Page 2 of Fires Creek
He explained the history of the farm, detailing how it belonged to the oldest family in Fires Creek, and how their son, Jonas, had taken over his father’s role as foreman after he passed.
All Link said was that the current owner of the property had no interest in their investment anymore and had always been a silent developer from interstate. He didn’t elaborate on what happened to the owner or Jonas’s Dad, but I had a feeling it was a pivotal moment for the town, and maybe not the best kind.
I had sat on the corner of my purple quilt, staring blankly at the property ownership document in my hand. I actually did it. I bought a fuckingfarm.My hands trembled as my eyes trailed over the paperwork, my mind taking itstime to catch-up on the series of events that had unravelled over the past few days. I didn’t know what to expect, as I started packing up my entire life into a suitcase and prepared to leave the city behind.
I had put aside enough money to set me up for at least 6 months while I figured out staffing, settled in, and wrapped my head around what the hell I was supposed to be doing in Fires Creek. First thing Monday, I was making an appointment with whoever I needed to and discussing my options. For now, I wanted to settle in and introduce myself to the foreman and his assistant. My newemployees?
I had just made the right-hand turn onto the winding road leading up the mountain, towardsthe farm, when panic struck. What the actualfuckwas I doing here? I had never even heard of Fires Creek until 6 months ago. So, I did the only rational thing I could think of: I gulped my panic down, and parked my Mini-Cooper at the front entrance to Ashwood Manor, letting myself soak in in the beauty of the rolling hills and fresh-cut grass.
As I grabbed the now lukewarm coffees that rested in the cupholders of my car, I couldn’t help but laugh at this entire situation. All I knew is that I was meeting some bloke called Jonas – he was the foreman, and a bit of a grouch, apparently. Well, that’s what the real estate guy, our buddy, Link, told me.
I took a deep breath and let my feet lead the way as I made the unfamiliar walk down to the rusted shed out the back. My eyes trailed over the looming, black clouds on the horizon. The crisp, mountain air was delicious and clear, despite the storm rolling in from the south; I just hoped the storm held off until nightfall, it was already getting late…
Who gets drunk and buys a house? I was completely convinced that I was making an insane decision, but fuck it,I was already here. I took a final, deep breath and lifted my chin, feigning confidence as I strode towards my new life.
Well, here goes nothin’.
“Howdy, boys. Looks like you could use some company.”
“For fuck’s sake,Teddy, could youpleasestop with that god awful music? I can’t hear myself think,” I bellowed from beneath the hood of my ute.
Ever since I could remember, Theodore had been a right pain in my ass – which didn’t get any better when the little shit moved in. I still remember the day Mum brought him home from the hospital after the fall. She had been gone 3 years now. Dad followed not long after; he was never the same after she passed.
“Calm down, ya grumpy old prick,” came his reply.
I put down my spanner and turned my gaze to mybrother.I suppose he was in a way. Mum took him in when he was 16, after the accident, and he’s just sort of been around since. Teddy drove me nuts – but this place sure would be quiet without him.Back then, he was so young, but so damn reckless. Fearless is probably a better word for it – he just loved toride. Now, at almost 30, since he was medically retired; he stole my smokes, drank my whiskey, and couldn’t keep his hands to himself. The never-ending line of men and women parading through the house at all hours of the night gave that away.
I opened my mouth to shoot Teddy a snappy remark – I was barely 3 years older than him; he could fuck off with this old man shit – but a sudden thud from behind the shed pulled me up short. “What the hell was that?” Teddy shouted, closing the gap between us in three long strides and pausing for a moment.
My German Shepherd, Alex, came bounding out from the bushes with a damn rabbit in his mouth. “Bloody hell, Al, knock it off. You scared the crap outta me.” I laughed, tousling the hair around his neck and peeling the animal from his jaw.
The rabbit scampered away, leaving Alex whimpering in defeat as he turned towards his favourite spot in the shed and curled up on his make-shift dog bed: one of Dad’s old shirts. Alex was a gentle old bugger. He never hurt the animals, just carried them in like they were gonna unpack and move in or something. I reckon he just missed my old man. I missed the old man too…
The subtle smell of coffee wafted through the air, filling my nose as the faint sound of footsteps grew closer. “Howdy boys, looks like you could use some company,” came a soft, polished accent. Then,sheemerged, coffee in tow, and a smile so bright it put the town square Christmas lights to shame.
Her hair fell in thick, loose waves around her shoulders, and it was the colour of those bricks you see in well-built houses. Fuck, I suck at this. She was a redhead, and she wasincredible. Her smile crept from the corners of her mouthand her dimples plunged into her cheeks. God, she was gorgeous.
“Coffee, boys?” she asked, as if we knew who the fuck she was and why she’d just turned up at the house.
“Hell yeah!” Teddy replied, not bothering to ask her any further questions.Idiot.
I studied her as she handed the coffee to my brother, tugging on my shirt – which at this point was more black than green, thanks to this stupid ute and its never-ending oil leak – and took a few steps forward, closing the gap between us. I puffed out my chest a little. I was not exactly Jason Momoa, but this woman was tiny, and I was anything but. The years of farm work had definitely paid off. I had never been in such good shape. Still, I could stand to lay off the booze…
Teddy interrupted my train of thought as an inhumane splutter exploded from his lips, and coffee covered the ground in front of him.
“It’s fuckin’ cold.” He exclaimed; his brow furrowed in disapproval.
The pretty redhead smirked, rolling her eyes as she purred, “Oh, is it? What a damn shame.”
“Uh, I might pass on the cuppa. Thanks… And who are you exactly?” I asked.
“Well, sugar, if I tell you that, it’ll ruin the fun, won’t it? You must be Jonas.” Her voice was as sweet as sin, dripping from her plump pink lips. Alex leapt from his bed and ran to her, allowing her to lavish him with pats. He flopped down and rolled over, showing her his belly with his tongue hanging from his mouth.Useless little sook.
I don’t know if it was her outfit, or the fact she justlookedlike a city girl, but I knew in my gut she must be the chick who bought the farm. I wasn’t expecting her untilMonday, and she wasnotwhat I was expecting when Link said someone from out of town had bought the place. I wasn’t expecting someone young, let alone someone who fucking looked likeher. From her perky tits, to the award-winning smile she flashed me, I knew I was absolutely fucked.
Her wild, auburn hair was vivid and captivating against her porcelain skin. The waves of red rested messily against the black fabric that covered her neck and shoulders, leaving only her cleavage exposed. Gold chains in various styles hung from her neck and fell just before her breasts. A deep, green corset accentuated every damn curve on this woman’s body.
Dark, intricate ink cascaded across the delicate flesh of her forearm and two bands of barbed wire wrapped around her other arm. Her skirt clung to her milky thighs for dear life. Her toenails were painted the perfect shade of navy to compliment the gold jewellery that adorned every bloody surface imaginable. She must be some sort of magpie. A very, sexy, magpie.God, what the fuck is wrong with me?Before I could open my mouth to speak, Teddy interrupted my thoughts with his bloody big mouth and ruined it.
