Logan really didn't want to go out. If the rain hadn't eased he would have declared it unsafe driving weather. But they had two good four-wheel drive vehicles so there was really no excuse not to drive the sixteen kilometres to their neighbour's house. Beside Hugh and Ruth were really looking forward to it. The kids were too. There would be other children there for them to play with and they didn't often get the chance to socialise with others.
"Zip me up?" Jess asked turning her naked back to him. He pulled up the zip of her black dress and she twirled around for him. It showed off her body, which, he knew was exactly why she wore it. She kept trying to tempt him with kisses and caresses but he kept turning her down. It just didn't feel right.
"So how much longer will Paige be with us? I mean, the kids must be able to start boarding school soon?" she asked as she brushed her hair.
Logan buttoned up his shirt. "They can't board for a few more years yet and I haven't really thought about it."
"Surely boarding school would be easier than having a govie around?"
"Not really. Boarding school is expensive and we can't afford that sort of cost. The rain may have started but we've just had a long drought and there's debt to pay back."
Jess swung around to him. "But you own so much land."
"Just because we have land doesn't mean we're rich." Frustration rose in him and his voice it was short. "Why are you asking these questions?"
"I want to understand our situation, my love." She slipped her arms around his waist.
"Our situation? This doesn't really involve you." He stiffened at her touch.
"Come on. We're practically engaged, we've been going out for ages."
He stepped away from her, his temper heightened. "I don't remember proposing or giving you a ring."
"Now, now don't get angry. I was just raising the subject." She turned to study herself in the mirror.
Ruth called out that it was time to leave.
"We'll talk about this when we get back." He opened the door for her. She sent him an innocently sweet smile as she walked past him.
Paige was trying to be positive. Helen, and a few other govies and mums she knew from the school of the air, would be at the party tonight and she would be happy to talk to them again.
She'd dressed in a long blue shirt and white floaty skirt. The rain although a welcome relief brought with it muggy humidity she wasn't used too.
She had been avoiding Logan and Jess but had glimpsed them getting into the Land cruiser behind them. Logan looked handsome in his jeans and plaid shirt. Jess was wearing a too-short tight dress. Not the best example for Layla and Brooke who were such impressionable young girls.
Once they arrived at the Henderson's place, Paige took the children off to find their friends.
It didn't take long to find Helen and they immediately sat down to catch up...
"How's this heat?" Helen wiped her forehead with her sleeve.
"I know. But the rain is great." They were sitting on the wide porch as the kids played on bikes and scooters on the concreted area.
"Are you going home when the roads clear?" Helen asked.
"I was supposed to be home for Christmas. What about you?"
"I'm staying. I've started dating Mick, one of the ringers here. Besides, I couldn't do an English winter after this."
Paige was pleased for her friend, but still heartbroken over Logan. "I don't think I will come back next year."
"What? Why not?"
"Logan's girlfriend Jess has come to stay. I heard they're getting married." Paige looked through the window beside them and could see Jess chatting flirtatiously with another young man.
"Is that her? She's so young."
Paige described what had happened at the playground and how Jess had shown up at the house.
"You like him," Helen said softly.
Paige paused before nodding slightly.
A familiar country song started playing and people gathered on the makeshift dance floor inside.
"Come on. We may as well enjoy ourselves instead of moping around out here."
Paige let Helen lead her inside where immediately swept up in the dancing crowd.
She enjoyed the music, even if it was country and western, and danced with her friend until her feet were sore.
As a slow song started, someone tugged gently on her arm. In the low light Logan's face was mostly in shadow, but she knew it was him by his familiar, outback man smell.
"Dance with me?" he murmured into her ear. Her skin tingled as his warm breath brushed her skin.
Paige moved into the curve of his body as he placed her hands on his chest. She felt his heart pounding beneath her fingertips. His left hand curved around her back and held her in place as they swayed sideways. His right hand gently stroked her bare forearm.
Overwhelmed by the emotions rolling through her, Paige lay her head against his shoulder and closed her eyes. Everything else disappeared as she melted into the music and the rhythm of their slow dance.
All too quickly the music changed. Paige reluctantly lifted her head and their eyes met. His were a mixture of emotion and anguish. She opened her mouth to say something but he placed a finger to her lips then gently kissed her forehead.
Cool air rushed into the space he left as he walked away through the crowd and she watched Jess pounce on him, planting an exaggerated kiss on his lips.
Paige turned away from the crowd and slipped outside. It was time to leave the outback.
"We're taking the kids home." Ruth shouted over the thumping country music.
Logan nodded and looked around the room for Paige. He hadn't seen her since their dance. Their emotion-charged, amazing dance.
"She's in the Land cruiser with Scotty." Ruth answered his unspoken question. "You finish up here and head home when you're ready." His mother winked at him and touched his cheek briefly before turning and leaving the party.
He heard Jess before he saw her. She was the life of the party. With a bourbon and coke in her hand, certainly not her first for the night, she was loudly singing along to the crooning, country song while moving her body in a sexy swagger. Men, young and old danced around her but he noticed young Brendon Macmillan paying her particular interest. Brendon was Jess's age and had the same outgoing nature as she did. They would make an ideal couple. Plus, Logan thought, Brendon came from money.
Taking a deep breath, Logan tapped Jess on the shoulder and motioned for her to come with him. She pouted but let him lead her away.
Outside the breeze was pleasantly cool on his skin.
"We should head home."
"You go. I'm having a good time." She gulped from her drink. "I don't think this is going to work out anyway."
Taken aback, Logan frowned. "What?"
"You and me. You just can't give me what I need." Her words were slurred but full of truth.
"You're right, Jess. I can't. I'm sorry." He feigned remorse, but inside he was ecstatic. He hadn't wanted to hurt her by breaking up with her, but now she was breaking up with him.
"Brendon is a great guy. You should give him a go."
Jess looked inside. Brendon was watching them nervously.
"That govie of yours." She looked up at him, her eyes clear and sober. "I think she wants to be more than just your governess." Jess lifted her can at him. "Merry Christmas."
Logan watched her walk back inside and take Brendon's hand.
With new purpose, Logan said his goodbyes and headed home for Christmas.