by Sarah Barrie
‘You’re welcome.’ With a salute he headed back to his ute and left her standing in her driveway, holding her pants up in the rain.
Ally headed straight for the downstairs bathroom and turned on the shower. The cold dribble did nothing to warm her chilled system, but she tolerated it as long as she could while she removed mud from uncomfortable places and fumed over the damn gate and her helpful neighbour. Now he’d been nice again. How the hell was she supposed to stay mad and blame him for everything when he kept throwing her like that?
Teeth chattering, she remembered her robe and towel were upstairs. She reached for the handtowel, deciding it would have to do, and when she couldn’t quite snag it, she pulled back the curtain enough to put one foot onto the floor.
Sitting on the vanity was a clean, perfectly folded bath towel.
She hadn’t left it there. Had she? She must have. Of course she must have. Because the only other explanation was that someone had brought it in for her. And unless Mia had turned up in the last two minutes, failed to announce her arrival and anticipated her need to be dry, just who was that likely to be? Cameron William Blakely the third luring her out for a perve? She’d all but dropped her pants and all he’d done was laugh at her.
Idiot.
She needed to get a grip.
CHAPTER
7
Ebony Blakely stepped out of her Landcruiser the following morning with a quick, flashing smile and a flick of her long dark-brown ponytail. The woman Ally guessed would have been better employed as a runway model walked to the house with a grace and posture that was slightly intimidating. That this was Cameron’s sister didn’t surprise her in the least.
‘Alissa?’
‘Ebony? Hi, thanks for coming.’
‘Pleasure. I’ve been treating Mavis’s animals for years. I know you’ve got your hands full. So where would you like to start?’ She placed her hands on her hips as she looked around, and Ally noticed the perfect French-tipped nails.
‘Are you really a vet?’ It slipped out before she had given the question proper thought.
Ebony sent her a quizzical stare. ‘I’ve been here twenty seconds and you’re questioning my qualifications?’
Ally shook her head and laughed at herself. ‘Sorry, it’s the nails.’ And the posture and the face and the voice …
A dimple flashed in Ebony’s cheek as she gave a wicked grin and showed them off. ‘Like ’em? They’re my vice. I’ll put my pretty green overalls on in a sec, get some latex gloves happening. You’ll never know.’
Ally wasn’t convinced. ‘Okay, well, I think Violet’s the worst.’
‘Let’s start there then, she was pretty stiff and sore last time I was here.’
‘Mavis was worried about her foundering.’
‘She has done, but that yard is just cruel. It’s no life for her. She’s cold in winter, hot in summer. She can’t move much, has nothing to do. You’re a horse person, aren’t you?’
‘Used to be.’ Ally blew out a breath, looked sideways at Ebony. ‘And does everyone know? Because everywhere I go, people are telling me who I am, where I come from, what I’ve done. It’s a bit unnerving.’
Ebony shrugged. ‘May as well get over that. Your husband became a bit of a regular, got to know the locals. Most of the equestrian scene seem to know quite a bit about you. Even though you never showed up.’
‘Mavis and I don’t exactly get along, so I stayed home.’
Ebony’s eyes shone. ‘I can’t imagine why. And now you’re stuck with all this. Even though there were obviously problems, I’m sorry about David.’
‘Thanks.’ So it was common knowledge. Well, of course it was. Not only was it Ellie’s hometown, but it was a small town.
They arrived at Violet’s yard and Ebony climbed in, gave her a pat.
‘Hi, Violet, let’s take a look at you.’
She examined the horse with a professional efficiency that Ally couldn’t fault; the runway model really knew her stuff.
‘She’s so stiff and miserable. Can you imagine how bored she is, just standing in here?’
‘I don’t really want to. Your brother said she’s been here for years.’
‘Probably coming up on two. She’s so sweet not to have gotten nasty because of it.’
Focusing on her breathing, on keeping herself calm, Ally tentatively reached out to stroke the horse. It wasn’t as hard, nor as painful, as she’d thought it might have been.
‘She needs some pain relief. And I don’t think I’ll be out here very long, but I want to build her a bigger yard closer to the house. I can’t stand to leave her in here indefinitely.’
‘That would be nice for her. If you want to keep her going.’
Ally looked into the soft, old eyes. ‘I can’t just put her down. At least not while there’s a chance I can make her comfortable and maybe find her a home.’
Ebony looked pleased, but not confident. ‘We can try. I’ll give her something for the pain now, leave some more with you.’ She gave the old mare another pat before climbing out to prepare the injection. ‘Who do we have after this?’
‘I think the cattle and pigs are all right, though I don’t have a clue what might need worming or vaccinating.’
‘Probably everything. Mavis couldn’t afford to do much upkeep. I’ll take a look over them today, see if there’s anything urgent.’ Painkillers administered, Ebony dropped the used syringe back in her kit and closed it up. ‘How’s Bess?’
‘She’s as stiff as Violet, and the pup … well, she probably needs shots and the cat stinks – I think he’s spraying in the house.’
‘Bess has tablets – they shouldn’t be too hard to find. If there’s none left, I’ll give you some more. The pup needs her second lot of vaccinations and as for the cat, I’m sure he would be. Can you catch him?’
‘Catch him? I can’t get him out from under my feet – or off the bed.’
‘That’s strange. Mavis said he was feral.’ She shrugged. ‘It was probably just an excuse not to get him neutered. None of Mavis’s animals are. I have a cage in the car. I’ll leave it with you and when you get a chance, you can bring him into the surgery.’
They walked back to the house and Alissa led her in through the laundry. ‘And here’s the lunatic.’
‘Oh, hi, little girl.’ Ebony picked up the pup and laughed. ‘You like me now, but I have a vaccination for you. But I also have some yummy liver treats, yes, I do.’
Ally grinned at the puppy’s excited, whole-body wiggle. ‘Mavis told me not to spoil her. She’s supposed to be a working dog. I wouldn’t have the first clue about working dogs or how to train one.’
‘Bess is old, but she was awesome in her day. Mavis made more out of her offspring than anything else she’s done for years. This one’s out of one of Bess’s daughters – pick of the litter. Some sort of bartered exchange.’
‘Someone will give her a good home.’
Ebony raised an eyebrow. ‘She seems pretty keen on you.’
‘But I can’t keep all these animals. Just keeping the ones that can’t be rehomed is going to be difficult. I don’t have a permanent home myself. I might be able to take Bess, but I don’t know that it would be fair to take her into a city environment at her age. Your brother had some ideas, but they pretty much all ended up in death sentences.’
Ebony cuddled the pup and smiled sympathetically. ‘You’ve really been dumped in the deep end, haven’t you? We’ll work all this out, don’t worry. I’ll ask around. Lee’s due back out tomorrow, isn’t he?’
‘Yes, he seems very nice. He gave me your number.’
Ebony gave a quick nod. ‘Big brother’s best friend and associate. Cam and Lee own a business buying and renovating old properties.’
‘Lee told me. He said he wanted Cam to put in an offer on this place.’
‘Always looking out for their next project. But I thought Cam said you’d sold it already?’
‘I can just imagine what he sai
d, and no,’ Ally replied dryly, ‘that was my other place. Do you think Lee’s interest in the property is why Clint volunteered him as a handyman?’
‘No. That’s just Clint. He saw a damsel in distress. Most people around here pitch in and help each other. And Lee’s a bit like Clint – he wouldn’t have minded helping out.’
‘Like with the search for that girl?’
‘Exactly like that.’
‘It kind of freaked me out when Clint said the girl’s car was found near here somewhere.’
‘To be honest, everyone is at least a little freaked out about it – and it’s certainly given me a bad moment or two on my night call-outs. But, like you’ve probably heard, the first two girls have been found safe and well after disappearing in the exact same circumstances, so there’s good reason to believe the other three will be too.’ Ebony’s face brightened, though to Ally’s mind, her expression was still a bit tight. ‘So what’s Lee doing for you?’
‘He’s getting me second-hand stuff to save money on the house.’
Ebony looked around. ‘Any advice he gives you, take it, but don’t
think you’re putting him out. He knows how to charge.’
‘Even if I only stay a couple of weeks, the hot water will be worth the bill.’
Ebony’s phone rang and she spent a few minutes talking before hanging up and checking her watch. ‘Do you mind if I just do the pup’s vaccinations and leave the livestock until another day? I have an emergency coming in. Sounds like a caesarean.’
‘No problem.’
Ally held the puppy, who didn’t even feel the injection, too intent on scoffing the treats Ebony had provided.
‘Okay, I’ll give you that carry cage for the cat.’
Ally followed Ebony as she hurried out to the car to retrieve it. ‘Thanks.’
‘Sorry to rush off. You should come to dinner. Lee and Cam and I do pizza night every Friday at Cam’s place. We can talk about the animals then.’
‘Um, thanks but … we clash. Your brother and I. So probably not. But thanks again.’
Ebony stared for a moment, then with a small shake of her head, said, ‘If you change your mind, I’ll be there around seven. I’m sure you’re welcome.’
‘Thanks, Ebony. It’s been nice to meet you.’
Ebony flicked a wave out the window as she drove down the drive.
Ally headed inside with the carry cage and called the pup back into the house, almost tripping over her as they hit the door at the same time. That had gone well. Ebony had seemed very friendly and Ally was happy Violet had some pain relief. The invitation to dinner had been a nice gesture and, without the Cameron element, she would have accepted it. It would be nice to have a friend or two while she was in town.
She took the cage into the laundry and saw Ebony’s phone still sitting on the bench, right by where they’d vaccinated the puppy.
‘Damn.’ Would Ebony miss it before the end of the day? Ally could probably just drop it off at Cameron’s place for her to pick up tonight. She thought about heading up to his house – he might be home.
No, she really didn’t mind driving into town.
Ebony’s practice wasn’t difficult to find, and she pulled up outside the dark green, two-storey building twenty minutes later. The clinic was freshly painted and cartoon animal decals decorated the front door and windows beneath a sign welcoming clients to The Valley Vet Clinic.
Stepping through the automatic glass doors, she found herself in a large, cheerfully coloured reception area packed with pet treats, novelties and veterinary products. There was no one about, but voices floated faintly from somewhere down a brightly lit corridor. She took a couple of tentative steps, hesitant to head past the reception area.
Two rooms just inside the corridor were fitted with large glass panels. The one on the right showed what looked to Ally like a semi-completed consultation room. She found Ebony in the one on the left: her back was turned and her head down as she examined a large dog on a table. Another woman Ally thought might be the owner was talking to her and stroking the dog’s head, a worried expression on her face.
Not wanting to interrupt, she took a step back just as Cameron, hot and sweaty, burst through a door at the end of the corridor. He was holding a large piece of board and was covered in dust and shavings. His face showed surprise before turning into a frown.
‘What are you doing in here?’
Lee came through behind him and stopped, almost crashing into him. ‘Oh, hi, Alissa.’
At least Lee’s greeting had been friendly, so she sent back her best smile. ‘Hi, Lee.’
‘You okay?’
‘I just came to see Ebony.’
Cameron shifted the board against his side and headed in her direction. ‘There’s a waiting room as you walk in.’
Smartarse. She set her jaw in annoyance, but managed to smile
sweetly. ‘Must have missed it.’
Something like a challenge stirred in his eyes. ‘Could you find it now? This is heavy and I need to get past.’
‘Heavy, is it?’ Her tone was sugar sweet. She didn’t move.
He sighed as though annoyed but his lips twitched ever so slightly. ‘Would you mind?’
‘Certainly.’ She turned on her heel.
He walked past her, put the board by the door and walked back without another word.
Lee chuckled under his breath, his eyes appreciative. ‘He’s pissed off because of a stuffed-up delivery, and while it’s fine for you to come in here and piss him off even more, I’ve got to work with him all afternoon.’
‘Sorry.’
He chuckled. ‘I’ve got to say it: I don’t think you are.’
‘I’m sure Cameron will cheer up … when I leave.’
‘Probably not if he hears you calling him Cameron.’
Her brow dropped into a confused frown. ‘But that’s his name, isn’t it? I think I’ve probably called him worse.’
Lee’s grin flashed. ‘Stick to Cam. Is that Ebs’s phone?’
‘Yeah, she left it at my place.’
‘You drove all the way here to give it back to her? Nice of you, thanks. Let’s see how she’s going.’ Lee knocked quietly on the door and stuck his head in, murmured to Ebony, who turned, caught Ally’s gaze and indicated with a smile and a toss of her head for her to come in.
‘Thanks for that,’ she said when Ally was through the door. ‘Ally, this is Gina, and this gorgeous girl is Henrietta,’ she said of the pretty brindle boxer. ‘Here comes another one.’
Ally said hello to Gina, who was towel-drying a little brown-and-white puppy.
‘Ally take this.’ A pup was put in her hands and she was instructed to do what Gina was doing. ‘The first one was stuck, now they’re coming fast. Make sure he’s breathing and when he’s clean and dry and wriggling, put him on that hot water bottle, because I might need you to do that a few more times.’
There were seven in total, and all were feeding greedily when Ally gave Henrietta a farewell pat.
‘Ten minute feet-up-and-cuppa time,’ Ebony announced as she led them out of the room. ‘Henrietta needs a rest before she goes home, and I need a macadamia nut cookie.’
They walked to the end of the corridor, passing a room that was in the process of being turned into something that required a lot of shelving. Ebony pushed open the door that Cameron had earlier appeared from and they filed outside into a very pretty Mediterranean-themed courtyard with terracotta tiles, large potted plants and ornate decorations. A small area of lawn beyond it led to a wisteria-covered fence and a gate to the park. The lawn was currently littered with building materials and a workbench sat in the middle of the disaster where Cam and Lee were working. The local radio station was playing greatest hits in the background.
Cameron cut through a piece of timber, straightened and, after a quick, cool brush of his gaze over Ally, smiled at his sister. ‘All good?’
‘Four boys, three girls, all healthy.’
/> ‘Congratulations,’ he said to Gina. When he wielded that friendly grin, Ally felt her sides clutch.
‘Sit down, ladies,’ Ebony instructed, ‘I’ll put the kettle on.’
Obviously quite at home, Gina sat at the long outdoor table and relaxed. But Ally needed to get out of there.
‘This is lovely, Ebony, thanks. But I should probably get back.’
Ebony stopped and turned, flicked a glance from her brother to Ally then pointedly asked, ‘Why?’
Why? What was she supposed to say? An excuse just wouldn’t materialise. She had to say something – quickly. She couldn’t just stand there with her mouth open indefinitely.
Cam swiped a couple of Gatorades from a small outside fridge and tossed one at Lee. ‘There are cold drinks, if you prefer?’ he enquired casually.
It was as close to a truce as she was going to get, and more than she was expecting, maybe even deserved, so she caved, and nodded. ‘I wouldn’t mind a water if you have one.’
‘I could go one too,’ Gina added, ‘don’t fuss with tea, Ebony.’
‘Right,’ Ebony decided, ‘but I’m still getting those cookies.’
Ebony disappeared and Ally sat on the end of the bench, preparing to make polite conversation. It was a skill she seemed to have lost, and she struggled to find something to say. Gina was watching her covertly, and she wondered why, so she faced her and smiled. ‘Have you been breeding boxers very long?’
‘A few years. Henri’s given us some beautiful litters – scared me a bit today, though. I think she’s probably past her breeding days now.’ There were a few seconds of slightly awkward silence, then, ‘You’re Alissa Morgan-Jones aren’t you?’
That’s it. Everyone knows. ‘Was.’ She smiled slightly, wondered what was coming.
‘I’m sorry about your husband, and your horses.’
‘Thanks.’
‘I do a bit of dressage – not to your standard of course – but I go to some of the big competitions to watch. I saw you ride a few times. That performance you and Magnetic Storm pulled off at the Sydney CDI three years back was unforgettable. Magic. I’ve never seen anything to rival it.’
Ally closed her eyes and willed away the difficult emotions the memory brought with it. That performance had been one of their best, one of her most treasured memories. ‘I appreciate that.’