Outback Flames: Australian Rural Romantic Suspense

by Brandyn, Suzanne

  'It got you here, that's all that matters.'

  When they reached her ute, Jordan climbed into the passenger seat while Zoe sat behind the steering wheel and turned the ignition. Her jaw dropped. She turned it again and let out a huff.

  'God no. The damn thing won't start, and only moments ago I said it was running okay.'

  'Pop the bonnet. I'll take a look.'

  Zoe popped the bonnet and Jordan walked around to inspect whatever he thought was wrong with it. Zoe didn't know a thing about cars. Either they started or they didn't. There were always plenty of men about the Pattersons that were only too willing to help her out when her car needed attention, and she never bothered with the basics.

  'Try turning the ignition again,' he called out.

  She popped her head through the window. 'What?'

  'Try starting it up.'

  Zoe turned the ignition again. Nothing.

  Jordan closed the bonnet with a bang, and returned to the passenger door. 'Looks like a flat battery. You've got no lights, nothing. How long have you had the battery?'

  'Um...since I bought the ute some years back.'

  Jordan shook his head. 'Stay put. I'll see who's left in the pub I know.'

  Zoe glanced about. The street was almost empty and the heavy shroud of darkness closed around her. She flicked her gaze to an alleyway not too far down, then back to the pub.

  Chapter Nine

  It wasn't long until Jordan appeared tossing something up and down in his hand. He stopped beside the ute, and Zoe got out. He opened his palm, revealing a set of keys.

  'I've got a loan. I know the guy who owns the pub.'

  'Thank heavens for that. I thought we'd be stranded.'

  He shot her a quizzical look. 'Not in Munna. Everyone helps everyone out here. Come on. His vehicle is parked out back.'

  Zoe locked her car, and they walked down the alley she'd spotted earlier, and around to the back of the pub where a silver four wheel drive was parked outside the back door.

  'Fancy vehicle.'

  'Yeah. Barry only got it last week.'

  Zoe's eyes rounded. 'Last week. It's new. But we can't. What if...'

  'Do you want to walk home? It's a hike.'

  Zoe didn't add more, and waited until he unlocked the vehicle and she climbed up onto the seat. The smell of new leather wrapped around her, and she ran a hand along the edge of the seat, feeling its texture.

  Jordan sat behind the steering wheel.

  'Let's get out of here. I'll get a new battery for your ute in the morning and bring it out to Montagreen.'

  'Um. Thank you.'

  'It'll be before ten.'

  'Thanks Jordan.'

  An hour later, Jordan pulled up in front of Montagreen, and left the engine to idle. 'You'll get through all this.'

  She smiled. 'I hope so. Memories make a person. I wish I remembered my mother. It would be comforting.'

  'She loved you Zoe. You can count on that.'

  'Um...would you like to come in for a coffee? See what the house looks like at night. It's beautiful with the lights on.'

  'Okay, a quick coffee.'

  Zoe unlocked the door and as she walked in, she turned on the foyer light. She heard the door click behind her, while he remained close.

  'Wow. I know what you mean. The lights do it justice.'

  'It's beautiful. Come on.' She made her way into the kitchen, switching on the lights on the way, to put the jug on.

  'New jug also.' He smiled and it lit up his face, reached his eyes.

  'Yes. Snazzy little thing, don't you agree?'

  Zoe busied herself making the coffees. Although Jordan worked in the house, and had been there earlier, nothing prepared her for that night, especially when he walked around into the kitchen.

  He didn't pick up his cup. Instead his arms moved to her waist. Zoe stood stock-still. Her gaze met his and he whispered against her lips while coaxing her closer. She seemed to fit so well against him, hip to hip, thigh to thigh.

  The warmth of his lips melted against hers, and her arms snaked around his neck urging him closer, if that were possible. Her breasts were already hard against his chest. One of his hands eased downwards and his heat radiated to her body. And as though she wasn't already hot enough he broke the kiss, and nipped a soft sensual passage down her neck and up again, kicking up a deep yearning low in her belly.

  He levelled his eyes with hers.

  'I'm sorry. I couldn't help myself.'

  'No need. It takes two. But...'

  He repeated the kiss and his hand slipped under her shirt until his fingers found her nipples. He moved back a little.

  'What. No bra?'

  She gazed into his luxurious blue eyes, swam under them and for the life of her she was losing her ability to breathe properly. She smiled, took his hand, and together they walked to the steps.

  'Zoe. You've had a few wines tonight.'

  'Yes. Meaning?'

  'Are you sure?' They reached her bedroom door. She tugged his arm and before long they stood beside her bed. She rolled back the quilt, revealing the lilac satin sheets, and switched on the bedside lamp, casting a soft glow around the room. Turning back, she smiled.

  Jordan thought his birthday had come early but he wanted to be sure she wanted what he did. God, he didn't want. He needed. He reached out and started undoing the buttons on her pretty blue top, one that drew his attention during the night, especially to her cleavage where it revealed mounds that were unknown to him. He could barely control himself.

  'Are you sure?'

  'Yes. I'm sure.'

  And when he dropped her top to the floor his breath left his lungs in one giant release of surprise, before he dragged another back. He gazed at her face. Her eyes were delirious, full of passion, full of want, and it bowled him over. He struggled to contain the emotions whipping up a mighty storm through his body. After all this time, he couldn't believe it. He couldn't believe he was about to make love to little Zoe.

  She undid his shirt, one button at a time. Her gaze glued to his torso, while her hand fell to his belt and he heard his fly sliding downwards.

  'Come on.' He urged her against the bed and lowered her slowly before he crouched down as she undid her jeans. She slipped them to her thighs, and he took over tugging them over her legs.

  'Oh God, Zoe.' Tiny, red lacy knickers caught his attention, and so did her smooth, flat stomach and long legs. He was a goner that was for sure.

  Joining her on the bed, and feeling how slippery the sheets were he almost laughed as he pictured them on the floor together. He moved in, kissing her repeatedly with little nips, feeling softness and sensing eagerness that he hadn't imagined Zoe would return.

  His hand trailed slowly toward her breast and when he moved down, she let out a moan, arching backwards. This was one night he'd never forget, never, and he wondered if it were some terrible dream he'd wake up from, like many of the dreams he'd had over the years.

  ***

  Zoe opened her eyes and stilled as it took a few moments to realise where she was and what she'd done. She smiled. Being with Jordan seemed so natural. She'd secretly craved him since the first day she'd met him. Even when he worked on the house outdoors, wearing only a pair of shorts and a tool belt, he'd taken her imagination to places she certainly had never been. Although, last night was more than her imagination could ever conjure. It was perfect. He was perfect. Was she falling in love with him?

  A scary thing to admit, knowing it couldn't be anything more than what it already was, but it was early days. Her memory might return and she'd remember all the good things he'd told her and everything else to make her whole.

  Jordan moaned, and rolled over facing her, moving a hand over her tummy. She braced herself and pulled the sheet up.

  'Morning, bright eyes.'

  She blinked and smiled. 'Good morning. What will Luke and your friends do? Won't they be worried that you didn't go home?'

  'I gave them a call last
night after you fell asleep. They didn't mind keeping an eye on Luke and he was already asleep when I rang. He's okay.'

  'He's a lovely little boy.'

  'Yeah. I love him to bits.'

  Zoe smiled again and he pulled her against him. Their lips met in a slow sensual kiss before she moved back.

  'I can't believe it. I really can't.'

  'What.' He turned to one side, the weight of his body on his elbow.

  'This. Us.'

  'It's taken a while to believe it's not a dream, that it's real.' You're beautiful Zoe. You always were.' He traced his index finger slowly down her cheek. 'I have to go soon, get the battery for your ute, and see to Luke.'

  'I'm sorry to put you out. You said you had an early start.'

  'You haven't put me out at all. Luke is playing soccer this morning. Do you want to come with us?'

  'I'd love to but...it's a little soon. Spend some time with Luke. I can do without my ute for a day.'

  'I'll drop it by later this afternoon.'

  'Thanks.'

  He climbed from the bed, and Zoe couldn't take her eyes from the rippling muscles set across his back.

  'Do you want round two?'

  'I thought you said you have to go?'

  'Yeah. Worse luck. Can I take a rain check?'

  She grinned, and pushed hair from her eyes. 'Try me and find out.'

  'You're not giving much away.'

  'Ha. Ha.'

  She slipped from the other side of the bed but wanted to take the sheet with her, and as she pulled it, it refused to budge. She turned.

  'Can you let go of the sheet?'

  'No secrets, are there?'

  Warmth charged through her body. Some secrets were worth remaining secret. No one had to know. 'Um...not really. But...'

  'I saw everything last night.'

  Zoe wondered, but if she were to have a true relationship, one that would grow with honesty, conviction and love...she hesitated and took a few steps and the sheet dropped back onto the bed.

  Jordan's expression changed in a heartbeat, while the rush of embarrassment coursed through her veins. She closed her eyes, then opened them.

  Jordan walked the few steps toward her, and took her hands. 'My god, what happened to you, Zoe?'

  Welts patterned her left thigh, and her buttocks on the left side of her body.

  'The result of my aunt's outrage.' Tears dropped to her cheeks. 'I'm sorry you found out like this. Sorry you had to find out how ugly my body really is.'

  'Ugly. For crying out bloody loud. You're far from ugly. Oh Zoe.' He took her in his arms and held her for long moments. His right hand moved and he stroked the softness of her silky hair.

  He drew back. 'You reported her to the police, didn't you?'

  'It happened a long time ago. She stopped using the strap when I turned sixteen.'

  'You mean to say you spent three years of being locked up, herded about like cattle, and beaten to an inch of your life and the woman got away with it?'

  She noticed a glimmer of heat in his eyes deepening them into a stormy darker blue.

  'I don't want go back to that time. She doesn't know where I am, and I'd prefer if it remained that way.'

  Jordan shook his head. 'I'll respect your wishes...for now.'

  'Jordan. Please. Please don't say or do anything.'

  Chapter Ten

  'Zoe. I'm glad you could make it.' Daniel Stanford inspected her as though she was a ghost.

  'I can't get over the fact that you're finally here.'

  Zoe smiled. 'I...um. Thanks for seeing me at such short notice, Mr Stanford.'

  'Call me Dan. Everyone does.'

  'Dan. I don't know if you realise. Um...my memory is playing tricks on me.'

  'That's not good.'

  'What I mean to say, I can't remember anything about the night of the fire, or anything before that.'

  Dan looked over the rim of his spectacles. 'I'm terribly sorry. The mind does play tricks at times. You're okay now, aren't you?'

  Zoe smiled, crossed one leg over the other. 'I think I am. I'm hoping by moving here, it will help my memory return.'

  'It's a good move. Your parents would want you home where you belong. As I said earlier, your parents had a will. It looks like the entire estate is yours considering...he hesitated as though he was about to add something more, instead he glanced at the papers sitting on the desk.'

  A lump formed in Zoe's throat. She nodded.

  'There is a considerable sum of money that has been in a trust account for some time.'

  He turned the piece of paper around so Zoe could read the figure. She gasped. 'That...that's absurd. Are you sure this is right?'

  'I'm positive. It's enough so you'll never have to work again. You can live your life in luxury.'

  'I doubt that. I'm planning to get the property up and running.'

  He raised his eyebrows. 'I see a streak of your father in you.'

  Zoe beamed at the compliment. 'I'm a jillaroo. I know enough about cattle and breeding. Actually, everything there is to know.'

  'Your parents would have been proud of you Zoe. The cattle were sold off and that money is in another trust account, which was your mother's strict instructions in case there were any problems.'

  Zoe widened her eyes. She could buy all the cattle she wanted. She could buy a new car...she never imagined...

  'We didn't know where you were. With the help of the police I sent letters to your aunt Patricia...Mayberry isn't it?'

  'Yes, that's right.'

  'There were never any replies. I tried to call her a few times, no answer or return phone calls. There was a lot of conjecture going on here in town in those days.'

  'Really.'

  'The local police contacted Tamworth police station and they sent out a car to see if you were living with your aunt. She refused to speak to them. They spoke to a man who appeared to live with your aunt. He told the police they'd never seen you. The police also stated there hadn't been a sign of anyone else living at the house.'

  Zoe stiffened. 'Yes. My aunt saw to that.' She recalled the tiny room at the back of the house big enough for a single bed. Her aunt used to push a cupboard over the doorway to try to conceal that there was a room. In the early days, she'd push the cupboard over the door at night in case Zoe had thoughts of running away. No one knew if she was dead or alive for those first few years except her aunt and William her partner, who was no better.

  When Zoe turned fifteen, she had no one she could open up to and speak freely with, and nowhere to run. So she devised a plan that one day would set her free.

  'You mean to say my aunt knew all along about my inheritance?'

  'Yes, she did. She came in here about six months after the fire, after we tried several times to contact her. She caught me off guard. When I told her everything was left to you, she didn't take too kindly toward me. Also when I asked her had she seen you, she refused to answer at first and then told me she hadn't seen you since you were ten years old.'

  'She hid it from me, hid everything from me and lied numerous times.'

  Dan frowned. 'Hang on. I think I'm missing something. You didn't know about your inheritance?'

  'No. I had no idea.'

  'I get it now. She didn't have any hold over any of the money even if you were dead or alive.'

  'Why do you say that?'

  'Your mother's strict instructions were not to let her sister get her claws on any of their estate. If something happened to you, it would have gone to charity. I was to hold the money for twenty years.'

  Zoe couldn't believe it and relief poured through her knowing she'd returned within the time frame. What would have happened to her if twenty years had gone by? She shuddered at the prospect.

  'My mother must have had a good reason in doing what she did.'

  'She was a wise woman, knew her way around financial matters.'

  Dan shook his head and rubbed the stubble on his chin. 'I can't understand your aunt withho
lding something like this from you but under the circumstances I gather she probably thought if she couldn't get her hands on the money she wouldn't allow you, even though it wouldn't have been yours until you turned eighteen.'

  Zoe's legs felt heavy. 'That about sums her up.'

  'All the money will be transferred into an account of your choosing, with interest. The interest alone is considerable, especially after fifteen years.'

  Her body numbed.

  'You need to think about making out a will, that is, if you don't have one. Invest some of that money and take care of your children's future, your husband’s.'

  'Oh. I'm not married and I don't have any children.'

  'I'm sorry for surmising.'

  Zoe smiled. 'I also don't have a will. It wasn't something I thought I needed, seeing I hadn't owned anything except a rundown ute. I'd like to keep you as my solicitor, if you don't mind.'

  'I appreciate it. Once you make out a will, I'll feel a lot happier. If your circumstances change you can always update it at a later time.'

  'I will. Thank you.'

  'Before you go you could take a look over this. Fill it out, and bring it back it. It doesn't take too long. I'll also need a few signatures and something to verify your identity. Although I know it's you.' He grinned.

  He opened a drawer beside his desk and rummaged around before pulling out a wad of paper. 'Here it is. It's a will form. Naturally I need to go over it with you to make sure it's filled out right.'

  He passed the form over to her, and she swept her gaze over it before looking up. 'Thank you. Um...I have an account but it's in another name.'

  He shot her a perplexed look. 'Another name.'

  'My aunt insisted that my name was Jennifer Bailey. She told everyone, well there weren't many people about...she told them I was a distant cousin. I had no idea at the time it wasn't me.' Zoe shuffled in her seat. 'I've applied for a new driver’s licence, and birth certificate. I expect it to be through sometime next week.'

  'I had no idea. I'm sorry to hear your aunt didn't treat you too kindly. How about you come back and fill in the necessary forms when you have the documents? It'll make it all more legal. In that way I may have found the latest will. I'll give you a call to let you know when it's located. How about that?'