Meghan, Darcy, and Harriet’s voices floated on the breeze as they came outside to join him. They were spending the weekend at Brigadier Station so Darcy could view a horse he was considering buying and adding to his stud.
Harriet handed Lachie a frosty can of Coke before sitting next to him. He turned to his brother, who seemed brighter than usual. Like a heavy fog had lifted.
Meghan was staring out at the sunset. She had always loved the colours of the country, and time and hardships hadn’t changed that.
Lachie was so thankful to her for walking out on their wedding day. She had found true love and happiness with Darcy, and he had found everything he could ever want with Abbie. He’d never known such joy or that sharing his life with someone could feel so complete and so right.
“They’ve fit right in, haven’t they?” Darcy nodded in Abbie and Hannah’s direction. Hannah was kicking a ball to her mother, creating mini dust storms in her wake.
“They sure have.” Lachie smiled. “Abbie’s going part-time at the hospital next year so she can teach Hannah through School of the Air.”
“She won’t miss working? I thought she loved it,” Meghan said.
“She’ll still do two or three shifts a week,” Lachiereplied. “But Hannah is growing up so quickly and she wants to spend more time with her. We both do.”
Darcy sipped his drink. A can of Coke, just like Lachie. He noted Meghan was drinking plain water. “School of the Air will be a big change after state school.”
Harriet leaned forward. “Hannah wants to be just like her dad. If it was good enough for him, it’s good enough for her, she said. Paige has offered to help out, and they’re planning lots of activities and meet-ups next year.”
The group watched as Abbie and Hannah finished their game and walked up to join them.
“Uncle Darcy, will you teach me how to campdraft?” Hannah asked.
Darcy smiled at her. “Sure, if your parents say it’s okay.”
Hannah turned her most angelic face to Lachie, and his heart melted. “You’d need a good horse for that,” he said.
From the corner of his eye, he saw Darcy take Meghan’s hand and exchange a knowing look.
“Actually, Hannah, I was wondering if you’d look after Molly for me for a while,” Meghan said referring to her old but loyal horse.
Hannah squealed with delight, while all the adults turned curious eyes on Meghan.
“What? You love that horse,” Lachie said.
“I do. The thing is, I’m not allowed to ride for the next few months.” A wide grin spread across her mouth.
Harriet jumped to her feet, spilling her drink in her wake. “Are you pregnant?”
Meghan nodded. “Three months along, and everything is completely normal and healthy.”
Harriet and Abbie rushed over with hugs and congratulations.
Lachie pulled his brother close for a man-hug. “I’m so happy for you. I know how much you and Meghan wanted this.”
Darcy looked at his wife, the love in his eyes obvious and strong. “We’re so happy. I can’t say I’m not scared though. Losing the last one was hard on both of us. I don’t know if we could go through that again.”
Lachie’s heart ached for his brother. He couldn’t imagine losing Hannah. “I’m sure everything will be fine, and in a few months, you’ll be changing nappies and complaining about sleepless nights.”
Darcy laughed. “I can’t wait.”
They looked over to see Hannah place her ear against Meghan’s still-flat stomach. “Hi baby. I’m your cousin, Hannah. I can’t wait to meet you,” she said to the belly.
“You might need to give her a sibling one of these days,” Darcy said.
“Abbie and I have already talked about it. After the wedding, we’ll start trying.”
“How great will that be?” Darcy said. “To have our kids grow up together and spend their holidays here on Brigadier Station?”
“It sure will be,” Lachie agreed, remembering all the good times he and his brothers had spent together at the very same place.
Harriet joined her sons. “Gosh, I’m so happy.” She hugged Darcy for a long time and when she withdrew, there were tears in her eyes. “Children are such gifts. More than that, really. They’re our legacies.”
She pulled both her sons together and put her arms around each of their waists. “Abbie and I would like everyone to come here for Christmas this year. I’ve already asked Noah, and he’s agreed.”
“It will be Hannah’s first outback Christmas,” Lachie said, watching his daughter. She proudly wore blue jeans and a pink cowgirl shirt. Just to add flare to the outfit, she also wore a sparkly tiara. That’s my girl, he thought. His little princess.
He couldn’t wait for Christmas. He would get to play Santa and spoil her. He would make up for all the Christmases they had missed spending together. “Sounds like a great idea, Mum.”
Darcy nodded in agreement. “Christmas at Brigadier Station. I’m sure it will be an event we’ll never forget.”
Also by Sarah Williams
Brigadier Station Series:
The Brothers of Brigadier Station
The Sky over Brigadier Station
The Legacies of Brigadier Station
Christmas at Brigadier Station
* * *
Outback Cowboys:
The Outback Governess
* * *
Heart of the Hinterland Series:
The Dairy Farmer’s Daughter
Family Ever After
* * *
The Brothers of Brigadier Station
(#1 in the Brigadier Station series)
* * *
She came to the outback to marry the love of her life. She just didn't expect him to be her fiancé's younger brother.
When Meghan Flanagan, a vet-nurse from Townsville, moves to Brigadier Station in outback Queensland to marry the man of her dreams, she is shocked to discover that perhaps her fiancé isn’t the man she wants waiting for her at the altar. The man she's destined to marry, just might be his younger brother.
Cautious of women after a disastrous past relationship, Darcy is happy living on his beloved cattle station, spending his spare time riding horses, going to rodeos and campdrafting. He didn't expect the perfect woman show up on his doorstep. Engaged to his brother.
With the wedding only hours away, Meghan must make the decision of a lifetime. But, her betrayal could tear the family apart. She knows all too well the pain of losing loved ones and being alone.
Now that she has the family she so desperately wants; will she risk losing it all?
The Sky over Brigadier Station
(#2 in the Brigadier Station series)
* * *
Can they make a life together or is the pull of the sky too strong?
Noah McGuire stayed away from Brigadier Station for a reason. He’s spent almost a decade in New Zealand’s South Island, trying to forget his past. But the memories still haunt him and the last thing he wants to do is see his estranged family and attend his brother’s wedding.
However, the only way he can collect his inheritance is if he returns to his family’s property and faces the demons he’s been hiding from.
When it comes to rounding up hundreds of cattle in a day, doing so by horseback doesn’t do the trick quite like a helicopter does and Riley Sinclair is one of the best pilots in the country. It’s a dangerous job, but she has nothing to lose. Until she meets Noah and her bravery is finally tested.
About the Author
* * *
Sarah Williams spent her childhood chasing sheep, riding horses and picking Kiwi fruit on the family orchard in rural New Zealand. After a decade travelling, Sarah moved to Queensland to enjoy the endless summer, pristine beaches and tropical rainforests.
When she's not absorbed in her fictional writing world, Sarah is running after her family of four kids, one husband, two dogs, a horse and a cat. She is CEO of Serenade Publishing, hosts the weekly po
dcast/vlog Write with Love, runs writers workshops and retreats, mentors and supports her peers to achieve their publishing dreams.
Sarah is regularly checking social media when she really should be cleaning.
* * *
To receive updates and free books, sign up for her mailing list.
www.sarahwilliamsauthor.com
Acknowledgments
My sincere thanks to all my writer friends who support and encourage me on this amazing journey. They include but are not limited to Kelly Ethan and my incredible editor Lauren Clark.
As always, a big thank you and much love to my family for all your support and for putting up with me while I write. I love you all.
And to you, dear reader. Thank you for choosing this book to read. I know there are many other distractions and entertainment options available these days, so thank you for joining Lachie, Abbie, Hannah and me on this journey.
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