Page 20 of Whispers of Sweetwater

Sherlock was the first to stir from his bed at the corner of the room, his tail thumping softly against the floorboards as he stretched himself to doggy life. Then, with a cute little growly moan, he padded over to the edge of the bed and let out a low, hopeful whine.

Brianna shifted under the covers with her dark hair fanned across the pillow like silk. ‘I know, mate,’ she murmured, her voice husky from sleep. ‘You want your morning treat.’ She grinned at the way his ears peaked at the word treat. ‘It’s way past our usual breakfast time, huh.’

She sat up slowly, rubbing her eyes, blinking against the soft light filling the room. Outside, birds were already calling to one another from the trees, and the sweet scent of the blooming jasmine bush surrounding the lower corner of the cottage drifted through the open windows. She tugged on her fluffy robe and padded, blissfully barefoot, into the kitchen. Grabbing the treats container, she tossed Sherlock a dental chew to tide him over and set about making coffee. As the machine hissed to life, she leant against the counter, arms crossed, eyes drawn to the window above the sink. The familiar view greeted her – dew-slick buffalo grass, tinkling wind chimes hung from the canopy of a magnificent crepe myrtle tree, and the gentle rise of hills beyond, stretching towards the horizon like folded green linen.

And then, like clockwork, her thoughts drifted to Hayden, and how she hadn’t heard from him for five days. She had popped in twice, to check on Bella, Maverick and Diesel – all three horses were doing fabulously, but Hayden had been nowhere to be seen. On her second visit she’d bumped into Gavin, who’d seemed a little sheepish, compared to his usual demeanour. But then again, maybe she was seeing things that weren’t even there. And she knew she should be relieved that her association with Hayden was proving to be purely business, with a spot of friendship thrown in for good measure. That’s what she wanted, and she needed to keep it that way. She didn’t want her thoughts to keep drifting to him and his charming ways, not really. She’d made promises to herself. No distractions. No complications. Especially not with a man like him. But there he was, cruising effortlessly through her thoughts anyway. And in the space between sips of her double-shot coffee, she recalled the way her skin buzzed when their knees had brushed under the pub table, and that quiet moment at his place after the emergency, drinking coffee as the sun lifted off the paddocks. That had been the last time she’d seen him. She could still picture the lines around his eyes when he smiled and hear the surprising softness in his voice whenever he said her name, and especially when he shortened it.

‘Mmm.’ It was an involuntary sound that escaped her lips.

Stop this, Brianna Steele, right this very second.

It shouldn’t be going anywhere. It couldn’t.

And yet, here she was, toying with a very stupid idea.

Exhaling a weighty sigh, she moved to the lounge, and Sherlock hopped up beside her like a loyal shadow. Her phone, discarded on the side table as she’d padded to the kitchen in search of caffeine, buzzed against the timber top. She quickly picked it up, relieved and happy to find her mum’s name flashing on the screen.

She smiled softly as she accepted the call. ‘Morning, Mum.’

‘Morning, sweetheart. I hope I didn’t wake you?’

‘You didn’t, I’ve been up for half an hour or so. It’s lovely, having my first morning off since I’ve been here.’

‘Well, I won’t keep you long then.’ There was a pause, and Brianna could picture Nina now, probably seated on the back verandah of her Riverstone Ridge homestead, a mug of tea in hand, her gaze fixed on the garden she loved so much. ‘I just had a feeling you might need a voice from home, is all.’

Brianna’s chest squeezed gently at the truth in those words. ‘You always seem to know.’

Nina’s voice grew warmer, softer. ‘How are you going, love? I mean, really going?’

‘I’m good,’ Brianna said, and it wasn’t a lie. Not really. ‘Work’s full on. But I feel … settled. More than I expected to in such a short amount of time.’

‘That’s good.’ Nina didn’t rush her next words. ‘And what about this Hayden fella you mentioned when you first got there; have you had much more to do with him?’

‘Other than checking in on his horses, not really.’ Brianna hesitated, knowing exactly what her mum was getting at. ‘I didn’t mean to come across as though he was a person you should recall.’ Oh, far out, could she sound any more suspicious?

‘Isn’t that just a fancy way of saying he’s someone I fancied, but now I’m not sure, or maybe I do, but I don’t want to?’

A beat passed before Brianna laughed, albeit quietly. ‘Possibly. Most women would agree that he’s an attractive sort of bloke. He’s kind. And sharp. And he’s got this way with animals that feels, well, it feels familiar, you know?’

‘Like someone who sees things the same way as you do.’

Brianna smiled into her phone. ‘Yes. That’s exactly it.’

Nina was quiet for a few seconds, and then she said gently, ‘Just be careful, darling. You’ve got such a good thing going. You’re building something beautiful there, and I’d hate for anyone to steer you off course.’

‘I know.’ Brianna’s hand reached for Sherlock’s soothing coat.

‘I’m sorry to play devil’s advocate.’ Nina inhaled sharply, then exhaled a little slower. ‘I’m not saying don’t feel it, because you can’t control the way your heart pitter-patters around a bloke. I’m just saying, make sure it’s earned, and after a long while of getting to know someone, that’s all.’

That advice landed. Deep and true.

Brianna sank back against the cushions, her fingers now lightly brushing Sherlock’s soft ears. ‘Thanks, Mum. I really needed to hear that.’

‘You’re welcome. I’ll always have your back, love.’ Her tone became lighter. ‘Now go enjoy that rare morning off, and give Sherlock a kiss from me and Dad, won’t you.’

‘I will, and say hi to Dad for me, when he gets back from his shift down the station.’ Brianna’s heart squeezed with a wave of homesickness. ‘Love you, lots.’

‘Love you too, sweetheart.’