Page 69 of Jillaroo from Jacaranda

Steeling herself for the cold emptiness that was about to follow, she said, ‘I’m so sorry.’ Oh god help her if she didn’t get away from him right this second.

As if all the life had been let out of him in one weighty breath, Ty dropped his anguished gaze to the floor. ‘I’ll leave you be.’ Then he turned and walked down the hallway, out the front door, pausing to tug his boots back on, and just kept on walking.

Rose took note that he didn’t look back. Not once. Her legs weak beneath her, she collapsed onto the couch, sobbing her aching heart out.

Ten minutes later, loud raps sounded at the door.

Rose sat up and stared towards it. Was it Ty? Could it be? What more could she say if it were him? More raps sounded. ‘Coming.’ She did her best to regain her composure, quickly wiped her tears away with the hem of her dress.

Expecting it to be Ty or Leah, she felt her heart stop when she saw who it was. ‘What in the hell are you doing here, Finley?’

Fidgeting with his keys, Finley seemed to take a moment to find his voice. ‘I was in Townsville for work and before I knew it, I’d got in my hire car and just kept on driving until I arrived here.’

‘That’s not what I asked.’ Cautiously, she stepped outside, hoping to god he couldn’t see how upset she’d just been. The last thing she wanted was for Finley to think her tears were over him. ‘What are you doing here?’

Pleading brown eyes stared back at her. ‘I wanted to tell you how sorry I am for breaking up with you, and I need you to know just how much I’ve missed you.’ He tried to reach for her, but she stepped back. The sting of her action crossed his face. ‘I want to be together again, Rose. Day and night, you’re all I can think about.’

She was almost convinced. Then she reminded herself of the suddenness of their break-up, of his unwillingness to work at their relationship, of him basically leaving her homeless, and last but not least, his speediness in jumping into bed with another woman, and not just any woman either. ‘I’ve already told you, I’m done, Finley.’ She drew in a tight breath, trying to mentally untangle herself from her past. ‘I think you should leave.’

‘I’m not leaving until you give me another chance.’ His tone became forceful as he took a step towards her. ‘You owe me that much, after all the years I gave you.’

‘Gave me?’ She couldn’t hide her sarcasm. ‘I thought it was a shared relationship.’

‘All I ever asked was for you to do what a normal woman wants, be a wife and stay home and have our children.’

‘I don’t want to be that kind of woman.’ She exhaled a heavy breath. ‘We don’t live in the dark ages. I have dreams too, Finley, and yours and my dreams just aren’t compatible.’

Finley blew a mocking breath. ‘Traipsing around the countryside, chasing cattle and teaching kids how to bump along on a horse isn’t a dream, Rose,’ he scoffed. ‘Nor is your fantasy of one day being able to rely on your writing income.’

‘That’s enough.’ She pointed to his car. ‘Leave now, please, before I say something horrible that I’ll regret.’

Finley stayed put. ‘Like I said, I’m not leaving until you agree to give us another try.’

‘She’s asked you to go, Cole.’ Ty appeared out of thin air, storming down the path. ‘So get the hell off my property.’

Finley laughed, a cynical sound. ‘Or what?’

‘Or,’ Ty stopped short of him, his fists clenched at his side, ‘I’ll be within my legal rights to forcibly remove you.’

Rose stepped between the two, her focus on one man who knew her heart and soul, inside and out. ‘Please, Ty. I’ve got this.’

Finley stormed past her, almost knocking her from her feet. ‘I’d love to see you try and remove me, dickhead.’ He shoved Ty hard in the chest.

A fight between Finley and Ty would be like a toy poodle trying to take on a mastiff, so Rose grabbed her ex’s arm to avoid his fruitless show of unwarranted manliness. ‘Finley, stop it.’

Finley shook her off so roughly, she stumbled sideways.

Ty reached out and grabbed her, stopping her from falling. He held her steady, his eyes searching hers. ‘Trust me, Rose. Please.’

Shaken and exhausted, all she could do was nod. She was shocked from Finley’s show of violence towards her – maybe it was a glimpse into what would have come if they’d married?

‘What in the hell do you think you’re doing, touching her, Parker?’ Finley pushed past her again and shoved Ty in the chest, harder this time.

Ty’s gaze burned into Finley like a branding iron. ‘Leave now, or you’ll be a very sore and sorry man.’ Every word was fearsome.

Finley finally took heed, gathering himself enough to laugh in Ty’s face as he stormed past him. ‘Fine, Parker. She’s all yours.’ Taking one last look over his shoulder, he glared at Rose. ‘Your loss, sweetheart.’

Trembling, Rose watched Finley climb into his car, rev it to life and fishtail away. It was only then that she allowed herself to break down and cry.