Page 52 of Wild Horses

Christy had decided to stay in Brisbane with Tyler until the school term started. The idea was to maximise their time together before she moved to take up her position at St Luke’s.

Leo had already returned to Currawong Creek, eager for a holiday job with the horses. Lofty hadn’t been the only drawcard. Tiff was staying on too, doing work experience at Tom’s vet clinic in Merriang. Leo had been dying to get back to his horse and his girl.

He’d been working on convincing Tyler to let him start an apprenticeship at a local thoroughbred stud that also specialised in retraining off-the-track racehorses.

In the face of such a relentless campaign his father wouldn’t be able to hold out for long.

Christy missed having Leo around; she missed his quirky humour and youthful enthusiasm.

Christy missed Tyler too. Since the verdict, he’d gone from spending every spare minute with her to working long days at Providence.

It left her feeling abandoned. Ten lonely days passed, filled with reading, preparing for her new job and browsing available Sydney apartments online.

She was almost looking forward to heading off next week. It would give her something to do.

That Friday evening, when Tyler arrived home after eight o’clock and ordered takeaway for them, she joked, ‘The only way I get to see you these days is by watching reruns of Ward’s Kitchen. ’ But her laughter felt hollow.

‘Sorry, but I’m working on a new project.’

‘What sort of project?’

Tyler dismissed her question by saying, ‘I can’t really talk about it yet.’

Christy turned away to hide her irritation. This was how Tyler had been when they’d first met: guarded and closed down. She’d thought that was all behind them.

After dinner Tyler retreated to his home office.

Christy went to bed with a book but couldn’t concentrate.

She turned off the lamp. Was this how it would be from now on?

If so, maybe it was just as well she was moving to Sydney.

Maybe absence would make Tyler’s heart grow fonder.

When he finally came to bed she pretended to be asleep.

Christy woke up late and Tyler had already gone. She switched on the bedside radio to hear the morning news. Pretty standard stuff. A cyclone up north. An assault in the CBD. A charity walk for homelessness. But Christy froze when she heard the next item.

‘Providence, the renowned Brisbane restaurant owned by celebrity chef Tyler Ward, has been sold. Its new owner, Bernard Moreau, plans to add it to his international string of French haute cuisine eating establishments.’

What? Providence sold and Tyler hadn’t even mentioned it? She grabbed her phone and dialled his number, confusion and hurt swirling inside her. ‘Tyler, what’s going on? I just heard about Providence.’

There was a pause on the other end. ‘I’m coming home.’

Christy paced the apartment. By the time Tyler walked through the door, she was a bundle of nerves. He approached her, looking serious, yet there was still an air of mystery about him.

‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ she demanded, unable to mask the anger in her voice. ‘Something this important, and I had to hear it on the news?’

Tyler took a deep breath, running a hand through his hair. ‘I didn’t want to tell you until everything was finalised. I wanted to make sure it was real before getting your hopes up.’

‘What hopes?’ She crossed her arms. ‘What are you going to do now that Providence is gone?’

‘I’m starting a new restaurant.’ A light shone in his eyes as he talked. ‘Something completely different. Something I’ve been dreaming about for weeks.’

Christy’s heart sank. It felt like a punch to the gut. Things were bad enough now, but starting a new restaurant would consume Tyler entirely. Weekends, late nights, the constant pressure. Would there be any room left in his life for her?

‘And you didn’t think you could share this dream with me?’ she asked, her voice softer now, brimming with a vulnerability she wanted to hide. Tyler tried to take her in his arms, but she pulled away. Christy held his gaze, searching for the man she’d fallen for.

‘I wanted it to be a surprise. I’m sorry.’ But he didn’t look sorry. He had that glint in his eye, the one that hinted at something big. ‘If you let me, I’ll show you rather than try to explain.’ He grabbed his car keys from a hook by the door. ‘Fancy a drive?’

Her anticipation built as they drove. Tyler would not be drawn on their destination, but when they took the road to Toowoomba she knew – they were heading for Merriang.

Upon arriving, a montage of memories washed over her.

The quaint town, with its charming streets and familiar faces, felt like a homecoming.

She imagined they were on their way to Currawong Creek to visit Leo.

But instead Tyler pulled up in front of the old school hall.

Christy gave a small, happy cry and jumped from the car.

‘It looks fantastic and so well cared for,’ she said, abuzz with unexpected delight.

‘I love the new curtains, and look – someone’s started a garden. ’

Tyler grinned, watching her reaction.

She thought back to the day she’d first seen the little hall, looking so rundown and unloved. How glad she was that she’d saved it. ‘Do we have time to look inside? The key’s under the brick by the door.’

As they walked towards the hall, Christy noticed a construction site in the paddock next door – freshly laid foundations and the skeletal beginnings of new buildings.

‘I hope those people appreciate the beauty of this place,’ she said, ‘and that they won’t be bothered by the noise from our theatre shows.’

Tyler stopped and turned to her with mischief in his eyes. ‘You don’t have to worry,’ he said. ‘Noise has never worried me.’

Christy frowned in confusion. ‘You?’

‘Me. I’ve bought the property next door, ten hectares in all.

I’m building a house, stables and a new restaurant right beside the old hall.

I’m moving to Merriang, and I hope you’ll give up your idea of living in Sydney and move here with me.

If you don’t say yes, I’ll forever be insanely jealous of sporty Mr Andrew Kensington.

’ He pulled her in for a delicious kiss. ‘You wouldn’t want that, would you?’

Christy stared at him in amazement. ‘You’re serious?’

‘I am.’

‘And this is the project that’s been taking up all of your time?’

Tyler was beaming from ear to ear. ‘I’m hoping we can be business partners.

You can still teach at Currawong Creek if you want to, that’s if you have time between organising shows for our new venture – The Bunya Theatre Restaurant, with a cuisine that will feature – wait for it – bunya nuts!

You have no idea how versatile they are.

I’ve developed dozens of recipes.’ He began to rattle off a long list. ‘Bunya kiev, bunya-nut galettes, bunya-nut gnocchi piemontaise, bunya-nut chantilly, bunya-nut dukkah-crusted tofu, bunya-nut ice cream with native fruit compote ...’

Tyler’s voice merged into white noise as Christy felt her world tilt on its axis. The possibilities seemed endless, each one more thrilling than the last. ‘The Bunya Theatre Restaurant,’ she repeated, tasting the name on her tongue. It felt so right.

Tyler’s excitement spilled over. He swept her off her feet, swinging her around and kissing her breathless.

‘We’ll market the restaurant as destination dining and a fabulous show thrown in.

With the Bunya Mountains on our doorstep and my name behind it we should have plenty of takers.

You know Fiona Bennet, the publican? She’s thrilled at the thought of more demand for accommodation.

She’s already planning to set up a glamping business for overflow overnight guests.

And imagine the Currawong Creek kids doing work experience here, participating in the theatre shows. It’s a win for everyone.’

Christy’s mind was spinning with the potential. She could see it all so clearly – the bustling restaurant, the vibrant shows, the community coming together in this beautiful place. And teaching back at Currawong Creek would be the icing on the cake.

‘Of course, if we’re partners, that means partners in the whole kit and caboodle – the old school hall as well. We should look at refinancing. Let’s kick that predatory finance company to the kerb.’

Christy felt tears prick the corners of her eyes, a mix of relief and overwhelming joy.

Tyler took her hands in his, holding her gaze. ‘You and me, babe ... how about it?’