"How big is Brigadier?"
"Sixty thousand acres. We’re only going to cover a small portion today."
Meghan was impressed by the vastness. Lachie had hinted that it was big, but she had had no idea of the vast size. She gazed over the flat dry plains. The boundaries of her little world so extended, further than her eyes could see.
Suddenly Molly shied and reared up, snorting in alarm. Instinctively, Meghan squeezed her thighs and held on tightly. Darcy swung from his horse and quickly caught Molly’s reigns, murmuring softly and stroking her reassuringly.
"Hey, are you alright?"
Her cheeks warmed as his gaze did a quick but thorough inspection. Worry lingered in his eyes.
"I’m fine. How’s Molly?" She leaned forward in the saddle and stroked Molly's neck.
"She’s okay. Must have smelt a snake." He looked to a clump of stubborn brush. "That's their likely hiding spot."
Fear shimmied down her back. "Snakes?"
"Don't worry, I won't let anything happen to you."
Darcy caught her gaze and, mesmerized by those piercing blue eyes, the fear was replaced by a warm heat. Her heart beat faster. Surely it was adrenalin from the snake incident.
He was first to break the connection. "You’d better get used to it if you're going to live here. We have our fair share of danger."
The horses carefully picked their way across uneven terrain, sheltered by huge coolabah trees. Occasionally, Darcy pointed out birds or other things he thought might be of interest to Meghan.
Beneath her hat, her thick ponytail swung across her shoulders. She looked fragile, like a porcelain doll he had seen in a shop once. But, out here she became another part of the environment, as at home on these plains as the rabbits and kangaroos.
He stared at the view and lost himself in the desolation that stretched ahead of him. It was so damn hot. Too hot for this time of year. It had to cool down. It had to rain. Sometime.
"You were surprised when Lachie announced our engagement." Meghan's voice was etched with worry.
Darcy thought for a moment, careful not to say anything offensive, but wanting to be honest. "I'm surprised any woman could get Lachie to commit."
She laughed. "You're kidding? It wasn't really that hard."
He recalled all-nighters at the pub watching out for his intoxicated brother who was usually found slobbering over the latest backpacker turned waitress.
"Lachie's always been a player. Or at least, he was. You've changed him. It's been so gradual I barely noticed."
"He was never like that around me. He's always been very committed."
Darcy arched his eyebrows in surprise. "How long have you two been together?"
"Eight months."
"That's a pretty quick engagement then. Especially since this is your first time here. Unless he’s planning on moving to Townsville?" He couldn't imagine Lachie giving up his birthright.
"No, we'll live here on the station."
"How do you know you'll like it?"
"I just do." She shrugged. "I don't mind cities and Townsville only has 170,000 people so it's not really that big. Just large enough for good shopping, pubs, and live entertainment, but small enough to find a quiet space when the crowds get too much."
She turned her attention to the never-ending horizon. "But, when I see these dusty fields and gum trees it's like I’m coming home. I guess that doesn't make sense. But it's true."
Darcy knew that feeling well. Whenever he returned from a trip, he felt relieved, like he could breathe again. The dust was his oxygen; he needed it to survive.
"Country life is tough. We all work hard, even Mum. A tree change doesn't mean life slows down."
"I can see that."
He pushed back his hat and scowled at the land. "Some fellas get sick of looking at the same view every day. Being isolated on a station in the thick of a blazing summer can drive people crazy. It's not an easy life if you're not used to it."
The wistful expression on her face made him realise how long it had been since he'd had a conversation with a woman who wasn't related to him or someone else's wife. He really needed to get out more.
"I don't think I could ever get sick of this place." Her words were soft. He wondered if she realised she'd spoken aloud. For a smart woman, she seemed caught up in the romance of the outback. He hoped, for her sake and Lachie's, she was prepared for a hard slog. Especially if the drought went on much longer.
Darcy knew of city girls who moved to the area hoping to meet a wealthy, handsome station heir. Mostly they returned home disheartened. Sometimes leaving broken marriages in their wake. But Meghan seemed honest in her intentions.
Cockatoos squawked above them as he took the lead as the path narrowed and the homestead came into sight. He contemplated the future and what having Meghan living with them would mean. He would have a sister-in-law. Another person to help out around the house and the station. A reminder that he would never have a wife and a family of his own unless he put himself back out there. He sighed. He couldn't risk another heartbreak. Meghan might think she was tough enough. He hoped she proved that to be true. But she would be one in a million. He wasn't as lucky as his brother.
Meghan's beautiful face would remind him of that every day.
* * *
To continue reading go to: www.books2read.com/TheBrothersofBrigadierStation
Acknowledgments
My sincere thanks to my editor and mentor Annie Seaton, who has again done wonders with her advice and is such an inspiration to other authors.
To my best-buddy and talented writer friend Kelly Ethan and my step mother Lynda - thank you for believing in me and this story. Also to Renee Clasie for her help and advice. Scotty was inspired by her amazing son Connor. Keep up the great work!
A big thank you and much love to my family for all your support and for putting up with me while I write. I love you all.
And to you, dear reader, thank you for choosing this book to read. I know there are many other distractions and entertainment options available these days, so thank you for joining Paige, Logan and me on this journey.
About the Author
Sarah Williams spent her childhood chasing sheep, riding horses and picking Kiwi fruit on the family orchard in rural New Zealand. After a decade travelling, Sarah moved to North Queensland to enjoy the warm weather and to work with Crocodiles.
When she's not absorbed in her fictional writing world, Sarah is running after her family of four kids, one husband, two dogs and a cat. She loves to help her peers achieve their publishing dreams.
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The Outback Governess Page 12