by Sarah Barrie
‘I’ll be there at lunchtime,’ Paisley promised.
‘Right. Nice to see you, Callie.’
‘You too.’
‘Right.’ Paisley clapped her hands together. ‘Let’s get sorted.’
They cleaned, tidied, unpacked. ‘We’ll have to get some groceries, fill up the fridge and pantry, whatever other supplies you need so you don’t have to go into town too often. And you’re going to need a car. You can’t be stuck out here without transport.’
Callie chewed on her lip. ‘You’re right. But until my name change comes through …’
‘I know you’re paranoid about flashing your name around town—or on paperwork—so I have a solution. Buy it under my name, and I’ll sign the transfer paperwork straight back to you. You can stick it in a drawer until your name change is official, then swap it over.’
Callie thought about that, then nodded slowly. ‘That’ll work. Thanks, Paise.’
‘Welcome. And I really am sorry about Dad.’ Paisley’s face reflected her disappointment and concern. ‘I should have warned you about his moods, but the truth is you’re really doing me an enormous favour staying. I said I’d go back to Highgrove and sort out the place for your buyers and I will. But I feel better knowing someone is here until I get back.’ She chewed on her lip. ‘I didn’t realise he’d deteriorated this much. Ned’s only here once a week and Adelaide just comes and goes as she can fit him in—I’m never sure if she’ll show or not.’
Callie still wasn’t completely certain this was a good idea, but if it made Paisley feel better she wasn’t going to let her down, so she nodded reluctantly. ‘I’ll keep an eye on him.’
‘Thank you. So, how do you want to play this? If you need to rest, I can get the groceries, run Ned’s stuff out and come back to take you into town later this afternoon. Otherwise we can go get a car, shop, then you can drive it back here with the groceries and I’ll detour out to Calico Mountain.’
Callie really did want nothing more than to close her eyes for a few hours, and although Paisley had managed to nap for half an hour on the way out, she looked wiped out, too—it wasn’t fair to have her doing all that extra running around. ‘How about we just get everything knocked over,’ she suggested, ‘then we can come back and relax for the rest of the day?’
Paisley looked relieved. ‘Perfect. Let’s get Ned’s stuff in and get going.’
CHAPTER
8
‘It’s all going to have to go,’ Bob Turley told Connor. A wave of the groundsman’s arm encompassed the tangle of fallen pines and broken undergrowth that had stood between the guesthouse and the petting farm. ‘It’s a wonder no one and nothing was hurt. You’re probably lucky that big storm knocked ’em flat while no one was out and about and the wind blew ’em away from the road, not over it. They’ve toppled like dominos.’
Connor had to agree. ‘It’s a shame. They were ancient. What about the broken ones, are they salvageable?’
Bob scratched at a spot behind his ear. ‘They’re as rotten as the rest and there’s no windbreak left. They’ll just come down next time. Maybe on someone’s head. They need to go.’
‘That’s going to leave a big hole.’
‘Yep. We’ll need to extend the guesthouse gardens. Tie the area in with the rest of the place.’
Connor looked a long way back towards the guesthouse gardens. ‘That’s a big space to fill.’
‘We’ll do islands with winding avenues of grass—just like round the front and other side of the guesthouse. Put in the same sorts of trees and plants. Give it a few years, and it’ll blend in real good.’
‘Okay,’ Connor agreed after a moment. ‘Work out some costs and get back to me.’
‘Will do.’
He left Bob to his planning and went back to the guesthouse where he met Ned coming up the guesthouse steps.
‘Boss,’ Ned said.
‘Morning,’ Connor replied, a bit surprised to see him there at that time of day. ‘Late start?’
‘Sorry, had to be out at Dad’s early. I’ll make it up.’ The doors slid open and they went inside. ‘Just gotta see Kaicey and I’ll get back on with slashing.’
‘Bob might be looking for help at some stage today,’ Connor said. ‘He’s got to cut up and clear those fallen pines down near the petting farm.’
‘Can do.’
‘Did I hear my name?’ Kaicey asked from behind the reception desk as they approached.
Ned nodded and leant on the desk. ‘Paisley’s going to turn up here at some stage round lunchtime. Just thought you’d like to know.’
Kaicey’s eyes rounded. ‘Paisley’s coming here?’
‘Your sister, Paisley?’ Connor asked, wondering why it seemed to bother Kaicey.
‘Yeah,’ Ned said, watching Kaicey. ‘Come to help with Dad. Didn’t get all my stuff moved out in time for her to use the cottage and she doesn’t want it at Dad’s—she wants to tidy up, so she’s bringing some stuff here for me. I’m stacking it in one of the unused bunkhouse rooms until I can sort something else out.’
‘That’s no problem,’ Connor said.
‘Uh … how is she?’ Kaicey asked in a small voice.
‘Good. She’s good,’ Ned said. ‘Done well for herself.’
Kaicey smiled. Sort of. ‘That’s nice to hear.’
‘Right. I’m off then. Boss.’ Ned nodded at Connor and ambled away.
‘You know Ned’s sister?’ Connor asked Kaicey after Ned had left.
‘Used to. I haven’t seen her since we were in high school.’ She shook her head as though to clear it. ‘Do you want this ad for the new cleaner placed today?’
‘Huh? Oh, that’d be great,’ he said. ‘I’m getting some breakfast then heading back out; got the program this morning.’
‘How are the new guys doing?’
‘Not sure yet. I’ll know more after today.’ And because it was still bothering him, he said, ‘You want to tell me anything about Orson?’
She dropped her gaze. ‘He’s someone else I haven’t seen since school. The thing is, he was always in trouble back in those days. It’s disappointing to see he’s still in trouble, but not really all that surprising. I just don’t want much to do with him.’
‘Two old school friends back in your life within days of each other. What are the chances?’
‘Yeah,’ she muttered. ‘It’s quite the coincidence.’
By the time he made it down to the stables, Logan was saddling up horses with Harvey and the group. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, and he was drawn to the far end of the breezeway by Harvey’s voice.
‘You do it up slowly, not too tight right off, or the girth will pinch the horse. Then it won’t want it done.’
‘Okay,’ Orson said and tried again.
There was a burst of laughter from Harvey. ‘Not that slow! We’ll be here all day.’
‘Right! Show me then.’
Logan wandered over. ‘Morning.’
‘Morning. How’s Orson going?’
‘Getting on like a house on fire with Harvey, polite and friendly towards me and the other guys. Doesn’t have much of a clue but he tries hard enough.’ Logan frowned. ‘Want to tell me why you almost look disappointed?’
‘Kaicey knows him. She didn’t seem particularly happy to see him.’
‘Did you ask her why?’
‘She said he has a habit of finding trouble.’
‘I guess that’s what got him here,’ Logan said, and paused to watch Orson put the bridle on under Harvey’s instruction. ‘Right now he’s fitting in just fine.’
‘Logan, can we take them out?’ Matty called.
‘Yeah, as soon as you’re ready.’
The group filed out, leading their horses, and lined up in the mounting yard. Logan talked them through the do’s and don’ts then, between them, Connor and Logan got them on and walking the horses around. They practised stopping, starting and steering.
They were just beginning to get the hang of it when
a car pulled up outside the stables.
‘Who’s the hottie?’ Travis called.
Connor looked back over his shoulder to see Indy getting out of her car.
‘Man, she could be your mum,’ Matty said.
‘She’s my wife,’ Logan growled good-naturedly.
‘Damn,’ Travis said with admiration, then his eyes lit up again. ‘Is that one married?’
‘That one’s our sister,’ Connor said as Tess climbed out of the passenger side. He stood, arms folded, daring Travis to continue.
‘Ah, teenage hormones,’ Logan sighed.
The women approached and Logan snagged Indy, giving her a dramatic kiss. She elbowed him playfully and stepped back.
‘What’s that for?’
‘Showing off. Apparently, you’re a mummy-aged hottie.’
Indy narrowed her eyes at the boys trying to watch inconspicuously. ‘Hmm. I’ll choose not to be offended by the inclusion of my age. How’s it going out here?’
‘Great. They’re getting better with the horses. How’d you manage to get away?’
‘From the case? Even I get a break.’
‘Case?’ Connor asked.
‘Father of two murdered in his backyard,’ Indy told him. ‘It’s pretty gruesome. I was called up there to help. Can’t wait to wrap it up.’
‘Saw that on the news,’ he said. ‘So we’ve got some sicko on the loose?’
‘Sick all right,’ Orson muttered as he rode past.
Indy’s brow shot up as she put on what Connor called her ‘cop face’.
‘What?’ Tess asked her.
‘That didn’t sound like a random comment to me.’ She walked into the middle of the yard. ‘Hold up.’ Indy waited for Orson to pull up his horse. ‘You know something, mate?’
‘What? Nah—don’t know nothing.’ He stared down at his horse, uncomfortable. ‘Just saying.’
She waited a few beats, letting him squirm. ‘You sure?’ she asked eventually. ‘Because the thing is, ten years as a detective tells me otherwise. So you want to try again?’
‘No! Man!’ he whined.
‘Just prison talk, that’s all,’ Matty said, pulling his horse up behind Orson’s. ‘Rumours coming over from max about some badass dude out for revenge.’
‘We hear shit like that all the time,’ Travis said, joining in. ‘Everyone’s always trying to outdo everyone else, make out they know someone or something. Just survival in there.’
‘But you weren’t in max,’ Indy said to Orson. ‘How do you find this out?’
‘Word filters down. It’s just bullshit.’ Matty moved his horse past Orson’s. ‘Come on, keep going.’
Indy returned to Connor and Logan. ‘Interesting.’
‘You really think it’s bullshit?’ Connor asked.
‘I’ve got a few contacts in Risdon Prison. I’ll see what I can find out.’
‘Good luck.’
Connor was still helping out when they dismounted and cooled down the horses. He hadn’t meant to spend so much time down there, but this was another keen group, a bit rough around the edges, though that was to be expected. And he couldn’t fault Orson. The guy had done as instructed and thrown in a couple of jokes about his riding prowess that had the group joking back, laughing.
‘Not bad,’ Connor said to him when the man caught him watching as he put away his gear. ‘Are you enjoying yourself?’
‘A lot,’ Orson replied. ‘I wanted to thank you for the opportunity to do this.’ He placed his saddle on its rack. ‘And … I was wondering if Kaicey was around? It’d be nice to catch up with her.’
‘Kaicey isn’t interested in talking to you.’ Then, when the guy looked gutted, Connor added, ‘I’m sorry, Orson. She’d rather not become reacquainted.’
‘No—it’s all right. I get that. I wouldn’t mind just one opportunity to speak to her though. After that, I’ll leave her alone if that’s what she wants.’
‘That would be entirely up to her.’ He turned to leave, but Orson kept pushing.
‘It’s really important.’
Connor turned back. ‘Doesn’t change my answer. But if you want to tell me what it’s about, I’ll pass it on.’
‘Just a … um …’ Orson pulled at his earlobe, dragged his hand away and scratched at his arm, then shuffled his feet. ‘I just wondered if she got a message, that’s all. An envelope in the mail. It was a while back but it’s important that she got it.’
It had been a long time since Connor had first seen that envelope, but he knew Kaicey kept it around. ‘You mean the black one?’
Orson’s features fell into a frown. ‘You’re not … one of us, are you?’
One of us? ‘Absolutely not,’ he said, though he didn’t have a clue what Orson meant. ‘I just saw the envelope.’
Orson stood staring at him for several seconds, then nodded. ‘Right. I see. You know what? It’s not important. Thanks.’
Connor thought about that as Orson walked quickly away. He had a gut feeling something was brewing—something he wasn’t going to like.
Because the conversation with Orson was still niggling at him when he went to get lunch, Connor almost walked straight past her—a woman in the doorway, hovering as though looking for someone. Tall and blonde, slim, pretty. And something about that face … ‘Can I help you?’
She smiled. ‘Hi, I’m Paisley. Paisley Waldron. I’m looking for Ned.’
It had been a long time since he’d seen her and back then she’d still worn her hair in pigtails and sported missing teeth. ‘Connor Atherton. How are you?’
Her face lit with recognition. ‘Great, actually. I remember you a bit. From when Dad came out here shearing. I think I was only six or seven.’
‘Sounds about right. You stopped coming around after that.’
She shrugged. ‘Hanging around smelly sheep wasn’t really my thing. And Mum and I left when I was twelve.’
‘That’s right. How is she?’
‘She’s okay.’
‘Good. Ned said he might be a bit held up, but he shouldn’t be too far away.’
‘Not surprised,’ she said and looked around her. ‘This place has certainly changed. It’s incredible.’
‘Thanks. We’ve had a few rough spots recently but it’s on the up and up.’
‘I heard there was some trouble. Ned said it got nasty.’
‘It did.’
‘So … wife, kids?’ Paisley prompted.
‘No.’ And Connor was pretty proud of the fact his polite smile didn’t waver despite the sharp shot of hurt that answer still caused. ‘You?’
‘Still looking.’ The flick of hair and the accompanying obvious look should have piqued his interest. Paisley had turned out all right. More than all right. Wherever her life had taken her, it had been in the right direction.
‘Ned said you’ve come down to help out with Cliff?’
‘Yeah.’ Her smile fell. ‘He needs to go into some level of care.’
Connor grimaced. ‘I hope it turns out okay. Do you want to join me while you wait? Grab a tea or coffee?’
The smile came back. ‘Love to.’
He led her over to the coffee machine and waited while she helped herself.
‘Paisley Waldron?’ Tess’s voice carried from where she and Kaicey were sitting.
Paisley turned, eyes narrowing thoughtfully on Tess, before she walked over. ‘Tess, right?’
‘Right. How are you?’
‘Not too bad.’
‘Hi, Paisley,’ Kaicey said.
Whatever Kaicey was worried about wasn’t reflected in the bright greeting Paisley sent her. ‘Kaicey—right! How lovely to see you. It’s been a while.’
‘Sit,’ Tess said. ‘Tell us what you’ve been up to.’
‘I’m dropping some things off for Ned.’ She sat at an empty seat and placed her cup carefully on the table. ‘It’s been a hectic morning. We flew in early.’
‘We’ve been following what happened to your boss,�
� Tess told her. ‘Crazy stuff.’
Paisley leant her elbows on the table and sipped her coffee. ‘The whole trial was a joke. She shouldn’t have had to go through it.’
‘No points for guessing whose side you were on,’ Connor said.
Paisley shrugged. ‘I lived it with her. I know exactly how it happened. A lot of people didn’t think she’d walk away free, but it would have been an injustice if she hadn’t.’
‘We’re happy for her. We watched the verdict come through on the telly,’ Tess told her. ‘And … you said you’ve brought a friend down with you?’
‘I did?’
‘You said “we” flew down.’
There was a slight hesitation. ‘Oh, right. Yeah. I needed some help to get Dad’s place ready for sale. It’s going to be a massive job.’
‘So Waldron Park is really going up for sale?’ Kaicey asked.
‘Not much choice, I’m afraid. How’s everything been with you?’
‘All good.’ And then with less enthusiasm, Kaicey said, ‘I, um, ran into Orson.’
Connor couldn’t help but notice the way Paisley’s gaze sharpened. ‘Here? Why?’
‘He’s involved in a rural skills program being run for parolees.’
‘Parolees?’ Paisley repeated. ‘I wish I could say I was surprised.’
‘You know him, too?’ Connor asked.
Paisley dragged her eyes from Kaicey’s. ‘Sure. Kaicey used to live just down the road from us and Orson was out on … Dixon Street?’
Kaicey nodded once. ‘Yeah, that was it.’
‘Before Orson’s father died, my mum worked with him at the nuthouse.’
Tess coughed. ‘Nuthouse?’
Paisley shook her head in self-admonishment. ‘Sorry—pet term for the old asylum. Mum used to complain that if you weren’t completely nuts before you went in, the place tended to make you that way. Because of the conditions there she felt really sorry for a lot of the patients—and the staff. Which is the only reason she tolerated it.’
‘I remember that place.’ Connor sent his sister a teasing look. ‘Tess tried to talk me into doing a ghost tour there once.’
Tess shrugged. ‘Willow Court was the oldest running mental hospital in the country until it closed in 2000,’ she said defensively. ‘It goes right back to convict times. All sorts of strange things happened out there.’