Driftwood

by Mandy Magro

  ‘Dad died when he was crushed by a bull in the chutes and since then I haven’t wanted to go back to the sport. I just can’t bring myself to do it. So instead, I breed bucking bulls. And I really enjoy it. The circuit starts again in June, once the mustering’s over with. I’m just hoping I can get away for it this year so I can show off Tiny’s talents in the ring. Don’t like my chances, though — too much to do out here to just up and leave. And Tom can’t do it all on his own.’

  Taylor blinked back tears. ‘I’m so very sorry for your loss, Jay. If it makes you feel any better, I know how you feel, although I didn’t know my dad. He died when I was just a baby. All I have of him is a black-and-white photo.’ She smiled faintly. ‘He was a stockman, so I reckon that might be where I get my country blood from.’

  Jay turned to face her, genuine compassion in his eyes. ‘Shit, Taylor, that must be really hard, knowing you’ll never get to meet him. And I thought my life was hard. You’ll have to show me the photo one day. I’d love to see it.’ He gave her a look that melted her heart, shaking his head sadly. ‘I’m really sorry to hear you’ve lost your dad too. Honestly, I feel for you, I really do.’

  Taylor gave Jay’s arm a matey tap. ‘Don’t apologise. I’ve come to accept it, sort of. I won’t lie and say it doesn’t get me down at times, but hey, life moves on and if you don’t move on with it, it’ll leave you behind.’

  Jay shook his head in disbelief. ‘God, you’re amazing. I wish I could be a little more like you when it comes to the way I look at things. You’ve had a horrible thing happen to you and you’re still looking on the bright side of life.’ Jay grunted. ‘And here I am wallowing in my own self-pity.’

  Taylor, taken aback and feeling a deeper bond developing, touched his hand gently. ‘Hey. Everyone grieves differently. Don’t beat yourself up over it. You’re allowed to feel how you feel.’

  Jay gave her hand a grateful squeeze before releasing it to change down gears. ‘Thanks for understanding. It’s a nice change. Not a lot of people do.’

  Taylor smiled. ‘Any time.’ She decided to change the subject, wanting to keep the vibe blissful between them. ‘So, how do you train these bucking bulls? It must be bloody hard work.’

  ‘Nah, not really. Bucking, kicking and jumping is an instinctive ability that bulls have, and believe me, they love to strut their stuff. The bucking and spinning movements bulls use to throw the riders off are exactly the same way calves play out in the paddocks. It’s fun to them, and even better fun to watch them playing about.’

  Taylor nodded. ‘So how do you know the champion bulls from the ones that just like to mess about, then?’

  Jay chuckled. ‘Good question — I like your way of thinking. The thing that distinguishes a champion bucker is the bull’s inexhaustible determination to throw the riders. Tiny possesses that and it’s what made him the top bull in the rodeo circuit last year. All the riders were shit scared of drawing him.’

  Taylors face lit up. ‘Wow. You mean I just met Australia’s number one bucking bull?’

  Jay smiled proudly. ‘Yep, sure did. But there’s a bit more to it than just the bull’s natural instinct to buck — that is, if you want to be bored to death with all the info.’

  Taylor wriggled around to face him, her hands clasping with anticipation. ‘Of course I want to know. This is bloody fascinating!’

  Jay eyed her suspiciously. ‘Really? Most women find this far from fascinating. I think “watching paint dry”’ was Becky’s response. You’re not just humouring me are you, Taylor?’

  Taylor feigned offence by laying her hand across her chest. ‘Me? Humouring you? Never. Now please, go on.’

  Jay grinned, clearly impressed with her eagerness to hear more as his smile stretched from ear to ear. ‘Well, the most important gizmo is the flank strap, a rope that’s tied around a bull’s torso just in front of its hind legs. The strap is then tightened to a point that provides pressure but of course no pain.’ He glanced towards her, making sure she wasn’t fazing out. Taylor smiled at him, giving him a ‘go on’ look. ‘Then, when the bull bucks, the elongation and successive narrowing of its torso eliminates the tautness of the flank strap, leading the bull to believe it’s thrown the rider. That’s the desired result and the method repeats once the bull’s midriff recoils and the tension of the strap returns.’

  ‘So, in basic terms, the strap is used to encourage a natural instinct for rodeo purposes.’

  ‘Yep, you’ve hit the nail on the head. And, to top it all off, the bulls are well cared for, and even loved, contrary to what some animal activists like to believe. I’m speaking from firsthand experience here too.’

  Taylor touched his arm, allowing her hand to rest there. It felt good to be bonding with him. ‘I’m really impressed, Jay. Good on you for following a dream.’

  ‘You know what? I never thought of it like that. I am following a dream. Cheers for pointing it out, Taylor.’

  ‘Again, any time. That’s what mates are for.’ She smiled and placed her hand back in her lap, her fingers tingling from touching him.

  The dam finally came into view as they bumped along the track, ripples on the water’s surface sparkling like jewels in the sunlight. With the small waterfall on the far side it was so pretty that Taylor could barely contain her eagerness to jump into its cool depths. She grinned cheekily at Jay then carefully eased her body out the window, ignoring his pleading to get back inside. She planted her bum firmly on the windowsill while gripping the roof racks for stability.

  Jay, having given up on trying to drag her back in by the ankles, chuckled at her lack of inhibition but was not at all surprised by it after her naked escapade at Coral Bay. ‘What are you doing, you crazy woman!’

  ‘Letting the wind play with my hair. You should try it sometime. It’s great fun!’ Taylor squealed back delightedly.

  Jay carefully manoeuvred the LandCruiser through some scrub, acutely aware of his priceless cargo sitting on the doorframe. Taylor’s assets bounced around underneath her singlet with every bump. Not that he was a pervert, but he was a bloke and they were hard to ignore, being so perfectly voluptuous. He fought to keep his gaze on the track.

  Coming to a complete stop he killed the ignition, struggling with the desire to reach out and trace his fingers down her long, smooth legs. God, she was gorgeous, inside and out. ‘And taken,’ he mumbled. Fuck Cooper, the lucky bastard, he always seemed to get what he wanted. Not that he should be pissed off. He’d had the chance to woo Taylor and had decided against it, and he had to stick to that decision. She was too much of a top chick to be burdened with his shitty life and by the sounds of it, she’d already had her fair share of heartache, losing her dad so young.

  Jumping out before he did something stupid, Jay left his door wide open and jogged around to lift a wild-haired Taylor down from her perch, luxurious shivers running down his spine as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders. He placed her down on the ground and she smiled sheepishly, his heart almost coming to a complete stop as her hands lingered softly on his neck then moved down his chest before pulling away.

  The sensuous moment was gone as quickly as it had arrived; leaving him wondering if he’d imagined it. Taylor tore off her clothes, leaving only the skimpy bikini she’d changed into back at the cottage, and ran full pelt towards the dam, yahooing, a spray of water flying up around her as she dived in. Floyd wasn’t far behind her.

  ‘Come on, Jay!’ she called, her athletic body surfacing like a goddess rising, her hair slicked back, face covered in droplets of water. ‘It’s beautiful in here.’

  ‘No, you’re beautiful,’ he whispered. Grinning, he yanked off his shirt, boots and socks then stripped off his jeans, leaving him clad only in his boxers. His board shorts were in the LandCruiser, but damn them. He liked the way her eyes never left him as he undressed. She waved him in, smiling her wayward smile, making him feel so free, so significant, and so happy, as though life outside of them was no longer important. She br
ought out the youth in him, made him feel his twenty-five years instead of the fifty he’d been feeling lately. And it felt wonderful, like he could finally breathe freely.

  Embracing the freedom, if only for these few glorious moments, he bolted for the water, crashing in and laughing as he resurfaced. Taylor splashed a handful of water at him, tempting him into a water fight. He accepted the battle with a massive splash in her direction, her delighted squeals driving him on. They grappled for one another’s arms, trying to ward off the water, laughing hysterically. Finally grabbing hold of each other they wrestled under water, emerging for air when needed, their limbs entwining seductively, the sexual tension intensifying with each lingering touch.

  Defeated physically by their spirited romp, Taylor slumped into Jay, and his body tingled in the places her sumptuous bare skin touched his. He let his hands rest on her belly, not caring about the rights and wrongs of doing so, instead completely living in the moment. The calmness of the dam surrounded them as they drifted towards the waterfall that filled the dam from Stoney Creek. Taylor’s body perfectly nestled into his, as though she belonged there. He tried to ignore the electrified air and overlook the fact he had feelings emerging for this beautiful woman, but he was a fool to deny it any longer. Taylor’s spell had been cast from the moment he’d laid eyes on her, and right now, having her here in his arms, he was enraptured. And all his worries had, as if by magic, disappeared. The only thing that mattered to him at this very second was Taylor, here, with him.

  Their hands started to investigate each other’s body, as they gave way to an intense undercurrent of desire. The rumble of the waterfall closed in on them and they tensed pleasurably as they passed beneath it with eyes closed, savouring the water as it fell upon their skin. The sunlight faded away as they arrived on the other side and came to rest upon a rock hidden just beneath the surface. The tumbling water had cocooned them within the waterfall, their hearts connecting in a euphoric rush of warmth and raw emotions.

  Taylor rolled over to face him, her hands sliding around his strong shoulders before running them up his neck and into his hair, pulling it gently as she placed her legs around his waist. Leaning in, she kissed his neck, trailing her mouth downwards until she could feel his strong pulse on her lips. A soft groan escaped him as his yearning for Taylor intensified. He delighted in her body being so dangerously close to his own.

  Jay wrapped his arms around Taylor and pulled her to him, her beautiful breasts pressing against his chest and her racing heartbeat at one with his own. Time stood still while they gazed into each other’s eyes as if delving into each other’s souls. Their lips were so sensuously close, and finally, feeling the depth of her passion, Jay felt himself being dragged back to reality — his reality of hardship and heartache. He wanted to kiss this beautiful woman so badly but he couldn’t. He refused to play with her exquisite heart. She deserved only the best, a man who could give her everything, mind, body and soul, which was way more than he trusted himself to give her right now.

  Taylor ran her fingers over his lips, halting him, and then rested her hand upon his heart. Her voice was strained as she spoke. ‘I understand, Jay. You’re not ready. And I’m not going to make you do anything you’ll regret. I just want you to know that I like you, a lot. I have since the second I laid eyes on you.’

  Jay turned away, his jaw clenching.

  Taylor gently cupped his cheeks, pulling his intense gaze back towards her. ‘This isn’t going to change anything. Okay? You mean too much to me for this to ruin the friendship we already have.’

  Silently, he nodded and then hugged her to him, his breathing jagged. ‘Thank you, Taylor, that means the world to me. I’m sorry I can’t give you what you want. God knows I wish I could.’ He pulled back, running his hands roughly through his hair. ‘And besides, aren’t you with Cooper?’

  ‘Oh my God, not you too,’ Taylor replied, smiling delicately. ‘No, I’m not with Cooper. Never have been.’

  ‘Oh, right. I just thought, um, shit, well, when I seen you two together after you sang at the twenty-first the other night that . . .’ Jay rubbed his face, huffing. ‘Uh, nothing, my mistake.’

  ‘Hey, no worries, Jay, I’ve been asked by a few of the locals so you’re not the only one to assume it.’ Taylor squeezed his arm, suddenly exhausted. ‘Let’s go and eat that lunch you packed. I’m starving!’

  ‘Great idea, me too, but before we do —’ Jay kissed her quickly on the cheek, his touch leaving warmth on her skin, ‘— I’ve been meaning to tell you. Your voice is beautiful, Taylor. Magical. And that song you sang, the words were so powerful, kind of made me wish you were singing about me. Crazy, huh?’

  ‘Thanks, I appreciate that fact you stayed and listened to it all,’ said Taylor, smiling. She swam towards the waterfall, calling over her shoulder to Jay just before she dived beneath it, ‘You know what, Jay? Maybe I was singing about you.’

  CHAPTER

  15

  2012 — Far North Queensland

  ‘I can’t believe this is your last shift,’ Jasmine said while stacking glasses from the dishwasher into a tray. ‘We’re all gonna miss your company, Tays, and your beautiful singing.’

  ‘Aww, thanks, mate. That means a lot.’

  Jasmine pulled at the top of her maternity jeans, exhaling pleasurably as her hefty baby bump was allowed a small reprieve. Taylor giggled at the way Jasmine’s bellybutton was protruding and Jasmine, noticing Taylor’s observation, screwed her face up in mock horror. ‘I know, I look like a friggin’ balloon, hey?’ She prodded her bellybutton. ‘And this is the bit where you tie the balloon up. I keep telling Wes if he pokes me in the ribs, I might just explode.’

  Taylor erupted with laughter and the two women chuckled and snorted until happy tears ran down their cheeks.

  Jasmine sniffed, trying to pull herself back together. ‘Honestly, though, Tays, you should have become a famous musical artist. You’ve got an amazing gift. Why not do something with it instead of hanging around Driftwood?’

  Taylor shook her head softly, touched by Jasmine’s faith in her singing. After years of enduring her family’s criticism it was a wonderful change to be praised. ‘Oh Jaz, I love singing, I really do. But my dream is to work with horses. And I can do that here, at Waratah Station. My music is just a wonderful pastime for me, you know, a way to make people feel good. I couldn’t stand the pressure that’s put on artists to perform. It would ruin the magic of it for me.’

  Jasmine stretched her arms out. ‘Come here, you. You’re so special I just have to hug you.’

  The two women embraced awkwardly, due to Jasmine’s belly. A special bond had blossomed between them after working together for the past six weeks.

  ‘I’m going to miss you, too, Jaz. Big time!’ Taylor said as she pulled back. Holding Jasmine at arm’s length, she dropped her voice to a whisper. ‘I’m not too sure Zoe’s going to miss me, though. She’s barely spoken to me since I bumped into her with that tray, even though I’ve apologised countless times. I thought she and I were going to be great mates when we first met but now I’ve gotten to know her better I’m beginning to think I was wrong. Thank God she’s gone away for a few days so I can stop walking on eggshells.’

  Jasmine glanced about, but the pub was empty other than the two old regulars down the end of the bar who were so settled in they looked like part of the furniture. She turned her attention back to Taylor. ‘I’ve been dying to get to work tonight to tell you. When I popped in to pick up my pay this morning I overheard Zoe talking to Faith, well, arguing with her I should say — you know how she is — being her typical prima donna self.’ Jasmine rolled her eyes, took another fleeting glance around the bar and then continued. ‘Anyway, she was demanding that Faith stop being friends with you because you’re taking the job out at Waratah Station and — get this . . .’ Jasmine squeezed Taylor’s shoulders excitedly. ‘Because Zoe reckons you’re stealing her man and that Faith should be doing something about it.’ Jasmin
e covered her mouth, eyes wide. ‘Only one guess who this mystery man might be.’

  Taylor’s eyebrows shot up as she gulped down her shock. ‘Cooper? Really? But I’m not —’

  Jasmine cut her off. ‘No, silly, not Cooper — Jay Donnellson!’

  ‘Holy shit! Jay?’ Taylor wiggled her eyebrows, nerves filling her. ‘Aha, now it all makes perfect sense.’ She pulled her eyes from Jasmine’s questioning gaze, not wanting to give anything away about her feelings for Jay. ‘Not that Zoe’s got anything to worry about. I’m not having a relationship with him — far from it. He’s going to be my boss, for Christ’s sake.’

  Jasmine smiled sassily. ‘Well, honey, I wouldn’t blame you if you went for him.’ She shook her fingers as though she’d just touched something hot, whistling at the same time. ‘He’s a bloody hunk. If I weren’t ten years too old, shacked up and almost eight months pregnant, I’d go for him in a flash.’

  ‘You’re a spinner, Jaz, that’s one of the reasons I love ya so much,’ Taylor said, laughing. ‘But I’m not too sure it’s wise of me to try anything with him. Apparently he’s trouble, “heartbreaker” was the exact word used to describe him.’

  Jasmine feigned deep thought, hands rubbing her chin. ‘Hmm, really, and who might it be that told you that? Zoe, by any chance?’

  Taylor slapped the side of her head. ‘Bloody hell, I’m an idiot! I should have seen it all along. No wonder Zoe’s been nasty if she thinks I’m interested in Jay. She’s spinning yarns to me to make sure I keep well away from him.’