High Stakes Bride by Fiona Brand Page A

going to be attracted to a weakling and Carter had succeeded in a field that broke strong men. He wasn’t the hunted, as she and Susan had been. He was the hunter.
    With careful precision she released herself from his hold. Somehow this had all gotten way out of control.
    Yesterday their relationship had been over; now she didn’t know what they had. She had stepped out of her comfort zone into alien territory, and when it came to dealing with Carter, control had always been important. As strong as she was, he had always been in danger of overwhelming her. As much as Dani had given, he had wanted more, and the instinct to protect herself was too ingrained for her to surrender easily.
    â€œIf she’s not your girlfriend, why is she staying with you?”
    He glanced at his truck, his expression frustrated. Mia had the tailgate down and was perched on the end of the tray, enjoying the sun. “If I knew the answer to that, I’d tell you. She was there when I got back from the fire yesterday. Look, we need to talk—”
    The sound of a vehicle engine preceded the plume of dust as O’Halloran’s truck rounded the corner and pulled into the small parking area in front of her clinic. Dani checked her watch. It was ten on the dot; whatever else O’Halloran might or might not be he was punctual, his timing impeccable.
    Dani covered the last few paces to the building and shoved the key in the lock. Carter pushed the door open and stepped into the clinic ahead of her.
    Reaching up, she slipped the key on the hook just inside the door. “What do you think you’re doing?”
    â€œIn case you hadn’t heard, there’s an arsonist in town.”
    â€œIn case you didn’t hear, Murdoch thinks it’s me.”
    Carter didn’t bother to answer. Irritated, Dani pushed open windows. “So what? You think O’Halloran’s the arsonist?”
    â€œWhat I want to know is why Murdoch thinks it’s you.”
    Dani felt heat build in her cheeks. She hadn’t committed a crime, but having to repeat the reasons why Murdoch thought she might have made her feel guilty. She marched through to the reception area to unlock the front door. “Because I was first on the scene at the fire over at the Barclays’ place, and I also happened to be in town when Nola had her fire.”
    First on the scene again.
    O’Halloran stepped through the door. Without the covering of ash and soot, he was younger than she’d thought—early thirties at the most—with the dark tan and muscular build of someone who spent a lot of time working outdoors. For a man who had almost died eighteen months ago, he looked remarkably fit and well.
    His gaze settled on Carter. The temperature in the room dropped by a few degrees.
    Dani gestured him through to the treatment room and threw Carter a meaningful glance. Carter picked up a magazine and sat down in one of the easy chairs, his message clear.
    He wasn’t leaving until O’Halloran left.
    Â 
    At three-thirty Dani deposited the day’s earnings in at the Jackson’s Ridge bank and requested a balance on the farm account.
    Her earnings had bolstered the account, but only marginally. She would have to empty the chequing account to pay the ostrich bill. Once that debt was cleared, she and David would be flat broke.
    Half an hour later, she walked into the house, picked up the phone and dialled David’s number. After fielding joking comments from two of his flatmates, she finally got David.
    â€œI’m going to sell some furniture.”
    There was a short silence. “Don’t do that. I’ll sell the car, it’s got no sentimental value.”
    That was typical David. Ever since he’d been small he’d had a sharp, clear intelligence, and despite his relative youth he had a flair for farming and business. It had been his decision to shift from sheep into beef that had finally turned the