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“Really?” Mack turned to face her. “You never told me that.”
“He didn’t say it in so many words,” she admitted. “But he said he’d heard that I was living near Cairns and he had nothing better to do, so he left New Zealand and flew here. I know that all sounds a little vague, but he also said he meant to make me pay for what I did to Kai. Like he’s still holding a grudge against me. I know it sounds like a long shot, but did he come to Australia just to hunt me down? Or was it sheer coincidence that he bumped into me at a rodeo?”
“Those are all great questions,” Nash agreed. “And ones we mean to get to the bottom of.”
Steve spoke up for the first time. “Should we be worried about this Mutt guy?” he asked. “What I meant by that is, should we be worried that he might find his way out to Stormcloud? If he means to do Bindi harm, then…?” Steve didn’t finish his thought, but he didn’t need to, Bindi felt a sudden shiver run down her spine. She’d never considered Mutt would come out here to find her. She’d always felt completely safe at Stormcloud.
“We’re keeping an eye out for him,” Nash assured them all. “If he leaves Cairns, or tries to head this way, hopefully Constable O’Hare will warn us.”
That made Bindi feel a little better. Nash was an honorable man, and if he told her she was safe for the moment, then she trusted him.
“Do we even know if Mutt is aware Bindi is at Stormcloud?” Steve asked, ever the pragmatic one.
“Not sure,” Nash admitted. “But it probably wouldn’t be hard for someone to find out. He knows you were linked to Mack,” Nash nodded in Bindi’s direction, “and because of Mack’s ride on the weekend, his name is on quite a few people’s lips.”
Silence engulfed the room as everyone digested Nash’s words.
Steve was the first to break into their thoughts. “Well, let’s cross that bridge if we come to it,” he said. “Otherwise, we have a wedding to organize, and it’s getting closer every day.”
Shit, the wedding. Bindi hadn’t even considered Dale and Daisy’s upcoming nuptials. Nothing could happen to put that in jeopardy. Steve had probably meant to buoy everyone’s spirits, but it made Bindi nervous. She didn’t want to be the one to take any of the shine off Daisy’s big day.
“Thanks, Nash,” Steve continued. “I know you’ll be doing everything in your power to sort this little hiccup out.” He stood and shook Nash’s hand. “I’ll let you get back to Skylar, I’m sure she’s eager to get out of the kitchen for the night.”
“That she probably is,” Nash agreed. Nash and Skylar lived in a gorgeous country home that they were renovating together down the road toward town, and Skylar was probably waiting for Nash to come and drive her home. “I’ll just say my farewells to Daniella and everyone else.”
Mack stood and also shook Nash’s hand. “Yeah, thanks for all your help.” Bindi couldn’t help but notice the small V of a frown still hovered between Mack’s brows. He was clearly not happy with the information the police had so far, but there wasn’t a lot either of them could do about it.
The three men walked out together, still talking amiably as they headed toward the dining room. Bindi trailed behind, her mind racing with all the details—or lack thereof—and not concentrating on where she was going.
She turned into the kitchen and was accosted by Skylar. “There you are,” she said, wiping her hands on a dishcloth. Sasha was nowhere to be seen, and the kitchen looked tidy and orderly, which meant they’d probably finished for the night. “Did you learn anything new? Any leads?” She asked, watching Bindi intently. Like everyone else at Stormcloud, Skylar was concerned about her and Mack’s well-being after the crash. They all knew of the possibility that it wasn’t an accident. But Bindi worried that Skylar’s concern might also be skewed slightly by her worry over the upcoming wedding. Skylar didn’t like it when things didn’t go according to plan. Skylar had told Bindi on numerous occasions that she and Nash never discussed a case he was working on. Nash was particular about not compromising anybody or any case by letting details leak. It was a choice Skylar agreed with one-hundred-percent, being a stickler for the truth herself. But it meant that she’d have to rely on Bindi or Mack to get any particulars on this case.
Nobody knew the whole truth about Kai and what he’d done to her, apart from Mack, Nash and his police colleagues. Bindi knew she should tell Skylar and the rest of the crew, but wasn’t ready to reveal the exact details just yet. Not when it still felt so raw. All they knew was that Mutt and Clarissa were two likely suspects, but not even Steve or Daniella knew the full story of Mutt’s involvement.
“Not really,” Bindi replied, skirting around the island countertop and perching on a stool opposite Skylar. “They’ve confirmed that the front wheel was definitely tampered with.”
Skylar pursed her lips and tapped her chin with her finger. “Of course they did. We all knew Mack wouldn’t lie about something like that.” Bindi was surprised at Skylar’s easy trust in Mack, considering her own reservations she had about the man.
“But Mutt denies coming anywhere near the car, and they can’t even really start investigating this Clarissa lady, because she’s in America,” Bindi continued.
“Hmm. That’s no good.” Skylar’s face took on a faraway look as she stared out the window, deep in thought. “But never doubt Nash, he’ll keep going until he gets to the bottom of this.”
“I’m sure he will.” Bindi was about to lever herself off the stool when Mack marched into the room, and she froze on the spot.
“Goodnight, ladies,” he said, sweeping his hat in a low, gallant swish. “I’m off to catch some Zs. Got an early start in the morning.” With that, he flashed them one of his ultra-dangerous grins and disappeared out the door. Bindi was still hovering, half off the seat.
God, she needed to get over this stupid reaction whenever Mack walked into the room. Needed to stop the warmth that flooded her stomach at the sight of him. Needed to stop the tingle that started at the back of her neck, hoping that he’d reach over and touch her. Just one touch.
Clenching her teeth together, she flicked her braid over her shoulder with an annoyed jerk of her hand and stood up straight.
“Do you need anything else done tonight?” she asked. “Otherwise, I might head to bed, as well. I’m reading this great book at the moment…” Bindi trailed off. Why was Skylar looking at her like that?
“Did anything happen between you two while you were at the rodeo?” Skylar asked. “I mean, apart from the accident, of course.”
“What?” Bindi took an involuntary step backward. “No. Of course, not. Why do you ask?”
“Because you’re as skittish as a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs when he’s around.”
“Don’t be silly.” Bindi gave a smile she hoped passed for amused indifference, even though her heart was racing. Skylar didn’t know, did she? There was no way she could know. Mack had agreed they’d keep their little dalliance a secret, and she trusted him with that. He’d been nearly as keen as her not to tell anyone. And Bindi certainly hadn’t spoken to a soul. Not that she was ashamed of having slept with Mack. He was a hot stud of a cowboy, and she knew no one would condemn her for one night of weakness. They’d probably cheer her on. Skylar certainly would. She’d been telling Bindi she needed a man in her life for ages. But this was something she was going to keep to herself. For lots of reasons. Lots of complicated reasons she didn’t want to have to dissect right now.
“You know he’s not my type,” Bindi said, adding a breezy wave of her hand. “He’s way too much of a pretty boy for my liking.”
“Hmm,” Skylar said thoughtfully, not sounding convinced as she watched Bindi head for the back door. “But pretty boys can still be fun,” Skylar called after her.
Bindi kept going, determined to keep her feelings for Mack tightly under control. No one need know that she was attracted to him. That she might even be falling for him.
