A Place to Stay

by Jennie Jones

  ‘Women check me out?’ He hadn’t particularly noticed. Not since he’d arrived in the outback anyway. Did Rachel check him out?

  ‘Jesus, mate, where’ve you been?’ Will said. ‘Yes. Women check you out. You could be getting it from all sorts who pass through town if you wanted it.’

  ‘Well, it’s good to know I’ve still got it,’ he said, a bit chuffed. He still had it. Not bad. So why couldn’t Rachel see what others saw? He sighed and considered that glow in his chest whenever he looked at her and the concern about whether or not he ought to back off. Was Rachel shy? Or was it purely reticence? There was a difference, and he’d better find it before he went too far and one of them got hurt.

  ‘How was Rachel last night?’ Will asked.

  ‘Seemed okay. She got a fright though.’

  ‘She say that?’

  ‘No. I could just tell.’

  ‘Did you ask her out again?’

  ‘Of course not,’ he said, pushing to the back of his mind the thought that he almost had.

  ‘So how far is this protection and care of yours going to go?’ Will asked.

  ‘For what?’

  ‘For Rachel. You’ve gone overboard.’

  ‘I have not. I’m as patient as.’

  ‘You gave her a prepaid mobile, for a start.’

  ‘It sat in lost property for twenty months.’

  ‘Yeah, but you paid for the new number and the credit.’

  ‘Nothing I wouldn’t have done for any new resident choosing to live so far out of town—especially a woman.’ The Laurensen place had been empty for over a year. It was quiet out there, twenty minutes south of town with nothing between. You’d have to continue for another two hours before you got to the next building—a fuel station—and a further three hours until you reached the big mining city of Kalgirri.

  ‘You’re smitten,’ Will said.

  It was more than that. His heart was involved—and his heart hadn’t been nudged by a woman for years.

  ‘Plus you’re not used to your many charms not working.’

  Luke picked up a file on Hugh Baxter and threw it at Will. ‘I haven’t got that many. What would you know about how to entice a female anyway?’ he asked. ‘You’re battened down with beautiful Barbara. You’ve forgotten how to be romantic, mate. You’ve got it on tap whenever you want it.’

  Will grimaced. ‘I’ve also got two kids. It’s not on tap as often as it used to be. Mate.’

  Luke sat back again.

  ‘What’s happening on Facebook?’ he asked, changing the conversation and his thoughts.

  ‘The booze bus picked up a dozen over the limit after the car rally in Kalgirri last night. Stung four vehicles for work orders but otherwise, general traffic infringement.’ Will sighed. ‘Wish we had a car rally going on here.’

  ‘Don’t ask for it,’ Luke said. ‘You might get it.’ They’d had a bikie melee six months earlier. That had been fun. If you got punched it didn’t matter if it was in Mt Maria or Sydney. It still hurt.

  ‘I was thinking we ought to start our own Mt Maria cop shop Facebook page,’ Luke said.

  ‘What for?’

  ‘We’ve got to remain ahead. What about Twitter?’

  ‘What about it?’

  ‘Communication, William. Visibility. Social presence. We’d make it entertaining. Post pictures of us doing our decent thing around the community.’

  ‘Like you getting all smoochy over Rachel?’

  Luke glanced at Will. ‘Like me getting into the arrest van, looking back over my shoulder with a broad grin at the camera. All six-foot-two of me looking—what was it you said? Oh, yeah—muscly, handsome and ready for any task because I’ve got “it”. While you’re behind me, holding the mail bag and looking five-foot-eleven and miserable.’

  ‘I’m miserable already,’ Will grumbled.

  ‘And while we’re at it, I don’t see why those firefighter boys should get all the fun getting naked on a calendar.’

  ‘You’re joking me!’

  Luke swiped his hand through the air as though reading a banner. ‘Mt Maria Cops Bare All for Charity.’

  ‘You’re not serious!’

  ‘I might be,’ Luke said, giving Will a frown.

  ‘They’re not going to want to see me naked,’ Will said. ‘Or Davidson. He hasn’t filled out yet.’

  Luke released his smile. ‘They won’t be looking at either of you, mate. They’ll be looking at me. Tanned and buff, wearing only my bush hat, a smile and my It factor.’

  Will slapped his desk, his laughter choking him. ‘I dare you!’

  ‘What’s going on?’ Davidson asked, pushing through the door with a polystyrene boxed meal and a coffee in his hands.

  Luke’s grin was so wide it was hurting his cheeks. ‘I’m just wondering what you look like naked, Davidson.’

  Will thumped his desk again, still choking.

  Luke laughed hard, his chest aching as he pictured himself looking like an idiot, wearing only his smile.

  ‘You what?’ Davidson stepped back, tripped on the leg of Luke’s desk and dropped the takeaway coffee.

  ‘Oh, shit.’ Luke sprang from the chair. Too late—the coffee soaked his trousers and his bacon and egg sandwich splattered onto his boots.

  * * *

  Rachel got out of the 4WD she’d just parked under a tree and glanced over her shoulder, feeling a mix of vulnerability and resolve.

  Luke Weston was walking past the entrance to the carpark.

  She’d spent a sleepless night thinking about him. Life had been getting easier this last month and she felt almost liberated—or closer to that state. Now this tall officer with such authority in the town was pushing her reserve. Twice he’d asked her out. Not that they’d conversed much but he always took the time to talk to her if they met in town or on the few occasions he’d come into the town hall, and she was aware of his attraction to her.

  ‘Morning,’ he called out when he saw her, a surprised-to-see-her look on his face along with a smile. ‘I’m heading your way,’ he said, indicating the southern end of High Street. ‘Mind if I walk with you?’

  ‘Don’t let me keep you,’ she called out as she locked the 4WD ‘You must be busy.’

  ‘The day is still young,’ he called back. ‘Although I’ve already had a change of uniform but don’t ask why.’

  She wasn’t about to, but she was aware of the way he filled that uniform, and also of his assessment as she walked towards him. She watched helplessly as his eyes moved over her with distinct admiration.

  ‘You look different,’ he said as she got to his side.

  She was different, much more than he knew. Some days she didn’t know who she was. ‘I left my hair loose, that’s all.’ She pushed strands back from her forehead. It was already thirty-five degrees and they were sticking to her brow.

  ‘I like it,’ he said. ‘So you’re feeling okay this morning, after the problem last night?’

  ‘Yes. Thank you.’

  She moved off, the senior officer of Mt Maria’s police force at her side.

  The breadth of him invaded more than the pavement. She’d never walked alongside anyone who had such presence. She was aware of his fragrance, his body heat, his masculinity, all that power. Not just from his equipment and uniform but from the slant of his broad shoulders and the height of him.

  She felt an unfamiliar confidence walking next to Luke. She was used to making herself small and insignificant, hoping not to be seen, even after all these years. Not wanting to do anything that would result in a punch to her back or being locked in a bedroom.

  ‘How’s your house shaping up?’ he asked. ‘It must have been in a hell of a state when you moved in.’

  ‘Did you know the owner?’

  ‘I visited Laurensen often. Shame his daughter left him once he got too old.’

  ‘That’s sad.’

  ‘Never worked a day in her life, then as soon as he gets to be a nuisance, needing her help a
nd spoiling the good time she was having at Breakers, she left and found a job in Perth.’

  ‘Is it the daughter my rent goes to?’ She knew old Mr Laurensen had died over a year ago.

  He gave her a quizzical smile and she wished the words back. She should know the answer.

  ‘Laurensen was smart,’ he answered. ‘He left the property in trust. Your rent goes wholly—apart from the shire rates—to the Mt Maria Wildlife Sanctuary.’

  Surprise filled her. ‘I’d like to visit,’ she said, unable to hide her delight.

  ‘Really? You’ll leave your house for a while? Thought you preferred keeping to yourself.’

  She felt the flush rise and couldn’t help it so she ignored it. ‘I do. While I find my way.’

  ‘And what way would that be?’

  ‘What is this?’ she asked. ‘Twenty questions?’

  ‘I’m trying to get to know you better, that’s all.’

  He was playing it casual, but it felt like he was fishing. Maybe she ought to spend more time in town at the weekends. It must look odd that she didn’t. She hadn’t thought about it. She’d never been under this much scrutiny before.

  ‘Bit of a loner, aren’t you?’

  The question caught her off guard. ‘And you’ve never met a loner before? I have trouble believing that.’

  ‘I’ve met plenty types. So why do you want to be that far out of town?’

  ‘I guess that’s my business, sergeant.’

  ‘Call me Luke.’

  She wouldn’t, but she didn’t say so.

  They walked on in silence for a while.

  ‘We’re up to our necks in filing at the moment,’ he said, sounding chatty and pleasant, as though they’d known each other for ages. ‘Davidson’s gone all academy-orientated on us. It’s driving Jimmy mad.’

  ‘Jimmy is a very efficient person. I’m sure he’ll cope.’ The shire had a fair amount to do with the police station, with vehicle registrations and fines and such.

  ‘Efficient and gruff,’ he said, ‘He likes being miserable, does Jimmy. It makes him happy to see others nonplussed at what he considers his charm.’

  Rachel’s mouth curved.

  ‘Hey,’ he said, halting. ‘That wasn’t a smile, was it? If I see another before we reach the town hall I may have to arrest you for too much joviality.’

  Her smile blossomed at his obvious tease. It felt so natural being with him. Why was that? The more she met with him the more confused she got about not feeling frightened of him. Apart from him being a cop. But she sensed she was beginning to see the man beneath. Occasionally she’d even felt the odd burst of exhilaration skittering along her skin when he spoke to her. It was a different prickle to the fearful one she’d become accustomed to.

  ‘I’ve got an idea,’ he said, as they crossed the end of High Street. ‘It’s my rostered day off on Sunday. The pistol club are having a barbecue. If you’d like to come along, I’ll buy you a burger and introduce you to more people. I’ll teach you how to shoot,’ he added, possibly as an incentive.

  ‘No need.’ She carried on walking.

  ‘Not that I’m saying you should shoot anyone,’ he said as he caught up with her, ‘because then I’d have to sling you behind bars.’

  That sent a shiver down her spine.

  ‘I’m not pressuring you, Rachel,’ he said, removing the tease from his voice. ‘I’m simply hoping to see you get out of that house you’re so fond of shutting yourself up in.’

  That could be the reason, but he was still asking her out on a date, even if he hadn’t couched it in those terms.

  ‘You’ll be safe. Nobody will make a move on you. Not even me,’ he said, obviously trying to make a joke about his persistence.

  She gave him a look that told him she wasn’t so sure, and surprisingly, she thought perhaps she’d just teased him right back, especially as she’d smiled again.

  He must have recognised her ease too, because his eyes darkened with a gentle warmth. ‘You’ll be safe,’ he repeated. ‘Nothing will happen that you don’t want to happen.’

  The smile fell from her face as a rush of susceptibility flew through her at the thought of somebody doing something to her she didn’t want. She ought to remain wary of Luke Weston and not succumb to the fascination of the man. He’d been doing his job yesterday evening, and doing it kindly too, but perhaps she’d put too big a kink in her armour and shown him a reciprocal attraction or pull or whatever it was she felt when she was with him. She’d do well to remember the terrifying event of two years ago, keen as she was on banishing it to hell. She wouldn’t go out with Luke. It was too dangerous.

  She pulled the straps of her bag more firmly on her shoulder as they continued their stroll to the town hall, and willed the pictures in her head not to come. They’d strike her at the most unexpected times and stun her into a state she had trouble shaking. They came while driving to work. Or shopping. Even at the counter in reception while she worked. But she controlled them; she had learned how to do that.

  She was barely past being a child when she married Peter. Peter was twelve years older and he’d thought of his nineteen-year-old wife as some sort of trophy. But why hurt a prized possession? She’d never been able to figure it out.

  He’d conned Rosalind and her mother into believing his attention was kindness. Her mother had been dealing with her unstable mental health since Rosalind had turned thirteen and when Peter came into their lives, Rosalind had seen her mother’s relief: someone else to care for her daughter. But in the end, nobody had been able to stop her mother killing herself. And Peter helped Rosalind get through the aftermath with more kindness. He watched out for her. He gave her advice. He conned her the whole way to the registry office where she’d become Mrs Rosalind Fletcher—and then he changed. But too late for her to understand what she’d signed herself up for. He’d turned so strange—and she’d been scared of him. But what young girl with no-one to turn to wouldn’t be scared of a man who more or less held her prisoner?

  ‘Rachel?’

  He was particular about the way she dressed. No shorts, no trousers, and never anything denim. He liked her to wear dresses and feminine clothing, but looking was all he ever did. He said she wasn’t to trouble herself about the dirty side of things. She presumed he was getting sex from the many women he brought to the house. The women he conned into handing over their money, or their trust. What had happened to those poor souls? He probably took what little money they had, then dumped them and moved on to the next.

  ‘Rachel.’

  He’d been proud of himself for having a wife like Rosalind. Nineteen, naïve, fragile: easy to manipulate.

  ‘Rachel!’

  She blinked and glanced around, surprised to be on the street when she’d been in the past. ‘What?’ she asked, trying to clear the fog in her head.

  ‘Rachel,’ Luke said again. ‘What’s going on? Where are you?’

  She stared up at him. ‘What?’ She swallowed but her throat was as dry as her mouth.

  ‘You were in some sort of trance—what’s wrong?’

  ‘Nothing.’ She walked on.

  He caught her by the arm and she started, pulling out of his hold. She looked at her arm. No scars, but it had been Peter’s favourite punishment. He’d take her arm in his hands and twist until she couldn’t see through the stinging pain of it.

  ‘I’m sorry, Rachel. Did I frighten you?’

  ‘What?’ she said, frowning and still unable to focus.

  ‘Do you want me to stop this?’ He lifted his hands in a peace-making gesture. ‘Are you getting worried about my attention? I didn’t mean that to happen. Or is it the attention you’re getting from so many guys in town that’s making you nervous around men?’

  ‘No—I mean—’ What did she mean? His serious expression sent tremors of panic through her. She’d let the pictures come in the middle of the street. What could she say? That she was daydreaming? ‘I’m fine.’

  ‘Kilo-Mike 1
03 to officer 7375.’

  Luke turned from her, his face still set, and unclipped his radio mic from his shoulder. ‘Go ahead, Kilo-Mike 103. What is it, Davidson?’

  ‘Solomon Jones is looking for you.’

  ‘Is there a problem?’

  ‘We just passed his place. He wants to see you. Wouldn’t tell us why.’

  ‘I’ll get in touch with him.’ He clipped the mic back to his shoulder. ‘I’d better get on with my day,’ he said, studying her. ‘Are you sure you’re okay?’

  ‘Yes. Of course I am.’

  ‘All right. But if this issue you’re having is about being pestered too much and some guy gives you a hard time—or even comes close to giving you a hard time—I’m the guy you come and see.’ He tapped the badge on his arm. ‘Police. Here to serve and protect. Don’t forget that—because regardless of anything else I’m a cop first. Do you understand?’

  She took a step back, away from his official tone and controlled posture. What had she been thinking, remembering her past in the middle of the street—and when she was with a cop, of all people? A detective. A man who was interested—or had been. The cops she’d known had wanted to serve and protect too. But she hadn’t let them do that. She’d refused. She’d had no choice.

  ‘I won’t need your protection,’ she told him.

  ‘Well guess what? You’ve got it anyway.’ He paused and looked away for a moment, then back to her. ‘I’ll speak to you about this later. I’ll see you later. Is that all right, or would you rather I just pissed off altogether?’

  ‘No.’ She didn’t want to annoy him, or hurt him, she just couldn’t go anywhere with this, not after what Peter had done to the man she’d dated two years ago. ‘No. I’m not worried. I’m fine. It’s fine.’ Except that it wasn’t because she ought to tell him to back off.

  He nodded, then left, his stride long and his shoulders set at an angle that told her he wasn’t convinced by anything. Maybe he was hurt.

  She swiped a hand over her head, pushing at her hair and the memories of how she’d been hurt.

  When the crowded emotions lessened she walked up the front path to the town hall, ignoring the colourful array of flowers along the border, and into the air-conditioned interior, feeling a touch of remorse, a touch of sadness and a whole lot of loss.