Hope's Road Read Online Free PDF Page B

sure she was as besotted with him as he was with her. She’d given him no reason to think otherwise, refusing all other dancing partners, gazing into his eyes.
    He’d gone home walking on air, incessantly checking that her phone number was tucked safely into his inside pocket. A promise for dinner and dancing the following weekend.
    A few weeks and two dates later he was planning how to make her his – where he’d get the money to buy her the engagement ring she deserved, when to tell his parents and brother, who was away buying a new bull for the farm.
    He could have just about kissed old man Parker when he’d made the offer of a job falling trees with his bush-gang. ‘Just for a month, maybe a bit more, to get me outta trouble. Bloke laid up with a crushed foot and I’ve got a nephew comin’ down from Queensland to step into his spot. Takin’ him a time or two to get here though. What do ya reckon, Joey? Can ya dad spare you to help me out?’
    Joe knew Tom was due back any day, so he said yes right away, thinking of that glittering diamond ring he’d now be able to afford.
    He’d hitched a ride up the bush with old Parker, worked his arse off for six weeks, seven days a week, dawn till dusk, and made enough money to buy what he wanted. He waltzed home excitedly fingering the rolled-up notes and jangling the many coins now in his pockets.
    To find his parents all in a tizz of excitement.
    â€˜Oh Joey, you’ll never guess! Thomas is getting married. It’s so exciting. After they’re married they’ll move here and your dad and I can now buy one of those lovely new homes I’ve been eyeing off in Lake Grace.’ His mother’s normally pallid cheeks were touched with rosy-red circles as she moved around the big farm kitchen making a special celebration tea. ‘But don’t worry, love, you can live with us. Oh Joey, she’s just beautiful and Thomas is so happy and in love. Such a whirlwind romance! I’m dying for you to meet her.’
    At that moment Tom walked through the door. ‘About time you came down from those hills. Good to see you, little brother. I’ve brought a few good-looking bulls home. Love the look.’
    Joe stroked his new beard, the result of weeks without a razor and the need to keep his face warm on the higher mountain-ash-clad peaks. ‘Yeah, good to see you too. Mum says you’re getting married? Congratulations.’ He pumped his brother’s hand. ‘Where did you meet her?’
    â€˜Down in the city. She’s our stock agent’s wife’s cousin. They went to boarding school together.’
    Joe breathed a sigh of relief. It wasn’t Mae then. She wouldn’t have been a boarder, living in the city and all. He felt the tight band on his chest loosen. Didn’t know why it’d been there in the first place.
    â€˜Anyway, she’ll be here in a sec. You’ll love her, Joey. It’s a bit rushed, I know, but she’s the one. The best thing that’s happened to me.’ He put his arm around his younger brother’s shoulders and gave them a squeeze.
    And Joe was pleased for Tom, knowing how seriously he shouldered the mantle of being the eldest McCauley. Three generations of expectations fell heavy, and Joe was happy Tom had found someone to share the load.
    â€˜Thomas?’
    The world stopped, lifted up on its axis and moved slightly left.
    Only one person in the world had that husky lilt to her voice. Joe spun around to see his brother moving towards the beautiful creature framed in the doorway.
    Glossy, long brunette hair fell in waves onto a slim back. Sultry full lips lifted to take Tom’s ardent kiss. Dark eyes swept across the room over his brother’s broad shoulder, widening in startled shock at the sight of Joe.
    But it was the different expressions that followed which cut him to the very core.
    First, sudden