Further down the hill there was room for stables and a round yard, where Arrow and Jazz would have their own larger paddocks nearby. She couldn’t wait for when Tanner could teach his own little redheads to ride in the circular yard. The contentment he’d always found whenever he’d worked in a round yard now encompassed the other arenas of his life. He’d hung up his droving hat to focus on his horse training and to start a campdrafting school. Now the only trips he took out on the long paddock were with Neve and were for enjoyment, not escape.
She glanced across to where Tanner laughed with his father as they sat side by side on a hay bale. Stewart flew from Sydney once a month to stay for a week. He’d consented to wearing boots, even if he kept them polished and pristine. It always made Neve’s heart light seeing them together and the closeness of their father–son bond. As the relationship with his father had repaired, the final barrier that had stood between Tanner and his Woodlea life had fallen. No longer did Meredith look at him with worry in her eyes, only love.
Neve searched for Cressy, who sat next to Fliss, Drew and Freya on some nearby hay bales. Fliss and Hewitt’s wedding plans were underway, but Fliss was being very mysterious about what she was organising. Knowing Fliss, every little detail would be perfect.
Neve’s attention centred on Cressy. She was worried about the cowgirl. Cressy was again looking too thin and insisting she was fine, even when her cheeks were as pale as the frosts that blanketed Rosewood’s lawns. But this time Neve suspected what was wrong with Cressy had nothing to do with taking risks and everything to do with why Denham hovered and insisted on carrying anything heavy.
Reassured Cressy appeared okay, Neve went to the table to check there would be enough plates. Over on a portable gas barbeque, Hewitt and Denham were cooking up platters of steaks and sausages. Giggling sounded and she glanced over to where Taylor and Ella chatted. As Edna approached, they stopped talking. With Bethany and Mac together, everyone was nervous about whom Edna would now turn her matchmaking focus on.
Meredith caught her eye and smiled. Neve smiled in return. Meredith’s kindness and companionship made Neve feel as though she was once again woven into the fabric of a loving family. Her new life had both meaning and purpose. She took the cover off the rice salad she’d made from her mother’s much-loved cookbook. She was working her way through the recipes and each one brought back treasured memories of the mother and grandmother she’d cherished.
She stifled a yawn. She was now the proud owner of the disused Woodlea fire station. Between supervising renovations and getting organised to open her new occupational therapy practice, she’d skimped on sleep. Sibylla had been the first specialist to rent out a room. The audiologist had welcomed the opportunity to be part of a collective health service to support local and rural families. Now all they needed were some more health professionals to occupy the spare rooms.
Last night she’d stayed up late to talk to Alice and her daughter in the United Kingdom over the internet. Plans were underway for Alice’s daughter to bring her mother to Woodlea in the spring to see her brother’s final resting place.
A hand linked with hers before Tanner led her into the shadows and away from the bonfire that now shot sparks high into the darkening sky.
‘You look tired,’ he said, pulling her close for a tender kiss.
The care and concern he showered on her never failed to make her feel precious and loved. She rested her cheek against the solid warmth of his chest and his arms tightened round her.
Once Woodlea’s current wedding fever subsided, there’d be a new wedding for the yarn bombers to prepare for. Except this one would be held in Reedy Creek at the small corrugated-iron hall, a place of community, belonging and new beginnings.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
It’s been so wonderful to again spend time in small-town Woodlea as well as to be able to give Tanner his story.
As always thanks goes to HarperCollins and the incredible and very lovely Harlequin Mira imprint team of Rachael Donovan, Julia Knapman, Alex Nahlous and Sarah Fletcher. Thanks to your expertise, insights and attention to detail the inside of The Round Yard shines as bright as its beautiful outside. Thanks so much also to the design team who create stunning cover after stunning cover.
Huge thanks to my special writing buddies who have been such a steady constant in what has been a tough year. Your support and friendship are very much treasured. Thank you to my children, Callum, Bryana, Adeline and Angus, for providing me with countless memories. A part of you is woven into every book. Last but not least, thanks to Luke, my hero, my inspiration and my go-to for farm machinery information. I couldn’t do what I do without you.
Finally, thank you to my readers. It’s such a privilege to be on your virtual and real-world bookshelves. Your enthusiasm and passion for the books that I love to write keeps the ideas fresh and the words flowing. Until next time, take care and happy reading.
ISBN: 9781489261717
TITLE: THE ROUND YARD
First Australian Publication 2019
Copyright © 2019 Alissa Callen
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