Melbourne Memories (Heart of Australia)

by Marion Ueckermann

  Danny eyed her up and down. “Ah, the lovely Ella. Thank you for your generosity.” His eyes flitted toward the bag filled with money.

  Justin lifted out of his seat. “Billy, the Grouse…did you have him killed?”

  The nameless thug next to Justin shoved him back in his seat.

  “No.” In a flash Danny was out of his seat and grabbed Ella, shoving a gun in her side. “I did it myself. Come boys, it’s time to leave. We’ll take the coffee-maker to go.”

  Detective Walsh shot to his feet, as did at least a dozen plainclothes police officers, guns trained on Danny and his men.

  Screams and scuffles rose as customers realized what was happening.

  “Danny Delaney, you’re under arrest for the murder of Billy Johnson, aka the Grouse, and the attempted murders of Jim Anderson and Justin Taylor, the Phoenix.”

  Danny backed toward the door, dragging Ella with him as a shield. “You shoot, she dies.”

  This could not be happening. Ella slapped at the arm clutching her. Danny tightened his grip. She had to get out of there. If Danny took her as hostage, who knew what would become of her. She didn’t want to find out. Only one thing she could do. Her eyes flitted from Justin to the Detective. Would Walsh and his team be fast enough when she made her move? If not, she was a dead woman. She wished she’d worn stilettoes, but the hard chunky heel of her Doc Martens should do the trick if she used enough force. She hoped.

  Oh God, protect me. Ella sucked in a breath and brought the back of her shoe into Danny’s shin with as much force as she could muster, scraping the heel down his leg and into the top of his foot. He cursed and relaxed his grip on her. Ella followed through by ramming her elbow into his ribs. Shots rang out and glass shattered as she fell to the floor.

  For a moment a deathly quiet descended, along with the smell of gunpowder. Then Walsh’s voice resounded.

  “Suspects are down. Everyone keep calm.”

  “Ella!” Justin was clambering over Danny’s two men, who were now lying on the floor between them.

  “Ella, are you all right?” He cupped her face in his trembling hands then kissed the top of her head. “If anything happened to you…”

  “I’m okay.” She wrapped her arms around him and buried her head in his chest where she felt safe.

  Hearing Walsh clear his throat beside her, Ella pushed to her feet. She took in the mayhem around her. The front window had been shot out. Danny and his men lay still, pools of blood surrounding them. “Are they…?”

  “Dead? Yes. It’s over, Ella.” Walsh placed a hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry it got to this, but we had to wait for that confession. We hadn’t anticipated this scenario, but frankly, it’s better it ended this way. Now you’ll never have to live looking over your shoulder wondering if Danny Delaney would exact his revenge from prison.” He glanced around. “I’m sorry for the mess. And your window. We’ll have it cleaned up. Trauma counselors will be here in minutes to offer counselling to those needing it.”

  “That’s good. I’m just glad everyone is unharmed.” Except for them. She gazed at the bodies in the passageway and rubbed her arms, trying to still her trembling.

  “Me too.” Walsh brushed the sweat from his brow with his forearm, and then holstered his gun again beneath his jacket.

  Ella gazed up at the Chief Inspector. “What would have happened to them, if—”

  “If we hadn’t had to shoot?”

  Ella nodded.

  “We would’ve arrested Delaney and his men, and extradited them back to England to stand trial for the murder of Billy and the attempted murder of your uncle. They would also have faced a charge of attempted murder of Justin here in Australia, and various drug charges.” He turned to Justin. “We need you and Ella down at the station so we can take your statements. Do you need to speak with a counselor first?”

  Ella shook her head. “Later perhaps.”

  It was over. She threw her arms around Justin. “You never have to run again.”

  Justin buried his face in her hair. His tears moistened her cheek for a moment before he regained his composure. Taking Ella by the hand, he followed Walsh outside.

  CHAPTER TEN

  “ARE YOU ABSOLUTELY SURE you want to do this?” Justin waited for Ella to lock the coffee shop—for the last time. Mackenzie stood beside her.

  Ella turned to Justin. “Sail off into the sunset with you? Yes. I’ve had four months to think about this. It’s time. We need to get away.” Ella handed the shop’s keys to her friend. “Mac, thanks for taking over running the business. I’ve no doubt you’re going to do great. Andy’s ready, too—he’ll back you up where necessary.”

  Mackenzie flung her arms around Ella’s neck. “I’m going to miss you so much.”

  “Me, too.” Ella wiped her cheeks. “Now, drive us to the marina before you make me cry more.”

  The short journey to the marina was silent. Justin leaned forward from the back seat and placed his hands on Ella’s shoulders, giving her a reassuring squeeze. It had to be hard, giving up her business, her life. It had been for him when he’d turned his back on everything. But then, he’d had no choice—he was on the run for his life.

  No more.

  Leaving Melbourne had been Ella’s idea. Said she wanted an adventure. Justin suspected she couldn’t get the image of the New Year’s Eve shooting out of her mind. It had to be hard walking up that passageway in her coffee shop every day, seeing where three men had died.

  “Look after my car,” Ella said as they climbed out at St. Kilda Marina.

  Mackenzie smiled. “I will. How long do you think you’ll be gone?”

  “Who knows? A month? A year? Forever?” Ella managed a smile for her friend. “I’ll send you a postcard from every port and upload regular pictures to Instagram.”

  “I look forward to those.” With a wave, Mackenzie drove away.

  Justin entwined his fingers with Ella’s, holding his guitar case with his other hand as they walked down the jetty to Ella’s yacht. “So, are you going to be my sober companion now?”

  Ella leaned toward him and kissed his cheek. “I don’t think you need one anymore. At least, that’s what your previous sober companion told me.”

  “Is that why you decided it was time to leave?”

  “Yes. You’re ready. And I’ve been ready since before the clock ticked over into the New Year.”

  She had waited until he was ready? Endured facing the awful memory daily until he could move on with life without any fear of falling back into his old ways? How had he gotten so lucky to be blessed with a woman like Ella? He loved her so much.

  Justin stepped onto the yacht and climbed the stairs.

  Ella followed.

  Once inside he drew her into his arms. “So it’s just you and me and our Melbourne memories.”

  She gave him a wide smile. “I guess it is.”

  Lifting a thick strand of her hair, Justin twirled it around his fingers, feeling the silkiness. “I have one request before we set sail.”

  “And that is?”

  “First port we come to we find ourselves a captain.”

  “A captain? Why?”

  “There’s only so long I can stay on my side of the yacht. The rooms are just far too close.”

  Ella trailed her fingers down his cheek. “Are you asking me to marry you?”

  “I am. And I did get permission from your Uncle Jim first, seeing as he’s the closest thing to your father.”

  “I’m a captain.” Ella’s green eyes held a twinkle. “But I’m afraid captains can’t perform marriages. We’ll need to find ourselves a courthouse, or a church.”

  “Where are we going first?”

  “I’d thought Tasmania, but after what you’ve just said, I think we should head down to our church before we weigh anchor.” Ella laughed then glanced out the side window.

  “You’re cute, but we can wait until Tasmania. It sounds like a great place to be married.” Justin pulled a small
box from his pocket and opened it. “Ella Anderson, will you marry me, keep me on the straight and narrow for the rest of my life?”

  Ella held out her hand as tears tumbled down her cheeks. “Yes.”

  “By the way, it is white gold and a real diamond this time. Busking was good these past four months.” He slid the ring on her finger. “Do you like it?”

  “I love it.” She slipped her arms around his neck, her breath warm against his lips. “And I love you.” She melted into his kiss.

  Maybe they should find a marriage celebrant here before they set sail.

  Exercising restraint, Justin pulled back, holding her gaze. “So what are we going to do on this adventure to make a living, and make sure we don’t get bored?”

  “I don’t think you and I will ever get bored. Look at our history. But I could always serve the most amazing coffee from the back of this boat while you entertain the crowds that’ll gather for Ella’s latte art.”

  Justin raised one eyebrow. “Are you sure you’re not going to keep them fascinated with your coffee while my music draws the crowds?”

  Ella threw back her head and laughed. “My coffee…your music… What can I say, we’re an irresistible combination.”

  “By the way, we will need to save all that money we’re going to make with our coffee and music act.”

  “We will? Why?”

  “To buy a bigger boat one day.”

  “A bigger boat? What on earth for? This one’s plenty big enough for us.”

  “Ah, for now. But this one will only allow us one child. Two if they’re either both boys, or both girls.”

  Ella’s eyes widened. “You want children?”

  “Yes.” He assumed she’d want them, too. “Don’t you?” Justin held his breath.

  “A dozen.”

  A chuckle rumbled in his chest. “Then we’ll have to get a much bigger boat. Like an ark.”

  “That’s a brilliant idea. We could call it More Melbourne Memories.”

  Justin drew her tight against him and sealed the idea with another kiss. “I love the way you think, Mrs. Taylor-to-be.”

  “You ready to go? Should we set sail?”

  He nodded.

  “Right. We’ll drop anchor tonight at Pope’s Eye just before the heads of the bay, and tomorrow we’ll journey across the ocean to Tasmania and a new life.”

  “Aye aye captain.” Justin saluted then shooed Ella up the stairs to the flybridge. “What are we waiting for? The sooner we get to Tasmania, the sooner I can make you my wife.”

  With a smile, Ella started the engines, and they slowly wove their way out of the marina onto the open waters of the bay. Soon the sun would set on this life, but tomorrow it would break to a new one with the new dawn, and Justin couldn’t wait to make some Tasmanian memories, and New Zealand memories, and Fijian memories…and lots and lots of Ella and Justin memories.

  GLOSSARY

  Ace : excellent, very good

  Aficionado : [Spanish] an ardent devotee; fan, enthusiast.

  Bathers : a garment worn for swimming

  Bed-sit : a one-room apartment

  Boot : an automobile trunk

  Busker : a person who entertains in a public place for donations

  Du jour : [French] of the day

  Gobsmacked : utterly astounded

  Heaps : a lot

  Mobile : cell phone

  No worries : no problem / it’s okay

  Rubbish bin : trash

  Takeaway : to go

  Too right : definitely

  Wheelie bin : a large container with wheels that is used for holding trash

  I hope you enjoyed reading Melbourne Memories. If you did, please consider leaving a short review on Amazon or Goodreads. Positive reviews and word-of-mouth recommendations count as they honor an author and help other readers to find quality Christian fiction to read.

  Thank you so much!

  If you’d like to receive information on new releases, cover reveals, and writing news, please sign up for my newsletter. My short story, Dancing in the Rain, will be sent free to new subscribers.

  Dancing in the Rain received an Honorable Mention in the Romance winners of the 2015 Storming the Short Story Dance Edition contest, hosted by The Woodlands (Texas) chapter of the American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and was first published in 2016 in the Dancing Up A Storm Anthology of 9 Christian Short Stories.

  Their outdoor wedding planned for the middle of Africa’s rainy summer, chances are it’ll pour on Mirabelle Kelly’s bridal parade—after all, she is marrying Noah Raines. To make matters worse, the African Rain Queen, Modjadji, is invited to the wedding. Mirabelle must shun her superstitions and place her faith in the one who really controls the weather.

  ABOUT MARION UECKERMANN

  A Novel Place to Fall in Love

  MARION UECKERMANN's passion for writing was sparked when she moved to Ireland with her family. Her love of travel has influenced her contemporary inspirational romances set in novel places. Marion and her husband again live in South Africa, but with two gorgeous grandsons hanging their hats at the house next door, their empty nest’s no longer so empty.

  Please visit Marion’s website for more of her books:

  www.marionueckermann.net

  You can also find Marion on social media:

  OTHER TITLES BY MARION UECKERMANN

  PASSPORT TO ROMANCE

  Helsinki Sunrise

  Oslo Overtures

  Glasgow Grace

  HEART OF AFRICA

  Orphaned Hearts

  The Other You

  HEART OF CHRISTMAS

  Poles Apart

  Ginger & Brad’s House (Releasing 2016)

  HEART OF ENGLAND

  SEVEN SUITORS FOR SEVEN SISTERS

  A Match for Magnolia (Book 1)

  A Romance for Rose (Book 2 - Releasing 2016)

  A Hero for Heather (Book 3)

  A Husband for Holly (Book 4)

  A Courtship for Clover (Book 5 - Releasing 2017)

  A Proposal for Poppy (Book 6 - Releasing 2017)

  A Love for Lily (Book 7 - Releasing 2017)

  HEART OF IRELAND

  Spring’s Promise

  HEART OF AUSTRALIA

  Melbourne Memories

  ACFW WRITERS ON THE STORM

  SHORT STORY CONTEST WINNERS ANTHOLOGY

  Dancing Up A Storm ~ Dancing In The Rain

  Purchase link to all titles

  Who am I? The question has Taylor Cassidy journeying from one side of America to the other seeking an answer. Almost five years brings her no closer to the truth. Now an award-winning photojournalist for Wines & Vines, Taylor is sent on assignment to South Africa to discover the inspiration behind Aimee Amour, the DeBois estate’s flagship wine. Mystery has enshrouded the story of the woman for whom the wine is named.

  South African winegrower Armand DeBois’s world is shattered when a car accident leaves him in a coma for three weeks, and his young wife dead. The road of recovery and mourning is dark, and Armand teeters between falling away from God and falling into His comforting arms.

  When Armand and Taylor meet, questions arise for them both. While the country and the winegrower hold a strange attraction for Taylor, Armand struggles with the uncertainty of whether he’s falling in love with his past or his future.

  EXCERPT:

  Feet dangling off the jetty’s edge, Taylor Cassidy gazed across the dark waters of Puget Sound toward Mount Rainier. The snowy giant shadowing Gig Harbor always managed to raise her spirits. Not today. A crisp wind lifted her hair, blowing strands across her face. They clung to her cheeks. She swiped both hair and tears away then turned to her mother who’d finally caught up with her after she’d bolted from their cozy family restaurant on the harbor.

  “Who am I?”

  “Taylor, honey, come inside. It’s cold out here.”

  Her world crumbling, Taylor glared. “Who—am—I?”

  “I can explain…” Eloise
Cassidy sat down beside Taylor.

  Jaw clenched, Taylor breathed deep before speaking her mind. “Explain? How can you explain the fact that I cannot donate a kidney for my own da— For the man fighting for his life in the hospital?” She raked her hands through her hair. How could this be happening?

  “I–I’m sorry you had to find out this way. I know how much you wanted to help your father.” She reached for Taylor.

  Taylor shuffled to the side, avoiding her mother’s touch. She couldn’t. Not now. “You mean Alistair.”

  “Don’t be like this, Taylor, please. You’re upset, naturally, but they’ll find a match for Dad…Alistair.”

  “Eventually. Hopefully.” She brushed her cheek with the sleeve of her jacket. A thin line streaked the fabric, moisture turning it a darker shade.

  This explained so much. Like why she’d always felt a part of her was missing, and why the man had always held her at arm’s length. She’d tried so hard to have a close, normal father-daughter relationship with him. Never happened. She’d thought donating a kidney would’ve brought them closer. A pipe dream now. All up in smoke. Mother’s words still echoed. You won’t be an eligible donor. You’re not his child.

  Taylor squeezed her eyes tight, shutting out the tears that stung. She straightened her back and swallowed hard, Alistair Cassidy’s health no longer the most pressing issue on her mind. “You kept me believing a lie for twenty-four years? How could you do something like that?” She narrowed her gaze. “Who is my father?”

  “I–I don’t know.”

  Taylor raised both hands, releasing a heavy breath as she slapped them to her thighs. “Great, Mom. Not only do I find out that my father is not my father, but I discover you slept around. Something you preached at me my whole life not to do.”