Jacaranda

by Mandy Magro

  ‘I will, Jade. Promise. I can’t wait to go. Rose is even counting down the sleeps. It’s going to be lovely having some time away with her. Catch you later, mate.’

  Molly carried Rose into her bed and got her settled under the sheet, gently kissing her on the cheek. ‘Love you, my angel,’ she whispered as she brushed a tuft of hair away from Rose’s face. ‘Sweet dreams.’

  She switched on Rose’s night light and quietly sneaked out the bedroom door, smiling affectionately as she took one last look at Rose sleeping. Her maternal instincts overwhelmed her, making her determined to talk some sense into Mark. Surely, if he met Rose, he wouldn’t be able to help but fall in love with her. How could anyone not love such a sweet and innocent little soul such as Rose Jones?

  Chapter 15

  The Toyota Hilux thundered along the dirt road, the occasional patch of corrugation sending shuddering vibrations through the cab and items flying from the dashboard. Rose giggled as she caught a wayward packet of butterscotch lollies, shoving one in her mouth, as she continued to play a game on Molly’s iPad. Molly looked through the back window, checking that the horse float was still safe and sound; she worried that Buck might be finding the journey a little bumpy. Not that she could do much about it; the roads were more like bush tracks out this way, covered in deep crevices, and Heath was driving as carefully as he could.

  The scenery had changed dramatically along the way, the landscape becoming more dry and barren as they got deeper into the outback, and although it was harsh and unforgiving country, Molly thought it held within it a magical, untamed beauty. They had already been travelling for two hours with only one more to go, and Molly couldn’t wait to reach Ironbark Station. She always felt a world away from her everyday problems out there, and John and Alice made her and Rose feel so very welcome. It would be the ideal place for her to sit back and relax, to allow herself time to think about what had happened over the last couple of months. Because at the moment she was so confused.

  It was hard to believe that Christmas was only two months ago. So much had happened since then and she honestly didn’t know which direction she was heading in, what path her life was going to take. Was it just because she was craving a family life, feeling vulnerable because of Mark, that she was looking at Heath in ways a friend normally wouldn’t? She glanced over at Heath, her thoughts taking her back to the night she had kissed him, to the afternoon they had spent frolicking in the dam, her legs going weak once again as she relived his lips on hers.

  ‘What is it, Molly?’ Heath asked, feeling her eyes burning a hole in him.

  Molly shuffled uncomfortably in her seat and hastily tried to think of something to say. ‘Oh, um, I was just wondering why you didn’t stay out working on the station with your family?’ It was a question that had often crossed her mind, yet she had never asked him before.

  ‘Well, cattle farmers don’t always make a lot of money, and it was hard work for my parents trying to bring in enough to support us all. I hated seeing them struggle so much just to put food on the table. So, seeing I was the youngest, and my older brother had more of a right to take over the station, I thought it was only fair of me to go and find work elsewhere. That’s when Jenny and I packed our bags and headed for Jacaranda, ready for a new adventure.’

  ‘That would have been a hard decision for you,’ Molly replied, admiring Heath’s thoughtfulness, but not at all surprised by it.

  ‘It was at first. But now I don’t mind at all – I like working on Jacaranda Farm. You guys are like family to me.’

  Molly nodded slowly as she absentmindedly ran her fingertips over the horseshoe design on her bracelet. ‘Yeah, we are like family, aren’t we?’

  ‘For sure. David is like my second dad. I’m lucky to have a great boss like him.’

  ‘He appreciates having you around, Heath; you’re a very hard worker. He’d hate to lose you. You’ll always have a job there, for as long as you want it.’

  ‘I hope so, because I’m not thinking about going anywhere anytime soon.’

  ‘Glad to hear it,’ Molly said with a smile.

  When Heath pulled into Ironbark Station Molly and Rose jumped down from the cab, stretching their legs pleasurably. The massive homestead sat like a tropical oasis in the middle of the stark landscape, thanks to Alice’s green thumb. Large patches of beautiful native lavender graced the front picket fence, the aroma hanging heavily in the air, with red, white and pink roses filling the garden beds. Molly grinned as Alice erupted from the front door, a smile from ear to ear as she ran towards them.

  ‘Heath, Molly, Rose, it’s so great to see you all!’

  Heath gave his mum a loving hug. ‘Hi, Mum! How are you?’

  ‘I’m great. Still putting up with your father’s nagging, but other than that I’m fine,’ she replied lightheartedly as she hugged Molly and Rose. ‘Now, come inside and I’ll put the kettle on. Your dad and brother should be home any minute, seeing it’s almost dark.’

  ‘We’ve just got to get Buck settled into the stables, then we’ll be in, Mum.’

  ‘Okay. How about you come with me then, Rose? I’ll get you settled in too,’ Alice said, taking Rose’s hand. ‘I’ve made up the spare room for you and your mum and I have some yummy biscuits inside that I’ve baked especially for you, as long as you don’t go eating too many and spoil your dinner.’

  ‘Aw, goodie!’ Rose replied.

  Bright and early the next morning, the bashed-up bull buggy hurtled through the dense scrub as they dodged colossal anthills left, right and centre. Heath sat stony-faced at the steering wheel, his muscular arms ripping the buggy from left to right, while Molly hung onto the Jesus bar for dear life, her knuckles whitening as the wind almost ripped the saliva from her mouth. Mustard-coloured dust rose out around them, making it almost impossible to see. Molly’s heart pounded against her chest, her pulse was racing, the thrill of the chase was filling her with adrenaline – and she loved every second of it. Heath maneuvered the open-top four-wheel drive with precision, his years of growing up on a cattle station showing. There was no way in hell Molly would’ve been able to drive – she’d have crashed into something hours ago. Ironbark trees whipped past them, the branches scraping ear piercingly against the metal of the buggy as they closed in on the feral bull. Molly instinctively ducked as a low tree branch came terrifyingly close overhead, all her senses on high alert, knowing quick thinking and fast reactions were crucial right now.

  Gary, Heath’s brother, was in the back, ready to pounce on the scrubber bull when the moment arose. Which it did, in one swooping, action-packed minute as Heath finally got close enough to the bull to knock it over with the bullbar, pinning it beneath it, taking care as he did so to prevent too much bruising to the bull. Gary and Heath leapt effortlessly from the buggy and in a few fluent movements both of them were on the ground beside the bull, the leather bull strap between Gary’s teeth so all hands were on the powerful beast as they struggled to get a hold of the bull’s legs.

  Molly stood up in the buggy, her breath caught in her throat, as she watched Heath buckle the strap around the bull’s hind legs, making it impossible for the bull to get up. She found the way Heath handled himself so undeniably sexy …

  It was all over in a matter of seconds. The scrubber bull kicked and snorted, its aggression evident as it tried to hook Heath with one of its razor-sharp horns. It barely missed and Heath jumped backwards, landing on his butt and chuckling as he wiped a smear of blood from his forearm and transferred it onto his grubby jeans.

  ‘Are you right, Heath?’ Molly gasped, finally remembering to breathe, a flash of panic bolting through her as she realised Heath had scarcely missed being badly hurt. She couldn’t bear to imagine him in physical pain, her heart breaking with the very thought.

  Heath waved his hand casually in the air, a wayward smile lighting up his rugged features. ‘Yeah, I’m fine, it’s only a cut. Feisty bloody bugger, this one is!’

  ‘A drop of blood’s
never killed anyone. Besides, you’d probably be feisty too if someone was trying to tie your legs up,’ Gary added with a smirk as he made sure the bull was in the shade of the trees then jumped back into the buggy. ‘Come on, Heath, let’s head home. My belly’s rumbling. I’ll come back and pick this one up in the cattle truck after a quick morning tea. Don’t let me forget the bloody saw blade this time so I can trim his horns down before we winch him up on the truck. Those things are lethal.’

  Molly rubbed her stomach. ‘I’d forgotten about food in all the excitement, but now you’ve mentioned it, I’m bloody starving too.’

  Heath jumped over the side of the buggy and slid into the driver’s seat, his face covered with dirt. Molly felt the urge to reach out and wipe the smudges from his face. ‘Well, we’ve been out here since before sunrise, Molly, so it’s no wonder you’re hungry. But I’m sure Mum and Rose have been baking all morning and there’ll be plenty of tasty goodies to feast on once we get back.’

  Molly looked down at his torn shirt sleeve and on impulse she reached over, gently touching the place ripped by the bull’s horn with her fingertips, wishing she could magically heal the spot the blood was seeping from. Heath caught her gaze and something flickered in his deep-blue eyes that made her belly flutter and her heart delightfully skip a few beats. She pulled her hand back, his skin burning her fingertips, the moment stirring a strange emotion deep inside her, unnerving her, making her blush. She turned and fixed her eyes on the bull, its body heaving as it took deep shuddering breaths.

  Molly, Heath, Gary, Alice, John and Rose chatted amicably about what had been going on in their lives since they had last caught up. It had been close to five months since they’d last seen each other, so the conversation never lulled, and Molly loved it. The Miller family were such welcoming, close-knit people, and it was wonderful to be around them. The kettle whistled loudly and Molly pushed herself up from the dining table, her chair scraping behind her on the tiled floor. Filling six cups with hot water, she then placed two teaspoons of sugar in each, her spoon clanking loudly against the sides as she stirred them. She made sure she prepared a hot chocolate for Rose too.

  ‘So, Rose, would you like to go out for a ride on Buck this afternoon?’

  ‘Oh, Mum! Finally! I’d love to,’ Rose replied delightedly as she stuffed the last piece of her lamington in her mouth, leaving a trail of chocolate and coconut around her lips.

  ‘She’s been telling me about Buck all morning,’ Alice said, standing to help Molly carry the cups back to the table. ‘It sounds to me like she’s very proud of you for saving him from being sent to the meatworks by that grumpy station owner at Silverspur Station.’

  Molly smiled warmly. ‘That was all her doing. I just took it on to train him so he could be a great horse for Rose.’

  Alice softly placed her hand on Molly’s back. ‘You’re such a great mum. Good on you, love.’

  ‘I’d agree with that,’ Heath said, smiling.

  ‘So, Molly, how was your morning out bull catching?’ John asked as she passed him his coffee.

  ‘It was fantastic! I love being out there.’

  ‘Ah, that’s music to my ears, a woman who enjoys the rough and tumble of bull catching. There should be more of your kind out there,’ John said, waving his arm in the air. ‘My Alice loves it too, that’s why I married her.’ He winked in Alice’s direction.

  ‘Oh, come on, you married me because I won your heart with my cooking,’ Alice replied with a smirk.

  John chuckled as he dunked a homemade chocolate-chip biscuit in his tea. ‘Bugger, you discovered my secret. I thought I’d kept it hidden from you all these years.’

  ‘Well, no rest for the wicked. I’m off to collect the bulls we caught this morning. Don’t want to leave the buggers out there too long. It’s a hot day. I’ll take my coffee with me, if you don’t mind. You coming, Dad and Heath? I’ll need a hand to winch them up on the back of the truck,’ Gary said, getting up from the table and grabbing the last lamington from the tray.

  ‘Cor, Gary, talk about rushing a man,’ John replied, trying to drink his coffee quickly and succeeding in scorching his tongue.

  ‘Come on, Dad, where are your beans today? We’ve got work to do. Let’s go!’ Gary replied lightheartedly, repeating a phrase John had said to the boys on countless occasions when they were growing up.

  Heath laughed at his dad and brother’s banter. ‘Yep, coming. Just give me a sec to finish my coffee. I’ll meet you out front once you’ve sorted the cattle truck out, hey.’

  ‘No worries.’ Gary stepped out the back door.

  ‘I have an exciting night planned, ladies,’ Heath said, addressing Molly and Rose.

  Rose clapped her hands. ‘Ooh, goody! What is it?’

  ‘Well, how does a movie and popcorn night sound?’

  ‘So much fun!’ Rose shrieked, almost falling backwards off her chair in excitement.

  ‘Heath, that’s wonderful of you. Sounds great,’ Molly said, smiling.

  A few loud blows of the air horn out the front announced that John and Gary were good to go. Heath excused himself from the table and gave Rose a kiss on the cheek. ‘Enjoy your ride, sweetheart. I’ll see you and your mum back here tonight, and then we’ll be off back home in the morning.’

  Rose’s smile quickly turned into a frown. ‘Oh, I don’t want to go home! I’m having too much fun here.’

  ‘We have to go home, darling. GG and Grandma will be missing us and you have to go back to school on Monday.’

  ‘All right, then, if we have to.’ Rose huffed as she got down from the dining table and put her plate and mug on the sink.

  ‘Right, now go and get your riding gear on, Rose. Buck’s waiting for you,’ Molly said, ruffling Rose’s hair.

  ‘Yippee! I’ll be back in a sec,’ Rose said eagerly as she took off down the hallway, instantly forgetting her disappointment at going home.

  Molly watched Rose disappear down the hallway and into the bathroom then turned her attention back to Alice. ‘She loves coming to visit you, she never wants to go home.’

  ‘Aw, that’s lovely to hear. She’s such a dear little thing. I love her to bits. She’s the closet thing I have to a grandchild, really.’ Alice stopped fumbling with the handle of her coffee mug, her eyes full of anguish as she looked back up at Molly. ‘Sorry if that sounds a little strange. I mean, I know you and Heath aren’t an item, but since losing Jenny and the baby, all I can think about is having a grandchild in the family. I’m not having any luck with Gary, he can’t even find himself a girlfriend out here in the sticks. All the good ones are already taken.’ Alice smiled, sighing softly before continuing. ‘We were all so happy when we found out Jenny was pregnant; I’d even redecorated one of the spare rooms in preparation for when we got to babysit. And then, well … she died. And along with her I think a part of Heath died too. I worry about him you know, a lot. How’s he been doing?’

  ‘He seems to be doing okay, Alice. He keeps himself really busy at Jacaranda and lately he even seems to be enjoying life again. It’s good to see. He was down in the dumps for a long time, understandably so. We were all really worried about him there for a while, but he’s a strong man and he pulled through. I think the counsellor helped him immensely. Lord knows the counsellor helped me.’ Molly wiped tears from her eyes. The memory of Jenny dying in her arms, fretting about her unborn baby until she took her last breath, was still raw and painful. She tried not to think about it too much, but when she did it was still as heartbreaking as the day it had happened.

  Alice pulled a few tissues from the box on the dining table and passed them to Molly. ‘Oh dear, I’m so sorry, love. I didn’t mean to upset you. Silly old fool I am. I keep forgetting that you were the one with her when it all happened. It must have been terribly hard on you.’

  Molly blew her nose loudly. ‘Don’t be sorry, Alice. I know you didn’t mean to upset me. It was awfully hard at the beginning, I had nightmares for months. I’ve dealt
with the demons now, though. I just really miss Jenny, that’s all. She was always with me, every day, out on the farm, helping me train the horses. We were basically joined at the hip.’

  Alice reached across the table and took hold of Molly’s hand, squeezing it sympathetically. ‘Yes, we all miss her, love, very much. She was a beautifully spirited girl, just like you. But you know what? Life goes on. And I just hope that Heath finds a woman that he can fall in love with as madly as he was in love with Jenny. That would make me a very happy lady.’

  ‘He will, Alice, don’t you worry. Heath’s a wonderful man. There aren’t many women out there who could resist his charm. When he’s ready to fall in love again he won’t have any trouble finding a lovely lady. I’m sure of it.’

  ‘I hope you’re right, love,’ Alice said as she slid her chair back and got up from the table, gathering empty cups and dirty plates. ‘You know what, Molly?’ I reckon Heath has feelings for a woman already, and I have an inkling that this woman harbours feelings for him too. I’m just not sure this woman knows how to react to it. But I hope she figures it out soon, because I really like her.’ Alice looked up at the ceiling in contemplation. ‘No, actually, I adore her. She’d be so good for him.’

  Molly felt the sword of jealousy stab her in the heart at the thought that there could be another woman in Heath’s life – and one that she wasn’t even aware of. Although she couldn’t have him, she didn’t want anyone else to have him either. Selfish, yes, she admitted, but she was only human. She tried to act unperturbed by picking up pieces of coconut from the table. ‘Oh, and who might that be?’ she asked casually.

  Alice smiled warmly, her eyes filled with compassion as she leant over and kissed Molly on the cheek. ‘You, my dear. It’s you. And you know what? It’s okay to fall in love with him, Molly. Jenny would be so happy. She loved you like a sister.’

  Molly watched Buck’s body language closely as she lunged him in the round yard. Even though she knew he was ready for Rose to ride, she was still on guard, just in case. Alice’s words were still rolling around in her mind but she couldn’t let them distract her. Rose’s safety right now was of top priority. There was no room for error once Rose was up in the saddle. The horse looked relaxed, at ease – a totally different horse to the one she had first met all those months ago. Comfortable with her decision to let Rose ride him, she tethered him to the hitching rail and began saddling him.