“What the hell, Elijah?” Kit’s outrage spun Elijah around. He slipped, almost crashing into the cow he was about to milk.
His boss strode towards him, her scowl sharp enough to strip paint. Crap. What had he done? He hadn’t seen her this morning when he’d arrived, and had been working all day at the back of the property fixing water troughs. “Hey, Kit. What’s up?”
“Don’t you ‘what’s up’ me. What’s this crap about you going to Foley’s place yesterday?”
He frowned. It wasn’t like Lincoln to be a tell-tale. “Where’d you hear that?”
She glared at him as if he was an imbecile, a hand on one hip, her head tilted. “Where do you think?”
Lincoln probably hoped Kit would stop him doing something stupid. “I thought my car might have been dumped there. I wasn’t expecting to see anyone.”
“You should know better after all the shit that happened a few months ago.”
Yeah. She was right. “I’m sorry. I didn’t think of that.” How to distract her before she gave him a shit job as punishment? “Did I mention Jamie’s coming to dinner tonight?”
Her whole demeanour changed instantly. She straightened, a huge grin splitting her face. “Seriously? Tell me everything.”
Elijah smiled and continued placing the cups on the udders. “We had a drink last night and I invited him to dinner.”
“Great! Wait until I tell the musketeers.”
Elijah winced. “You can’t tell anyone.”
“Why not?”
“Jamie doesn’t want it public knowledge yet.”
She scowled. “What?”
“He’s not had a same-sex relationship in Blackbridge and he’s worried about what people will say.”
“That’s bullshit! I told him no one will care.”
Her outrage soothed him. “I gave him two weeks.”
“Good.” She prepped the cows across from him. “So what are you making for dinner?”
“Not sure yet. I’ll have to stop at the supermarket on the way home.”
Kit checked her watch. “What time is he coming?”
“Six-thirty.”
“Why don’t I finish milking tonight and you go now?”
“It’s fine. This is my job.”
“No. I insist. Go and give yourself time to primp. I can handle things here. Lincoln’s working late tonight anyway.” She took his arm and led him to the dairy entrance. “Go home.”
Elijah hesitated. “Are you sure?”
“Of course. Have fun.” She opened Adam’s car door and before Elijah knew it he was behind the wheel.
He wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. With a grin, he waved and drove away. He’d managed to distract her from Foley’s place and got off work early—win, win. He frowned as he reached the main road. Kit often griped about Lincoln not telling her police business, so why had he told her about this? Wasn’t it a big deal, or was he seriously worried and hoping Kit would keep him under control?
Not that he would search for his car again. He wanted to stay out of trouble too.
He pushed his concern aside. His biggest issue currently was what to make Jamie for dinner. He should have asked Kit for a recommendation.
Clouds blotted out the sun, darkening the evening and he flicked on the headlights, but they did little to add additional light. As he passed a car coming in the opposite direction, he discovered one of the headlights wasn’t working. The least he could do for Adam was replace the globe. The clock ticked over to five as he drove into town. Lights were still on in Morgan’s workshop, and a car was in the car park. He pulled in, left the lights on and checked. Yep, he’d blown a globe. He flicked off the lights and headed for the office. There was a ‘closed’ sign on the door and it was locked.
“Morgan?” he called, moving around the side of the building into the scrap yard. He heard voices towards the back, so he headed in that direction.
A black ute was parked around the side. Morgan spoke with a big man with rugby-sized arms and legs who had his back to Elijah. It was getting dark, and Elijah lifted his hand to get Morgan’s attention. Then the man raised the gun in his hand.
Elijah’s gut turned to water and his breath caught in his throat. Not again. He froze, staring, unable to move, flashing back to a few months ago when someone else had waved a gun at him, felt the pain as the bullet had sliced through his shoulder.
Time to get out of here. But Morgan was in danger. He had to call the police.
“Don’t you threaten me,” Morgan shouted. “I’m doing what you asked.”
Elijah shifted backwards, moving to hide behind a pile of scrap. The man with the gun spoke, but too quietly for Elijah to hear.
Elijah reached for his phone, turned towards his car and came face to face with another man, another gun.
He froze.
A balaclava covered the man’s face, but Elijah’s focus was on the gun. His heart pounded so hard it was audible.
“You didn’t see anything, right?” the man growled.
Elijah’s throat was too dry to speak.
“You didn’t stop here, you saw nothing, and all your family will sleep soundly tonight.”
Fear rushed over Elijah’s skin, turning it hot and then ice cold. He swallowed hard. “Nothing,” he agreed. “I won’t even notice the globe is broken until tomorrow.”
The man nodded. “Good. Get out of here.”
Elijah didn’t need any further prompting. He raced to his car, muscles tight, expecting a gunshot at any second. His hand shook as he turned the key and put the car into gear. He sped out of the car park, glancing in his rear-view mirror, but the man with the gun was gone. He let out an explosive breath and gripped the steering wheel tighter as his arms weakened.
The police station’s white and blue sign illuminated the street ahead. No, he couldn’t stop. It was too close to Morgan’s place. He’d be seen driving in.
Maybe he shouldn’t report it. The man had threatened his family. He frowned. How had the man known about them—was he a local?
Too wired to drive straight home, he drove down the street by the river. Headlights followed him.
Probably someone going home. Elijah turned right at the next street which led towards the SES depot.
The car turned right as well.
OK. He was being totally paranoid. He knew that. Someone wasn’t following him. There was no need to. Ask a few people around town and someone would be able to say where he lived. Still he turned right at the next intersection, maybe a little too fast on the wet road and then right again, back on to the main street through town.
The car did as well.
His skin prickled. So maybe he was being followed. Probably a scare tactic. He didn’t dare call Adam or any of the other police officers. Morgan hadn’t seemed worried about the gun. He’d stood up for himself and even appeared to know who he was talking to. The thought didn’t ease Elijah’s conscience.
And he didn’t dare go straight home.
The distance between his driveway and the front door was far enough for him to be an easy target.
But Jamie would be arriving at six-thirty. He was supposed to get groceries for dinner. The store would have good lighting and people around. Maybe whoever was following him would get bored waiting.
He parked next to a white four-wheel drive and checked his mirrors again. No car followed him in. Nerves humming, he pushed open his door, kept his shoulders hunched and hurried into the supermarket. When the doors closed behind him, he sighed in relief.
Safe. For now.
He drew his phone out of his pocket and stared at it for a moment. Too public to call the police, but there was one other person he wanted to call. He picked up a basket and dialled the number. “Hey, Mum.”
“Elijah. How are you? Did you finish writing your speech for Will’s wedding?”
He smiled, soothed by her voice. “Sure did. What have you been up to?”
She sighed. “I’m trying to convince your stubborn father to go to Perth with me this weekend.”
Elijah raised his eyebrows. Getting his parents out of town was a great idea. “What for?”
“There’s a craft fair I want to go to.”
OK. No wonder his father wasn’t interested. “Is there a football game on?” Elijah asked. “You could go to the fair while he goes to a game.”
“What a good idea. I’ll check.”
“If not a game, the maritime museum might have a new exhibition.”
His mother chuckled. “You’re such a smart boy. I’m going to search right now.”
Elijah scanned the vegetable section as he heard her typing in the background. What was he going to cook?
The wind gusted inside as someone walked through the automatic doors and Elijah shivered. It was a hot soup and crusty bread kind of night. He had the perfect recipe. “Oh, there is a game!” his mother exclaimed. “I’m going to buy him a ticket and tell him we’re going.”
“Maybe you should spend a couple of nights with Donna while you’re up there.” His sister was not going to thank him for the suggestion, but at least they’d all be out of harm’s way.
She laughed. “I will. Thanks, baby. I’ll talk to you later.” She hung up.
Elijah shook his head. His mother was easily distracted. She hadn’t even asked why he’d called. It must be one hell of a craft fair. The tension leached out of his shoulders and he made his way around the store, adding the groceries he needed.
He’d meant to stop at Mai’s bakery to get some bread but it would be closed, so the supermarket’s options would have to do. By the time he reached the checkout, he’d half convinced himself he’d made up the whole thing at Morgan’s.
The man with Morgan had probably waved a wrench or spanner and Elijah’s eyes had deceived him in the dim light. Elijah had probably been face to face with a pipe. People didn’t carry hand guns in Australia. And the car following him might have been a tourist who’d got lost. It happened.
He paid for the food and walked outside. He had a nice bottle of red wine at home which would go perfectly with the soup.
As he unlocked his car, he scanned the car park, smiling at a couple of people. No one tall and thick lurked in the shadows waiting for him.
He dumped his bags on the passenger seat and drove home. The minestrone wouldn’t take long to prepare and they could have some wine while they waited for it to simmer. A bright flash of headlights in his rear-view mirror as he pulled into his street made him squint. The car was close behind, too close. He clenched the steering wheel.
Don’t be paranoid.
Still he accelerated and the car fell behind. Faster than was probably safe, he pulled into his driveway and shut off the engine. He grabbed the bags, his hand fumbling on the handles and then ran to the front door.
The house key was stuck in the loop of the keyring. He couldn’t get it out.
He glanced behind as the car slowed and turned into his driveway.
Shit.
He dropped the bags and fought with the key.
The car door slammed.
Elijah thrust the key into the lock and pushed the door open.
“Hey Elijah, what’s the rush?”
Elijah squeezed his eyes closed at Jamie’s voice and put a hand to his chest to slow his rapidly beating heart. Breathe.
Jamie bent to pick up the groceries and then looked up at him. His eyes widened. “What’s wrong?”
Elijah couldn’t speak. He shook his head and gestured him inside, then locked the door behind him.
In the kitchen, he busied himself getting the groceries out of the bag.
Jamie placed a hand on his arm. “Elijah, you look like you’ve seen a ghost and you’re trembling.”
“Give me a second.” He poured a glass of water and swallowed it, feeling it move through his body. When he opened his eyes, he gazed straight out the kitchen window facing the backyard. It was dark outside. Anyone could hide in the shadows. Anyone could watch him. And the window had no curtains or blinds.
He shifted away, his skin crawling.
Jamie took his hand and pulled him towards the couches in the living room. He pressed him into one. “What’s going on?”
He wasn’t supposed to tell anyone. What if they were looking through the kitchen window and saw him talking to Jamie? Would he be in danger?
“Elijah.” Jamie shook him. “You’re starting to freak me out.”
He drew in a long, shuddery breath. “You can’t tell anyone.”
Jamie frowned, but nodded.
“Promise!”
“I promise.”
“Someone pulled a gun on me.” As Jamie’s mouth dropped open, Elijah explained what he’d seen. When he finished, Jamie wrapped his arms around Elijah and held him tight.
“It must have been terrifying.”
Elijah closed his eyes. Being cocooned in the warmth of Jamie’s arms made the fears fade. He could focus on this, on Jamie and pretend like the past hour hadn’t happened.
Jamie pulled back. “You need to tell Lincoln.”
The words made the fear flood back. “No! He threatened my family.”
“The police can put protection in place,” Jamie said. “Besides, chances are he only threatened them to keep you quiet, and he won’t carry it out.”
Still not odds Elijah wanted to take.
“Elijah, I know you’re scared, but Morgan might be in trouble. Those two guys might be the same two who helped Henk kidnap Zamira. They need to be stopped.”
Elijah bit his lip. The whole town had been shocked when Border Force had uncovered an illegal slavery ring in Blackbridge. And one of the reasons Elijah had been shot a few months back was because people had been too scared to speak up. He sighed.
“All right. But not tonight. They might still be watching me. I’ll talk to Adam when he gets home.” He checked the time. “You’re here early.”
Jamie ducked his head and grinned. “I saw you carrying groceries to your car and I figured I’d help you cook.” He glanced up. “I’ve been looking forward to tonight.”
The admission warmed Elijah. “Well if we’re going to eat, we should start cooking.” He stood and pulled Jamie to his feet. They were chest to chest, only inches apart. One kiss wouldn’t hurt.
He closed the distance and brushed his lips against Jamie’s. Sweet heaven. He kissed him again, and again, small, brief kisses and then figured, what the hell, and pulled him closer, deepening the kiss. Jamie’s moan of agreement sent thrills through Elijah’s body.
This man was addictive.
Jamie ran his hands down Elijah’s back, leaving a trail of tingles and then squeezed his butt. Elijah hardened. No. As much as he wanted Jamie, he’d promised himself no sex until they were open about their relationship. With a great deal of effort, he stepped away, the lust fogging his mind. “Dinner.”
Jamie grinned. “Probably wise.”
Elijah walked back to the kitchen and took out a cutting board.
“What are we having?” Jamie asked.
“Minestrone.” He switched on the radio and Queen blasted from the speakers. He lowered the volume and retrieved the bottle of red wine from the pantry. “Can you pour us a glass?”
Jamie held up a bottle he must have brought with him. It was the same. “Great minds.”
Elijah smiled as he handed Jamie a bottle opener and two glasses. Then he started to chop an onion. “How was your day?”
“Pretty casual.” Jamie poured the wine. “With only a day to go until the holidays start, there’s not much work for the kids. They’ve finished all their assignments and can’t wait to go home.”
Elijah remembered those days. “What about Lewis?”
“He’s excited about starting work with you and Kit.”
“That’s great.” He added some oil to the pot and when it was hot enough, he added the onion, garlic and other vegetables, loving the sizzle and fresh garlic smell. “What are your plans for the holidays?”
Jamie shrugged. “I’ll probably help Mum and Dad at the cheese factory.” He sipped his wine. “But there’s also this cute farmhand I want to spend more time with.” A smile played around his lips.
Elijah grinned. “This cute farmhand will put you to work if you hang out at the farm.”
“Hard work never fazed me.”
The image of Jamie sweaty and dirty from a day’s work filled Elijah’s mind and he hardened. Yeah, he’d like to see that. Plus there were plenty of isolated places on the farm where they could work together.
He finished adding the vegetables to the pot and stirred them. “How’s Hannah’s shed working out for you?”
“It’s great. You should come and check it out. It’s nice having my own space.”
Elijah understood. When he’d moved back to Australia, he’d been itching to move out of his parents’ place. He loved them, but they were hard work. Not so hard that he wanted them on the wrong side of a gun. He shivered and pushed the memory away, taking a deep breath. Finding this place and sharing with first Will and now Adam had been a Godsend. Speaking of which, “You coming to Will’s bucks’ party tomorrow night?”
“Yeah. What’s the plan?”
Elijah chuckled. “Well considering Will would curl up and die if we took him to the strippers, I’ve opted for dinner at the Vale.”
“Who’s coming?”
“The usual plus Fleur’s dad, and some of Will’s family.” A thoroughly chilled night was exactly what Will wanted.
Jamie smiled. “Will and Fleur are so perfect for each other.”
Elijah nodded. “I remember Will stressing about his first date with her. You know he threw up on her shoes at the end of it.” He added the stock.
Jamie laughed. “Yeah. Lucky Fleur’s nursing had prepared her for such things.”
“I knew she was a keeper when she brought him home and tucked him into bed.”
“Fleur has always been the mothering type,” Jamie said. “Whenever any of us got hurt, she’d take care of us.”
Elijah turned the soup to simmer and picked up his wine. “And what was your role?”
Jamie avoided his gaze, sipped his drink. “I was the ring-in. Tagging along when they visited Kit.”
Elijah raised an eyebrow. “That’s not how Kit tells it. She says you were always welcome, but often hung out with the boys at school.”
He shrugged. “I did. I had my reputation to maintain.”
“And yet the musketeers are your closest friends now.”
“I didn’t say I was smart.”
Elijah took the glass from him and placed it on the bench. “I understand your fear. We’ve all been there at some point in our lives.”
“You never seemed scared to me.”
Tonight’s incident had put the fear he’d had as a kid into perspective. His skin prickled and he forced a laugh. “Honey, we moved so often when I was young, I was the perpetual new kid. Starting a new school terrified me, especially being gay.” He’d learnt to fake confidence. “It wasn’t until we moved here and I met Kit at the ag college, that I found my place.”
“I’m glad you found it here.”
The smile Jamie gave him made Elijah want to kiss him again. He stepped back, stirred the pot and then sipped his wine.
“Have you picked up your suit for the wedding?” Jamie asked.
“Will’s picking them all up tomorrow.” He sliced the loaf of bread and set the table. There was none of the awkwardness usually associated with a first date. Perhaps it was because he was at home and comfortable here, or maybe it was simply because they knew enough about each other already. The only way it could be better was if Jamie was comfortable acknowledging their fledgling relationship to others. “What are we going to do at the bucks’ night?” Elijah asked. “No fraternising?”
Jamie screwed up his nose. “Well it’s hardly fair. None of the others will have their partners with them.”
Elijah raised his eyebrow. “Is that what we are?” On his way past Jamie to put the bread on the table, Jamie snagged him around the waist and pulled him close.
“I think we could be.” He kissed Elijah lightly and Elijah leaned into him. “I’m enjoying being alone with you tonight. I’m comfortable with you, I just…” He sighed. “I’m trying to get over it. Logically I know it makes no sense…” The frustration on Jamie’s face soothed Elijah’s concerns.
Elijah kissed him. “I’ll try not to push over the next fortnight.”
Jamie brushed his thumb over Elijah’s cheek. “Thank you.”
Elijah’s heart clenched and he continued to the table with the bread. This was Jamie not Alex. Jamie wasn’t involved with anyone else. But part of him felt inferior. If Jamie was happy about the relationship, if he was pleased to be dating Elijah, wouldn’t he want to tell everyone, not keep it a secret?
Elijah wanted to tell the whole world Jamie was his.
Patience. He only had to wait fourteen days to see where this was going.
Past the fortnight, all bets were off.