Page 158 of Crossed Wires: The Complete Series

“You just missed her.” Marc slid his hands into his hip pockets, and it was damn near impossible for Harper not to notice the front of his jeans pulled tighter over his groin. “She was wondering why we were here.” His dimples flashed again. “And not at the airport.”

To Harper’s surprise, Ronnie let out a muttered “shit”.

Marc laughed. “Wanker,” he said again.

Harper frowned. She’d need to find out what that word meant. It seemed important.

Keith’s focus returned to Harper and once again her body responded. “The homestead is just a quick drive up the road. Hazel will no doubt show you around the place when you get there. She’s a top sort and loves having the chance to show off Farpoint.”

Determined to restore some decorum to her demeanor, Harper gave Keith a wide smile. “I can understand that. What I’ve seen so far is lovely.”

Marc Thompson eyed the truck. “By the state of the ute’s bonnet, you’ve already seen a ’roo. Is that right, Big Mac?”

Ronnie shuffled his feet. “We hit one just past Wallaroo Crossin’. Nothin’ too bad. It was long gone by the time we got out and looked for?—”

“You’re here!”

The shout came from behind Harper. She started, as did Ronnie.

“Oh thank God,” the female voice called again, this time closer. “I was beginning to worry.”

Before Harper could even finish turning around, two warm palms pressed to either side of her face and, without warning, a soft pair of lips pressed to hers.

“Welcome to Farpoint!” said a woman Harper recognized as the owner of the cattle station—and her new boss for the next two weeks. She held Harper out at arm’s length. “I’ve heard so much about you, I feel like we’ve known each other forever.”

On Harper’s right, Marc laughed. “Looks like the boss got the first kiss, Blue.”

Harper didn’t get the chance to comment on the statement. Hazel Sullivan wrapped her arms around her, enveloping her in a hug. “Of course I get the first kiss,” the older woman said. “You think I’m going to let you two have your fun?”

The station owner smiled at Harper. “Amy tells me you’ve never left America before, Harper. I so hope you enjoy your time here.”

“I was just goin’ to bring her up to you, Mrs. Sullivan,” Ronnie offered.

Hazel gave the cowboy a quick look. “Yes, of course you were, Mr. McNamara. Now if you’ll excuse us, gentlemen, I’m going to take our guest—and new teacher—for a little tour of Farpoint. I’d suggest you all get back to work.”

And before anything else could be said, Hazel turned on the spot, her arm still snug around Harper’s shoulders, and walked away from the three men.

“Oh, and Mr. McNamara?” the matriarch called over her shoulder as she led Harper to a cherry-red Toyota pickup parked a few yards from the stables. “There’s a cow stuck out in the eastern billabong. See to it, will you? So I don’t have to tell Hunter?”

Behind them, Marc started laughing. As before, Harper felt her body respond in an entirely sexual way to the devilish sound.

“Is the cow going to be okay?” she asked the woman still hugging her close, needing the distraction.

Hazel gave her a wide smile. “The cow will be fine, dear. Don’t worry about it at all. Now tell me, how do you feel about snakes?”

Marc watched his boss walk away with the American woman who was about to spend a fortnight at Farpoint. “Okay,” he turned to Keith, “she’s either really shy or we just scared the shit out of her.”

“She’s lovely,” Ronnie piped up, “and not shy at all. But sheisgay, so maybe your particular type of charm isn’t working.”

“Bullshit.”

Ronnie laughed at Keith’s blunt response. “I spent the last few hours with her. She told me. Leavin’ her girlfriend behind in the U.S. was hard.”

Marc tossed Keith a quick look. Amy hadn’t told them Harper Shaw was gay. All she’d specifically said about the American—in the days of raving about the woman leading up to this teacher exchange—was that Harper was “lovely”, “an amazing, dedicated teacher” and “so excited about coming to Australia”. She’d never mentioned a girlfriend.

But then, she’d never mentioned the entirely sexy way Harper looked either.

Maybe Amy didn’t know?