The Scent of Promise by Heather Reyburn

Author:Heather Reyburn
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780645123463
Publisher: Heather Reyburn

CHAPTER 16

Breathing a sigh of relief, Hannah threw back the bedcovers and opened the window. Cold air blasted through the room, and she hastily closed it again. At least it’s not raining.

Bolting her breakfast, Hannah ran through the day’s plan with her mother while she drained her mug.

“Don’t worry, love. I’ll be fine. You concentrate on getting the horses ready and I’ll nip over to the hay shed and bring the truck back here so I can pack a picnic lunch for us all. I’ll bring the dogs with me so they’re not worn out before you get there—and I promise I’ll meet you at the cattle yards at ten o’clock. Happy?”

Hannah gave Dawn a quick hug. “Of course. Thanks, Mum. Justin said he’d be here early, so I’m guessing that means he could be here any minute.” She grabbed her warm jacket from the hook by the door and pulled on her riding boots.

A series of snorts and whinnies greeted her as she neared the stables, and she laughed. “Good boys. I’ll give you some breakfast while I get you ready.”

She removed their rugs and groomed both geldings. Cruiser’s hair was fine and soft with a shine that brought out the gold flecks in his rich bay coat, whereas Monty’s was thick and much longer, requiring a stiff brush and currycomb. She lifted the saddle onto Monty’s back. A vehicle rumbled closer. Hannah’s pulse raced. It pulled into the yard and the engine stilled.

“I’m over here. In the stables!” Hannah yelled and waved from the railing.

Wrapped in a thick tartan jacket and with a woollen hat pulled down to his eyebrows, Justin waved back and strode toward her. Hannah glanced at his footwear, relieved to see sturdy boots with a heel.

“Here’s your trusty steed. His name’s Monty and he was Dad’s, so he’s used to having a man ride him. You shouldn’t have any trouble.”

“I’m sorry about your dad, Hannah. When did he pass away?”

“In March. It was a shock to us all. Cancer. An aggressive one.”

His face softened and he stepped toward her. She hastily pulled her riding helmet on and passed her father’s to Justin.

“You probably didn’t wear one of these in Aussie, but here, it has always been one of the most important rules, and I never ride without one.”

Justin nodded, pulling the woollen hat off and shoving it into his pocket. “Actually, we did. The station owner insisted on them. They’d had a few mishaps in the past and with litigation the way it is now, he didn’t want to take chances.” He wriggled the helmet over his thick, dark hair and raised his chin to adjust the strap. “Feels like your dad’s brains were about the same size as mine.”

Hannah grinned, closed the gate behind them, and led Cruiser alongside Monty. “Ready?”

“I reckon I am.”

This will be interesting. Hannah watched with surprise as Justin swung his leg over the saddle and picked up the reins as if he did it every day. Her eyes widened.

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