Her Outback Home, page 18
Throughout the day he’d been wracking his brain about what to do. Such wasted energy. There weren’t options–only one, and that involved Robert, the weak link. Hannah’s father was worn out, ready to give in and be released from the ongoing pressure and stress of running the bush resort, whereas Hannah was headstrong and determined to make it work. Robert was the key to success and to speak with him he had to head back to Boondaburra.
Soon.
Hannah cast yet another furtive glance at him again. Man, he was a prick and that wasn’t his usual style. Jackson Kelly wasn’t mean, but he was torn in two directions and regardless of his burning attraction to her, he couldn’t lead her on. That was wrong and unfair.
God damnit.
Every time he looked at her, he imagined her naked. His desire wasn’t dampening despite the shit situation he found himself in. He wished it would. Then he could get on with his job; the project that meant there could never be a Hannah and Jackson.
After touring the vast accommodation options, Rhonda and Fred surprised them with wine tasting at a local vineyard. The setting was idyllic and romantic and exactly what he didn’t want right now. No denying the spot was glorious, and he’d love to send his mother for a small break. She could relax and rejuvenate in a place of sweeping valleys and short walks and fantastic food and wine.
Lucky they’d had a tour with the owner and operator of the winery and the sommelier and there’d been no time to be alone with Hannah.
Except for now.
Back at the villa, and to finish the day, they’d been sent along a walking track and told to stop when they reached a pool. The gurgling water rushed towards them as they walked. The sun had lost its heat, was slowing sinking to kiss the horizon and the temperature was pleasant.
More romantic conditions, the world was not helping him right now. Only twenty-four hours ago he might have reached for Hannah’s hand, laughed softly into her ear, and smiled seductively at her.
Now, he turned off any such thoughts. The future made him sweat and he forced himself to remain focused.
Rhonda and Fred had left them to assist with dinner prep. They continued to be fully booked and all hands were needed on deck. The couple worked hard and Jackson admired them. To be sentimental about it, they’d had a dream and built it. And it worked. From an observer’s point of view, business was booming with happy customers.
Hannah walked ahead with cicada song filling the silence between them. Instead of watching her petite and cute backside move as she walked, he stared at the ground. Miniature frogs occasionally hopped across the path. They were the smallest creatures he’d ever seen. Not knowing anything about wildlife he didn’t know whether they were friend or foe? A friendly green frog or a nasty cane toad variety? Hannah would know, and he opened his mouth to ask, then shut it again.
In only a few short minutes they were walking beside a crystal-clear creek that flowed easily around tree stumps and mangroves. Before long they’d reached a picnic area that surrounded a larger pool in the creek bed. Hannah paused in front of him. He moved to stand next to her and realised she’d stopped in front of a picnic rug laid with a variety of snacks and lit by fire-safe camping lamps. Jackson had noticed the path they’d walked had low-set lights to guide the way. No risk of not finding their way back then.
“This is beautiful. They sure do have a great touch,” Hannah mused, and Jackson winced at the whimsy in her words. She deserved to be here with a man that adored her and would feed her chocolate-dipped strawberries and pour her glasses of bubbly.
Focus.
He waved away the pesky mosquitos and jiggled his leg to shove off the march flies that tended to land on him. Only a few short months ago he would have probably squealed like a girl and danced a jig at the bugs.
‘It’s all about creating their brand and they do a fantastic job. Marketing is important.’
Hannah looked at him and he felt pierced by the barbed rays shooting from her eyes.
‘I actually think they live it rather than it being a commercially trained advantage.’
‘I agree, they do, but it’s all designed for giving their customers the ultimate experience while they stay here. They don’t rely upon one attraction to ensure a person’s stay is ideal.’
Hannah sat on the rug and smoothed out the non-existent creases in her shorts. She picked up a cracker and took her time to lather it with cheese and add a slice of salami.
‘You don’t think this place is incredible and a destination that people will rave about? The fine accommodation, the walks, the food, the beauty…’ Her voice drifted away.
‘I think this place is phenomenal. They’ve done a fantastic job. It’s definitely a destination.’
‘You sound like a travel brochure.’
Jackson still stood and he moved to sit at the opposite edge of the blanket to Hannah with the food spread between them. Around them the sun was sinking and the sky filtering through the branches of the trees varied between bright orange and fading to muted pink and purple.
‘I don’t think what they do here suits your bush resort.’
‘What?’ Hannah’s head jerked up.
‘I don’t think you can achieve what they’ve done.’
She continued to stare at him hard, one hand halfway to her mouth with a handful of grapes. ‘Why?’
‘Developing this sort of resort takes money. Everything environmentally-friendly and eco adds significant cost.’
She cut him off. ‘But is a fundamentally better option for the environment, the world and everyone in it.’
Jackson sighed. ‘Of course, that can’t be denied. But when there isn’t an excess of money available, the cost of this resort is prohibitive.’
‘But that’s where you come in, right? Infinity designs, drafts, arranges and makes it possible.’
‘We can’t do the impossible.’
‘Well, that’s where the government grants come in.’
Shit, she’d thought about this. He sighed.
‘Those grants will help you build a desalination plant. Or install solar panelling. They will not go anywhere near assisting you build lodges with recycled timber and built to maximise cool air to avoid the need for air-conditioning which you’ll be opposed to. Or canvas tents when the original variety are half the price. Or a lagoon pool. Or a day spa. Or…’
Hannah sat up straighter and held up her hand. ‘Enough. Just so I’m clear, tell me exactly what you’re saying.’
‘Infinity will not be involved in making Boondaburra the next best eco-friendly resort. That is not what we do. We will take the cabins and make them luxurious and install an air-con unit in each with an en suite with modern conveniences and do so in the cheapest way possible and without any regard to the environment.’
What was wrong with him? He was saying too much. But it was true, and he felt sick saying those words out loud. He wouldn’t say that they’d trample over the earth to get the prime spots for those same cabins and most likely not take any regard to the wildlife or the flora in its path.
Hannah was shaking her head. ‘What are you doing here then?’
He couldn’t look at her. ‘The same as you. I am researching and wanted to know and understand possible options. But now I’m here I understand that this is not a development that I can endorse to my boss. Those weren’t the terms.’ He bent his head and studied his hands before stealing a glance at her. And immediately wished he hadn’t. ‘Isn’t it time to give up? Your father is tired, Hannah. He’s had enough. He wants to live a quieter life. If you keep going like you are, it will lead to your ruin and I don’t know how bad things are, but maybe bankruptcy.’
‘You know nothing about my father or our resort,’ she hissed the words through a clenched jaw. ‘Why can’t this be something that your fancy company does? You’ve been rabbiting on about fads and the fashion of things and doing the right thing, developing to the market. Tell your boss there’s a role for this sort of development and there’s money in it.’
Jackson was shaking his head in refusal before she’d even finished speaking. ‘It’s all about money, you don’t understand. I’ve told you that to build something like this would cost a fortune. Yes, Infinity takes the ordinary and makes it magnificent, but it’s a business and its business is making a profit. If the outlay is greater than the return, it’s a bad investment.’
‘Jackson are you proud that you work for a company that has no regard to design that might improve the world but only design that achieves the best possible result for the least amount of money that improves their bottom line?’
The question obviously didn’t require an answer. Hannah stood, swiped the bottle of wine into her hand and stormed off.
Hannah slammed the passenger door with such force, Jackson thought it would fling off its hinges.
She stormed off, across the way to the reception of Boondaburra but then stopped, head down, turned and came back and stood at the rear of the four-wheel drive.
Jackson pushed the button for the boot to open and watched as she shuffled around for her gear, apparently desperate to be as far away from him as quickly as possible.
The journey from the Eco-Villa to the Gorge had been like travelling in an icebox. Silent and cold. Clearly, they were both as stubborn as the other as neither tried to thaw the chilly atmosphere.
It had been a long trip, but he had one last thing to do.
The glass sliding door opened and Rosie and Davey rushed onto the timber deck and down the stairs to the car, holding hands. Hannah dropped the bag she held and Davey embraced her and in return she squeezed him extra tight and held on for a long time. Rosie stepped forward shyly and after the slightest motion of agreement from Hannah, did the same.
Then Davey launched at Jackson. He understood Hannah’s reaction when Davey was in his arms. It felt good, like home. And as always when Davey was around, he thought of his brother. He missed his sibling and couldn’t wait to get home and see his family.
Not yet.
‘Did you have a good time? Did you learn lots? Tell us,’ Davey danced up and down on his toes and Rosie matched his moves.
For the first time in the last twenty-four hours, Hannah’s stance softened. Davey had that effect.
‘You would have loved this place, Davey,’ she said. ‘They have these amazing tents that are super fancy and a creek that runs straight through the park. It was pretty and so green.’
‘So pretty,’ Davey repeated.
Hannah didn’t move and Jackson remained at the rear of the vehicle. ‘Have you two been hanging out together?’ she asked, her voice lighter, gentle.
‘Yes, lots,’ Davey said. ‘We are in love.’
Hannah must have had a moment of weakness at the gesture because she glanced at him, and they exchanged a smile. She quickly looked away, remembering he was the enemy. Habits were hard to break, he guessed. Davey and Rosie bridged the gap between where they stood and held hands again and swung their entwined fingers forward and back like a pendulum.
‘That’s fantastic, mate,’ Jackson came forward and slapped him on the back. Davey kept grinning like the Cheshire Cat. He chanced a glance back at Hannah. Her lips were turned up imitating a smile that was lopsided and forced. She was frozen and unsure and stood watching her brother.
It made him remember one of their previous conversations. She’d cited Davey as one of the reasons she could never leave. Davey, and her father, needed her. Hannah’s reaction, he could tell, was one of seeing a future she thought was set in place, slipping away. Jackson looked down at the ground, away, up into the trees, as his stomach twisted into knots. Add to her feelings about the weekend, and he knew she’d be feeling frail, knocked about and uncertain.
His chest tightened, and he shuffled his feet to relieve the sensation. He hated that he’d contributed to whatever she was feeling. Shame washed over him and worse, he knew his mother would be ashamed of him too.
Robert came out shortly after and broke up the scene. He kissed Hannah on the cheek and shook Jackson’s hand. In contrast to Hannah, Robert’s face was full of expectation. He kept scanning between them but stopped once he picked up the vibe. They were metres apart, both standing stiffly with feet separated. Neither looked at the other. Robert placed his hands on his hips and observed the gravel under their feet too. It sure was an interesting patch of dirt.
No time to prevaricate. Moving to the rear of the vehicle, he went to the backseat and extracted an envelope from a pile of papers and folders.
‘Robert. Infinity will not be able to assist with the sort of eco-resort that operates at the Villa. I have to say I was very impressed with what they’re doing out there, it’s incredible and a wonderful place to stay and it’s doing well. The owners, Rhonda and Fred, were accommodating and so generous in sharing their knowledge. But that style of resort is a whole different level and not something that Infinity has entertained before. It’s not what we specialise in.’
Robert didn’t respond but continued to listen. Jackson didn’t detect any aggression from him, but Jackson moved his feet and the gravel shuffled. Suddenly the heat was bearing down on his bare neck. He wished he’d retrieved his hat but instead rubbed the spot where the sun bit.
‘I have instructions to proceed with an offer.’ Jackson handed over the envelope. ‘It’s generous and won’t be repeated, not by us, and most likely not by anyone else, either. It’s a one-off…’
Robert held up the envelope and flapped it about. ‘This is an offer to buy our resort?’
Jackson nodded. ‘That’s correct.’
‘And if you purchase the resort, your intention is to develop it into a fancy place with improved accommodation and a lodge and a pool and all of that?’
Jackson nodded again. ‘That’s also correct.’
Hannah stepped forward but Robert held up his hand. ‘Not now, Hannah.’
And not only to his surprise, but to her father’s, she didn’t say what she was clearly desperate to express. He’d cop it later, Jackson had no doubt.
He slapped at the mozzies biting his legs and waved his hand around his head to shoo the flies.
Speaking to the ground, Jackson continued. ‘I got distracted by talk of eco-friendly resorts and saving the world. That is not something my company can offer.’
‘What about the opposition you’ll experience from the local government?’
Out of the corner of his eye, Hannah nodded her head vigorously in agreement.
‘In my experience, money can solve any problem.’ He winced; knowing he sounded like an absolute twat. Who had he turned into? Pushing that to the side, he had to push on with the negotiations.
‘This investigation has taken too long. I’m getting pressure from my boss.’
Hannah snorted at this.
‘So, we need an answer within twenty-four hours. If you don’t accept, we’ll move onto our next project. But we are committed to this one and want it to proceed. We can make this bush resort fantastic. I believe in it.’
Hannah snorted louder now. ‘Dad, rip it up and throw it in his face. That’s what he and that offer deserve. Don’t read it.’
A pause, and Robert didn’t respond.
She stepped forward. ‘Here, give it to me. I’ll do it.’
Robert held fast and spoke to him instead. ‘I’ll have a look at it and let you know.’
‘What? No! Dad…’
Ignoring her, head down, Robert turned away and returned inside. Davey and Rosie gazed at each other oblivious to the war waging. His life had become a whole pile more complicated; when did that happen? But he knew. When he met Hannah Wallace and her high moral ground with her saving the world ethics and doing what’s right. All those months ago he would never have guessed that his trip to the country would have seen him injured, on road journeys discovering new places and least of all, meeting a woman that stood her ground and was not intimidated, kept her heart under lock and key and one that had dazzled him, so much so, he’d lost focus.
A fly buzzed around Hannah’s ear, and she didn’t flinch. Her face was screwed up in fury and she breathed heavily, her chest heaving. He prepared himself for the vomit of vitriol, but she didn’t speak, instead she raised her hand and slapped him hard on the cheek.
Shit.
He hadn’t expected that. Her vicious tongue, yes, but ouch, his cheek stung. And worse, he probably deserved it. She turned and stormed away, again.
‘Jackson.’ Davey rushed to his side and placed his palm against his cheek that was no doubt pink. ‘Are you okay? Hannah is mean.’
Davey was being kind to the man who was trying to take away his home and livelihood. It was wrong and he didn’t deserve the compassion. Jackson placed his own palm on top of the young man’s while Rosie stood by in support.
‘I’m okay, Davey. Hannah and I are disagreeing.’ He pulled the two of them in close. ‘Can you promise me something?’
They both nodded enthusiastically, happy for him to impart a secret. ‘Can you promise to take care of one another and Hannah, too?’
Davey smiled like it was the easiest request in the world. ‘Of course, Jackson. I’ll love Rosie and look after Hannah.’
CHAPTER 24
Hannah sat cross-legged on her single bed and fondled the necklace. It needed a good polish as the trinket was still tarnished and dirty. She rubbed it on her T-shirt but to no avail.
It was so tiny, the book only fit between her fingers and was but a speck in her palm. Not knowing anything about jewellery she wondered if it was an antique. It certainly wasn’t like anything she’d seen before. Was it solid gold? Along with getting it cleaned she could have it valued. But the monetary worth of it was irrelevant to her. This necklace held sentimental value.
She traced her fingers along the loops in the chain. This same cord may have once adorned her mother’s throat and tingles raced up her spine. Did her mother fondle it as it sat at the nape of her throat? Did she finger it when concentrating? Did she adore it?
A single tear escaped and rolled down Hannah’s cheek. Regardless, she would treasure it forever. Undoing the clasp, she placed it around her neck and fastened it. Worried about ruining it she hadn’t been wearing it, but now she did, she might never take it off. More importantly, would her father even acknowledge it?
