Right As Rain
Page 31
“Well if I’m not here you might need to.” Mackenna pushed back her chair.
“That’s enough.” Lyle barked. “Sit down, Mackenna. We need to sort this out once and for all.”
“Not now, Lyle,” Louise said. “Don’t get yourself worked up.”
“Yes, now.” He picked up his wife’s hand. “I know we thought we were doing the right thing back when I was sick . . .” His voice trailed off.
“What’s going on?” Patrick asked. He screwed up his face and sent a pleading look to Mackenna.
“We need to make some decisions about the future of Woolly Swamp, should anything happen to me,” Lyle finished.
“But you’re much better, Dad,” Patrick said.
“Yes, and I hope to be around to watch you all go grey, but we still need a plan for the future. You both need security.”
“And they’ve got it,” Louise warned.
“Wait a minute,” Patrick said. “This isn’t still about me having a piece of Woolly Swamp, is it?”
“You’re entitled.” Louise said.
A surge of anger coursed through Mackenna.
“I thought you were just being generous because I’d helped out a bit.” Patrick looked at his father. “I’m happy to help and I’m grateful for the support with the car but I’m not a farmer, Dad. You know that.”
“You haven’t had the opportunity, Patrick.” Louise’s tone had softened.
“I don’t get it.” Patrick shook his head.
“Oh for goodness sake.” Mackenna thumped the table. “They’re leaving everything to you – the farm, the whole kit and caboodle.” She stood up again.
“You can’t be serious?”
“Nothing’s set in concrete,” Lyle said quietly.
“I could do with a bigger income,” Patrick said with a smirk.
“Good luck with that,” Mackenna snarled. “The only thing they can’t leave you is my slave labour. From now on I want to earn a decent wage for all I do.”
Mackenna glared from her mother’s stony face to the shocked faces of her brother and father. There was a tiny sound from the doorway.
“The dinner is ready.” Yasmine came through carrying plates of lamb cutlets and steaming vegetables.
Mackenna stepped round her and out the door.
“Wait, Mackenna.”
She ignored Patrick’s call and stormed into the kitchen, where Adam was serving up the last of the plates. He looked up.
“What’s happened?”
“They’ve finally admitted it.”
“Who? What?”
“My parents are giving Patrick the farm and he thinks it’s a good idea.”
“Mackenna, I was joking.” Patrick had followed her. He stood framed in the doorway, hands on hips, his face in a worried smile.
“I don’t find it funny,” she snapped.
“You’ve never had much of a sense of humour. Work’s the only thing that makes you happy.”
She opened her mouth to retort but nothing came to mind. Was that how he saw her – a humourless workaholic?
“Can’t we just enjoy our food?” Adam said. He passed them a plate each and picked up the last one for himself. “It’s a welcome home dinner. Maybe you should have your business meeting tomorrow and Yas and I will disappear for a while.”
Mackenna could have hugged him. It felt so good to have someone watching her back. He brushed his lips across her cheek as he passed.
“Food’s getting cold, guys.”
She followed him to the dining room, Patrick’s footsteps echoing behind her.
Adam put another log on the fire. As family dinners went it had been stiff and stilted. He was proud of the way Mackenna had held it together in the end. He knew how much she loved Woolly Swamp and the turmoil she was going through.
Louise and Lyle had left as soon as they’d eaten their main course. They were both weary and Adam could see the extra distress the family argument had put on them. Patrick had stayed for dessert. It was Yasmine’s favourite part of the meal. She still didn’t eat much meat.
Since they’d left, Adam and Mackenna had said little to each other. They’d moved in tandem, clearing dishes, stripping the table, cleaning up. He turned as he heard her cross the dining room floor. He held out his good arm and she stepped into it.
“Thank God I have you,” she mumbled into his neck.
“Let’s sit down,” he said. “I’m guessing you want to talk.”
Mackenna sank onto the couch and put her head in her hands.
“We could leave them to it,” he said. “Make a whole new start somewhere else.”
She turned her head. “You’re right. Maybe even Mum’s right. This is no life for me. You and I could run a restaurant together instead, maybe in New Zealand. As long as I’m with you I don’t care.”
Adam studied her face. He’d never wanted the tie or responsibility of running his own place before, but maybe together they could make a go of it. She cuddled in. He ran his fingers over her curls and stared into the fire. He’d never had a lot of ambition. He’d gone where life had taken him. Happy to work and travel, try different places, meet new people, but when he met Mackenna he knew that she was where he wanted to be, regardless of wherever that was.
He liked being at Woolly Swamp and he’d enjoyed sharing the Gatehouse tasting room concept with her. For the first time in a long time he felt real pleasure in creating food for people. If they left here, they might be able to find something similar they could do together.
“What about your family?” he said. “I know this has been a tough time but you’re close. If we move away you’ll miss them.”
“You’ve moved away.”
“Mum and I catch up on the phone most of the time. I spent time with her while Grandpa was sick. My step-dad couldn’t be there until the funeral.”
“I feel so selfish.”
“Why?”
“I’ve hardly asked you about your family and you know all the ins and outs of mine, warts and all.”
“There’s nothing much to tell. I’m an only child. My parents divorced when I was young. I don’t see my dad much. We’ve nothing in common and I haven’t lived at Mum’s for a long time.”
She shivered even though the room was warm. He pulled her closer and they were silent again.
Finally she slid from his arm and sat up holding her hands towards the flames.
“I love what I do here. I love my family, as hurtful as this has been.” She turned her face to his. The green of her eyes was deeper in the firelight. “And I love Woolly Swamp. If I’m being truly honest, I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
He reached for her hand. “Then stay.”
CHAPTER
51
The kitchen was warm and smelled of baking. Louise cast her eyes around. The table was laid for morning tea and a plate of freshly baked biscuits sat in the centre. It had to be Yasmine’s doing. She was such a thoughtful young woman and very proud of her developing baking skills. Louise could hear the shower and assumed that’s where Yasmine was now.
Mackenna had rung early asking for a family meeting. Lyle and Patrick had gone off to work not long afterwards Yasmine hadn’t appeared at that stage and Louise had been restless. She walked down to collect the paper. There was no sign of life at the Gatehouse. No doubt Mackenna would be off working somewhere. Perhaps Adam was with her.
Louise felt fidgety so she kept walking. She replayed the events of the past few months over and over in her head. The thought of everything finally being laid on the table when they all gathered for morning tea had brought her back to the house. It would be a relief to get everything into the open and sort things out.
Now there was nothing for her to do and she felt edgy. She glanced at the clock. They’d agreed to meet at ten thirty and it was nearly that now. Perhaps she could have a quick cup of tea to settle her nerves.
“Good morning.”
“Hello, Yasmine.” Louise smiled. Today th
e young woman was wearing a long loose red top over jeans. At last something more suited to farm life, and the baby bulge was clearly visible. “You’ve been baking.”
“I hope you don’t mind? I made us almond biscuits and then some little cakes. I promised Garry Finn I’d decorate some for his son’s birthday. The party’s tomorrow.”
“I don’t mind at all. I’m used to sharing my kitchen. Mackenna’s been cooking since she was quite small. We used to make lots of things together.” Louise felt a pang of sadness at the loss of those days. Their cooking adventures had been happy times and as Mackenna grew older they’d experimented together, trying out new dishes. Louise always felt she was a good cook but Mackenna had more flair.
Stomping footsteps echoed from outside – Lyle and Patrick getting mud from their boots.
“I’ve got computer work to do.” Yasmine said.
“I’d like you to stay,” Patrick said, cutting her off at the kitchen door. “Mackenna and Adam are on their way.”
Louise busied herself with the cups. She really wanted this conversation to be without Yasmine and Adam but it appeared that was not to be.
“Let me do this.” Yasmine gave her a gentle smile and took over making the tea.
Louise took her seat at the table beside Lyle as Mackenna and Adam came in. Greetings were murmured all around. The cosy feeling Louise had when she’d come back into the kitchen after her walk had dissipated. Now the air was full of tension as they sat around the table fidgeting with their cups. Where should they begin?
“I’m glad you’re all here,” she said.
“Yes,” Lyle took her hand under the table and held it firmly. “We should have had this discussion a long time ago.”
“So it’s to be a discussion?” Mackenna’s tone was sharp. Louise noticed Adam raise his eyebrows at her.
“I . . .” Louise hesitated as Lyle gripped her hand tighter.
“Yes,” he said, “it is, but first I want to say something.”
He didn’t look at Louise. What was he up to?
“I want you all to have a chance to have your say, one at a time, without being interrupted. Whatever is decided here today needs to be by mutual agreement.”
“It’s your property,” Mackenna said.
Louise tensed.
“It’s your mother’s and mine at the moment but we need to plan for the future.”
Louise watched him nod first to Mackenna and then to Patrick.
“We want you to be involved in whatever way you want.”
Once again Louise went to speak but Lyle silenced her with another squeeze of her hand.
“You first, Mackenna. If you could have your dream, what would it be?”
Mackenna looked at her mother. There was a moment’s hesitation before she spoke.
“I want to remain here at Woolly Swamp doing what I’ve been doing.”
Louise felt the pressure of Lyle’s hand on hers.
“Fair enough,” he said. “What do you imagine that would look like into the future?”
Once again Mackenna paused.
“Woolly Swamp Corriedales would be a breed with well-developed management to make them the best they can be. We would be producing top-quality meat which we’d be showcasing at the Gatehouse and selling direct to restaurants.” Mackenna sat back in her chair. “We’re on the way already,” she said softly. “You started it Dad, and we’ve worked together to make improvements. I want to keep doing that with you.” Mackenna looked at her brother. “And with you Patrick, if that’s what you want, but you have to share the work.”
“He has been,” Louise cut in.
“Lou.” Lyle frowned at her. “No interruptions. You can have your say later.”
Louise withdrew her hand from his. She took a mouthful of tea. This wasn’t how she’d imagined the family meeting would go.
“Do you want to say any more, Mack?” Lyle asked.
Mackenna looked around the table at each of them. Louise could see the determination in her eyes. She wanted to jump up from the table and wrap her daughter in her arms but she remained where she was.
“No.” Mackenna leant towards Adam. He was the one to put an arm around her.
“Okay then.” Lyle nodded at Patrick. “Your turn.”
Louise turned her attention to her son. He clasped his cup in his hands. His eyes were lowered studying something on the table.
“I love Woolly Swamp, too. It’s where I grew up.”
Patrick twisted the cup round and round in his hands. Yasmine fidgeted with hers as well. Louise wanted to reach out and stop them both.
“I’m not a farmer, unlike Mackenna. I don’t know what she knows.”
“This is not a competition, son,” Lyle said. “What is it you want to do?”
Patrick looked at his father then at Louise.
“My job,” he blurted. “Marketing is what I love. My boss has been fantastic letting me help out here but I had to pass up an opportunity in Sydney.”
Louise could hold her tongue no longer. “You wouldn’t have left Yasmine.”
“It was only for two months. I’d have been back by now.”
“Your father had a heart attack,” Louise said.
“I know, Mum, and I was happy to help out.” He looked her in the eye. “But you want me to stay on and it’s not what I want. I like the work I do. I’m not a farmer. Never was one. Mackenna’s got those genes, not me.”
“But . . .” Louise didn’t know what to say. She had everything planned out and none of it was going as she’d hoped. Everyone around the table was silent. Anger rose in her chest. It was all very well to say what your dream was but reality was often a different thing.
“Okay, Lou. Your turn.”
She locked eyes with the man she’d married and stood by through thick and thin. He was good natured, gentle and hard working. They’d had a good life and she didn’t regret a moment of it, but his heart attack had been a warning that it could all be over in an instant. Things had to change.
“Lyle, you cannot work at the rate you were before your heart attack. We no longer have a working man and it sounds like Patrick is leaving. There’s the Gatehouse now. Mackenna can’t do everything. I find keeping on top of the paperwork is a huge job and it’s only getting bigger with all the extra things we’re taking on. The tax rules keep changing and I’m fed up with it. You and I aren’t getting any younger. I want us to take more holidays while we can still enjoy ourselves. That’s my dream, but it doesn’t match anyone else’s so what are we going to do?”
“Surely we’re all on the same page, Mum,” Mackenna said. “Each in our own way love the life we’ve had at Woolly Swamp.”
“Yes, but you can’t manage all the work and this tasting room you’ve spent money putting together.”
Adam cleared his throat. “I hope it’s okay for me to speak? I know I’m not officially family but I’d like to stay and manage the Gatehouse. I enjoy the concept of taking what you produce and showcasing it. There’s a lot this region has to offer. I’ve discovered all kinds of food and beverages on my travels around the district.” He squeezed Mackenna. “I’d like to stay on if you’ll have me.”
Mackenna beamed at him then looked back at her mother.
“I’ve done the paperwork for restaurants before,” Adam continued. “I can make sure the Gatehouse paperwork is in order.”
“I’ve been looking at what Mackenna’s tallied so far,” Patrick said. “The Gatehouse is making a good go of paying back what it owes.”
“Can I say something?”Yasmine asked.
“Of course,” Lyle said.
“I’ve really enjoyed creating the website for Woolly Swamp,” she said. “You should also have a Facebook page and maybe a Twitter account. I can look after that side of things for you. I can do that from wherever we live.”
Lyle was beaming from ear to ear. He’s just loving this, thought Louise, but everyone having their say was all well and good. Putting it into prac
tise was the hard part. There was so much more to plan and organise.
“There’s all this extra land we’ve bought that has to pay for itself,” she said. “And these breeding programs you’re so keen on, Mackenna. They take work and money.”
“A lot of the extra work is data input,” Patrick said. “I’ve been having a look at it on your computer. I’d be happy to help with that and turning out reports. It’s what I do and as Yassie said, I can do it from anywhere.”
“What about the day-to-day work? Managing stock, putting in pasture, feeding, irrigating.” Louise was getting more and more irritated. Was she the only one without the clouds in her eyes?
“That’s what I’ll be doing,” Mackenna said.
“On your own?” Louise snapped. “You’ll work yourself to the bone before you’re forty. Look at your father.”
“Yes, look at me.” Lyle said. “I’ve lived a good life doing what I love. I’ve helped raise two great kids who’ve found two equally great partners.”
“But, Lyle, you’ve – ”
“It’s my turn now,” Lyle said. “You’ve all had your say.”
All heads around the table turned in his direction.
“Mackenna won’t be on her own. I know I’ve had a heart attack but I was lucky. I’m not an invalid and the doctor says there’s no reason why I can’t continue working as I have – ”
“He said . . .” Louise cut in but Lyle held up a hand.
“As long as I make some changes, which I have – diet and workload, relax more. I’ve done what he said and I feel good. Our holiday gave me time away to think about what I want and I know that’s working here at Woolly Swamp.” He fixed his gaze on Louise. “If I drop dead here, what’s the difference between that and on a golf course or overseas somewhere?”
“Dad,” Mackenna gasped.
“I don’t want to sit around worrying,” he said. “I want to be doing things or I may as well not be here. You want to know how Mackenna will manage, Lou? She’ll do it with me by her side and with you sometimes, like you’ve always done when I’ve needed you, and with Adam when he’s not tied up with the Gatehouse. Patrick and Yasmine have offered to do some of the extras that none of us like doing but are necessary. I can’t say there’ll be much money in it for any of you for a while but with a family like this, working together, the future’s looking good.” He squeezed her hand. “Wouldn’t you agree, Lou?”