by Bonnie Leon
“Oh, Auntie,” Rebecca said in frustration. “Why don’t you just admit that you care for him and say yes to his marriage proposal?”
Mildred lifted her chin slightly. “And what of his first wife? He still loves her.”
“Yes. I’m sure he does. But that doesn’t mean he can’t love you. When someone dies they’re not forgotten, and from all I’ve seen in the fine people I know, there’s always room to love.”
“Too right,” Willa said. “However, I must admit that I can’t imagine ever remarrying.”
“See, Rebecca. It’s not really possible to get over someone you truly love. I admire Thomas greatly, but I would always feel like the second wife.”
“Well, then you best tell him you’re not going to marry him and let the poor man return to his home,” Rebecca said.
Mildred nodded slightly. “I suppose.”
“If you do, it will be a mistake,” Willa said softly.
Mildred looked at her. Then as if nothing important had been said, she moved on to another subject. “Tell me about today’s festivities. What can I expect?”
There was a pause before Willa explained. “There will be horse races and horse trading. It’s a grand time for all. In some ways it’s a bit like a carnival. However, there is also serious horse business going on.”
Rebecca propped an elbow on the ridge of the surrey and leaned her cheek against her hand. “I’m quite interested in looking at the horses. Some of the finest animals in the district will be here.”
“Are there any nice shops in Roma?”
“Some,” Willa said with a smile. “But not nearly enough for me. I dare say, I’m ready for a trip to Melbourne. It’s a marvelous city.”
“Did you hear from your aunt Ada?” Rebecca asked.
“Yes, as a matter of fact. I thought I had told you.”
“No.”
“Well, she said that any time we wanted to visit we’d be welcome. And that November would be a fine time.”
“November seems so far away. I can barely wait to go. From what you say, Melbourne is grand.”
“It is.”
The small group from Douloo approached Roma. The settlement wasn’t large by any means, but it offered more than Thornton Creek. The surrey moved slowly through the center of town. Woodman expertly guided the horses down a street crowded with traffic and vendors.
Much like a girl on her first outing to the city, Mildred leaned forward, taking in all the activity. “Oh my, there’s a curio shop. I’d love to have a look inside.”
“Yes. Absolutely. They have some lovely things. We’ll set up our picnic spot first and then come back,” Willa said.
“If you don’t mind, I’d rather go with Daniel.” Rebecca smiled apologetically. “I’ve been anxious to look at the horses.”
“That’s fine, dear.” Willa gazed at the eddy of activity about them. “Bertram always loved this. I wish he were here.”
“I wish he were too,” Rebecca said, reaching across to Willa and clasping her hand.
Arms intertwined, Daniel and Rebecca toured the corrals. With a smile, Rebecca glanced at Joseph, who was safely settled in his father’s free arm. Grinning, the youngster gawked at all the goings-on about him, pointing at one thing or another. Rebecca felt more content than she had in weeks. Today she and her family would enjoy the festivities together. Momentarily she rested her head against Daniel’s arm. He smiled down at her. “Thank you for today,” she said.
“Can’t think of anything I’d rather do.” He moved his arm about her waist and gave her a squeeze. Hefting Joseph slightly, he said, “See how he’s watching everything. He’s truly interested.”
“Well, of course. He’s bright. He’s a Thornton.”
Willa, Mildred, and Thomas joined Daniel and Rebecca.
“What do you think of my new hat?” Mildred asked, turning around to show it off. “I found it in a small millinery shop just around the corner.”
“It looks quite stunning on you,” Rebecca said, admiring the stylish maize crepe hat. “It brings out the blue in your eyes.”
“Absolutely. You look beautiful,” Daniel said with a grin.
“I’ve told her she’s beautiful,” Thomas said. “But she doesn’t believe me.”
“Stop it, you two. It’s the hat that’s attractive.” Mildred smiled. Her eyes looked brighter than usual, and her cheeks glowed soft pink.
The group approached a corral with several horses. “Oh, look there,” Rebecca said pointing at a roan mare. “She looks very much like Chavive. Maybe not quite as tall, but still handsome.”
“Quite right,” Daniel said. “Her coat is the same chestnut color, but don’t you think a bit less dappled?”
“A bit,” Rebecca said.
Daniel studied the animal. “She’s grand though.”
“She is at that,” said a man dressed in a pinstripe suit. “A real beauty, eh?” He smiled in an overly friendly way.
“I have a mare that looks very much like her,” Rebecca said.
“You’re lucky, then. There aren’t many as nice as this one.”
The man extended his hand to Daniel. “Collin O’Neill.”
“Daniel Thornton.”
“A Thornton, eh? Nice ta meet you. You must be the boss cocky, then.” He grinned and turned to Rebecca. “And this is your wife?”
“Yes,” Rebecca said. “Rebecca Thornton.”
Collin nodded at Willa and Mildred, then looked at Thomas.
“Thomas Murdoc,” the middle-aged Bostonian said with a nod.
“G’day ta you.” Collin turned to Daniel. “Now, what can I do for you? Interested in the mare?”
“Possibly.” Rebecca glanced at the horse. “I’d like to take a closer look.”
“You won’t find any blemishes, I can assure you.” Collin chuckled. “My horse trading days would be over if I were to sell animals that weren’t sound.”
“We’re not really interested in purchasing a horse, Mr. O’Neill,” Daniel interjected. “Just admiring them is all.”
Rebecca wasn’t as certain as Daniel seemed to be about not being ready to buy. The station could always use good horses. However, she held her tongue.
“Well then, have a fine day. Enjoy yourselves. The mare’s brother will be racing this afternoon. You can’t miss him. He looks like her, only a bit more showy.”
Rebecca was immediately interested.
It must have been apparent, because Collin settled his gaze on her and said, “You have ta get a look at him. You’ll be impressed.”
“We’ll do that,” Rebecca said.
The man removed his hat, revealing straight blond hair with traces of gray. Tucking the hat under one arm, Collin took a card out of his breast pocket. “If you change your minds, get in touch with me, eh? I have some good stock you might want ta have a look at.”
Daniel took the card. Rebecca glanced at it. “Thank you, Mr. O’Neill,” she said. “We’ll make sure to watch for your horse this afternoon.”
Joseph let out a cry. “Think he’s wanting his mummy,” Daniel said, handing the baby over to Rebecca.
She took him and cuddled him, but Joseph continued to fuss. “You certainly can’t be hungry. It hasn’t been very long since you ate.” Doing her best to squelch irritation, she shuffled the lad to her hip and bounced him, but his cries became more intense. Rebecca had counted on watching the races and talking horses with people from around the district. A fussy baby would make a shambles of the day. Perhaps Callie will watch him, Rebecca thought and looked about for the servant. She spotted her nearby, setting out snacks on a quilt.
“I’ll be just a moment,” Rebecca said, and with Joseph resting on her hip, she walked toward the servant. “Hello, Callie.”
“G’day. Ya ’avin a good time?”
“Yes. You?”
“Fine, mum.”
“I was hoping to speak with some of the traders here, and I can’t seem to quiet Joseph. Would you mind terribly watc
hing him for me? He’s been fed and changed, but I still can’t make him happy.”
Callie reached for the baby. “Wal, course I can watch ’im.” She smiled at Joseph. “I think he’s cutting a tooth.” She stuck a finger into his mouth and probed. “Yais, that’s it. ’Is poor little gums is real swollen.” Rocking from one foot to the other, she cradled him. Still whimpering, Joseph rested his head against her chest. “Ya go on, now.”
Grateful and jealous at the same time, Rebecca walked away. As she headed toward Daniel, she spotted Meghan Linnell chatting with him. Immediately her pulse quickened. What does she want? Rebecca hurried her steps. She wasn’t about to give that vixen one minute more with her husband than was necessary.
As Rebecca stepped up, Meghan flashed her a coy smile. “For heaven’s sake, Rebecca. You needn’t look so put out. I have no designs on yer husband. I was just giving him a bit of news.” With a toss of her mahogany-colored hair and a wave of her hand, she walked off.
“That woman. I can’t believe she has the nerve to . . .”
“Rebecca, she hasn’t caused us a bit of trouble in months. You’ll have to let go of your anger sooner or later.”
“Daniel, have you forgotten the horrible lies she told about us?”
“No. I haven’t, but we must live with the people in the district, and I still do business with her father. Plus, she’s been a longtime friend. Let it go.” He rested a hand on her back.
“I know it’s difficult,” Willa said kindly. “But Daniel’s right, dear.”
“I suppose so. I just haven’t seen her recently and she took me by surprise.”
“She’s always in church,” Thomas said.
“Yes. We avoid each other,” Rebecca said. “Too bad she doesn’t hear a word of the reverend’s sermons.”
Daniel gently squeezed her shoulder. “That’s not a very good start at forgiveness.”
Rebecca nodded, but her insides still shook. Meghan had nearly ruined her marriage. She could never be trusted.
Daniel moved to a fence alongside the track. “That horse you wanted to see is in this race.”
Shrugging off her annoyance, Rebecca stepped close to the fence and peered through. The animals were prancing at the starting line. It was easy to spot the stallion. He was larger than the rest and looked so much like Chavive that he could have been a sibling. The air pulsed with excitement as quiet settled over the crowds. An official raised a gun into the air.
A sharp blast penetrated the hush, and the horses lunged forward. For the first several strides, they sprinted in a huddle, almost as one. Then hooves and striding legs nearly tangled as each fought to break free of the pack. The stallion was trapped in the middle and unable to find his pace. His gait wasn’t impressive, and yet Rebecca could see restrained power in his shoulders and hindquarters. Expectant, she kept her eyes on him.
“So what do you think of him?” Thomas asked Daniel.
“A bit slow. But we’ll have to wait and see, eh?”
As they rounded the first bend, the stallion remained wedged between other contenders. And then a space opened, and he broke through, charging to the outside. Lengthening his stride, he plunged ahead.
“There he goes,” Rebecca said, gripping the fence. He was magnificent. His deep chestnut coat gleamed in the sunlight, and he held his tail high like a flag.
“Not a bad looking horse,” Daniel said, climbing onto a higher rung of the fence and leaning toward the battle.
The stallion gained on the front-runners, each stride carrying him closer to the lead. By the time he rounded the next turn, he was nearly even with the leader. Kicking up sod, he charged on, his powerful chest heaving. His coat shimmered with sweat. On the final stretch he hurtled past the lead horse. With his neck extended he reached for more ground, his hooves pummeling the soft earth. Crossing the finish line, he raced alone.
Rebecca leaped and cheered, feeling as if the stallion belonged to her. “He’s magnificent!” She turned to Daniel and clasped his hands. “I want him! Can we buy him?”
“What? What use do we have for such an animal? We don’t race horses; we work them.”
“Yes. I know. But he’s so beautiful and so much like Chavive. Just think what a beautiful foal could be produced between him and Chavive.”
“We don’t have to buy him to accomplish that. Perhaps Mr. O’Neill is offering stud service on him.”
“We could ask.” Rebecca knew her voice sounded whiny. Trying to sound as businesslike as possible, she added, “If we were to own such a horse, we could produce some splendid foals as well as provide stud service.” Rebecca gazed at the animal as he trotted around the track. “I’ve never seen a horse so much like Chavive and so magnificent. Look how he holds his head. He knows he’s won, that he’s something special.”
“No. There’s no need for such an animal at Douloo.”
“You wouldn’t want to ride him?” Rebecca asked, lifting her brows.
Daniel studied the animal and anticipation touched his eyes. “Indeed. That would be a pleasure.”
“Daniel, I’ve been around horses all my life. I know an exceptional animal when I see one.” Rebecca watched as the stallion slowed to a walk.
Daniel stared at the horse.
Rebecca stood closer to Daniel and leaned against him. “It would be something to fill the hours when you’re gone. Something special that I could do.”
“Rebecca, an animal like that wouldn’t be content not to race. It wouldn’t be right to close him up on a cattle station.”
She studied the stallion. “I suppose . . . Chavive is a fine animal, and she’s quite content just as long as she’s ridden regularly.”
Daniel continued to study the horse.
“I could ride and train him, plus the foals he and Chavive will produce.” She grasped Daniel’s hand. “We’d have some of the finest foals in the district. Most likely the finest.”
Daniel slowly shook his head. “I don’t know, Rebecca. We’ve been stretched a bit thin. The drought is taking a toll.”
“It’s just one more horse. What difference can one horse make to Douloo?”
Still watching the stallion, he said, “We don’t even know if Mr. O’Neill will sell him.”
“We can ask.”
He turned and faced her squarely. “All right. It’s against my better judgment, but we’ll speak to him.”
“Oh, thank you!” Rebecca threw her arms about his neck and hugged him tightly. “You’re a wonderful husband.”
“I’ll remind you of that the next time you think I’m not,” Daniel teased.
Rebecca smiled broadly. “Can we speak to Mr. O’Neill right away?”
“Slow down, eh?” Daniel grinned. “I’d like to make some inquiries. I know little about him.”
“Of course.”
Daniel took her hand. “I’m starved. Let’s get something to eat. It’s way past lunch.” He kept hold of her hand as they walked toward the picnic area.
Jim and Cambria sat in the shade of a eucalyptus tree. Cambria waved and called, “G’day. Please come join us.” She flashed a warm smile. Removing her bonnet, she said, “It was so cold this morning when we set out. I was a bit concerned it would rain and ruin the day, but . . .” She glanced at a nearly cloudless sky. “It’s turned out to be quite nice.”
“I wish it would rain,” Daniel said. “In case you haven’t noticed, the rivers are down, way down.”
“Yais. I noticed,” Cambria said, her voice surly. “But this is a special day, and if it’s going to rain, I’d rather it did so on a day that didn’t matter.”
Rebecca sat and arranged her skirts properly about her.
“Where’s Joseph?” Cambria asked.
“Callie has him.”
“Oh.” A frown creased Cambria’s brow.
“Is something wrong?”
“No. I was just hoping ta see him, is all. I’ll just have ta search out Callie.” She picked up a basket. “Seems Callie has him qui
te a lot.”
“He was fussing, and I wanted to have a look at one of the horses in that last race. Did you see him, the stallion that won?”
“Yes. He was splendid.” Cambria held out a picnic basket. “Would ya like a sandwich? We’ve plenty. I made several of me own, plus yer Lily gave us extra. I’m certain hers are better than mine.”
Rebecca and Daniel each took a sandwich. For a few moments they ate in silence. “I didn’t realize how hungry I was,” Rebecca said.
She finished her sandwich and then folded her hands in her lap. “I have some news. Daniel and I are going to buy that stallion.”
“Wait, now. We haven’t even talked with Mr. O’Neill. He may not want to part with him.”
“Oh, Daniel. There’s always a way,” Rebecca said. “I’m sure we can convince him.”
Daniel didn’t reply. Instead, he took another sandwich.
“He’s a beaut,” Cambria said. “Wouldn’t mind owning a horse like him meself.”
“What are you going to do with a racing horse?” Jim asked Rebecca.
“He’s such a fine animal and looks so much like Chavive, I was thinking we should breed the two of them. And the stallion would be Daniel’s to ride.”
“I’d like ta ride him someday,” Cambria said.
“If we buy him you’ll have a turn on him,” Daniel said.
“I wouldn’t mind taking him out myself,” Jim said.
“I didn’t say we are buying him.” Daniel frowned at Rebecca, then grudgingly said, “If we do, we’ll go for a ride and I’ll let you have a turn on him.”
“Which is when?” Cambria asked. “From what I’ve seen, ya’ve no time for anything but work.”
“I’m ’ere today, aren’t I?” Daniel challenged.
“Right. You are at that.”
“Before we can do anything, we need to check out Collin O’Neill,” Daniel said. “I don’t know much about him. He’s new in the district.”
“Certainly,” Rebecca said. “But I see no harm in speaking to him.”
“Rebecca, patience is required ’ere. If he knows you’re too eager, you’ll pay top dollar.”
“I’ll manage to restrain my exuberance.” She leaned back on her elbows. “When can we speak to him?”
