The Man From Shadow Creek Read online

  ‘Try to stop me. But you’re right, Ana. Elizadale is beautiful.’

  It may not be what she was used to, but she could make this work. It was only for two years and Cairns wasn’t far away if she desperately needed entertainment. Besides, she had Ana, and that’s all that mattered.

  Ana pulled into the driveway of Jackson Villas—a group of five double-storey townhouses built of sand-yellow brick. She parked outside the one at the far right, the unit angling in towards the rest.

  ‘Here we are! No one’s lived here since I moved out.’

  Natalia stepped out of the car. ‘They look nice. Elizadale Medical seems to be behind them, is that right?’

  ‘Pretty much.’

  ‘I know I should get myself a car, but I’ll be happy walking for a while.’

  Ana rolled her eyes, and Natalia smiled. She’d relied on public transport in Sydney and didn’t mind walking, so she’d never bought a car. Considering the size of Elizadale, she probably didn’t need one here either.

  ‘A car will be helpful,’ Ana said as they grabbed the suitcases. ‘But yes, this place is lovely. The only problem is the stairs. They’re hard and slippery and I strongly recommend that you don’t have sex on them.’

  Natalia followed Ana to the door. ‘Thanks for that. Great advice too considering I have no one to have sex with.’

  ‘You never know. Elizadale’s full of single men and we both know you like to date.’

  Natalia winced. Once, maybe. But now ... ‘I told you, I’ve sworn off men.’

  Ana dismissed that with a wave of her hand. ‘You say that now.’

  Letting that comment go, Natalia followed Ana inside. With space to move about, neat furniture, and a roomy kitchen, it was homier than the tiny units she’d squeezed into in Sydney.

  Natalia sank against the breakfast bar. ‘Yeah, this place will work for me.’

  ‘I enjoyed living here, but I love Liam’s more.’

  ‘So, when do I get to give Liam the older sister scrutiny and decide if you can marry him or not?’

  Ana laughed. ‘I’m sure you’ll approve, but I’ll pick you up at seven for dinner. His parents and sister are coming too.’

  ‘Sounds nice.’ Natalia crossed the room to hug her sister. ‘I’m not crazy in coming here, am I?’

  Ana squeezed her. ‘You’re not crazy.’

  Natalia inhaled, then released her breath slowly. She knew that what had happened to her in Sydney could happen anywhere, but Elizadale had given Ana a fresh start and newfound joy in life. Besides, Natalia could practise medicine, read books, and exercise anywhere. Small-town life wouldn’t be forever.

  She would be fine.

  Chapter Two

  Adam Maguire lacquered his brush with oil, set the lathe to spin, and added the final touch to the red cedar trinket dish. The wood turned from dull red to glistening mahogany in an instant, and his chest expanded. It never failed to impress him how he could transform a hunk of useless wood into something useful. Piece it together right and he could create furniture for people to dine at. With the correct chisels, he could shape decorative items to be gifted to loved ones. Over the years, he’d learned various techniques and experimented with new ideas, enjoying the challenge he imposed upon himself.

  Not that he knew why. He’d never set out to work with wood. He’d needed to fill in a subject at school and woodwork had been more appealing than IT. But the satisfaction of completing a project well done was addictive, and Adam had needed that over the past few weeks.

  He stopped the lathe and admired his work. The bowl made the perfect piece to take to Elizadale Homewares this afternoon where he would pitch his business plan. He should have done it years ago like everyone had told him to. The two ladies who owned Elizadale Homewares had asked—almost begged—him to on many occasions. But had he listened?

  Ha! Adam didn’t listen to anyone. He ran off his own steam, did what he wanted, and didn’t care what anyone thought. He had a reputation for a poor attitude and getting into trouble. Adam had been the ‘bad boy’ of Elizadale for most of his life and had worn the title with pride.

  But trouble wasn’t always good, which he’d learned the morning after his twenty-eighth birthday. Six weeks had passed since he’d woken hungover in Elizadale Memorial Park and his questions still raged.

  How had he ended up there? Who had he been with? What had he done?

  He hadn’t a clue. But he knew he didn’t want to repeat the experience, so he was turning a new leaf and going into business.

  Placing the bowl on his workbench, Adam sawed off the base that had attached the bowl to the lathe and sanded it smooth. When he was satisfied, he completed the oiling and laid it beside the other items he’d created these past few weeks—bowls, vases, and candlesticks. He’d start small because he was confident that he could deliver a supply of basic homewares, which would be necessary if he was going to make a success out of this. And he had to. For too long he’d been woodturning for no reason other than to please himself and his family. He’d crafted the massive tables at his mother’s tourist retreat and his cousin Liam’s café. People had always admired his work, but he’d shrugged off the compliments. Working with wood was simply a way to pass the time when the farm was quiet and his mates were busy.

  But if a man wanted to make something of himself, then he had to play to his strengths.

  Grabbing a rag off the bench, Adam wiped his hands and left the shed, grinning as he crossed the front yard towards his house by Shadow Creek. His family had farmed this land for generations and this spot had always been Adam’s favourite, so there’d been no question about the location when he’d built. Like wood, he had a love for water and had always found the creek comforting. During the wet season, the water would rise and rush past his house, creating a spectacular sight from his elevated position that protected him from flooding. He’d fenced off a large yard, the surrounding scrub provided privacy, and the gap in the tree-lined creek offered a spectacular view of the banana farm.

  The house was a simple four bedroom because, like any sane man, he’d built for the future. And yes, his brothers and sister had laughed at him for it. But just because a man didn’t seek commitment in his twenties, that didn’t mean he never would.

  Tossing the rag onto the verandah, he pulled his dusty shirt over his head. He’d go to town, ask Sue and Heather if they’d sell his woodwork, and get his life sorted.

  Adam yanked open the door and frowned when his Jack Russell, Rusty, wasn’t there to greet him. But Adam quickly saw the reason for his dog’s absence when his gaze landed on Jordan Kelly stretched out along his lounge.

  Naked.

  Adam drew to a halt, the screen door crashing closed behind him. His shoulders stiffened and hands tightened around his shirt. Fuck, he wished he was still wearing it as Jordan’s eyes zeroed in on his bare chest. Her lips parted in a toothy grin.

  ‘That’s a sight I like to see, a man eager to join me.’

  Exhaling, Adam dropped his shirt and shoved his hand through his hair, trying to look anywhere but towards Jordan. This situation wasn’t unusual. Whenever she was lonely or in the mood, Jordan would invite him around or turn up unexpectedly. In the past, he’d usually gone with the flow, most of the time without complaint. But lately, he’d felt nothing and had been turning down her booty calls since April.

  Why she kept showing up, he had no idea.

  ‘What are you doing here, Jordan?’

  ‘Aww, are you still playing hard to get?’

  ‘I’m not playing anything. I told you on the weekend I’m not interested anymore.’ And the weekend before that, and that ...

  ‘Oh, stud ...’ She stood. Adam’s gaze darted to hers as she moved towards him. It wasn’t an effort to stop his eyes from straying down her body. ‘I’m sure I can change your mind.’

  Never. Not again. He didn’t want to be a regular hook-up. An easy lay. They were over. Sure, sometimes it’d been convenient to have an arrangement with her, but she’d had the same arrangement with many other men. He’d never judged her for it because he’d known what he was getting himself into. She’d lured him back in after Ana had come to town, which had resulted in another fist fight with her brother Paul Kelly. When she’d taken up with some other bloke a week later, Adam had barely batted an eye.

  Then he’d watched Liam fall in love with a smart, beautiful woman, and Adam had considered there might be more to life. When Jordan had come to him one rainy night in March, she’d left him feeling empty and he’d seen the light. Meaningless hook-ups were no longer fun, and it had delighted him more than he could say to realise that. So, the next time she’d called, he’d told her no. He wasn’t interested.

  Since his birthday, he’d been more determined than ever to avoid her.

  Jordan reached for him, and he stepped back. ‘I don’t have time for this. I’m busy.’

  She sniggered. ‘Doing what?’

  ‘I have places to be. Wood to work.’

  Her fingers brushed the waistband of his jeans. ‘I’ll play with your wood.’

  Adam clenched his teeth, his skin prickling. ‘Not that kind of wood.’ He stepped out of her reach.

  ‘Oh, come on,’ she whined as he moved around the lounge. ‘You know I’m much more fun than that junk you keep in the shed.’

  ‘It’s not junk,’ he muttered, spying her clothes on the lounge. Adam gathered them up and thrust them at her. ‘Now, please leave.’

  She huffed out a breath and took her clothes. ‘Are you serious?’

  ‘Yes.’

  Her eyes steeled. ‘Fine. Be like that. Just know that next time you’re horny, I might be busy with wood too.’

  Then, clutching her clothes to her breasts, she turned and strode out of his door. Naked.

  Adam flipped the lock behind her and let out a deep breath. Bloody hell. Rubbing his hands down his face, he strode through the house to the back door where Rusty was scratching at his locked dog flap demanding to be let back in.

  ‘Sorry, mate.’ Rusty darted inside. ‘She’s gone now.’

  Rusty ran to the front door to double check though. Adam left him to his guard-dogging, shoving the incident from his mind as he showered and left for his meeting at Elizadale Homewares.

  He didn’t know why he was nervous as he walked in and greeted the owners, Sue Riley and Heather Knowles—sisters, avid craftswomen, and two prominent figures of the community.

  ‘Ooh, you have more things for us?’ Heather asked, a twinkle in her eye.

  Adam swallowed as he set the box down. ‘Yep. Although I was hoping I could do it more regularly. I want to make something of my woodturning and was wondering if we could strike up a deal?’

  ‘Oh, that’s wonderful!’ Sue clapped her hands together and beamed at her sister. ‘Isn’t it, Heather?’

  ‘Yes! I’ve been saying this for years, Adam.’

  He nodded slowly. ‘I know. But I’m serious now. I still have work to do on the farm, but I enjoy making things and after whipping up some bowls the other day, it clicked. I could make a business out of this.’

  ‘You can, Adam. You’re incredibly talented.’ Sue picked up the mango bowl he’d brought and examined the various shades in the grain.

  Heather nodded. ‘The items you’ve made us before have always sold quickly.’

  ‘People love handmade homewares. And with your cousin’s new café taking off, we’re seeing more visitors pass through Elizadale. Knickknacks sell well.’

  ‘And furniture.’ Heather shot him a pointed look. ‘You could make a killing with tables.’

  The tension in Adam’s shoulders loosened. ‘I have slabs of rose gum that would make nice coffee tables, so I could do that.’

  ‘And we’ll gladly sell them,’ Sue said.

  Adam managed a smile. ‘All right, then. So—’

  ‘You have yourself a deal.’ Heather extended her hand. ‘If you deliver it, we’ll sell it. As long as you do so regularly.’

  Adam swallowed. ‘I will. I’m also happy to take suggestions. Or commissions. I’ll give you a steady supply of bowls and vases, but I’ve considered ordering in parts to make clocks too.’

  Sue beamed. ‘Clocks would be fantastic!’

  ‘Absolutely.’ Heather placed her hand on Adam’s arm. ‘You’ve made an excellent decision, my boy. I’m proud of you.’

  Stupidly, Adam’s chest expanded. He’d known Heather and Sue all his life. They were his mother’s age and Sue’s daughter Meg was one of his best friends. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘What did your mum say?’ Sue asked.

  ‘She’s pleased and wants me to make more things for the retreat.’

  ‘I’m sure she does. Will you sell through Liam’s tourist centre too?’

  ‘Not the stuff I’m selling you, but I’ve carved some banana souvenirs for him. I figured The Bent Banana needed some.’

  ‘I’ll need to get one of those,’ Sue said.

  ‘Of course you will. Now—’ Heather cleared her throat ‘—let’s talk business.’

  Nodding, Adam followed the ladies out of the store and into their office. Already, he felt changed. And scared as all shit. He’d always had dreams, but since when had he ever achieved anything of substance?

  Chapter Three

  Natalia and Ana didn’t stop talking as they unpacked. She hadn’t brought much with her, just clothes and a few treasured possessions. Smiling softly, Natalia placed Surge Duck in the shower. She’d been six when her father had given her the yellow duck with a stethoscope around his neck, and in that moment, she’d decided to become a doctor just like her daddy.

  A week later, her daddy had died.

  ‘Just another house, Surge.’ God knows they’d both seen many. ‘But hopefully, we can make a difference while we’re here.’

  She’d harboured her medical dreams during childhood, but her motives had changed by the time she’d started university. She’d studied medicine because she wanted to help people, something she’d forgotten while working for that awful Mason Canning.

  Shuddering, Natalia left the bathroom. Never mind that now. She was in Elizadale where she looked forward to working with long-time town physician Joanne Brennan. Natalia would learn the ropes and build a good rapport with the community. In a small town, a solid reputation was vital.

  After unpacking, Ana drove Natalia to the supermarket to buy some much-needed essentials.

  ‘You’ll need to visit a few stores to get everything. Vicki Hall is the baker and she’s keen to know everybody. She’s Meg’s aunt and the sister of our town’s representative with the Mareeba Council, Ron Riley.’

  Natalia nodded. She’d heard of the Rileys and their leading influence in Elizadale.

  ‘Then there’s the fresh produce store, the hardware store, and Claire Taylor’s hair salon.’ Ana parked the car and they climbed out.

  ‘And tomorrow I get to meet your friends?’

  ‘Yep. Although ...’ Ana stopped walking, her gaze lingering over Natalia’s shoulder. ‘Looks like you might meet one now.’

  Natalia turned at the rumble of a motorcycle and watched as the man parked, kicked down the stand, and switched off the bike. His blue jeans stretched over strong thighs and broad shoulders filled his leather jacket. Then he lifted his helmet and ran his hand through his dark hair. Natalia’s breath caught.

  Hello!

  Swinging off the bike, he grinned and lifted his hand in a wave. Ana waved back. Natalia didn’t move.

  ‘Hey, cuz.’ He strolled over and enveloped Ana in a hug. ‘Good to see you. Who’s your friend?’

  Natalia’s cheeks heated. Wide smile, dark eyes. Oh yes ...

  Ana glanced at Natalia. ‘This is my sister. Nat, meet Adam Maguire. Liam’s cousin.’

  Adam Maguire. Yes, she’d heard about him. Elizadale’s notorious bad boy who got into fistfights with the Kelly brothers and kicked out of the Royal Hotel. The man who’d helped rescue Ana when she’d been abducted and beaten by Rick Newman.

  The man Ana had failed to mention had shoulders like Adonis and should be in a toothpaste ad as he flashed her a smile and offered his hand. Natalia took it, her fingers tingling and toes curling inside her sandals.

  ‘You couldn’t be Ana’s older sister.’

  Her blush deepened as he released her hand. ‘Ahh ... yeah, I am.’

  ‘I told you Nat was coming,’ Ana said, glancing at Adam with a frown.

  ‘You tell us lots of stuff I half listen to.’

  He actually drawled, and Natalia stifled a laugh. Ana rolled her eyes.

  Adam turned his gaze back to Natalia. ‘So, what brought you up here?’

  Ignoring her developing arrythmia, Natalia recovered her voice. ‘Apparently, Elizadale’s a great place for fresh starts.’

  ‘Your sister would agree with you there.’

  ‘Yeah ...’ Ana cleared her throat. ‘We have some groceries to buy, so we should go.’

  ‘I’ll see you around, then. Tomorrow, right?’ Adam’s gaze shot to Ana. ‘You are bringing Natalia to Friday Frenzy.’ It was not a question.

  ‘Of course.’ Ana’s tone was light, but her eyes flashed.

  ‘Good. I’ll see you ladies then. It was nice meeting you, Natalia.’

  She shivered as the syllables of her name rolled off his tongue and he turned and swaggered away. Her breath escaped in a whoosh and her gaze fell to his backside. Damn, he looked good in those jeans. Sexy as sin with his lazy gait and fine glutes.

  Natalia turned to Ana, who was still frowning. ‘What?’

  ‘Don’t even think about it.’ Ana turned on her heel and strode into the supermarket.

  Natalia followed. ‘Think about what?’

  ‘I saw it.’ Ana snatched up a basket. ‘Don’t go there, Nat. I know he’s bloody gorgeous and incredibly charming, but you don’t want to get mixed up with Adam Maguire.’