McKellan's Run

by Nicole Hurley-Moore

  ‘What happened?’

  Violet leant against the sideboard. ‘There’s not much to tell. We met when I was sixteen, he was two years ahead of me. We started hanging out together and slowly it turned into something more. Things changed when he went off to uni. We kept it going while I finished high school and worked here in Violet Falls but after he finished law school and got his first job, it all fell apart.’

  ‘And that’s it?’

  ‘Yep, that’s it. Until Sarah asked me to help with the wedding, I hadn’t seen Jason for eight years.’

  ‘Thank you,’ said Celine with what seemed like an embarrassed smile. ‘I don’t know where my head is lately. I keep coming up with crazy ideas.’

  ‘Nothing to worry about. Weddings can do that to you.’

  ‘I just want to get the wedding over and done with so we can head back to the city,’ said Celine as she walked back to the window.

  ‘You don’t like it here?’

  ‘No, rural life isn’t really for me. Perhaps I should talk Jason into selling this place. I doubt we’ll ever visit.’

  Violet paused, a frown on her face. ‘But McKellan’s Run belongs to Mac, not Jason, so it’s not Jason’s to sell,’ she said.

  ‘But this is Jason’s family home! This is where he grew up! And he’s the eldest of the brothers, isn’t he?’

  ‘Yeah it was, but when John McKellan died Mac inherited the bulk of McKellan’s Run. John did manage to get approval to break off two small twenty-acre lots for Jason and Dan; and they were given trust funds, but the farm was left to Mac.’

  ‘That’s not fair,’ Celine said, her cheeks flushed pink. ‘It must be worth a fortune!’

  ‘It may be, but then you have to factor in all the hard work,’ said Violet.

  ‘But why did Mac inherit it all?’ asked Celine.

  ‘Because McKellan’s Run has to be kept pretty much intact for future generations and Mac was the best choice. The place is in his blood and he’s always been the one who was most interested in it. He’s absolutely slogged his guts out from dawn till dusk to keep it as a going concern. He’d rather cut off his arm than sell an inch of it. Also, neither Jason nor Dan ever showed much of an interest in farming. They might still love the land but they never wanted the responsibility of McKellan’s Run. Jason also knew he wanted to be a corporate lawyer when I met him. And Dan did a chef’s apprenticeship in Melbourne as soon as he left school and went off to Europe to get experience.’

  ‘But I thought . . .’ Celine started, then stopped.

  Violet shook her head. ‘Nope, McKellan’s Run is all Mac’s.’

  Celine had gone white and started to look genuinely distressed while Violet was explaining things and now she turned on her heel and raced out of the room, pulling out her mobile as she did.

  Violet stood still there for a while, wondering what the hell was going on. Then, shrugging, she got back to work. She needed to check on the number of plates and cutlery and all manner of paraphernalia.

  Violet was just brushing some dust off her black skirt when she looked up to see Mac walking through the French doors. He made his way around the numerous stacks of chairs and boxes until he stood in front of her. He reached down, grabbed her hand and tugged her towards him. Thrown off balance by the unexpected move, Violet found herself plastered across Mac’s chest.

  ‘Hey, what do you—?’

  He cut off her words with a kiss.

  Violet kissed him back, she enjoyed the moment and the way his lips danced across her mouth. She softened into him and for a few precious seconds the wedding preparations faded away, leaving Mac to fill the void. But before the kiss deepened Mac pulled away.

  ‘Come on, we’re leaving,’ he said as pulled her by the hand towards the French doors.

  ‘Mac, there’s a million and one things to do. I can’t just drop everything.’

  ‘Yes, you can. I’m only asking for half an hour, Violet. You can give me that, can’t you?’

  There was a gleam in his eyes and a smile on his lips. Violet focused on his mouth. Lord, he was tempting.

  ‘Oh alright, but just for a little while.’

  ‘Trust me.’

  He led her through the courtyard and around the back of the house towards the shed.

  ‘Mac, where exactly are we going?’

  ‘You’ll see,’ he said as headed over to his motorbike. He picked up a helmet and handed it her. ‘So when was the last time you rode one of these?’

  Violet’s eyes narrowed as she stared at the helmet.

  ‘Seriously? This is what you wanted me for?’

  ‘Yep, the house is full of noise, people and voices—especially Celine’s. She came in a while ago looking daggers at Jason. They’ve gone off somewhere. Anyway, we could both do with a little peace, even if it’s only for half an hour. So will you come?’

  Violet put the helmet on and clipped it beneath her chin.

  ‘Okay, sure. Why not?’

  ‘Good, get on.’ Mac put on a helmet and straddled the motorbike.

  Violet settled on the seat behind Mac and wrapped her arms around his waist. She felt the warmth of his body through his shirt.

  ‘Are you ready?

  ‘Yep.’

  ‘Hold on then, here we go.’

  They took off down the dirt track and away from the house. Violet held on to Mac as the sun filtered through eucalypts. A little way up the road he turned left and drove towards an old metal gate. He slowed the bike as they approached.

  ‘I’ll get it,’ Violet said as the bike came to a halt. She jumped off and unhitched the gate before swinging it open. Violet waited until Mac rode past her and she shut the gate again then got back on the bike and held on. She always felt so protected when she was with Mac.

  ‘You right?’ Mac asked.

  ‘Sure.’

  Without another word Mac rode over the green grass of the paddock and towards a ridge. As soon as he reached the top, Mac turned the bike to the right and continued along the ridge to its highest point. A lone ghost gum sat at the very top. Family legend was that the first McKellan, Angus, had planted it there but perhaps that was just a tale thought Violet.

  Mac cut the engine as they drew under the shade of the tree. Violet got off the bike and took off the helmet. The air was cool and the sun was warm on her body. As she looked across the gullies, hills, pastures and bush she thought again about how beautiful this land was.

  Up here, Violet listened to the near silence as the breeze blew gently against her face, the melodious song of a magpie coming from somewhere overhead. By her feet, the grass was sprinkled with bright yellow dandelions. Everything was perfect.

  Mac walked over and stood by her.

  ‘It’s breathtaking, Mac. I’d forgotten just how beautiful it was.’

  ‘Yeah, sometimes I just need to come up here and think.’

  ‘Is that what you do?’

  Mac nodded his head as he wound his arms around her and drew her in close.

  ‘Do you see that gully snaking through the middle of the paddock to the base of the far hill?’

  Violet nodded her head. ‘Yes.’

  ‘That was part of your family’s land.’

  ‘It’s lovely. But should you be telling a Beckett where their land used to be? I mean, your ancestor did steal it from mine. Better be careful or I might try and steal it back,’ Violet said with a laugh.

  ‘Well, according to our family legend, your ancestor was drunk and bet the whole parcel of land away on the turn of a card.’

  ‘I’ve heard the story. But according to Grandad your ancestor was a moustache-twirling rogue.’

  ‘He would have said that wouldn’t he? He hated every single last one of us—living or dead.’

  ‘He was a bitter person. He used his hatred to hide behind,’ said Violet with a shrug. ‘I understand that now, but his hatred was hard to take when I was growing up. He was always dissatisfied with his life, especially after my grandmother died
; which is why the family history meant so much to him. It was easier for him to blame the McKellans than his own failings.’

  ‘It was a sad way to live.’

  ‘I know, but it was his choice.’

  They stood on the ridge, holding each other and let the silence wash over them. Violet liked the way it felt and lay her head on Mac’s chest. He was solid and dependable—just like the land.

  ‘I think about us when I come up here—you and me.’

  ‘Do you?’

  ‘Yes, we’re bound up in this place. Bound by blood, family and history. And I wouldn’t have it any other way. I want you, Violet, I always have. I want a future with you here at McKellan’s Run. I won’t push you into marriage, and I’ll wait as long as it takes. I just want you to know that I don’t feel right unless you’re standing by my side.’

  ‘The things you say!’ said Violet

  ‘It’s a promise, Violet. Whenever you’re ready, I’m here,’ Mac said before leaning over and kissing her.

  Her arms tightened around him as his lips covered hers. A jolt of desire passed through her body as his tongue rubbed against hers. Mac’s kiss was warm, encompassing and made her heart skip a beat. Her hands skimmed over the hard planes of his chest, she loved the feel of his body against hers. Perhaps she couldn’t make a firm decision about her entire future but there was something that she instinctively knew—she wanted Mac. She needed to feel his strength and love around her.

  She pulled back from their kiss and looked up at him.

  ‘I can’t promise everything, Mac—I still need a bit of time. It’s just that my life seems in flux at the moment. Look, I realise that my timing is probably right off but I . . .’

  ‘I said that I’d wait and I—’

  Violet reached up and placed her finger against his mouth and smiled.

  ‘You didn’t let me finish. I want you, Mac.’

  ‘Violet, sweetheart—what are you saying?’

  ‘I want you, no, that’s not right. I need you, Mac.’

  She saw his eyes widen in surprise before cradling her gently next to him. She breathed in his scent as his warmth and masculine presence washed over her.

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Would you like to wait until we can go somewhere a little more comfortable?’ He asked as he rested his head against hers.

  Violet shook her head. ‘No Mac, I wouldn’t.’

  ‘Then hang on a sec,’ Mac said as he let her go. He walked over to the bike and opened up the small tool kit; inside was a packet of condoms.

  Violet let out a chuckle. ‘Thank God, you’re such a boy scout.’

  Mac walked back to her. ‘Well, it pays to be prepared,’ he said with a quick smile. ‘Now come here.’

  He snagged her around the waist and pulled her close. She felt the solidness of his body press against her as she tilted her head to capture his mouth.

  Mac ran his hands down her back before they cupped her bottom and drew her in closer. She felt his hard cock push against her.

  A surge of excitement spiked through her as she deepened their kiss. They fanned each other’s need with touch, kiss and taste. Violet unbuttoned Mac’s shirt and ran her hands over his hot skin. He tugged up her top and pulled it over her head before trailing a series of tantalizing kisses along her neck. He used his hands and then his lips to brush against her breasts, causing her nipples to bead with desire. The breath caught in her throat as Mac slipped the bra strap off her shoulder and took the rosy peak in his mouth. Violet’s head fell back as the tingling feeling spread throughout her.

  His hands slid under her skirt, his fingertips skimming across her smooth skin. He hooked his thumbs over the sides of her lacy knickers and eased them down.

  ‘You can’t imagine how much I want you,’ he whispered.

  ‘Then take me.’

  Without any hesitation Mac undid his jeans and unwrapped the condom packet. A moment later she was back in his arms. As he lifted her up, Violet spiked her fingers through his hair as she kissed him. An urgency filled her, she needed to touch him and feel his skin next to hers. She wrapped her legs around his hips, opening herself up to him.

  Their eyes locked as he entered her. Violet bit her bottom lip as the delicious sensation built within her as Mac started to move.

  ‘Ah Violet, there should have been flowers, music and at least a bed,’ Mac whispered. ‘I wanted our first time to be perfect.’

  She held on tight. He was the only thing anchoring her as she started to be swept away. ‘It is, Mac. It is.’

  He hadn’t wanted to let her go. Mac had wanted to keep Violet by his side, hell, he wanted to tuck her up in his bed and forget about everything. After they had made love on the ridge, a kind of peace settled over him. Mac couldn’t really explain it but it was there. Violet had looked so beautiful, her hair was all mussed up, there was a faint flush to her cheeks and her lips were red from his kisses. She had taken his breath away. Back at the house it had taken them a good fifteen minutes and another dozen kisses before Mac managed to control himself enough to help her into her car. In that moment he was soaring as high as the eagles over the ridge.

  Mac walked into the house after seeing Violet off, just in time to hear the sound of shattering glass coming from the floor above. He ran as fast as he could, a hundred different explanations running through his head. But his footsteps slowed as he heard the sound of raised voices coming from the guest room where Jason and Celine were staying.

  ‘Fuck it, Celine, what the hell do you think you’re doing?’ Jason barked through the closed door. ‘That vase was my grandmother’s.’

  ‘How could you let me think all this was yours?’

  ‘What are you talking about?’

  ‘McKellan’s Run, of course. You said we were going to be married at your home.’

  ‘It is my home. I grew up here.’

  ‘But you don’t own it.’

  ‘I never said I did. I told you about the cottage by the river’s bend.’

  ‘But I thought that was just a quaint little getaway. I thought you owned McKellan’s Run along with your brothers. You’re the eldest for God’s sake.’

  ‘I never said I’d inherited it. It belongs to Mac. I don’t see . . .’ Jason’s voice trailed off. ‘Oh yes I do. You’ve been brewing some little scheme in that head of yours.’

  ‘Don’t be ridiculous. I never—’

  ‘Yeah, right,’ snapped Jason. ‘McKellan’s Run belongs to Mac and that’s all there is to it.’

  There was a bitterness in Jason’s voice that Mac had never heard before, which caught him off guard. His hand reached for the doorknob but he stopped himself. This was wrong. He shouldn’t be eavesdropping. He turned to leave just as Celine screeched, ‘Why didn’t you tell me the truth?’

  ‘I did,’ came Jason’s voice, sounding softer. ‘There’s still enough money for you to keep up your current lifestyle. But please don’t ever think you’ll ever get an inch of McKellan soil.’

  ‘What do you care about this place anyway? Your heart’s in the city not in this grubby little town in the bush. Besides, John McKellan wasn’t even your real father.’

  Mac winced at Celine’s harsh words. She sure didn’t pull her punches. He couldn’t understand what Jason saw in Celine and why he wanted to marry her. There was a long silence and Mac knew he should creep away, but he needed to know what was going on.

  ‘Yes, Celine, he was. John McKellan was my father in every way that counted. He loved me and I loved him.’ There was a crack in Jason’s voice.

  ‘If he loved you so much, why didn’t he split the land between all three of you?’

  ‘Because Mac wanted it and I didn’t. I never had any interest in staying here and farming. I love what I do, no matter how crazy the hours are and how stressful it can be. But even if I did own it there’s no way I’d stand by and let anyone come along and try to sell my father’s legacy.’

  Mac backtr
acked as silently as he could and walked back down the stairs, a lead weight in his stomach. He needed to get to the bottom of this and work out what exactly was going on. Because as far as he could see, his brother was making the biggest mistake of his life.

  Chapter 23

  It was time to lay the ghosts to rest. Violet walked over to her desk and picked up her grandfather’s letter. She needed to let go of the past so she could have a future with Mac. If she closed her eyes she could almost feel his arms around her, his mouth kissing her. A wave of warmth rippled through her. She’d be damned if she would allow the past to steal away her happiness.

  She ripped open the top of the envelope and, after a moment’s hesitation, pulled out the pages inside. She saw that one was for Lily, so she set it aside. Her hands trembled as she started reading the letter addressed to her.

  Dear Violet,

  I’m sorry.

  I pray you will find it in your heart to forgive a stupid old man, though I know it’s more than I deserve.

  I allowed my hatred of the McKellans to cloud my judgement and for the second time in my life let them take away the people I held most dear.

  The McKellans were instrumental in the decline of our family’s fortunes. However, you were right when you once said that my grandfather drank and gambled away our wealth.

  I’ve had years to think about how I alienated you and Lily. It’s always easier to blame someone else, some outside force rather than your own flesh and blood. But the Becketts of the past must be held accountable for not only losing the family’s money but the land as well.

  I lectured you and Lily more times than either of you want to remember about how the McKellans took everything from our family. Well, the truth is they took everything from me.

  Long before I married your grandmother there was a girl called Isabella Cartwright. She had hair as dark as the night sky and sparkling blue eyes. Isabella was the most beautiful girl in Violet Falls. I loved her so much and for one perfect summer, I thought I was the luckiest man alive. I thought she loved me too but I was wrong.

  Things changed the minute Lucas McKellan arrived back in Violet Falls to take over the farm. He wooed her with flowers, pretty words and promises and before too long she’d all but forgotten about me. They were married on the first day of spring in the rose garden at McKellan’s Run.