Red Dust Dreaming (10 page)

Caden sighed and ran a hand through his hair in a gesture of exasperation. He put his hands on his hips and turned as if he intended to walk off without another word. He took a couple of steps and stopped, spun around on his heel. “Call your father's dogs off.”

A reprieve! Relief surged through her and fresh tears gathered in response. She sniffed and nodded, the motion dislodging her tears as they began to trickle down her cheeks.

“Christ!” She heard Caden say as her vision blurred entirely. Suddenly strong arms were about her and her face was pressed to his chest. He smelt of fresh linen and horses. He smelt like home. Right then she knew she didn't want to leave Kirrkalan, ever.

Elizabeth dragged her case out from under the bed and pulled out the one dress she'd brought with her, a simple black sheath. She didn't have anything to dress it up, never for a moment expecting to wear it. Now here she was getting ready for a birthday party in the Outback and she suspected the dress wasn't going to cut it. Sighing she hung it up and sat on the edge of the bed. The dress looked fine in New York where it did its best work but here it looked too formal and matronly.

She checked her watch. Caden wanted to leave in an hour. He was flying them to Yuendumu in Kirrkalan's light plane. He'd told her to pack an overnight bag as they wouldn't be back until morning. If Elizabeth was honest she'd confess to a case of the nerves. The thought of spending time with Caden in a confined space had her jittery to begin with. Add to that the prospect of spending an entire evening with people she didn't know and staying over at a stranger's house. Her stomach churned and if it hadn't been for Luke she may have tried to beg off. Never the most socially confident person, she'd always envied Angela's easy way with people. Angela would know exactly what to say to everyone.

Maybe Angela had something she could wear? They'd been of similar build. She dashed to the wardrobe and yanked open the door to be greeted with nothing but empty space. If Angela had possessed a party dress it was long gone. Elizabeth made a mental note to ask where her sister's clothes had gone. Will or no will as her sister she was sure she had the right to be involved in their disposal.

Resigned to her plain black dress she rummaged in her suitcase for the corresponding shoes. A pair of black stilettos, towering in their sophistication. She hoped the party wasn't outdoors! As she sat on the floor contemplating how to make the best of the situation a knock sounded at the bedroom door. She scrambled to her feet and secured her wrap tighter about her waist with a deft knot.

Expecting Thelma or Luke she was shocked to discover Caden filling the entire doorway. Dressed in a dark suit with a white shirt, the collar opened to reveal tanned skin, his pulse throbbed at the base of his throat and she stared, mesmerised.

“Are you ready?” Her eyes flew to his as he spoke. Amusement lurked in their shadowy depths. This was a Caden she'd never encountered. His dark hair tamed, gone his every-present akubra. He smelt… wonderful. An air of rugged elegance hung over him. If she'd met him at a social event she might not have recognised him. He'd fit in at any party in New York. Once more she had the impression of falling, her heart tumbling, leaving her off-balance.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“I'm fine. Just struggling with my outfit. Are you ready to go?” It couldn't be time to go already!

Caden chuckled. “Don't panic! You've still got plenty of time. I brought you something I thought you might like.” He swung a garment bag from his shoulder. She'd been so dazzled by his appearance she'd failed to notice he was carrying something. Caden held it out for her to take. “Go on, open it.”

He gave her a smile of encouragement melting her core and making her knees weak. Hesitantly Elizabeth grasped the zipper and slowly pulled it down to reveal a shimmer of emerald green. She gasped. “It's beautiful,” she breathed.

“I thought you'd like it. My mother used to lend it to Angela from time to time so I figured it would fit you too.”

“Angela wore this dress?” The thought of sharing a dress with her sister offered her comfort. In some way Angela would be with her tonight. She took the dress from Caden, their fingers touching briefly, sparks of heat igniting her skin. She kept her eyes down so he couldn't see what she couldn't hide.

“On the odd occasion.” He checked his watch. “You've got twenty minutes before we leave so you'd better get a wriggle on. See you out the front.” He sauntered down the corridor to wait for her. Elizabeth shook her head at his retreating figure. One minute he was yelling at her and the next he was lending her dresses. Did he hate her or like her? She found it impossible to tell.

She shut the door and laid the dress across the bed. It shimmered in the lamp light, the darkest emerald green with dainty cap sleeves in fine lace dyed to match. Elizabeth untied her wrap and discarded it. Carefully she shimmied the dress over her head and smoothed it into place with her hands. The fit was perfect, as if the dress had been made for her. She twirled this way and that admiring her reflection in the full length mirror behind the door. The material sat snugly over her hips before flaring out in a fuller skirt which fell just below her knees. The dress had a 1920s air about it. The girl who wore this outfit would be brimming with confidence, ready to laugh and dance with abandon. Not hiding in the corner too shy to speak to anyone. Angela, who had never been at a loss for words, had worn this before her. Tonight Elizabeth would honour the dress and her sister.

Quickly she brushed her hair and applied mascara and lipstick. She had very little by the way of jewellery and it was too late now to do anything about it. Satisfied she slipped into her stilettos and made for the door. As she flung it open she let out a gasp of surprise. Standing there, hand raised to knock, was Thelma.

“You surprised me!” said Elizabeth. “I wasn't expecting you there.”

“You must be psychic, huh?” Thelma winked. “I need to give you something before you go tonight.”

“We don't have much time and I don't want to go upsetting Caden just when things seem to be back on an even keel.”

“I won't take much of your time.” Thelma handed over a large dog-eared envelope. “Your sister wanted you to have this and made me promise to give it to you.”

Elizabeth frowned as she took the package from Thelma. “But how could she have known I'd come?”

Thelma shrugged. “She was pretty certain your parents wouldn't travel all this way to collect Luke and she figured they'd send you. She reckoned you'd come because you're too nice to say no.”

Grief constricted Elizabeth's throat and for a moment she found it difficult to speak. “Do you know what's in here?” She swallowed the lump in her throat.

“Maybe,” said Thelma. “I've got an idea.”

“So you're not going to tell me, are you?”

“Nope.” Thelma shook her head. “Angela wanted you to read the contents of this envelope and do what she asked you to do. That's all I know. I've done my bit.” She turned to go. “One piece of advice I'd give you is don't tell anyone you've got it until you've had a chance to read through it properly. Some folk might try to cloud your judgment.”

“Thelma! What do you mean? Which folk?” But Thelma walked away, one hand raised in farewell.

“What an odd night,” Elizabeth muttered as she shut the door. The envelope, thick and weighty, demanded her attention. The only thing she could imagine it contained was Angela's will. If she was right it could change everything. But why would Angela give her will to Thelma to keep safe until she arrived? Why not simply give it to Caden or a solicitor? What on earth had Angela been up to this time?

Another knock sounded on the door and a childish voice called out. “Hurry up Aunty E, we're ready to go.”

“Okay Luke, I'm on my way,” she replied. Grabbing the small overnight bag she'd borrowed for the trip, all her own luggage being too big, Elizabeth stuffed the envelope inside. Perhaps there'd be time later to read it through. She was loathed to leave it behind now it had finally shown up. Curiosity buzzed inside her like a swarm of bees. She'd lay odds on the fact that whatever Angela had put in her will would upset their parents. The thought made her smile as she picked up her bag and headed out the door.

***

Elizabeth didn't have to wait long for an opportunity to read her sister's will. Luke, ever keen for an adventure, wanted to sit next to Caden a request she was more than happy to grant. Sitting so close to Caden when her feelings about him were all over the place wasn't a good idea. Not to mention his volatility. The last thing she wanted was to have a fight before they arrived at the party, especially with Luke in the plane with them. Better she sit behind with her thoughts.

The flight didn't promise to be a long one so the minute she was able Elizabeth plucked at the envelope peeling back the seal as quietly as possible, careful not to rip anything. She had no expectations of reading the entire document during the trip. The need to see what was contained within overwhelmed her good sense. She really ought to wait until she was alone but… The document slid out easily enough. As she unfolded the thick wad of paper a loose leaf fell to the floor. Quickly she picked it up, checking no one had noticed. Luke chatted happily to Caden neither paying her the slightest bit of attention. Good.

Reassured she unfolded the page. It was a letter written in Angela's distinctive loopy scrawl. And it was addressed to her. Her sister had reached out to her before her death. Elizabeth's hands shook as she began to read.

Dear Elizabeth

By the time you read this I will be long dead. Not much of a reunion, huh? Sorry about that. I guess we took different paths in life. You were content to follow Mom and Dad's plan and I wasn't. I have no regrets. Well, that's not entirely true. I regret Mitch was killed in Afghanistan and never got to meet Luke. I regret I will not live to see my son grow to manhood and must leave him an orphan.

I don't regret never going home. There was no place for me there. I could never be what they wanted me to be. In the end I couldn't breathe and then I met Mitch who loved me for who I am not who I might be if I worked harder on my flaws. Luke was the next greatest thing that happened to me. I can't begin to tell you how much joy he has brought to my life. I was blessed to find shelter here at Kirrkalan – the last place on earth anyone would look for me and truly the last place I thought I'd find myself. But here I am.

I've asked Thelma to hold on to my will until you arrive. This may seem odd but I have a special request, my last request, for you. I want you to see Luke with his Australian family. I want you to experience life at Kirrkalan. Caden made a great father-figure for Luke and he adores him. Thelma is like a favourite aunty and I don't know where I'd be without the kindness of Caden's mother, Maeve Carlyle. She saved my life.

I've asked Caden to hold my ashes for you to dispose of. I want them scattered at Kirrkalan. He knows this. I want you to scatter them for me. Caden and Luke will show you my favourite places. I'd like a little of me at each please. I know you won't let me down. Please, whatever you do, don't take me to New York. I'll haunt you forever if you do and you know I will.

There's not much in my will that doesn't involve Luke. You might be surprised to discover there's money, quite a lot of money. Mitch had inherited money from his grandmother who was ridiculously wealthy and I had a huge insurance policy just in case something like this should happen. Pretty smart, huh? Luke will be richer than he needs to be to have a happy life.

But this is the hard part, the part I want you to do for me. I want you to decided who should have Luke – the Kirrkalan family or the Langtrees. You're there at Kirrkalan and you live in New York. You'll know which one offers my son the best shot at a happy life filled with love and affection. Maybe Mom and Dad have changed and want to be better grandparents than they were parents? I can't rule that out because I don't know, but you do. I hereby leave the decision up to you. Leave him here, the only home he's ever known, or take him back to the Langtrees. What do you think?

With this letter is a copy of my will. Everything is outlined there. I know we haven't been close for many years but I've always loved you, you are my sister. You're the only one I trust outside of Kirrkalan.

I do have one more regret – I regret I never got to say goodbye to you.

Make a good decision.

My love always

Angela.

Elizabeth could barely make out the signature for her tears. She blinked furiously trying to stop the flow. She employed her old trick and pressed her tongue to the roof of her mouth with furious intensity. It worked and the tears hovered but did not fall. Time enough later to cry in the privacy of her room. Angela's letter had indeed changed everything. She was the one who had to choose Luke's future. Elizabeth didn't know if was an act of cruelty of an honour to be given such a task.

She sighed and folded the letter, sliding it back in the envelope with the will. Caden was laughing at something Luke said, one dark head one fair head. No one could deny the affection between the two. She tried to imagine her father being so warm to his grandson. He wasn't a cold man, giving gestures of affection sparingly. Nor was he the kind of man who hugged or let you climb up on his knee or tickle-wrestle at bedtime. She'd bet money Caden was. Could she go against her parents' wishes? Only once had she defied them her whole life. When she'd gone to college to study fine art. She'd used her own money, her inheritance, to pay for the tuition. Of course the money had run out and she'd returned home with her tail between her legs.