The Dairy Farmer's Daughter Page 15

  "There are heaps of roos out here. They can survive the worst drought no problem. You'll probably see emus and wild pigs along here too."

  "I saw the pigs in the pen this morning." Meghan absently swatted a fly buzzing around her head.

  "Wild sows. I caught them a few months ago. You can't eat wild pigs straight away, though, they have all sorts of worms. We have to feed them scraps for a few months before slaughtering. Mum wants them for Christmas."

  "Do you hunt pigs regularly then?"

  "If I know there’s one around, especially if it’s attacking the cattle, then I'll hunt it. We trap them occasionally for meat."

  Meghan raised her eyebrows. "That's very self-sufficient."

  "We butcher our own beef too. Used to run merino sheep when Noah was here. Dad got rid of them when Noah left, though. Shame really, I do miss lamb chops in spring. They’re too expensive to buy these days."

  Lulled into a dreamy state by the swaying rhythm of Molly’s gait, Meghan kept her eyes on Darcy’s broad back as he rode ahead. His muscles rippled as he rode along the dirt track and over a cattle grid. He turned around in the saddle suddenly, as though he could feel her eyes studying him. She looked away quickly, feeling a warm blush on her cheeks.

  She battled for something to say. "What are the animals eating? Since there’s hardly any grass."

  "Cottonseed. It’s full of enough nutrients to keep them alive, but unfortunately, it doesn't fatten them up." He pointed out a large trailer in the middle of the field. "That’s our cottonseed feeder. We only have to fill it up once a month or so and they eat out of it. Occasionally, we put out some molasses lick too. They have fun eating that sticky stuff," he said with a grin.

  Molly strained against the bridle as they approached a large empty paddock.

  "You can let her run if you want." Darcy gestured ahead.

  Meghan grinned and with a little kick Molly started to trot. With a little more encouragement, she sped up. Meghan reveled in the wind rushing past her. She glanced back to see Darcy’s mount was also galloping and he was catching up. "Come on, girl," she urged Molly along.

  Despite having a faster and younger mount, he stayed a meter or two behind her as they galloped across the flat field. At last, she could sense the horse tire, so she reigned her in. Darcy pulled up beside her, slightly breathless.

  "Enjoy that?" He met her gaze with a smile so warm and engaging that she tingled all over.

  "That was exhilarating!" Meghan flung her head back and her hands wide.

  "Once you know the lay of the land, you'll be able to take her out." Admiration glimmered in his eyes.

  "That would be great. I'd like to help out as much as I can."

  Heat waves shimmered around the vast nothingness before them. It was as though they were the only things foolish enough to brave the afternoon sun.

  While they inspected the land, Darcy told her about the station, about his family and the history. For three generations, the McGuire family had lived and died on Brigadier Station, working through the tough times of floods, droughts and economic hardships.

  "It was my great-grandfather who first settled here. He was a brigadier in World War One, he came here afterwards. People would refer to this place as the Brigadier's station. The name stuck. He became one of the most successful cattlemen of his generation." The fondness and gratitude softened his voice. "Brigadier Station is a testament to his pioneering spirit."

  The long-forgotten methane smell of cattle greeted her at the same time Darcy pointed out a mob of cattle grazing hungrily. "Here are some of our weaners. We've only got about four hundred left here. The rest are on agistment."

  Meghan noted their golden honey colour. "What breed are they?"

  "Droughtmaster. That’s a cross between Brahman and Shorthorn. They're the best suited up here and fetch decent prices when we ship them. We also run a breeding program."

  "How big is Brigadier?"

  "Sixty thousand acres. We’re only going to cover a small portion today."

  Meghan was impressed by the vastness. Lachie had hinted that it was big, but she had had no idea of the vast size. She gazed over the flat dry plains. The boundaries of her little world so extended, further than her eyes could see.

  Suddenly Molly shied and reared up, snorting in alarm. Instinctively, Meghan squeezed her thighs and held on tightly. Darcy swung from his horse and quickly caught Molly’s reigns, murmuring softly and stroking her reassuringly.

  "Hey, are you alright?"

  Her cheeks warmed as his gaze did a quick but thorough inspection. Worry lingered in his eyes.

  "I’m fine. How’s Molly?" She leaned forward in the saddle and stroked Molly's neck.

  "She’s okay. Must have smelt a snake." He looked to a clump of stubborn brush. "That's their likely hiding spot."

  Fear shimmied down her back. "Snakes?"

  "Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you."

  Darcy caught her gaze and, mesmerized by those piercing blue eyes, the fear was replaced by a warm heat. Her heart beat faster. Surely it was adrenalin from the snake incident.

  He was first to break the connection. "You’d better get used to it if you're going to live here. We have our fair share of danger."

  The horses carefully picked their way across uneven terrain, sheltered by huge coolabah trees. Occasionally, Darcy pointed out birds or other things he thought might be of interest to Meghan.

  Beneath her hat, her thick ponytail swung across her shoulders. She looked fragile, like a porcelain doll he had seen in a shop once. But, out here she became another part of the environment, as at home on these plains as the rabbits and kangaroos.

  He stared at the view and lost himself in the desolation that stretched ahead of him. It was so damn hot. Too hot for this time of year. It had to cool down. It had to rain. Sometime.

  "You were surprised when Lachie announced our engagement." Meghan's voice was etched with worry.

  Darcy thought for a moment, careful not to say anything offensive, but wanting to be honest. "I'm surprised any woman could get Lachie to commit."

  She laughed. "You're kidding? It wasn't really that hard."

  He recalled all-nighters at the pub watching out for his intoxicated brother who was usually found slobbering over the latest backpacker turned waitress.

  "Lachie's always been a player. Or at least, he was. You've changed him. It's been so gradual I barely noticed."

  "He was never like that around me. He's always been very committed."

  Darcy arched his eyebrows in surprise. "How long have you two been together?"

  "Eight months."

  "That's a pretty quick engagement then. Especially since this is your first time here. Unless he’s planning on moving to Townsville?" He couldn't imagine Lachie giving up his birthright.

  "No, we'll live here on the station."

  "How do you know you'll like it?"

  "I just do." She shrugged. "I don't mind cities and Townsville only has 170,000 people so it's not really that big. Just large enough for good shopping, pubs, and live entertainment, but small enough to find a quiet space when the crowds get too much."

  She turned her attention to the never-ending horizon. "But, when I see these dusty fields and gum trees it's like I’m coming home. I guess that doesn't make sense. But it's true."

  Darcy knew that feeling well. Whenever he returned from a trip, he felt relieved, like he could breathe again. The dust was his oxygen; he needed it to survive.

  "Country life is tough. We all work hard, even Mum. A tree change doesn't mean life slows down."

  "I can see that."

  He pushed back his hat and scowled at the land. "Some fellas get sick of looking at the same view every day. Being isolated on a station in the thick of a blazing summer can drive people crazy. It's not an easy life if you're not used to it."

  The wistful expression on her face made him realize how long it had been since he'd had a conversation with a woman who wasn'
t related to him or someone else's wife. He really needed to get out more.

  "I don't think I could ever get sick of this place." Her words were soft. He wondered if she realised she'd spoken aloud. For a smart woman, she seemed caught up in the romance of the outback. He hoped, for her sake and Lachie's, she was prepared for a hard slog. Especially if the drought went on much longer.

  Darcy knew of city girls who moved to the area hoping to meet a wealthy, handsome station heir. Mostly they returned home disheartened. Sometimes leaving broken marriages in their wake. But Meghan seemed honest in her intentions.

  Cockatoos squawked above them as he took the lead as the path narrowed and the homestead came into sight. He contemplated the future and what having Meghan living with them would mean. He would have a sister-in-law. Another person to help out around the house and the station. A reminder that he would never have a wife and a family of his own unless he put himself back out there. He sighed. He couldn't risk another heartbreak. Meghan might think she was tough enough. He hoped she proved that to be true. But she would be one in a million. He wasn't as lucky as his brother.

  Meghan's beautiful face would remind him of that every day.

  Acknowledgments

  Thank you to my family for your love and support, especially my husband who has stepped up to his new role of House Husband.

  To Kelly - thanks for all the advice and brainstorming!

  Special thanks to my amazing editors Anna and Lauren, thanks for being so accomodating with my tight deadlines! To Lana P, thanks for another amazing cover. You’re so talented in so many areas.

  And to you dear reader, thank you for joining me on Freya and Justin’s journey to love. I hope you enjoyed learning about my hometown of Maleny. If you are ever in the area be sure o get in touch and I’ll meet you for a cup of coffee!

  Sarah