Dewer Falls

By Henriette Peitorchid

Western Australian woman Charlize Dewer has had enough of running things at outback station, Dewer Falls for her father who left her the day after her mother passed away after a tragic accident when she was just thirteen. Left in the care of Jack, who Charlie feels should have been her biological father, she educates herself in business, agriculture and horticulture to make the station a success. Burned at the end of every month when her father strips the station of any profits, Charlie decides to embark on a trip overseas to get what is rightfully hers, her station.
But from the moment Charlie steps foot in California to make her demands to her father, Charlie feels eyes on her. Eyes that make her feel hot in ways she's never had a chance or time to explore before. Stepping into a five star hotel, as a gift from Jack, Charlie meets hotel owner Simon Stevens, who makes demands on the Aussie woman that both anger Charlie yet intrigue her at the same time. Never one to be told what to do, Charlie defies Simon at every turn.
Realising there is so much more to Simon than just an ordinary hotel owner and businessman, Charlie finds she's constantly processing how a man who has been through what Simon has, comes out the other side. Battling his horrible sister, who Charlie wants nothing more than to slap down a few pegs, she realises some battles need to be fought alone. After fighting with her father and Simon one last time Charlie returns to Australia and her home to find her world crashing down around her within seconds of getting of the plane on home soil.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Henriette Peitorchid
• Release date: Aug 29, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310905704

Henriette Peitorchid

New to the writing market, I myself live in Western Australia with my husband, stepson, 3 children, one who has ADHD and another with low functioning autism. On top of my crazy household, I also work full-time, keeping my days filled and busy. I've been a fan of romance novels since I was thirteen. As a teen it was my dream to become a writer, but life took on another direction. So at twenty five I finally placed my laptop in front of me and let the words begin to flow out. Six years and a lot of nerves later, I have finally decided to give it a shot and see if you like my work. I am still working on a few different ideas for other books and as soon as they are ready I will put them up also. So for now I hope you enjoy!

Book preview

Chapter 1

Getting on the back of a horse was like feeling free. The wind in your hair, the wide open spaces and all the clichés that go with it. When you were just twenty three and living on your own station in the wide open spaces of Australia, nothing got better than that. Well actually, I thought, a lot of things could be better, the station could actually be mine, instead of my fathers. But not to squabble he wasn’t here and I only really see him once a year to beg that the station be signed over to me. What the hell would he know about farming anyhow?

Taking in the scenery surrounding me I drew in a deep breath and exhaled. The wattle, and gum trees with their eucalyptus scents surrounded me. Straightening my akubra I smiled and gave my horse Baby a gentle nudge. He knew my moods and cues as if we were one and flew straight into a gallop. Heading straight across the paddock toward home, dawn was just lighting the sky. It wasn’t unusual for me to be awake and working this early, it was the land. It called to me the way a sister or priest gets their calling to the lord.

I can’t say as I believed in God though, I never had much of an opportunity to learn much of what he was about and that was okay, I got the gist of it. A foal had gotten caught in some rougher fencing and the animals were almost keening for it’s release. I let Baby lead me to where I needed to be, where it’s mother stood by panicking, I had a way with animals, I calmed her speaking smoothly and softly, offering her an apple I had swiped on my way out the front door. She calmed enough for me to get close enough to her baby to untangle her, but the moment it was free she surrounded it, not letting me near until she, herself had surveyed the damage.

She nodded her approval to me to examine the wound, I grimaced and knew I would need to clean the wound and dress it and wouldn’t like my chances of the mother approving, she was one of my best horses, fiercely loyal and quick to work. Sighing I walked slowly to Baby. I rummaged into my saddle bag and gathered some antiseptic and a bandage, it would take a while before I could get a vet and even then I didn’t know if I had the funds to save it. Pain twisted my gut, but the mother let me do what I could.

Flesh had been torn away on the foal’s leg and was gapping. It whined and tossed as I gently placed it into place. I gritted my teeth as tears slipped down my cheeks as I poured in the antiseptic. The fence was old and rusted and had seen some of the best cyclone seasons and was in a major state of disrepair. Taking a breath I poured the liquid and the foal cried out. I could feel the mother reel in anger and waited for the hooves to crush me against the still cold ground.

Baby fought her back whinnying and rearing against the mother in my defence. Wasting no time I wrapped the foal’s leg tight as the foal went limp, I could only imagine it was in a state of shock and the pain coursing through it’s young body. I lifted it as best I could until Baby knelt to lend assistance. Baby was firmly shoved aside in replace of it’s mother. I wasn’t strong enough to hoist a foal on the back of a horse, nor was I sure it was even possible to stabilise the foal. I laid it gently across the ground and took off the woollen jacket I wore and covered the torso.

I sat with tears streaming down my face needing the urge to let out the pained cry with the animals, but knowing it did no good to do so. I sat and let the tears slide at their will. I wasn’t sure how long I lay there, and was vaguely aware of Jack Lambert coming upon me at some point where the sun was at it’s hottest. The foal hadn’t survived, and once more in my life I felt numb. The mother had stood by it, nudging it every so often to rise and get up, the flashbacks haunting me as I remember the doing the same thing to my own mother so many years ago.

Come on honey, let’s get you home. I didn’t feel Jack lift me into his arms and place me on Baby, knowing he would take me home, I didn’t feel the slap he gave him to take me there. I didn’t hear him ride after me. All I felt was the wind in my hair, the sun on my face and the weight settling on me that once again I could do nothing to protect this beautiful piece of land if my father continued to siphon all the funds and profits I made out of it.

He left me enough each month to get by and continue my work, but not enough to upgrade or manage a particular product that I had the land and ability to profit on. Baby came to a stop in front of my run down shamble of a house. My mother would be rolling in her grave if she saw it now, not through lack of cleaning, but lack of money to maintain what she once loved and cherished. I slid off Baby’s back and hit his rump once more to head to the stable’s.

Numbly I continued through the front door, ignoring the peeling paint and rotting wood of the veranda. Past the furniture that had once seen far better days, up the stairs that now creaked under any type of weight and to the bathroom that had once gleamed a brilliant white with the claw foot tub, it’s main feature. Now stood faded tiles that would no longer bleach back to white and a tub that was in desperate need of some rejuvenation. I stripped off my clothes that were covered in blood and mud from the recent rain season and sank down into the empty tub. I sat resting my chin on my knees and lost myself in thought, I wasn’t sure who turned on the water to wash the foal’s blood away.

Whomever it was faded into the distance as I sat remembering the day my mother was trampled by a neighbouring herd of cattle and walked back to the house and soaked in this very tub, where I found her several hours later poking her to wake up and stop trying to scare me. I was barely eleven. I let the memories fade and the anger set in as my father packed his bags the very next day, demanding I do the same. To leave the place that was a part of me to live in a country I wanted nothing to do with. America, land of the free, home of the brave and yet Australia was still known as the lucky country. I’d take my chances with luck.

We fought and screamed and I was accused of being like my mother to the point, he stomped out the front door. I didn’t see him again until I was fourteen when he came to ask if I was over my tantrum yet. He walked away with a black eye and I stood with my akubra and stubbornness to not leave my home. I was backhanded into the lounge when he walked back out of my life the same way he made his entrance. Out the peeling front door.

Oh I knew he made a deal with Jack to care for me and Jack did so happily, but from that day he had never walked into my life voluntarily again. Now it was time to demand my freedom back and my land to go with it. Standing I scrubbed my unruly red hair and the lingering mud from my body and stepped out of the rapidly cooling water into my towel, that was in dire need of replacement. Swallowing hard I dried myself and wrapped the towel around my body. I sat at my ancient computer and logged onto the dial up modem to book a flight to the United State of America. Gritting my teeth I remembered I couldn’t book a flight without a credit card and promptly logged out. Sometimes it was just easier to do things in person.

Dressing in my usual jeans and faded red checked farmer Joe shirt I pulled on my muddy boots and backtracked down the stairs. Jack was waiting with a suitcase and I smiled, knowing the time we spent together was rapidly beginning to fade, he was aging and I would never have the time or resources to help him buy the medical attention he was going to need. He was so proud as I put my Akubra in place and snagged the case from his hands. Marching up the stairs, I heard his footsteps follow mine heavy on the floorboards.

I threw the case on the bed and opened it and walked to my dresser. I threw jeans, and shirts, underwear and bra’s into my case when Jack stilled my hands. He walked to the dresser and found a black swimsuit that used to belong to my mother, almost new and barely worn. He threw it and some other rarely worn clothes into the case along with some of my mother’s jewellery and perfumes.

Not sure how good it will be after all this time but I am making a demand on you. Something we both know I have never done before. You are going to book a nice hotel, in a nice area, not in a place not even fit for rats. You are going to have a holiday and if I see you back here inside of a week I’ll tan your hide until next Thursday. Hear me girl? I laughed.

Oh Jackie Boy, you’d have to catch me first and we both know how fast I move. Secretly I was touched and then outraged as he threw a stack of money on top of the case and disappeared. I paid all the farm hands what I could when I could and they never complained but I never asked for anything in return, not even that they stay on. I knew they had to make a living and I barely provided that, but they stayed anyway. I had an uneasy feeling Jack was the reason why. He had been a bachelor as long as I had known him and he doted on my mother. It had made me wonder a time or two if I was his daughter and not my fathers, unfortunately genetics won out and I looked a very good mix of both my mother and father.

I packed the money into my wallet and tucked it into my carryon bag. I walked down the stairs and out the front door where Jack sat waiting patiently in the old four wheel drive to drive me into town. Broome was hardly considered anything but a thriving tourist town in the right season, and this wasn’t it. Cyclone season was upon us as Jack wasted no time in driving to the local airport. Still, due to the area we lived in it took almost three hours. Flights to the capital city Perth shouldn’t be too hard to book, I might have to wait a day or so, but I would make it. Jack turned off the ignition at the departures terminal and jumped out to collect my case. I ushered him away and dragged it out myself.

Now don’t you take his crap young lady. Make your demands, this time if he doesn’t give in to them, we’ll make a plan B. It just might not include Dewer Falls. He stood there looking so old and tired I felt regret that he had even been asked to stay to watch me all these years and would discuss this with him on my return. Jack straightened his shoulders and cleared his throat. "Don’t even think it. I’m here because I want to. Go holiday I will see you in a week and a half no less!"

I thought it was a week old man? I asked in a broken tone I knew would melt him but unable to ease it due to the frog that had climbed into my throat. His hand lifted and cupped my cheek regretfully.

Travel time. Remember that whoopin’ I promised? I will do it! I let out a strangled cry and hugged him hard. He broke off awkwardly and nodded before climbing back into the old car. I waved and picked up my case, walking into the airport. Lanie stood at the ticket terminal and sighed.

That time of year again Charlie? a blonde with a bust that rivalled Dolly Parton herself, stood with her shirt straining to the point her buttons threatened to pop off and fly into your eye, I nodded and laid my wallet on the counter. She typed quickly and smiled.

Your in luck, I have a flight leaving in an hour or so, so I can book you and check you in all at once. That okay with you Charlie?

Perfect, thanks Lanie. She smiled, her thickly painted lips grinning.

It’s no problem, I just hope the weasel signs over this time. I smiled, knowing it was no point denying why I was leaving town, it was probably public knowledge. I placed my bag on the scales and paid the fare, which considering was cyclone season seemed very fair. I walked to the side after collecting my ticket and ordered a cup of tea. I suddenly had a bad case of nerves which was not abnormal when I flew to America to visit my father, I always hoped the tea would work, I was yet to notice a difference. But my mother swore by it and so therefore it must do some measure of good.

I sat quietly until my flight was called, not that they really the formality of a call when they could have just given a whistle and we all would have boarded the plane. Sighing I picked up my back pack and walked to the gate. I had to give the airport credit for thorough procedures when the town was in a drastic low season. I handed over my ticket and nodded to the flight attendant who ushered me into my seat. Some divine god had given me a window seat with no one beside me and I was eternally grateful not to have to sit next to someone who smelled like a hard days work or overkilled the perfume. Of even someone who wanted to chat or sleep on my shoulder.

I still had another flight to look forward to yet and knew that would be the longest flight. Hopefully I could get a redeye to California and have it reasonably quiet. I had a hard time sleeping in public places. Dutifully I watched the in-flight movie and ate the meal served although it wasn’t the most appetising of meals. Landing in Perth was the complete opposite to Broome, chaos reigned the airport, shouts to find arrivals over the announcements of the airlines. Sighing I made my way to collect my case and book my next flight, preying I wasn’t made to wait a few days to fly out. Sometimes the stopover was in Sydney and sometimes Melbourne, but ultimately I’d take the earlier flight.

Collecting the case I carried it over to the international airport terminal and waited patiently for a free clerk to serve me. When I managed to snag the only male, who happened to be quite a looker with sandy brown hair and deep brown eyes, he had the classic Aussie tan and I could easily picture him in boardies and a singlet with some thongs and zinc to top it off. His smile was over enthusiastic and I instantly remembered why I loved the solitude of my station, no leering males.

He made no attempt to hide the interest in his eyes as he checked me out and I rolled my eyes in annoyance.

I’d like a ticket to California, the earliest one available I don’t care where the stopover will be, just get me there. I watched his smile falter and smiled inwardly, good I thought, I might look like an Aussie from the sticks, which ultimately I was, but it didn’t mean I was a bubble head by any means. He typed furiously at the keyboard and I waited patiently.

I have a stopover in Sydney then straight onto California in thirty minutes if you can run, next one will be tomorrow?

Now. How much?

Sorry ma’am I need to book it first, name please?

"Charlie Dewer. Sorry Charlize Dewer." The petite blonde to his left stopped serving her client.

Oh ma’am if I can see your identification? Your flight was prearranged and I have your itinerary all ready for you. Sorry Sir, just a moment. She added to her client with a warm smile. Shrugging at the guy before me I moved left and showed the lady my identification where she smiled and handed my ticket and itinerary over. I smiled gratefully and she smiled back.

Hurry now ma’am or you may miss your flight. I nodded and carrying my case jogged over to view which gate I needed to locate for my flight. Finding the necessary directions I made the flight with ten minutes to spare. This time I didn’t appear so lucky I had an elderly lady on my left who wanted to show me all her pictures of her grandchildren she was going to visit and a man on my right who pretended to sleep and fall on my shoulder so he could try and look down my top. Snagging my akubra I leaned back in my seat and tilted the hat over my face to indicate to both of them I really wasn’t interested.

The flight seemed to take forever and as we landed I was held back by flight attendants to reach my connecting flight. Searching for a clock on my way through the terminal I noted it was eleven pm and I was already past being exhausted. Reaching my next gate, I handed over my ticket and was ushered into the plane. Taking my seat I was more grateful that once more I had a little room to move with only the left side of my seat being taken up. I always seemed to manage getting the middle seat in these flights over the last five years and it irritated me to no end.

I smiled gratefully once the wheels went up at the offer of coffee and settled back into my chair, smiling shyly at the small woman next to me who smiled shyly back. She kept to herself as I did to myself the whole flight, she never slept either. As we touched down in California I breathed a sigh of relief that Jack had booked a hotel for me on my itinerary and a coach that went with it. My case seemed to take forever to be unloaded, or maybe it was the fatigue lingering in my body, but I felt eyes watching me as I straightened from picking up my case. I took off my Akubra and rubbed my eyes glancing around. I met a pair of brilliant blue eyes staring at me and in the midst of people could not catch the rest of his face or body, but the eyes had to be a man, I could feel it.

Chapter 2

Taking a breath I headed toward the coaches and noted my name being held up on a hotel sign board. I waved and the older gentleman waved back. He ushered forward to reach my bag and I still had the uneasy feeling I was being observed, it’s like the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and your senses go on alert. I turned once more but could no longer match the eyes I had seen earlier. Shrugging I followed the gentleman into a waiting town car and frowned.

Shouldn’t this be a bus? I asked on a yawn.

Normally, but you were my only passenger today so we were able to take a smaller vehicle. Do you object ma’am? I smiled sleepily.

Not at all. Thanks Jerry. His head jerked in surprise as he closed the boot of the town car after placing my case in it. I put my Akubra back on my head .

You are very observant young lady for someone so obviously tired. I smiled and nodded, not wanting to discuss anything more than how long to reach the hotel. Ma’am relax, it may take a good hour or so, rest I can wake you when we arrive. I nodded tiredly and gratefully in his direction and settled back, the flights and the morning before completely wiping my system.

I must have dozed off within seconds as a gentle shake put me on alert and the kind older gentleman smiled over me, my hat had fallen to my side and I wiped a hand over my face and put my hat back in place over my head. Stepping out into the mid afternoon sun took my eyes a moment or two to adjust. When they did I thought I must be hallucinating.

Surely Jack couldn’t afford a place like this? It had to be close to five stars if not then the full five stars! I looked at the driver.

Please tell me this is a mistake? He looked confused and stressed.

You are Charlize Dewer? I nodded and he shook his head. No mistake then, the bell boy has already taken you bag to your room if you’ll just go to the reception they can complete your booking. Thankyou for staying with us. He nodded politely, climbed back into the town car and drove away. Looking back at the hotel I cringed knowing I must look a sight in faded denim jeans, an akubra which thankfully covered my thick red mass of tight curls, but my farmer joe shirt and extremely worn leather boots topped off the farm girl look. Biting my lip I walked past the palms trees, manicured lawn and flowering frangipani’s straight to the reception desk.

Hello I’m here to check in? When my eyes reached the desk clerk’s her face was a very readable ‘where the hell did you come from?’ look. This hotel obviously attracted movie star clientele and I looked like something the cat had dragged in. Fantastic.

You sure you got the right place sugar? Her Texan voice irked me and I gritted my teeth. I took my hat off and ran a hand through my unruly hair, however I never had the chance to answer and had that uneasy feeling again I was being watched. The clerk’s phone rang and she answered in a chirpy voice.

Of course sir. Right away. Fake smile plastered on her face she turned to me again. My extreme apologies that was not polite of me. Miss? I looked over my shoulder and felt foolish, no one was watching me.

Dewer. Charlize. I looked back at her and shrugged at her frown. Need to see my id? She shook her head nervously as she typed on her keyboard. She placed a swipe key on the counter.

Please enjoy your stay, your in room six nineteen. I can have someone show you to your room? I shook my head and took the key and my hat, stuffing it back on my head. Turning toward the elevator I didn’t even offer a goodbye. Snooty was an accurate description of the blonde busty lady behind the desk and she had been far from welcoming. A large man wearing a slightly rumpled suit stood at the elevator bank and pressed the button for me, before I even had a chance. He had incredibly broad shoulders, his dark grey suit clearly travel worn but still impeccable. When he turned and looked at me I had a funny feeling the world stopped spinning. Piercing blue eyes looked back at me with dark brown hair and his cheek would have a dimple on one side if he smiled. His mouth looked firm and his expression unreadable.

Floor? His tone was a husky sound, deep and rich that sent shivers racing through my body. He sounded as exhausted as I felt.

Six. He nodded and as a car door opened his hand gesture ushered me ahead of him. I walked past him and stood in the corner, averting my gaze and took a deep breath to calm myself. Instantly I recognised my mistake as a strong woodsy male scent washed over me. He leaned casually against the wall watching me so I tilted my head down, covering the blush that crept up my face with my hat.

The doors opened and I stepped forward to exit the car, the man stepping slightly forward as if to halt my hasty exit. I looked him back in the eye and his face changed, moved and showed a glimpse of the man beneath the suit. Not that I had much to do with men on a personal level, but as his gaze heated I knew he was wondering what was beneath my own suit. I nodded politely and stepped out looking for the sign to show me which way my room would be located. I felt him watching me until I rounded a corner and I heard the doors slide shut. What a fascinating way to start my holiday was all I could think as I studied room numbers.

Finally I came to room six nineteen and swiped the card to grant my access. I forgot to breathe a moment when I walked inside, the sleek modern design on the room obviously suited the businessmen and movie stars but for simpler folk like me, just left us a little awe struck. Dark wooden furniture highlighted the room with splashed of deep blues and creams to soften the tone. Polished silver switches, lamps and handles adorned the furniture and I felt way out of my element. The room was larger than anything I had ever stayed in prior, I walked into the bathroom and gasped.

The bathroom was larger than my bedroom and ensuite combined. Fluffy white bath sheets were folded over a heated towel rack. And the mirror was the main feature of the large room, every wall was indeed mirror. The shower head was a massive square adornment that was able to wet your whole body in one go, unless of course you were built as large as the man from the elevator, then maybe not all in one go. Squealing I danced in a circle and thought how much I could kick Jack when I got home for wasting money on extravagant luxuries.

Stripping down I turned on the water and noted that the bell boy had indeed placed my case on the cupboard near the bed. I would need to go shopping for more suitable clothing whilst here as all I had were jeans and shirts. I wasn’t entirely sure that my attire would cut it at this hotel for a whole week. Stepping under the warm spray I groaned after being couped up in an uncomfortable chair for fourteen plus hours. Stretching under the warm water felt amazingly good until my stomach rumbled. Food was next on my agenda and then some major sleeping hours. Calculating I had been awake for roughly thirty or so hours, my body was fatigued and aching.

Washing myself quickly I climbed out of the shower and dried myself, wrapping the fluffy towel around me. Digging through my suitcase I found my toothbrush and cleaned my teeth and brushed my hair free of any major tangles. Flicking through the hotel guide book I located the food menu for room service and could literally feel my eyes bulge at the exorbitant prices for food. The cheapest item on menu was fettuccini carbonara for almost forty US dollars. At home I knew I could make the dish for approximately three dollars so the mark-up was crazy. Sighing I felt too tired to go and find a McDonalds or the like so I placed the order with a lemonade and some fresh fruit and located the robe in the wardrobe to exchange for the towel when the room service attendant came.

It was just as fluffy and soft as the towel and smelled like fresh laundry. I found a remote and looked around for a television and realised it must be behind a wall somewhere. I looked around for a few moments and sat on the bed and pressed the on button hoping some sound would come out and I could locate it that way. It didn’t work. Well my plan now laid to rest I wasn’t worried as I never watched television at home, the box had blown up some years before and buying a new one seemed a luxury I would never be able to afford.

Flopping down on the bed I felt my body relax as my muscles eased their aching muscles. I closed my eyes and was unaware of time passing when the knock at the door made me jump. Startled I jumped up and raced to the door. The attendant stood there dressed smartly in black pants, polished shoes a white shirt and red vest. His hair was neatly brushed as he pushed forth a silver trolley laden with two silver covered dishes and a glass of lemonade.

Smiling gratefully I thanked him and passed him the required tip. He uncovered the dishes and placed them on the second shelf. Inhaling the pasta smelled divine. The attendant left quickly and I sat unwrapping my fork from the cloth napkin and ate with gusto. There was no way I could finish the entire pasta dish but managed a little over half before switching to the fruit and sipping my lemonade. When I was done I wheeled the trolley out the door and slipped out of the robe. Climbing under the