"This is none of your business Doc."
"I don't care what you think Morgan. I have been friends with Stacey since we were tiny. There is no way I'm standing around letting you treat her like this."
"What happened between the two of us is none of your business. When she finally decides to grace me with the opportunity to discuss our situation with her, I will try to sort something out." Morgan stood and walked out from behind his desk. "Until then, I would appreciate it if you would let me get back to work and keep your nose out of something that doesn't concern you."
"What do you mean, won't she talk to you?"
"Just that. She won't give me the time of day other than to place my meals in front of me. At the present stage of breaking ground on the mine I don't have time to beg for five spare minutes of her time. Now if you would excuse me."
Morgan showed Doc the door but he stood his ground.
"Look Morgan, I know her. She can be as stubborn as a mule and if you make any false accusations against her she will dig her toes in until the bitter end. Just so you know, I was called to see her today." Doc stepped up so he was in Morgan's face. "I don't give a damn about professional ethics in this case, she is putting herself and the baby at risk because of stress."
"Get out Doc before I have you removed."
Morgan watched the man leave his office and slammed the door behind him. If Stacey wanted him she knew where he was. The bitterness rose in his throat and he couldn't help the wave of disappointment that rose over him whenever he saw her.
When he left her bed in the early hours of the morning he had resisted the urge to make love to her one more time. She was breathtakingly beautiful laying against the pillows with her arms over her head. The dark pink of her nipple was peeking out from under the sheet and his resolve to leave before she woke almost cracked.
Taking his clothes from the floor Morgan had softly kissed her lips, loving the way she smiled in her sleep, before sneaking from the room. His bag was packed and sitting inside his room waiting. A quick shower and he was on the road for Sydney. It was a two day drive that he wasn't looking forward to. After spending the weekend with Stacey he had a different idea of how he wanted to run the new gold mine.
It would be up to him to convince is brother that sound community values could fit in with their management plan. Visions of Stacey's pristine waterfall turning a vivid blue green because of pollution frightened him. How that had gotten past the environment committee amazed him.
By the time he made it to town the traffic was clogging up as it always did in the early evening. Deciding to go straight to the office rather than home, he took the tunnel bridge and thought again how to sell this to his brother.
Once he had parked the car Morgan headed for the elevator, now tired and regretting the decision to come into the office. The doors pinged open and his PA looked up.
"Mr. Taylor, you should have warned me you would be in so late. I would have ordered a meal for you."
"I won't be here long Michelle. Is Bran in his office?"
"Yes sir, he is. Shall I buzz him for you?"
"No thanks. I won't need you until tomorrow now. Goodnight."
He walked down the hallway to his brothers office and pushed the door open. Bran was on the phone standing at the full length window looking down on the traffic.
"No, you know that's not what we discussed. Yes, you will. I'll check on it tomorrow. Thanks, bye." He threw the phone on the large imposing desk before coming toward Morgan with his arms wide.
"Bro, when did you get back?" He slapped Morgan on the back and pushed him into a seat on the couch sitting beside him. "Bit annoyed you didn't call with updates."
"Look everything is fine on the lease. No problems at all."
"So what is bothering you then. I thought all the gold mine was a green light too?"
Morgan ran his hand through his hair and laughed. "Yeah I did too."
"Who is she? Anyone I know?" Bran looked at him with a smirk.
"Definitely not. Small town country girl who has no idea who I am or why I was there."
Bran sat forward and leaned his elbows on his knees. "So what is wrong with you then? For a minute I thought you might have had another stalker after you."
"No but I think this might be worse. I met someone who made me look at the town differently and I guess it's thrown me."
"Want to discuss this over dinner. I'm sure Rachael would love to see you."
"Not really in the mood tonight, it was a long drive. Can we talk about it more in the morning?"
"Sure, I have a meeting first up and then some free time. Look, let me say this bro, it's your gig you know. So long as the mine goes ahead without costing us too much money, have a little fling with your country girl. Just don't stuff up the profit line or you'll hear all about it." Bran stood and walked over to his closet taking his jacket from the hanger and pulling it on. "The thing is, it's your project when all is said and done but the profit belongs to both of us so if you were thinking of pulling out, think again."
"I never said I was going to pull out."
"You didn't have to little brother. I can read you like a book." He picked up his brief case. "You have that hound dog look on your face you used to get as a kid when you felt sorry for a stray dog. Think on it and tell me what it's all about tomorrow."
Bran walked out of the office leaving Morgan to himself. Well that was worth the trip in. He stood and walked over to the glass looking down on the dark street below. Thousands of tiny lights led down the highway toward the Sydney Harbor Bridge shining in the distance.
It was a far cry from the wide open spaces of the outback. The vivid blue sky contrasting against the deep red soil was suddenly more appealing to him than all the glitz and glitter of the city life. He turned on his heel and caught the lift down to the garage.
Heading toward his apartment he formulated a plan in his mind, one that would hopefully satisfy his big brother without costing Stacey her dream.
Walking into his plush inner city apartment he was greeted by the doorman. "Good evening Mr. Taylor. Welcome home sir."
"Thanks Boris, great to be back. How are you?"
"Oh you know sir, doing okay I guess. Wish the rain would stay away for a bit though. Did you enjoy your outback trip sir?"
"Sure did Boris. It was a real eye opener. You have a good night now."
"You too sir."
Morgan walked over to the elevator and hit the button for the penthouse. The ride up was smooth and silent. The elevator opened into his foyer and he left his bag beside the door for the housekeeper to sort out.
Walking inside the study he poured himself a scotch and sat in his leather chair sipping the fifty year old liquor while in his mind he tossed around figures and scenarios. When he decided on a course of action he fired up his computer and spent the rest of the night at work putting it all together.
It was early morning before he headed for his bedroom. Morgan flicked the light switch and walked into the designer decorated room. It looked something like a photo in House and Garden. Nothing was out of place. The dark brown and white decor was certainly appealing on the eye but it lacked the softness and familiarity of Stacey's room.
Mismatched cushions had covered Stacey's bed and scattered to the floor when they made love. Most of them blending in with her rose patterned bedspread. Old china was placed randomly on chairs and cabinets, the majority of it filled with silk roses and sweet peas like those that grew in his grandmothers gardens overlooking Point Piper.
Clothes were dropped on the floor in a heap or thrown onto the tiled bathroom floor giving the whole area a lived in feeling. Morgan walked inside his bathroom dropping his clothes as he went. Sighing loudly he turned around and picked them up before placing them in the appropriate baskets ready for the housekeeper, the habits of a lifetime too hard to break.
His shower was Italian marble, white with darker swirls of cream running through it. The best quality around his designer had told him when he had given her the brief and the job. Now he found it stark and impersonal. After a quick wash he dried himself and walked back to the bedroom. Pulling down the cover, he slid his exhausted body between the crisp white sheets and dreamed of wide open spaces and diving into a pool naked followed by a sweet country girl.
* * *
"Are you serious?" Bran shook his head and stood up leaning his hands on the desk.
"Yes, I've thought it through and this is the way I want to do it."
"Oh man, this is going to end badly, I can see it."
Morgan stood still, refusing to take the bait and answer back explaining how he was restructuring the gold mine deal. His best defense was to put all the facts on the table and let Bran absorb them before he said any more.
"The old boy will roll in his grave over this."
"He isn't running the company, we are."
"But what you seem to forget little brother is that we still have to answer to the board. We might own the majority of the shares but they still have a say in how we do our jobs. This can't be done without going through them first."
"Call a meeting then. I have everything mapped out."
"Don't you want to ask your girlfriend if this is what she wants before you change everything?"
"No."
"Fine. Leave this with me and when I have a chance to go over it I'll call a meeting."
"Thanks Bran."
"I haven't said I like the idea yet Morgan."
He grinned and turned away. There was nothing not to like in the whole deal.
* * *
Morgan thought of Docs words when he walked into the hotel that night after work. He glanced around looking for Stacey when he ran up the stairs to shower and change but there was no sign of her. When he returned later for dinner, there was a new girl helping the chef serve the meals.
He finished his dinner and went to the bar with his men for a quiet beer before bed. The older woman Jane served them and as he was paying he queried her. "I haven't seen Stacey around tonight? Is she here, I would like a word."
Jane stared at him with cold eyes and he swore her hair stood on end. "No, she's not available. If you want something ask me, alright?"
"Thanks but I'll wait and catch up with her another time."
Morgan turned from the bar and walked over to watch the boys having a game of pool. He could feel eyes on him and did his best to avoid looking over at her. After half an hour of socializing he was ready for bed. Saying goodnight he headed out and ran up the stairs toward his room poking his head toward the office to see if there was anyone there. The door was shut and the lights were off. He continued to his room and an early night.
* * *
At breakfast the next morning she was absent again and Morgan started to worry. He asked Nigel where she was when his breakfast was placed in front of him.
"Having a lie in on doctors orders I believe."
"Tell her I need to speak to her about more rooms when I get back in tonight would you please? Tell her also that I won't keep her long."
"Sure."
He ate breakfast and grabbed his lunch box from the kitchen on the way out to work, noticing Stacey still hadn't come out of her room.
Drilling machinery was lined up when Morgan made it out to the mine site. The first couple of hours was spent going over the amended plans with staff before the explosives team was brought in and given free rein to start setting up their process.
The first blast rocked the office where all on site staff were waiting for the okay to return to work. The second followed close after and Morgan started the countdown to the all clear alarm.
"Congratulations boss, your new mine is now under way." One by one the staff celebrated the start of the new project now the ground had been broken.
He walked out and jumping in his vehicle he headed over to the mouth of the mine. Rubble covered a huge area and the men in their machines slowly made their way over to start clearing the mess. Giant excavators loaded oversized trucks with ore ready for the processing plant that was on the other side of the mine site.
The gold he expected to pull out of this initial area was what was left in the un-mined seams from between the old hand dug tunnels. There should be enough there to cover his production costs for the first twelve months if his calculations were correct.
Once the open pit started to grow he would bring in more drilling rigs until he had a contingency of eight. Working around the clock once they had the ball rolling they should be able to bring in the next round of staff. I just hope Stacey can find room for them.
When he walked into the pub that evening he was dirty, hungry and tired. His breath caught when he saw her talking on the phone at the reception desk and made a point of standing in her line of vision until she finished her call.
"Morgan, you wanted to see me about accommodation."
"Yes. We have more staff coming in shortly, in about a week. I wonder if you can put them up?"
"How many?" She glanced at him with cool blue eyes.
"I'm planning on bringing in about twenty four. If you have to put two or three to a room I don't care."
"I thought you were bringing in temporary accommodation dongas?"
"There has been a hold up and I don't know when they are going to arrive now. Can you fit in any more men or not?"
"Yes, I can. Just get your secretary or whoever she is to confirm it with an email and I'll sort out the rooms. I gather it will be the full deal, dinners and lunches too?"
Morgan noticed the way her mouth was turning white at the edges, her lips were pinched tight together.
"Are you alright, do you need to sit down?" He reached an arm out to her but Stacey moved back out of his reach. Her face paled more and she leaned against the wall.
Morgan was around the desk reaching for her before she fell to the ground.
"Bloody hell Stacey. What are you doing to yourself?"
He held her close in his arms and walked over to the kitchen, calling for Nigel.
"Stacey has fainted, give me some help here will you?"
Nigel came bustling out, throwing off his apron as he went.
"Take her up the stairs to her room. I'll go ahead and open the door for you. Poor pet has been busy again today." He tsk'd as he ran up the stairs and Morgan followed with Stacey nestled into his chest.
He walked into her room and pushed down the vision of them tangled in each other's naked limbs and lay her down on the bed. He sat on the edge of the mattress and brushed the hair from her face. Her skin was pasty white and she looked so vulnerable it tore at his heart.
She moaned and rolled over clutching her stomach.
"Stacey, Stacey talk to me."
Slowly she opened her eyes and focused on his face. Frowning she looked around the room before meeting his gaze again.
* * *
"What is going on? Why are you in my room?" She tried to sit up but her head swam and she closed her eyes moaning softly.
"Just stay there pet or I'll be calling Doc in." Nigel eased his large bulk down on the other side of her bed and patted her arm. "You passed out and Morgan caught you before you hit the floor, lucky he was there."
She glared at him. For some reason he seemed to sound pleased Morgan was around and now in her room.
"I'll be fine. Thank you anyway."
"Nigel, would you mind if we had a bit of a private chat?" Morgan smiled across her and Nigel stood smoothing down his trousers before he leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek winking.
"Sure take your time. She needs to rest so it's not like she can kick you out. Make the most of it. If I hear any screaming I will come back and haul your ass out of here, understood?"
"Understood. Thanks."
"Don't I have any say in this?" Stacey was mortified to think these two were in cahoots against her. She didn't want to talk to him alone. Being so close to him did too many things to her body, things she would rather forget.
"No." They both spoke in unison and Nigel shut the door behind him.
She turned her head away and looked out the window at the skyline letting the soothing colors of the sunset calm her.
"Look, we have to talk and now is as good a time as any."
She glanced back at Morgan, ready to fight, her calmness disappearing in a flash.
"Fine, have your say and get out."
His mouth tightened and he breathed deeply.
"Is that my baby?"
Stacey swallowed and looked at her linked fingers. She ran a nail over the inside of her palm watching the blood leave a pale line on her skin.
"Yes."
"You told me you were protected. Did you lie or was this some miraculous accident?"
"I, um I stuffed up. Look, I made a mistake in my calculations okay. It wasn't on purpose believe me." She risked a look at his face and saw the raised eyebrows.
"Morgan I would never bring a child into this world without giving it some serious thought." She leaned up on her elbows and when her head was clear, pulled herself into a sitting position tucking her legs underneath her.
"I was as shocked as you are, I promise. But in saying that I've come to terms with the fact that I have a baby on the way. I do not and will not ask for anything from you because this was my decision, to keep her."
"Her. You know what you are having?"
"Yes I do. Morgan, I don't care if you walk out of here now and never come back. Your choice entirely, alright? Just don't go giving me any crap about getting pregnant so I could trap you, that kind of speech is just utter bullshit."
"So you say now, but you wouldn't be the first woman to try and trap me for my bank account."
"Shit you really do have it bad, don't you. Where the hell did you find such a big bloody ego?"
He growled, stood up, walked over to the window looking out. Turning back toward her, he leaned on the frame. "So, if I asked you to, you would sign a paper saying you want nothing from me, ever?"
"If that's how you want it, it's all yours. Just tell me one thing."
"Here we go. What do you want?"
"I want to know why you said you would get in touch and never did. You already had me in bed, you didn't need to say that. What happened?"
He looked out the window and closed his mouth.
Stacey sighed. It was as she thought, he must've decided she wasn't good enough.
"I can't tell you. There is nothing I can say to make you believe me anyway."
"Yeah, probably. I'd rather you keep your mouth shut than tell me any more lies. How come you never told me who you were and why you were really here?"
"I wanted to see the place for myself without anyone knowing. It was easier."
"Must have been a bit of a buzz hey, seeing all the places you are going to ruin and my dreams for the town. I bet it was a hell of a laugh for you."
He looked at her not saying anything.
She swung her feet over the edge of the bed and stood up.
"Don't you think you should stay lying down for a while?"
"No, I've got things to do. I'll grab something to eat and I'll be fine. Look Morgan, it's not your problem, okay? You do your job ruining my little town and I'll do mine keeping Pop's pub going with your tainted money. If we can keep a civil tongue with each other, I will be happy."
"I want you to take care of yourself Stacey. The last thing I want to do is cause you any pain."
"Yeah well, you should have thought of that before you took over the lease then."
Stacey held her head high and walked to the door, aware of how close he was behind her. There was nothing more she would like to do than turn around and rip his shirt from his chest and push him into the shower for some dirty hot sex. It would ease an incurable itch but she would feel guilty in the morning. Losing her head a second time over Morgan would be no good for anyone. She had to hang onto the little bit of pride she had left.
He walked her down the stairs and stayed with her until she went into the kitchen. "I'll have the office call you about the extra workers tomorrow." He looked over at Nigel. "Feed her something will you mate, she claims that's all that is wrong with her."
Stacey watched him turn away and head up to his room. She wasn't aware she was drooling over him until Nigel commented on it.
"Since your mouth is hanging open so wide, perhaps you should do as he suggests. Sit down and let me get you something to eat my love."
"Nigel, stop it." The heat flooded her cheeks but he just laughed at her.
"I can see right through you honey. You still have the hot's for the man even though he is being a first class dick. Can't say I blame you though, he is pretty good looking and did you see the way he filled out those jeans, my oh my. No wonder you fell so hard for him."
"I did not fall for him. An accidental pregnancy and love are two very different things."
"Honey girl, I may be gay but I'm not blind. You are so stuck on that man it hurts my eyes. Now, eat this up and I'll make you a cup of tea." He pushed a plate of cold chicken and salad in front of her before bustling off to turn on the kettle.