Inheritance (13 page)

‘No.’ Cassie responded firmly. ‘It’s too dangerous. There’re crocodiles in that river. I’m not having a lot of visitors with no idea of the dangers cavorting along the bank.’

‘They wouldn’t be ‘cavorting’, as you put it. They’d be sitting quietly fishing. And we could put signs on the bank warning them not to go in the water. Like you see on other rivers.’

‘I’ve known people to ignore those signs. Why else do you think there’re still cases of people being taken by crocs? No. It’s too dangerous. I was never allowed close to the river when I was a child. “Never put yourself on their dinner plate”, Uncle Len used to say. That’s good advice. We’ve never had any real problems here, but that’s because, like most locals, we’re sensible. There’s still been the odd dog that’s gone missing, even so.’

‘It could be properly supervised.’

‘It’s too much responsibility. And too dangerous. It will never happen on Yallandoo.’

He gave in then. ‘Okay, okay. Perhaps we should just leave that one.’

‘Good.’

‘Now, about starting your project. There’ll be a lot of formalities before you can start building. I’d like to help if you’ll let me.’

‘What sort of formalities?’

‘Plans have to go to Council for approval. And there are various permits to be obtained. Gary’s a competent builder. He’d do a good job and he’d take care of all the details for you if you decide to contract him for the job.’

‘I certainly don’t know anything about building, so I’d be pleased to have someone else take care of the details for me. He worked for you, didn’t he? You’re obviously satisfied with what he did for you?’

‘I am. His work was good and his price reasonable. I’d be happy to keep an eye on things during construction, if you like.’

‘It’ll scarcely compare with the type of building you usually supervise!’

Mark shook his head. ‘Building is building. I have to see Gary tomorrow morning. Shall I see if he can come around then and have a look at the site, formulate some ideas?’

‘Yes, let’s get started.’

The waiter approached their table. ‘Can I get you something else, sir?’

‘Cassie?’ Mark queried.

‘No, thank you. It was a wonderful meal.’ She smiled at the waiter.

‘Thank you, madam.’

Cassie gave a little giggle as he left. ‘I’m not used to being called ‘madam’.’

‘You are about to become an entrepreneur as well as the owner of a cattle station. You’re entitled to deference.’ Mark joked.

Cassie giggled again. ‘I think it’s the wine. I think I’d better go home.’

He took her arm as they rose and escorted her out to the car. She settled back in the soft leather seat to enjoy the drive through the inky blackness of the night, listening to the soft music playing. Mark glanced across at her. ‘Comfy?’ he asked with a warmness that made her feel cosseted.

‘Mmm.’ And she snuggled lower.

He didn’t talk again but seemed to be concentrating on driving.

I wonder what he’s thinking? she asked herself dreamily as she stole a glance at his profile.

Cassie would have been shocked had she known.

For Mark was wondering if she would ask him inside. And if she did, how he could keep his hands off her? And would she want him to keep them off?

He didn’t want to spoil the camaraderie they seemed to have built up during the night but all through dinner he had been aware of the sexual attraction between them. Now, as he saw her relaxed in the seat, her bare shoulders visible in the dim light from the dashboard, he was imagining how it would be to take her in his arms and make love to her.

The car turned into Yallandoo Station and Cassie sat up in her seat. ‘Goodness. Home already. I think I must’ve dozed. I’m sorry.’

Mark smiled across at her. ‘As long as you’re happy.’

‘I am. Very.’

They pulled up and he came around to open the door.

After they mounted the steps, she stopped and turned to face him, looking up to find his eyes full of warmth.

‘Thank you for a lovely evening,’ she said. ‘It’s a very special place. I enjoyed it immensely.’

‘I hope we can do it again.’

Cassie laughed. ‘How many more business meetings can we have?’

‘Many more, I hope.’

His arms went around her and he bent his head to find her lips. He kissed her gently, lingeringly.

Cassie’s breath caught with surprise at the response from her body as her knees went weak. She melted against him as her arms stole around him. He held her tighter. His kiss became deeper, his tongue searching for hers. She could feel his body hard against her. Her heart raced as desire throbbed inside her.

‘Perhaps we should go inside?’ he murmured huskily against her ear.

Suddenly a picture of Stella flashed into Cassie’s mind. Stella hanging on his arm and smiling up at him. Two nights ago he’d been with her!

‘No!’ She pulled herself free from his arms, breathing heavily. ‘No. I…I must go. I…it’s getting late.’

Mark dropped his arms and stepped back, visibly shaken, and took a deep breath.

‘Very well.’ He cleared his throat. ‘If that’s what you want.’

Hesitating, he seemed about to say more, but obviously changed his mind. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow then. Goodnight.’

‘Goodnight.’ Cassie slipped through the door.

Mark watched her go, then turned and walked down the steps.

When she entered her room, Cassie threw her purse on to the chair with all her force, tears of frustration pricking her eyes.

‘Damn. Damn, damn, damn! Damn Stella Hardwick to Hell!’ Her voice was fierce. She flung herself down on the bed. ‘And damn Mark Pierce, too!’

There was no way she was going to become another one in his string of conquests!

The next morning Rosie came to Cassie’s room before breakfast and sat on the bed while she dressed.

‘And how did the date go?’

‘It wasn’t a date. It was a business meeting.’

‘So…how did it go?’

‘We discussed a lot of business.’ Cassie kept her voice neutral, trying to imply it had all been impersonal. ‘It seems there’re many areas where we’ll be able to work together. Shared facilities, that sort of thing.’

‘Great. But how was the night?’

‘It was very pleasant.’

Dressed now, she picked up her brush and commenced brushing her hair. ‘We had a very nice meal. It was a lovely restaurant.’

‘Is that all? Did he come in when he brought you home?’

‘No. He saw me to the door.’ How Rosie would tease her if she knew what had happened! ‘All very right and proper.’

‘What a shame. He’s a bit slow, isn’t he?’

‘Rosie! Will you stop trying to make something out of nothing?’

‘I saw the way he was looking at you on Sunday. He looked as if he could eat you. Oh, well.’ She sniffed. ‘It’s probably just as well. The word is he’s having it off with the delectable Stella. I bet she noticed how he looked at you, too!’

‘Rosie!’ Cassie turned, brush still in hand and swiped at Rosie with it. ‘Get out of here! I’ll see you at breakfast.’

***

Mark arrived with Gary shortly after breakfast. If Mark felt embarrassed, it did not show as he greeted Cassie calmly. She responded in the same way.

‘So, where do you want the cabins, Cassie?’ Gary asked.

‘In the rainforest.’

‘Have you decided exactly where?’

‘Not exactly. No.’

‘Then we’d better take a look. We need to choose the site first of all. You’d better ride with Mark. Mine’s a bit rough for ladies.’ He nodded towards his rather battered utility truck.

Mark held the door for Cassie as she swung up into his Landcruiser and then climbed in himself and started the engine. Cassie was determined to betray nothing of her feelings of the previous night.

‘Not quite as elegant as your BMW,’ she said lightly.

‘No. But more practical for country work. I hope you slept well?’

‘Very well, thank you,’ she lied. ‘And you?’

‘Yes. Very well.’ He hesitated for a moment. ‘Cassie, I’m sorry if I upset you last night.’

‘Upset me? Of course not!’

She kept her voice light as she shook her head. ‘I’m hardly a teenager to be upset by a kiss. It’s not that important, is it?’ Turning her head she looked out the window. ‘Now, let’s see where we’re going to put these cabins.’

‘Yes.’ He sounded miffed, which pleased Cassie no end. ‘Yes, let’s do that.’

They drove in silence down to where Gary had pulled up by the edge of the river, where the rainforest came to meet it, and pulled up alongside him.

‘Nice view here,’ he called to them.

‘A bit too close to the river. I was thinking of further up, where it’s safer,’ Cassie called in reply.

‘Why? Do you often get floods?’

‘No, that happens occasionally. But I was thinking mainly of the crocs.’

Gary looked startled. ‘Oh, I see. Yes. Of course.’

‘Follow us.’ Cassie turned to Mark. ‘I think probably up by the track. Let’s have a look there.’

When they reached the start of the track, the two vehicles stopped. They climbed out and looked around. Here the land sloped up from the river.

Cassie nodded. ‘Yes, this is better.’

‘Do you want to build here, then, on the edge of the forest?’

‘No. Inside the forest.’

‘Let’s take a look, then.’

It was dim and cool inside after the brilliant sunlight out in the open.

They walked in single file with Cassie leading the way and Mark at the rear.

They picked their way along the path with care, stepping over the fallen logs and old gnarled tree roots.

‘How far in do you want to go?’ Gary asked Cassie.

‘A bit further. There’s an old cedar tree, a real giant. There’s not many of them left these days, so I thought we might be able to make it a focal point somehow.’

They had not gone much further when Cassie stopped abruptly. The others pulled up behind her. Before they could speak, she turned her head and put her fingers to her lips, pointing ahead.

On the path about ten metres away stood a strange animal that looked like a huge bird, about a metre and a half tall. Its feathers were black and a brilliant deep blue. It had a lighter blue head, a sharp beak, and it sported a bony looking helmet perched atop its head like some mediaeval armour. Two red fleshy wattles dangled beneath its long blue and red neck, swaying with its movements.

It had obviously not noticed them as it scratched amongst the fallen leaves on the path with its beak. Behind it were two smaller versions of the bird. Similar but lacking the vivid colouring of the larger bird, they were obviously its chicks, their feathers a brownish grey, dull by comparison.

‘Cassowaries,’ breathed Cassie softly. She looked around and silently bent to pick up a stout stick lying on the ground. The others came to stand beside her.

‘Wow!’ Gary exclaimed, equally quiet.

‘I’ve never seen one in the wild before,’ whispered Mark.

They stood perfectly still, watching as the three animals continued scratching among the litter on the ground. They raised their heads occasionally to swallow seeds or berries as they found them and then bent to search again, slowly moving closer along the path.

All at once, the largest bird saw them. It stood stock still for a few seconds and then advanced towards them, the two chicks following.

Suddenly, it lunged forward. Cassie broke the silence, shouting out loud and waving the stick and jumping about at the same time. The animals turned abruptly and ran quickly into the surrounding trees. In a moment, they disappeared from sight.

‘Whew! That was close. Would it really have attacked us?’ Gary asked her.

‘Oh yes,’ Cassie panted. ‘They can be quite aggressive, particularly when they have their young. The adults have long spurs on their feet. He wouldn’t have hesitated to use them.’

‘He? Wasn’t that a mother and chicks?’

‘No. The female cassowary has the right idea,’ she laughed. ‘She lays the eggs and that’s all she does. Then the male takes over. He hatches the eggs and looks after the chicks until they’re old enough to fend for themselves.’

They all laughed.

‘What a strange quirk of nature,’ Mark said. ‘Strange birds, in fact, can’t even fly. But it’s amazing you have them here, Cassie. They’re quite rare, aren’t they?’

‘Yes. They’re an endangered species; their numbers are very low now. We’ll have to be careful not to harm them. Both when building and when we have tourists here.’ Cassie became serious. ‘That applies to all the rainforest animals. For that reason, I’ll never develop this too much. There’s still a huge tract of forest up the hill and I’ll never touch that. It has to be preserved for them.’

Mark nodded. ‘I’m glad to hear you say that. I feel the same way.’

‘Me, too,’ said Gary. ‘You can be sure we’ll be careful when we’re building.’

‘Good. Now let’s get along and find the site.’

They continued along the track until they reached a spot where Cassie stopped.

‘This is where I was thinking of; there’s the cedar.’ She pointed out the massive old tree and walked up to it and placed a hand on it. Then she faced it and spread both her arms around it. Its girth was so great that her two arms could reach only across the front of it.

‘It would take more than the three of us to be able to reach right around,’ she said reverently, stepping back, ‘and look how tall it is! Isn’t it amazing?’

They all looked up to see its top reaching for the sky way above the surrounding plants.

‘What a beauty,’ Gary ran his hand over its trunk. ‘Are you sure you don’t want to mill it and use the timber?’

‘Oh, no. I’d much rather enjoy it as a living tree. I don’t want to cut down any more trees than we need to.’

‘Okay. Now then, where do you want the cabins?’

‘I don’t want them all close together. I want each one to be private, so one lot of guests needn’t see the others unless they wish. I guess anywhere in here.’ She swung her arm in a wide circle.

‘It’s best to keep to the high side of the track, because of drainage. Let me have a look around and see if there’re any natural clearings.’ Gary made his way up the slope and disappeared amongst the trees.