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As Violet described her job to him, Joe’s hand stayed on hers, and the warmth of his skin sent a tingle up her arm. She had never met such a good listener; her friends from work that she had gone out with after Emma and Jake had left, in the before-Brian days, had all been pretty superficial. That’s why she had been sucked in so much by Brian. He’d filled a need for friendship.

“So why did you leave your job in Brisbane? Had enough of it?”

Violet bit her lip and dropped her gaze, and his hand tightened on hers slightly. She was dismayed when she lifted her head and felt the tears prick her eyes.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. Was it something bad?”

“It was actually. I let myself get bullied. I thought I’d fallen for this guy, my boss, of course, but he was just an absolute manipulator, and over the course of about six months, he really made me lose my confidence. Just little things. I mean, there was no physical bullying or anything like that, and he was as nice as pie to me when we were out. But when we were in the workplace, he always questioned my decisions, always had something negative to say. When I asked for his opinion, he always criticised me. And it took me a good six months and the death of a horse for me to realise it was a really unhealthy relationship. Work and otherwise. So, I left. It’s left me a bit sad, but I feel safe here.”

No need to mention she was absolutely scared Brian would come looking for her.

“Safe is a strange word to use. It wasn’t a good job if you were bullied. I’m sure there’s a big call for equine vets around the country. I mean, how many horses are there?”

“Lots,” she said with a smile. She lifted her hand from his and put hers on top of his and squeezed his fingers. “You’re a good listener, Joe.”

“That’s me,” he said. “Not a lot more that I’m good at.”

“Rubbish, you have two jobs, you have a brilliant farm under development and I think you’re a man of mystery as well,” she said with a wide grin. Before he could reply, the buzzer buzzed on the table, and Joe jumped up. “I’ll get our tea.”

He came back with two plates and cutlery in one hand and a huge rectangular tray of pizza in the other. The enticing aroma of garlic and cheese tickled Violet’s nose, and her mouth watered.

“Oh, yum, that smells wonderful.”

“Best pizza anywhere.”

“Not a bad town by the sound of things. Best pizza, best coffee, great Christmas shopping, friendly people.” She pulled a face. “But no garage, no fuel.”

“There’s a fuel pump at the station on the other side of town. There’s just no mechanic there. There’s a bit of a restaurant and a fuel stop, so you can get fuel.”

“Yes, I knew that, I was just teasing. I could get fuel if I had a car that was going,” she chuckled.

Joe reached out and took her hand again. “It’s so good to see you smile. Now hoe in, before I eat it all.”

***

Joe

When the tray was clear of pizza, Violet grabbed his hand and insisted they finish their wine at the railing overlooking the river. She leaned back on the timber and put one hand to her stomach.

“Oh, my goodness, I don’t think I’ll eat again this week,” she said. “That was divine.”

The sun was setting in a blaze of glory, and the soft breeze lifted strands of her blonde hair as Joe stood close to her. The laughter of children playing drifted up from the lawn, and the first twang of a guitar chord announced the night’s music was about to begin.

Violet’s hair glowed gold in the late afternoon sunlight, and Joe’s eyes travelled down from her dark brown eyes. She obviously worked out. Her knee-length floral dress hugged her figure, and the muscles in her legs and her arms were well-defined. He guessed you’d have to be pretty fit if you were working with animals the size of horses.

Violet picked up her wine and the last rays of sunlight glinted on her glass as she raised it to her lips. Half the blood in Joe’s body travelled south, and he gripped his wine glass and cleared his throat.

“Would you like another one?” he managed to choke out.

“No, thanks. I know you can’t have another one and drive, so let’s go home. I think there are a few people waiting for a table. I’d like to get back early. I was a bit worried about Molly tonight. I think she’s fairly close to having her pups.”

“I thought that too. Come on, madame, your chariot awaits.”

It was natural to put his arm around Violet’s waist to steer her through the crowd and out to the car park. It felt right.

Violet shook her head after half the bar said goodnight as they walked through. “What is it with this town? Do you all take nice pills or something?”

Her eyes held his intently.