Right As Rain

by Tricia Stringer

  “Hang on, Lou,” Lyle said. “Let’s hear what happened.”

  “He was ripping us off,” Mackenna said. “He was using our truck and our diesel to do jobs on the side.”

  “He didn’t always do his work properly,” Patrick chipped in.

  “And we think he may have been taking small amounts of farm property and selling them for cash,” Adam added.

  The kettle filled the pause with its loud bubbling and a solid click as it switched itself off.

  Lyle sighed. “Perhaps the tour can wait till the morning. You’d better fill us in.”

  A cup crashed to the floor and Patrick dashed across the room to support Yasmine.

  “What happened?” Louise asked.

  “I’m okay,” Yasmine said in a small voice. “I just felt faint all of a sudden.”

  “We had an early lunch,” Patrick said, his face full of concern. “Have you eaten anything since?”

  Yasmine shook her head.

  Mackenna pushed a chair towards her and Patrick lowered his girlfriend onto it. The loose jacket she was wearing fell open. Louise took a step towards Yasmine and noticed the round bulge of her abdomen.

  “You’re pregnant,” she gasped.

  Yasmine gathered the loose clothing back over her stomach.

  “I’ve been going to tell you,” Patrick said. “It was a surprise for us, too.”

  Louise stared at her son. “This is your baby?”

  “Of course it’s my baby.”

  Mackenna put a hand on her brother’s shoulder and one on Yasmine’s.

  “It’s great news,” she beamed.

  “You knew?” Louise couldn’t believe such an obviously advanced pregnancy had escaped her notice.

  “Not for long,” Mackenna said.

  Louise continued to stare at her son and his girlfriend in disbelief.

  Adam took over making the tea with his one good hand.

  Lyle shook Patrick’s hand and bestowed a kiss on Yasmine’s cheek. “Congratulations. It’s what we’ve wanted for so long.” He turned. “Isn’t it fantastic, Lou? We’re going to be grandparents.”

  “But . . .”

  “It’s not very often you’re speechless, Mum.” Patrick gave her a cheeky grin.

  Her heart melted. Her baby was going to be a father. She rushed forward and wrapped them both in her arms. “It’s a surprise, that’s all. It really is wonderful news. When are you due?”

  “A couple of months,” Yasmine said.

  “A couple of months! Is there time for a wedding?” Louise asked.

  “Steady up, Mum,” Patrick said.

  “Not till after the baby’s born.” Yasmine’s voice was suddenly strong.

  Louise was brushed aside as Patrick knelt at Yasmine’s feet.

  “You mean that?” he said and took her hands in his.

  “Yes.”

  Louise didn’t know where to look. She felt like an intruder.

  “Looks like you’ll have to break out a bottle of bubbly tonight,” Adam said.

  “Yes.” Mackenna helped him carry the cups to the table. “Why don’t we leave you guys to chat? It’s getting late and the farm can wait till the morning. Dad, what do you say?”

  “It can.” Lyle put an arm around Louise and kissed her. “Didn’t I tell you things would be right as rain?”

  “Good,” Mackenna said. “We’ll go and get dinner underway so we can eat a bit earlier. Can’t have you fading away, Yassie.”

  Patrick drew Yasmine to her feet and shifted her chair closer to the table. “A cup of tea and a biscuit should do the trick till dinner,” he said.

  Louise watched him fuss over Yasmine and felt a sudden surge of joy. A baby was wonderful news even if was before the wedding. It wasn’t unusual these days. She was so glad she’d convinced Lyle to include Patrick in the farm and to leave it to him. If anything were to happen to Lyle, another Birch would run the property.

  CHAPTER

  49

  The table was set and the fire was flickering with enough heat to chase the chill from the room. Mackenna had one more look around then made her way back to the kitchen. Tonight would be a real celebration. Her parents were home and the news of Yasmine and Patrick’s baby had deflected the issue of Cam’s departure.

  Her heart skipped at the sight of Adam, apron on, making his apricot puddings. She no longer pinched herself to accept he was really here. She was so happy she couldn’t imagine anything that could spoil it.

  “Hey, babe,” she said and slid her arms around him.

  She felt his sharp intake of breath and stepped back.

  “Careful,” he said and turned to reveal his hurt arm out of the sling.

  “What are you doing?” she cajoled.

  “Making dessert.”

  “I can see that, chef, but where’s your sling?”

  “Still here.” He pulled it from under the apron. “It was annoying me.”

  She teetered forward on her toes only allowing her lips to touch his. He grabbed her with his good arm and kissed her back. She reached her arms around his neck as they clung to each other. Adam shifted backwards and they jumped apart at the sound of a bowl hitting the floor.

  “Arrg!” Mackenna yelped as something wet splattered her legs.

  She looked past the skirt she’d recently donned to replace her jeans. Orange splodges trickled down her bare legs to the floor.

  “Damn,”Adam said. “That was the apricot mixture for my dessert.”

  “That wasn’t quite where I imagined we’d serve it.”

  “Not to your family anyway.”

  Mackenna laughed at the sparkle in his eyes.

  “Down boy,” she said. “I’ll wash this off and whiz up to Mum’s. She’s got jars full of last summer’s apricots.”

  Mackenna was gone before he had a chance to delay her further. She slipped off her heels and put her feet into the old pair of sheepskin boots she kept in the bathroom. Not a fantastic look but it would keep her warm until she got back.

  Patrick’s car was still at her parents’ back gate. She pulled in behind it. She felt a small thrill of pleasure at the thought of the new baby. It had been touch and go when her mum had found out. Mackenna had seen the look of total disbelief on her mother’s face but she’d come round as Mackenna had thought she would. Patrick was her golden child and producing a baby would be his trump card. At least it took the pressure off her. She was sure Adam was the one for her but having a baby wasn’t quite on her radar yet.

  She slipped through the back door of her old family home. At first she heard nothing then came the murmur of voices from the kitchen. She paused at the mention of her name.

  “You can’t keep Mackenna here.” It was her mother speaking.

  “She’s my right hand, Lou. I can’t do without her.”

  Mackenna sucked in a breath. Why would her father have such a pleading tone?

  “What about Patrick?” Louise said.

  “You know he’s only home because we needed help.”

  “You’re wrong, Lyle. We’ve talked about it. He wants to stay but he doesn’t feel included. He’s your son.”

  “I know that, but he’s chosen a different path.”

  “This property will be his if anything happens to you.”

  Mackenna blew out the breath she’d been holding and stepped into the kitchen. “What are you talking about?”

  She’d said it in a whisper but they both turned to look at her.

  “We thought we were having a private conversation.” Louise glared at Mackenna.

  “Take it easy, Lou.” Lyle patted the chair next to him. “Come and sit down, Mack.”

  “I’d rather stand.” Her voice recovered its strength. “What do you mean this property will be Patrick’s?”

  “He’s the male,” Louise said.

  “So I’m just the woman with no rights?” Mackenna looked from one parent to the other, desperate for them to burst out laughing and say this was only a joke
. Her father’s expression was sad but her mother’s was one of determination.

  “That’s not it, love,” Lyle said.

  “We’ve been working together for years.” Mackenna could feel the turmoil in her chest rising. “I love this place like you do.”

  Her mother’s face softened and she stood up. “It’s no life for you.”

  Mackenna backed away. “You want Patrick to take it on.”

  “It’s his right.”

  The words hammered into her heart. She turned pleading eyes to her father.

  “We can work this out,” he said.

  “Sounds like you already have. I’m the slave labour and Patrick can turn up and reap the rewards.”

  “There’s a lot to talk about.” Lyle stood up too and gave Louise a pleading look but Mackenna back-pedalled. She ran to her car and roared back down the driveway to the Gatehouse. She burst through the door to be greeted by Adam’s startled expression. Tears of anger began to roll down her cheeks. She batted them away.

  “What’s happened?” he said.

  “I’ve just found out that my parents’ .plans for the future of Woolly Swamp don’t include me.” She tugged on the fridge door, took out two beers and pulled their tops off. “Let’s drink a toast,” she growled. “To the biggest sucker on the planet, Mackenna Birch.”

  Adam stared at her as if she’d gone mad. Maybe she had. All kinds of emotions were coursing through her and none of her thoughts made sense.

  Adam put down the beer she’d given him without taking a sip. “What’s going on, Mackenna? You went to get apricots.”

  She looked at the concern on the face of the wonderful man she loved. Adam would stick by her no matter what. She fell against him and felt the security of his one-sided embrace and began to sob.

  Finally she pulled away from him and swept a tissue from the box.

  “Damn!” she muttered. “I seem to be bursting into tears at the drop of a hat lately.”

  “Don’t be too hard on yourself.” Adam drew her close again and kissed her forehead. “You’ve had some tough times these last few weeks.”

  “That’s right. I’ve run this place single-handed . . . with a bit of help from my friends.” She smiled. “I’ll be damned if I’m going to give it all up without a fight.”

  “Are you sure you didn’t misunderstand?”

  “No. My parents think the place should be Patrick’s.”

  “What does Patrick think?”

  “Probably that he’s landed on his feet. He’ll get a farm for little effort but he won’t find it’s that easy.”

  “Your dad’s health is good now, isn’t it?”

  “As far as I know.”

  “Then aren’t we talking about something that won’t happen for a long time?”

  “Yes, I hope so, but that’s not the point. Woolly Swamp is making great improvements and even if money is tight right now, I don’t imagine it will always be. I know it sounds like I’m blowing my own trumpet but at least some of it’s due to me. If anything happens to Dad, Patrick can walk in and have the lot. I could work half my life and be left with nothing to show for it.”

  “Patrick’s spoken to me about his work and how much he enjoys it. I’ve never had the feeling he sees a permanent place for himself here.”

  Mackenna thought about that. She remembered a conversation before her parents went to New Zealand. Patrick had hinted then that Louise had some plan in mind. Sometimes he’d become antsy during the last few months when she’d tried to tell him what to do but he’d never been cocky. Now she’d discovered he’d been blamed for several issues that had turned out to be due to Cam’s poor workmanship. She put her hands to her head.

  “I don’t know,” she growled. “Nothing’s been the same since I came back from holidays.”

  A vehicle pulled up. She looked out the door and came back.

  “It’s Patrick and Yasmine.”

  “I don’t think he knows any more about this than you did.” Adam put a hand on her shoulder. “You’ve prepared a great meal,” he said. “Let’s enjoy it and worry about what might be tomorrow.”

  “You sound so like my dad.”

  “Lyle’s a good bloke.” Adam went back to his mixing bowl. “I guess I’m not making apricot puddings,” he said.

  Mackenna gave him a coy smile. “I’ve got frozen berries.” “They’ll do,” he said.

  CHAPTER

  50

  “Open it up, please.” Yasmine hopped from one leg to the other. Her face glowed. There was no sign of her earlier light-headedness.

  They were standing around Mackenna’s kitchen table and in the centre lay a large, paper wrapped parcel tied with a bow. Patrick had carried it in and set it down carefully.

  Mackenna studied the gift. It had to be some kind of picture. Adam had encouraged her to make the best of the evening and that’s what she’d determined to do but it wasn’t so easy with Patrick right beside her.

  His eyes were bright like Yasmine’s, full of expectation, with no sign of deceit. Perhaps Adam was right. Patrick was unaware of their parents’ plans.

  She pulled the soft green bow from the paper and began to pick at the sticky tape.

  “Just rip it off,” Patrick said leaning forward to help her.

  “Patrick.” Yasmine put a restraining hand on his arm. “This is Mackenna’s gift.”

  “You didn’t need . . .” The words dried in her mouth as she slid the framed photograph from its cover. It was a black and white picture of her with her father in the yards. Neither of them was looking at the camera, they were intent on the sheep they were drafting.

  “Do you like it?”

  “It’s . . . when did you . . .?”

  Patrick chuckled. “Yasmine’s taken hundreds of photos. Sit at the table. She’s got something else to show you.”

  Adam came and stood behind Mackenna. “That’s a great photo, Yassie,” he said.

  “I thought you might like it for your dining room wall.” Yasmine smiled at Mackenna.

  “It’s perfect.” Mackenna gave Yasmine a quick hug. “Thanks. I love it.”

  Patrick opened the laptop and placed it on the table between the two women.

  Mackenna was nervous. What were they going to show her now? “I’ve got food to prepare,” she said.

  “Everything’s done until we’re ready to eat.” Adam placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

  Yasmine was busy typing. A web browser opened and then a page with the heading Woolly Swamp Corriedales across the top. Various photos of their sheep and the farm rolled across the bottom of the page and then some smaller headings and a welcome message.

  “What do you think?” Patrick asked.

  “It’s not finished,” Yasmine added. “I can change it any way you like, but Patrick said you need a new web presence.”

  “What are you all looking at?”

  Mackenna glanced up as her mother came through the door, closely followed by Lyle carrying a shopping bag.

  “The new Woolly Swamp website,” Patrick said.

  A frown creased Louise’s face. “I thought we agreed it was too expensive to get one made.” She glared at Mackenna.

  “There’s no cost except the hosting,”Yasmine said. “I make them for people but for family it’s free.”

  “That’s very generous,” Lyle said. “I’d like to look at it.”

  Louise shivered and rubbed her hands together.

  “Why don’t you head into the dining room?” Mackenna said. “Take the laptop with you. Adam and I will bring down the soup.”

  “I’ve got parcels for everyone from New Zealand,” Louise said. “Don’t be long with the soup. Yasmine needs feeding up.”

  Mackenna clenched her nails into her palms as she watched her mother herd the others towards the dining room.

  “Breathe,” Adam whispered in her ear.

  “I’m determined not to let her get under my skin.”

  “Your lamb and barley soup wil
l be a hit.”

  “I think we’ll need more than that.” Mackenna glanced from the soup she was serving to Adam. “You make sure their glasses are topped up . . . and mine.”

  Adam was right about the soup. By the time everyone had emptied their bowls and had some wine the conversation flowed easily. Louise and Lyle were full of holiday stories and they handed out small gifts for everyone.

  Mackenna and Yasmine got jade bracelets. Patrick and Adam had wool and possum blend socks.

  “You’ve probably got several pairs already but you might need them for our winter if you’re planning to stay,” Louise said.

  “Thank you,” he replied and winked at Mackenna. “I’m planning to make Mackenna’s home my home.”

  Mackenna felt her knees tremble. How had she lived without him? “I’m not sure where that home might be, though.” She looked at her mother.

  “You’ve always got a home here,” Lyle said.

  “As have you and Yasmine,” Louise said, nodding at Patrick.

  “Right.” Adam jumped up. “Pass those plates and I’ll get the next course.”

  “I’ll help you,” Mackenna said.

  “No. My treat. You spend time with your family. Everything’s ready, I just have to cook the lamb chops.”

  “Let me carry something,” Yasmine said. “You’ve only got one arm.”

  “It’s amazing how much I’ve learnt to do that way.”

  Their voices faded away down the passage. Mackenna got up to put more wood on the fire.

  “Perhaps you can tell us why you needed to fire our working man,” Louise said as Mackenna came back to the table.

  Instantly the tension was back in her chest. “He was stealing from us.”

  “Taking the odd extra run in the truck,” Louise said.

  “You’re the one counting the money,” Mackenna snapped.

  They glared at each other.

  “He did disappear from time to time,” Lyle said.

  “He blamed me for jobs he messed up.” Patrick poured them all more wine. Mackenna took a big mouthful.

  “I agree that wasn’t very sensible but not a sackable offence,” Louise said. “Anyway, we’ve got everyone here now. In some ways it’s good not to have to pay that extra wage with money being a bit tight.”