A Stranger in Featherwood Falls by Heather Reyburn

Author:Heather Reyburn
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Heather Reyburn

16

Ginny rested her elbow on the open window and, with the fresh winter breeze filling the cab, she breathed deeply. The man sitting beside her filled the ute with more than just his solid presence. His huge hands rested lightly in his lap and a feeling of exhilaration wafted over her, despite the restlessness of the dogs on the back tray of the ute.

‘Magnificent views over the valley.’ Kirk’s comment broke the silence, and Ginny smiled.

‘I know. I love it. It gives me a sense of freedom.’ She chuckled. ‘I’m a bit of a sook when it comes to small places and confinement.’

‘Huh. I sympathise. Claustrophobic myself. Guess that’s why I prefer outdoor work.’

She pulled up at the gate and Kirk leapt out to open it. The dogs leaned toward the edge of the tray in anticipation.

‘Stay!’ Ginny ordered, and all five dropped to their bellies again.

She drove through the opening, casting her gaze around the paddock of ewes and lambs while she waited for Kirk to close the gate again. Everything appeared normal. The lambs were now big enough to graze alongside their mothers.

‘They look great, don’t they?’ Kirk slid back into his seat, shooting Ginny a respectful glance.

She smiled and changed gear. ‘Yes. I usually start giving them extra feed from about the end of July. For the moment, though, there’s still plenty of grass.’

They bumped across the track for the next half hour, pausing to open and shut gates and check water troughs, periods of companionable silence alternating with easy conversation between them.

‘How are your girls?’ Kirk’s question surprised Ginny—and yet his interest in her personal life warmed her.

She chuckled. ‘They’re both coping pretty well in the circumstances. When Briony rang a few days ago, she was so down in the dumps I was worried about her. The remote hotel she works in has all but closed and the remaining staff haven’t received a wage—and probably won’t until they reopen.’

‘Ouch. That’s tough.’ Kirk grimaced.

‘True. I pointed out that at least she had free board and food, which is more than many others around the world—not that it helped. Briony had finished the call and hung up.’ Ginny grinned. ‘I know her though. Her next call will probably be euphoric … at least I hope so anyway.’

They reached a crest facing west, and Ginny halted on the ridge overlooking the farthest portion of Featherwood’s land. In front of them, black Angus cattle grazed, spread across the vast pasture.

Ginny narrowed her eyes. Indicating the glove compartment in front of Kirk, she said, ‘Would you mind getting the binoculars out for me, please?’

He passed them to her with a questioning angle to his head. ‘Is everything alright?’

‘Not sure. There seem too many cattle here. There should be a hundred and twenty-four. The remaining sixteen that weren’t in calf went back to the bulls. They should be on the other side of those trees, closer to the yards.’ She pointed to a row of dark pines in the distance before holding the binoculars to her eyes.

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