"He wined and dined her in the Chinese restaurant, then took her upstairs. Why would he take her to the restaurant where we first kissed? Every year on our wedding anniversary, we were going to book our room there. It was a beautiful place with a view that overlooked the bay. It had a small, round, wooden coffee table that had a bottle of champagne and a crystal vase packed full of red roses on it. What upsets me the most is that they slept together in the same room and the same bed as we did. He had promised to take me back to our room each year to celebrate our anniversary."
Kaite shook her head. "Don't start the tears again."
Water started cascading down Alyssa's cheeks. Her voice started to falter. "He broke my heart."
"Get over it," said Kaite. "You found out about all the other women six months ago."
Alyssa sniffed and dried her eyes "I intend to. I vow from this day forth I will not give my heart to another loser. I'm going to search for Mr. Right, and if he can't figure out what the perfect gift is for me, then he can go ride his bike into someone else's life. I can guarantee she won't stick around for long. Personally, I won't ever make the same mistake again."
"Good luck. I've been searching for years to discover the right bloke," said Kaite. "We have to stay positive." Alyssa slapped her best friend on the knee.
"This job might not be exactly what it seems," said Kaite, changing the subject. "Why don't you look for a city job? There are a lot of nightclubs we haven't been to yet. Or you could always take me to Perth. My bags are packed."
Alyssa rolled her eyes. "Like I said, I'm 26 and in need of a holiday. The interview is tomorrow."
"It says here, Alyssa, darling, that a man by the name of Mr. Earl Stanton is searching for a jackaroo."
"Read on," said Alyssa excitedly.
Kaite leaned closer to the paper. "They want a bloke with knowledge of office duties."
"But it's not essential," Alyssa said.
"You're overlooking one important thing."
"What's that?" asked Alyssa.
"This Stanton character is looking for a bloke."
Alyssa shrugged, shed her jeans and dived into the wardrobe for her suitcase. Her voice came back muffled. "I'll be a jillaroo."
Kaite read more of the article aloud. "You have to be at Moorabbin airport by 5.00A.M. Alyssa, you don't get out of bed before seven."
*
Alyssa arrived at the Moorabbin Airport by taxi. She gave the driver a courteous smile, paid the fare and collected her two large bags from the trunk.
The small airport looked abandoned and was quiet as a tomb.
Although she had spied several light planes anchored to the ground by ropes as she was being driven through a large metal gate, she was standing in the dark watching the taillights of the taxi dim from view. Then they were gone.
She felt a cold shiver run down her back as she looked around at what appeared to be a deserted country airport. The word 'mistake' hung heavy on her mind. She wrapped her arms across her chest to feel safe.
'Maybe Kaite was right,' she thought, shivering in the pre-dawn air. 'There's no movement here at all, though the grass looks to be swaying in the cooling breeze.' She glanced across the tarmac at the airport control tower. It, too, was in darkness.
"My enthusiasm has waned," she mumbled, trying to rub the goosebumps from the surface of her arms. Clutching her knapsack tightly in one hand, Alyssa hurled an overnight bag over her left shoulder. She lifted her head, squared her shoulders under the sudden weight, and walked to the closest office block.
The door to the first office was locked and in total darkness. Alyssa held her breath, hoping to hear some noise. She felt the dying cold breeze sweeping her cheeks and heard the clang of something metal against the flagpole. She moved slowly around the corner of the building and headed toward the noise.
The clanging continued and sounded louder as she closed in on the first of three flagpoles. A floodlight from the building behind the flagpole lit up a concrete path. A twin-engine plane sparkled in the security lighting. Alyssa marveled at its nearly new condition. A small, square box that had several small holes in the sides and in the lid had been placed near the front wheel of the plane.
'Obviously the plane is being loaded,' she thought, standing in the shadows of the building to watch. The idea of smugglers or just plain illegal goings-on stirred her spirit. She reached for her mobile phone. Her index finger hovered above the number zero. Three quick jabs and the cops would be on the other end listening to any illegal jargon she might have uncovered.
"Bad idea," she mumbled. "The light from the phone would give my hiding place away." Alyssa suddenly felt bold. She slipped the phone back in her jeans pocket and slid along the building wall, praying that the box with the holes belonged to Earl Stanton.
From the tip of the plane's wing to the office door was a distance of only several large steps. She again stopped at the opened office door. Hearing nothing, she peered in.
A single 60-watt incandescent light globe lit up the office that was no larger than a small shed. Alyssa entered and dropped her bags on the gray carpet. She spied a small mirror hanging on the wall and noticed her reflection. Her face looked strained and nervous. She had dressed in the dark so as not to wake Kaite. She pulled a hair tie from her top pocket and quickly tied her hair into a tight ponytail. She faked a grin and then slumped her shoulders. The image in the mirror did the same.
"This is a stupid idea," she mumbled. Remembering the vow that she had told Kaite, the image in the mirror wagged a finger at her. "I can do this. I'll run the outback farm with an iron fist. I'll show all those farm boys who the boss is, even if it's only for two weeks. Look out; Alyssa Fitzgerald is on her way. Goodbye, Brandt, you heart-breaker, you."
She heard a cough, swiveled on her heels and faced the office door. She stood gobsmacked at the man leaning on the doorframe watching. His 188cm frame and broad shoulders took up most of the space. He wore faded blue jeans and a white collared shirt. His handsome, tanned face was beaming at her. His azure eyes glistened from the overhead light globe. Alyssa stood motionless and stared at the man through wide eyes.
"Can I help you, Miss. Fitzgerald?" he asked.
The man's deep voice penetrated every fiber of her being. Alyssa recovered and hid her embarrassment and reddening face by shrinking into the shadow of a large filing cabinet. She squared her shoulders and made a mental note to have a strong, confident voice. The vow she told Kaite not more than seven hours before still haunted her brain.
"Yes, you can," she said.
Her eyes widened at hearing the three words. They seemed to bounce from wall to wall. Alyssa felt light headed and her hands started to tremble. She was desperate to sit, but forced her aching legs to stay firm. A single heartbeat of dread swept her mind, but to hide her anxiety she managed to slightly curl her lips upwards at the ends. What if he heard what she said to herself in the mirror? What if he was a stalker? What if, what if, what if? She mentally shook her head. Surely anyone that was as handsome as this bloke couldn't be all that bad. After all, he didn't look like a murderer.
"Are you a movie star?" asked the man. His voice was overflowing with confidence. He looked to be fully relaxed and at home in the office.
'I love the confident voice, mister,' thought Alyssa. 'And what a physique! You can stay at my place anytime.' She cleared her throat. 'Control yourself,' she thought. 'He saw me walking about and is only here to help.'
"No. Why do you ask?"
"I thought you were. All movie stars talk to mirrors. It sounded like you were rehearsing some lines to a smash hit production."
"You watch too many movies," said Alyssa. She watched the man's lazy smirk deepen. She had never seen a more natural or provocative smile on a man. It was as though it was reaching out to her, saying, 'come and get me.' Her body started to tingle at the thought of having this total stranger so close, and then to fall asleep in his arms under countless stars on a clear night. She sighed inwardly. W
hat a fantasy.
"I don't watch many movies, not even Westerns," said the man.
"What do you do in your spare time?"
The man's smile turned into a chuckle.
"I don't see the funny side of my question," snapped Alyssa, putting her hands on her hips.
"With an outfit like the one you're wearing, I thought you were sure to be staring in a Western," said the man.
"You sound like a real jerk. Let me tell you something, mister, I've known a few in my time."
"Anyone in particular?"
Alyssa scoffed at his remark.
"Don't get all defensive on me; I was only making conversation."
"My personal life is none of your business," said Alyssa.
The man stepped into the office and walked to the filing cabinet.
"Stay away," snapped Alyssa.
"I've been given permission to be in here. Have you?"
"If you're Mr. Stanton, then yes, I have."
The man looked her up and down. "New outfit?"
"If you're so hooked on what a person wears, then you should take a look at yourself sometime." The man stared at his short-sleeved, white collared shirt, faded blue jeans and dirty boots. His smirk faded and he fell silent.
"Did I scratch an open wound? And I have to add that you certainly don't look too trendy with a length of rope clipped to your brown belt. That oversized brass buckle looks like it could use a good polish."
"My family is in a little financial trouble," he said.
Alyssa's face had a touch of crimson. "I'm sorry."
"All I was trying to say was that you'd look good-correction, you'd look great-in anything, even if you wore my belt with the dirty brass buckle."
Alyssa's eyes narrowed. "What's the inscription read?"
"Read?"
"What's the word on your dirty brass buckle?" she snapped.
"Oasis. If you wore a belt around your waist like mine it would have to go around you twice." He chuckled at his words.
"At least the buckle would stay looking like new," said Alyssa.
The corners of her mouth quivered slightly. 'Remember your vow,' she warned herself. 'No man will try to run your life again.' She successfully painted a picture of Brandt in her mind and gave the man a heartless stare. She wasn't sure if he was trying to make a pass at her or soften her up for a surprise attack. She watched him nervously as he rummaged through the filing cabinet. He found a notepad and pen, and then brushed past her on the way to the table.
Alyssa frowned at the touch of their arms. His skin felt hard, like he had seen a lifetime of sun, and his shoulders were square and solid. Surely they had seen a lot of hard work. She frowned at the man sitting at the table writing. She stood in front of him, casting a shadow over the page.
He looked up. "Are you still here?"
There was that natural lazy smile again. Alyssa felt her knees weaken. She flashed back a fake in-control smile and groped for the table's edge.
"Yes, I'm still here. I'm waiting on information that I want you to cough up. Do you know Earl Stanton and where I can find him?"
The man stood and reached out his hand. "You don't look like you're about to jump me. I'm Kent."
"Alyssa."
They shook hands in a business-like manner.
"Alyssa Fitzgerald, yes, I heard you say your name to the mirror. What really brings a beautiful girl here at this time? I'm sure you didn't come here to talk to yourself in a mirror." Kent beamed a broad smile. A short, sharp chuckle followed.
"You think it's funny."
"Not in the least, sweetheart."
"I'm not your sweetheart, and why are you laughing?"
"Sorry, I really thought you were a movie star. I've never seen a woman as beautiful as you who wasn't one."
Alyssa gagged. His sentence took her by surprise. She was angry at being flattered, frustrated and embarrassed all at the same time. Up until then, she had never known a man who hadn't thrown himself at her.
"I told you before. How many times do I have to say I'm looking for Earl Stanton?" She pulled the neatly folded newspaper add out of her top pocket and dropped it on Kent's notepad. He picked it up and mumbled as he read.
"I don't think you're the person for the job," he said, looking up.
Alyssa leaned on the table. She easily resisted the urge to kiss the man. She was angry, confused and nervous. There was no way Stanton was not going to give her this two- week job.
"How do you know?" she hissed.
"I just know."
"Tell me where he is. I want to hear his argument myself."
"At The Oasis."
"That doesn't make sense. The article in the newspaper said I have to be here at 5.00A.M. Now you're telling me he's at a place I've never heard of."
"Lady, don't waste my time. I've got a lot of work to do before I get home."
"Where is home?"
"I can't say."
"Or you won't say."
Kent frowned. He locked the filing cabinet and headed for the office door.
"I gave up sleep to be here at this lousy time of the night, so the least you can do is tell me where Stanton is," said Alyssa.
Kent shrugged and stepped out into the cool air. He raised his shirt collar and headed for the plane. Alyssa watched him place the large rectangle box with the holes in the lid gently in the plane and close the cargo door.
"Is Mr. Stanton in another building?" she said storming over to the plane. Kent looked her way.
"You sure are a stubborn woman."
"I am not. I'm a determined one," said Alyssa.
"He's not anywhere around here. He's at The Oasis."
"You've said that. If you would be kind enough to point in the direction of this 'Oasis' place that you keep referring to, I'll be on my way and we'll never see each other again."
Kent smirked and pointed north.
"Thank you."
In the sudden temperature drop of the new day, Alyssa rubbed her bare arms, then retrieved her bags from the office.
"Are you planning to walk there?" asked Kent letting go of another slight chuckle.
"I don't think that is any of your business," said Alyssa. She turned her back, and set herself to walk off.
"Now look who's being pig-headed?"
The young lady stopped walking and swiveled her head. "How far is it to The Oasis?" she snapped.
"Four hours."
"Four hours of walking. I can handle that."
Kent shook his head and trotted over. He grabbed her bag off her shoulder. "Four hours of flying." Alyssa moaned and ran her fingers along the sides of her tied back auburn hair.
"The plane's loaded and I'm about to depart for The Oasis. After I make a quick phone call, and the boss says okay, I'll take you there. Deal?"
Alyssa beamed. "It's a deal."
She watched the man gaze longingly at the sky like a child who eagerly waits to open his presents on Christmas morning. She saw him shake his head and check his watch for the fifth time.
"Is there something wrong?" She tried hard to use a caring voice, but it sounded like the opposite.
"Maybe."
"That's not a proper answer," she said, placing her hands onto her hips.
Kent grabbed his faded brown leather jacket from inside the plane and handed it over. "Here, put this on, you look cold."
Her eyes glistened as she slipped into the oversized jacket. She wondered how he could tell in the half dark that she was freezing, and why he even cared.
"That old thing looks better on you than me," he said, chuckling.
Alyssa grinned and tried to tell herself the knocking of her knees was from the cold. She wasn't convinced. The smell of manly aftershave trapped in the jacket's collar was exciting. She inhaled and filled her lungs with Kent's smell.
"Miss Fitzgerald, are you okay?"
She sighed. Looking at his handsome tanned face made her feel worse. "Yes. Why?"
"Your face looks a different sha
de. I'll go and make my phone call. It won't take long."
Alyssa shook her head to ward off the impulses that were raging through her body. She mustered all her will power to avoid jumping at Kent. 'I'm just a sucker for a pilot,' she thought. She fumed at her thoughts. Her knees had caused her legs to feel like jelly. She wanted to sit, and fast. She finally pulled herself together and croaked.
"It must be the cold."
Kent grinned, took her by the hand and led her back into the office.
Alyssa flopped onto a chair. She sat looking into his striking deep blue eyes. Don't you dare lose it, girl, she ordered herself. Control yourself. Remember your vow to Kaite. No man was ever again going to ruin her life. She was going to do what she wanted. The only thing that would change that was if he handed over the perfect gift.
"I'm concerned about the weather," Kent said through the phone. "I'll be back on time if the fog doesn't roll in."
"Time," Alyssa echoed, louder than she wanted. She found herself listening in on the phone call. It was a behavior she detested in other people.
Kent swiveled his feet and glared at Alyssa. "I don't like people echoing my words," he said. He raised a finger to his lips as a warning.
Alyssa opened her mouth, but decided the best course of action was to stay quiet. Kent slipped the mobile phone back into his jeans pocket and looked up. "As I was saying to Mr. Stanton, I'll arrive on time if the fog doesn't ground us."
"Is that bad?"
"Girl, what planet are you living on?"
Alyssa was fuming. She clenched her fists and as she stood wrapped her arms over her chest. Kent held his hands up and grinned. "Okay, okay. We have to get back to The Oasis ASAP. That's as soon as we can."
"I know what ASAP means." She wagged her finger and leaned on the desk.
Alyssa studied Kent as he explained what The Oasis was like. Obviously Kent was not a beer-slurping, bellyaching, two-timing rat like Brandt. He was tall, dark and handsome. He was someone you'd only read about in a romance novel. He had big strong hands and shoulders. His biceps, forearms and chest were massive. His friendly, dark, handsome face would melt the heart of any lady he met, and he had short black hair that had seen many wide-brimmed hats.
The Great Gift (Contemporary Romance - Urban Life) Page 4