she and Teague revisited their past. With so many unresolved feelings, so many mistakes she’d made, she’d likely cry for days.
Now, it seemed so clear, his leaving. He’d been going off to university, starting his life away from home. But at the time she’d seen it as a betrayal, a desertion. Though she’d known he’d be back, Hayley’s insecurities had overwhelmed her without Teague to help hold them in check.
From the moment she’d met Teague, she’d found a home, a family and someone she could trust. She’d come to depend on him. He had been the only person who loved her, the only person who cared that she existed and suddenly he was gone. She’d been angry. And though she’d tried to tell herself she’d be all right on her own, she’d been terrified.
So she’d run, away from the place that held so many memories, away from the boy who might not want to return.
She snuck a glance at him. He’d grown into a handsome man. Working in television, she’d met a lot of good-looking blokes, but none of them possessed Teague’s raw masculinity. Teague Quinn was a flesh-and-blood man, seemingly unaware of the powerful effect he had on women.
“She looks almost frisky,” Teague commented, nodding toward the horse.
“I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to thank you,” Hayley said.
“Don’t worry. I’m glad I could help. I know how much Molly means to you. I remember the day you got her.”
“My sixteenth birthday,” Hayley said. “My grandfather was never one for birthday celebrations. He’d shove money into my hand and tell me not to spend it on silly things. And then, he gave me Molly and I thought everything had changed.”
“You rode her over to Kerry Creek to show me. You looked so happy, I thought you’d burst. You immediately challenged me to a race.”
“Which I won, as I remember.”
“Which I let you win, since it was your birthday. You were such a wild child. Looking back, I wonder how you managed to survive to adulthood. Remember when you were determined to jump the gate near the shack? You were sure Molly could do it. You even bet me my new saddle against your Christmas money.”
“That wasn’t my finest hour,” Hayley admitted, wincing.
“She stopped dead and threw you right over the gate. It took a full minute for the dust to clear from your fall. And what about that time you decided to try bull riding?”
“Another embarrassing failure,” she said with a giggle. “But at least I tried. You didn’t.”
“You were crazy. But I thought you were the most exciting girl I’d ever seen. You were absolutely fearless.” He paused, then reached out and touched her face. “What’s going on here, Hayley?”
She turned away, staring out at the horizon. “What do you…I don’t know what you mean.” Was he talking about the kiss? About the attraction that they still obviously felt for each other?
“Look at this place. It’s a bloody mess. He’s feeding your horse moldy grain. And she doesn’t look like she’s been exercised or groomed in weeks. Your grandfather used to take such pride in the place.”
“I—I didn’t know it was getting this bad,” she said, grateful that she wouldn’t have to analyze the kiss. “I haven’t been home for three years. I thought Benny McKenzie was taking care of everything. I was sending money and they were cashing the checks. But then, I spoke to Daisy Willey last week and she told me Benny’s mother had taken sick and Benny had left to tend to her. He’s been gone a month. But this couldn’t have all happened in a month.”
“What about the other stockmen?”
“There are no others. My grandfather ran them all off. He thought they were lazy and not worth their pay. And when there was no one left to care for the stock, he sold it. Molly is the last animal on Wallaroo, besides the rabbits and kangaroos and dingoes.” She forced a smile. “I’m going to try to convince him to sell the station. Or maybe lease out the land. His health is bad, he’s still smoking and he hasn’t been to a doctor since I came to live on the station thirteen years ago.”
“You’re not going to get him off this station,” Teague said.
“I have to try,” she said, her voice tinged with resignation. “And if I succeed, I want you to take Molly and find her a good home.”
Teague nodded. “But until then, I’ll bring some decent feed from Kerry Creek when I stop by tomorrow to check on her.”
“You’re coming back?” Hayley asked, unable to ignore the rush of excitement that made her heart flutter. She’d see him again. And maybe this time, she wouldn’t be weeping uncontrollably.
“Follow-up visit,” he said. “It’s part of the service.”
Joy welled up inside her and Hayley couldn’t help but smile. Her arrival on Wallaroo had brought nothing but sorrow. And though she knew it would be best to get her grandfather off the station, she’d thought that selling the land would cut her last connection with the boy she’d once loved.
Now that connection was alive again. He was here with her, touching her and kissing her and making her feel as though they might be able to turn back the clock. “Thank you,” she said again.
“You need to exercise her,” Teague suggested. “Easy at first. A nice gentle walk. You could always ride out to the shack. That’s not too far.”
Surprised by the suggestion, Hayley couldn’t help but wonder if it was an invitation. The shack had been their secret meeting place when they were teenagers. The place where they’d discovered the pleasures of sex.
“Maybe I’ll do that.”
“I mean, I don’t know how long you’re planning to stay, but—”
“I don’t know, either,” Hayley said. “My plans are…flexible. A week or two, at least.”
This seemed to make him happy. He looked at his watch. “I really should go. Don’t feed her tonight. Just water. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
She quickly stood up, wanting him to stay but unable to give him a good reason. “Tomorrow,” she repeated. Hayley glanced down, wincing inwardly. There were so many things she needed to say, but now didn’t seem like the right time. She looked up to find him staring at her. And then, acting purely on impulse, she pushed up onto her toes and kissed his cheek.
She slowly retreated, embarrassed that she’d shown him a hint of the emotions roiling inside her. But then, an instant later, Teague crushed her to his chest, his mouth coming down on hers in a desperate kiss.
In a heartbeat, her body came alive, her pulse quickening and her senses awash with desire. He was so familiar, and yet this was much more powerful than she’d remembered. Her knees wobbled but he was there to hold her.
They stumbled until she was pressed against the rough siding of the stable. His hands drifted lower, cupping her backside and pulling her hips against his. Hayley felt herself losing touch with reality. How many times had she dreamed of this moment? Over the years, she’d wondered what it might be like if they saw each other again. And now, the time had come and
