Walking the Line

by Mandy Magro

  ‘Yup, fine and dandy.’ She rolled her eyes. What the hell was that? She’d never used the word dandy in her life.

  ‘I’ll be there as soon as I can.’

  ‘I’ll be waiting,’ she said lightheartedly. ‘It’s not like I can go anywhere …’

  ‘Oh, and another thing.’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Can you possibly try and keep the sheep away from the hole in the fence? We don’t want them getting out and causing another accident.’

  ‘But I’m wearing heels.’

  Dallas chuckled, his laughter deep and throaty. ‘Well, take them off.’

  Charlize swallowed down hard, more images from Shaun the Sheep coming to mind. ‘How do I stop sheep from running where they want to?’

  ‘Just stay calm and don’t make any sudden movements or noises, and they should stay put. But whatever you do, don’t underestimate them. Contrary to what people think, they’re very clever animals. ’

  ‘Right then.’

  ‘Mum and I are jumping in the old girl now so we’ll see you soon.’

  And before she could talk her way out of herding wayward sheep in the middle of a paddock, in the dark, she heard the four-wheel drive roar to life in the background and then the phone went dead.

  Leaning against her steering wheel, she eyeballed her woollen opponents. Sheep couldn’t be that scary, could they? She watched as a lamb huddled behind its mother’s legs, bleating, and her heart melted. How anyone would want to eat such a gorgeously adorable creature was beyond her comprehension. She so wanted to pick one up and cuddle it to her.

  ‘Well, looks like I’m getting thrown in the deep end, Bruce, as per bloody usual these days.’ With a click of her tongue, she lifted him off her lap and placed him back on the passenger seat. ‘You stay here and guard the fort while I keep things under control outside.’ She squared her shoulders, feigning confidence—you had to fake it to make it. ‘And don’t you worry, I got this,’ she muttered.

  Bruce eyed her curiously as she half-heartedly removed her shoes and turned to place them on the back seat. Then, trying not to startle the sheep, she warily opened her door and stretched one leg out, and then the other, both bare feet hitting the ground instantaneously. Mud squelched between her toes. ‘Yuck!’ she instinctively cried out.

  The sheep were spooked. One mob ran in one direction, and another mob in the other. And so the country chaos began.

  Leaping from the car, she slammed the door shut behind her to keep Bruce out of harm’s way, briefly grimacing at the state of the vehicle as she legged it across the paddock. Thank God Jasper had chosen full cover when he’d booked it, otherwise she’d be up shit creek. With everything that had gone wrong lately she felt as if she was already halfway there anyway.

  While trying to ignore the squelch of disgusting sludge beneath her pounding feet (she could only imagine what was mixed within it—the stench of faeces was almost overwhelming), and at the same time trying not to freak out about her favourite slacks and silk blouse being ruined by splatters of mud, Charlize dashed in what she hoped was the direction of the road, thankful for the glow from her headlights and the half moon or she wouldn’t have been able to see two feet in front of her.

  And it was at this very moment of gratitude that her long eventful day became even more memorable, in all the wrong ways, when a fallen tree branch appeared out of nowhere. By the time she’d noticed it, it was too late to abort mission. Her only way was over. Leaping as high as she could, she held her breath—she’d always sucked at high jump.

  Time slowed and her heart galloped even faster. Her left foot cleared it—Hallelujah!—but then her right one clipped the bark. Her arms windmilled as she fought to stay upright, but it was futile. She closed her eyes, waiting for the inevitable.

  And then she face-planted the rain-soaked earth with a loud thump, all limbs splayed out as if she was doing a back to front starfish, minus the snow. Unable to breathe with her face half submerged in muck, she pushed herself upwards into what could have been a yoga pose—if only that were the case. She screamed out in pure frustration, cursing the plane, the car and the sheep, and Alistair, and Jasper, and even mister hottie pattotti Dallas Armstrong for being such a jerk back at the cafe.

  Seriously, when were things going to get better?

  She slowly pushed herself upright, groaning and moaning the entire way. Her head was pounding, her back ached, she was tired and cranky, and she just wanted to curl up into a ball and cry herself to sleep. And to top it all off she stank, looked like something out of a horror movie and her beautiful clothes were now ruined.

  That’ll teach me to wear something a little more suitable for the outback. Lesson learnt.

  Sitting cross-legged, she wiped gunk from her eyes, picked it out of her ears, spat some from her mouth, took a few moments to gather herself and then burst into uncontrollable laughter—it was either laugh or cry, and she’d done enough of the latter these past couple of weeks. Within seconds she was laughing so hard that tears were streaming down her muddy cheeks and she was having a hard time catching her breath. Her reaction surprised her. Had she officially lost her mind?

  She reached up and tried to scrape mud and god knows what else out of her matted hair, which now felt more like a bird’s nest. What a way for Dallas and Katherine to find her. She could only imagine what a state she must look. If Alistair could see her now, wouldn’t he revel in saying ‘I told you so, city girl!’ And she had a feeling Dallas was going to get a real kick out of it too.

  The thought irked her. And that in itself irked her. Why should she even care? Alistair was a lowlife cheating bastard and Dallas was a cocky cowboy.

  Bottom line: all men sucked.

  Still feeling culpable if the sheep should happen to break ranks and cause another accident, Charlize decided to get back to the job at hand. Wallowing in self-pity in her muddy puddle wasn’t going to get her anywhere. Standing, she assessed the situation, relieved to see that the sheep where still behind her and the chaos of a few minutes ago had quieted.

  This time, instead of running, she took long measured steps towards the gaping hole the car had left in the fence, thinking how she’d kill for a nice long hot bubble bath right now, and a glass of red or three. She wrinkled her nose at the stench surrounding her. She smelt like a pig trough—not that she’d ever smelt one but that’s was she imagined it smelling like.

  Charming.

  Satisfied she’d covered enough ground to have a face-off with the sheep if the need arose—and she prayed to God it wouldn’t as she’d seriously had enough today—she skidded to a halt, spun around, put her hands on her hips and narrowed her eyes. All she could do now was wait.

  A few sheep baaed and then scrambled, stirring more and more of them. ‘Just dare try it, you furry balls of mayhem, and make my fucking day,’ she whispered to the mob spreading out in front of her.

  And they paused, as if they somehow understood she meant business.

  The sound of tyres on gravel caught her attention, and then the headlights pounded her eyeballs. She blinked to ward off the glare and waved her arms about. The LandCruiser slowed and turned towards her, the driver thoughtful enough to dim the high beams. So much relief flooded her at the sight of her rescuers that it was all she could do to remain standing.

  Dallas pulled to a stop beside her. He bounded out, leaving the motor still running, a blanket in his arms. A smile dangled at the corners of his lips, but didn’t spread any further. ‘Hey there, Charlize …’ He looked her up and down before swinging the blanket around her shoulders. ‘What the hell happened? I thought you said you were fine.’

  Charlize hadn’t realised how cold she was, but now she was suddenly freezing. Her teeth chattered and her body ached as she tugged the blanket tighter around her. Determined to try and hold on to the last little bit of pride she had left, she flashed him a wobbly smile. ‘Oh, I had a bit of a tumble while trying to keep the sheep in. Nothing to worry about.’ She f
elt like a complete idiot.

  Any trace of a smile was now gone as concern twisted Dallas’s handsome features. ‘Well, as long as you’re okay …’ His voice was like the warmth of a fireplace on a cold winter’s night. His hand rested lightly on her back.

  His gentle touch put her on the brink. Charlize swallowed down hard as she fought back the tears. Caring attention was something she hadn’t felt from a man in a long while, which was heart-wrenching in itself considering she was a married woman. She nodded. ‘It’s all good. Nothing a hot shower, some washing powder and a decent night’s rest won’t fix.’

  Katherine joined them. ‘I was just on the phone to Phil. He’s heading down now to help you with the fence, Dallas. Will’s not back from town yet, so it looks like it’ll be just you two for the repair job.’

  ‘Thanks for that, Mum. You two take the Cruiser. We’ll handle it from here. I’m sure Phil won’t mind giving me a lift home once we’re done.’ He turned back to Charlize. ‘I’ll leave you in Mum’s very capable hands. And don’t worry about the car; we’ll sort it out in the morning. You just go home and take care of yourself. Okay?’

  Gee whizz, this man knew how to take control of a situation. If it were Alistair he’d have been walking around in circles, swearing about taking legal action against the lamb that made her crash through the fence.

  ‘Okay,’ she whispered.

  Headlights shone over a rise and in a matter of seconds another vehicle was skidding to a halt near them. ‘Howdy folks.’

  Dallas gave the middle-aged farmer a wave. ‘Hey, Phil. This is Charlize Dawson. Charlize, meet Phil Haywood’

  She acknowledged the man with a sad smile. ‘I’m so sorry about your fence.’

  Phil’s brows knitted together as he slid from the driver’s seat of his ute and strode towards them, his coveralls appearing freshly ironed. ‘Don’t worry about the fence. I’m more concerned about you, young lass.’ He reached out and placed his hand lightly on her shoulder. ‘You okay?’

  ‘Yes,’ Charlize choked out. ‘Thank you.’ Everyone around here was just so damn nice.

  ‘Well, that’s the main thing,’ Phil said as he shoved his hands in his pockets. ‘And how are you doing, Kath?’

  ‘Good, thanks Phil.’

  Phil and Katherine shared a warm smile. They obviously knew each other well.

  Dallas touched Charlize once more on her arm, sending heat flaming within, even though she was still shivering. ‘We’ll sort things out here. I’ll catch you both back at home a bit later on.’ He turned to Phil. ‘Let’s go and check out the fence, hey?’

  Phil nodded. ‘Catch you two ladies another time.’

  And off the two blokes went.

  Katherine’s worried gaze met Charlize’s. ‘Oh love. Looks like you’ve had one shocker of a night. Come here.’ She reached out and pulled her into a tight hug—one that only a mother could give.

  Charlize tried to return the hug, but it was difficult with her arms tucked beneath the blanket. Her reserve finally broke and tears slid down her cheeks.

  Katherine rubbed her back and gave her one more tight squeeze before she pulled away. ‘Let’s get you home and cleaned up, shall we? And then we can get acquainted over a nice hot chocolate, if you’re up for it.’

  A sigh escaped Charlize. ‘Oh, that sounds like heaven.’

  Barking caught their attention.

  Katherine turned towards the hire car. ‘I’m guessing that’s your little sidekick.’

  ‘It sure is.’ Charlize wiped her tears away, sniffling. In all the shock and excitement she’d almost forgotten him. ‘I’ll go grab him and my bags.’

  ‘I’ll come and help you, love.’

  ‘Thank you, for everything.’ Charlize said with a smile.

  Katherine waved her hand through the air. ‘Don’t mention it.’

  It had been a long, demanding, dreadful day. Thank goodness there was always the gift of a brand new day tomorrow, and people like Katherine and Dallas Armstrong to lend her a hand.

  CHAPTER

  12

  Floating to the surface of reality, Charlize began to stir from her deep sleep. While her mind languished in limbo-land, her eyes slowly flickered open. Gradually, her surrounds came into focus and it dawned on her that she wasn’t in her bed at Jane’s, but at Rollingstone Ridge. The thought gave her a rush of butterflies. She had crashed so hard she hadn’t moved an inch throughout the night. She hadn’t slept all the way through since Alistair had torn her world apart two weeks ago. With a deep inhalation, she nudged her body to life and enjoyed a satisfying stretch.

  Her cheeks flared as she recalled the dream she’d been enjoying. Dallas Armstrong had certainly made an impression—and not in the way a married woman should be allowing. But whatever happened in her dreams was out of her hands, wasn’t it? A woman had needs, and they hadn’t been met for a while, so she was bound to feel a little hot under the collar when a bloke with as much testosterone as Dallas Armstrong was around. The things they had been doing to each other in her hot and steamy fantasyland were so very naughty—things she’d never done before, with anybody. Ever.

  Just recalling the way his tongue felt on her bare skin made her toes curl and her body respond in all the right places. She closed her eyes and sighed.

  If only Alistair could make her feel like this—but passion had left their lovemaking building long ago. She’d hoped tying the knot would make things better, but it had only sent him elsewhere for his thrills. Why had he even asked her to marry him? And more importantly, why had she been stupid enough to say yes?

  They’d been two people caught in a routine, and the security of the familiar. Looking back, maybe their relationship had been doomed from the start; she and Alistair were two very different people after all. He was all about the glitz and glamour whereas she preferred to stay out of the limelight; he was messy and she was clean; he was a party animal while she’d rather enjoy a casual dinner and a movie on the couch afterwards; he didn’t like any kind of ethnic food and she loved it; she loved romantic comedies and he preferred action movies; the list went on and on and on.

  Her eyes watered but she blinked the tears away. No matter how much she wanted to avoid being a divorcee, in her heart she was afraid it was inevitable. A lump formed in her throat but she refused to cry anymore. She just had to soldier on. There was a promotion at stake, and she wanted it, badly. She looked down at her left hand, at the glittery ring that pronounced she was spoken for, but as much as she wanted to take the damn thing off, she just wasn’t ready. When the time was right, she’d know.

  Blinking, she tried to make out the time on her bedside clock. Eight thirty-six. Wow, she’d slept in. Outside, birds joined in a merry chorus and she could hear the distant whinny of horses and with the drone of a tractor. She wondered if it were Dallas driving it and her toes instinctively curled once more. She slapped herself on the forehead. Stupid bloody dream was turning her into a sex maniac.

  Looking for a diversion, she grabbed the extra pillow from beside her and then propped herself up so she could take in the finer details of the guest room. She’d been too exhausted to pay much attention when she’d climbed beneath the sheets after a long, hot shower last night. It had been around midnight, and even then Dallas still hadn’t arrived back home. She’d felt awful succumbing to her weariness when he was still out in the middle of the night fixing her blunder, but Katherine had insisted that she needed rest. And how could she argue the point when her eyes kept drooping shut at the dining table over her second cup of hot chocolate?

  The scent of fresh lavender pulled her gaze to a mosaic vase atop a dark timber dresser. How thoughtful of Katherine. A matching mirror and chair nearby gave the large bedroom an air of authentic history but without any pretentiousness. Upon closer inspection, everything appeared vintage, but at the same time well loved and spotlessly clean.

  Charlize loved the attention to detail. And she also loved the fact she had her very own ensuite.
It felt like an elegant bed and breakfast that had been modified for the present day, the huge homestead giving the feel of something built in the late 1800s with all its antique details. It was probably a blessing the motel in town had been booked out.

  She was extremely thankful she hadn’t been expected to stay in some shack full of spiders and snakes, and after getting to know Katherine Armstrong last night she was ashamed she’d even imagined such a thing. Katherine was undeniably one of the most warm and welcoming women she’d ever met, and had made her feel a lot better about the week ahead. Heck, she had even gone and bought a little doggy bed for Bruce, and made a spot up for him in the laundry. Bruce had seemed very impressed and had curled up and gone to sleep beside his newfound buddy Levi almost immediately.

  The scent of bacon wafted up the spiral staircase and beneath Charlize’s bedroom door. She knew it wasn’t for her—she’d explained her pescetarian preferences to a perplexed Katherine over their hot chocolates last night, and apologised for her white lie about dinner—but the thought of a piece of toast and a cup of coffee finally lured her from the bed. Letting her feet hit the cool timber floor, Charlize stretched her arms high and yawned as her mobile phone chimed from the bedside table. It was a text from Jane.

  Hi sweetpea, hope the trip went well and you’re settling in okay. I miss you and little Bruce-man like crazy already. The apartment is too quiet! Don’t have too much fun out there in them there sticks without me, will you. Love you xoxo

  Charlize decided not to tell her about the accident until they were speaking over the phone, so she could explain it all in detail. Otherwise Jane would just get unnecessarily worried. Instead she texted back:

  Hey honey, I miss you too! Everything is great here, so far. Katherine is lovely and Dallas is quite the charmer … when he wants to be. ;) I’m staying in the house and it’s absolutely beautiful. Xoxo

  Charlize watched the little bubble move on her iPhone as Jane wrote back, smiling when the message flashed up.

  Quite the charmer hey? ;) Interesting. I take back the bit about not having too much fun … You have as much fun as you like. Wink wink! Must run babes, I’ve got court in less than an hour. Xx