Page 14 of Jillaroo from Jacaranda
‘I didn’t expect you to.’ He smiled charmingly. ‘Go on, open it.’
Rose’s breath hitched as she unwrapped a pair of stunning Montana Silversmiths Swarovski-studded earrings in the shape of horseshoes, not only because they were exquisite, but because they matched her mum’s cherished bracelet, the very one Heath had bought her all those Christmases ago. An uncanny coincidence. ‘Oh my gosh, Ty! They’re absolutely beautiful.’
Ty released his breath in a whoosh. ‘Oh, thank god you like them. I rushed into the Western shop in town last-minute, thinking I’d only have the dregs of Christmas gifts left to choose from, and these little stunners caught my eye.’
She cocked her head to the side. ‘I thought the Western shop would be shut today?’
‘It is closed, but I was in the right place at the right time.’ He grinned. ‘I sort of caught the guy who owns it popping his head into the shop for a minute, and I begged him to let me in.’
‘Oh, Ty, that’s so thoughtful of you.’ Her heart swelled and reached for his. ‘You really didn’t have to get me anything, though.’
His smile widening, he shrugged casually. ‘I wasn’t going to turn up empty-handed.’
‘Well, thank you for such a beautiful gift.’ Overwhelmed by his generosity, Rose reached up on her tippy toes, kissed his cheek then gave him a massive hug.
His arms encircling her, he squeezed her back. ‘My pleasure.’
Untangling from the shelter of him, Rose gestured down the hallway with a tip of her head. ‘You ready to meet the family?’
He sucked in a nervous breath. ‘Yup, I think so.’
‘They can be a little cray-cray at times, but they’re harmless.’ She winked and he chuckled.
Rose led him into the kitchen, where everyone had suddenly, oddly, congregated – even Angus and Lizzy were in there, as well as Trev and Kenny. She couldn’t help but smirk at their lack of discretion. ‘Everyone, this is Ty.’ She gestured to him with a sweep of her arm, then back at her family, who all had eyes glued to him. ‘Ty, this is everyone.’
For a split second, Ty looked like a deer caught in headlights, but then he brandished his warm smile and offered a wave. ‘Howdy, all.’
‘I’m Heath, Rose’s stepdad.’ Heath stepped forward first, his hand held out. ‘Welcome to our crazy mob.’
Ty shook it heartily. ‘Thanks, Heath. Nice to meet you.’
‘You too, bud.’ Heath gave him a comradely nod. ‘I have to get back to barbecue duties. Come out for a beer when you’re ready, mate.’
Ty’s body language relaxed further. ‘Cheers, will do.’
Trev and Kenny came next with an enthusiastic handshake each, followed by Uncle Rob, GG, Angus, then a shy hug to his leg from Lizzy, a wholehearted bosom-pressed hug from Aunt Cheryl and then, lastly, her mum stepped towards him.
‘Hi, Ty, I’m Molly, Rose’s mum. It’s so lovely to meet you.’ Molly gave him a hearty hug. ‘Make sure you make yourself at home.’
‘Thanks, Molly.’ Although smiling, Ty looked a little overwhelmed. ‘I’ve got something for you in the ute, I’ll be back in a sec.’ He flashed a smile in Rose’s direction before disappearing down the hallway.
‘He seems really lovely, sweetheart,’ Molly said as soon as he was out of earshot.
‘And very easy on the eye,’ Aunt Cheryl added with a wiggle of her brows.
‘Yes, he’s both.’ Rose grinned as she flicked open the gift box. ‘And look what he got me.’
‘Oh my.’ Molly’s hand went to her open mouth. ‘They’re stunning, Rose.’ She blinked faster. ‘And they match—’
‘—your bracelet,’ Rose said before her mother got the chance.
Aunt Cheryl bustled over to have a closer look at the earrings, then the bracelet on Molly’s wrist. ‘Well, if that’s not a sign of things to come, I don’t know what is.’
Although intrigued by the coincidence, Rose shrugged off any notion of this being the universe at work. ‘Let’s not look too far into it, and just agree that they’re pretty, and it’s a very thoughtful gift.’
Both Molly and Aunt Cheryl nodded fervently as they watched her take her tinsel earrings out and put in the earrings Ty had gifted her.
Molly gently touched one. ‘They look beautiful on you, sweetheart.’
