Chapter Eight
When Liam drove Pop’s flash Lexus wagon into Spring Downs on Monday afternoon, Sebastian opted to follow on his bike. Gran sat up straight in the front with Liam, and Jemima and Lucy sat in the back as they headed into town to the hospital. The streets were quiet compared to the Sydney traffic that Lucy was used to. She pushed back the cold feeling that took hold of her every time she thought of staying here. At least it was keeping her cool in this relentless heat. Her conviction that everything would work out had disappeared as she’d tossed and turned in the single bed in the room she shared with Jemima.
“Look.” Jemima’s voice interrupted her brooding. “The old milk bar still has the same tables and chairs outside as it did when we were at high school.”
“And the same owner,” Gran said drily. “Not much changes in Spring Downs, and that’s not such a bad thing.” She flickered a glance over her shoulder to Lucy.
“And there’s the produce store. I swear, the same wheelbarrows are out front as when the school bus used to go past there.” It was good to hear Jemima’s laugh. She’d been quiet since they’d arrived.
Gran’s reaction to their acceptance of her deal had been low key—a brisk nod followed by a hurry-up to Jemima and Lucy to get the flasks filled for the contractors’ supper. The harvest was half done and a few of the workers had begun to move on to the Mackenzie property. All had been quiet over there, and Lucy hadn’t called Garth as she’d promised when she’d left the other night. Her head had been too full of the happenings at Prickle Creek Farm to think about her campaign proposal, but she’d have to get moving on it soon. The plan was to go back to Sydney next week for her monthly meeting, present the proposal, and then come back and do the first of her three-month stints on the farm with Liam.
Unless there was a way she could get out of it.
And she wasn’t quite ready to talk to Garth just yet. Lucy wanted to have the right questions ready for him when they finally met up. And between baking endless scones and biscuits, and making sandwiches, and then trying to work on her proposal at night in the room she was now sharing with Jemima, there was no time to think about anything.
Liam parked the car, and the two girls waited as he helped Gran out. Sebastian roared into the car park, earning a dirty look from Gran.
“Honestly, he tries to wind her up on purpose,” Jemima whispered. Liam looped his arm through Gran’s and led her into the hospital, followed by the rest of them.
“Lucy!” As they walked through the foyer, Lucy turned around, and Gran’s back stiffened as Garth walked across the polished floor towards them.
“Have you been in with Harry, Garth Mackenzie?” Her voice was cold, and Sebastian and Liam flanked her as one.
“Yes, I visited Harry.” Garth smiled at Gran, but it wasn’t returned. “He seems to be doing well. He’s looking forward to going home.”
“Come on.” Gran turned her back and walked away with the boys. Lucy’s cheeks heated. There was no need for rudeness. She nudged Jemima. “Tell Pop I’ll be there in a minute.”
She stared at Garth and resisted the urge to fan her face as the heat moved up into her cheeks. Partly embarrassment at Gran’s rudeness and partly due to the fluttering nerves that kicked into gear when he smiled down at her.
“Hello, Garth. Sorry I haven’t called. I did mean to, but we’ve been really busy at the farm.”
“So it appears.” His eyes narrowed as he watched Gran and the three cousins walk down the long hall.
This time, it was Lucy’s voice that was cold. “So what’s that supposed to mean?”
Garth shrugged. “I didn’t mean anything. Just agreeing. Turn of phrase, so to speak.”
“I think it’s time we had a bit of a talk.” Lucy crossed her arms and stuck her chin out.
“About the photos you want to take?” he asked.
“Not just yet. About some other things I want to sort out.” In for a penny. “Gran said you want to buy Prickle Creek Farm.”
“That’s right. I made them an offer.”
Before she could help herself, Lucy burst out, “And just where would you find the money for that, Garth Mackenzie?”
Garth reached over and took her arm. “Keep your voice down.” A few of the locals glanced at them from the waiting room. “Go and see your granddad, and then we’ll have a coffee in town.”
Lucy put her hands on her hips. “Oh, will we just, Mr Bossy!”
“Do you want your questions answered, Lucy? I’m more than willing to have a chat.” His voice was patient.
“I don’t have my car here. I’m travelling home with the family.”
“I’ll wait till you finish your visit, and then I’ll drop you home afterwards.”
Lucy held his stare for a moment. There was nothing to be gained by being pig-headed. She let out a sigh.
“All right. I suppose that would suit.”
“I’ll wait in the car for you.”
Lucy watched as he sauntered out of the room, broad-shouldered and confident.
Pop had been resting comfortably after the operation, and the doctor had said he’d be home by the weekend. Unlike Gran, he’d obviously cried when her three cousins had walked in. He was still wiping his eyes when Lucy slipped into the room.
The room was full of laughter, and even Gran smiled at some of Pop’s jokes.
“Did I tell you about—”
They sat on plastic chairs around the bed as Pop held court, and after half an hour of Pop’s endless jokes, Lucy interrupted.
“I’ve got to go, Pop. I’ve got a few chores to do, and I’m getting a lift home.” She leaned over and hugged him and inhaled his familiar scent.
Liam followed her out into the corridor. “How are you getting home?”
“With Garth.”
Liam’s eyebrows rose in a scowl, and she grabbed his arm and pulled him to the side of the corridor.
“Enough with the beetling brows, Liam. Why do you always think the worst? I’m going to find out what Garth is up to,” she whispered as Gran’s head poked out into the corridor. “Jeez, she never misses a trick, does she!”
“What do you need to talk to him about? I was going to call and let him know the place is not for sale.”
“I want to know for sure before I commit to anything. Maybe it’s a solution we should keep in the back of our minds.”
“I thought we’d all committed?” Liam took her arm and kept his voice low. “If you’re going to change your mind, you’d better do it mighty quick. Didn’t you see how happy Pop looked when Gran told him the plan that I suggested?”
“Yes, I did. I mean I’m sure, but I’m still worried. I love living in the city. I’m not a country girl.”
“You know what they say, Luce.” Liam’s face finally split into a smile. “You can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl.”
“I’ve heard that too many times over the past few days. But you know what? This girl loves the city.” Confusion ran through Lucy, and her voice rose louder. “I want to see what Garth’s up to, because you heard Gran. If we say no, she will sell to him.” She frowned. “And where would he get the money for that? Cattle prices haven’t been that good, have they?”
“You’d know better than me. I’ve been overseas, remember.”
“Will you two stop sniping! I can hear you all the way down the hall.” Sebastian stepped from the room and walked across to them. “Pop thinks you’re fighting, and now he’s reminiscing about when we were all kids.”
“Lucy’s staying in town with Mackenzie.” Solidarity hummed between Liam and Sebastian as he scowled at Lucy, too.
“Why?”
“Oh no, don’t you start on me.” She slowed down and let them walk ahead. “I’ll see you both at home later.”
Garth was waiting for her in the car park, leaning casually on his red-dust-covered ute, his Akubra pulled low over his eyes to block out the late-afternoon sun. Lucy swatted at the sticky flies that buzzed around her and wiped away the trickle of perspiration that ran down her neck as soon as she stepped out of the cool air-conditioned hospital.
Great. Dust and flies. The only thing missing to make it perfect—not—was the prickles, she thought crossly. Garth pushed himself off the bull bar as she walked across, and he opened the passenger door for her. Lucy was in a strange mood; Sebastian and Liam had made her cross with the inquisition, and the surge of pleasure that ran through her as Garth helped her up into the ute cab added to her ill temper. What was a girl to do? Why was she the only one who seemed to be in this position? It wasn’t fair.
“The milk bar or the RSL club?” Garth looked across at her as he started the ute and the rattle of the diesel engine filled the cabin.
“I don’t care.” She shrugged. “You know the town better than me.”
“Okay, RSL it is. They’ve got a coffee shop out the back, overlooking the river.” He pulled out of the car park, and Lucy was aware of a few looks directed their way as he drove down the main street. Another mark in her book against small country towns. In the city, you could be anonymous. In the country, everyone knew your business. The way the grapevine worked here, she and Garth would be married with three kids by the time the day was over. Lucy gave a polite smile as Mrs Jones from the CWA stood and stared at the ute as they drove past.
“The river, you said?” She squinted and looked over the side of the bridge that split the town in half. Cracked mud and dead grass stretched as far as she could see.
“Okay, the riverbed. There’s been no water in the river for a couple of years now. The drought’s got a big hold on this end of the Pilliga. Unfortunately, the bores don’t stretch as far as town. There are a lot of property owners doing it very tough here now, Lucy.”
The RSL was a small brick building on the other side of the river—riverbed—and the car park had begun to fill as the workday ended. Garth waved and greeted a few workmen in hi-vis vests as they walked across to the double doors at the top of the steps. The club was noisy, and he was greeted by the doorman as he signed Lucy in to the club.
“Looks like you’ve come home to stay, Garth? I thought you’d be sick of the place after six months,” the man boomed out in a loud voice, and Lucy looked at Garth curiously, wondering where he’d been. He caught her glance and smiled.
“What does he mean? Where have you been?”
“Oh, here and there,” he said with a cheeky grin. “Come on, Lucy. Lighten up. You look like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Tell me more about this sexy underwear gig you want to sign me up for.” He pulled out a chair for her at a table in the coffee shop, and she jumped as his fingers brushed hers. “Coffee or tea?”
“Short black, please.” Lucy leaned back on her chair as Garth went to the counter to order. She let her eyes linger on him as he turned away. A professional glance, she told herself. Broad shoulders, muscular thighs, and tight jeans that hugged his trim hips completed the sexy picture. His biceps bulged beneath the tight sleeves of his T-shirt, and as she admired his physique, Lucy realised that most of the other women in the bistro were doing the same thing. Garth turned around and looked a bit sheepish when he caught her staring. He carried over the coffee and slid her cup across the table before he sat down across from her.
“Thank you.”
“Okay, so what’s the go, Lucy-Lou?” His eyes were intent on hers.
“The go?” she repeated.
“What’s happening at Prickle Farm? Why the big family visit? No one comes near the place for years, and then all of a sudden, you’re all home. Is everyone okay? Harry seems better. What about your gran? Is she okay?” Despite the concern in his voice, Lucy sensed there was more than sympathy behind his questions.
A sliver of unease ran down her spine. Why was he so interested? It was more than a friendly enquiry. She leaned back and folded her arms. “So, what’s it to you? Are you interested because you want to buy it?”
“I’m interested because I care about my neighbours. They’re good people.” His hazel eyes held hers steadily as his deep voice washed over her. “I thought we were mates, Lucy. Why? Do you think I have some sort of hidden motive?”
“So why do you want it?”
Garth ran his hand through his hair in frustration, and she looked up and caught his eyes. The gold flecks were pronounced today, and his eyes were fringed by long, dark eyelashes. “I thought it would help your grandparents out, because no one else seemed to be interested until you all came rushing home. Your pop’s been struggling; the manager they have is less than useless, and—”
“What manager?” she interrupted, her voice almost a squawk. “Gran didn’t say anything about a manager!”
“You haven’t met Brian yet?”
“No, she hasn’t mentioned any manager.” Lucy frowned. “I got the impression that she and Pop have been running the place and the contractors do the harvesting.”
Garth shook his head. “Lucy, your grandfather’s barely been able to walk. Who do you think has been drenching the cattle and getting them in the yard and taking them to the cattle sales? I help out as much as I can, but I have my own place to run.”
Guilt flooded through Lucy, and she put her elbows on the table with her chin in her hands. “Look, Garth, the last few days have been really confusing for me. Lots of family decisions are being made, and I don’t know how you’re involved and why Gran has really got it in for you. Maybe you’d like to tell me why that is?”
“Maybe I’d like you to trust me like you used to,” he said enigmatically. He lifted up his coffee cup and held her eyes steadily. His were clear and open, and Lucy tried to ignore the little frisson of warmth running rampant in her lower belly as they stared at each other. Garth was the first to look away. “Hell, Lucy. I hate this.”
“Hate what?” she asked softly.
“Arguing with you.” He shook his head. “Look, let’s just forget the farm for a while. Let’s put it aside for now. Tell me more about your job. Tell me more about this great idea of yours and what you want me to do.”
Lucy forced aside the worry that Garth’s words had raised in her. Someone—whether it was him or Gran—wasn’t being totally truthful, and she wondered which one of them it was, and why there was a need to lie.
“Okay. Let’s talk my business.” After all, she did have her own job to worry about, even if this family stuff had been forced on to her. “So do you reckon you can help me out with my campaign?”
“All I have to do is get my photo taken with seminaked women?” That little warm butterfly beat its wings again in her lower belly as his lips tilted in a huge smile. His eyes crinkled at the corners, and his perfect teeth flashed white as he stared at her. “Sounds like hard work.”
“Yep, that’s all you have to do. And you’ll get paid.” Her voice trailed off as his smile disappeared.
“I don’t expect to be paid, Lucy. I’m happy to help you out. It’ll be fun. So what’s the go? The time frame?” He leaned forward, and she caught a whiff of aftershave mingled with perspiration and the earthy smell of man. “How long are you home for?”
“Home?” She shook her head slowly. “This isn’t home. Sydney’s home, although I’ll…”
Garth reached out and took her fingers in his. “Although?”
Lucy lifted her chin and looked at him. Despite having doubts earlier, she knew she could trust him. Garth would never do anything to hurt Gran and Pop, but before she told him anything, she had some questions she’d like answered.
“Let’s go back to what we were talking about before. Because before I tell you about my campaign, I have some news. It’s all connected.”
“Okay. What’s on your mind?”
“Why is Gran cross with you? And why do you want to buy our farm?”
“Our farm?” His eyes were serious now. “I thought home was Sydney?”
“It is, but it won’t be for a while.” She shook her head, frustrated by his lack of answers. Lucy kept her words measured as she spoke slowly. “So why has Gran got it in for you?”
Garth spread his hands on the table and looked down at them. “Because I tried to tell her something she didn’t want to hear.”
“And?”
“She didn’t believe me, and she accused me of some pretty harsh things. She thinks I have an ulterior motive for making up lies.”
“Garth.” Exasperation filled her voice. “Will you please tell me what is going on?”
He lifted his head, and his expression was troubled. “I told your grandmother that I suspect her manager is stealing their cattle, and she didn’t believe me.”