My sixteenth birthday, Hayley said. My grandfather was never one for birthday celebrations. Hed shove money into my hand and tell me not to spend it on silly things. And then, he gave me Molly and I thought everything had changed.
You rode her over to Kerry Creek to show me. You looked so happy, I thought youd burst. You immediately challenged me to a race.
Which I won, as I remember.
Which I let you win, since it was your birthday. You were such a wild child. Looking back, I wonder how you managed to survive to adulthood. Remember when you were determined to jump the gate near the shack? You were sure Molly could do it. You even bet me my new saddle against your Christmas money.
That wasnt my finest hour, Hayley admitted, wincing.
She stopped dead and threw you right over the gate. It took a full minute for the dust to clear from your fall. And what about that time you decided to try bull riding?
Another embarrassing failure, she said with a giggle. But at least I tried. You didnt.
You were crazy. But I thought you were the most exciting girl Id ever seen. You were absolutely fearless. He paused, then reached out and touched her face. Whats going on here, Hayley?
She turned away, staring out at the horizon. What do youI dont know what you mean. Was he talking about the kiss? About the attraction that they still obviously felt for each other?
Look at this place. Its a bloody mess. Hes feeding your horse moldy grain. And she doesnt look like shes been exercised or groomed in weeks. Your grandfather used to take such pride in the place.
II didnt know it was getting this bad, she said, grateful that she wouldnt have to analyze the kiss. I havent been home for three years. I thought Benny McKenzie was taking care of everything. I was sending money and they were cashing the checks. But then, I spoke to Daisy Willey last week and she told me Bennys mother had taken sick and Benny had left to tend to her. Hes been gone a month. But this couldnt have all happened in a month.
What about the other stockmen?
There are no others. My grandfather ran them all off. He thought they were lazy and not worth their pay. And when there was no one left to care for the stock, he sold it. Molly is the last animal on Wallaroo, besides the rabbits and kangaroos and dingoes. She forced a smile. Im going to try to convince him to sell the station. Or maybe lease out the land. His health is bad, hes still smoking and he hasnt been to a doctor since I came to live on the station thirteen years ago.
Youre not going to get him off this station, Teague said.
I have to try, she said, her voice tinged with resignation. And if I succeed, I want you to take Molly and find her a good home.
Teague nodded. But until then, Ill bring some decent feed from Kerry Creek when I stop by tomorrow to check on her.
Youre coming back? Hayley asked, unable to ignore the rush of excitement that made her heart flutter. Shed see him again. And maybe this time, she wouldnt be weeping uncontrollably.
Follow-up visit, he said. Its part of the service.
Joy welled up inside her and Hayley couldnt help but smile. Her arrival on Wallaroo had brought nothing but sorrow. And though she knew it would be best to get her grandfather off the station, shed thought that selling the land would cut her last connection with the boy shed once loved.
Now that connection was alive again. He was here with her, touching her and kissing her and making her feel as though they might be able to turn back the clock. Thank you, she said again.
You need to exercise her, Teague suggested. Easy at first. A nice gentle walk. You could always ride out to the shack. Thats not too far.
Surprised by the suggestion, Hayley couldnt help but wonder if it was an invitation. The shack had been their secret meeting place when they were teenagers. The place where theyd discovered the pleasures of sex.
Maybe Ill do that.
I mean, I dont know how long youre planning to stay, but
I dont know, either, Hayley said. My plans areflexible. A week or two, at least.
This seemed to make him happy. He looked at his watch. I really should go. Dont feed her tonight. Just water. Ill see you tomorrow.
She quickly stood up, wanting him to stay but unable to give him a good reason. Tomorrow, she repeated. Hayley glanced down, wincing inwardly. There were so many things she needed to say, but now didnt seem like the right time. She looked up to find him staring at her. And then, acting purely on impulse, she pushed up onto her toes and kissed his cheek.
She slowly retreated, embarrassed that shed shown him a hint of the emotions roiling inside her. But then, an instant later, Teague crushed her to his chest, his mouth coming down on hers in a desperate kiss.
In a heartbeat, her body came alive, her pulse quickening and her senses awash with desire. He was so familiar, and yet this was much more powerful than shed remembered. Her knees wobbled but he was there to hold her.
They stumbled until she was pressed against the rough siding of the stable. His hands drifted lower, cupping her backside and pulling her hips against his. Hayley felt herself losing touch with reality. How many times had she dreamed of this moment? Over the years, shed wondered what it might be like if they saw each other again. And now, the time had come and she wanted to remember every single second, every wild sensation.
Hayley clutched his shirt, fighting the urge to tear at the buttons. She wanted nothing more than to shed her clothes and allow him to have his way with her. She knew, just by the effects of his kiss, what he could do to her. It had been so long since shed felt such unbridled passion. Was Teague the man shed been waiting for all this time?
His palm slid beneath her shirt and up to her bare breast and she arched closer. Cupping her warm flesh, Teague ran his thumb over her nipple until it grew hard. God, it felt so good to have his hands on her body again. All the years between them seemed to drop away and the world was right again.
Hayley worked at the buttons of his shirt and when she pressed her hand against his chest, she could feel his heart pounding in a furious rhythm. Make love to me, she pleaded.
Her plea seemed to take him by surprise and he stepped back and stared down into her eyes, as if searching for proof that shed spoken at all. She saw confusion mixed with his desire. Had she made a mistake? Had she moved too fast?
Hayley! Where are you, girl?
The sound of her grandfathers voice shocked her into reality. She quickly straightened her clothes and brushed her hair from her eyes. Here, she called.
Teague reached for the buttons of his shirt as she turned to wait for her grandfather in the doorway of the stable. Were watching Molly, she said with a bright smile. Shes better. See?
He stepped out into the late-afternoon sun, shading his eyes as he searched the paddock. His eyesight had been failing for years, yet he refused to get glasses. Sometimes his stubbornness was downright silly, she mused. At this moment, though, it was convenient. Wheres that damn vet?
Im here, sir.
Hayley steeled herself for what she knew would be a litany of harsh words between them. A Quinn setting foot on Wallaroo was unthinkable. Grandfather, I dont think
Whats your name, boy? he demanded.
Teague glanced at Hayley, sending her a questioning look and she frowned. Hayley quickly cleared her throat, stunned that her grandfather hadnt recognized Teague. His name is Tom, she said. Tom Barrett.
It was the name of one of the characters on Castle Cove, but her grandfather had never seen the program so there wasnt much chance of him recognizing the name.
Dr. Tom Barrett, Teague said, holding out his hand.
How much is this going to cost me, Dr. Tom Barrett? her grandfather asked impatiently, ignoring Teagues hand.
Dont worry, Harry, Hayley replied. Ill pay for it. Molly is my horse. My responsibility.
Suit yourself, the old man muttered. He squinted into the sun, then said something under his breath before turning and walking into the barn. Hayley released a tightly held breath. He didnt recognize you.
No, Teague said. Good thing, since he was waiting on the porch with a rifle when I arrived.
She laughed softly, then shook her head. I knew his eyesight was bad, but not that bad. For a second there, I thought Id have to break up a fistfight.
I think I could have taken him, Teague said. He slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her close. Meet me tonight, he said. Ill wait for you at the shack.
Im not sure I remember how to get there.
Therell be a moon. He pointed toward the east paddock. Ill meet you right there at the far gate. Just like we used to. Nine oclock. Well ride over together. Molly needs the exercise.
Never mind what Molly needed, she thought to herself. Hayley needed the touch of Teagues hands and the taste of his mouth, the feel of his body against hers. What if I cant get away?
Its all right, he said. Ive been waiting for almost ten years. Another night isnt going to make much difference. With that, he kissed her again, only this time he lingered over her mouth, softly tempting her with his tongue.
A sigh slipped from her lips and Hayley lost herself in the sweet seduction. Every instinct she had cried out to surrender to him, to be completely and utterly uninhibited with her feelings. Tonight, Hayley said.
He stole one last kiss, then walked backward into the stable, a wide grin on his face. I sure am glad to see you again, Hayley Fraser.
At that moment, he looked like the boy shed loved all those years ago. Stop smiling at me, she shouted, a familiar demand from their younger years.
Why shouldnt I smile? I like what I see. He picked up his bag and the crate of supplies and continued his halfhearted retreat.
She rubbed her upper arms, her gaze still fixed on his. When he finally disappeared through the door on the opposite end of the stable, Hayley sighed softly. Shed never expected to feel this way again, like a lovesick teenager existing only for the moments she spent with him.
She knew exactly what would happen between them that night and she had no qualms about giving herself to Teague. Of all the men shed dated, he was the only one shed ever really loved. And though time and distance had come between them, they were together now. And she was going to take advantage of every moment they had.
2
WHAT DO YOU WANT to drink?
Teague glanced up from the plate that Mary had placed in front of him. Whatever youve got, he replied distractedly. Beer is good.
She opened the refrigerator and pulled out a bottle, then twisted off the cap with the corner of her apron. Mary had been keeping house at the station for years, hired a few short weeks after Teagues mother had decided that station life was not for her.
He took a long drink of the cold beer, then picked up his fork and dug in to the meal. Dinnertime at the station was determined by the sun. When it set, everyone ate. But Teague had missed the usual stampede of hungry jackaroos tonight. The return trip from Wallaroo had taken longer than hed planned after he stopped to fix a broken gate.
Where is everyone? he asked.
Mary shrugged. Brody took some dinner out to Payton earlier. And Callum and Gemma disappeared after they helped me with the dishes. They said they were going for a walk. She sat down at the end of the table and picked up her magazine.
Well? Teague said. Arent you going to offer your opinion? Ive met them both and they seem perfectly lovely.
She peered over the top of her magazine. They add a bit of excitement to life on the station, Ill give them that. At least for Brody and Cal.
Teague chuckled. Women will do that.
Women could do a lot of things to an unsuspecting man. Since hed left Hayley at Wallaroo, his thoughts had been focused intently on what had happened between them. Hed replayed all the very best moments in his head, over and over again. The instant that hed first touched her. The kiss theyd shared. And then the headlong leap into intimacy. His fingers twitched as he thought about the firm warmth of her breast in his palm. Theres nothing wrong with a little excitement every now and then, is there?
What about you? Mary asked, slowly lowering the magazine. Have you had any excitement in your life lately?
Teague glanced up. Excitement? He chuckled softly. Are you asking me if Ive cleared the cobwebs in the recent past? Though Mary had served as a mother figure to the three Quinn brothers, she was a bit of a stickybeak, insisting that she know all the relevant facts regarding their personal lives. Not lately, but Ill let you know if my fortunes change.
She sighed. I want to see you boys happy and settled.
Why? he teased. So you can get off this godforsaken station and have a life of your own? Teague watched her smile fade slightly. Mary had always been such a fixture in their lives that theyd hardly considered she might want something beyond her job at the station.
He took another bite of his beef and potatoes, then grabbed a slice of bread and sopped up some of the gravy. You know, I think its about time you had a little holiday. Im going to talk to Callum about it. You could take a week or two and go visit your sister. Or go on a cruise. You could even rent a bungalow on the ocean. Get away from this lot of larrikins.
She shook her head. There are too many things to be done on the station this time of year. Besides, we have guests. Theres not a chance Id leave those ladies to your care. Now, eat your dinner before it gets cold. My program is on in a few minutes. She stood up and wiped her hands on her apron, then slipped it over her head and hung it across the back of her chair. Are you going to watch Castle Cove with me tonight?
Teague shook his head. No, I thought Id take a ride. Theres a full moon and I need to work off some excess energy. He pushed away from the table, then wiped his mouth on his serviette and tossed it beside his plate.
You barely ate any of your dinner, Mary commented.
Im not hungry. Save it for me. Ill eat later. He pulled his saddlebags from the chair next to him, then crossed to the refrigerator. Hed already put the necessitiesmatches, bottled water, condomsin the bags. He added a bottle of wine from the fridge and then tossed in a corkscrew from the drawer next to the sink. He and Hayley had never shared a drink before, but they were old enough now. Maybe she liked wine.