by Sarah Barrie
‘You want me to fix this scrap metal, I need music.’
He walked around, snatched her to him and pressed a firm kiss on her lips. ‘Callie needs to talk to you.’
‘Callie?’ Indy looked around Logan and smiled. ‘Hi.’ She wiped her hands, dropping the rag on the side of the machine. ‘Good to meet you.’
‘Hi,’ Callie said. ‘Tess asked me to give you this. She said you’d know what it was about.’
Indy took the hard drive. ‘Right. More security footage.’ She put it in her pocket. ‘Looks like Bessie’s going to have to wait.’ She gave the tractor a pat and closed it up. ‘Thanks.’
‘No problem.’
Sharp blue eyes considered Callie in a way that had her wondering if Tess had told Indy who she was. ‘You’ve had a pretty rough time of it. How are you holding up down here?’
‘Okay, so far.’ That answered that question. Did that mean Logan knew too? Connor? How many other people already knew who she was? ‘Everyone’s being very nice.’
Indy took a sip from her water bottle and nodded, before walking back to the gate. ‘We have it on good authority the trial came out the right way.’
Callie followed. ‘Whose authority?’
‘Pat Langdon.’
Had she missed something? ‘You know the detective who ran my case?’
‘I’ve worked with her in the past.’ Indy put down the water bottle and leant against the gate, folded her arms. ‘She’s a good cop.’
‘I don’t understand. How—’
‘Indy’s a detective,’ Logan said. ‘Used to work in Sydney before she came down here.’
‘Aren’t you a mechanic?’
‘Sometimes,’ Indy said with a grin.
‘She multitasks,’ Logan explained, then let them through the gate. ‘I need breakfast. You want a lift back?’
‘Oh—no, it’s fine, thanks. I like to walk.’
‘If you need anything, let me know,’ Indy said.
‘Thanks.’ Callie watched them disappear in the ute. Nice people who knew who she was and what she’d done and were still prepared to give her a go. Potential new friends. But were too many people finding out about her too fast? Could this get out of hand?
* * *
Connor didn’t waste any time getting back to the guesthouse. It sounded for all the world like Callie had been describing Orson, and if it was, he was probably sneaking in to see Kaicey. But there was also a chance their mystery visitor had come back. Either way, he needed to find out what was going on.
He heard the commotion as soon as he hit reception.
‘You shouldn’t be here!’ Ned was telling Orson while Kaicey stood behind the desk, chewing her fingernail, a worried expression on her face.
‘You are! What’s the difference?’
‘That’s enough!’ Connor hissed, approaching them. ‘There are guests walking around. Can we keep it down?’
‘We need to talk,’ Orson said to Kaicey and Ned more quietly—desperately.
‘You don’t get to tell us what to do!’ Kaicey whispered forcefully.
‘Orson, you need to leave,’ Connor said. ‘I told you it was up to Kaicey if she wanted to talk to you. You shouldn’t have come in here.’
‘I really just need to talk to her for five minutes. Or Ned. Can I talk to Ned?’
‘No,’ Kaicey said.
‘Do you want to die?’ Orson asked urgently. ‘Because if you don’t come with me—’
Stunned, Connor grabbed him and dragged him around the corner, out of sight of the entry. ‘Did you just threaten her?’
Kaicey came out of the reception door. ‘Stop!’ she said. ‘Please. He’s not threatening me. He’s just having one of his episodes. Probably hasn’t taken his meds.’
Connor carefully released him. ‘Episodes?’
‘I wouldn’t hurt Kaicey,’ Orson said as though stunned at the idea. ‘I wouldn’t hurt anyone. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to cause trouble.’
‘But you snuck in here when I wasn’t looking because you knew I wouldn’t approve,’ Connor said.
‘I’m sorry,’ he said again. ‘I just wanted to talk to her. To them. I have to.’
‘I’ll talk to you,’ Ned said. ‘On the way back to your car. Let’s go.’
‘But—’ Connor began.
‘It’s all right, boss. I’ve got this.’
Orson sent Kaicey one last look and gave Connor another apology before walking out with Ned.
Connor watched them go, saw Orson talking desperately with Ned as they went down the steps. He was angry and over it. And worried.
‘You ready to tell me what all that’s about yet?’ he snapped at Kaicey.
‘I—I told you. Having him here is risky.’
‘You said “episode”.’
‘Orson suffers from a delusional disorder. It can make him overly suspicious and nervy. He used to have to take medication. I guess he still would.’
Cole had said something about anxiety, but a delusional disorder? ‘I’ll talk to Cole. This wasn’t mentioned.’
‘His parents used to have to spend a heap of dollars on therapy and meds. I know it cost them a fortune even with Medicare rebates and stuff. Maybe you should ask Cole if he still has access to all that.’
‘Will do.’ Connor spotted Indy and Logan coming into the guesthouse. ‘Thanks, Kaicey.’
She nodded and went back behind the reception desk.
‘Morning,’ Indy said.
‘Hi, got a minute?’ he asked.
‘As long as I can eat and talk, sure,’ she said. ‘Let’s get breakfast.’
CHAPTER
15
‘Last one.’ Tess put the lavender in the ground and Callie filled in the soil around it. The shuttle had gotten back about an hour before and Tess had come straight over to help. ‘I think mass planting them in this corner was a good idea. They’ll fill the gaps in this space in no time.’
They stepped back to study the work on the second garden bed before Tess looked at Callie. ‘You’re good.’
‘You did a lot of that yourself, and you have a good groundsman. He was pretty spot on with plant varieties and numbers.’
‘Actually, we don’t. Bob’s got months more rehab to go and he’s nearly seventy. He’s decided to retire. We’re shouting him and his wife dinner in the restaurant on Friday week as a thank you and goodbye. You should come.’
The Friday Tess was talking about would have been Callie and Dale’s anniversary. They’d done something lavish and special every year, usually something Dale had thoughtfully planned. He’d known her so well, had never disappointed her. And he’d always looked more pleased than she was when he saw how much she enjoyed his thoughtfulness. How could he have turned out to be a violent murderer? That Dale and her Dale still didn’t gel in her mind. Perhaps they never would.
‘Thanks,’ she said, with every intention of skipping the dinner. She wouldn’t be good company. ‘We should keep at this.’
‘I asked Connor to help you get those big trees in. He didn’t make it?’
‘He was here and was going to but something came up. Besides, it’s not necessary. You don’t hire someone to do a job then do it yourself.’
‘Callie, those trees weigh a tonne. If you were ordering plants yourself you’d order manageable ones, or at least organise for help to get them in, right?’
‘True.’
‘Well, all that didn’t happen. So Connor will help. It won’t hurt him, he’s strong as an ox.’
As if Callie needed reminding of how built the guy was.
‘The ox is back,’ Connor said, arriving behind them. To Callie he said, ‘Sorry I just disappeared.’
‘It’s fine,’ she said. ‘We don’t need you.’
He picked up a shovel anyway. ‘I haven’t been put in my place since this morning I suppose,’ he muttered.
She smiled an apology. ‘I’m sorry. That wasn’t meant to be rude.’
‘I can handle it,�
� Connor said. ‘You want to get those trees in now?’
‘Okay, sure.’
Callie admired the muscles that moved and strained under his shirt as he lifted and placed the heavy trees. Acknowledged the little tug in her stomach. Dale had been handsome, perhaps more so than Connor, but in a refined, softer way. Connor’s raw masculinity and sharp good looks were sexier. And difficult to ignore, even in the place her mind was at. She knew it was crazy to think she’d enjoy another serious relationship. She didn’t think she had it in her to blindly trust again, besides, who’d want to be with a murderer? But she could look, maybe even dream a little, and still keep Connor—and anyone else who came along—at a safe enough distance. Hopefully in time, everything else about her life could return to normal. It would be nice if she could have her natural hair colour back, stop hiding behind caps and sunglasses. That would be enough for her. And it would come. In time she’d put the props away. This was just the beginning.
‘This is looking good.’
Callie groaned inwardly at the sound of Ned’s voice behind her. ‘Hi, Ned.’
‘Boss, Tess,’ Ned said to the others. ‘You want to hang around tonight, have that meal?’ he asked Callie. ‘The restaurant here is very good. Not too busy on a Monday.’
‘I can’t,’ she said. ‘I have to get back to the cottage. Your dad relies on me to get his dinner for him each night.’
Ned’s mouth turned downwards. ‘Coped well enough before you got here.’
‘On microwave meals.’ She heard the judgemental tone leach into her voice and pulled it back. ‘I don’t mind. But thanks for the offer.’
‘How about a quick drink then?’
‘I have to drive.’
‘Just one?’
Oh, hell, he looked so damn devastated. And Connor was watching intently. Did he think Callie was being mean? Maybe if she just had a drink with Ned he’d leave her alone. Maybe that was a way out—the lesser of the two evils?
‘Sure,’ she conceded. ‘Just a quick one at five, okay? I really do need to get back.’
Ned’s whole face radiated with his smile. ‘I’ll see you up there.’
When he walked away Callie sighed and dropped her head back to stare at the sky. Connor’s chuckle had her head spinning in his direction. ‘What?’
‘You look like you just agreed to host your own funeral.’
Her mouth opened and closed several times before she opted for the nicest comment that came to mind. ‘He’s lovely. He’s helpful. He’s Paisley’s brother. But he’s also … It’s awkward. He won’t leave me alone.’
Connor nodded. ‘You’re the latest crush.’
‘Latest?’
‘Ned is as sweet as they come,’ Tess reassured her, ‘but … you don’t want to encourage him.’
‘I wasn’t!’ she said, mortified.
‘I know,’ Tess said, ‘but Ned’s idea of encouragement compared to yours and mine is a little different. He has a habit of forming attachments to people.’
Callie had pretty much figured that out, but waited silently for Tess to elaborate.
Tess let out a laugh. ‘Now I’ve worried you. He’s completely harmless, but he can get a bit … inappropriately pushy if he decides he likes you. Best way to keep it simple if he asks you out is to be very clear you’re not interested.’
‘I thought I had. His dad had a fall the other night and Ned wanted to take me out to dinner as a thank you for helping out. I told him it wasn’t necessary, but he’s insistent. I was kind of hoping if I just had a quick drink with him he’d stop pestering me. What are my chances?’
‘Slim to none,’ Tess said.
Connor dropped his shovel into the earth and checked his watch. ‘It’s almost four. If I shoot off now and do a couple of things, I can meet you for that drink, add a third person to the equation.’
‘Why would you do that?’ Callie blurted.
‘Oh, so paranoid,’ he teased, wiping his brow. ‘Call it a small thanks for the work you did before we made this official. You know where the bar is?’
‘I’ll take her up,’ Tess said. She was watching her brother with interest.
‘Right, I’ll see you there.’
‘Why were you looking at him like that?’ Callie had to ask.
Tess’s eyes danced with amusement. ‘He’s just acting a little out of character. Let’s get stuck into this part, head in a bit early and wash up before drinks.’
They worked fast, and by the time they went up to the guesthouse to wash, Callie wasn’t really sure her appearance was satisfactory to be sitting in the bar. Even after she’d washed her face and hands and tidied her hair, she still looked like she’d been gardening all day. The bar area was just too lovely: quietly classy with floor-to-ceiling views of the mountains.
Logan was already there and waved them over. ‘Heard we were having drinks,’ he told them. ‘Connor’s on his way. What will you have, Callie?’
‘I’ll stick to Diet Coke, thanks.’
While Logan was at the bar, Connor came in, freshly showered. There was that tug again. She felt it amp up several notches.
‘Where’s Logan?’ Connor asked, taking a seat beside her.
He smelled of something slightly woodsy. His thick hair was damp and curling slightly at the edges and she wondered what it would feel like to run her fingers through it. Damn it, Callie, what is wrong with you?
‘Getting me a Diet Coke.’
‘Everything okay?’
‘Should I be in here dressed like this?’ she asked, as it was the first thing that came to mind.
He looked her over, and damn if it didn’t send a shimmer of electricity through her.
‘The management will make an exception,’ he reassured her. ‘On this occasion.’
There was nothing she could do—she just hoped she didn’t smell the way she looked. Just in case, she shifted as far away from Connor as she could. ‘I hope Ned isn’t late. I really need to get back for Cliff.’
‘It was kind of you to agree to this,’ Tess said. ‘Maybe not wise, but kind.’
‘I already told him I wasn’t interested,’ Callie objected. ‘When he talked to me about his inheritance and all but proposed. Other than carving it in stone and hitting him over the head with it, I’m not sure how else to get through. And I hate hurting people’s feelings.’
Connor coughed and eyed her sceptically. She narrowed her eyes and the cough became a grin.
‘There is another way,’ Tess teased. ‘Ned had a thing for Indy when she arrived. When Logan showed an interest in her, he backed off.’
‘Showed an interest?’ Callie repeated in a small voice. She glanced at Connor, who was watching her thoughtfully. ‘Are you suggesting …’
Connor’s warm, amused eyes met hers. ‘Want to play pretend?’
‘Uh … no!’ And because it came out so definitively, she added, ‘Thanks, but—’
Over the top of Connor’s head, she saw Ned come in and give her a once-over.
‘Callie,’ Ned said. ‘You ready to get that drink?’
‘Here we go,’ Logan said, returning with a tray of drinks and placing hers in front of her, before handing out the others. ‘What are you after, Ned?’
‘I was planning on a drink with Callie.’
‘Pull up a chair,’ Connor suggested. ‘We all had the same idea at the same time.’
Ned’s lips pressed together in a thin line. ‘Suppose so.’ He sat down.
‘I’ll get you a beer,’ Logan offered and went back to the bar.
Tess told an anecdote about a few tree-climbing kids in her tour group earlier that day. Connor followed it up with a report on the rehab program and Ned’s sour mood slowly levelled. Logan got him another beer, and the conversation continued, easy and flowing.
Callie excused herself as the sun started to lower outside. ‘I really have to get going. This was fun. See you, Ned.’
‘Right. I’ll walk you …’ he began but Connor was already o
n his feet.
‘I just need to pinch you for two more minutes before you leave,’ he told Callie.
‘Okay, sure.’
When they were out of sight, she said, ‘Thanks for that.’
‘It’s okay,’ Connor said. ‘I appreciate you don’t want to hurt his feelings. It says a lot about who you are.’
A little embarrassed, she stepped back, looked around. ‘Why did you bring me this way anyway?’
‘I’ll show you.’ He led her into the kitchen, found a stack of takeaway containers and handed her some. ‘Go fill these up from the buffet. Make up a few different meals for Cliff, give him one tonight and stick some more in his freezer for any night you can’t get out there. Beats microwave meals.’
Hell. He’d just layered gratitude on top of attraction. ‘Okay. Thanks.’
‘Any time.’ He led the way out. ‘And if you need anything else, just let me know.’
‘Why?’
He nearly ran into her when she stopped and spun.
‘Why?’ he asked slowly. ‘Because … I’m trying to be helpful?’
‘As long as you don’t think—I mean—I …’ Now what? It was going to sound pretty obnoxious if she blurted out she wouldn’t sleep with him despite his offer of a couple of takeaway containers. Shit. ‘I just don’t want to give anyone the wrong idea,’ she finally said.
His brow shot up. ‘If I made you uncomfortable with that offer to get Ned off your back, I apologise.’
‘No, of course not,’ she said, embarrassed. ‘Sorry, I think Ned just got to me.’ She laughed self-consciously. ‘I’m going to go home. See you. And thanks again.’
* * *
Connor walked back towards the bar, a small smile on his face at the thought he might have flustered Callie—in a good way—at least a little bit, because she sure as hell had managed to get under his skin.
‘Hey.’
He turned to see Indy approaching.
‘Is Logan with you?’
‘Yeah, just having a drink. We needed to play interference. What are you up to?’
‘I’ve been looking at the footage Tess gave me, trying to pick up anything from the night Bailey died, and I got your message about Orson, and wanted to let you know I’d requested a history. What do you mean “interference”?’