Breakaway Creek. Heather Garside

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СКАЧАТЬ heated. She mentally listed his attributes: competent and physically strong, yet gentle, kind and honourable. Perhaps he didn't have money or possessions, but he was everything she wanted in a man, and the miracle was he seemed to feel the same way about her.

      She took the position at the back of the herd. Her job involved urging along the smallest calves and trying to coax their hovering, protective mothers to follow the mob. One of the cows came back to find her offspring, bellowing anxiously and sniffing calf after calf until she found the right one. Then she stood over it, facing Emma and tossing her head at her. Nerves leaping in apprehension, Emma quickly retreated, unsure how to deal with the situation.

      Alex must have witnessed her dilemma and cantered back.

      'Don't let her get the better of you.'

      Yelling at the belligerent cow, he spurred his horse aggressively towards her. Intimidated, the beast retreated into the depths of the mob, her calf at her heels.

      'You make it look so easy.' Feeling at once chagrined and grateful, Emma made an effort to smile. 'I thought she was about to charge me.'

      'She probably would, if you let her. The trick is to let her know who's boss.' Emma supposed her face reflected her doubt, for he returned her smile. 'I'll handle her. You're doing well for your first muster.'

      It was a day Emma wouldn't forget in a hurry. As the hours went by they met up with the remainder of the party, who added cattle to the mob until it seemed huge to her inexperienced eyes. When they stopped at a shady waterhole and boiled their quart-pots for lunch, the break was a welcome chance to ease her stiffening muscles. The men were chivalrous, allowing her to rest while they took turns to check any wandering stock.

      As they set to pushing the mob towards the homestead, Emma became immersed in swirling dust, heat, flies and bawling cattle. By the time they finally reached the stockyards she drooped with exhaustion and her throat was harsh and gritty with thirst.

      Sitting at the kitchen table with Lucy, she slaked her craving with several glasses of cool rainwater from the tank and realised nothing had ever tasted so delicious. Her cousin was full of questions and, as Emma recounted the day's adventures, the myriad discomforts retreated to the background. She decided that she definitely wanted to do it again. The experience had been challenging and at times uncomfortable, but ultimately far more satisfying than home chores.

      A soak in a warm bath, to which she'd added a handful of soothing Epsom Salts, made her feel ready to face the world again. At dinner she had only to deal with George's teasing as he told Lucy about the cantankerous cow. But even then George didn't taunt her about her fall.

      She tried not to think about Alex at dinner, instead waiting until she was alone in bed to relive her memories. The image of him on his horse, looking tough and capable and handsome, thrilled her. But it was his tenderness and passion as he'd held her in his arms that totally disarmed her. Her blood pounded as she recalled their kisses and when she remembered his flattering concern, she decided that she no longer cared for her parents' approval.

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