Page 53 of Wild Horses
Their house stood proudly on a rise, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Bunya Mountains.
The two-storey homestead, architect-designed in the colonial revival style, exuded a timeless charm.
The exterior, a harmonious blend of timber and sandstone, looked like it could have been built a hundred and fifty years ago.
Yet inside was a mix of old and new, with light-filled, airy rooms and high corniced ceilings – the perfect blend of modern convenience and old-world charm.
Tyler came in with a cup of tea, placed it on the bedside table and opened the curtains.
What a different man he was from the one she’d first met on the roadside two years ago – the haunted look permanently lifted from his eyes.
Ricky Callan was serving the equivalent of three life sentences. He’d never bother them again.
‘Come and look at this,’ he said.
Christy joined him at the window. Lofty, Honey and their latest addition, Eclipse, were galloping around their lush green paddock, kicking up heels and racing each other.
‘Gorgeous,’ she said. ‘Perhaps we can all go riding when Leo comes home this afternoon?’
Tyler chuckled. ‘I can’t believe he talked me into buying Eclipse.
It’s bad enough we have Lofty now. A free lease, Clare said.
A thank you for all we’ve done for the kids.
An exception to the rule that no rescue horse ever leaves Currawong Creek.
Some thank you. I tried riding the bugger last week and he damn near killed me! ’
‘Lofty’s a one-person horse,’ soothed Christy. ‘You’d better leave him to Leo.’
‘Lesson learned,’ said Tyler, dryly.
‘Thank God Clare let us buy Honey, though. I’d be lost without that mare.’
‘Well, Honey wasn’t a rescue or an ex-racehorse, was she?’ said Tyler. ‘You can tell because she isn’t batshit crazy.’
Christy giggled. ‘Stop it!’ She gave him a playful punch. ‘Eclipse isn’t that bad, considering he’s only been off-the-track for three months. With a bit more education I think he’ll be perfect for you. And there is an upside. Eclipse being here means Leo comes home each weekend to work with him.’
‘As long as he doesn’t come home with another horse,’ said Tyler in mock complaint. ‘Starting that training apprenticeship has given my son far too much access to rogue thoroughbreds.’
Christy grinned. ‘So how about that ride later?’
‘I thought you had to supervise the auditions?’
‘I’m leaving that to Astrid. What’s the point of her being our casting director if we don’t let her make the first cut?’
‘Well, I’m planning a new menu for the outback theme nights, so I’d better get next door.’ Tyler kissed her goodbye.
Christy took her cup of tea through the French doors out onto the private balcony with its fuchsia-filled hanging baskets and pretty latticework.
She loved everything about their new home.
Each room was thoughtfully designed to capture the essence of the surrounding landscape, making the house feel both expansive and intimately connected to its environment.
She loved to watch the changing moods of the mountains, the play of light and shadow across their rugged slopes, and the vibrant colours of sunrise and sunset.
But most of all she loved their home because Tyler was there. Christy watched his tall figure stride through the little gate that connected their side garden with the restaurant grounds and felt a familiar rush of love. She could be happy living in a one-room bark hut as long as they were together.