Meghan moved into the sitting room, kicked off her shoes and curled up on the couch before turning the TV volume down with the remote.
"Did you do anything exciting today?" She called out as she waited for Lachie.
"Nah, just hung out here. Watched some TV." He carried the plates back to the living room to join her on the couch, balancing his plate on his knees.
"How was work?"
She shrugged. "I always liked my job, but now it's gotten so repetitive. I’m ready for a change."
"I reckon you'll love the country. Lots of wide open spaces and you're a country girl at heart." He winked at her before scooping a generous forkful of food into his mouth.
She had heard so much about their sprawling cattle property in the outback and his beloved mother.
"I'm nervous, I've never met a guy's Mum before."
"Mum's a treat. Don't be scared of her. Did you talk to Jodie today?"
"She called me at work and assured me it'll be okay."
"It will and this visit is only for a couple of weeks. After the wedding, we can still come visit once a year or so."
She looked into his blue eyes and smiled. Her future was so full of hope and possibilities, it was exciting and a little frightening.
"I love you, Lachie. I can’t wait to start our life together."
His lips brushed gently over hers causing warmth to pool in her belly.
She would meet his mother and brother tomorrow and she would finally see the property. Her future home.
Brigadier Station.
Chapter 2
Cracked brown dirt stretched flat in every direction. The occasional ironbark tree provided the only shelter from the harsh elements of the North Queensland outback.
Although Meghan had never been this far from the coast before, she knew in her heart she would love the country and quickly adjust to living on the land. It had been a long drive from Townsville, passing through the small township of Charters Towers then the smaller, communities of Hughenden and Richmond. In these places, she had learnt of the abundant dinosaur fossils which were often found in the hard earth.
Now on the final stretch of dusty road between Julia Creek and Brigadier Station, she decided the stark, austere scenery was, surprisingly, quite beautiful.
"Don't worry," Lachie glanced at her as his ute rattled over a cattle-grid. "Brigadier isn’t as bare as these stations. We’ve got plenty of shade and good bores.
"So, you're doing okay despite the drought?" Meghan had heard plenty of stories about how hard the outback graziers were doing it in this drought. Cattle were starving to death and many owners were killing their own stock rather than see their beasts suffer.
Lachie had grown up on the cattle station and had inherited it when his father died a few years ago. He had told her what to expect and she was more than up for the challenge.
"Well, we manage. It's not easy, though. Lots of hard work."
Meghan admired his profile. His trim and toned body were the result of that hard, physical work. The sleeves of his grey work shirt rolled up above his long, suntanned forearms. Meghan was shorter by a foot, but he towered over most people at his lofty six-foot-four height.
"What?" He caught her watching him. "You checking me out?"
She giggled flirtatiously. "So, what if I am?"
He wiggled his eyebrows at her. "I can always pull the ute over."
She crinkled her nose and gestured to the tools and machinery parts at her feet and between them.
"There's not enough room in here to move. Remember the last time we did it in here?"
His deep chuckle sent a shiver down her spine as it always did.
"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 graveled 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 colored 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 al
l 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.
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 Mument.
"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, grabbin
g 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 sympathised.
"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 3
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.
The Dairy Farmer's Daughter Page 13
