The Heart of Deception

Chapter 21

Lauren arrived back at Canoorah well after dark. The crushed gravel driveway looked almost pink under the high beam of Kermit’s headlight. In the distance, the homestead had a welcoming glow. It looked as if every light in the house had been left on for her. As she approached, she found the garage illuminated, and the doors still open. She switched off the motorcycle engine in time to hear the telephone ringing.

Her heart skipped a beat. It was seven-thirty, the time Kurt always chose to phone home. This time she wasn’t standing in for Diane because the call was for her. She yanked off her helmet, and jogged excitedly up the stairs, two steps at a time. The screen door to the rumpus room slid open, to reveal a worried looking Helen.

“Thank heavens you’re back.” She breathed a sigh of relief. “I thought you’d disappeared for good. I had no idea what I was going to tell Kurt. He’s on the phone now.”

Lauren nervously hesitated in the doorway, and then crossed the room to pick up the phone. Her heart was pounding in her ears, and her palms suddenly became damp. She felt Diane’s ring slip easily around, until the large diamond faced the inside of her hand. Gripping the ring tightly, until the stone dug into her palm, she mentally urged herself on, before she lost her nerve.

Kurt’s voice was warm and arousing, vibrating sensually in her ear, sending shock waves of pleasure down her spine. A small groan escaped from her throat, as she flung herself back into one of the large papasans. He was more than a thousand kilometres away, yet still able to provoke her senses to a fever pitch.

“Darling, are you all right?” His voice was laced with concern. “You haven’t been over doing it in the pool again have you?”

Lauren laughed as her face reddened. “No. No, it’s nothing like that. It’s just ... it’s just...” Good grief girl. Get your act together. Now is the time to let him know exactly how you feel. She took a deep breath, and closed her eyes.

“Oh Kurt, I miss you so much,” she whispered.

Her reply was met by a deafening silence.

“Kurt?”

“Say that again!”

She hesitated as she plucked up the courage. She had wanted to say it for so long, but up until now, she hadn’t dared. At least he would have a day or two to mull over whatever she said tonight. What the hell! She wanted to be committed to this man for life.

“I ... I love you.” Lauren’s voice trembled with emotion, as her shaking hand clutched the receiver like a lifeline.

His voice was hoarse when he finally spoke again. “Do you realise that’s the first time you’ve ever told me that?” Kurt groaned as if he was in pain. “Why did you have to wait until I was too far away to do something about it?”

“I ... I was afraid you wouldn’t wait ...”

“Damned right I wouldn’t wait! For goodness sake woman! Do you have any idea how much I want you?”

Lauren blushed to the ears. It was just as well that he was in Melbourne. Speaking was already difficult with all these emotions running rampant inside her. If he had been there, to take her in his arms, she would have had no hope of resisting him. The inevitable would have happened before she had a chance to tell him the truth.

“I want you too Kurt, but we need to talk. I need to...”

“Does this mean that you’re still going to make me wait until our wedding anniversary,” he growled.

Lauren laughed nervously. “Yes. Kurt, promise me you’ll let me talk. I have something very important to tell you ...”

He groaned again. “More secrets? I knew I should have had you thoroughly investigated before I married you,” he teased.