Grace’s family had lost their station? She’d lost her home?
She adjusted her backpack. ‘I won’t lie, it threw us for a loop. But that’s part of life on the land. It happens a lot. More than people realise.’
She smiled, but the sadness beneath it caught at him. He fought the urge to haul her into his arms. Gritting his teeth, he kept his arms exactly where they were. He couldn’t risk touching her. He ached for her too keenly. She’d set boundaries and he would respect them. ‘I’m sorry, Grace.’
‘Worse things happen at sea. My parents moved to Darwin where Dad obtained his real estate licence, and he loves the work. Mum took a nursing position at the hospital. They’ve joined social clubs. They’ve taken holidays they never had the chance to take. They’re loving it.’
‘What about you?’ Was she happy?
She scrambled up a small hill and then turned back to offer him her hand. He didn’t take it. No touching.
‘It’s forced me to consider what I really do want.’
‘Which is?’ His heart pounded and he didn’t know why.
‘Fitz is on to something. The sustainable agritourism business potential is huge in the Kimberley. In another year or two I’ll have enough money saved to buy a place of my own. I want to combine irrigated agriculture with farm stays.’
‘That sounds amazing.’
They’d been steadily climbing, but Grace halted now and eased the backpack from her shoulders. ‘Lunch time.’
They sat on surprisingly thick grass, resting their backs against the trunk of a large gum. In the distance the river gleamed silver, while directly in front of them rose a rock face pocked with caves and crevasses. As they munched their sandwiches, rock wallabies—small and oddly nimble—materialised. But even as he marvelled at them, he turned Grace’s plans over in his mind.
She took him the long way home to show him a strange terrain of termite towers. The changing landscape out here continually surprised him, but the wild beauty fed something in his soul.
Standing in the doorway of his cottage, Grace shifted her weight from one foot to the other. ‘I’ve been meaning to tell you about the rec club. If you find yourself at a loose end in the evenings, amble over—it’s near the mess hall. There’s usually a game of pool or cards or darts on offer.’
Was she asking him on a date?
Don’t be ridiculous.
He had to swallow before he could speak. ‘I’m busy tonight.’
Her shrug was too casual. ‘Just thought I’d mention it.’
She left and he watched her go, his hands clenching and unclenching. If he went to the rec club tonight, would she let him buy her a drink? Would she let him kiss her goodnight?
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