Outback Sisters by Rachael Johns Page A

before he slowed the ute at the entrance to the farm. As it always did, his heart stilled a moment at the names on the gate welcoming visitors to K NIGHT ’ S H ILL , T REVOR & C ELESTE K NIGHT ’ S PLACE . Reminders of his parents were everywhere but nowhere more than here on the sign. Neither he nor Angus nor Olivia had ever raised the possibility of taking it down and replacing it. Somewhere in the last few years they’d stopped talking about their folks—something Logan didn’t think healthy but he’d never quite been able to rectify it. He sometimes shared the odd anecdote with Olivia, wanting to keep their parents’ memories alive for her, but Angus seemed to prefer to keep all his pain and heartbreak locked up inside.
    Sometimes Logan thought about provoking him, pushing him to the edge so that he’d snap, get angry and let it all flow out, but the closest he’d ever got was trying to get him to talk about the future direction of the farm. Their discussion about the potential of wind turbines was the latest point of contention.
    With a sigh and a determination not to have a depressing weekend, he continued up the track to the main house. As with all farms, there were wheat storage facilities, near-empty dams, the shearing sheds, workers’ quarters and various pieces of old machinery put out to pasture on either side of the track, but they’d always been there and Logan barely noticed them. The only time he ever thought about what the farm looked like was when he was travelling for work and thinking of home, but in the last few months, he’d starting started seeing things differently. Taking more notice of his surroundings before it was too late.
    Angus’s two red kelpies were the only sign of life in the yard, racing towards Logan’s ute as he pulled up under an old gum tree.
    â€˜Hey boys,’ he greeted them, chuckling at the way they always barked like he was a stranger. They fancied themselves more as guard dogs than farm dogs, but they were pretty good at both jobs. At the sound of his voice, they quieted and escorted him up onto the verandah, before falling into two heaps on either side of the front door. He yanked off his boots and headed inside.
    Although it was at least ten degrees warmer than outside, the house still felt chilly and Logan hurried down the corridor, one destination in mind—the bathroom and a hot shower.
    â€˜Look what the cat dragged in.’
    He startled at the sound of Angus’s voice as he trekked through to the kitchen and found his brother filling the kettle. ‘Good morning.’
    â€˜Maybe for some.’
    Logan didn’t even roll his eyes; he’d be suspicious if Angus wasn’t in his usual grump. ‘What’s on the agenda today?’
    Angus sighed as he grabbed a mug from the overhead cupboards. ‘I noticed a tree down over a fence yesterday. Need to fix that.’
    â€˜Must have been that storm we had the other night.’
    Angus grunted. ‘Pity all that wind didn’t bring much rain. Also need to check water levels and start servicing the header. Harvesting will be upon us before we know it. Nice of you to turn up, though. I could use a hand.’
    Logan nodded, trying not to feel annoyed. Harvest was still a couple of months away but it was as if every opportunity Angus got, he tried to make Logan feel guilty about leaving him with all this work. But the fact of the matter was, the farm could not support both of them full time and, even before their dad’s death, the plan had always been for Angus to take over. ‘I’ve gotta have a shower and eat something, but then I’m all yours. Use and abuse me.’
    Whereas most people might laugh at that, Angus merely raised one of his permanently knitted brows. ‘You up to it after your shenanigans last night? I’m guessing this girl you’ve met online turned out to be just as hot in