Free Inheritance by Kate Loveday Page B

trouble he caused us, and all the threats he made against me.’ She shook her head. ‘How could you even speak to him?’
    ‘Cassie, calm down, for goodness sake. He was back to his old self. I always did like him before he went off the rails like that. And he was sick then, he explained it all to me.’
    ‘You are so gullible. He turned out to be a monster. I was frightened for my life when he stalked me.’
    ‘I’m trying to tell you. He’s not like that anymore.’
    ‘I don’t believe it.’ She suddenly remembered her mother’s earlier words. ‘Anyway, what did you mean by “people going to Cairns”? You didn’t tell him where I am, did you?’
    ‘Oh, he already knew. Someone had already told him. Actually, he’s being transferred to Cairns for three months soon, relieving someone in the company up there who’s going on long service leave. He wants to come and see you and tell you himself how sorry he is.’
    Anger made Cassie’s blood pound. ‘I can’t believe I’m hearing this. If he dares to come near me after what he did, I’ll report him to the police, for breaking the restraining order.’
    ‘There’s no need for that, Cassie. He only wants to say how sorry he is.’
    Cassie drew a deep breath as she tried to steady herself. ‘If he rings you again, you tell him what I’m saying. I mean it! I don’t want to be looking over my shoulder again all the time.’
    ‘All right, all right, calm down, for goodness sake. If he rings again, I’ll tell him not to try and see you.’
    ‘You’d better,’ she said grimly.
    Gwen spoke soothingly. ‘I’m sorry to have upset you. Now tell me what else you’ve been doing.’
    Cassie shut her eyes and took a few deep breaths before she could speak normally again. She remembered why she had rung Gwen, and tried to put Jason from her mind. ‘Actually, I have some news for you. Now it may be your turn to be upset, but I hope you won’t be. I’ve decided not to sell Yallandoo. I’m going to stay up here.’
    ‘Oh, dear.’ Gwen sighed. ‘I’ll miss you terribly.’
    ‘I’ll miss you too. But I hope you can understand. I feel as if Uncle Len left Yallandoo to me in trust. I can’t let it go out of the family.’
    ‘Are you planning on staying up there permanently?’
    ‘I think so. It all depends on what happens. I have some plans.’
    ‘What sort of plans?’
    ‘Well, there’s a real tourist boom up here. I’d like to be part of it. I still have to do some market research, but I’m thinking of putting cabins in the rainforest.’ Cassie outlined her ideas.
    ‘When are you thinking of starting this project?’
    ‘As soon as possible. There’ll be a lot of planning to do first, of course.’
    ‘Of course. Just make sure you don’t get out of your depth.’
    ‘I will. Now you take care, I’ll talk to you again soon.’
    After she hung up the phone, Cassie’s mind turned back to Jason. She chewed her lip as she remembered how frightened she had been of him. Her heart raced; if he came here would it all start again?
    She remembered the hatred in his face the last time she saw him.
    When he came here, would he try to harm her in some way?

Chapter 7
    Cassie related the phone call to Rosie as they drove to Binbin on Sunday morning.
    ‘I must say I’m surprised Gwen let Jason pull the wool over her eyes like that,’ Rosie said.
    Cassie shrugged. ‘She was always telling me how much she liked him. I guess she was happy to believe what he said. But I’m not fooled by him. If he comes up here, I’ll make it clear how I feel. Anyway, let’s forget about him. I’m looking forward to today, aren’t you?’
    ‘Sure. I’m curious to see what Mark’s done. I believe he’s spent heaps on the place.’
    When Cassie and Rosie arrived at the impressive gateway to Binbin Station, they saw that, inside the gates, the driveway split in two. One track branched off and led to the original old homestead, a lovely old Queenslander. The main