‘You look nice,’ Cressy said as Neve sat in the back seat behind her.
‘Thanks. I wasn’t sure if a dress was okay.’
Fliss smiled over her shoulder from where she occupied the driver’s seat. ‘It’s definitely a dress kind of day.’
Cressy too wore a dress in a simple floral fabric, while Fliss had chosen a stylish black sleeveless design that left her toned arms bare.
Talk soon turned to the wedding plans and glamping village. Neve didn’t miss Fliss’s sideways glances at her sister whenever Cressy shifted in her seat as if to get comfortable.
When they reached the small village of Reedy Creek, instead of taking the road that wound past the corrugated-iron hall, Fliss turned right and then left.
‘You weren’t joking when you said there were alpacas,’ Neve said as the café came into view. In front of a row of silver train carriages was a small paddock filled with big-eyed, long-necked, fluffy cuteness. ‘The girls would love this. I’ll have to bring them for a milkshake.’
Cressy carefully turned to smile at Neve. ‘They’d be in alpaca heaven. But watch out, you might come home with more than you bargained for. The café sells far more than milkshakes.’
Fliss parked in the car park, and as they walked into the café garden, alpacas came over to the fence to welcome them.
Neve ruffled the topknot of a cream alpaca with large liquid dark eyes. ‘Sorry, I don’t have anything for you to eat.’ She looked to where a group of young alpacas were being handfed through the fence by three small children. ‘But there has to be some food around here somewhere.’
Cressy arrived carrying small containers she’d filled with chaff from a nearby feeding bin. Alpacas surged towards them. Neve made sure she fed the quieter ones that didn’t push to the front. When a car load of visitors arrived with school-aged children, they offered the group the now empty food buckets.
Neve walked with Fliss and Cressy over to the train carriages. Pepper trees shaded a cluster of white tables and chairs that provided outdoor seating options.
Neve stopped at the café door. She’d spent her city life catching a train like this one to school, university and then her North Shore occupational therapy practice. ‘I feel like I’m in a twilight zone. I’m in the country, but …’
Fliss grinned. ‘I felt the same way when Meredith first brought me here.’
They entered the carriage. A blonde teenager carrying a jug of water smiled and told them to take a seat and that she’d be right over. While Cressy and Fliss moved along the carriage, Neve stopped at a display of alpaca items. She chose two small knitted alpacas for the girls and a soft-touch grey-and-white scarf. She’d need an extra layer for when she fed Jazz, Dell and Bassie in the winter.
When she joined Fliss and Cressy at a bench seat and table, the sisters were engrossed in a serious conversation. Cressy had her arms folded, while Fliss’s hazel stare held an intent sharpness.
Fliss glanced at Neve. ‘Cressy and I are … discussing why she’s moving like she was a bull rider in another life.’
‘I’m fine,’ Cressy said with a sigh. ‘As I told Neve, I did something to my side in the hay shed.’
Neve nodded. ‘She did. When we had coffee.’
Fliss’s eyes narrowed. ‘That was weeks ago.’
Cressy’s fingers played with the stand that held their table number. ‘I might have broken some ribs, even though I didn’t have any bruises.’
Fliss briefly closed her eyes. ‘Might have … please don’t tell me you consulted Dr Google and not your sister.’
‘Dr Google’s very informative. It happened on your day off and I didn’t want to call you. I also couldn’t be bothered driving into the hospital. Besides, even if they are broken nothing can be done, they just need time to heal.’
Fliss stared at her sister. ‘Cressy Knight, soon to be Rigby … what are you not telling me?’
‘What makes you say that?’ Cressy’s tone was all innocence.
‘Because you’ve somehow hidden how badly you were hurt from Denham. If he knew he’d have told Hewitt, who would have told me. There’s more to the story.’
Cressy lifted her hands. ‘Oh all right. I almost got bitten by a snake. That’s why I fell.’
Colour drained from Fliss’s face. ‘Almost?’
‘It bit my boot.’
‘It was a western brown, wasn’t it?’
Cressy nodded.
Fliss took a moment to speak. ‘If that was your ankle or your hand …’
‘I know. You and Denham already tell me I take too many risks. All I was doing was climbing the hay bales …’
‘Why?’
Cressy’s smile grew sheepish. ‘I thought it would be quicker to get the top one down. Otherwise I’d have to get the tractor out.’
Fliss looked at Neve and shook her head. Neve just smiled. She’d been privy to banter before about Cressy’s risk-taking and Fliss’s non-risk-taking.
Fliss turned her attention to her sister again. ‘I’m going to want to take a look at those ribs.’
Cressy picked up the menu. ‘Sure. But first I’m going to eat. For some reason I haven’t been hungry lately.’
The approach of the cheerful blonde waitress silenced Fliss’s reply but not her exasperated sigh.
Once their orders were taken, Neve changed the subject to the upcoming picnic races on the weekend before the wedding. She’d thought it would be a safe topic until Cressy mentioned Tanner’s name.
‘Somehow we have to make sure Tanner goes. Edna tells me he’s been spending lots of time working with Bethany and her project horse.’
‘Yes, he has.’ Neve did her best to stop the telltale colour from flooding her face. The strength and feel of Tanner’s arms holding her were imprinted on her senses. ‘The horse’s name is Skittles.’
‘That’s an odd name,’ Fliss said, expression speculative.
Cressy nodded. ‘It doesn’t exactly sound like a project horse Bethany would buy. Her days of having a pony are long gone. She’s up to something.’
Concern for Tanner had Neve ask, ‘I thought only Edna had a hidden agenda?’
Cressy grinned. ‘Bethany’s her mother’s daughter even if she doesn’t look like her … Skittles … now I’m curious. I hope for Tanner’s sake she hasn’t decided to go along with Edna’s matchmaking after all.’
‘I agree,’ Fliss said, smiling her thanks at the waitress as she placed scones and small dishes of jam and cream on their table. ‘Tanner’s the brother Cressy and I never had … he deserves more than a mother-in-law who has a different definition of personal space than the rest of us.’
Neve didn’t answer as she pretended to focus on selecting a scone. Unlike Cressy who already had slathered cream over her scone, her appetite had deserted her.
Even though it was doubtful Tanner would be looking for a relationship, when she told him that what had happened between them was a mistake, would Bethany be the person he’d turn to?
It was going to be one of those days.
Tanner stretched after tightening a bolt on the air seeder to iron out the kinks in his back. He’d taken over from Phil in the direct drilling of the winter wheat crop into the unploughed paddock. But so far, the alarm had already gone off twice to tell him to clear the stubble from the sowing tubes and from beneath the air-seeder frame.
To his left Patch sniffed the back tractor tyre. He usually didn’t have the young border collie with him as he became too restless in the tractor cabin. But he’d come to the end of a run and Patch had been sitting in the gateway waiting for him. So Tanner had opened the tractor door and the border collie had joined him. Tanner had let Phil know over the UHF radio where Patch was in case he was looking for him.
Tanner walked around the air seeder to check no other bolts needed adjusting. He’d received Neve’s message and had until after lunch to work out how to tell her that they needed to put the brakes on what had ignited between them. From her text he had a hunch
that they shared the same thoughts. She wouldn’t have said it was a good idea to talk face to face unless she too had reservations.
He sighed and bent to tighten another bolt. He’d learned long ago not to question life’s logic. Last night when he’d held Neve all he’d ever wanted was within his grasp, but never had it been so far out of reach. It was too early to appreciate the irony. Neve was a woman he could make a home with, raise a family with. But he only ever got involved with women who had casual at the top of their relationship requirements.
Despite Neve’s strength and self-containment, she was vulnerable. He now understood the wariness he’d sensed about her and the reason behind the soft colour that could wash her cheeks. After caring for her mother, Neve wouldn’t have had many opportunities for a social life.
She also needed to get her life back on track. He couldn’t cause her pain or start a relationship that could only end in one way. As much as the thought made his stomach roil, she deserved to be with someone who could give her a lifetime of laughter.
Preoccupied, he hadn’t noticed where Patch was. A sharp bark to his left had him turn. Patch had found a mob of black feral pigs. Even as he watched, the border collie sprinted across the stubble to head off a large male boar. It was too late to whistle him back. The boar suddenly changed direction, charging at Patch. The young border collie slowed, then spun around to race back towards Tanner. The boar set off after him.
Tanner stayed where he was. Luckily for Patch, the heavy boar would soon give up. When he did, Patch continued at a frantic pace until, sides heaving, he reached Tanner.
He rubbed behind Patch’s ears as the border collie leaned against his legs. ‘I know, it seemed like a good idea at the time.’
He opened the tractor door for Patch to jump in. His new water cooler would be safe. The border collie wouldn’t have any energy to chew on anything. All he’d do was sleep for the rest of the shift.
When the sun had reached its zenith, Phil’s farm Hilux drove through the paddock gate. At the end of the run, Tanner stopped.
Phil greeted him with a grin as he and Patch climbed out of the tractor cabin. ‘Had some excitement, I hear?’
Tanner had spoken to Meredith over the UHF. ‘Let’s just say Patch’s pig-dog career was over before it started.’
Phil ruffled Patch’s head. ‘Very sensible. Ella’s had a new case of brucellosis.’
Tanner nodded as Phil disappeared into the tractor cabin. Swine brucellosis didn’t just infect pig-dogs, but also humans. It had been a problem when he’d been droving in Queensland, but now dogs down south were showing signs of infection.
Phil gave him a wave before the tractor commenced another arrow-straight line.
With Patch close by his side, Tanner strode towards his ute. He’d have a shower and quick lunch before seeing Neve.
He still wasn’t quite sure what to say. He’d take his lead from her about how to approach their conversation. That way he wouldn’t put his boot in it and make a potentially uncomfortable situation worse. Give him a rogue stallion to deal with any day. When it came to emotions he either avoided or buried them. Life was far simpler and safer that way.
As he was driving past the machinery shed, his mobile rang. He sighed and took the call. The number displayed on the touch screen of the ute dashboard was Edna’s.
‘Hi, Tanner. I’m so glad I caught you.’
‘You were lucky. I’ve been on the tractor.’
‘Yes, it seems to be my lucky day.’
It definitely wasn’t his. Now that Edna had called he was certain a black cat must have crossed his path while he wasn’t watching.
‘What can I do for you?’
‘I’m calling for two reasons. One, to thank you for helping Bethany with her new horse. She’s very happy with how things are going. I’ve never seen her smile so much.’
‘No problem.’
‘Which leads me to the second reason. I’ve been wanting to talk to you about a fundraising idea I’ve had. I’ve been holding off on mentioning it as you’ve been so busy with Bethany.’
‘Thanks.’
If Edna registered his dry comment it didn’t show in her too-cheerful reply.
‘My Bethany enjoys working with you so much, it made me think of a way to raise money for the shade sails for the new playground. The pony club doing a cattle drive isn’t going to happen anytime soon.’
He rubbed at his chin. It was a given he wasn’t going to like Edna’s plan. ‘What’s your idea?’
‘A weekend horsemanship clinic. We keep it small, no more than eight, but price it high. I’ve already checked and the rodeo ground is free the weekend after next. When people know you’re running it, spaces will fill in no time. Look how many people you had for your demonstration yesterday.’
His shoulders moved in a sigh. He’d been right to watch his interactions with Neve at the field day. Resourceful Edna had information sources everywhere.
When he didn’t speak, Edna filled the silence. ‘Of course, you’ll need someone to help and the best person to do so is my Bethany.’
‘Of course.’
‘So what do you say? It’s for a good cause.’
That was the trouble, it was. Even though the official opening of the adventure playground was next week, the playground needed shade sails to be fully complete. He also didn’t mind donating his time and expertise. Hewitt had spent far more than one weekend making sure his playground vision became a reality.
The clinic would also give him something to focus on besides Neve. If it was Bethany helping, and not Edna herself, everything would be fine. What Edna needed to talk to him about could have been much worse; she might have wanted him to enter the best-dressed-man category at the picnic races. It was bad enough having to wear a tie for the race day, let alone a flower on his coat lapel.
‘I’m in.’
‘Bethany will be so thrilled. I’ve already drafted an ad for tomorrow’s Woodlea News, but from here on in Bethany’s your go-to person. She’ll give you a call today to discuss the finer details.’
‘It’s okay, I’ll talk to her tomorrow when I see her.’
Even down the phone line Edna’s trill of laughter could be described as smug. ‘Silly me, of course you’ll be seeing her tomorrow. Now I’d better get that ad sent in. Hooroo.’
It wasn’t long until a text from Bethany came in.
SORRY.
He parked near the back garden gate before he sent a reply.
It’s a good idea. Tell Mac he can bring that green broke horse of his.
Bethany’s reply was instant. Three emojis blowing kisses were followed by the words, You’re a legend. Didn’t think of that.
His lips twisted into a smile that if anyone saw they would have called bittersweet. His own love-life might be in the trenches, but at least Bethany and Mac’s relationship was being given a chance.
Patch followed him over from the ute before heading off to check on Meredith’s chickens in the chook pen. He wasn’t sure Meredith’s plan for them to free range would be a success until Patch grew older. Unlike the boar, the Rhode Island Red hens wouldn’t chase him back.
He made a point of avoiding the main house as he returned to his flat for a shower and lunch. Meredith had come to his small kitchen last night for a cuppa to see how his demonstration had gone. Neve was only mentioned in passing, but there was something about the way Meredith’s blue gaze rested on him that tripped his suspicions that she knew something had happened between them.
The closer he drove to Rosewood, the more his restlessness caused his nerves to tighten and his jaw to ache. He knew what he had to do, and why he had to do it, but that didn’t stop the rush of loss when he drove through the front gate and saw Neve in the round yard with Jazz. In a perfect world he’d be here to pick up where they’d left off last night.
Dell and Bassie met him at the pony paddock gate. He gave each a neck scratch before going to meet Neve as she walked over carrying Jazz’s s
addle and bridle.
‘Hey,’ he said, noting the purple shadows beneath her eyes. The single, tight braid that fell from below her black riding helmet gave him all the answers he needed. She was taking no chances her hair would be anything but well-behaved. Just like her curls, her emotions too would be tightly controlled.
‘Hey.’
He reached for the heavy stock saddle even knowing she’d refuse.
She gave a too-brief smile. ‘Thanks. I’ve got it.’
He fell into step beside her.
‘No Patch today?’ she asked after a quick sideways glance.
‘I left him asleep on the veranda. He thought he’d chase a feral pig but ended up being chased himself.’
‘No wonder he’s worn out.’
Tanner opened the tack shed door. ‘How was your ride?’
‘Really good. Jazz is such a joy to ride.’
Neve joined him outside the shed. She’d removed her helmet and her thick braid hung over her right shoulder. Against the apple green of her shirt, the red-gold strands shone rich and vibrant.
A strained silence stretched between them. Until they had their talk, neither of them would relax. He also wasn’t a coward, even if he was so far out of his comfort zone his heart slammed against his ribs.
Giving in to the longing to touch her, he ran his finger down the smooth indents of her braid while he searched for the right way to start. ‘Neve … what happened between us last night wasn’t normal for me. I usually stay in control.’
As his arm lowered she caught his hand and laced her fingers with his as if she too needed to be physically connected. ‘We both got a bit … carried away.’
He stared at their joined hands before he replied. Against his tanned skin, her fingers appeared fragile and delicate, an impression that didn’t match the quiet, dignified strength in her eyes.
‘Neve … I’m not in the right place to start anything … The last thing I’d want to do is to … hurt you.’
‘I understand and I’m glad you’re having second thoughts too. It’s no secret I’m not in the best spot either … so from here on in …’ Her attention drifted to his mouth. ‘We need to make sure we don’t put ourselves in any situation where we … lose control again.’
The Round Yard Page 17