The View

This spot by the window on the velvet chaise was her favourite spot in the house, although to be fair there were quite a few for her to choose. She loved the back patio too, overlooking the paddocks with the fire pit blazing, gum trees and natives painting a quintessential Aussie countryside backdrop at the top of the hill.

She was so happy here, happier than she could remember being for a long time. The autumnal breeze through the window was gently cooling her skin as she soaked in the view beyond, not quite believing this was hers, that she would grow old looking out this window. Not a rooftop in sight, just a big blue sky, treetops and a small collection of her favourite plants.

She conceded that it was still looking scruffy and unloved, however she chose to look past the weeds, instead focussing on the future of this home. There was so much to do, but it would soon be something special, their very own piece of She paradise here in this small country town where she had already made close friends. This was something she’d always dreamt of … the country life, a few acres with her horse within view, rather than other rooftops and the suburban landscape they’d just left behind, and she pinched herself once again, still not believing it was real, that she had been this lucky.

The Gambler had arrived the day before and she had had her first ride on her own horse on her own property and it was everything she’d ever hoped for. To be fair, The Gambler had been hard work, a little naughty … unsettled and tense, adjusting to his new environment. She knew it was only a matter of time for him to get used to his new digs and relax again. It was the first time he had been on his own, other horses in view but not a part of a herd. She was seriously contemplating a second, currently scrolling through the ‘for sale’ ads ……. perhaps even a rescue horse – company for The Gambler and a second chance for another. She didn’t think Mr She would be so keen on that idea so continued scrolling, letting him think she was simply crushing the candy once again.

They had achieved a lot already in the few short months they’d taken possession, and the long list of tasks ahead didn’t daunt her, the time they had to achieve it stretching out ahead of them, with no fixed finish date. Her patience had never been her strongest attribute but she had Mr She, her horse, her dogs and finally her acreage .. abundant with the sound of kookaburras and cockatoos chatting away and calling out to each other.

Dreams really can come true, she thought …. Sometimes they just take a little while to eventuate and she was going to soak it up, count her blessings and enjoy her view … from every corner of her little piece of paradise.