Stella could remember her sitting like that with her father on the verandah at Setabilly while some weighty matter had needed to be discussed. After he’d died, Mim’s attention had focused on Stella and her children, and they were truly blessed. Mim the listener. And the sage, with her sometimes wickedly insightful comments that could make you blush or cry.

Stella made herself sit and blow out a breath. ‘Lorenzo’s arrival has thrown me.’ She threw up her hands with the agitation that rose just hearing herself say that. ‘I’m confused like a fifteen-year-old would be, not a woman of fifty. How could I make such an impression on a man in one afternoon a whole year ago?’

Mim raised her brows. ‘Men remember attractive women. And despite hiding it in those farm clothes, you’ve worn well.’

‘You said I looked like a cow pat.’

‘Got you with that one. I was trying to wake you up.’ Mim’s eyes danced with mischief.

Mim had been aware all along and never said a word? Maybe Mim did understand her fears. Stella lowered her voice. ‘I’m scared he’s going to ask me to marry him.’ And thought but didn’t say, I did so badly as a wife last time.

Mim surveyed her from head to foot and then her gaze softened. ‘What if he does ask you? It’d do you good to be looked after for a change. To have a strong man’s arms around you.’

Stella sighed. It was all very well to dream. ‘I can’t waltz off into the sunset with a European Casanova and leave you all.’

‘Why not?’ Mim’s question was placid, a gentle puff of amusement on the warm air. As if she had no idea what Stella was het-up about.

Stella rolled her eyes. ‘We’re all stressed to the max about the station. You know – the drought! Especially Jock, who is turning my hair grey with the way his spirits are sinking, and with Hana expecting the baby, and the bank’s grumbling about the improvements he’s overdrawn on. I need to be here to help and support them.’

Stella blew out another breath and looked at her mother. Then there was Mim’s advancing age, which she didn’t mention. ‘I have a mother and a daughter who need me as well,’ she said instead and shuddered at the memory of searching for her mother for almost a full day after she’d come off that horse. Someone needed to make sure Mim didn’t do anything else so stupidly dangerous.

Mim made a rude noise. ‘Don’t you put me in there as your responsibility. Young Hana has already invited me, very prettily, to live with them.’ She thought about that. ‘I’d enjoy having a baby about again.’

Stella blinked. ‘Are you all talking about the possibility of me leaving?’ Why was she the last to know anything?