Page 18 of The Dairy Farmer's Daughter

She nodded and unclipped the halter. "Nutmeg is as bombproof as they come. Finn rides her all the time."

She taught Justin how to direct and stop the horse before standing back and letting him practice. He caught on quickly, and the two walked around the paddock for quite a while.

She could see his mouth moving, and it occurred to her that he was talking to the horse. Horses, she found, were very therapeutic, and she wondered what he was saying. Was he talking about his father and the life he may have lived had his mother stayed? Was he talking about his life in Brisbane? Was he talking about her? Did he feel the same connection that she felt? Like they were meant to be?

Eventually, he pulled up alongside her and stopped. She searched his eyes for clues, but they were shaded over. Whatever he and Nutmeg had discussed was private.

He slid down slowly from the saddle, and together they untacked Nutmeg and brushed her down.

"Thanks for that." He stroked the horse's neck one more time.

She slipped her fingers into her back pockets, looking at him from under her lashes. "Did you really enjoy it?"

"Yeah, I really did. She's a beautiful horse."

Freya smiled proudly. "One of the perks of living in the country." She hugged the horse's neck and rubbed her cheek against the silky fur. She loved the smell of horse, even a sweaty one.

"I better go and get changed if I'm coming out to the pub for dinner tonight."

"And what exactly are you going to change into? I didn't think you had any spare clothes."

"I'll raid Boyd's closet again. Although it mostly consists of checked shirts and jeans."

"You probably wouldn't be my dad's size, otherwise I'd offer you some of his clothes." She looked Justin up and down. "His wardrobe is mostly checks and jeans too."

"Boyd's fit me fine. Thanks though."

She smiled as he handed her the helmet and their fingers brushed, causing heat to rush through her body. "Do you want me to walk you back to your car?"

"No, it's okay. I remember the way, and you probably have lots to do here."

She nodded, not wanting him to leave. "See you tonight then."

"Save me a seat?"

She nodded and watched as he turned and walked away. She would be happy to save him a seat next to her, every night for the rest of their lives.

CHAPTER 6

Justin chose the nicest dress shirt he could find in his father’s wardrobe and paired it with the least-faded jeans from the dresser. By the time he was ready to leave, he was twitching to see Freya again.

He couldn't stop thinking about her, the way she looked in the sunlight, her hands slid into her back pockets. How it made her breasts thrust against the thin fabric of her shirt and show the ridges of her lacy bra. The huskiness of her voice, the lowering of her eyes.

The Bunya Bar sat proudly on a rise overlooking the town. The double-storey Queenslander had a large balcony decorated with a variety of green hanging plants.

He followed the sound of music and laughter to the bar where men dressed in high-vis shirts were nursing beers and chatting with their mates. Families and groups sat at tables in the adjoining dining room. He continued exploring the maze of rooms until he spotted Nina at an outside bar, ordering drinks.

"Justin, you made it. I'm so glad." She embraced him warmly. It was a mother’s hug and reminded him of his own.

"I heard the parmy here was the best in Australia."

"It sure is, and the company's not too bad either. Now, what will you have?" She gestured to the bartender standing at the beer taps.

Justin ordered a locally brewed beer he had never heard of and chatted with Nina while they waited for their drinks.

"Freya said she took you to the factory today."

"Yes, those cheeses are amazing. Do you sell them anywhere in Brisbane?"

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