Alex Ryan
Alex Ryan is the eldest son living on the neighboring property Killarney.
He works there, flying the company helicopter during mustering, after being
expelled from two of the best boarding schools money could buy. Alex has
inherited the larrikin side of his father, and knows he’ll inherit Killarney.
There’s a wild, mischievous streak in him – he can never resist stirring the
pot and sincerely believes he’s as tough as his father, and stronger than his
brother. Alex is a natural horseman who is obsessed with the gladiator–style
competition of rodeo riding. He dreams of fame and fortune and is well known
around the rodeo circuit as a daredevil. Despite being a larrikin, or perhaps
because of it, Alex fits in well with men from all walks of life and his natural
affinity with the land earns him the respect of those who work under him at
Killarney. Alex’s bad boy image makes him a favorite with women but he has a
mate–like relationship with Claire, considering her to be his best friend. He
sees Tess as a romantic and sexual challenge and when this becomes obvious, Claire
feels strangely betrayed.
Nick Ryan
Nick is Alex’s younger brother. He has inherited his father’s head for business,
but an accident as a teenager, caused by a dare from Alex, put him in hospital
for six months and left him with a limp. Nick graduated from University with a
double degree in Agronomy and Business and, despite his bad leg, still takes an
active part in running the property. Nick is dedicated to making Killarney the best,
adapting modern farming and breeding techniques. Nick is well positioned in the
farming community and hold seats on influential committees, which sometimes mean
he travels overseas. He enjoys helping his father run Killarney and they share a
closeness he might never have expected. Nick is a quiet, intelligent man with a
steely will. He’s unaware that women see his limp as a warrior’s scar which they
find very attractive. He secretly adores Claire and has no problem agreeing with
his father’s wish that they should marry. When Tess arrives and focuses her
attention on him, Nick is dismissive until he realises Alex is interested in
Claire’s long-lost sister – and the competition is on again. He’s shocked to find
Tess becoming much more important to him than a winner’s trophy.
not much of a rider since his rodeo accident has trouble getting off, that is
if he manages to get on at all.