An Outback Affair/Runaway Wife/Outback Bridegroom/Outback Surrender/Home To Eden (6 page)

“I'll have to start thinking like you. I might take up judo or karate.”

“Power, kiddo? Is that what you're hoping to achieve?” He laughed, looking down at her ethereal frame.

“If I were stronger I might be more in control,” she said, very seriously. “I think my image is much too soft and dreamy. It speaks of weakness.”

“Nonsense! I'd stick to your image, if I were you. It's perfectly beautiful. Surely you couldn't fail to know that?”

“Sarah is beautiful, but one senses immediately she's strong. I so admire her.”

“Laura, my dear, you are simply too hard on yourself. Possibly you've allowed yourself to be brainwashed. Is the boyfriend a fitness freak?”

She grimaced a little. “Yes, but he doesn't have a black belt.” Otherwise he might have killed me.

“I do,” he said casually. “I was always interested in the martial arts. I like the discipline, austerity, mastering difficult techniques and working on the concentration that's needed. Overall it's a great feeling of achievement. In my early days one of my workout partners was a young girl. I was terrified
I would hurt her. She was tiny. Like you. By the end of the class I had nothing but respect for her. She was a whirlpool of energy. I know I left the class pretty sore.”

“Can you teach me?” Suddenly she was presented with an idea.

“I'd rather not.” He didn't want to get too physically close to her for any number of reasons. Number one being his strong sexual attraction to her. He couldn't do a damned thing about it. Little Miss Graham was way off-limits.

“That's the first mean thing you've said.”

“Laura, I could scarcely bear to hurt you,” he groaned. Didn't she know how she looked? So fragile, so graceful in her movements. It was the last thing he wanted but he felt a sharp stab of desire.

“May I remind you of your little sparring partner?”

“She'd long been in training,” he clipped off. “You might feel very differently if you were to go flying through the air. Falls can be very painful.”

“Then can you show me a few moves?” Her fear of Colin had been greatly compounded by his physical superiority. Would he have been so free with his hands had she been able to strike back?

He pressed a hand to his strong jawline. “I'll think about it. Demons are in your head, Laura,” he told her ruefully. “You can vanquish them using mind control.”

“I'd feel better if you could show me a few defensive moves.”

He stared down at her, vaguely astonished. He couldn't handle the thought of hurting her.

“You'd show a younger sister, wouldn't you?” she challenged, green eyes sparkling. “Or your favourite female cousin?”

“Let me think about it, Laura,” he replied.

“I used to study ballet, you know,” she offered, as if that would help.

“That's a hell of a start.”

“Ballet dancers are very strong and athletic. I was very
good, but I had to stop when I was about fourteen. I didn't have the time with my music.”

Her appearance was even at odds with her piano-playing, though he knew size could be deceptive. The one time they had shaken hands her fingers had been long, delicate, but they had to be strong.

“By the way, its no problem to get you access to the town's grand piano,” he said, knowing how much a musician needed constant contact with their chosen instrument. “It was a gift from the McQueen family. No second-rate instrument. A Steinway.”

“Good grief, how generous.” She stood a foot away, petals of colour in her magnolia cheeks.

“Yes, indeed,” he agreed dryly. “Sing out when you're ready. For now, let's tackle the kitchen. I'll help you unpack those boxes.”

“Evan, you've been so kind. I can finish up.”

“I'll get things out of the boxes for you. You won't want them in your way. And I'll get them back to Zack. This is going to be quite pretty, actually.” He looked about. “A doll's house for a French doll.”

“Who's going to learn karate!” She struck a little pose, clean, balletic, extremely beautiful.

“I ask myself, how did I get myself into this?”

“Stop puzzling over it. Maybe it was meant to be. Can you shoot?”

“I hate guns,” he said harshly.

“Then you're used to them. You know what they can do.”

“Young lady, there is no way I'm going to show you how to handle a rifle. It's against the law.”

“Unless one has a licence. There are a lot of licences out here in the Outback.”

“Laura, what are you getting at?” She was leading the way to the kitchen but he found himself catching the point of her shoulder, turning her to him.

“I'm pretty sure a lot of women would feel safer if they had a gun.”

“I'm pretty sure a lot of lives could be lost that way as well. You don't need any gun.”

“I don't want one. I hate them too.”

“Please look me in the eye.”

“Yes, Evan.” She lifted her head.

“You can't really believe your life's in danger?”

“Of course it isn't. Probably I was trying to shock you.”

“Believe me, you have.”

“Okay, I'm done.” She stared into the brilliant dark depths of his eyes, wishing desperately she had nothing to hide.

“Good.” Abruptly he moved, before he made the fatal mistake of taking her into his arms. “Let's get cracking.”

He led her into the kitchen where several boxes were stacked. He knew they contained a dinner set, cutlery, pots and pans, electrical goods, a frypan, toaster, kettle, kitchen linen, glasses marked “Fragile”.

“Don't lift that one,” he said, pointing downwards. “It's too heavy.”

“You have to stop looking at me like I'm a piece of porcelain,” she said. “Not very complimentary to me.”

“But understandable,” he said dryly, allowing his eyes to move over her.

“Well, I'm not. You should hear me thunder out Chopin's
Revolutionary Etude
.”

He was acutely aware of her slender body resting against the counter so near to him. The whiteness of her skin made her gleaming hair appear almost black. Her green eyes shimmered like jewels. There was no question the boyfriend was madly in love with her. He himself was staggered by the level of intimacy he had achieved with this troubled young woman.

“The spirit, no doubt, Laura. It's an inner power true musicians have.”

The sound of his deep voice touched her clear through to her centre. It reverberated like a deep, deep purr, reminding her that the human voice was the greatest instrument of all.

For total strangers they'd had a great deal to say to each
other. Ships that passed in the night? Brief encounters? Intuitively she understood that behind the complex exterior was a gallantry a woman could count on. After a year of brutal punishment it was like a marvellous healing balm.

L
AURA
could feel the vibrancy in Sarah the minute she swept through the door. Sarah looked on top of the world, beautifully strong and womanly. She even moved as if beautiful music was going on in her head. Music she could dance to.

“Gosh, you look happy!” Laura could see Sarah was excited. Colour spread over her high cheekbones. Her dark eyes glittered.

Sarah turned to beam at her. “I'm like a new woman. Full of wonder and delight.”

“That's lovely,” Laura's voice was gentle. She was moved by such happiness. “How nice of you to find the time to call.”

Sarah dropped her shoulder bag onto an empty hook on the hall stand. “I wish I could have come sooner, but so much has been happening. You'll be amazed. I'm still in a state of shock and euphoria.”

“So tell me,” Laura invited, quickly leading the way into the parlour.

“First I want to see what you've done here.” Sarah glanced around with genuine admiration. “You are a homemaker.” Laura had accomplished a great deal without obvious expense. She had used a light palette of colours and a mix of furnishings and had managed to make them harmonious. “You've made it very comfortable and attractive, Laura. I'm so pleased for you.”

“These are the chairs I told you about. A house-warming gift from Evan. Do you like them?” Laura inclined her head towards the front window, where two light-grained polished wood chairs flanked a small circular table.

“I do, indeed.” Sarah moved to take a closer look.

“They add a touch of class, don't you think?”

“As does Evan.” Sarah laughed. “He certainly is multi-talented. He's a fine musician too, did he tell you?”

“Cello,” Laura confirmed. “His mother taught him when he was a boy. I have an idea she's well known, but he didn't want to be drawn.”

“That's Evan.” Sarah shrugged, sinking into one of the comfortable armchairs. “How's the friendship progressing?”

“Time will tell.” Laura smiled. “He may tire of being a Good Samaritan, but I'm revelling in having him next door. There's nothing he can't fix. Colin used to call in a professional to change the halogen lights. I have to say the ceilings were very high, but I can't imagine Evan doing any such thing.”

“No.” Sarah grinned. “He certainly exudes competence. There's a lot of emotion behind those dark eyes, don't you think?”

“A lot of strength and a love of beauty,” Laura finished off. “I've decided he's a man of strong passions but they're clamped down tight.”

“That makes sense when one is trying to get one's life back together. Kyall thinks Evan's a man who has removed himself from some crisis situation. We'd all like to know what, but Evan's not talking. I suppose he will when he's ready. The Outback isn't his world.”

“It's offering him solace,” Laura offered. “Like me.”

“I'm pleased to say you've lost that look of stress,” Sarah approved. In fact, Laura looked glowing.

“I do feel better. More relaxed. It's comforting to know Evan Thompson is right next door. All six-four of him. He's taken on the role of big brother.”

“Does that bother you?”

“No. It's a bit of a game we're playing. He doesn't want to see me as a woman; he prefers to see me as a mixed-up teenager. Fewer complications.”

“You still haven't been able to approach the subject of Colin?” Sarah watched Laura as a friend and as a doctor.

“I've answered quite a few of Evan's questions, but no. My spirit is healing, especially when I look up at the Outback
stars at night. the sheer numbers, the brilliance and the closeness. I don't want thoughts of Colin to slow the process. As for Evan, I have to think he's very much at home interviewing people.”

“A Pulitzer Prize winner?” Sarah suggested with a smile.

“It wouldn't surprise me. It wouldn't surprise me either to find out his name is something quite different from Thompson.”

“I suppose if he doesn't tell us one day we'll stumble on his identity,” Sarah said. “One thing we can be sure of—he's a man of integrity. One recognizes the quality right off.”

“You look so happy, Sarah.” Laura was struck by her friend's incandescence. “Radiant would have to say it. And Kyall mirrors your happiness. I'm so glad for you both.' She remembered her manners. “Could I get you something?” She half rose in anticipation. “Tea, coffee, a cold drink?”

“No, thanks, Laura.” Sarah waved her back into her chair.” Kyall and I have many things to attend to. A trip to Wunnamurra is first on the agenda. I can't stay long but I wanted you to hear my news, then I'm off. It will all be public soon enough.”

“Okay, I'm all ears.” Laura leaned forward, feeling a tremendous sense of kinship with this beautiful woman.

“It's altered everything—our whole lives, our plans—but we're thrilled about it.” Sarah's expression was exalted.

“So tell me?” Laura pleaded. “I can't stand the suspense. I recognized something wonderful had happened to you the moment you danced through the door.”

“That's it! I feel like I'm walking on air. Do you believe in God?” she asked Laura, very earnestly.

“I do.”

“So do I now. I wasn't sure. You're going to be stunned.”

“If it makes you look this good, stun away.”

Even then Laura couldn't begin to take in the story Sarah began to unfold.

In the quietness of the afternoon Sarah told of the close childhood bond between her and Kyall McQueen, of the opposition from Kyall's family, most significantly Kyall's
grandmother, Ruth McQueen, the family matriarch. The result of that intense relationship—an unplanned pregnancy when she was still at school.

Before Laura could recover, Sarah swept on. “Needless to say Ruth was beside herself with anger and outrage. I wasn't going to be allowed to ruin Kyall's life. I understood that. My own life would be for ever changed, but Ruth had no concern about that. I was so young. Mum and I didn't have much, only each other. I was terrified that what Ruth was saying was the truth. The McQueens have always been regarded as very special people. They practically own the town. My father—he died early—used to work on the station as a shearer. There was no question of a serious relationship, let alone a match.”

“So what happened?” Laura was finding it unbelievable that the serene, composed Sarah had been caught up in such drama.

“Ruth bundled me off to a little coastal town to wait for the birth. She wanted me to have an abortion, but I refused. When the shock of finding I was pregnant settled, I wanted my baby. I held her for a few minutes after she was born. She was perfect. Ruth told me the next morning my baby had died.”

“Ah, Sarah!” Laura felt the shock right through her system.

“But she didn't die,” Sarah told her friend quickly, seeing the stricken expression on Laura's sensitive face. “Ruth McQueen deceived me. She deceived my mother. Kyall was never told.”

“But that's monstrous!” Laura understood instantly. “It puts my story into perspective. You must hate her? To do something like that— But how?”

“Cold-bloodedly and without a moment's thought for what her actions were going to do to me. My baby was exchanged with an infant who did die of respiratory problems. Ruth paid a nurse to make the change.”

“Sarah, what can I say? I can scarcely believe this.”

“It's all true.” Sarah gave a short laugh. “It could easily
have remained true, only for the grace of God. Kyall and I have only now discovered our daughter. As fate would have it she's staying on a schoolfriend's property for the holidays. I was called to a very serious accident on the property that turned out to be fatal. Kyall and I went back to the homestead for a cup of tea, and our daughter walked into our lives. Living proof after years of hell.”

“But how did you know?” Laura's voice reflected her stunned emotions.

“Laura, she's the image of me,” Sarah said simply. “The woman who took her home and reared her, very successfully, is the same woman who was in the small maternity hospital with me. I've never forgotten her name. Stella. Stella Hazelton. It was Stella's little baby who died. But Fiona's our daughter, Laura. We want her.”

“Of course you do.” Laura's reaction was strong. “It's so sad, though. It will involve—”

“Pain for the ‘parents' who reared her?” Sarah spoke out as Laura hesitated. “That's the hard part. The Hazeltons did a fine job. For that we'll be everlastingly grateful. Fiona has been very loved and Fiona loves them. Why wouldn't she? Her parentage was never in question. Until now. Fiona is our daughter. Kyall's and mine. We missed the first fifteen years of her life, irreplaceable years, but we're not missing the rest. Between us all we came to a decision Fiona should come to us, her true parents. That will happen when she's ready to make the adjustment. Oh, Laura, she's perfectly beautiful.” Sarah's velvet-brown eyes filled with emotional tears.

“If she's like you she must be.” Laura leaned over and squeezed Sarah's hand. “This is a truly amazing story.”

“In confidence, for the moment.”

“Of course. I won't breathe a word.”

“It will get around soon enough. Harriet knows. I never did feel in my deepest being my baby had died.”

“And Kyall? You never told him?”

“I know what you're thinking. He should have been told.” Sarah's eyes darkened.

“I'm making no judgements, Sarah,” Laura answered at
once. “I don't know the circumstances but I do know you must have been subjected to tremendous emotional stress. You thought you'd lost a child. The greatest grief a woman can suffer.”

Sarah's golden head was downbent. “The shock has been greatest for Kyall. I've lived with the loss of my baby for half my lifetime. Kyall never knew he had a child. I thought I was sparing him the agony. That's my only explanation. He took it very hard. I don't think he'll ever get over it—except we have our daughter.”

“But what of his grandmother? Are you going to confront her?”

“This very day.” Sarah's musical voice turned uncharacteristically harsh.

“Oh, Sarah! It will be a ghastly business.”

“I'm sure. But Judgement Day is at hand for Ruth McQueen. Kyall has been very close to her all his life. He's the one person in the world Ruth loves. All the rest are peripheral figures. But there are different kinds of loving.”

To men like Colin it meant possession, Laura thought. Ownership of a woman's body and mind.

“Ruth's brand of loving is destructive,” Sarah said. “While she proclaimed her great love of her grandson she robbed him of his child. She feels no remorse. That's the sort of woman she is.”

Laura had to look away. “How very strange.”

“Strange doesn't say it, Laura. When Ruth McQueen is crossed she becomes a devil.”

Laura had some experience of devils.

It had taken many years for Sarah to deal with her traumas. By the grace of God they were in the past. Now it's my turn, Laura thought. If Sarah could live with the hell of a lost child, survive and become a fine doctor, surely she could change the terrible mess she had made of her life by marrying Colin.

One didn't become strong overnight, not after all the awful fear she'd been living with, but there was some magic about
this town. The very sunlight had healing power. The friendliness of its people. A woman like Sarah. Evan. She had come to depend on his friendship. Since coming to Koomera Crossing her life had irrevocably changed course.