Read Online Breaking The Drought by Lisa Ireland - Free Book Online

mockery on his face. Obviously she was forgiven. ‘Thank you,’ she said.
    â€˜I’d ask you to dance but this music is not really my scene.’
    Jenna laughed. ‘Just an old-fashioned kinda guy, huh?’
    â€˜Yep.’
    â€˜What does your date think about that?’
    â€˜Oh, she’s found other sources of amusement.’ He inclined his head towards the dance floor once more.
    Jenna saw Trish in the embrace of another man. ‘I see.’
    â€˜I haven’t seen Brooke around. I take it she’s enjoying herself.’
    â€˜Very much so. She’s headed off to see the local sights with the president of your cricket club.’
    â€˜Rob?’ Luke seemed to sense Jenna’s concern. ‘Don’t worry yourself about Rob. He’s a good bloke and he knows how to treat a lady.’
    â€˜I hope so.’
    Luke smiled. ‘So it’s just you and me then.’
    â€˜Huh?’
    â€˜Brooke’s off gallivanting and Maggie left a little while ago. Guess you’re stuck with me for the ride home.’
    Jenna’s stomach somersaulted. ‘I can think of worse things,’ she said in what she hoped was a suitably casual tone.
    â€˜Shall we have one for the road then?’
    Jenna nodded her agreement. Luke gave a formal bow and then offered her his arm. Together they made their way to the bar.
    * * *
    As Jenna sipped her wine Luke noticed her hard shell melting away. The air of city sophistication, which she wore like a suit of armour, was just a ruse. Beneath it laid real warmth and, once she relaxed, Luke discovered Jenna was surprisingly easy to talk to. He realised what a relief it was to have a real conversation with someone — someone who knew nothing about him, who didn’t think of him as poor Luke, broken Luke, never-be-the-same-again Luke.
    Jenna had no idea about who he was, or what he had done, and being with her was like being on vacation. Luke knew it couldn’t last, but it was fun basking in the sunlight for a while.
    Jenna’s infectious laugh drew his attention. ‘What are you laughing at?’
    â€˜Check out Jason.’
    Luke followed her gaze to the middle of the dance floor. Jacko was doing his best John Travolta impression, to the delight of a number of female onlookers.
    â€˜You’ve created a monster there.’
    â€˜Mmm. I seem to have that effect on men.’
    Luke raised an eyebrow but she dismissed his unspoken question with a wave of her hand.
    â€˜Long story,’ she said. She sipped her drink. ‘What about you? I was surprised to find you amongst the bachelor group.’
    Luke shrugged. ‘I guess I don’t have much to offer. I’m so busy running Tandarra I have no time for dating.’ He looked away and said quietly, ‘And I made a promise to Joe, my brother, to look after Maggie and the baby.’
    Jenna nodded silently and placed her hand gently on his arm. She seemed to understand that he didn’t want to talk about it further. ‘Have you always worked on the farm?’ she asked.
    Luke laughed. ‘No, Tandarra was Joe’s love not mine. My father always hoped I’d help run the property, but I had other ideas. I guess Dad finally got his wish.’ Luke stared sombrely into his drink for a moment. If only he’d listened to his father. Medicine wasn’t for the likes of him, a boy from the bush. He wasn’t good enough, or smart enough; he just didn’t have the ticker for it. Now the evidence of that would haunt him forever.
    He looked up to see Jenna watching him intently, her brow creased in concern. He forced a smile. ‘I had no idea what I was doing when I took over six months ago.’
    â€˜I assumed you’d always lived here.’
    â€˜Tandarra’s always been home, but I went to boarding school in Geelong and then to university in Melbourne.’
    â€˜What did you study?’
    For a second he contemplated