Read Online The Bark Cutters by Nicole Alexander - Free Book Online

at the stables. He was hardly detouring all the way from the jackeroo’s quarters to talk to the horses. Surely he would ask her out. Heavens she wished they lived closer to a bigger town. She’d had her eye on a purple dress with ruching down the front and a sort of tulip style skirt and she figured it would suit her. She pulled the elastic from her hair, shaking it loose about her shoulders before gathering it up again into a rough ponytail.
    Anthony moved to sit on the old cement block that served as a step into the feed shed. Already the sky had darkened, leaving only a thin pale streak beyond the distant trees to show the sun’s path. He beckoned Sarah to his side. She wavered momentarily as she wet her lips, before walking over and sitting down beside him. They sat silently, Sarah drawing her knees closer to ward off the chill of the night air, terribly aware of their arms touching.
    So when had he lost his heart to the girl beside him? Anthony wondered. No longer did he see the tomboy, the girl in patched jeans, a sheathed pocket knife hanging from her plaited leather belt. He could mesmerise himself by examining the pale pink ovals of her nails, dream of his hands resting on her hips and imagine the rich scent of her hair as it cascaded through his fingers. His hand brushed an imaginary streak of grime from his jeans, a half-smile sneaking across his lips as he acknowledged how wimpy he sounded.
    â€˜Only a few months back and we were down by the river,’ Sarah said, tucking her hands under her jumper. It was going to be a cold night.
    Anthony recalled the afternoon, the last before the cool of autumn struck; the three of them splashing about in the brown water of the creek, their toes being sucked down into sludgy mud as they cooled off. Later, half asleep, he’d turned on his towel and caught the last of the sun’s rays reflecting off Sarah’s body. Her lean form, tanned and wet, had become a recurring imagein his mind. Sure he’d experienced something of women but things were a little different at Wangallon, for she was the granddaughter of his boss.
    â€˜Did you hear about old Ronnie Reagan? Apparently he’s going to launch all these satellites that will be able to shoot down incoming nuclear missiles.’
    Sarah looked skywards. ‘You’re not serious.’ Above where they sat, the stars appeared gradually, drawn out one by one until they sprinkled the dark space above them like pearls. ‘Is he that worried about the Russians?’
    â€˜Seems like it.’
    â€˜Hey, it would sort of be like Star Wars .’
    â€˜Actually that’s exactly what some people are calling it.’
    Sarah shook her head. ‘Amazing. Here we are watching this stuff at the drive-in and it could be happening in real life. Thank heavens we’re here.’
    â€˜You’ll never leave here, will you, Sarah?’
    â€˜No, never. Like Grandfather says, once you have this place in your blood, neither will work without the other. That’s why the family has been here for so long. To leave is to leave yourself.’ She wanted to tell him that she liked him, although maybe he thought her too young. Perhaps that was the reason he had not asked her out? After all, she was still at school.
    â€˜I’d better go, it’s late.’ Sarah stood reluctantly. Through the line of trees bordering the rear of West Wangallon homestead, lights beckoned. Soon it would be dinner.
    â€˜Sarah.’ Anthony moved to stand beside her. He wanted to kiss her, to hold her slight body against his. To smell the scent of sandalwood and saddle grease. He doubted if she had ever been kissed and certainly not by someone with a bit of experience. While he imagined his hands and arms encircling her, he touched her shoulder lightly. If his advances were not accepted by either Sarah or the family, he would be out of a jobin a heartbeat and he did love it here. Being a part of Wangallon