Winds of Change (Hearts of the Outback Book 4)

by Susanne Bellamy

  Her shoulders sagged. Why fight it?

  “You’re right, Jax. In the movies after boy meets girl, boy loses girl, the last part is riding off into the sunset. Together. When you rode off into the sunrise alone, I learned the difference between real life and movies. You don’t forget those lessons.”

  She took the ice pack off her neck and stood. “Thanks for the ice and the water. I’ve got to get back to shooting a scene.”

  Two takes later, the director called “Cut”.

  Willa leaned forward, hands on knees, and caught her breath. Sweat mixed with dirt and streaked her arms in muddy smudges.

  “Good work, team. Thirty minute break while the next scene is set up.”

  Willa straightened and put her hands in the small of her back and stretched like a cat. In her bones, she felt good about the take. But while Brodie called the shots, it was Jax she turned to.

  Their gazes connected and Jax joined her as she walked off the set. “That looked good to me.”

  “Approval from the major? The day is looking up.”

  Jax shrugged. “You followed orders and it worked.”

  “Orders?” A flare of anger replaced the kernel of gratitude she’d felt. While she and Jax would never see eye-to-eye about her work, his input had given the scene the authenticity Brodie wanted. If she could put a lid on her personal feelings, the miniseries would be much stronger with Jax’s expertise. But setting aside the antagonism that reared like a brown snake every time they met on set would take every ounce of her self-discipline and acting ability.

  Because ten years hadn’t dulled her feelings for Jax. Not one little bit.

  ##

  “Orders, directions—does it matter what you call it?”

  When had Willa become so prickly? She’d been acting as though it had been his choice to leave all those years ago. The note she’d pushed under his front door had been clear. Following her dream was more important than him and she wished him well but wouldn’t be meeting him at the bus stop.

  It hadn’t taken her long to reach that decision after their talk. She hadn’t even had the guts to tell him to his face; just left him to think they had a chance at happiness.

  Why, when Willa had been the one to convince him to give the army a go?

  Jax, you’re a natural born leader. I bet you’d go far.

  I doubt your father would agree. He calls me a rebel without a cause.

  I love that movie. I love you. Jax . . .

  She’d loved him then. He was sure of it. Except after her note, how could he believe anything she said, no matter how convincingly? He was in love with an actress, and actors faked emotions all the time. They made you feel, and remember emotions best forgotten.

  Last night’s rushes of Willa’s pain at the loss of her second-in-command had been convincing. No matter that it was acting, it had been so raw and real that he’d been thrown back to the moment of Private Santos’ death. Jax drew in a deep breath and dug his fingernails into his palms.

  “Willa, I’m here because I’m following orders but if you don’t want me on the set, that’s fine. I’ll tell Brodie now and then phone HQ and request a replacement.”

  Willa frowned and narrowed her eyes. “Whatever. It’s irrelevant who advises Brodie so long as they have real experience. Only—”

  “Hey, Jax, how’re you doing?”

  Minutes earlier, Laurie’s appearance would have been almost welcome. The way he was feeling, any intrusion would have been. He needed distance from Willa and time to put a lid back on the memories she evoked. But Willa’s ‘Only’ hung in the air between them.

  He could have sworn he’d detected relief when he offered to phone headquarters. So why would she want him to stick around?

  “Fine, thanks. Willa and I were just talking about—”

  “Oh, good. I didn’t want to interrupt anything important. I’ve got someone who’s keen to talk with Willa—and you.” Laurie moved aside and a young man stepped up beside her, a broad grin on his face as he looked at Willa.

  “Hi, I’m Brent Wilson from the local television station.” Lean as a whippet and exuding energy, the reporter looked at Willa with puppy eyes. Clearly, he admired her.

  Willa smiled up at Brent.

  It wasn’t even a Willa-special but a flare of jealousy spiked within Jax. He had no right to feel proprietorial. Her desertion and ten years travelling along different life paths should have been sufficient reminder there could be no coming together again.

  He needed to move away before he did something stupid and out of place. Like slinging an arm around her shoulder while the local media looked on.

  Willa stood and held out her hand. “I remember. You asked a good question at the press conference the night I arrived.”

  Brent’s eyes widened like young Corporal Preston’s had when Willa praised him for securing a car back in Townsville. Recognition from a star like Willa was a prize to be valued, quite aside from the fact she was a beautiful woman.

  Testosterone kicked in, regardless of how many times he reminded himself she was no longer his. If she ever truly had been.

  They were nothing more than old friends now. Although friend might be stretching the truth. He could have cut the tension with a knife before they’d been interrupted. Why did they still rub each other up the wrong way?

  Why was he even worrying about a long-dead relationship? In a month at most, he’d be out of here. Willa would make her miniseries and fly back to Hollywood and that would be it.

  The reporter rifled through his pockets and produced a business card, which he handed to Willa. “Miss Raynolds, I’m hoping to convince you to do an interview with me for a special feature about local involvement in the miniseries. This is the biggest thing to hit the Isa since I don’t know when. As the star of the show, your interview would be central to the story.”

  Laurie stepped into Jax’s space and laid a hand on his arm. “I’m sure Willa will be delighted to participate. Brodie has already approved the request and it will be great for publicity. And don’t you worry about the major, Willa. I’ll look after Jax while you chat with Brent.”

  Willa looked from Laurie to him and nodded. This time Jax was certain; she was relieved at the reprieve from arguing with him.

  As Brent pulled a small recorder from his pocket, he reminded Jax of his dog, Buster. The day he’d found the abandoned puppy, he’d looked at Jax with just the same hopeful expression. Nothing like the frontline reporters Jax knew. How long would it be before Brent’s enthusiasm was ground out by cynicism and the daily grind?

  “I believe you’re a local boy from way back, Major. Would you mind giving me an interview too?”

  Hell, no.

  But Laurie was quicker to deny him. “Later.”

  “If it’s a question of permission, my producer would be happy to clear it with the army.” Brent had a brash confidence that would probably take him far.

  Just not with Jax.

  “We’ll see.” If Jax stepped back from the project, the interview would disappear and he wouldn’t have to answer personal questions or puzzle over Willa’s strange mood.

  Her public mask was firmly in place as she invited Brent to join her in the corner seats. “I’d be happy to, Brent. Will you excuse us, Jax?”

  “No problem. I’ll leave you two to talk.” Jax pulled away from Laurie and strode out of the tent in search of the director. Between Willa’s hot and cold behaviour and the reporter’s interview, Jax had decided. He was no longer on the payroll.

  Chapter Eight

  Willa kept her distance as Sarah Tait walked a huge mare out of the float. Early morning sunlight slanted long shadows across the ground and highlighted the glossy coat of the horse before the trainer tied her in the shade of a nearby tree.

  The bay mare was beautiful, but Willa had never been good around large animals. During riding lessons in Los Angeles as she prepared for this role, her mount had been much smaller than the giant before her.
r />   “Have you got something more my size, like a Shetland pony?”

  Sarah laughed and patted the mare’s neck. “She’s as gentle as a lamb, I promise. Most recently she’s been working with disabled riders. Come on over and meet Tabitha.”

  As Willa approached slowly, fear tightened her chest and made it difficult to breathe. Although the day was young, sweat trickled down her spine as she raised a hand to stroke the glossy neck.

  Tabitha nodded and turned her head and Willa jumped back.

  “She just wants to say hello. Open your hand flat and offer her this.” Sarah held out a piece of apple and dropped it into Willa’s palm. “It’s her favourite treat.”

  Her breath stuttered as she tried to breathe around the obstruction in her throat. The mare’s yellow teeth looked big and she was certain the horse would sense her fear and nip her fingers but she raised her hand as Sarah directed.

  The mare dipped her head. Soft lips delicately closed around the apple and a huff of warm air crossed her palm before the horse tossed her head and closed her eyes.

  Palm wet with saliva, Willa dared to exhale. “Wow, her mouth was softer than I expected. She looks as though she’s really enjoying it.” She reached up and patted Tabitha’s neck.

  “You and Tabitha will get on fine together.”

  Willa’s fear receded as Sarah slung a saddle over the mare. A docile animal was the best she could expect for today’s shoot, and the horse whisperer instilled confidence. A memory tugged at her. “Sarah Tait. Weren’t you a couple of years below me at school?”

  Sarah looked up from tightening the girth strap. “I was in the same grade as your sister, Jenna. She and my brother, Josh, dated for a few months when she was in Grade Ten, I think. He was really cut up when she died.”

  “Yeah, it was a bad time for all of us.” Willa turned her back and wandered a few steps away. The memory of her bright and bubbly sister was vivid, and there were still days when she caught herself thinking how Jenna would laugh when she shared a humorous moment. Willa sniffed and blinked to clear the tears that welled. Sarah’s sympathy had caught her unaware, that was all it was.

  “So, this scene you’re shooting today involves you riding Tabitha. Do I take it you’re a novice rider?”

  Willa cleared her throat and turned back to meet Sarah’s concerned gaze. “I’ve been given basic lessons for the mid-distance shots but Tabitha will have to do most of the work on her own and I’ll be hanging on for dear life.”

  Sarah handed over a helmet and waited as Willa put it on before giving her the reins.

  “Okay, let’s get you up on her back and go for a walk while you two get acquainted.” Sarah held the stirrup steady.

  “She’s big, isn’t she? The horse I worked with was smaller.”

  Much smaller. As Willa eyed the height of the stirrup, her stomach muscles fluttered and nerves kicked in again. Heights didn’t worry her, but the powerful animal tapped into some primal fear and Willa wondered if her parents had suppressed some childhood trauma to do with animals.

  As Willa raised her foot, she felt as though her knee was underneath her chin. Hopping on one foot, she tried to mount Tabitha.

  Suddenly, a pair of large, strong hands gave her a boost and she was seated atop the saddle. She looked down at Jax.

  A hint of a smile crinkled the corners of his eyes, the first she’d seen since they’d begun working together on the set. “I thought you vowed never to use horsepower unless it had at least two wheels and a motor.”

  “What are you doing here? I thought you were going to tell Brodie where to stick his advisor’s job. Guess we were both wrong.”

  Jax’s half smile vanished and Willa mentally kicked herself. Did she really have to needle him? He’d seen her struggling and stopped to help. Where was her sense of fair play?

  “I was on my way to his office when I saw you trying to mount.”

  Sarah smiled at him and held out her hand. “Sarah Tait, the horse wrangler. And this is Tabitha.”

  Jax turned to Sarah and shook her hand. “Jax Heathwood, former advisor. Sorry I can’t stay but I’ve a job to chuck.”

  ##

  “I’m sorry, Jax. Brodie’s already left for the shoot but you can catch him on location if it’s urgent?” Laurie finished packing a backpack and smiled, invitation clear in her expression. “I’m heading up there now if you’d like to come with me.”

  “How far away is he?” Undecided whether to quit or stay after a night of tossing and turning, Jax’s encounter with Willa had settled the matter. He wanted to get it over and done with and get the hell out of here as soon as possible.

  “He went in the helicopter to do a flyover. He likes to cover every angle and this is one of the big scenes.”

  “What’s happening?”

  “I’ll tell you as we drive up there. Coming?”

  Laurie led the way to a ute parked outside her office and opened the passenger side door. “Dang it, I forget you guys drive on the wrong side of the road. I’m still not used to it.”

  “Do you want me to drive?” Playing passenger to a nervous American behind the wheel was the last thing he needed.

  “Would you mind?”

  “No problem.” He slid into the driver’s side and adjusted the seat as far back as it could go.

  Laurie settled into the passenger seat and fastened her seat belt. She tilted her head, giving him a sideways look he recognised and intensely disliked.

  “It’s so reassuring to have a man in charge. Thank you.” Even that slight breathiness in her voice was put on.

  Immune to such obvious wiles, Jax doubted even Willa could play the role convincingly. She loathed the helpless female act almost as much as he did.

  “Which way?” The engine idled as Jax waited for directions. Pleasant and non-committal should see him through the drive. If necessary, he’d hitch a ride back to his vehicle after he’d spoken with the director.

  “I’m so sorry, Jax. I honestly thought it was this track.” Laurie fluttered her eyelashes at him and unfolded the map.

  A boulder half the size of the ute blocked forward progress and the rocky terrain they’d traversed was bare of vegetation. Out of the corner of his eye, Jax caught a flash of movement and turned in time to see a lizard’s tail flick as it disappeared into a crack between the dark grey rocks.

  “Give the map to me.” In spite of the air conditioning pumping cool air into the interior, outside, heat was building as the sun rose higher, gathering and bouncing off the surrounding rocks. No wonder the film crew began work early and took a siesta in the middle of the day.

  Jax found their position on the map at last and scanned either side of it. “You said they were filming in and around a dry creek bed today?”

  “That’s right. Shall we get out and have a walk and see where we are?”

  “No need.” Jax put the vehicle into reverse and manoeuvred back down the rocky track until he was able to turn the ute. Laurie’s misdirection had wasted so much time, Jax expected Brodie to be fully occupied with the morning’s shoot by the time they finally arrived on set.

  Which would mean he’d have to wait until the director was free to talk.

  Laurie tried to engage him in conversation but even her determined efforts faltered in the face of his monosyllabic replies and by the time they arrived at the set, her mouth was pinched and her hands were clasped tightly together in her lap.

  Suspecting she could safely find her own way back to the main office without a map, Jax left the keys in the ignition and got out. If he couldn’t hitch a ride back to his car he’d walk before he got into a vehicle with Laurie again.

  He wandered over and took up a position out of the way and behind the camera. Brodie was engaged in conversation with Willa and Sarah, who held the reins of the mare. Laurie’s little stunt had given them ample time to arrive before him and Brodie was well into the day’s business. At some point, the director would return to his command position beside the
main camera and Jax would tender his resignation.

  In the meantime, he watched the horse wrangler leading Willa atop the mare as a camera on a dolly tracked their progress.

  The horse was a big step up for Willa, but Sarah Tait’s calm manner helped. Suddenly the walk turned into a slow trot with Sarah jogging beside her mare. Willa paled beneath her makeup. Why did she insist on doing the take? They could have used a stuntwoman for the shot.

  Sarah stopped the horse and turned to Willa as Brodie strode up. Jax wasn’t far behind.

  “Willa, I need grit and determination, not abject terror. How come you never mentioned you couldn’t ride?”

  Willa slithered awkwardly from the saddle and moved away from the horse. “I can ride. I had lessons while I was in LA but I assumed you had a stunt woman lined up for the long shot gallop. Look, just give me time to get used to the motion. I can do it.”

  Her gaze connected with Jax’s and he read the depths of her fear in her pinched lips and the tension in the rigid set of her shoulders.

  Sarah stood patting her horse and talking softly to the mare as Jax approached her.

  “Any suggestions, Sarah?”

  The horse wrangler tapped her thumb against her front tooth and looked out over the landscape.

  Jax stood beside her and examined the route set out for Willa’s ride. Unlike the wrong turn Laurie had taken them on, here, the ground was hard earth with a smattering of scrubby bushes and the odd small tree.

  “With a blonde wig, I could probably pass for Willa for the long shots. What do you think?” Sarah’s direct look was more like Willa than Laurie and her rapport with the mare would make the ride completely believable.

  “I think that’s genius. Shall we put it to Brodie?” His conversation with the director could wait until the mad horse ride Laurie had described was done.

  As they broached the idea, Brodie sized Sarah up and nodded. “That will work. Good suggestion. Pop over to Suzie and get the wig and outfit sorted. Don’t say anything to the others. Let’s see if anyone picks the switch. Jax, keep the gossips away, will you? We’ll have to get Sarah’s paperwork amended retrospectively. And grab a spare two-way radio from Suzie. I’ll cue you when we’re ready to shoot.”