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“Wow, you have made an impression, Violet,” Jaclyn said. “Looks like you better stay here because there’s one thing that Joe needs to make him a happy man—his coffee.”

Violet smiled at Joe. “If it’s not too much trouble, perhaps I could stay here and get you to tow the trailer into town on Monday.” She turned to Ryan. “You have no idea how much I appreciate you bringing that car trailer today.”

“Monday is fine,” Joe said. “I don’t have to work all day, because Ryan’s closed down for the holidays. Just a small job with Grant in the morning. I could take the trailer in and you could wait until I was finished.”

“Have you got accommodation booked ahead with your trip?” Jaclyn asked.

“I don’t have to be anywhere until the fourteenth. I’ve got a job interview down in the Hunter Valley.”

“What do you do?” Ryan asked. “If that’s not a rude question.”

“No, not at all,” she said. “I’m an equine vet, and I’ve got an interview at one of the flash horse studs down near Merriwa. ‘Kingdom Horse Stud’.”

“Wow, there’s some dollars there,” Ryan said. “I’ve passed through a few times; apparently they’re owned by one of the Saudi princes, a global thoroughbred giant.”

“An equine vet?” Joe asked. “I know that’s a horse vet, but what’s the difference between that and being a normal vet?”

Violet knew it was time to be honest; this family had been so kind to her. She held Joe’s eyes as she explained. “I graduated as a Bachelor of Equine Science after studying for three years at UQ. My degree covered equine behaviour, welfare, nutrition, health, reproduction, rehabilitation, exercise, and physiology.” It was almost like reading her CV aloud.

Ryan looked at Joe. “Tell Violet how much work there is for her here. No need to go to the big guns in the Hunter Valley.”

Joe nodded. “We have a few horse studs around Bindarra Creek who’d jump at the chance of contracting you, Violet. You’d be in great demand, because our horse vet moved away in October. The Smiths up the road, Hannah at Blue Orchard Park, and Lena out on Diggers Road. Did you know Lena bought Anthony Gill’s place?” he asked Jaclyn and Ryan.

“I did,” Jaclyn said. “Lena’s a sweetie. She moved here from California,” she explained to Violet.

Violet shook her head. “I didn’t know there were horse studs around here when I headed this way. I was heading for the national park.”

Maybe she could spend some time in this area. So far, she’d had a warm welcome and she liked the sound of the town. Plus, if there was some work going it would fill in the time while she waited for her ute to be fixed.

Chapter 11

Violet

Violet rose early on Monday morning as she was keen to get her car sorted and get on her way. Joe’s diagnosis, although he had admitted he didn’t know much about cars, had worried her, but surely a brand-new vehicle such as hers wouldn’t have such a major problem after a few weeks? A niggle of worry stayed with her, though, as she took a quick shower and walked out to the kitchen.

The coffee pot was on, but there was no sign of Joe. She stood at the window, sipping the coffee that she’d poured, and smiled as she saw him out past the fence line behind the garage with Molly, walking along beside him. He was altogether way too good-looking, and a nice guy to go with it. Her afternoon yesterday with Joe and his family had filled a need. Her family times and family Christmases were in the distant past now since Wendy had married. Any interactions lately for family occasions at Christmas and Easter had been full of stress: Wendy’s husband was a difficult man and didn’t like his wife spending time with her family.

Violet had always found an excuse not to accept invitations.

“I have to work.” Or, “There’s an emergency at the stud.” Any excuse she could find.

Wendy knew what it was all about, and Violet was pretty sure that John, her husband, was relieved that he didn’t have to put up with the family thing. It hurt, and it was sad, and yesterday, seeing the warmth and love in Joe’s family had brought it all home. One day, a few years down the track, she would have something like that. She just needed to get her head together. Forget Brian Bailey, get her car sorted, and fingers crossed, please let this job at the Hunter Valley work out. Working with thoroughbreds was her dream job. There were even a couple of Melbourne Cup winners there. It would be a huge feather in her cap if she could get some experience on those studs.

As she stood there, dreaming, the back door opened, and Violet jumped, putting her hand to her chest; she hadn’t seen Joe walk across the yard. She’d been lost in her thoughts.

“Good morning, Violet, how did you sleep?”

“Very well,” she said. “Thank you so much for taking me in and making me so welcome. Yesterday was lovely. I really enjoyed myself. Jac and Ryan are great. And not to forget to mention you and Sam. It was pretty special having a knight on a white charger come down the road and rescue me. I’ll never forget it, Joe. I owe you big time.”

His eyes were hooded as he regarded her. “You don’t owe me anything, Violet. It’s been a pleasure to have your company, and you’re welcome to stay here, however long it’s going to take to get your car sorted.”

“Thank you. I might have to take you up on that. Now I just have to worry about my blasted ute, but I really want you to know how much I enjoyed yesterday. And I can’t get over Jaclyn offering me her car while they’re away.”

‘Yes, she’s a sweetheart. I’m lucky to have such a good sister-in-law. Is it okay with you if we pick it up the day they leave? We can say goodbye to them at that same time.”

“It was fun. And yes, I’m very lucky. It was the best decision I ever made to move to town and work with Ryan. Speaking of which, I’m pleased to see you up early because we have to hit the road. I tried to make a couple of calls this morning, but I haven’t been able to get onto anyone. The garage isn’t open yet, but I do know that Billie Miller is still in town.’

“Is he a mechanic?” Violet asked.