by Annie Seaton
“Oh, okay.” Isabella was happy to throw in cash for the trip, but she was surprised at him calling it “payment.” “Of course. I’ll throw in for the fuel.”
Sebastian shook his head. “No, no, I was coming this way anyway. All I want is a famous Con’s Milk Bar milkshake. With malt. Those malted milkshakes make up some of my best memories of growing up in town.”
Isabella laughed. “For sure. Not a problem.”
They sat quietly as their late lunch was delivered. She picked at her salad as Sebastian devoured a huge steak sandwich and chips.
“Not up to your chef standards?” He glanced at her barely touched food as he wiped his mouth with his napkin. It was prepackaged, and she wasn’t really hungry.
But she felt as though she was being judged and a little niggle of anger settled in her chest.
“No. It’s fine.” She knew her voice was clipped, but she hated being criticised. “Jet lag affects my appetite. I’m not a foodie snob.”
“I wasn’t suggesting you were.” His brow creased in a slight frown, and he looked uncomfortable. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sound critical.”
She waved her hand. “No, I’m sorry for snapping. Just another side effect of jet lag. And I guess, if I’m honest, I’m really not looking forward to the next six weeks.” She rushed on when he raised his eyebrows and a flicker of interest sparked inside her as he held her gaze. He really was a good-looking guy. Maybe she’d see him around town while she was here. “I mean, it’ll be great to see Dad and sort him out, but how the heck am I going to fill in time in Spring Downs? I’ve lost touch with anyone I knew back in high school. But I will call Lucy, for sure.”
He nodded. “I guess it’s going to be a bit of a cultural shock for you. No theatres, no coffee shops, no galleries, nothing like what you’re used to in Florence.”
“I know. At least I’ll have a good rest while I’m here. I’ve been working long hours in a restaurant in Florence. I can catch up on lots of reading. And try out some new recipe ideas I have ready for my new job.”
“I could provide you with some social life.” His face lit up in a wide grin.
She tipped her head to the side and smiled back. “You can?”
“You can come out to the farm and catch up with Lucy and Jemmy. And meet Angie, too. She lived in London with Liam.”
“That would be nice. I’ll look forward to it.” An unfamiliar shyness ran through her, so with a forced chuckle she changed the subject. “I do have one goal for when I’m here. I’m going to convince Dad that he has to go back to Italy and visit Mum. Maybe even stay there.”
“That’s what you meant by sorting him out before?” Sebastian held her eyes, and his voice was full of sympathy.
“Yes. Mum went back to Italy to ‘find’ herself. They’re both so damn stubborn, neither will give in. Dad won’t move back to Italy because he’s trying to prove to Mum that he’s the boss, and she won’t live over here. So both of them have settled for second best over the past few years just to prove a point.”
“So what’s your plan?”
“I don’t have one yet. All it would take to get them back together would be for Dad to follow Mum, and they’d sort it out.” Isabella leaned back and crossed her arms. “But unfortunately, or fortunately, for both of them, depends which way they take it, I’m determined. If I have a goal, I achieve it. No matter what it takes.”
“And I guess that’s how you got this fabulous job in England.”
She nodded. “It’s been my dream for the last five years. I’m so excited about it. The restaurant is in a little village near Windsor and it’s called The Three Ducks. The owner is one of those celebrity chefs, and it’s one of the top four restaurants in England. Very sought-after place to work.”
“And you snagged a job there.” Sebastian held out his hand. “Well done.”
“Not so much snagged as put in a lot of hard work to get it.” His fingers were warm against hers.
“You’ll get on very well with Liam.”
“Liam?”
“My cousin. The oldest of the four of us. He’s got a work ethic like you wouldn’t believe, and he’s always trying to—” Sebastian broke off, pulled his hand back, and glanced at his watch. “Enough of that. Come on, let’s hit the road.”
Isabella wondered what he was going to say and what Liam was always trying to do.
She shrugged. It wasn’t her business.
Chapter Four
As Sebastian rode down the main street of Spring Downs after dropping Isabella at Con’s Milk Bar, he tried to summon up some excitement about going to Prickle Creek Farm. He was here to stay, so he’d better get the enthusiasm fired up. He was committed to seeing this through, even though it was going to be a big change for him. Once he was back on the farm this unsettled feeling would go away. The uncertainty of whether he’d made the right choice would disappear once he got to work.
It was probably jet lag, on top of the hard work he’d put in over the past few months to complete the contracted work in Italy, but the only excitement he was feeling at the moment was thinking about Isabella’s lips on his at the airport. He’d made sure that he got her mobile number, and he’d promised a catch up in the next few days.
“Before the boredom takes hold,” he’d whispered as she’d handed the spare helmet to him. Her father had shaken his hand and welcomed him back to town. Sebastian had declined the milkshake that Isabella had offered.
“No, but thanks, I’m still full from that burger. And Liam will have a cold beer waiting to celebrate the return of the prodigal cousin.” He’d leaned over and kissed Isabella’s cheeks, European style, and she’d smiled back at him. “Thanks for the company.”
“Thanks for the lift. You saved me heaps of time,” she’d said.
“More time to spend in Spring Downs, hey?”
They’d shared a look and her smile had widened. He’d be coming back to town sooner rather than later to catch up.
The BMW chewed up the narrow highway out to the farm turn-off. One consolation, Gran and Pop were still away. They’d been travelling around the world for the past two years but were due home for the double family wedding that was taking place in a month. He and Gran had never seen eye to eye. She seemed to always pick on him. Luckily, he’d learned to cope with that, just as he’d learned to deal with difficult bosses.
It wasn’t his fault that everything he wanted came to him easily. Liam, Lucy, and Jemima knew he hated the “Lucky” nickname, so of course they’d teased him mercilessly until he’d lost his temper one day and had dunked Liam in the bore.
The nickname had been long forgotten. He hoped.
Put away along with many other emotions. The grief that had consumed them all when Gran and Pop’s three daughters had been killed in that car accident had eased over the years.
Never forgotten, always there, but more bearable as time had passed. Lucy’s mum, Liam and Jemima’s mum, and his own beautiful mother had never returned from the trip they’d taken together—one they’d talked about for such a long time. His mum had been a single mother. His father had walked away when she’d announced she was pregnant with Sebastian, and he’d never been a part of his life.
Lucky? Sebastian didn’t think so.
Anyway, now he was back home, back where he’d grown up and had a happy childhood. He’d seen the world and worked in the cities. It was time to settle down and show Liam—and Gran—that he was capable of working just as hard as anyone to run the farm.
Sebastian slowed the bike as he approached the cattle grid at the front gate. His eyes widened as he read the new sign at the gate:
Prickle Creek Farm
Owners: L. Smythe J.Mccormack L.Mackenzie S. Richards
Bloody hell. Gran and Pop must have signed the farm over to the four of them when they’d been home last time. Liam had said there was news that he’d be surprised to hear but wouldn’t tell him what it was until he came home.
He shook his head a
s he roared up the red dust driveway.
Sebastian Richards, property owner. He would have to make sure he damn well pulled his weight. For the first time a flare of excited anticipation about being home sparked in his gut.
The house yard of Prickle Creek Farm was full of farm utes, Jemmy’s silver sports car…and dogs…and kids.
I’m home.
The screen door of the house opened wide, and as he rode the bike into the hayshed, dogs and children trailed behind him. Sebastian smiled at how tidy the shed was. Liam had removed most of the old machinery that Pop had collected over the years. The only piece remaining was the old Massey Ferguson tractor that had belonged to Pop’s father.
He climbed off the bike, unclipped his helmet, and as he shed his leather jacket, two young girls ran up to him, closely followed by a small chubby boy.
“Are you Sebastian? Our new mummy’s cousin?”
He squatted down onto his haunches and held his hand out. “That would be me.”
The little boy looked up at him. “We’ve seen your photo, but we didn’t know you were as tall as Shrek.”
“I hope I’m not green like Shrek,” he replied with a smile as the little boy took his hand and shook it vigorously.
“I’m Ryan. Daddy taught me how to shake hands. There’s nothing worser than a wet fish, you know.”
“Hello, Ryan. I’m pleased to meet you and yes, that’s true. No wet fish here.” Sebastian nodded gravely as he gripped the little boy’s hand in a firm clasp. He looked over at the two girls who were standing behind their brother. “Now let me guess. You have to be Kelsey and Gwennie. Which is which?”
The smallest girl stepped forward. “I’m Gwennie.”
“I’m Kelsey,” the other one said. “And hurry up. We weren’t allowed to eat anything before you got here.”
“That’s because you lot are like a plague of locusts.” A familiar voice came from the doorway to the hayshed. “We had to save some food for the guest of honour.”
Sebastian stood and held his arms wide open. “Jemmy!”
Jemima stepped in and hugged him. “You look well, Seb.”
“And so do you, absolutely glowing.” He stepped back and held her at arm’s length. Being a mum suits you.” He nodded at her pregnant stomach.
“It does.” She smiled at the three children standing by them. “And how lucky am I to have three readymade children, too? Now come and see if you remember Ned.”
Sebastian pulled the small bag from the back of the bike and slung it over his shoulder.
“Liam and Garth had to go down to the bore to fix one of those motor problems we all seem to have with the pumps out here. I swear it’s getting worse. But Lucy and Ned are inside.”
“How’s the wedding plans going?” he asked as he walked beside Jemima. He had never seen her so mellow and relaxed.
“Good, but the time is going so fast and there’s still a lot to do in the next four weeks.”
“Well, I’m home now so an extra pair of hands should lighten the load.”
“And you’re home to stay, Liam said?” Jemima looked at him curiously.
“Yes, I’m a bit late arriving, but it’s my turn to pitch in and do my bit.” He frowned. “I noticed the new sign at the gate. Gran and Pop have finally decided to bow out of the farm for good? I haven’t talked to them for ages. Gran always says it’s too expensive for me to call them all over the world.”
“Yes, apparently they started the ball rolling when they were home unexpectedly not long after Lucy had James, but they didn’t tell us they’d handed the property over until it was final. Family trusts and companies and old wills slowed it down. Gran said she wrote to you.”
“Italian mail is not the most reliable.” He grinned. “And God forbid she use email.”
“She won’t. We still get postcards by snail mail most weeks.”
“They’ll be home for the wedding, though?”
“They will. But they never tell us when they’re coming. They just arrive. Drives Liam crazy.”
“Are they going to stay on the farm?” As much as he loved them, Sebastian didn’t fancy the idea of sharing a house with his grandparents.
“For the time being, I think they are.” Jemima turned as a cloud of red dust appeared to the west. “Here come the men, now. Lucy’s in charge of the kitchen, and Ned’s out at the barbie. Come and see him before the place turns into a madhouse. You met Angie when you were last home, didn’t you?”
“I did.”
By the time Liam and Garth had pulled up in the ute, Sebastian had met Ned, hugged Lucy and Angie, cuddled baby James—although he was toddling around now and not so much a baby anymore—and Sebastian had a beer in his hand.
Liam climbed out of the ute and waved to the verandah and then mimicked putting a beer to his mouth. Sebastian waved back, crossed to the beer fridge, and pulled out two more cold bottles.
Garth was first up the steps and shook Sebastian’s hand. “Good to see you home again, mate.”
Liam walked up slowly and Sebastian noticed his new whipcord toughness. He’d lost weight and hardened up in the two years since he’d taken over the property. He held his hand out, but Liam ignored it and enfolded him in a man hug, thumping his back.
“It’s good to have you home, Seb.”
Emotion clogged Sebastian’s throat. He and Liam had had a difficult relationship after their mothers had died. The teenage years when they’d both been trying to find their place in the pecking order of life had been tough, but they had made their peace in those first couple of weeks when Gran had called them home two years ago, and the four cousins had been at the farm together.
“It’s good to be home.”
“About bloody time. You can only swan around the world for so long. Now I’m going to put you to real work.”
Sebastian brushed the comment off with a laugh and handed Garth and Liam a beer each. They leaned on the railing and looked out over the paddocks.
“The place looks great.” Sebastian stared over the waving paddocks of wheat. “Looks like a good harvest is on the way, ready for summer.”
“It’s been a hard slog to get it this good, but we’re on the home straight now. You were lucky to get that Europe contract when you did. You missed out on the hardest times.”
Sebastian bit back the instant retort that sprang to his lips.
Here we go again. Lucky.
“I hope you’re in good shape, now that you’re home to do real work.” Liam eyed him over the top of his beer. “Not got soft on all that European food and wine, have you?”
Sebastian tipped the bottle high to take a swig of the icy beer. Look who was talking. Liam had been soft and out of condition when he’d arrived at the farm.
“So a good trip out? Did you come on your bike?” Liam must have noticed he was irritated and changed the subject.
“Yeah. I picked up an unexpected passenger, too. I’ll tell you about her over dinner.”
Liam shook his head as they walked over to the barbeque together. “You were always good at picking up the ladies.” He turned to Ned. “You would have left town by the time Seb grew up, but he was always lucky with the local girls. We all had to struggle to get noticed, but young Seb here used to get the prettiest girls at the dances without even trying, plus he got offered the best part-time jobs in town while we all worked for old Clive at the petrol garage.”
“Can’t help it if I got all the charm.” Sebastian grinned at his cousin.
Ned slapped his thigh. “I’d forgotten about that. I worked for Clive for one whole weekend. He was such a grumpy bugger I went home and told Dad he could pay me for weekend work on the farm.”
“Clive’s still got the local garage and the repair depot, you know.” The conversation turned to local reminiscences and Sebastian stared out over the paddocks. He knew deep down that Liam meant nothing by his ribbing. He was overtired.
“The meat’s ready.” Ned picked up a tray and slid on the steaks
and the sausages, before topping the meat with the fried onion rings. “Come and eat, everyone.”
“Tie the dogs up, Liam, so they don’t come around the table.” Angie carried a jug of iced water out to the table.
“Not Willow!” Gwennie’s voice rose above the barking of the dogs as Liam whistled to them and took them out of the house yard. “Please don’t tie Willow up.”
“Who’s Willow?” Sebastian asked and then chuckled as Liam scooped up a small curly-haired brown spaniel from the lawn.
“Willow is the reason that Angie is marrying me next month. As well as for my awesome cake cooking ability,” Liam said, as he ran up the steps with the small dog tucked securely under his arm.
“You believe that, you’re in trouble.” Angie joined in the lighthearted conversation and Sebastian settled in his chair as Lucy and Jemmy walked out from the kitchen, carrying trays of salads.
“Hang on,” he said with a frown. “God, I must be jetlagged because I’ve just remembered that none of you actually live here anymore. You’ve all worked hard to get this dinner here tonight, and you brought all this over just because I was arriving?”
“Always quick off the mark is our Seb.” Liam shook his head as he sat next to Sebastian and the small dog settled on his lap. “And you’re right, wonder boy. Angie and I moved into our new place down by the back bore last month. Jemmy and Ned are across the road at ‘Daniela,’ and Lucy and Garth are over the back boundary at McKenzie Farm.”
“So you won’t have to put up with a houseful of kids and dogs when we go home later. You’ll have all the peace and quiet you want.” Lucy sat on his other side and lifted James onto her lap. “Now tell us about this mystery woman you picked up.”
Sebastian laughed. “Gawd, big ears, you lot don’t miss a trick, do you?” He smiled at Lucy. “But you know what? I wouldn’t have it any other way. It’s good to be back.”
“Of course it is. You’re back with us. And wait till Gran and Pop get home, we’ll all be here.”
Sebastian tried not to roll his eyes, but Lucy nudged him. “I saw that. Now put me out of my misery. Who did you bring home with you? A new woman on the scene? Someone you met in Italy?”