Read Outback Sisters for Free Online Page A

some, but it’s the only hope many of these isolated farmers have.’
    She nodded seriously. ‘I’ve seen that first-hand. Until recently I was worried about my cousin Adam becoming one of those statistics. And it’s not just men. I’ve been widowed for ten years and it’s hard enough to meet people, let alone when you have kids. Add living in a small town to that and it can make things nearly impossible. And then there’s my younger sister, Frankie.’
    â€˜She’s single too?’ The question slipped out before he knew what he was saying. He hoped he didn’t sound too eager.
    â€˜I guess the right man just hasn’t come along yet, but she’s so great. A new cop came to town last year and I thought maybe … but he hooked up with a friend of ours.’ Simone sighed. ‘At least she’s in a social job, being in the café, and could in theory meet new people there.’
    â€˜Yes, whereas, since his engagement ended, Angus is practically a hermit. We could be living up north on some remote station and he’d probably meet more people than he does currently.’
    â€˜Not a social butterfly then?’ Simone asked, smiling as she took another sip of wine.
    Logan shook his head. The only new women Angus ever met were the roustabouts or wool classers who came to their property with the shearing teams and even if he wanted to make an effort, they’d probably be too young.
    â€˜So Frankie and Angus both need to be more proactive.’
    â€˜Like us you mean?’ He couldn’t help looking at Simone and thinking how different she seemed in person to online. It wasn’t a bad thing … he liked this Simone as well, but she’d been a lot more chatty over the internet. A lot more forthcoming.
    â€˜Exactly.’ She slipped another forkful of creamy pasta into her mouth, reminding him he too should start on his meal before it went cold.
    â€˜This is better than I imagined,’ he said after a few mouthfuls.
    â€˜Told ya.’ Simone smiled victoriously. ‘What’s the most recent article you’ve written?’
    â€˜I’ve just submitted a big feature to The Australian on wind-farming.’
    Her eyes lit up. ‘Ooh, now that’s a contentious issue around here at the moment. I hear there’s a big renewable energy company trying to lease land off local farmers. I’m fascinated. Are you for or against?’
    While finishing his mouthful, Logan deliberated what to say. He’d had numerous arguments with Angus over the last few months about this very issue and he didn’t want to get into another one on a first date. Having said that, he wasn’t the type of guy to hold back his opinion.
    â€˜I don’t think it’s as black and white as some people want to believe,’ he began. ‘As with most things, there are advantages and disadvantages, but in this case I think the benefits far outweigh the negatives. The turbines can provide an additional income for farmers, which can help in times of drought. There’s also community benefits—employment and ongoing maintenance. Not to mention tourism.’
    She smiled and nodded.
    â€˜Sorry, I’m probably boring you half to death.’
    â€˜On the contrary.’ She lifted her wine glass to her lips and took a sip before adding, ‘I’m enjoying myself immensely. You don’t know how starved I am for adult conversation. Most of my time is spent stopping my teenage daughters from killing each other.’
    Logan chuckled, recalling all too well the numerous fights he and Angus had gotten into as teenagers—neither of them backing down until blood was spilled, bones were broken or one of their parents physically dragged them apart. Like most siblings, they had a love-hate relationship. Angus was both his best friend and his worst enemy.
    â€˜So what do you think about wind farms then?’ he asked, trying