Obsession Down Under (8 page)

She shifted in the saddle and patted the mare’s sleek neck.

“She’s a gentle soul,” he reassured her as he vaulted onto the stallion and trotted out of the stable.

“Glad to hear it.”

“Mark’s got the calves on the eastern ridge. We can cut across by the dam, that way you’ll see a different aspect of the property, and we’ll still be there in time to give a hand with the branding,” he called over his shoulder and then stopped, amazed. Jessie Rose was nowhere in sight. With a flick of the reins, he wheeled the stallion around and headed back to the stable.

“Giddy up. Giddy up. Oh come on Millie, cooperate. Please don’t be stubborn or I’ll have to get really cross.”

His face split in a grin at Jessie Rose’s attempts to coax Millie into a walking start with mere words alone. “How many lessons did you say you had, babe?” His throaty chuckle must have grabbed her attention, because she raised her eyes to his.

“Four, but they were on a horse. You didn’t tell me Millie was a mule.”

He chortled at her stubborn expression. “Dig your heels into her flanks and show her who’s boss.”

Jessie Rose spent the next few minutes trying to do just that. He relaxed in the saddle and watched with glee, but when she cast a woebegone look his way, pity took over. He edged Rocket closer and leaning down slapped the mare on the rump to get her moving. “There you go, babe. That’s all there is to it.” He grinned as she trotted past him, and pulling on the reins turned Rocket to follow her out.

Jessie Rose, though, hadn’t been born to the saddle, and Millie proved to be more than a handful. He realized her riding instructor’s comment of her being
unbelievable
was not meant in a good way, but she was enthusiastic and determined to persevere and followed his instructions without complaint.

Whip and Jessica arrived to the smell of burning hide, dust clouds, and a loud racket. She wrinkled her nose and tried to ignore the odor and wailing cattle as she reined Millie in, but the smell was pungent and the noise a deafening din. Two or three cattle dogs yapping and nipping at the cows’ hooves added to the noise and confusion.

Nearby, half a dozen men who were busy attending the cattle acknowledged them with a wave. She recognized Mark and Drew as they broke away from the group and lobbed over. Drew helped her down.

“Hey, Jess, glad you could make it.”

“Yeah, we weren’t sure whether you’d have the stomach for it, being a city girl and all.” Mark made it sound like a challenge.

A muscle twitched in her cheek and her chin came up. “It is a little daunting, but I’m anxious to experience as much of station life as I can. I might never get another opportunity.” She spoke louder than normal so her voice could be heard above the noise of the complaining cattle.

“Come on then, and I’ll show you firsthand what we do from start to finish. You can help me and the boys separate the calves from their mammas if you like.” Drew clasped her hand and towed her after him without waiting for her agreement. She threw a backward glance to Whip, who cheesy grinned her and shrugged his shoulders. He and Mark then set off in the opposite direction to join the other men who were busy branding the first lot of calves in the enclosure.

“Now don’t get too close, Jess, ‘cause the mamma cows can get a wee bit cantankerous,” Drew understated as he led her over to where two young men and a couple of cattle dogs were busy herding the calves away from their mothers.

It was kind of sad. The cows were kicking up a ruckus at being separated, and the dogs snapped and yipped at their hooves like a pair of demons. At first glance it looked like total chaos, but as she watched it became evident there was, in fact, a method to it.

“You just stand by the gate and close it after we herd this lot through.”

“Sounds simple enough.” She wiped her brow with the back of her hand and then took up her position and waited. When the calves were chased through, she swung the gate closed and latched it.

“Now that you’ve got another set of hands, I’ll head on over and pitch in with the mustering,” one of the young men said, and then tugged the brim of his tan Akubra before vaulting onto a horse and riding away.

She continued to work with Drew for the rest of the afternoon. The temperature soared and the dust and grime got up her nose and onto her clothes. Apart from that her job was easy. But when Gladys, Cyril’s wife, arrived with sandwiches, a Thermos of coffee, and fresh-baked banana bread, Whip called a halt to activities and she was not about to complain.

The snacks were delicious, and Whip and his brothers had Gladys blushing like a young girl with their sweet-talking praise. It became apparent that the wizened little female was a pivotal member of the McGregor family.

The break was over all too soon and it was back to work. Jessica groaned as she stood, but she didn’t hesitate getting back to the job at hand.

The work didn’t require much concentration on her part, despite that the afternoon flew, and it was late when the last of the calves were herded into the pen for branding.

“Jess, are you sure you don’t want to reconsider and give it a go?” Drew asked for the third time in the last hour.

“Uh-uh, no way. I’m usually willing to give most things a go and I know it has to be done, but I feel so sorry for the little guys. And what if I messed up?” she said as she let a calf nuzzle her hand.

“Last chance.”

“No, I’m good.”

“No argument from me, babe.” Whip arrived, catching the tail end of the conversation.

“Last chance for what?” Mark asked, coming up behind.

“Branding. Jess has been a huge help. I thought she might like to give it a go.”

“Huge help — I don’t think so.” Jessica rolled her eyes. “A minor one, maybe, but it’s nice of you to say so.”

Whip glanced at her with inquiring eyes. A definite shake of her head had him turning back to Drew.

“She looks all done in. I think it’s time I got this little lady home.” He looped his arm around her shoulders and gave a gentle squeeze.

“See you back at the homestead then,” Mark said, and Drew lifted his hand and waved.

“Okay.” She raised a smile, and then Whip guided her over to where he’d tethered their horses.

Millie was grazing under a lone tree.

“Hello, girl.” Jessica patted the horse’s neck.

Millie whickered, and Whip gave her a leg up. She settled into the saddle and took a firm grip of the reins. Whip then vaulted onto his stallion, and they all set off at a slow walk.

About an hour later, when they arrived back at the homestead, one of the hired hands attended to the horses, and that was a godsend. A hot shower, a cold drink, and if truth be told, a good nap was tempting, but bone weary or not, she’d promised to cook dinner.

Whip told her not to bother, that they’d fix something light later and insisted she go upstairs and relax in a hot bath while he attended to some paperwork. But the men had worked so much harder than she, and her mother’s words echoing in her head haunted her.
“A promise is a promise, Jessica. Your word is your bond, remember that.”
So when Whip disappeared into his office, although feeling like a shattered wreck, she ambled down the hall and into the kitchen, her intent to wash her hands and then check out supplies.

A pleasant surprise awaited her, and an automatic smile bloomed on her face when she pushed open the door. Gladys was bent over the oven humming a tune and busy putting two chickens in to roast.

“Please tell me they’re for dinner?”

Gladys looked up, her gray eyes crinkling. “I figured you’d be tired after helping out all day, you being a big city girl.”

“You’re a life saver, Gladys.”

She would have kissed the thin, birdlike little woman if she’d had the energy. “Can I do anything at all to help?”

“No, it’s all under control. You go on upstairs and freshen up,” she said, adding a large tray of vegetables to the oven. “And put on a pretty frock, get gussied up for your man.” Her tone softened, and her eyes brightened at the reference to Whip.

Jessica didn’t need to be persuaded. Whip had mentioned that Gladys had commenced work as the station cook when he was knee high to a grasshopper. But when the McGregor parents were killed in an air crash when the twins were eighteen and Brenda not even two, she’d stepped in and taken on the role of housekeeper, disciplinarian, and surrogate mother, leaving the shed cooking to a newcomer named Riley. Not that anyone called him that nowadays. To everyone he was just Cookie.

“If you’re sure, then I’ll go and get cleaned up.”

“You do that, love.”

Jessica headed straight upstairs and into the bathroom. After a long hot soak in a rejuvenating bubble bath, she took Gladys’ advice and put on a pretty dress. Whip was already showered and dressed. He waited while she added a touch of makeup and perfume before leading her back downstairs for dinner.

The family was gathered in the dining room. Drew handed her a cold glass of white wine and Whip a beer. They settled into an easy discussion about the day’s progress that continued over dinner.

Many hours later and back upstairs in the master bedroom preparing for bed, Jessica was glad she’d taken Gladys’ advice.

“Well, babe, it seems you’ve accomplished the impossible,” Whip announced, studying her from his chair.

“How so?” she asked, intrigued, releasing her hair from the French roll and kicking off her high heels.

“You’ve won Gladys over.”

“I think it must have been the dress that did it.” She laughed, slipping out of her red spaghetti-strapped dress. “She told me to get
gussied up
for you, and I was too intimidated not to.”

“She’s fiercer than a mother hen in the chicken coop when it comes to us McGregors. She and Cyril don’t have kids, so when our folks were killed, she stepped in and took over. Having no other family I guess you could say she’s the closest thing to a grandmother we have.”

“You’re lucky to have her.”

“Yes we are, and I’m lucky to have you here too. So get into that bed woman and let me show you just how appreciative I am.”

Girlish laughter bubbled up Jessica’s throat. Naked and eager to be ravished, she slipped under the sheet and held it up in open invitation. He crossed the room in a heartbeat, slid in beside her, and folded her into his arms.

“Did I ever tell you, you have the best tits ever?”

“Mmm, but I don’t mind hearing it again,” she informed him as he leaned down and drew the tip of one into his mouth.

Her fingers tunneled his hair, and she sighed with rapture when he started to show her just how much he did appreciate her, and it was divine being made love to by this most extraordinary man.

Chapter 12

The next day, Annie arrived midmorning as arranged dressed in a sleeveless print dress and sandals. Jessica was eager for their shopping spree. “So where are we off to?” she asked.

“Armidale. It’s a quaint little town a good hour’s drive away. Very different from New York.”

“I don’t doubt it. So have you been to the Big Apple?”

“Mmm, two or three times. Travis and I went there for our honeymoon, and the guys sometimes cross the pond for business. I tag along now and then.”

“That must be quite a drain on the property?”

Annie widened her eyes. “Not at all. It’s just a drop in the ocean.” She paused and tapped her lip as if contemplating what more to say if anything, and then she expelled a breath. “The family was left very well provided for and Whip’s acumen for business has increased their worth exponentially. The property is Travis and Whip’s passion. I guess they take after their dad in that regard, it was a hobby of his, but it’s not their only source of income. The twins currently run the other companies, but when Drew and Mark finish their business degrees they’ll step in and take control.”

Jessica’s mouth fell open. “I had no idea.” Her voice was shaky and soft, barely a whisper.

“I’m not surprised. I’m sure Whip forgets he’s head of a conglomerate at times, he’s so wrapped up in Highland Glen and the breeding program. Anyway, enough of that, let’s hit the road.”

Jessica picked up her handbag and followed Annie out to the car, her mind in a whirl.

The drive was smooth and the conversation pleasant. When they arrived in the town, Jessica was delighted. It was as if she’d stepped back in time. Significant in its absence was a big shopping mall. Instead, there were streets of charming little shops, trendy cafés, a couple of arcades, and a general store. Annie explained that whatever you could get in the big city stores you could get here, and if what you were after wasn’t on shelf, then they’d order it in.

Annie was a familiar figure about town, and it seemed like she was acquainted with every passerby. They were forever pausing to greet friends and neighbors, and Jessica’s head was swimming with names.

The remainder of the morning whizzed by in a blur. Annie had acquired an armful of purchases and by one p.m. they were both footsore, and agreed it was time to eat.

No sooner had they sat down at a sidewalk café than a sleek, well groomed, and perfectly coiffured blonde woman approached.

“Annie, hi, I thought that was you. It’s so good to see you. You look amazing.”

Annie sprang up and wrapped the blonde in her arms. “Donna, it’s wonderful to see you, too. I only just heard you were back.”

“I flew in the day before yesterday, but how are you? And how’s that sexy husband of yours and his gorgeous twin?” Donna’s face lit up and her cheeks dimpled.

“No complaints. We’re all fine and anxious to catch up and hear all about England. Seriously, I didn’t expect you back so soon.”

“Whip did try to persuade me to wait another couple of weeks before flying home, but once I’d made up my mind there was no stopping me. I can’t tell you how good it is to be back. Catching up with the cousins in London was great, and university was a hoot, but England was so cold and dreary, I didn’t thaw out the entire time I was there.”

Donna’s voice was sweet with a musical lilt, and her glossed lips parted to reveal perfect white teeth. The kind of girl that made heads turn, and Jessica thought she was well aware of her appeal.

“I’m Donna Macklin, of the stock and station Macklin’s, you know, the store opposite the library.”

Jessica took the hand Donna offered and smiled. “I’m Jessica,” she said, not elaborating. “It’s nice to meet you.” Annie and she had picked up some supplies at Macklin’s earlier that morning. It was more than just a store. The place took up half the block.

Donna didn’t wait for permission but parked her butt in the seat opposite Annie. The Louis Vuitton handbag hanging from her shoulder she dropped onto the seat opposite.

“Oh, you’re American, how nice. Are you enjoying your visit?”

Jessica tried to sum her up, but her expression remained hidden behind enormous black Prada sunglasses. “Yes, very much. I love it here. It’s quite a contrast to New York.”

“My word, like chalk and cheese, I’d say. Where are you staying?”

“Highland Glen. Jessica’s here at Whip’s invitation,” Annie answered before Jessica had a chance to draw breath.

Donna whipped off her glasses and straightened in her chair. Topaz eyes stretched wide and her lips separated before her fixed smile slid back into place. “Oh, really, at the homestead?”

“Ah-ha, that’s right.” Jessica adjusted her posture, back straight, chest thrust out.

“So you’re here on business, to do with Highland Glen’s breeding program? I must say, you don’t look the type.” The tone held no malice, but the words made her feel like Whip could not possibly be interested in her for any other reason.

She flicked back her hair and projected her voice. “No, it’s a pleasure trip pure and simple, and you’re right, I know nothing about cows, breeding or otherwise,” she finished with a tight smile. If Donna was being malicious, she could take that however she liked.

“Really? Um, well, how nice for you. Enjoy your stay and be sure and give Whip my love.”

“Oh we will, but we’re about to have lunch. Can you join us?” Annie took control.

“I’d love to, but I’ve got a million things to do.” Donna stood and gathered her bag. “I’ll take a rain check.” She bent and kissed Annie on the cheek and then turned to her. “It was nice meeting you Jessica, I hope we see each other again.”

“It was nice to meet you, too.” Her reply held no warmth. She’d no desire to meet the other woman again and couldn’t help but think that the two week delay Donna hinted, Whip insisted on, coincided with her own departure.

“I wonder why Whip never mentioned he and Donna were in touch,” Annie mused out loud. “They used to be pretty tight once upon a time. We all expected to hear wedding bells, but then the next we knew, Donna was on a plane to complete her degree in England, and Whip was moping around like a lost puppy.”

Jessica was intrigued. The nosey parker part of her personality was itching to know the details, but her strict upbringing as a minister’s daughter decreed it was too impolite to ask.

When their meals arrived, she was still mulling over Donna’s comment about Whip. There was probably a logical reason he’d wanted to delay Donna’s arrival into the country that had nothing whatsoever to do with her. Yeah, sure.

Annie leaned over the plate the waitress had just placed before her and inhaled. “This looks and smells amazing.”

“Mmm, it sure does.” She picked up her cutlery and started to eat.

“I’ve never had a disappointing meal here yet.”

“So what’s next on the agenda?” Jessica pushed thoughts of Whip and Donna aside and savored the gourmet food instead.

“I’ve two more stops to make and then I’m done. So it’s back to the homestead, unless you’ve got something specific you’d like to do?”

“No, I’ve done all I need to.”

At the end of the meal, Annie told the waitress to charge it to Highland Glen. Jessica forestalled her. “No, Annie, this is my treat.”

“But . . .”

“No
buts
, I insist.” She took out a few notes from her purse and handed them to the waitress.

“That wasn’t necessary, Jessica, but thanks, I appreciate it.” Annie patted her shoulder and then got to her feet.

“I’ve already accepted so much McGregor hospitality, it’s the least I could do.” Jessica followed Annie to their next port of call.

It was little more than forty minutes later until they were back in the car and on the road home.

In the comfortable silence Jessica’s thoughts turned to Donna and Whip. Should she quiz him? Or just let it slide?

Early mornings, full days, and blissful nights, became the pattern that was Jessica’s holiday. Early to bed and early to rise was the credo Whip lived by. He worked hard but at the day’s end he was always eager to get to bed and make love. Sometimes it was wild and frenzied monkey sex, and at others it was gentle, slow, and soothing. She worried about slipping away early each evening, leaving Drew and Mark to their own devices. She believed it was rude, but Whip brushed her concerns aside, arguing if the situation was reversed the guys would do the exact same thing, and they’d be fools if they didn’t.

Each day was a dream come true, and Jessica thanked God and her lucky stars that she had been given the opportunity to take this journey. And although the days were full, work had never seemed less like work. There was something new and interesting to do each day. The shopping trip with Annie had been a nice diversion, and she decided not to bring up Donna—what Whip and Donna had in the past was none of her business.

Whip was great, too, in that he set a couple of hours aside each day to give her riding lessons, and she could now canter across the paddocks with the best of them. She’d also been out on the back of the bike with Mark and Drew a couple of times helping out.

Today, Whip was busy with paperwork all afternoon, so she’d opted to accompany Mark, checking stock and cruising the boundaries for any breaks in the fencing.

They’d just finished for the day and were about to get on the bike and head for home when Mark suggested she have a go at riding solo.

“No, I don’t think so.” It really wasn’t her thing, and to be truthful she was a bit of a chicken.

But then he dared her.

Without pause or thought, she threw one denim-clad leg over the seat and caution to the wind.

“You’re on, buddy,” she cried with more bravado than brains. Heck, she’d never done anything like this before. A product of her upbringing, she’d always played it safe, but coming to Australia and having this interlude with Whip was the beginning of her adventure, and this was just another step along the path of her new and more exciting life.

“That’s the spirit.”

After a few instructions from Mark, she turned the key and the engine kicked over.

“Give it some throttle,” he called.

“Okay.” She moved her hand and obeyed, and the bike fired. “Where’s the brake?” she screamed as it took off across the paddock as if it was in control.

Definitely not one of her brighter ideas.

Her feet dragged in the dirt. With a sharp intake of breath, she lifted them to the footrests while trying to steer the machine in a straight line. Not easy for a novice. The back wheel kicked out, and the bike wobbled over the uneven surface, giving her quite a scare before she managed to right it. Fear ebbed and excitement peaked. She steered to the right, intending to circle Mark.

“You’re doing great, but open it up a bit or you’ll stall,” he shouted as the engine began to splutter.

“Okay,” she called back, feeling cocky, and turning the throttle gave it more juice. But it seemed the throttle had a hair trigger, and the bike responded with grunt and shot off like a rocket. With a loud yelp and a twist of the handlebars she fought to keep control but over-steered, causing the bike to fishtail.

Heart pounding, she struggled to get it under control and had almost succeeded when the front wheel hit a hole. Like some kind of acrobatic misfit she went sailing over the handlebars, tumbling and bouncing a few times before landing in a disheveled heap.

“Holy hell, Jessica!”

Mark’s shout came from a distance and held panic. With the wind knocked out of her lungs, she lay on the patchy ground, conscious but unable to answer. The most she could manage was a lame wave to allay Mark’s fears as his quick footfalls thundered across the paddock toward her.

For the briefest moment she feared suffocation. Now she lay on her back blinking up at a blue sky as her breathing began to normalize.

Mark dropped to his knees beside her. “Just lie still, and tell me where you’re hurt,” he instructed, running his broad hands up and down her limbs.

“I think I’m okay.” With eyes watering, she propped herself up on an elbow. Her arm and shoulder ached like the dickens, and damn, she’d ripped her shirt, but other than that she was in one piece.

“Nothing appears broken, thank God. You’ve hit your cheek, and got a nasty graze on your arm, and hell, is my arse going to be grass when Whip finds out.”

“Stop fussing, I’m okay, but what about the bike?”

“Forget the bike, Jess, you’re what matters here. I’ll nick back to the homestead and get the Ute.”

“Don’t be silly, I’m fine, seriously. I just feel like such a dork.”

“Damn, Jess, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have dared you. It was a dumb arse thing to do. You could have broken your neck.”

She sat up and sent what she hoped was a reassuring smile his way. “But I didn’t, and I’m okay, so I’m not going to cool my heels here while you rush home for the Ute. Now help me to my feet, and if the bike’s able to be ridden, I’ll get on behind you.”

“Sit there and catch your breath while I check out the damage, there’s no rush.”

Jessica was happy to comply. She drew her knees up and rubbed her thighs. Her limbs ached, but it could have been much worse, and for once she was glad of the extra padding around her butt.

Her sight was glued to Mark’s back as he walked over to the bike and assessed the damage.

“It’s not bad at all, really. Just a couple of scrapes and dents,” he said, wheeling it over to where she still sat after landing on the only patch of rubble in the entire paddock.