Secret Confessions: Down & Dusty - The Complete Collection

By Fiona Lowe, Rachael Johns, Rhyll Biest and 4 more

In the latest in the wildly successful Secret Confessions series from Escape Publishing, the women of Down & Dusty invite you into their lives - and their bedrooms.

All seven stories together for the first time!

Welcome to the heart – and heat – of Australia…

They say that no one has secrets in a small town – these women prove them wrong.

Seven stories from some of Australia's hottest writers in Australia's hottest genre. From the bar stools of the local pub to the wide open plains of the biggest stations in the world, these tales travel the dusty roads to the heart of Australia and the women who understand how to work hard – and play even harder.

Reading Order:
Casey – Rachael Johns
Lucky – Cate Ellink
Kelly – Fiona Lowe
Clarissa – Mel Teshco
Skye – Rhyll Biest
Maree – Elizabeth Dunk
Frankie – Jackie Ashenden

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Australia
• Release date: Jan 1, 2018
• ISBN: 9781489255150

Fiona Lowe

FIONA LOWE has been a midwife, a sexual health counsellor and a family support worker; an ideal career for an author who writes novels about family and relationships. She spent her early years in Papua New Guinea where, without television, reading was the entertainment and it set up a lifelong love of books. Although she often re-wrote the endings of books in her head, it was the birth of her first child that prompted her to write her first novel. A recipient of the prestigious USA RITA® award and two Australian RuBY awards, Fiona writes books that are set in small country towns. They feature real people facing difficult choices and explore how family ties and relationships impact on their decisions. When she's not writing stories, she's a distracted wife, mother of two ‘ginger' sons, a volunteer in her community, guardian of eighty rose bushes, a slave to a cat, and is often found collapsed on the couch with wine. You can find her at her website, fionalowe.com, and on Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads.

Book preview

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Secret Confessions: Down & Dusty — The Complete Collection

Secret Confessions: Down & Dusty — Casey

Secret Confessions: Down & Dusty — Lucky

Secret Confessions: Down & Dusty — Kelly

Secret Confessions: Down & Dusty — Clarissa

Secret Confessions: Down & Dusty — Skye

Secret Confessions: Down & Dusty — Maree

Secret Confessions: Down & Dusty — Frankie

Rachael Johns

Cate Ellink

Fiona Lowe

Mel Teshco

Rhyll Biest

Elizabeth Dunk

Jackie Ashenden

www.escapepublishing.com.au

Secret Confessions: Down & Dusty

Reading order

1.  Casey—Rachael Johns

2.  Lucky—Cate Ellink

3.  Kelly—Fiona Lowe

4.  Clarissa—Mel Teshco

5.  Skye—Rhyll Biest

6.  Maree—Elizabeth Dunk

7.  Frankie—Jackie Ashenden

Table of Contents

Secret Confessions: Down & Dusty — Casey

By Rachael Johns

Secret Confessions: Down & Dusty — Lucky

By Cate Ellink

Secret Confessions: Down & Dusty — Kelly

By Fiona Lowe

Secret Confessions: Down & Dusty — Clarissa

By Mel Teshco

Secret Confessions: Down & Dusty — Skye

By Rhyll Biest

Secret Confessions: Down & Dusty — Maree

By Elizabeth Dunk

Secret Confessions: Down & Dusty — Frankie

By Jackie Ashenden

SECRET CONFESSIONS: DOWN & DUSTY — CASEY

Rachael Johns

www.escapepublishing.com.au

Secret Confessions: Down & Dusty — Casey

Rachael Johns

Welcome to the heart—and heat—of Australia…

They say that no one has secrets in a small town—these women prove them wrong.

Seven brand-new stories from some of Australia’s hottest writers in Australia’s hottest genre. From the bar stools of the local pub to the wide open plains of the biggest stations in the world, these tales travel the dusty roads to the heart of Australia and the women who understand how to work hard—and play even harder.

In the latest in the wildly successful Secret Confessions series from Escape Publishing, the women of Down & Dusty invite you into their lives—and their bedrooms.

Casey Cooper left her husband and the small town of Milpinyani Springs in her dust a year ago, vowing never to return. But a favour to a friend finds her back in town—and back in her husband’s garage, where he offers her a proposition too sexy to refuse. A naked Joel has always been the one thing Casey can’t resist—but can her heart handle the heat?

About the Author

RACHAEL JOHNS is an English teacher by trade, a mum 24/7, a chronic arachnophobe, and a writer the rest of the time. She rarely sleeps and never irons. A lover of romance and women’s fiction, Rachael loves nothing more than sitting in bed with her laptop and electric blanket and imagining her own stories.

Rachael lives in the Perth hills with her hyperactive husband, three mostly-gorgeous heroes-in-training, two fat cats, a cantankerous bird and a very badly behaved dog.

Rachael loves to hear from readers and can be contacted via her website—www.rachaeljohns.com. She is also on Facebook and Twitter.

Acknowledgements

Thanks to Kate Cuthbert at Escape for giving me the opportunity to write something a little bit different to what I usually do. I had SUCH fun writing Casey and Joel’s story. A shout out to Tracey O’Hara who kept track of the town, the characters AND the writers in this fun series. Also a big thanks to all the other gals who worked on these books. It was fun working with you all.

To all my rural romance readers who like their stories a little hot!

Contents

Episode 1—Casey

Episode 1—Casey

THE TOWN OF MILPINYANI SPRINGS WELCOMES YOU! POPULATION 356

Hah, what a joke. Casey Cooper shook her head as she drove her dirt-encrusted, but near-new, red FJ Cruiser past the dilapidated sign on the outskirts of town. The town she’d been born, bred and married in. Soon, she’d add divorced to that list as well. She doubted there were many people in these parts who’d welcome her return and that suited her just fine as she didn’t plan on hanging around for very long.

There was nothing left for her here—no family, few friends and certainly not husbands. Once she’d had so much love for the tiny central west Queensland town of Milpinyani Springs and its people, but life had soured her feelings for it and now she wanted nothing more than to move on. If it weren’t for Lucky needing her, she wouldn’t be here, but while she was, she may as well deal with that other pesky issue.

Joel.

Despite everything, she couldn’t simply send him the divorce papers via Australia Post. She’d once loved him with everything she had and before she finally turned her back on their marriage and on Milpinyani, she needed to see him one last time.

Tapping her fingers on the steering wheel, she glanced on either side of the road, reacquainting herself with the lay of the land. She had to concede that despite its dry and dusty terrain, it was beautiful: all deep red earth, clear blue skies and massive eucalypt trees that looked like they were older than time. Her love for this region was why she hadn’t been able to run as far as she’d wanted, and now lived a mere eight-hour drive away on a cattle station in Julia Creek.

The closer she got to the town centre, the more her heart began to pound with the thought of seeing Joel again. What if he’d shacked up with someone else? In one way, that would make her mission easier, but how could she bear seeing him with another woman? These thoughts whirling through her head, she took a few seconds to realise her car wasn’t driving as smoothly as usual. Granted the gravel roads were full of potholes, but that didn’t account for why it was swinging to the right. Or for that ‘calumph, calumph, calumph’ sound. She tried without success to correct the vehicle and then it dawned.

‘No!’ This could not be happening. ‘Shit, shit, shit!’ She slowly pulled the shuddering Cruiser over to the side of the road, unclicked her seatbelt and flung open the door before climbing out. She narrowed her eyes at the culprit as if the back tyre on the driver’s side had purposefully punctured itself to aggravate her. ‘Dammit.’

Thankfully, growing up on a farm, she’d learned to drive early and her wanker of a stepdad had ensured she knew how to look after the maintenance of any vehicle she sat behind the wheel of. Dating and then marrying a mechanic also hadn’t hurt. How many times had she sat on a crate, watching Joel as he tinkered under the bonnet of a car? This meant she knew how to change a tyre better than a lot of blokes.

With a sigh that flicked her brown hair up out of her eyes, Casey marched around to the back and uncovered the spare tyre. She frowned as she laid her hands on either side to remove it and then cursed again. Samuel hadn’t replaced the spare from the flat he’d gotten a couple of months ago when he borrowed the Cruiser to go into Townsville. He’d promised.

‘Damn the man!’ How the hell did anyone let something like this slip their mind when they lived in the middle of the outback? Storming back to her open door, she snatched her mobile off the dashboard, unsure whether she was going to call Samuel to abuse him or call someone for help. Of course when she went to dial a number—any number—she noticed she had no reception and remembered that phone coverage out here was shit.

She stared at the long road ahead. It would take her a good hour or so to walk into town from here. Not enthused by that option, she toed off her boots and then climbed right up onto the roof of the car to search for any sort of reception. Her hand, holding the mobile, was stretched out above her in a most undignified manner when another vehicle appeared over the horizon.

The four-wheel drive with a Flying Doctors logo on the side slowed alongside her as she slithered down off the bonnet. Casey immediately recognised the driver as Grant Wilkins, Milpinyani’s town doctor for as long as she could remember.

‘Hi, Doc,’ she said with a sheepish smile.

‘Casey?’ He frowned as he peered out the driver’s side window. ‘You in a little trouble?’

She shrugged. ‘Flat tyre, times two.’ Only she could have such shitty luck. ‘D’ya reckon you could give me a lift into town?’

‘To the garage?’ he asked, his words slow and full of meaning.

Her stomach flipped. ‘Yep,’ she said with resignation; she’d planned on facing Joel once she’d settled into her room at the pub, maybe had a drink with Lucky to give herself a little Dutch courage, but just like true love, it looked like the road to divorce wasn’t a smooth one either.

At least she’d have the short drive into town to prepare herself.

***

‘Thanks for the lift.’ Casey forced a smile at Dr Wilkins as they pulled up outside the front of the Milpinyani Springs Service Station, which sat on the main street directly opposite the pub. The wide street also housed the general store, an old-fashioned hardware store, the school and a tiny church that was only used now for weddings, christenings and funerals. If you drove down the main street and blinked, you’d miss the little town altogether.

‘Are you all right?’

The doctor’s words jolted Casey’s thoughts and she realised she’d been dithering. ‘Fine,’ she said, taking a quick breath and opening the passenger door. ‘Thanks again. See you later.’

Her handbag hitched over her shoulder, she headed towards the old building, hoping against hope that Joel had called in sick today and she’d get to deal with his uncle. The shop where you paid for your petrol was deserted. She followed the familiar smells of engine oil, old exhaust fumes and degreasers, and the loud clanking sounds into the actual workshop.

‘I’ll be with you in a moment,’ called a deep sexy voice—one she knew almost as well as she knew her own.

Her insides contracted and she thought she might actually vomit as she gazed down at two dirty, brown boots sticking out from under a ute. The boots were attached to grease-stained denim-clad legs and her eyes trailed upwards to the bulge in those jeans, just visible before a six-pack disappeared under the vehicle. Red-hot memories of all the times she and Joel had fucked like rabbits in this very place assaulted her senses. The illicit nature of the location and the knowledge his uncle could return at any moment had only enhanced the experience.

In a desperate attempt to bring moisture back into her mouth, she swallowed and fought the impulse to turn and run. Because, let’s face it, leaving town without her wheels was gonna be a problem. Nope, she’d just have to be a grown-up, fight any dangerous, lusty feelings she had for Joel and get straight down to business.

‘No worries,’ she replied, trying to sound light and carefree.

‘Holy shit.’ Joel slid out from under the vehicle, lying on his back, his legs apart as he gazed up at her. She couldn’t resist the pull of her eyes to the impressive bulge in his grubby jeans. Oh hell!

As her body temperature shot to dangerous levels, he slowly stood, wiping the grease on his hands off on his jeans as he did so.

‘Hi, Joel,’ she managed, trying to ignore the heat that flooded through her body as she came face to face with all the masculinity and sex appeal she’d spent a year trying to forget. His navy blue work singlet clung to his chest, highlighting every single muscle she knew intimately. And his dirty-blond hair was still a tad too long; of course on him scruffy was irritatingly sexy. She fought the urge to close the distance between them, reach out and stroke it back out of his eyes. Her fingers twitched at the recollection of how they felt to be tangled in his hair.

‘Long time no see,’ she added, mentally telling her libido to calm the hell down.

She expected him to snap something like ‘And whose fault is that?’ but instead he hit her with his lethal smile and uttered, ‘I missed you, Case.’

No! No, no, no, no, no, he was not going to sweet talk her with his bullshit. A new tyre and a divorce. That was all she was here for.

‘I got a flat coming into town and …’ She could barely bring herself to admit her stupidity. ‘The spare hadn’t been replaced from the last time. Could you go out, tow me in and source me a new one?’

He stepped towards her and her heart leapt into her throat. ‘How are you? You’re looking good.’ He raked his gaze over her, lingering on her mouth and then slowly moving down her body.

Her traitorous nipples hardened and she cursed the Queensland heat, which meant she only wore a thin t-shirt up top. But it wasn’t merely her nipples playing unfairly. Desire unfurled low in her belly and her pussy throbbed, hot and wet. It had always been this way between them.

Their chemistry had been blatantly obvious to them and everyone else the moment he’d walked into their one-teacher school. She’d been all of twelve years old and hadn’t had so much as a crush on a boy before then, but she’d fallen hard and fast for Joel Cooper. His parents had been killed in a car accident and he’d come to live with his uncle, Len McLean, owner of the garage. But he hadn’t looked like a boy broken. Taller than most their age, his face already boasting a hint of stubble, he’d walked into the class with a confident swagger that made Casey and every other young girl in Milpinyani quiver in their seats.

‘How soon can you fetch my car?’ she asked, folding her arms across her chest like armour.

He shrugged one shoulder. ‘Is that all you can manage to talk to me about after shooting through without a word?’

She scoffed, unable to believe her ears, ‘There were words, Joel. Plenty of them.’

Theirs hadn’t been an amicable split. As with everything where Casey and Joel were concerned, there’d been fireworks. Curse words, plates and a number of other household appliances hurled across rooms so that by the time she’d finally walked out of their little rental house there’d been little of value or significance left for her to take. Not that they’d ever had much between them.

‘So why are you back?’

Holding her chin high, she told him. ‘I’ve come to help Lucky with the pub during the rodeo. She’s had trouble with chefs the last few months or something and wants someone she can trust and rely on while she’s busy.’

‘I see,’ was all he said in reply. And then he glanced at his watch. ‘Well, I guess you won’t be working tonight. We should have dinner, reconnect.’

Something in his voice told her his definition of reconnect would involve getting naked, losing not only her clothes but her self-respect. Sex had never been their problem—it was everything else that had destroyed them—but she did crazy things when Joel started sweet-talking. She needed to be very, very careful.

Then again, she needed to talk to Joel and a public place was as good as any for the conversation they needed to have. He was less likely to lose his shit with an audience around them and she was less likely to break her own rules. Number one of which was: don’t fall for his charms and sex appeal.

‘Dinner sounds good,’ she said, with emphasis on the dinner. ‘We need to talk.’

‘Whatever you want, baby,’ he drawled.

For some reason whenever she heard other people refer to their partners as ‘baby’ her hackles rose, but when Joel said it to her, she went weak at the knees. Her fists curled at her sides as the desire she’d always felt for Joel warred with common sense.

‘Do you want to come out with me to fetch your car?’ he asked.

Casey swallowed. Alone in the tow truck with Joel? She thought of all the times they’d done it in the back seat of his first car (a vintage Holden wagon) and almost went into cardiac arrest. Shaking her head, she said, ‘You don’t need me to, do you? I’d like to check in with Lucky before happy hour.’

He shook his head slowly and stepped even closer to her, serious heat and intent in his eyes. ‘I don’t need you to, but I’d like you to.’

She couldn’t breathe. He was so close she could smell the potent cocktail that had always reminded her of him—engine oil, leather and the coffee he downed as if it was water. Her mouth watered as she remembered the taste of his lips. No! She shook her head and blurted, ‘Joel, I want a divorce.’

‘What?’ His cocky grin vanished and he recoiled as if she’d thrown her fist into his face.

Smooth, Case, real smooth. This was not at all how she’d envisaged this conversation going. Firstly, she wouldn’t be exhausted after a long drive. Secondly, they wouldn’t be alone in a place where they’d fucked too many times for her to remember. She didn’t need the memories or the visual stimulation. And thirdly, she’d planned to break it to him gently.

‘Let’s not discuss it here,’ she said, shaking her head, her voice cracking and tears stinging at the back of her eyes. No way had she planned on crying. This was what she wanted, what she needed, but the hurt in his eyes made her feel like she’d committed a mortal sin. She needed to get out of there. ‘We’ll have dinner at Lucky’s tonight and talk about this like mature adults.’

His brows rose and she knew he understood the dig. Her biggest complaint about Joel and their marriage had been that he wouldn’t grow up and get serious about being a husband. She’d wanted to save for a house in preparation for having a family, but he’d been keener on shouting his mates drinks at the pub.

‘Okay, I’ll be there.’ He shoved his hands in his pockets. ‘Where exactly is this car of yours?’

She gave him the directions, the make of the car and her keys and he promised to deliver her luggage to the pub as soon as he’d towed the Cruiser into town.

‘You don’t have to do that. Just text me when you’re back and I’ll come get it.’ She was already turning towards the door. ‘I don’t think delivery of luggage is in your job description.’

He hit her with a you-can’t-be-serious glare. ‘Whatever you want to discuss tonight, as far as I’m concerned you’re still my damn wife and when I can, I’ll freaking look out for you.’

She sighed—there were so many holes she could pick in his argument, but she didn’t have the energy or desire. ‘Thank you,’ she simply said. ‘I’ll see you later.’

***

‘Here, drink this.’ Lucky, the petite, brown-haired publican of the Milpinyani Springs Royal Hotel, slid a glass tumbler across the bar to Casey and she downed it without even checking to see what it was. She trusted her old friend and needed something to stop the jitters. Joel would be here any minute. Hiding away in her room, she’d managed to avoid him that afternoon, telling Lucky to get him to leave her luggage at the bar when he dropped it off, but the conversation they were about to have could not be put off any longer.

‘Thanks.’ Casey placed the glass back down on the bar, the hard liquor still tingling on her tongue.

Lucky shrugged. ‘It’s the least I could do after you came all the way back to help me out.’

Casey merely smiled as Lucky went to serve one of the regulars. If it had been anyone else asking her to return to her home town, she’d probably have made some kind of excuse, but Lucky had given her a room at age seventeen when she could no longer stand living under her stepdad’s roof. Knowing how desperately Casey hated home life, Lucky had said she could have free board in exchange for helping with the cleaning and breakfasts for the guests. As a result, she’d always feel a little in this strong and independent woman’s debt.

In hindsight Casey saw Lucky’s offer for what it was—a