living in the other flat?” she asked.

  “Not for much longer. I’ve taken a lease on a place here, on the other side of town, on Steep Gully Road. I’ve kept the apartment to use if I want to go to the city for anything, but I was fed up living there, and assuming SFF goes well, I’m going to be working around this district, at least for the foreseeable future, so it doesn’t make sense for me not to live here too. And it’s where I want to live. I want to listen to cicadas not traffic, and I want to see a billion stars at night. I’ve brought some of my stuff already, and the rest is coming next week.”

  “Oh.”

  Marcus looked across at her, trying to determine how she’d taken this last piece of news, but she was inscrutable, and it was too late to probe further because they’d arrived at her house.

  Chapter 29

  Pearl

  “Would you like to come in?” Pearl asked as she opened her door to get out. She tried to sound sincere, but was hoping he would decline. It was late, and the lights were out, so Jack and Mary were likely in bed, and she was tired herself and needed time alone to think.

  Marcus grinned, and she blushed in the moonlight aware he’d seen through her pretence. “No. I think I’ll head off, if that’s okay,” he replied gallantly, going along with her charade. “Will you be around tomorrow? I’ll be over, so perhaps we can catch up then. I’d really like to.”

  “Okay.” Pearl dropped her eyes, then looked up, her body quivering. She’d almost forgotten how kind he was. Her heart contracted as she said, “Goodnight”, and he smiled at her so tenderly. Dear Marcus. So gentle. So kind. So handsome. So… Reaching her front door, she waited to go in until she’d watched his car pull out of the drive.

  As his lights disappeared into the night, hope such as she’d not felt in so long coursed through her. Marcus was here, living in her town, and she knew, with a certainty that left her breathless, that he had understood why she’d left, had resolved it, and had come to reclaim her. She turned her face up to the moon and the billion stars twinkling to the song of the cicadas, and her heart was as light as the moonbeams falling on her. She wanted to skip, to jump, to burst into song. She couldn’t stop smiling. Wrapping her arms around her waist, she hugged herself hard and shimmied, then quietly let herself into the house. Shutting the door behind her, she squatted down to hug and kiss Rusty who’d been waiting for her, then went to bed, unable to stop smiling and eager for morning.

  Next morning, it felt strange knowing Marcus was outside somewhere. They hadn’t had a chance to say anything other than hello to each other before he and Jack had set off to survey the farm and discuss setting up part of the property as an experimental share farm with the foundation, but when Pearl had smiled shyly at him, Marcus had given her the tiniest wink and words were superfluous.

  Pearl was giddy with anticipation the rest of the morning. She was certain that he wanted her as much as ever, and that he was hoping she would feel able to share his new life in Darling Flats. Their relationship still wouldn’t work, though, if he’d only quit his corporate city lifestyle for her, but it was obvious he hadn’t. She could see how passionate he was about his new project, and he’d told her many times how much he loved being in Darling Flats. He’d made this change as much for himself as he had for her.

  The only sad thing was his apparent estrangement from his mother. Perhaps when Linda saw how happy he was in his new life, she’d understand and forgive him for leaving. Despite how dreadfully Linda had treated her at the party, Pearl had grown in the year since that awful night. Running her own business had given her a confidence boost. She thought of Linda and was sure that, were they to meet in the future, she would be able to stand up for herself this time.

  And she’d missed her Daddy. So much. More than she’d ever realised it was possible to miss another person. She’d missed his gorgeous face, lovely deep voice, hugs from his big, strong arms, his passionate kisses and sexy loving. She’d missed him dressing her, washing her, playing with her, reading to her, sitting her on his knee and even spanking her. And the more she thought about it, the more she yearned to be his Little girl again.

  So, while he was out in the paddocks with Jack, she changed into her shortest skirt, a tight jumper covered with teddy bears, lacy socks and the pink, sparkly runners he’d bought for her. She fastened her hair up in two high pigtails and secured them with ties with dangling red cherries. They were clothes she’d worn about the house before, so her parents wouldn’t think anything of the way she’d dressed, but it would be a message for Marcus.

  It was lunchtime by the time he and Jack returned to the house animatedly discussing possibilities for the section of land on which they’d settled, and arranging another meeting for later in the week. Mary interrupted long enough to say that lunch was ready and insist Marcus join them. As he came through the door into the kitchen and saw her, he flinched with surprise then grinned, and as Pearl took her seat across the table from him, it was almost like they’d never been apart. He was as relaxed with Jack and Mary as he’d ever been, and he kept glancing across at her the way he used to, silently telling her to be quiet and behave nicely while they had lunch, but she was too excited, too impatient. She fidgeted and tapped the bottom of her fork on the table until Marcus shook his head the tiniest amount and looked sternly at her from under his eyebrows. Then she wanted to giggle, and he squinted his eyes and pursed his lips, and that made her want to giggle more. She tried to swallow it, but choked on her
food and had to cough.

  “Goodness, Pearl,” Mary said. “What are you doing there? Are you all right?”

  Pearl caught another pretend stern warning from Marcus and had to press her hand to her mouth to suppress a giggle. “Yes, Mum,” she said as casually as she could when she was able to talk. “Something nearly went down the wrong way. That’s all.”

  “So, Marcus,” Mary said as they finished eating and cleared the table. “Do you have any plans for the afternoon? You’re welcome to spend it here.”

  “Thanks, Mary,” he replied. “But I was going to ask Pearl if she’d like to come for a drive.” He looked at Pearl who nodded.

  “Shall we go to my place?” Marcus asked after they’d taken their leave and were heading towards town.

  Pearl peeked sideways at him and nodded. He grinned and tweaked her pigtail.

  “You all shy, little girl?”

  Pearl bowed her head and nodded it vigorously, bounced in her seat and looked out her window.

  “You are as beguiling as ever. Do you know that?”

  Pearl grinned at him and nodded. “And cheeky,” he added with a laugh.

  Pearl squeezed her hands between her knees and curled up as much as the seat belt would allow, her feet running up and down on the spot. She smiled across at him and rocked her head from side to side.

  “Happy?” he asked.

  She drummed her feet harder and nodded harder. It felt like her birthday or Christmas except it was the biggest surprise ever because she’d had no idea it was coming.

  “You didn’t tell me you were coming,” she said out loud as she thought it. “I didn’t know you had that shop.”