Their lips broke free leaving her breathless, her gaze over his.
'Unfortunately we have to get going. I've got to pick Luke up soon.'
Her heart plummeted.
'I've still got a raincheck remember?'
'So that's two. You are greedy, although I recalled saying, try me.' Zoe giggled and reached down in the water to splash him. He retaliated, splashing back and she ran from the water toward the spot where her clothes lay.
After she slipped her top over wet skin, they climbed up the hill. By the time Zoe reached the car her top was almost dry, and although her jeans stuck to her skin they felt cool. She grinned at Jordan.
'Are you sure you don't want to take them off?'
'No way. It's ten minutes to home. I can deal with it...Oh...your seat. Have you a towel or something?'
He walked to the back of his four-wheeler and dragged out a towel, holding it with an outstretched arm.
She reached out, but he didn't let go. 'Come on Jordan, give it to me.'
'I did try.'
'Jordan Townsend. Why you...' She tugged at the towel harder and he let go, sending her to the ground on her butt. 'You wait. I'll get you back for that. You wait and see.' She grinned and secretly plotted her revenge.
She scrambled to her feet and opened the passenger door, placing the towel on the seat before pulling herself up into the vehicle. Her mind slipped back to when she was thirteen.
'Anything you can do I can do better.'
'Yeah, well, I see about that.'
'What Jordan? I climb faster and I run faster.'
They had laughed until their insides ached, they had smiled and everything around them seemed bright, green and she'd been so happy.
'Hey. Hello.'
She glanced up to find Jordan already sitting beside her in his four-wheeler. 'I was thinking about being here when we were kids.'
'It was a great time wasn't it.'
'It was beautiful.'
'It can still be both Zoe.'
'I know. Let's go slow for now, okay.'
He nodded. 'Whatever the boss wants.'
'I'm not your boss.'
'I've still got the front garden to plant out.'
'I thought you'd get a gardener in or something.'
'No gardeners in Munna. That's why I'm doing the job.'
The engine kicked over and they headed to Montagreen. Zoe had a hard time getting her mind around the day she'd have to care for his son. If they were an item and were to marry, Luke would become family. She wasn't sure if she could manage the needs of a child, since she'd let her little brother down. She'd turned her back on him and scrambled away from the fire. Tears filled her eyes and she glanced out through the window. What if Luke ran away? The thought terrified her.
Jordan pulled up in front of her house. 'Do you want to come over for a barbeque tonight? Nothing fancy just steak, salad, chips.'
'I'd like to, but I want to wait and see if the sergeant calls.'
'He said he'd call either your mobile or home phone.'
'I want to be here if the home phone rings. Oh and, I'm heading to Tamworth tomorrow to do some shopping. I need more furniture, and it won't miraculously appear if I don't do something about it. I'll be gone overnight.'
'I understand. Be careful and keep your phone charged and switched on. I'd offer to take you, but I've got a fair bit to get through over the next few days. How about we catch up on Friday night at the pub for tea?'
'Sounds like a plan.'
They exchanged a light kiss on the lips.
'Oh and thanks for the swim. I had a great time,' she said as she came up for air.
***
Zoe stood on the veranda and watched Jordan's vehicle depart before she headed indoors. It'd been an informative and enjoyable day but she felt a little squeamish in the stomach, and put it down to the thought of driving into Tamworth the following day.
Tamworth had grown over the years, not that she'd frequented it that much, but there'd be little chance she'd run into her aunt, if at all. She hardly ever went to the stores.
On dusk Zoe began to lock up the house. She hoped the house phone would ring, and kept her mobile close by. Neither phone had rung all afternoon. She expected to hear from the sergeant later that night or perhaps in the morning before she left to head to Tamworth.
Chapter Sixteen
By the time Zoe reached the outskirts of Tamworth, the long flat drive had grown monotonous. She couldn't wait to book into a motel, and grab the last few hours of the shops before they closed.
The sergeant hadn't called, and she wondered if she should give him a ring but thought better of it. He would be most probably busy with other police matters and she didn't want to irritate him. She'd be patient and wait.
Passing by large wheat silos, she slowed her ute when the speed zone dropped to fifty kilometres. A little church to her left caught her attention, and she hoped she had time to check it out. She parked in Peel Street, which was lined with amber trees, providing cooling shade. A new car was on her purchase list, one with an air conditioner. The heat on the drive there had been unbearable, and for some reason it affected her more than it usually had.
Two hours later, she carried five shopping bags to her ute. These contained necessary items such as a new pair of work boots, jeans, a dress, and other items of clothing. Her next stop was the furniture store ten minutes away by car. When she ordered the furniture, the assistant said it would be delivered within a few weeks. She almost died at the quoted delivery cost. Although her bank balance was more than healthy, she didn't want to waste money. Some of her inheritance had to be invested, some put aside for a rainy day, and the rest could keep Montagreen afloat until she had it in good working order.
After some thought she told them she'd arrange her own pick up and asked them to ring her when the furniture had arrived in store. Hopefully she could find an empty truck heading back to Munna at a fair price.
After returning to Peel Street, she sat at a table outside a coffee shop and ordered a salad sandwich and coffee. Contentment filled her body. Montagreen was the salvation she needed and now her future. She wondered what Jordan was up to, although he said he'd be busy either in her garden or at his father's property. She took a bite of her sandwich before glancing up and checking out the street. She was awed at how busy the streets were compared to Munna.
All the air in her lungs shot up her throat, and she almost choked. She reached for a serviette and edged backwards, hoping the potted plant beside her would give her the camouflage she needed. As she wiped her mouth, her heart thumped hard in her chest. It was as though someone had spiked her with a shot of epinephrine.
Her aunt strutted across the road, heading in her direction. She couldn't believe her luck. Of all the days she had to visit town, she'd chosen this particular day. Her aunt came to a standstill beside her, and Zoe glanced up. Her aunt's face was red as the Outback sun.
'Well, is this where you got to, you ungrateful child? William said you were in town buying up big. I suppose it was you who sent the cops out asking questions.'
Zoe swallowed, lost for words until her insides kicked up with assertiveness, something she'd never displayed in front of her aunt.
'I'm no concern to you now. You have no right in or over my life.' Her knees knocked together under the table, and anxiety fed her stomach.
'Well for your information I do. You see I promised your mother I'd take good care of you.'
'I can't see you making any such promise to my mother. Besides, you failed, if there were ever such a promise. I'm over eighteen. Go away.'
'I will do no such thing. A few cops came to my door asking if you had lived with me for the last fifteen years. Naturally I said no. Imagine that. Now why would they ask such a question? I told them I hadn't seen you since you were ten.'
In the corner of her eye, she spotted her aunt's partner, her so-called Uncle William standing behind her. She swallowed. He tapped the side of his hip,
and pulled his flannelette shirt aside. Zoe glared as she spotted the top edge of a handgun.
'I...I haven't done anything wrong.'
'You got all that money didn't you? William said you've been shopping up big. Little miss rich bitch. That money is mine.' The heat and hate in her aunt's twisted face horrified her. Zoe couldn't believe that this woman had been her mother's sister. They were complete opposites.
Zoe flicked her gaze about and was thankful not many people were on that side of the street. She jerked upwards to her feet. 'You lied to me about Montagreen. You've lied to me all my life. You led me to believe the entire house had burnt down, and that my parents were poor. You destroyed my childhood over money. You never helped me with my memory and left me to stumble alone through my teens like a zombie for years.'
Zoe sucked in an angry breath. 'I had no guidance whatsoever. I suppose you're happy about that. I've got to go.'
'No you don't.' She reached out, grabbed Zoe on the arm. 'I want some of that money. It's mine. I raised you for all those years, clothed and fed you under my roof. You have to pay me back.'
'Pay you back for what? For living like a pauper for years, for eating breadcrumbs, for working like a slave and living in such fear? And how can I forget the terrible scars you left me with, not just the physical, but the mental scars. You're a wicked woman. One who deserves to rot in jail.'
'It's a wonder we didn't do away with you years ago.'
'Why would you? You got what you wanted. A cook, a washer woman, a slave.'
'It was hard figuring that one out, wasn't it kid? The only reason you didn't die years ago.'
A shudder ran through her as Zoe lifted her head. She shot William a spiteful glare as she struggled out of her aunt's grasp. She snatched up her handbag and made a dash toward her ute, regretting it almost at once. Now they knew she still had the old ute, and they were probably jotting down the number plate, if they already didn't know it, as she drove off with a screech of tyres.
The sight of her aunt took her mind back to her teenage years. Tears dropped to her cheeks. She thought she was stronger than this, thought she'd be able to overcome any obstacle, and that included her aunt and uncle. She'd been mistaken. She had always been terrified of her aunt, and perhaps that fear had been embedded years ago. Zoe was unable to shake it.
She turned into a car yard after spotting a silver Toyota four-wheel drive, one that she had seen in a magazine a while back. She arrived with two hours to spare before they closed. The salesman was pleasantly surprised when she said she would pay cash. After he took the details, she made a dash to the bank to get a bank cheque.
When she drove from the car yard, she checked the surroundings, making sure her aunt wasn't following her. She wasn't about to return to the motel. The further away from the area the better and safer she'd feel.
After leaving the city covered by twilight, relief moved to her shoulders, and especially now she had a decent vehicle to get around in, and one with air-conditioning. It even had one of those automatic cruise things so the car could stay on the same speed without her foot being on the accelerator. That put a smile to her face, and she wiggled in her seat, getting comfortable for the long drive home.
Her plans to stay overnight to see the Pattersons the following morning were put on hold. Perhaps if she had someone to accompany her next time, she'd hang around a little longer. Jordan came to mind.
Her eyes grew sore and tired under the strain, and she glanced at her mobile phone sitting on the passenger seat beside her and suddenly realised it wasn't turned on. She shuddered, not ever recalling switching it off.
She reached out, pressed the button on the top, and waited until it lit up. There were no messages or missed calls.
***
Zoe had enough of waiting around. She rang the local police station.
'Constable Berry, it's Zoe Montgomery. Is the sergeant in?'
'No he isn't sorry, Zoe. He hasn't returned from Tamworth as yet.'
'Oh, okay. Tell him I called when you see him next.'
'Will do.'
Zoe clicked end and walked outside, gazing at the sky and her surroundings. As she turned she spotted something in the corner of her eye, under the tree.
She stepped down the few steps and headed toward the table and chairs. Her curiosity got the better of her and she peered closer, unable to believe her eyes. She looked over her shoulder, then back to the swing attached to one of the large fig branches. She reached out, and touched the thick rope entwined by a wide, yellow ribbon. Another glance at the tree, and she discovered it was the same ribbon she'd spotted on her arrival, the one tied around the base.
Giving her head a shake, she grinned when Jordan's name popped to mind. He remembered how she loved swings. He said he had a few things to do yesterday and she gathered this was one of them.
Turning, she eased down onto the swing, and pushed off from the ground into a gentle sway. A grin edged to her lips, and she worked the sway higher. Behind her, the sound of a vehicle pulled up, and when she managed to turn she spotted Jordan walking toward her.
'I see it's been put to use almost at once.'
'It's beautiful.'
Jordan walked up behind her and gave the swing a gentle push, then another.
'There was a swing here, wasn't there?'
'Yep and there still is.'
'Thank you Jordan. Thank you. Can you stop it now please?'
'Sure.' He grabbed the ropes from behind and eased it to stop. She turned, looking over her shoulder.
'It suits a beautiful woman.' He bent down a little, leaned in closer and kissed her on the lips.
'Hmm... I could take more of that but first things first.' She pulled up from the swing and stood in front of him, the swing at the back of her knees, while his arms cocooned her.
'The yellow ribbon. It's the one that was tied around the base of the tree when I first arrived, isn't it?'
'That'd be the one.'
'Jordan.'
He ran a hand to her back and she turned to face him.
'I put it there years ago in the hope you'd return.'
Zoe squinted. 'You mean to say the yellow ribbon symbol.'
'In the hope you'd return.' Sentiment bubbled to the surface.
'You know the song. Tie a yellow ribbon round an old oak tree. In my case, it's a fig tree.'
She looked up at him, a grin edging to her lips. 'Thank you.' It was a whisper as it left her lips, and he tugged her closer kissing her lightly and then pulled back, dropping his hand.
'Have you heard from the sergeant?'
'No. I thought he'd ring you.'
'I did too. But he hasn't, and Constable Berry said he hasn't heard from him.'
'What the...' He grabbed his mobile from his pocket.
'Hey Matt. It's Jordan Townsend.'
'Hey Jordan. What's up?'
'The sergeant isn't about is he?'
'Yeah, he arrived not long ago. He said he took a bit of time out with the Tamworth team.'
'Did he say anything about Shirley Mayberry?'
'Apparently he spoke to her. I don't know the details.'
'Thanks mate. We'll catch up with him later.'
Jordan pressed end while Zoe wandered over to the table and chairs. She sat down and looked up as Jordan sat next to her.
'Did you hear that?'
'No.'
'The sergeant is back. I didn't speak to him, but we'll catch up soon.'
'It's a wonder he didn't ring.'
'He's probably got a lot on his mind. This place is almost how it used to be. It's such a great home, Zoe. You should be proud of what you've achieved.'
'I'll be prouder when I have a substantial number of cattle on the place, and the culprit, the real culprit is charged and put behind bars for a lifetime for what they did to my family, and for what they did to you.'
'I agree.'
Jordan's phone rang and he dug it out of his pocket pressing the answer button.
&
nbsp; 'Yo. Jordan here.'
Zoe grinned at the way he'd answer his phone.
'You've got to be joking? Where's the fire? I'm on my way.'
The mention of fire had Zoe's mind picturing the flames of that night. She retreated to one of the benches and gazed up at the house. Imaginary flames leapt from the windows, screams echoed in her mind, and she dropped her head, her body trembling against the onslaught.
Jordan had finished his call and sat beside her. He put his arm over her shoulder. 'Hey, you okay?'
Zoe looked up. 'I hope so. The mention of fire gave me a flashback.'
'It's only natural. Are you okay now?'
She nodded.
'Something's come up and I have to go. There's a fire on the other side of town. They have it under control but I want to check it out. I'll be back later this evening. Are you still up to going to the pub tonight?'
'Sounds good. I look forward to it.'
He looked at her and moved closer, kissing her on the lips with slow, loving movements. Zoe responded with a whole heart. She caught his lip with her teeth, nibbled and let go. He groaned, and broke from the kiss.
'You keep doing things like that and I won't be going anywhere.'
She laughed. 'You should go.'
'Um, I guess. I'll pick you up at seven. Is that okay?'
She nodded. 'Yep. See you then.'
Zoe watched him leave, and contentment poured through her heart, although that one little fact of his son lingered in the back of her mind. They couldn't stay this way forever and usually a relationship moved on, and that meant one day there may come a time when she'd be living with them, or Jordan and his son living with her. She shuddered at the thought and put it from her mind.
***
Jordan picked Zoe up at seven. When she opened the door, he stood dressed in a clean pair of jeans, and a black silky short-sleeved shirt which sent a flutter of admiration to her heart.
Outback Flames: Australian Rural Romantic Suspense Page 15