Jillaroo from Jacaranda, page 13
‘Oh, you just wait, Jonesy. It’s gonna knock your bloody socks right off.’ He sniffed the air comically. ‘It’s that bloody good, I can smell it from here.’
Rose sniffed too, but all she could smell was hay, horses and this hot as hell man beside her.
‘As if you could smell it from here, you gullible loon.’ Laughing now, Ty gave her a light playful shove. ‘I got Buck a bale of lucerne too. I hope you don’t mind.’
Rose’s heart fluttered. ‘You did?’
‘Of course. He’s one of the Wildstone tribe now.’
‘That’s so thoughtful, Ty, thank you. I’ll be sure to pay you for it.’
He glanced over his shoulder. ‘Oh no, you won’t.’
‘Won’t I?’
‘Nope.’ He held his hand up to help her down.
‘We’ll see,’ she said as her boots hit the ground with a thud.
‘No, we won’t.’ His smile sent a flash of heat throughout her.
A few hours later, both with bellies full to the brim with the most lip-smacking yummy food, Rose settled herself into the fold-out chair Ty had just put by the campfire with the fresh cold beer he’d just handed her from the Esky.
Cradling his longneck, Ty lowered himself into the chair beside her, stretched out his legs and crossed his well-worn boots at the ankles. Both in a food coma, they stared up at the vastness of the velvet back sky, swathed with thousands of glimmering stars. The sound of the warm fire cracking and popping added to the relaxed ambience.
Ty sighed softly at the exact time Rose did. Sneaking a little glance in his direction, she caught him doing the same thing. Their eyes met and they shared a small yet meaningful smile before turning back to the night sky.
Resting her head back, Rose watched Mother Nature’s artwork in all its glory. Her belly fluttering from the power of his gaze, she felt a new kind of admiration for the deep man Ty Parker was turning out to be. Never had she met another like him, nor did she believe she ever would. Ty was one in a bazillion, that was for sure. Peace encompassed her with the contemplation. How blessed she was to be welcoming the new year in by his side, beneath a breathtakingly stunning outback sky. And he didn’t feel the need to fill the beautiful silence with empty chatter. What’s more, she also treasured that she was so comfortable within such a profound silence with him.
In that moment of quiet contemplation, time seemed to stall, leaving her and Ty in a limbo that many would give a right arm to float in. She sank even deeper into the sensation of it, her soft smile remaining as the minutes passed them by with effortless ease.
‘Are you okay, Jonesy?’ Ty said softly after a little while, as if not wanting to ruin the peaceful atmosphere. ‘You seem a million miles away.’
‘Yeah, sorry. I was floating up there with all those fairy-like stars.’ She offered him a sideways glance. ‘Thanks for asking, though.’
‘No worries.’ He regarded her though kind-hearted eyes. ‘Do you reckon we’re going to make it to midnight?’
‘I’d like to say yes, but …’ She stifled a yawn while glancing at her watch. ‘Seeing as it’s only nine-thirty and my eyes already feel like lead weights, the likelihood is fairly slim.’
‘Oh, I don’t know about that. Where’s that feisty Jones spirit of yours gone?’ Grinning mischievously at her, he took a swig from his beer.
‘It’s up and left the building,’ she said with an equally mischievous grin.
‘Oh, come on now. We’re a couple of spring chickens.’ He gave her arm a gentle shove. ‘Midnight is only a couple of hours away, and this isn’t the worst place to be, and I’m bloody awesome company, if I do say so myself.’ He puffed his chest out playfully. ‘So, given all of that, I reckon we can give it a damn good shot.’
‘Ha, I don’t know about the awesome company …’ She paused, chuckling at his face of mock horror, ‘… but yeah, we are young, and I could think of much worse places to be right now, sooo …’ Rose enjoyed their banter, maybe a little too much for a woman trying to keep a safe distance from a very sexy man. ‘Okaaay, I’m keen if you are to pull a midnight stint.’
‘Oooh, you’re on, because I’m as keen as mustard.’ He grinned like a Cheshire cat, his eyes glinting with the flickering of the campfire’s flames. ‘We will get matchsticks if we have to, to keep our eyes open. Deal?’
Out of nowhere, Rose unexpectedly imagined kissing him when midnight rolled around. The very thought of his lips being pressed up against hers sent a jolt of energy shot through her. ‘Awesome. You got yourself a done deal, Parker,’ she said a little louder than she intended to, the butterflies coursing through her overwhelming her senses.
Ty tipped his head, looking at her as if he was reading her every thought. ‘In that case, I’m going to put some tunes on, to help keep us in party mode.’ He shot to his feet. ‘Any requests before I head over to yonder stereo on yonder homestead balcony.’
It didn’t take her long to ponder this. ‘How about a little bit of the Highwaymen?’
Ty clapped his hands together. ‘Awesome suggestion, the Highwaymen, coming up.’ And off he went on his music mission.
As Rose settled in for the rest of what had already been a magical evening, she begrudgingly recalled last year’s kiss, shared after Finley had slipped her engagement ring on. She’d thought her life path had been decided in that very moment. She was going to be Mrs Cole, nothing less, but nothing more. At the time it had felt perfect, but as she’d learnt what that would entail, like leaving all her dreams behind to support Finley’s … well, to hell with that. A year later and look how things had changed. Never would she have believed they’d be separated and she’d be holidaying on Ty Parker’s cattle station, with the man himself.
And if she was being totally honest with herself, she wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
CHAPTER
10
Thoroughly enjoying every second of Rose’s company, Ty felt time flash by in a blur and before he knew it, they were counting down the seconds.
‘Ten, nine, eight, seven …’
Should he?
‘Six, five …’
Could he?
‘Four …’
Just a gentle kiss.
‘Three …’
Would she kiss him back?
‘Two …’
Am I about to make a huge mistake?
‘One …’
It was now or never. Just like the risk he took climbing atop a bucking bull, he had to take the chance with this astounding woman now or regret it forever.
Time jarred and blurred, but he blinked Rose’s pretty face back into focus. With the silvery moon and blazing stars overhead, it was the perfect time to do what he’d been wanting to since the second he’d met this mesmerising woman.
A few reasons careened into his mind as to why he shouldn’t kiss her. They were both too hurt, and broken people hurt people. She was leaving, so they shouldn’t get involved. Their friendship had boundaries …
He kicked his voice of reason to the curb, being careful not to shadow her face as he moved in closer and slipped his arms around her waist – he wanted to see her beautiful face, craving to bear witness to the flames of passion he hoped would be dancing in her eyes.
She didn’t resist his touch, softening into it. He could see her pulse beating rapidly in her throat. His own heart pounded as if trying to bash its way through his rib cage. Rising onto her tippy toes, her lips parting ever so slightly, Rose laced her arms around his neck. Lowering his head, he kissed her softly at first, but with her silent request quickly deepened the kiss as he tucked her closer to him. Their kiss was more euphoric than he ever could have imagined, pure rapture. Their bodies pressed up against one another’s and she moaned into his lips as he lifted her from the ground, and she wrapped her legs around his waist. It suddenly felt as if the ground had given way beneath them, and they were weightless, floating in space. The entire world faded into the hazy background and it was just them, together.
With a powerful hunger overcoming him, Ty turned and carried her towards the homestead, their mouths still exploring one another’s as he took one step after the other. They reached the front door and stepped inside. This was really happening – they were going to take it all the way. Once he’d tasted all of her, he knew there’d be no turning back. Every inch of him craved to make slow, sweet love to her, not for hours, but for days. He needed to stake his claim on her beautiful heart and make her his forevermore. He couldn’t let her leave here without knowing how deeply he was falling for her. But he had to give her a chance to put the brakes on. He couldn’t live with it if she woke up tomorrow with regrets.
‘Are you sure you want to do this?’ he asked, his voice husky as he lowered her back to the floor.
Her eyes were heavy-lidded as she pulled back a little and looked up at him. ‘I want this more than I’ve wanted anything in my life, Ty.’
That was all he needed to hear. Reclaiming her into his arms, he went to say the three words dancing on the tip of his tongue …
And that’s precisely when Ty awoke from the blissful dream. Realising he’d slammed back into reality, he rolled over and thumped the pillow beside him in frustration. Why couldn’t he have stayed in dreamland long enough to strip her sweet, soft skin bare and make love to her? Sitting up, he scrubbed his face as desire blazed through him, as hot as a branding iron. He looked to where the sheet was at a standing salute. Groaning, he threw himself backwards, tucked his hands beneath his head, and stared at the ceiling fan, spinning madly. He forcefully thought of what jobs needed doing and the bills he needed to pay. An icy-cold shower was on the cards if his plan of action didn’t work. Thankfully, his morose train of thought did the trick.
With time to spare before his alarm went off – even though it was a public holiday, there was no rest on a cattle station – he remained in bed, his thoughts once again returning to Rose.
At the stroke of midnight, he’d held his ground and remained a gentleman, forcing himself to avoid her lips and instead brush a kiss over her cheek, right before they’d said goodnight and wandered off to their separate beds. In retrospect, what a fool he was, not taking hold of the moment.
No one had ever made him feel like she did. It was both exhilarating and unsettling. If only things were different, and he was free to explore his developing feelings for her. He was tired of the house feeling so empty. Rose would fill all the empty spaces, here and in him, so effortlessly. His life would be filled to overflowing and he’d make damn sure hers was too. There was an ache inside him that only she could ease, a yearning that only she would fill.
What if he’d found his one and only, but at the worst possible time?
A shrill beeping alerted him it was time to rise. Slapping his alarm off, he rolled out of his bed and made his way over to the laundry basket piled high with the clothes he’d been meaning to fold for days – being sidetracked by Rose was proving time-consuming. Not that he was complaining.
Stepping into a pair of jocks, he pulled on his running shorts and grabbed a T-shirt. Tugging it over his head, he strolled out of his bedroom, taking the steps two at a time, then moseyed down the hallway. Stopping off in the kitchen to mix up his Oxyshred – he was going to need it after only a few hours of sleep – he grabbed the last banana from the fruit bowl. He really needed to head into town to grab some groceries at some point.
Slipping into his runners, he stood still for a few moments, staring up into the clear blue sky. He thought about how he was going to stick to his resolution of making this year much better than the last one. He’d probably be living with the shadows of the war for the rest of his life, but that didn’t mean he had to do it alone. Rose had said she was going to make it her number one goal to do anything and everything that made her happy this year, and he’d agreed that was a perfect resolution. If only the anything and everything that made her happy was him. Now, wouldn’t that be nice?
Needing to run his circling contemplations off, Ty slipped his AirPods in and started at an easy jog to the beat of eighties R’n’B. Easing into a run as he passed the cottage where he hoped Rose would be enjoying a sleep-in, he began timed interval sprints. He did this for eight kilometres, up and down earthen tracks, past whinnying horses, lowing cattle and attentive bulls. Despite the coolness of the early morning, sweat rolled down his face as he took the final corner before the homeward stretch. Easing his pace, he came back to a jog before slowing to a brisk walk. Drawing in one deep breath after another, he watched his heart rate lowering on his Fitbit. By the time he’d climbed the steps, kicked off his runners and stepped into the coolness of the homestead, it was almost back to his usual heart rate, though all it would take for it to peak again was for him to lay his eyes on Rose, he thought with a chuckle as he headed for the kitchen. Grabbing his water bottle from the fridge, he gulped it down. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and headed for a quick shower before getting into the nitty-gritty of his day.
A little after three, the distant growl of a car engine pulled Ty out from beneath the quad bike he’d been servicing. It wasn’t often that he had unexpected visitors. He slipped his sunglasses on as he headed out of the shed and into the brilliant sunshine. He caught sight of an old station wagon but couldn’t make out who was behind the wheel. It rattled over the last cattle grid and rumbled towards him. The beep of its horn cut through air, once, twice, three times. A bejewelled hand flew out the window, waving madly. The multitude of hippy rings finally gave it away. Now close enough to see the horn-blower, he was greeted by a huge smile from behind the dusty windscreen. Her shock of chaotic blonde hair and pixie-like features were a welcoming sight, so much so that he almost launched himself through the open window to greet her with open arms. It had been way too long since he’d seen the only woman who’d never hurt or disappointed him.
‘What in the hell.’ Ty’s joyous muttered words were lost in the roar of the engine followed by the squeak of the brakes as the car pulled to a stop beside him. His smile spreading, he tipped his hat back a little so he could see her better. ‘My god, sis, when did you get back from Bali?’ In the few years since they’d seen each other, she’d evolved from a lanky, pimple-faced girl into a curvaceous beautiful woman.
‘Just this morning. I got in and hired this little beauty from Razzle Dazzle Budget Cars in the Ville. I couldn’t wait to get here and surprise the hell out of you.’ Shoving the door open, she stepped from the car, her tight jeans stuffed into scuffed brown leather boots and the tassels on her oversized boho shirt swishing at her hips. ‘So, tada! Surprise,’ she said, throwing her arms in the air.
‘Far out, it’s so good to see you, Leah.’ Drawing her into his arms, Ty hugged her, and it was only then that he felt something a little peculiar.
Leah hugged him back as tightly as a boa constrictor, almost as if her life depended on never letting him go. ‘I’ve missed you, bro. So bloody much.’ Her voice cracked a little. Untangling, she looked a little sheepish as she stepped back, cleared her throat before shoving her hands into her pockets. ‘So, how’s life treating you?’
Her smile was far from genuine, and Ty could tell she was struggling to hold herself together. ‘Yeah, you know, more downs then ups lately, but no use complaining.’ His gaze travelled from her angelic face to where her rotund belly was showing through the taut fabric – she was most definitely pregnant. And quite far along. It stunned him speechless for a few breaths, but then he said, ‘Should I just go straight ahead and address the elephant in the room?’ He didn’t even know she had a partner, let alone a man she was serious enough about to commit to having a child with.
‘I know I’m a bit on the larger side, but it’s a bit rude to call your little sister an elephant, don’t you think?’ Her attempt to make a joke failed miserably.
Ty’s brows furrowed even deeper. ‘You know I didn’t mean it like that.’ He regarded her through brotherly eyes. ‘So, don’t leave me hanging here, spill the beans, little sis.’
‘Well … long story short, I got a little drunk, had unprotected sex, and then …’ She motioned to her belly with a scooping sweep of her hand.
Dragging in a heavy breath, he resisted the urge to shake his head. ‘Yeah, birds and bees and all that jazz. Who’s the father?’
‘Some guy I met at a beach rave and had a one-night stand with.’ She grimaced, as though waiting for a reprimand. ‘I got in touch with him and told him I was having his baby, and his reply was to abort it.’ Her tiny smile faded, leaving her lips quivering as her eyes misted over. ‘Can you believe it? The bloody arsehole. This is a real life growing inside of me.’
Now shoved deeply inside the pockets of his jeans, his hands curled into tight fists. ‘He’s not going to support you or the baby?’
She shook her head. ‘Nope.’
‘That son of a bitch.’ Ty was fighting the urge to go to Bali and give the guy what-for. ‘Why didn’t you tell me, Leah? We’ve spoken a few times over the past couple of months, and you haven’t mentioned a damn word.’ He was hurt she’d not confided in him. They usually told each other everything – or so he had thought.
‘I’m so sorry, bro. I was ashamed to tell you about it, but then, it’s not like the pickle I’m in is going to go away any time soon.’ Shifting from foot to foot, she blinked faster. ‘I hope you don’t mind me turning up on your doorstep unannounced. I just … didn’t know where else to go,’ she whispered, her gaze going to her boots. ‘With Mum too busy living her new life with her overbearing husband and two equally overbearing kids, you’re the only family I have, and the only person in the world I trust.’
Raw emotion punched Ty in the chest, hard, making it impossible to talk. Instead, he pulled his sister into his arms and held her tight while she sobbed against his shoulder. He’d spent his younger years protecting her from harm, but then she’d left and he’d had to let go of that instinct to wrap her up in cottonwool. Now she was back, he would do anything in his power to ease her burden, and put a roof over her head – and that of his nephew or niece – for as long as she needed him to.
