Read Online Beneath Outback Skies by Alissa Callen - Free Book Online
Authors: Alissa Callen
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not so good.’
‘Well, I’m glad for those for whom it worked and sorry for those it didn’t. I’m not much of a risk taker so would probably prefer to stick to something I know.’
He breathed easier. The trip hadn’t been a total failure. One of his questions had at least been answered. Paige wasn’t interested in diversifying too far away from the traditional enterprises of sheep, cattle and crops.
‘You have experience in tourism, so maybe that would be another option for Banora Downs?’
‘To be honest, no. As you’ve no doubt gathered, Dad is the social one and as much as he won’t admit it his health isn’t as good as it used to be. It’s only in this past year that he’s relied on his wheelchair instead of his walking stick. Also I wouldn’t be able to run the farm as well as cater for guests. There’s a reason why Dad is the cook.’
‘So do you see Banora Downs as continuing to be a strictly farming enterprise or do you have another back-up plan in mind?’
This time it was Paige who avoided a direct question. ‘You know, I still don’t understand how you found out about us. I’m positive our advertisements were removed from the web. It would help to know where your PA discovered our details so I can make sure they are pulled. We really aren’t in a position to accommodate any more guests.’
He mentally crossed his fingers to absolve himself of the lie he was about to tell. ‘Sure. I’ll follow up with my PA.’
A sign advertising a local B&B flashed past. Relief dulled the pounding at his temples. They’d soon be in town. He desperately needed a coffee – and to get away from Paige’s perceptiveness. The walls around his secrets were wearing paper-thin.
‘Slow down, guys,’ Paige said with a smile as Dusty and Bella raced each other around Anne’s small town yard. But the panting dogs failed to hear her. It’d been at least a month since they’d had a play date and they weren’t letting the heat sabotage their fun. Still smiling,she turned to Tait, who stood beside her, but instead of enjoying the dog’s antics he played with his phone. She looked skyward. Boys with their toys.
‘Okay, we’re all good,’ she said. ‘You go and do what you have to do. I’ll meet you back here in an hour.’
Tait slid his phone into his shirt pocket. His sunglasses shaded his eyes but the lines that slashed either side of his mouth spoke volumes. He needed caffeine. She pointed to her right. ‘If you go down there three blocks, there’s a plant nursery and café that I’ve heard does a good cappuccino.’
‘Thanks but I’m right for the moment.’ His mouth relaxed a little. ‘I’m not a total coffee addict, you know, more like a coffee enthusiast.’
She couldn’t stop her burst of laughter. ‘A coffee connoisseur?’
The last of his tension dissolved into a grin. ‘Yes, exactly, someone who appreciates a good coffee.’
‘Okay, Mr Coffee Connoisseur,’ she waved her hand to her left, ‘I’m walking this way to visit Anne at the library and then going to the vet’s to pay some bills, so should you wish you can come with me or you can head off and find a coffee to appreciate.’
‘I’ll come with you as far as the library. Seeing as there are books and papers for Connor, I’ll carry them.’
Before she could say she didn’t need any help, Tait set off towards the red brick building on the corner sporting a big white ‘library’ sign out front. With a final check on Dusty and Bella, Paige followed. As she drew alongside Tait, he again pulled out his phone.
‘What’s your mobile number so I can text you to check when you’re ready to head home?’
‘No need.’
‘We can still meet in an hour but it might be handy to swap numbers in case somethingcrops up.’
‘No.’ Paige stepped over a crack in the footpath where a nearby gum tree’s roots had warped the concrete.
Tait’s brow furrowed as he pushed his sunglasses on top of his head. ‘No, we
‘Well, I’m glad for those for whom it worked and sorry for those it didn’t. I’m not much of a risk taker so would probably prefer to stick to something I know.’
He breathed easier. The trip hadn’t been a total failure. One of his questions had at least been answered. Paige wasn’t interested in diversifying too far away from the traditional enterprises of sheep, cattle and crops.
‘You have experience in tourism, so maybe that would be another option for Banora Downs?’
‘To be honest, no. As you’ve no doubt gathered, Dad is the social one and as much as he won’t admit it his health isn’t as good as it used to be. It’s only in this past year that he’s relied on his wheelchair instead of his walking stick. Also I wouldn’t be able to run the farm as well as cater for guests. There’s a reason why Dad is the cook.’
‘So do you see Banora Downs as continuing to be a strictly farming enterprise or do you have another back-up plan in mind?’
This time it was Paige who avoided a direct question. ‘You know, I still don’t understand how you found out about us. I’m positive our advertisements were removed from the web. It would help to know where your PA discovered our details so I can make sure they are pulled. We really aren’t in a position to accommodate any more guests.’
He mentally crossed his fingers to absolve himself of the lie he was about to tell. ‘Sure. I’ll follow up with my PA.’
A sign advertising a local B&B flashed past. Relief dulled the pounding at his temples. They’d soon be in town. He desperately needed a coffee – and to get away from Paige’s perceptiveness. The walls around his secrets were wearing paper-thin.
‘Slow down, guys,’ Paige said with a smile as Dusty and Bella raced each other around Anne’s small town yard. But the panting dogs failed to hear her. It’d been at least a month since they’d had a play date and they weren’t letting the heat sabotage their fun. Still smiling,she turned to Tait, who stood beside her, but instead of enjoying the dog’s antics he played with his phone. She looked skyward. Boys with their toys.
‘Okay, we’re all good,’ she said. ‘You go and do what you have to do. I’ll meet you back here in an hour.’
Tait slid his phone into his shirt pocket. His sunglasses shaded his eyes but the lines that slashed either side of his mouth spoke volumes. He needed caffeine. She pointed to her right. ‘If you go down there three blocks, there’s a plant nursery and café that I’ve heard does a good cappuccino.’
‘Thanks but I’m right for the moment.’ His mouth relaxed a little. ‘I’m not a total coffee addict, you know, more like a coffee enthusiast.’
She couldn’t stop her burst of laughter. ‘A coffee connoisseur?’
The last of his tension dissolved into a grin. ‘Yes, exactly, someone who appreciates a good coffee.’
‘Okay, Mr Coffee Connoisseur,’ she waved her hand to her left, ‘I’m walking this way to visit Anne at the library and then going to the vet’s to pay some bills, so should you wish you can come with me or you can head off and find a coffee to appreciate.’
‘I’ll come with you as far as the library. Seeing as there are books and papers for Connor, I’ll carry them.’
Before she could say she didn’t need any help, Tait set off towards the red brick building on the corner sporting a big white ‘library’ sign out front. With a final check on Dusty and Bella, Paige followed. As she drew alongside Tait, he again pulled out his phone.
‘What’s your mobile number so I can text you to check when you’re ready to head home?’
‘No need.’
‘We can still meet in an hour but it might be handy to swap numbers in case somethingcrops up.’
‘No.’ Paige stepped over a crack in the footpath where a nearby gum tree’s roots had warped the concrete.
Tait’s brow furrowed as he pushed his sunglasses on top of his head. ‘No, we
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