Chapter 9

Sally picked up her coffee and walked across to the fire while Sol made his call. She stared into the flames as she sipped the wonderful brew. It surprised her how comfortable she was here with him. Maybe it was the incident with the dog and the goats that had broken the ice a bit more, but if she was honest, she’d felt just as easy with him at the house the other night.

As Sol disconnected, Sally crossed to the sink and rinsed her cup. Her mouth dropped open as she looked over at the shed. Around her car were piles of grey—she wasn’t sure what—grey stuff. As she watched, Otis jumped from her car window with a mouthful of grey—

‘Oh my God.’ She yelled and took off for the kitchen door, pushing past Sol as she put his phone on the countertop. ‘He’s eating my car!’

The door slammed behind them as Sol followed her out. Sally pushed the gate open and ran across to her car, the sharp stones of the driveway sharp beneath her bare feet. She stood there with her mouth open, disbelief coursing through her. Sol stood beside her, his mouth open and his eyes filled with horror.

‘Fucking hell, Sally. I’m so sorry.’

The interior of her car—the seat covers, the carpet and parts of the dashboard— were scattered around the driveway.

‘I’ve never seen a dog eat a car before.’ Her voice was hushed. As she spoke Otis squeezed his head through the open driver’s window, a goofy smile—if dogs did smile—on his face and lumps of foam rubber stuck in the slobber around his mouth.

Sol opened the door and Otis jumped out. The dog came over to Sally and she crouched down when he flopped at her feet. She couldn’t help but run her fingers over that silky silver coat as she chastised him.

‘You are a naughty boy, you know that don’t you, gorgeous.’ She looked up at Sol as he peered into the interior of her car. ‘How bad is it?’

‘Um, you don’t want to know.’ Sol shook his head. ‘Don’t worry, Sally. I’ll pay to have it fixed.’

‘Insurance should cover it.’ She couldn’t help but giggle. ‘Puts a whole new spin on the dog ate my homework, doesn’t it?’

‘Maybe I could try the dog ate my thesis?’ Sol’s deep voice was full of laughter and Sally’s girly bits quivered. They hadn’t done that for a long time.

‘Maybe.’ She knew her smile was shy and she stood and worked over to the car, and stood close to him as she peered inside. ‘Um, is it drivable?’

Sol shook his head. ‘He’s chewed up the pedals too. Dave told me his previous owner calls Otis, the naughtiest dog in the universe, and that’s why he got rid of him. Dave took him on as a rescue dog, but he didn’t warn me about half of what he’s done this week.’ He put his hand on Sally’s arm, and the butterflies in her tummy started dancing again. ‘I’m so sorry. I’ll pay for a cab to take you home later.’

‘Oh. She bit her lip. ‘I forgot your car was out of action.’

‘Mac’s coming out at five o’clock to take a look at it when he shuts the local garage back at Peats Ridge. If he gets it going today, I can drive you home tonight. We’ll have to get your car towed to a panel beater for a quote.’

‘Don’t worry too much. It’s a really old car. Sonia and I have shared it since we were in our teens. It’s about time we got a new one. I just hope insurance covers interiors.’

‘But I do feel bad. I’ll sort out something.’ Sol frowned at her. ‘When’s your next appointment or class?’

‘Not till tomorrow night, so there’s no rush to get home.’ The thought of staying with Sol for a few more hours filled her with happiness. He took everything in his stride and she loved the way he was. She shook her head as she thought of Blake coping with a situation like this. He would have lost it entirely, and he would have been rude about the outfit she was wearing. Sonia had been right all along.

‘He really wasn’t a very nice person,’ Sally muttered.

‘Sorry? Who?’

Sally shook her head and smiled up at him. ‘Nothing. I was just thinking out loud.’ She tugged Sol away from the car. ‘Come on, there’s nothing we can do about that. And we need to go through my notes so you can get your work done.’

 

Three hours later, Sally stretched and looked over at Sol. He’d made pages and pages of notes, and his face had lit up constantly. She’d already told him to stop thanking her over and over.

 ‘This is exactly what I needed. It fills the hole in my argument. And being clinical notes is perfect. I won’t use the names of course, and I’ll have to get you to sign a permission release for me—’

Sally waved her hand. ‘All good. I’m pleased I could help. I guess Sonia’s ad was worthwhile after all.’

‘It sure was. He held her gaze and something shifted inside of her as he smiled. ‘And not only because of your work, Sally. I’ve really enjoyed spending the day with you.’

Sally felt like a teenager as warmth ran up her neck and filled her cheeks. ‘Me too.’ But a warning tugged at her. Hadn’t she felt the same excitement when she first met Blake?

Why was this—if it went anywhere—going to be different?

She sat up straight and her voice firmed as the heat subsided. ‘So tell me what you’re going to do once your thesis is accepted. Will you start clinical practice yourself?’

Sol dropped his gaze and shook his head. ‘No. I’m going back to my original career choice. Once this is finished I’ve decided to finish my veterinary science degree.’

‘Wow. That’s a big change in direction.’ She could have sworn that he looked uncomfortable for a moment before he answered.

‘Yes, but it’s what I want to do. Now can I offer you another coffee before Mac arrives?’

Sally reached down and fondled Otis’ ears. ‘Thank you.’

She sensed the subject of his work was closed.

***

Sol was cross with himself for feeling uncomfortable when he told Sally of his decision to change his career path. He’d half expected a response like he knew he’d get from his family, but then he realised Sally didn’t know about his erratic career path.

How many courses he’d done—and how many times he’d changed direction. He should have stuck with vet science; he could have had a career well under way, and a practice set up by now. Instead of being at a loose end, still half living at home at the ripe old age of twenty-eight. As he picked up the coffee pod and put it into the machine, Mac’s work truck trundled through the front gate. Mac was Dave’s uncle and Sol had known him since he was a kid running wild in the orange orchards at the bottom of the hill when he’d come to stay at Dave’s house. They’d met at boarding school, and it had been a long friendship. Dave was one of the few who understood Sol’s need to study, and to search until he found his niche in life. Dave had followed his dream and he had a successful fashion label; he spent more time overseas in the past year than here at the farm.

Dave had asked Sol a couple of times if he wanted to move in on a permanent basis but it was too far from the university for Sol to consider it.

‘Is that the mechanic?’ Sally had crossed the kitchen and was standing beside him as he daydreamed.

‘Yeah, that’s Mac.’

‘Do you want me to finish making the coffee?’

He nodded. ‘Thanks. If you don’t mind, bring one out to Mac too. I’ll go out and see what he’s got to say.’ He ran his hand through his hair and grimaced when he lifted his arm. ‘Blasted dog. I think I pulled a muscle in my back when I tackled him this morning. I’ve stiffened right up.’

As she looked up at him, his face heated. Her fresh soapy smell stayed with him as he walked to the shed.

Mac climbed out of the old work truck and grinned at Sol as he crossed the lawn. ‘Gertie’s playing up again, is she?’

‘Yeah. Flat battery, I think.’

‘Blast it, I haven’t got a spare in the workshop at the moment. The delivery’s due tomorrow.’ Mac scratched his head. ‘If you need to go back to town tonight, I can jump start you, if it is the battery.’

Sol went to accept and then hesitated. Sally said she didn’t have any appointments till her class tomorrow night. And if she was happy to stay here tonight, he could almost knock over his thesis if he worked late, and then he could take it with him ready to print out and get bound at the university print shop tomorrow.

‘Take a look at it, and see what you think.’ He walked around and looked at the motor as Mac fiddled and put a tool into the deep recesses of the engine that remained a mystery to Sol.

‘Yep, she’d as dead as a door nail. Do you want me to drop the new one out in the morning?’

As Sol nodded, the old mechanic stared at Sally’s car and the mess of foam that had stuck to the grass. ‘Otis got out, did he?’

Sol nodded glumly. ‘Yes. Got into the goats and then my friend’s car.’

‘He’s a bugger. Always has been. At least he wasn’t out chasing wombats.’

‘He spent the morning doing that.’

Mac laughed and Sol couldn’t help but smile too.

***

Sally found a tray under the toaster and loaded the three coffee cups onto that. As she balanced the tray and walked towards the shed, Sol and the mechanic were laughing.

‘Sally, this is Mac.’ Sol reached out and took the tray from her. ‘Thank you.’

The older man wiped his hand on the side of his overalls and held it out to her. ‘Nice to meet you, love. What are you doing spending time with this lazy fella?’

Sally swallowed, unsure of how to answer.

‘Don’t worry. I’m just having a lend of him. Goodness knows the little larrikin caused me enough trouble when he was a kid. Used to spend a lot of time out here on the farm.’ He nodded at her car. ‘Got a bit of car trouble too, I see.’

‘Yes.’ she nodded, with a wry smile. ‘About time I got a new one. Otis just helped me along.’

‘Nice girl.’ Mac said to Sol as he took a mug from the tray. ‘Good coffee, too, love. You hang on to this one, Sol.’

‘Oh but—’ She stopped. There was no need to go into what she was doing out here.

Mac drained his coffee and jumped up into the truck. ‘See you in the morning.’ He stuck his head out the window as he started the truck. ‘Nice outfit, love. That hoodie used to be Pearl’s favourite.’

‘In the morning?’Sally frowned as he backed down the driveway. ‘And who’s Pearl?’

‘Aunty Pearl was Dave’s mother. Mac didn’t have a battery in stock. You said there was no rush to get home.’ He stood beside her and wrinkled his brow. ‘Are you okay about staying here with me tonight? In the spare room, of course,’ he added quickly. ‘I can always get you a taxi if you’d rather go back to the city.’

‘That’s fine.’ She thought for a moment. ‘As long as it’s early. I left enough dry cat food and water out so Muggins will be fine.  And I can take you through some more of my notes if you need more info.’ Sally stared up at him. ‘And besides a taxi would cost hundreds from here!’

‘Okay, more work together would be great. I still have a couple of questions.’ Sol winced as he took a step forward.

‘Your back?’ she asked.

‘Yes.’ He balanced the tray in one hand and leaned to the side. ‘Damn dog. I honestly don’t know why Dave keeps him.’

‘Probably because he’s a part of his family.’

‘There’s only Dave.’ Sol shook his head. ‘He’s overseas lately more than he’s home and I’ve become Otis’s surrogate owner.’

‘So what’s wrong with that?’ Sally asked as they walked back to the house.

Sol laughed. ‘Are you serious? The woman who now needs a new car has to ask that. And before you argue, I’m going to reimburse you.’

‘What, for a new car?’ She laughed too, until he nodded.

 ‘It’s the least I can do.’

She stopped walking and put her hands on her hips. ‘Whoa. Stop right there. That is entirely unnecessary. I’ve got insurance and I’ll sort it. Okay?’

Blake had tried to take over every aspect of her life, and Sol’s insistence about the car—and about paying for a taxi if she wanted one—riled her. It was a timely warning to put a stop to those little frissons of attraction that had been firing her nerve endings all day. But it was easier to decide that, than to tell her body to stop it. As she looked up at him, the butterflies were almost stamping their feet on their way south.

‘Okay.’ He nodded. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.’

Sally lifted her hand. ‘Okay, truce. You stop telling me what to do, and I’ll stop being cranky.’

‘Sounds good to me.