Outback Dreams

by Rachael Johns

  Climbing out of bed, she put the phone on the bedside table while she threw a jumper over her pyjamas and yanked on her boots. If there was an intruder, he’d chosen the wrong night to mess with Faith Forrester. Still fuming over her fight with Monty, she wouldn’t be afraid to attack if Kat really was under threat. It would actually be cathartic to have someone to take her anger out on.

  She picked up the phone again. ‘I’m just getting a torch, and then I’ll be on my way.’

  ‘Hurry,’ Kat pleaded.

  At the last minute, Faith decided to also grab her dad’s gun. She was fairly certain the intruder was a figment of Kat’s overactive city imagination, but it didn’t hurt to be prepared.

  Ten minutes later, she slowed her four-wheel drive and dimmed the lights as she headed up the Burtons’ long gravel drive. She had to pass the main homestead and Adam’s new house to get to the cottage. The usual prickles tickled her neckline as she crossed the dark property; maybe Kat had picked up on the same weird vibes. Scratching her neck and trying to forget the unease she felt whenever she visited Annadale, she picked up speed past the homestead and in less than a minute the cottage came into view.

  ‘All right. I’m here,’ she comforted Kat down the phone line.

  The surrounding paddocks were pitch black, and it would be hard to see if anyone was actually lingering around outside. Feeling braver than usual, Faith stopped the car, grabbed the gun off the passenger seat and got out. She disconnected her phone, slid it into her pocket and stomped up the path, gun at the ready— hopefully giving off a don’t-mess-with-me message to potential intruders. As she climbed the steps to the porch, she scanned left and right. Although she was a little jumpy, she didn’t register anything suspicious.

  ‘Kat?’ she called as she pushed open the front door. ‘It’s Faith. I’m checking the house, then I’m coming to get you.’

  Turning lights on as she went, Faith searched the lounge room, the kitchen, the laundry and the two bedrooms—it wasn’t a big house—before rapping on the bathroom door. ‘There’s nobody here. You can come out.’

  After a few seconds, Faith heard Kat turning the lock before cautiously opening the door. When she peered around the edge of the door, her face was as white as a ghost. Her bloodshot eyes suggested she’d been crying.

  ‘It’s all right,’ Faith said, her heart softening at the realisation Kat was just as human as the next person. ‘I’ll stay with you tonight, but let’s see if we can find a something to make a warm drink with first. Come on.’

  Still sniffling, Kat followed Faith out into the kitchen, her head constantly darting about checking for shadows. ‘Are you sure you didn’t see anything outside?’

  ‘Nothing.’

  Faith located the kettle and everything necessary to make hot chocolate—not surprisingly, since Ruby had also helped Mrs Burton stock the cottage.

  ‘I’ve never been so terrified in my life. How old is this place? Could it be haunted?’

  Faith smothered a laugh. ‘I doubt that. Probably just country noises—could have been a possum. They’ve been the cause of many broken nights.’

  ‘Really?’ Kat plonked herself down on a kitchen chair. ‘I feel like an idiot. Sorry for waking you up.’

  ‘It’s okay. I hadn’t got to sleep yet,’ Faith admitted, joining Kat at the table while they waited for the kettle to boil. ‘Things on my mind.’

  Kat nodded as if she understood. ‘I’m sorry to hear about you and Daniel. You looked like the perfect couple.’

  Faith raised one eyebrow. ‘Looks can be deceiving.’

  ‘Tell me about it. I thought I had a faithful, sweet and loving husband. Turned out he was none of the above.’

  ‘What?’ Faith couldn’t hide her shock.

  Kat let out a half-laugh and shrugged one shoulder. ‘My marriage. It’s a debacle. Paul cheated on me, but somehow I’m the one in the wrong. The kids are barely out of nappies and they all want to live with him because he buys them better presents. I can’t afford to keep up. I quit work so he could further his career.’

  While Faith made hot chocolate, Kat spilled her woes as if Faith were her long-time best friend.

  They drank and talked, and as she listened, Faith began to reassess her own situation. It was another wake-up call about judging people. Yes, she was heartbroken. Sure, she’d lost her best friend in the world. But there were plenty of people worse off than her. Imagine if she had been pregnant and had someday had to tell her son or daughter that the reason daddy wasn’t around was because he hadn’t wanted them.

  ‘I guess we’ll both recover eventually,’ Kat said with a sigh. ‘And I suppose we should try and get some sleep as well.’

  ‘Yeah, you’re probably right.’ Faith stood, collected their mugs and dumped them in the sink. ‘Will you be okay if I sleep on the couch, or do you want me to drag a mattress into your room?’

  ‘I’ll be fine.’ Kat sounded as if she were trying to convince herself.

  ‘Don’t worry, I’m physically exhausted but emotionally wide awake.’ Faith gestured to the gun on the table. ‘No one will get past us.’

  ‘Thanks. And Faith? Between you and me, the ball was outstanding. I know you haven’t got a final total yet, but I believe you’ll be pleasantly surprised by how much you’ve raised. I think you stand a real chance at winning.’

  Faith smiled as Kat turned and headed back towards the bedroom. Although she was pleased that the ball had been a success, it was hard to enjoy the happiness such a thought deserved. Looking back, it had never been about winning but, rather, doing something meaningful with her life. Hopefully her efforts tonight would mean a lot to a family with an autistic child who might now be able to get a dog.

  Locating a couple of thick blankets in one of the cupboards, she settled on the couch. She didn’t expect to get any sleep at all, so when she woke to the sound of an approaching ute and saw the sun shining in through the gap in the curtains, Faith was surprised at how late it was. She leapt off the couch, dumping the blankets on the floor as Adam knocked, entering before waiting for a reply.

  ‘What are you doing here?’ he asked, eying her suspiciously.

  Faith yawned, stretched and rubbed her eyes. She needed coffee, and fast. ‘Protecting your guest.’

  ‘Huh?’

  She gave him a condensed version of the night’s events.

  ‘Haunted?’ Adam looked genuinely concerned. ‘You don’t think Uncle Tom is annoyed we’ve done over his place and has come back to spook it do you?’

  ‘We both know I don’t believe in ghosts.’ Faith squeezed Adam’s arm and whispered, lest their guest hear, ‘Look I wouldn’t worry about it too much. I don’t think Kat’s spent too many nights alone in the bush before. It was probably a possum.’

  ‘I hope you’re right. I’d hate for rumours of a ghost to ruin my plans for this place.’

  ‘You know what?’ Faith said. ‘I reckon rumours of a ghost might not be a bad thing. Lots of people are interested in stuff like that. They’d come specifically in the hope of getting a sighting of Annadale’s resident ghost.’

  ‘Ya think?’

  She nodded. ‘I do. Either way, I wouldn’t lose sleep over it.’

  ‘Yeah, I suppose so.’ Adam puffed out a breath.

  At that moment Kat appeared behind them. ‘Oh, good morning, Adam. I suppose Faith told you about my embarrassing attempts to scare myself to death last night?’

  Adam chuckled. ‘Yeah, sorry you couldn’t reach me.’

  ‘It’s fine. I was just being silly.’ She glanced between Adam and Faith. ‘Would you like me to make you a cuppa? Then I’d better be on my way.’

  ‘Not for me thanks,’ Faith sat again to shove her feet into her boots. ‘I’ve got to get stuck into the clean-up anyway. Thanks for coming, and safe travels.’

  As she gathered her car keys, phone, torch and gun, Adam said, ‘Are you okay? That looked like a pretty serious disagreement between you and Monty last night.’
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  ‘I’m fine.’

  He raised his eyebrows and she knew she hadn’t fooled him one bit.

  ‘We broke up,’ she answered simply. ‘Irreconcilable differences. And no, I don’t want to talk about it.’ That was all anyone was going to get from her.

  Never one to push things, Adam escorted her to her four-wheel drive. ‘I’ll be down later to help. And Faith, I’m here if you need me. Always.’

  ‘Thanks Adam. You’re a great mate.’

  ***

  Faith arrived at the hall to find a crew of willing volunteers already getting into the clean-up. Frank and Stuart were removing the tables and Jenni was wielding a mop up on the stage, but Monty was noticeably absent. Although she’d made it clear last night she didn’t want to see him, she couldn’t help the disappointment in her gut any more than she could help loving him with all her heart.

  Lost in her thoughts, she didn’t notice Jenni come down from the stage and cross the hall, but she recognised her tender embrace as it pulled her close.

  ‘I’m sorry Daniel has hurt you.’ If the hug wasn’t bad enough, Jenni’s gentle words threatened to unravel all the hard work Faith was doing trying to hold herself together. ‘You mean the world to me, and I don’t want you to shut yourself off from us simply because you and Daniel have some things to work through.’

  Bless Jenni. ‘I don’t think we can work through this one.’

  ‘He told me,’ whispered Jenni. ‘He told me you might be pregnant and that he hadn’t factored fatherhood into his future. If it’s any comfort, his announcement surprised me too. I think he’d make the perfect father.’

  ‘Oh.’ Faith hadn’t expected Monty to offer that information freely, even to his mum.

  ‘I’d been waiting for something bad to happen since I dreamed about the raven in the tea leaves, but I didn’t expect this.’ Jenni shook her head sadly. ‘I can’t help feeling partly responsible.’

  ‘Did he tell you why?’

  ‘Of course he didn’t. He’s a man, he probably doesn’t know the whole reason himself. But I’m a mother and I haven’t thought about anything else all night.’

  ‘I see.’

  ‘I’m guessing it’s got something to do with Will.’ She paused and rubbed her lips together, as if in standing up for one son, she might be doing an injustice to another. ‘I know Daniel loves his brother, but life wasn’t easy growing up with him. Daniel has always been such a strong person, but all the sacrifices he made for Will have taken their toll. My guess is he’s scared. Scared he’ll have a child like his brother.’

  ‘Yes.’ Faith nodded, her anger at Monty sparking once again. ‘He’s selfish. He can’t see that Will and me and any children we might have are more important than possessions, than farms.’

  ‘Please don’t hate him for that, Faith. Life’s not always so clear-cut. It’s partly my fault and for that I’m sorry. Maybe I spent too much time with Will, and…’ Jenni sighed.

  ‘No,’ Faith rushed to reassure her friend, putting her hand on Jenni’s arm in a show of support. ‘You were a fabulous mother. Don’t ever question that. Monty didn’t miss out. He had a great life. If he can’t realise that, it’s his problem, not yours.’

  ‘But it’s yours too,’ Jenni said simply, ‘because you love him.’

  Faith wanted to deny it, but her brain refused to send the signal to her mouth.

  Jenni took her hand and squeezed it gently. ‘I’ll be praying he comes to his senses, but I want you to know that Stuart and I will be here for you no matter what. If you are pregnant, we’ll be proud to be grandparents.’

  Jenni’s kind words and warm hug had tears forming in Faith’s eyes and so she pulled back. She needed to tell Jenni there was no baby, but the moment she said it out loud, it would be real. She’d no longer have any tangible connection to Monty or his family.

  ‘Thanks Jenni,’ she managed, ‘but luckily for Monty, it was a false alarm. I’m sorry. You’re not going to be a grandma just yet.’

  ‘Oh. I see.’ Jenni tried to cover her disappointment, but Faith—feeling her own deep in the pit of her heart—recognised the shared emotion.

  ‘I mean it, Faith. Don’t nurse your broken heart alone. I’m only at the other end of the phone line.’

  But somehow Faith knew she needed to learn to get by without the Montgomerys. Words were one thing, but in the end, blood was thicker than water.

  To try to take her mind off Monty, she threw all her energies into the clean-up. Keeping busy didn’t annihilate the pain or make her forget, but it had to be better than sitting around wallowing. She didn’t need Jenni’s tea leaves to see much baking and hard manual labour on her horizon.

  Mid-afternoon, when the hall looked as if it had never been used at all, Ryan, Ruby and Adam tried to cajole her into a few drinks at the pub, but she turned them down. One day she’d be ready to face the world again, but today was not that day.

  As she drove out of town on her way back to Forrester’s Rock, she couldn’t help but slow slightly while passing Monty’s place. She stared blankly at the empty driveway, the blinds pulled all the way down and the front gate shut for the first time in all the years he’d lived there. She fought back tears. It all added up to one thing: Monty had left Bunyip Bay already.

  And this time he wouldn’t be back.

  Chapter Thirty

  Monty pulled over at the entrance to Clancy’s Breakaway and stared up at the old welcome sign, trying to summon some of the enthusiasm he’d felt the first time he’d laid eyes on it.

  This was it. After years of toiling hard, sacrificing luxuries and skipping holidays to put money in the bank, his dream was reality. Every square centimetre of the eight hundred hectare property belonged to him. Well, him and the bank, but as long as he worked hard and paid his mortgage, it was his. So what was wrong?

  He told himself that once he’d had a shower and a good night’s sleep, he’d be ready to get stuck into work. The long drive had fatigued him. Getting sweaty on his own property was exactly what he needed to pull him out of this slump.

  He’d called Tim and Nora first thing that morning and accepted their invitation to arrive a few days early. He looked forward to spending a few days with Tim, learning the ropes, before the older couple moved on. Part of him couldn’t wait to see them, but the other part dreaded their inevitable questions about Faith.

  With a sigh, he took his foot off the brake, drove under the welcome sign and over the cattle grid. He’d have to get the sign changed, although his name alone would look lost up there. Forcing that depressing thought aside, he continued ahead, reacquainting himself with the lay of the land. In the paddock to his right, the cattle looked up from gnawing on feed and eyed him warily, as if they knew he wasn’t qualified to look after them.

  After a kilometre or so, the homestead came into view, and his pulse quickened at the sight. Atop a hill much greener than the ones back in Bunyip Bay, the large house with its splendidly wide verandahs appeared more magnificent than he remembered. Tim and Nora had obviously tidied the garden and surrounds ready for the handover. He slowed the ute, parked, and had barely slammed the door before Tim and Nora were upon him.

  ‘It’s so fabulous to see you again,’ Nora called as she bustled down the cobbled path towards him, an apron once again wrapped around her waist. ‘Where’s Faith?’

  He swallowed. ‘She’s coming later. She had things to tie up in Bunyip Bay first.’ He wasn’t proud of the lie, but when push came to shove, the truth hurt too damn much.

  ‘Oh, that’s a pity.’ Nora looked deflated, but she seized Monty in a hearty hug nevertheless. ‘I was looking forward to seeing her before we left.’

  ‘Leave the poor bloke alone, Nora.’ Tim offered his hand to shake Monty’s. ‘He’s obviously gutted to have left her behind. Let’s not rub salt in his wounds.’

  Monty wondered if Tim guessed he wasn’t telling the whole truth, but maybe that was simply paranoia. ‘You’ve been busy,’ he said, ge
sturing to the tidy verandah and front yard, now free of all Nora’s gnomes and other ceramic knick-knacks. Close up, the garden didn’t have the same appeal without them.

  ‘We knew you’d have your hands full,’ chortled Tim. ‘The least we could do was make sure you didn’t have to worry about the house or garden for a while.’

  ‘Thanks. I appreciate it.’

  ‘Well, let’s not stand around jibber-jabbing.’ Nora clapped her hands together. ‘Help Monty unload his stuff then let’s get inside and eat. You must be starving after such a long drive.’

  There wasn’t much to unload; he’d thrown only his clothes and the basics in the back that morning. Everything else was packed away in boxes ready for the truck on Tuesday. Mrs O’Neal, bless her Anzac-cooking soul, had agreed to let the removalists in, supervise the removal of his limited furniture and do a thorough clean when they were gone. He’d tried to pay her, but she wouldn’t hear of it. Not allowing himself the chance to look back, he’d fled Bunyip Bay a couple of days earlier than planned.

  Now, there was nothing to do except look to the future.

  After three days of intensive instruction from Tim, Monty waved the old couple goodbye. He was both happy and sad to see them go. Glad because he felt more than ready to start this new phase of his life, sad because he’d miss their company.

  During the next few weeks, he did nothing but work. He barely had time for eating and sleeping, never mind thinking. He fetched supplies in town, met his neighbours—a crotchety old couple on one side, a young couple with two hyperactive kids on the other—signed up for the local volunteer fire brigade, and met the local vet, Ava. He was red-blooded enough to acknowledge she was gorgeous, but all he could think about was how well she and Faith would have got on. Ava gave him some cattle advice and put him in touch with a nearby farmer who had a kelpie pup to sell. He named the dog Rooster because his bark sounded a bit like a chicken’s call and he woke long before the sun every morning.