Page 29 of Jillaroo from Jacaranda

‘So, how are things going with Ty? Is he making you feel at home out there?’

‘He sure is. He pops his head in to make sure I’m okay but gives me enough space to do my own thing. He’s a perfect host.’ Her belly fluttered just talking about him, not that she was going to tell her mum that. ‘Tonight will be the first time we’ve hung out since I got here. He’s making the main dish and I’m on dessert duty.’

‘Oh, how lovely. Well, you enjoy your New Year’s Eve, won’t you.’ Molly sighed. ‘I have to run so I can get Lizzy to her dance recital and Angus to his guitar practice. I seriously feel like a taxi sometimes.’

‘You’re the best mum ever.’

‘Thanks, Rose. It means the world to hear that.’

‘Say hi to everyone at the party tonight for me, and make sure you give GG a big smoochy kiss when you see him too. I’m so glad he’s getting out and about with his friends again.’

‘I will, and yes, it’s a relief to see him back playing golf.’ Molly’s voice quivered a little. ‘I love you and miss you so much, my beautiful Rose. You take care out there.’

‘I will. I miss you and love you too, Mum.’ Rose’s heartstrings tightened. ‘Talk again soon.’

‘We most certainly will. Bye, love.’

Ending the call, Rose pocketed her phone then glanced at her watch. It was almost eight-thirty – time for her to get outside and enjoy some morning sunshine. She smiled at Wizard, now curled up in a ball on the couch. One minute, her new little friend would be full of beans and the next, he’d land in a weary heap, asleep in milliseconds. Striding to the back door, she retrieved her boots from where she’d kicked them off yesterday and tugged them on. Eager for some farm-fresh scrambled eggs for brunch, she was on a mission.

Bright sunlight greeted her as she stepped from the cottage and out into the big wide yonder that was Wildstone Station. Turning the garden tap that attached to the sprinkler, she sent it spinning and the scent of invigorated grass instantly rose. The scent of mesquite lingered on the soft breeze too – Ty had followed through with his promise of making them slow-cooked brisket on his smoker for dinner. It had to cook for twelve hours, give or take, so he would’ve been up before the crack of dawn to get it started. He was going to make jacket potatoes, corn cobs and coleslaw as sides. She felt very spoilt to have him go to so much effort, which was why she’d decided on the golden syrup pudding – it had never passed a person’s lips without wowing them.

Wandering along in a world of her own, a feeling of déjà vu came over her as she made her way past the main stables and towards the chook pen. For a split second, she felt as if she’d been here many times before, in another lifetime. The powerful sensation brought her to an abrupt stop. Turning left and right, she allowed herself a few breaths to settle back into the present, and as she did, Ty’s handsome face captured her mind’s eye. Kind-hearted, tough, fearless, thoughtful, fascinating, wise … these were the words coming to mind as she held onto the contemplation of all that was him. He had somehow ingrained himself into her being without even trying, and there was so much more she wanted to learn about him. As long as she kept a firm line in the sand, a boundary she wouldn’t cross, she didn’t see anything wrong with developing their friendship. Just because he was of the opposite sex didn’t mean they had to jump into bed together.

Heading into the chook pen, she grabbed the basket from the hook and bent to gather the eggs from each of the coops. Each was still warm, and there were nine in total. Happy with her egg expedition, she made her way back to the cottage, making sure to call a g’day to Buck as she passed him his paddock. He nickered back to her.

Crossing the front lawn, she watched the water spraying from the sprinkler glittering beneath the sunshine, each droplet resembling a tiny diamond. Careful not to drop the basket of fresh goodies, Rose let the screen door slap behind her as she stepped into the coolness of the cottage. The squeak of the ceiling fan spinning at top speed caught her attention, right before a ball of fluff leapt for her from the kitchen counter.

Barely avoiding an egg-tastrophe, she scooped Wizard up and snuggled him to her. ‘Come on, you little cutie pie. Let’s get you a bowl of milk.’ Pouring some into his bowl, she placed him down and he lapped it up, giving himself a milk moustache in the process.

Whipping up some buttery scrambled eggs and a vanilla latte thanks to her instant sachets, she settled herself at the four-seater dining table with the weekly newspaper for some light reading. Skipping over news articles and sport news, she flicked to the horoscopes. First up was hers.

Aries. Your stars are aligning in the love department. Keep your eyes and heart open for a newcomer, someone who will effortlessly sweep you off your feet before you’ve had time to stop them.

She laughed cynically. ‘Yeah, whatever.’

Curious, though, she went on to read Ty’s.

Cancer. Your world is spinning the right way up after some hard times, so be ready to regain your footing in a life filled with more of what you’ve been longing for.

She rolled her eyes at herself. Why she felt compelled to read star signs was anyone’s guess, but it did give her a little chuckle every time she did.

‘Howdy doodie, anyone home?’ Ty called through the back screen door.

In four steps, Rose met him there and his blue eyes captured her at once – there was no denying this man was the hottest cowboy she’d ever seen. ‘Hey, you, come in.’ Motioning for him to do just that, her eyes trailed from his face to his Wrangler-clad butt as he kicked off his boots and stepped in.

Scrubbing a hand over his stubble, he looked from left to right. ‘It’s really good to see you’ve made yourself at home.’ As he took his hat off, a wave of dark hair flopped over his forehead.

‘Yeah.’ Rose itched to brush it back. ‘It’s an easy place to call home, I have to say. Very cosy.’

‘It suits you.’ He spotted her red bra dangling from where she’d ripped it off and tossed it over the back of the lounge, and his lips quirked at the corners. ‘Very much.’

She wasn’t sure whether he meant the cottage or the bra. Either way, she loved the cheeky glint in his eyes. It made her feel a little wild and oddly free, as if she could be and do anything she wanted to. Finley had never given her such a sensation. Come to think of it, why was she even comparing the two blokes?

Appearing out of nowhere, Wizard pounced across the floor and ambushed Ty, wrapping himself around his ankle while purring louder than a tiny kitten should be able to. Rose’s heart swelled to bursting as she looked from Wizard and back to Ty, who was now smiling ever so sweetly in the kitten’s direction. ‘Looks to me like he’s taken a shining to you, Mr Parker.’

‘Apparently.’ Bending, Ty scooped him up and brought him to his chest. ‘Hey there, you cheeky little bugger.’ He gently petted him beneath his chin. ‘I bet your new mumma is spoiling you rotten.’

In a dizzying flash, Rose found herself hung up on his smile and her thoughts quickly turned to how those lips of his would feel pressed up against hers. Then she looked to his big, strong hands tenderly stroking Wizard into a purring frenzy. The temptation to find out how both would feel on her was almost too strong to resist.