Taming the Outback (16 page)

She pulled up at the house and looked for signs of life. It was quiet down at the shed, the only movement a couple of chicken’s scratching for breakfast. The back door was open, and the smell of coffee hit her nostrils as she walked on shaking legs to the door.

“Nathan,” she called, her voice breaking as she caught sight of him sitting at the old, gray Formica table in the middle of the kitchen, a paper and a mug of coffee in his hands.

“What the...?” He swore as he jumped to his feet and with three long strides, grabbed her just before she fell in a heap on his doorstep.

_***

She finally gave in to the tears. She clung to his shirt, making it damp against his chest as he sat on the floor with her wrapped in his arms until her sobs subsided to mild hiccups. He continued to stroke her hair until she pulled away from him with a big sigh.

“God, I am so sorry about that,” she whispered, her head bowed low.

“What do you have to be sorry for, sweetheart?” Nathan asked. His hands itched to tuck the loose strand of hair behind her ear and he wanted to kiss the nape of her neck. But he cupped her chin and lifted her face so he could see her eyes instead.

“I went for walk to the creek.” Her shoulders slumped. “I can’t believe Holly rode through that to get to Tom.”

He watched her without speaking.

“And that water. There’s so much of it. That little creek is now a raging river. What if she hadn’t made it across? We would be searching for a body by now. I don’t know if I can stand this.” Her eyes welled up again.

“Hush,” he whispered, pulling her to his chest and kissing her hair. It would be so easy to take her here and now. God knows this woman had managed to get under his skin no matter how hard he’d tried to push her away. But even he wasn’t the total asshole she thought he was. He was having trouble trusting his own feelings since Libby had moved in next door and almost gave into his heart. Instead, he pulled her to her feet and guided her to the table. Pulling out a chair with his foot, he pushed her gently into it and crouched down to look her in the eye.

“It didn’t happen, Libby. They’re okay. If you spend your whole life saying what if, you will drive yourself insane.” He stood to pour her a cup of coffee before he changed his mind and dragged her down the hall to his bedroom.

“Thanks,” she said as he slid the mug into her hands. “I’m sorry. I don’t know why I came to you. My feet just headed this way, and I couldn’t stop myself.”

Nathan watched as Libby grabbed the tendril of hair and wound it around the knot on the top of her head, but it found its way loose again within seconds to fall across her cheek.

Sitting across from her, he saw the emotions run riot in her eyes. She had plenty of guts. He had to give her that. She also had the farm he’d been told was his when the old man died, and he wasn’t going to let her forget it in a hurry. But, Nathan being Nathan, he would get what he wanted in the end. He also wanted her in his bed, desperately.

“About what you said at the hospital...when I tried to thank you, “ Libby started, the flush he found irresistible rising once again in her cheeks. “I know you’re angry I let Holly go with Tom, and I understand you know the ways of this place better than me, but...”

“That’s just it, sweetheart,” Nathan exploded, his frustration finally rearing its ugly head as he rounded on her, giving her the brunt of his foul mood. “This is a harsh country, and
buts
just don’t cut it out here. You are cut out for the city life for Christ’s sake. You’re not a farmer. You don’t have the slightest idea of what you’re getting yourself into. You proved that by almost losing Tom and your daughter.” The look on Holly’s face when he had found them was still burned into his mind. The poor kid had been terrified she wasn’t going to be able to hold onto Tom against the rush of water. He couldn’t bear to think of what would have happened if he hadn’t made it in time
. How can I be sure Libby won’t put her in any more danger now that I have had my heartstrings tugged tight?
He stood and looked down on her, trying to keep his face void of emotions but his heart was telling him to take her in his arms and put them both out of their misery. “How many more times are you going to put those kids at risk?”

“Now just you look here,” she cried, pushing him back and struggling to get to her feet. “I may be a barmaid, and I know I have a lot to learn, but learn I will. And for your information, I would never knowingly put my kids in danger. Neither would Tom.”

“You don’t belong here,” he ground out. Though aware the words he was saying were hurtful, he couldn’t stop himself. They were his only defense. He was trying to will her away from him the only way he knew how, unwilling to risk his heart to a city dweller again. As much as he wanted this woman, he wouldn’t let her know it. She had the capacity to break his heart when the going got tough, which was in the cards looking at the state of her farm, and he wasn’t sure he would survive another crushed heart. Better to get her out of here now before he caved in. “Get used to the idea and move on back home where you belong.”

“Why? So you can take over?” She practically spat at him. “I will not give up what my family has passed down to me. It’s mine, and you aren’t going to get it.”

“There’s more than one way to get what I want.” Nathan hauled her into his arms.

Libby tried to push him away, but the contact of her breasts on his hard chest knocked the wind out of him, and he held onto her for dear life. He groaned deep in his throat as he pressed his lips against hers, demanding and hungry. The heat rushed through his veins as his hands slid down to cup her denim-clad butt, pulling her against his hips, leaving her in no doubt he wanted her. She wound her arms around his neck as she molded her body closer to his, impatient noises coming from her mouth.

Nathan pushed Libby against the table, leaning her onto her back. He broke their kiss and looked into her eyes as his fingers lifted the bottom of her T-shirt to reveal a sensible, white cotton bra. Fitting his thumb under the cup, he pushed it up to reveal her naked breasts, watching her nipples pucker in the cool morning air. Leaning over her, he traced his tongue around the deep, pink tips, smiling at the way she squirmed under him, before he sucked tauntingly on one nipple and then the other.

He lifted his head and looked at her, knowing her had to push her away before it was too late.
God, I can’t believe I’m going to do this.

Nathan shook his head and stepped back, mentally slapping himself in the face for what he was going to do to her. “You see, sweetheart, I can do whatever I want.”

The look in her eyes turned from sexy and wanton to shattered in seconds. She pulled down her bra and T-shirt and turned away from him. Nathan felt like the biggest heel as he watched her pull herself together. She took a deep breath and looked back at him, her shoulders square and her chin raised in a defiant gesture.

“You may think I’m an easy lay, but I don’t really give a damn what your opinions are. I’ll admit it. I haven’t had sex for a while, and it wouldn’t take much for you to get me into your bed as you’ve tried so hard to show me the last few times we’ve met. I won’t apologize for being faithful to my husband’s memory. And just for the record, being a barmaid and a single mother doesn’t automatically make me a slut. But it will take more than you bedding me to get the station,” she added, looking pleased with herself. “If I decide I want to have sex with you, it’ll be for the sex alone and don’t try and tell me you’ll turn me down. We both know how aroused you are. Understand this, Nathan. The station is mine, and you won’t get your hands on it. Thank you for the coffee and the shoulder to cry on. Much appreciated. Oh, and the foreplay. We mustn’t forget that little interlude. Maybe we’ll take it a bit further next time.”

She walked out of his house, her butt swinging sexily as she strode to the truck in the early-morning haze.

Nathan watched her walk away and wondered if he should call her back or run after her. Fear made him stand his ground, and the woman walking away no longer looked like Libby. In his mind, he saw Eliza picking up her suitcase and walking out the door. His heart clenched in his chest when he heard the car door slam, and he tried to tell himself he had done the right thing. He turned and walked back into the house.

C
HAPTER
T
EN

The kids were in the kitchen attempting to make their own breakfast when she got home. Breezing in, Libby took over and sat them down while she made French toast and bacon. She informed them after breakfast, they were going to move Tom’s things into the house and they could choose his room.

“You know he’s going to make a fuss over it, eh, Libby?” Winton asked.

“Yeah, I know. I’m up to it though.” She smiled. “Eat up, and let’s get to it.”

“Mum, I have to do the lambs first,” Holly said.

“’Course you do, baby.” Libby ruffled the girl’s hair. “We’ll go and do that before you guys choose Tom’s room.”

Libby dished up breakfast and sat with the kids, her appetite suddenly like a wildfire that had to be doused. Foreplay did that to her—even after all these years apparently.

_***

“Tom is going to spit,” Josh declared.

“Mum’ll sweet talk him.” Holly laughed. “Just you watch.”

The four of them were standing on the driveway when Nathan drove up with Tom. Libby walked around to the passenger side of the vehicle and opened the door.

“Hey, handsome.” She took the older man’s hand.

“Hey, yourself.” He smiled wanly as she helped him from the vehicle.

She tried not to let the tears get away on her, but when he was wrapped in her arms, she lost the battle.

“There, there, Lib. It’s okay,” he said soothingly as he rubbed her back with his good hand.

“I know that.” She hiccupped, wiping her hand across her face and sniffling loudly. “It’s just such a relief to have you back.”

“Well, it’s been a long time since such a pretty woman has missed me, I’ll tell you.”

“You’re home now, and that’s all that matters,” she said. “Thanks for bringing him home, Nathan. Can I offer you a cup of coffee?” She turned on her charm as if nothing had happened this morning, and they were best friends.

The look he gave her could have melted paint.

“Thanks, I won’t say no,” Nathan replied, surprising her after his snappy attitude this morning.

He followed them into the house and took a seat at the kitchen table. Holly had walked with her hand snuck into Tom’s, and she sat next to him.

Libby went about making the coffee with a surprising bounce in her step. Tom was home, and she was so relieved...but that wasn’t all of it. Nathan was at her table, and the thought thrilled her. He acted like a jerk, but she had a sneaking suspicion he was covering up his true thoughts
. I know he has feelings for me; that much was obvious from his body’s reaction this morning. I just have to convince his brain to follow
. His behavior that morning had left her feeling like a young girl in love again, not a lover scorned. Although she should have been upset by his behavior, she wasn’t. It made her more than happy that Nathan wasn’t immune to her, and she was going to make sure they got into bed, the sooner the better. Libby knew he was confused, and that added to her delight. She would have Nathan eating out of her hand if it was the last thing she did. Things were going to change around here now that he was no longer in charge, and the thought tickled her down to her toes.

Libby poured coffee for the men and juice for the kids, then cut some cake and passed the plate around. She leaned into Nathan as she offered him a slice, feeling how his body stiffened when she touched him.

“It’s so good to have you back home, Tom, where you belong.” Libby took a seat next to him, opposite Nathan.

“I was only gone one night,” Tom protested, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

“Still, it’s not the same when one of our family members is missing,” she said. “Just so you know, we moved Winton into the house yesterday, and your stuff is in the room at the end of the hallway.” She held her hand up as Tom started to protest. “No, don’t argue with me, Tom. My mind is made up. You’re part of this family, and I will not have you living in the sheds when you should be in one of the perfectly good bedrooms.”

“No point arguing.” Josh grinned at him as he and Winton walked into the kitchen. “I know from experience that when Mum wants something, nothing you do will change her mind, eh, Winton.”

“I tried to talk her out of it, Tom, but as Josh says, you can’t beat her when she makes up her mind.”

Libby smiled and looked over at Nathan, tilting her head as he looked at her with a deadpan expression.

“Something you wanted to say, Nathan?” she asked sweetly.

“Not until it’s
my
sleeping arrangements you’re changing.”

Tom laughed into his hand and tried to cover it with a cough. “How are those lambs going, Holly?” he asked, giving the child his attention.

“Good. Want to come and help me feed them now?”

“Tom’s taking it easy for a while, baby, so he can watch, but I’ll help you, okay?” said Libby.