Close Relations

He shook his head. ‘No, she was working. But Lockie told me they were engaged.’

‘She’s very nice. Everyone likes her. She’s become part of the family.’ Georgia knew she was babbling inanely but couldn’t seem to stop herself. ‘They plan to marry later in the year.’

‘I’m surprised. At Lockie tying himself down,’ he expanded. ‘Even though he’s-what, nearly twenty-eight? Somehow I find it hard to cast Lockie in the role of family man.’

Georgia caught back the bitter laugh that rose inside her. She’d been prepared to settle down with him when he had been younger than Lockie was now.

‘But I guess I’m four years behind. I’m afraid I still see Lockie as a gangling youth with a guitar.’ He smiled faintly and Georgia couldn’t prevent her eyes from shifting to meet his. And she was held captive by the achingly familiar wonder of his attraction.

She was mesmerised by the shape of his mouth, the upward tilt of the corners, the white slash of strong teeth against his tanned skin, the two creases that deepened when he smiled, running furrows in his cheeks. And she wanted to follow their course with the tip of her tongue, follow them right to the corners of his mouth and within. Georgia dragged her libidinous thoughts back from that so dangerous ground.

‘It’s incredible how quickly the years pass.’

‘Is it?’ The bitter words were out before she had consciously formed them and he looked across at her, suddenly still. Georgia forced herself to relax a little. ‘I thought it was only elderly people who complained about that,’ she added quickly with a forced-sounding laugh.

His mouth twisted in self-mockery. ‘Then perhaps I’m getting old.’

That same awkward silence fell between them and Georgia took a sip of her now lukewarm coffee.

‘Peter missed you this week,’ he said softly, his words taking her by surprise.

‘I’m sorry.’ Her eyes flitted about the room. ‘I’ve been fairly busy, and with you coming home-well, I…’ She shrugged.

‘You didn’t want to take a chance on running into me,’ he finished quietly.

‘Don’t be silly.’ Georgia flushed guiltily. ‘Why would I feel like that? I thought your father would want time alone with you. And, as I said, I’ve just been busy.’

‘Yes, it seems you have. I’ve been here twice and missed you both times.’ He slid his empty coffee-mug onto the tray and stood up, taking a couple of stiff-legged strides across the carpet ‘We had to meet eventually, Georgia. Surely you knew that?’ he said flatly.

‘Of course I knew.’ She swallowed, her mouth dry. ‘Really, Jarrod, you’re reading far more into this than is there.’

‘Am I, Georgia?’ He turned back to her, folding his strong arms across his chest. The worn denim of his jeans pulled tautly across his thighs, and she felt her heartbeats quicken in that old familiar way.

And it was familiar, she realised with total shock. Although in four years no man had touched on those intoxicating emotions, suddenly the years slid away as though they’d never been and she was physically alert to the muscular nuances of his body, the deep tone of his voice. Georgia’s mouth dried as panic rose inside her. Not again, she admonished herself. She wasn’t going to let him hurt her again.

‘I’m sorry, Georgia.’ He sighed. ‘You know if it hadn’t been for Peter I wouldn’t have come back. I had no control over that.’

Georgia’s heart twisted painfully. Well, she told herself brutally, if she was harbouring any illusions about his return she’d be advised to nip them in the bud before they grew to envelop her again. There had never been any chance that he had returned to her. How could she be so foolish to imagine he might have? Even if she’d wanted him to…

‘But as I am here—well,’ he continued with a grimace, ‘like it or not, we’re going to run into each other once in a while.’ ‘That needn’t be often,’ she said with an evenness she was proud of. ‘I suppose you’ve taken over your father’s business, so you’ll probably be working, and so will I. I can visit your father when you’re at the office so we needn’t see each other at all.’ She steeled herself to hold his gaze.

A pulse flickered in his jaw. ‘If that’s what you want.’

Georgia swallowed. What she wanted was to wipe away the four years and that fateful night, have everything back to normal between them. His love. Her belief in his integrity. So many things. But that was impossible.

She pushed herself to her feet and stood facing him, her chin held high. ‘I think perhaps that might be best, Jarrod, considering-well…’ She shrugged uneasily.

‘Considering?’ His blue eyes had narrowed.

‘Considering all that…’ Georgia paused again ‘…all that happened. I’m a lot older now, and a lot wiser. So please don’t worry that I might make another distasteful scene. That’s all behind me.’

His eyes burned into hers across the few feet separating them. ‘I don’t recall saying that you would, Georgia.’ He ran a strong hand through his dark hair. ‘Look, we used to be friends. Let’s start again and try to at least be civil to each other.’

His deep voice struck more raw and tender chords and Georgia bit off a sharp, incredulous laugh. ‘Civil? I’m sure we can. You. Me. And Aunt Isabel.’

CHAPTER THREE

JARROD’S lips thinned and a faint flush seemed to colour the line of his high cheekbones.

‘I don’t intend to defend myself again, Georgia. I’ve done more than enough of that. Perhaps I was asking too much for us to leave the past where it is, behind us. But I would have liked you and me to remain friends,’ he said slowly, as though he was having trouble forming the words, and then he sighed. ‘It’s late. I guess I should be going. I’ve got an early start in the morning. Peter wants me to visit the Gold Coast branch.’

You used to take me with you. Georgia longed to say the words. Her eyes rested on him, her breathing becoming shallow as more old memories rose to haunt her. No! Concentrate on now, she instructed herself angrily. But the present meant looking at him, drinking in the tall length of him.

His body came the closest to perfection of any man’s she’d ever seen. Those strong legs, muscular thighs, narrow hips, taut buttocks, straight back, broad, well-built shoulders, solid arms that wrapped around you, making you feel safe and warm and wanted.

Georgia swallowed painfully, her fingers curling into her palms. Forget the past, she told herself with feeling. And forget his body. That was all he was. A body. Part of a yesterday she didn’t need to remember.

He had moved towards the door, but when he stepped into the hallway he stopped, turning back to face her. ‘Say goodbye to Lockie for me. And Georgia, at least come and see Peter. He misses you.’

With that he was gone.

Later Georgia fell into bed, expecting to lie awake, but exhaustion won out and she slept deeply, without having to think about Jarrod Maclean and the disturbing knowledge that the effect he had on her was just as devastating as it used to be.

‘Georgia! Hey, Georgia!’ Lockie called as he bounded up the front steps.

‘Why does he have to be so noisy?’ Morgan muttered to no one in particular. She was lounging in a chair, idly flipping through a glossy magazine.

It was just a week since the night Jarrod had driven Georgia to collect Morgan and things were gradually settling back into a relative degree of normality. Not that they had made much headway with Morgan. She was unusually subdued and flatly refused to discuss anything with anyone, even Steve, who tried to phone her each day. All she would say was that Steve had suggested they get engaged and she hadn’t wanted to be committed to him or anyone.

Jarrod they hadn’t seen, and Georgia told herself she was very thankful for that fact. She could almost convince herself that she’d imagined his return, that there was still the width of the Pacific Ocean safely between them.

‘Georgia?’ Lockie repeated.

‘What’s wrong now?’ Georgia glanced up at her brother as he burst into the living room. She was trying to finish an assignment for part of her course in business management.

‘Bloody everything!’ Lockie threw himself into a chair.

‘Swearing won’t help.’ Georgia smiled faintly at him.

‘Maybe not. But it relieves my tension. Want to hear the good news or the bad news?’ He sighed loudly and sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his chin on his hand.

‘I should be over the moon about this but…’

Georgia raised her eyebrows, glancing across at Morgan before turning back to Lockie. ‘But? And over the moon about what?’

‘About the booking I just got for Country Blues,’ Lockie told them.

‘What booking is that?’ Georgia’s mind was still on her assignment, so she was only giving Lockie part of her attention.

‘The booking, Georgia. The one I’ve been after. The one you told me to go out and get.’

Georgia looked up at him then. ‘The one I told—? You mean the Country Music Club in Ipswich?’

Lockie nodded and beamed from ear to ear.

‘Hey! That’s great, Lockie.’ Morgan made a thumbs-up sign.

‘Yes, Lockie, that’s wonderful,’ Georgia agreed.

‘You’re telling me! I walked in and they took us on. Well—’ Lockie looked a little sheepish ‘—it wasn’t quite that easy. I’ve been working on them all week. It turns out the band they had booked had a car accident or something and had to cry off at the last minute. Bad luck for them but fantastic for us. I was in the right place at the right time for once.’

‘It must have been fate,’ Morgan retorted drily, but Lockie ignored her.

‘It’s our big chance, Georgia. We’ve worked damn hard to get it and we were due for a lucky break. It’s what all the practising and the taking of those bit engagements has been all about.’ He rubbed his hands together. ‘There’s no telling where this booking could lead. The Country Music Club is the first place anyone who’s anyone will look.’

‘So what’s the bad news you mentioned?’ Georgia queried. ‘What could possibly be bad about that?’

‘The bad news is we have to start Friday night and Mandy’s still in New Zealand.’ He stood up and paced the floor. ‘Where the hell am I going to get a replacement singer at this late date? Good ones sure don’t grow on trees.’

‘Can’t you manage without Mandy?’ Georgia asked sympathetically.

‘Probably. But you know how it is. We’re just starting to make our name. With a female lead. Besides, the band needs a good-looking bird to give everyone something to look at apart from our ugly faces.’ He stood up, legs apart, his hands on his hips. ‘I mean, our music’s great, I really believe in it, but the whole programme we’ve been working on for over a year depends on a girl up front. The boys are going to love this when I tell them. Blast Mandy!’

Morgan closed her magazine and threw it on the coffee-table. ‘If you like I’ll volunteer to don a skimpy outfit and stand up there on stage for you, but I somehow can’t see me thrilling everyone if I open my mouth and try to sing.’

Lockie gave a reluctant laugh. Morgan’s tone-deafness was a family joke and Georgia joined in their laughter.

‘If you rang Mandy couldn’t she fly back in time?’

‘I tried. She’s not there.’

‘Then surely you could find someone to stand in for Mandy till she gets back?’ she said, smiling up at her brother, and his eyes narrowed on her.

‘Just a minute,’ he breathed. ‘I’ve got it. We’re saved.’ He raised his eyes skyward in thankfulness. ‘I don’t know why I didn’t think of it right away. You can fill in for Mandy on Friday night, Georgia.’

Georgia stared at him blankly and then shook her head. ‘Oh, no. Not me, Lockie. We’ve been through all this before Mandy joined Country Blues. You know how I feel about performing in public. And, in case you hadn’t noticed, I already have a job, at the bookshop.’

Her brother held up his hand.

‘No, Lockie,’ Georgia repeated adamantly. ‘I like singingI won’t deny that. I used to enjoy it. But privately, not on any stage.’

‘Georgia, please.’ Lockie came over to stand in front of her. ‘It would only be for two nights. Then we’d have all of next week to get in touch with Mandy and talk her into coming back early.’

‘Try phoning Mandy again. She could easily be back here by Friday,’ Georgia told him, and Lockie threw his hands in the air.

‘I told you she wasn’t there. Don’t you think I phoned her as soon as I got the job? I did. Her mother says she’s gone off touring and then she’ll end up in the back woods somewhere visiting cousins. They can’t contact her until Sunday anyway, so there’s no way she’ll make it back.’

‘I’m sorry, Lockie.’

‘Georgia, you know all the songs. You know the band. You’ve jammed with us often enough. And I reckon Mandy’s costume would even fit you; you’re about the same size.’

‘Well, almost,’ Morgan put in amusedly, and Lockie shot a warning glance at her.

‘But I don’t care for singing in front of an audience,’ Georgia reiterated firmly, standing up so that her brother didn’t have the advantage of his height looming over her.

‘Look, Georgia—’ Lockie’s hands clasped her shoulders ‘—you’re great, if only you’d realise it. Haven’t we always said that? Almost as good as Mandy. Isn’t that the truth, Morgan?’

‘Better than Mandy,’ Morgan remarked, and Lockie decided to let that go and turned back to his other sister.

‘I know you can do it. You are great.’

Georgia shrugged her brother’s hands off. ‘Don’t try to sweet-talk me, Lockie. And don’t pressure me.’

‘Sweet-talk you!’ Lockie muttered something under his breath. ‘OK, let me put it like this, Georgia. Friday night is our big chance. And you know what Mandy said. No more two-bit jobs. Well, I’ve pulled off the best-an engagement at the Country Music Club.

‘But now I’ve got it we need a female lead. It won’t be Country Blues without one. Surely you can see that? You’re the only one besides Mandy who knows our arrangements. We’d only need to run through them with you tomorrow evening and you’d be right for Friday night.’

‘I can’t do it, Lockie. I’m sorry.’

‘Morgan, you talk to her.’ Lockie appealed to his younger sister. ‘Make her see sense.’

‘Don’t bring me into it, Lockie. She’s the one who has to get up in front of all those people and sing.’ ‘You’re a great help.’ Lockie ran his hand through his hair.

Georgia sighed exasperatedly. ‘I haven’t got the time, Lockie. And I have late shifts at the bookshop. It would never work.’

‘It’s only Friday and Saturday, Georgia. I know you only work late on Thursday nights.’ ‘Substituting singers doesn’t sound legal to me—’ Georgia began.

‘I’ll tell them at the club, keep it all above board,’ Lockie put in quickly. ‘And Mandy can be back for next weekend’s gig. So where’s the problem? Two nights only, Georgia.’ ‘Lockie, please!’ Georgia brushed her fingers across her forehead.

‘Yes, Lockie, I think you’ve badgered Georgia enough for one night,’ Morgan intervened with an uncharacteristic concern. ‘Why don’t you sleep on it, Georgia? And tomorrow, if you feel the same, then that will be it. Lockie will just have to find someone else. OK?’

Georgia acquiesced and with a heartfelt sigh Lockie did the same.

‘All right,’ he agreed. ‘I need a cup of coffee and then I guess I should be off too. I’ll have to put the other guys in the picture.’ With a last appealing glance at his sister he went into the kitchen.

‘What will you do?’ Morgan asked.

‘I’ve always held out on this with Lockie,’ Georgia said dispiritedly. ‘Ever since we were teenagers and he formed his first band he’s wanted me to sing with him. I enjoyed it for a while, but-’ She stopped. But then Jarrod had arrived back and singing with her brother’s band had faded into a very poor second behind being with Jarrod, being held in his arms, making love…

‘If getting up on stage makes you so nervous—well—’ Morgan shrugged ‘-there’s no point in making more hassles for yourself. Still, I can see Lockie’s point. It’s a pity Mandy had to be in New Zealand now, just when Lockie’s got the band such a big break.’

Georgia nodded and slowly followed Lockie into the kitchen to begin preparing the evening meal. Lockie sat dejectedly at the table, staring into his mug of coffee.

He glanced up at his sister. ‘Georgia, we need the money the Country Music Club will bring,’ he said in a low voice.

‘Now come on, Lockie, I know we aren’t rich but we’re hardly destitute.’

Lockie’s face creased in a worried frown. ‘I need the money, Georgia.’ He paused as she looked at him, surprised by his serious tone. ‘You know the van’s under hire purchase? Well, I’m behind with the payments. It will be repossessed if I don’t catch up with it.’

‘Oh, Lockie.’ Georgia shook her head. ‘Why didn’t you tell me? I could help—’

Lockie held up his hand. ‘No, Georgia. It’s my responsibility.’ He sighed. ‘And there’s Mandy. Do you think I like putting off our wedding? She deserves better than that. I want to be able to make it up to her for the last penny-scrimping year.’

Georgia could feel the tension in him.

“This is a big-time gig, Georgia, and it pays big time. We won’t have to be counting every cent if we can pull this off,’ he persisted. ‘Not Mandy and me. Not Andy and the boys. And not you. We’ll pay you for Friday and Saturday nights, and as you’re saving for a new car this will boost your bank account, believe me.’

‘Lockie—’

‘And Dad. Maybe we can send him on a holiday. He hasn’t had one since Mum died. Then there’s Morgan. We could help her out with a secretarial course. It would make such a difference; don’t you see?’

‘I see you using emotional blackmail,’ Georgia said tiredly.

‘Two performances, Georgia. That’s all I ask. I’ll talk to Mandy and she’ll come back. Please, Georgia?’

‘Oh, Lockie.’ She sighed. ‘All right,’ she agreed weakly. ‘But two performances only.’

Lockie’s thin face broke into a grin. ‘Thanks, Georgia. You don’t know how much this means to me.’ He stood up and gave her a bear hug. ‘I’m off to sort out a plan of attack with the boys. Just stick my dinner in the oven. See you later.’

And later, with the dishes done, she returned to the living room and her assignment. It was particularly extensive and she decided to take advantage of the peace and quiet of the empty house. Morgan had gone out with friends and Lockie hadn’t returned since their discussion about Georgia’s performing with the band.

Soon she was involved in her research and she actually jumped in fright when a decisive knock sounded on the door. She glanced tentatively through the lattice panel to check on the caller before she opened the door, and her heart flipped in her chest. Jarrod. What could he want? Slowly she unlocked the door and swung it open.

‘Hello, Georgia,’ he greeted her softly, the veranda light highlighting the slight wave in his dark hair.

‘I’m afraid Lockie isn’t here,’ she began, and sensed him stiffen.

‘That doesn’t matter. Can I come in?’ he asked levelly.

Georgia paused and then stepped back, leaving the door open and preceding him into the living room. Without looking at him she collected her books and papers together and stacked them on the coffee-table.

He picked up a book, glanced at the title and raised his eyebrows. ‘Heavy reading.’

‘Research for my course,’ she told him without elaboration, and sank onto the edge of her chair.

‘You’re studying business administration?’

Georgia nodded. ‘I hope to finish next year. Did you want to see Lockie about anything in particular? I’m afraid I don’t know when he’ll be home.’ And it would be just like Lockie to pick this evening to be late, she reflected silently.

‘I’d prefer to talk to you about it.’ He replaced the book on the pile and sat down opposite her.

Could he hear her heartbeats thundering in her chest? she wondered, and fought to keep her expression bland. What could they possibly have to discuss?

‘It’s about Morgan,’ he continued. ‘Does she have a job yet?’

Georgia shook her head.

‘We may have a vacancy coming up in the office at Ipswich in a few weeks’ time and I thought she might be interested. Does she have any secretarial or computer training?’

‘Only what she’s done at school.’

‘If she’s prepared to go to night courses the job’s hers.’

‘Thank you,’ Georgia said slowly. ‘But you didn’t have to—’

‘I know I didn’t have to, Georgia,’ he cut in a little irritatedly, ‘but it’s a genuine offer. It’s up to Morgan if she wants it or not. If she is interested she can come and see me about it.’

‘All right. I’ll tell her.’

‘I also made some enquiries about her boyfriend, young Steve Gordon.’

‘Oh.’ Georgia looked across at him.

‘He seems a level-headed young bloke. His foreman says he’s one of the best apprentices we’ve got.’

‘I like him.’ Georgia tried to relax, leaning back in her seat, sliding her hands into the pockets of her trousers when she realised she was unconsciously clasping and unclasping her fingers. But she sat up, tense again, when she felt Jarrod’s gaze fall on the rise of her breasts as they thrust against the thin material of her cotton shirt. She pushed herself to her feet and began straightening her papers to cover her discomposure.

‘Did Morgan explain what happened that night at the flat?’ he asked, after the strained moment had passed.

‘No. And no one can get any sensible explanation out of her. I’ve tried, and so has Lockie.’ Georgia sighed. ‘She’s something of a handful, I’m afraid.’

‘Has Lockie talked to Steve?’

Georgia glanced up at him and then away again. Why did he feel he had to concern himself with their affairs? Didn’t he think they could get by without his wise counsel?

‘Of course,’ she replied sharply. ‘Steve maintains he didn’t intentionally hit Morgan. They’d had an argument and he swung around in anger, threw his arms up and accidentally caught her on the side of the face. He assured me he felt terrible about it but Morgan wouldn’t and still won’t accept his apologies.’

Georgia sighed again and turned quietly away from himaway from the unconscious magnetic appeal of him that reached out to her, began to entangle her in its seductive tentacles. ‘They’ll just have to work it out themselves if they want to be together,’ she finished flatly.

‘Do you want me to talk to Steve?’

‘No.’ Georgia lifted her chin and faced him again. ‘There’s no need for you to get involved. We can sort it out and, really. Morgan’s the one who has to decide what she’s going to do about it.’

‘I suppose so.’ Jarrod frowned. ‘She just seems so young.’

As young as she herself had been when she’d fallen in love with him, Georgia thought bitterly, and two years later he had been the one to do the hurting. He had shown no signs then of concern for her, for the havoc he had created in her life, so what right had he to be so solicitous about Morgan?

The silence stretched for immeasurable seconds-seconds that were a torture for Georgia. She despised him…Yet at the same time she yearned to turn back to him, have him hold her the way he used to do.

And she felt momentarily forlorn, dispirited, wanting to share her burdens with him, her worries about Morgan’s rebelliousness, about Lockie’s financial problems which meant he had to postpone his marriage to Mandy, about her guilty reluctance to sing with Country Blues. But mostly she wanted to share with him her own loss-the loss that was still part of her…and her pain.

No! She very nearly screamed at herself. She couldn’t trust him. Not ever. He’d only betray her trust and let her down again.

Jarrod’s sigh brought her back to awareness and she realised he’d left the chair, moved away from her to stand gazing out through the open window into the darkness. ‘I’d forgotten how quiet it was out here. After living in a big city the stillness is almost deafening.’