by Mandy Magro
‘Let’s not do this here, Molly. Not like this. You mean too much to me to have a quickie in the dust of the rodeo grounds. I want you so badly right now, but let’s not let it happen here. Let me plan a getaway for us, by the ocean. How does that sound to you, gorgeous?’
Molly held his gaze. ‘That sounds beautiful. That’s one of the reasons I adore you, Heath. You are the most thoughtful man I’ve ever met. And the sexiest.’
Heath kissed her hard on the lips and let out a massive sigh. ‘We’re going to have to wait a few minutes before we head back, though. I kind of have a problem.’
Molly giggled, her legs still firmly around his waist. ‘Yeah, I can kind of feel that, Heath.’
She slid back to the ground and Heath gently cupped her face with his strong hands. ‘What’s your granddad and grandma going to think about all this?’
Molly looked deep into his eyes. ‘They’ll be fine. They both think so highly of you. You’ll just need to keep this quiet until I talk to them, okay? I want them to hear it from me first.’
‘Of course. And then I’d like to talk with David and Elizabeth, so I can tell them how much you and Rose mean to me.’
Molly smiled. ‘I’m sure they’d love to hear that.’
Heath pulled her into a warm embrace. ‘You know, you’ve just made me the happiest man alive, Molly Jones.’
‘And I’m the luckiest woman in the world to have found you,’ Molly told him.
Chapter 20
The kitchen clock ticked loudly above Molly, echoing throughout the dark, quiet house. The sound was comforting, familiar. She dropped two heaped teaspoons of sugar into each of the three cups of black tea, stirring gently as she thought about what she was going to say. She was so excited about telling Granddad and Grandma about Heath – she knew they would be thrilled. She’d been hanging out to tell them but she just hadn’t had a chance since the rodeo. Both her grandparents had left soon after she arrived home to go to Cairns for a few days to catch up with friends and attend a few appointments. She had wanted to wait until they all had time to sit down and celebrate the great news, not to say it in passing as Granddad and Grandma were racing out the door. It was too important for that. They had both arrived home this evening, refreshed and revitalised, and it felt like the perfect time to tell them.
After the barbecue tomorrow night, to celebrate the official end of the mustering season, Heath had planned a night away for Molly and him at Pretty Beach and she was longing to spend a whole night with him. It was going to be absolutely wonderful. Jade was happy to have Rose for the night, and of course Rose was really looking forward to sleeping over at Aunty Jade’s. It was all set. Not that Jade knew why Molly needed her to babysit – nobody knew. Molly wanted to tell her grandparents the news first, out of respect for them both. She would fill Jade in on the great news at the barbecue, and she couldn’t wait to see her friend’s reaction. Jade was going to be stoked.
Molly took a deep breath, feeling nervous all of a sudden, and picked up the three steaming cups from the kitchen bench and placed them onto a tray along with a couple of gingernut biscuits, pausing to admire the full moon out of the window. A shooting star flew gloriously across the night sky and she made a wish, hoping and praying it was going to come true as she padded silently down the hallway, making every effort not to wake Rose. The flyscreen door creaked wearily when she stepped through it onto the verandah. David looked up at her from his favourite comfortable chair and smiled while Elizabeth removed her glasses, placing the magazine she was reading on the side table.
‘So, love, have a seat and tell us what’s on your mind. Something’s been niggling at you for the past week or so, I could tell,’ David said as Molly passed him a cup of tea.
Molly handed Elizabeth her cuppa then sat down on the nearby couch and called Skip over. He jumped up beside her, tail wagging, and she scratched behind his ears absentmindedly. ‘Well, Granddad, Grandma, I’m in love.’
‘Oh darling, that’s wonderful!’ Elizabeth said, her smile lighting up her entire face.
David’s face lit up as he leant forward in his chair, almost spilling his tea with excitement. ‘Oh, love. I think that’s the best news I’ve heard for ages! Mind you, it is kind of sudden. I haven’t really seen you going out on dates with anyone.’ Molly watched as his brow furrowed in thought. ‘So tell me, who is the lucky man?’
Molly felt her stomach do a triple backflip and land somewhere in her throat. She didn’t know why she felt so nervous. Maybe because it was so important to her that her granddad and grandma approved? Or maybe she was worried what they might think of her dating Jenny’s boyfriend? ‘It’s someone you know very well, actually.’
‘I see. Hmm.’ David held Molly’s gaze. ‘It’s not Jade, is it, love? I mean, don’t get me wrong. I have nothing against gay people and you know I adore Jade. But I wouldn’t want that for you and Rose, being the old-fashioned man I am.’
Molly giggled. ‘No, Granddad! I’m not gay. What made you think of that, you silly bugger?’
David chuckled as he leant back in his chair. ‘All right, come on then. Tell us who it is before I die of curiosity.’
‘Okay, here goes. It’s Heath.’ Molly found herself smiling broadly just saying his name. ‘Oh, Granddad, Grandma, I so want you both to be happy for us!’
‘Woohoo!’ Elizabeth shrieked as she grinned at Molly. Her delighted expression made Molly giggle.
David sat quietly. Molly knew he would be rolling it over in his mind, not wanting to say a word until he’d had a chance to process his thoughts. He was a firm believer in thinking before speaking, and had often reminded her of that fact when she was going through her unruly teenage years. She held her breath, waiting for some kind of reaction. A smile began to form at the corners of David’s mouth and within seconds he was beaming from ear to ear.
‘Molly, I’m honoured you care so much about what we think. Heath is a good and decent man. Look at Grandma, she’s thrilled. She’s always said you’d make a lovely couple, but I thought she was playing cupid. I knew there was a strong bond between you and Heath, but I could never work out whether it was anything more than just terrific mateship. Well, to be fair, I could tell he fancied you but I wasn’t sure how you felt about him. How long has this has been going on, if you don’t mind me asking?’
‘There have been feelings there for a while now, but neither of us had done anything about them, until a week ago. And of course I care what you both think. You’re the most important people in my life, along with Rose of course.’
‘Ah, Molly, it’s just wonderful! I’ve always wanted you to find a man who would support you and look after you, someone who has dreams and aspirations for the future, and someone who might come to love Jacaranda Farm as passionately as we do. Most importantly, I prayed you’d find a man to love you and Rose the way you deserve to be loved. Heath is this sort of man. I’ve seen the way he treats Rose and he loves that little girl with every bit of his being.’
Molly placed her cup on the floor and ran over to hug David. It wasn’t often that he opened up emotionally, and she was deeply touched.
David pulled back and placed his wrinkled hand on her cheek. ‘I could tell from the look on your face when you spoke about Heath just then that he’s very special to you. As long as he makes you happy, I’m a very happy man. Now, we’d better go to bed, Elizabeth or we’re going to turn into a pair of pumpkins.’
‘It’s not that late, Granddad! It’s only nine-thirty.’
David stood from his chair, stretching his arms high in the air as he wandered over to help Elizabeth out of hers. ‘Way past my bedtime, Molly. I’m normally snoring like a trooper by this stage. Ask your grandmother, she’ll confirm that. The poor thing’s had to sleep beside me for close to fifty years.’
‘Hear, hear!’ Elizabeth chuckled as she edged her way out of the seat.
‘Oh, don’t you worry. I don’t need to ask Grandma. We can hear you all through the house!’
David shook his finger at her as he walked inside. ‘Now, now, Miss Molly Jones. Don’t get too cheeky. I can still ground you seeing as you live under my roof.’
Molly ran her fingers over her lips, pretending to zip them up, her eyes shining with happiness.
‘Night, Granddad. Night, Grandma. Love you.’
Elizabeth gently cupped Molly’s cheek. ‘I’m overjoyed with this news, Molly. Love you too, dear.’
She watched as her grandparents headed through the screen door, arm in arm, before turning to Skip. ‘So, what do you reckon about Heath and I being together?’
Skip barked his reply and Molly nodded as if she understood him. ‘Yeah, I reckon it’s great too!’
Molly sat for another hour on the verandah, sipping a glass of red wine, letting the peace and tranquillity of the night wash over her. She thought about all those years she had dreamed about finding Rose’s father again, believing that that was the only way her life would ever feel complete. Yet Heath had been right there all along, laughing with her, working with her, protecting her – sharing all her ups and downs. She had so many happy memories with him, and yet this was only the beginning. Now she had told her grandparents she and Heath could finally tell everyone else the great news. Molly couldn’t wait to tell Rose. She smiled as she thought of Rose saying she wished Heath could be her dad. Molly was thrilled that she had made another one of her little girl’s wishes come true, the first being training up Buck for her. Molly closed her eyes, a feeling of complete satisfaction filling her heart. She was finally here, right where she wanted to be.
Chapter 21
‘Knock, knock!’ Heath called out at Molly’s front door. Trev and Kenny stood behind him holding a large esky filled with icy cold beers. Delicious aromas wafted from the kitchen and Heath’s belly rumbled in anticipation. He’d had other things than food on his mind most of the day, though. Molly had snuck into the workers’ cottage at dawn that morning, still wearing her pyjamas, and had crawled into his bed to wake him. The feel of her body against his stirred a desire in him that seemed to deepen with every second they were together. Their kisses overwhelmed his senses, as though she was breathing new life into his heart and soul. They had fallen into their own reality where the world did not exist beyond Heath’s bedroom door, but wanted to wait for the total privacy of their coming weekend away before fully giving in to their desires. They had eventually emerged, knowing they had to get up and start the day, and the looks on Kenny and Trev’s faces had been priceless. The cat was well and truly out of the bag. Kenny and Trev had been rapt when Heath and Molly had broken the news, giving them both a friendly slap on the back, and telling them it was about time.
‘Come in if you’re good-looking!’ Molly called out from the kitchen as Rose ran to the front door to welcome them in.
‘Mum told me that you’re boyfriend and girlfriend now,’ she said excitedly as Heath leant down to give her a hug. ‘I’m tickled pink!’
Heath grinned at her. ‘Well, I’m glad you’re tickled pink, Rose. I wouldn’t want it any other way. I mean, being tickled purple might be a bit weird. Where did you learn that saying from anyway, sweetheart?’
Rose rolled her eyes. ‘Don’t be silly, Heath! You can’t tickle someone purple.’ She laughed. ‘I heard Grandma say it to Granddad this morning when they were talking abut you and Mum being together. She looked really happy. I thought it was a great way to say that I’m happy too, especially seeing as I love pink!’ Her face became more serious. ‘Does this mean I can call you Dad now?’
Trev and Kenny took that as their cue to move out of earshot. They squeezed past Heath and Rose and headed for the kitchen, dropping the esky twice along the way, their playful bantering filling the hallway with laughter.
Heath smiled tenderly at Rose. ‘You’ll have to ask your mum first, sweetheart, but if it’s okay with her, it’s okay with me. Just make sure you ask her when there’s no one else around, Rose. It’s something you need to talk with your mum about in private, okay?’
Rose smiled. ‘Okay. I’ll talk to her later on.’
‘We better go and help the ladies out, don’t you reckon?’ Heath asked, taking Rose’s hand and walking down the hallway.
‘That’s up to you, but GG said it’s a madhouse in the kitchen. It might be a little scary for you in there,’ Rose said seriously.
Heath chuckled. ‘I’m pretty sure I can handle it.’
‘Is there anything we do?’ Heath asked as he and Rose joined the bustling group in the kitchen.
‘Yeah, thanks, Heath, that’d be great. You can make the seafood sauce if you like. Rose will show you where the tomato sauce and mayo is,’ Molly replied, giving him a quick peck on the cheek.
‘No worries,’ Heath said, blushing slightly as he grabbed the bowl Jade was holding out to him. She winked and gave him the thumbs up.
‘Hi, Heath, great news about you and Molly! I’m delighted, to say the least. I think we all are.’
‘Thanks, mate,’ Heath replied heartily as Rose pulled him towards the pantry cupboard.
‘And I think it’s fantastic too, Heath,’ Elizabeth added from her place at the sink.
‘Thanks, Mrs Jones.’
‘Oh love, please call me Elizabeth. I keep telling you that. I know you like to have good manners but honestly, it feels too formal calling me Mrs Jones, especially now you’re dating my beautiful granddaughter.’
Heath smiled. ‘Okay then, seeing as you insist. Thanks, Elizabeth.’
‘What can we do?’ Trev asked. ‘Let me warn you, though, I’m about as useful as an ashtray on a motorbike when it comes to being a kitchen hand. I bloody burn toast, don’t I, Kenny?’
‘Tell me about it,’ Kenny said, chuckling.
‘You two can go out and help Granddad with the barbecue if you like,’ Molly said. ‘Here’s the tray of meat and I’ll bring the seafood out in a sec.’
Molly watched Kenny and Trev disappear out onto the back verandah and turned the CD player up, singing along to Shooter Jennings’ sexy husky voice. She danced around the kitchen, grabbing Rose and Jade for a spin on the way. Elizabeth laughed at the three girls and tapped her feet to the music as she washed some dishes.
By sunset they were all enjoying the fantastic buffet steaks, prawns, Moreton Bay bugs and even oysters kilpatrick. Heath and Molly found themselves lightheartedly fighting over the last bug. Heath finally handed it to her, grinning mischievously.
‘It’s all yours. How can I deny such a beautiful women her favourite food?’
‘I’ll share it with you, how’s that sound?’ Molly said, smiling.
‘Sounds like a truce,’ Heath replied, giving her a quick kiss on the lips.
Jade had made an alcoholic punch that was strong enough to run a small car. Molly had drunk two glasses of it with dinner and was now feeling blissfully relaxed. She gazed at Heath standing over in the corner of the verandah in deep conversation with Trev. She guessed it’d most probably have something to do with cattle or fishing.
‘Can I join in on the conversation? It looks to be pretty interesting from the side lines,’ she said with a wink as she wandered into their space.
Heath grinned back at her. ‘Trev here’s trying to tell me he’s the best fisherman around, and I was reminding him that Kenny’s been giving him a good run for his money lately.’
‘I don’t know. I reckon Kenny’s just got lucky.’ Trev chuckled and excused himself to get another drink. ‘Anybody want one while I’m at it?’ he called out, holding up his empty beer can and shaking it as he walked away.
‘Yeah, grab us both one,’ Heath called after him.
‘I think I’d better slow down on the drinks. I’m feeling a little tipsy already,’ Molly said, as she wrapped her arm around his waist and rested her head on his chest, enjoying his warmth and the sound of his heart beating.
Jade bounded in beside them, her feet moving in time to the music. ‘Anyone here like to have a boogie with me unde
r the stars?’
Molly raised her eyebrows. ‘Oh, why not? We’ll just have to dodge the cane toads.’
‘Don’t remind me about the cane toads! Lucky you don’t have a fish pond or you might just fall into it,’ Jade said, laughing.
Heath looked at Molly a little baffled.
‘Don’t even ask. I’ll tell you the story another day.’ Molly replied.
Just as the girls hit the bottom step Kenny yelled out anxiously, ‘Oh shit! Fire!’
Molly felt the joyful bubble around her pop. They all looked to where Kenny was pointing and saw black smoke billowing into the moonlit sky.
‘Holy shit! That’s over near the stables! The poor bloody horses are all locked up in there – we were going to shoe them early in the morning. Christ, they’re never normally in there … Why tonight of all nights?’ Heath yelled, despairing. ‘I’ll go and grab the tractor and fill the tank up with water.’ He glanced at Molly. ‘You and the other women grab some buckets and head down to the stables. Maybe you can start throwing water onto the flames. Use the water from the rainwater tank down there, okay? You men do what you can to help the women until I get down there with the tractor and the spray tank.’ Heath took off in the direction of the shed, hoping the equipment they used for spraying fertiliser was already attached to the back of the tractor, to save him precious time. He could fill it with water and spray it directly onto the fire.
‘Oh no! Mum! Buck is down there too!’ Rose cried, her eyes wide with fear.
Molly picked her up off the ground, embracing her tightly. ‘Don’t worry sweetheart. We’ll get him out. I’ll make sure of it.
Molly’s mind raced as images of Buck and Leroy and all the other horses being caught up in the fire flashed before her, ripping her heart to pieces. She ran down the dirt road towards the stables, holding firmly onto Rose’s hand. ‘I wish I could leave you back at the homestead, but all the adults are needed down here and I can’t leave you there on your own. Promise me you’ll stay close to me, sweetheart. Stick to me like glue, okay? Fire can be very dangerous. I don’t want you going anywhere near it.’
