The Saddler Boys

by Fiona Palmer

  ‘Okay,’ he mumbled, munching the food in his mouth.

  All afternoon Nat kept checking her phone in case Drew called.

  ‘Natty?’ asked Billy, drawing her attention back from the patch of dirt she’d been staring at.

  Nat was finding it hard to focus on Billy’s stories when her mind kept disappearing. Looking at him, she realised this probably wasn’t the first time he’d called her name. ‘Hmm, yep?’

  ‘My dad’s here.’

  She stood up and turned around to the gate to see Drew letting himself in.

  ‘Hey,’ she said with a smile, which he returned before focusing on Billy.

  ‘Hey, mate. Hope you’ve been good for Natty.’

  Billy nodded and Drew told him to go get his stuff so they could head home. ‘Thanks, Nat.’

  ‘No worries, he was no problem at all. How did it go?’ she asked quickly while Billy was inside.

  ‘Okay, I guess. She just wants to see him occasionally. She doesn’t want to take him away, so that’s a start.’

  ‘You going to let them meet?’

  ‘Guess I have to, otherwise Billy might hate me later for keeping her away. But I still wouldn’t mind getting the forms filled out so it’s all official and it stipulates he’s mine and she gets a day a month or so many hours’ visitation. I want his time with her limited.’

  ‘I understand,’ said Nat quickly as Billy came out of the house with his schoolbag on his back.

  ‘Natty helped me do my homework, Dad, and my other assignment, and we had a fancy snack and played.’ Billy grinned, looking from adult to adult.

  ‘Nice one.’ Drew scratched the stubble on his jaw. Nat knew that was a sure sign something was on his mind. ‘Um, I’ve got seeding coming up and it’s the first time with Mum gone.’ Drew put his hands on Billy’s shoulders, keeping him close. ‘And I’m not sure how I’m going to cope. Harvest was pretty hard going but between Loz and Doris we got through. But seeding’s a bit different; I don’t have to wait for the right temperature to seed so it’s usually crazy hours getting it all in. Anyway, to cut a long story short, I’m hoping that you wouldn’t mind looking after Billy on occasion, if it’s not too much trouble, and only to help give Loz and Doris a break.’ Drew’s face was turning pink but he kept eye contact while he spoke.

  Nat didn’t hesitate. ‘Of course.’

  ‘Um, okay. Are you sure?’ He seemed a little relieved and shocked at the same time.

  ‘Yes, of course. He can stay with me after school. If he’s up to staying the night he’s welcome to stay —’

  ‘Can I, Dad? Can I stay here?’ Billy cut in.

  ‘I guess. We might need a trial run first,’ Drew said, shooting Nat a warning gaze.

  ‘I don’t mind having him for as long as you need.’ Nat knew Gary wouldn’t mind as it was just Billy and she’d love the company. ‘He’d be no trouble here, if that’s what you’re worried about?’

  ‘I’m more worried about putting you out. Seeding can go for a while.’ He pulled a face.

  ‘Well, don’t. I want to help.’ Nat put her hand on his arm to reinforce her point, causing him to flinch slightly. She drew her hand away, a bit puzzled. ‘Call me and we’ll sort out the details?’

  ‘Yeah, I will.’ Drew’s chest rose with his deep breath. His long-sleeved blue-checked shirt strangely made him look very appealing, even though there was dirt on the shoulder, as if he’d been crawling under something. He smelt like grease and fuel, and for some reason she liked that.

  Drew’s eyes were bright as he watched her for a moment. It was as if he was trying to read her thoughts, or connect with her on another level. She felt the hair rise at the nape of her neck. ‘Come on, Billy,’ he said eventually. ‘Let’s head home. We have chores to do.’ His lips curled into a smile and he thanked her again.

  Drew had a way of making Nat feel amazing just by being himself, and she realised that she was attracted to him. She could try to deny it but her body had a mind of its own. How could she avoid it when he was such a handsome man with such a big heart?

  Nat saw them to the gate, then watched as they walked off towards Drew’s ute, Billy talking non-stop. Such a sweet sight. She was already looking forward to spending time with Billy, to having a little person around the house.

  Chapter 23

  ‘SETH, if I see you without your motorbike helmet on, you are banned for a week, got it?’ yelled Lauren as Seth and Billy darted past them towards their waiting bikes.

  It was just over two weeks into seeding and Nat had gone to Lauren’s to drop off Billy for the weekend. To make things easier on Drew she’d taken Billy for the weeknights, and he’d settled in well at her place. She’d been able to help him with his homework, even slotting in some extra work to improve his spelling and maths. But it was good to take him to the Richards’ for the weekend. He was getting comfortable with her and tested her patience sometimes.

  ‘Kids, I tell ya,’ said Lauren as they stood outside with their cups of coffee.

  Lauren and Matt had a nice home and farm. Matt’s parents had moved to Albany, semi-retired, leaving Matt and Kim to take over their established property. Kim had their house to herself, and Lauren and Matt had a beautiful home surrounded by massive lilac trees, lots of lawn and a pool. How Lauren managed to keep her kids alive, the gardens flourishing, the farm maintained, while fulfilling all her community roles as well, Nat had no clue.

  ‘Thanks for this, I needed a real coffee.’ Nat sipped the perfect brew from Lauren’s fancy coffee machine in the ‘Moms love Vampires’ Twilight mug. Lauren’s mug had ‘World’s Greatest Mum’ on it. They stood at the side of the house on the wide verandah, watching the boys ride around the silos and machinery sheds. Mallory and her pink teddy were on a small quad bike, both wearing matching pink tutus.

  ‘Anytime. You’re always welcome,’ said Lauren. They talked about how Billy was going, about how Seth and Mallory were progressing at school. ‘Hey, have you got your outfit sorted for the Bogan Bingo night?’

  ‘Not really. Jeans and a black T-shirt, I was thinking.’

  ‘Oh, here, come and borrow one of my old checked shirts. Actually, you can keep it. I doubt I’ll ever fit back into it.’ Lauren took Nat into her room and pulled out some shirts. ‘Here’s my old favourite T-shirt. You should wear this with this red check, be perfect. Real bogan style,’ she said with a chuckle.

  The black T-shirt fitted snuggly. It had a Def Leppard album cover on the front, and the checked shirt went well too. ‘Thanks, Lozzy, I could use these when I head out to the farm. You sure you don’t want to keep them?’

  ‘Nah, I haven’t worn that T-shirt since before the kids. I’m still trying to lose the pregnancy weight, even ten years on,’ she said with a chuckle. ‘I kept that shirt for sentimental reasons but I’d rather see it getting used. I was a wild thing when I met Matt. Man, did we have a good time. B & S balls, paddock parties and shed dos. Body doesn’t cope with that much alcohol any more,’ she said with a frown.

  They ended up rolling around in fits of giggles when Lauren showed her Matt’s mullet wig and black moustache, which they had to try on.

  ‘I’m going to colour in some teeth as well. Gosh, it’s going to be a good night, hopefully full of laughs. These guys will need a break after seeding. They work like crazy.’

  Nat realised that the P & C did lots of events like the Bogan Bingo to bring the community together, give farmers a chance to get together and talk, as well as raising money for things that the school needed, like some new play equipment. Although if they couldn’t save the school it would all be for nothing. They fell silent and Nat wondered if Lauren was thinking the same thing.

  Back outside they checked on the kids again. A white ute was coming along the back lane. ‘Kids!’ yelled Lauren, suddenly waving her arms like she’d just seen a big redback spider on her shoulder. Nat had to resist putting her hands over her ringing ears.

  The kids saw her and stopped, taking off
their helmets so they could hear her.

  Lauren pointed to the car. ‘Doris is coming, stay over by the sheds until her car has stopped, okay?’

  ‘All right!’ came their reply as they drove further towards the sheds.

  Nat turned to watch the approaching car. ‘Doris is a card. I’ve seen her in the shop a few times. I’ve never met anyone with so much character. She has her own style but such a big heart.’

  ‘I know. I’m glad you see it. Other people see a messy-looking ragbag old lady in a clapped-out ute. But by god does she make the world a better place. Heart bigger than the wheat belt, that’s for sure,’ said Lauren.

  Doris tooted her horn as she came towards the house. It was limp and sick-sounding, as if submerged in water. The ute was already coasting, Doris’s foot no doubt trying to find some sort of brakes. It pulled up just two metres past them. Doris was good at judging its roll-to-a-stop distance.

  The kids came swarming back like bees to honey when they knew the coast was clear, each one giving Doris a hug as she got out. They came away with big slices of chocolate crackle, all of them wasting no time in biting into them.

  ‘Hi, Doris,’ said Nat as they walked around the ute to greet her. Doris was wearing her Redback boots, brown trackpants with holes, some patched, some not, and a green flannel shirt with a torn pocket on it. There was a chook feather stuck in her hair, Nat noticed, as Doris reached into her ute.

  ‘Here ya are, Lozzy. I did some baking yesterday.’

  Doris produced a cardboard box full of old Tupperware containers. The original Tupperware. It must be good stuff if it could take the beating Doris had no doubt given it over the years.

  ‘Thank you, Doris, I really appreciate it,’ said Lauren.

  Nat peeked inside and her mouth watered. ‘What have you got in there, Doris?’

  ‘Choc-chip cookies, caramel slice, choc crackles, sausage rolls, pinwheels, some silverside and Matty’s favourite jam slice.’

  ‘Oh, he’ll love that. Matt can always tell the difference between mine and Doris’s jam slice. I swear I follow the recipe.’

  ‘That’s ya problem, girly,’ said Doris. She tapped the side of her head with a crooked finger, which looked as if it had been jammed in a door once or maybe twice. ‘It’s all tucked up in ’ere. I don’t follow no recipes any more.’ Then she laughed a dry, booming laugh that would have seemed more at home on a large drunk man. ‘I’ve made a heap for Drew as well, just dropped them off at the house on my way over. Make sure you take some for young Billy next week.’

  ‘I will, thanks, Doris.’ Nat wondered if Doris knew that Lauren and Drew both put money into her shop account for all the food she bought to feed them with. Drew had explained once that he’d tried to buy her expensive gifts as a way to say thanks at Christmas but Doris never needed anything. She didn’t like new clothes or jewellery. She was a woman of the land and didn’t see the point of material things unless it was more Tupperware, tea towels or ingredients to cook with. Last year Drew had a cow slaughtered and filled up Doris’s big freezers with enough meat to last her ages. He said it had brought the woman to tears and it had made him chuffed to find the right present. Mind you, she’d used a lot of that meat making him stews and casseroles over the year, he’d said.

  ‘Lozzy, I’ve also baked Kim’s favourite curry puffs. Make sure Matt doesn’t get his mitts on them,’ Doris ordered. ‘Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’d better get back. I’ve got some meat defrosting and Angus was eyeing it off.’ Angus was Doris’s Jack Russell.

  Doris swung her large body back into the ute and it started with a cough, leaving a black trail of smoke as she drove off. One of the ute’s non-working spotlights rolled around, hanging on by its wires.

  Lauren put the food inside and they washed up their cups.

  ‘Do you want to come and see what Kim is building Drew for his birthday? She’s so bloody talented.’

  ‘Yeah, sure. When is his birthday?’

  ‘Twenty-sixth of June.’

  Nat locked that away for future use and followed Lauren to the big shed nearest the house. It had huge sliding doors on the front and a workshop at one end. ‘Massive shed,’ said Nat. The ceilings were high and the workshop had a mezzanine floor, no doubt for extra storage.

  ‘Okay, here it is, but you have to swear you won’t tell Drew. All the kids have been sworn to secrecy too.’ Lauren gave her a warning look, making her freckles turn golden in the light.

  ‘Cross my heart,’ said Nat before stepping inside to see a gigantic mash-up of junk metal. But Kim’s magical eye had turned all the rusty leftover machinery parts into something great. ‘Oh my god. It’s amazing.’ Nat walked closer to the sculpture. It was a dragon, it had to be. A long tail curled with a point at the end, and one metal wing out one side, the other yet to be constructed.

  ‘I’m glad you like it,’ came Kim’s voice behind them.

  ‘Hey, Kim, what’re you doing? Something break?’ asked Lauren worriedly.

  Kim stood at the shed door in dirty jeans and a thick blue work jumper with the collar of her checked shirt folded out over the top. She moved inside and grabbed some tools as she spoke. ‘Yeah, tyre on the seeder bar bloody came off. Have to fix it.’

  ‘Before you get back I’ll run home and get you some food to take. Doris has just been,’ said Lauren.

  Kim’s coffee-coloured eyes swirled with delight as she groaned. ‘Curry puffs?’

  ‘You bet. I’ll be back in a tick.’

  Lauren left and Kim put the toolbox by the door then wheeled across a big thing, which Nat guessed was a welder.

  ‘This is truly amazing, Kim. Drew is going to love it.’

  Kim stepped up next to her and smiled. ‘Thanks, Nat. Still have a bit to go. I want to have some curls of smoke and fire coming out of his mouth. Luckily I’ve watched How to Train Your Dragon with the kids enough times.’

  ‘How ever did you do it?’

  ‘Well, the scales are made from the points we used on the seeder – they’re what dig into the ground, so these are all the old ones. Did a drive around the community, picking them up. Bits of leftover steel and wire, old tools, cogs from various machinery, fingers from old header combs – you name it, I’ve probably used it.’

  ‘You have such a talent, Kim. You could make a fortune selling these in the city. Have you thought about it?’ asked Nat. She felt small next to Kim, who was so accomplished and had strength and ability in spades.

  ‘Nah. I’ve done a few things for the shire. They wanted some metal animals to put along the main street in Lake Grace, so that will be my next project when I have time. They won’t be as big as this bugger, but this guy’s going at the front of Drew’s farm gate. So it needed to be grand.’

  Kim’s face radiated as she spoke. Drew really was blind as a bat when it came to Kim’s feelings. The love she was putting into this dragon was further evidence. Nat didn’t want to ask about the amount of time she’d spent on it. ‘Why a dragon, though?’

  ‘Drew’s farm is called Dragon Rock, so I thought it was fitting.’

  Nat remembered him telling her that over dinner one night. It was because he was near the Dragon Rock reserve. ‘You are so amazing, Kim. I envy you,’ said Nat truthfully. How Drew could have resisted her all these years she had no clue.

  Kim turned to face Nat, her brow creased and her eyes pained. ‘Yeah, but it still doesn’t get me the man I want, does it? Yet you’ve caught his eye,’ she said frankly.

  Nat was taken by surprise. ‘Who, Drew?’

  ‘I’ve seen the way he looks at you. In all these years he’s never seen me that way and for that I envy you.’

  Nat’s mouth fell open. Kim must be mistaken, surely. ‘But I’m engaged.’ It was all that she could think of to say while her mind was trying to sort itself out.

  ‘Yeah, well, Drew’s not. And besides, sometimes you can’t help who you fall for.’

  Nat knew Kim meant herself as well. ‘You really think he l
ikes me? He’s never said anything or done anything,’ Nat said.

  ‘He wouldn’t, he’s too much of a gentleman and he wouldn’t want to get hurt in case he lost you as a friend. Believe me when I tell you that. I’ve had years of debating the same issue. I’d rather have Drew as a friend than lose him altogether. I know he doesn’t feel that way about me. I knew it when I saw the way he looked at you.’

  Kim cleared her throat and picked up some kind of Darth Vader helmet before facing Nat, fixing her to the spot with a stare to scare all tough men. ‘I like you, Nat, but if you break his heart or Billy’s you’ll have me to answer to. Are we clear?’

  Nat could only nod. The change in Kim, so protective and fierce. She could do nothing but admire her more.

  ‘Good. I’ll see you later.’ She left the shed, loading up her tools on the ute outside.

  Nat could hear Lauren’s voice chatting to Kim as she handed over Doris’s treats and helping her load up the welder. But Nat could only sit down on the old oil drum, not even bothering with a rag, while she tried to swallow this news. Drew. Could he really feel that way about her?

  Nat thought over their talks and meetings, looking for signs that he felt more. The only thing she could come up with was the night he kissed her cheek. It had been out of the blue, yet it had felt so comfortable. And his eyes, so tender and vibrant, had reached right into her soul. And it was true, things had been different between them since then. Like the time he’d flinched when she’d touched him. Maybe he’d felt that zap with the connection? She certainly hadn’t been able to deny it, engaged or not.

  Here she was with a smile on her face. Knowing that she meant something to Drew made her feel alive. But it could never be more than friendship, could it? She would be gone after this year, then married and having babies of her own. With Gary. She didn’t know how she felt about that at this point but, regardless, she couldn’t live in the country full time. It was impossible.

  Lake Biddy full time? Forever? That had never entered her mind.

  Until now.

  Chapter 24