Page 45 of Outback Secrets
Liam shrugged as Jim downed almost half the pint in one go. ‘Maybe you could ask for some kind of payment plan?’
‘When have you ever known Phil McDonald to give a damn about the little folks?’ he asked.
Rex, who’d been drinking quietly next to Jim, snorted. ‘You’d have more luck asking the bloody Queen for a loan.’
Liam had to admit Rex was probably right. Phil was not only the owner of pretty much the only pest control company that serviced Bunyip Bay, but he also happened to be a local farmer and the Shire President. All he seemed to care about was making sure the town’s sporting facilities were top notch and that the road out to Glenorchy—his prized Merino sheep farm—was sealed.
‘Well, good luck,’ Liam said, before going into the kitchen to start collecting the steaks and parmies for the annual CWA dinner.
‘You need some Christmas tunes in here,’ said Karen Barker as he put a plate laden with Macca’s roast veggies, cauliflower cheese and a well-done steak in front of her. ‘There’s only two weeks to go now, you know?’
How could he forget with everyone constantly reminding him? ‘You wouldn’t be able to hear them over the top of your chatter,’ he retorted, his tone far lighter than he felt.
‘Bah humbug, Liam. Why are you such a Grinch?’ asked Susan O’Neil, her large dangly reindeer earrings rattling as she spoke. ‘Wouldn’t hurt you to put up a few decorations.’
His chest tightened, because they were wrong: it would hurt—so very, very much. He’d sent Lara down to the shop to buy them Christmas crackers and seeing the packet waiting on the bar to be put out on the table was bad enough. What more did they want?
‘Oh my goodness! Bah humbug!’ exclaimed Mandy Sawyer, with what sounded very much like a witch’s cackle. ‘Get it, Bar Humbug—that’s what you should rename The Palace at Christmas.’
The others thought this hilarious, all except Henri’s mum who told them to leave him alone.
He tossed her an appreciative smile, then left them to their laughter as he went to fetch the next lot of meals, taking a quick moment to collect himself in the kitchen. It was stupid that even after so long, just the word ‘Christmas’ almost had him coming out in hives, but it did. December was his least favourite month of the year and he couldn’t wait for it to be over.
When Liam returned, he brought Lara with him in the hope to get in and out faster, but the women were all deep in conversation about a community garden they were hoping to start next year anyway. That was the one good thing about these ladies—they always had so much to discuss that their conversation moved on at the speed of light.
Just when he thought they’d managed to hand out the rest of the meals without drawing any further attention to himself, Eileen Brady called to his retreating back, ‘What’s Henrietta up to tonight?’
‘She should be here soon,’ Fiona Forward answered for him with a smug smile as she winked at Liam in a manner that suggested the two of them were in cahoots in some kind of secret scheme. If only she knew the truth! ‘She was having dinner with Hannah, Callum and the kids first.’
He nodded as if he knew this and then retreated quickly before the women could start teasing or grilling him on his phony love-life. That was another good reason to steer clear of ever getting involved with anyone in Bunyip Bay—in a small town a romance was rarely between two people; the rest of the residents also felt it their right to have their say.
The next couple of hours passed quickly and just when Liam was beginning to think Henri wasn’t going to show up after all, the fly strips parted again and there she was.
The sight of her stole the air from his lungs.
She looked different this evening and it was only when she got closer that he realised what it was. The chocolate-brown locks that were normally captured in a high ponytail were falling in soft waves around her shoulders and she was wearing lipstick. Red lipstick. And mascara. Her sensible boots were still on her feet, but instead of her usual jeans or scruffy shorts, she wore a knee-length denim skirt and a figure-hugging blue tank top that was almost as revealing as her swimsuit.
Praising God for the particularly warm weather tonight, Liam stepped around the bar to greet her. He’d only meant to kiss her on the cheek but couldn’t resist placing his mouth on hers instead. After all, wouldn’t that be what a real boyfriend would do?
‘Get a room!’ he heard someone shout from over near the pool table. In the dining room, the CWA ladies applauded.
Henri laughed and rolled her eyes as they pulled apart.
‘You look fabulous,’ he said, resting his hand on the small of her back.
‘Thanks.’ She grinned up at him, then whispered, ‘Thought maybe I should go to a bit of effort for my fake boyfriend. Great acting by the way.’
‘I’ll have you know I was the lead male role in the high school production three years in a row.’
‘Wow. I’m impressed.’
‘You’re not so bad yourself.’
‘Well, although I didn’t have your esteemed training, I was pretty convincing when I lied about something Tilley or one of my brothers did to me to get them into trouble.’
He forced a laugh. ‘Geez, remind me not to get on your bad side! Now, can I get you a drink?’
Henri glanced towards the dining room and waved at her mum. ‘I’m shattered, but I’d better have one drink. Make sure Mum gets a good glimpse of us together before I head upstairs.’