She drove to the machinery shed and backed the ute under the gantry, grateful that using the chain block to raise the water tank from the back of the ute required all her concentration.
With that task completed, she felt more or less composed as she walked across to the house, happily anticipating shedding her smoky clothes and shampooing her hair, and finding something flattering to wear for dinner.
As she stepped onto the verandah she heard voices – probably young Declan Browne having his piano lesson.
Or was that a man’s voice?
Curious, Bella crossed the unpainted timber boards to the doorway. She froze as the voices came clearly down the hallway from the kitchen.
‘So how do you like your coffee?’ Liz was asking.
‘Just black, please.’
A chill skittered down Bella’s spine. The visitor’s voice was deep and masculine. It was a voice she knew well. With an unmistakable French accent.
25.
Anton.
She wasn’t mistaken. The voice was definitely Anton’s and he was in the Mullinjim kitchen having coffee with her aunt.
Bella sagged against the doorjamb, winded by shock, her mind spinning with questions. How on earth had Anton got here?
She hadn’t seen a strange vehicle outside.
And why had he come?
Unfortunately the answer to that was painfully clear. There could only be one reason a romantic young Frenchman would travel twelve thousand miles to land on his girlfriend’s doorstep.
Bella’s knees were trembling and not in a good way. Her day with Gabe had wiped Anton from her mind. Worse, she’d invited Gabe to join them for dinner tonight.
From the kitchen, she could hear Liz’s voice. ‘I’m sure I heard the ute come back. Bella should be here any minute.’
Bella remembered her fond farewell to Anton at the airport and the promises she’d made, and – cringe – the emotional email she’d sent him just a few short days ago. She felt sick.
How could she have guessed her life would change so quickly? Only very recently her goals had been simple. She would do her duty here at Mullinjim and then hurry back to France. To Anton.
On Sunday, the day she’d sent the email, Gabe had just broached the subject of friendship, only friendship with no chance of anything more. She’d been at rock bottom on Sunday evening and she’d consoled herself by turning to Anton.
Since then, so much had happened so quickly. After just two days alone with her old boyfriend, she’d let poor Anton slide out of focus.
Was she the shallowest woman in the universe?
Now she had to prove that she wasn’t. Anton had travelled here in good faith and she had no choice. She had to paste on a smile and welcome him.
Straightening her shoulders, she took several deep breaths before she set off down the hallway to the kitchen.
‘Ah, here’s Bella.’ Liz was beaming and probably relieved to see her.
And Anton was smiling, too, as he rose from his chair, looking lean and athletic, his collar-length dark hair swinging with the movement. He was wearing an open-necked white business shirt, black trousers and black polished shoes. His cheekbones and nose were more prominent than Bella remembered and he looked very . . . French.
‘Anton, what a wonderful surprise.’ She smiled at him as she crossed the room, conscious that her greeting was probably more sedate than he’d expected. ‘I’ve been fire-fighting,’ she said. ‘So I’m afraid I’m all sooty and smoky.’
‘It does not matter.’ Anton hugged her and kissed her cheeks, her lips. After an overnight journey, his chin was quite stubbled and scratchy and she felt it scrape against her skin. ‘I’ve missed you, Bella.’
He was the second man to have told her this today, but this time she felt terrible, as if she’d misled him. How could she have guessed that her heart was such a turncoat?
‘I’ve missed you too.’ It was more or less true. She had missed him until just a few days ago.
‘Anton arrived on the mail truck,’ commented Liz from the far side of the kitchen table.
He gave an apologetic smile. ‘There was no other transport. I had no idea you lived . . . ’ He lifted his hands as if he were searching for the right words.
‘In the middle of nowhere?’ Bella supplied.
‘And then the poor man had to amuse himself while I suffered little Declan Browne murdering my piano.’
‘I’m sorry I wasn’t here.’
‘You weren’t to know,’ said Anton. ‘I wanted to surprise you.’
‘And you certainly have!’
Bella wished she could generate a smidgen more excitement. She was conscious of Liz’s watchful gaze.
‘Can I pour you a coffee, Bella?’
What she really needed was a time machine that could whisk her back an hour or so while she cancelled Gabe’s dinner invitation. After that, she needed a shower. She would be so much more hospitable if she were clean. But she could hardly dash off to the bathroom immediately when Anton had already been hanging around for half the afternoon.
‘If you don’t mind my eau de smoke.’
‘Of course we don’t mind, do we, Anton?’
‘Not at all.’
So Bella sat and accepted the mug Liz filled for her, but almost as soon as her aunt had handed the mug over she glanced rather pointedly at the clock. ‘It’s time I brought those hens in.’
With that, Liz exited, diplomatically leaving the two of them alone.
Bella gripped her mug tightly, holding it in front of her, almost like a shield.
‘I can’t believe you’ve come all this way,’ she said.
‘What did you expect after that email you sent?’ Anton was smiling as he bent forward to kiss her on the lips. ‘If you sent that email to a dying man, he would have pulled off the life support, climbed out of bed and arrived here on the next plane.’
‘Really? Was it that bad?’
‘It was that good.’ He grinned at her. ‘It’s gone viral on the internet.’
Bella blushed, even though she knew he was joking about the internet. They both had a bit of a chuckle, but then she quickly fired questions, asking him all about his flight and about the quality of the snow on Mont Cenis and the ski slopes. And of course, she wanted news of their old gang at Alpazur.
‘It must be a shock to come from snowy Alps to this outback heat,’ she said, fanning herself with her hand. ‘If I’d known you were planning to come out here, I’d have warned you to wait till it’s cooler.’
‘I don’t mind the heat,’ Anton said politely. ‘And I’ve brought cooler clothes.’
‘You’re probably dying to get changed then.’ Bella jumped to her feet. ‘You’d probably love a shower, too, after your long journey. I certainly need one. I feel absolutely gross.’
‘Yes, I will change.’
‘Where are your things?’ Already, she was on her feet and leading him out of the kitchen and back into the hallway.
‘Your aunt told me to put my bag in there,’ Anton said, pointing.
Bella almost stumbled when she saw his label-covered, navy-blue duffle bag sitting squarely on the white fluffy mat at the end of her bed. Of course this was where her broadminded aunt would expect him to stay.
‘Lovely,’ she murmured as soon as she could breathe again.
‘Your aunt has been so hospitable.’ Anton stepped towards Bella.
‘Yes, she’s a darling, isn’t she? I’ll – um – just get my things.’
In a blink, Bella was at her wardrobe, pulling undies, a T-shirt and fresh jeans from drawers. ‘I’ll grab a quick shower in the ensuite and you can use the main bathroom. It’s just across the hallway.’
‘Yes, Liz showed me.’
‘Good. I’ll be back in two shakes.’
‘Excuse me? Two shakes?’
‘Sorry.’ Bella hurried to give him a conciliatory kiss. On the cheek. ‘I meant I’ll be very quick. Two shakes of a dead lamb’s tail.’
&n
bsp; Anton smiled. ‘In a while, crocodile?’
‘Yeah, something like that.’
With the hens safely caged for the evening, Liz rested her elbows on the top railing of the veggie garden fence. Gus, who was her faithful companion these days, sat at her feet, and the afternoon sun slid away, sending long purple shadows across the home paddock and casting a pretty bronzed sheen over the dry, parched landscape.
It was rather beautiful, Liz thought.
While she hoped she wouldn’t have to stay here for too long, she was certainly enjoying the peace and quiet of the bush. It was rather like a self-imposed rest cure.
Now that she’d stepped, temporarily, off the performance treadmill, she’d been surprised to realise how very hectic her normal routine had been.
As a concert pianist she’d had to keep herself constantly at peak performance and that required long hours of daily practice, as well as endless rehearsals, publicity sessions, and then, the adrenaline charge of the actual performance.
It wasn’t just a job and it was more than a career – it was a way of life in the same way that being a cattleman was her brother’s way of life.
And Bella’s way of life, too . . .
Coming home to Mullinjim with Bella had been a revelation for Liz. She’d watched her niece set off each morning to tackle all manner of tough outdoor jobs, only to come home quite late, exhausted and dirty, and then to sit up after dinner at the computer, filling in complicated cattle management grids and tables for her father.
Not once had Bella complained about the workload and she seemed to take pride in doing everything well.
Which proved quite clearly to Liz that her niece loved the life here, even though she hadn’t actually admitted it. More importantly, Bella was totally, utterly suited to life on a cattle property. She had the full skill-set and Liz had no doubt this was where she belonged.
Liz had actually planned to have a heart-to-heart chat with Bella on this very topic. She’d planned to speak to her this evening and to release the girl from her pledge to return to Europe once she was no longer needed here. But Anton’s arrival had put everything in a tailspin. Not least Bella.
Even though Bella had stubbornly insisted she was missing her French boyfriend, Liz had seen the dismay in the girl’s eyes when she’d come into the kitchen. Bella had covered it quickly, of course, but now Liz sincerely regretted that she’d invited Anton to put his luggage in her niece’s room.
‘I should have been far more perceptive and cautious,’ Liz murmured to Gus as she rubbed the soft fur on the top of his head. ‘That goes for Bella, too. I’m afraid her emails may have been a tad impetuous. And now these hens here aren’t the only chickens that have come home to roost.’
Gus stared back at her with sad hazel eyes.
‘Liz.’
The call was low but insistent.
Turning, Liz saw Bella hurrying over the grass, showered and changed, with her freshly shampooed hair bouncing damply. She was wearing her habitual jeans, but she’d teamed them with a surprisingly feminine lavender T-shirt with a low cowl neckline.
‘Can I have a quick word?’ Bella looked distinctly worried.
‘Yes, of course, darling.’
‘I’ve got a bit of a problem.’
‘With Anton?’
‘No. Well, yes . . . sort of, but it’s more complicated than that. I’ve invited Gabe for dinner.’
‘Oh, Bella.’ Liz’s first reaction was to worry about the catering. One unexpected guest was a big enough challenge for her. Now there were two. Or was that three extra? ‘Did you invite Roy as well?’
Bella shook her head. And Liz only had to see the anguish in the girl’s face to remember that thawing extra cutlets or adding extra spuds to the pot were minor dilemmas. This new invitation was surely a sign that there’d been developments of the personal kind with Gabe Mitchell . . . perhaps a rekindling of old flames.
‘Am I right in guessing that Gabe might not be thrilled to meet Anton?’
‘Dead right.’ Bella sighed.
‘Can’t you phone Gabe and put him off for now?’
‘I tried, but there was no answer. He might have already left.’
‘Oh, dear.’ Liz glanced at her watch. ‘He’ll be early.’
‘Or maybe he hasn’t left, but he’s busy.’ Bella ran nervous fingers through her damp hair. ‘I didn’t leave a message. I probably should have, but I lost my nerve. Thing is, Gabe’s bound to hear about Anton eventually and he’ll know why I cancelled and that could be worse in the long run. Any way you look at it, this is a mess.’
‘You mustn’t panic.’
‘It’s too late, Liz. I’m panicking big time.’ Bella groaned. ‘What if Gabe’s already on his way? I should have left a message, shouldn’t I?’
‘Yes, if you wanted to try to stop him.’ Liz slipped her arm around Bella’s shoulders. ‘Whatever you do, stay calm, darling. This sort of thing happens all the time.’
‘What sort of thing?’
‘One girl with two suitors.’
‘In operas, perhaps.’ A beat later, Bella turned to Liz, her eyes wide and searching. ‘Has it happened to you?’
‘Of course.’
‘How did you cope?’
‘I chose one man and diplomatically said goodbye to the other.’
Bella gave an exasperated shake of her head. ‘As if it’s that simple.’
‘It can be.’ Liz knew she was stretching the truth. These triangles were always messy, even heartbreaking, but she wanted to soothe the girl. ‘Right now, I’m more worried about what I’m going to feed these men, especially if Gabe turns up.’
‘He’s not fussy about food. I’ll have one more go at ringing him, and if he’s not there, I’ll leave a message. Cross your fingers.’ With that decided, Bella seemed calmer. ‘What were you planning for tonight?’
‘I was going to experiment with lamb cutlets in egg and breadcrumbs.’
‘Oh, that’s yum, but no, don’t try it tonight. It’s a bit complicated.’ Bella shot her a sympathetic smile. ‘Let’s go for something mega-simple like spag bol. We can thaw the mince in the microwave and there’s no need to start from scratch. There are a couple of bottles of good pasta sauce in the pantry.’
‘Isn’t that a bit ordinary for guests?’
‘That’s your problem, Liz. You’re always trying to be fancy.’
‘But Anton’s French and they’re so good with food.’
‘Well, I’ve seen him wolf down hotdogs, no problem. Besides, he won’t expect gourmet tucker out here.’
‘I suppose you’re right.’ Heaven knew, neither man had come here for the food. ‘You’ve such a cool head when it comes to crises in the kitchen, Bella.’
‘You reckon?’ Bella grimaced. ‘Maybe we should swap heads then. Right now I need your coolness when it comes to crises with men.’
No, you don’t. A shiver ran through Liz as she mentally winced at a recurring, harrowing memory.
Anton, in cream linen slacks, a loose black T-shirt and open-toed sandals, looked unmistakably Gallic as he sat on a kitchen stool with a glass of red wine, while Liz fussed at the stove and Bella set the table.
‘You don’t mind eating in the kitchen, do you?’ Bella asked him.
‘No, of course not.’
‘Our neighbour, Gabe Mitchell, might be joining us,’ she added casually, as she arranged the fourth place mat and cutlery, then went in search of napkins.
Gabe hadn’t answered her second phone call and he hadn’t responded to her message, so she wasn’t sure if he was coming and the tension was killing her.
‘Your neighbour?’ Anton looked amused. ‘But how far away is his house?’
‘Oh, about twenty kilometres.’
‘Just around the corner then,’ Anton said, smiling.
‘That’s what it’s like in the outback.’
‘Does this neighbour live alone?’
‘He – ah – has family, but they’re away on
holidays at the moment, so Liz and I have taken pity on him.’
‘That’s kind of you.’
If Gabe turns up, I hope he’ll agree.
‘Here’s Gabe now,’ said Liz.
Bella jumped. Through the window she saw the sweep of a truck’s headlights as it turned into the parking space beyond the hedge. She heard the faint slam of the truck’s door.
Her heart thumped wildly. Gabe had come, after all. Perhaps he’d left home early to check something on the way and he’d missed her message. And tonight he was expecting to have a private conversation, an important, very personal conversation, crucial to their future.
What would he think when he realised his mission was impossible?
Turning from the window, Bella found Anton watching her. She hoped he hadn’t guessed how tense she was. With an effort, she smiled at him. ‘Can I top up your wine?’
‘Not now, thank you.’
She needed to keep busy. Her armpits were damp and her stomach was churning as she cast a nervous glance over the table settings and the bowl of salad she’d prepared. ‘I forgot the salad tongs.’ Grateful for any excuse, she dived for the cupboard.
As she did, there was a knock at the front door.
‘I’ll go,’ said Liz.
Thank you.
As her aunt’s high-heeled sandals clicked down the hallway, Bella was as tense as a swimmer poised on the starting block and waiting for the gun.
She heard Liz say, ‘Hello, Gabe.’
And she heard his deep reply, but although she strained her ears, she couldn’t catch his words nor what Liz said next.
‘Bella.’
Anton’s voice sounded close by and she jumped again. He was right behind her, slipping his arms around her, the way he’d done many times in France. Bella had never minded the possessive gesture before. But tonight was different. As Liz and Gabe’s footsteps came back down the hall towards them, she stiffened.
Dipping his head, Anton nibble-kissed her ear.
‘Not now,’ she hissed frantically.
‘What’s the matter?’ He sounded offended.
‘Our visitor’s here.’
‘But I’m here, too, and I’m––’
Liz and Gabe came into the kitchen. Too late, Anton stepped away.
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