Page 49

Carter pushed the schooner of beer between his fingers.

The condensation had evaporated. He’d been nursing it since he’d first sat at a table in the bar in the Osborne Hotel in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley.

This place was the go-to for the team whenever they won a game in the capital of the sunny state. But something was off tonight.

It wasn’t the win. They’d gone from strength to strength each week and tonight’s round four win was their best yet.

The whole team was here. When the coaching staff had waved them off, Carter had caught sight of Jonathan and Isaac whispering.

Jonathan had worn a grin that stretched from ear to ear.

Something told Carter it wasn’t from the win. Yep, something was up.

‘Right, you lot, listen up!’ Isaac stood on the rungs on his stool, putting him a head above the rest of them. ‘I have an announcement.’

Someone waved at the DJ and the volume of the music lowered, drawing the attention of everyone in the Osborne.

‘As you know, at the end of camp, Jonathan and the team gave me the task of identifying a new co-captain. Over the last few weeks, there’s been someone who has really proved himself through hard work, tenacity, a love for the game and an accountability for expectations and standards that he holds himself and others to.

This man’s already a leader, even if he doesn’t realise it.

Fortunately, Jonathan and the staff agreed with me.

I’m really happy to spend the rest of the season co-captaining, if he agrees, with Carter Hendrix. ’

What. The. Hell. Carter looked around, shocked to see grins on the faces around him and to hear the sound of applause hitting his ears. He couldn’t do this. He didn’t want this.

‘Speech.’ Ethan elbowed him in the ribs and he climbed to his feet.

‘Ahh, thanks for the applause and thanks, Isaac, for deciding that I’m ready for this,’ he started, tugging at the collar of his T-shirt.

‘At the beginning of the season, my goals were to keep my head down, put in the work and play my role the best that I could. Those are still my goals but I guess after spending three weeks on the mountain and these past four in the stadiums, my head’s not down anymore.

If you all want me to be your co-captain, then I’d gratefully accept the position. ’

Wolf whistles, more clapping and nodding heads and even some whooping.

‘Sounds like a yes to me!’ Isaac beamed at him from across the group.

‘Cheers to Hendrix,’ Shaun Burgess yelled. ‘Best halfback in the league!’

Carter smiled, genuinely, which felt foreign, and raised his glass before taking a seat. The DJ cranked the music again and Carter had lost count of the number of pats on the back and words of congratulations he received.

‘You want a refill, Captain Hendrix?’ Ethan asked him with a grin. ‘Might get you in the mood for celebrating and not looking like your dog’s died.’

Carter gave a dry chuckle and shook his head. ‘I’m good.’

Ethan clapped him on the shoulder before heading for the bar.

What was wrong with him? He’d just accepted co-captaincy of his team, a goal he’d had since he first put on Scorpion colours. The promotion deserved his excitement. It was an honour. Why couldn’t he muster any?

Carter glanced around the group. Isaac and Diego were deep in conversation, their hand gestures making Carter believe they were reliving parts of the game they’d just won.

Beau, still not back with Maddie, had a blonde sitting on his lap, happily pouring his beer down his throat for him.

As always, Dodds wasn’t too far away from him with his own blonde.

The light touch of fingers on his shoulder drew Carter’s attention from his teammates.

A woman in a bright blue dress that showed off every curve set a potent-looking red cocktail on the table next to his beer.

A spicy floral scent assaulted his nose as she batted her heavy eyelashes at him.

Strobe lights flashed across her hair, highlighting the different depths of its brown and blonde shades and he swallowed. Her hair was like Indy’s.

When was the last time he’d gone a single night without thinking of her?

Tossing, turning, craving her. He wanted to stop missing her.

Could this brunette be the one to help end it?

Did he really want it to end? The ache of missing Indy was his constant companion.

If he lost that, it would really be over.

‘Carter, right? Carter Hendrix.’ The owner of the cocktail smiled widely. Too widely. She was beautiful. Maybe he could be the Carter from before he went to Windale? Just for a night?

Nausea and guilt swirled in his stomach. Just thinking of trying to be with someone else felt like he was betraying Indy. ‘Nah, I think you’ve got me confused with someone else.’

‘Forgive him, darlin’,’ Matty cut in from the other side of the woman. He grabbed the brunette’s hand. ‘He’s pining over a girl he found on a mountain. Whereas I’m ready to spend the rest of my days pining after you.’

Carter rolled his eyes at the cheesy pick-up line but didn’t argue with the crack about his attitude. It was true. He tipped his head back and downed the rest of his beer.

Standing, he made eye contact with Ethan, who was on his way back from the bar. ‘I’m not in the mood, sorry. I’m gonna head back.’

Stepping onto the street, Carter flicked up the collar of his polo and pulled the brim of his cap down.

The night air was cool but nowhere near jumper weather.

He breathed it in deeply, ignoring the hint of cigarette smoke as he walked towards the city.

The hour was late, but cars were still streaming past him and people covered the sidewalk, the noise making him wish for his earphones.

Slipping his hands into the pockets of his jeans, he picked up his pace.

Indy. It was Friday. Tomorrow they’d have an early recovery session in the hotel’s lap pool before flying back to Sydney.

He wasn’t due back at training until Monday.

He could drive out to Windale tomorrow afternoon as soon as they got back.

Wouldn’t even have to go home; he had a couple of changes of clothes in his bag that would do.

He veered towards the road and raised his hand for a taxi. She was bound to have another job by now. He’d search the whole district if he had to. Anything it took to show her that he still loved her.

Carter flicked down his indicator and turned into a parking spot out front of the historic Windale Hotel.

It was late in the afternoon and despite little sleep in his hotel bed, an early morning swim and spending half the day travelling, he was energised.

His hope of seeing Indy today had been indefatigable.

Just being in Windale made her seem closer to him.

Leaving his bag in the back seat of his dual cab, Carter got out and stretched his legs before making a beeline for the pub.

He’d started his drive with the intention of heading straight up the mountain, in case Nova had changed her mind and given Indy her job back.

But it was too unlikely. His next best guess was to hit up the publican.

Surely he would be the hub of all small town news?

And if the publican didn’t know where Indy was, he might know the best place to start looking.

The man behind the counter threw a tea towel over his shoulder as Carter approached. He was unusually tall and scruffy looking, with a pierced ear and crooked smile that showed off some gold fillings.

‘Carter Hendrix, yeah?’ he asked when Carter reached the bar. The name embroidered on his black polo shirt said, Iggy . ‘Part of the Scorpions crew from the mountain. Great game last night. You’ve perfected the forty–twenty kick but pity your conversion rate’s a bit off.’

Carter winced. Every time he’d stood behind the kicking tee, trying to focus on the posts, all he could think of was kissing Indy in front of the goal posts on Windale. He was ready to stop taking them.

‘Yeah, Lady Luck hasn’t exactly been on my side lately.’

‘She can be a real bitch at times.’ Iggy’s grin grew impossibly wider. ‘What can I get you?’

‘Just a Coke, please.’ No beer yet.

Iggy grabbed a glass and scooped in some ice. ‘What brings you back out to our small part of the world? It’s a quick turnaround. You were playing in Brisbane just last night.’

‘I’m actually looking for someone. Indy Mills?’

Iggy put the glass on the counter and topped it up with Coke from the weird hose device. ‘Really? Indy. That’s bad timing.’

‘What do you mean?’ Carter asked, accepting the glass and placing a five-dollar note on the counter.

‘If you were here a couple of weeks ago you would’ve found her right here behind the bar.’

‘What?’

‘Yeah, I hired her the same day she left Nova’s place.

It was only short term. Really short term, as it turned out.

She got work on another property a few hours away.

Can’t quite remember the name of the place.

She was pretty excited, though. Or maybe it was just relief to be heading outdoors again.

She’s a workhorse, that one, and gave this place a go, but it wasn’t for her. ’

Carter’s head bounced with his silent chuckle as his heart sank. He’d missed her. She’d been right here. He should’ve come sooner. ‘Do you have any way of contacting her?’

Iggy shook his head. ‘Her phone took a nosedive into the mop bucket during her last shift and she was going to pick up another one when she passed through Denarlie, but I haven’t heard anything from her.’

Dammit!

His dejection must’ve shown on his face, because Iggy continued. ‘You know, the mountain crew generally come down for dinner to celebrate a successful camp. And I happen to know they’ve just farewelled a netball team from Adelaide. Why don’t you hang around and see who turns up?’

Carter brightened. ‘Emery would know where she is.’

‘Or Nova,’ Iggy said, casually.

‘I doubt she’d tell me. I’m the reason Indy’s not working on the mountain.’

‘I don’t reckon she’ll be happy that you cost her the best worker she had, but Nova definitely knows where Indy is. She’s the one who got her the job.’

Carter swore his eyebrows touched his hairline. He drained his Coke. Emery was still a better bet than Nova. He could head up to see her tomorrow if they didn’t come in tonight. ‘Any chance I can book a room?’

Iggy gave him that gold-capped grin. ‘I reckon we can sort something out for you.’

After checking in and dumping his bag upstairs, Carter grabbed a steak at the bar. Iggy kept him company in between serving drinks, and the publican proved to be a hell of a conversationalist.

Carter’s luck seemed to be turning slightly when Emery, Nova, Mara, Janet and Theresa appeared and claimed a table in the beer garden.

They all sat down except Emery, who headed for the door.

Carter glanced away from the windows and took a breath.

Iggy chuckled gleefully. Carter raised a finger to his lips, but smiled.

‘Hey, Iggy, can I grab a jug of Great Northern and a lemonade for the under-aged one?’

‘Sure, Emery. Good to see you. I’ve got someone who’s been waiting for you,’ Iggy said.

Carter could sense her confusion as she looked around the bar, left then right, before she sighted him.

‘Carter? What are you doing here?’

‘Hey, Emery.’ He slid from his stool and went to stand next to her, greeting her with a kiss to the cheek and a one-armed hug.

She gasped. ‘Are you looking for Indy? Oh, it’s so romantic that you’ve come all this way, but she’s not working around here anymore.’

‘Iggy’s already filled me in on how much I missed her by. I really need to see her. Can you tell me where she’s ended up?’

Emery cringed and pressed her lips together, studying him.

Sweat trickled down his neck. Emery was holding his happiness in her hands.

Finally, she let out a huff. ‘Technically I can tell you, Carter. I mean, I know how to speak, and I know where she is. But I … I won’t tell you.

The last time I spoke with Indy about you, she was very clear that she didn’t want you to know where she was.

I haven’t been able to bring up the subject again and I don’t want to betray her trust. Not for anything. ’

‘Please, Emery.’ He dropped his voice, not needing to fake his desperation. ‘I miss her. Time and distance haven’t done anything to dampen how I feel about her. I just want to tell her that.’

Emery frowned and shook her head. ‘I’m sorry, Carter. Even if we haven’t spoken about you recently, I know she misses you as well. But she’s stubborn. She won’t admit it because she thinks she’s made the right decision.’

She missed him. He breathed a little easier. ‘Could you at least give me her phone number? I know you have it.’

Emotions warred across Emery’s face. ‘Look, I’m going to visit her next weekend. I’ll ask her. It’s the best I can do, take it or leave it.’

Next weekend? His mind spun. ‘I have a better idea.’