Chapter 10
Mackenzie
“Pretty?” I burst out laughing, then dropped the spade into the wheelbarrow.
“You could call me a lot of things right now, but pretty isn’t one of them.
Stinky, dirty…” I looked down and blanched at a mysterious brown mark on my overalls and resisted rubbing it.
“Really hoping that’s not actual animal crap on my pants. Anyway, I’m Mackenzie James.”
I went to take his hand, then thought twice about it, holding out my elbow.
“Ahh… maybe we need to do that non-contact shake or something like they did during COVID,” I said.
He snorted and then stepped forward, the sleeve of his shirt fighting for its life as his bicep flexed, right before tapping elbows with me.
“An American.” He sidled closer, forcing me to stare up at him. “You travelled all the way out to our fair country.” His blue eyes dropped down. “Only to get stuck shovelling shit on the Drysdale’s farm?”
“Well, it’s a farm stay, not a five-star resort.” I frowned. “So are you looking for Charlie or—?”
“No, I was looking for you.” His eyes held mine steadily and when was the last time a man looked at me like that?
Well, never. Maybe Alex back when we were still teens and that was enough to hold my attention.
My eyes roamed, taking in the perfectly pressed moleskin pants and a plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up, because there was a kind of casual elegance about him.
“There’s a lot more to see than just this farm.
” He glanced around. “And an animal rescue.”
I blinked, remembering the way the dawn bathed the valley as Troy and I drove up to the paddock. The silhouettes of the emus as they picked their way across the field felt like it was burned on my retina.
“I’ve seen plenty of amazing things so far,” I replied.
“Has Troy taken you to any of the local water holes?” he said. “Or down to the lake? Have you even been into town?”
“Well, no—”
“I’d be happy to be your guide,” he said.
“Out of the goodness of your heart?” I asked, unable to keep the sarcasm out of my voice.
“No, as a date.” I went perfectly still at his words, my heart pounding as he made a close inspection of me. “Troy will have you working from dawn to dusk without even a thank you. You’ll never get to… sample the delights of our region.”
I barely heard what he was saying, because my mother’s words echoed inside my head instead.
“You need to start dating again,” she said after the fifth month of my post-rejection breakdown.
“What?” I shot her a dark look. “I would literally rather die.”
“You never got a chance to play the field back in high school.” She looked almost apologetic.
“When it seemed you and Alex…” The way I tensed stopped her from saying much more about my ex.
“Not dating to get into a relationship or married or whatever, but just get yourself back out there. Meet people. Have fun. It doesn’t have to be that serious. ”
“You’re asking me out on a date?”
With my sweaty brow and stringy hair, I wasn’t sure what the appeal was, but Beau smiled slowly.
“This is a small place and everyone knows everybody.” He nodded at me. “So it’s hard to find someone who isn’t my cousin three times removed,” he said. “You’re not related to the Scottish Argyles, are you? From around Loch Shiel? Because if you are, I take back my offer.”
I smiled despite myself.
“No, I believe the James family came from around Surrey, England,” I replied.
“Oh, well, that’s alright then. So, Mackenzie James, I’d love to introduce you to the phenomenon that is a counter meal.”
“Counter meal…?” I asked.
“Named because meals used to be served on the bar to patrons who were drinking at the pub, but we’ve gotten all fancy now and people sit at tables and chairs to eat. There’s a wide range to select from, as long as you like a chicken parma, steak, or stew.”
His grin was infectious, and while I didn’t think there was any real chemistry here, the twinkle in those blue eyes, the way his dimple popped in his cheek, made clear the eye candy would make the evening worth it.
“Sure,” I said. “I look forward to working out what the hell a chicken parma is.”
“Chicken parmigiana,” he explained. Nugget had obviously finished eating, as he appeared at my feet and then eyed Beau.
Letting out a guttural growl, the wombat was doing a very good impression of a guard dog.
Beau eyed the beast and then started for the door.
“Give me your number and we’ll work out the details. ”
“Nugget!” I had to stop the wombat lunging for him, but when we got outside, I took Beau’s phone and put in my new number.
“What the hell has gotten into you?” I asked the marsupial when I walked back inside the rescue once Beau had driven off.
“He seemed to have a pretty good opinion of himself, but that’s not enough to go all attack wombat on him. ”
The beast looked up at me, then gave an unrepentant huff.
“If he sits and talks about himself all night, maybe.” I shrugged.
“Or decides he’s fallen out of love with me and doesn’t have the balls to say anything until it way too late, then feel free to maul the asshole, but…
” I glanced back at the door. “It’s not going to get to that point.
I just need to start putting myself back out there, and now’s as good as time as any. ”
The wombat stared at me, then turned around and ambled away, because apparently this conversation was over. Suitably dismissed, I picked up the spade and went to work.
I was living the dream, I thought later that night.
Looking after gorgeous native animals during the day and at night…
Staring into the mirror as I finished off my makeup, I stepped back and surveyed the result.
I had a couple of cute dresses in my bag, as well as my favourite boots, and it felt good to be wearing them again.
Hell, maybe there’d be some dancing at this pub of Beau’s.
As I smoothed my hands down the front of my skirt, it all came back.
I liked going out and eating great food from food trucks.
Dancing late as I stared up at the sky, counting each star as I was swirled around the dance floor.
I liked the feeling of getting dressed up, every little primp an act of self-care.
I’d abandoned all of it in the wake of Alex’s rejection, and that was a mistake.
He was the weak asshole who wasn’t even man enough to tell me he was having second thoughts about our wedding.
No longer doing the things I liked because he left me was just hurting myself more and I was done with that.
Exiting the bathroom, I walked out to find the Drysdale family clustered around the dining table, ready to sit down to eat.
“Are you going out?” Charlie asked, hoisting higher the bag she was carrying containing the new joey. “You look pretty! Give us a whirl.”
I spun around, feeling my skirts flare out.
“I feel pretty for the first time in ages,” I replied.
“Going where?”
That deep growl, I didn’t even need to look his way to know it was Troy.
It was like all the good feelings I was experiencing were a balloon and Troy had to come along with a huge needle, ready to pop them. My hand went to my hip as I looked him up and down, my eyes narrowing as I took in my boss’ thunderous frown.
“To the pub,” I said finally. “I like feeding cattle, looking after native animals, as much as the next girl, but sometimes I need to put a pretty dress on and go out too.”
“Something you might want to start doing, Charlie.” Billy winked at his sister, earning himself a punch in the arm. “So you going solo, Macca, or did someone ask you out?”
Why did my lips press together? For some reason I didn’t want to answer, sensing this would go badly.
“A guy called Beau came past today–” I started to say.
“He what!”
If Troy looked pissed before, now his expression was volcanic. He, Billy, even Bronson started talking, but Charlie silenced the lot of them.
“Go on, Mackenzie,” she said, looking terribly pale right now.
“He invited me out for something called a counter meal?” I replied.
“No. No.” Troy stormed over, placing himself bodily between me and the doorway. “You are not going anywhere with that dickhead.”
“Excuse me?” I replied, my head held high. “Is there a clause in my employment contract that says I need to report my every move to you? Because I don’t remember seeing it.”
“Beau–”
“Isn’t a good guy,” Charlie finished for him.
“That’s a bloody understatement,” Bronson muttered.
“We’re just looking out for you,” she said in her best be reasonable tone.
“You don’t need to worry about me,” I said, proud my voice only wavered a little.
“I know something about bad guys.” With a hard swallow, I forced myself to continue.
“Thanks for your concern, but I’ve got this.
I’ve hung out in dive bars in LA, been to street parties in some rough areas, and always walked away in one piece.
Spending a night listening to Beau talk about himself, then ask me what I think of him.
” My lips pressed together in a bitter smile. “Is no big deal.”
I looked up and nodded at each one of them.
“I came to Australia for a new start. Right now, that means putting on a cute dress and having a meal with a stranger.” With a blink, I saw the wisdom of my mother’s advice.
Sitting on the couch for six months, shutting out the world hadn’t helped me any, so now I needed to go out there and experience things.
“It’s not that deep.” With a glance at Troy, I met his scowl head on.
“I won’t be out late and will be ready to go and feed the cattle at 5AM tomorrow morning, so if you’ll excuse me… ”
“If you want to go out to dinner, one of us will take you,” Troy said, not moving out of my way. He glanced over at his brothers. “We all will.”
“But you didn’t ask me,” I said.
Looking up, I mentally dared him to say something else about that, but instead he stepped aside. Right as I went to pass by, his hand shot out. I looked down at my palm where he pressed a set of car keys.
“Take the sedan,” he said in a rough voice. “It’s an automatic, so you’ll be able to drive it fine. That way you can go or leave whenever you want. Tell… him that you’ll meet him at the pub.”
That was actually good advice. My hire car was returned to the agent, so I had no other way to get around, but with a nod, I headed for the door.
“Thanks. I’ll see you guys in the morning.”
Was I still excited about going out? Not really. Beau was like one of those poison frogs. His pretty face announced how dangerous he was.
But only if I let him get close.
Fake it until you make it, that was me and Mom’s motto, so I kept that in mind as I got behind the wheel.
Adjusting the seat, then mentally preparing myself for the weird experience of driving on the wrong side of the road, I headed down the bumpy dirt track out of the farm, then out onto the main road.
I was not ready to start dating again.
The first indication was me sitting in the car park outside the pub, just staring at the beautiful old building.
My eyes followed the intricate shapes of the wrought iron railings, feeling some need to memorise every curl.
The second was the way I gripped the steering wheel, unable to peel my fingers away.
The third? A knock on my side window and I looked around to see Beau standing there.
My hand went for the door and so did his, and for just a moment, there was a small tug of war.
He tried to pull it open as I was apparently determined to keep it closed, but finally the door swung wide.
“Got your message.” His voice was tight as he offered me his hand. “Seems like it’d have been easier taking the one car.”
I looked down at his hand and knew what was expected of me. Slide my palm against his, feel the warmth of his skin as he escorted me inside.
“American girl,” I said, as if that explained my wariness, then got out of the car, avoiding his grip. “We don’t go anywhere without the ability to get ourselves home.”
That wasn’t true, but there was no way for Beau to know that, so he just shook his head as we walked into the pub. The place was busy tonight. People were at the bar, sitting in front of poker machines or playing pool, so it didn’t look like dancing was on the agenda.
“So, what can I get you?” he asked, but before I could answer, he rattled off some suggestions. “Do you like wine? You’re in the middle of wine country right here and we do brew a nice drop.”
“No, thank—” I started to say.
“Rum? Vodka? Scotch?” He pointed a finger at me. “An American girl, you’d have to like bourbon.” Without bothering to wait for a response, he turned towards the bar attendant. “Two bourbon and Cokes, please, Vance.”
Was this shit ever hot? I frowned, watching Beau try to order for me, then shook my head. Teenage me had certainly thought so, but adult me had other ideas.
“One bourbon and Coke,” I corrected, “and one Coke.” I stared Beau down. “I’m not much of a drinker.”
That wasn’t the case before, but now? The idea of lowering my inhibitions around a man just didn’t feel right.
“Really?” Something glittered in Beau’s eyes, but he blinked and then smiled. “Well, two Cokes then, Vance.” He plucked a couple of menus off the bar and passed me one. “Now, Mackenzie, Vance and his team do amazing meals. Any of these take your fancy?”
Glancing down at the menu was a relief somehow. Get back on the horse that bucked you off, that was Mom’s advice, but what she didn’t say was how freaking weird it felt to be having this kind of conversation with an almost stranger.
“Chicken parmigiana sounds good,” I said, handing the menu back. “We can split the bill, right, Vance?”
The older man stifled a grin and then nodded.
“Of course, love.”
“I’ll have the same,” Beau said with a tight smile.
“Two chicken parmas, coming right up,” the bartender said, then turned around to the kitchen window to shout out our orders.
“So, Mackenzie.” Beau turned to face me after placing the menus back in their holder and smiled. The way he took in my dress, my boots, it had my teeth clenching together. That little smirk didn’t help release the tension in my jaw. “What brings you to Australia?”