AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“She’s beautiful. Big too. The others aren’t as big as she is, are they?” His tone was uncertain, and I could see him edging back behind me, clearly not wanting to get closer.
Side-eyeing him, I sighed. “You aren’t confident with ’em, are you?” My tone was harsher than I meant it to be.
“I’ve ridden before, but it was a long time ago. I just didn’t want to overstep boundaries. What are the rules about petting a lady’s horse?”
I couldn’t help my reply. He’d walked straight into it. “It’s not the same as petting a lady, so feel free to give her a rub.” His reaction—absolute shock and embarrassment—had me biting down on my lip as I stifled a laugh.
“Ah…” He hesitated, blushing a fiery red. He was a shy one, and so very young and innocent-looking. He reached forward, tentatively petting her. The wonder in his eyes made me smile; she was undoubtedly beautiful.
Macca’s gaze scanned our surrounds and I watched him, imagining seeing our property through his eyes. Appreciating how truly special this land was. The never-ending blue of the sky was a shade unlike anywhere else I’d ever seen. It was as if it took the red of the dirt as a challenge to see which of them could glow brighter, the saturation of the colours reaching a level that was unique to the outback. The only thing that was faded was the vegetation. Soft blue-greys and muted greens that spoke of the struggle to survive. It was a surprise that there was even anything left standing. We were in the grips of the longest, harshest drought we’d ever seen. Years without rain.
My decision on whether or not to leave teetered on the edge of my consciousness. I’d walked away once before and returned, unable to shake the pull of the land calling me back to her. Could I do it again? Would it stick this time? Was it really an option? I wasn’t sure, but I couldn’t ignore it anymore. The thought had been niggling away in the corner of my mind longer than I’d cared to admit.
Macca had walked away, and I wondered if he’d spoken to me. I hoped not. I didn’t want to seem rude to our new intrepid traveller. Jogging to catch up to him, I explained, “Scottie’s horse is Tilly. She’s a buckskin.”
I listened with one ear to their interaction, the quiet hum of conversation between them as they bonded over Tilly. Scottie was obviously comfortable around our family, but he rarely interacted with others away from the station. He did a road trip twice a year, insisting that he go by himself. Once to Brissie and the other to Sydney, each time for the agricultural shows. No doubt when he was away, he’d spend all his time with the cattle. He was a loner most of the time. But it made me smile listening to the quiet appreciation in Scottie’s voice as he explained that his horse was usually as standoffish as he was. Macca focussed all his wide-eyed concentration on my brother and Scottie relaxed, opening up to him. It was good to see. He needed it. But then Macca’s attention shifted to me and he was smiling, and Scottie was gone with a huff. I wasn’t sure what had happened, but Scottie’s mercuriality was a shock. He was so even-tempered, so calm all the time that it drove me batshit crazy sometimes.
I looked at the setting sun and my stomach rumbled as if it were on a timer. “Dinner’s up. Freshen up and come straight back to the house. I’ll see you in there.”
*****
We’d booked the trucks weeks in advance so that they arrived to collect the cattle the day after the muster. When the booking for the accommodation came in over the same timeframe, we knew it’d be a juggle. Ma and Nan would stay at the homestead, and Jono returned there every evening after being in the air all day with the chopper, so Macca wouldn’t be alone. But we usually liked to have a few more hands on deck with a visitor, just in case they decided they wanted to go on a trail ride or try learning the myriad skills that city-folk had no opportunity to try out.
Scottie had thought about rearranging the muster, but Ma and Nan insisted they’d be fine. Turned out, they were. As soon as Macca learned more about the muster, he’d been raring to go. The way he’d carried on that first morning riding his four-wheeler was ridiculous. Whooping and laughing, he was in his element. Who would have thought that the city boy would fit in so well? He was a good bloke. Fun to be around too. But the more I watched him, especially the way he interacted with Scottie, the more I suspected he was carrying a secret—one that gave him a fair amount in common with Sam and Craig. It wasn’t anything specific which gave it away, but he seemed to hang off Scottie’s every word. The blushes and the shy glances when he thought no one was looking had only confirmed my suspicion.
Escaping the circle of our group, I sought out some space. God, what I would do to have a man look at me like that. The loneliness bubbling under the surface of my skin flared. I was a mess, my emotions swinging like a pendulum from one extreme to another in a matter of seconds.
I went to ‘Tella. She was my getaway. My loyal, beautiful friend. Leaving the station meant leaving her too. That knowledge had kept me up more nights than I could count. But I was here now, and I’d cherish every moment I had with her. I ran my hands over her, soothing myself with her warmth. I got lost in the motion, trying to get a hold of my wayward heart and head.
“Can I help?” a soft voice asked. Macca
“Just checking her over. Making sure she’s right for another go.”
He joined me, petting Nutella and running his hands down her neck and legs. He reached down, plucking something out of the short hairs on her cannon, the lower part of her leg. ’Tella shook her head and nudged him. “Got something?” I asked.
“Just a husk or something. Didn’t want it sticking into her.”
“Thanks,” I said brightly, forcing a smile. I looked around and motioned in a wide arc with my hand. “You’re loving it, aren’t you?”
He grinned, his smile lighting up his face. “Totally. Best day of my life.”
“It’s good you’re settling in. You’re good for him.” I kept my voice low so that no one else would hear us, but he stiffened, looking around in a panic. I was right.
“Scottie and I have become friends.”
“Unless I’m reading you completely wrong, you’re crushing on him. The looks, the smiles, spending your day glued to his hip.” I hadn’t meant to confront him. Forcing him to come out to me hadn’t been my intention. I wasn’t trying to scare him either, but Scottie wasn’t gay, and I hated the possibility of a misunderstanding arising between them because of a crush. He paled, and I instantly regretted saying anything, but I needed to explain myself. “I dunno how he’d handle it if he found out that you’re sweet for him, but he’s kinda clueless anyway, so you should be safe.” He visibly swallowed and failed to school the panic in his expression. I rested a hand on his forearm. “Hey, I’m not gonna tell anyone. Your secret’s safe with me.”
He looked like he had no idea what to say. “Yeah, um… Have I been that obvious?”
“Only to someone who’s not used to seeing new people round.”
“Oh great, so everyone.” He threw up his hands and huffed.
“Don’t worry about the rest of them. It’d never even cross their minds that you’re gay or bi or whatever.” Well, some of them maybe; I had a feeling at least Craig knew. “Hero-worshipping Scottie maybe, but they’ll never think you’re attracted to him.” I smiled, trying to ease his concerns. “For the record, it makes no difference to me. You’re a youngin’, but you fit in here; that’s what’s important.”
“Thanks, Ally. I appreciate you saying that.”
“All good here?” Craig asked, his big arms crossed over his chest and a scowl on his face as he stared Macca down.
