The Saddler Boys

by Fiona Palmer

  The next morning Billy and Drew sat in the doctor’s office, the DNA kit open on the bench. It was less scary than a hospital but the room still had a sterile smell that made him uneasy.

  ‘Dad, do we really have to do this scabby test?’ said Billy after the doctor had swabbed his mouth.

  Ignoring the doctor’s sideways glance, Drew explained. ‘Sure do, bud. When sheep have scabby mouth it’s actually contagious and we can catch it. So we need to be tested. It’s all routine, mate, nothing to worry about.’

  The doctor shot Drew an understanding smile.

  Billy watched in awe as the doctor swabbed Drew’s mouth, and then everything was signed off and packed away.

  ‘Now, the results will be emailed to the address on the form in around a week. I hope it’s what you want,’ said the doctor in his South African accent.

  ‘Cheers, doc,’ said Drew.

  Nat was sitting in the waiting room by a pile of old magazines and a screaming child. She stood up the moment she saw them.

  ‘See? Easy, hey?’ she said to Billy.

  ‘I don’t think I’ve got scabby mouth,’ he said loudly while his tongue flicked around his mouth.

  Drew wasn’t about to tell him the lesions would more likely be on his hands. After Billy’s outburst he watched the expressions change on the two people waiting to see the doctor and tried hard not to laugh. ‘Come on, let’s go home.’

  They climbed into Nat’s car and left the city behind them, but those swabs were at the forefront of Drew’s mind again. It was a shame he couldn’t leave all that in Perth as well. Billy slept most of the way, due to a late night playing Monopoly as Kent had insisted. No one had won; they’d given up when Billy started to fall asleep at the table. Drew could tell Kent didn’t want Nat to leave and that he cherished every moment with her. He wondered if Kent saw the same feelings in Drew. Could he tell how much Drew cared for Nat? Was Drew that easy to read?

  All these thoughts churned through his mind, making the trip home a quiet one. Even with Billy asleep they didn’t want to risk talking about the DNA test, or Simone.

  Drew had a quick nap himself, feeling tired from all the stress and worry, and the late-night Monopoly. He ended up dreaming about Natalie. About when he’d walked past her room earlier that morning and peeped through the gap in her door. Her sage green covers were covering her body but her golden hair splashed across a matching sage pillow. That had been enough to turn him on. And that vision was the last image in his mind when he woke up in the car. It made it hard to look at Nat without feeling the burning desire from his dream that stirred him awake.

  ‘It’s good to be home,’ said Drew, clearing his throat and trying to gather his senses as Nat drove towards his house.

  ‘It even makes me happy, getting back to Lake Biddy.’

  ‘Really? This feels like home to you?’ he asked, rubbing his eyes and sitting up.

  ‘Yeah, it does. Or at least it feels like it’s mine.’

  ‘Do you want to stay for tea?’ asked Drew. He didn’t want her to leave just yet. He’d enjoyed being with her for nearly two days. He was feeling addicted and wasn’t ready to rip off that bandaid just yet.

  ‘Thanks, but I really should get home and get my lesson plan sorted for tomorrow.’

  ‘How about long enough for a cold beer?’

  ‘Okay, then. How can I pass up a coldie?’

  Drew laughed. ‘You’re starting to sound like a local now. You’ve been hanging around Lozzy too long,’ he said teasingly.

  ‘Dad, are we home?’ came a groggy voice from the back.

  ‘Sure are, buddy. Ready to see Turbo?’

  When they pulled up, Drew unpacked the car and sent Billy off to let Turbo out of his kennel and then to check the chooks.

  This would give him a quiet moment with Nat, and he wasted no time in ditching their bags inside and returning with two beers so they could sit outside in the afternoon sun. Even though it was cold, the clouds were gone, letting the weak sun warm them up a little.

  ‘I suppose you’re going a bit crazy?’ asked Nat, sitting beside him.

  He could smell her sweet fragrance, and he sucked it in like a smoker chasing a nicotine hit. Yeah, he was going crazy all right. If he didn’t keep his thoughts down, he’d find himself sitting beside her with throbbing body parts.

  ‘Just a bit,’ he said, shifting in the seat. ‘But thanks for being there and for all your help. Kent is great.’

  ‘I know.’ Her grin showed how much she agreed. ‘Are you really worried?’

  ‘You mean have I thought about the chances of her being right? Every day. Every second. But I don’t need some paper to tell me he’s my son. I know it here,’ he said, banging his chest. ‘I won’t give up the fight.’

  ‘He’s one lucky boy to have you.’

  They drank their beers in silence for a moment. Drew closed his eyes, drawing strength and peace from the woman beside him.

  Billy came back and headed inside to watch some TV, breaking the tranquillity.

  ‘So, next week, hey?’ said Nat.

  ‘Next week?’ said Drew, playing dumb.

  ‘A year older, Drew. Getting closer to thirty,’ she teased.

  ‘Hmm, don’t remind me. Do you know what Matty and Lozzy have planned, besides this bonfire? Knowing them, they have something horrible in mind as well. Invite the whole district or something crazy.’

  ‘Ha, I doubt it. But it’s bound to be memorable with Loz on the job. Don’t worry. Loz tells me you can’t go wrong with a bonfire.’ Nat flicked her hair back and Drew caught the lavender scent of her shampoo. ‘I’m quite excited. Apparently roasting marshmallows is a given.’

  ‘It is, and you’ll have all three kids trying to show you the best way to cook ’em. Don’t listen to any of them. They charcoal them. What you need is coals. Come to me, I’ll show you the right way.’

  ‘I’ll keep that in mind,’ said Nat as she stood up and drained the last of her beer. ‘Well, I’d better go. Thanks for this.’ She put it on the little glass table.

  Drew did the same and stood before her. ‘I seem to thank you a lot, Natty. Don’t know where I’d be without you around. This year would have been bloody tough.’

  ‘You have plenty of people who love you, willing to help. But I’m glad I could be one of them too.’ She smiled and threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly.

  Drew melted into her arms. He hadn’t expected this – he’d hoped, maybe. And she didn’t pull away straight away, instead rubbing his back.

  ‘I know it’s hard but try to relax and not think about it, Drew. Okay?’

  He kept waiting for her to pull away; he would hug her all night long if he could. His hands were splayed across her back and they itched to run lower down her red coat. But if he pulled her too close, she’d feel more than she’d bargained for. As if reading his thoughts, Nat released him and he dropped his arms. It was a good, long hug. Enough to get him through until the next one, if he was lucky.

  He walked her to her car as usual.

  ‘Cheers, Natty.’ He held her door open for her.

  ‘Bye, Drew.’

  He stood and watched her go until the last fleck of dust settled back on the ground.

  Chapter 29

  NAT texted Drew every afternoon to ask if he had the DNA results – that is, if he didn’t send her one first. She had set up Drew’s email on his phone so he would know as soon as it came in. It had been a very long, drawn-out week and Drew must have been showing signs of strain. Ida at the shop had commented to Natalie on Drew’s scruffier-than-usual appearance and slightly withdrawn behaviour. ‘He was just staring at the frozen peas with the door wide open. Ended up waving my hand in front of his face. Do you think it has anything to do with the scabby mouth?’

  ‘Oh, I’m not sure,’ Nat had said, trying to keep a straight face.

  More than ever, Nat was dying to go out to the farm and comfort him, but Drew had said Kim had been dropping arou
nd each night to keep him company. She was relieved that he wasn’t alone, and yet irritated at the same time. Nat wanted to be the one by his side – she’d been there at the DNA testing, she’d been the one he’d come to first. It killed her having to take a back seat. But she didn’t dig too deep into her feelings, for fear of what she’d find. Besides, she was focusing on rebuilding her relationship with Gary, so maybe the week apart from Drew was a good thing.

  But by the time Friday night came around, bonfire time for Drew’s birthday, she was champing at the bit to see him.

  She arrived early, as per Kim’s plans. Nat was to keep Drew distracted so Kim and Matt could transport the dragon and set it up by the front gates. Lauren was setting up the bonfire next to it.

  Driving up to the sheds, Nat felt her stomach clench with nerves. She wondered why . . . Was it finally seeing Drew after such a long week apart? Or maybe she was scared of the test results. Maybe Drew knew already and didn’t want to share. She hoped he wouldn’t hide things from her.

  Drew was standing by his ute, wearing jeans, boots and a blue-checked shirt that made his eyes brighter. Nat was fast becoming a fan of the flannel shirt. Her friends would be horrified. But the whole ensemble fit Drew just perfectly. A real man who was good with his hands, worked the soil and fed the country. She couldn’t deny there was something very sexy about that.

  His blond tips sat up as if he’d just scrunched them with hair wax. It was a look other guys would pay big bucks for, yet on Drew it was all natural. His crooked-toothed smile appeared and she felt her lips tug up automatically. It was so good to see him.

  Nat grabbed her gift from the car as she got out. The air was crisp, the sky was clear and it would get even colder as the sun disappeared. But for now it clung on to the earth, shooting yellow rays across the land like giant fingers.

  ‘Happy birthday, Drew,’ she said, hugging him tightly and risking a quick kiss on the cheek. It was hard to do that and not recall the bingo kiss. Pulling back from his arms and trying to hide the blush she could feel burning its way up her face, she shoved the gift into his chest. ‘This is for you.’

  ‘Natty, you shouldn’t have. But thanks.’ He shook the little box. ‘Should I open it now?’

  ‘Yes, of course. Where is Billy?’

  ‘He’s been with Lozzy all arvo. I’m sure they’re cooking up something rotten. I told Billy he had to warn me if it was something I wouldn’t like. Big parties aren’t my thing.’ Drew pulled on the blue bow.

  ‘Don’t worry, it’s nothing big. Just your close friends,’ said Nat.

  Carefully she watched Drew open the box. His eyes glassed over with sentiment when he saw his gift.

  ‘Oh my god. Zoo passes for the next couple of years! Nat, you shouldn’t have.’

  ‘Yes, I should have, because I know you’ll be keeping your promise to Billy and going back there soon. I’m that sure of it.’ She waited a moment, while Drew blinked rapidly. He didn’t speak and she could tell he was trying to gain control.

  ‘I . . . this is . . . Natty.’ Drew gave up and threw his arms around her again.

  She felt his lips brush her cheek and it made her shiver. ‘Have you got good news to celebrate?’ she asked cautiously. She felt Drew stiffen. He let her go and stepped back, leaning against the door of his ute.

  ‘I got the email,’ he said softly.

  Nerves fluttered along her skin. ‘Well? What did it say?’ She searched his face for the answer and felt a wave of sickness. He didn’t look happy. ‘Oh, Drew.’ Her heart was going to break.

  Drew grabbed her hand and gave it a squeeze. ‘Nat, I haven’t read it yet. I still don’t know.’

  ‘You haven’t read it? Why not?’

  ‘I’m scared.’ His eyes latched on to her as if he was drowning. ‘It’s my birthday, Nat. Everyone is here. How can I celebrate if I open this and find out it’s not what I want to hear? I just don’t think I could deal with it.’

  ‘You told me the outcome didn’t matter.’

  ‘I know. Doesn’t mean it won’t gut me. Just the thought of having to tell him . . . I’m not sure I could do it.’

  ‘Do you want me to read it?’

  ‘I was going to wait till tomorrow, or maybe Monday . . .’

  Nat held out her hand and wiggled her fingers. Drew handed over his phone without complaint.

  She found the email and opened it, reading quickly as she felt Drew’s gaze burn holes in her. Nat lifted her eyes. ‘Billy is all yours.’

  ‘Oh my god, for real?’ Tears filled his eyes. He put his hand over his mouth as he grinned with happiness.

  Nat read the email out loud, which was hard through watery eyes. ‘You can rest easy now, Drew. You got your birthday wish.’ She leant against him and his arms immediately wrapped her up.

  ‘This is the best feeling ever,’ he said as his hands rubbed her back.

  Nat realised their hugs were becoming longer but they felt so comforting and right. She loved the smell of him, so earthy, manly and strong.

  ‘You know, this jacket is nice and all,’ said Drew, holding her at arm’s length and giving her red coat the once-over. ‘But it’s not bonfire-approved.’

  ‘What do you mean? Will it burn?’

  Drew chuckled. ‘If you stand too close, it will. But I mean it’s far too good to have fire smoke all over it. You’d have to get this dry-cleaned, hey?’

  ‘I see your point.’ Dry-cleaning had to be taken to Lake Grace. A long way to go just to get a jacket done.

  Drew opened his ute and reached over to the passenger side. ‘Here, you can wear this work one. It doesn’t matter how it smells.’

  He held up a black jacket with Summit Fertiliser written on it. Nat unbuttoned her red coat, handed it to Drew and put on the one he supplied. It was big but so comfy, and it smelt like Drew as well as grease or fuel or something farm-related.

  ‘Thanks.’ She put her red coat back in her car and pulled out the beers she’d brought.

  ‘Here. Time for a birthday drink,’ she said, handing a cold stubby over.

  The beers hissed as they cracked them open. Leaning against the bonnet of the ute, they watched the sun creep its way down. It was going to be dark soon. Nat checked her phone for Kim’s okay. She’d want Drew to see his dragon in the daylight. Maybe they were having trouble shifting it.

  As if by magic, her phone lit up.

  Bring birthday boy. We are ready.

  ‘Looks like it’s time for us to go.’

  Nat took her car and Drew drove his ute down to his front gate. Nat could already see large red flames. Lauren hadn’t wasted any time; it looked like it was roaring. How were they supposed to stand next to that without singeing something?

  Doris, Kim, Matt, Lozzy and the kids were all sitting around the fire in deckchairs. A table was set up on the side with bread and sauce plus the damper Billy would make for them all, and some spuds wrapped in foil. But the thing that demanded their attention was the dragon.

  They had it set up just inside the gates and it was awesome, almost gothic, in the dying light. Nat instantly turned to Drew, wanting to see his expression when he saw it. Everyone else had got up out of their chairs and walked towards him.

  ‘Happy birthday, Sadds,’ said Matty and Kim.

  Drew’s mouth dropped open as he walked towards the massive metal structure. ‘What?’ He glanced at Kim, shaking his head in disbelief. ‘Wow.’

  They all gathered around the clawed feet of the dragon, looking up at its wings and sharp teeth. The teeth, Nat realised, were the ends of old flat screwdrivers and spanners.

  ‘Kim, it’s . . .’ Drew was speechless and everyone laughed.

  ‘It’s bloody amazing is what it is,’ said Doris, who rapped her knuckles against it like it was the hard shell of an army tank.

  ‘You like her?’ asked Kim, standing beside Drew in boots, jeans, green flannel shirt and a similar jacket to the one Nat wore. Those two looked like they belonged together. Drew pulled
Kim into a hug and Nat found she had to glance away.

  ‘I like the claws best,’ said Billy.

  At his son’s voice, Drew let Kim go and picked Billy up. ‘Hey, mate.’

  Billy squirmed in the embrace, clearly embarrassed at the sudden affection. But Nat knew why Drew needed to hug his son. His son.

  ‘Dad,’ Billy complained, so Drew let him go.

  ‘How about we get the birthday boy a drink?’ said Matty, slapping Drew’s shoulder.

  ‘I’ll get the sausages cooking,’ said Lauren.

  ‘Billy, is it time to put the damper on?’ asked Doris.

  Billy shrugged. ‘Seth, wanna play spotlight?’

  ‘Can I play too?’ asked Mallory.

  The kids disappeared looking for torches and Doris mumbled to herself as she went back to the fire.

  Nat felt awkward being left with Drew and Kim, so she went to help Lauren.

  ‘Nah, I’m fine, Nat. Grab a seat, enjoy the fire and the stars,’ said Lauren, pointing up.

  Nat leant back in the chair. She had to admit the stars looked pretty spectacular now the sun was gone. As each minute passed she could see more, twinkling in the black night like diamonds. The flames sent up little sparks and the warmth they gave out made her feel cosy and content. The smoke from the fire wafted about, mixing with the crisp night air, and together they made an unforgettable scent. While Lauren fossicked about over at the table, Nat sat and watched Drew through the flames.

  ‘The dragon looks amazing with the firelight flicking over it, hey?’ said Matt, handing her another beer.

  ‘It sure does. Kinda brings it to life. Kim is incredible.’

  ‘Yeah, the ol’ sis is a chip off the old block, all right.’

  Kim was still with Drew. They were talking, smiling and standing really close to each other. Nat tightened her grip on her cold beer. Kim squealed and threw her arms around Drew and they hugged for ages. Nat guessed he’d told her the news about Billy. Which he was entitled to . . . she was one of his best friends and all. But still, did they need to hug for that long? Kim’s lips were moving. Were they whispering sweet nothings to each other?