Taming the Outback (18 page)

Tom helped Libby into her seat and drove them to the community hall. It took all of her patience to sit still on the short drive. The car park was almost full by the time they arrived. Libby noticed Nathan’s vehicle in the lineup and breathed a sigh of relief as Tom helped her from the vehicle.

Libby and the children followed Tom into the hall where the sounds of voices rose over the beat of the country music. The hall was a riot of color and smells. Chinese lanterns hung from the low ceiling beams along with old tools and leather saddles and bridles. A stage was set up at one end of the room and a bar at the other. Hay bales and wine barrels made for casual seats and tables. Children ran among the adults while they danced or talked. No one seemed to mind the noise the children were making as they weaved in and out of the hay bales.

“Mum, there’s Hannah.” Holly pulled on Libby’s hand. “Can I go?”

“She’ll be fine,” Tom said. “They can’t get up to much here.”

She watched her daughter run off to join the giggling bunch of girls on top of the hay bales. Winton and Josh slipped off without a word and disappeared into the crowd.

“Let’s grab a drink, and then I can introduce you around.” Tom took her elbow and led her over to the bar.

Local after local stopped them on their way to be introduced to Libby. Everyone was interested in seeing who the new owner of Quincy Station was, and she was amazed at the kindness and offers of support she received.

“Tom, everyone is so nice and friendly,” she said as they leaned on the bar waiting for their drinks.

“That’s just country folk for you.” He laughed. “There’s always someone ready and willing to lend you a hand when you need it.”

“Libby, Tom.” Mr. McNally approached them. “I think you owe me a dance, young lady.”

“My pleasure, sir.” Libby walked into his open arms. They cruised around the dance floor, the subject of many a curious glance.

“You sure look pretty tonight,” he said, twirling her around.

“Why, thank you.” She smiled.

“Call me Bill. My wife wants to meet you after this dance before someone else drags you away.”

She could see Nathan on the edge of the crowd, his gaze on her. She pretended to ignore him even though her breathing turned shallow and her body thrummed with a rhythm all of its own. Libby tried to concentrate on what Bill was saying, losing the conversation each time her gaze made contact with Nathan’s. She compensated by smiling at Bill while he talked to her, obviously unaware her mind was not with him but on the man across the room. Her awareness of Nathan peaked almost to the point of distress by the time the band had finished the tune.

Bill guided her over to where his wife was sitting with a group of people. The men stood when Libby was introduced, shaking her hand as she went around them. They were all interested in what she was doing at the farm and full of encouragement. She garnered numerous open invitations for coffee whenever she had time to get away for a while.

“We’re throwing a party for our wedding anniversary in a couple of weeks,” Joan McNally said. “Bill is putting a pig on the spit for a feed. Please say you’ll join us. You’ll get to meet some of the locals who couldn’t make it tonight and I’ll get a chance to get to know you better.”

“Thank you. That would be great. What can I bring?

“I’ll call you in a couple of days, and we can sort that out,” Joan replied.

“Sounds good to me.” Libby turned as she heard footsteps behind her.

Tom walked over and placed an arm around her waist.

“I think it’s my turn, Libby,” he said. “Excuse us, folks.”

He danced well, spinning her around, her dress billowing out from her legs. She managed to calm her feelings while Tom led her around the floor. Concentrating on the locals and the upcoming party, Libby managed to gather herself and push away the emotions threatening to engulf her when she saw Nathan standing at the bar watching her.

Tom was like a father to her, and the community had accepted her. They’d made that quite plain. She felt like she belonged here. Nowhere else had she felt so secure and fulfilled. When Tom tried to walk her back to the bar when the music finished, but she shook her head and kept him on the dance floor.

After another couple of dances, she let him guide her back for a drink.

“Not as young as I used to be.” Tom smiled as he leaned on the bar.

“You still have a heap of spunk left in you, Tom.” Libby laughed. She turned and leaned her back against the rough timber, so she could watch the dancers as she sipped her cold punch. Plenty of people she hadn’t yet met were looking at her curiously, and she relaxed, knowing she would probably know most of the town by the end of the evening.

She spied Winton and Josh with a bunch of kids, having a good time. Holly was with her friend Hannah and some other kids her age, and Libby knew she didn’t have to worry about any of them. She watched as a young man in his mid-twenties came toward her, his hat in his hands.

“Ma’am,” he stopped in front of her, “could I have the next dance, please?”

Libby smiled to herself as he tried to keep his gaze on her face but it kept dropping to her cleavage. She could see Nathan walking toward them and quickly held her hand out to him.

“My pleasure. The name is Libby. Libby Holland.”

“Jeff Waters,” the man replied, walking her onto the dance floor. He placed his hat back on his head and wrapped his arm around her waist as he led her into slow waltz. He pulled her close to his chest and leaned his face against hers.

“You sure look pretty tonight, Libby,” he complimented as he cruised around the dance floor with her.

He dropped his hand a little lower than was necessary, but Libby chose to ignore it. Jeff was young, and it was causing her no harm. It was flattering someone that young found her appealing. Besides, Nathan was watching them with dark, brooding eyes, and the thought he might be jealous made her squirm inside. Before the music finished, another guy was waiting to cut in and dance with her. After the next couple of dances, she had to plead for a break. She was thirsty, and supper was almost ready for serving. She headed for Tom, ignoring Nathan, who was at the other end of the bar.

“I hope you know what you’re doing, girl,” Tom said as she leaned on the bar next to him.

“I am having so much fun.” She laughed breathlessly. “Everyone is so nice.”

“Yeah, that’s country folk for you. You know what I’m talking about. Nathan looks about ready to kill.”

“Good,” she replied, a satisfied heat settling in her stomach. “How about I go find the kids and make sure they’re okay, and then we’ll grab something to eat?”

“Kids are fine.” Tom indicated their whereabouts with his head. “I been keeping an eye on them.

She looked over and saw Josh and Winton dancing with a group of kids from school. Holly was sitting on a pile of hay bales with her head against Hannah’s, giggling over a plate of snacks. Shrugging her shoulders, Libby looped her arm through Tom’s and walked with him over to the table laden with supper. She passed him a plate and began to pile it with snacks for both of them. When she decided they had enough, she grabbed two coffee mugs and poured them each a drink from the urn. She followed him back to their seat by the bar and started snacking.

“Hi, Nathan,” Tom said.

“Evening, Nathan.” Libby smiled, turning to her neighbor. “Nice to see you again. Isn’t this a great night? It’s my first country dance, and I must say I’m impressed by just how nice the local folk are.”

“Tom, Libby.” Nathan nodded his head at them. “Looks like some are just a little bit too friendly, wouldn’t you say?” His dark eyes were squinted at Libby, as if daring her to contradict him.

“No, I’m sorry, but I have to disagree with you.” She smiled warmly at him. “I’ve been made to feel so welcome, and for that, I thank them.”

“So you don’t mind if the young guys do a bit of groping on the dance floor?” He all but snarled. “Best you save me the rest of the dances then. I’d be more than happy to oblige you.”

Libby laughed at him.

“Oh, Nathan,” she said, her hand going out to pat his shoulder. “I think you’re taking this just a little bit too far. They’re young, and I’m sure they mean nothing by it.”

“The next dance is mine,” he said through gritted teeth, before he turned his back on her and headed for the supper table.

“Oops.” Libby turned back to Tom.

“Girl, I do hope you know what you are doing.” He shook his head before taking another sip of coffee.

“Under control,” she replied, knowing all her hard work to bring her emotions under control had just went out the window. Her skin was prickling with waves of heat that made her palms sweat. “Don’t worry so.”

Tonight she was going to have her way with him. Of that, she was certain.

He came over just as another young man held out his hand to her.

“This is my dance, I think.” Nathan shot a cool glance at his rival. The cowboy nodded his head in defeat and walked away. Nathan put his arm around her back and twined his fingers through her right hand, gripping her tightly. He dipped his hand lower to rest on the curve of her back, and he pulled her close. The music and the crowd ceased to exist as he danced with her. Libby couldn’t tear her eyes from his as they moved as one, shutting out the rest of the world. When another cowboy tried to cut in, Nathan frowned enough to have him backing away.

The possessive action made Libby’s stomach tighten. It was a machismo thing to do, and she loved it. He was jealous, and the thought made her groin clench tight as heat raced through her. When the band stopped for a break, Nathan led her to the door and guided her outside. Couples were spread out around the entrance talking and laughing as he led her over toward the cattle yards. The night was lit up with a full moon and a smattering of stars.

A chill rippled over her skin as he pushed her gently back against the wooden structure. His lips lightly skimmed over her chin before his tongue traced her bottom lip. She swallowed a gasp as he traced a line down one side of her neck with his lips before traveling back up to her mouth. His tongue sought refuge in her mouth, tasting and tempting her like a starving man grasping for food. The thrill went straight to her stomach, and her thighs clenched together to stall the explosion building up inside her.

She lifted her arms around his neck, and he pushed against her, his erection evidentially straining as he cupped her face in his hands.

“Sweetheart, what are you doing to me?” he whispered, his kisses raining over her face.

“I can stop at any time,” she panted, her eyes half-closed.

“Bullshit.” He grunted, kissing the side of her mouth. He trailed his lips down her throat to kiss the tops of her breasts, making her nipples rub against the soft fabric. He danced his tongue along the neckline as she squirmed against him, willing his mouth to go further. She groaned as he blew gently in the cleavage of her breasts, and her breath caught in her throat.

His hands stilled as a group of giggling teenagers came their way. He pulled away, leaving her suddenly cold without his body against hers. Libby pulled herself from the fence and stood on shaking legs, wishing they were somewhere more private where she could do what she had set out to do. Brushing her hands over her full skirt and checking her breasts were well-contained in her bodice, she spoke to him. “I think it’s best if we go in now, don’t you?”

He grabbed her by the arm and stopped her. “Give me just a minute.”

Libby looked at his erection, still prominent against his jeans. She smiled to herself. The night hadn’t yet ended. She would just find another place to seduce Nathan. She waited quietly as he adjusted himself and took a few deep breaths.

“Shall we?” she asked after a moment. She walked ahead of him and didn’t look back. She spoke to several people at the door before going back into the hall and heading for the bar. Tom was talking to a couple of his old mates, and they all greeted her and offered her a seat. Handing her a drink, Tom winked and looked toward the door. From under her lashes, Libby saw Nathan glaring at her. She turned away and forced herself to relax and enjoy the conversation of her companions while her mind raced with other options for the seduction of Nathan.

It was just past midnight when Libby went to round up the kids. Nathan was nowhere to be seen, and he hadn’t approached her again. When they pulled up in front of the house, she roused the boys to walk inside and pulled a sleeping Holly from the four-wheel drive, carrying her into the house and putting her to bed.

“Coffee, Libby?” Tom asked as she came back out to the kitchen.

“Thanks, but no. There’s something I need to do.” She kissed his cheek before heading out the door.

Libby cruised down the driveway, happy the night would end at Nathan’s house and not out the back of the dance hall. The thought of being disturbed hadn’t crossed her mind when she’d planned the seduction. She’d been too intent on the man himself.

Her skin tingled with excitement as she pulled into the parking spot beside his shed. A light was burning in the kitchen. He was sitting on the doorstep with a bottle of beer in his hand, and her gazed locked with his as she walked through the gate toward him.

“Forget something, sweetheart?” He took a long drink from his beer.