Hmmm. It wasn’t the best way to start a discussion.
He’d do anything to protect Violet and Holly but this whole situation was making him sick. Getting a loan wouldn’t be that much of a problem but it still hurt. He could almost imagine generations of McKellans rolling over in their graves. It made him feel that he was going back on his promise to his dad, the one where he vowed to protect McKellan’s Run no matter the cost.
He closed his eyes and tried to shut out the image of the overly bright hospital cubicle. His father lying way too still in the narrow bed. It wasn’t right, his dad should be out riding across their land with the cold breeze, not lying there—small, pale, a shadow of the man he was.
‘I won’t let you down, Dad. I promise McKellan’s Run will be safe with me until I can hand it down to the next generation,’ Mac had said, clasping his father’s hand.
For a moment the old man’s eyes burned bright. ‘I know you will, son. We McKellans draw our life from the land. Look after it and it will look after you.’
‘Sure, Dad.’ Mac’s throat seemed to close up and there was a hot prickling at the back of his eyes.
His father squeezed his hand. ‘It’s alright, Mac. I’ve been lucky enough to love two amazing women, who have given me three sons that any man would be proud of; well, four if I count that rascal, Flynn. Just remember to follow your heart, and everything will work out.’
‘Dad, I—’
‘Go on, take your brothers out of here. I need a few minutes with your mum,’ he said, looking past Mac to Dan and Jason, who were standing at the end of the bed. He stared at them for a moment as if he was committing them to memory or etching them on his heart.
The brothers walked silently out of the ward. Mac turned around and caught his Dad watching them go. He gave Mac a smile before he turned to Sarah.
That was the last time Mac had seen his father alive.
Mac ran his hand over the back of his neck. He’d made that promise to his dad to keep the Run safe. Getting a loan to help Celine and her dodgy father wasn’t putting the land first. That amount of money wasn’t going to destroy McKellan’s Run but it would certainly hurt and make things hard next year. Would his father forgive him or would he expect him to honour it when Violet, Holly and Mac’s happiness was at stake?
Mac drew in a shuddering breath. If it came down to a promise, or Violet and Holly, it was a simple enough choice—Violet wins. He loved her and would do anything it took to keep her and Holly safe; even if it meant paying off bloody Celine.
Mac grabbed his keys off the nightstand and headed out.
Chapter 25
It was a clear night and the almost-full moon bathed the countryside in a pale light. Mac drove through the shadowy bush and down long familiar tracks until he took a left turn down a rough dirt road. He wound down the window and rested his arm as the ute bumped along.
Mac slowed down as he caught sight of a roo in the headlights. The animal appeared startled but after a moment’s hesitation it bounded back between the trees. As the ute neared the crossroad, Mac changed down gears and took the turn to the right. A fresh breeze blew in the open window, bringing with it the scent of water. Mac nudged the accelerator as he drove up a steep rise and reached the top. Below, a small cottage sat on the high bank of Landoc Creek.
The cottage had been built a hundred years ago or so and was situated on the edge of McKellan’s Run. It had always been a beautiful and peaceful spot. When they were kids, Mac, Dan, Jason and Flynn used to fish in the spot where the creek wound past the cabin. It belonged to Jason now and he’d spent a small fortune modernising the plumbing and sewage but other than a paint job on the outside it was still the same as it always had been. The weatherboard cottage was surrounded by an old-fashioned garden filled with apple and pear trees, with Marguerite daisy bushes sitting on either side of the gate and an ancient climbing rose bush, running and twisting its way up and along the verandah. When it bloomed in the late spring you could smell the fragrance from the blood-red roses for miles.
Mac parked the ute outside the picket fence, got out and stood for a moment gazing up at the moon; the night was still and all he could hear was the soft sound of the creek trickling past. Taking a deep breath he unlatched the creaky gate, and made his way over the flagstones to the front door. He knocked on the door and waited a few seconds before he knocked again. From inside came a muffled voice, a crash and a string of profanities. The door jerked open and Jason stood there rubbing his shin.
‘Hi, Mac,’ he said as he wobbled slightly. Even from where Mac was standing he could smell the alcohol.
‘Hey, what happened?’ Mac asked as he gestured to Jason’s leg.
‘I collided with the table. What’s up?’
‘I need to talk to you.’
‘Listen, if this is about what I said to Violet, I’m not backing down. Although I admit, I lost my temper and could have handled it better. I just want a chance to get to know Holly . . . so if you’re here to ball me out about that, don’t bother.’
Mac shook his head. ‘Why are you upsetting Violet like this? She’s working flat out on your wedding and the last thing she needs is you giving her a hard time,’ he said. ‘I understand you were shocked to find out about Holly and I get it. But pushing Violet into a corner and threatening her isn’t going to help anyone, especially Holly.’
‘If you’ve come here to give me a lecture—’
‘It’s not why I’m here.’
Jason looked surprised as he stepped back from the door. ‘Come in.’
Mac walked into a large room. The slate-tiled floor and wood gave it a masculine feel. An old well-worn leather couch sat opposite the open fireplace and at the far end was a kitchen and a battered-looking refectory table. A narrow wooden staircase ran up the right wall and it led to a bedroom in the loft.
Jason got a couple of beers out of the stainless steel fridge, which was the only modern piece of furniture in the whole cottage and looked out of place. He tossed one to Mac.
‘So, what is it you need to talk to me about?’ said Jason taking a swig.
Mac settled himself at the table. ‘Before I tell you why I’m here, I’ve just got to ask—why are you here and Celine is at my place?’
‘I needed some time to myself, so I could think,’ said Jason, looking a bit bleary-eyed.
‘I don’t know how to say this, so I’m just gonna say it,’ said Mac. ‘I don’t want you to have the wedding at the homestead and I’d prefer if Celine left today too.’
‘What? If this is about Violet—’
‘No, well I suppose it is but not in the way you’re thinking. Celine is trying to blackmail me.’
‘Oh get out of it, as if she—’
Mac broke in, ‘Jason, she tried to blackmail me.’
‘Seriously?’ said Jason, a look of disbelief on his face. ‘How could she blackmail you?’
‘She said if I don’t give her five hundred thousand dollars she’ll encourage you to seek full custody of Holly.’
‘What? That’s the last thing she’d want,’ said Jason.
‘Jase, she seemed absolutely serious about the custody thing.’
‘What did she say exactly?’
‘Apparently her father has already sold off some assets but he still doesn’t have nearly enough money to save his business. What I can’t understand is why, if you love her enough to want to marry her, you aren’t helping her father out?’
‘Because I’ve already given him a huge amount of money. She’s been pressuring me for more help but I refused. Mac, her dad still has real estate he could sell but he can’t bear to put it on the market. He’s got a beautiful house in South Yarra which he refuses to part with. Don’t think for a moment he’ll be destitute or starving because that isn’t the case. I’m really sorry you’ve got caught up in this.’
‘Even if there’s only the slim possibility, I can’t let Celine ruin Violet.’
‘She won’t. I promise that I’ll have this all so
rted by the morning. Now about the wedding—’
‘God, you still want to marry her? Jason, I’m sorry if you love her but Celine’s a nightmare. Maybe you should rethink the whole thing because I think you’re making a big mistake.’
‘I can’t explain but I have my reasons.’
Mac put his can on the table next to him. ‘Well, it’s your future, but I really don’t understand how you could marry someone who’s prepared to blackmail your brother. If this whole mess isn’t sorted by lunchtime, I don’t want the wedding at my house. I still don’t understand why you even wanted to have it here. I would have thought a Toorak wedding would have been more Celine’s style.’
Jason nodded. ‘I’ll get to the bottom of it.’
‘Alright then, I’m off to Violet’s for the night. I don’t want to be under the same roof with Celine,’ Mac said as he walked to the door.
Jason stomped up the stairs of his brother’s house and entered the bedroom Celine was using, slamming the door behind him.
‘Would you like to explain why you decided it was a good idea to blackmail my brother?’ he demanded.
Celine sat bolt upright in bed and held the covers over her breasts. ‘He told you?’ she said, a startled look on her face.
‘It’s even worse than that. I suspect Mum will know by the morning as well.’
‘Your mother is going to find out? Can’t you stop him from telling her?’ said Celine, her voice uncharacteristically small and unsure. ‘I didn’t expect him to say anything. It just proves he doesn’t really love Violet.’
‘Of course he bloody well loves Violet. What the hell were you thinking?’
‘But Dad’s desperate.’
‘What made you even think that Mac had that kind of money lying around?’
‘This place is worth a fortune. Why wouldn’t he have the money?’
‘You don’t know much about farms do you? Yes, McKellan’s Run is worth a lot of money but it’s all based on the capital value, there’s not lots of cash lying around, that’s for sure. And Mac puts his blood, sweat and every spare penny back into it.’
‘I was just trying to save my father, you can’t fault me for that.’
Jason gave her an incredulous look. ‘You tried to blackmail my brother!’
‘You don’t even like him.’
‘God, Celine you sound like a spoilt little princess who’ll stop at nothing to get what she wants.’
‘I wouldn’t have to go to such lengths if you just agreed to help Dad out.’
‘I’m marrying you not your father. Of course I’ll provide the lifestyle you’re accustomed to but that doesn’t include shoring up your father’s business anymore than I already have. I know he’s sold some of his assets, but I’m also aware he’s still got more properties and he’s going to have to consider selling his house.’
‘But why can’t you help him, Jason?’
‘I already have! I’m not a bottomless pit and you really need to come to terms with that fact.’
‘But he’s going to have to sell his house which is his pride and joy. It’s where I grew up. He’s never let it go, even through all his marriages.’
‘He won’t be homeless, Celine. He can buy a more modest place nearby. Anyway, why should he keep his house at Mac’s expense? Enough is enough. Leave Mac, Violet and Holly out of your schemes. Do I make myself clear?’
‘And if I don’t?’
‘Then I don’t want to marry you.’
‘That would mean Dad and I could no longer provide all those introductions and referrals to you. Without us, you won’t maintain that illustrious client list you’ve worked so hard for.’
‘That’s a chance I’m willing to take. And without me, or more to the point my bank balance, you’ll need to readjust your lifestyle. No more ladies’ lunches with your charity boards, no more fundraising dinners. Who knows, Celine, you may have to get a real job.’
‘I have a job.’
‘Two days at your aunt’s boutique hardly qualifies, let’s face it. Look, we had fun together and I thought that would be enough but now I’m not so sure.’
‘What do you mean by that?’ demanded Celine.
‘I thought because you loved me just as I loved you, I thought we had shared goals about how our lives should be and we could have a happy marriage, but after this stunt of yours—’
Celine crossed the room until she stood in front of Jason. ‘I do love you, I really do. As you say, we want the same things and the sex we have is amazing.’
‘How can you say you love me if you’re prepared to blackmail my brother for God’s sake?’ shouted Jason.
‘Please forgive me darling. I screwed up. Dad’s been so desperate. He’s always looked after me and I’d do anything to help him out. I’ll apologise to Mac and smooth things over.’
Jason was silent but he didn’t pull away as Celine’s hand trailed lower down.
Mac had spent the night next to Violet. He hadn’t told her the truth about Celine’s threats because he hadn’t wanted to worry her. Instead he’d said that Celine and Jason were having an argument and he had felt like a stranger in his own house. Violet being Violet had welcomed him into her arms and then into her bed. He had held her close for the remainder of the night and kissed her before he slipped away just as the sky was beginning to lighten.
The sun was just breaking over the hills as Mac got home and headed to the shed. He’d hardly slept after talking to Jason but now it was time to concentrate on work. He packed the brush cutter, shovel and pick onto the quad bike. It was time to tackle those bloody blackberries near the top dam. He’d thought about poisoning them but as they were close to the dam water he’d decided to go old-school—cutting, hacking and digging the bloody things out.
He wasn’t looking forward to it but it had to be done. If he didn’t get rid of the blackberries they would spread over the whole paddock.
He swung by the house and picked up some supplies before he spent the morning battling the prickly bushes. Even with gloves and protective gear he still managed to get scratches all over him.
Halfway through, he stopped for a minute and took a breather, rolling his aching shoulders and trying to ignore the trickle of sweat down his back.
Why the hell hadn’t he hired someone else to do this?
At about nine o’clock, Mac sat down, took his hat off, ran his hand through his hair and closed his eyes as a cool breeze blew over him. Cutting blackberries was hot work and he was glad of a break. He opened up his thermos and poured a coffee but just as he raised the cup to his mouth his mobile rang.
‘Hello?’
‘Hey Mac, it’s Jason. Listen can you come back to the house?’
‘I’m in the middle of something.’
‘Can you get away? It’s important.’
‘Alright. I’m on my way.’
About fifteen minutes later Mac walked into the kitchen, wondering what was going on. To his surprise he found Jason, his mother and Celine sitting around the kitchen table. A frown flickered over his face when he saw his mother’s pale face.
‘Mum, what are you doing here?’
‘I called her,’ Jason said as she looked up at Mac.
‘You called her, but, but I thought—’ Celine stammered.
Jason ignored her. ‘Celine has something to tell you, don’t you?’
‘Yes, yes I do,’ said Celine looking incredibly nervous.
Celine glanced at Sarah and then Mac. ‘I need to apologise to you for last night.’
‘You think?’ said Mac.
‘What I did, I mean what I said was unforgivable. But I hope that you can find it in your heart to forgive me just the same.’ Celine dropped her gaze looking repentant.
‘There’s no excuse,’ she continued, ‘but I’ve been so worried about my father, I haven’t been able to think straight. I’m sick with anxiety and every time he rings he sounds so defeated. He wanted me to ask Jason to lend him more money, but he’s already give
n him so much, I knew I couldn’t ask. I guess last night, after Jason went to the cottage I had one glass of wine too many. I just sort of snapped and came up with this crazy way to save Dad. I’m so sorry, Mac. I really am.’
‘Well you might be sorry, Celine, but that doesn’t excuse your appalling behaviour,’ said Sarah. ‘Very soon you’re going to become part of this family and instead of embracing it you chose blackmail!’
‘I’m sorry, I just don’t know what else to say. With all the pressure from the wedding and then Dad’s troubles, it was just all too much for me.’ Celine’s shoulders shuddered and there were tears in her eyes. ‘I’m very ashamed.’
Mac wasn’t buying it. The only thing Celine was sorry about was that she’d been caught. The woman was diabolical. What was Jason thinking?
Mac looked over at his brother. ‘If you still want to get married here, I won’t stop you. But if I so much as hear a hint of a rumour or any gossip aimed at Violet all bets are off. Understand?’
‘Thanks, Mac,’ Jason said with a nod.
‘That’s very gracious of you, Mac,’ said Sarah with a forced smile.
‘I think it’d be best if you both stay at the cottage,’ said Mac to Celine. ‘You and the bridesmaids can use the room upstairs on the day of the wedding but I’d prefer if you spend as much time as possible away from McKellan’s Run.’
Chapter 26
Violet’s phone started ringing and she hurried over to the table. Typical, someone always rang just as you were in the middle of something. She placed the mixing bowl down and looked around for something to wipe her sticky fingers on. She was out of luck so she wiped some of the chocolate cake mixture on her jeans before she picked up the receiver.
‘Hello?’
‘Oh hi, Violet, it’s Sarah. I’ve been trying to ring Mac. Is he there, please?’
‘Hi, Sarah, actually you’ve just missed him. He and Holly have just gone into town to grab a few things at the supermarket,’ said Violet, frowning. ‘I don’t know why he wouldn’t be answering his phone though,’ Violet added, looking around the room and suddenly zeroing in on Mac’s mobile. ‘Ah, I’ve found the answer to your question. He’s left his phone on the bench.’
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