An Outback Affair/Runaway Wife/Outback Bridegroom/Outback Surrender/Home To Eden

by Margaret Way

  Were more calamities coming? She shook her head to clear it, nonetheless realizing she wasn’t as physically afraid of him. Evan had taught her a few karate moves. She could use them.

  Colin kicked the door shut, then turned the lock. “Nothing to protect you now, Laura.” He glanced around like a predatory hawk. “This place is disgusting. A joke! How you can live in it I can’t imagine. Are you sure you haven’t totally lost it?”

  “It’s heaven without you, Colin,” she assured him, wondering the next move to make. If the worst came to the worst there was a lock on her bedroom door and she could cry for help from the window. “By the way, that’s a terrible disguise?”

  “Definitely not me.” He smirked. “But I needed to move around without being noticed. I do attract attention, as you know. I was at the concert last night. You were very good. And so was Kellerman. Quite a surprise, though I didn’t give you any applause. How was Ayers Rock?”

  Laura wondered when the rage was coming. How she would cope with it. “None of your business.”

  “Are you serious? You’re my wife.”

  “Not for much longer. I want a divorce, Colin.”

  Now the arctic eyes flared. “You might be a rotten wife, but there’s no divorce.” There was a strange finality in his tone. “We need to be together. That’s what makes my life work.”

  “You mean you need someone to torment.” Laura saw her chance. She moved very quickly, darting into the kitchen. The counter was between them, with its drawer full of knives. “I’m never coming back to you, Colin.”

  “Of course you are.” He turned on another smile for her. “You made a lifetime commitment, darling, remember?”

  “Your actions changed that.” Laura took strength from the fact that her voice was quite calm.

  “Trying to prove how brave we are, are we?” He snaked out an arm for her but she backed away.

  “I have friends in this town, Colin. Even with Evan gone I have people who will come to my aid.”

  “Possession is nine-tenths of the law, darling,” he reminded her. “They won’t find you here, anyway. You won’t be allowed to yell for help either, if that’s what you’re considering. You’re my wife, Laura. Doesn’t that mean anything to you?”

  “It stopped meaning anything to me on my honeymoon,” Laura countered, her expression full of condemnation. “I made a terrible choice in life with you, Colin. You’re vicious. A cruel bully who used me, a woman, your wife, for a punching bag. I think that makes you a gutless wonder. And you’re a man who’s supposed to be devoting his life to caring for people. That’s something your colleagues really should hear. How your wife got to know the inner workings of a psychopath. I bet I don’t have to tell your mother either. I’ve seen the worry in her eyes.”

  “You leave my mother out of this,” he rasped, the familiar glare in his eyes.

  “When she realizes what you’ve done, Colin, she might turn her back on you.”

  “As if she’d believe you over me,” he said coldly, although his handsome features were distorted with anger.

  “I think my lawyers might be able to wring the truth out of you, Colin,” Laura said very quietly. “You see, it’s all over. God is giving me a second chance.”

  “God is?” His voice rose comically. “You don’t seem to understand, Laura. God is on my side. Our marriage was made in heaven. I’m your husband. I’m not letting you go.”

  “There are rules, Colin, even you have to obey,” she continued, using the same quiet, reasoning tone. “I’m free under the law. You mightn’t appreciate a scandal. I’ll make one if I have to. You can count on that.”

  “And you can count on something happening to Kellerman.” His face and voice assumed a blaze of menace.

  “What are we talking? Murder? I wouldn’t put it past you. But you wouldn’t do it with your own precious hands. You’d find some career criminal.”

  He nodded, as though there was nothing unusual about what she was saying. “I see it as a legitimate way to get rid of a rival. All’s fair in love and war, don’t they say? There are people who’ll do anything for a price.”

  “So there are, but they usually go to jail.”

  “My darling, I’d go to jail before I let Kellerman have you,” he said simply. “Now, don’t make me furious,” he advised, with another malicious smile. “Pack a few things and throw them in a bag. Leave a little note for your so-called friends saying you’re going off exploring with a friend. We’re getting out of here.”

  He’d all but broken her once. He wasn’t going to do it again. “Sorry, Colin,” she said. “That’s not about to happen. You’re the one getting out of here. Not me, you monster!”

  Unable to contain herself, Laura picked up a pottery bowl that usually held fruit, throwing it with some force.

  “Goodness me!” he scoffed, though the bowl had found its target, grazing his temple before shattering on the tiles. “Isn’t this just the perfect time for you to find a little guts? Are we going to have a big fight? I’m one hundred per cent sure who’ll win. Don’t be a fool, Laura. I don’t want to hit you, but you always provoke me. Do as I say now. Make it quick. I’m itching to be out of here.”

  “I bet!” Laura muttered, feeling a strange sense of detachment. “It’s all got to stop now, Colin. I’d rather die than live my life with you.”

  “Never say that!” he snarled, endeavouring to corner her, but she took off in the direction of her bedroom, where she planned to yell like hell.

  “No need to die, Laura.” He came after her with his long stride, tugging viciously at her flying mane of hair, using it as a rope to jerk her back to him. “We’ll work something out.” His breath fanned her cheek; his hand sought her breast. “I love you. I do. I never feel the excitement except with you.”

  “You’re mad!” She was fighting in earnest now.

  “You made me mad. I wasn’t always like this.”

  “Oh, yes, you were. I bet you tortured little animals. Cut them up. Let go, you cowardly bastard!” She struggled wildly, but to no effect.

  How do I stop him? How do I stop him? The little bit of training she’d had was turning out to be useless against his superior strength. That got to her. She kicked and kicked, but his surgeon’s hands were like steel claws, ripping at her hair, ripping at her clothing.

  This wasn’t going to happen. It all fitted together now. He was obsessed with her. In desperation she screamed, “Evan!” though she knew Evan was hundreds of miles away by now.

  “Shut up!” There was an electrifying anger in his voice, and an edge of panic too. She had never been this hard to subdue, but he’d come equipped with the answer. He was a doctor after all. Pain shot through his shin as she kicked back at him. He gave a low growl, cruelly cuffing her with one hand and removing his glove with the other.

  “Someone please help me!” Laura shrieked, her heart hammering in her chest. Oh, God, surely someone would hear? Hadn’t she suffered enough at Colin’s hands? She caught a strong whiff of some chemical or other. It was coming off a bandage or white pad he wore beneath his glove.

  She felt horror. Ether? Chloroform? Which one had the odour? What did it matter? Before she could figure it out his hands clamped down hard over her nose and mouth. “You really are a naughty girl!”

  She fought harder, determined she wasn’t going to stop, but her brain was turning fuzzy. She tried to jerk her head away, knowing he was going to abduct her. She couldn’t give up the fight…couldn’t…

  Somehow she managed to twist her body side-on, hoping she could aim a good kick at his groin.

  “Bitch!” He cuffed her again, viciously, getting the pad back into position over her nose and mouth.

  She was going to black out.

  Evan, I tried.

  He scarcely had a minute to bundle her up before he heard a car door slam.

  “God!” The very air around him started to roar. Nothing and no one was going to get in his way.

  He left
her lying on the floor, making a rush to the front window to stare out. Incredibly, the caller was Kellerman. Very large. Well muscled. Very strong. He’d need a weapon to stop him.

  Colin’s eyes whizzed around swiftly, spotted the very thing. A heavy brass ornament. That should put a dent in Kellerman’s skull. He took up a position behind the door. Every pulse was hammering. This wasn’t supposed to happen.

  The bastard had a key. A key to his wife’s miserable little cottage. Hell, the last person on earth he’d expected was Kellerman. What had brought him back? And surely Laura had made a sound?

  He turned his head briefly, ears straining. She shouldn’t have made a sound unless the strength of the anaesthetic had dissipated beneath his glove.

  In the ringing silence Colin Morcombe got ready to strike, only Kellerman was ready for him.

  Incredible! He must have received some warning. This couldn’t be happening, he thought, his rage surging. He’d planned it all perfectly, every step. Nothing could go wrong. Yet for a terrifying minute he was hurtling across the room, smashing into the wall.

  The man was unbelievably strong. Colin was actually powerless to get up. The realization called forth unfamiliar humiliation. He was meant to win.

  “Morcombe, is it?” Evan stood over the cowering figure on the floor, loathing what he saw. Smooth and handsome, like a reptile, died black hair slicked back. “Where’s Laura?” he demanded, wanting to hurl Morcombe again.

  “She’s not ready to talk to you right now,” Morcombe said, and incredibly smiled.

  “Laura?” Evan called, unable to keep the fear and urgency out of his voice. “If you’ve hurt her, God help you.” He sucked in a harsh breath.

  “You’re talking about my wife, Kellerman. My wife, not yours.” Colin’s voice dripped with irony.

  “The one you were supposed to love and cherish?” Evan reached down powerfully to grab Morcombe’s collar, dragging him clear across the hallway with one furious tug.

  “You can’t want that stupid little bitch? She’s a pathological liar. She’s got problems. Ask her about her father. He was the abuser, not me.”

  “Shut up, you screwed-up bastard,” Evan warned, feeling a terrible violence against this man. “Don’t talk your poison to me.” Now Evan could see Laura’s crumpled up body. “Oh, God, what have you done to her?” He dragged the reptile up. This wasn’t a man.

  “She’s just taking a little nap. Trust me.” There was sheer hatred in Colin’s eyes.

  “Then why don’t you do the same?” Unable to prevent himself, Evan smashed his fist into Morcombe’s jaw, a lightning-swift punch that made Morcombe’s head snap sharply to one side. He staggered backwards, then collapsed. Beaten.

  “Laura?” Feeling the cold hand of horror, Evan rushed to her, his body suddenly bathed in a cold sweat. He dropped to his knees, feeling for her pulse. Slow. The bastard had drugged her. He caught a whiff of something. Ether? My God! Clearly Morcombe had gone over the edge with his obsession for his wife. Her shirt was torn, buttons ripped away.

  “Laura, Laura,” he whispered in agony, and was heartened beyond belief to hear a tiny moan come from her lips. She was coming round. Having seen so much violence, his aversion to it was on record. But he felt like reducing Morcombe the wife-beater to pulp.

  Tenderly Evan got his arms beneath Laura, lifting her from the floor. Clever, observant Harriet! Her hunch, premonition—whatever had got him back. It would take a lifetime to thank her. He placed Laura on the sofa, rubbing both her hands. The front door was still open, so there was plenty of fresh air streaming through the door,

  “Oh, my sweet, sweet girl!” She looked especially small, and now he could see clearly that she had abrasions on her cheek and the beginnings of a black eye.

  That did it. He stood up precipitately, his back towards where he had left Morcombe lying. He took one blow after another as Morcombe recovered and whirred into action.

  “God damn you to hell!” Evan swung around, outraged, not even feeling the punches. Morcombe had picked the wrong man. He was only dangerous to women. Yet there was madness in those artic blue eyes. And in the midst of his fury Evan felt tremendous shock Morcombe, a skilled surgeon, had chosen this way.

  Though her vision was blurry Laura saw her husband’s attack on Evan. She didn’t stop to marvel why Evan was there. He just was. An answer to her prayers. She wobbled up, staggered badly, almost fell over but righted her balance, telling herself to go, go, to Evan’s rescue.

  “I’m coming!” she shouted, or she thought she shouted. There was a strange underwater sensation in her ears.

  Hearing her dazed voice, Evan slowed down his systematic pummelling, twisting his head to her. “Laura, go back. Phone the police if you can.”

  Given such a welcome distraction, Colin didn’t hesitate to land a few more blows on his powerful opponent. He had never imagined himself in a fist fight with another man. As unpleasant as hell!

  “Monster!” Laura cried. All she could think of was getting to Evan. Evan needed her, she thought woozily, though surely it was Colin who was bleeding, blood trickling from his nose to his mouth and chin.

  Her fingers closed around something on the sideboard. A weapon at last.

  As quickly as she could, which was in reality slow motion, she reached out and with the greatest effort whacked her abusive husband on the head.

  “That’ll take care of him!” she said with satisfaction, before her rubbery legs gave out from under her.

  Colin showed no signs of disagreeing. He showed no signs of getting up either, though it was moments before Laura allowed Evan to take the weapon from her hand.

  They waited precisely three minutes after Evan’s phone call for Constable Pat Barratt to arrive, closely followed up by Harriet Crompton.

  “It was Harriet who tipped me off,” Evan told Laura thankfully, as a very hostile Colin stood as still as a stone statue while the constable handcuffed him.

  Colin’s colour rose alarmingly. “I’m a respected surgeon,” he said hoarsely, his cold, handsome face grey with shock. “A gentleman. A man of status. This is an outrage. A gentleman like me to have his hands handcuffed behind his back— You’re making a great mistake, Officer. It was Kellerman who assaulted me. I’ll bring charges.”

  “I’m the one who’ll be pressing charges, Colin,” Laura said in a near cheerful voice.

  “Don’t dare try,” he told her through gritted teeth.

  “She will,” Evan confirmed. “You may as well take him away, Pat, and thank you for coming so promptly.” Evan nodded to the constable, who nodded back.

  “No worries. That’s my job.”

  “Don’t think this is the last you’ll be hearing from me,” Colin threatened, obviously finding his position intolerable. “I’m the victim here.” He looked and acted as though he truly believed it.

  “I wouldn’t be making threats, sir, if I were you.” Constable Barratt warned, in a calm, civil voice. “You’re in enough trouble as it is. We take your behaviour very seriously out here. Assault. Deprivation of liberty. The use of an anaesthetic to subdue. All serious, sir. When you’re ready, Laura, you and Evan might come down to the station and make a statement.”

  “Will do, Pat, and many thanks.”

  “My goodness, I do believe I was on the verge of a heart attack,” Harriet said some time later, having made that great restorative pot of tea, with plenty of sugar.

  “So that was your husband.” She made a few little clicking noises with her tongue. “It must have been the good Lord who warned me. I first spied him hanging around the cottage a few days ago. He waited for me to go, then he doubled back. Then I saw him ducking out of the concert. Something clicked in my head. I sensed trouble. I was sure he wasn’t to be trusted. Then when I saw him driving into town this morning I thought, That’s no stranger in town, that’s Laura’s husband. I played my hunch and contacted Evan immediately. I’ve always had a good nose for sniffing out trouble.”

  “
After today you won’t get either of us to disagree,” Evan said with wry affection.

  “Do you think we’ve got rid of him?” Harriet shuddered. Having seen the man, and those mad eyes, she couldn’t bear to think what Laura had endured.

  “Definitely,” Evan answered. “He’s nothing but a vicious woman-abuser. Laura has me to stand with her now.” He drew Laura closer to his side, looking down at her with pride and love. “You’re a brave woman. You know that?”

  “I am with you around.” Laura smiled back into his loving eyes.

  “I’m not taking all the credit.” Evan grinned. “You got in the king hit. You don’t have to worry any more, my love. ‘Gentleman’ Morcombe—can you beat that? He was calling himself a gentleman—is nothing now. Probably his career is in tatters, but he has no one to blame but himself. Like Pat said, he’s in a lot of trouble.”

  “I almost feel sorry for him,” Laura said.

  “Don’t. He doesn’t deserve it.”

  “Of course he doesn’t.” Laura put her arms around Evan, hugging him tightly. “My hero!”

  “Husband would sound a million times sweeter,” Evan responded, dropping a kiss on her temple

  “Wouldn’t it ever!” Harriet exclaimed in high delight, and gave them the thumbs up. “Really, you know, I’d like to manage your wedding reception,” she said with her characteristic directness.

  “Why not!” Laura and Evan spoke together.

  Nothing but elation.

  EPILOGUE

  Fourteen months later

  VENICE was gorgeous. For a whole month they wandered everywhere, succumbing to its fabled beauty.

  They revelled in its sights, its sounds, its smells, the way the sun glittered on the murky turquoise water of the lagoon. They took dozens of gondola rides, and from the water gazed out on the marble and stone palaces and churches walling the Grand Canal that wound through the city heart. They slipped under the stone Rialto Bridge, the wooden bridge at the Accademia, and got out at St Mark’s Square, the centre of tourist activity.