Inheritance (28 page)

‘I think we can say it is.’

Finally they dressed and walked down the path hand in hand, just enjoying being together.

All was quiet and peaceful as they drove slowly back the way they had come. The light had faded and the builders had left for the day.

The homestead was deserted when they reached it.

Cassie felt pleased there was no one to witness their long, lingering goodbye kiss, or to see her as she made her way to her room. She felt as if she were like a neon sign, lit up and announcing to the world, ‘I’m in love’.

***

‘They’re looking good; you’ve done a great job, Gary.’ Cassie stood outside one of the cabins with Mark and Rosie. Gary had downed tools to take them on a tour of inspection and they were at the last cabin in the group.

Ben was putting the finishing touches to the deck at the front and he joined them as they moved inside.

‘How’ve you been, babe?’ he asked Rosie as the others moved over to inspect the kitchen area. ‘You’re looking great, as usual. I’ve missed seeing you.’

‘I’m sure you’re surviving.’

‘How about coming out to hear a band on Friday night?’

‘Sorry, Ben, I won’t be here. We’re going to Townsville on Friday for the Show down there and we’ll be away all weekend.’

‘Stocking up with more cattle, eh?’

‘No. It’s mainly to see how prices are going. Without rain, it costs so much to hand feed that we’ll have to sell some stock if the monsoon doesn’t come this year. Besides, we always go to this Show. It’s an opportunity to catch up with friends from further away and socialise a bit.’

‘So who’s going? You and Cassie?’

‘Yes. And Mum and Dad, too.’

‘Well, I’ll just have to find someone else to listen to the band with, won’t I?’

‘I’m sure you’ll manage that.’

Cassie came over to join them and Ben went back to his work. ‘I have to go into Cairns tomorrow. Do you want to come with me?’ she asked Rosie.

‘Sure. What are you going in for?’

‘I have to choose the appliances for the kitchens and decide on the interior decorating. We’ll choose curtains and bedcovers, prints for the walls, all that sort of thing.’

‘That sounds like fun.’

‘Let’s hope it is. We’ll need to leave early in the morning, there’s a lot to do.’

‘Okay, I’ll be ready.’

Mark joined them and the three of them walked out together and drove in the buggy back to where Mark had parked his car. He drove them across to the house and collected Gemma, who had been playing with Hoppy.

‘If you’re going into Cairns tomorrow, then I won’t see you until the day after.’ Mark took both Cassie’s hands in his as he spoke. ‘I’ll come over then to see your purchases. Drive carefully.’ He bent and kissed her cheek before getting into the car and driving away.

‘Well, things seem to be going okay for you two, if the way you look at each other is any indication,’ Rosie said as they walked into the house. ‘In fact, from the way you look, I’d say you’re well and truly smitten.’

‘I guess you could put it that way. In fact…Oh, Rosie, I’m in love!’

‘Well, and about time too. And how does he feel? Does he love you too?’ Rosie raised her eyebrows. ‘Is it serious for him…long term?’

‘We haven’t talked about that yet, but I’m sure it is.’

Rosie hugged her friend. ‘I’m so happy for you. Just make sure you get a commitment from him before things go too far.’

Cassie laughed, bubbling over with happiness. ‘It’s a bit late for that.’

‘I see!’

‘Don’t say ‘I see’ like that. We just haven’t had a chance to talk properly yet. There always seems to be someone else around.’

‘Well, obviously there was one time when there wasn’t anyone else around.’

‘Mm, mm. Let’s talk about what we have to do tomorrow.’ Cassie took Rosie’s hand impulsively. ‘I promise you’ll be the first to know what we’re doing as soon as we have a chance to talk about the future.’

‘I would hope so! I plan on being bridesmaid, you know.’

‘If it comes to that, then of course you will be. At the moment, I’m just enjoying being so happy.

***

Cassie ticked items off her list. ‘Now, let me see. We’ve chosen the curtain fabrics and the bedcovers and cushions to go with them, and arranged for the windows to be measured next week. And we’ve selected the furniture.’

Rosie yawned. ‘It took ages, getting just the right fabrics for each cabin, but, I must say, it’ll look great. Maybe we can call a halt now for lunch?’

‘Of course. I’m sorry to have been so long but I want it just right and I think having each cabin with its individual style and colours will add character. Let’s just put these parcels in the car and then we’ll eat.’

After lunch, Cassie decided kitchen appliances were next in order of importance, Gary was almost ready to install them, and they had to be delivered this week.

This done, it was time to look for what Rosie called the ‘fun stuff’, the prints for the walls and the little items that would supply the all-important finishing touches.

‘Why don’t we go to Stella’s gallery?’ Rosie suggested. ‘She’s an awful pain but she does have some great stuff.’

‘Good idea. Her pieces tend to be unique. Besides, I want to ask her about having the paintings and things valued. I guess we can put up with her for a while.’

‘If she knows you’re a paying client, she may come down off her high horse.’

‘Maybe. She certainly has a high opinion of herself, doesn’t she? I suppose she is good looking in a hard sort of way, though.’

‘I suppose so, if you happen to like eyes like a snake and a cat’s bum mouth!’

Giggling, they made their way to the Gallery. Stella greeted them in her usual condescending manner. She was busy with another client and so they wandered around inspecting the displays. Cassie found several pieces she liked and that would fit in with her ideas. When Stella had ushered her other client out, she turned her attention to them.

Cassie told her what she had in mind and Stella made several helpful suggestions. Between them, they selected a print for each cabin and some individual pieces to complement the decor of each one. Stella promised to have them packed and delivered at the beginning of the next week.

Cassie, well pleased with her purchases, felt the day had been a success.

Suddenly Stella placed a hand on her arm. ‘You know, Cassie,’ she said, ‘you would do well not to be too taken in by Mark. He can be very charming, I know, especially when he wants something for his business.’

‘What do you mean by that?’

‘I know that he has been seeing a lot of you lately and it would be very easy for you to misunderstand his attentions.’

‘What are you hinting at?’

‘My dear, I’m not hinting. The truth of the matter is that he wants to buy Yallandoo and he doesn’t really care how he persuades you to sell.’

‘I don’t believe that.’

‘I can assure you that it’s true. He wants to build a theme park and a family style hotel. Yallandoo is ideal for his purpose.’

‘A theme park? How do you know that?’

‘Oh, my dear, Mark and I are very close. You would be surprised what I know.’

Cassie narrowed her eyes. ‘What do you mean by that?’

‘Well, I know that you and Mark went swimming in your rock pool recently. And if I were you, I wouldn’t take too seriously what happened then.’

Shocked, Cassie went ice-cold. Surely Mark wouldn’t have discussed their lovemaking with Stella.

‘I don’t believe a word you’re saying.’

Stella shrugged offhandedly. ‘My dear, I’m only telling you this for your own good. When you’re young, it is so easy to be taken in by a sophisticated man of the world. That type can be ruthless when they want something. And Mark wants Yallandoo.’

The blood drummed in Cassie’s head and her legs went weak. She thought she was going to fall. She had to get out of here. Grabbing Rosie’s arm, she turned and without another word left the gallery. ‘I have to sit down,’ she said when they reached the street.

Rosie guided her to a nearby coffee shop. ‘Sit here.’ Rosie ordered, pulling out a chair for her. ‘I’ll order coffee.’

Cassie shook uncontrollably as she obeyed. She didn’t want to believe Stella’s words, but Mark must have told her about going swimming at the rock pool, Stella couldn’t have known otherwise.

The coffee arrived but she just sat looking at it.

‘Here, drink this,’ Rosie ordered as she stirred sugar into her cup. ‘I ordered strong black for you, you’ve had a shock. Come on, now, you’re white as a sheet. Drink it.’

Obediently Cassie picked up the cup. Her hand shook but she managed to drink some of the strong, sweet liquid. It calmed her a little. ‘I can’t believe Mark would have told her about us. But how else could she have known?’ She shook her head. ‘She certainly knew we had been to the rock pool and no one else knew. I hadn’t even told you.’

‘At the rock pool. Is that where…where…it happened?’

Cassie nodded. ‘When we went swimming the other day. Oh, how could he have discussed it with her? I feel so humiliated.’ Her face flushed at the thought.

Drinking some more coffee, Cassie’s mind raced.

‘Perhaps it’s true. Perhaps he has been making me think he cares for me when all the time he’s just been trying to get me in the mood to agree to sell him Yallandoo.’

‘But why would he talk to Stella about it?’

Cassie sat silent for a moment. All her old doubts about Mark surfaced again.

‘Perhaps they really are lovers. Perhaps he was lying when he told me they only had a business relationship. Maybe they were in bed together laughing at me, about how easily he’d fooled me.’

‘Hey, whoa now! You’re letting your imagination run away with you. That bitch is obviously jealous and told you that out of spite. You don’t know it’s true.’

‘But how could she have known?’

‘She didn’t actually say Mark told her you’d been having…er…making love.’

‘She did say he’s only been making up to me so he could buy Yallandoo for, of all things, a theme park. Can you believe it?’ Anger coursed through her now, pushing the blood pounding through her head.

‘Hmm.’ Rosie blinked, considering. ‘I must say he’s got big ideas. I don’t know, Cassie, I really don’t know. But you’re going to have to find out. I don’t quite know how.’

‘I’m going to go and see him, that’s how. I’ll ask him straight out.’ She spoke decisively. ‘Thanks for the coffee, I’m feeling better now.’ The shaking had stopped.

‘Your colour’s come back. Are you sure you feel okay?’

‘Yes.’ Cassie stood up, calmer now. ‘I’ll drop you home and then I’m going to see him. I won’t be made a fool of.’

***

Mark opened the door to Cassie’s knock. His face broke into a smile as he saw her standing there.

‘Cassie! What a lovely surprise. Come on in.’ He held the door wide for her to enter.

Cassie marched in without saying a word. When they reached the sitting room, she turned to face him. His smile disappeared as he saw the frosty look on her face.

‘What’s the matter?’ he asked her.

‘Probably quite a lot. I saw Stella in Cairns today.’ Her heart pounded but her voice was cold.

‘So?’ Mark looked puzzled.

‘I believe you still want to buy Yallandoo?’

‘I’ve always told you I would give you a good price for it if you ever decide to sell.’

‘It’s more than that, isn’t it? Don’t you have a real need for it?’

‘No. What’s this all about?’

‘I want the truth, Mark.’ Her voice rose. ‘Do you have plans to build a theme park up here?’

‘Yes, but…’

Her anger mounted, suffusing her neck, her face, with heat. ‘And Stella knows about it?’

‘Yes, she knows…’

Cassie interrupted him. ‘So it is true!’ Her eyes blazed. ‘You’ve been trying to make me think you care for me when all the time you’ve been trying to get me to the point where I’d agree to sell you Yallandoo!’

Mark moved towards her, shaking his head. ‘No! It’s not like that at all, Cassie.’

She stepped back from him, the blood pounding in her temples. ‘Oh, yes, I can see it all! You think I’m young and naïve, that you’d easily be able to fool me in to thinking that it was me you wanted when all the time it was the property.’

Mark paled beneath his tan. He stood quite still. When he spoke, it was very quietly. ‘If that’s what you think of me, then it’s not much use me saying anything more, is it? You’ve obviously made up your mind.’

‘I have to believe what my mind tells me is the truth.’

‘You’re believing what you want to believe.’ He paused. ‘Have you finished?’

Cassie took a deep breath. ‘Yes.’

‘Then I think there’s nothing more to say at this moment.’

‘There’s nothing more to say ever. Because I never want to see you again. Ever.’ She swept past him and out the front door. Tears streamed down her face as she drove away from Binbin.

Just inside the gate to Yallandoo, Cassie stopped the car and pulled to one side, her head swimming. The bitter bile of betrayal seared her throat. Twining her arms around the steering wheel, she rested her head on them. Her shoulders heaved as the tears came, great floods of them, huge rending sobs that came from deep inside as grief shattered her heart.

Ben was tiring of his search. Only the thought of all that wealth kept him going. Several times a week, when he finished work for the day, he had made his way to the hills and clambered up, searching for any opening that might lead to a burial place, but without success.

He was unaware that, once he reached the hills, his every move had been watched. Today he thought of the huge expanse still to cover and felt disheartened. He felt hot and weary after a hard day’s work. He decided to go to the pub for a beer instead.

When he settled himself at the bar and had a cold Fosters in front of him, he felt better. His mind went back to his conversation with Rosie the day before.

So the whole lot of them would be away for the weekend. It would be open go. Not only would the main house be unattended but also the manager’s house. The rest of the staff quarters were far enough away not to pose much of a threat to a careful nocturnal visitor.