* * *
Sami was helping James string the wires the day after Mason arrived home. He decided he couldn't bear to sit and watch someone else working to get his new patch ready any longer. One day back and he was itching to be out in the field doing the work himself.
James had given him the news yesterday when he arrived home from the hospital. The land he had coveted for so long was now his for the new grapes. The neighbours had rallied around to help get the posts in and were now straining the wires so everything would be ready when the delivery was made. Sami had spoken to his father and although he wasn't supposed to know yet, a lease was being drawn up.
Mason was torn. He had wanted the land. It was no secret. But to think Sami had blamed herself for his accident was bordering on the ridiculous. He knew what he was doing when he had gone down the back paddocks to start putting in posts. A momentary slip of concentration and he was on the ground with the logs pining his legs down. It was his own stupid fault and he had to make her see that. God knows he had already tried and it had obviously gone over the top of her head.
Maybe if Clare hadn't come to visit the day he had Sami at home, things would be different. He had been working up to try and convince Sami that Clare was nothing more than a nuisance and couldn't take no for an answer when she arrived sweeping through the hospital as if she owned the place. Now he had to try and explain that away too.
Damned woman, what was it going to take for her to understand he wanted nothing to do with her?
Sami had run before he had time to say anything and now there was another mark against him.
Determined to make things right, he reached for his crutches and positioned himself on the edge of the couch. He could get around the house, but the uneven ground outside might be another matter.
He hobbled up the rows on his crutches, exhausted by the time he made it to the patch she was stringing up.
"Sami." He reached a hand out to her and she jumped.
"For fuck’s sake, there you go again. Trying to scare the shit out of me." She glared at him. "What is it with you anyway?"
"Sorry, I thought you saw me coming up. Look Sami..."
She held her hand up and the look on her face was enough to stop Mason saying a word. "I don't want to hear it, okay? Don't even bother. I came here to help get your wires ready for those bloody sticks because I feel responsible, not to make nice with you."
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and it took all of his will power not to throw his crutches down and wrap her in his arms. He could see she was hurting and it was his fault and now she had taken the power to help her away from him.
"You've offered Garth a job and he wants it. I've ordered a lease drawn up for you. Five years plus another five years if you want it. Your father has the paperwork in his office, I only have to sign it. And just be sure you understand that is all I'm offering you."
"I didn't want it."
"Don't lie to me, Mason, you wanted it. You're being too stubborn to admit it because of what happened. It won't change things you know and you may as well accept it. The land is yours. Do what you want with it." She stepped away from him and pulled on the wire. "I'll have the papers signed by the end of the week and sent over. Make sure you look after my brother or I'll have your balls."
Mason watched her walk away, his heart breaking. His best chance at happiness had crushed his dreams and left him standing alone in the place he thought he wanted more than anything in the world.
It had come to him while he was in hospital the only place he wanted to be was in her arms and he had stuffed it up royally. He had let the tiny fiery girl from the outback walk away from him without putting up a fight.
Chapter 23
"If you have the time to wait in town for say, half an hour, I can get it done for you and save you the trip back in. I'm sorry we've had a mix-up with the agreement. I understand you are busy on the farm but if you could wait I would appreciate it." Rupert Newland gave her a tight smile.
"I'll take a walk and come back. Thanks." She walked out and hit the street. Her heart was pounding and she had the shakes. Sami wandered the street looking blankly in shop windows.
"Sami, hey." She looked up and saw she was outside Eliza's shop.
"Oh hi. Sorry miles away here. How are you?"
"Great. How is Garth? We will have to catch up soon. Some of the kids are going to the movies this weekend and we were going to see if he wanted to join us." She looked at Sami with hope shining in her eyes and Sami knew Eliza was more than a little bit interested in her brother.
She smiled and put the girl at ease. "I'm sure he would love to. Give him a call."
"What are you doing in town? Looking for more clothes?"
"No, solicitor stuff. I'm walking around killing time. It’s nice to see you again, I'd better go. See you around." She waved and walked back the way she'd come.
May as well sit and wait for the damned papers. Sami walked in and took a seat in reception.
"Won't be too long, Miss Darling. The papers
