A Chance of Stormy Weather by Tricia Stringer

Author:Tricia Stringer
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises, Australia Pty Ltd

CHAPTER

15

“Good morning,” Dan’s warm lips nuzzled at Paula’s ear and she opened her eyes. He was leaning over the bed smiling at her. The inviting aroma of toast and coffee wafted in the air.

“Good morning to you.” She smiled and kissed him before he straightened up. A breakfast tray sat on the table beside the bed.

“I’m sorry about last night.” His face was full of concern. “I hope I wasn’t too obnoxious.”

She smiled at him. He was wearing his work clothes and that serious air surrounded him again. “Well, you make a pretty useless drunk.” She pulled back the covers and patted the bed. “But you could make it up to me.”

He leaned down and kissed her. The prickles from his usually clean-shaven chin brushed against her cheek. She wrapped her arms around his neck and breathed in the fresh smell of his recently showered skin but he gently pulled away.

“I’m sorry, Sweet Pea, I have to go out.”

“But it’s Sunday.”

“I know. Tom’s picking me up. I’ve arranged to help Fred Martin move some stock and there are a few jobs I promised Rowena I’d do.”

Paula watched him cross the room. He always had something to do. She didn’t think she could face another day alone. She sat up, the chilly air seeping in around the edges of the covers. “We need more wood. The pile is empty.” She pulled the doona tighter around her.

“Really?” He looked back. “Already?”

Paula frowned. “It’s been so cold. How else do you expect me to keep warm?”

“I didn’t realise the pile was getting low.”

“Just tell me where you keep more. I can get it.”

“We have a ready source but it’s scattered all over the property.”

Paula stared at him. “You mean I have to go looking for it?”

He smiled. “I tell you what. You eat some breakfast. I should only be an hour or so. Then, once I’ve got the dual cab back I’ll come and get you. I wouldn’t mind an offsider and we can collect some wood while we’re at it.” He winked and left. She listened to the sound of his bootless feet creaking down the passage. Then he called to her, “And don’t be too long. I’ve been entertaining Fang here, but I think he’s looking for you.”

Paula heard a little bark and then the passage door shut. Her spirits lifted. She had forgotten the pup for the moment. They really would have to think of a name for him. She stepped out of bed onto the mat, pulled on her dressing-gown and took a sip of the coffee Dan had left. Come on girl, lesson number one hundred and sixty-four, there’s always work to be done on a farm.

Dan had come back for Paula as promised and they had set off across the property checking stock and loading up wood as they went. He had a chainsaw and used it to cut up old branches along the edge of a scrubby section where he’d made piles of dead wood. Each time he started up the chainsaw, the pup had cowered in Paula’s arms.

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