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to talk to you about. And as for getting to know you, well’ her voice rose, ‘I found out yesterday that you are rude and arrogant and…’
    Mark leant back in his saddle. ‘Whoa, Cassie, whoa.’ He shook his head. ‘Is that any way to talk to a neighbour?’ Dropping his flippant manner, he continued in an apologetic tone. ‘I have got off to a bad start, haven’t I? I’m sorry. I’ve upset you. I do apologise. My brother’s always telling me I’m an overbearing pig. I’m afraid he’s probably right. Will you please accept my apology? Perhaps we could start again. I do want us to be friends.’ He smiled as he pleaded, his voice sincere. ‘Please.’
    Cassie hesitated, her anger weakening somewhat. ‘I don’t want to be bad friends with a neighbour…’ her voice trailed away.
    ‘I promise I’ll try not to be rude or arrogant again. Cross my heart.’ With a solemn face and wide eyes, he inscribed a cross over his heart.
    But Cassie could see a mischievous glint deep in his dark eyes.
    ‘Now, where shall we go?’ His lips twitched into a roguish grin, as if he knew he had won her round.
    ‘I don’t…Oh!’ Cassie laughed and her body relaxed. Why not? Maybe he wasn’t so bad after all. Perhaps it would be fun to ride with him. ‘Oh, all right, I’m going to ride down by the river. At least it should be green along the bank.’
    ‘Great. Let’s go.’
    Cassie felt her spirits lift as they cantered across the dry paddock, the sun hot on their backs. They pulled up in the shade of a large, spreading lillipilli tree a few metres back from the river.
    ‘Oh, it’s so good to be up here again.’ She patted the mare’s neck, which turned her head and whinnied. ‘And Tango’s pleased to see me again, aren’t you, old girl?’
    ‘I imagine everyone up here’s pleased to see you,’ Mark said, glancing across at her as they walked the horses along under the trees. ‘Rosie was certainly excited about you coming. You two seem close.’
    Cassie nodded. ‘Oh, yes, we’ve known each other pretty well all our lives. Almost like sisters.’
    ‘You don’t have a sister?’
    ‘No, I’m an only child.’
    ‘Your father was Len’s brother I understand, but he didn’t live up here?’
    ‘No, he left here when he was young. He preferred the city.’
    ‘And you? Which do you prefer?’
    Cassie gazed across the river, glittering silver in the sun, as she thought about it. ‘I’m not quite sure. I’ve always loved coming here. It’s been my second home but, well,’ she shrugged, ‘I enjoy life in Sydney, too. I never thought I’d have to choose. I suppose I thought things would always go on the same.’ Sadness tinged her voice. ‘As they should have, for many years yet.’
    ‘Yes, we never know what’s around the corner.’ A shadow crossed Mark’s face and he fell silent for a moment. Then he turned to her with an enquiring look. ‘And is there someone special in Sydney? A boyfriend, perhaps, who wants you back there?’
    Cassie shook her head. ‘No, I’ve lots of friends, but no one special.’
    Mark raised his eyebrows. ‘Really? I’m surprised. You’re beautiful, intelligent. I would have thought you’d be paired off with someone by now. Sydney boys aren’t usually backward.’
    ‘You don’t need to flatter me.’ Cassie frowned, grimacing. ‘I just haven’t met the right person, I guess. And you?’
    ‘Divorced.’
    ‘Oh, I’m sorry.’
    ‘Don’t be.’
    His abrupt reply told Cassie the time had come to change the subject. ‘And you haven’t always lived up here, either. Where are you from?’
    ‘I’m from Sydney, too. I still go down often. I have some business interests down there.’
    ‘Who looks after those while you’re up here?’
    ‘My brother. We run things together.’
    ‘I envy you having a brother.’ Cassie sighed. ‘What type of business are you in?’
    ‘Construction.’
    ‘I see. And is this the first country property you’ve