Page 25

Carter took a swig of orange juice, surprised the liquid stayed inside his mouth—he couldn’t keep the grin from his face.

It’d been a great morning. Despite not crawling back into his own bed until close to midnight, he’d outpaced everyone on the five-kilometre run they’d been woken early for.

And the weights in the session that followed had seemed lighter than usual.

He was still bouncing in his seat at breakfast, ready for the next thing.

‘You’re way too chirpy for someone who had less sleep than me,’ Ethan grumbled from across the table, coffee in his hand.

Carter’s grin widened as he raised a finger to his lips. ‘No one can know.’

‘They won’t hear anything from me.’ Ethan took a sip through the steam. ‘But seriously, the Rockets didn’t put this much emphasis on developing endurance during the preseason. My thighs and butt muscles are wrecked.’

‘Make sure you’re stretching properly. Don’t want to pull a hammy before the season even starts.’

Ethan groaned into his mug, making Carter laugh.

Movement to the side of the hall caught his attention and he watched the reason for his jubilance pick up a bowl of fruit, yoghurt and muesli.

He wished he could go and sweep her off her feet to give her the biggest kiss.

People may laugh or yell out, catcall even.

Indy would probably go pink with embarrassment, although he reckoned she’d secretly love it.

But there were too many reasons why any displays of affection were a bad idea.

Beau and his spitefulness; Indy’s job; the fact he should be concentrating on football not a woman; Indy’s so-called baggage from her past. He’d accept anything about her, past or present.

But did it have something to do with Bonnie? He’d forgotten to ask last night.

Carter tilted his head, watching over Ethan’s shoulder as Indy sat at her regular table, facing him. She glanced at Emery next to her, looked across to the windows and down the back to the door, but never at him. He reached up exaggeratedly and scratched his head. Nothing.

Collecting his own bowl and cup, he took them over to the cart and stacked them with the other dirty dishes. Still nothing. This was off.

He sat back down and ran a hand down his face.

‘What’s wrong?’ Ethan asked, glancing over his shoulder. He turned back with realisation written in his expression. ‘Trouble in paradise already?’

‘Shut up!’ Carter scrunched up a napkin and threw it at him. Ethan laughed loudly when all it did was bounce off.

Finally, Indy looked over. Carter caught her eye and grinned, but she looked down at her bowl again.

Dammit. Something was wrong. Was it something he’d done?

Maybe he shouldn’t have left? She had seemed put out when he couldn’t stay.

But they couldn’t risk getting caught. Did she regret it?

They’d had at least eight hours away from each other.

Was that enough time for the doubts to set in? Shit.

He gripped the edge of the table, stopping himself from going to her. That was bound to draw attention. What should he do?

A chair scraped and a whistle pierced the air. ‘Listen up, men.’

Everyone turned their attention to Jonathan, standing at the front of the room. Carter forced himself to focus on his stepfather, but his mind was on Indy. How was he going to talk to her? He couldn’t wait until tonight to sneak back down to her cabin.

Cheering erupted around him. What’d he miss?

‘… the bus will be doing a few trips into the township of Windale throughout the day, and we’ve let your families know that they’re welcome to meet you there.

They’ve also been made aware that any whisper of our location to the media and this family day will be our last. I’d advise you to speak to them tonight to see if they’ll be making the very long trip.

If you’d prefer to stay at the station, Nova assures me you’re more than welcome to explore the property as long as you abide by the rules around gates and stock and remember the risk of snakes. ’

A shudder ran through Carter as sniggering came from the table behind him. He didn’t need to turn around to know who sat there.

Jonathan narrowed his eyes but kept on. ‘She’s also promised that if you’re up for a walk, there are some beautiful natural sights to see and any of her staff can point you in the right direction.’

Carter perked up at that idea. His mum wasn’t confident driving long distances and he doubted his sister Piper would have time off from the hospital to bring her.

He wondered if Indy would like to act as a tour guide and show him the natural sights.

His own personal guide. He snuck a glance at her, but she was focused on her bowl. This was not good.

‘Drills are set up on the field. Last two there are on extra laps.’

Carter and Ethan shared a look before popping up from their seats. Weaving between chairs, Carter didn’t see the hit coming as a shoulder shoved him sideways, the man who delivered it pushing past.

‘Watch it,’ Carter shot at Beau, refusing to cradle the aching limb. It was the one he’d had surgery on during the off season last year and it still gave him trouble. Beau knew that. ‘Or are you so above the rest of us that you’re walking through us now?’

Beau sneered at him. ‘Are you going to dob on me? Sign a statement for your daddy to take to the police?’

‘Grow up, man.’

Beau chuckled darkly as Liam, one of his goons, shoved Carter from the other side before he exited with Beau. Carter rolled his shoulder, stretching out the tenderness. Piece of shit.

Feeling eyes on him, he looked back to see Indy watching from her table. Her face was scrunched with confusion. Great, she’d seen—and probably heard—everything.

‘Come on, Hendrix. You don’t want to be last.’

With a shake of his head, he jogged out the door, not caring that the others were a fair distance in front. Extra laps right now would be a really good distraction.

Indy pulled the earmuffs over her ears, knocking the clear safety glasses she was wearing.

Pushing them back up her nose, she crouched over the blades of the ride-on mower and switched on the angle grinder.

Using all her concentration, she ran the edge of the whirling plate over the blades, sharpening them, sparks flying out with a spectacular screech.

Sparks. She wanted to scoff as Carter’s face sprang to mind and her core tightened.

There’d definitely been sparks last night.

And this morning, judging by the shoulder barging in the dining hall. Although those hadn’t held the same heat she’d had with Carter. What had that been about? Was it the drama that Ray had said Carter had caused at the end of last season? How was that only yesterday? She shook her head slightly.

Focus, Indy. She was holding a powerful tool that would easily take a chunk out of her leg or cut off a finger if she wasn’t careful.

And burning the shed down from a wayward spark wasn’t on her list of things to do that day.

Rhythm built in her movements and beads of sweat trickled down her back.

It was hot in the shed this close to midday.

More rain was expected, but hopefully not a repeat of the storms they’d had yesterday.

When she was satisfied that not an edge had been missed, she switched off the grinder and used her thumb to check the sharpness.

Yep, Theresa would be happy with that. She loved riding the mower between the buildings and across the field most Saturday afternoons but didn’t like the maintenance it required.

Indy was happy to lend a hand when Theresa asked for it.

She slipped the earmuffs around her neck and popped the glasses on top of her head.

Snatching up the socket wrench, Indy lay down on the cool concrete and set about reattaching the blades to the mower.

The shed ticked in the sun’s blaze and a scurrying in the dirt came from the back corner behind the tractor.

She made a mental note to get Nova to bring her cat down here for a feed of mice.

The final whizz of the socket wrench was joined by a set of footsteps. She glanced up in time to see Carter enter the shed.

Panic seized her. She’d known last night was a mistake. He was proving it just by being here.

‘What are you doing? Someone will see you!’

He didn’t stop walking until he’d rounded the ute parked in the doorway, partially hiding him from view. ‘Are you regretting last night?’

‘What?’

‘Do you regret it?’

Spinning herself into a sitting position, Indy studied him. Footy shorts should be outlawed, especially from this angle. And especially with thighs like his. She dragged her gaze up to his face. Her heart ached at his vulnerability.

‘No, I don’t regret it.’ Relief relaxed the muscles in his face and Indy looked down at the socket wrench in her hands. ‘But I’m not sure it was a good idea.’

Carter squatted in front of her. ‘What’s going through that gorgeous mind of yours?’

‘So much,’ she admitted. ‘I can’t risk anyone finding out and telling Nova. I don’t have a fat bank account or family to fall back on like you do. My résumé doesn’t even have a grade twelve certificate in it. This job is all I’ve got.’

‘I know you’re scared, but no one will find out. We got away with washing twenty sheep in a shearing shed over two nights with your boss driving past. We can keep this from people as well.’

‘How? By you dropping into the shed in the middle of the day?’

He rocked back on his heels. ‘Yeah, this wasn’t the smartest idea, but I was worried. You wouldn’t even look at me during breakfast.’

‘You were staring at me! In front of everyone. That’s not exactly flying under the radar.’

‘Yeah, I guess,’ he mused. ‘So, we’ll ignore each other when people are around.

I won’t seek you out. I’ll make people think I’m out for a run or I’ve developed an interest in possums if they see me coming down to you at night.

We just have to be smart about it. I’m not giving you up, Indy. I can’t.’

A gooey warmth raced through her like her bones had turned to rubber.

He wanted her. This tall, strong, handsome-as-all-hell man standing in front of her, who could have any girl in the world, wanted her.

It didn’t make sense. Neither did the fact that despite everything she had to lose, she didn’t want to stop seeing him either.

‘This is crazy,’ she whispered, unable to stop her grin. She couldn’t fight this anymore; it was too strong.

He smiled back at her and reached out to take her hand. Helping her to her feet, he squeezed her hand tighter. They jumped apart at the sound of multiple footsteps, and Indy’s stomach dropped. Carter didn’t have time to leave. Shit. This is what she’d been worried about.

She leant back against the workbench behind her and wiped the panic from her face as Nova and Emery rounded the ute. Here went nothing.

‘What’s going on here, Indy?’ Nova asked.

‘Carter was just asking how Mara was. He’s one of the players that pulled her up the cliff yesterday. I just told him she was okay, still a bit shaken though.’ The lie rolled off her tongue so easily.

Nova’s suspicion faded. Shit, I still have it .

‘Lucky duck scored an actual weekend off,’ Emery added.

‘Thank you for everything you and your teammates did yesterday,’ Nova said, addressing Carter. ‘We were lucky that you were here. Mara will be okay, but you might want to get to the dining hall, they’re serving lunch.’

Carter smiled at Nova and Indy wanted to jump in front of her so his happiness was aimed at her. Crazy!

‘Thanks, Nova. And thanks, Indy, for letting me know about Mara. I’m glad she’s on the up. I’ll see you all around.’

‘No problem,’ Indy said. Carter headed out of the shed with a wave and Indy placed the socket wrench on the bench, hoping her actions looked natural.

‘I need you and Emery out in the bottom west paddock to fix the fence the storm sent a tree through last night. The sheep haven’t gotten through with all the branches, but it’s in the same area the wild dogs were seen a few nights ago, so watch your backs.’

‘No worries, we’ll load the ute now and meet you for lunch once the players have stuffed themselves.’

‘Good idea.’ Nova nodded towards the mower. ‘I’ll let Theresa know the mower’s ready. Thanks for that.’

She took her leave and as soon as she was out of earshot, Emery turned on Indy.

‘You’re totally hooking up with that guy!’

‘Shhh,’ Indy hissed, dragging Emery deeper into the shed by her wrist.

‘This is bad, Indy. You’ve gotta end it. Now! Before Nova ends you and I’m left to deal with Mara and this place alone. Crafty Barty would have a field day. You’re Nova’s best worker. Please, Indy. Don’t go there again.’

Indy was surprised when no panic hit her. ‘I can’t walk away, Em. Trust me, I tried staying away from him. There’s feelings there. Real ones.’

‘He’s a footy player. You know, the ones that play games in different states and celebrate wins and losses with the local girls.

I’ve heard all the stories. And he’s meant to be a really good one, with lots of girls chasing him.

’ She pressed her lips together tightly. ‘I don’t want you to get hurt.’

Indy reached out and grabbed her hand. ‘Thank you for caring so much, but you need to chill. This isn’t anything o?cial and he’s not spinning me any lines that promise the world. He’s the one chasing me.’

‘He’s not going to tell anyone or post anything on social media? Tell a reporter about the love he made on the mountain?’

Indy laughed. ‘He won’t say anything; he knows what’s at stake for me. And you can’t either.’

‘Of course I won’t,’ Emery said with indignation. ‘But I don’t like this, Indy. It’s making me anxious.’

Indy squeezed her fingers. ‘I got this.’