Tanner came into view again as he reached Arrow’s yard, which was away from all the other horses and floats. He vanished into the horse float.
When the palomino mustang saw her, he came over to the fence, hung his head over the top and whickered.
Neve ran a hand over his golden nose. ‘Good to see you too.’
Metal clinked and she swung around to see Tanner holding Arrow’s saddle and bridle. For a long second he stared, then he said, ‘Morning.’
‘Morning.’
Neve didn’t buy his casual greeting. Just like the first day she’d seen him, reserve cast his face in tanned, carved lines. The grooves beside his mouth were deeply etched. Her gaze flew to his forehead despite his injury not being visible beneath his dark-blond hair.
‘Fliss took the stitches out last night,’ he said, resting the saddle on the ground before going into Arrow’s yard. ‘Girls back soon?’
‘Monday. I can’t wait.’
A too-brief smile shaped his lips as he slid on Arrow’s bridle. ‘I bet they can’t either.’
‘Your week away went well?’ Neve passed him the saddle blanket.
His serious eyes met hers. ‘Yes … and no.’
‘Are you going away … again?’
When his gaze flicked to her mouth she felt a rush of relief. The time apart hadn’t defused the chemistry between them.
He turned to place the saddle blanket on Arrow’s back and she lost sight of his expression. ‘No. I’m here until the wedding. Denham needs me.’
She hefted the heavy saddle over the fence. ‘So you’ll be here for the races?’
He grimaced as he took hold of the saddle. ‘Yes, even though becoming a hermit’s still looking good. My photo’s still apparently being shared.’
‘You’ll be fine, even if all the girls who say they’re going to go do attend. We’ll have your back.’
Tanner didn’t reply as he lifted the saddle flap to do up the gelding’s girth. He led Arrow out of the yard and stopped beside her. She breathed in the scent of leather and oilskin mingled with the fresh morning air. He was so close she could see the whiskers softening the firm line of his jaw. So close she could see the darker flecks in the pure blue of his eyes.
‘I’d better get this clinic underway,’ he said, voice low.
‘Okay.’
She slid her hands into the pockets of her black coat and waited for him to lead Arrow away. With the new strain between them, she was back to feeling awkward and over-analysing everything she said.
She just needed a moment to collect herself and she’d head over to Freya and the horses.
But instead of moving, Tanner caught her chin and brushed his mouth over hers. His thumb caressed her jaw as his touch lingered. ‘Everything’s okay. It’s just been another long week.’
She simply nodded. A reply of any sort wasn’t possible. They weren’t supposed to be acting on whatever this was between them. But it mattered, and mattered a lot, that he’d missed her and things were okay between them. She fell into step beside him. Even though she wasn’t yet sure if the joy that unfurled within her could be trusted, she savoured the feeling that for a very brief moment all was complete in her world.
When they reached Freya, Tanner gave them each a nod before heading over to the arena.
Neve and Freya soon followed. As they joined the other riders in the arena, she glanced across at Freya. ‘I see what you mean.’
‘I know. Poor Tanner.’
Two willowy blondes, who looked like they’d stepped out of a glossy magazine with their immaculate cream jodhpurs and long black boots, were positioned on either side of him. One rode a white horse, the other a long-legged bay. Beside the girl on the left, Bethany sat on another well-groomed bay.
When Neve had briefly met Bethany in town with Edna, she hadn’t smiled once. Now it was as though she was viewing a different person. Bethany’s smile lit up her face and her laugh sounded loud and often.
Next to Bethany were a husband and wife dressed in country shirts, jeans and cowboy boots. Beside them Mac was still having trouble with his young chestnut, who couldn’t seem to stand still. After a large gap, Sibylla Elliott, who had long ebony hair, stood in front of her Appaloosa. Even though her horse stayed still and didn’t fuss, Sibylla’s expression remained apprehensive.
Tanner wore a microphone, and as the group introduced themselves, Neve noticed Tanner ride around to stand beside Sibylla and her Appaloosa. His calm tone and humour soon had her relax. Neve focused on what he was saying as he outlined how the weekend would run and not on reliving when his mouth had covered hers.
As the morning progressed, Tanner spent time with each rider to assess their needs as well as those of their horses. By the end of the weekend they’d all have a toolbox of practical techniques, whatever stage they or their horses were at.
While Tanner worked with Freya, Neve talked to Sibylla. Across from them, Bethany chatted with her city friends in a tight-knit group. But when Bethany slightly turned to the right, the reason for her high spirits became obvious. It had just been a look, but when Mac’s green horse had stood still for long enough, he and Bethany had swapped glances.
Even without knowing the rumour that Mac was seeing someone, Neve would have recognised the delight in Bethany’s eyes. It was how she too felt when Tanner smiled at her. The million-dollar question was, did Edna know?
Tanner rode over to Neve. He’d left her and Jazz until last. She made sure she stayed relaxed in the saddle and her expression didn’t change. Not only would Jazz sense any reaction she had to Tanner, half of Woodlea was watching from around the arena. Not to mention so too were the two blondes who hadn’t made any effort to socialise with Freya, Sibylla or her.
Neve matched Tanner’s professionalism as he went through what had brought her to the clinic and what she hoped to achieve out of the weekend. When they’d finished, he suggested they break for morning tea. As the other riders headed for the arena’s exit, he remained next to her.
‘Going okay?’ he asked, his gaze holding hers.
‘Yes. Really well. I have a question.’
He nodded.
‘Bethany’s Skittles … there’s a story there, isn’t there?’
As she spoke she looked over to where Mac was talking to Freya, except his young horse wasn’t happy at being left behind by the others.
Tanner followed the direction of her gaze. ‘There is … I think you’ve guessed the gist of it. Skittles is as sweet as his name. He can now bow, doesn’t mind the noise of a drone and will be a perfect second pony for the girls.’
‘You’re a good man, Tanner Callahan.’
‘I don’t know about that. Bethany and Mac deserve to have a chance to be together.’
‘Edna knows Mac’s seeing someone.’
‘Does she?’ Tanner walked Arrow forward and Jazz followed. ‘I’ll give Bethany the heads-up.’
Freya waited for them, and once out of the arena gate, Neve and Freya rode over to their horse floats. After they’d made sure Jazz and Liberty had water and their girths were loosened, they went to collect Sibylla.
Sibylla was a coastal audiologist who’d returned home to help out on the family farm after her father had had a stroke. A bad fall when mustering cattle had left her terrified. Now that she knew she’d only be doing ground work and wouldn’t have to ride, colour had returned to her face.
‘You know,’ she said, studying the crowd as they walked over for morning tea. ‘Is it just me or is there a high percentage of female spectators.’
Freya smiled. ‘This is nothing … wait until the picnic races.’
Tanner had never been so glad to have a day at one of his clinics end. Tension burned across his shoulders and down his side. His body hadn’t forgiven him for his lapse in concentration when walking on the air-seeder frame, even if he hadn’t ended up with a black eye. He made no move to follow the others as they left the arena to unsaddle and shower before the campfire dinner.
<
br /> He rubbed Arrow’s neck and let out a slow breath. ‘Sorry, buddy. I was a little distracted today.’
When he was sure he’d be clear to leave without being intercepted by the two city blondes, he too made his way through the arena gate. He’d had a quiet word to Mac at lunch and could now see Finn’s Land Cruiser ute parked near his brother’s float. There’d been a need to balance the male–female ratio. With any luck, Finn’s country-boy charm and outgoing personality would keep Bethany’s friends entertained.
Tanner headed Arrow away from the rodeo ground. As usual, he’d enjoyed working with his clients to help them connect with their horses in a respectful and positive way. As usual, he’d made sure he invested the same amount of time with each rider. Except unlike other clinics, there’d been a constant pull to be with Neve.
He’d deliberately left her until last whenever he could, but that hadn’t stopped him from being distracted. He’d always prided himself on his single-mindedness. Today he’d only been focused on one thing: a woman with changeable green eyes and a sweet, soft mouth.
Once at Arrow’s yard he unsaddled the mustang, rugged him and fed him his nightly biscuit of hay. He’d made sure he parked away from the main hub of horse floats. Even then the activity and noise made him yearn for the peace of the travelling stock routes. Except this trip away even the long paddock hadn’t settled him, or led to any clarity or contentment. It had taken all of his willpower not to call Neve just to hear her voice.
Now he was home, his resolve to honour their agreement had lasted all of three minutes. When vulnerability had rounded her eyes and her tone had flattened, he’d been lost. He’d gone from keeping his distance to kissing her in a matter of heartbeats. He couldn’t make the same mistake a second time.
The breeze carried the scent of steak and onion and the sound of feminine laughter. With a deep sigh he removed his hat and tunnelled a hand through his hair. Give him Denham’s testy rodeo cattle any day over having to socialise with a crowd that whichever way he turned seemed intent on ending his bachelor status. At least after today’s turnout, the shade sails for the playground would become a reality.
When he drew near to the barbeque area, the last of the sunlight was draining from the sky. Over near the campfire, Sibylla, Freya and Neve were deep in conversation. Bethany helped Mac over on the barbeque, while Finn sat in between the two blonde city girls. As he’d hoped, they didn’t look his way as he walked past to see what he could do to help the dinner volunteers.
As darkness blanketed the rodeo ground, he managed to keep any conversation that involved hair twirling to a minimum. Over dinner he joined the husband and wife from Mudgee and their group of friends. For dessert he wasn’t so lucky. Two cowgirls slipped into the spare chairs near him. When there wasn’t room for a third girl, she sat on her friend’s knee. While they’d chatted about horses, he stayed. But once the conversation turned to the races and meeting up with him at the bar, he came to his feet.
Neve had spent most of the night on the other side of the fire with Freya and Sibylla. She’d returned his smile when they’d stood in the steak-and-salad queue, but otherwise there’d been no contact between them. The breathing space had allowed him to regroup and his tension to defuse. Tomorrow was a new day and he’d handle being around her much better.
When the fire died to an orange glow and sparks no longer lit up the night sky, chairs emptied as people drifted off to bed. Bethany, Mac, Finn, the city blondes and a collection of others showed no signs of calling it a night. Laughter grew louder and stories more animated as the beer esky beside them emptied. After double checking Neve’s chair now sat empty, he too headed to his swag.
The squeal of a horse drew him to the centre of the yards. After spending time with Mac’s young chestnut to reassure him, he ducked past Hewitt’s float to make sure Jazz and Liberty weren’t restless. In the moonlight he made out three swags. Neve, Freya and Sibylla looked to be asleep. But as he walked by a white light shone as someone read a book. Neve’s red-gold hair glimmered.
The light moved as she sat up. ‘Tanner?’ she whispered.
He moved closer and kept his voice low. ‘Can’t sleep?’
‘Not a wink. What are you doing?’
‘Checking the horses.’
Canvas rustled as Freya rolled over.
‘I’ll come with you.’ Neve flipped open her swag and stood.
In the pool of reading light he glimpsed pale, shapely legs as she pulled on jeans to wear with her long grey T-shirt.
After flicking off the reading light, she grabbed her boots and a jacket from the open horse float before coming over to him. They didn’t speak as they walked. A horse stamped to their left and they changed direction to take a look. In the dim light the white splotches of Sibylla’s Appaloosa gleamed as the gelding shuffled over to see them.
‘We all had a great day today,’ Neve said as she stroked the Appaloosa’s neck.
‘I hope so.’
‘Sibylla was so worried she’d only last until lunchtime. I know you said you don’t understand humans as much as you do horses, but you know, you’re just as good with people.’
He was glad the poor light masked his expression. The sincerity and honesty in Neve’s words moved him. He didn’t think he could handle people well at all. Look at the mess he was in with his father. ‘Thanks.’
He moved away to put distance between them. He’d already pushed the boundaries enough by giving in to his need to comfort her earlier.
They walked towards his float. Over in his yard, Arrow paced around the small space, his pale mane shimmering.
‘I thought I wasn’t sleepy,’ Neve said as the mustang flung his head up high.
Tanner ran his palm over the palomino’s warm neck. ‘He’ll settle when I’m in my swag.’
Arrow’s ears flickered before he pushed his nose into Neve’s hand. Her smile flashed as she stroked his cheek.
Tanner stayed quiet. Just like that morning when he’d come out of his float to the sight of Neve and Arrow together, another chunk of his defences fell away. The aloof mustang hadn’t ever taken to another person the way he’d taken to Neve. Tanner wasn’t the only one to recognise that she was special.
She stopped patting Arrow to smother a yawn.
‘How about I walk you back?’ he asked.
‘Thanks, but I know the way. See you tomorrow.’
‘You will. Sleep well.’
With a light touch to his hand, she slipped into the darkness.
Long after Neve had left and Arrow had settled, Tanner lay in his swag and stared at the jagged void of the distant ridge. Just like the granite landscape etched against the night sky, he had to stay resolute. He couldn’t listen to the whispers of his loneliness that just maybe he could trust Neve to stay in his life.
It was no surprise that when Tanner saw Neve the following morning at breakfast his eyes were gritty and his jaw tight. He made himself an extra-strong coffee. He’d only taken a mouthful when an exuberant voice called out, ‘Why there you are, Tanner.’
It wasn’t his imagination that the people around him suddenly needed to be somewhere else. Edna sailed over to him, her smile too bright for that time of the day. He hoped Mac and Bethany realised she was there.
‘Morning, Edna.’
‘Good morning to you too, Tanner. And what a fine morning it is.’
He hoped his stiff nod passed as an agreement.
Edna barely drew a breath before she continued. ‘Bethany tells me everything’s going well.’
‘Thanks to Bethany, it is. All I’ve had to do is turn up.’
Edna’s smile beamed. ‘I’ll be sure to pass on your kind words. The two of you make the perfect team.’ She paused, her eyes narrowing as she stared past his shoulder. ‘I didn’t realise the Barton boys would be here.’
Tanner took another swallow of coffee. ‘Mac brought his green broke horse to the clinic. Finn came for the barbeque and camped.’
Edna d
idn’t reply, just continued to stare in the direction of the horse floats behind him. He casually turned to see which Barton boy had caught Edna’s attention. If it was Mac, chances were Bethany was with him. But it was Finn who sauntered over to breakfast, flanked by the two city blondes.
‘Edna … Clive might be known around the district as a tough man to deal with, but Mac and Finn are decent blokes.’
‘That’s a matter of opinion.’ Edna glanced back at him, her gaze having lost none of its sharpness. ‘Now where do you think I’d find Bethany?’
The appearance of Neve, Freya and Sibylla saved him from answering.
‘Morning, Edna,’ Freya said, her voice sunny.
‘Good morning, Freya.’ Edna gave Neve a quick glance. ‘Neve.’ Her attention then homed in on Sibylla. ‘Nice to see you again, Sibylla. How’s your father doing?’
‘Good, thanks.’
Edna seemed to have forgotten all about finding Bethany. She linked her arm with Sibylla’s. ‘How about you and I get a nice cup of tea and you fill me in on what you’ve been doing since you’ve been home. I believe you’ve been over at Hugh’s helping out with little Riley …’
Neve and Freya exchanged glances before they set off to save Sibylla from one of Edna’s interrogations that could last far longer than one cup of tea.
Hair wet, Bethany emerged from the shower block. At Tanner’s pointed nod towards her mother, she hurried over to her float.
Tanner finished his coffee.
By the time Edna had left and the second day of his clinic was underway, the double hit of caffeine had cleared the fog from his head. Just like on the previous day, he worked with each rider and their horse in a combination of ground skills and riding exercises. In Sibylla’s case he kept to ground work to restore her confidence and to rebuild the trust between her Appaloosa and her.
Just like the day before, he also remained hyper aware of Neve. But unlike yesterday, Bethany’s two friends concentrated on their horses instead of on monopolising his attention. And luckily, Mac’s young horse also stood still.
The Round Yard Page 22