Honey Hill House

by Lisa Ireland

  Bea thrust the toys into Joe’s hands. ‘The bunny’s for Mia,’ she said, ‘and the t-rex is for Felix.’

  ‘Did you knit these yourself?’ Joe asked.

  Bea nodded. ‘Yep. I started them as soon as I got here.’

  Joe smiled and kissed his sister one more time. ‘Thanks. I’m sure the kids will love them. I better make tracks. I’ve got a long day ahead.’

  As Joe jumped in the car, Mitch moved forward and slid his arm around Bea’s shoulders. He felt the heave of her chest as she waved her brother off. ‘Hey,’ he said. ‘Don’t be sad. Imagine how much fun it will be to see his reaction to the finished project when he comes back with Nat and the kids.’

  ‘You’re right,’ she said. ‘And with that in mind I’d better get cracking. There’s still a lot to get done before my test guest arrives. I honestly can’t wait for Em to get here. You two will get on like a house on fire, I’m sure of it. And I can’t wait for her to see what I’ve done to the house. I’ve been emailing her photo updates from the beginning, so she knows what a big undertaking it’s been.’

  ‘Has she been to this area before?’

  Bea laughed. ‘Em? No way! She’s a city girl through and through. Em honestly didn’t believe me that we have to tow our rubbish bins to the main road for collection. She thought I was pulling her leg. The only way I could coax her away from her cushy urban life for a few days was to promise her a “luxury suite” at the B&B. So, as I said, time for me to get to work. What are your plans this morning?’

  Mitch slid his hand down her back and gave her tight little butt a squeeze. ‘I was kind of hoping to spend it with you.’

  She raised her eyebrows and widened her eyes. ‘Painting?’ she enquired with faux innocence. ‘I thought you’d be busy on the farm this morning, but if you want to give me a hand I’m not going to say no.’

  ‘I wasn’t talking about painting. I think you know that.’ He tapped her backside playfully and she giggled.

  ‘Well, I guess it is still early.’

  Chapter 14

  Bea watched with satisfaction as Mitch devoured the stack of pancakes she’d cooked. The big breakfast was part thank you and part bribe. Em was arriving in a few hours and Mitch had agreed to give them a full day and night to themselves before launching into his role of ‘Dulili and area tour guide’—a role he seemed to be fairly keen on, it had to be said.

  It wasn’t that Bea didn’t want Em to meet Mitch. Part of her couldn’t wait for that to happen. But she did want the chance to spend some one-on-one time with her bestie. She wanted to don PJs and drink wine and eat chocolate, while they discussed their love lives and giggled at in-jokes that nobody else in the world would get. Tomorrow night she would cook a big dinner for the three of them, but tonight she wanted Em all to herself.

  ‘God that was amazing. Thanks.’ Mitch put his knife and fork together and wiped his mouth on his napkin.

  ‘There’s more bacon if you want it.’

  ‘No thanks. I’m really full.’ Mitch patted his stomach for emphasis. ‘I’m seriously going to have to start cutting back. Since we’ve been together I think I’ve gained a few kilos.’

  She smiled and shook her head. ‘You look all right to me.’

  Mitch picked up his plate and moved towards her. He placed his plate carefully into the sink and stood close behind her as she started to run the water. She felt his warm breath near her ear as he nuzzled her neck and wrapped his arms around her waist. ‘I honestly don’t know how you stay so skinny with all that you eat.’

  She swivelled around in his arms so their eyes met. ‘Are you calling me greedy?’

  He laughed. ‘Not at all. You know I love a woman with a healthy appetite. Speaking of which …’ He drew her close and began to nibble at her ear.

  ‘That’s enough of that,’ she said, wriggling free from his embrace. ‘I haven’t got time. I need to get this place cleaned up before I head off to the airport.’

  ‘What time does Emma’s plane land?’

  ‘Around lunchtime. I need to double-check the exact time. In any case I’m heading into Orange as soon as possible. I’m going to do a little shopping before I go to the airport.’

  He smiled. ‘It’s great to see you so happy, Bea. I know you miss your family and friends a lot.’

  She could see the tiny speck of doubt in his eyes. She knew what he was thinking. Was he enough for her? Enough to make her stay? He’d confided in her about Lucy and how she’d just up and left while he was away. As much as he seemed to love Bea and wanted to trust her, she knew that sometimes his past with Lucy cast a shadow of doubt over their relationship. He was more than enough and she wanted to reassure him of that. ‘Yeah, I do miss them but I am happy here, Mitch. I’ve never been happier in fact. I can’t imagine my life anywhere else.’

  ‘Good to know.’

  ‘Anyway, now that the B&B is finished they’ll be able to visit more often, which is nice. Dad’s talking about buying himself a caravan so he doesn’t take up one of the guest rooms when he visits.’

  ‘There’s always Jimmy’s cottage. No one ever uses that now he’s away, and just between you and me—for God’s sake don’t tell Mum—I’m pretty sure he’s never coming home. I’d have to clear it with Mum, but I’m sure she’d agree that your family are welcome to use the cottage any time they’re here.’

  She moved in and kissed his cheek. ‘You’re so good to me. But right now you need to go. Both of us have stuff we need to do.’

  ‘Righto boss. I’m outta here.’

  ‘I’ll call you later,’ she called at his retreating back.

  * * *

  As Mitch got close to the main house he heard his phone ping with a text message and he grinned. They’d only been apart for two minutes and already Bea was texting him. He pulled up near the shed and reached for his phone. The text wasn’t from Bea. In fact, it was a number he didn’t recognise. He glanced at the unopened message, expecting to find spam of some description but what he saw caused his pulse to thud in his ears. One word stood out.

  Lucy.

  Fuck. How could this be? She’d vanished from his life well over a year ago and he’d heard not a word since. She’d changed her number, blocked him on social media, and asked her friends not to give him any information about her. He knew this because one of them, Felicity, had told him so when he drunk dialled her a few weeks after Lucy left.

  After a couple of deep breaths Mitch opened the message.

  Hi Mitch. It’s Lucy.

  I’m sure u r surprised to hear from me.

  I need to see u. It’s an urgent matter.

  I’m staying in Orange.

  Please return my call ASAP.

  What the hell did she want? And why now? For six months he’d turned himself inside out. He’d tried so hard to find her, even going so far as to book a ticket to England in case she’d gone home to her mother. In the end he hadn’t gone. Jimmy had stopped him. They’d fought over the phone when his little brother had the guts to say what no-one else would. He was making a fool of himself. She didn’t love him. Didn’t want him in her life. What if he went to UK and managed to find her? What then? ‘Give it up, mate.’ Jimmy had said. ‘Otherwise you risk people thinking you’re a stalker.’

  And so he’d tried to forget her. First with booze and, when that didn’t work, by shutting himself off from the world, throwing everything he had into the farm. And then Bea had come along and smashed down the wall he’d built around himself. She’d disarmed him with her honesty and her openness. There was no game playing. He knew how she felt about him and he wasn’t afraid to let her know he felt the same way.

  Bea didn’t know it but she’d helped him to do what nothing else—not booze, not time, not family or friends—could. Finally, he’d forgiven Lucy for what she’d done.

  When Bea talked about how angry her ex was at not being able to have children, a splinter of doubt had wedged its way into his belief that he’d been completely blam
eless in his break-up with Lucy. When Bea talked of her pain and of her husband’s, he could see her ex’s selfishness clearly. And if he accepted that Jason Sinclair was a selfish prick, then maybe he had to consider the fact that he wasn’t too far from that himself.

  When he thought about Lucy and what had happened between them, he realised how unsupportive he’d been. Oh, he made a good show of saying all the right things, but really, all along he’d had his own interests at heart. She was scared and isolated, thousands of miles away from her friends and family, and he’d expected her to just suck that up because he loved her and it was what he wanted.

  He’d fallen hard for Lucy when they’d first met in Cairns. He was up north on a six-month working holiday and she was backpacking her way up the east coast. She was unlike any woman he’d ever known. She was so sexy—short and curvy, some might even say plump, with big blue eyes, long dark hair and a smattering of pale brown freckles on her nose. He was irresistibly drawn to her. The first time he laid eyes on her she was dressed in a yellow sundress and a large straw sunhat to protect her pale English skin. When she opened her mouth and spoke with that adorable English accent he was hooked. And it wasn’t just physical. She was sweet and funny and smart too. They liked all the same TV shows, the same music, even the same foods—apart from Vegemite, of course. Lucy never did adapt to that taste.

  They were perfect for each other, and when he talked about his dreams for the future—the farm, a big family—she didn’t shy away from that. He proposed to her one clear starry night on the pier in Port Douglas, and she didn’t miss a beat before saying yes.

  Things were fine until he brought her home to Dulili. She was shocked (and dismayed, he now realised) at the size of the town, at his modest little cottage and how far they were from a major city. She didn’t have a driver’s licence—having come from London, she’d never really needed one—which made getting a job almost impossible. Having worked in an office before her travels, Lucy was unused to physical labour and didn’t relish the idea of working on the farm. She made no real attempt to fit in with the locals, and spent her days reading and watching TV.

  She was bored and lonely, he knew that, but he kept telling her—and himself—that things would get better. It wouldn’t be long before they could start building their own house on the property, and as soon as she passed her driving test he’d buy her a new car. At first she’d seemed cheered by these prospects, but as the months went on she showed less and less enthusiasm for anything.

  Mitch didn’t know what to do. He tried taking her out, introducing her to his friends but, although she was polite, she never really seemed to find a way to fit in. He asked his mother for help, but for some reason she and Lucy never found a way to get along. When Evelyn tried to assist her with plans for the wedding, Lucy complained to Mitch that his mother was interfering.

  When she came to him in July telling him she was pregnant, Mitch was overjoyed. All his dreams were coming true. He simply couldn’t wait to be a dad. And now, with a baby coming, Lucy would have a purpose. Something to fill her days. A baby would help her to find her place in this town he loved.

  But Lucy did not share his joy. She didn’t want a baby. She wasn’t ready. She was scared and … when she did have a baby she didn’t want to raise it in Dulili.

  He pleaded with her, promised her he’d help. He’d spend less time on the farm. They’d find the money to employ a farmhand if need be. His mother would help too. It would be fine when the baby arrived, she just needed to give them a chance to find a way to make it work.

  Lucy held her ground. She was leaving and she was ‘sorting out’ the baby problem. He gave in then. Promised her he’d give up Warialda and they could move to a town. He didn’t think Sydney was his thing, but if that was what she wanted he’d do it. Or maybe one of the big coastal towns, or even Brisbane. Hell, he’d go anywhere if she’d just promise him she’d keep the baby.

  It took some talking but in the end she agreed. He told her he’d start looking for a job just as soon as he returned from the cattle auction in Dubbo. He left the next morning satisfied everything was sorted.

  When he returned home bursting with news of a lead on a possible job just out of Brisbane, she was gone. There was a note on the bed. She couldn’t do it. She was sorry.

  Over a year and a half had passed since that day and now she was back.

  Mitch read the text message again and wondered what she wanted from him. Maybe Lucy coming here wasn’t such a bad thing. He could apologise for his lack of understanding. Explain to her how he was blinded by his own wants and needs. Tell her she was forgiven for getting rid of his child.

  His throat constricted and his chest burned. Had he truly forgiven her? Deep down he didn’t know, but he had to try. He could at least tell her he was sorry for his part in the whole mess. Maybe that would be enough for them to both move on with their lives and be happy.

  * * *

  Bea’s view of the small stream of passengers making their way into the gate lounge was partially obscured by the huge bunch of helium balloons she was holding. She knew it was a ridiculous and over-the-top gesture, which was exactly why Em would love it. As it turned out she didn’t need to have a clear line of vision—Em’s squeal announced her arrival.

  ‘I can’t believe you’re finally here,’ Bea said, thrusting the balloons into Em’s hand and kissing her on the cheek all at once.

  ‘Me either! I’m so happy to see you. I’ve missed you so much.’

  ‘I take it that’s not all your luggage?’ Bea nodded at the small leather hold-all slung over Em’s arm.

  Em grinned. ‘You know me well.’

  ‘Come on, then. The luggage collection is this way. How was your flight?’

  ‘Disappointing.’

  ‘Oh? How so?’

  ‘I was hoping to be seated next to a hot, single, massively rich property owner, but I ended up with a chatty nanna instead.’ Em entertained her with stories about her flight until finally the luggage was unloaded from the aircraft.

  ‘Let me grab your bag for you, seeing as you have your hands full,’ Bea said.

  ‘Oh would you? Thanks. It’s the one with the pink polka-dot scarf tied around the handle.’

  Bea nodded and set off to retrieve the bag. She grimaced as she dragged the suitcase along behind her. ‘What on earth have you got in here?’ she asked Em as they headed outside.

  ‘Well, you know I like to prepare for every eventuality. I wouldn’t complain if I were you. There might just be a present or two for you stashed among my many and varied outfits.’

  ‘Ooh. In that case let’s hurry up and get to the car. The sooner we get home, the sooner I can open them.’

  The trip home from Orange seemed to pass in no time. Bea and Em exchanged gossip, laughed and talked over the top of each other until Bea pulled into Mitchell Lane, the dirt road that led to her home. ‘That’s it,’ she said, pointing towards the house.

  ‘Wow, Bea,’ Em said. ‘It’s beautiful out here. The pictures you’ve sent haven’t really done this place justice. You really are out in the bush, though, aren’t you?’

  Bea laughed. ‘Kind of. Dulili’s only five minutes’ away, though. I probably should have taken a detour to show you the main street, but I was kind of eager to get you back here. Tomorrow I’ll take you back there so you can have a proper look around.’

  ‘Sounds great.’

  Bea pulled the car up near the back verandah, while Em oohed and aahed over the garden, the surroundings and the house itself. They dragged Em’s enormous suitcase up onto the verandah and Bea quickly pushed the back door open.

  Em’s eyes widened. ‘Did you leave the door unlocked?’

  Bea shrugged. ‘Yeah. I guess I must really be turning into a local. Nobody locks their doors out here.’

  ‘But what about burglars?’

  Bea laughed. ‘Who’s going to trek all the way out here on the off-chance of finding an empty home? And if they did they’
d soon be spotted. Let me assure you the bush telegraph is in fine form out here. Someone would notice a strange car coming up the lane.’

  ‘You should be careful, honey. Don’t forget you’re a woman on your own.’

  ‘Don’t worry. I do lock the door at night, but I have to tell you I’m not on my own very often these days.’

  Em grinned. ‘Ah, yes. The cowboy. And where is he, pray tell? Out lassoing cattle I presume? When will he be back? I’m dying to meet him.’

  ‘He’s dying to meet you too, but I’ve shooed him off for now. I wanted you all to myself tonight. You’ll both have to wait until tomorrow. Now come on inside. You can choose which guest room you want to sleep in and I’ll make us a cup of tea while you unpack.’

  * * *

  The Orange Family Inn was a nondescript family-run motel on the outskirts of town. Mitch double-checked the address he’d tapped into his phone to be sure he was in the right place. It wasn’t exactly seedy, but it could definitely use a coat of paint and a good clean-up. It wasn’t the sort of place he imagined Lucy would choose to stay.

  He sucked a deep breath in to steady his nerves and knocked on the door of unit 12. The door swung open and there she was. She looked much as he remembered, except she wore little makeup and there were dark circles beneath her big blue eyes. Jet lag, he imagined. He wasn’t sure what the protocol was in this situation. Should he kiss her? Shake her hand? Go for a quick hug? Luckily she took the initiative, lightly brushing his cheek with her lips.

  ‘It’s good to see you, Mitch,’ she said.

  ‘Yes, you too,’ he responded automatically.

  There was an awkward pause before Lucy spoke again. ‘Sorry. This is a bit odd isn’t it?’

  He nodded. ‘Kind of.’

  ‘Please, come inside. Sit down.’