The Sunburnt Country (16 page)

Daniel was also carrying a carton, and Rick and Gemma followed behind him, holding hands as usual.

Sue sighed and shook her head. ‘So where’s your father, Rick? Did you leave him to drown in the pool?’

‘Nah, he was walking. Should be here any minute. There was no room for him in my ute and I wasn’t kicking Gemma out.’

Zac pulled a face. ‘Oh, young love,’ he teased.

‘Well, at least I have a girlfriend,’ Rick taunted, and everyone laughed.

Zac frowned until Renae spoke up. ‘Aw, don’t worry, Zac. Come on, I’ll help you put the beer away.’

Daniel smiled at Jonny as he stepped past, following Zac and Renae to the fridge. His hair was still damp and spiky at the top, while his shorts hung low off his hips.

‘Well, I’m hot,’ Jonny announced. ‘I’m going for a dip.’ While most of her heat was caused by the sun, there was no denying that some of it was Dan-related.

Ryan followed her to the pool, tiptoeing over the cream pavers that were hot underfoot. Jonny gave a war cry and dived into the pool.

Nathan and Ryan both splashed in after her but swam back to sit by the steps to chat. Someone turned on some tunes and the outside speakers rocked out ‘Hangover’ by Taio Cruz.

Daniel stepped into the pool beside Ryan, and sat on a step with a beer in his hand. ‘Man, this is the life,’ he said, after he’d been introduced to Nathan.

‘You got that right,’ agreed Ryan.

‘So, Jonny, Jonny. What’s been happening with you these days?’ asked Nathan, leaning back to get closer to her. It wasn’t coincidental that the position showed off his muscled chest.

Jonny chuckled. She couldn’t help it. Nathan had tickets on himself but was otherwise harmless. He had a big heart like his dad.

Daniel sat forward and sipped his beer. The afternoon light was disappearing as they sat wrinkling in the pool. Jonny could see the tension in Daniel’s jaw. Was he jealous? For a moment, just a fleeting one, she wondered whether she should play along with Nathan. Would she get more of a reaction from Daniel?

‘Jesus, Nath,’ Zac said, blowing any chance of that. ‘She’s too old for you. When are you gonna stop trying? You don’t date women five years your senior!’

‘And why not? I don’t see a problem. Do you?’ he said, turning to Jonny.

Jonny cupped his face with her wet hands and leaned towards him. ‘No, I don’t see a problem with it, Nathan,’ she said seductively. ‘Only thing is, you’re not my type.’ And then she gave him a gentle slap on his cheek before reaching for her beer.

‘Come on,’ he cried. ‘I’m everyone’s type.’

Ryan and Zac laughed as they climbed out of the pool. ‘Hey, we’re going to play some darts. Good luck, Nath,’ said Ryan.

Renae came into the pool area as they headed out. ‘Nath, can I change the music? Where’s your iPod?’

‘Oi, what’s wrong with the music?’ He turned to Jonny. ‘I must away,’ he said, before giving her a wink and dashing out of the pool. Renae and Nathan argued about music all the way back to the house.

Jonny smiled at Daniel. She sank under the water, enjoying the feel of the liquid against her face. Then she swam to the end. ‘You know, when I was a kid I could hold my breath for ages. I bet I can’t now,’ she said to Daniel.

He moved through the water to stand beside her. ‘Okay, then. Let’s go up and back underwater and see who can go further.’

Jonny stared him squarely in the eyes. ‘You’re on, Daniel.’

With some deep breaths, they both ducked under and pushed off the end of the pool. Under the water they raced, their hands crashing together occasionally. They both turned and pushed off the wall in the shallow end, straining against the water to make it back. They hit the back wall together, bursting out of the water, gasping for air. Jonny laughed. ‘A draw, then!’

Dan was still sucking in deep breaths, his chest heaving beside hers. ‘I guess I can live with a draw,’ he said, reaching across to tuck back a wet strand of hair that had strayed across her face.

Jonny sucked at her bottom lip, her breath caught in her throat. She couldn’t find any words, instead she just watched Daniel as he closed the gap between them. She should have moved back, just like she should have pulled her hand away from his at the speedway, but she didn’t feel like fighting it. Her heart raced as his hand brushed her cheek ever so slightly and then slipped behind her head, bringing her up to meet his lips.

She closed her eyes. His mouth warm and gentle, stoking the fire under her skin. Her palms came up to rest against his wet, smooth chest, his heartbeat pounding under his firm muscles. Daniel’s fingers gripped her waist, holding her closer. The touch of his hands against her bare skin set off sparks inside her, like a flame to gunpowder. Her hands automatically slid up around his neck as her body crushed against his. Dan’s tongue brushed against her top lip and Jonny was a long way past caring about anything but his soft lips. She parted her own lips and a cascade of tremors rippled through her as his tongue explored her mouth. Her body felt heavy as she clung to him, drowning in the kiss that was like no other. Her fingers slid through his wet hair. Skin against skin, the water was no barrier between them.

A back door opened and slammed shut. Jonny jumped back as if stung by a wasp. Her tongue still tingling, her lips tender. Dan stood there, his hands outstretched as if she were still in his arms. He looked confused. Jonny was confused too.
Hell
, she thought.
He wasn’t supposed to be that amazing
. It had been a while since she’d kissed a guy or had a boyfriend. Not since she was doing her apprenticeship, but none of them had felt anything like that. So bright, sizzling hot, like the end of the welder or the burning tip of a sparkler. As her chest thumped, Jonny wondered why life could be so cruel – to make her have such an amazing moment with the wrong guy.

She closed her eyes for a second, hung her head and began to climb out of the pool. Before she took the last step, she glanced back to Dan. Why did he have such an effect on her? Was he sent here as some kind of test or tease? She was no fool. It would never work between them.

‘I’m sorry,’ she said, before heading out the gate to the safety of the patio, leaving Daniel alone in the pool, confused and mystified.

‘Hey you, wanna beer?’ asked Nae on her way back to the pool.

‘Thanks, I could really use one.’

‘You okay?’

Jonny didn’t feel okay, her insides were like live wires wriggling around ready to zap her. She couldn’t make sense of her own feelings, let alone share them with Renae. Not yet, at least. And besides, Nae would take this news like a rattle gun to a wheel nut and Jonny’d never get a moment of peace. ‘Yeah, I’m good. Just a bit sun-fried, I think. What’s Zac up to?’ she said, happy to be distracted as Nae started telling a story about Zac and the pack of cards he’d just found. Thank God.

MONDAY
mornings sucked. Dan stared at his watch. Only five minutes had passed since the last time he’d looked. Damn it. He was trying hard to work, but the weekend had thrown him. So much life, the excitement of the speedway and then the pool, the kiss. It made today feel like a death sentence.

But he was a professional; he knew how to block out distractions and keep his mind focused on his work. Well, that was until Jonelle had come along. Now she crept into every thought. And it wasn’t just his mind she seemed to occupy. This morning he’d shared an iced coffee in the tiny kitchen with Jean and Gemma and before long Jonny’s name was mentioned. One minute they were talking about the bomb diving competition and next Gemma was asking about Jonny’s crash at the speedway. Her name alone sent his body into strange fits.

‘You saw the crash, didn’t you, Daniel?’ Gemma asked. The party at Ken’s place had really helped Gemma to relax around him. After a few drinks she’d admitted to liking the social side of him better than the work one. She had also come out of her shell, stirring trouble with the boys and kicking their butts at poker. Not that Dan’s brain had been on the game. It was still lingering over the feel of Jonelle’s wet body and her warm lips, his eyes always focusing on her instead of on the terrible hand of cards he held.

‘Um, yeah,’ he’d said, his mind snapped from his reverie by Gemma repeating her question. ‘She spun into the wall. We had to push the car onto the trailer. She was fine, just a bit of whiplash.’

‘Oh, thank goodness,’ said Jean. ‘She’s one strong girl, that one, but I think we all tend to forget how fragile she can be.’

Dan had made some excuse to retreat to his office, Jean’s words rattling around in his head.

He’d seen a snippet of Jonelle’s fragile side in the pool after he’d kissed her. He hadn’t planned on kissing her – well, maybe subconsciously he’d planned it many times – but everything just seemed right. Her hair dripping and her body shimmering. And she’d been willing. He’d seen the desire. She didn’t fight him, not until they’d been interrupted and she’d backed away from him. That’s when he’d seen the fragile look in her eyes. She was attracted to him; he felt that connection but that didn’t mean she liked him. He didn’t have to be a mind reader to know why she’d run. They came from different worlds so there was no point starting something that would only end. There was no future for them, and she knew he was only in town for a short time. Why would she want to get involved? Heck, even he hadn’t wanted to start anything, but look how well that had turned out. Jonelle was already under his skin and her brother was fast becoming a close mate. And his work was suffering. Dan could hear his father’s speech on work ethics. ‘To get to the top you’ve got to be ruthless.’

Dan’s phone rang. Thankful for the interruption, he picked it up.

‘Daniel, I have Raymond Stevens on the phone for you. Can I put him through?’

‘Sure. Thanks, Jean.’

Dan put the phone on hold while he searched for his paperwork on Raymond. He quickly flicked through the file but he didn’t really need to. There was no way he’d forget the farmers he was in the process of shutting down.

‘Mr Stevens, how are you?’

‘Okay under the circumstances I guess, Daniel,’ said Raymond, his voice weary, like his sixty-five-year-old body. ‘My wife said you wanted to talk to me?’

‘Yes. I just wanted to let you know that after your review at the start of this year when you were . . .’ Dan paused as he thought of a nice way to put it.

‘When I got served notice that I had to pay up?’ Raymond added.

‘Yes, the Deed of Extension and Repayment notice. Look, Raymond, we know that there’s no way you can pay the amount by the date on the letter, not with the drought. The bank is prepared to act and I just wanted to let you know that you should begin to prepare yourselves for the sale.’

‘Yeah, we kinda figured.’ Raymond sounded choked up and Dan’s guts twisted with guilt. It wasn’t him trying to sell this poor bloke’s land. No, that green light had come from some faceless person further up in the bank. But Dan was holding the knife while the bigwigs pushed it in. He was hoping Raymond would try to sell up on his own so the bank wouldn’t have to follow through, and he wouldn’t have to feel like such a villain.

‘We don’t want to leave our land, Daniel. It’s been in our family for generations and there’s nowhere else we want to go. It’s all we know.’ Raymond paused. ‘We wish there was some miracle coming our way, but there’s just no money around, and our kids can’t help us out with this kind of money. So you’re just going to have to take it from us.’

Dan winced at the words. ‘I understand, Mr Stevens. I’m very sorry,’ he added, but he was sure it wouldn’t have made the old man feel any better.

And with that Raymond hung up.

Dan leant back in his chair, his body tense, his stomach heavy. Some days he really hated his job.

For the next hour, he worked like a man possessed as he tried to forget about Raymond. Lucky this was the only ‘we are taking over your land’ call he’d had to make today. When he finally checked his watch, after his belly grumbled, it was just after twelve o’clock.

‘I’m off to grab some lunch, Gemma. Won’t be long,’ he said as he walked out of the office, his shoulders heavy.

He entered the late November heat. It hit him like a wet sock. Instantly sweat broke out on his forehead. It was such a harsh heat, and the breeze was the only relief, even if it blew dust in his eyes.

He went straight to Gabby’s shop, hanging out for one of the fresh chicken rolls she made every Monday.

‘Morning, Gabby,’ he said the moment he saw her ripping the covers off the old magazines for returns.

‘Hey, Daniel. You’re looking frazzled. Busy morning?’

‘Hmm, you could say that.’ He smiled weakly.

He headed towards the fridge that held the fresh-made food, and there was Jonelle pulling out a roll.

‘Great minds think alike,’ he said, catching the door and reaching in for the last one. Seeing her improved his mood dramatically.

Jonelle took a step back, as if he were contagious. He’d been afraid of how she’d react when they saw each other again, and now he had his answer.

‘H-hi, Dan,’ she stammered.

After a moment’s awkward silence Dan said, ‘Well, I’d better get back to work.’ He felt like an idiot. They used to talk so easily, and by kissing her he’d set them back so far. He missed her strong, assured voice.

With a sigh, he gave her an attempt at a smile and turned to leave like a beaten dog.

‘Um, Dan?’

He held his breath, turned, and saw her uncertain face.

‘I was actually planning on coming to see you today.’ Jonelle fished around in her pocket and pulled out a bit of paper. She twisted it around her fingers as if unsure about handing it over.

‘What is it?’ he asked. She gestured for him to open it. Her eyes never left the paper.

It turned out to be a twenty thousand dollar cheque written out to Jonelle Baxter.

‘You can put that in my account. It should help with the repayments,’ she said, closing her eyes.

‘Yes, it will, but where —’ Too late. She had already turned, cutting him off, and headed for the checkout.

He followed her, standing behind her as she paid for her lunch.

‘Oh, are you still right to come out to Ryan’s on Thursday night?’ she said, talking over her shoulder.

She was nibbling her lower lip, waiting for his reply. Surely she knew what that nervous look did to him? He swallowed hard, and managed a croaky ‘Yes.’

‘So I’ll pick you up at six? Mrs C is having a seafood fry-up.’

‘Sounds great.’ He had found his voice and was rewarded with one of Jonelle’s smiles, the one she gave when she was relieved.

Dan paid for his lunch and together they walked out of the shop. At the bank, they parted ways. ‘See you in a few days,’ said Jonelle as she crossed the road, heading towards her workshop.

‘See ya.’ Dan watched her, his hand against the bank door. Her hair was tied up in a high ponytail and she wore the sexiest pair of denim shorts, not to mention her ever-present boots. Even workboots were sexy on Jonelle, because they were just so her. He loved how she was her own person, without a care in the world for what anyone else might think. He tore his eyes away from her strong, straight walk and pushed through the bank door. Her cheque was still in his hand and he passed it over to Jean. ‘Can you put that into Jonelle’s business account? Thanks.’ She took it with a silent nod. Dan continued on to his office and was relieved that Jonelle had managed to find some money, but he knew it wouldn’t be enough. If things didn’t pick up soon, the workshop would no longer be hers.

By the afternoon, his morning phone call to Raymond had come back to bite him on the arse. He’d finished work, gone home to change and headed to the pub for a drink. It was quite busy, with about five fellas at the bar. Dan went and sat on the empty stool in the middle of a few blokes he’d seen around and ordered a beer from Dennis.

‘What do you want?’ Dennis barked, his usual cheeriness gone. Dan failed to notice his hostility.

‘I’ll have a Scotch and Coke, thanks,’ Dan replied. A beer just wasn’t going to be enough after the day he’d had.

Dan glanced to the guy next to him and smiled. ‘How’re you going?’

The man with the twitchy left eye glared at him, picked up his beer and moved off to the front bar. Then before he knew it the whole pub was giving him the evil eye, everyone picking up their drinks and moving to the front bar.

Dan caught Dennis’s attention. ‘Do I smell or something?’ he asked.

Dennis shook his head. ‘They’ve all heard about what you’ve done to poor Ray and Cecilia Stevens. You’re not very popular at the moment.’

Dan just about choked on his Scotch. How could the whole town know about that already? ‘I had no control over it, Dennis. I’m not the one taking their land.’

‘I’m sure you’re not, but folks around here don’t see it like that. They see a great man from our community whose family has been involved in this town for generations, and you are the guy who’s pulled the trigger. Right now they’re all hurting.’

‘I can’t do anything to stop it, Dennis. It’s just my job. The bank has no other option.’

‘Yeah, I know. And so do most of these people, but still they don’t have to like it, or you. Give us time. We might come around eventually.’

But Dan didn’t have time. He was only here for another month. Not quite five weeks, to be exact. Just after Christmas he’d be gone. Strange how short a time it felt now. When he first got here the two months ahead felt like six. Now five weeks was so short. And he didn’t want to spend these weeks with Jonelle and Zac angry at him, too. He hoped they would understand.

Draining the rest of his Scotch, he stood up. ‘Think I might just go home. Cheers, Dennis.’

The welcoming town of Bundara had shown him another side. He had to admire how they rallied behind their mates and how close-knit they all were. It would be nice to know that people had your back, no matter what. As he walked home he couldn’t help wondering whether Zac and Jonelle would feel the same. Would they want to lynch him as well? And he was just beginning to get Jonelle on side.