Read Online An Outback Affair/Runaway Wife/Outback Bridegroom/Outback Surrender/Home To Eden by Margaret Way - Free Book Online Page A

under his freckled tan. “I don’t want you doin’ nuthin’. Besides, Zack is takin’ yah money.”
    Â 
    â€œWell, well, you made quite a conquest with Snowy,” Evan observed some thirty minutes later as the furniture van pulled away. “He’s got a giant crush on you already.”
    â€œI think I believe you!” Laura paused in her rearranging to smile. “He doesn’t seem at all suited to help Zack out in the business.”
    â€œFrom what Zack told me he’s been responsible for some major damage,” Evan answered dryly. “As a removalist Snowy seems a complete incompetent. I wonder if he could find work on one of the outlying stations. From all accounts he’s very good around horses. He told me he loves to be outdoors. I might have a word with Mitch Claydon. The Claydons—you’ll be meeting them—own Marjimba cattle station. The McQueens have always stuck to sheep—Australia produces the world’s finest wool—but Wunnamurra is only a small part of their business interests these days. They’re big. I can tell you that. You’ve heard about the McQueens from Sarah?”
    â€œNot a lot.” Laura settled a few cushions on the sofa, looked around for his approving nod. “Sarah has been too busy listening to me. I’ve met Kyall twice, when he’s called in to the house. What a splendid couple they make! Very obviously he’s deeply in love with Sarah, and she with him. But a few odd comments around the place have made me wonder if there’s some secret family business. Sarah keeps hinting I might hear something soon.”
    â€œWell, then…” He shrugged, pushing a small bookcase against the wall. “It’s no secret Sarah doesn’t get on with Kyall’s grandmother, Ruth McQueen.”
    â€œI gathered that. She’s a formidable lady?”
    â€œThat doesn’t say it.” His handsome mouth compressed. Ruth McQueen, matriarch of that powerful family had all but repelled him on their few encounters. In her seventies and still a striking-looking woman; it was more to do with heraura. He’d met people like Ruth McQueen in his other life. Ruthless people. People one didn’t cross with impunity.
    â€œBut Sarah will be part of the family?” Laura turned as she spoke, making a forlorn little gesture with her hands.
    â€œYes,” he agreed—like Laura, thinking of its implications. He let his eyes linger on her. He had to realize he was becoming too protective of her on some deep elemental level. Maybe it was her size. He towered over her. Maybe it was her inherent sensitivity, her vulnerability?
    â€œSarah did tell you she and Kyall have been bonded since childhood? Apparently it’s been quite a love story. Everyone in town knows about it. I expect you do too.”
    â€œWe haven’t really caught up. Sarah’s determined to help me.”
    â€œDo what?”
    â€œFind my feet, I suppose.” She sank onto the deep yellow sofa, colourful crushed velvet cushions piled all around her. “Sarah is such a strong person. I’m very wobbly compared to her.”
    He shifted the coffee table a fraction, then took the armchair opposite her. His back was to the sunshine that streamed into the room. It danced around her in golden beams. “We’ve all got wobbly areas, Laura. I think Sarah, for all her inner strength, carries a few burdens. She’ll have them for some time while Ruth McQueen is around.”
    â€œBut in the end the most tremendous thing is she’ll have Kyall’s love and support. One only has to see them together to know their marriage will work.”
    â€œAnd you’re very fearful yours won’t?”
    â€œWhat do you mean?” Her heart suddenly pounded, though she did her best to hide her agitation.
    â€œI thought that was clear,” he answered mildly, thoroughly aware of the change in her.