The Horse Thief Read Free Page B

might be. It takes time and hard work for dreams to become reality.’
    Before Mama’s accident the stables had been full of mares awaiting service and the property supported an energetic and vibrant community. Papa had tried but he’d sunk into such despair he retreated to his shipping business in Sydney. When he decided to drag her and her sister off to a school for young ladies in Sydney, Helligen and their mother had withered and become mere shadows.
    In the time they’d been away so much had changed. Mama’s health had declined further and Papa, out of his depth and unable to cope, rarely set foot on the property.
    â€˜This is just the beginning.’
    To achieve her dreams she needed help, and a stud master would provide it. Jim Mawgan’s arrival marked the first step on the long journey to Flemington and the prize she coveted more than any jewel. Today was an auspicious day on more than one count. Employing a stud master marked her first independent act in restoring the Kilhampton family fortunes.
    The bread, dry as the sawdust spread on the stable floors, churned in her mouth. She chewed fast. Peggy wouldn’t let her out of the kitchen until she swallowed it and there was so much to do. The stable doors dangled and the water barrels were a disgrace. They leaked liked Peggy’s kitchen sieves and smelt almost as bad as the boiled cabbage she crushed in them. India tossed back the last drop of scalding tea, swallowed, picked up her hat and made for the door.
    â€˜Oh, before you go—just a word of warning.’ Peggy’s tone stopped her in her tracks. ‘Jim, Mr Mawgan, said he saw a woman on a horse over by the lagoon last evening when he arrived.’
    A bruised silence descended on the warm kitchen. India replaced her hat on the dresser and sighed. ‘Have you spoken to Anya?’
    â€˜I haven’t seen her this morning. I’ll have a word when she comes down to get the trays. Your mother must have got back safe last night otherwise Anya would have raised the alarm.’
    India’s puff of exasperation echoed. ‘I really don’t want to deal with it right now. I want to get everything started in a businesslike fashion—no echoes of the past.’
    â€˜If you didn’t want “echoes of the past”, why try and get the horse breeding back on track?’
    â€˜Because we’re the best in the business and …’ At the light rap on the half-closed door she clamped her lips together and crossed the floor. ‘Mr Mawgan.’

Four
    Jim made an effort to close his mouth then blinked twice at the vision before him.
    â€˜Mr Mawgan?’ she repeated.
    Clearing his throat he held out his hand, quite why he didn’t know. It wasn’t customary or proper. ‘Yes.’ His chest tightened and the hairs on his forearms rose.
    â€˜I’m India Kilhampton.’ Her hand was warm, not cool like the pale hands of yesterday.
    For a long moment he stared into her charcoal eyes: thunderclouds chasing across a stormy sky. She raised an eyebrow and tugged her hand back.
    â€˜I wrote. The job. I’m here about the job.’
    A smile hovered on the edge of her lips and she pulled back her sun-kissed hair against the nape of her neck. His skin prickled in response to the gesture, so like the woman yesterday. They could be one and the same but for the light of laughter in India’s eyes and her taut, flawless skin tanned from hours in the fresh air.
    â€˜I am so happy to see you. Let me show you around and perhaps you can tell me a little about yourself.’
    They stepped out into the morning sun. Countless colours, threads of gold and red danced in her hair and snatched his breath away. The same streaked tresses, the same eyes, and the same skin. All painted in a brighter hue, not washed out by the frenzied agony he’d seen last night.
    â€˜I’ll take you for a tour of the property, and we’ll discuss