Breaking The Drought (7 page)

Maggie laughed and pointed to a table at the rear of the hall. ‘Luckily for you, she's found her own entertainment.'

Luke squinted until he spotted Trish deep in conversation with Cameron Richards. He let out an audible sigh of relief.

‘Really, Luke, you could have made a bit more of an effort.'

‘I know, I know. Look I'll make it up to her. I'll scoot over in a minute with a glass of champagne, make sure everything's okay.'

‘I'm sure you will, now that you know she's not interested in you.'

Luke grinned. ‘She just wasn't my type, Maggie.'

‘Oh I see. So none of these lovely ladies are to your liking, sir? Surely at least one of them takes your fancy?'

To his dismay Luke felt his face colour.

Maggie smiled delightedly. ‘So who is she, this woman who has captured your heart?'

‘Now you know none of them can hold a candle to you, Maggie,' he said, forcing a smile.

She shook her head. ‘Don't tell me then, but you know I'll work it out.'

Luke decided silence was his safest bet and fortunately Maggie didn't push any further.

‘I was looking for you to tell you I am heading off home. We've got a big day ahead of us tomorrow and I'm exhausted,' she said.

Luke creased his brow in concern. ‘Are you okay? Do you want me to drive you?'

‘No, no. I'm fine. I just wanted to make sure you would see Jenna and Brooke home safely.'

‘Sure.' Luke looked at his feet.

‘That's not going to cramp your style is it?'

‘Not at all. I'd be happy to do it.'

A knowing smile settled on Maggie's face. ‘Good. I'll be off then. See you in the morning.'

Hell, this was crazy. The mere mention of Jenna was making him twitch. Thank God Brooke would be in the car on the way home because there was no way he could trust his heart, or his hands, if he was left alone with Jenna.

Of course there was a queue. After two champagnes, Jenna actually did need to use the bathroom and it looked like she might have to wait a while. At least the break would give Jason a chance to ham it up a little with his friends and maybe Luke would cool down if she was out of the picture for a while. He obviously didn't approve of her little stunt with Jason, but that couldn't be helped. The smile on Jason's face as he walked towards the bar was worth every ounce of Luke's disapproval.

‘Psst come with me,' a voice whispered in her ear. She turned to find Brooke grinning behind her.

‘I need to use the bathroom,' Jenna laughed. ‘Can you wait a few minutes?'

‘No, you need to come now,' Brooke said. ‘Come on!' she grabbed Jenna by the hand.

‘Where are you taking me?'

‘Somewhere you won't have to queue,' Brooke said as she led Jenna outside and around the back of the hall. A tall, dark-haired man in a tuxedo greeted them with a key.

‘Jenna, this is my date, Rob.'

‘Pleased to meet you, Rob,' Jenna said, ‘but why the clandestine meeting? Is there a reason we're all standing here outside in the dark?'

‘Rob has the key to the outside facilities.'

‘I'm sorry?'

‘The toilets, Jenna. Rob is president of the cricket club so apparently he has the key to all the clubhouse's facilities.'

‘Oh Rob, I think I love you,' Jenna enthused.

Rob smiled, handed her the keys and gestured to the toilet block. ‘Be my guest,' he said.

Brooke followed Jenna into the washroom. ‘What do you think?'

‘This is fantastic! We would have had to wait for ages inside.'

‘No, silly. What do you think about Rob?'

‘I don't know, Brooke. I only met him for a moment. He certainly has come in handy though.'

‘Oh, Jenna, he's gorgeous, and such a sweetheart.'

Jenna smiled warmly. ‘I'm really pleased that you're having such a good time.'

‘He wants to take me to the lookout, just outside the town. He says the town looks beautiful from up there at night.'

‘You can't be serious. You're not going to go off alone with a man you have only known for a couple of hours?'

Brooke laughed. ‘Don't be so paranoid, Jenna. He's a gentleman. It's not like I picked him up in a King Street night club.'

‘But — '

‘Don't worry. I just checked him out with Maggie. She gave me her approval.'

‘Oh…well, I guess Maggie would know. Still…'

‘I'll be fine, Jen. Honestly, I know what I'm doing.'

Jenna smiled and gave Brooke a quick hug. ‘Have fun then and I guess I'll see you in the morning.'

‘So you'll be fine on your own?'

‘Yes, go on. Enjoy yourself!'

Brooke kissed her quickly and headed off into the night. Jenna decided she had better head back inside and chase up Jason. He was probably wondering where she had gone.

Inside the lights were dim and the band had picked up the pace. On the dance floor the elegant coupling of the early evening had given way to a thrashing horde. Once her eyes adjusted to the light Jenna searched the bar area for Jason but he was nowhere to be seen.

‘Lost your partner, eh?' Luke's voice sounded somewhat conciliatory.

‘Seems that way.'

‘Looks like your little act worked.' Luke pointed to the middle of the dance floor, where Jason was dancing with a pretty young woman.

‘All I did was give him some confidence.'

‘It was very sweet of you.'

Jenna looked up to see if he was being sarcastic, but there was no sign of mockery on his face. Obviously she was forgiven. ‘Thank you,' she said.

‘I'd ask you to dance but this music is not really my scene.'

Jenna laughed. ‘Just an old-fashioned kinda guy, huh?'

‘Yep.'

‘What does your date think about that?'

‘Oh, she's found other sources of amusement.' He inclined his head towards the dance floor once more.

Jenna saw Trish in the embrace of another man. ‘I see.'

‘I haven't seen Brooke around. I take it she's enjoying herself.'

‘Very much so. She's headed off to see the local sights with the president of your cricket club.'

‘Rob?' Luke seemed to sense Jenna's concern. ‘Don't worry yourself about Rob. He's a good bloke and he knows how to treat a lady.'

‘I hope so.'

Luke smiled. ‘So it's just you and me then.'

‘Huh?'

‘Brooke's off gallivanting and Maggie left a little while ago. Guess you're stuck with me for the ride home.'

Jenna's stomach somersaulted. ‘I can think of worse things,' she said in what she hoped was a suitably casual tone.

‘Shall we have one for the road then?'

Jenna nodded her agreement. Luke gave a formal bow and then offered her his arm. Together they made their way to the bar.

As Jenna sipped her wine Luke noticed her hard shell melting away. The air of city sophistication, which she wore like a suit of armour, was just a ruse. Beneath it laid real warmth and, once she relaxed, Luke discovered Jenna was surprisingly easy to talk to. He realised what a relief it was to have a real conversation with someone — someone who knew nothing about him, who didn't think of him as poor Luke, broken Luke, never-be-the-same-again Luke.

Jenna had no idea about who he was, or what he had done, and being with her was like being on vacation. Luke knew it couldn't last, but it was fun basking in the sunlight for a while.

Jenna's infectious laugh drew his attention. ‘What are you laughing at?'

‘Check out Jason.'

Luke followed her gaze to the middle of the dance floor. Jacko was doing his best John Travolta impression, to the delight of a number of female onlookers.

‘You've created a monster there.'

‘Mmm. I seem to have that effect on men.'

Luke raised an eyebrow but she dismissed his unspoken question with a wave of her hand.

‘Long story,' she said. She sipped her drink. ‘What about you? I was surprised to find you amongst the bachelor group.'

Luke shrugged. ‘I guess I don't have much to offer. I'm so busy running Tandarra I have no time for dating.' He looked away and said quietly, ‘And I made a promise to Joe, my brother, to look after Maggie and the baby.'

Jenna nodded silently and placed her hand gently on his arm. She seemed to understand that he didn't want to talk about it further. ‘Have you always worked on the farm?' she asked.

Luke laughed. ‘No, Tandarra was Joe's love not mine. My father always hoped I'd help run the property, but I had other ideas. I guess Dad finally got his wish.' Luke stared sombrely into his drink for a moment. If only he'd listened to his father. Medicine wasn't for the likes of him, a boy from the bush. He wasn't good enough, or smart enough; he just didn't have the ticker for it. Now the evidence of that would haunt him forever.

He looked up to see Jenna watching him intently, her brow creased in concern. He forced a smile. ‘I had no idea what I was doing when I took over six months ago.'

‘I assumed you'd always lived here.'

‘Tandarra's always been home, but I went to boarding school in Geelong and then to university in Melbourne.'

‘What did you study?'

For a second he contemplated telling her the truth, but that would mean telling her everything and he wasn't ready to see the inevitable look of pity in her eyes. He settled for a half-truth. ‘I've got a science degree,' he said and screwed up his face. ‘Boring, nerdy stuff. You don't want to know.'

Jenna smiled. ‘I wouldn't understand anyway. I'm a total idiot when it comes to science. I majored in English.'

‘Ah, the enemy,' Luke said in mock horror.

Jenna threw back her head and laughed again. Her auburn curls fell away to reveal her alabaster throat, which Luke had the sudden urge to lay his lips on.

There was a break in the pounding music for a moment, while the band made an announcement regarding the following day's events. The night was drawing to a close. His time with Jenna would soon be over. When the band struck up its final number — a slow one, thank goodness — Luke couldn't resist the opportunity to take her in his arms. ‘Shall we dance?'

‘I thought you'd never ask.'

Luke took her small, perfectly manicured hand in his and led her out onto the floor. He drew her close and began to move in time with the music. She smelled like honey, sweet and delicious. He closed his eyes just for a second and thought about what might have been.

If only he had met Jenna in Melbourne, before…before he screwed up his life and the lives of everyone he had ever loved.

Jenna hoped Luke couldn't feel her heart pounding against his chest. The proximity of his lean, muscular body as he expertly danced her around the floor had sent her head into a spin. Luke was not what she expected. Far from a slow-witted farmer, he was intelligent, articulate and funny.

And he could dance
.

Maybe he wouldn't be so out of place at a black-tie event after all. She indulged herself for a moment and imagined what it would be like to have Luke on her arm as she walked down the red carpet to another shallow A-list event. It would be wonderful to have someone to joke and laugh with, someone who didn't take the whole thing seriously.

With Simon it had all been about image. When she complained about not seeing him at all at the
Gloss
Christmas party, he had used work as an excuse. ‘Networking, my love, networking. That's what these things are all about.'

It seemed Simon had networked himself into a new relationship.

Luke was different. He exuded honesty and integrity and right this minute he was making her feel like she was the only woman alive. Jenna pressed her body closer to his, wishing that the song would never end. She looked up to find Luke gazing down at her with dreamy eyes. He bent his head down towards her, his intent obvious. Oh God, he was going to kiss her!

Jenna's heart thudded. She held her breath as Luke came closer, his breath mingling with her own. She closed her eyes in anticipation but as she did the music stopped.

The moment was broken.

Luke stepped back from her as the hall lights came back to full strength. He cleared his throat awkwardly. ‘I have a few jobs to take care of for Maggie before we leave. I hope you don't mind waiting a minute or two.'

Jenna shook her head. ‘I probably should find Jason and bid him goodnight.'

Luke nodded slightly. ‘I'll be back soon.'

Jenna was left to contemplate what had almost happened. Was he really intending to kiss her or was it just wishful thinking on her part? It was crazy. She knew that they had no future together, that their worlds were just too far apart. But, damn it, she wanted to be kissed by him. Maybe Brooke had been right after all. Maybe what she needed was a fling, some harmless adult fun. Perhaps a weekend with Luke was just what she needed to rid herself of Simon forever.

She looked around the hall at all the other couples, many entwined in passionate embraces. The dreamy atmosphere had produced instant romances, but Jenna knew that most of them would not last beyond the weekend. She wished she could be so carefree, but she had always been sensible where love was concerned. She was not one to give in to feelings of heady passion. She had her mother to thank for that.

Jenna chose her lovers carefully. An absent father, two stepfathers and countless “special friends” of her mother had taught her the danger of relying on wild-eyed passion to select a partner. Love needed foundations, something solid to build on.

She had thought Simon was the perfect man. He'd checked every box on her list. They had everything in common: work, friends, the same taste in music. And he had totally swept her off her feet. She had actually felt smug about finding the perfect man just at the right time. She was 26 when they met and she had planned on marrying him before her next birthday. She was thrilled when Simon presented her with an engagement ring on Valentine's Day.