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“I have, and that certainly does not preclude the warranty being implemented. The vehicle has never been in four-wheel drive. Yes, it has been on the odd gravel road, and I forded one creek, but I certainly haven’t done anything to break an arm on a gearbox. It’s obviously poor workmanship or shoddy components.”

“Okay, I’ll admit we’ve had a few problems with this model,” he said. “I think some of the Chinese steel isn’t the quality we’re used to.”

“Well, John. That’s not my problem. I’m sorry I ever bought it off you,” Violet said. “I would prefer a refund.”

His laughed boomed over the phone and the sound reminded Violet of Brian Bailey. She shivered.

“Well, no need for that. It’ll be repaired, love. Good as new.”

“It is new!” Violet exclaimed.

“Well, you’ll have your lovely new ute back in eight weeks or so.”

“What! No way. I can’t go eight weeks without my car. I have commitments.”

“We’ve got some courtesy cars at the dealership on Ipswich Road. We are quite happy for you to collect one and drive around Brisbane in it.”

“I’m seven hundred kilometres away from Brisbane at the moment, and I’m stranded on a farm. Without the brand-new vehicle. I remind you I paid sixty thousand dollars for that vehicle in good faith.”

“Well, love, I can’t do anything for you. They’re shipping your vehicle from Tamworth up to Brisbane. I wondered why you took it to our Tamworth dealership and not to us.”

Duh, because it was broken down.

Violet rolled her eyes. It sounded as though the guy wasn’t the brightest tool on the shelf, but then to be fair he was in the sales and warranty area and didn’t know much about the mechanical side of things.

“Because it broke down in the country near Tamworth.” She kept her voice patient, despite wanting to yell at him.

“Rightio.”

“Who should I call if I want an update on the ‘or so’ you said?”

“Just call my number. You’ve got it in your phone now, love.”

“I have.” Violet cringed at the ‘love’.

“You have a wonderful day,” he said and disconnected.

Violet shook her head and headed for the Smiths’ place. Excitement fizzed when she turned up the long drive and saw a beautiful black stallion grazing in the front paddock.

She was beginning to enjoy this country life.

Chapter 16

Joe

Joe put the peanut butter back in the fridge and smiled as he noticed how tidy the shelves were. Picking up his coffee in one hand and the plate with his sandwich in the other, he wandered out to the back porch. He loved sitting out there, looking out over the paddocks and his sheep run where his girls were happily grazing. It always soothed him, and he needed soothing now.

When people talked about love at first sight, he used to grin and say that only happened in the movies.

He’d been wrong.

Joe had known the instant he’d spotted Violet in her campsite at his creek that his life was about to change.

He’d fallen instantly and hard. It wasn’t just that she was such an attractive woman; it was her goodness and kindness, her patience and interest in other people. Her willingness to listen as he talked to her about his sheep at dinner every night.

He was head over heels already, but he hadn’t done anything about it, and he told himself he wasn’t going to. He wasn’t good enough for Violet Valentine. She’d been to university, and from all accounts listening to Jake and Emma at the pub the other day, she was a well-respected equine vet, and the fact that they wanted to employ her as soon as they knew she was in town supported that.

I didn’t even finish high school, so how on earth could I even consider having a relationship with someone with Violet’s smarts, motivation, and a solid career behind her?