Outback Ghost (18 page)

Working alongside Adam was a lot easier than she'd imagined and the past couple of nights she'd slept better than she had in a long time. Only once she'd heard a strange noise but exhaustion had won out over fear and she'd woken up with the alarm hours later safe in the knowledge that whatever the noise had been, it had brought them no harm. She and Adam had fallen surprisingly easily into comfortable friendship, and she'd managed to curb her attacks of lust around him. Mostly.

Occasionally he'd get a little close when they were loading the truck and her resolve to think about him purely in a platonic way slipped. But there was so much more to Adam than his good looks and incredible body. She laughed in his presence more than she could recall laughing in anyone else's, aside from Heidi's, that is. He had impeccable taste in music and happily loaned her his CDs to while away her time in the truck. He treated her as an equal yet also acted like a gentleman, opening the door for her whenever he could and other little things that made her feel special. Although their time together wasn't huge – while he was in the header, she was usually on the road – the time they did spend together flew by. Without realising it, she found herself opening up to him more and more. He now knew more about what she'd gone through as a young single mum than she'd put in the book and she'd confessed to him how much she really missed her family, which was something she never told anyone. If she were honest, most of the time she even lied to herself. In turn, he'd shared with her memories about his experiences growing up in Bunyip Bay and she'd enjoyed listening to all of them. She hoped that when she and Heidi moved on, they would remain friends because the thought of losing what they'd found these last few days broke her heart.

The only downfall was that time spent with Adam had ended up being time spent away from Heidi. Apart from a couple of rides in the ‘carvester' and a few trips into town with Stella in the truck, Heidi had shadowed Esther while Stella worked. The little girl couldn't get enough of the older woman and this helped to ease some of the guilt Stella felt for leaving her. The fact neither set of Heidi's grandparents were a part of her life had always upset Stella. She tried to be a good mum; hell she did her damn best to fulfill the role of father as well, but grandparents were a special breed and thanks to Esther Heidi could experience a taste of that.

After the first day Stella had relaxed a little about the prospect of Heidi mentioning Lily-Blue because it seemed she and Esther were too busy playing games, swimming in the pool, burning the cookies Heidi begged to bake and making Christmas decorations. Whenever Stella went to collect Heidi in the late afternoon, the two of them were ensconced in some type of fun. Adam was as pleased by this as she was, and he often commented on the change in his mother since they'd arrived.

Stella's daydreaming and the fact she could now likely drive from Annadale to the CBH bins in her sleep, meant she found herself arriving at the bins before she knew it. Rumour had it many of the other farms in the region had already finished their harvest and that likely accounted for why she hadn't had to wait for the last few loads. Waving at Johno, one of the bins' workers, she drove straight onto the weighbridge aware that this would be one of her final trips and not as happy about this as she thought she'd be. The blokes at the bins now greeted her by name and joked about with her as they unloaded the truck. It felt like this had been her job for longer than a few short days. She felt a part of this community like she hadn't felt a part of anything in a long time and she wished it wasn't coming to an end.

‘That's it. This is the last load.' Adam let out a big sigh as he looked up with a smile at the truck, before turning to Stella, grabbing her in a big hug and swinging her round. He couldn't help himself. The relief at having finished another year's harvest took a hold of his senses for a brief moment.

She laughed and although the sound sent pleasure through his body, he forced himself to put her down and step back. Having her soft curves pressed up against his frustrated body was a recipe for disaster.

‘Thanks so much for helping me,' he said, yanking his cap down on his head. ‘I'd still have a good few days ahead of me if you hadn't come to the rescue.'

She lifted one shoulder and twisted her ponytail around her index finger. ‘It was my pleasure.'

The spark of awareness arced between them again and he told himself to ignore it. The last few days in her company had been damn good. Not to speak ill of his dad or Monty but working with Stella was so much more fun. She was a lot better to look at for starters, although he tried not to think too much about this fact. But he also liked her and respected her and didn't want to ruin what could develop into a great friendship by pushing boundaries again.

‘I can do this load if you want to get back to Heidi,' he offered.

‘I'll come with you. Heidi will be okay with your mum for a little longer and I want to say goodbye to the guys at the bins.'

‘Alrighty then.' He turned and opened the passenger door for her. ‘Unless you want to drive,' he said, not wanting her to think he was a chauvinist.

‘Thanks for the offer, but I'm happy to let you do the last trip.' With that she climbed up into the truck and he shut the door behind her before jogging round to the driver's side. She'd already selected an old Jimmy Barnes CD and when he turned the key in the ignition the familiar music filled the cabin. They sang along to the words during the short trip into town, neither of them self-conscious about sounding stupid in front of the other.

Then, when they'd emptied the truck the last time and were on their way back over the weighbridge, it hit him that this was over. Harvest was done and dusted and he no longer had a good excuse for hanging out with Stella. He glanced at his watch. ‘Want to get a quick celebratory drink at the pub before we head back?'

She looked at him and her eyes kind of glazed over.

‘What? I'm not hitting on you. It's just a drink between friends. Workmates even.'

She threw her head back and laughed. ‘That wasn't what I was thinking.'

‘Then what?'

‘I can't remember the last time I ventured into a pub. I wouldn't know what to order.'

He grinned. ‘Well, a beer usually does me fine, but Frankie and Simone have been known to drink this crazy-coloured cocktail that Liam whips up.'

She tilted her head to one side as if considering her options. ‘That sounds impossible to resist, but we'd better make it quick.'

‘You're on.' He clicked on his seatbelt and drove out of the bins down the main street towards The Palace. It had been a while since he'd been for a drink himself. He, Faith and Monty had often spent evenings playing pool there but going to the pub without them seemed wrong. Frankie went often enough but all she wanted to do was pick up blokes and the appeal of a quick hook-up had worn off for him. Maybe he was getting old.

It was Friday afternoon, post harvest for most and the pub was already cranking when they walked in. He glanced at Stella as he closed the door behind them. She looked like a kangaroo in headlights. ‘Hey, I'll look after you,' he promised.

‘It's just so weird to be out, socialising, without Heidi. I'm not sure I know how to do it.'

It felt so natural to put his hand in the small of her back and encourage her forward. ‘It'll be fine and it's only one drink. Give yourself permission to enjoy it.'

She smiled. ‘I'll try.'

They were barely at the bar before Frankie hijacked them. ‘So good to see you two,' she said, her words slightly slurred as she came between them and wrapped an arm around them both. ‘Come sit with me and Rubes.'

Adam glanced towards the tables and made eye contact with Ruby who smiled and offered him a wave. ‘How much have you had to drink, Frank?'

She whacked him playfully. ‘Who are you? My
dad
? Ruby and I have been in Geraldton buying up toys for the Christmas tree. Do you know how exhausting it is choosing and buying presents for seventy kids? I needed a drink.' She raised a glass to her mouth and took a sip. ‘I deserve this.'

‘Wow, that sounds like quite a mission,' Stella said.

‘It is. Come and meet Ruby and we'll tell you all about it.' Frankie dragged Stella off before he could ask her what she wanted to drink, so he took a wild guess and ordered one of Liam's green cocktail things. The least he could do after all she'd done for him was splurge on a special drink. He watched the interaction between the three women from a distance while he waited for Liam to finish serving a couple at the other end of the bar.

Frankie appeared to be doing most of the talking and Ruby and Stella laughed softly. Those two were alike in many ways – both gorgeous, but in an unassuming, gentle way.

‘What can I get ya, mate?'

Adam turned back to the bar at Liam's question.

‘A beer and one of your fancy green cocktails, please.'

Liam said a name Adam knew he'd forget straightaway.

‘Yeah, one of them.'

Liam jerked his head towards the girls' table. ‘When Frankie said you had a hot new worker, I thought she had her eye on him but that doesn't look much like a him.'

‘No.' Adam chuckled, digging a twenty-dollar note out of his wallet and slapping it down on the bar.

‘No doubt about the hot part though,' Liam noted as he picked up the money.

The muscles in Adam's neck tightened at Liam's obvious interest. Just because he shouldn't be thinking of Stella as more than a friend, didn't mean he liked the idea of other men taking a shot. ‘She's a single mum, Liam, not interested in a quick hook-up.'

‘Hey!' Liam raised his hands in the air. ‘I like kids, unless you've already made a claim.'

‘Just get me the drinks.' Adam didn't usually snap but he didn't like Liam discussing Stella like some sort of commodity they could barter over.

‘Sorry I asked.' The publican turned away and returned a couple of minutes later with a pint of beer and a fancy glass containing a bright green liquid and one of those paper umbrellas. It was only when Adam got to the table that he realised he'd forgotten to buy a drink for the others.

‘Sorry,' he said, placing the cocktail down in front of Stella and glancing from Frankie to Ruby. ‘I couldn't carry another but if you want one, it's on me.'

‘It's fine.' Ruby said, smiling. ‘I think we've had enough. If we drink any more we won't be able to wrap the presents tonight and I'd really like to get that done before Drew's weekend off.'

Frankie sighed and planted her elbows on the table. ‘Yeah, I suppose you're right. Faith said it always took longer than she thought to wrap everything.'

Stella picked up the glass but spoke before taking a sip. ‘Is that your friend Faith?' she asked, looking to Adam.

He nodded. ‘Faith has organised the town Christmas tree for the last few years, but she left it in Ruby's capable hands this year.'

‘And mine,' objected Frankie.

Adam raised an eyebrow at her.

‘What exactly does the Christmas tree involve?' Stella asked, grinning at the teasing between Adam and his cousin.

‘Well, this'll be my first year too,' Ruby began, ‘but from what I understand everyone with kids gathers down on the beach, Santa arrives in the local fire truck and then hands out presents. The community centre fundraises throughout the year to pay for the presents, which Frankie and I bought today.'

‘You and Heidi should come,' Frankie said excitedly. ‘She'd love it.'

‘I'm sure she would but we're not local.'

‘Nonsense,' Ruby said. ‘I think it's a fabulous idea and we bought a couple of just-in-case presents. It'll be good if they don't go to waste.'

‘Besides,' Frankie added, wriggling her eyebrows up and down, ‘our Santa Claus is a sex-pot.'

Adam only just managed not to spit out the mouthful of beer he'd just taken. ‘I think you've had too much to drink, cuz.'

She only laughed.

‘Adam is playing the important role of Santa this year,' Ruby informed Stella who was looking a little lost.

‘Oh, really?' Stella looked amused by this fact.

He shrugged. ‘It's for the kids.'

The women looked at him like he volunteered for a kitten shelter in his spare time and their attention made him uncomfortable.

‘How's your new pony?' he asked Ruby in an attempt to deflect the spotlight.

‘Oh,' Ruby sighed. ‘She's beautiful and so good with the kids.'

‘You have a pony?' Stella asked.

‘Yes, and a stuck-up mare, but I love them both. Want to see photos?'

‘Sure.' Stella leaned forward and oohed and ahhed over the images Ruby had on her phone. Adam sat back and listened to the girls talking horses. All was good until a couple of young farmers from nearby properties muscled in at the table.

‘Frankie! Ruby! Who is this lovely young thing you've got with you today?'

Stella looked to Adam and raised a bemused eyebrow as Frankie made the introductions. Although Stella didn't appear impressed by the young blokes who were clearly trying to outwit each other, Adam didn't appreciate their intentions. How had he ever imagined he and Stella could enjoy a quiet drink in here?

He downed the last of his beer, cleared his throat and made a show of looking at his watch. ‘We should be getting back.' His words came out far more possessive than he meant them to but Stella either didn't notice or didn't mind.

She nodded and stood. ‘Nice to meet you all. I guess I'll be seeing you again at the Christmas tree.'

‘You betcha.' Frankie raised her now empty glass. ‘Get Adam to drive you in so we can enjoy another one of these.'

Ruby smiled. ‘See you then.'

They headed outside, neither of them speaking until they emerged into the warm afternoon air. ‘So much for a quiet drink,' she said with a laugh.