Free An Outback Affair/Runaway Wife/Outback Bridegroom/Outback Surrender/Home To Eden by Margaret Way Page B

You know what they can do.”
    â€œYoung lady, there is no way I’m going to show you how to handle a rifle. It’s against the law.”
    â€œUnless one has a licence. There are a lot of licences out here in the Outback.”
    â€œLaura, what are you getting at?” She was leading the way to the kitchen but he found himself catching the point of her shoulder, turning her to him.
    â€œI’m pretty sure a lot of women would feel safer if they had a gun.”
    â€œI’m pretty sure a lot of lives could be lost that way as well. You don’t need any gun.”
    â€œI don’t want one. I hate them too.”
    â€œPlease look me in the eye.”
    â€œYes, Evan.” She lifted her head.
    â€œYou can’t really believe your life’s in danger?”
    â€œOf course it isn’t. Probably I was trying to shock you.”
    â€œBelieve me, you have.”
    â€œOkay, I’m done.” She stared into the brilliant dark depths of his eyes, wishing desperately she had nothing to hide.
    â€œGood.” Abruptly he moved, before he made the fatal mistake of taking her into his arms. “Let’s get cracking.”
    He led her into the kitchen where several boxes were stacked. He knew they contained a dinner set, cutlery, pots and pans, electrical goods, a frypan, toaster, kettle, kitchen linen, glasses marked “Fragile”.
    â€œDon’t lift that one,” he said, pointing downwards. “It’s too heavy.”
    â€œYou have to stop looking at me like I’m a piece of porcelain,” she said. “Not very complimentary to me.”
    â€œBut understandable,” he said dryly, allowing his eyes to move over her.
    â€œWell, I’m not. You should hear me thunder out Chopin’s Revolutionary Etude .”
    He was acutely aware of her slender body resting against the counter so near to him. The whiteness of her skin made her gleaming hair appear almost black. Her green eyes shimmered like jewels. There was no question the boyfriend was madly in love with her. He himself was staggered by the level of intimacy he had achieved with this troubled young woman.
    â€œThe spirit, no doubt, Laura. It’s an inner power true musicians have.”
    The sound of his deep voice touched her clear through to her centre. It reverberated like a deep, deep purr, reminding her that the human voice was the greatest instrument of all.
    For total strangers they’d had a great deal to say to eachother. Ships that passed in the night? Brief encounters? Intuitively she understood that behind the complex exterior was a gallantry a woman could count on. After a year of brutal punishment it was like a marvellous healing balm.

CHAPTER FIVE
    L AURA could feel the vibrancy in Sarah the minute she swept through the door. Sarah looked on top of the world, beautifully strong and womanly. She even moved as if beautiful music was going on in her head. Music she could dance to.
    â€œGosh, you look happy!” Laura could see Sarah was excited. Colour spread over her high cheekbones. Her dark eyes glittered.
    Sarah turned to beam at her. “I’m like a new woman. Full of wonder and delight.”
    â€œThat’s lovely,” Laura’s voice was gentle. She was moved by such happiness. “How nice of you to find the time to call.”
    Sarah dropped her shoulder bag onto an empty hook on the hall stand. “I wish I could have come sooner, but so much has been happening. You’ll be amazed. I’m still in a state of shock and euphoria.”
    â€œSo tell me,” Laura invited, quickly leading the way into the parlour.
    â€œFirst I want to see what you’ve done here.” Sarah glanced around with genuine admiration. “You are a homemaker.” Laura had accomplished a great deal without obvious expense. She had used a light palette of colours and a mix of furnishings and had managed to make them harmonious.