Life Support: Escape to the Country (10 page)

Two chocolate kelpies tied up in the tray behind them yapped hysterically, wagging their tails, visibly excited about the stranger sitting in the cab in front of them. Emma loved dogs and would dearly have loved to meet them and ruffle their ears, but Tom had been all business from the moment he’d arrived to pick her up and she’d dared not ask if she could pat them. They were probably working dogs and treating them like pets was against the rules. She shivered and rubbed her hands together before he silently wound up the window.

They drove past fog-filled paddocks and she barely made out the shapes of sheep grazing in their hundreds, many with new lambs tottering after their mothers on shaky legs. She never understood why lambs were born when it was so cold.

She dredged up a smile from the depths of her heart. “I had a hard time finding this place last night. Lexton Downs isn’t on Google maps,” she said, in an attempt to melt the thick wall of ice which had formed between them.

Tom shrugged without taking his eyes off the narrow road in front of him. “Once we get the business properly set up, we’ll arrange to have signage erected on the main roads. That’s if the business is still going to go ahead.”

He might have been sulking, but his voice was deep and husky and had the same impact on Emma as it had the night before. Unfortunately, she also heard the edge of bitterness in his voice. He was evidently upset with her, or something she’d said or done, but instead of confronting him on his attitude, she decided to give him space. She didn’t think Tom was one to hold onto a grudge, but then again, it wasn’t like they knew one another. She regarded him from the corner of her eye and once more found it was difficult to tear her gaze away from him. How was it possible that the broodiness in his eyes made him look more gorgeous?

They continued in silence and Emma concentrated on looking out the windscreen. The fog was so thick she could barely see a meter in front of the car. She was glad Tom drove at a crawl. She’d forgotten what the fogs were like in Birrangulla.

“I can’t believe Lleyton never told me about this place,” she said, keeping her voice light.

Tom glanced in her direction and frowned. “What do you mean?”

“I didn’t know about Lexton Downs until the lawyer told me about it after Lleyton died.”

Tom braked hard and pulled over before turning in his seat to face her. As soon as the car stopped moving the dogs barked, and a flock of white cockatoos shrieked in protest and flew up in the air before settling back onto the branches of a giant gum tree.

“So what
do
you know about it?”

“Nothing,” she said with a shrug of one shoulder.

“So you have no idea of the homestead’s history?” he asked.

She shook her head. “Like I said, I know nothing. Lleyton apparently saw it for sale on the internet and bought it. He merely forgot to tell me,” Emma said sarcastically. Tom frowned again and she felt the need to explain. “Lleyton and I weren’t exactly on good terms before he died.”

There was a long pause as Tom took this in.

“He was planning to give it to you when it was finished. That’s what he told us.”

“It’s a bit more complicated than that.”

Tom’s eyes held hers for a moment and it felt like he was looking straight into the depths of her soul, the way she’d always longed for him to do. It unnerved her slightly – as if he knew all about the hidden hurts she carried inside her. She shivered. Thankfully, he started driving again and she was grateful he didn’t push her for more information. They drove through another pair of wrought iron gates, similar to the ones she’d driven through the night before.

“I wish it wasn’t so foggy. The drive up to the house is spectacular.”

When he spoke this time, he didn’t sound as angry. With each passing minute, he was loosening up, and she found herself liking this version of Tom better than the uptight one she’d seen so far. It was good to see his easy smile back in place and she relaxed. Whatever was upsetting him seemed to be going. Seconds later, he braked again and through the fog, Emma made out the shadow of a large building in front of them.

Behind them, on the tray of the ute, the kelpies pulled at their chains and whined.

She craned her neck to look at them. “Your dogs are gorgeous. What are their names?”

“Deeks and DiNozzo.”

Emma laughed. “From
NCIS
. My favorite show.”

“Mine too,” he said, flashing a rare smile. “They’re great dogs, but totally crazy.”

“Not that dissimilar to the characters on TV.”

“True. Wait here and I’ll come around and help you out.” She frowned.
Really
? Wasn’t chivalry dead and buried?

Tom climbed down from the cab and let the dogs off their chains. They raced off into the fog, barking and chasing each other around like toddlers who had been cooped up inside for too long. He came around, opened her door and held out his hand to help her down. The fingers that grasped hers were warm against her own.

“Welcome to Lexton Downs,” he said, dropping her hand.

This time Emma was certain he had smiled, but she wasn’t looking at him. She was unable to move, transfixed. She couldn’t take her eyes off the massive bluestone mansion before her. She opened and closed her mouth, incapable of forming words.

“You can close your mouth,” Tom said with a chuckle.

“
This
is Lexton Downs?”

He laughed again, bemused by her reaction. “Yep. And it’s all yours.”

She still couldn’t move.

Tom strode toward the house, boots crunching on the loose gravel. Taking the steps two at a time, he crossed a wide veranda before opening the front door with a flourish. When he faced her, his entire expression had changed. Now he wore a proud smile on his face, like Mufasa presenting Simba to the pride.

“Come on then, don’t stand there. Wait until you see inside.”

She floated up the three steps and entered the house, finding herself standing in a huge entrance hall with two enormous rooms on either side of her. Highly polished original Baltic pine floorboards gleamed. She was dumbstruck.

“It was empty for nearly twenty years,” he said, “and completely run-down. I’ve got photos of what it looked like when Lleyton bought it if you’re interested.”

“I’d love to see them.”

“This is the library on the left and the main drawing room is on the right,” Tom said, indicating each room.

She walked into the library first, taking in the high ceilings with their pressed metal and the intricate pattern of the paintwork around the ceiling roses and cornices. A white marble fireplace took center stage against the middle of one wall. All the room needed was wall-to-wall bookcases to become the room of her dreams. Whoever had completed the work had done so lovingly and with incredible attention to detail. The opulence was flabbergasting. The Chirnsides were wealthy, but this house took things to a whole new level.

She spun around again, taking it all in a second time. “It must have cost a fortune to do these renovations.”

Tom shrugged. “Yeah, it cost a lot of money. But it’s been worth it. The bank valuation is in, and with everything Lleyton has done, he’s tripled his initial investment. We’re able to borrow against the property to furnish it and get it ready for accommodation.”

“How much is it worth now?” She guessed if the house was in Melbourne or Sydney the property would be worth at least ten million dollars.

“The bank has valued it at four point five.”

“What?” She wasn’t sure she’d heard him right.

“Four point five million,” Tom repeated.

She shook her head in disbelief.

“Come on, there’s more to see.”

She followed Tom through the entrance and down a wide hallway past more empty rooms, her mind reeling.

“These are the bedrooms.” He pointed to rooms on the left and right of the wide hallway. A red oriental carpet runner ran the length of the hallway, its complex geometric pattern hinting it was an expensive original.

Emma counted five bedrooms, each one with a modern en suite bathroom. They came to the end of the hallway and turned left. Another long hallway opened up on one side to a large bluestone-paved internal courtyard. An ancient elm stood in the center, branches bare. Immaculately trimmed box hedges bordered the house.

“The house is built around this main courtyard,” Tom explained. “It’s in one big square.” He pointed across the yard to the main house. “Through there is the kitchen, dining room and another sitting room. Behind us is a small office and laundry. It’s a perfect layout for a bed and breakfast.”

Emma nodded in agreement.

Tom took off again and she followed him, once more gaping in bewilderment. Room after magnificently restored room, each with its own fireplace. So far she’d counted twelve.

“It’s like one of those houses you see on those English renovation shows,” she said when she was finally able to find her voice. “What’s the history of the house?”

“It was built by a well-known architect back in 1860. The five bedrooms you saw are all original. We were able to add bathrooms to each room without changing the footprint of the property too much. We built them out under the veranda.”

“How big is it?”

When he told her, Emma's eyes widened. It was five times the size of the home she’d grown up in.

“There have only been four owners of Lexton Downs. The last owners – the Miller brothers – purchased the property in 1936 but over the years it was neglected and left in disrepair due to lack of money and fighting between the brothers. They died six months apart in the early nineties and the house has been empty since. Until Lleyton bought it.”

They exited through a side door and headed toward a stable block. A cold breeze swept over them as the fog lifted and swirled. Overhead the sun was there, but it was hidden, yet to pierce through the heavy cloud.

Emma stopped walking and spun around on the crushed gravel to look back up at the house. Her hair wafted across her face in the breeze and she pulled it away from her face and twisted it into a knot on the top of her head. Uncontrollable laughter shook her body. Was this a joke? Soon Tom joined in and the tension between them at the start of the morning, once impenetrable, was suddenly gone.

“I can’t believe this is all mine,” Emma said when she finally stopped giggling and caught her breath. She threw her arms around him, kissed him lightly on the cheek and hugged him tightly before letting him go. “Thank you so much.”

Tom’s face flushed red. He frowned slightly. “Don’t thank me.”

She pointed back at the house. “But all this work you’ve done. It’s incredible. It would’ve been a huge job.”

He shrugged. “I didn’t do the actual work, I simply coordinated it. Lleyton organized the architects, builders and interior designers and paid the bills. I made sure they showed up on time and got the job done. I’m just a farmer, hired to help.”

“I’m pretty sure you did more than that and I can assure you, you’re definitely more than hired help,” she said. “Anyway, thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Tom’s smile faded as swiftly as it came. “I wish I’d known all along the house was going to be yours, Emma. Lleyton never talked about you. If I’d known it belonged to you, I would’ve involved you in the whole renovation process.”

Emma touched him on the arm. “None of this is your fault. Lleyton wanted it kept a secret and you had no way of knowing I was married to him. It’s been years since we’ve been in touch.” She smiled. “I wasn’t sure you even remembered us. Me,” she quickly corrected.

“I remembered you.”

Her heart sped. Did he remember the night they’d shared too? She searched his face but saw nothing. Disappointment surged through her like a dam bursting its banks.

His eyes darkened with sympathy as he gazed down at her. “I’m sorry for how things have turned out for you, Emma.” He stunned her by enveloping her in a hug.

Emma returned the hug, wrapping her arms around his waist, drawing comfort from his strength.

His arms tightened across her back as she fitted herself into him the way she had dreamed of doing for years. She closed her eyes. It had been a long time since she’d felt so safe. Turning her head to one side, she rested her cheek against his chest, listening to the steady pounding of his heart. Time stood still. Memories flooded. Was it possible to sustain a crush for ten years? She pulled back to gaze into his eyes and her stomach shifted south. Apparently, yes, it was possible. Very possible.

Whatever the driving force, Emma didn’t recognize it. But she had to kiss him. Ignoring the clanging and banging alarm bells, she stood on tiptoes and kissed him. She felt him hesitate at first and she almost pulled away in embarrassment, then he returned her kiss softly.

The years faded, her legs liquefied and she was sixteen again.

The distant barking of the dogs yanked them apart and the symphonic orchestra in Emma’s mind screeched to a discordant halt. She stood motionless, dazed, confused, breathing heavily. She stared into Tom’s eyes – eyes as wide as open windows until he snapped the shutters and locked her out. What had she just done? Her head whirled. She knew she should drop her arms from around his waist and step back, but he wasn’t releasing her either. Tom held her like a precious flower, as if he didn’t want to crush her in his embrace. She closed her eyes and swayed slightly and he held her tighter for another brief moment, steadying her. She breathed in and out and counted slowly to five before opening her eyes again. He was staring at her, looking as dazed and shell-shocked as she felt.

Emma’s tongue felt like it was glued to the roof of her mouth. She opened her mouth to speak and he spoke at the same time.

“Emma.”

“Tom, I’m sorry.”

He dropped his arms and took a step away from her.

The warm fluttery feeling instantly evaporated as her heart stalled. Her body flooded with shame. She wiped her sweaty palms down the front of her jeans and racked her brains for how to fill the deep chasm that had just opened up between them.

Turning his back to her, Tom raked his fingers through his hair before awkwardly re-tucking the front of his shirt back into his jeans and readjusting his belt as though trying to find something else to do with his hands. His eyes bored holes in the ground at his feet.

A long uncomfortable silence fell between them. Somewhere in a nearby gum tree, a kookaburra laughed. Emma had no idea what to say.

Sorry, I have no idea what possessed me to kiss you.

Sorry, I’m still infatuated by you.

Sorry, not sorry, can we do it again?

She shook her head to dislodge the thoughts thumping around in her head like possums on the roof. The sound of the barking dogs was closer this time. She whirled around to see what the commotion was all about and her eyes widened in surprise as a dark-haired girl raced toward Tom with her arms outstretched.

“Daddy, Daddy!”

Emma’s breath snagged in her throat as something heavy landed in the bottom of her gut. The punch felt so real, she was certain it would leave a bruise.

He had a daughter?

“Sweetheart. When did you get here?”

Tom greeted his daughter with affection, his smile lighting up his entire face and chasing away the grim lines that had been there moments earlier. He bent down and opened his arms and the little girl threw herself at him. Scooping her up, he rained kisses on her freckled face.

“Mummy and I went to the cottage first but Nanna said you and a lady were at the big house so Mummy said I could run over here by myself to find you.” Arms waved animatedly, the words somersaulting from her mouth with barely a breath.

Emma’s stomach dropped further and she felt sick.

Snuggled on Tom’s hip, the little girl stared at Emma with open curiosity. She was around five or six and with her full red lips and thick dark curls, there was no prize for guessing whose child she was.

Tom dropped her to the ground. “You’re getting far too big to carry. Emma this is Ruby. My daughter.”

Emma pasted on a friendly smile. “Hello.” Her face flushed with guilt. Had Ruby seen them kissing? Further guilt caused a shudder to rip through her. She glanced around nervously. What if Tom’s wife had caught them?

“Ruby, this is Mrs. Chirnside.”

“Hi,” Ruby said with a little wave and a smile as wide as Tom’s when he chose to display it. She wasn’t shy in the least.

“Hi Ruby. You can call me Emma.” She turned to Tom. “I’m going back to my maiden name too. Emma O’Connor, not Chirnside.”

Tom nodded to indicate he’d heard her, but he refused to meet her gaze. His neck and face were as flushed as her own. What an idiot. She
knew
Tom would be married. Why then had she gone and kissed him?

“I was just about to show Emma the stables,” he said, ruffling Ruby’s curls. His voice was full of false cheer. The read-between-the-lines message was: “let’s not talk about what just happened.”

“How about you lead the way Rubes.”

Ruby jumped up and down, clapping her hands with excitement before dragging Tom by the hand and tearing off without giving Emma a chance to decline.

Everything within her wanted to run. Memories of Tom’s lips on hers flashed through her mind and she quickly shoved them into the corner of her brain reserved for hiding things. Since finding out about Lleyton’s affair she’d become adept at compartmentalizing her personal life. It appeared she would have to do it again now.

She needed to put space and distance between them.

“Emma? Are you coming?”

She sighed. It looked like she had no choice. As Emma followed them, she reminded herself that it was time to stop believing in fairies, magic wands and happy-ever-after endings. Tom Henderson was married, which meant the doorway to her past was now firmly closed and had to stay that way. She sighed again. If only she could turn back time.

The sound of a car’s tires crunching on gravel caught Emma’s attention and she stopped. Tom and Ruby had already disappeared into the shadowed interior of the bluestone stable block. A dark gray Audi SUV with tinted windows wound its way slowly toward her. Emma couldn’t see who was behind the wheel but she could guess. Ruby’s mum. Tom’s wife.

Tom reappeared. “That’s Christine now,” he said. “I’ll introduce you.”

An attractive, heavily pregnant woman emerged from the car and waved at Tom. “Morning,” she called out cheerfully. “I dropped in to see your mum first. Hope you don’t mind that I let Ruby run over from there. Your mum said you were over here.” She greeted Tom with a light kiss on his cheek before turning to Emma. “Hi, I’m Christine,” she said with an open, friendly smile. “Call me Chris. You must be Emma. Judy was telling me you’re the new owner of Lexton Downs. Congratulations. Isn’t it amazing? Has Tom taken you through the whole house yet?” Tom’s wife gushed enthusiastically, barely pausing for breath, reminding Emma of Ruby. She slid a pair of oversized sunglasses on the top of her head and her hazel eyes flashed warmly.

She didn’t seem the least bit perturbed that her husband was alone with another woman. Emma stuffed the jealousy down. A sexy husband, a gorgeous daughter and another baby on the way. Emma sighed. Tom’s wife was living her fantasy.

“Um, yes, we’ve toured the house and Tom and Ruby were about to show me the stables.” Her words came out sounding clipped and stilted. Nothing like the cool, calm, collected act she was aiming for.

Christine groaned theatrically and touched Emma on the arm. “You’ll be here for hours then. I hope you like horses too. Ruby is as horse crazy as her daddy.”

“Daddy says I can stay all day and help him if you say yes,” Ruby piped up from where she was clambering up a pile of straw bales.

Christine frowned. “No sweetie, I told you we were only coming out to drop something off to Nanna and pick up your boots that you left here yesterday. I’ve got a busy day planned and I haven’t got time to come back out here to pick you up.” She checked her watch. “I have to pick Noah up in an hour. Besides, Daddy will be busy today with Emma. This is her house now and he needs to show her around. So come on honey, say good-bye. You can come back out when the horses get here.” Christine looked over at Tom. “Are you still expecting the first ones next week?”

He nodded. “We’ve got two arriving on Monday morning. But it would be better if Ruby isn’t here then. I won’t be able to keep an eye on her.”

“Fair enough. How about you call me when you’re happy for her to come over for the day.”

“Will do.” He turned to Ruby and clapped his hands together. “Come on possum. Mum wants to go now.”

Ruby scowled but obeyed, jumping down from the bales of straw. She hugged Tom fiercely and waved at Emma. “See ya next time Emma,” she shouted as she bounced off to the car.

“Nice to meet you Emma. I’m sure I’ll see you around. See you Tom.”

“No worries Chris. See you later.”

Moments later, after buckling Ruby into her car seat, Chris gave a cheery wave and with a small skid of tires on gravel, they were gone.

“I should get going too,” Emma said once Christine’s car was out of sight down the driveway.

“You don’t have to go.”

“I do.” She needed to escape before he mentioned the kiss. “I want to go and see Mum and Dad. They don’t know I’m in town yet. I thought I’d come out here first then go and surprise them.”

“Fair enough. But it would be good if we could sit down and talk about your plans for the future of the property. After seeing it today, do you still think you’ll sell it?”

“I have no idea. Like I tried to say last night, I haven’t made any plans yet.”

“But now you’ve seen it, you might want to live in it yourself instead of turning it into a B and B.”

Emma stared at the huge house looming over them. Why was he being so insistent on needing to know her plans?

“I can’t live here. It’s a mansion, not a home. If I was going to live anywhere, it would be somewhere like Bluestone Cottage.”

Tom scowled. Emma resisted the urge to roll her eyes. What had she said wrong
this
time?

“So you’re saying Mum will need to look for somewhere else to live?”

Now it was Emma’s turn to scowl. “No. I didn’t say that. And why would she need to move? The cottage is her home.”

“The cottage comes with the job, yes. But Lexton Downs and the cottage are both yours now. You’re not obliged to keep either Mum or me on the payroll. If you still want to run it as a bed and breakfast I’m sure you could do it yourself, or find someone else to manage the property.”

“Don’t be stupid,” Emma replied in exasperation.

She planted her hands on her hips and glared at him. Where had he gotten these ideas that she wanted to bring massive changes to Lexton Downs? He was making a huge assumption and it was beginning to frustrate her.

“Tom, let me say right up front, I’m not kicking you and your mum out. I was simply saying I can’t live here. The house is too big for one person. If there was another place like the one your mum lives in, I’d live there instead. As for your job, it’s safe. I haven’t heard all the ideas you have for the B and B and the horses and everything, but it’s clear you’ve given a lot of thought into making this venture succeed. I’m not about to pull the rug out from under you. I promise. We can talk about it tomorrow or another day.”

Tom was still unsmiling when his phone rang. He scowled and reached into his back pocket to retrieve the device before shooting a vaguely apologetic look in her direction.

“Tom Henderson.” There was a brief pause before he smiled and relaxed. “G’day mate. Thanks for calling. Macka said to expect your call.”

He put his hand over the mouthpiece and glanced at Emma. “Sorry, I need to take this call. Why don’t you have a wander around? I’ll catch up with you.”

She stifled a sigh. Unless she felt like walking back to Bluestone Cottage to get her car, she was stuck waiting for him.

At least he hadn’t said a word about their kiss.

*

Twenty-five minutes later Tom still hadn’t appeared. Emma had done another complete walk-through of the homestead, taking photos of everything. The only thing missing from the house was the reproduction furniture Tom had explained was on back order and would be arriving soon. Other than that, it looked ready for guests.

She rounded the back of the house and came to another smaller bluestone outbuilding. She tried the door and found it locked, which surprised her. So far she’d been able to wander freely around the entire property. She peered in the window and made out a large open-plan kitchen and living space. Through another window was a large unmade bed. Men’s clothes hung in an open wardrobe. She frowned. Who lived here? Was there someone else employed on the property?

Emma heard footsteps on the gravel, stepped away from the window, and headed back to the main house. She didn’t want Tom to think she was snooping.

He caught up with her in the orchard. “Sorry about that. I had to take that call. Another horse trainer heard we’re doing agistment for ex-racehorses. He’s been keeping his horses somewhere in Victoria but is looking for something closer to Sydney. He’s made a time to come out next week and check it out.”

“That’s good.”

“So what do you think?” he asked, arms spread wide.

“To be honest, I’m speechless.”

“I wish you’d seen how run-down it was when Lleyton first bought it.”

“I’ll have to look at those photos you were telling me about.”

“Mum has them over at the cottage. She’s documented everything.”

“Is she going to run the bed and breakfast herself?” Emma asked. “It sounds like it’s going to be a huge job.”

Emma was impressed with the way Bluestone Cottage was set up, but while she had no doubt Judy could run a successful little bed and breakfast, a property the size of Lexton Downs would need more than one person running it.

“No, Mum’s done lots of behind the scenes stuff. It’s up to you now, but I was planning on hiring someone to do the actual bed and breakfast side of things. Christine is going to help too. If that’s okay with you, naturally. She has a background in tourism so she’ll be taking all the bookings and doing all the accounts – that sort of thing. She can work from home which will be good when she has the baby.”

“That sounds fine.” Emma gritted her teeth together. It wasn’t fine. Not only would she have to see Tom regularly, he’d expect her to be all buddy-buddy with his wife. The idea was not appealing.

Tom shuffled his feet in the gravel. “Lleyton was happy for us to run the place without much input from him, but now it’s yours I don’t want to make any changes without running them past you.”

“Like I said, at this stage I’m happy for you to keep going in the direction you are headed. I have no idea about any of that sort of thing, but I’m sure Christine knows what will work if she understands tourism. Give me time to get my head around this, then we can talk about the future.”