Her Outback Home, page 13
Dad was right though, there would be a memento for Davey, she was certain. And she’d damn well keep looking until she found it. Unfortunately, that would have to be later as Jackson strode along the pebble path, rocks flicking up with each step. Hannah noticed the grass was too long and needed trimming. In the middle of October, the heat had serious bite to it now and the longish blades of grass were browning at their tips.
It wasn’t a coincidence that her frenetic search coincided with her emotions going wild at the return of Jackson. Like every time they met, he both infuriated her and left her longing.
That kiss! It made her blush which was all kinds of ridiculous. It’s not like she hasn’t been kissed before. But this one, it made her skin burn hot. It was deep, intimate, and tantalising. Was it passion? Lust? What was it? Hannah wasn’t sure. Just thinking about it made her want to run a thousand miles in the opposite direction from Jackson while simultaneously staying close.
She wasn’t stupid, though. That’s one thing she wasn’t–she wouldn’t fall for Jackson Kelly while he ruined their resort with his fancy development and then returned to Brisbane, leaving her behind. There was no way she’d be the one rejected. And as for having her heart broken, she’d never allow that to occur.
First things first, she had a meeting to attend.
‘Hello, Susan. So lovely to see you again,’ Hannah said as she entered the meeting room with Jackson on her tail. She strode faster to reach the room before him and was conscious of him right behind her, so close she felt his presence, smelt his expensive city aftershave. Her stomach swirled. She kissed the woman on the cheek and sat next to her at the table.
Robert was already present. Jackson stalled when he tumbled into the room, glanced at the occupants before remembering his manners and extending his hand. ‘Jackson Kelly from Infinity Developments. Are you from James’ office?’
Susan jutted out her chin ever so slightly and smirked. She tidied the pile of papers in front of her.
Before giving her an opportunity to respond, Jackson continued, ‘While we wait for him to arrive, do you think you could make five copies of this report and these plans?’ And he pushed a bundle of material across the table with a saccharine smile and took his seat.
Hannah bowed her head and swallowed her laugh. Admittedly, Susan Mitchell with her meticulously groomed blonde bob and made-up face with pale pink lipstick and tailored slacks and white cotton blouse could easily be mistaken for an office worker and she guessed the secretary of an important man. That was the way Jackson viewed his pal, James Howard.
While Hannah found it highly amusing, she couldn’t let the farce continue and allow Jackson to be embarrassed any further. Even though he deserved it.
‘Jackson Kelly meet Susan Mitchell, the new local member voted into the electorate of Gregory and representing the Greens Party. Susan came into office last month when she defeated James Howard,’ Hannah said and simultaneously collected the bundle of papers Jackson had provided and pushed them back in his direction. ‘So perhaps you’d like to do your own photocopying.’ Her face split into a wide grin.
Realisation dawned and for the briefest moment Jackson’s lips parted and he sucked in a breath before he pulled himself together. Those lips, she could still taste them, him.
But Jackson had committed a massive faux pas thinking that the local political member for the area was only someone to perform his basic administrative work. Innocent mistake yes, but costly, Hannah imagined when your objective was to impress and garner the support of the government, the support you required to perform a major development. Maybe this meeting wouldn’t be so bad after all?
Jackson jumped in. ‘I do apologise. I wasn’t aware there’d been an election and a change of the seat. Please understand, no offence was intended.’
‘None taken,’ Susan said. ‘There was a state election last month where I defeated James Howard. I’m the first Greens member to hold this seat in over twenty years. As you can imagine, James was most disappointed to not only lose to a greenie but to a woman. I understand he didn’t take the defeat well and has decamped, perhaps to Western Australia, is that right, Hannah?’
Hannah was downright enjoying herself. It wasn’t often the cards were stacked in her favour and she planned to make the most of it.
‘I understand he has moved some distance away, yes.’ She looked directly at Jackson. ‘And that governmental enquiries into corruption might be following him.’ She turned back towards Susan. ‘This area is immensely lucky to have someone with your environmental knowledge and passion to save the natural world. It’s what we’ve been lacking and I’m super excited to be working with you on the Greenies Unite for the Environment Committee. I think our first meeting is next week. Hopefully we won’t have to put on the agenda saving the Gorge from major development.’ Another pointed stare in Jackson’s direction had him shuffling his feet back and forth under the table and sitting up ramrod straight. A steely determination entered his eyes. It was timely, it acted as a reminder to her that he and the company should not be underestimated.
‘You are bipartisan of course though, Ms Mitchell. As I understand it, you are to represent the interests of your entire electorate. Business owners, farmers, tourist operators, families, etcetera. And what I understood to be part of the previous member’s agenda was the economy and keeping the local area great and strong. And maintaining its position as a destination of choice for people, local and overseas alike to travel to. I think we have a lot of common ground.’
Hannah noticed he deliberately only looked at Susan.
‘Susan, please, Jackson. There isn’t anything formal about our meeting. And indeed, you are correct, but you can never forget that this area is a local rural farming community that happens to have a natural wonder in its midst. I have no doubt you’ll agree that there is a fine balancing act in protecting what needs protection for the future and ensuring a thriving and bustling economy that serves everyone.’
Hannah sat back, happy to be a spectator in this event. She spread her legs out under the table to get comfortable and her foot bumped Jackson’s. He glanced in her direction, and she instantly trawled them back under her chair. Her father remained silent throughout the exchange.
‘But before we can discuss anything I need to be appraised of what you would like to propose to do here at Boondaburra in an ideal world.’
Hannah loved how Susan personalised the resort.
‘Yes,’ Jackson agreed. ‘So perhaps we start there, and I can answer any questions that you might have. These plans have changed slightly since last time, so I’ll take everyone through them.’
Jackson held the floor for the next ten minutes. Despite her desire to hate every word he muttered; Hannah was enthralled. His passion sure was contagious and she could see her father listening intently. Hannah’s stomach swooped with the dreaded realisation she was battling both Jackson and most likely her father. They hadn’t discussed any development since the fire, but it was clear he remained interested in the Infinity plans. Gazing at her father, she realised with unsettling reality, how much he’d aged. His hair was more balding that she could recall, but she didn’t often see him without a hat; his eyes sunken like someone more advanced than his years; his face pale with deep crevices lining both his eyes and mouth. He held his head in his hand.
Surely, she didn’t have to battle her own father to save their home?
Jackson coughed, bringing her back to the present and he took a sip of water. Despite what she might think of him, his plans were simply ludicrous. What he was proposing would fundamentally change the location from a simple bush camp to a five-star luxury resort. Should she speak up now? She sighed with relief when Susan did instead.
‘What your company proposes is a major redevelopment that would have significant impact on the local environment.’
Jackson went to rebut but she held up her hand to silence him.
‘You’ve had the floor, now it’s my turn.’ Susan Mitchell was her sort of woman. Jackson backed down.
‘Even though you say it won’t, you have absolutely no evidence to convince me that the local environment is protected under these plans, and that is, I might say, short-sighted and not well-thought out. The trucks and equipment required to build these multi-level buildings and restaurants and pool would have an impact before you’ve started construction. But I think we are getting ahead of ourselves. Before we can talk of such matters, it hasn’t been confirmed by Robert that he is interested in either selling or working with you to develop his land to this scale.’ Susan glanced at her father who still hadn’t made any comment. He remained silent. What was wrong with him?
‘Let me be clear from the government point of view before anything else. At this preliminary stage I would strongly oppose any such major construction to this level. Therefore, you’re going to find it difficult to gain the necessary approval for the work. I wouldn’t support it, but of course, I am not the sole decision-maker.’ She looked at Hannah now. ‘I understand that the bush resort has been a fabulous attraction for visitors to the Gorge for many years. I’m also quite up to date with environmental measures and I’m confident there are many steps that could be taken to improve the environmental efficiency of the resort and to claim its status as an eco-resort and that alone is a tourist magnet. People will travel simply to stay in a place that endorses and embraces the natural environment and does nothing to further damage to it but rather its agenda is to improve the world around it. People feel better about themselves when they are making a difference. And I can advise there are a number of grants you can apply for to assist make those positive changes to the current infrastructure. That is certainly another option and my party, and the local government is very supportive of those types of applications and grants.’
Hannah’s first reaction was to defend her home. She’d worked tirelessly to recycle, ban single plastic bottle use, limit the damage to the surrounding forest and land, and minimise tourist footprint. But had she done enough?
She hadn’t been aware of a push to create places of environmental significance and call them an attraction. A tingle raced up her spine.
‘In fact, what I’d suggest is that both of you visit one of these types of resorts and see what they are doing, how they operate and developed their own sites to claim the status as an eco-resort.’
‘You’re suggesting that Hannah and I visit one of these resorts together?’ Jackson spluttered, incredulous.
Ow, that hurt. Clearly spending anytime with her was repulsive to him. That was mean. Well, she didn’t want to be with him either, the inner child in her wanted to respond.
‘Susan, I think you misunderstand. I’m in the business of taking sites and making them great. Usually, no expense spared and creating something big, bold and incredible that people talk about and visit from all over the world. The destination is an experience in itself. What we could do here would be phenomenal. Imagine people travelling for hours and arriving at an oasis in the middle of nowhere and being pampered in luxury while gazing out their air-conditioned window at the sandstone gorge.’
Hannah could not keep quiet any longer. ‘The beauty of here is the Gorge, not luxuriating in a claw-foot bath from inside a palatial suite while looking at natural beauty. The experience is getting in amongst it; walking on the tracks, hearing the sounds, feeling the ambience, observing wildlife, breathing in the fresh air and all that the Gorge has to offer. You’ve done it, how can you not see it?’
Jackson sat forward and prepared to pounce in reply.
Susan held up her hands. ‘This isn’t a sales pitch. I’m telling you Jackson that Infinity will not get over the line with this proposal. You need to amend before I’ll take it further within government. And I recommend you need to seriously consider what else can be done.’
‘I agree.’ Her father’s words were loud and reverberated around the small room.
What? He chooses to speak now. ‘Both of you should travel to one of these eco places and observe and see what they are doing successfully. We need to make changes around here to make it great, viable and sustainable. It’s been a long slog to make ends meet and things need to change for the future. Hannah, you cannot continue this resort as it has been. I don’t want that for your future. It’s too hard.’ His voice cracked, and a cavern opened up inside Hannah’s chest where emotions swam in. She reached out and placed a hand to his arm.
‘Great. I’m not prepared to meet with either of you again until you’ve done your homework. I know someone at the Outback Eco-Villa. They were successful in obtaining a grant and what they’ve done to their place is amazing. I’ll inform them you’re coming on a research trip and then advise my office when we should schedule the next meeting. I look forward to it.’ Susan rose, patted Dad on the back and left. Her father rose too, leaving Hannah and Jackson gobsmacked and alone.
3 JANUARY 2002
I can hear them talking about me, they don’t know I’m listening, but I am. All I want to do is sleep. Not have visitors in and out and talking in whispers and tiptoeing around, sneaking peeks around doorways and delivering things I don’t want.
I want them to leave. To be left alone with Robbie, and Hannah and baby, David.
They think I’m sad about little Davey. That he is abnormal, different, impaired. They are wrong. He’s a wonderful baby, happy despite his colic, and clever, I can tell. Those smiles light up my dark days and the singsong sounds he makes.
I love him. I don’t care how he looks or how he’ll grow or the person he’ll be…He’ll be Davey.
Sometimes my hands shake near him. Sometimes, I’m just tired. Another rest and I’ll feel better. Be more motivated. He’s crying again, I must go to him.
CHAPTER 18
Hannah stormed out.
Jackson followed and rushed to catch her. ‘Susan’s a hard arse,’ he said, his tone light.
‘She’s a fantastic advocate for the environment and much better than that slimy character of Howard.’
Okay, that didn’t work.
Jackson considered his next move. This wasn’t a debate about politics. As he saw it, they’d both been trumped this morning and were in a pickle.
‘Susan wants you to consider alternatives as well, not just me,’ he pointed out, but it felt more like point-scoring.
‘Yes, she does. But we’re the owners and cannot be compelled to do anything we don’t want to.’
‘Yes, but someone of her knowledge and calibre can see you need to improve the resort and one way to do that is to get on this eco-nature bandwagon.’ If Hannah liked this woman, her opinion must matter.
‘Same old argument we’ve had a dozen times now.’
Jackson tried to formulate his reply, but he was stuck.
Hannah got in before him like she usually did anyway. ‘Let’s do this as soon as possible and get it over with.’
‘This?’ he queried.
She waved one hand around wildly in front of her. ‘This, this road trip. Weekend away. Research. Work conference. Whatever the hell it is.’ As if her brain couldn’t quite keep up with her words, she stalled suddenly and turned swiftly to face him, blocking his path. Her body only inches from his. ‘Unless you think we can get out of it…’
That possibility fizzed between them and they were both momentarily lost to their own thoughts.
But it was then he realised the opportunity he’d been handed. Time alone with Hannah. Just the two of them. At a resort. A strange dizzying feeling passed over him then and he made the mistake of looking at her.
Her face was set, hard and cold. She stood close, but her eyes were focused on the distance, across the park. He watched as her brain ticked over, he could see the potential scenarios flicking through her mind, except, he was sure, she’d be thinking of plans to avoid spending time with him.
Now that he turned his attention to the idea, Jackson wanted nothing more than to be forced into a sabbatical with Hannah. And he wasn’t thinking about work. Work. Shit. He’d been too easily distracted. Bloody Hannah. His mind needed to stay clearly on task. Any feeling of victory at being forced to spend time with her dissolved like soap bubbles.
The boss was not going to be happy. He’d had one chance already and now there was further delay. If only they’d sealed the deal before the state election, and before, well, the bloody fire. Damn it, he cursed.
But something shifted within and he didn’t feel the previous urgency he had about the deal. The sour taste at the back of his throat was more about losing his job. The boss had been direct. If he didn’t return successful, and Infinity Developments the new owners of Boondaburra, he’d be out of a job. It wasn’t stated quite so clearly, but Cyril had reminded him how well they’d supported him during his recuperation and time away from work. There was a further reminder that he’d already had one chance with a full team of support and now it was up to him.
Okay, yeah, maybe he did feel sick. How could he provide for his mother and siblings without his job? No, that was defeatist talk and Jackson Kelly wasn’t defeated. He’d seal this deal; he knew he could, and he would.
Robert approached and placed his arm across Hannah’s shoulders.
‘This is a great chance to check out what other resorts are doing. This could be our answer. We can adopt more green measures with the help of a grant and make this place great again,’ Robert said to Hannah.
Hannah’s shoulders slumped and Jackson didn’t think it was from the weight of her father’s arm. She nodded at him silently, the closest she might come to agreement.
‘Dad, who’s that?’ She pointed over to Davey who was talking with a young girl.
Jackson followed the direction and sure enough Davey had a female friend. The young kid stood with his hands behind his back and his head bowed, popping up sporadically to either respond to a question or perhaps ask one. The girl facing him was short in stature with her own broad face and offered Davey a wide smile.
