Noah easily slipped into the day to day routine at Brigadier Station. With Lachie in Mt Isa, Noah didn't have to worry about bumping into him or reporting back on the jobs he was doing around the property. Instead he just got to work doing the jobs he found which had been neglected too long.
He rediscovered the station, driving Harriet’s Land Cruiser through the empty paddocks, checking bores, feeders, and troughs. The station was purposely understocked, the majority of the breeders having been moved to agistment in greener pastures down south. Until outback Queensland had a decent wet season, there was nothing for the animals to graze on and it was costly to continually feed the cattle cottonseed.
The Land Cruiser bumped over the uneven terrain and, not for the first time, Noah wished Darcy had left at least one horse in the stable. No wonder Lachie wanted a new quad bike. Despite his mother’s fears, he had to agree with his brother. Bikes made more sense than utes or horses in this barren land.
He turned the engine off near the old dam at the edge of the property. Climbing out of the air conditioning, he let the sun beat warmly upon his face. The smell of eucalypt and cow manure brought back memories of swimming and camping out here with his brothers.
He followed the well-worn path down to the dam and stopped to take it all in. Above him, a kookaburra laughed, scaring a kangaroo out of the bush opposite. He smiled at the quintessential Australian bush surrounding him.
Treading carefully, he wandered around the banks of the murky waterhole. He and Darcy had often camped out here to avoid their father. They would bring their swags and cook sausages over an open fire. Darcy would tell him stories, and they would dream about the future.
One day he’d bring his own children here.
Whoa! Where did that come from? He had already made the decision not to have children. Nothing had changed. He would not risk the possibility of being like his father. Of being responsible for screwing up another life in the way Daniel had screwed his up.
No, children weren’t in his future, but he might enjoy being an uncle if Darcy and Meghan had kids. Surely they would; they had so much love to give a child, and they would be fantastic role models.
Though Noah tried to focus it elsewhere, his mind kept drifting back to a certain pilot. Did Riley want kids? She didn’t seem like the type of woman who would be happy staying at home raising children. Of course, there was nothing wrong with that, but many of his generation were pursuing other dreams and careers, choosing to delay parenthood or not settling down at all.
Before he could think more on the subject, the satellite phone in his back pocket rang.
“When you head into town today, would you be able to pick up the grocery order?” Harriet asked on the other end.
“Sure.” In the few days he had been there, Noah had been working on a list of supplies they were short on. He didn’t want to step on his brother’s toes, but if he was going to fix the tractor as Lachie had asked, he needed to pick up some new parts. “Any idea when Lachie will be back?”
His mother sighed. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
Noah brushed his hand over the thick trunk of a gum tree. Lachie had been given this station for no reason other than being firstborn. It was his job to look after it and maintain it for future generations. But Noah got the feeling that Lachie didn’t understand what a special gift he had.
Darcy understood. He had stayed on, doing the tough work until he and Meghan had bought Arabella Plains. But it seemed Lachie had let things slip since then.
“No worries, Mum.” Noah spoke into the phone. “That’s what I’m here for.”
The feed store was a hive of activity when Riley pulled up in the farm ute she had borrowed from her employers. Dylan and Maddy Sears were a young couple doing their best on a struggling station, destocked to the point of almost ruin. Riley couldn't help but feel for the weary couple and their young children. She knew they could barely afford her wage, having already laid off their governess and farmhand, but they desperately needed an extra set of hands.
Dylan had made the unusual decision to farm merino sheep, just as first pioneers to the region had. Riley commended his entrepreneurial thinking, experimenting with alternative farming methods, but he had confided to Riley that his ambitious plan wasn't working out as well as he had hoped. Especially since the beef prices had finally started to rise.
Riley climbed out of the ute and made her way into the busy store. She meandered around the aisles, waiting for her order, taking in the products both familiar and new. She was enjoying her time as a hired hand living on the land with regular hours and meals. She also enjoyed playing with Maddie's two children: Jamie, their pre-schooler who toddled around the house getting into all sorts of mischief, and his older sister, Emma, who, when not on the computer doing schoolwork, was helping Maddie with the daily jobs and tending to the animals.
Riley loved watching them interact with each other and laugh at jokes. It reminded her of how little family she had left, and she missed Grant even more.
When Riley's order was ready, she backed the ute up into the loading bay and released the tray.
“Do you need a hand?”
Riley froze. She would know that voice anywhere. It was the voice that filled her dreams at night.
She turned her head, realising her body was in mid-bend and he was getting a very nice view of her rear. The lift at the corners of his mouth proved he had been looking. She straightened and pulled down on her shirt, which had ridden up, exposing pale skin.
“I got this,” she said. “Just because I'm a girl doesn't mean I can't lift heavy things.”
Noah pushed his Akubra back off his forehead and scratched at his scalp. “I know you can manage it. But I've got a big order coming so I was hoping if I help you then you might just help me.”
She grinned and when he returned it with one of his own, she was taken aback at how it changed his face. It was as though pure amusement beamed from every crevice of his skin.
“Well, I guess that's a fair trade then.” She nodded and gestured to the pile of lucerne next to her.
They made easy conversation, discussing Dylan's property, the sheep, and the work they were both doing, before speculating over the weather forecast.
“They always say there will be a wet season.” Noah stretched his arms high over his head when they had finished her load. “But it's been a long dry spell.”
It had been a dry spell for Riley too. Her eyes roamed over Noah's fine physique. Her skin goose bumped, little dimples of exhilaration extending across her arms and shoulders, creeping to her chest.
“Come on, lazybones. You can help me with mine now.” Noah nodded over to his waiting Land Cruiser and the barrels of feed and farm equipment waiting to be loaded.
“Are you sure all that's gonna fit?” she asked doubtfully.
“Well, if it doesn't, maybe we can put some in your ute?” He winked at her then, and she clamped her mouth shut as the urge to giggle like a schoolgirl rose in her. How could something as simple as a wink make her turn to jelly?
Riley moved to jump off the back of the tray, when Noah held out his hand to help her down. Ordinarily she would wave a gesture like that away, but the desire to touch him was just too great.
As soon as their skin met, she regretted it. His rough, calloused hand was warm and comforting. She turned to him, their hands still touching, their eyes lingering on each other. Desire and attraction sparked between them and her heartbeat pounded in her ears. Involuntarily she swallowed and watched as his gaze slid down her neck.
She took a step back, pulling her hand free. “Come on. I get paid by the hour.”
It took several minutes to squeeze most of Noah's order into the Land Cruiser. A barrel of feed just wouldn't fit, so they rolled that onto Riley's ute before tying it down. She leaned against the tray and took a swig of water from a bottle before offering it to Noah.
“Thanks.” As the bottle changed hands, their fingers touched, sending shivers through her arm. She watched as he placed his mouth where hers had just been and drank.
As he lowered it, he raised his other hand and wiped the back of his palm across his mouth. His full lips were surrounded by a days’ growth of stubble, giving him a rough, edgy appeal.
He handed the bottle back. This time, she took care not to touch him. The ache in her was so great that she knew if she touched him again, she wouldn’t be able to stop.
“Meet you at my house,” he said.
She gulped and nodded. “I’ll follow you.”
“Okay then.” He stepped close and brushed a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Her eyes widened, and hope glimmered across his expression before he turned to his vehicle.
Riley spent the entire trip watching the back of the Land Cruiser, thinking about all the delicious and dirty things she wanted to do to Noah McGuire. By the time they turned into the driveway of Brigadier Station, she was a jumble of heat and wanton desire.
They parked in front of the shed and were greeted by the yapping of work dogs. She climbed out and set to work helping Noah unload, hoping the physical exertion would dampen her lusty thoughts.
As Riley was bolting the tray back in place, Harriet approached from the house. The tension between mother and son had been obvious last time she’d been with them, and Riley wondered if they had resolved their issues yet. Harriet was a gracious, caring woman, whose love for her children was obvious in the way she talked about them and looked at them. Riley would have done anything to have had a mother who cared about her. Did Noah realise how lucky he was?
Harriet’s voice was bright and cheerful when she greeted her. “Hello, Riley, how lovely to see you again.”
“I ran into your son at the feed store,” Riley explained, as Noah walked over from his ute. “Seems he bought more than he could handle.”
Harriet grinned. “Well, it was lucky you were there. Come in for smoko. I've made my famous Anzac biscuits.”
As though in response, Riley's stomach rumbled loudly. She glanced at her watch warily. There was still so much to do.
“Come on.” Noah shifted beside her. “We can’t let you leave on an empty stomach.”
“Okay, just a quick one,” Riley said before falling into step next to Noah and walking towards the homestead.
The wooden floorboards creaked as she stepped inside. Riley couldn’t help admiring the house. It had a welcoming, warm feel to it. There were photos on the walls and family treasures on display.
“Noah, take Riley out to the verandah. It's nice there at this time of the day. I’ll bring the tea out when the jug’s boiled.”
Noah nodded and led her through the double doors where a wide verandah gave them a beautiful view of the outlying countryside.
“Wow,” she murmured as she took it in. Brilliant blue sky formed a backdrop for sweeping paddocks as far as she could see. The land was flat and brown, broken up only by the occasional gum tree or water tank. It was the familiar Australian landscape that she knew and loved, very similar to the outback around Longreach.
“It is a nice spot,” Noah agreed as he sat in a chair and motioned to one next to him.
She sat and inhaled a deep draught of the clean country air. “It must've been amazing growing up here.” He stiffened beside her. He had already suggested that his childhood had not been all sunshine and roses. “I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that.”
Noah moved forward and leaned his elbows on his knees, clasping his hands together. He gazed out towards the paddocks, seemingly lost in thought.
Riley reached her hand across and gently touched his knee. Noah turned to look at it curiously before placing his own hand on top of hers. Their gazes met, the air between them electric with anticipation.
“Here we go then.” Harriet stepped out onto the verandah carrying a tray of mugs and biscuits. Riley pulled her hand away, hoping Harriet hadn’t seen it.
Over smoko, they chatted about the upcoming wedding and Arabella Plains.
“Darcy and Meghan have done wonders with that place.” Harriet's voice was full of pride at her son's success both in work and choice of partner.
“They certainly are happy. They make such a great couple,” Riley agreed, chewing her third Anzac biscuit.
“My only wish now,” Harriet said softly, “is that my other two sons find happiness.”
Riley swallowed.
Happiness.
She couldn't help but wonder if that was what she had now. She had a successful career that she enjoyed. Would she be happier if she had a man who loved her and who she loved in return?
She snuck a peek at Noah before realising his eyes were on her too.
“I better go.” She stood, her knee knocking the table, making the cups rattle together. “Sorry.”
Harriet and Noah also stood.
“You should come over for dinner one night,” Harriet said. “Invite Dylan, Maddie, and the kids too. We haven't seen them in such a long time.”
“I'll tell Maddie,” Riley said, as Harriet enveloped her in a warm, motherly hug.
“Thanks for smoko,” Riley said, then scurried to the door and retrieved her boots.
She had just reached the ute when someone stopped her with a hold on her elbow. She spun around quickly, and Noah caught her with his spare hand. “Riley?”
She looked up questioningly at him. “Yes?”
Noah's mouth moved but nothing came out. Anguish twisted his face.
Riley raised herself onto tiptoes and gently kissed his rough cheek. He smelled of dust and sweat, and her heart beat faster. God, she wanted to taste him. To run her hands over the hard edges of his body.
“I'll see you later.” Riley conjured up every bit of strength she had in her, climbing into the ute before she did or said something stupid. He didn’t stop her as she shut the door and gunned the engine.
She needed to be more careful with Noah. He was the sort of man who, if she wasn't careful, could steal her heart.