Lies That Bind

by Shirley Wine

Luke laughed, the sound bitter and scornful. ‘You of all people must know that mud, flung indiscriminately, sticks.’

  Embarrassment, painful and ugly, surged through her in a red tide. She did know this, better than most. Slander and innuendo spread by the heavy hand of public opinion stuck worse than glue.

  ‘Would he stoop to falsely accusing you of sexual abuse?’

  ‘In a heartbeat.’

  Bile stung the back of her throat. ‘That’s just plain awful. What manner of man is he?’

  Luke gave a harsh bark of laughter. ‘Duncan McLellan thinks the end justifies the means.’

  Angry and indignant on Luke’s behalf, Brooke stared at him, appalled. One look at his expression was enough for her to know that he was deadly serious.

  ‘Then you need to make damn sure you don’t give him any fuel for his grubby fire.’ She crossed to his side and gripped his arm. ‘And for what it’s worth, I’m sure Rose or Otto would far sooner live with you. They aren’t stupid, and children very quickly recognise genuine love and caring and what’s more, they know that with you, they are safe.’

  ‘Thank you for that.’ His deep voice was suspiciously husky. ‘I do love those two kids.’

  ‘I can see that and so can they.’ She tightened her hand over his, hesitating a moment before she brought up the other issue Molly had raised. ‘What are you doing about their schooling?’

  His scowl turned dark and ferocious. ‘So far?’

  She nodded, meeting his gaze steadily.

  ‘Not a lot?’ He rubbed at his neck, a habit she’d come to recognise as a sign of discomfort.

  ‘This is something else it’s vital for you to progress,’ she said firmly. ‘Would you like me to make contact with the Correspondence School? Te Kura, I think it’s called now. They deal with children who for either distance or health reasons cannot attend regular school.’

  Luke prowled from the window to his desk. ‘They’d have to do their schooling by correspondence anyway. Sweetwater doesn’t have a secondary school, the nearest high school is in Tuakau, or even further afield in Pukekohe.’

  ‘Travelling that distance is out of the question for either of them, and will remain this way for a good while yet.’ Brooke bit down on her lower lip. ‘Could their grandparents latch onto this?’

  ‘For sure.’

  ‘Then you need to move and rectify this situation. I was a weekly boarder at Pukekohe High, and travelled home to Sweetwater in the weekends.’

  ‘There’s no school bus service out here on the west coast, so that’s not an option.’

  ‘Then enrol Rose and Otto with Te Kura,’ she said quietly. ‘It’s not in their best interests to let them to get too far behind their peers, and it would be a serious black mark against you if this happens.’

  ‘School has been a low priority until now.’

  ‘Something that can’t be held against you, Luke, but now you need to address this issue.’

  ‘I’ve been exploring the option of hiring a live-in tutor.’

  ‘That’s so expensive. Why not let me sound out Dad and see if we can work something out between us.’

  ‘Frank?’

  ‘Dad was Principal of Sweetwater Primary School for years before he retired,’ Brooke said with a laugh. ‘I thought you knew this?’

  ‘No, I’m a newbie to this district,’ he said in a slow, considering tone. ‘You and your father would do that for us? Are you sure it’s not too much for Frank?’

  Brooke’s heart went out to Luke; he looked torn and harried, but she also knew that he stood in serious need of practical help.

  ‘It won’t be onerous,’ she said quietly, ‘and I think it could actually help Dad. Since his stroke, he’s been bored out of his mind. Do you want me to sound him out?’

  ‘As long as it isn’t too taxing.’ He gave her another of those direct assessing looks. ‘Do you want extra pay for supervising Rose and Otto’s schoolwork?’

  ‘No! Absolutely not!’ Brooke stared at him in total shock. Did he really think she was so avaricious? ‘Tell me, Luke, while Dad and I are living here in your home, do you expect us to pay you board?’

  Dark brows descended and his blue eyes sparkled with temper. ‘Don’t be utterly ridiculous.’

  She smiled and shook her head. ‘A little bit of a double standard showing here.’

  He lifted a hand, palm outwards, acknowledging the hit. ‘We’ll play it by ear.’

  ***

  Brooke sighed as she surveyed the kitchen and Rio Jacobs. The man had not been joking when he said he was doing an inventory of the pantry. Every surface in the huge farmhouse kitchen was covered with groceries. Had the man emptied every cupboard and drawer in the place? She hugged the library books she held to her chest. ‘This looks like a war zone.’

  ‘I can’t work in this clutter,’ Rio muttered as yet more packets landed on the nearest counter. ‘I like things orderly.’

  Maybe he did, but Brooke could see little sense in creating this sort of chaos right on mealtime.

  ‘Couldn’t this have waited until a more convenient time?’ It took considerable effort to keep her voice mild. ‘We need to discuss menus.’

  Rio looked at her, his expression clearly saying duh!

  ‘Menus need to be created from an inventory.’ On that pithy comment he disappeared into the depths of the capacious pantry.

  Frustrated, Brooke tapped a shoe on the flagstone floor. ‘So what have you decided to serve for dinner tonight? Rose and Otto are used to eating early.’

  The sarcastic comment brought him partway out of the pantry and his scowling face appeared around the door. ‘Dinner’s under control.’

  He disappeared once more and his muttering, sprinkled with the odd curse, mingled with the shuffle and clang of containers colliding. It all sounded too much like the gobbling of a demented turkey for Brooke’s liking.

  ‘So what have you prepared for Rose?’

  Rio popped out of the pantry, his face split in a wide grin.

  ‘No need to panic, we’re all eating vegetarian tonight, missy,’ he said gruffly, raking a hand through his wiry hair.

  I wonder how that will go down with Luke.

  Brooke squashed a bubble of amusement, too clearly recalling Luke’s reaction to learning that his niece was a vegetarian: I’m damned if I’m going to exist on a diet of tofu and bean sprouts just to please Rose’s finicky tastes.

  ‘There’s no need to look at me like that.’

  The testy comment jerked Brooke’s attention back to Luke’s crusty cook-cum-housekeeper. It took everything she had to bite her tongue and resist the urge to ask Rio to clarify his comment. ‘So what are we having for dinner?’

  ‘Well now.’ Rio rubbed at his chin, his dark eyes sparkling with amusement. ‘I asked Rose what she’d like to eat.’

  Brooke nodded in approval. ‘Good thinking.’

  ‘I’ve made cauliflower dhal, kumera and chickpea curry and a roasted vegetable and spinach salad. For dessert there’s a vegetarian apple upside-down cake. I trust that meets with your approval?’

  The darn man is laughing at me.

  She inhaled a sharp breath and caught the distinctive savoury aroma of the curry; feeling chagrined, heat flooded her face. ‘Luke had all this in his pantry?’

  ‘Nah, I cheated.’ Rio chuckled, a deep rumbling infectious sound. ‘I wasn’t sure what Luke had here so I brought some stuff with me.’

  ‘I take it Rose likes curry?’

  ‘She does. I asked the kid.’

  ‘That’s all that really matters.’ She grinned and shook her head. ‘Luke never said you were a gourmet cook.’

  Rio’s ruddy cheeks reddened further. ‘I wouldn’t go so far as to say that, I just like messing around with food.’

  That made her smile and whetted her curiosity. ‘How did you know what to bring?’

  ‘At Darkhaven, a couple of girls who work there are like young Rose, one of them had real finicky tastes, so I had some
idea what would appeal to the kid.’

  Such forethought showed an unexpected sensitivity and made her realise there was more to this housekeeper than his gnarly appearance suggested.

  ‘Rose really likes curry?’

  Rio’s laugh rumbled once again. ‘Judging by the way her eyes lit up and her mile-wide smile, I’d say so.’

  Relief coursed through Brooke. ‘It seems like you have Rose’s diet covered. You won’t believe how much I was dreading the thought of having to come up with appealing and nutritious food for her.’

  His expression softened. ‘I can imagine, and from what I can gather, Luke doesn’t have a clue.’

  ‘So he says, but those two kids got lucky when their parents named him as their guardian. He dotes on them and I defy anyone to fault his love and care.’

  ‘Whoa, steady on!’ Rio held up a beefy hand. ‘I wasn’t implying otherwise, missy.’

  Her earlier conversation with Luke had sparked her indignation, but seeing Rio’s reaction, she realised she’d come across too strongly in defence of their boss. Embarrassed, she sketched a hand at the littered benchtops. ‘So what’s with all of this?’

  To her relief, Rio went with the change of subject.

  ‘Just checking what we have in stock, use-by dates, and making a list of things I need to provide a varied diet for everyone.’

  That made sense and Brooke wondered if she’d underestimated this man. She made space on the corner of the island bench and put the books down. ‘I borrowed these from the library, they have a good selection of vegan and vegetarian recipes. I thought that if you found them helpful, we could ask Luke to buy copies for your use.’

  ‘Hey, that’s a great idea.’ Rio grinned and ambled across to look at the books, thumbing through the top one. ‘My repertoire of vegetarian recipes isn’t that extensive.’

  ‘You and me both,’ Brooke admitted with a rueful grimace. ‘I’m not sure I could have come up with a meal for Rose straight off the bat.’

  Rio’s amusement faded and he gave her a searching glance. ‘What’s with the young one? She’s so darn frail a decent gust of wind could blow her away.’

  ‘Apart from not liking stockman’s grub?’

  ‘Yeah.’

  She met the man’s shrewd eyes and the build-up of tension inside her eased. She didn’t know if it was Rio’s size or his candid grey gaze, but she instinctively knew that here was a man she could trust. Rio could prove to be a powerful ally if Luke’s fears did materialise and he had to face a down-and-dirty custody battle.

  ‘Otto and Rose were injured in the same accident that killed both of their parents.’

  ‘Jesus, that’s a tough break for any kid.’

  ‘Isn’t it just,’ she sighed softly, rubbing her hands up and down her arms, ‘especially for a sensitive girl like Rose.’

  Rio met her eyes for long, tense moments and when he nodded, Brooke knew that she’d made a real connection with the man who now held a pivotal role in Luke’s household.

  ‘Let’s see what we can achieve with a palatable diet, shall we?’

  She nodded, easing out a long, slow breath she was unaware she was holding. ‘So we’re both on the same page?’

  Rio nodded and held out a massive paw. ‘You concentrate on the young ones’ exercise routines and let me whip up goodies to tempt their appetites.’

  As they shook hands, Brooke knew she’d made a valuable friend. ‘You’re obviously busy right now so when will it suit you for us to sit down and discuss menus?’

  Rio glanced around the cluttered kitchen. ‘It’ll take me a little while to square things away here. How are you situated after breakfast in the morning?’

  ‘Immediately after breakfast will work for me; later in the morning I’m working with the children’s physiotherapy. After lunch I work with Dad.’

  ‘Okay, I’ll see you then. Bring me a list of anything you, or your father, don’t eat.’

  Brooke grinned and shook her head. ‘We’re not fussy eaters; my mother would not allow it.’

  ‘Me either.’ A laugh rumbled from him. ‘In our house it was either eat what was put in front of you, or go hungry.’

  Still grinning, Brooke rubbed her hands up her arms again. ‘What worked for us is not working for Rose.’

  ‘No.’ A frown darkened Rio’s expression. ‘But then I guess we’ve never lived through the trauma that young lass has.’

  ‘And for that, I’m grateful.’

  Rio put a gnarled paw on her shoulder. ‘Don’t you worry any about the food, Brooke, leave that to me. You concentrate on those kids’ therapy. Between us we’ll see them right.’

  Later, as they all dined on the sumptuous meal Rio served, Brooke watched Rose return for a second helping and she knew he was right. Give the girl food that she enjoyed and she had a normal teenage appetite.

  One surreptitious glance at Luke assured her that he too was relishing the meal, despite there not being one skerrick of anything that had breathed life on his plate.

  Amusement bubbled up inside Brooke.

  What would Matt Daintry have to say about his foreman eschewing the red meat that was Whitby Downs’s life-blood?

  Chapter Eight

  The service provided by Te Kura, the distance learning faculty, amazed Brooke. When she contacted them to enrol Otto and Rose, they sent Luke their school prospectus, and the requirements for enrolment.

  Her dad was keen to supervise the kids’ correspondence lessons, something Brooke greeted with relief. His enthusiasm in setting up schoolroom space was a refreshing change. He was livelier than he’d been since he’d been struck down by that stroke.

  Now, she was seriously concerned that he was over-taxing his strength. She needed to get him to slow down, much as she hated doing so.

  ‘Dad, that’s enough for now,’ she said as she gently prised his hands free, pulled on his arm and guided him away from the exercise bars. ‘You can’t help Otto and Rose if you’re exhausted.’

  Frank sank into a chair and mopped at his brow with his good arm. ‘I need to be fitter.’

  ‘No, you are doing fine just as you are.’ She soothed his fretful movement. ‘You’re not back at school and responsible for an entire faculty. If it’s going to cause you this much stress, perhaps you’d best leave supervising the kids’ lessons to me.’

  ‘The Te Kura liaison officer is arriving tomorrow to check that we have the right facilities to home tutor Rose and Otto.’

  ‘I know all this, Dad.’ Brooke laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. ‘And thanks to Luke and Matt, the schoolroom is prepared and well-equipped. And look at what you’ve already done to help. Without you, we would have floundered filling out all those darn questionnaires.’

  Brooke grimaced at the memory. She’d taken one look at the paperwork that had arrived from Te Kura for Rose and Otto to complete, and she’d been ready to throw her hands up in horror. Luke’s dismay had been equally comical. Not so her father.

  Frank had sat down and methodically read the literature from start to finish. He’d nodded in understanding while he read, and then guided Rose and Otto to fill out the questionnaires the school needed to devise a curriculum plan tailored to each child’s educational needs.

  ‘They would have worked it all out, they’re both intelligent kids. They’re not like me,’ Frank muttered mopping at his brow, ‘a useless old man.’

  ‘You’re not useless.’ Brooke knelt in front of him and held his hands firmly in hers as she looked directly into his eyes. ‘You have a wealth of affection and knowledge to share, but to be any help, you need to relax and take it day by day. You need to remember that neither Rose nor Otto is ready for a full schoolday yet.’

  Frank met her steady gaze. ‘I didn’t consider that.’

  ‘You need to.’ She smoothed her thumbs over the backs of his gnarled hands. ‘This is not a classroom with rigid schedules. We’re talking about two injured kids here, whose physical therapy is as important as their educati
on.’

  Brooke watched comprehension chase the shadows from her dad’s eyes. ‘I’m a silly old duffer, aren’t I?’

  ‘Never.’ The back of Brooke’s eyes burned with unshed tears as she jiggled his hands gently. ‘You’re my dad and I love you dearly. I’m so sorry it’s taken me so long to let go of the past and come home. I should have visited with you and Mum far more often, and now it’s too late for Mum.’

  ‘I understood, and so did your mother.’

  ‘Maybe, but that doesn’t excuse my neglect.’

  ‘You never neglected us.’ Frank turned his good hand over and gripped hers with surprising strength. ‘You made it possible for us to stay in our home. Without your financial support we would have been forced to sell up.’

  Brooke winced with a spike of guilt. She’d brought that conman into their lives so hers was the ultimate responsibility.

  ‘It was the least I could do.’ She stared at their joined hands, avoiding her father’s gaze. ‘I brought Brad here, but I never once thought he’d stoop so low as to steal yours or anyone else’s money.’

  ‘You’re not responsible for that scoundrel’s actions.’

  ‘If I hadn’t brought him here it would never have happened.’

  Frank sighed softly. ‘Did you know what he was about, what he was planning?’

  Shocked, she stared at her father, momentarily at a loss. ‘No! How can you think that? But it was through me that he gained your trust, and that of your friends.’

  And this was the reason why her visits home were always fleeting. Her parents and far too many of their friends had proved to be a lucrative hunting ground for the man she’d brought into their midst. When the house of cards Brad had built caved in, the honest, hardworking people in Brooke’s home town learned that the scheme he’d promoted was little more than an elaborate structure of smoke and mirrors.

  Her parents were among those who were left counting the cost in lost savings and broken trust. Now, far too many of Sweetwater’s residents were happy to lay the blame for their misfortunes at Brooke’s door.

  Frank made a rude noise. ‘The man was a plausible rogue, one who deliberately set out to use you. If not you, he would have found another innocent to further his plans.’