Obsession Down Under

by MACADAM, LAYNE

  “Read?” Mark interrupted, sounding incredibly like Whip. “You mean to say you did read Jessica’s e-mails? What were you thinking? Wait until Whip finds out.”

  Brenda burst into tears, and Jessica felt for the girl.

  “Let’s all stay calm,” she suggested. “Whip doesn’t need to know about this, but Brenda and I do need to sort it out.”

  “First she needs to apologize.” Mark glowered and stabbed a finger in his sister’s direction.

  Jessica ignored him. “I don’t understand where in my e-mails you got that impression, Brenda, for the life of me I can’t figure it out.”

  “You were writing to someone saying Highland Glen was not a two-bit ranch and that you’d hit the jackpot.”

  “Is that what this is all about? Well, I can see how you may have got the wrong impression. That e-mail was to my best friend Trish who tried to talk me out of coming. She was so worried I was walking into a dangerous situation. I was trying to reassure her all was well and that Whip was a terrific, hard-working man with a close and loving family, and that the property wasn’t a hovel. If you’d read on, you would have seen we’d joked about him being a two-headed axe murderer.

  “Trish was scared for my safety, but I thought visiting him was worth a chance. We’d been writing for such a long time and seemed to click, we were both curious to meet in person.”

  Mark laughed. “We joked about you being hit with the ugly stick, and perhaps having a few ankle biters on the side, but the thought of you being a gold digger never crossed our minds.”

  “Believe me, I am so not interested in Whip for his money. In fact, I had no idea he was rich until Annie told me.”

  “Now that that’s been cleared up, Princess, have you got something to say to Jessica before we head home and give the others the news of your brother?”

  Brenda pulled a tissue from her pocket and blew her nose. “I’m sorry,” she muttered, her eyes red rimmed and downcast.

  Jessica sensed Brenda still had doubts so made a mental note to forward that particular e-mail to her so she could read it in its entirety. Yes, perhaps that will clear up the whole misunderstanding.

  Whip’s unfortunate tangle with the snake and Brenda’s apology changed things. Jessica had intended on staying at the motel but the family wouldn’t hear of it. Whatever Mark had said to Brenda was a mystery, but even she agreed that Jessica should stay, albeit with a sullen pout. Jessica made good on her intention and forwarded Brenda the infamous e-mail in the hope to allay her fears. It was what she was thinking about when Brenda walked into the kitchen the following morning.

  “Hello, Brenda, I was hoping I’d see you. Did you get my e-mail?”

  The look the teenager gave her was wary. “I read it.”

  “And?”

  “I can see I got that e-mail wrong, but I’m not convinced I misjudged you. You know what they say about first impressions?”

  “I do. I also know what they say about giving someone the benefit of the doubt. Brenda, I’m not after Whip’s money, and I’m not here to steal your brother away.”

  “Then why are you here?”

  The question took her by surprise. Why was she here? To satisfy a whim? No, if she was honest, she came here to meet her Internet lover in the hope that he’d turn out to be the man of her dreams. And he was. Not that it would do her any good. He was successful, handsome, strong, and ever so desirable and caring. She was older, overweight, and had nothing going for her. Donna was his type—beautiful, well-groomed, vivacious Donna. Jessica had to admit the other woman looked good in his arms. The recollection hurt, and she almost whimpered. This could only ever be an affair, a holiday tryst, something to remember.

  “I wanted to meet your brother,” she said. “It was mutual, really. We’d been communicating for so long it seemed the natural progression.”

  “And now?”

  “I’m not going to deny I have feelings for him, but that’s between Whip and me.”

  “Are you going to tell him what happened?”

  “If you mean am I going to tell him you threatened to hurt two people you’ve never met if I didn’t do as you said, then no, I’m not. I think it would hurt him too much to realize his sister was capable of something so cruel.”

  Brenda’s eyes liquefied, her shoulders slumped, and she dropped her gaze. “Thank you.”

  Jessica nodded.

  Brenda went to walk away but turned back and whispered, “I am sorry.” With her head hung low, she scurried from the room.

  Later that morning, Jessica was helping Annie make a batch of lamingtons for Whip’s homecoming.

  “They’re Whip’s favorite,” Annie explained, coating the small square of sponge cake in the runny chocolate icing and then rolling it in coconut before setting it aside.

  “Are you ready, Jess?” Travis asked, walking in on the domestic scene and sticking his finger into the chocolate mix. “Mmm, yum,” he said, licking it clean.

  “The answer is no, Travis, you cannot have one, so don’t even ask.” Annie’s voice was stern as she placed another completed lamington on a tray with the others.

  Travis’ mouth pulled down, and Jessica laughed at his downtrodden expression.

  “Take pity on him, Annie, and let him have one. I don’t fancy driving to the hospital with him drooling and complaining all the way there and back.”

  Travis patted her shoulder. “You’re a good woman, Jess.” He flattered as he stole a lamington from the tray and devoured it in two bites, and then, turning to Annie, added, “And you, my sweet, are a treasure.”

  Annie swatted his chest, saying, “And you, my husband, are so full of it. Now get going, and I’ll see you when you get back.”

  Whip was sitting in the waiting room chatting with Bruce when Jessica and Travis arrived.

  “Hello, you two.” Bruce beamed at Jessica, and stood and shook hands with Travis.

  “So, mate, is he fit enough to come home?” Travis asked.

  “Yeah, he’ll do. If I was him, though, I’d buy a lottery ticket. He was damn lucky.” Bruce then turned his attention from Travis to him. “I’ll see you later, mate, but remember what I said. Bed rest for a few days and I do mean rest, no monkey business. Doctor’s orders.” As he walked away, his hearty chuckle lingered as he disappeared down the corridor.

  “You look much better,” Jessie Rose said, greeting him with a kiss.

  “I’m feeling not bad, and once I get out of this place, I’ll feel even better. Shish, I hate hospitals, they’re so full of sick people.”

  “Okay, clever man, let’s get you home.”

  When Travis grasped his arm, presumably to help him up and out to the car, Whip shook him off and grumbled, “Lay off, junior, I’m not a freaking invalid. I can still walk.”

  “Well, mate, from what I heard, you should be grateful it was your leg and not your donger that got bit, you big dufuss.”

  He sent Travis a scowl meant to wither but didn’t retaliate with words.

  Jessie Rose propped herself under his arm and they ambled outside and over to the car. “Well, I for one am very grateful the big dufuss’ donger was spared.”

  She and Travis both burst into peals of laughter at his expense as they all climbed into the vehicle.

  Travis took the driver’s seat and turned on the ignition. Whip settled into the seat beside him and Jessie Rose scrambled into the back. Once they were all buckled in Travis set the car in motion.

  The trip back to the homestead started with recriminations from Travis but ended with laughter. Travis, in a typical Travis fashion, did a post mortem of the events and berated him for being so damn stupid. His reproach wasn’t malicious, though, genuine concern was his motivation. His brother had to get it off his chest, so Whip just let him rant and ra
ve and rode out the tirade in silence.

  “That’s all I’ve got to say about it, but you can be sure those two clowns at home won’t stop there. I warn you, Jess, they’ll torment the crap out of you both until the middle of next week,” Travis predicted, and Whip had to agree.

  When they pulled to a halt in front of the homestead, he wasn’t the least surprised to see the whole welcoming committee spill out onto the veranda.

  Annie was down the steps in a flash and reached him just as he stepped out of the vehicle. The next second, her arms were around his neck and her lips were on his cheek.

  “Thank God you’re okay. We’ve all been so worried.” Her somber tones belied the mischievous glint reflected in her eyes, but she held her mirth in check, and for that he was grateful. She greeted her husband next and then Jessie Rose, before turning back to him and slipping her hand around his arm. “Jessica and I made lamingtons.”

  He felt the wide grin leap across his face. “They’re my favorite.”

  “And that’s why we made them,” she said, walking him up the steps with Jessica and Travis trailing behind.

  As they stepped onto the veranda Drew, Mark, and Cyril, crowded around him. Only Brenda hung back.

  “You’re looking better,” Cyril observed.

  “Yeah, I heard you were practically at death’s door,” Drew snickered.

  Now that Mark and Drew were sure he was out of danger they would be itching to fire the first shots, but to their credit they held their tongues due to the women hovering around. Later he’d get the full measure of their ribald humor. Brenda was subdued and not like herself at all. It reminded him he still had to sort out the tension between her and Jessie Rose. “How goes it, sis?” he asked, ruffling her hair and bringing a smile to her face.

  “I’m glad you’re feeling better.” Her voice was low and her expression guarded, but before he could read it or question her further, Gladys bustled in.

  “Out of the way, you lot, and give the lad some breathing space,” she said, shooing his younger siblings and her husband away. “Go on up to bed, love, and I’ll bring you a tray. I called Bruce, and he said ‘you had to take it easy for at least three days,’ so I don’t want you lifting a finger, and I’ll have no argument either.”

  “Whatever you say, Gladys.” He looked over her shoulder and gave his male siblings a smug grin. The brothers groaned. How easily the tables had turned. So much for them paying him out now. Once again, they’d be stuck doing his chores while he was lazing around in bed. Only this time, all the women would be waiting on him hand and foot.

  Three days in bed wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. The first day he dozed on and off and did some research. The second, he made some phone calls and amused himself by reading and watching the television. The women were forever popping in, fluffing his pillows, bringing him treats, making a fuss, and breaking the monotony. He was more than relieved Brenda and Jessica seemed to have made up, but he still wanted to get to the bottom of it. Brenda presented the perfect opportunity when she came into his room later that afternoon and perched on his bed.

  “Can I get you anything?”

  “No, I’m good. I’ve just about had enough of lying around though.”

  “Guess it would get kind of boring. Still, I wouldn’t risk Gladys’ wrath by leaving the room if I were you.” She giggled.

  “No chance of that happening, I’m not that brave.” He gave her a smile and patted her leg. “Now kiddo, we need to talk.”

  “I thought that’s what we were doing.”

  “About Jessica.”

  “Oh. Her.”

  “Yes, her. We talked about it last night . . .”

  “What did she say?” Brenda double blinked and rushed her words, her pitch higher than normal.

  “Not much really, only that it was a misunderstanding and you two had sorted it out. So care to elaborate?”

  Her mouth opened, but before she could answer there was a knock on the door and Jessica walked in, followed by Donna.

  “You’ve got a visitor,” Jessica announced, her lips curved up in a smile that wasn’t reflected in her eyes. “How about we give them some privacy, Brenda?”

  “That’s not necessary. Stay and join us, Jessie Rose.”

  “Thanks, I would, but seriously, if you want to eat tonight I’ve got to get dinner started.”

  “I’ll help you.” Brenda jumped up and followed Jessie Rose out of the room, a little too eager to escape for his liking.

  Donna stayed for just over an hour. Before leaving, she asked, “Have you shared my secret with anyone?”

  “No, I gave you my word.”

  “Thank you, Whip. Bruce and I appreciate it. His parents will be home in two weeks, and once we tell them our news you can shout it to the world.”

  Whip could tell Donna was delirious with joy. Her whole attitude reflected it, and her face lit up when she spoke of her fiancé.

  “I couldn’t be more pleased, though it took you two long enough. You make a great couple.”

  “I think what they say is true, absence does make the heart grow fonder.” Donna giggled like a schoolgirl. “Thank goodness for technology. We spoke over the Net almost every day.”

  “Bruce has asked me to be best man. I’m honored.”

  “He told me you’d accepted, but I’m warning you, Whip, you’d better not have any sexy girls popping out of cakes or lap dancers or the like at the bachelor party.”

  “Who me? Wouldn’t dream of it. Now, if it was up to Drew or Mark . . .”

  “I don’t think I can trust you, but I must fly.” She rose and kissed his cheek and he kissed hers. “I’m so happy you’re okay.”

  “Not half as much as I am.”

  Donna went to the door and, clutching the handle, paused and turned. “Oh, and by the way, I think Jessica is lovely.”

  “Me, too,” he replied as she closed the door behind her.

  Chapter 21

  On the third day after the snakebite incident, Whip drew the line. Apart from the fact he was sick of lying about, he was getting antsy. Jessie Rose was a stickler for following the rules Bruce had stipulated, and the longer he stayed in bed, the longer there’d be no monkey business. Well, that drought was about to break. Tonight he planned a feast and not the kind that involved food, and tomorrow morning he and Jessie Rose would head off to Sydney where he’d make his proposal. He’d given it some thought while convalescing and had come up with what he thought was a perfect solution.

  Hours later, whilst fondling Jessica’s breasts that night, he argued he was one hundred percent fit. She was unconvinced and hesitant to go against Bruce’s orders, but in the end didn’t deny him.

  His lovemaking was slow, tender, and fulfilling if her satisfied moans were anything to go by, but afterward he’d fallen asleep in her arms. And although reluctant to admit it when he woke, he realized he wasn’t as fully recovered as he first thought.

  The next morning, Jessie Rose insisted on foregoing the Sydney part of her trip to give him an extra few days to recover. He protested, arguing he was fine, but this battle was hers, and she stood her ground.

  “You know if we delay, you’ll miss the beaches, and you can kiss the Bridge climb good-bye,” he said, hoping to add weight to his argument.

  “I’m scared of heights anyway so maybe that’s not such a bad thing.”

  “Have it your way then.”

  The other thing that eventuated with the delay was Brenda and Jessie Rose seemed to be developing a friendship of sorts. And that could only be a good thing.

  Brenda confessed her part in the blow up between her and Jessica. He was livid when he’d heard what she’d done and wanted to ground her for eternity. If it hadn’t been for Jessica’s interference, Brenda’s promise that she�
��d deleted the e-mails without reading them, and the apology he believed to be sincere, he would have.

  Two days later, Jessica and Whip drove down the coast road and arrived in Sydney at six that evening. Over dinner, she was flabbergasted when Whip presented her with two tickets for the Harbour Bridge climb the following morning.

  “It’s an early start, Jessie Rose, but I didn’t want you to miss out. I know how much you were looking forward to it.”

  It was a tremendous surprise and she misted up at his generosity. She only prayed she had the courage to see it through. The bridge looked so damn high as they drove across it earlier, and she would just hate to disappoint him.