Georgia found herself studying his profile. It was exactly as she remembered it. Where he was concerned she appeared to possess a photographic memory. After all he’d done.
‘It’s amazing the things-normal everyday things-you remember when you’re away from home.’ He gave a wry laugh. ‘Do you know what I remembered most?’
Unable to speak, Georgia shook her head, while inside she cried out, No, she didn’t know what he remembered most, but she knew what he forgot.
‘The sound of the storm-bird. Every time the sky grew overcast and it turned cool, I’d be reminded of the storm-bird. When I was a kid I used to think its cry was the saddest sound I ever heard.’
So the forlorn bird’s cry, supposedly heralding the coming storm, was his fondest memory? Georgia’s lips twisted embitteredly. But then why should he remember a passionate, obviously physical affair with a gauche, gullible young woman who’d idolised him?
‘Thanks for going to see Peter last night,’ he said, when Georgia made no attempt to continue the conversation.
She shrugged and sat down again. ‘He was surprisingly well. Aunt Isabel said he’d had a comfortable day. I don’t suppose there’s any chance he’ll…’ Georgia left the question hanging and Jarrod shook his head.
‘The doctor says it’s only a matter of time. He’s had twentyfive years they said he wouldn’t have after his bad accident over in Western Australia so he considers he’s been lucky.’
‘I’m sorry, Jarrod,’ Georgia said, wishing the words didn’t sound so banal.
‘These things happen.’
They both looked up as the sound of a car broke into their mutual preoccupation. And the silence continued as footsteps rattled up the stairs.
‘Jarrod! Hi! Been here long?’ Lockie asked brightly. He shot a quick, assessing glance from Jarrod standing with his back to the window to Georgia sitting stiffly on the edge of her chair.
‘Not long.’ Jarrod shoved his hands in his pockets. ‘I guess you’ve been practising. How’s the band going?’
‘Just great.’ Lockie’s eyes lit up. ‘Did Georgia tell you I’ve pulled off a fantastic booking? At the Country Music Club. It used to be Rusty’s. Remember it?’
Jarrod nodded.
‘It could be a major stepping-stone to-well, to anything. The sky’s the limit.’ Lockie rubbed his hands together. ‘If we make a good impression at the Country Music Club we could hit the big time. What do you say, Georgia?’
‘Nashville here we come,’ Georgia remarked drily, and Lockie pulled a face at her.
‘Very funny, Georgia. You aren’t giving this the right amount of reverence. But don’t worry-I won’t bear a grudge.’
‘And, let me guess, you’ll never forget the little people?’ Jarrod smiled at him, reviving old memories. ‘When’s the big event?’
‘Friday night.’ Lockie beamed at him and sat on the arm of a chair. ‘How about coming along and lending a bit of moral support?’
‘Sure.’
‘Great! It will be good to know at least one person will be clapping, won’t it, Georgia?’
‘One?’ Jarrod’s smile still lingered on his mouth and Georgia swallowed. ‘Three, counting Georgia and Morgan, don’t you mean? I suppose the whole family will be there.’
‘Well, I’m not—’ Georgia stopped, suddenly realising he would be in the audience when she sang with Country Blues. What would he think when he saw her up on the stage?
Jarrod had sobered, his eyes levelly on her. ‘It would be a pity if you missed Lockie’s big moment,’ he said evenly.
‘“Missed”…’ Georgia repeated, and then pulled herself together. Of course. Jarrod was unaware she would be part of Country Blues. He was in for something of a shock. ‘Yes, it would.’
Lockie’s brows drew together and she could see that he thought she’d changed her mind about being part of the band. ‘But Georgia—’
She sighed and made a negating movement with her hand. ‘I’ll be there, Lockie.’
He relaxed and Jarrod looked from one to the other.
Unbidden, Georgia’s thoughts went back to other times Jarrod had seen her sing publicly with Lockie’s ban-at some local functions, the annual Jacaranda Festival, birthday parties, the local school reunion. He had frowningly told her he didn’t care to share her with an audience. Of course he’d been joking. He’d laughed after he’d said it, and they’d kissed, but…
But nothing, she admonished herself. That had been years ago and she didn’t need a reminder of any of it now.
‘The boys are over the moon about-’ Lockie began, and Georgia cut in on him.
‘About the venue. So they should be. It was a real scoop on your part,’ she finished quickly.
‘Is it the same group you had before…?’ Jarrod’s almost imperceptible pause had Georgia tensing painfully. ‘I went overseas?’
‘No. Andy Dyne, the drummer, has been with me the longest. He’s a very colourful character, red hair and a wild beard. The other two guys have been with us for about two years,’ Lockie continued. ‘They’re top musicians and we’re all good friends, which helps. Apart from that we’ve all worked damn hard and we deserve this break. We could even get to do the backing on the new television show that’s in the wind. That would be fantastic.’
‘Television show? What are you talking about, Lockie?’ Georgia raised her eyebrows.
‘There’s a rumour that the ABC will be making a music series, to go national and maybe even overseas. There’d be some overseas clips but it would be mostly local talent With a regular line-dancing segment You know how popular line-dancing is these days.’ Lockie turned back to Jarrod. ‘So you can imagine we’re hoping.’
Thank heavens Mandy would be returning next week. The whole thing was snowballing. Television shows indeed. She frowned, worried by the conspiratorial gleam in her brother’s eyes. If Lockie thought…
She ran her damp palms along the seams of her trousers, her nerves fluttering about inside her like clothes on a windy day’s washing line. It was bad enough that he had invited Jarrod along on Friday night, but if her brother thought he was going to talk her into anything other than the two nights at the Country Music Club…
She swallowed again, resisting the urge to place her hand on her erratically beating heart. She simply had to forget it all until Friday night Forget the strangers who would sit watching her. Strangers? Forget Jarrod Maclean.
If only he hadn’t come back. Such a futile ‘if only’, she told herself. He was here now and she couldn’t change that It was her own fault for not preparing herself for his return. She would just have to keep her torturous memories at bay, weather his presence until he went back to the States.
‘I got to go to the Grand Ole Opry when I was in Tennessee,’ Jarrod was telling Lockie with apparent ease, ‘and I thoroughly enjoyed that.’
‘Wow! I can imagine. I’m green with envy. I’d love to get to Nashville.’ Lockie grimaced. ‘I definitely will one day.’
‘You’d have enjoyed Opryland, too. I was lucky enough to go along with a friend who was familiar with the park and its layout. Due to some precision timing we saw every show that was staged.’
How nice for you, Georgia thought, bitterness rising like bile. And was this friend female? she wanted to ask. Of course, it would have to have been. Women were always attracted to Jarrod. Apart from his tall, well-built body, he had that rare masculine magnetism that drew the female sex like moths to a naked light.
Hadn’t she been enticed like the rest? And he hadn’t fended her off. No, she’d had the dubious honour of being allowed to feel his warmth, to actually touch the flame. That burn had seared her very soul, singed her fragile wings so that she had never attempted to fly again.
‘How nice to have a local to show you around,’ she said flatly, ignoring Lockie’s puzzled glance.
And her brother could look questioning. Couldn’t he see she had a right to be unforgiving? While Jarrod jaunted fancy-free about the worl
d she had had to continue on alone. Without part of herself. And him.
‘It was. I kept thinking of Lockie and how he’d have been in his element.’
He was smiling and Georgia’s fingers clasped tightly together in her lap.
‘Do you remember those old cowboy boots you bought from someone who swore they’d belonged to Johnny Cash?’ Jarrod teased Lockie. He looked relaxed, showing no outward sign that any of the past was rising to disturb him, while Georgia sat frozen in her seat.
How dared he keep mentioning the past? Yesterday was analogous with unbearable pain.
Was he totally insensitive? Didn’t he remember how brutally he had severed their ties? She suppressed a twinge of guilt. Actually, she had severed the ties, but he had been the one to cause their breakup. What he’d done was unforgivable.
Her anger swelled and then ebbed a little. The pity of it was that she would have staked her life on Jarrod’s integrity. She’d loved him so. And he’d betrayed that love.
‘They did belong to Johnny Cash,’ Lockie was protesting indignantly. ‘And I’ve still got them.’
Jarrod laughed aloud.
‘Pity they’re a bit small for me now.’ Lockie indicated his large foot. ‘Hey, Georgia, you can wear them on Friday night for luck.’
‘I’m not wearing those old boots, Lockie, not for you or anyone,’ Georgia said firmly.
‘Come on, Georgia, they’d look great up on stage with the lights picking out the studs.’
‘Lockie!’ Georgia grimaced.
‘On stage?’ Jarrod looked questioningly from Georgia to Lockie.
‘Yes, when—’ Lockie stopped and slapped his forehead theatrically. ‘That’s right. You don’t know. Georgia is Country Blues’ lead singer.’
Jarrod had sobered and his eyes bored into Georgia’s, his expression one of total reproach, stirring her disturbing memories again. ‘But I thought- You sing with Lockie’s band?’
Georgia inclined her head. So he disapproved! She could see that by the set of his jaw, the thinned line of his lips.
‘I didn’t think you liked performing in public.’ His eyes had narrowed, dark lashes shielding the feelings in their blue depths.
Georgia tore her eyes from his. She was a free agent, and if she wanted to dance naked on the table-tops she would do it-she had no intention of asking his permission. He wasn’t her keeper and he had no right to his silent condemnation.
‘That was years ago.’ Georgia held his gaze. ‘And a lot has changed since then.’
‘Georgia is only—’ Lockie began, but she cut him off.
‘I’m quite looking forward to this big break,’ she said quickly, avoiding Lockie’s eyes. ‘Lockie even has hopes of recording an album, haven’t you, Lockie?’
‘Yes.’ Lockie took his cue from his sister. ‘And, talking about albums, Ken tells me it’s a known fact that DJ. Delaney of Skyrocket Records often sits in at the Country Music Club. So, who knows? It mightn’t be as far-fetched as we thought. If we could only find the right material-something original to catch his attention.’
‘The best of luck with it, Lockie.’ Jarrod stood up. ‘I guess I should be going. I’ll see you both on Friday night. I’m looking forward to seeing Country Blues in action.’ His eyes went to Georgia but he said nothing, simply inclining his head before he left.
‘Why didn’t you let me tell him you’re only standing in for Mandy?’ Lockie asked as Georgia closed the door.
‘Was it any of his business?’ she asked him shortly.
‘Well, no, but—’
‘I really don’t see why we have to tell Jarrod Maclean everything that’s going on,’ Georgia bit out, and when Lockie would have replied she walked towards the kitchen. ‘I’ll put your dinner on the table.’
While Lockie ate his meal Georgia returned to the living room and her assignment but, try as she might, she couldn’t regain her previous absorption. Her attention kept straying, and in the same direction. Jarrod Maclean.
She glanced at the time and sighed. She had an early start in the morning and as she wasn’t accomplishing anything with her studies she decided she might as well go to bed. As she stood up Lockie rejoined her.
‘I’m just off to bed,’ she said brightly, feeling a little guilty for her earlier churlishness.
‘Just a minute, Georgia.’ Lockie frowned. ‘I want to talk.’
She glanced at his serious expression and sat down again. ‘What do you want to talk about, Lockie? If it’s Friday night then I’d rather leave that until tomorrow when we run through the songs. If we discuss it tonight I might get stage fright and change my mind,’ she said with a smile.
‘It’s not about the band.’ He sat down opposite her. ‘I want to talk about you. And Jarrod.’
Georgia felt her facial muscles freeze and she went to stand up. But Lockie was quicker and he motioned her back into the chair.
‘Lockie, there’s nothing to talk about.’
‘Isn’t there, Georgia?’
‘No. And if there was I wouldn’t want to discuss it.’
‘Well, I do.’ He stuck out his chin.
‘Lockie, please. Not now.’
‘Yes, now. While I’m all fired up and we’re on our own. I think it needs to be sorted out.’
‘Nothing needs to be said. Just leave it. Lockie, I’m tired-’
‘No, Georgia. Look, I know you never talked about-well, any of it, back then.’ He pushed himself to his feet and walked a few paces away from her before spinning back to face her. ‘But, hell, Georgia! Haven’t you done enough already? Can’t you see what you’re doing to him?’
CHAPTER FOUR
‘WHAT I’m doing to him?’ Georgia repeated incredulously. ‘Just what am I doing to him, Lockie?’
‘Well, treating him like a leper for one.’
‘And how should I be treating him? Throwing myself at his feet and crying, Take me, I’m yours?’
Lockie went a little red about his ears. ‘You know I didn’t mean that, Georgia. I meant you haven’t exactly…’ He paused, searching for the right words.
‘Welcomed him home with open arms?’ Georgia finished. ‘For heaven’s sake, Lockie, do you think I’m a masochist?’
‘You could be civil,’ he suggested.
Civil? Hadn’t Jarrod said just that? Georgia grimaced. No matter what happened, in polite society we must all be civil.
‘I could be a lot of things.’ Georgia couldn’t keep the bitterness out of her voice.
‘And you could let go of the past too.’
She gave a harsh laugh. ‘I have put the past behind me. Or I had. Do you think I need Jarrod turning up to remind me of it all?’
‘Perhaps not.’ Lockie sighed. ‘But he is here and you’ll have to accept the fact that you’ll be seeing him every now and then.’
‘I seem to be falling over him every time I turn around,’ Georgia exaggerated. ‘Believe me, Lockie, where Jarrod’s concerned I think the less we see of each other the better. Make no mistake, the feeling’s mutual.’
‘Is it?’ Lockie asked quietly.
‘It is.’ Georgia was emphatic.
‘Don’t be too sure, Georgia. I’d say he’s still carrying a pretty fair-sized torch for you.’
‘That’s ridiculous.’ Georgia’s words derided Lockie’s opinion, while inside one tiny traitorous part of her rose up a tantalising wave of unadulterated hope. Could it be true? Did Jarrod…? No! Don’t be a fool, she berated herself.
‘Is it so ridiculous, Georgia? Then why does everything you say at him, and I mean at and not to him, pierce him down to bare bone?’
‘What makes you think—?’
‘Oh, come on, Georgia,’ Lockie interrupted her. ‘I’ve got eyes. I can tell when a bloke hangs on a girl’s every word. And I’ve seen the knife-thrusts go home.’
‘I’ve barely spoken to him.’
‘I know. And that’s the unkindest cut of all. Georgia, be honest with yourself. You’re still in love w
ith him and yet for some reason, heaven knows what-maybe guilt-you’ve decided to keep him dangling like a well-hooked fish on a line.’
Georgia stood up then, angrier with her brother than she’d been in years. ‘That’s absurd, Lockie. For a start I’m not still in love with him, and secondly, the guilt is definitely not mine. You don’t know a thing about what happened so leave it alone.’
‘I know more than—’
‘You only think you know.’ Georgia’s voice rose and Lockie sighed.
‘I just don’t like to see two people I care about hurtinghurting themselves and each other.’
‘I did all my hurting years ago. Now it’s over. Finished.’
‘Well, Jarrod’s isn’t.’
‘That’s his bad luck.’
‘Georgia, give the bloke a break.’
‘No, Lockie. I’m not going to let Jarrod, or anyone else for that matter, hurt me again,’ Georgia said vehemently.
‘Hurt you?’ Lockie exclaimed. ‘Good grief, Georgia! If he can forgive you—’
‘Forgive me? For what?’ Georgia broke in, her voice shrill.
‘You should know for what. You don’t need me to tell you.’ ‘Maybe I do need you to fill me in, Lockie, because I don’t know. But apparently you think you do, so please enlighten me,’ Georgia bit out with more than a touch of sarcasm.
‘For two-timing him.’
‘Two…’ Georgia closed her mouth, her lips thinning. ‘Did he tell you that?’ she asked with ominous quietness.
If he had…Would Jarrod have twisted the truth so cruelly? She thought she’d reached the limit of the pain she’d had to endure, the pain Jarrod Maclean could put her through, but perhaps she hadn’t.
‘No, of course not,’ Lockie denied. ‘I didn’t see Jarrod before he left for the States four years ago. I went over to tell him that you were…’ He paused. ‘That you had had an accident. Aunt Isabel told me Jarrod had gone and she didn’t know where, and he wasn’t coming back.
‘There had to have been a pretty good reason for Jarrod to have gone off like that and I worked it out You must have been seeing someone else, otherwise he’d never have left you-especially when…’ His voice faded away and his eyes slid from hers.
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