Inheritance Read Online Free

even in a dry like this. Large shady trees interspersed with tropical palms and exotic flowering shrubs flanked the lawns.
    A small modern house, not far from the main house, with its own fenced garden, had been built specially for the station manager and his family. The rest of the staff quarters and other outbuildings were further back beyond it, and vast paddocks surrounded it all.
    It still looked the same as always. Her throat ached as she remembered her aunt and uncle were no longer here to welcome her. Then the enormity of it struck her. This all belonged to her now. Uncle Len had entrusted her with all this.
    Tom and Lorna appeared as they pulled up in front of the house. They had obviously been watching for the car. They came forward now as Mark first deposited her case by the steps and then went back for two large boxes.
    A smile lit up Tom’s weather-beaten face as he opened the door for Cassie. ‘Welcome back, Cassie.’ Dressed in standard stockman’s clothes of jeans, checked shirt and RM Williams high-heeled boots, he looked much more comfortable than he had at the funeral.
    Lorna joined Tom and enveloped Cassie in a hug as she alighted.
    Cassie returned the hug. ‘It’s so good to see you.’
    ‘And you too, love.’
    ‘Thanks for collecting these, Mark,’ Tom indicated the boxes, ‘will you stay for a cuppa?’
    ‘No thanks, I’ll leave you with your guest. Don’t forget our riding date, Cassie.’
    Cassie ignored his reminder. ‘Thank you for the lift,’ she replied coolly. She had no desire to see him again, he was insufferable. Too bad if she offended him.
    ‘I’ll see you soon.’ With a wave, he climbed into his vehicle and pulled away.
    ***
    Mark looked around as he drove away. Yallandoo was certainly a fine property; it would suit his purpose well, being next to his own station, Binbin. He was sorry Len had died. Apart from the fact that he really liked the man, he had already broached the subject of selling Yallandoo. While Len had not seemed really interested, he had been willing to talk, but that was as far as they had gone — preliminary talks.
    Well, he’d just have to work on Cassie. He’d been happy to take Rosie to collect her; it gave him an opportunity to meet the young heiress. She was younger than he’d expected, just a slip of a girl, really. She had plenty of spirit, though. He smiled as he remembered how quickly she’d flared up at his blunt manner — and his teasing, too. He’d have to take more care not to antagonise her, to be nice to her. His brother, Laurence, always told him he wasn’t very tactful and he was probably right. Cassie’s a pretty little thing, he mused; those gorgeous green eyes with thick dark lashes and her short blond hair and small face give her a sort of a gamin look. Hmm…well, this was strictly business. He wanted no personal involvement.

Chapter 3
    ‘I’ve made up both rooms,’ Lorna told her when they were inside the house. ‘I didn’t know if you’d want to be in the main bedroom now?’
    ‘No. I’ll go in my own room. We’ll keep the other room as it is. At least for now. Who knows, maybe my mother will decide to come up some time, she’d like that room. However,’ she turned to Rosie, ‘I’m wondering if you’d like to move in here with me, Rosie, so I won’t be all on my own in this big house?’
    ‘Oh, yes, I’d love to.’
    ‘Will that be all right with you, Lorna?’
    ‘Yes, I guess it’s a good idea. Why don’t you go and start getting your things together now, Rosie? Cassie needs time to unpack.’
    ‘Okay. We’ll catch up later, Cassie. You can tell me everything that’s been happening in Sydney then.’
    ‘Sure.’
    They moved down the hallway, Tom carrying her luggage, and entered the room that Cassie knew so well. Pale blue walls, dainty blue flowers on white cotton for curtains and bedspread, and white painted furniture all gave the room a cool look.
    ‘Just leave the bag, thanks, Tom, and