The Cowboy From Down Under (Cowboys After Dark: Book 2) Read online

  The innocent remark sent an unexpected whirl through her stomach, and swallowing, she shifted her gaze ahead.

  “Is that it?” she asked, seeing a quaint coffee shop ahead that offered wrought iron tables and chairs in a quaint patio in front of the windows.

  “That’s it, but there’s a backyard area that’s much nicer than the footpath.”

  “Footpath?”

  “Sidewalk!”

  “Oh, are there many of those? Words that are totally different here?”

  “A few. No doubt we’ll come across them as we spend time together.”

  He led her through the small cozy restaurant, and through a back door that took them into a protected courtyard surrounded by trees and shrubbery. Settling into a table, a perky young waitress hurried over to serve them.

  “Hi Derrick,” she grinned, shooting him a sparkling smile.

  “Hey Sarah. My usual, and for the lady here?”

  “Um, I’d like to try your tea. I loved the tea in the UK and I’ll bet it’s just as good here.”

  ‘English breakfast be all right?” the waitress asked.

  “Lovely, thanks, with milk.”

  “Right,” the girl nodded, and shooting Derrick another warm look she hurried away.

  “Oh, dear,” Emma sighed, rolling her eyes. “She’s got a big crush on you.”

  “She does,” he nodded, “and she’s also, let’s see, forty years my junior.”

  “Stop it,” Emma giggled. “I don’t understand. If you live out in the middle of nowhere, how is it you’re in this place so often that the waitress knows you by name?”

  “I have a flat very close to here, and I have a few business interests in the city. I thought I was going to be too busy to meet you, but my schedule freed up.”

  “I’m very glad it did,” she smiled.

  “How do you like your hotel?”

  “Ah, the hotel,” she replied, wriggling slightly in her chair. That’s an interesting question. “The room is beautiful, I had lunch in the restaurant today and it was delicious, but I think they should keep their swimming pool open later than 11 p.m.”

  “I’ll see what I can do about that,” he grinned.

  “Really? How can you change the time the pool closes?”

  “I do own the place,” he declared.

  “What? You do?” And that Mr. 1A claimed that HE owned the hotel? What a fraud. I wonder if I can report him.

  “Yep. Wasn’t easy. Double Bay is jokingly referred to as Double Pay, and we discovered the same is true of construction costs. It was run down when we bought it, but it’s finally starting to fall into the black.”

  “We?” she inquired, her ears pricking up.

  “We, I have three partners but I’m the Captain of the ship.”

  Uh-oh. That explains it. Mr. 1A must be one of the partners. I wonder if they talk much. This is weird, but there’s no way that guy would have told him anything…is there?

  “Are you all right? You’ve got a strange look on your face.”

  “No, no, no problem,” she lied, feeling an uncomfortable prickle at the back of her neck.

  “Are you sure,” he pressed.

  “Yes,” she replied, trying to curb her uneasiness, and seeing the waitress coming towards them with a large tray, she said a quick prayer of thanks.

  “Here you are,” the young woman announced, placing their drinks in front of them.

  “You’re having tea as well?” she commented.

  “Yep, Irish Breakfast is my poison,” he grinned. “This place imports their tea from the UK, it’s all loose leaf. I’m sure you’ll find it up to snuff.”

  Emma poured her tea, and as she sipped and nodded agreeably, she managed to convince herself that the man sitting across from her knew nothing about the events of the previous night.

  “That is really good,” she declared.

  “There are a couple of things I need to mention about our trip, and the station,” Derrick said seriously.

  “Station?” she frowned, unfamiliar with the term.

  “That’s what we call a ranch down here, a station,” he replied.

  “Oh, right, so what are the things?” she asked, happy to shift her focus from the memory of the fiasco at the pool.

  “I’m sure you already know about our snakes and spiders.”

  “Snakes don’t bother me, but spiders, I’m truly terrified of spiders.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind,” he smiled. “There are wild dogs, dingoes, I’m sure you know of them, and we are also subject to freak dust storms. Chances are we won’t encounter one, but we never know when they might hit. You’ve come at the right time of year to avoid the extreme heat, but it’s also the right time of year when a storm might kick up.”

  “I trust that you’ll know what to do.”

  “That’s the point,” he said. “If we’re out somewhere and I tell you to get in the car, or not to move, or whatever, please, just do it, no questions.”

  His voice had dropped, his eyes had taken on a stern glint, and Emma felt a delicious whirling in her stomach.

  “I’m saying this because I’ve heard that you are a very determined photographer,” he continued, “but I’m in charge. There can be no debates.”

  His youthful appearance had faded away, lines had appeared on his face, and his determined frown told her he was deadly serious.

  “Sure,” she nodded, and you can believe that all you want, but if I’ve got a shot lined up, all bets are off.

  “Good. We’ll be driving to Canowindra, spending a couple of days at the station, or ranch if you prefer, then jumping on my small plane and flying to the outback. I’m sure you’ve done your research so you probably know about Mount Canobolas.”

  “The highest point in New South Wales just outside of Orange, and it provides a 360 degree view of the surrounding area,” she replied, a hint of arrogance in her voice. “I’m looking forward to the hike.”

  “It’s an easy one, and when you reach the top you won’t believe it. Now that’s out of the way I’d love to hear about some of your adventures,” he said, his tone lightening as he leaned back in his chair.

  She watched him lift his tea and drink from the delicate porcelain cup, and thought it a truly incongruous sight, but even though his face had softened, and the stern glint in his eye had disappeared, his short, sharp lecture had put her on notice.

  This trip is going to be a whole lot more interesting than I thought. No doubt he’ll give me a hard time, but he won’t be the first to learn that the picture takes priority over everything else.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  The following morning Derrick left his Sydney flat in Pt. Piper, and started out for the short drive into Double Bay to pick up Emma Harrison. When his partner, Fred Freeman had called and told him about Emma’s break-in, and how he’d left her bent over a vanity expecting a hairbrush to land on her backside, Derrick had been shocked, then bemused, then found himself looking forward to meeting her even more. He and Fred shared a love of the kinky side of life, and while Fred had been fortunate to meet the woman of his dreams, Derrick hadn’t been so lucky.

  “I must tell you, Derrick, I think our Miss Harrison has danced to the tune of a hot hand in her past. The whole thing was her suggestion.”

  The thought that Emma might be the lace to his leather had certainly fired Derrick’s imagination, and when he’d walked into Ron’s office and seen the beautiful brunette he’d felt an instant stirring in his trousers, but he also realized he’d better put the impetuous woman on notice; the outback was no place to take foolish risks. As he drove into the neighboring suburb he couldn’t help but smile.

  This is certainly going to be a fascinating few days. You’d better not try any of your hijinks with me, Emma Harrison, or you’ll find yourself bent over my knee, no questions asked, and you will get your spanking. I won’t leave you like my good friend did.

  He had told her he’d pick her up at the hotel at 10 a.m, and when
he pulled the white Range Rover to the curb he’d barely come to a stop before he saw her marching out the door carrying her camera bag, a laptop satchel, and a large purse, the bellboy following with her suitcase.

  “Morning,” Derrick smiled, stepping from the car and moving up to greet her.

  “Morning,” she replied.

  Derrick thought she looked a little nervous, but he also noticed she glanced admiringly at his hat.

  “You like this?” he grinned, touching the brim.

  “I do, it suits you,” she smiled. “Is that what they call a stockman’s hat?”

  “Yep. Do you have a hat? You’ll need one,” he remarked, opening the door for her.

  “Chivalry isn’t dead,” she winked, stepping into the car. “Thank you, and I have a baseball cap. Will that work?”

  “Nope, but I have an extra hat you can use. You’ll need to keep the sun off your face, especially with that fair skin,” he declared, closing the door.

  Emma felt herself blush. He’d noticed her skin. She had a Scottish heritage, dark hair, light eyes, and a fair complexion, and was obsessive about making sure she used SPF lotions whenever she was outside.

  “I’ll bet your pretty cheeks burn easy,” he remarked, jumping behind the wheel and firing up the engine.

  He’d been unable to resist the double entendre, and to his delight he saw a blush cross her face, turning it a delightful shade of rose.

  The threat of the spanking by Mr. 1A had indeed flashed through her head, and turning away she glanced out the car window. To her horror she saw Mr. 1A himself, standing in front of the hotel doors speaking with the doorman.

  “Yes, they do,” she replied quickly, snapping her head around so only the back of her would be visible, mortified at the thought of running into Mr. 1A while with Derrick. “Can we get this show on the road? I’m really anxious to get moving.”

  “No worries,” Derrick nodded, and slowly, much too slowly as far as Emma was concerned, he pulled the SUV into the street.

  Sighing heavily she leaned back, relief moving through her.

  “You okay there?” he asked.

  “Yes, fine, just glad to be on our way.”

  “You always this anxious?”

  “Yes, I suppose I am, especially when I’m excited about my destination,” she replied, as they moved through the heavy traffic.

  Shooting him the occasional furtive glance, she noticed his hands were weathered and large, indicating he was a man of the land in spite of his wealth. He maneuvered the car with confident ease, and not wanting to distract him she held back any conversation until they were on the open road.

  “What an amazing sight that is,” she exclaimed, spying a cluster of bright red trees.

  “That’s called a Flame Tree. Doesn’t get like that until it’s over twenty years old. It becomes even redder when it’s hot,” he grinned.

  Emma wriggled in her seat, wondering if the innocent remark was innocent at all.

  “You mean in the summer?” she asked.

  “Yep, then it turns scarlet. The hotter it is, the redder it is.”

  Emma continued to stare out the window, determined he wouldn’t see her very flushed face as his words danced through her head.

  The hotter it is, the redder it is.

  “We have a number of colorful trees here,” he remarked, deciding to water down the sparking tension. “Wait until you see the Cape Chestnut. It’s purple. It’s not native, like the Flame tree. It was imported from South Africa.”

  “Sounds beautiful. Do you have any on your property?”

  “No, not the Cape Chestnut, but we do have the Flame Tree, and others I’m sure you’ll appreciate.”

  “Derrick, there is something I need to talk with you about,” she began, deciding it was time to make him understand the importance of her photography.

  “What’s that?”

  “The thing is, I’m here to take unique, eye-opening pictures. That’s what I do. You know my books, they’re full of photographs that cause people to gasp?” she declared. “How many times have you looked at my images and asked yourself, how did she do that?”

  “Many times,” he nodded.

  “So, while I appreciate that you want to look out for me, I’m not your casual tourist. I’m used to taking chances, and many times it’s the only way I can get a result.”

  “What are you trying to say?” Derrick frowned.

  “That I don’t need a babysitter, that’s all,” she replied lightly.

  “No, I think what you’re trying to say is that you don’t want me to be in charge,” he retorted, “and that’s not going to fly. The outback is a dangerous place.”

  “I’m sure it’s no more dangerous than other places I’ve been,” she sighed.

  “Be that as it may, I must insist that if I tell you to jump in the car, you jump in the car, or if I tell you to stand dead still, you do just that. There are snakes I see because I have the eye to see them, but you don’t. One false move and-”

  “Derrick,” she interrupted, a slightly patronizing tone to her voice, “you underestimate me. I seriously doubt this will even be an issue, but you need to know that if I am pointing my camera at something, seconds away from shooting, I will get the shot. I can freeze after I pull the trigger, but not until I do.”

  He gazed across the car’s console, a deep frown furrowing his brow.

  “Do you have any idea how fast a croc can move?”

  “Not as fast as my finger can push a button,” she laughed, trying to add some levity to their conversation.

  “Is that your final word?” he asked, unsmiling and very quietly.

  His voice may have been soft, but it held a threatening quality that Emma found unnerving, and rarely was Emma unnerved.

  “Yes, Derrick,” she replied, quickly adding, “but please understand, I’m not trying to be difficult.”

  “And here I was under the impression you were smart lady,” he grunted.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “A smart lady would be grateful for an experienced guide to keep her safe.”

  “I am, and you will,” she stammered.

  “I can’t keep you safe if you won’t let me,” he sighed, “and if you won’t agree to my terms I don’t think I can travel with you, or allow anyone who works for me to do so either.”

  “What are you saying?”

  “You know exactly what I’m saying. You agree with my rules, or I turn this car around and take you back to Sydney.”

  “Oh, no you won’t,” she exclaimed, raising her voice. “My publishing company is paying you good money. You can’t just bail.”

  “Sure I can,” he said, slowing the car.

  “What are you doing?”

  “I’m turning around.”

  “NO! Don’t!” she protested.

  Pulling the Range Rover to a stop, he stared across at her.

  “You really want me to continue to be your guide?”

  “Yes, of course, very much.”

  “There’s a way I can settle this,” he remarked, raising his eyebrows.

  “What, toss a coin,” she smiled, hoping he was going to bend. “It’s really no big deal. I think you’re overreacting,” she added.

  “Before we talk about this any further, step out of the car, there’s something I want to show you,” he smiled.

  They’d been driving for almost an hour, and as she stepped on to the side of the road she realized just how removed from the city they were. The landscape was barren, a rich gold in color, with spindly trees dotting the gentle slopes, but just a short walk away was a cluster of multicolored trees that looked as though they’d been plucked from an autumn day in Boston.

  “They’re beautiful,” she breathed. “Let me get my camera.”

  “Sure, go ahead,” he replied. “On the other side of them are some of those Flame Trees, and an old shearing shed. This was once a sheep station.”

  Grabbing her camera, sh
e fell into step alongside him, and as they drew closer to the small forest she saw how truly majestic the trees were, and how the early afternoon sun seemed to make the leaves literally sparkle.

  “Wow,” she breathed.

  Lifting her camera she focused in and began shooting, then dropping to one knee she pointed the lens at the pinnacle of one specific tree. Derrick stood back and watched. A few minutes passed before Emma stood up and nodded her head.

  “Great. Now what?” she asked.

  “Follow me,” he grinned, walking under the canopy of green, orange and gold, until he finally reached a clearing. As he’d promised there was an old, rusted barn-like structure, beside which were several of the bright red trees.

  “Fabulous,” she sighed, “what a great pairing. Thank you for bringing me here.”

  “Before you start shooting come and take a look inside here,” he beckoned, walking forward and into the barn. “There are some stunning shadows in here.”

  She stepped forward and peered inside the broken down building, but stopped short of entering to join him.

  “What’s the matter?” he asked.

  “Spiders,” she declared, “it looks like the place will be full of them.”

  “Ah, yes, you’re right,” he nodded. “No worries, and returning to our earlier debate, do you really want me to be your guide?”

  “Yes, I said I did,” she frowned.

  “Then put down your camera, and come and sit with me,” he said, moving to a wide flat rock. “I know we can work this out.”

  “Sure,” she smiled. I’d sit next to you any day, on a rock or anything else for that matter.

  Placing her camera carefully on a sawn off, flat tree trunk, she walked the few steps across to him, and was just about to sit when her reached for her hand.

  Ooooh, is he going to kiss my hand? This is too yummy for words.

  “The thing is,” he began, looking up at her, “there can only be one person in charge, and that person has to be me,” he declared, and before she had a chance to respond he yanked her over his lap.

  “What the fuck?” she screamed, kicking and squirming.

  “I don’t appreciate that kind of language,” he scolded, smacking her forcefully.

  “What do you expect?” she protested, trying desperately to extricate herself from his grasp.