The Heart of Deception

Chapter 22

Kurt grabbed his Akubra by the crown, and pulled it off his head. Wiping the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve, he looked up into the bright sun. After the cold, wet Melbourne weather, the heat was bliss. His smile said it all. It was good to be home, although he had been a little disappointed to find no one at the house when he arrived.

“Well Gallant, I don’t really have the right to complain.” He shrugged as he patted the big black stallion’s neck. “I only said I would get an earlier flight home. I didn’t say when. Knowing my girls, they’ve probably gone shopping.”

Shielding his eyes with his hat, he squinted into the distance. A large sedan was travelling cautiously up the driveway. His heart gave an excited flip, but settled just as quickly again, when he realised that the approaching vehicle was not the Mercedes.

The white car stopped outside the house, and two men got out. From where he was, he noticed one of them wore a navy, three-piece suit, and the other, jeans and a casual shirt. They hesitated at the car for a while, looking up at the magnificent old building, before heading uneasily towards the stairs.

He’d been tempted to ignore them, and continue his inspection of the property, but curiosity got the better of him. Following the broad fallow divisions between the pineapple crops, he trotted Gallant towards the homestead, instead of back to the stables.

Finding nobody home, the newcomers had already begun to descend the wooden staircase. They stopped half way down, when they saw the large black horse and its rider advancing. From beneath the brim of his hat, Kurt had plenty of opportunity to study them.

They’re not well acquainted, he thought. They look uncomfortable in each other’s company. The guy in the jeans looks familiar though.

He had almost shoulder length auburn waves that would have looked quite feminine, had he not been as rugged or as tanned. At a guess, Kurt estimated he was probably about six foot four, and around forty-five. His companion on the other hand, although about six feet tall, had a smaller build. He could have been the same age, maybe younger. His dark brown hair, neatly trimmed and combed made his pallid complexion look even pastier.

For reasons unknown, Kurt found himself taking an instant disliking to him. The strangers glanced quickly at each other, before turning back to face Kurt. The familiar looking character, descended the remaining stairs, and stepped closer.

“Kurt Palmer?” He nodded. The deep Scottish accent took him by surprise. He had expected him to be Australian. “My name’s Michael McAllister.”

“You’re Diane’s father,” Kurt exclaimed in surprise, as he swung himself out of the saddle. He slapped the stallion on the rump, sending him off in the direction of the stables. “It’s great to meet you,” he grinned, as he shook hands with his father-in-law. “Diane was convinced she’d burned her bridges where her family was concerned, so I never expected to meet you.”

“No,” Michael smiled sadly, his voice strangled with emotion. “Volatile tempers are a strong family trait I’m afraid. So is our stubborn pride. Up until now, we had no idea where to find her.”

Kurt felt elated. Everything was starting to work out perfectly. Their marriage was back on track, Diane would be able to patch things up with her father, and Jessica was going to have a grandfather. He ushered the two men indoors. The wan looking man in the business suit, stopped in the formal lounge, and cleared his throat. Kurt had almost forgotten him. Turning back, he saw his father-in-law, shuffle uncomfortably, as he indicated to his companion.

“This is Justin Paige,” he said, running an agitated hand through his already unruly hair. “He’s ... He was Lauren’s fiancé. Diane’s sister.”