"Good point. But I do have my swag in the back." He gestured behind him to the tray, where her suitcase was tied down.
"That stinky old thing? I love you, but no thanks."
Winding the window down she let the warm air blow on her face, whipping her long hair about as they sped down the road. She gazed over the land, barren and deserted.
She hoped Lachie's family liked her. Especially his mum—a woman he admired and loved. Would she be hard and stern, like this land? Disappointed that her oldest son was with a city girl? Or would she be accepting and kind? Weren’t country people supposed to be friendly?
"Don't be nervous."
She looked over and realised she had been gnawing on her bottom lip.
"That obvious?"
"There’s no need. Mum will love you." He reached over and patted her knee briefly. "I’ll tell her about the engagement at dinner. After she gets to know you a bit."
"I hope she approves." She rubbed her sweaty hands over her jeans. Lachie had proposed over pizza last weekend. It hadn’t been a passionate gesture. He didn’t even have a ring. But she had been delighted, throwing herself into his arms. That she might not be cut out for remote country life hadn’t occurred to her. She loved the idea of wide-open space, animals, country quiet, and of course she loved Lachie.
They soon pulled into a gravelled driveway, marked only by a worn wooden sign attached to the fence that read Brigadier Station. Meghan straightened in her seat as the homestead appeared. Excitement curled in her stomach; it was just as she had imagined it would be. Set on higher ground with sloping views across the brown paddocks, the modest, cream coloured building had a veranda that wrapped around the front of the house, creating lots of comfortable nooks to take in the view.
Lachie parked the ute in a vacant spot in an old shed, next to a four-wheel drive and a tractor. As she climbed out of her seat, she wrinkled her nose as the aroma of hay and molasses wafted by. Familiar farm smells that brought back her earliest childhood memories. Meghan whirled around. Carefully pruned rose bushes stood proudly in the front garden beds. Strolling over to a bush burdened with white rose buds she touched the soft petals with her fingertips and inhaled their sweet fragrance.
"It’s nice to see another woman appreciating my roses."
Startled, she looked over at the tall, older woman who had appeared by her side.
"I’m not much of a gardener, but I love flowers, roses in particular. I didn't think they grew out here."
"These are a hardy variety. My mother-in-law planted them before my time and showed me how to keep them going before she died. She was a cranky old lady, but she knew her stuff. She taught me a lot."
"Mum." Lachie bent down and hugged his mother with his free arm.
"Already giving Meghan gardening advice, I see."
Meghan offered her hand. "It's lovely to meet you, Mrs. McGuire."
Harriet's accepting hand was warm and soft. "Call me Harriet, honey. We're not formal out here."
Harriet McGuire had a face that looked like she laughed easily and often. Her shoulder-length hair was streaked with grey and had been cut by someone with a good eye for style. Behind her glasses were eyes just as blue as her son's. Harriet placed an arm around Meghan’s back and led her inside.
"It'll be fun to have another woman in the house for a while. Gets a bit rowdy with two boys here."
"That wouldn’t surprise me." Meghan grinned, touched by such a warm welcome.
Lachie dropped their bags haphazardly in the hallway before giving her a quick kiss.
"Just going to check the emails. Mum will help you settle in." Before either woman could object, he was disappearing down the hallway.
"He'll be busy for a while, I'm afraid." Harriet directed Meghan through the small but practical kitchen and into the larger living room.
"That's what happens when he takes time off. But I'm glad you could come back with him this time."
"I’m glad I could finally join him. Work has been so busy."
"Make yourself comfortable. I’ll put the kettle on, then you can tell me all about yourself."
She slipped out of the room leaving Meghan to wander around the living room.
The inside of the house was every bit as welcoming as the outside. The walls were filled with photographs, and she took them all in, absorbing the family history. There were several black-and-white wedding photos and portraits of elegant men and women. She recognized Harriet in her wedding photo with her late husband. What had Lachie said his name was? David? No, Daniel. They were both attractive and looked good together.
The modern photos were all of the same three boys. A picture of them together caught her eye, and she studied it. The boys wore swimming shorts, and were sitting on a rock in a river, their hair wet. They looked similar with light brown hair and bright blue eyes. Meghan recognized Lachie and guessed him to be about ten in the photo.
Harriet reappeared and came to stand next to her.
"Those are the Brothers of Brigadier Station. They’ve been getting called that since they were little," she explained. "Did you recognize Lachie?"
Meghan nodded. "He’s the oldest one."
"That’s right. The one next to him is my youngest, Noah, he lives in New Zealand now. And that’s Darcy." She pointed to the slim little boy in the picture, her voice softening. "He's still here. He's saving money to buy his own property one day."
"They all have your beautiful blue eyes."
"Yes, they are a good-looking bunch. Temperamental at times, but I'm proud of them. Lachie’s had lots of responsibility put on him since Daniel died. He wasn't expecting to inherit Brigadier’s until he was much older. Darcy has helped a lot with the workload which lets Lachie visit you in Townsville." Harriet smiled widely at her visitor. "Come, the jug’s boiled."
Meghan followed her to the kitchen where she made cups of tea and set the table with freshly baked scones, strawberry jam, and cream.
"I hope you like it here."
"I love it so far. I can't wait to see more of the station."
Meghan topped her scone with jam and took a bite. It was still warm and melted in her mouth. "It's been a long time since I’ve had homemade scones and these are delicious."
"Thank you. I’m glad you like them."
Meghan was surprised to find out they had much in common despite the generational gap as they continued chatting. Harriet admitted to reading voraciously. "I like to support Australian writers in particular."
"Me too." Meghan sipped her tea. She found it comforting that Harriet, a woman born and raised in the country, would be an avid reader.
"Do your parents live in Townsville too?"
Meghan’s shoulders slumped slightly. "My Dad died before I started school and Mum passed away in a car accident two years ago."
Harriet's voice softened. "I’m so sorry for your loss."
"Thank you. They were great people, and I miss them so much. Especially Mum, we were very close."
Tears threatened as they always did when talking about her family, but she pushed them back.
"Mum would have liked you."
"I'm sure I would have liked her too." Harriet sipped her tea. "Do have any other family? Brothers or sisters?"
"No, Mum never remarried. She was happy with her teaching career. She taught at one of the Catholic schools in Townsville. I have a best friend, Jodie, she’s like family."
As they finished off their tea, the phone rang, and Harriet glanced at it. "I’ll get the phone. When you’re ready, you can go and unpack."
Downing the last of her black tea, a drink she would have to get used to as no one else drank coffee, Meghan collected her bags and went in search of Lachie’s bedroom. All the bedrooms came off the same long hallway, and Lachie’s appeared the first on her right. She knew it was his by the familiar, dirty clothes scattered on the floor. Obviously, Harriet didn’t pick up after him. Meghan smiled; she’d given up the hope he would start being tidier.
&n
bsp; His room was large, taken up by a king-size bed and matching dresser. Meghan put her bag on the bed and considered changing out of her jeans and T-shirt.
But, curiosity got the better of her, and she left the room and wandered further down the hall. She found two more bedrooms similar to Lachie’s but without the mess; the bathroom, and a separate toilet. The large room at the end she presumed was Harriet’s. A glance in told her she was right and, to her relief, she noticed an en-suite. At least she would only have to share a bathroom with Lachie and his brother.
After finding cupboards and the laundry, Meghan came to the office where Lachie sat, his chin resting in his palm as he scrutinized something on the computer screen.
"Hey, sexy," she purred as she came around to stand behind him and snuggled her head against his shoulder.
"Having fun?" He turned his head and kissed her cheek.
"Your Mum is on the phone. I found your room and put my bag in there. I presume we’re sleeping together?"
"Yeah, Mum’s cool with that. Do you want to see the horses?"
"Absolutely I do. You know I love horses."
"There’s a path from the kitchen. Easy to find, past the chickens."
"You don’t want to show me?"
He barely raised his eyes from the screen. "I’m sorry. I’ve got so much work to do."
Disappointed, but excited to explore, she took off in the direction he had said.
The dirt path stretched beside a row of young coolabah trees, past the chicken coop and down to a wooden stable. Meghan spotted a chestnut horse's head peeking out over a metal railing. Cautiously, she stretched out her hand so it could sniff her, then stroked its head gently when it appeared friendly. The long-forgotten smell of horse assailed her nostrils.
"Oh, aren't you a handsome boy! What's your name?" she cooed.
"Thank you for the compliment, but if you're talking to the horse, I don't know if she would appreciate being called handsome." The warm, masculine voice coming from behind the horse surprised her. She jumped back, lost her footing and landed butt first on the dirt floor. The stranger walked around and stopped abruptly when he saw her.
He must be the brother.
Heat filled her cheeks as she pushed herself back to standing and wiped at the back of her pants. She focused her gaze on his dirty jeans and the dark brown of his work boots. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you were in here."
"It's okay, I don’t get to hear compliments that often." He sounded amused.
"I meant the horse," she stuttered. "S-she’s beautiful.”
"Yes, she is." His voice was soft.
Meghan tucked her hair behind her ear nervously, then looked up into his deep blue eyes. "Darcy, right?"
"And you must be Lachie’s girlfriend." His easy smile produced a dimple on his unshaven cheek.
"Meghan." She tried to calm her pounding heart. What was wrong with her? Yes, he was ruggedly good looking, similar to Lachie but rougher and with a squarer jawline. Something about Darcy captured her gaze and refused to release it.
A small black and white dog appeared beside him and yelped for attention, breaking the moment.
"And who are you?" She smiled at the fox terrier.
"This is my dog, Joey. Go ahead he won’t bite."
Bending down, she extended her hand for the dog to sniff. After a brief glance at his owner, the canine trotted over for a scratch.
She could feel Darcy watching her. She stood up and looked about the barn, but her eyes soon came back to rest on him.
Darcy shook his head, breaking the contact and pointed to a shelf behind her. "Can you hand me a brush, please?"
Meghan turned and surveyed an array of brushes, combs, and hoof picks before choosing one and handing it over, careful not to touch him. He nodded in thanks.
She turned her attention back to the mare. "She's a lovely horse."
He brushed the horse with long strokes. "This is Shadow. She's pregnant. Due in a week or so. That’s why she’s not in the paddock with the others."
Meghan stepped back. The mare's belly was protruding, full with foal. She stroked it, and the baby inside rewarded her with a gentle kick against her hand.
"Do you ride?" He bent to brush the mare's legs, his denim clad buttocks caught her gaze.
She averted her eyes to a comb, grabbing it she began working on the horse's mane.
"I was born on a station near Charters Towers. My dad bred horses.
Mum used to say I was riding before I learnt how to walk." She smiled at the memory. "I remember sitting in front of my dad. He used to let me hold the reins."
"And you live in Townsville now?"
"Yep. Dad died when I was little, and we had to sell up and move."
Meghan remembered her early years on the station. Her mother and father still young and deeply in love, working side by side with the horses while she watched from a safe distance. A feeling of complete happiness and serenity enveloping her. Those years remained the happiest time of her life.
"I'm sorry to hear that. I know what it's like to lose a father," Darcy sympathized.
"It was a long time ago." After her father had died, her mother had mourned him for years. Meghan had struggled at school both academically and socially. The small unit they had moved to was claustrophobic, and the moist heat of summer was suffocating. Eventually, she had grown used to it, but the yearning for the country life had remained. Now, finally back on the land, she could almost feel the dust settling back into her veins.
Darcy's gravelly voice pulled her back to the present. "So, what do you think of Brigadier Station?”
"I haven't seen much of it yet. It's very dry and dusty."
"Yep. Queensland's dust bowl. We need a good wet season."
"I can imagine it's even more beautiful when it's green," she smiled, envisioning long green grass where cracked brown dirt lay shrivelling more every day.
"The drought will break someday," Darcy said surely. "Nothing lasts forever."
Chapter Three
Darcy watched Meghan with interest. She had a natural tenderness towards the mare. Her country upbringing was apparent in her confidence and ability as she expertly combed the horse's mane.
She was undoubtedly attractive, but instead of the blonde, high maintenance city girl with big boobs and little brains that were Lachie's usual choice, she was shorter and dark-haired. Tight blue jeans accentuated curvy hips. Memories of his ex-girlfriend briefly invaded his thoughts. He shook his head, ridding himself of unpleasant memories.
Darcy continued brushing his horse. His gaze frequently coming back to the woman beside him. Occasionally she would ask a question which he would answer with his usual honesty, but even when neither of them spoke there was a strange easiness between them.
"We should head back. Dinner’s probably ready by now." He placed the tack back on the shelf and gestured for her to lead the way. She waited as he bolted the stable door in place behind them, keeping the mare safe inside.
"Thanks for letting me help. Please tell me if I get in your way," Meghan said as they walked side by side back to the house.
He turned to her, his mouth set in a straight line, his gaze steady on her. "I will. And just so you know, I never lie. Not to anyone." If there was one thing he hated, it was secrets and lies. He’d seen what damage they could cause, and was not about to repeat the sins of his father.
Meghan bit her bottom lip. As he studied the lines in her lips, he wondered about their softness.
Joey barked and ran up to the house. Darcy watched as his mother greeted the dog at the door.
"Come on. I smell dinner." They started walking back up the path.
Darcy couldn't imagine Meghan getting in his way. In fact, it might be nice to have a young woman around the place for a few days, especially if she could keep Lachie in line. God knows he needed it.
Meghan breathed in the cooler evening air and gazed across the brown plains. Lachie and Darcy were relaxing next to her in wicker c
hairs spaced out on the veranda specially to enjoy the evening sunsets. Both men had their long, denim-clad legs stretched out in front, a cold beer in hand.
Harriet came out and took the vacant seat closest to Meghan. A ready smile on her face.
"What work do you do in Townsville?"
"I'm a vet nurse at a surgery. We mainly see cats and dogs." Meghan sipped her beer, the crisp ale washing away her nerves.
"You must really love animals then." Harriet leaned towards her. The faint smell of perfume lingered, reminding Meghan of the similar scent her mother had worn.
"I've always loved animals. But it's hard work. I really only see sick or abandoned pets, which is hard." Even talking about it choked her up and she swallowed back the emotions. "I’d like to learn more about cattle and horses."
"You’ll certainly get a chance to do that here."
Lachie leant forward to join the conversation. "She’s also a great photographer, Mum. You should see her work."
Meghan felt her cheeks warm. "I love photography. Painting too, but only as a hobby."
"I'd love to see some of your work. I'm sure you're very talented." Harriet patted her hand lightly. The familiar action surprised Meghan. She had forgotten what it was like to be part of a family.
"I see you brought your camera with you," Harriet nodded at the SLR on the coffee table. "Our sunsets are pretty spectacular."
"I'm always prepared."
"Speaking of." Darcy pointed to the huge orange disc hanging low in the Western sky. She snapped a continual stream of photos as the sun made its graceful descent below the horizon, streaking the sky red and orange for a few moments before darkness suddenly surrounded them.
"You don't see sunsets like that at home," Meghan breathed in awe as a cool breeze brushed her cheek.
"They are pretty spectacular," Darcy murmured.
"Come on then. I'm starving." Lachie's stomach growled in agreement.
Meghan collected her camera and followed the family inside to the dining room. She took the space next to Lachie while Darcy sat down opposite her.
Harriet's tender beef roast didn’t disappoint. Meghan enjoyed every moist mouthful, unlike both the men who scoffed the meat and potatoes and picked at their greens.
The Outback Governess Page 10
