Page 27 of Wild Horses

Spring had well and truly come to Merriang.

The mock-orange trees surrounding Christy’s bungalow exploded with fragrant white flowers and the air was alive with birdsong and the scent of gardenias.

But she was oblivious to the beauty surrounding her.

Christy’s mornings had become a miserable ritual of self-control.

As she showered, dressed and checked her timetable, she mentally armoured herself for the day ahead.

Every conversation with Tyler was now a careful navigation, her words precisely chosen, her smiles sparingly given.

With Leo, she kept her tone even, her advice strictly professional, never allowing the lines to blur into the familiarity they’d once enjoyed.

Each step towards the common areas at Currawong Creek involved a measured effort to maintain the walls around herself.

The constant emotional tug-of-war wearied her.

Keeping herself distanced felt like holding her breath underwater, each second building up pressure against her resolve.

As Christy finished an equine therapy workshop with a group of three new students, she saw Clare quietly observing from the sidelines, her expression warm and approving. Christy nodded to her, and Clare came over to help the students feed and groom the horses.

‘I’ve noticed the changes you’ve made in your interactions with Leo. It’s really helping him take responsibility for his own growth here.’

Really? Christy wanted to say. I thought it was just making him cranky . But to be fair, she hadn’t had much to do with Leo lately.

‘Move over, you big lug!’ One of the new girls, sixteen-year-old Tiffany, was wedged between the stable wall and Spirit, who’d been leaning in blissfully to her body brush. She was pretty, with a wild tangle of curly blonde hair and an infectious energy.

Christy led Spirit forwards, releasing the girl, who immediately hugged the black gelding around his sleek neck and apologised for calling him names.

‘That one can ride,’ said Clare quietly, tipping her chin towards Tiffany.

‘You’re telling me.’ Christy cast the girl an admiring glance. ‘She could teach me a thing or two. What’s her story?’

‘Raising hell at home, apparently. Her mother’s remarried – you know how it can be. Suffice it to say they’re not all one big happy family.’

Tiffany began to expertly plait Spirit’s mane.

Clare pulled Christy aside with a knowing wink. ‘Our Leo’s taken quite a shine to young Tiff. A much more appropriate crush, don’t you think?’

Christy’s mouth dropped open, and then it hit her.

By stepping back, she hadn’t deserted Leo.

She hadn’t pushed him into isolation but had instead opened a space for him to form connections suited to his age and needs.

It may have taken him a little while to adjust, but then he’d moved on without needing her for a prop.

This understanding came with a quiet acceptance, a softening of the sharp edges of her own regrets.

Thanks to Clare, she now saw the wisdom of pulling back.

From now on she’d set better boundaries with all her students.

The problems Christy had faced with Leo, and with Samuel for that matter, would not happen again.

She allowed herself a small smile, her heart lightening a fraction – but only a fraction.

Tyler still blamed her for breaking a promise and abandoning his son.

He couldn’t yet see that Leo was ready to stand on his own two feet.

Christy wiped beads of sweat from her face as she headed for the music room. She stepped inside, hoping for relief from an unseasonable spring heatwave, but the room’s air conditioner was on the blink. The pedestal fan didn’t help much.

Christy sat in shock as she and Astrid discussed the grim news they’d just received.

Harold Goodbody was dead, and his sons planned to sell the old school hall as soon as possible.

The historic building, which was fast becoming Merriang’s cultural heartbeat, was in danger of being demolished.

At the very least, when it was sold the school and drama society would no longer be able to use it. They’d received a notice to leave.

‘Haven’t they a heart?’ asked Christy, imagining Edie’s beautiful memorial plaque being bulldozed into the ground.

‘Apparently not.’ Astrid, her lined face drawn with worry, waved an official-looking piece of paper.

‘One month to get out, this says. I’ve already contacted Clare to see if she and Tom could buy the hall, but apparently they haven’t the funds.

If we don’t come up with a plan we’ll lose the hall.

All our work, the kids’ drama classes, the shows – everything could just end. ’

Christy felt a hollow form in her stomach as she absorbed the full impact of Astrid’s words. Losing the hall threatened to dismantle a newly forged community that had come to mean more to her than she could ever have imagined.

She stood and paced a few steps, boots scuffing softly against the wooden floor.

‘There has to be something we can do. Maybe a fundraiser, or a petition to council, or—’ Her sentence ground to a halt.

Each suggestion sounded increasingly futile.

The hall might not be very valuable in comparison to other properties, but it would still be worth tens of thousands, if only for the land.

It would take more than a cake stall to save it.

‘Knock, knock?’ Tyler rapped softly on the door frame and walked in. He glanced at the two women and halted mid-stride. ‘Why the long faces?’

‘You tell him,’ said Christy. ‘I can’t bear to.’

Astrid explained. Tyler crossed his arms and leaned against the wall, frowning, digesting the gravity of the situation. After a long, thoughtful minute when nobody spoke, he finally said, ‘Maybe I can help?’

Astrid smiled. ‘That’s kind of you, Tyler. We’re just trying to figure out our next steps.’

‘Here’s one step I bet you haven’t thought of. How about I buy the hall? It’s played an important part in restoring Leo’s confidence. I want that for all the kids.’

Christy felt a mixture of astonishment and gratitude, and also an undercurrent of tension. Tyler’s generosity was overwhelming, his belief in the importance of the hall clear and sincere. Yet, knowing she’d recently disappointed him made accepting his offer feel like stepping onto uncertain ground.

‘Tyler, that’s ... that’s incredibly generous of you,’ she managed, her voice steady though her heart was anything but. ‘I’m not sure—’

Astrid cut her off. ‘Brilliant!’ She gave Christy a stony glare that said Shut up! ‘How about we iron out the details tonight over dinner at my cottage? Tyler will be chef, of course.’

Later that day, in a private corner of the staff room, Christy discussed Tyler’s proposal with Astrid.

‘It’s an amazing opportunity, but I’m torn.

’ She looked out the window at the drizzle that cast a grey veil over the garden.

‘After everything that’s happened, accepting this offer . .. well, it feels complicated.’

‘Not to me.’ Astrid was the one person Christy had confided in, and not just about Leo and Tyler.

Christy had opened up about Samuel and the reason she’d had to leave St Luke’s College.

Astrid knew everything. She put down her cup and saucer, the bone china one she always used instead of a cheap ceramic mug like everyone else.

‘This decision isn’t just about you and your feelings.

Do you think Tyler’s offer has strings attached? Will he feel you owe him something?’

‘No, of course not, but—’

‘But what?’ Astrid’s eyes were full of challenge.

‘I think we should weigh our options.’

‘Darling,’ Astrid said as she stepped closer and rested a hand on Christy’s arm, ‘what other options do we have?’

Christy felt a little ashamed. ‘You’re right, of course,’ she said. ‘The pros of Tyler’s proposal outweigh any personal cons.’

‘My oath they do. It’s about time you stopped mooning over that man. You’re about as useful as a chocolate teapot like this. Either tell him how you feel or forget about him.’

‘What about Leo?’

‘Leo, Schmeo.’ Christy had never heard Astrid sound so fired up.

‘Your problem, my girl, is that you take yourself too seriously. Your care and support are important to these kids, true – but you’re not their one and only saviour.

The rest of us aren’t completely useless.

It takes a village, remember? Think about Samuel back at your old school.

You poured your heart and soul into that boy, and it backfired on you.

Don’t you think it’s time to take a step back and think about yourself for a change? ’

Astrid finished her tea and took her cup and saucer to the sink.

‘I’ve spoken to Tyler,’ she said as she rinsed her teacup.

‘Dinner tonight will be at seven sharp. You’ll come to the cottage, thank Tyler for his offer, enjoy the delicious meal he’ll undoubtedly prepare for us, and then engage in a practical discussion about what to do next.

’ She turned her wise old eyes on an astonished Christy.

‘And we’ll keep talk of any personal matters for another time, shall we?

Oh, and bring wine, two bottles – both red I think. ’

The rich aroma of garlic and herbs wafted through Astrid’s quaint cottage as Christy stepped inside, the warmth of the kitchen wrapping around her like a comforting blanket.

‘Hello,’ sang out Astrid happily, as she sliced red, green and yellow capsicums for a salad in the dining room. ‘I’m under instructions,’ she whispered.

Tyler was at the kitchen stove, his movements deft and assured as he sautéed prawns, the sizzle and pop mingling with the soft classical music playing in the background.

Soon the table was set with rustic charm – a basket of freshly baked bread, folded gingham napkins and Astrid’s bowl of colourful salad.

As they sat down to eat the conversation stayed light, mainly confined to appreciation of the meal Tyler had prepared – a spaghetti aglio e olio that was perfectly garlicky, with a hint of heat from crushed red pepper flakes, and a lemony tartness that made the prawns burst with flavour.

Dessert was a simple yet decadent affair of dark chocolate mousse and clotted cream, rich and silky and delicious.

Once the meals were done and the dishes cleared, the conversation shifted.

Tyler leaned back in the chair, his expression turning serious.

‘I’ve talked to the real estate agent. Harold’s sons are fast-tracking probate and the hall will be up for sale in a month or so.

’ His fingers tapped a soft rhythm on the tabletop.

Astrid took a big swig of her shiraz. ‘So, what’s the plan?’

‘I’ll make an offer,’ said Tyler. ‘If it’s accepted, I’ll lease the hall back to the drama group for a peppercorn rent, same as before.’

His gaze flicked to Christy, looking for a reaction. She felt a swirl of gratitude. As she met his gaze, a tangle of unspoken feelings pulsed between them, a reminder of the delicate balance she was trying to maintain.

‘Are you sure about this, Tyler?’ she asked, her voice wavering. ‘I don’t want you to feel obligated.’

Astrid shook her head behind Tyler’s line of sight, eyes blazing.

Tyler ran his hand along the smooth table edge. ‘I’m doing this because I believe in what we’re doing here. Trust me, all right?’

They talked for another hour or more, deciding to draw up a twelve-month lease agreement instead of the current month-to-month tenancy, debating how they’d split up the costs of further renovations and even trying to choose a name for the hall.

They couldn’t agree, so decided to leave that decision for later.

Finally, the plans were made, the wine was finished, and the evening was winding down. Tyler served coffee. ‘He’s bought me an espresso machine,’ said Astrid as she lit scented candles for the table. ‘I’ll never have to go to a café again.’

When Tyler was seated in front of his own coffee cup, Astrid asked him how Leo was going.

‘He had a bit of a setback, but now he’s doing really well again.’

He glanced at Christy, who could almost hear the unspoken No thanks to you .

Or was it her imagination? Tyler had acknowledged Leo’s continuing progress.

Maybe he didn’t blame her any more for pulling back.

The night had reminded her of how easy it was to be around Tyler, how natural their connection felt.

Or had the wine simply gone to her head?

Christy toyed with the idea of taking Astrid’s advice and revealing her true feelings.

Her gaze drifted from the flickering candle to Tyler’s handsome face, lit softly by the dim light. Was it really too late for them?

But as she watched him, her resolve wavered.

Leo’s well-being, his recovery – it was too fragile.

She’d seen how hurt he’d been by that single kiss.

How would he handle Christy striking up a full-time public relationship with his father?

She couldn’t risk Leo’s stability, not even for her own happiness.

And anyway, she’d promised Astrid that she wouldn’t get into the personal.

Christy blinked back unexpected tears. There’d be no happy ending for her tonight.