Legacy of Hunters Ridge

by Sarah Barrie

  ‘I’m sorry.’

  ‘Ally, it’s good news. I’m glad you’re staying.’

  ‘It is?’ She breathed a very real sigh of relief. ‘I thought you might be annoyed, because I’d offered you the property and changing my mind is a bit unfair, so if you had been, annoyed I mean, it would have been perfectly understandable.’

  ‘Of course not. But –’

  ‘I’ll pay for all the work you’ve done, of course, you don’t need to worry,’ she rushed on, anticipating him. ‘The deposit from the other house –’ She broke off when he stepped in, lifting a finger to her lips to silence her.

  ‘But fitting in another project in the next few months is going to take some shuffling. We’ll work it out. Because you’re going to let me and Lee build your house for you, aren’t you?’

  ‘I don’t know if I can afford you.’

  ‘We’ll work it out.’ Cam looked at the stir-fry. ‘Can I help?’

  ‘Um … no, just sit. I’ve got it.’ Please sit. I need breathing room. Her lips were still tingling from where he’d touched them and the faint scent of the cologne he wore was making her head spin. If she looked up into his eyes one more time, she was going to fall at his feet like a drooling puppy. She turned off the pan with an unsteady hand, then got on with heating the rice. ‘It won’t be long.’

  Her mobile alerted her she had a text – she sent a quick one back. ‘Sorry, that’s just Mia, checking on me.’

  ‘Where is she this weekend?’

  ‘Working. Her time off depends on what’s on, and her boss isn’t very flexible. There was a last-minute booking so she’s stuck. She’s coming Monday night instead.’

  ‘What does she think of you staying?’

  ‘Ah … I haven’t told her yet.’

  ‘You don’t think she’ll be happy about it?’

  ‘She’ll be okay with it. Probably. She just worries – hence the texts.’

  ‘You’re lucky to be so close.’

  ‘She’s done a lot for me, especially since the fire. She’s an incredibly generous person.’

  ‘I’d be surprised if Lee doesn’t ask her out.’

  Her face tightened but she shrugged carelessly. ‘She’ll say yes or no, whatever suits her.’

  ‘Caught that.’

  ‘Huh?’

  ‘That look.’

  ‘Oh, it’s just … Mia doesn’t do relationships. Is Ebony seeing anyone?’

  ‘No, why?’

  ‘I just had an idea when I first saw them together that she and Lee might have made a nice couple.’

  ‘Lee and Ebs?’ He looked so shocked she bit down on a grin. ‘No, Lee’s too – Ebs is – no.’

  ‘Well, of course, why didn’t that occur to me?’ She served up and handed him a bowl. ‘I hope you don’t mind a bit of chilli in your food. It shouldn’t be too overpowering.’

  They sat at the table and, after an experimental taste, he closed his eyes happily. ‘Good. Who taught you how to cook?’

  ‘I like it. And my mother is one of those domestic goddesses who raised her daughters to be perfect marriage material. The poor thing was devastated when I didn’t grow out of my pony stage and wanted to turn it into a career.’

  ‘She should have been proud.’

  ‘She’s proud of both of us in her way, she just doesn’t get us. It’s not how she was brought up, not the lifestyle she enjoys. Dad takes care of everything financial, Mum looks after Dad. They’re happy.’

  ‘Where are they?’

  ‘Right now? Not sure.’ She thought about it. ‘Singapore, maybe?’

  ‘You don’t know?’

  ‘I can check. They travel a lot. They pretty much live off their investments these days and their favourite thing is to travel.’

  ‘Nice lifestyle.’

  ‘Yeah. I’d ask about your parents, but well, from what I’ve already heard, I don’t want to spoil your mood.’

  ‘It’s all right. Dad and I just don’t see eye to eye. I doubt we’ll have much to do with each other ever again.’

  ‘That’s a shame.’

  ‘The way he sees it, I humiliated him. There’s no changing that, because it’s true. I did.’

  ‘To help Lee.’

  ‘He was innocent. The investigation ended his career, but cleared his name. That’s important to him. He acts like a bit of a clown but he’s a really good guy.’

  ‘It was important to you too.’

  ‘I got involved in law because I believed in it. But winning cases isn’t always about justice. Sometimes it’s just about winning, regardless of guilt or innocence. Lee did a solid job on that case, got dragged down so we could win. He didn’t deserve that. There was no justice in that. I had to fix it. I don’t regret what I did any more than I regret walking away.’

  ‘Maybe one day your dad will accept that.’

  ‘I doubt it.’

  ‘What about your mum?’

  ‘In many ways she’s much like yours. I get a phone call once a week, a couple of visits a year.’

  ‘Any more brothers or sisters?’

  He shook his head as he finished his dinner. ‘Just Ebs.’ Cam sat back in his chair with a happy sigh. ‘Ally, that was delicious.’

  ‘Thanks. I don’t know what I would have done without all your help since I got here. A dinner doesn’t seem much of a thank you.’

  He picked up the wine and refilled their glasses. ‘You ready to tell me why you weren’t going to come up last night?’

  No. ‘I did.’ She got to her feet and put the puddings on pretty plates, added little forks and served him one. ‘Dessert,’ she said unnecessarily.

  His hand shot out and gently stopped her moving away. ‘I was hoping I hadn’t overstepped some line in the car the other day. If I did, I apologise.’

  ‘Huh? No, that wasn’t it.’ God, that was so not it. Freed, she moved to the other side of the table and sat down.

  His eyes were warm, assessing. ‘Good to know.’ He took another swallow of wine, studying her as though she were fascinating, until she couldn’t breathe.

  Why was he looking at her like that? What was he doing? Her fork clattered on the plate as she lowered it. The pudding was light, but it stuck in her throat. She washed it down with her wine. The surge of heat that rushed through her had her desperately scrambling for something to say, something to do.

  As soon as he took the last bite of his pudding she jumped up to clear his plate.

  The corner of his mouth tipped up in a small smile. ‘That was lovely.’

  Edgy, she rinsed the plates. She should say something. ‘The pudding’s really simple, and the stir-fry is a fallback. I mean, I make it whenever I have to cook something in a hurry, if someone’s coming over.’ She downed the remains of her wine in one mouthful while willing herself to be calm.

  ‘Someone … like a boyfriend?’

  She couldn’t help the honest laugh that broke from her lips as she fiddled with the dishwasher. ‘God, who’d want me? I’m a mess, remember?’ Shit, shit, shit! She’d been thinking it, but she hadn’t meant to say it out loud.

  There was a silence that stretched too long.

  ‘Who would want you?’ Cam eventually said.

  ‘It’s a good question. Even before I was a mess I couldn’t keep the husband I remarkably happened to get from straying. He went elsewhere – several times, I think. And add in the crazy factor these days …’ She was doing it again, couldn’t seem to stop herself, and if the first stretch of silence was too long, this next one was worse. When she opened her mouth yet again, she stopped herself by biting her lip and holding it shut.

  ‘Ally, if you want an answer to your question, stop fiddling with the dishes and come over here.’

  She saw the intent in his eyes, but was she reading it right? How was that possible? Any traces of bravery she thought she might have barely held on to left her. ‘I, um … I just have to …’ She picked up a glass, almost dropped it and put it noisily on the bench.
/>
  His gaze softened but the heat was still there. ‘No?’ He got to his feet and moved to the counter. With every step he took, her heart kicked up another notch. It was galloping wildly by the time he stopped just millimetres away.

  She stopped fiddling – stopped breathing – and lifted her head to look at him.

  ‘I don’t see a mess.’

  Her breath came out with a quiet shudder. She couldn’t concentrate on what he was saying, the heat radiating off him, his faint cologne, his presence, was overwhelming.

  ‘That’s … nice of you to say.’

  Amusement crinkled at the corners of his eyes and mouth. ‘Nice of me? Nice of me would be to pat you on the back and say goodnight.’

  The feel of his hands coming to rest on her hips jolted her. He immediately lifted them, then, when she settled, returned them. She stared at his shirt, wondering whether she should say something. Apologise for not being coherent?

  ‘I should finish –’

  ‘Don’t you dare. Take a breath.’

  ‘Why?’

  His smile widened. ‘Because I’m going to kiss you and you’ll need it.’

  She did take a breath, though it was more of a quick gasp, as his lips lightly touched hers. With the slightest pressure on her hips to draw her in that last small step, his mouth took her over. Her lips parted under the gentle pressure of his, and she shuddered as he wrapped one arm around her waist and slid the other hand around her neck, holding her closer, increasing the pressure of his mouth as he explored hers.

  Her eyes closed, and her arms circled his neck, seeking balance. Everything so tightly wound inside her gradually unravelled, and another tension built. Her body was pulsing. She wanted. She dropped her head back to give him access to her neck, opening her eyes.

  David was standing in the window.

  The shock had her pulling out of his arms so quickly she almost fell over. His hands shot out to support her while she got her feet underneath her.

  ‘Ally?’ He looked towards the window.

  She clutched at the tension in her chest, took deep breaths and shook her head from side to side as she attempted to clear her mind and control her breathing. ‘He was there.’

  ‘Who was?’

  ‘David! God, it was David.’

  ‘Your husband?’

  Even through the effort of pulling herself back together, she felt the embarrassment. That was impossible – it was just her crazy head playing tricks on her. ‘Cam, I’m sorry, I – God, I’m such a freak.’ She pushed past him, headed for the stairs.

  ‘Ally, it’s okay, just wait.’

  ‘No, please, just go.’

  She reached the spare bedroom and sat. Tears on her cheeks, humiliation burning in her gut, she stared out the window. At least the damn thing wasn’t open again. Her eyes closed on a sigh and she raked her fingers through her hair. This is why girls like her didn’t end up with men like Cam. He’d seen her every sort of crazy and probably a few he didn’t even know existed. Then, by some miracle, he’d kissed her and she’d bolted.

  She heard him come in, had known he would.

  ‘I told you to go.’

  ‘You think I’d leave you like that?’

  ‘It’s for the best.’

  ‘For you?’

  ‘No, for you. This PTSD, it’s like walking around in a bad dream. I can’t get past it. I think I have, then it sneaks up on me. It’s so unpredictable. Flashbacks, panic attacks, hallucinations. It makes me crazy. Since I came down here, I’ve had a few flashes of David. I don’t know why I saw him then. I’m sorry.’

  ‘Don’t apologise.’

  ‘I don’t know how to make it stop.’

  ‘Maybe you’re trying too hard.’

  ‘You’ll get sick of all this – of me – I guarantee it.’

  He smiled slowly and shook his head. ‘You’re so sure of that.’

  ‘But –’

  He pressed a finger to her lips. ‘Shh. No buts.’ His hands slid up her arms, squeezed them, and he pressed his lips to her forehead. ‘It’s fine, we’re fine. I’ll go, if you like, but I’ll see you tomorrow.’

  She stood at the door long after he’d left and wondered if, once he’d had a chance to think about it, he’d ever come back. What guy wants a woman seeing her dead husband while he kisses her? She hadn’t even had a chance to appreciate that fact he had been interested enough in her to kiss her before she’d stuffed it up. Just like she’d known she would. Maybe not quite so epically – even she couldn’t have foreseen that complete disaster. She probably should have.

  All she could do now was get into her pyjamas, bury herself under the blankets and give some consideration to never coming out. She started back up the stairs to change and looked up. A shadow moved across the wall above her.

  Everything inside her went from disappointment and humiliation, to ice-cold apprehension. Who – or what – was in the house?

  She backed down the stairs, heart in her throat. Had she imagined it? Was there a logical explanation? She’d already seen David tonight – was this any more real than he was? Tears threatened and she clutched at her hair, taking some deep breaths. She really was crazy. She couldn’t go on like this. Every night she was finding something to freak out about. She was seeing things – her mind was playing tricks, and she’d just ruined her chance with Cam. I can’t cope out here. If my mind is that screwed, I shouldn’t be here, shouldn’t be thinking of moving here permanently. I should just go home. Stay with Mia.

  Luna whined to come back inside, so she opened the door. The pup bounced at her, gave her a lick, then surprised her by charging up the stairs.

  ‘Luna?’

  Ally heard her bark – not her frightened bark, her excited bark.

  ‘Luna?’ She stepped onto the first stair, then slowly to the second, the third. ‘Luna!’

  Halfway to the top she heard another bark, a whimper. Terrified of what she might find, Ally sank down onto the step.

  There’s no one there. There’s no one there.

  After a moment she steadied herself, got back to her feet. The dog was probably playing with the cat – and Ally was having heart failure. Breathe, just … breathe. One step, another, then another. She reached the top, where she could see the hallway. It was dark, the only light was coming from behind her on the stairs. ‘Luna?’ This time she whispered.

  Nothing. She crept silently towards the spare bedroom. Luna was sitting, wagging her tail, staring at the wardrobe.

  ‘Luna, what are you doing?’

  The puppy stood on her hind legs, fell over, whimpered excitedly and barked, her focus intent.

  The door was open an inch.

  Do it. Prove to yourself you’re being silly.

  Even as her heart pounded loudly in her ears, she felt more sick of herself than frightened. Sick of being scared, sick of being crazy. So she forced her legs across the room. If there really was someone in there wanting to murder her, he’d probably be doing her a favour. She ripped open the doors.

  Coat hangers rattled in an otherwise empty space. ‘Of course it’s nothing. It was always going to be nothing. Good job, Luna. Thanks. You coming down?’

  But the pup didn’t budge, she just kept staring at the empty space.

  CHAPTER

  16

  When Cam’s ute ambled down the drive a bit before twelve, Ally wasn’t sure which was the stronger urge – to run to him and fall at his feet in gratitude for coming back, or to run away and hide and pretend she’d left for good. But she really needed to talk to him, because the piece of dowel he’d so carefully positioned in the window last night had been on the floor this morning, and the window had been wide open – again. After the other events of the night, it was playing on her mind.

  Besides, he’d already spotted her, so option two was out. She performed a subtle version of option one and approached with a hesitant smile. Before she got too carried away with the fact he had come back, she probably needed to know w
hy. Was he there simply to check up on the crazy lady? She watched carefully for any signs of what he might be thinking as he climbed out of the ute with a remarkably normal smile. There were no men in little white suits with him. Encouraging.

  ‘Hi. You cleaning up again?’

  ‘How do you know that?’

  He grinned as he gently removed a lucerne stalk from her hair. ‘Evidence. Go tidy up.’

  ‘What for?’

  ‘I have to go see Ebony. We’ll do lunch.’

  He didn’t seem the least bit put out by her behaviour last night. The tension that had been lodged in her chest because of it eased a bit. She moved ahead of him on the stairs, only to wince as she climbed them.

  ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘Slept in a bad position.’

  ‘Your lights were on late.’

  ‘They were on all night,’ she admitted. ‘But that’s another crazy story.’

  She took another step, remembered the window. ‘Um, the window you fixed somehow opened itself again.’

  ‘You’re kidding? I’ll take a look at it while you shower.’

  Cam followed her upstairs and into the spare bedroom. There were few signs she inhabited the room. Too neat. No sheets on the bed, the bedspread perfectly smoothed – save for the cat. It certainly didn’t look like she was moving in.

  Maybe after last night she’d changed her mind.

  He’d been restless once he’d left her. He would have stayed, but he’d sensed she’d needed some breathing room. So he’d sat on his veranda and thought of her while he tried to plan his week, and her lights had stayed on until he’d finally decided to turn in, long after midnight.

  She didn’t look too bad this morning, though he’d seen her hesitation at the shed door. He couldn’t say he was completely comfortable with what had happened last night either. He didn’t know much about hallucinations, or what triggered them, but he figured he was probably the first guy she’d kissed since her husband had died, so it was probably pretty self-explanatory.

  But it had ruined a damn good kiss. He’d been surprised by the initial lack of hesitation on her part, and by the heat they’d stirred so quickly in each other. So he was going to give it another go. And if he was lucky, he’d do a good enough job that her subconscious would be too busy to conjure images of her dead husband. He wanted to be – intended to be – the only man in her head when he was kissing her.