The Silver Creek Page 3

  ‘Mac!’ Finn’s shout sounded from the dance floor.

  Mac gave him a grin. The blonde dancing with Finn looked between the two of them, her eyes widening before she waved at him to come over. Mac smiled but kept walking. Finn was the social one.

  He made his way to a quiet corner where Denham sat with Hewitt. Denham had recently returned from his honeymoon in Europe and the former bull rider’s skin was tanned and smile relaxed as he shook Mac’s hand. ‘If it isn’t our local hero.’

  ‘The try was a team effort.’

  Hewitt pushed back his chair. ‘Beer?’

  At Mac’s nod the pickup rider went to join the throng at the bar.

  Mac couldn’t hide his wince as he sat.

  Denham grinned. ‘Ever wonder why my rugby days are over?’

  ‘Here I was thinking it was because of all the bones you broke on the rodeo circuit.’

  ‘What broken bones? There was only a couple of cracks here and there.’

  Mac laughed. He’d never heard more of an understatement. If anyone got Dr Fliss started on what injuries Denham had sustained while bull riding she would easily tick off all ten fingers.

  Someone tapped Mac on the shoulder and he turned to see Sharon from Woodlea’s real estate agency smiling at him. They’d been in the same year at primary school. He came to his feet and gestured towards a spare chair. ‘Like to join us?’

  Sharon shook her dark head. Usually dressed in her neat work uniform, tonight she wore jeans and a white shirt and her curly hair was loose. ‘Thanks, I don’t want to interrupt.’ She briefly smiled at Hewitt as he returned with their drinks before gazing at Mac. ‘Can I have a quick word?’

  From the way she moved closer to him, Mac wasn’t sure their definitions of a quick word were the same. Finn had recently said she’d split from her boyfriend who worked at the local bank. Hewitt handed him his beer with a wink before he returned to his seat to talk to Denham.

  Mac shifted so a little more space opened up between him and the woman in front of him. ‘It’s a full house,’ he said, looking around before taking a mouthful of beer.

  ‘It is.’ Sharon paid no attention to the crowd. ‘You didn’t return my call.’

  ‘I’ve hardly looked at my phone today.’ He paused as Finn suddenly appeared behind Sharon. Instead of wearing a teasing grin, his twin’s expression was unsmiling. Finn motioned to his left before disappearing into the crowd.

  Mac glanced over to where Finn indicated. The gleam of long, creamy blonde hair caused his fingers to clamp around his beer. Bethany stood slightly away from a circle of animated women. His heart swelled and broke in equal measure. It was so good to see her, even if approaching her was out of the question.

  While her companions laughed, Bethany only smiled. He’d sensed she was always on the periphery of the Woodlea community even before she’d confessed she felt like she never really belonged. As if sensing his stare Bethany half turned, but as the woman beside her again laughed, she refocused on the group.

  ‘That’s okay.’ Sharon’s voice dragged his attention back to her. ‘You were on the footy field.’

  ‘If your call was about work it can wait.’ He forced himself to not again look over Sharon’s shoulder towards Bethany. ‘I’ll ring you first thing Monday.’

  ‘I’d much rather deliver the good news in person.’ Sharon touched his arm, her fingers lingering on his sleeve. ‘I’ve found someone to rent your cottage. To be honest I thought she wouldn’t make it past the rusty gate …’

  Something about Sharon’s dismissive tone had him glance at Bethany. She again turned her head and this time looked around the room. Her gaze locked with his.

  As if from a long distance away he heard Sharon say, ‘Yes, of all people, it’s Bethany Galloway.’

  Chapter Three

  Within an hour of moving into the cottage Bethany had not only unpacked but she felt at home.

  She opened the sliding door and braved the early morning chill to sit on the deck to sip her steaming tea. A magpie carolled and mist hovered above the paddock hollows. Dew lay heavy on the grass and beaded like diamonds on the cobwebs strung along the fence line. If she listened carefully she could hear the murmur of running water from the creek.

  She’d been up at dawn and managed to fit most of what she needed into a single ute load and the horse float. Her bed was made, kitchen drawers filled but most of all Echo was settled in his new stables. She still needed a washing machine and a fridge but her father would bring a second load after lunch.

  The fresh air and peace worked their magic. The strain pulsing at her temples eased. It hadn’t been telling her mother that she was moving out or the fact she’d packed for more hours than she’d slept that was making her feel on edge. All it had taken was for her to see Mac across a crowded room last night.

  She cupped her hands around the warmth of her mug to combat the sudden coldness inside. She should never have visited the Royal Arms. When she’d gone to town to collect the cottage keys she’d deliberately stayed away from the rugby match. She should have done the same to the pub despite Cressy seeing the farm ute outside the grocery store and calling her to come across for a quick drink.

  As strange as it seemed, she’d sensed Mac was there before she’d seen him standing in the corner near Denham and Hewitt. When their eyes had held and he’d given her a half smile it was as though all sound faded. Whatever semblance of control she’d thought she’d dredged up in the past month dissolved. She’d tried for casual when she’d returned his smile, but her own must have been wobbly. The noise of the pub had returned to overwhelm her and she’d soon headed for the nearest exit.

  Her deep sigh emerged as a fragile white cloud. The glimpse she’d had of him on the road, and then at the pub, might have been fleeting but the damage was immense. She missed him so much. Precious memories of an easy laughter-filled conversation around an autumn bonfire caused her throat to tighten. She’d fallen for him hard and fast.

  She’d made enough poor choices with men who weren’t right for her, just to prove to her mother she was her own person, that she’d come to believe she’d never find someone. So when she’d returned for harvest she’d decided to stop looking. The decision had been liberating. She’d dressed to please herself and rediscovered her love for old movies. She hadn’t intended to go to the bonfire at the tiny Reedy Creek Hall but her father had asked her to accompany him.

  She’d gone looking a mess. She’d come in from drafting cattle, hair tousled and jeans dusty, and had thrown on a faded rugby top for warmth. When Mac had come over to where she was sitting alone on a hay bale toasting a marshmallow, the first thing she’d done was to check her mother wasn’t watching. The second was to ignore the swirl in her stomach.

  Mac Barton was a couple of years older and according to her mother absolutely out of bounds, but that hadn’t stopped her from watching out for him at local events. Her interest had nothing to do with her mother’s disapproval. There was something about his quiet intensity and his slow and gorgeous smile that never failed to intrigue her. When he’d sat beside her and his clear blue eyes had searched hers, it was as though someone had finally seen who she really was.

  Restless, she finished her tea before coming to her feet. What had started that night ended when she realised she wasn’t free to make her own decisions. Until she was, there could be no future with the man she loved.

  She returned inside. As she checked the time on her phone charging on the kitchen bench, tyres crunched on gravel. Her mother had arrived to see the cottage. To her surprise there hadn’t been any maternal drama about her decision to move out.

  When the garden gate squeaked and a female voice called, ‘anyone home?’ it was obvious her first visitor wasn’t who she was expecting.

  Careful to hide her surprise, she went to the front door. ‘Hi Fliss. Come in.’

  Fliss and her cowgirl sister, Cressy, were a few years ahead of her at school and while they’d always been pleasa
nt, Bethany had kept to herself. She couldn’t trust that they too wouldn’t simply view her as Edna Galloway’s daughter.

  ‘Happy housewarming.’ Fliss handed her a container holding a cream sponge cake. ‘Cressy wanted to come but has a cow having trouble calving so is waiting for Ella.’

  The honey-blonde local vet was a good friend of the sisters and another local Bethany made a point of not getting too close to. In a perfect world she’d have loved to be part of their close-knit group.

  She hesitated. Fliss’s smile was genuine and warm. She took a risk and spoke without her usual reserve. ‘Please tell her to call in if she’s ever passing by.’

  ‘I will. Now, I’m here to help. Put me to work.’

  ‘Thanks but I’m all unpacked.’

  ‘In that case,’ Fliss looked with interest over Bethany’s shoulder, ‘I’d love a grand tour.’

  Bethany turned to lead the way into the kitchen. ‘It will take all of three minutes.’

  Which it did. It then seemed natural to offer Fliss a coffee and to chat about the previous day’s rugby match. They’d each finished a generous slice of sponge cake when a car sounded outside.

  Bethany repressed a sigh. ‘That will be Mum.’

  Now that her mother was here it was inevitable Fliss would leave. Edna had a way of making a simple conversation feel like an interrogation even if multiple cups of sweet tea were involved.

  Fliss came to her feet but made no move towards the doorway. Sympathy softened her hazel eyes. ‘I didn’t just come to help unpack. I wanted to let you know you’ve done the right thing moving out. It can’t be easy being Edna’s daughter.’

  Fliss’s insight held Bethany quiet. She’d only ever discussed how suffocated and disempowered she felt with Mac. She gave a small nod.

  The garden gate squeaked and Fliss went to place their mugs in the sink. ‘Cressy’s having a girls’ night in on Saturday to see her honeymoon pictures. She’d love for you to come.’

  ‘Thanks but …’ As much as she’d like to go she was only setting herself up for a night of feeling uncomfortable and being the odd one out. ‘I won’t be able to make it.’

  ‘That’s a shame. There’s not many of us. There’s Ella and I think you met Neve, Freya and Sibylla at Tanner’s horsemanship weekend.’

  Bethany nodded. She had met them, although she’d had two city friends with her at the time and all she’d been focused on was Mac.

  Heels clicked on concrete before the front screen door opened and a waft of her mother’s distinctive perfume swept into the kitchen. She appeared in a whirlwind of noise and energy, two huge bouquets of flowers spilling from her arms.

  ‘Isn’t this nice,’ Edna said, tone exuberant, before air-kissing Bethany’s and Fliss’s cheeks. ‘Here we all are in Bethany’s new place.’

  Bethany took the flowers from her mother before she could do any damage in the small kitchen. ‘Cuppa?’

  ‘Of course.’ Her mother zeroed in on Fliss’s sponge cake. ‘And just a teensy slice of your delicious baking, Fliss.’

  While Fliss helped Bethany look in the cupboards for something to put the flowers in, her mother undertook a private inspection. When the flowers had been arranged in a ceramic wine cooler and a glass jug, Fliss said her goodbyes.

  As Bethany walked her to the front door, the doctor spoke quietly. ‘If things change and you can make it, we’d love to see you Saturday.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  Bethany waited on the front step to wave Fliss off. Her visit had been unexpected and appreciated. The persistent voice that kept asking what she had been thinking and telling her that having her own place wouldn’t help her get Mac back was now silent.

  She returned to the kitchen and her mother patted the chair next to her. Bethany sat in the chair across the table. ‘Thanks for the flowers.’

  ‘You’re welcome. The roses are from your father and me and the others are from Mrs Knox.’

  ‘I’ll call Denise later.’

  If Bethany didn’t know better, she would have said her never-lost-for-words mother looked like she didn’t know what to say. She stared into her tea before sitting a little straighter. Perhaps she wasn’t so accepting of her decision to leave home after all?

  The silence stretched.

  ‘Mum, is everything okay?’

  ‘I hope it will be. I feel like I’ve let you down.’

  ‘Let me down?’

  She failed to keep the sharp edge from her reply. Her mother was yet to acknowledge her role in what had happened between her and Mac.

  ‘Yes, normally I know what’s going on but this time I didn’t … until this morning.’

  The ache at her temples returned. Whatever her mother hadn’t known had to be about Mac, otherwise she wouldn’t look so grave. Her stomach pitched. Had he found someone else? Sharon wasn’t the only local she’d heard was interested in him.

  Edna continued, her tone unusually subdued. ‘Being a social butterfly I’m not home as much as I could be. I also sometimes can be overbearing.’

  Bethany arched a brow. ‘Sometimes?’

  Her mother didn’t immediately reply. ‘You know I love you and would do anything for you. All I’ve ever wanted was for you to be happy.’

  ‘I do. But my life is exactly that. Mine. I should be free to choose who I want to be with, not coerced into a relationship with someone of your choosing.’

  ‘It’s just that I knew in here …’ Edna touched her heart. ‘Mac was the right person for you. I never thought you’d break up because Clive and I gave you a helping hand. I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have interfered and should have stopped Clive from doing so too. This is all my fault.’

  Bethany blinked. She’d never seen her mother look so vulnerable or heard emotion quiver in her voice. She also couldn’t remember the last time Edna had ever apologised.

  She reached out to squeeze her mother’s hand. ‘All is forgiven but from now on my life’s off limits. The decisions I make have to be my own.’

  Her words didn’t relax the tension furrowing her mother’s forehead as she gave a small smile and said, ‘Of course.’

  The pressure at Bethany’s temples was now a pounding. She spoke again. ‘What was it that you found out this morning? It was about Mac, wasn’t it?’

  Her mother slowly nodded.

  *

  Mac’s question as to whether or not Bethany knew he was the new owner of Windella was answered the instant she appeared in the cottage doorway. Strain, but not surprise, etched fine lines around her grey eyes.

  He’d been at the main house and waited until Fliss’s car and then Edna’s white four-wheel drive left before coming over. It was only fair, if Bethany didn’t know, that she find out as soon as possible. It wasn’t as though he’d kept his ownership of Windella a secret. He’d simply bought the farm under a company name. Now that Sharon had rented out the cottage it was only a matter of time before the news spread.

  ‘Hi,’ he said, speaking first. ‘Can I come in?’

  Bethany opened the screen door. He followed her down the hallway into a kitchen that smelled of flowers. Today she wore faded jeans, a purple work shirt beneath an old rugby top and her long hair was windswept. She’d never looked more beautiful.

  She turned to face him, her expression carefully controlled. He slid his hands into his jean pockets to stop himself from pulling her close. He knew what that mask meant. She was as out of reach as she was before he’d broken with family loyalty and given in to the need to talk to her at the bonfire. It had felt like he’d waited a lifetime for her to finally come back to Woodlea and to be single. Work hadn’t been the only reason why his past relationships had failed. No woman had been able to stop him from thinking about her.

  For a moment they stared at each other. The only sound was the screech of a cockatoo flying towards the creek and the thud of his heart in his ears.

  He cleared his throat. ‘I had no idea you were thinking of moving out?’

&nb
sp; ‘I had no idea you were buying a farm.’

  ‘Only Finn and Mum knew.’

  ‘And your father?’

  Mac rubbed the back of his neck. ‘That’s this morning’s tough conversation.’

  A brief smile played across her lips. ‘So this isn’t a tough conversation?’

  ‘Only if we turn it into one. I think it’s great you’ve got your own space and that Echo’s with you.’

  ‘Thanks. I really appreciate being able to use the stables.’ She dipped her head towards the mugs drying beside the sink. ‘Coffee and a piece of Fliss’s cake?’

  He hesitated. All his instincts said he needed to leave. Being around Bethany stretched his self-control until it was as taut as the top wire of the outside fence. Her expression had relaxed but her mouth remained tense. Now they were to be neighbours he had to prove to her, and to himself, that they could find a new way forward.

  ‘That sounds good.’

  He carefully lowered himself into a chair and she threw him a quick look. ‘I heard you took a hard hit yesterday.’

  ‘Remind me next rugby season to ignore Finn when he says we need to get in shape. Being fit is overrated. It’s not one guy that comes after you but the whole team.’

  As he’d hoped, Bethany’s smile reached her eyes. They both knew of Finn’s obsession for training and going to the gym. Mac had more of a chance of seeing the spotted-tail quoll he’d once seen as a kid than of losing his fitness.

  ‘I know a certain two kelpies who’d be bored if you guys didn’t go for a run.’

  ‘True.’ Mitch and Spud did go a little stir-crazy on the days Finn and Mac didn’t take them out. ‘There are already enough holes in the garden.’

  Bethany placed his coffee on the table along with a glass of water for herself. Their conversation might be lighthearted but she was yet to meet his gaze for more than a few seconds. He was the same. He couldn’t risk looking at her for too long. No matter how controlled he was, how much he missed her had to be in his eyes. He busied himself cutting two pieces of sponge cake as Bethany collected white plates from the cupboard.