Free Outback Flames: Australian Rural Romantic Suspense by Suzanne Brandyn

touched each other, and exchanged the
occasional kiss, no one could pry them apart. Farther down, opposite the
entrance, was the bar area where about six people sat with their backs to the
room.
    'So what
happened when you left here, Zoe? You vanished. No one knew where you were.'
    'I had no idea
about the missing broadcast. I was with an aunt. She took me away that night. I
didn't have a choice.'
    'I'm so
sorry.'
    'I don't like
speaking ill of anyone...but in this case... She was a mean person with a nasty
streak.'
    'Meaning.'
Jade leaned in closer, and adjusted her chair.
    'I remember
the ride in the car. That's all. I wasn't allowed to finish school and she put
me to work the next day.'
    'Work. At
thirteen. The next day. Oh, you poor thing. She sounds horrible?'
    'She said she
couldn't afford to send me to school. So I worked for my keep, cooking and
washing. Her washing and cleaning, until I was fifteen and she insisted I work for
the next-door neighbours as a cook. Luckily for me the Pattersons were lovely
people. They didn't have any children, and took me under their wing. Mr
Patterson hired me as a cook at first and then after a while as a jillaroo. He
even helped me through my studies...' Zoe looked toward the door then back at Jade.
'I passed all my tests without my aunt knowing. She told me I didn't need any
fancy certificates.'
    'That was so
kind of your neighbours.'
    'It was and
they kept it a secret from my aunt. Anyhow, after years of hard labour
mustering cattle, caring for livestock, repairing station equipment, as well as
clerical and administrative duties I know how to operate and run a cattle
station. I can now do it with my eyes closed.' She smiled. 'After work I'd
trudge on back to my aunt’s to prepare meals and attend to housework, whatever
needed doing. '
    'Oh my god,
that is so cruel. Like a Cinderella.'
    Zoe's lips
thinned. 'I suppose you could call it that. But I survived and here I am.'
    'I wonder why
she put you to work when your parents were well off.'
    Zoe felt colour
rush to her face before shaking her head acknowledging no. 'No. My aunt told me
they were flat broke. She said the house wasn't insured, and there wasn't any
money. That was the reason I had to get to work.'
    'Well, I
shouldn't be saying this but I think you should check it out. I think Mr
McPherson should be back by now. Zoe...the house was insured so I heard, and
both of your parents had life insurance and more.'
    Zoe blinked
with scepticism. 'Are you sure?'
    'So Mum tells
me. Montagreen was the best cattle station round these parts. I can't believe
that woman told you your parents had no money. They made a lot of money at
Montagreen.'
    'Thanks, I'll
check it out.' Another one of her aunt’s lies, but she'd find out if there was
any truth in Jade's words before jumping to conclusions.
    The waitress
arrived and after a quick look over the menu, Zoe ordered steak and vegetables.
    'You've come a
long way, Zoe. You're so independent. As for me, my husband is always off
shearing. He's barely home and I've got two kids. Kate, we all call her Katie,
she's four and Adam is six. They're pretty good kids.'
    'How nice.
Where are they now?' So Jordan was an uncle.
    'Mum said
she'd keep an eye on them tonight.'
    'Oh that's
right. You're lucky you have your mother.'
    'She doesn't
mind. She said I need a break from time to time.'
    'I do have a
question. You don't have to answer if you don't want to, but Jordan… I know
he's your brother but did we well, were we an item?' Zoe already knew the
answer from Jordan and felt a little guilty checking out their past
relationship once again, but the trust factor wasn't running on full strength.
She didn't want any more misunderstandings, or conflict of any kind. She'd had
enough of that living with her aunt.
    Zoe watched
Jade's face hint on tender pink. Her shoulders rose. 'Yes. Um. He was
infatuated with you. You were best mates.'
    'That close?'
    'More than
close. Lift up your hand.'
    'What?'
    Jade