Chapters (48)
- Cover
- Praise
- About the Author
- Also by Tricia Stringer
- Title Page
- Dedication
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-One
- Twenty-Two
- Twenty-Three
- Twenty-Four
- Twenty-Five
- Twenty-Six
- Twenty-Seven
- Twenty-Eight
- Twenty-Nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-One
- Thirty-Two
- Thirty-Three
- Thirty-Four
- Thirty-Five
- Thirty-Six
- Thirty-Seven
- Thirty-Eight
- Author’s Note
- Acknowledgements
- Excerpt
- One
Natalie wanted to take his hand, hold him close, but she couldn’t face going back inside. Not yet. “I’m going for a quick walk first.”
She turned away from the disappointment on his face, clutched her cardigan tight across her chest and started to walk. She had no idea where she was going but she had to walk or she’d scream. The last twenty-four hours had turned her life on its head and now that it was righted she still felt out of kilter, as if things hadn’t fallen back in all the right places. She walked faster and faster until she was almost running but she couldn’t escape her thoughts and the fear that her life was rolling away from her like a skittering cotton reel unravelling just beyond her reach.
Six
Six
The sun was lightening the sky and colouring the strips of cloud over the eastern horizon with soft pinks as the sound of Owen’s ute faded and disappeared, masked by the closer sound of the dogs barking. Bree took them some food, since it was usually her father’s job, and on the way back inside she fed the cat, which was part of her mother’s morning routine.
In the kitchen she soaked the frypan she’d used to cook eggs and bacon. She was glad neither of her sisters had appeared, allowing her time alone with Owen over breakfast, but now she needed them to get moving. Especially Kate, who had agreed to come mustering this morning. Bree glanced at the clock and stacked the breakfast plates and mugs in the dishwasher among last night’s dinner dishes. Part way through wiping down the sink she paused to stare out the window at the new day.
Last night hadn’t been the disaster she’d been expecting when both her sisters had materialised in the family kitchen. After they got past their initial teasing, they’d enjoyed their meal together and Kate had even offered to clean up, sending Bree and Owen off to the quarters early. They’d made the most of their night and this morning they’d both been in a deep love-sated sleep when Owen’s alarm had roused them. Bree smiled and pressed her arms to her body. She was tired but happy. They’d discussed Marla again and she’d all but decided she’d go. After the last twelve hours the thought of living with Owen on a daily basis was irresistible.
Once more she glanced at the clock. The rest of the mustering team would be here soon. She strode up the wide passage to the guest bedroom Kate had said she’d use. Bree rapped on the door and stuck her head in. “Time to get going.”