Meghan sighed before closing her eyes, unable to watch the beautiful landscape any longer. Instead she focused on the sound the beating rain made against the car.
The rain had finally come. Just in time to wash away her dreams.
Chapter 13
Jasper whinnied as he waited impatiently for Darcy to feed him.
"Hang on, mate." Darcy nudged him gently so he could pour the grain into the gelding’s trough. He watched his faithful horse devour his dinner, having worked hard for it. Mustering was hot, hard work for the men who rode quads, let alone the ones who rode horses and the horses themselves. Jasper had earned his keep well and truly today, and Darcy had used some of his campdrafting techniques when rounding up the strays.
Darcy paused at Molly's stall and scratched her nose. Molly stamped her hoof into the dust.
"You miss her too?" he whispered.
"Darcy! Aren't you done yet?" Lachie called from the path leading between the house and stables. He was showered and freshly shaven already.
Darcy joined his brother and together they walked to the house as the sun created its nightly light show.
"You going out?" Darcy could smell Lachie's fancy aftershave. The expensive stuff he only wore when he was meeting a girl. He used to wear it for Meghan sometimes.
"Yeah, thought I'd hit the pub tonight." A hint of excitement in his voice. "It's been a while, gotta get back on the horse so to speak."
Darcy raised his eyebrows. Lachie had certainly made a swift recovery from his break-up with Meghan just one month ago. He had initially been upset and angry at Meghan leaving him at the altar without a proper announcement. He had seemed more embarrassed by the situation than truly sad that the woman he claimed to love didn't want to be with him anymore.
He never called her and barely spoke about her.
Lachie had played Meghan's voicemail to Darcy. His heart had ached at the sound of regret and pain she believed she was causing Lachie. He could hear the sadness in her voice and knew she had been crying before leaving that message.
Well, Lachie was never one to stay single… or rather celibate… for long.
If only it were so easy for Darcy to do same. It had taken him years to forget the pain Lisa had caused when she left him. Those wounds ran deep. It had taken him years to be able to trust again. It had taken Meghan’s friendship to heal them. But when she left Lachie, it felt like she had left him too, opening the scar back up and exposing it once more.
"Want to come? Leah and Emily might be there." Lachie grinned.
"Nah, I'm buggered and I've got an early start. Campdrafting in Richmond tomorrow." Darcy mentally made a list of things to pack for the weekend: swag, clean boots, toothbrush.
He was looking forward to a change of scenery. Brigadier Station had too many memories of Meghan's brief time here. The river, the garden, the house.
Harriet had expected him to move back in, but he was happy in the ringers' quarters, the only place where Meghan had not spent much time. At least not physically. She did haunt his dreams every night, though. Always there but never quite in reach.
"Good luck with the competition tomorrow. I’m sure you'll do great." Lachie slapped his back and hurried on ahead, eager to get to the pub. Had Meghan gotten over Lachie as easily? Was she already going out and meeting new people?
Did she think of him as much as he thought of her?
The next day at the Richmond campdraft, Darcy and Jasper performed well in front of a large, cheering audience. Darcy waved to the audience when he collected his third-place prize. He found himself searching for Meghan's familiar face. She wasn’t there of course. But he wanted her to be there. He wanted it so much. More than anything
Unable to sleep in his swag that night, Darcy decided to write Meghan a letter. He couldn't text her, that would be too impersonal, and he didn't have an email address. He found paper and pen and carefully considered how to start. At first, he thought of telling her how much he missed her, but he didn’t want to come on too strongly. He had no idea of her feelings for him. Besides, she was Lachie’s ex-fiancé, and that would never change.
It took a while before he found the right words.
* * *
Dear Meghan,
I'm at that Campdraft in Richmond. The one we were talking about. Jasper did brilliantly and we came third. You would have enjoyed it.
All the horses miss you, especially Molly. Moonshine is getting bigger every day.
Have you trained Banjo yet? Remember he needs lots of exercise.
I don't know why you left and I'm not asking for an explanation. I only want to let you know that I'm here. If you ever need a friend.
You are a beautiful person who deserves happiness and I wish you well.
Darcy
The chilled pink Moscato was refreshing and sweet, and Meghan drank deeply as she studied the painting set up on an easel in her living room. The outback scene she was working on looked finished, but Meghan felt something was missing. She dabbed at a spot with her paintbrush, then instantly regretted it.
"What does it need?" she murmured to herself.
"Meghan?" Jodie called out as she closed the front door. Jodie was a daily visitor now that Meghan was unemployed. Without her, Meghan fancied she would go for days without seeing anyone.
"Come to check if I'm still alive?" Meghan joked as Jodie came in. Despite the heat and humidity outside, Jodie still had a full face of caked-on makeup and perfect hair, unlike Meghan who was in a singlet with paint splashes and sweat stains. Her shorts were clinging to her damp thighs.
"I thought you might be out of wine!" She raised the shopping bag, and three wine bottles clinked together.
Meghan grinned. Good old Jodie. She had her priorities straight.
"Here's your mail." Jodie tossed a small pile of envelopes at her friend.
The first week after jilting Lachie, she had gone into hiding in case he came after her. She didn’t want to inflict any more pain on the poor man. But there had been silence.
Not a text message, not a call. Nothing for over a month.
Didn’t he care at all? Didn’t he want to know why she had left him? Had he simply shrugged his shoulders and moved on? The fact that he did not even want to speak to her made her feel even more assured she had done the right thing.
She put the paintbrush in the waiting cup of water and inspected the mail.
Bill, bill. Letter.
It was handwritten with no return address. Handwritten letters were rare these days. Her curiosity heightened she carefully opened it while Jodie rustled around in the kitchen.
"Darcy." His name slipped from her lips as her heart began to pound. She read the letter three times before Jodie returned.
"What's that?"
Meghan looked up still reeling from the shock of seeing his unpretentious handwriting in front of her. "It’s from Darcy."
"Shit." Jodie snatched it from her hands and read it.
Meghan slumped down on the couch and finished off her wine in one large gulp. Darcy had been on her mind and in her dreams since she had left Brigadier Station. She had thought of him, even in her tears and foggy days. Memories of him still brought a smile to her face. She had often wondered if he was thinking about her or if he was angry at her for leaving his brother.
This is it. The answer she had been waiting for. She glanced at her wrist where the charm bracelet still hung. Reminding her of her own courage and strength.
"He’s not angry," Jodie offered. "He misses you."
"Should I write back? What should I say?"
"Sorry, honey. I'm staying out of this one." Jodie handed back the letter. "They probably think I talked you out of the wedding and dragged you back to Townsville."
Meghan chewed on her lip. Darcy’s words repeating in her mind: ‘You are a beautiful person… if you need a friend.’
She missed his friendship, their easy conversation, and his warm, solid presence.
Jodie sat next to her on the couch and drap
ed her arm across Meghan’s shoulder. "Above all, you deserve love and happiness like he said, so listen to your heart. I’m sure your Mum would say the same thing too."
Meghan smiled weakly at her friend, tears stinging at her eyes. "Thank you," she said with a shaky voice. "For everything, thank you."
"You’re welcome." Jodie hugged her. "I’ll leave you to think about that. Call me if you need anything." Jodie gathered her things and waved from the door. "You two would make a cute couple, you know."
Meghan watched the door close before returning to the letter. She re-read it several times, imagining Darcy writing it. Perhaps he chewed on the pen as he chose his words. She closed her eyes and sighed. When she opened them her eyes fell upon the painting. She could almost feel the warmth of the sun as it set over the flat, scorched paddocks. She remembered the sunsets, the beautiful close of day. She closed her eyes again and Darcy's face appeared in front of her. An easy smile on his face. His eyes filled with longing and passion. She felt herself lean forward to kiss him, but found only air. She covered her face and laughed at herself.
Knowing she would be too distracted to paint anymore she found some paper and a pen and sat at the coffee table.
"I don't actually have to send it," she told herself as she smoothed out the paper.
* * *
Dear Darcy,
Thanks for the letter. I appreciate your kind words and friendship. It has been a hard few weeks. Already I miss the dust and dry heat of the outback.
Summer has come, and it's humid and muggy here in Townsville. Not a rain cloud in sight, though.
Congratulations on your third-place win at Richmond. I wish I could have seen it. But I imagine you did a fantastic job as always.
Molly doesn’t like to be left alone for long. Take her out an apple and spoil her. Girls like that. Tell her I miss her.
I miss you all.
Meghan.
* * *
She had lost more than just the man when she left Brigadier Station. She had lost the family who had welcomed her so warmly. The family she had wanted for such a long time. And friends who had promised her support and loyalty.
She could have had her heart’s desire. But it would have been based on a lie. She was not in love with Lachie, and she doubted he was ever truly in love with her either.
Her heart was heavy with loss. She missed her mother and father, Harriet, and Darcy.
Especially Darcy.
Maybe they could be friends and exchange the occasional letter. They could never have anything more. Lachie would always be an unavoidable obstacle in their lives. He bound them together. Darcy knew this too. He asked for nothing more than friendship. That was all he wanted. It was all they could ever have.
Chapter 14
Sweat dripped down Darcy's back and soaked his khaki-coloured work shirt. He removed his Akubra and swiped the back of his hand across his moist forehead. The summer heat had arrived and, as predicted, was already reaching record highs. He searched the light blue sky. With no clouds in sight, it looked like the drought would continue for another season. He replaced his hat and opened the wooden gate of the stable. Darcy patted each of the horses as he passed their stalls. Molly and Jasper were side by side and whinnying to each other as though in a secret conversation.
"What are you discussing today, huh?" Darcy scratched behind Molly's ear, she closed her eyes in reply. Jasper stepped forward and nudged Darcy’s chest with his strong head, pushing Darcy back slightly.
"Whoa, trying to get rid of me, huh?" Darcy chuckled.
He squeezed past the horses and unravelled the hose next to the water trough. He turned it on and waited as water slowly pumped through. He watched the horses wander over and lower their heads, gulping down the warm artesian water.
The familiar ache returned to his chest as his thoughts turned towards Meghan. She was probably just waking up in her bed, he thought to himself. Had she dreamed of him as he had dreamed of her? Or would he be the first thing on her mind when she woke up?
He missed her face, her smile, her laughter, her easy conversation and her touch.
Her frequent, friendly letters were a comfort, but it wasn’t the same as having her close by. Close to him. She had gotten her old job back and was resigned to continue her life as it had been before. She wasn’t happy. He wanted to see her and be there for her.
He needed to see her.
If he saw her just one more time and said goodbye, he could stop torturing himself. His feelings for her had grown with every written conversation. Suddenly going to Townsville became the most important thing he had to do; he just had to see her before he went mad. He paused for a moment and thought about the day’s jobs. Boar run wasn't due for another couple of days, and the fire breaks were done. Lachie could cover his chores for a day or two. If he flew down now, he could be back tonight.
Determined, he rolled up the hose, fed the horses and hurried back to the house to pack.
Within the hour, he had taxied the Cessna out of the hangar and was running through his pre-flight checklist.
Harriet and Lachie had happily sent him on his way after he had declared he urgently needed a new saddle and had to get it from Townsville. Harriet had given him a list of supplies she needed from a variety of shops, so Darcy had a good excuse to make the trip.
Darcy's hands shook slightly with nervous anticipation as he coaxed the aircraft off the ground and turned towards the coast. In just a few hours he would be walking in the city where she lived. Walking the same streets she walked every day.
Would she be happy to see him? He hoped so.
Meghan sat under the air conditioner in the surgery’s break room. She closed her eyes to the cool air blowing over her face. It reminded her of the winds which blew over the plains after sunset. She imagined herself back on the station, breathing in the smell of eucalypts and horse. Her heart tightened as she longed for those days again.
Despite knowing she had done the right thing by leaving, she still wished she could have stayed somehow. Instead, she was back working at her old job. In the old life she had wanted to escape.
A knock on the door startled Meghan as she looked up to see her boss, open the door.
"There's a man here to see you." Curiosity written all over her face.
"Me? Are you sure?" Meghan frowned, she didn't have any appointments booked.
The waiting room resembled the quietness of the day as the lone man stood with his back to her, facing the glass windows that separated him from the busy main road and footpath of the city.
She knew him from his broad shoulders and tapered waist. Her heart skipped a beat, and she moved her hands, one to her heart and one to her mouth as he turned his lean body to face her. He smiled nervously, his blue eyes bright and clear. Without hesitation, she flung herself at him and wrapped her arms around his waist, pressing her nose to his chest and breathing in his fresh country scent. She hadn’t realised how much she missed him until she had him in her arms. He rested his chin on the top of her head. He felt so familiar and comfortable. She never wanted to let go.
"What are you doing here?" Meghan asked with her voice slightly muffled as she laid her cheek against the pocket of his clean work shirt.
"Had some jobs to do. Thought I'd see if you were free for lunch." They stood still, neither of them eager to break the embrace.
"I'd love to." She smiled up at him and gazed into the blue eyes that continued to haunt her thoughts and dreams. "I missed you."
"I missed you too," he admitted quietly. He held her gaze for a moment before lowering his eyes to her lips. Meghan's pulse quickened.
A dog barked in an examination room, breaking the moment. Darcy looked away as Meghan finally stepped out of his arms.
"I'll just grab my bag," she said as she stepped back and clumsily bumped into the coffee table.
"Are you okay?" He touched her arm as she regained her balance.
"I’ll be back in a second." Recovering she smiled
then turned and hurried off. "Just breathe," she told herself as she retrieved her handbag.
When she returned, he was holding the door open for her. "Ready?"
"I am." She beamed. Happier in this moment than she had been for months.
The café Meghan chose was situated on the tip of the Strand overlooking the ocean. The hostess seated them at a table separated only by a wire fence, from the rocky cliff and the sparkling water below.
Darcy took a moment to appreciate the view. He could clearly see the mountainous form of Magnetic Island and the various barges and boats on the channel.
"I can't remember the last time I saw the ocean, except from the air," Darcy explained when he caught Meghan's questioning gaze.
"Really? That long?" Meghan frowned.
"We had a family holiday in Cairns when we were still at school," he said with a smile. As good as the view was, it didn't compare to the view of Meghan sitting across from him, her long hair loose and free, caressing her bare arms. He was all too aware of their knees bumping under the table, and his heart pumping so loud he was sure Meghan could hear it.
The waitress came and took their drink orders. Darcy ordered a locally brewed beer to try, while Meghan opted for lemonade.
"It's so good to see you," Meghan said, as her hand briefly patted his forearm. "How is Harriet?"
Darcy leaned forward casually, eager to be as close as possible. "She's good. The CWA has her baking for an upcoming fundraiser. How's my mate, Banjo?"
"He's fine. Growing so big." She bit her lip and studied the salt and pepper shakers. “How’s Lachie?"
"He's good. He goes into town a lot on weekends." He watched for Meghan's reaction not wanting to hurt her feelings, but still wanting to make it clear his brother had moved on.
"Is he seeing anyone?" She raised her eyes, and he searched them for signs of regret.
"He's not serious with anyone, but he is, um, getting out, if you know what I mean."
The Brothers of Brigadier Station Page 11