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Ana and Liam squeezed into the Royal Hotel on Friday night as the beat and drum of live music added to the frenzied atmosphere.
‘It’s packed!’ Ana almost had to shout to be heard.
‘Yeah, this happens when The Charlie Boys are playing.’
Her eyebrows shot up. ‘The Charlie Boys? Have I heard of them?’ They sounded familiar.
‘If you’re a fan of country music, you should have. They just won their second Golden Guitar at Tamworth. And are Elizadale born and bred.’
Ana wouldn’t call herself a fan of country music. She rarely listened to music at all. But she had heard of The Charlie Boys and knew that a Golden Guitar Award was a big deal.
‘That’s awesome. I’ll have to look them up. Surely they’re on Spotify.’
‘Yeah, and I have their CDs at the Tourist Centre.’
Ana smiled, her body instinctively swaying to the pinging guitar and thumping drums, the singer’s deep voice melting through her. ‘They sound great. It’s good that they play here.’
‘No matter how big they get, The Charlie Boys will always play at the Royal. It’s their home and they were playing here long before they were famous. Meg sometimes sings with them. Her cousin’s the lead singer and guitarist.’
Ana laughed to herself. Of course, he was. Meg was related to everyone.
In the booth, their friends were also discussing the band. Ana slid in beside Meg, whose arms were crossed as she shook her head at Adam.
‘No. Chaz didn’t ask me, so I’m not singing.’
‘Oh, come on, Meggy. I bet Chaz will ask you later, so get used to the idea.’
‘Not happening.’
Liam grinned. ‘They’ve started on you already?’
‘Of course.’ Meg’s narrowed gaze shot to Adam. ‘They are playing. Not me. I’ll sing when they ask.’
‘And when will that be?’ Ana piped up, raising her eyebrows. If she had to take sides, she’d take Adam’s as she’d love to hear Meg sing.
‘Probably at the Show. Back in my Show Queen days, I held concerts to raise money for the Royal Flying Doctors and The Charlie Boys played music for me. I mean, I play guitar myself, but it’s always nice to have the band.’
Adam grinned. ‘She’s bloody brilliant. And Chaz will ask her, so you should do it.’
‘I’m not going to.’
‘Leave her alone, Adam,’ Jack said easily.
‘Fine. I’ll just listen to your CD on the way home.’
Ana’s eyebrows shot up. ‘You have a CD?’ How had she not heard of this? Meg had mentioned being a part-time country singer, but she had a CD? And her cousin had a Golden Guitar?
Meg sighed. ‘I released a small album when I was twenty. Only eight songs. But I never made it in the country music scene.’
Something flashed behind Meg’s eyes and Ana frowned. Were there more secrets her friend wouldn’t talk about?
‘You could have made it,’ Adam mumbled.
Jack elbowed Adam in the ribs. ‘Shut up.’
‘I have Meg’s CD at the Tourist Centre too,’ Liam said helpfully.
Ana blinked, lost, which wasn’t surprising when she was the new girl in town. But she’d be downloading Meg’s songs the moment she got home.
‘I think it’s time for another round,’ Adam said.
‘Your shout,’ Jack told him, downing the last of his beer.
‘What are you drinking, Ana?’ Adam asked. ‘Coke or beer?’
‘Coke, thanks,’ she replied as Adam slipped out of the booth.
‘Don’t cause trouble,’ Michael called after him. Adam shot a wicked grin over his shoulder and approached the bar.
Lucy smiled as she crossed her arms over the table and regarded Ana and Liam. ‘So, what have you two been up to? It’s nice to see you arrive together. Like a real couple.’
Ana’s chest swelled as Liam placed his hand over hers. ‘We took Steph and Louis for a walk and stopped by the dog park.’
‘Uh-oh,’ Meg said, her gaze straying across the room. ‘Jack, Adam’s mouthing off at Kelly.’
Ana’s gaze shot to Adam. Jack turned to look ... and shrugged. ‘He’ll be ’right.’
‘Go help him with the drinks and get him back here.’ Flicking her hands, Meg shooed Jack out of the booth. He didn’t argue and slid out. Meg grinned. ‘Thanks, Jack.’
‘No worries, darlin’.’
Ana’s hands clenched beneath the table as she watched Jack approach Adam. She didn’t want another fight to break out. Not when it was pointless. But Jack seemed to have it under control as he grabbed the drinks off the bar and kicked his brother in the ankle.
‘Fucking bastards. Think they need to have a say in everything,’ Adam muttered, sliding into the booth.
‘I don’t care. I told you to stop pissing them off.’
‘I breathe and piss them off. I haven’t even seen Jordan in weeks.’
‘Good,’ Jack said, handing Meg her vodka and Ana a can of Diet Coke.
‘She dump you again?’ Lucy asked with no sympathy whatsoever.
‘Yep. Went over on Aussie Day and she had some other bloke there.’ Adam shrugged and relaxed into the booth. He didn’t seem too bothered by it. ‘Whatever.’
Ana frowned as she turned to Liam. ‘That didn’t last long.’
‘Never does.’
‘Right,’ she said, sipping her drink. Hopefully, that meant there wouldn’t be any more fights with the Kellys and her irrational unease around Adam would fade. She hated that she was jumpy around him because even though he’d hit Paul, she didn’t believe Adam would ever be like Rick.
A man arrived at the table and greeted Lucy. Ana quickly placed him as Dave.
‘Hey!’ Lucy said, rather brightly for someone who’d claimed she didn’t plan to see him again.
‘Hey. Saw you here and wondered if you wanted to dance?’
‘Ah ...’ Lucy considered for a moment as she took a sip of her drink. ‘Sure. Sounds good. Move, please.’
Ana, Liam, and Meg slid out of the booth and Lucy left with Dave. Ana smiled as they resumed their seats. ‘I like Dave.’
Liam took a swig of his beer. ‘He seems all right.’
‘Perhaps she’ll change her mind about dating him,’ Meg said, a touch of hope in her voice. ‘He is quite cute.’
‘What? She doesn’t like him?’ Liam leaned past Ana to glance at Meg.
‘She likes him, but she doesn’t want to date anyone.’
Liam sighed. ‘As long as he’s nice to her.’
‘I’m sure he will be,’ Ana said. She liked that Liam looked out for his sister but wasn’t ridiculously overprotective like the Kellys.
As usual, everyone chatted away, enjoying their night. They were just finishing dinner when a man with long blond hair crouched at their table.
Meg took one look at him, rolled her eyes, and said, ‘No.’
‘You don’t even know what I’m asking.’
‘Ask her, Chaz,’ Adam encouraged him. ‘She’ll give in.’
‘No, I won’t.’
‘First, you must be Ana.’ He smiled and extended his hand. ‘Meg mentioned you’d moved to town. I’m Chaz, her annoying but terrific cousin.’
Ana shook his hand. ‘Nice to meet you.’
Chaz glanced back to Meg. ‘I was going to ask if you wanted to join us some night. Get your groove on before the Show. What do you say?’
‘He won’t quit until you agree,’ Adam reminded her.
‘Why do you want me to sing so much?’ she snapped.
‘Because you have a beautiful voice and we like to hear it.’
‘And I haven’t heard you sing,’ Ana said.
Meg sighed. ‘We’ll see,’ she told Chaz. ‘Ask me later.’
‘You wanna join us for a song tonight?’
‘No.’
‘Not even for “Country Girls Gone Wild”?’
‘No.’
‘But that’s my favourite,’ Adam whined.
‘Shut up,’ Jack growled.
‘Fine.’ Chaz stood. ‘I’ll catch you later, then. Gotta get back. Fans awaiting.’
Chaz left, stopping to hug and chat to people on the way. He looked like a laidback guy and was obviously modest in his success. The locals of Elizadale only seemed to get more interesting. Yet it was her new best friend who puzzled Ana the most.
She frowned as she studied Meg. There was something deeper behind her refusal to sing, but before Ana could ask her about it, Liam caught her eye with his soft smile.
‘You wanna dance?’
Knowing Meg wouldn’t answer her questions anyway, Ana nodded. ‘Absolutely.’
‘We’ll be back,’ Liam told their friends before he led Ana into the next room. People played pool or danced on the makeshift dance floor while The Charlie Boys continued to entertain. Liam turned Ana under his arm and pulled her close.
And while it wasn’t the first time they’d danced, something sizzled deeper tonight as her body pressed against his. Liam had already proved he could dance, so she wrapped her arms around his neck and followed his lead as they moved and twirled with the crowd. Heat radiated through her body, sending shivers down her spine as his hand rested over the small of her back. Liam smelled incredible, like spice and soap. Ana longed to pull herself close and never let go.
Her belly twisted. If only.
Exhaling, she glanced at Chaz up on the stage. ‘I don’t know any of their songs, but I like this band.’
‘They’re awesome. Chaz, Chuck, and Charles have been entertaining us for over a decade.’
Ana laughed. ‘So, they really all have the same name?’
‘Yep. Although Charles is really Eric Charles. They got their big break eight years ago and have been on the rise since. Meg was actually the one who got them into shows. They started as her backup band, but then the guys decided to take their music seriously, headed to Tamworth, and the rest is history.’
Ana frowned. The Charlie Boys had found success and yet Meg ... ‘Seems a little strange that Meg doesn’t want to sing now. Why didn’t she ever get a big break?’
‘I don’t know,’ Liam said, confusion clouding his eyes. ‘She was still at uni when Chaz got his, but she later released a few songs as an independent artist, was quite popular, and then ... nothing. Elizadale still loves her though, especially the young girls, and she always performs at the Show.’
Nodding, Ana let her curiosity go. If Liam didn’t know, then she doubted she’d find out unless Meg opened up. Which was as likely to happen as Ana living without fear and getting her happily-ever-after.
Sighing, her heart sank. But then Liam’s hands brushed up her back and her gaze returned to his. ‘You look really pretty tonight.’
Heat rose in Ana’s cheeks, even though she wasn’t sure why. She’d known Liam for almost six weeks now and her feelings for him continued to grow. It both thrilled and terrified her. He only had to look at her and Ana knew she was adored.
Everything inside her twisted. Was running really her only option? Could she stay? Would it be safe to remain in one place?
‘Thank you,’ she whispered as Liam brushed his lips over hers.
‘You’re always pretty, Anastasia.’ He took his hand from her waist and ran it down the arm she had wrapped around his neck. ‘Do you want to do dinner tomorrow night?’
She nodded, blood rushing hot through her body. ‘How about I cook?’
His lips curved. ‘If you like.’
She’d yet to cook for him and was quite proud of her culinary skills, even though she was up against some tough competition. The man had a professional chef for an aunt, after all. Yet strangely enough, she was confident she’d prove worthy.
‘I would,’ she said, her arms tightening around his neck. ‘Do you have a suggestion?’
‘Surprise me.’
Ana’s heart swelled as he ran his hand across her lower back, causing her toes to curl inside her shoes. ‘I can do that.’
‘Should I bring Steph?’
‘Of course. You can’t disappoint Louis.’
‘I’d hate to do that,’ he said with a laugh before kissing her again. His mouth was soft, but still possessed the power to send her hormones reeling.
They continued to dance, unwilling to let go of each other. Ana’s skin grew hotter with every song and while she enjoyed the way his body fit against hers on the dance floor, she tried desperately not to think about it anywhere else.
Later, Liam drove her home.
‘Friday nights are always fun,’ she said.
‘It’s always good to catch up.’
‘Yeah. Living here hasn’t been boring, anyway. Almost every night I have something to do. I really like yoga.’
‘I’m glad,’ he said as he turned into Jackson Villas. ‘Especially that you’re busy and enjoying yourself. I’m just happy spending any time with you.’
‘Me too.’ After Liam parked the LandCruiser, Ana leaned over to kiss him. It took all her strength to ignore the part of her brain that wished this wasn’t goodnight. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow?’
‘You bet.’ He slipped his hand into her hair and pulled her back for another kiss. His mouth was warm and gentle and her body ignited in response. She returned his kiss with everything she had, desire surging through her as her grip around his shoulders tightened.
Slow? Why were they taking things slow?
Liam drew away, his eyes dark as he caressed her face. His mouth curved gently. ‘’Night, Ana.’
Inhaling, Ana pushed aside her frustration, her desires. ‘Goodnight.’
He squeezed her hand as she opened the door. ‘I’ll call you before I come over tomorrow.’
‘Okay.’
She smiled and closed the door, her knees shaking as she walked towards her unit. She turned to wave, then stepped inside. Turning all the locks, she sighed, listening as his LandCruiser faded into the night.
She pressed her hand to her chest, but it didn’t dull the ache that filled her. She wanted to be with Liam and have him stay the night. Not having felt this level of intimacy in such a long time—if ever—she longed to love, be loved, and wrap herself around his hard, sexy body.
It might be risky to take their relationship to the next level, but she wasn’t foolish enough to ignore her desires. It was far too late for that.
Waltzing through the house, Ana opened the back door where Louis sat waiting. She gave him a pat, a kiss, and wished him goodnight before heading upstairs.
In bed, Ana stared up at the dark ceiling, an unfamiliar ache forming around her heart. This year had been about one thing—staying alive. She’d never imagined she’d leave the big smoke for a small farming town in North Queensland, but life never turned out as one expected and she’d been prepared to live a nomadic existence for as long as it took until she felt safe again.
She just hadn’t expected to feel that so soon.
Sighing, she rolled over, the wind blowing softly through the window as silence surrounded her. There were no passing cars or partying neighbours. No rumbling trains or noisy pedestrians.
Snuggling into her pillow, Ana couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.
But was she safe? Or had the community and friendships she’d found in Elizadale bewitched her into a false sense of security?