* * *
Del pulled over at the curb and looked at the shop. It had been a massive three day drive, and she still had a way to go yet. Stopping for quick hello wouldn’t slow her down too much and she had something to say. Nothing had changed since the first time she’d come here. Stepping out of her car, she walked to the door and pushed it open.
“With you in a minute.” Sue’s voice came from the back of the store, and Del walked over to the fridge to get a bottle of cold water.
“Well, well, look what came back.”
“Hi, Sue.” Del opened the water and took a deep drink letting the cold liquid trickle down her parched throat. “Nice to see you too.”
Sue walked behind the counter and leaned her arms on it. “You almost had me there, Del. Thought you were going to let me down when Blake came back without you last week.”
“Yeah well, he didn’t listen and I had things to sort out first before I could return. Silly man, stubborn to the end.”
“Always was a stubborn mule. Even as a kid he would drive me nuts. So, get it all sorted eventually did you?”
“Yes, I did. Thanks to Blake’s temper it made it easier to leave the city. Now I have to go and see if he still wants me. What do you think my chances are?”
Sue laughed aloud, slapping her hand on the counter. “Oh well, I’m sure you’ll figure it out. Hurt him real bad you did when he came to see you. Suspect this will make it more difficult than it needs to be, but that can’t be helped. I’m sure you will bring him to his knees soon enough.”
“I suppose I deserve that. Well, guess I’d better be going then.” She turned and walked to the door, her stilettos tapping out a tune on the worn flooring.
“Thought you would have learned by now though, no place in the Outback for stilettos. Want to get yourself some decent footwear if you’re thinking of staying on.”
“If I do, I’ll come back and try whatever you have on for size then.” Del winked at her and let the door close between them. She climbed into her loaded car and headed out of town to the farm. Her stomach was a bundle of nerves as she tried to phrase the words she hoped would convince Blake she needed him and wanted to stay.
The drive was longer than she remembered and it only made matters worse, her nerves getting the better of her. Driving over the cattle grid, Del stopped and took a couple of calming breaths. When she put the car in gear moving forward, it was with the knowledge that today would define her future. Come what may, there was no going back to the past.
She had quit her contract, rented out her unit and packed everything she couldn’t fit in her little car off to the local goodwill shop. Everything she owned was in boxes filling her back seat.
From a distance she could see clouds of dust coming from the stock yards. Del parked her car at the house and got out. Turning down the driveway, she walked toward the yards, mindful of the potholes.
Lilly sat on the fence railing and squealed when she saw Delilah. She clambered down and threw herself at Del. “You came back.”
“Yes, I did. I’m sorry it took so long though.” Del crouched down and wiped a smear of dirt from her cheek. “Miss me?”
Lilly nodded solemnly. “Yes, lots. I think Daddy did too, but…” she gave an exaggerated shh, “I’m not supposed to say anything. Bluey told me so.”
“Is that right? Well, we won’t tell then. Where is Daddy?” She glanced over at the yard, searching for him.
“Cutting out the steers. In there.” She turned and climbed back on the fence.
Delilah stepped onto the first rail and lifted herself up to look for Blake. He was at the far side of the yards, whistling the dogs to cut the steers from the cows. He looked up and his mouth dropped open when their eyes met across the backs of the milling cattle.
* * *
It wasn’t possible, Delilah was here leaning against the fence watching him. She looked the same as she had the first day he’d seen her. Dressed in a tailored skirt and stilettos that made her killer legs look even longer. I must be hallucinating from lack of sleep. A steer pushed him against the rails and knocked the breath out of him. Pain shot across his ribs as he was crushed between the fence and the confused animal.
“Blake.” He heard her calling out to him before Bluey whistled the dogs and the cattle moved, leaving him clinging to the rough timber. The pain in his chest stole his breath and his head swam dangerously.
“Blake.” He looked up to see her hurrying over the rough ground in her tight skirt and city-slick high heels. He held up his hand to stop her before she broke her ankle in the manure and pot holed yards.
“Stop…right…there. This is ridiculous, Del. You can’t wear those shoes in here.” He grimaced at the pain in his chest. “Don’t you remember the last time you tried that?”
“Oh, stop it. I know what I’m doing. You need help.” She hurried over to him and put her arm around his waist, helping him stand.
The smell of her perfume invaded his nostrils and he took a deep breath, wincing when his ribs screamed in pain. “What are you doing
