He wandered towards Gemma's bedroom. Hovering at the door he looked in. Jack was beginning to lust after Gemma. He knew the feeling that sometimes got him into trouble was resurfacing and he was doing his best to control it. That was why he had been spending time with the jillaroo. The bed was made, but there were signs she'd left in a hurry – clothes on the bed, cupboard door left open. He entered and breathed in the smell that lingered; the soap she used, the makeup she'd put on, they were all part of her aroma and Jack liked it.
He lay on the bed and rubbed his face into the pillow.
You're a sick wanker, he thought as he felt himself become aroused. But he couldn't deny that Gemma was pretty easy on the eye and he really would like to show her a good time. He reckoned she would go off in the sack. Simmering with desire and anger, Jack knew she'd never look at someone like him and it pissed him off. He got off the bed and looked through her drawers. Finding her underwear drawer he buried his face in her lingerie and groaned. He shook himself and decided it was time to go and see his piece of fluff down the road. Turning off all the lights, and carefully shutting the door behind him, Jack went straight to his ute and took off. Didn't matter he hadn't looked everywhere; he was pretty sure that there was nothing to find anyway. Besides, he had a need that required attending to.
After a bite to eat at Jess's house, Jess decided they should go to the Jewel for a drink.
'Jess, I really don't feel like it,' protested Gemma. She wanted to curl up and go to sleep, forget everything she'd learned in the last few days. The long drive into town by herself had dampened her mood.
There were so many questions without answers. Adam's involvement in the stock stealing still didn't sit right with her. He was basically a respectable, honest guy. Yeah, he liked to have fun, have a few bets, drink a bit, but Gemma had never known him to take part in anything remotely illegal. In her mind, either he was innocent, or somehow he had got roped in and couldn't get out. But that didn't explain the mobile phone and the rumours that Jess had told her about. And thinking about it, Bulla and Garry didn't seem that surprised when she told them of the discovery. Had they heard something and not told her? There was so much she didn't understand . . .
'Gem, you'll be fine when we get there,' Jess argued. 'You need to have some fun.'
So, reluctantly, Gemma got into the taxi with Jess and they headed out to the Jewel Bar.
Craig had eaten before he'd got to the Jewel and now sat facing the door, chatting to the barmaid. He was nursing a Coke in a spirits glass, so no one would know he wasn't drinking alcohol. He'd gone over the top last night and knew he couldn't do that again. The bar was filling slowly and his new friend had told him that the busiest time was after 9 pm. They had a rush straight after work, as all the banks, accounting firms and businesses shut for the weekend, and then it thinned out when people went home to change and get ready for a night out. Most of the after-work crowd were back by nine, or maybe a bit later.
Watching for familiar faces, faces he had seen in the files, Craig just about choked on his drink when he saw Gemma walk in accompanied by a stunning red-haired woman.
Craig had only seen photos of Gemma, but the minute she entered the room he knew it was her. He wasn't sure who the red-haired chick was, but he thought it might be worth finding out – especially given the way she looked.
'Hey,' he said to the barmaid. He nodded towards Gemma and Jess. 'Who's that?'
The barmaid grinned as she caught sight of Jess. 'That's Jess Rawlings, the biggest party animal in Pirie. She's here most nights with a fella – Brad, I think his name is. Really nice girl but not too many people can keep up with her when she gets the urge to have a good time. She works in a bank and if that's not a contradiction in terms I don't know what is. Not sure who the other girl is . . .' She looked for a bit longer. 'Hey, I reckon that's Gemma Sinclair. Her hubby was killed in a plane crash a while ago. Hey Kath, is that Gemma Sinclair?' she asked her workmate, who rushed past with another order of drinks. Without waiting for an answer, she continued, 'She never comes to town. Heard she's turned into a bit of a hermit since her bloke died.' The barmaid leaned into Craig and whispered conspiratorially, 'The grapevine says he was involved in stock stealing. Seems to be a bit of it happening around here at the moment and apparently he was the guy behind it.'
'Really?' Craig feigned astonishment. 'But how could it be going on still if he's carked it?'
The barmaid shrugged her shoulders and raced off again as another customer snapped his fingers at her.
Jess shouldered her way up to the bar and stood next to Craig. She bestowed a brilliant smile on him as she ordered two glasses of champagne and Craig smiled back, lost in her green eyes.
Jess made her way back to the table where Gemma was waiting and handed the drink to her friend. Craig watched as Gemma crinkled her nose in distaste and tried to lip-read what she said to Jess. He thought it was 'I don't like champagne'. He observed Jess grin and say something back – 'drink up', maybe.
Craig thought that Jess was one of the prettiest girls he'd seen in a long time. Not conventionally pretty, but her green eyes sparkled with fun and her red hair set her freckles off against her pale skin. She looked like 'the girl next door' who turned into a swan after you left town. Given Craig knew how to party too, having Jess in the equation might be interesting.
After a while, and a couple more drinks, he saw Jess look at her watch in irritation and get out her mobile phone. The buzz of the bar had grown a lot louder as more people arrived and Gemma was looking increasingly strained. Craig made his way over to where the girls were and found an empty table.
'. . . ring and see where he is,' he overheard Jess say to Gemma.
'Jess, I'm really ready to head home,' Gemma replied.
'But we said we would meet Brad here.'
'No, you said you'd meet Brad here; I don't think he'd have been expecting me. Can I have your keys and I'll go home? You stay, it doesn't bother me.'
'Nah, you're right,' Jess conceded. 'Let's head. Stuff 'im.'
Craig whipped his chair around to face Jess and Gemma's table. 'Hello, ladies,' he said with a grin. 'How's your night?'
'We're just leaving,' Gemma replied, standing up.
Jess looked at Craig's handsome face, and forgot she was annoyed with Brad. 'Hello yourself,' she said with a large smile.
Gemma rolled her eyes. 'C'mon, Jess, let's go.'
Craig stuck out his hand and said, 'The name's Craig, what's yours?'
'Jess,' she replied, shaking his hand. Her pale hand was lost in his large brown one. 'This is my partypooper friend, Gemma.'
Craig raised his hand in acknowledgement. 'Why don't you hang around? I'll buy you a drink.'
Jess looked at Gemma, who had suddenly found the floor very interesting.
'Can we take a raincheck, Craig? I'd love to, but maybe not tonight.'
'No worries, I'll see you sometime.'
The girls left and Craig waited a few minutes then followed them out the door. It would be worth knowing where they were spending the night.
On the way home Gemma said, 'You can still pull blokes in without even trying, can't you? You're amazing. I've never once been able to do that.'
'Yeah,' said Jess without arrogance. It was the way it had always been, but Jess really didn't think she was pretty. 'I don't know why. Often I don't mean to.'
Gemma looked at her friend and smiled fondly. 'Oh, I know why,' she said. It was Jess's personality. The happiness and friend liness that oozed from her. The way she included everyone, her love of life, and her eyes. 'It's because you're you.'
Jess looked at her strangely. 'You okay?'
'Tired, but fine.'
Back at Jess's house, the girls went straight to bed, but it took Gemma a long time to fall asleep – and when she did, her dreams were frightening.
Chapter 17
Saturday morning dawned cloudy and cold, and Jess could hear the wind outside.
'Go away,' she th
ought, knowing how bitter it would be at the footy today.
Gemma stuck her head around Jess's bedroom door at an unholy hour.
'Off to do the farm shopping, Jess,' she said quietly.
'Mmm,' mumbled Jess. Now awake, she felt for her phone on the bedside table. Where the hell was Brad? She'd tried numerous times last night, but his mobile alternated between not answering and being switched off. Jess was getting annoyed. Brad had done this before, but not often. It was a bit strange after eight or nine months of rarely missing a beat to do so now. Had he met someone else? She hoped not. With eyes half closed she hit the redial button.
'Hi. You've called Brad Manstead of Manstead Agronomy. Please leave your name and number and I will return your call as soon as possible. Thanks for calling.' Jess took the phone away from her ear and looked at it disbelievingly. The beep sounded.
'Brad, it's me,' Jess's morning voice croaked. 'Where the bloody hell are you? I thought we were catching up last night. If you care to show, Gem, Ben and I will be at the new bistro down on the foreshore at about seven. Not happy, Brad.' Jess pressed the disconnect button and lay back in her bed, fuming.
Almost immediately her mobile rang. Looking at the screen she saw Brad's number. She opened her phone.
'Hello, Brad,' she said coldly.
'I'm so sorry, babe,' Brad's gravelly voice sounded down the line. 'I got held up out at one of the farms and then Justin Downey asked if I wanted to have a beer before I left and one thing led to another. I'm really sorry.'
Silence.
'Jess?'
'You could have called.'
'Yeah, I know. Sorry.' Brad sounded genuine and Jess felt her anger abate. She just couldn't stay angry with him for long.
'So are you coming tonight?' she asked.
'Yep, I'll be there. What are you up to today?'
'Gem's gone down the farm merch shop so I'm just hanging here until she gets back. Then I'll be off to the footy. Gemma isn't up to going.'
Brad's voice dropped to a low growl. 'Will she be gone long?'
Jess smiled into the phone. 'Long enough.'
'See ya soon.'
Jess smiled. He didn't sound like he was losing interest in her.
That evening, standing in front of the mirror, Gemma found it hard to get excited about the night ahead. True, she was looking forward to getting to know Ben better. She had seen him at the farming supplies stores that morning when she'd gone to get the stuff they'd need for shearing, and they had got into a friendly debate about which sires were the best over Angus cows. Gemma had been impressed with his knowledge and enthusiasm about black cattle. She had maintained her passion, but it waned at times, without someone as enthusiastic as she was to throw ideas around with. Ben had even suggested they continue their discussion over pre-dinner drinks.
No, the thing she wasn't looking forward to was Brad. Despite his charm, for some reason she'd felt a bit uncom fortable when she'd met him the weekend before – almost as if he didn't like her. He was probably the jealous type, she'd concluded, and didn't want to share Jess. With everything that was going on in Gemma's life at the moment, she really didn't want to spend time with people she had to try with. And she felt that some of tonight might be spent trying.
* * *
Jack waited for the text message to say the truck was on its way, but instead he had a message from his older brother: In the shit with the handbrake. Won't make it.
Jess opened the door to Ben's knock. She'd been pleased to hear about Ben's invitation. 'He's stunning,' she'd said. 'I reckon he's the right bloke for you.'
Gemma had given her a look. 'I hardly know him and I don't want to get involved with anyone. Despite everything, it's only eight months since Adam died and I still love him.'
'Of course you do, but goodness knows why.'
'Jess!'
'Sorry, lovely!'
'Come in, come in,' she said now, grabbing Ben's arm and dragging him inside. 'Now I need to ask you a few questions before you can take Gemma out.'
Ben grinned. 'I promise to not have bad breath, not to drink and drive, and to have her at the restaurant by seven sharp!'
'That's excellent! I was terribly worried about the bad breath. Sorry I didn't get to say hi at the footy. I saw you on the field. Very impressive goal there just before half-time.'
'Brad said you were there but I didn't see you.'
'Yeah, he's stayed down the rooms for a couple of
beers with the guys – he'll meet us at the restaurant. Where are you going for a drink?'
'Just down the pub. We won't be long. I have an argument about cattle I need to win.'
Jess rolled her eyes. 'Good luck. I've never known anyone to win an argument with her about cattle.'
'We could come back and pick you up, Jess, if Brad is meeting us down there.'
'I don't argue with people,' said Gemma as she walked around the corner. For a split second there was silence while Jess and Ben looked at her. She was dressed in a denim panelled skirt with a white shirt and red jacket. She had left her hair down and the little makeup she had on made her look beautiful. She looked lovely, but Jess could still see the signs of strain on her friend's face. With a pang, she wished she could make this whole thing go away – the problem was, she suspected there was worse to come.
'You don't look too bad for a country chick,' said Jess. 'Although, you might need to do something about those hands. You're starting to look like a mechanic.'
Gemma threw Jess a look of exasperation and embar rassment as she shoved her hands in her pockets. 'Just 'cos you sit at a computer all day . . .'
Jess practically pushed them out of the door, saying, 'See you tonight. Thanks for asking, Ben, but I'll catch a taxi down. Bye now!' And she slammed the door.
Ben shook his head in amazement. 'Is she always like that?'
'Oh, yeah, Jess is full on.'
When they got to the car Ben held the door open, which made Gemma blush. It's been so long, she thought, fighting the urge to flee back to the safety of Jess's house. What on earth am I going to talk to him about? There was an uncomfortable silence as Ben started the car and pulled out. Then he cleared his throat and said, 'Well, I thought we'd go to the pub. That okay?'
'Yeah, no worries.' Gemma fiddled with the hem of her skirt.
'So what cattle –' Ben started.
'Where are you from?' Gemma spoke over the top of him. They laughed and Ben indicated with his hand for Gemma to continue.
'Where are you from and how did you get mixed up with Ned?'
'I'm from a farming family down south and I bought some land twenty-odd k's away from where I grew up. It was great for a while, being my own boss, running the farm the way I wanted. But it's pretty lonely and I decided that I wanted a change without losing the farm. Couple of mates I went to school with said Ned was keeping his eye out for the right bloke, so here I am. I've only leased the farm out, though – not quite ready to give it all up completely, but I really wanted a break.'
'So how long do you think you'll stay here for?'
'I've only just got here – are you looking to get rid of me already?'
Gemma smiled. 'No way, I've got to educate you on the way of cattle and their genetics.'
Ben pulled into the pub. 'Stay there,' he said as she reached for the door handle. He opened his door and ran around to open hers.
'That feels really weird, you know,' Gemma confessed as she stepped out of the car.
'Only because you're not used to it. By the end of the night you'll be fine.' He took her elbow and steered her gently towards the pub.
'What will you have?'
'Rum and Coke, please,' she said, as she settled down in the chair. She watched as Ben walked over to the bar and ordered. He was very good-looking. She felt a twinge of guilt. I'm married. No I'm not, I'm a widow.
Their talk flowed easily and Gemma was surprised how much they had in common. Same music – country, of course. They both loved to camp. Ben h
ad done some wonderful trips up to the Bungle Bungles and other places that Gemma had only dreamed of visiting. And they both loved farming.
'Why couldn't you handle farming anymore?' asked Gemma.
'Got too lonely,' admitted Ben. 'Pretty hard when you're on your own. No one to talk things over with, no one who sees things the way you do. I got sick of going to the pub every Friday night and seeing the same old faces – no one with new views on things, no one with any new ideas. And then there were the ladies who just wouldn't leave me alone.' He reddened as he realised what he'd said. 'Sorry, that probably sounds really big-headed, but there were a few single girls who had their eye on me and wouldn't back off. Yeah, I want a partner – but not just anyone.' Ben paused as he saw Gemma nodding her head.
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