Free An Outback Affair/Runaway Wife/Outback Bridegroom/Outback Surrender/Home To Eden by Margaret Way

rough.” She coloured a little. “Certainly not. I mean able to meet challenges head-on. To be a resilient, functioning, strong individual who can handle whatever life throws at you.”
    He laughed without humour, remembering how it was. “Laura, it was a big struggle. I have my moments of inner devastation.”
    â€œBut you carry on?” She couldn’t leave this question of personal inner strength alone. She carried so much self-disgust at the punishment she had taken during her short marriage.
    He saw her eyes, beautiful, haunted. “Why are you so unhappy? It can’t be simply a fear of plunging into marriage with the wrong person?”
    She pulled a sapphire blue cushion onto her lap. “Have you ever been in love, or felt or thought you were in love?”
    His mouth quirked. “I figure at thirty-eight I must have been.”
    â€œAnd the woman I resemble?”
    The sombre expression was back in place. “You don’t resemble her at all. A figure-type—petite and slender. The way you wear your hair.” He wanted to reach over and pull her hair out of its loose knot, watch its silken slide around her romantic face.
    â€œYou were in love with her?”
    â€œQuestions, questions!”
    â€œIf you can ask them so can I.”
    â€œI was in love with the woman I thought she was. She was never that person,” he said, his eyes disturbingly dark.
    â€œI’m sorry.” She was afraid that woman had badly hurt him. “So, has it taken a long time for you to become involved with anyone else?”
    His deep attractive voice was full of amusement. “I certainly don’t intend becoming involved with you, miss.”
    â€œI know that.” Yet something in his eyes made her head whirl. “I’m not planning any involvements for a very long time. Maybe never. We’re two people who escaped out here to breathe.”
    â€œExactly.” His tone was calm.
    â€œIt’s extraordinary the way I feel free to talk to you.” By doing so she felt she was helping herself.
    â€œWhat’s your boyfriend’s profession?” he surprised her by asking.
    â€œHe’s a doctor.” The words were uttered; too late to take them back.
    â€œAm I hearing correctly? A doctor?” He frowned. “I would have thought a doctor would be an understanding person. Caring for people is what their calling is all about. For most of them it’s very important. I’ve known some heroic doctors in my time.”
    They weren’t about inflicting cruelty and pain, Laura thought.
    In front of his eyes her whole demeanour altered. “Do you doubt your ability to carry off the role of doctor’s wife?”
    She gave a restless little shake of her head. “It could be I’m not fit to be a wife at all.”
    â€œStop putting yourself down. You shouldn’t do it.”
    â€œLots of things I shouldn’t be doing, Evan.” She sighed and tried to smile. “Like sitting here with you when we should be up working.”
    â€œI can take care of the work.” He stood up, filling the small parlour with his sheer presence. “I can tell you one thing, Laura. You don’t need anyone in your life who remorselessly drains off all your self-confidence.”
    â€œI’ll have to start thinking like you. I might take up judo or karate.”
    â€œPower, kiddo? Is that what you’re hoping to achieve?” He laughed, looking down at her ethereal frame.
    â€œIf I were stronger I might be more in control,” she said, very seriously. “I think my image is much too soft and dreamy. It speaks of weakness.”
    â€œNonsense! I’d stick to your image, if I were you. It’s perfectly beautiful. Surely you couldn’t fail to know that?”
    â€œSarah is beautiful, but one senses immediately she’s strong. I so admire her.”
    â€œLaura, my dear, you are simply too hard on