by Sarah Barrie
CHAPTER
5
Tess’s horse shifted under her as it stretched down to graze. Its chomping accompanied the gentle stirring of the trees and the odd low rumble from one cow to another. She gave the glossy chestnut’s neck an absent stroke and released the reins full length to allow the mare better access to the pasture. There was no rush. Around her, cows grazed peacefully, enjoying the sunshine. It was better, much better, to be out here than in the confines of her apartment. She’d slept through most of yesterday, and again, fitfully, during the early hours of this morning. So she’d risen early, struggling against her aching body. By lunchtime she’d been stir crazy and sick of well-meaning sympathy so she’d forced herself down to the stables and into the saddle.
It was an abnormally warm afternoon for a Central Highlands winter, a dramatic contrast to the freezing weather that had necessitated yesterday’s mountain rescue. The changeable weather never ceased to amaze her and reminded her of what her father had taught her: Never assume anything’s predictable out here. Murphy Atherton’s words echoed in her mind as she looked over everything he’d achieved at Calico Mountain. The guesthouse, the stables, the sprawling paddocks.
He had been a practical man in many ways, and a tough one when it came to working the land, to building his own little empire. He’d turned a ramshackle inherited settler’s hut on the wild edge of nowhere into a modest home. He’d married the love of his life. They’d planted vegetables, cleared paddocks, collected a few sheep at first, because they were cheaper than cattle. Every daylight hour—and many that weren’t—had been for working. Dogged determination combined with a run or two of good luck had made the property viable, then seen it flourish.
The paddocks had been graced with several hundred fat, lazy cattle when the market crashed. Undeterred, Murphy had simply changed tack and plotted out a new course. He risked everything he’d built on a hefty bank loan and the guesthouse had been born. Locals had whispered that old Murph had finally lost his mind. But he’d turned his hand to tourism with the resolve he’d shown every other project and guests had come. He’d shared his love of the land with as many city dwellers as would grace his doors for the last two decades of his life. Nothing had slowed Murphy, until hard work had stopped his heart. Today would have been his seventieth birthday.
He’d raised his kids to respect the mountains, the climate, the conditions. To work with the land, not just on it, to appreciate it for what it was, and not take any of it for granted. His head for business had mostly passed to his eldest son, Connor, and his love of farming to Logan, the son he’d only known as his own for the last couple of years of his life. But Tess had inherited a decent enough helping of both, along with what some said was more than a generous scoop of her father’s determination—or as Connor called it: block-headed stubbornness. She smiled as she thought about her brother and his new wife, Callie.
Both brothers were settled and happy. Marriage suited them, and their wives had quickly become more like real sisters than in-laws. A secret part of Tess wished for what they had, but she wasn’t sure she was built for it. She’d skipped the whole teenage crush stage—had never fully understood the allure of imagining herself in love with rock stars or the hottest guy a grade or two ahead in school. She supposed she’d found it all just a bit … foolish. Perhaps it was the common sense she’d been raised to take pride in, or the demands of the land she’d worked for as long as she could remember. Maybe she’d simply been too wrapped up in horses and competing and, when she’d felt her feet itch, the wilderness adventures she’d indulged in. The land was her first love, the freedom of it, the challenge. Still, she and Aaron had something good, something promising. So maybe, just maybe, she could have it all.
Her mobile shrilled, breaking her reverie. A woman enquiring about a week-long hike, wanted to go immediately. No, not at this time of year, sorry. If she could wait until September, Tess would be happy to arrange it for her. She ended the call nicely though the woman wasn’t happy. Taking two people out at that time of year wasn’t worth the cold, wet and challenging conditions.
In the distance, the shuttle bus crawled to a stop in front of the rambling, two-storey timber guesthouse of Calico Lodge. A new load of tourists from one or more of the afternoon flights into Hobart. She should probably head back, see if Callie needed any assistance getting everyone checked in. Assuming she was allowed. Connor and Logan had been carrying on like the big brothers they were, fussing to the point of driving her crazy. Even Callie, who’d been doing more than her own fair share of fussing, felt sorry enough for Tess to chase them off more than once. Tess smiled again because she loved them, but being out on a horse in the fresh, cold air was better than any cup of tea or pillow behind her back.
She gingerly picked up the reins, arranging them loosely in her least damaged hand. ‘Let’s go, Flash.’ The mare took one last cheeky dive at the grass before trotting off in the direction of the stables. Tess’s body ached, complaining at the movement, but she ignored it, pressed on. She needed to work out the stiffness, get herself back to normal. There was too much to do.
She drew Flash up alongside the paddock gate and unlatched it, walked the mare through and closed it. Guest numbers traditionally dropped off in winter, though this year bookings were fuller than they had been for years. Her hiking business had started out as an extension of the day hikes they’d always offered at the lodge but had become so popular it was now a business in itself. Running it while helping out with the lodge was a near-impossible juggling act at times.
The sound of Logan’s ute slowly approaching had her moving Flash off the drive and turning in the saddle. ‘Hi.’
‘Hi. How are you feeling?’
‘I’m fine,’ she assured him.
‘Tess, it’s a hell of an ordeal. You can tell the truth.’
‘Okay, how’s this: being out here on Flash has made me feel considerably less shitty than I was yesterday. Work for you?’
‘Better. How are you riding with those cut-up hands?’
‘It’s Flash, Logan,’ she scoffed. They both knew the mare was so well trained she didn’t need to rely on rein control.
‘Hmm,’ he said. Then, ‘Callie’s looking for you at reception.’
‘I’ll put Flash away and head up.’
‘Give her to me, Larissa will take care of her,’ he said.
‘Righto.’ She slid carefully from the saddle to avoid the worst of the bruises, gathered up the reins and handed them to Logan through the open window. ‘Make sure she gets some sugar.’
‘You know what Larissa’s like, she’s more likely to give her diabetes than let her miss out.’
Tess gave the mare a pat before Logan crept the ute forward. ‘Let’s go, girl.’
‘See ya,’ Tess said as he drove off steadily, Flash following at a gentle trot. She turned for the guesthouse. The proud timber facade and wide verandas stood against a backdrop of stunning mountains and countryside. She walked up the steps through glass doors and into an inviting reception area with high ceilings, dual staircases and windows showcasing the mountains. She glanced left to the desk where Callie was checking in a guest. Another staff member was assisting. On Tess’s right, guests enjoyed the large lounge with its twin fireplaces, comfy seating, tables and chairs. Books and magazines were scattered around, encouraging guests to relax. Enormous rugs covered the floors and led towards the bar, which offered everything from hot chocolate to fancy cocktails.
‘Tess.’ Callie tucked her red curls behind her ears as she ducked behind the desk to pick up a huge bouquet of pink and peach roses, alstroemeria and something green Tess couldn’t name. ‘Two things. First, these came for you.’ Callie’s smile became hesitant. ‘Flowers from Charlie’s family.’
Tess found herself holding her breath as she opened the card. It had crossed her mind they might blame her for the incident, even consider legal action. The card simply read, Thank you for trying.
‘Oh, hell.’ Tears ins
tantly spiked as emotion choked her. She sucked in a steadying breath and pressed her fingers to her eyes, willing the tears back. She showed Callie the card.
‘He would have pulled you both over. You know that,’ Callie said gently.
‘Yep.’
‘And you tried your best to catch that hand anyway.’
And in last night’s dreams, the worst of those dreams, she’d fallen with him. She sniffed. ‘I’m okay.’
‘Tess—’
‘And second?’ she cut in, because if Callie made one more sympathetic noise she’d lose it in front of all these people.
‘Aaron is waiting for you in the bar.’
‘Oh … thanks.’ He’d wanted to see her yesterday, but she’d only wanted to sleep, to be alone, so she’d promised to call him today. She’d just needed the ride more than another dose of sympathy. ‘Can you do something with these in reception?’ she asked of the flowers. ‘They’re lovely, but if I have to look at them every time I go up to my apartment …’
‘Sure.’
‘Thanks.’ She handed them back, then swiped at her eyes one last time and walked through the lounge. Aaron was seated at a table under one of the huge windows.
He got to his feet when he spotted her. ‘How are you feeling?’ he asked. He put his arms lightly around her. She felt the rise and fall of his chest before he let her go and smiled. ‘You’re up and about. That’s good. Are you okay?’
‘I’m getting there. You didn’t need to come all the way out here. I would have called. I’ve just been—I wasn’t quite ready to go over it all again. Sorry. Thanks for your help out there.’
‘Where else would I have been?’ He drew her over to sit down. ‘I’m just so relieved you’re alive.’
She sat down. ‘So am I.’
The concern on his face was replaced by a trace of annoyance. ‘You should never have done that. Risking your life for an idiot. You weren’t set up for rescue.’
Again? she thought, instantly irritated. ‘I know that! And if I’d have followed protocol he would have fallen before you got there. I had to try, and damn it—I got him down off that face! If that one last thing hadn’t happened …’ She pulled back when she heard her voice rise, threatening to crack. ‘He would have been okay,’ she continued more quietly. ‘I couldn’t just watch and wait. I know I should have, but I signed up to save people’s lives, not watch people lose them.’ Surely, she thought, Aaron could understand that?
‘I hear what you’re saying, but I trained you better than that. You need to keep your head out there,’ he said, and covered her hands gently with his. ‘Let’s not fight. I don’t agree with what you did, but I’m proud of you.’
Proud of her? If he was trying to be supportive, why did he sound so damn condescending? She set aside her resentment because she knew his words came out of concern. ‘I got flowers from the family. I wouldn’t have thought they’d be up to anything like that. There was a lovely message. They don’t blame me.’
‘No one blames you, Tess,’ he said. ‘You did more than anyone else would have. I spoke to the family—there’s a lot of them. The sister would have sent those, I’d say. I told her what you did.’
‘Oh. I didn’t think to … I spoke to Charlie’s friends. They called yesterday.’
‘What did they have to say?’
She shrugged. ‘Nothing new. They’re devastated. Blaming themselves. Charlie put them in a couple of tricky situations over the years and they wanted to teach him a lesson. They didn’t want him to die.’
‘Of course not,’ he said, then shifted in his chair, looking solemnly into her eyes. ‘I wanted to tell you in person that Charlie’s body has been located by chopper. I’m heading out with the team to bring it back shortly.’
‘At least that’s something,’ she said softly. ‘Better for the family to be able to bury him.’
‘Unnecessary deaths are always very difficult. Why don’t I come back tonight? Let me take care of you, take your mind off things.’
She considered it, but shook her head. Right or wrong, his lecture was still grating on her. ‘Thanks, but I’m not very good company at present.’
‘That doesn’t matter.’
‘It does to me. I need to be working.’ She took a deep breath, released it with a smile that took some effort. ‘Keeping busy. Then it’ll be another early night.’
He looked like he was going to argue, his mouth a thin line of disapproval, but it widened into a smile as he looked over her head. ‘Callie.’
‘Hi, Aaron, sorry to interrupt. Tess, Jared’s looking for you. I left him at reception in case you two needed a few more moments.’
‘Oh, it’s okay. We’re done.’
‘Jared?’ Aaron snapped. ‘As in Denham?’
‘I guess he’s following up on Charlie’s death,’ Tess said.
‘Can he not just leave you alone? Surely you said everything that needed to be said.’
Surprised, Tess studied his face, wondering where the animosity had come from. Protectiveness, she decided. He wanted to distance her from the police follow-up. ‘It’s fine. I’m sure it’s nothing to worry about.’
‘I’ll stay,’ Aaron said. ‘We’ll talk to him together.’
‘No,’ she said more firmly than she’d meant to. ‘But thanks. I’d feel better knowing you’re out bringing Charlie back.’
His expression softened. ‘Are you sure?’
She nodded. ‘Yep.’
‘Then I’ll call back tomorrow.’ He kissed her lightly.
‘Sure. Great.’ Tess saw Callie’s brow lift in question before she led Aaron back out towards reception, conversing lightly.
Why did Jared need to see her again? Why couldn’t Indy have spoken to her? She pressed a hand against the jump in her belly. She found Jared Denham intimidating. From their first dramatic encounter, with his blood all over her hands and his mind still on the job, she’d never quite shaken that larger-than-life heroic image she’d formed of him. Perhaps she’d even built on it, romanticised it in her mind over time to more than it had been.
She laughed at herself. God, Tess. Cut it out. She was an emotional disaster today. Perhaps she should have let Aaron stay. She dropped her head into her hands and gave herself a silent talking to. Aaron was so caring, so considerate. Why couldn’t she just enjoy being taken care of?
She groaned quietly and dragged her fingers across her eyes. ‘What is wrong with me?’
‘Other than some impressive cuts and bruises, I would have thought absolutely nothing.’
She jerked her head up. Jared. He had a half-smile on his face, a glimmer of humour in his generally serious blue eyes. ‘Sorry. I was just questioning my bitchy mood,’ she said, clearing her throat.
‘I’d cut myself a bit of slack if I were you.’ He looked her over, making her all too aware of her untidy appearance.
‘I wasn’t deliberately keeping you waiting. Just needed a minute.’
‘No problem. Actually, Callie was filling me in on her progress on the halfway house at Waldron Park.’
She smiled as she thought about Callie’s beautiful family home. ‘She wanted to help people suffering mental illness. Not hard to understand after what she went through.’ Her smile dropped at the memory of what Callie’s sister’s mental illness had cost in terms of lives. ‘She has a foundation running it and they’re busy making the place the best it can be.’
‘It’s a good thing.’
In contrast to his easy tone, his eyes were sharp and probing, as though examining her every scrape and bruise. She shifted uncomfortably under the weight of it. ‘So … is something wrong?’
‘No. I just need you to sign this.’ He took a folder from under his arm and handed her a copy of her statement. ‘It somehow didn’t get done when you were at the station.’
‘Oh, right.’ She grimaced as she straightened in her chair.
‘I’m not going to ask how you’re feeling,’ he said with a grimace of his own.
‘Really? Wow, you get the gold star. You have no idea how much I appreciate that.’
‘Just self-preservation really. I’ve heard stories.’
The comment dragged a laugh out of her. God, it felt nice to laugh. ‘Guilty. My ride this morning helped clear my head.’
‘Shouldn’t you be resting?’
She sent him a look that had him smirking. He lifted his hands in truce.
‘I did that yesterday. Resting doesn’t loosen me up.’
‘And sitting around thinking about it doesn’t help either,’ he guessed more seriously.
‘Would you mind telling everyone else that?’ She took the document and signed it clumsily with her taped fingers. ‘Here.’
‘Thanks,’ he said, and put it back in the folder.
Not sure what else to say, Tess got to her feet and walked with him back to reception. ‘Thanks for coming,’ she said when they reached the doorway. ‘I’m sure Indy could have called in with it when she got home, saved you the trip.’
‘Yeah, but I thought I should see how you were feeling.’
‘You—why?’
‘So I didn’t need to ask.’ He winked. ‘See ya.’
Caught off guard, she managed a smile as she watched him walk out.
‘He really is impressive,’ Callie said, coming to stand beside her.
‘Huh? Oh, Jared? He’s a … nice guy.’
‘Yeah, “nice guy” wasn’t what was printed all over your expression just then,’ Callie teased. ‘Might Aaron’s little possessive moment have been warranted?’
‘Possessive?’ Tess asked with surprise. ‘He just wants to make sure I’m okay.’
‘He doesn’t like Jared,’ Callie said. ‘He sent him a dirty look as he was leaving.’