Before Read Free Page B

her shoulder at the door leading into the main homestead. “Yanks, apparently. Some politician who works for the missus’s father in LA. And his girlfriend.”
    “So? What’s that got to do with me?” I cooked for the station workers, Mrs. Gee handled the homestead. We co-existed in the kitchen in culinary harmony, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to wanting to cook more than the requisite stews and bolognaise and schnitzels the workers preferred.
    “I was thinking…” Surprisingly, she hesitated. Mrs. Gee was never lost for words.
    “Don’t strain yourself.” I deadpanned and she laughed.
    “What I was trying to say, smart arse, was I’m thinking you might want to try your hand at some new recipes? Help me out?”
    Touched by her offer, I said, “Why?”
    She glanced away, her gaze glistening with the sheen of telltale tears. “Because my daughter’s having woman’s problems in Cairns and I may need to go see her on short notice.”
    Not wanting to precipitate tears, or hear more about the delicate workings of the female anatomy that Mrs. Gee would gladly impart if I showed the slightest interest, I focused on her offer. “Sorry to hear about your girl, but you want me to be in charge of all the cooking if you go?”
    I didn’t add, are you insane?
    What did I know about serving the posh food homestead guests regularly expected?
    “You can handle it.” She opened a nearby cupboard, pulled out a stack of cookbooks and slid them across the bench. “Here. I’ve made notes on all my favorites, but I reckon you could choose a few of your own and have a go.”
    “But—”
    “There are no guests coming bar the Yanks, so it won’t be too difficult.” Her eyes crinkled with amusement. “Besides, if it gets too much for you, just serve them bangers and mash.”
    Somehow, I couldn’t see an American politician considering sausages and mashed potatoes gourmet fare.
    “You’re serious about this?”
    She nodded. “I have full confidence in you.” She tapped her watch face. “You start shadowing me first thing in the morning.”
    I’d wanted to shake my life up a little.
    Looked like I’d got my wish.
    Most guys my age were busy getting a tertiary education, getting a car and getting laid.
    Me? I had nothing but a spatula in one hand and a stack of cookbooks in another. Not quite the excitement I craved but hey, a guy had to start somewhere.

 
     
     

Chapter Five
     
    JESS
     
     
    “Drink this.” Chantal thrust a brandy at me. “It’ll settle your nerves.”
    “I’m not nervous, I’m freaking furious.” I took the drink and downed it in three gulps, coughing and spluttering as it burned my throat.
    “That’s why you should agree to my plan.” Chantal made a scissor action with her fingers. “Castration is the only answer for slimy bastards like that.”
    “I’m actually angry at myself.”
    And I was. Downright livid, that I’d put myself in the position to be raped. I should’ve been more tuned to the vibes Dave had been giving off, should’ve been more savvy than to enter a bedroom, albeit with a friend.
    Mom always said I was too naive. Having to admit she was right stung almost as much as me misjudging Dave.
    “You did nothing wrong,” Chantal said, curling up on the sofa next to me. “Don’t blame yourself.”
    “That’s the thing. I do.” My voice came out soft and pathetically needy. “I’m clueless when it comes to guys.”
    “How so?” Chantal glanced away, like she couldn’t look me in the eye and lie. Because the fact was, we’d both grown up in Craye Canyon. Small town life with a small town mentality. I’d been a goody-two-shoes, trying my best to be the opposite of Mom. Chantal knew this. She’d teased me about it.
    Lucky for my brazen cousin, she’d never cared what anyone thought of her and had fled town as soon as she turned eighteen. Now, four years later, here we both were. One of us was a stunning blonde dancer who enticed men for a living.