“Daniel, I...” Sam turned her head to meet his expectant gaze. “I don’t know the first thing about running a sheep station.”
“Yes, you do,” Daniel said. “You just successfully helped me through the most difficult time of the year. I can teach you everything else you need to know. Mum and Dad won’t leave us until they are certain we know what we are doing.”
Sam turned her attention back to the sparkling sunlit pool water. “I’m sorry, Daniel. I can’t.”
“Why not?” he asked softly.
“I only have six months left on my work visa. You know as well as I do that I can’t stay beyond that. Daniel, I traveled twelve thousand miles to see the whole country. I can’t stop after just seeing a quarter of it. This is important to me. And, besides, we have only known each other a few months, if you count Bali. How do you know if we will even make it? I mean, we haven’t even discussed a future between us.”
“We’ll figure something out.”
“How?”
Daniel gnawed on his lip. “We could get married.”
“What?” Sam turned her head and stared at him in disbelief.
He got up and walked down the steps, dropping down on one knee. He took one of her hands in his.
“Sam, I love you! Please, stay with me for a few more months. If it doesn’t work out, we will, at least, have tried, and you’ll still have time left on your visa to see more of the country. I don’t want you to think I’m putting any pressure on you or that I only want you to stay so you can help me with the station. But, if after a few months you realize what I already know, that we have something special, that we’re meant to be together, then we’ll get married. That will solve all your visa problems with time to spare. I don’t want to lose you, Sam. Stay with me and we’ll work it out. Please, don’t go.”
Sam blinked several times, her mind a whirlwind of confusion. Stay there with the man of her dreams or travel the rest of Australia and fulfill her dreams. She hated tough decisions.
“If I do stay, that still doesn’t solve my issue with traveling around the rest of the country.” she whispered.
“If you stay with me, I promise that we will spend our lives together traveling the rest of Australia until you have seen everything you want to see. Wouldn’t it be more fun to share that experience with the one you love rather than doing it on your own. We can spend our holiday every year going somewhere new.”
“Really?” Sam asked. It was an exciting proposition. Of course, she would rather share the experience of seeing new places with someone she loved. If she took Daniel up on his offer, she would be able to stay with the man of her dreams and spend the rest of her life fulfilling her other dream to travel. “You promise?”
“I promise.”
Tears pricked behind Sam’s eyes, tears of happiness this time. She couldn’t believe what was happening; Daniel was offering her the chance to make Shalroma her home.
“Okay. Yes, I’ll stay with you and help you run Shalroma.”
Daniel stood and scooped her up, twirling her around. A huge smile spread across his face. When he stopped twirling her, he lowered her to the ground.
“There is one condition, though.” Sam stated, looking into his beautiful blue eyes that sparkled with joy.
His gaze turned wary.
“Dare I ask?” he said cautiously.
“We get someone to help me with the cooking when it’s time for shearing again next year.”
Daniel breathed a sigh of relief. “Consider it done,” he said as his mouth covered hers with a passionate kiss, a prelude of things to come.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
It takes a lot of people to bring a book to life and mine is no different. With that in mind I am going to mention each and every one of the wonderfully supportive network of people who helped me. So, if you are sitting comfortably, I shall begin.
Although this is the 4th book I have published, it is, in fact, the very 1st book I wrote. If it wasn’t for the encouragement of one person, I may never have put fingers to keyboard all those years ago. Thanks, Brenda.
My wonderful beta-readers (in alpha order). Andi, Carina, Jos, Mary Jo, Merilyn, and Shana. Your feedback and ideas helped me mold and shape the story into what it is today.
Marisa Wagner, my awesome editor. You slayed my run on sentences and took control of my commas. Your attention to detail is amazing. You took my words and made them sing.
The cover design is the creation of Linda Boulanger of Tell-Tale Cover Designs. It was my first experience working with a cover designer and she ‘got’ the feel of the story after only asking a few questions. Linda, you did a wonderful job. I’ll definitely use you again.
And last, but by no means least, my soul mate. Your never ending love and support knows no bounds. I love you.
Thank you to you all.
About the Author
Adrianna Blakeley is the pen name Alison Pensy uses to write her adult romance novels. As the bestselling author of the young adult Custodian series, she decided to do this because she didn’t want to confuse her younger readers or get into trouble with their parents.
Alison was born and raised in England. She grew up near a medieval city, which is where much of the inspiration for her young adult books comes from.
Alison moved to the States in 2001, where she eventually settled near a small town in mid Missouri with her menagerie of animals. She also runs her own tax and accounting business and started writing when she became so fed up with the real world, she decided to create her own. Please visit her website at www.alisonpensy.com. She loves to hear from her readers, so feel free to leave comments or ask questions.
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