Page 41 of Return of the Outback Billionaire

Her head appeared from the other side of the doorframe, a riot of golden autumn curls and sparkly hoop earrings. Her eyes were guarded; he’d put that look there and that was a good thing. And then she smiled, and he could have sworn the sun came out. ‘I loved it too.’

He was so screwed.

CHAPTER NINE

THE BUTTON SHOP Bridie ended up visiting supplied all the costume needs of major theatre groups in Sydney.Vintage buttons were especially amazing, Bridie had a sold-out exhibition on her hands and three landscape commission enquiries and the write-up on the show was headed for the weekend magazine of the national daily newspaper, courtesy of the ‘palpable tension and dramatic history between two scions of the Australian outback community’.

‘I can’t control what photos will be used, but with a headline like that you can bet the story will make mention of the work Mr Blake wanted removed,’ Sara had told her bluntly. ‘I realise that won’t go down well with him.’

‘Can you ask them not to?’

‘I can. You or Mr Blake might have better luck with that.’

Bridie didn’t look forward to letting Judah know. ‘You pulled the picture from the exhibition?’

The older woman nodded. ‘Where would you like it sent. Also, framed or unframed?’

‘I’ll take it with me now, unframed. Thank you so much.’

‘And is Mr Blake in...better spirits this morning?’

‘Yes. He’s quite recovered.’

‘If you ever become worried for your safety, call me. Or come here to the gallery. I know the drill and I know it intimately. I can help you.’

Bridie blinked, taken aback. Did worldly, sophisticated Sara honestly believe that Judah would hurt her? On the strength of his behaviour last night? It hadn’t been that bad, had it? ‘Oh, wow, no. Sara, I appreciate your offer but you have it all wrong. I trust Judah with my life and for very good reason.’

‘Of course, of course you do.’ Sara’s words flowed like redirected water. ‘But my offer still stands. Call any time, and if you start talking about an imaginary exhibition in, say, London, I’ll know you need help.’

‘Okay.’ What else could she say? ‘Is this because of Judah’s past? His reputation?’

‘No, it’s because I’m a woman of a certain age, with a lot of experience, and I lose nothing by mentioning that I am here for you if ever you need a safe place to be.’ Sara gestured for Bridie to walk with her towards the office area. ‘Now. Let’s talk about booking you for another show.’

Judah was waiting for her when she stepped from the gallery. Only innate grace kept Bridie from stumbling down the stairs at the sight of him. ‘Are you waiting for me?’

‘Yes.’

‘Because of this?’ She held up the art tube containing the picture of them. ‘Because it’s right here.’ She handed it to him without any more ceremony. ‘The bad news is that the write-up in this weekend’s paper is likely to mention it, and they’re going to rake up our past connections as well as our present ones, which... I guess I expected that. Did you?’

‘Of course.’ He began to walk towards the quay, same direction as the hotel. ‘But apart from that the write-up is good?’

‘Sara thinks it will be.’

‘Good. I have a water taxi ordered for half eleven. It’ll take us to a restaurant the concierge recommended.’

But when they got to the hotel and he’d handed the picture tube over to be taken to the room, he steered her towards the tiny jewellery cubby to the left of the foyer. It had a three-strand pearl necklace and diamond and pearl earrings on a black dummy’s bust in the window and was so beautifully lit that it looked like a renaissance painting. The pearls glowed with a magical lustre and the lack of anything resembling a price tag suggested that budget-conscious shoppers should keep on walking.

‘C’mon in, I want your advice on something.’ He opened the jewellery shop door and held it for her.

Was he buying something for himself?

‘Mr Blake.’ The gentleman behind the counter beamed.

Judah nodded. ‘Martin. This is Miss Starr.’

‘Enchanted.’ The man reached below the counter and lifted up a velvet pad that contained three necklaces, clearly designed for women. Bridie looked to Judah.

‘For you,’ he said. ‘A gift from me.’

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