Morgan's Law by Karly Lane

something?’
    â€˜Nah, it’s just common sense out here. You bring everything you think you might need and then a few extras.’
    They sat on a nearby fallen log, after Adam had made a quick inspection to make sure nothing was living inside, and he poured coffee into a tin cup, handing it to her.
    After a few sips of the steaming brew, which wasn’t too bad, despite being from a thermos, Sarah stared out at the surrounding bush. ‘I’d really like to know what was so important about this damn tree.’
    â€˜If it was close to the river, it could be near an old swimming hole. Maybe it just reminded her of being a kid.’
    â€˜Do you know where any swimming holes are?’
    â€˜Not down this way—we used to swim further upstream, closer to the original homestead. If there was one, it’s probably grown over by now—no one’s been down this way in a long time.’
    â€˜Anyway why wouldn’t she say the “old waterhole”? Why be so specific about a tree?’
    â€˜Maybe it’s where she met her first boyfriend. Women are supposed to get sentimental over that kind of stuff, aren’t they?’
    â€˜What, happily-ever-afters?’ She hadn’t meant it to come out sounding quite so sardonic; apparently her recent disappointment was still very raw.
    â€˜Big-city career women don’t believe in happily ever after?’
    Sarah gave a rueful grin. ‘I’m sure some of them do.’
    â€˜But not this one?’
    Did she? She used to, but that was something all little girls believed in. She actually couldn’t even remember the last time she’d stopped to think about romance as an adult. Her job had always been the focus of her life; she already had her happy-ever-after in that regard. Did she really need a man to make her life complete? So far they’d only managed to complicate things and tread on her confidence in the process. ‘I guess there’s always hope.’
    He was watching her thoughtfully and his silent observation made her feel like something under the microscope.
    â€˜So what does your family think about all this?’ he asked, swirling the contents of his cup idly.
    â€˜Not a lot.’ At his raised eyebrow, she gave a reluctant sigh and wondered how to explain her dysfunctional family to someone who seemed so grounded. ‘There was really only my mum, Gran and me growing up. My mother and Gran weren’t close, so Mum thinks coming out here is crazy.’ She sent him a quick glance and sighed. ‘Yes, I know she’s probably right.’
    â€˜I didn’t say you were crazy,’ he said with a smile.
    They sat and listened to the birdlife around them for a moment and Sarah thought she might be safe from further questions, but it didn’t last.
    â€˜So what about your father?’
    Under normal circumstances, Sarah couldn’t have imagined answering these questions—she loathed talking about her personal life, but here in this peaceful place it didn’t feel so strange, or maybe it was just the company. ‘My real father died when I was a baby. I never knew him. Mum married Frederick when I was about eight. He’s always treated me as though I was family, but he was a confirmed bachelor when he met Mum, so it was a steep learning curve for the poor guy.’
    â€˜You were obviously close to your gran. She must have been a very special lady.’
    Sarah looked over at him; his soft words induced an ache in her throat. ‘She was.’
    A silence fell between them, but it was a comforting silence.
    â€˜So you run this place?’ she asked eventually.
    Adam took off his hat and ran a hand through his short hair before answering. ‘Yep. Dad passed away a few years ago, so I took over.’
    â€˜Did you always want to do this?’
    â€˜Yeah. It’s in my blood. My grandfather bought this place . . . Well, actually he bought the original plot