Wendy’s father had been charged with conspiracy to kidnap, conspiracy to murder, and assault occasioning bodily harm. Charles was charged with conspiracy to murder, murder, and assault occasioning bodily harm. The other three brothers were charged with conspiracy to murder and assault occasioning bodily harm. Cyril was charged with assault and intention to rape. All men were charged with holding a person against their will. The attorney Luke had secured for Wendy was convinced they would all serve jail time. Bail was refused and they remained in custody which was good news for Wendy.
Luke, Serina, and a therapist were working with Wendy on her testimony against the men. I marveled at the strength of my beautiful friend. I’d thought she would be reluctant to face her attackers in court, but she was determined each and every man would pay for what they’d done.
Wendy had volunteered details of her past, explaining how she’d travelled to Fortitude Valley and made a contact there who had helped her change her identity. He’d provided her with a Driver’s License, Tax File Number, and Medicare card. It was all the information she’d needed to enroll at Uni and start what she hoped was a new life.
The cop in Luke hadn’t been able to let the information slide and he had police from Brisbane investigate the address Wendy had given him. There was no evidence of any illegal dealings at the premises, and the police concluded, the operation had probably moved on long ago. Luke had explained he hadn’t expected them to find anything as these people never stayed in one place for very long. His mind was at ease though knowing he’d followed through.
***
A couple of days after we arrived home, and I was satisfied Wendy was well on her way to recovery, I’d taken Luke to visit my family. They’d welcomed my man with open arms. Lis had squeezed the shit out of him and peppered his face with kisses. From that moment on, Luke said he’d felt like a part of the family.
Over lunch, dad and I gave Luke the surprise of his life. I’d called dad and discussed an idea I had and he hadn’t hesitated to agree to my proposal. Dad still held twenty percent interest in the station, and although my sister had taken the large cash payout he’d offered, she still remained interested in how it was going. After all, she’d grown up there and still regarded it as home.
When we ironed out the details, Dad had contacted his lawyer and the papers were drawn up. He presented the papers to a confused Luke after we’d eaten. I smiled as he glanced at me while opening the envelope.
I’d asked my father if I could gift Luke twenty per cent of the property and control of the horse breeding business we were establishing as a wedding present. I wanted to split the profits of the horse business with sixty percent to Luke and twenty each to dad and me. All we needed to finalize the agreement was Luke’s signature on the papers.
I watched as Luke read the papers and tears sprang to his eyes. I stood, turned his chair so I could move in front of him, dropped to one knee, and gathered his hands in mine.
“Luke, for fifteen years, you were in my dreams every single fucking night.”
Mum coughed at my language.
“Sorry, Mum. I never imagined those dreams would ever come true. When you walked onto the station a few weeks ago, I knew I was going to make you mine. I have no doubt that our hearts and souls are intertwined and we were destined to be together. I love you with everything I am and I always will. Luke Kelly, will you marry me?”
Tears pricked my eyes, Mum and Lis sniffled, and tears dripped over Luke’s cheeks. He answered without hesitation.
“Yes, I would be honoured to marry you. I love you with all my heart.”
Everyone in the room vanished for me as I kissed my man passionately. Then Lis was on us. She squealed, kissed us and demanded to be best girl at our wedding. Mum took us both in her arms and kissed us, dad shook our hands.
Luke thanked my dad for placing his faith and trust in him. For accepting him as a man good enough for his son, and as a man good enough to entrust part of his property.
When Luke and I returned home, we’d made love for hours, we’d both been rode hard. He’d repeatedly thanked me for making all his dreams come true.
***
I trotted my stallion out to where Luke was running his hands over the muscles of a new filly he’d purchased. He lifted his head when he heard me approach. The smile he gave me lit up his face and set my heart thumping. I dismounted, strode to him, pulled him against my chest and kissed him deeply. I kept one arm around his waist as I stood to his side.