"You're welcome." Heat raced up her cheeks and she went behind the bar to get a can of soda.
"So," he said between mouthfuls, "tell me a bit more about the town."
"Not much to tell really, what did you want to know?"
"How do the locals survive in such a desolate area?"
"Apart from the couple of shops you see going through the main street, mainly cattle farming. There are some big stations around and farmers come into town for supplies. I guess they will always manage to make a living because of the large size of their farms. We have a very small hospital with just one doctor and a handful of nurses and they get plenty of work from outlying stations. " She popped another piece of steak in her mouth and chewed well before swallowing. "The smaller holdings will all fold eventually. Most of them aren't really viable anymore. Now, if I had my way I would buy some of them up and turn them into a tourist park."
Stacey sat back in her chair and put down her knife and fork. She loved nothing more than to dream of what she of what she could do if her bank account was more in the black. "There are some lovely smaller stations that could be set up as farm stays. City people love that kind of thing. Getting in and milking cows, collecting eggs and feeding baby animals. If we had a caravan park the tourists would stop here instead of going the extra couple of hours to Mt Isa. They get all the through traffic to the top end and we miss out." She shook her head. "It's such a shame."
"Won't the mine owners put money into the town? I hear they do that sort of thing sometimes."
"I wish. The bastards won't even talk to me. We had a town meeting once and I was voted the person to head up the 'let's see if we can keep our town' committee. I called the mine's head office in Sydney and couldn't get past the snooty receptionist.'
"You should never give up Stacey if it is important to you."
"Yeah well, in an ideal world the company would have come and offered to do something for the town since they are going to stuff up the whole entire area, but it's not going to happen. We just have to deal with it."
They ate in silence for a while before Morgan put down his fork and spoke again.
"Okay tell me about you then, your family. I know this is your Grandfathers hotel, but what did you do before you came out here?"
"My my aren't you just full of questions tonight. I think it's my turn to ask you a few." She took a sip of her drink and smiled. "Spill the beans Morgan, who are you really?"
He sat back and crossed his arms and for a moment Sophie thought she had gone a little bit too far. Then he raised his eyebrow and sighed. "Fair enough. I live in Sydney, Point Piper to be precise. I'm the youngest son of a now retired lawyer and company director. I studied economics and my brother did accounting. I think we were both overachievers, partly our parents faults for being so academic."
"So what do you do now then?"
"My brother and I run the family company. I get stuck in the office so much I figured I would make the break now while I can. Nothing like a couple of weeks in the outback to recharge the batteries."
"What kind of company?"
"Minerals."
"What, like in vitamins?"
"No, we test minerals for geologists and exploration groups."
"Well I guess that would be interesting. Don't tell me, you thought it would be a good idea to come and see where it all starts?"
He laughed. "Yeah, I guess that about covers it."
"Can't imagine you being stuck in an office Morgan. You look more like the outdoors type of guy to me." She lifted her hand and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Her imagination was running wild now. The thought of spending the day with him was intoxicating. He was a good looking guy and seemed nice to boot. It would be a shame to see him leave town.
"I have to admit that being out here is so much more relaxing than working in the city. It's a shame I can't bring my office to town."
"We would welcome you with open arms. Anything to keep this town and my grandfathers dream alive."
"Food for thought." He picked up his and fork and speared the last piece of steak before popping it into his mouth.
Stacey watched his lips close and his jaw work chewing the meat. Her breath hitch and she clasped her thighs together tight under the table. Her appetite gone, she dropped her knife and fork on her plate. Placing her elbow on the table, she dropped her chin into her palm and watched in silence as Morgan swallowed.
* * *
He picked up a serviette and wiped his mouth. When he looked over at Stacey he smiled. She was sitting with her chin in her hand and a faraway look on her face. The same look she had the other day. Maybe things would go his way after all.
"Hey Stacey, you okay?"
She tilted her head to one side and sighed. A warm rush filled his stomach and tightened his balls. He would love nothing more than to drag her to her feet and take her upstairs and make love to her. Sadly that wouldn't happen until later tonight if at all. She had responsibilities and Morgan doubted she would shut up the pub early.
"Stacey. Are you okay?"
"Um, yeah sorry." The color raced up her cheeks and she dropped her head avoiding his gaze.
Morgan pushed his plate away and leaned over to cup her chin with his hand. "Look at me, please."
He lifted her face until she met his gaze. Trying to keep a straight face was hard,
