Read Outback Flames: Australian Rural Romantic Suspense for Free Online Page B

But I agree. After all, I've got
a lot to do, a life to find out about, and well...I didn't plan on a
relationship with anyone. After being through what I went through it's not
something I've had a lot of practice at. I'd make your life difficult.'
    'No you
wouldn't. You'd make my life complete, Zoe. I swore to you when I was fifteen
that I'd take good care of you.'
    'You did?
That's a surprise.'
    As they
chatted about the past Zoe could sense the sincerity in Jordan's voice. He
meant well, but she couldn't remember him or their past, so there was no use
dwelling on the what ifs and what could have been. She'd have to concentrate on
the here and now if she ever hoped to make some progress in life.
    'I need to put
my mark on a place where I once existed before ever thinking of going down that
path.'
    'I know. I
know it'd be hard. But can you think about it?'
    She smiled.
'Yes. I will.'
    'What's wrong
with being mates first?'
    'Nothing. I
wouldn't mind a mate.' She smiled, and his heart softened.
    'I've got
something for you.'
    'What is it?'
He swung a bag onto the table and rummaged around inside, dragging out an old
photograph album and placed it on the table in front of them. He opened it to
the first page.
    'Jade said you
didn't have any photographs. I found about six or seven you might be interested
in. There may be some in the house, but I haven't seen any.'
    Warmth charged
through her body as she glared at the album sitting on the table. Her breath
must have died somewhere in her throat and she sucked in another desperate
gulp. As she looked up, her gaze locked with his. 
    'I thought you'd
be pleased. I'm sorry. If you don't want...'
    He was about
to pick up the album and she reached out, touched his hand. 'No. It's not that.
It's a shock that's all. After so long. My aunt...she never had any
photographs, or so she said. I didn't see any at her house. She told me
everything was destroyed in the fire.'
    'I can't
imagine why she'd do such a thing.'
    'You don't
know my aunt.'
    'What's her
name, in case she comes snooping?'
    Zoe looked up,
as horror coursed through her body. She checked the front yard, and turned
back.
    'She doesn't
know where I am, or who I'm with. I told her I was leaving one afternoon, but I
don't think she believed me. I didn't tell her where, when or how. Her name is
Patricia Mayberry. She never married, although she's living with a male I was
forced to call Uncle William. His last name is Shearer.' Zoe closed her eyes,
withdrew her hand and wrapped her arms around her waist.
    'I shouldn't
have bought up the subject.'
    'She...please
don't repeat this to anyone.' Zoe glanced at Jordan and he nodded.
    'They...meaning
my aunt and William threatened to kill me if I told anyone about what had
happened. They even said I'd be dead before I made a hundred kilometres from
the property.'
    'You're
joking?'
    'No. It
certainly isn't a joke. It's real.'
    'I don't know
what to say. No wonder you're so jittery.'
    'After what
I've been through, I know what they're capable of. Getting an A.V.O. wouldn't
be enough to stop them. That would be inviting them in, especially if they know
where I am. I don't want to fear them further.'
    'Don't you
think they'll come looking for you here in Munna?'
    'Not here.
They don't know I found out anything about Montagreen. I told them I would have
loved to go to the coast. I used to have pictures of the ocean and stare at
them often. My aunt told me I was off with the fairies. You know, I haven't
even seen the ocean. They say that at times it can be like one big lake.
Imagine that. A lake.'
    'Perhaps one
day you can go there. Run over the sand.' Jordan sighed. 'I'm sorry for
bringing up the subject.'
    'I need to
talk about things, although mentioning their names gives me the creeps. When
the constable pulled up in town, I thought perhaps Aunt Patricia sent them
looking. It scared the crap out of me. Although I doubt they'd ever go to the
police, they might make a false allegation. I