Chapter 2 #3
A solitary figure whose heart beat in unison with the land and the animals he cherished, he focused wholly and solely on the mare.
Above them, the boundless sky stretched in endless vibrant blue, as if promising infinite possibilities.
And beneath Mother Nature’s perfect canvas, life unfolded in beautiful rhythms, just a man and his horse, united by mutual respect, moving forwards in perfect harmony with the world around them.
It wasn’t long before the mid-afternoon sunshine beat down on his back, warm and comforting, and he paused for a moment to wipe the sweat from his brow, relishing the pleasant burn in his muscles from the hard work.
Then, with patience and understanding, over the next ninety minutes, he guided Duchess through a series of gentle jumps, slowly building her confidence until they moved together in perfect harmony.
And as the session drew to a close, he rewarded her with gentle strokes and words brimming with adoration.
Come sundown, the three horses he’d worked with throughout the afternoon were now content with their exertions as they grazed leisurely in the lush grass beside the round yard.
Leaning against the railings, he watched their tails swishing rhythmically, shooing away the lazy flies that buzzed around them.
And wrapped up in this tranquil moment, his thoughts drifted like tumbleweeds on the vast expanse of his land.
Memories, both bitter and sweet, rose up within him, beckoned by the quiet as his thoughts turned back towards relationships and love and all that came with finding your person.
Yes, he’d loved once, fiercely and passionately like a summer storm that was sudden and all-consuming.
But storms pass, leaving only silence in their wake.
And it was in that stillness that he’d found himself feeling truly alone, with the echoes of promises unkept because of circumstances out of his control haunting the hollows of his chest. The pain had dulled a little over time, like a blade worn from too much use, yet its edge could still nick him.
So, with all his might, he tried not to let it cut.
‘Don’t go getting all misty-eyed on me now, bud.
’ The familiar voice of Gavin cut through his reverie like a knife through butter.
‘Anyone would think you had a big soft heart.’ He hopped up and onto the fence beside him, his easy smile a balm to any shadows lingering over Hayden’s soul.
‘I know that look, so tell me, what’s on that mind of yours, Pierce? ’
‘Oh, you know, this and that, nothing worth mentioning really,’ Hayden replied evasively.
Gavin eyed him like any good mate would – with thoughtfulness. ‘Ah well, whatever’s making your brows furrow into a monobrow,’ he said and grinned at his own jibe, ‘why not try and save those sombre thoughts for the rainy season, mate.’
Gavin’s grin was infectious, and Hayden couldn’t help but let a small chuckle slip past his careful composure. ‘Right you are,’ he conceded, tipping the rim of his hat in mock salute.
His mate looked mighty comfy, so he leapt up beside him on the railing in one smooth movement – riding bucking horses had gifted him with superb balance and litheness.
And as they sat atop the fence, legs dangling over the side, gazing out at the horizon where the land seemed to kiss the sky in a line so fine it blurred the seams between earth and heaven, Hayden silently thanked the powers that be for his mate.
Because he wasn’t sure he’d still be here, walking the earth, without the endless, unconditional support of Gavin and Tilly.
‘Remember that time we tried to teach old Bessie to swim in the dam?’ Gavin’s voice was rich with mirth, his eyes twinkling at the recollection of youthful folly.
‘Teach? More like convince with all the carrots we could pinch from your mum’s veggie patch.’ Hayden’s laughter joined Gavin’s.
‘Good times, they were.’ Gavin sighed contentedly.
‘The best times,’ Hayden agreed, his heart momentarily light and free from the weight of the past.
‘You heard from your oldies lately?’ Gavin shot him a sideways glance. ‘I hope they’re having the time of their lives.’
‘Yeah, they gave me a call last week; they’re taking Europe by storm, church by church, vineyard by vineyard.’ Hayden chuckled. ‘Good on them, Dad deserves it after all the years he spent in the army.’
‘Damn straight he does, and so does your mum, being married to a military man all her life.’
‘Too right,’ Hayden said in total agreement.
Perched on that aged wooden fence, the two mates revelled in the simplicity of the moment – a pause in life’s relentless march – and Hayden was deeply thankful he was still able to do this, when Casey couldn’t.
Though he knew the ache of a love lost might never fully fade, he found solace in the steadfast presence of their mateship, and in the unwavering beauty of the world around him, in the undulating countryside, the chorus of nature, and the enduring spirit of the horses that danced to the tune of his gentle command.
In this tranquil corner of the world, surrounded by nature’s splendour and accompanied by a true mate, he felt like one day, maybe, possibly, by some miracle, he could be somewhat whole again.
Not that he had any idea what that looked, or felt, like anymore.
The sound of a diesel engine caught their attention and, jumping from his perch, Hayden straightened, rolling his shoulders to ease the tension from the repetitive motions of the day. A four-wheel drive pulled up and a glint of sunlight caught on someone hopping out of a bright blue dual-cab Hilux.
‘I wonder who that is, turning up near knock-off time?’ Gavin mumbled, his gaze following Hayden’s.
‘Not sure,’ Hayden replied, rubbing his chin, ‘but looks like we’re about to find out.’ The vehicle was unfamiliar, a far cry from the usual stock of utes and beaten-up sedans found in their corner of the world.
‘Ah, I reckon it’s the new vet.’ Gavin nodded as if to himself. ‘I bumped into Bill at the agricultural shop, and he mentioned she might be calling in to check on Bella, but I thought he meant later in the week.’
‘Right, you think you might have mentioned that to me?’ Hayden muttered as he squinted towards the figure that approached, shielding his eyes from the glare.
‘Probably, but I didn’t think it mattered.’ Gavin’s expression was uncharacteristically unreadable.
Turning from his poker-faced mate, Hayden watched a woman walking with an assured stride, her long legs carrying her across the paddock with a grace that seemed to defy the rugged landscape.
Her swaying ponytail of long, dark hair shimmered like a raven’s wing under the sun’s caress, and even from afar, there was an aura about her that spoke of determination and passion, qualities that struck a curious chord in his core.
A flutter of anticipation unfurled within his chest, unexpected and not entirely unwelcome.
She paused to adjust the strap of the heavy bag slung over her shoulder, her profile etched against the sprawling blue sky.
There was a sense of purpose in her movements, a focus that seemed to radiate from within.
He couldn’t help but wonder about this woman who walked with such confidence through his world.
What experiences had shaped her? What had drawn her to the quiet town of Sweetwater, other than purchasing a mobile vet business, of course?
And why couldn’t he tear his eyes from her?
Damn it, Pierce, get a grip before Gav notices!
But as she approached, and her elongated shadow reached for his, he found himself caught in the mesmerising depths of her sapphire eyes, ones that appeared to hold a myriad of secrets and stories, all of which he suddenly ached to learn, to know.
Flickers of emotion he’d long since buried bubbled through his veins, stirring something unfamiliar within him, and for a long few seconds they simply stood there, three strangers in a vast expanse of lush land.
‘G’day.’ Gavin’s voice sliced through the elongated silence, carrying a sense of ease. ‘Brianna, is it? Nice to put a face to the name.’
‘Yes,’ she responded with a slight tilt of her head, before questioning in return, ‘and you are?’
‘Gavin Morgan, but people call me Gav.’ He flashed her a wide grin, shrugging nonchalantly as if he welcomed everyone into his world with open arms.
She nodded with soft amusement, her eyes darting to Hayden, who was quietly captivated by her presence.
‘Hayden Pierce,’ he introduced himself, his voice calm yet carrying a slight edge of curiosity. As if testing the weight of this new turn of events, he allowed himself a small smile as he stepped forwards, shaking her confidently outstretched hand.
‘Nice to meet you, Hayden.’ Her grip was firm, assured, and he could feel an undeniable surge of interest course through him.
Beneath the shade of her hat, she revealed more glimpses of her unfathomable eyes.
‘I hope you don’t mind me dropping in to have a look at Bella.
I tried to call, but it went straight to voicemail. ’
‘Oh no, of course, no worries at all.’ Hayden couldn’t help but wonder what stories those eyes held, what dreams they sheltered beyond the fences of Sweetwater Acres.
‘Good, great.’ Her gorgeous smile hit him like a cattle prod. ‘Can one of you show me to her stall?’
Gavin shoved his hands into his pockets. ‘You do the honours, bud, I have to get going. Wifey needs me to pick the kids up from day care on the way home.’
‘Yup, righto.’ He offered Gavin a smile that felt unusual, foreign even, as Gavin waltzed away. ‘Do you want me to carry that?’ he offered, gesturing to the bag that seemed to weigh heavily on Brianna’s slim shoulder.
It was the gentlemanly thing to do.