Read Online Cowboy Redemption (Down Under Cowboy Book 6) by Kasey Millstead - Free Book Online
Authors: Kasey Millstead
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through my hair and throw it up into a band before brushing my teeth and splashing some cool water on my face.
“Ready,” I announce, finding him still waiting outside my hut.
“You look beautiful.”
My cheeks heat. “Thank you.”
He takes my hand and together we walk over to the communal hall for breakfast. I feel as if everyone’s eyes are on us as we walk into the room, but as I glance around, I see no one is particularly interested in us. They all have their heads down and are eating or they are chatting to their table companions.
After loading our plates, we choose a table.
“Do you ever miss home?” I ask Kye as we eat our food.
“I miss my family and friends, but that’s about it.”
“That’s understandable. Do you think your family will come and visit you here?”
“Hope so. I’m trying to get them up here within the next few months. Dad would love the Barramundi fishing.”
“You should ask Jeremy to take you out in the helicopter. You can get to great spots that way.”
“Yeah, good idea.”
We finish off our food and meet everyone outside once again.
“I need you to split up into the same groups as yesterday. Group one, you’re with me first up. Let’s go,” I address the residents.
We walk down to the waterhole and immediately slip into the water to begin the lessons.
~*~
“Lookie who’s here! Good to see you again, love,” Skip says, giving me a kiss on the cheek. His prickly whiskers scrape against my skin and his breath smells like beer. Pure Skip. I hug him tight and peck his cheek back before pulling back.
“Good to see you, too, Skip.”
“I’ve been hoping I’d run into you. Rhonda and the kids are organizing a birthday party for me. Be honoured if you could come. Bring along that Kye, too. He seems like a good young fella. I’m happy for you, love.” He says the last part softer, sincerely, his eyes shining.
“I’d love to come! When is it?”
“Next Saturday night. It’s just a small get-together, here at the pub.”
“That sounds great. Thank you for inviting me. I’ll pass the invitation on to Kye and let you or Rhonda know.”
“Glad to hear it, love.”
“I better get going. I just popped in to get a bottle of wine. It’s been a long week.” I sigh.
“You look like you need a good sleep.”
“I do.” I laugh and take my purchase from the bar before waving goodbye and heading back out to the Retreat. I wasn’t lying when I said it had been a long week. Long, but extremely successful. The residents benefitted so much from both the swimming and cooking lessons that I hope Maria will let me run them more often, especially for the new residents we have come in.
On top of running two effective programs, we also said goodbye to a lot of our residents. In fact, by yesterday thirteen of them had left. Six were from the adults group and the remainder was from the kids. It is always hard to see them go, but I just pray they will apply the lessons we have taught them and stay on the right track to becoming better human beings. Our success rate is good, but occasionally we receive word that a former resident has re-offended and been sent to jail. It always makes me a little sad when that happens, almost as if we failed. On the other hand, though, I know we have also succeeded more times than not. The good outweighs the bad.
Kye and I have grown closer as well. We’ve spent so much time together this week, with the swimming lessons, that I find myself falling harder and faster every day. It is becoming a chore to remind myself constantly to take things slow and not fall back into bad habits. I am determined, though.
Tonight, I’m cooking dinner for him at my hut. I don’t have much in the way of a kitchen, so I placed a casserole in the camp oven this morning and I’m hoping it will be delicious by the time I pull it off the coals when I get back.
“Ready,” I announce, finding him still waiting outside my hut.
“You look beautiful.”
My cheeks heat. “Thank you.”
He takes my hand and together we walk over to the communal hall for breakfast. I feel as if everyone’s eyes are on us as we walk into the room, but as I glance around, I see no one is particularly interested in us. They all have their heads down and are eating or they are chatting to their table companions.
After loading our plates, we choose a table.
“Do you ever miss home?” I ask Kye as we eat our food.
“I miss my family and friends, but that’s about it.”
“That’s understandable. Do you think your family will come and visit you here?”
“Hope so. I’m trying to get them up here within the next few months. Dad would love the Barramundi fishing.”
“You should ask Jeremy to take you out in the helicopter. You can get to great spots that way.”
“Yeah, good idea.”
We finish off our food and meet everyone outside once again.
“I need you to split up into the same groups as yesterday. Group one, you’re with me first up. Let’s go,” I address the residents.
We walk down to the waterhole and immediately slip into the water to begin the lessons.
~*~
“Lookie who’s here! Good to see you again, love,” Skip says, giving me a kiss on the cheek. His prickly whiskers scrape against my skin and his breath smells like beer. Pure Skip. I hug him tight and peck his cheek back before pulling back.
“Good to see you, too, Skip.”
“I’ve been hoping I’d run into you. Rhonda and the kids are organizing a birthday party for me. Be honoured if you could come. Bring along that Kye, too. He seems like a good young fella. I’m happy for you, love.” He says the last part softer, sincerely, his eyes shining.
“I’d love to come! When is it?”
“Next Saturday night. It’s just a small get-together, here at the pub.”
“That sounds great. Thank you for inviting me. I’ll pass the invitation on to Kye and let you or Rhonda know.”
“Glad to hear it, love.”
“I better get going. I just popped in to get a bottle of wine. It’s been a long week.” I sigh.
“You look like you need a good sleep.”
“I do.” I laugh and take my purchase from the bar before waving goodbye and heading back out to the Retreat. I wasn’t lying when I said it had been a long week. Long, but extremely successful. The residents benefitted so much from both the swimming and cooking lessons that I hope Maria will let me run them more often, especially for the new residents we have come in.
On top of running two effective programs, we also said goodbye to a lot of our residents. In fact, by yesterday thirteen of them had left. Six were from the adults group and the remainder was from the kids. It is always hard to see them go, but I just pray they will apply the lessons we have taught them and stay on the right track to becoming better human beings. Our success rate is good, but occasionally we receive word that a former resident has re-offended and been sent to jail. It always makes me a little sad when that happens, almost as if we failed. On the other hand, though, I know we have also succeeded more times than not. The good outweighs the bad.
Kye and I have grown closer as well. We’ve spent so much time together this week, with the swimming lessons, that I find myself falling harder and faster every day. It is becoming a chore to remind myself constantly to take things slow and not fall back into bad habits. I am determined, though.
Tonight, I’m cooking dinner for him at my hut. I don’t have much in the way of a kitchen, so I placed a casserole in the camp oven this morning and I’m hoping it will be delicious by the time I pull it off the coals when I get back.
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