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  “You’re a wicked woman.”

  “Ah, but you love me.” She grabbed his hand again. “Come and see the rest of the place. The kitchen has turned out really well.”

  Hugh let her lead him along the passage. This time his hand completely relaxed in hers.

  The last of the sun’s rays were fading fast. Mackenna flicked on the light. While she waited for Hugh to finish washing up in the bathroom, she took the opportunity to once more survey her gleaming kitchen. It was ready to go and she was keen to start, but he was probably right. Her dad may be looking at things differently after his life-threatening experience. Perhaps she needed to rethink how she tackled him with her own ideas. Thank goodness for Hugh being here. He might not be the old carefree guy he once was but the same Hugh was still there underneath, she was sure of it. He’d been changed by circumstances as well.

  She heard the bathroom door open and turned as he entered the kitchen.

  He smiled at her. “You really have done a fantastic job with the house. Even that old bathroom looks new again.”

  “I’ve enjoyed the challenge.”

  “Look, Mack.” He hesitated a moment. “I’ve been a bit of a wet blanket. I don’t want to dampen your enthusiasm. Just because something hasn’t been done around here before doesn’t mean it can’t succeed. This sort of thing is out of my range of expertise.”

  Mackenna clapped her hands together. “We both know life’s too short to not give it your best shot.”

  “You’re right.”

  “I don’t have champagne but I’ve got a bottle of a good local sauv blanc.” She opened the fridge that had been delivered only yesterday. “Have a glass with me.”

  “Your mum invited me to stay for roast dinner.”

  “Even better. We can have a pre-dinner drink and nibbles here. You can be my first guest. I have an antipasto tasting plate prepared.” She lifted out the small platter of meat and vegetables she’d been playing with earlier and offered it to Hugh.

  “You’ll do well, Mack.” Hugh raised the glass she’d given him. “Here’s to Woolly Swamp farm gate.”

  “And to good friends.” Mackenna took a sip.

  In the silence that followed they both put down their glasses and reached for something from the platter. She was suddenly very hungry.

  “This is good.” Hugh mumbled through a mouthful of spiced lamb and cauliflower. Some sauce trickled down his chin. She laughed and dabbed at it with a serviette. His hand brushed hers and she felt a quiver in the pit of her stomach.

  Her eyes locked with his and she could see the yearning there. Suddenly their arms were around each other and he pulled her in close. Her lips searched for his and the strength of his response surprised her. She held him tight as his hands roamed down her back.

  Then he let her go and stepped back. She opened her eyes wide in surprise.

  “What are we doing, Mack?” he groaned.

  “I don’t ... I don’t know.” She put her fingers to her lips where she could still feel the tingle of their kiss.

  A knock at the back door made them both jump.

  “Hello.”

  Mackenna tucked in the tail of her shirt that had come loose in their embrace.

  “Hello, anyone home?”The voice called again.

  She turned as Hugh picked up his hat. Surely she was mistaken? The bright tone and the funny vowels, it sounded like Adam but her ears must be playing tricks. What would the guy who had run out and left her in New Zealand be doing here at Woolly Swamp?

  CHAPTER

  17

  Louise glanced around the table at everyone eating her roast lamb. Within the space of three weeks they were using the dining room again. Two extra for dinner, well three if you counted Cam, made it a tight squeeze in the kitchen. The dining room table was much better for seven.

  The conversation was sporadic. This time Cam didn’t come to the rescue. He’d been a bit quiet for days now, only coming in for meals. Mackenna’s friend, Adam, was the one doing most of the talking, answering questions from everyone it seemed but Mackenna. She wasn’t saying much at all. Louise wondered if something had happened between them. Adam certainly looked and talked like a decent young man but his presence could complicate things. She had set her cap on Hugh being the right man for Mackenna. They’d seen a bit of each other lately and Mack was always chirpy when Hugh was around. But even he was quiet tonight. Adam had changed the dynamics somehow.

  “Have you done any bungee jumping, Adam?” Patrick asked.

  “Several times,” Adam said, “years ago now. What about you?”

  “No,” Patrick said, “I would have liked to.”

  “Would have?”

  “Patrick,” Louise exclaimed. “Why would you want to do that?”

  “You’ll have to come to New Zealand someday.” Adam grinned. “Give it a go.”

  “Mug’s game,” Cam muttered.

  “It’s a real adrenalin rush,” Hugh said.

  “Not you too.” Louise was amazed. Why people would throw themselves off a bridge with a little piece of rope to yank them up and down and scare themselves witless was beyond her.

  “Sure is,” Adam said.

  He glanced across at Mackenna but Louise noticed she lowered her eyes.

  “That will be on the back burner for a while now.” Patrick pushed the last of his vegetables around his plate.

  He looked decidedly glum. Louise was puzzled by the strange atmosphere around her table.

  “Lyle and I are planning a trip to New Zealand,” she chirped.

  “When?” Both Patrick and Mackenna exclaimed in unison. Everyone looked at her and Lyle raised his eyebrows.

  “Not for a while,” he said.

  Louise locked eyes with him. “You only have to get the doctor’s go-ahead.”

  “There’s a lot to do here.”

  Louise gripped her hands together under the table. “If we don’t start planning we’ll never get there.”

  She was annoyed that Lyle was making excuses. They’d discussed the trip several times since he’d first mentioned the idea. That was back when Hugh was last here for dinner. After the last lunch with her sisters she’d been all the more determined to go. She’d talked with Lyle about it as soon as she arrived home and he assured her they would do it.

  “We can manage, Dad,” Mackenna said. “It’s no different from when I was away and you were sick. In fact, we’ve got more help now. With Cam and Patrick we can manage.”

  “Yeah,” Patrick said. “I’ll soon have a car to pay back.”

  Louise looked from one of her children to the other. Mackenna’s expression was one of excitement and Patrick’s was brooding.

  “You know that’s not necessary, Patch,” Louise said, “but we are grateful you’re here. We’d love you to stay on, wouldn’t we Lyle.”

  “Whatever Patrick wants,” Lyle said. “Work must be wondering where you are.”

  “I’m between projects at the moment and the rest I can do online.”

  Once again the conversation faltered. Louise began stacking the plates. Both Hugh and Mackenna had eaten very little.

  “I’ll get dessert,” she said.

  “Not for me thanks, Louise.” Cam pushed back from the table. “I’m heading into town. I’ll stay at my mate’s place tonight. I’ll be back here first thing.” He barely glanced at the others and left.

  “I should be going too,” Hugh said. “I have an early start tomorrow as well.”

  “I’ve made trifle,” Louise said giving him an encouraging smile.

  “The roast was delicious, thanks Mrs Birch, and more than enough.” Hugh patted his stomach. “Mum’s been making desserts as well. I think I’ve stacked on a couple of kilos since I’ve been back.”

  “I can’t see where.” He’d hardly eaten any of the roast but Louise wouldn’t point that out. “Anyway, you’re always welcome here, isn’t he Mackenna.” She looked at her daughter who suddenly leapt to her feet.

&nbs
p; “Yes,” she said. “I’ll see you out.”

  “No need. You stay with your guest.” Hugh reached a hand across the table. “Nice to meet you, Adam.”

  “You too.”

  Adam rose to his feet and Louise saw the look of confusion on Mackenna’s face as she turned from the departing Hugh to look at Adam.

  “I must go as well,” he said. “I should have followed Cam. Can you give me directions back to town? I’m not sure I can find my way in the dark.”

  “You can stay here,” Lyle said.

  Louise pursed her lips. What was he thinking, encouraging this stranger?

  “There must be a place in town to stay.” Adam said. “I don’t want to impose.”

  “You’ll have trouble at this hour on a week night,” Lyle said. “There’s a spare bed in Cam’s room.”

  “It’s not made up.” Louise baulked at the severity of her own voice. “At least . . . well Cam’s been using that room. I don’t know the state of it, I haven’t been in there for a while.”

  “If you don’t mind sharing an empty room,” Lyle chuckled, “I’m sure Mack will be happy to find you some sheets.”

  Louise looked from her husband to Adam who was giving Mackenna a soulful look.

  “I’ll get them,” Mack said.

  Louise was right. There was something going on. She had seen the anguish on Mackenna’s face as she’d rushed out the door.

  “I’m off too,” Patrick said and brushed his lips across Louise’s cheek.

  Lyle was still focused on their visitor. “You planning on staying around here long?”

  “I’m not sure.” Adam ran a hand back and forth along the top of the dining chair. “I came to Australia with my mother. Her dad lives in Melbourne and his health hasn’t been good. I’ll need to head back there soon but I couldn’t come all this way and not look Mackenna up.”

  “Where did you meet?” Louise wanted to find out the lay of the land between the two of them.

  “We ... we did a bit of sightseeing together.”

  “Where was that?” Louise asked. “We haven’t heard much about Mackenna’s trip yet.”

  “That’s because we’ve been working her to the bone since she’s been home.” Lyle put an arm around Louise. “I had some heart trouble while Mack was away and it’s taken a while to get myself back up to speed. By this hour I’ve run out of puff. If you’ll excuse us we’ll head to bed, won’t we Lou?”

  He winked at her and Louise felt the gentle pressure of his arm around her waist, guiding her to the door.

  “Yes, well I’d better show Adam to his room first,” she said.

  Lyle kept his arm locked around her. “Bathroom’s back opposite the kitchen and your room’s at the top of the passage on the right. I’m sure Mack will show you anything else you need.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Goodnight.” Lyle said. Louise managed a quick smile in Adam’s direction before Lyle propelled her out of the room.

  “What are you doing?” she hissed at him.

  “Giving them some space.” Lyle said as he shut their bedroom door.

  “Why?”

  “Haven’t you seen how edgy Mack’s been all night?” He snorted. “You tell me I don’t notice the vibes but you couldn’t miss them tonight. There’s definitely history between those two.”

  “We don’t know anything about him.” Louise stripped off her clothes. Why of all times would Lyle choose tonight to notice body language?

  “I’m just saying you’re trying to match Mack to Hugh but maybe she’s already found someone.”

  “Oh for goodness sake, Lyle, we shouldn’t encourage . . .”

  “I’m not expecting him to propose marriage,” Lyle said. “All I’m saying is let’s give them a chance to catch up without us old fogies being around.”

  Louise opened her mouth then thought better of it. There was no point in further discussion. Poor Hugh had looked rather devastated when he left but Lyle wouldn’t have noticed that. She really thought something was simmering between Hugh and Mackenna and she wasn’t going to let some foreigner spoil it. No, Adam was here for the night but she would be doing her best to make sure he was gone tomorrow.

  “Louise,” Lyle warned as she opened the door.

  “I’m going to the bathroom,” she said.

  “Can I help?”

  Mackenna jumped at the sound of Adam’s voice.

  “I’ve done it,” she said and bent to straighten the quilt over the top of the bed.

  Adam moved to the other side of the bed and helped her. She could feel his eyes burning into her scalp but she didn’t look up.

  “I’ll get you a towel,” she said and turned away.

  “Mackenna wait.”

  She froze. The sound of his husky voice and that quirky accent sent a shiver through her. She couldn’t believe how easily her fickle body was letting her down. She’d vowed to forget all about Adam and only a couple of hours ago she was kissing Hugh. What had that been about? They’d been friends since childhood, along with Carol. If Carol hadn’t been killed in that car crash she and Hugh would probably have married and had a brood of kids by now. Mackenna didn’t know what to think. She didn’t trust herself to look at Adam let alone speak to him.

  “Can I talk to you?” he persisted.

  She clenched her nails into the palms of her hands.

  “At least can you tell me why you left me? I thought – ”

  “Left you!” Mackenna spun to look at him. “You left me.”

  “I was only gone half a day. I know it was longer than I said but my mate needed me, I couldn’t let him down.”

  “You left without saying anything.” Anger and hurt bubbled inside her.

  “It was early. I left you a note explaining.”

  “What note?” Mackenna was trying not to raise her voice but she couldn’t help herself. “Explaining what? That I was your holiday fling? And now you’re on holiday again and you thought you’d look me up for a good time in Oz.”

  “Mackenna, you can’t believe . . .” He started towards her.

  “Keep away.”

  “Everything sorted in here?” Louise stuck her head around the door.

  Mackenna spun around but kept her face averted from her mother as she passed her.

  “Yes,” she said firmly. “Everything’s sorted.”

  CHAPTER

  18

  “Good morning.”

  Louise looked up at the sound of Adam’s voice.

  “Come and sit down,” she said. “Did you sleep well?”

  “It’s so quiet. I’ve overslept.”

  “You’ve missed everyone, I’m afraid.” Louise was glad. Now she’d have a chance to quiz him about his relationship with Mackenna. “They’re all off doing jobs. Except Patrick, he’s still in bed, I’m assuming. I haven’t seen him yet.”

  “I should go,” Adam said.

  “Please stay for breakfast.”

  Louise watched the indecision cross his face. Even with the forlorn expression he was a good-looking young man. She could see why Mackenna might have been attracted to him.

  “I’d hoped to see Mackenna before I left,” he said.

  “She’ll be gone most of the day.” Louise was happy for him to stay a while but she didn’t want him here when Mackenna came back. She hadn’t heard what they were saying in the guestroom last night but Mackenna was obviously upset. She’d been in such a rush to leave this morning she hadn’t eaten breakfast. Louise felt pretty sure her daughter was avoiding Adam. But why?

  “Mack’s not far away, is she?”

  They both turned to see Patrick drift in. His hair stood up all over his head and he was still wearing pyjamas – if that’s what you could call the ripped t-shirt and threadbare boxers.

  “She’s got a busy day,” Louise said and set another place at the table. “Both of you sit down. Would you like a cooked breakfast, Adam?”

  Adam hesitated and then sat next to Patrick. “Cereal
will be fine, thank you.”

  “Yeah but they’re only over at the new place, aren’t they?” Patrick scratched his head.

  “Murphy’s?” Louise said.

  “Yeah. It’s not like they’re far away.”

  She put bowls and cereal boxes on the table. “Adam’s probably got other things planned.”

  “I could take you over there,” Patrick said. “I’m supposed to go over and plant some trees or something.”

  “I’d like to see your property,” Adam said. “I went with Mackenna to a Corriedale stud outside of Queenstown. I’m a chef but it was really interesting to find out the whole process before the meat reaches the restaurant.”

  “Yeah, Mackenna’s into all that.” Patrick slurped a big spoonful of cereal into his mouth and milk ran down his chin.

  “Really, Patrick,” Louise said and passed him a serviette.

  “She said she was hoping to open some kind of farm gate outlet here,” Adam said.

  Louise stopped pouring the tea. She had thought that idea had been squashed.

  “We’ve done up the old house at the front gate,” Patrick said.

  “Oh yes,” Adam replied. “I went there last night but I didn’t go in.”

  “It will be the working man’s quarters,” Louise said as she handed round the cups.

  “But Mack’s done all that work.” Patrick turned to her. “The new kitchen is ready to go.”

  “What new kitchen?”

  “Where have you been the last few weeks, Mum? Mack has put every spare minute into getting the place shipshape. It’s looking really good over there.”

  Louise gathered up their empty bowls. She hadn’t been over to the old place since it was decided Cam would use it. Her life had been confined to keeping an eye on Lyle, the housework and trips to town for her committees and fundraisers. She walked past the old house nearly every day to collect the paper but she hadn’t gone in.

  “I’ll just throw on some clothes,” Patrick said, “then I’ll take you over to where Dad and Mack are working. I’ll leave the guided tour of the farm to her, though. I’m sure she’ll want to show you around, especially her farm gate outlet.”

  Louise glared at Patrick’s back as he disappeared out the door. How was it possible all this was going on and she didn’t know about it? Lyle would have to be in the loop. Surely Mackenna wouldn’t have kept it from him as well.