Raven Falls: Australian Rural Romantic Suspense Read online

  ***

  Samantha drove into town, stopped by the post office and did some grocery shopping.

  ‘Well Sam, it’s about time. I was wondering when I’d see you again. I was going to ring you this afternoon. How’s it going out at the Falls?’

  Samantha walked over to the counter, and placed her basket of groceries on the counter top. ‘Hi Tracey. I’ve been a pretty busy lately.’

  Tracey fingered her curly blonde locks. ‘I imagine you have especially having three brothers to care for. When are you going to come in so we can spend some girlie time together? I don’t work Wednesdays, or Sundays. Saturday nights are also a bit quiet for me.’

  ‘I’ll try to. Before I forget, I know how busy you are. Do you remember Anna Jones? She dated Cameron a while back.’

  ‘Yes. She keeps to herself a lot these days. I don’t see much of her. It took her a while to find employment. She was willing to do anything. She took up a job at the Hinders property. What’s the concern? I thought Cameron broke it off with her.’

  ‘He did. Mary Hinder?’

  ‘That’s her. She employs a few casual staff. She tries to help out. Most of the single people around Raven are moving from the area, heading into the city to find work. In the old days they’d stay and help run their parents’ cattle properties or wheat, whatever it may be. Not these days. Not with the drought at its peak.’

  ‘I hope that doesn’t happen with us. I guess that’s why I’m trying to keep it all together, keep the place running as best as we can.’

  ‘Mrs Hinder is loaded, even after all these years. I know of another girl looking for work. Her name is Charlotte Somers. She returned after a stint in Sydney as a housekeeper. She basically did anything that needed to be done with a family who had five boys. She had another job after that, but I can’t remember who with. It was similar duties.’

  ‘Five boys. That’d be a handful.’

  Laugher filled the store. ‘Anyhow. She could lend a helping hand. Do the washing, cooking or whatever it is that needs to be done at Raven Falls.’

  ‘Not at present Tracey. We’re being careful of our spending, like everyone else. We’ll get there.’

  ‘Wherever there is.’ Tracey smiled.

  ‘We’re planning a dinner, here in town at the cafe. We can afford a bit of a splurge, especially for this. It’s not going to be that extravagant.’

  ‘What’s the special occasion?’

  ‘We’re celebrating Mum and Dad’s life. It’s six years next Saturday. Can you believe it...six long... years?’ Her voice trailed off to barely a whisper.

  ‘I know. It’s sad. It’s sweet what you’re doing. Is there anything I can do to help?’

  ‘You’d have to ask Cam. I’m not allowed to lift a finger. I suspect Margaret and James will be thrilled.’

  ‘I certainly will. Can you give me Cam’s mobile and I’ll call him?’

  ‘Okay. I think he’ll need a hand.’

  The bell above the door tinkled, and a customer walked in.

  ‘I’m not sure if he’s asked Margaret and her husband.’

  ‘Did I hear my name?’

  Samantha turned. ‘Hi Marg. Yes, you did.’

  Margaret the fifty-something owner of the small cafe in Raven, walked over. ‘Hello Sam. Tracey.’

  Tracey leaned over the counter. ‘Have you run out of milk again?’

  ‘Not this time. It’s only a handful of customers lately. Not many come in now. They’re saving their cents. Oh, and yes. Oh dear.’ She placed an open palm over her breast. ‘Have you heard about the cattle rustlers in the area?’

  ‘Not again. It happened a few times last year.’

  ‘It looks like they’re getting closer to Raven. Only the other day old Bill Walters had a hundred head stolen.’

  ‘We should spread the word. Did he report it to the police?’

  ‘He certainly did. I’ve even heard that they sometimes butcher the cattle and freeze the meat on their properties.’

  Samantha shook her head. ‘We can’t afford to. No one can afford to lose cattle. Not with everything else that’s going on.’

  ‘Good idea to keep alert.’

  ‘I was telling Tracey about the dinner. I suspect Cameron hasn’t spoken to you as yet.’

  ‘Yes.’ She waved a hand in the air. ‘It’s all organised. I spoke to Cam yesterday. You know that man should find himself a wife. He’s far too nice to escape the clutches of any lovely young woman.’ She directed her last sentence toward Tracey.

  ‘I don’t think he’s looking for someone steady, Margaret. He’s still not over Anna. Anyone can see that.’

  ‘If you’re interested you betta grab him before he hitches back up with her or someone else.’

  ‘Who said I’m interested?’

  ‘The whole town knows, honey. The way you perk up when his name is mentioned. Everything about you announces how infatuated you are.’

  Samantha chuckled. ‘Did you tell him he’s too nice?’

  ‘No. But I will be at the dinner. How many people has he organised to turn up?’

  ‘About thirty I think.’

  ‘Cameron said about thirty or thirty-five. We can fit them in.’

  ‘I don’t know the details. Cam is organising it all.’

  ‘It’ll give the locals something to look forward to. The drought has been beastly. Max Grant said that when the rains arrive, everyone will wish that it’d stop.’

  ‘I heard the same thing. Imagine that, complaining about the rains.’

  ‘Well I should get what I came in for. Nice to see you Sam.’

  ‘Good to see you too. See you next Saturday night.’

  ‘I’m looking forward to it.’ Margaret busied herself at the back of the store, while Samantha moved over the counter closer toward Tracey.

  ‘I wanted to ask you something, but with Margaret...’

  Margaret walked up behind her.

  ‘You go before me, Margaret. I’m sure I’ve forgotten something.’

  ‘Thanks love.’

  Samantha wandered around the store picking up items, pretending to read the labels before placing them down until Margaret left the store.

  ‘You can ring them up, Tracey. That’s about all I think,’ she said as she approached the counter.

  ‘What were you going to ask?’

  ‘Do you know anything about a Bradley Harper?’

  Tracey hesitated as she rang up the items on an old cash register. She looked up. ‘The guy whose mother died of cancer a few months back?’

  ‘Yes, Dianne’s son.’

  ‘Why, is he back?’

  ‘You didn’t know.’

  ‘No... there was some talk that the place would go to ruin after Dianne died. So he’s back.’

  ‘He was at the property when his mother died. I don’t know all the details, but he’s been back for a while now.’

  ‘If that’s the case he hasn’t been in here. Or if he has I didn’t recognise him, and he didn’t say who he was.’

  ‘Did you know him?’

  ‘Not really. He came in here with his mother once a few years back. He’s a hunky looking guy. Apparently he’s the city type, all rich and upper class now.’

  ‘I’m not sure what he is at present. I thought you’d know, considering...’

  ‘Oh yeah, shop gossip. Nothing gets out onto the street before it has a good toss around in here or the cafe.’ She chuckled and covered her mouth with a cupped hand. ‘I’m sorry. But it’s true.’

  ‘I know so. How much do I owe you?’

  ‘Fifty-seven dollars. Card or cash?’

  ‘You know I always pay by card.’

  Samantha entered her card and necessary details for the transaction.

  ‘There was talk about his father taking off and leaving them while he was in boarding school. I think Brad would have been about five years old. With what I’ve heard, there was a lot of talk about in those days. I don’t know what to believe. Apparently old
Tim drank a fair bit. The whole town knew he was a drunk.’

  Samantha shook her head. ‘A drunk? Wow, I never suspected...Thanks. I should get going.’

  ‘That’s okay. Promise to have a girlie chat at the dinner.’

  Samantha nodded. ‘You’re on. I might even tell you a few things you don’t know.’

  Tracey chuckled as she pushed the shopping bags toward the other side of the counter. ‘I’m looking forward to it more so now.’

  ‘See ya.’

  Samantha shuddered when she left the grocery store. It was hard to imagine that Brad’s father was an alcoholic and she wondered if it was hereditary, although she’d only seen him drink a few beers, and an occasional port. After packing the bags into the boot, Samantha climbed into her car and headed back to Raven Falls, wondering if it was a go-ahead for the irrigation. She pondered over Brad, and although she liked him a lot she doubted anything would come of it. They agreed to be amicable and she’d try her hardest not to allow him to eat at her emotions.

  ***

  After dinner that night, Samantha joined her brothers in the lounge room. She hesitated by the door, and leaned her shoulder on the architrave as laughter filled the room. At least her brothers were happy.

  Cameron’s lanky body stretched out on the three-seater lounge, while Christopher lazed on the floor. Steven sat in an armchair reading a paper, content to voice his opinion every so often. He was the quieter brother. He’d sit back and take it all in, and when he felt the need to speak he’d voice his opinion every so often. Brad sat in another armchair, legs apart, leaning forward as if he was about to give a lecture or spring on someone. She withered with that thought as an image of them came to mind when they were on the coast. Annoyed with herself for being so lame, she walked to the bar to pour a port.

  ‘Have a seat, Sam.’ Cameron scrambled to sit, and wiggled to one side of the lounge. ‘There you go.’ He patted the space beside him.

  ‘How’s it going out at the Falls?’ she said as she eased down, aware of Brad’s gaze following her every move, and heating up her insides. Perhaps she should have declined, and taken the port into the office or her bedroom. Anywhere without him present would prevent the whirlwind kicking up a storm inside.

  ‘It’s coming along well,’ Brad commented.

  Samantha lifted her head. ‘Meaning?’

  ‘The contract will be drawn up tomorrow. We sign on the dotted line in a few days.’

  ‘Not until it’s read over properly, and Mr Potstone takes a look at it.’

  ‘Whatever’s needed Sam,’ Cameron said.

  ‘You really have the runs with this.’

  ‘Christopher. What have I told you? What’s the use? You all act like a pack of crazy animals at times. Come to think of it, you even look like it. Cam, the lot of you. Isn’t there a razor in the house?’

  Cameron laughed, and moved a hand to his chin, running his fingers over his goatee and moustache. ‘It’s the new Osborne look.’

  ‘Even you Steven. What’s the go there? Usually you hold your own and don’t copy others.’ He hadn’t shaved either and a three-day growth or more covered his face.

  ‘Don’t look at me. I haven’t even started to shave yet,’ Christopher said, raising his hands in the air.

  She speared a look at Brad, who had a grin set over his face. His eyes highlighted playfulness. ‘Did you start this? I’ve noticed you haven’t shaved in a few days as well.’

  ‘Don’t blame me. I didn’t start anything.’

  Cameron laughed.

  ‘Okay. So what’s going on?’

  ‘You’ll find out at the dinner; that is if you don’t figure it out by then.’

  Samantha frowned. ‘What do you mean? You’ve lost me.’

  ‘At the dinner for Mum and Dad.’

  All the blood in her body coagulated. ‘You can’t turn up like that. It’s supposed to be nice.’

  ‘It will be.’

  ‘I don’t like it one bit.’

  ‘The Browns’ girls are going to be there Sam. We want to impress.’

  She shook her head. ‘It’s a lame way of impressing.’ She shot another look of indifference at Brad who was leaning back in the armchair with a smile on his face that annoyed the hell out of her.

  ‘Don’t think you can come here and change everything. You might be setting up the irrigation system but that’s as far as it goes.’

  ‘I didn’t say or do anything Sam.’

  ‘You don’t have to. I know what you’re like. Don’t try and fool my brothers.’ With that, she sculled her port, pushed upwards to her feet and left the room, while heat burned her insides. What were they up to?

  ‘Sam has always wanted to get out of the house more, Cameron said.’

  ‘Why don’t you hire a housekeeper, one that can cook?’ Brad remarked.

  ‘We’re watching our spending, just like everyone else around these parts.’

  ‘When we’ve finish installing the irrigation system and the property gets ahead a bit you can hire someone to give her a break.’

  ‘It’s what she wanted...to get out of the house and spend more time working the property. She rides faster than any wind I’ve come up against,’ Cameron stated.

  ‘And she’s a natural when it comes to those cattle. Outshone us didn’t she Cam?’ Steven added.

  ‘She sure did. I agree. It’s not fair to dump all the housework on her like this. Even Mum had a woman here to help her out. I might talk to Sam about hiring someone soon and not wait any longer. Surely there’s a woman out there that wants to bunk down with three, perhaps four, sex-starved men and a single woman.’

  The room rocked with uncontrollable laughter.

  ‘Will you be quiet down there? Someone is trying to sleep.’

  Chapter Five

  ‘Are you about ready Sam?’ Cameron popped his head through the front door and tugged on his tie.

  ‘Yup. Two secs.’

  He let out a low wolf whistle when Samantha walked through the doorway. ‘Wow. I was hollering for my sister. Where did you get that do from?’

  ‘Never you mind.’ Samantha twirled and the flowing dress of electric blue spun out at her knees.

  ‘You look great, Sam,’ Christopher remarked.

  Cameron took her arm and looped it over his as they walked down the steps.

  Samantha checked out her brothers. ‘You all look snazzy as well, although you would have looked better without all that fuzz. Oh, and everyone, don’t forget to carry your mobiles with you.’

  Cameron chuckled and Steven shot her a wry grin.

  Cameron had dressed in a dark blue suit. His dark hair, curled into ringlets, tipped his collar. Samantha checked each brother out, and her lips curled into a pleasing smile.

  ‘What’s up?’

  ‘I was thinking of how much you all look alike.’

  ‘It’s the Osborne blood. It runs pretty deep.’

  ‘It sure does.’

  ‘I know. We are lucky to have each other. We can thank Mum and Dad for that,’ Samantha added.

  ‘Even a squirt of a sister like you,’ Cameron joked.

  Samantha stood on tiptoes. ‘You’re only a few inches taller than me.’

  ‘You wish,’ he fired back, stretching his body higher, to tower above her.

  ‘Seriously. Even from behind, you all walk the same.’

  ‘Have you been drinking Sam?’

  ‘Sure have. I sank a keg this afternoon.’ A grin slipped to her lips.

  ‘Yeah right. You don’t drink more than a port or wine every so often.’

  ‘Why drink? I don’t need to drink to enjoy myself.’

  ‘We do.’

  ‘Not tonight. It’s best behaviour, boys. Remember what tonight is all about. Cam, have you got your speech organised?’

  ‘Yeah. Here.’ He tapped his chest, indicating the pocket in his shirt.

  Samantha couldn’t spot Brad, and she almost asked his whereabouts, but she didn’t want an
yone to suspect that she was interested. The four of them settled in Cameron’s Toyota four-wheel-drive to take the journey into Raven.

  ‘Three more families are moving out of the area soon. Tracey said so the other day.’

  ‘People are getting desperate. That’s why the irrigation is a good idea. We can’t take any chances. It’ll only be a few more weeks until the main line reaches the top paddock.’

  Samantha digested Cameron’s words as she looked out at the fading twilight of amber wavering across the sky.

  ‘I wish it’d rain, not only for us, but for everyone.’

  ‘Yeah, me too. Water is gold out here. No water; you don’t survive.’

  ‘Couldn’t they take some from the springs at Raven Falls?’

  ‘The expense wouldn’t be worth it. Trucking water. What would we charge?’

  ‘Nothing. Give it to them. We get it for free.’

  ‘I don’t think that’d be wise. Everyone would be wanting it. It wouldn’t work,’ Steven said, his voice echoing from the back seat directly behind her. ‘And then they’d expect us to deliver it. What happens when they run out again? It’d cause a mountain of problems.’

  ‘I feel sad for them. Mum and Dad must have known about all this. We’re lucky we had such good parents.’

  ‘They would have helped anyone out,’ Cameron remarked.

  ‘What about Raven? Couldn’t we...truck...forget it? It was only a thought.’ Samantha continued to take in the passing view.

  ‘Your intentions are good Sam but underground springs can run dry. Perhaps when we get the property up to scratch we could have barbeques, invite them out for a free feed.’

  When they turned off the main road, Samantha gasped. ‘What are we doing?’

  ‘We’re dropping Steven off so he can drive Brad’s ute.’

  ‘Why...I thought we were all going together.’

  ‘What if we want to leave at different times? We went down that track a few years back at the Moore’s bush bash.’

  ‘This is different.’

  Cameron pulled up in front of Brad’s house and Samantha peered through the headlights which highlighted the house.