Page 41 of Jillaroo from Jacaranda

Concern bunched his brows. ‘What did she tell you?’

She wasn’t about to tell him she knew he was struggling financially because of Kelly. ‘Oh, nothing too in-depth. Just that you struggle a bit with PTSD, from your time in Afghanistan.’

‘Oh, that. Yeah, most of us soldiers have PTSD for one reason or another. We all saw a lot of things that stick with you, things that—’ His voice caught and he stopped short. ‘I’m sorry, Rose. It’s just all so … raw.’ His gaze remained steady, but there was an undercurrent of pain and suffering beneath his intense regard of her. ‘I’d rather talk about something else, if that’s okay.’

She placed a hand on his arm. ‘Of course, it is.’

‘Thanks.’ His silent contemplation of her dug deep into her soul.

‘All good.’ She flashed him a half-smile. ‘Your turn to ask me whatever you want, but just one question, so make it a good one.’

‘Righto. Hmm … I reckon I’ve got it.’ He took his time, as if weighing up whether it was okay to ask. ‘Do you think you’ll stay single for a while, to protect yourself, which is fair enough after everything happening so recently, or are you open to finding the man who’ll love you for the amazing woman you are, no matter if that’s sooner rather than later?’

She was surprised to feel the sting of tears with his unexpected, and very frank, question. ‘I think if the right man came along sooner rather than later, if he cared for me, he would understand I’m healing and would give me the time I need to do that,’ she said as confidently as she could, hoping he’d get the message. ‘And to be honest, I don’t care if that takes years, because I’m liking being an independent woman. I don’t need a man to complete me, and I want more than being an accessory to a man’s life, like Finley tried to make me.’

‘Good answer. I like it.’ He nodded. ‘I just hope you don’t close your heart off. We all want to be in love, when the time is right.’

She looked to where the string of twinkling lights draped from the awning of the cottage. ‘Love makes the world go round, hey.’ Cotton-mouthed, she took a sip of her wine.

‘As much as we try to pretend it doesn’t, too right it does.’ He raised his now empty glass. ‘Let’s refill and cheers to that.’

‘Yes, let’s,’ she said with a relieved breath and a renewed smile.

The more time she spent with Ty Parker, the more he slipped into places within her that no man ever had. Forget the charming dimples and intense blue eyes, or how damn good-looking he was, or the fact he could ride a bucking bull like a pro, or teach a wild horse to trust him – this man listened, really listened to everything she had to say, and respected it, even when she was being defensive or moody or frustratingly stubborn. He just patiently listened. And most importantly of all, he understood.

‘So, tell me about barrel racing. How does it feel when you’re sprinting against the time?’

She pondered this, trying to find one sentence to sum it up. ‘The path in and around the barrels is like a train track, one slip-up and you’re off the rails.’ She smiled softly. ‘How about you, with your bull riding? You’re kind of up against the time too.’

‘I see bull riding like a dance. Once you feel the rhythm of the bull’s buck, you just got to let go, in a way, and allow your body to flow with it. And pray to god you make the eight seconds without breaking a bone, or worse.’

She nodded. ‘A different kind of adrenaline rush, but a rush all the same.’

‘Yup, sure is that.’

She stifled a yawn and he looked to his watch. ‘I should let you crash.’ Before she could say no, he stood and sculled the last of his wine.

She came to her feet too. ‘Thank you for popping in, Ty. It was nice, sitting and chatting. You’re really easy to talk to.’

‘I don’t know about that.’ He smiled. ‘I just waffle.’

‘No, you don’t. But you do raise some tough subjects, I have to say.’

‘Sorry. But you’re a tough chick. You’ve got this, Rose.’ He offered her a kind smile and nudged her with his elbow.

She gave him a guarded half-smile. ‘You’ve given me the perfect opportunity to find myself again, Ty.’ Reaching up on her tippy toes, she pecked his cheek. ‘Thank you.’

‘My pleasure, Jonesy.’

Rose had no words left to say. The cool night air was a godsend on her heated face. The whinny of horses carried, and they both looked towards where silvery moonlight lit up the paddocks. She smiled and her expression became wistful. ‘I really do love this place.’

‘Good, because this place loves you too.’

Their gazes locked and everything seemed to pause. Teetering her gaze on his broad shoulders then down his arms, Rose fought the overwhelming urge to lean into him. She firmly reminded herself that her dream of being deeply in love and getting married was on hold. She wasn’t about to risk an already broken heart, nor did she want to risk a rebound fling. That wouldn’t be fair to her or Ty.

‘Night then, Parker.’ She took a small step back.

‘Night, Jonesy.’ He flashed her a massive smile. ‘Sleep well.’