Read Online Outback Ghost by Rachael Johns - Free Book Online

hormones a reprieve!
    â€˜Adam.’ His name tingled on her tongue and the feeling whooshed through her body. Warmth flooded her skin where his hand still lingered on her arm. She swallowed and forced a smile. ‘Hi.’
    He dropped his hand to his side and smiled back, gesturing to the vacant chairs around him. ‘You two are welcome to sit with me if you like.’
    Even before she could concoct a reply, Heidi slid into the chair closest to her and smiled up at the adults. Stella’s conscience warred within – part of her thought it would be dangerous to accept Adam’s kind offer, but the other half of her couldn’t think of anything she’d like more. Besides, there weren’t exactly a lot of tables to choose from and it would be rude to turn him down again, right? He was her landlord for the next two months and it was always good to keep the people who put a roof over your head sweet.
    â€˜Thank you,’ she said, dropping her handbag on the other vacant chair. ‘I’ll go order. Is there anything I can get for you, Adam?’
    â€˜No thanks.’ He shook his head as he sat back down. ‘Frankie, who owns the café, knows what I like. She just brings it out to me.’
    â€˜Ah… great.’ She smiled as she dug her purse out of her bag and turned towards the counter, but inside she was glowering. Was Frankie his girlfriend? They had to be on pretty good terms for that kind of arrangement. Her heart squeezed tightly at the thought, which irritated her no end because what should it matter to her if he had a girlfriend or not?
    Stella tried to push aside the ridiculous jealousy that blossomed as she stood in front of the counter and read the daily specials on the chalkboard wall. She decided on a toasted cheese sandwich for Heidi and the spinach quiche for herself. Then, while she waited to place her order, she glanced back to the table and saw Adam and Heidi playing hand slap as if they’d been best buds for years. They built a tower with their hands and then the hand on the bottom snuck out to land on the top hand. It was a loud, silly game and one that Heidi adored. Judging by the laughter and the grin on Adam’s face, he was having a ball as well.
    Feeling a little more relaxed, she turned back just as the person in front of her finished ordering.
    â€˜What can I get for you?’ A woman with deep crimson hair tied back in a long plait that hung over her shoulder grinned at Stella from behind the counter. Her bright orange name badge read ‘Frankie’.
    Telling herself she shouldn’t take an instant dislike to Frankie simply because she might have something going on with Adam, Stella forced herself to smile as she placed their order.
    â€˜Got it.’ Frankie tapped her pen against her notepad. ‘Do you have a table already or is this takeaway?’
    â€˜Um…’ Stella glanced behind her towards the tables. ‘We’re sitting over there. With Adam Burton.’
    Frankie slapped her pen against the counter and Stella’s heart jolted a moment. Was she going to have to deal with an irate girlfriend? She opened her mouth to explain that they were simply sharing a table for convenience sakes when Frankie’s lips morphed into a grin again.
    â€˜Are you staying at the cottage?’ she asked. ‘Adam said he had guests again. Gorgeous little place. And Adam said you have a little girl. I can’t wait to meet her. You’re staying a couple of months, right? Well, I’m sure we’ll be seeing lots of each other.’ She thrust her hand out. ‘Sorry, mind my manners. I’m Frankie.’
    Taking Frankie’s hand, Stella said, ‘I’m Stella and, yes, I have a little girl called Heidi.’
    â€˜So lovely to meet you.’ Frankie beamed and shook firmly. ‘You’ve chosen a lovely time to come to Bunyip Bay. Sure, it gets hot but it’s also beautiful over the