Return to Rosalee Station, page 2
Looking to where he’d hidden the dark blue sapphire engagement ring, in the third drawer under his clothes, he wondered if she was going to say yes. His heart raced like a bull at a gate just thinking about it, and nerves sent his stomach somersaulting. It would crush his entire world if she knocked him back – but he wasn’t about to dwell on that thought for too long. He’d already asked her parents for their permission, and they’d gladly agreed, so now it was all up to Sarah. Would she think this was too soon, too fast? Most would say five months wasn’t long enough to get to really know someone, but for Matt, everything between Sarah and him felt so right, so natural, as though they’d already been together before, in some previous lifetime, and he couldn’t imagine this life without her in it every day.
The bellow of cattle travelled through the open window and he turned to gaze out at the land he called home. Leaving here, and his family, was going to be bittersweet. But Sarah Clarke was worth it, and he could finally make his dream to live closer to the coast a reality. The offer they’d put in on the Tranquil Valley property had been accepted, now they had to wait for the usual twenty-eight days cooling-off period before they picked up the keys to their new home. He couldn’t wait to start their life together, and make plans for the family they’d spoken endlessly about. Two kids, maybe three, and he and Sarah would be living their dream. Remembering their many deep and meaningful conversations, he shook aside his concerns about asking her to marry him. It was the natural next step in a very committed relationship.
Glancing at the two upended wide-brimmed hats on his dresser, he felt a rush of contentment. He’d finally found his one in a million cowgirl – a sweet, sassy, tender-hearted woman who’d own his heart for an eternity. His family and his mates all loved her, and who wouldn’t with her fun, generous spirit? Inhaling her intoxicating scent, he thought about how the universe worked in such mysterious ways. After his run of bad luck in the love department, he had started to think the universe was conspiring against him, and he truly believed he was never going to meet the lady of his dreams. But here she was, right beside him. He found it hard to believe this goddess of a woman loved him as much as he loved her. Found it hard to believe they were about to buy their very own property together. Found it hard to believe he was finally leaving Rosalee Station. Things were moving fast and usually that would terrify him, but in this case he wouldn’t want it any other way now that he’d won her over. He would do anything for Sarah Clarke – he was willing to lay down his life for her, move mountains for her. He felt like the luckiest man alive to be able to wake up to her every single morning.
In awe of her beauty, both inside and out, he gently pulled her closer, loving the way he could feel her heartbeat against his own. Her dishevelled blonde curls lay scattered across the pillow. Peering down at her pink-painted toenails poking out of the bottom of the doona, he smiled. A true country girl at heart with determined grit that would outdo most men, she also had a feminine side that he wholeheartedly adored. She was the epitome of balance and perfection.
A four-wheel motorbike roared past the window, Slim and Liam’s laughter carrying with the noise of it. A pair of larrikin stockmen, always up for a laugh, Matt couldn’t help but chuckle with them. He wondered what adventures they were up to today – there was never a dull moment when in their company. Duke barked excitedly from the back porch, a doggy greeting as the bike roared past and quickly faded off into the distance. Thank goodness for the makeshift chook wire fencing closing off the latticework of the verandah, otherwise Duke would be running like billyo after them. With all the commotion, Sarah stirred, her arms tightening around him. His heart skipped a beat.
‘Good morning, handsome.’ Her bright green eyes looked sleepy as she smiled up at him.
‘Hey there, my beautiful.’ Her lips appeared even sweeter first thing in the morning and he craved to taste more of her. Leaning in, he placed a tender kiss against their softness, the simple touch firing his body to voracious life. ‘How’d you sleep?’
‘Like a log.’ Yawning, she stretched with the grace of a cat.
‘Me too … I reckon it might have been because of all that lovemaking tiring us out.’ He smiled wickedly, and she returned a sassy grin of her own.
‘Well, there’s much more where that came from, my handsome cowboy.’
‘Is that so?’ He trailed his fingers featherlike down her side, loving the way her skin covered in goosebumps and her nipples hardened against his chest.
‘Yup, you’ve just seen the start of it.’ Smiling ruefully, she threw back the thin cotton sheet and slipped from his reach. ‘But I’m afraid any more hanky panky will have to wait until tonight, seeing as your dad wants us to fix the pump at the top dam.’
‘Come back here, you sexy minx.’ He grabbed a good handful of her behind, playfully trying to force her back to him.
With a mischievous glint in her eyes she skilfully rolled away from him, onto her side, dragging the sheet with her. It left him completely naked, his longing for her evident. Her gaze travelled downwards and a coy smile curled her lips. Holy hell, she could make him hot for her within seconds. He ached to be at one with her, but he used every bit of his willpower to not pull her back to bed.
‘Make sure you save that thought, Miss Clarke.’ He wished he could have his wicked way with her, but at this time in the morning (which was considered a damn good sleep-in) there was work to be done, as usual. He climbed from the bed and sorted through the basket of clean clothes he was yet to fold, aware her eyes were on him the entire time. And he loved it.
Sarah came in beside him, pulling out some fresh clothes from the same basket. ‘You want some Vegemite on toast and a cuppa before we head off?’
‘Yeah, thanks, that sounds ripper.’ His jocks now on, Matt tugged his jeans up while watching Sarah slip on her red G-string and then a black lacy bra. How in the hell was he meant to keep his hands off her all day while knowing about her sexy underwear beneath her jeans and button-up paisley shirt?
Catching his eyes, she grinned and stopped buttoning, leaving her bra visible and her ample cleavage tempting. ‘You like what you see?’
Momentarily speechless, he smirked and nodded, the luscious curves of her womanly body doing things to him he couldn’t put into words right now.
‘Good, because for the record …’ She closed the distance between them. Reaching up on her tippy toes, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pressed her body into him. ‘I really like what I see too.’
With his hands around her waist, Matt lifted her from the floor. She wrapped her legs around him and their lips met, passionately, hungrily.
Reluctantly pulling back before he tore off what little clothes she’d put on, he captured her eyes with his and smiled. ‘Where have you been hiding all my life, you beautiful, sexy woman?’
Sarah devoured the view of Rosalee Station from the highest vantage point, Rocky Ridge. It was her and Matt’s favourite spot. With a showman’s pizzazz, the full moon hung high and bright among the squillions of stars. Over a million acres and twenty thousand head of cattle separating them from their closest neighbour, this was outback living at its finest.
It had been a long day of hard yakka, the top pump proving to be an absolute bastard to fix. Regardless, she loved working beside her hunk of manly man, watching how his muscles flexed beneath his shirt, and loving the way they would constantly catch sideways glances, their longing for each other knee-buckling. Freshly showered after her day of tough physical work, and pressed up against him, she floated way above cloud nine. Never in her wildest dreams would she have believed she’d find herself a man so worthy of loving, a man who reciprocated the profound love she had for him. It went beyond anything she’d ever imagined feeling when and if she was lucky enough to meet ‘the one’.
Their lips brushing against each other’s, Matt then graced her with a toe-curling smile, sending her insides tumbling even more before he tucked a tendril of hair behind her ear. She gave him a coy smile of her own as his fingers left a trail of heat wherever they touched. Contentment settled deep within her heart and soul. Everything had finally fallen into place. What had she done so right in her life to deserve all this? Although over the moon with happiness, there was a small part of her that was terrified it was all going to blow up in her face, that this deep love was too good to be true. She wished the tiny voice of pessimism in her head would shut the hell up. She was twenty-three, with her whole life ahead of her, and she couldn’t be happier with the possibility of spending it with this amazing man. She had to focus on that and ignore her fears. There’d been no red flags. No hints of any bad times to come. He was wowing her with everything he did – and especially with this. She’d never been on a stargazing date before. It was the most romantic setting in the world, and she couldn’t help smiling with delight at the dazzling beauty of it all.
Matt had spread a blanket on the bonnet of his LandCruiser and she cuddled into him, enjoying his warmth that protected her from the chilly night air. All around them, the flat, copper-red landscape of Rosalee Station stretched on into the never-never, with nothing manmade ruining the spellbinding view. It was Mother Nature at her finest. She heard the thump, thump of grey kangaroos approaching, the mob making a wide berth around the LandCruiser before hopping away. Beyond where she could see, dingoes roamed amongst the rocky cliffs and scribbly gums, their howls distant but distinct. It was an unnerving sound she’d grown accustomed to during her life as camp cook, but certainly not one she liked. The sky above them sparkled like a swathe of velvet encrusted with glimmering diamonds, and the blackness of the night surrounded them, making her feel as though she and Matt were the only ones to inhabit this magical outback world. He pointed out all the different stars and constellations, explaining the myths behind each one, and she was amazed by his knowledge. Could he get any better? Not only was he handsome as hell on the outside – his towering frame and muscular physique was drool worthy – but his mind was extremely attractive too. Matt Walsh was undeniably the entire package. And he was all hers. And she wasn’t letting him get away. Ever.
Snuggling closer still, she breathed in his fresh scent from his shower mingled with his spicy aftershave and a hint of leather. He smelt so good, earthy and manly, and she loved the way her body melted into his as they cuddled. It was as though they were made for each other – two peas from the same pod. With only moonlight to guide him, Matt pushed a ringlet of blonde hair off her forehead and kissed her gently on the lips, sending the already flickering flames dancing wildly in her soul. Then running his hand softly down her face, he looked deeply into her eyes. The intensity snagged her breath and made her feel giddy all at once.
‘I love you, Sarah Clarke, with all my heart and soul. And I can’t wait to begin the rest of our lives together in Malanda.’
She smiled dreamily back at him, her heart reaching for his. ‘I love you too, Matt. This is the life I’ve always dreamt of, and I’m sharing it with the most mind-blowing man in the world. I still can’t believe we’re together.’ She sucked in a shuddering breath, her emotions almost getting the better of her. ‘We were on different journeys in our lives not long ago, and now here we are, together, wrapped in each other’s arms, talking about our future. It’s absolute heaven!’
He smiled tenderly. ‘It surely is, my beautiful, sassy, sexy cowgirl.’
Sarah felt heat rise on her cheeks. ‘Wow, now that’s a compliment and a half, lucky me.’
A peaceful silence descended, and they gazed at the stars for a few more moments, lost in their thoughts. ‘Hey, how about a song?’ His voice was husky. ‘Any requests?’
But before she could answer he pulled gently out of her arms and slid off the bonnet, his boots stirring the dust as he landed. ‘Hmm . . . I reckon I’m in the mood for some Garth Brooks.’ She smiled like a lovesick teenager as she watched him nod and then flick through his CD case.
‘You know how much I love old Garthy boy, and I’ve got the perfect tune in mind.’ Holding a CD up and shaking it, he then leant into the cab to put it in the CD player, skipping forward a few songs.
‘To Make You Feel My Love’ finally played.
‘Oh my god, I freaking love this song!’ Sarah called out into the night as the first bars rang out softly.
The driver’s door squeaked as Matt closed it. ‘Good, because it reminds me of you every time I listen to it.’
A bubble of bliss erupted in her heart. ‘Aw, that’s so sweet.’ She sang along to herself as she waited for him to join her back on the bonnet.
But when he came back to her, he didn’t climb up but instead held out his hand. ‘Can I have this dance, my beautiful princess?’
Sarah didn’t think the night could get any more romantic, but it just had. ‘Yes, you may, my spunky cowboy,’ she replied with a gentle smile.
Sliding down off the bonnet and into his irresistibly strong arms, she rested her head on his chest, lost in happiness as she listened to his heartbeat. Matt took the lead and waltzed her gently around, one hand cupping the curve of her back while the other tenderly held her hand. And without another word needed, they danced, their boots sliding across the red earth beneath them and the moon spilling its silvery light across their faces.
I have found the love of my life, Sarah thought.
Above them, millions of stars shone down from the beautiful country sky, creating a picture-perfect romantic atmosphere. The country love song was nearing its end when Matt stopped dancing. Their eyes met, and then held. Something unfathomable and so deeply intimate passed between them. Sarah’s heart fluttered and then flew. Leaning in, he feathered a kiss, so soft and gentle, she felt as if she were floating on a cloud. The fire between them flamed even brighter, intensified, and then burst into a plethora of sparks throughout her. Taking her by the hand, he cleared his throat as he dropped to one knee. No. He wasn’t. Couldn’t be. No man would commit like this so quickly. Was she imagining it? He blinked as if warding off tears. This was oh so beautifully real. Time screeched to a halt. Her heart melted and then welled as she blinked back hot tears of her own. He pulled a little black box from his top pocket and opened it, revealing the most beautiful engagement ring she’d ever seen, nestled amongst red velvet. She stared at it, her eyes wide and her mouth open, trying to make sense of what was happening. This had to be a dream, and if it was, she never wanted to wake up. She almost pinched herself to confirm it wasn’t.
‘You okay, baby?’ Matt’s voice was a whisper.
She nodded, unable to speak.
He gave her hand a tender, loving squeeze.
Beneath the silvery moonlight, the sapphire sparkled like one of the glimmering stars in the velvet black sky. It was her favourite gemstone, and he knew that. Her hands fluttered to her chest. Her breath whooshed out in a sweet sigh. She stood, speechless, her whole body tingling with unadulterated happiness.
Matt graced her with a trembling smile. ‘Sarah Clarke, I’ve loved you from the very first moment our eyes met. And I reckon, with how deep my feelings run for you, maybe even before that. You’re everything I’ve ever wanted in a woman, and more. I want to kiss you goodnight every single night, and the first thing I want to see every morning is your beautiful, smiling face. I want my heart to be your shelter, and my arms to be your home. I want you to be the mother of my children. I want to grow old with you, and sit on rocking chairs on our back verandah and reminisce about our lives. So, Sarah, will you make me the happiest man on this earth and marry me?’
Sarah found it hard to process the perfection of the magical moment, every single word hitting her heart. Tears of pure joy rolled down her cheeks. ‘Yes,’ she said. ‘Yes, of course I’ll marry you, you beautiful man.’
‘Oh thank god for that.’ He breathed a sigh of relief like he’d been holding his breath for an eternity. ‘With how pale you went, I was worried you were going to say no.’
She smiled, his nervousness endearing. ‘Now why would I go and do something stupid like that?’
He grinned waywardly. ‘Stranger things have happened.’ Taking her hand, he slid the ring on her finger. Looking up at her, he smiled like a man who had just won the lottery.
She launched herself at him, dropping to her knees and wrapping her arms around his neck. ‘You have made me the happiest and luckiest girl alive. I love you so much, Matt.’
‘Love you too, baby. There’ll be no getting rid of me now.’
‘Oh trust me, I’m not ever going to be getting rid of you. You’re mine forever and ever.’
‘Me and you, forever and always.’ His strong hands settled on her back as their lips met.
Their kiss held so many promises and so much love she thought her heart was going to burst. Then he pulled her even closer still. His big, strong arms wrapped tightly around her, possessively, tenderly. She wanted to stay like this forever, in his arms, and now, she never had to live a day without him by her side. She clung to him and rested her head against his chest, listening to his pounding heart. The heart that belonged to her.
CHAPTER
2
Rosalee Station, Central Australia
Seven years later
It was a brand new year, a fresh start to achieve the resolutions she hadn’t last year. Like starting yoga, and doing a few cooking classes, maybe Thai and Japanese, or even German – Sarah loved anything to do with food. It was the way she relaxed and wound down after splitting her time between motherhood, being a good wife, and the farm – not an easy juggling act, but she did it, and enjoyed every tiring, backbreaking second of it. She and Matt had a goal in mind – to do the hard yards for another couple of years, and then sell up to hopefully make a profit. As much as she loved living in Malanda, where the climate was cool enough to have a fireplace, and the feed for their cattle was endless, she missed being close to her friends and family in Mareeba, especially now Eve was old enough to form bonds and needed company. She thanked the powers that be for having a man like Matthew Walsh in her life – he lived by his motto that as long as they all stuck together, and he had his bucking bulls to breed and train, he didn’t care where they lived.
