She smiled to herself at the thought of having a normal family before returning to the house to rouse the kids out of bed. Libby didn't want to keep Tom waiting. She was keen to see what the farm was all about.
After giving the kids their breakfast, she pulled her boots on and went in search of her hat. Once found, she gave instructions to Josh to look out for his sister and listen to Winton. He was going to show them around the yards and get them used to the jobs he did around the house. “You kids have to pull your weight and, even Holly’s capable of collecting the eggs and feeding the chooks.”
When she found Tom, he had a small bay mare ready for her, already saddled up. She approached the horse and held her hand out for her to sniff. The smell of the horse and tack brought back vague memories, tugging gently at her mind. She smiled and made a note to reminisce when she had time. She looked into the paddock and realized she recognized this part of the landscape. Had she ridden or helped feed horses here?
“This here is Honey.” Tom spoke, gaining her attention. “Real gentle little lady, but she can go like the clappers if need be. She doesn't spook easy, so you should be a'right on her until you find your rhythm again.”
“Thanks, she's just lovely.” Libby turned from him, shading her eyes as another memory rose from deep in her subconscious. Flashes of another time swamped her senses, leaving her breathless. Libby swung her leg over the waiting horse and settled her feet in the stirrups. She held the reins loosely and nudged her mount forward, riding beside Tom out the yard, ready to explore the farm.
He took her around several paddocks holding the sheep due to lamb. His craggy voice filled her head with so many facts she struggled to contain it all. She had the urge to make notes, to keep it all in perspective, but that was next to impossible on horseback. Heaven knew how much information she would retain by the time she got back to the house.
By the time they had unsaddled the horses, Libby was hot and dying for a cup of tea. Tom showed her the other horses in a paddock close to the stables.
“Hey, Tom, who’s that little gray pony over there?” She pointed to the far side of the paddock.
“That's Puddin'. I was given her when Winton was just a little bit of a thing. Taught him to ride on her, but he's outgrown her now. That's his horse, the big bay over there.” Libby looked at the horse in the corner of the paddock and decided she liked the one she had today. She was a few hands smaller than Winton's, and Libby liked her pace.
“Maybe we can teach that little one of yours.” Tom voiced what Libby was slowly starting to consider.
“Yes, maybe we can, but right now I really could do with a cuppa, if you don't mind.”
As they walked back to the house, a truck came up the driveway and pulled up in front of the shed. Libby looked up to see who it was. When she recognized the man behind the wheel, her back straightened, and she crossed her arms.
“Don't go getting uppity just yet. Let's just see what he wants.”
Libby stood beside the overseer, watched Nathan climb from his truck and walk toward them, a confident swagger in his stride.
“Morning, Tom, sweetheart.” Nathan greeted them, his dark gaze raking over her body from top to toe as he spoke. He brushed his sweat-stained Akubra from his head and wiped his tanned face with a cloth before jamming it in his back pocket. His short, black hair showed signs of gray around the temples and sideburns. Hands on hips, he watched her watching him. Looks like showdown at Quincy Station. Great. His jeans were clean, although they were well-worn, as was the long-sleeved shirt he wore with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Dark stubble covered his strong, square chin, giving him an almost sinister look. Devastatingly handsome and trouble with a capital T.
“I've already told you, call me Libby.” She struggled to ignore the male magnetism tugging at her.
“Sweetheart suits you better,.” Nathan drawled in that rough voice she was coming to recognize so well.
“What can we do for you this morning, Nathan?”
“I thought we should get straight to the crux of the matter since the new owner’s here.” Nathan bobbed his head in Libby's direction. “No point letting things go on if she can set her mind to fixing them.”
“What are you talking about, Mr. Miller?” Libby crossed her arms and stared at him.
“Your fences, or should I say lack of them. I have purebred stock on my property, and your mongrel crossbreeds don't seem to know what side of the fence they belong on. My cows are just about ready for breeding, and I would appreciate it if you could get your bulls to stay away.”
“I told you it would take time and money we just don't have.” Tom took his battered hat from his head and slapped it against his leg.
“I don't care anymore. Get it fixed, or I'll start shooting any strays I find. I have too much money invested in my stock-breeding program to let her mongrels knock up my girls.”
Libby fumed. The nerve of the man.
“Now you look here, pal.” Her hands trembled at her side. “As Tom said, it will take time to get the repairs done. I had a quick look this morning, and I'll get on it, but you have to give me a bit of a break. We only just got here.”
“I would have preferred you didn't come at all, actually” He focused on her face. Libby felt a brief flash of fear. He looked like he meant every word. He tightened
