Page 26 of Secrets of Riverside

‘What’s the deal with your elusive answers, Tommy, huh?’ Jarrah gave as good as he got.

Tommy’s Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat as he shifted uneasily. ‘One of the motel rooms is free for Millie now, so I’ll let her know she can move in when her shift is done.’ He cleared his throat, as if steadying himself. ‘Having her in your homestead is not a good look, Uncle.’ He stood and finally met Jarrah’s eyes. ‘And as for where I go in my free time, I reckon that’s none of your business.’ He turned and took strides towards the closed door.

‘Tommy, stop.’ Jarrah shot to his feet and came around his desk, but by the time he’d reached the door, Tommy had yanked it open and was storming down the hallway.

Watching Tommy slip away from him, in more ways than one, Jarrah chastised himself for being so … stupid. What was he thinking, putting his headstrong nephew on the spot? Yes, he was desperate to know the truth, to hear Tommy admit he’d gone to see his corrupt grandfather, but he wasn’t going to achieve that by confronting him. Tommy was so much like his father, and Joey hadn’t ever been forthcoming in giving anything away. No matter how much he’d begged his brother to open up, so he could somehow save him from what fate had in store for Joey Martino all along, Joey’s lips had remained zipped shut. Jarrah knew he needed to take a breath and think with a level head, and not with his breaking heart, if he was to learn exactly what his horrible father had said to Tommy to make him so angry, so bitter. Because this couldn’t all be to do with him firing Jasmine. As for the delivery of the envelope, and the recipient, that too would have to sit like a ton of lead upon his shoulders until he could hopefully find a way to discover the truth. Vinnie was his best chance. And Vinnie needed time and space to uncover anything else. So, for now, he needed to get the hell out of his office and into the great outdoors, where he could throw himself into some hard yakka and take his stress and anger out on something tangible.

Four hours later – with country tunes playing from the LandCruiser’s stereo, the bright blue sky without a cloud in sight, and the mid-afternoon sun beating down relentlessly – Jarrah soldiered on, desperately hot as he was. His scruffy sidekick, on the other hand, was doing his usual trick when it was sweltering, and sleeping beneath the LandCruiser. Even the chooks had given up their hunting and taken shelter beneath the old gum tree. Shovel in hand, he stopped, wiped his brow, grabbed his flask of icy cold water, and drank deeply until there wasn’t a drop left. He’d have to head back to the homestead at some point to grab some more, but for now he had to get back to work if he wanted this job done by sundown. Before he did, he stripped off his wet-to-the-skin shirt and tossed it over the timber railings. The little puffs of breeze cooled him, making his awkwardness at being a little exposed worth it. He rarely worked shirtless, but today was hotter than hot, so much so he wished he could strip off and get the job done while stark naked. Ha, wouldn’t that be a sight for sore eyes, he thought with a chuckle.

Continuing his backbreaking task of digging holes for the new fence line, in ground that was proving as obstinate as Tommy, he ignored the burn of his muscles while he sang to the tune of Johnny Cash’s ‘Ring of Fire’. His boot toe tapped in time with the catchy tempo. Doing his best to reach the low baritones, he felt chuffed when he harmonised with Cash’s unmistakable voice. Next along was Waylon Jennings, with his hit ‘Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way’. Knowing every word like the back of his hand, Jarrah sung his heart out. He was so caught up that he didn’t hear the footsteps coming up behind him.

‘I reckon you could actually give up your day job, Jarrah.’

Millie’s sweet voice had him spinning to face her, and the grin on her kissable lips made his insides tumble and flip. ‘Geez, thanks, Millie.’ He dragged an arm over his sweaty forehead as he spotted a tall, icy glass of something in her outstretched hand.

‘I thought you might need a thirst-quencher.’ She passed it over as Scruff plonked himself down at her feet. ‘Hey, buddy, how goes it?’ She ruffled his head.

Jarrah couldn’t help but love how the two had bonded so quickly. ‘Thanks for this, Millie, it was really thoughtful of you.’ He took a thirsty guzzle, and the lip-smacking flavour was nothing like he’d ever tasted before. ‘Wow, what is this stuff?’

‘It’s lemon and ginger kefir water.’

‘It’s what?’ He sculled the rest of it.

‘I didn’t think you would’ve heard of it.’ Her sweet smile was relaxed. ‘It’s made by fermenting little grains with a mixture of water, sugar, lemon, ginger, salt and a sprinkling of bicarb soda, then, after one to two days, depending on how warm the weather is, you get bubbly water that’s really good for your belly.’

He held his empty glass up and nodded in appreciation. ‘I reckon it’s delicious, and very clever at the same time.’

As are you, sweet Millie …

Her cheeks flushed as if she’d heard his internal compliment, and he wasn’t sure if it was from the sun or him. He liked to think it was all to do with the latter. ‘Where did you get this kefir water stuff from around here?’

‘Oh, I didn’t, I brought the grains with me and made them up yesterday morning. The tropical heat makes it brew super-fast. Speaking of which …’ She fanned her heated face with her hands. ‘It’s bloody hot today.’

‘Damn straight it is.’ So her flushed cheeks weren’t from him. Bugger. ‘How’d the rest of your shift go?’

‘Yeah, really good.’

‘So, despite Tommy being an arse, you liked your first day?’

‘Other than being terrified out of my wits by a frog, I loved it.’ Her laughter carried, and caressed him. ‘Sorry for making you race to my rescue.’

‘All good, any time.’ He chuckled. ‘I’m just happy you’re still alive to tell the tale.’

‘Oi,’ she playfully slapped his arm, ‘that’ll be enough cheek from you.’

‘Never,’ he breathed, his expression playful. ‘Banter is the way of Riverside Acres, if you haven’t already noticed.’

‘Ha, yeah, I actually have.’

Her grin was sassy and her arresting gaze caught his and held it. Scruff snapping at the air broke their fleeting moment of magnetism, and then the buzzing of a blowfly grew louder. Swatting it away from his face, Jarrah burst out laughing when Scruff finally caught his adversary and swallowed it whole.

Millie’s eyes widened, as did her grin. ‘Did I really just see that?’

‘You sure did.’ He ruffled Scruff’s head. ‘You hate those pesky little buggers, don’t you, buddy?’

Scruff replied with one short sharp bark, licked his lips, and then headed back to the shade beneath the LandCruiser.

Millie watched him settle, then sighed. ‘Well, I’m going to head back to the homestead so I can finish packing my things, then I’ll make myself comfortable over at the motel.’

---