by Mandy Magro
Next up was Zane’s favourite part of the program, the barrel racing. It took massive skill, countless hours of practice, a steadfast horse, and a firm seat in the saddle, to be good at it – as Kay had been. He had no doubt Riley was going to own every second of the gruelling battle. He looked at her sitting high in the saddle, loping Boomerang in circles out the back of the arena, getting him ready to give it his all. A few girls went before her, one of them knocking over the barrel. Her sad face broke Zane’s heart. They all took it so seriously, and rightly so – horse sports were like any other competitive activity.
Their number called, Riley and Boomerang approached the gate. Determination written all over her pretty face, girl and horse stood at the ready, waiting for the cue to chase the clock. Boomerang was a little antsy, his ears back attentively as Riley talked to him. The buzzer went, and they were off like a fired bullet. Sitting low in the saddle, her focus steely, Riley slowed just enough to make the first turn, and like a motorbike hugging a corner she and Boomerang were nice and tight to the barrel. The second turn was a bit wider, but she held the reins at just the right angle to edge Boomerang in a little closer as they came out of the turn. Zane nodded his approval – Riley’s cloverleaf pattern was close to perfection. A champion barrel racer in her teenage years, Emma had clearly taught her daughter everything she knew.
‘For god’s sake, Riley, push him harder!’ Michael bellowed.
Zane shot a sideways glare, but it was lost on Michael as he continued to call out, telling Riley to do better, go harder.
‘Arsehole,’ Emma muttered.
‘Damn straight he is.’
Zane could see the stress written all over Riley’s face now, Michael’s incessant shouting only hampering her ride. She blazed over to the last barrel, but Boomerang stumbled. With his front hoof slipping on the uneven dirt, Riley jerked forwards. Gasps were followed by breaths held, the seconds now feeling like minutes.
‘Oh, come on!’ Michael barked.
Transfixed, Zane’s stomach heaved as he willed her to stay in the saddle. ‘Hang in there, darling,’ he whispered. ‘You can do it.’
And she did, as did Boomerang. Regaining her seat in the saddle while the horse regained his footing, they darted around the final barrel, then all but flew towards the finishing line, a trail of dust in their wake. Boomerang’s thundering hooves matched the frenzied pound of Zane’s heart as the timer stopped, and Riley finally loosened the reins, giving Boomerang control. Then they blasted through the side gate and out of sight. Zane found himself standing on the bottom railing, fists in the air in triumph as he roared Riley’s name, yahooing for all of Australia.
‘For Christ’s sake, that stumble is going to cost her a few points.’ Michael smacked the railing, drawing attention from unamused onlookers. Unruffled, he glared back at them.
Zane looked at the clock. Nineteen seconds, very well done. ‘She did her best, Michael, and at the very least she’s in one piece.’
‘For once, lay off her, would you?’ Emma said.
Pressing his phone to his ear, Michael turned his back to her and wandered off in the opposite direction.
Zane tried to catch her eye, but her head was down and the shadow her hat was casting over her pretty face made it damn near impossible. A wave of tension assaulted his muscles. This should be a joyous moment, but as usual, Michael had stolen it from her with his obnoxious attitude. He placed his hand on her back. ‘You right, Em?’
‘Yup, all good, just calming myself before I head over to Riley … She’ll be upset enough without my baggage to go with it.’
She glanced over to where Michael was walking in circles, his brows furrowed. Whoever he was speaking to on the phone was clearly, but unfairly, more important to him than going to congratulate Riley.
‘She’s right, you know, she’d be much better off without him here, harassing her. All he damn well does is upset her.’
‘And you,’ Zane added.
‘Yeah, and me,’ Emma said, as if reminding herself.
‘Let’s go and tell her what a great job she’s done, hey?’
Straightening her shoulders, Emma smiled past the sadness in her eyes. ‘Yup, let’s do it.’
Zane hated seeing her so rattled, and he gathered Riley was going to be the same, if not worse. With determined steps, he headed over to where she would be, Emma right beside him. He spotted her at the water trough, still in the saddle while Boomerang helped himself to a well-deserved drink. Her shoulders slumped, Riley’s expression was the epitome of wretchedness.
‘There she is, the barrel-racing champion,’ Zane said as brightly as he could.
Riley turned to face them. ‘Hey, not likely, but thanks for the vote of confidence.’ She twirled Boomerang’s mane around her fingers as the angry glint in her eyes softened.
Emma placed her hand on Riley’s thigh and looked up at her. ‘Whatever the outcome, you did so well out there today, sweetheart.’
Zane tipped his hat. ‘My bloody oath you did.’
Riley’s gloomy face showed signs of a smile. ‘Thanks, I have a very talented partner; he didn’t get the name Boomerang for nothing.’ The smile finally broke through – the action small, but it warmed Zane’s heart.
‘Can’t give Boomerang all the credit, Riley, you played a big part in that too.’ Wanting to take her into his arms so he could hug her hurt away, he shoved his hands in his jeans’ pockets instead. ‘Nineteen seconds is a brilliant time. You did really well.’
She leant in and gave Boomerang’s neck a stroke. ‘Yeah, but it wasn’t good enough. I don’t think I’ll be getting a ribbon today.’ Her smile all but faded.
‘Hey, don’t you be so hard on yourself.’ Zane’s throat almost closed over with emotion. ‘When I’m bull riding, I try and focus on the fact I give it my all, and that’s all I can expect from myself. Whatever the outcome is, that’s the way it’s meant to be. I’m just grateful for the ride and the exhilaration it gives me.’
Riley considered this for a few moments and then nodded. ‘I like your way of thinking, Uncle Zane.’
Emma smiled in his direction. ‘Yeah, me too.’
Zane felt Michael’s presence behind him before the man even opened his mouth. The look on Riley’s face was one of apprehension. Emma’s was stormy – the mother bear protecting her cub.
Stepping past Zane, Michael stopped short of Emma. ‘I’m going now, Riley. I’ve got to get back to the head office in Cairns and catch up on some work.’
‘Okay then.’ Riley fiddled with the reins. ‘Thanks for coming.’
‘I’ll give you a call during the week.’ Michael stepped forward and Riley leant down and gave him a kiss.
‘Zane, Emma,’ Michael said, his voice terse, as he stepped past them and strode away.
A spark of anger lit in Zane’s gut as he watched Michael disappear around the back of a trailer.
Riley’s eyes watering, she blinked quickly. ‘I’m going to take Boomerang back over to the float and unsaddle him.’
‘I’ll come and help you, love.’ Emma looked to Zane. ‘We’ll meet you back at home, if you like.’
Zane nodded and then tipped his hat. That was clearly his cue to give them some girly time. ‘Chow for now, my brown cows.’
Riley eyed him for a few seconds and then cracked up laughing, enticing Emma into side-splitting laughter too. Zane chuckled, but didn’t know what was so damn funny. He held his hands up in question. ‘Did I miss something?’
Emma wiped happy tears from her eyes, and Riley sucked in a breath and tried her best to answer. ‘Your sayings are so old school they’re kinda cool. But far out, they’re funny, Uncle Zane.’
‘Like I said, I’m a groover from way back.’ He grinned playfully. ‘The grooviest groover in FNQ, I might add.’
‘Nope, more like the grooviest groover that ever lived,’ Emma added with a warm smile. ‘Come on, love, let’s go get Boomerang cooled off, hey?’
‘Yup, groovy Mum,’
Riley said, her playful smile warming Zane’s heart.
As Emma strolled past, she offered him a knee-buckling smile. ‘Thank you,’ she whispered.
Watching her walk away, heat shot through him like a bullet fired from his heart. Damn, she was beautiful. His eyes on the sway of her hips, he found it hard to look anywhere else. Her sexy, well-worn jeans and silky top added to her allure. She had always made him very conscious of being a hot-blooded male, but even more so right this very second. He had to force himself to turn around and put one dusty boot in front of the other, towards his LandCruiser, and towards the place she’d just called home. He liked the sound of that very much.
CHAPTER 17
A striking bay mare trotted back and forth, her tail high in the air, and in the adjacent enclosure a proud Arabian pranced along the fence line, his hooves striking the earth with thuds as he showed off to his lady neighbour. This was living, Emma thought with a contented sigh – no hustle and bustle, no traffic fumes, no high-rises, just peace and tranquillity wrapped up in Mother Nature’s gloriousness. With the top of her Land Rover down, and her arm resting on the window, the breeze cooled her face as she drove leisurely past the lush paddocks that seemed to stretch on into the never never. Her attention turned to the horses up on the rise; it appeared each of them was enjoying the last of the sun’s rays on their backs. She loved this part of the day, when the dusk was hinting its arrival, the day’s work was completed, and she could take a few moments to slow down and be grateful for Serendipity’s beauty. Having officially owned it for almost a year now, after her parents signed it over to her, she still had to pinch herself – it was a dream come true.
Covered from head to toe in sweat and dust, she felt a sense of accomplishment as she parked under the side awning of the shed. Climbing out with Tiny launching out behind her, she paused to ease out her lower back; the three hours she’d just spent shoeing the agisted horses, one of the mares obstinate and grumpy about being shod, had taken their toll. With Riley staying at Jasmine’s place for the night, a warm soak in a magnesium bath with a good glass of red was definitely on the cards. She hadn’t pulled anything out for dinner, so it would be something slapped together at the last minute. Cheese and biscuits, or eggs on toast – both dishes her bachelorette’s saving grace.
Wandering towards the chook pen, she called her seven girls and Peking, and like the good feathered friends they were, they came running from every direction, clucking as if to let her know they were on their way home, with Peking right beside them. She was just latching the pen door shut when a meow caught her attention. Kat was balancing on top of Boomerang, massaging the horse with her paws. It was a sight that had to be seen to be believed, and had got over ten thousand views when she’d shared it on her Facebook page a few years back. The hype had even caught the attention of Sunrise and in a fleeting mention by the host, Kat and Boomerang had had their fifteen seconds of fame. In a world of absolute bliss, Boomerang was leaning against the railings, his back leg resting and his head drooping while Kat worked her magic.
Smiling, Emma ditched the idea of heading straight home for a beer and wandered over to rest against the rustic timber fence of the homestead paddock, her boot up on the bottom rung. In a world of her own, until her mobile chimed from her back pocket. Jumping to attention, she plucked it out. It was a message from Renee.
Hey, Em, just checking in on how it’s all going with Zane there? I’m dying to know.
She quickly typed a message back. Pretty good, why don’t you and Jackson come over for a barbeque tonight, and we can yak about it in person?
She had the makings of a potato and garden salad, and she knew Renee would be more than happy to pick up some snags from the local IGA on the way over.
A reply bubble popped up instantly. It’s a date, gurrrrl. What should I bring?
Some meat, if you don’t mind, and I’ll cover the salads.
Done. See you in about an hour.
Thanks. Can’t wait, love you Rennie.
Love you, too, Em. Xo
The magnesium bath might have to wait until tomorrow night. Oh well, friends, good times and a couple of drinks would help her all but forget about her aching back. Catching sight of her owner, Kat leapt off Boomerang’s back and scuttled towards Emma, rubbing against her leg when she reached her, begging to be loved and fed. Leaning over, Emma scooped her up and cuddled her to her chest, giving Kat a good scratch around the neck and behind the ears. Her eyes rolling shut, Kat purred like a generator while Emma watched Boomerang making a mad dash around the paddock, buck a few times, and then find one of the only patches of dirt to roll onto his back.
‘Hey, you bugger, Riley only just groomed you this morning,’ she called out, shaking her head.
‘Bloody typical, huh.’ Zane’s voice came from behind, startling her.
She hadn’t even heard him pull up. Her heart sped with the thought of being near him. Kat leapt from her arms as Emma turned and glanced over her shoulder, the cheeky smile that claimed her lips completely out of her control. There he was, the man she’d arm wrestled with, cried with, laughed with, made love with just once but could recall every gasp, every shudder; the man she was keeping so much hidden from. His hat was pulled low over his eyes, his face a little grubby from the day’s workout fixing some of her fencing. He looked so deliciously good.
‘Howdy.’ Lifting his sunglasses to the top of his hat, he smiled like butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth, but she knew better, way better. He looked her up and down. ‘Dirty suits you, Em.’
Although she knew she looked a right state, his compliment fanned the fire already burning deep within her soul. She ached to tell him he looked edible, but held back. ‘Ha, yeah, right. I always do my best to dress for the occasion.’ As he came closer, she noticed blood on his sleeve. ‘Shit, what did you do to yourself?’ She stepped forward and carefully grabbed his arm, looking at the deep gash on his forearm.
‘Oh, it’s nothing. Just got caught up on some barbed wire … all good.’
‘Have you had a tetanus shot lately?’
‘About a year ago.’ He rolled his sleeve back down. ‘Don’t worry, I’m sure I’ll live.’
‘I’m a mother, it’s in my DNA to worry.’ She took a full breath and caught his eyes falling to where her breasts momentarily strained against her shirt.
He quickly looked back to her face, and grinned. ‘You’ve always been a worry wart, Em, motherhood has nothing to do with it.’
‘Oi, that’s enough with the digs, Mister-I-can’t-help-but-overthink-the crap-out-of-everything.’
He mocked offence and then laughed it off. ‘I reckon I might have to get you one of those wooden spoons for Christmas too.’ He saddled up beside her on the fence. ‘You know, the one that reads Head Shit Stirrer. Except yours will be Assistant Shit Stirrer.’
‘Deal.’ She turned to give him a grin. He was so tempting – all bad boy on the outside but with a good man’s heart. ‘I invited Renee and her new man over for a barbeque tonight? Like to join us?’
‘Burnt snags smothered in tomato sauce, count me in.’ His smile was so big and warm Emma felt its heat flood her body. ‘What do you want me to bring?’
‘Maybe some beer?’
He nodded. ‘I reckon I can do that.’
‘And seeing as you’re the man of the place at the moment, you can hold fort at the barbeque with Jackson, while us gals make the salads.’
‘You bloody ripper.’ He rubbed his hands together. ‘I love having a pair of tongs in one hand and a beer in the other,’ he said. ‘When’s Riley back from Jasmine’s?’
‘She’s sleeping over there tonight. They’ve decided to have a Channing Tatum movie marathon in their PJs.’
‘That’ll do her the world of good.’
‘It will. She and Jasmine are like sisters.’ She sighed, shaking her head with the memories. ‘They met in kindergarten, and were joined at the hip, until they fell out when Riley started hanging around her di
ckhead ex-boyfriend and his loser mates, but now they’ve broken up, she and Jasmine are besties again. I’m glad, because Jasmine’s a respectable girl, and a good influence on Riley.’
‘I’m pleased to hear it. Being a teenager is tough enough without having the wrong kind of people around you.’ He tapped the railing and straightened up. ‘Right, I better go run through the dip and get scrubbed up for dinner.’ He smiled. ‘I’m looking forward to a good Aussie barby.’
‘Yup, me too.’ She gave his back a friendly pat as they headed away from the paddock. ‘Thanks for helping out with the fencing today.’
He flashed her a smile. ‘Least I can do, considering as I’m staying here. Besides, I’d go nuts sitting around doing nothing all day.’
‘You and me both.’ She waved him off; the thought of climbing beneath a hot shower made her almost run up the front steps of the homestead.
Two hours later, and the stereo Zane had set up on the back verandah was pumping out one classic country tune after another. Taking a sip from her second margarita, the first one having gone down way too easily, Emma licked the salt from her lips. Shuffling up to the sink, she did a little jiggle beside Renee, who was busy rinsing dishes and popping them into the dishwasher. Renee tapped hips with her, laughing as she tossed a handful of suds her way.
‘You sure you don’t want to stay for the night? I can make up the spare room.’
Renee threw back the last of her cocktail. ‘With the rate we’re going with the bevvies, we might have to, hun.’ She held up her empty glass. ‘I think we better make ourselves another before we head outside.’
‘Oh, yeah, girlfriend,’ Emma said with a cheeky grin.
In high spirits, and with cocktails made, she and Renee carried the potato and garden salads they’d just whipped up, along with two garlic breads Emma had found buried in her deep freeze, out to the table.