Moonlight Plains Read Online Free PDF

that message correctly.
    ‘So,’ she said, looking about her and pointing to the recessed section of the kitchen that was clad with ripple iron, ‘is that where the wood stove used to be?’
    Luke nodded. ‘I’m thinking of turning it into –’
    ‘Let me guess,’ she interrupted eagerly. ‘A walk-in pantry?’
    ‘Yeah, that’s one possibility.’
    Her eyes were shining. ‘That would be fabulous.’ She took a sip of beer and set the glass on the table. ‘Have you thought about the cupboards and benchtops yet?’
    ‘Not really. I’ve a long way to go before I get to those details. I’m still working on the roof.’
    Sally nodded, looking about her.
    ‘You know,’ she said next, and Luke half-expected her to offer a few cupboard suggestions. ‘I came out this way last year with my father. We canoed down the Burdekin from Big Bend to the bridge at Macrossan.’
    This was a surprise. ‘Did you enjoy it?’
    ‘I did. It was so quiet and peaceful on the river, but there was also a section with canyons and rapids. It’s fantastic country.’
    It wasn’t every city girl who liked the bush.
    ‘We saw so many birds. Dad caught fish. I took photographs.’ Smiling, she asked, ‘So do you know this area well? Did you grow up around here?’
    ‘Further north,’ he said. ‘Almost a day’s drive. Up in the Gulf on Mullinjim Station. My sister Bella’s running the show now.’
    When he saw Sally’s raised eyebrows, he added, ‘With the help of her husband, Gabe. And then there’s another sister, my half-sister Zoe and her husband. They’re on a neighbouring property.’
    ‘Quite a family concern then?’ Sally was clearly intrigued. ‘Have your parents . . . retired?’
    ‘My mum’s in Townsville. She moved there after my father died.’ Luke swallowed quickly as he said this. ‘About a year ago.’
    ‘I’m so sorry.’
    Luke nodded and a small silence fell, and he was grateful that Sally didn’t push him for details. There were still times when he found himself reliving the shock of his father’s fatal heart attack. The news had come when he’d been driving back from Mullinjim to a job at Charters Towers, and the painful memory could still catch him out.
    But when he glanced at Sally, he saw that her shoulders had drooped and she was staring forlornly at a spot on the floor. She looked so sad he felt a stab of fear. Had he roused bad memories for her as well? It was time to change the subject fast. His mind raced, searching for an interesting topic to put her at ease.
    She gave a little shake and took a delicate sip of her beer, but she didn’t seem to be enjoying the drink. She probably wasn’t a beer drinker and had only accepted it to be polite.
    Then she lifted her gaze and her cheeks were slightly flushed, and he thought how much the colour suited her.
    ‘This isn’t right, Luke,’ she said, frowning. ‘I feel wrong sitting here when you don’t have a seat.’
    ‘I’m fine,’ he said, but he knew it was awkward. He should at least have two chairs. Jana had said as much, but that had been different. He’d made do with sitting on a crate, because he’d known she would soon be leaving.
    ‘I’ll make sure this setup’s better when you come back to do your story,’ he said now.
    With an enigmatic smile, Sally stood again, leaving the barely touched beer on the table. She looked back down the hallway to the closed doors. ‘So what’s in these rooms?’ Already she was heading towards them.
    Luke dragged a quick breath as he followed her. She had to know they were bedrooms. ‘Just . . . my gear.’
    She turned back to him, her eyes bright and ever so slightly teasing, her cheeks a deeper pink than ever. ‘Where do you sleep?’
    His heart was hammering now. This was it. Miraculously, even though he’d told her he wasn’t trying to pick her up . . . she’d known all along that he was doing exactly that. And here she was . . . asking the way . . . to his