The Heart of Deception

Chapter 15

Lauren tossed and turned in bed. Sleep eluded her. Tears of self-pity had long since dried up, leaving her restless and drained. She found herself watching the clock, and worrying. Pictures of Kurt lying injured somewhere in a ditch haunted her.

It was well past midnight when she finally heard the Land Rover return to the homestead. Knowing Kurt was now home, safe and sound, made her feel more at ease. She listened for movements from the room next-door, but none came. Come to think of it, she hadn’t heard anything other than the four-wheel drive’s engine when he arrived. Not even a door opening or closing.

She lay motionless for a few more minutes, before getting up and slipping on Diane’s mint green, silk dressing gown. Lauren didn’t want to face him just yet. She wasn’t sure she wanted to face him at all after this afternoon.

Why on earth did she have to feel so ashamed of Diane’s centrefold photo? After all, she hadn’t posed for it. Diane had. Lauren couldn’t explain the way she felt. She’d been so embarrassed she’d even kept it a secret even from her closest friends. Naturally, her father knew, but neither one of them had mentioned it again since the twins had fought about it.

Maybe Diane’s right, mused Lauren padding quietly through the house. I’m just a prude.

Outside, the full moon illuminated the undulating landscape surrounding the house. She’d left the light outside the backdoor burning for him, but its beam was insignificant in comparison to the bright light of the moon.

He had no need to look - Kurt knew she was there. He could feel her presence. Ever since her return to Canoorah, there seemed to be a compelling force drawing him to her. Once out of the car, he turned to face the house.

A tight band constricted around his chest at the sight of her, making it difficult to breathe with ease. She looked like a goddess standing at the top of the stairs, serene and beautiful. Her hair spilled over her shoulders in thick dark waves against her milky white skin. Her full-length silk robe had an almost ethereal glow in the silvery moonlight.

An image of the centrefold picture once again intruded on his thoughts, bringing him back to reality with a bump. Some goddess! This woman had the face of an angel, the morals of a street cat, and a changeable personality that left him utterly confused and angry. Yet, amazingly, when he stopped two steps from the top, and gazed into those soft dark eyes, he realised, no matter what she was, he was still irrevocably in love with her.

Looking into his eyes, Lauren saw his anger ebbing away. Now he just looked hurt and betrayed. “I’m sorry, Kurt,” she whispered hoarsely. “If I could do anything to change things, I would.”

“Why Diane?”

“I don’t know.” Lauren looked down at her tightly clasped hands, shame washing over her again.

“You must have had a reason, Diane. People don’t do things like that for nothing.”

No. They don’t, thought Lauren. They’re normally paid to do it.

“I was a fool,” she whispered, shrugging her shoulders uncomfortably. “I needed the money. They lead me to believe I’d be well paid, so I ... well....”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” His voice was thick with emotion.

“I couldn’t. I didn’t want to lose you. Then, once we were married... I didn’t have the courage to tell you.”

Kurt closed his eyes to shut out her look of distress. He needed the strength to bring everything out into the open this time. No more secrets.

“What else haven’t you told me, Diane? How many more little surprises am I likely to find in the future?” His voice was edged with steel. “So far, our whole relationship’s been built on lies. I don’t know what to believe any more.”