59 Chapter 32.1

'Probably a sketch-book,' she answered without hesitation. 'I trained as a graphic artist. Part of why Ric chose me as his executive assistant. He thinks I have a good eye for the best shots.'

'But you're not ambitious for yourself?' She sighed. 'Is that a terrible flaw in me?'

He laughed. 'We can't all be burning lights. How could they keep burning without a support system? Never underestimate the importance of support, Kathryn. An assistant who cares and shares…whose support one can always trust…there is a huge need for people like that…the nurturers of this world.'

The nurturers of this world…it suddenly struck Kathryn that was precisely what Patrick Maguire was—a man who had nurtured many burning lights. It was okay to assist. In fact, it was more than okay. It was a special gift in itself. Support one can always trust. Indeed, it was her nature to nurture. Just like her mother. Like Patrick. Except…there was one wrong note in all this…unless it could be explained.

'I noticed in the games room, you have copies of Ric's prize-winning photographs on the walls, and all of Johnny's music he's recorded…'

'But the chess table is here?'

'Yes. I just thought…well, there was nothing of Mitch in that room, and I wondered…'

'Where is he at Gundamurra?' Patrick tapped his forehead. 'In here, Kathryn. And this table is always set up ready for battle to be joined between us. We still play chess by correspondence.' He waved to the computers. 'By e-mail these days.'

'For lack of a handy partner,' she murmured, remembering Mitch's own words on their first night together.

'I'm glad he has you now, Kathryn.'

'And I'm glad he brought me to meet you, Patrick.' The man who had supported him all these years—the touching of minds that Mitch had needed, being known for who and what he was.

Ric and Johnny had shared that, too. Old friends. Special friends who understood what no-one else could without having had the experience here.

'You are very welcome, Kathryn,' Patrick said warmly. 'Very welcome.'

And she finally felt the bond—the knowing, the caring and the sharing

—knew why Mitch had brought her here, why it was important to him. In a way, it was the ultimate gift of himself, the one deep insight that made sense of everything else, if she had the eyes to see it.

The knowing grey eyes of the old man who had seen so much were smiling at her, making her feel good about herself, good about being here with them all, reminding her what Mitch had said about the name, Gundamurra. In the Aboriginal language it meant 'good day'.

It was.

A very good day. 'Thank you, Patrick.'

He nodded and gestured to the chess pieces. 'Black or white?'

For the traditional Christmas carols session in the courtyard after dinner, Mitch had claimed the absolute centre of the lawn for him and Kathryn. They sat on the rug and cushions he'd set ready, surrounded by all the people who lived and worked on the outback sheep station. The pepper trees on the corners of the quadrangle were strung with masses of fairy lights and on the verandah facing them was a wonderfully decorated Christmas tree, under which lay Patrick's gifts for his staff and their families.

Johnny led them in the singing, playing his guitar like the virtuoso musician he was. Everyone joined in. He even had all the children marching around the courtyard to 'The Little Drummer Boy.' In between the carols, people wandered over to the verandah to fill their glasses from the keg of beer or the bowl of fruit punch, pick up a mince pie or a piece of Christmas cake. It was a very merry evening.

And Kathryn was thoroughly enjoying it, joining in, happily chatting to all and sundry as though she finally felt she fitted in here, and now saw Gundamurra as the special place it was to Mitch. He didn't know what had been said between her and Patrick over their game of chess this afternoon, but her beautiful green eyes had been shining ever since, shooting their magic sparks at him, making his heart dance with joy.

At first he'd worried that it might have been a mistake to bring her—too much to handle with Ric and Johnny here, too. Johnny, in particular, could be overwhelming company. And Patrick's daughters were no shy violets, either, always brimming with positive purpose.

These past three days, Kathryn had been sticking closely to Lara, with whom she obviously felt an empathy. But something had changed this afternoon. He sensed that whatever questions had weighed on her mind— and heart—had been answered and she was happy with the answers.

Which surely meant he could proceed with confidence. It was simply a matter of choosing the right moment.

The carols were interrupted for Patrick to give his Christmas speech and hand out the gifts. He wore a Santa Claus cap and declared he was standing in for Santa because the kangaroos pulling the sleigh weren't hopping fast enough and wouldn't reach the outback until after midnight. Kathryn laughed and reached out to Mitch, taking his hand and squeezing it.

'He's a wonderful old man,' she said fervently. 'He is, indeed,' Mitch agreed.

'I think it was a very lucky choice…your coming here to him, Mitch.

For Ric and Johnny, too.'

'You won't find any argument on that from any of us, Kathryn.' 'Thank you for sharing all this with me. It's very, very special.' 'I'm glad you find it so.'

More than glad. So much more it was impossible to put into words. It was like being reborn into a world where peace and well-being reigned. No dark shadows. No uncertainties. Pure pleasure.

They listened to Patrick, watched him having a personal word with everyone who accepted a gift from him. When that ceremony was over, they joined in a rousing chorus of 'We Wish you a Merry Christmas,' and finally a quieter, but no less feeling rendition of 'Silent Night.'

The station families trailed off to their own homes.

Patrick's family cleared away what needed to be taken inside, cleaning and tidying everything, ready for tomorrow. Mitch had deliberately left his rug and cushions on the lawn, and as everyone else was drifting off to bed, he steered Kathryn back outside, insisting it was a night to watch the stars for a while.

They lay together on the rug, looking up at a universe that seemed to be twinkling just for them. For Mitch, it had been a long journey to this moment, but he had no doubts about the decision hovering in his mind. It felt right now. Completely right.

'It's magic, isn't it?' Kathryn murmured, awed by the beauty of the outback night.

'Yes. But for me, the real magic is down here.'

He rolled onto his side, propped himself up on his elbow. She smiled at him. He was tempted to kiss her, but he didn't. Her answer would mean more, coming without any physical persuasion.

'Will you marry me, Kathryn?'

'Yes.' No hesitation. Not the slightest second thought. Her eyes engaged his very directly, serious now, yet glowing with an inner light that touched his soul. 'I love you, Mitch Tyler. And I now know what love is.'

'So do I. It's what I feel for you. Will you wear my ring, Kathryn?' 'Yes. For the rest of my life, Mitch.'

He took the small box out of his pocket, opened it, extracted the ring he'd chosen for her and slid it onto the third finger of her left hand. She lifted her arm to see it and the fairy lights in the trees sparkled through the deep green of the centrepiece which was set in gold and surrounded by star- like diamonds.

'An emerald…' It was a sigh of pleasure, drifting into a smile that transmitted her whole-hearted pleasure in him. 'I've always loved green.'

Then her arm lifted higher, curling around his neck, pulling him down. They kissed, pouring their love out to each other, and to Mitch the whole world felt green, like spring arriving, with all the promise of a vibrant new life taking over from a long, long winter.

His and Kathryn's life…together.