by Annie Seaton
Isabella looked up and her gaze connected with Sebastian’s as she smiled. “Okay, I guess I’ll be there then.”
Sebastian stood and crossed to the verandah railing and looked out over the paddocks. It was a clear night, and the array of stars lit up the night sky. His fingers itched to hold his camera.
What Gran didn’t know was that the farm was his other interest. His photography was his heart and soul.
But he wasn’t going to set that cat amongst the pigeons.
Chapter Thirteen
Isabella had hoped that her father would snooze on the way back to town.
But, of course, she had no such luck.
She slowed the car at the intersection where the road that led down to the farm met the Pilliga Forest Way. She wondered about going to the races.
It was great to have company and have some social functions to go to—the family and all the kids were great fun—but it brought her in Sebastian’s company often, and she wasn’t sure how she felt about that.
Her head told her what she should be doing, but her heart said, “Spend the time with him while you’re here. Life isn’t all about work.”
Live life, Isabella.
It was as though her father read her thoughts, and she jumped as he spoke.
“They certainly live a good life out on their farms, don’t they, cara?”
She gripped the steering wheel tightly, knowing she was stuck with Dad and his conversation for the next half hour. If Dad wanted to have his say, he would. She racked her mind trying to think of a way to divert him. She was having enough trouble sorting her own thoughts without him throwing in his bit.
“You know, if you went back to Italy, you’d be close to your family,” she said. Dad had a couple of brothers and a sister in Tuscany.
There! She’d thrown down the gauntlet. He didn’t answer.
“And Mum works hard over there,” she said. “I think she does it to have some company.”
“I send her plenty of money. She doesn’t need to work.” Dad folded his arms and didn’t speak for a moment. Guilt rippled through Isabella, and she softened her approach.
“I do worry about you, Dad. Can I ask you something?”
He shot her a sideways glance. “What?”
“Do you miss Mum?”
“Of course, I miss your mother. She is the love of my life.”
Isabella shook her head. “So why won’t you follow her?”
He shrugged. “Because she doesn’t love me. If she did, she would have stayed with me.”
Isabella knew she was close to being able to make a difference in two lives that were so important to her, but to do so she had to break a promise, and she thought long and hard before she said anything. Biting her lip, she stared ahead as the headlights outlined the gum trees, the bark of their trunks stark white in the bright light. A kangaroo stood unblinking on the side of the road, and she slowed down in case it jumped onto the road, but it turned away and bounded back through the scrubby bush.
Maybe she didn’t agree with what Mum had done, but she could understand how her vibrant mother didn’t want to live in the Outback of Australia. But neither of her parents was happy.
“She does, Dad.” Isabella kept her voice soft. “She made me promise not to tell you, but she misses you so much. When I left to come here, she hugged me and cried and told me how much she loves you. But like you, she is too stubborn to budge.” She softened her words with a laugh. “No wonder I’m so stubborn with parents like you pair. It’s gone on for way too long.”
There was a heavy silence from the passenger side of the car, and her father turned away from her to stare through the window into the darkness of the bush that was flashing past.
“Really, tell me what is there here for you in this town?” Isabella wasn’t going to give up now that she’d breached Mum’s trust. “A few friends playing darts at the local club? Your customers in a milk bar that seems to have fewer people coming in every day?” She was determined to make her father see reason. Her hands were tight on the steering wheel. “Dad, Mum misses you so much. She has only a few friends, and she won’t go to visit your family because she thinks they’ll judge her. She’s as unhappy as I know you are. Please, Daddy, promise me you’ll think about it?”
Isabella sniffed as her voice broke, and she wiped her eyes with the back of one hand. As she put it back on her lap, her father reached over and squeezed it.
His voice was gruff. “I’ll think about it.”
She smiled as she accelerated down the road, but the smile didn’t last long.
“Now it’s my turn,” he said.
“Your turn, what?” she said suspiciously.
“I saw the sparks between you and Sebastian tonight. What’s going on there?”
“Nothing,” she said, indignation lacing her voice. “I barely know him. I have no idea what your imagination has conjured up, Dad. Most likely it’s wishful thinking.”
Chapter Fourteen
“Isabella, it’s Lucy.”
“Hi, Luce. What’s happening?” Isabella crossed to the window with her phone to her ear and looked down at the street. Dad was closing up downstairs, and the town was deserted.
As usual.
“I’m going to Dubbo tomorrow to look for an outfit for the races next Saturday, and I wondered if you’d like to come with me.”
To Isabella, it was like a life buoy. She was about to go under from the boredom that had increased day by day. She’d done most of the organising for the wedding but had been putting off another visit out to the farm until some of the table decorations arrived.
It had been more than a week since the welcome home barbeque for Sebastian’s grandparents and everyone had been busy. Dad had been quiet, and he’d spent a lot of time on the computer in the spare room of the apartment. Isabella had been on the phone and online, ordering food and decorating items for the wedding, which was now less than three weeks away. Sebastian had called to chat a couple of times, but she hadn’t seen him.
She was not only bored, but strangely, she was feeling neglected.
Isabella checked the oven as she listened to Lucy. Dad was late up and she had dinner warming. “I’m in. It’ll be great to have a catch up with you. I can get some of the stuff for the wedding tables while we’re there.” She pointed to the oven as her father came in the door. “So a new outfit? Is this a dress-up affair? I thought it was a casual thing, a bush race?”
“Didn’t you ever go to one when we were in high school?” Lucy asked.
“No, I don’t remember going. It was a long time ago.”
“We dress up to the nines, and the judges come around and pick the candidates for the Miss Come-by-Chance for the year.”
“I love the name of the town.”
Lucy laughed. “It’s not a town. You think Spring Downs is small. Wait till you see Come-by-Chance! Anyway it was named after an old sheep station when the district began to get settled.”
“So what time will we go tomorrow?”
“How early can you be ready?”
Isabella hung up the phone with a smile and turned to her father, who was serving up the lasagne she’d cooked. “I’m going to Dubbo with Lucy tomorrow.”
“I’m pleased.” He dug into this pocket and pulled out his wallet as she watched with a frown. He pulled out a wad of notes and held them out to her. “Buy yourself a pretty dress for the picnic races while you’re there.”
Isabella shook her head. “No need for that, Dad. I’ve got plenty of money.”
He pulled a face. “I’m sure you have, but humour your dear old father. I would like to buy you a pretty dress.”
“I don’t need one. It’s just more to pack when I leave.”
“But you have to have a dress to wear to the races. I’m getting dressed up in my good clothes.” He looked at her jeans and T-shirt. “I haven’t seen you in a dress since you’ve arrived. You have to wear a dress to the races.”
“Okay,” s
he said with a smile as he handed her the money. “I’ll let you buy me a dress.” She reached up and kissed his cheek. “Thanks, Dad.”
…
It was like being back in her teens again. Lucy left James with her grandmother and picked Isabella up in town just after eight. They laughed and joked most of the trip to Dubbo, and Isabella relaxed in the passenger seat of the modern SUV.
“Coffee, first,” announced Lucy as she pulled into a vacant space in the car park in the centre of town. “Although, I suppose coffee in Dubbo doesn’t quite measure up to an Italian square,” she said with a sigh. “One day when the children are old enough, Garth and I will travel.”
“Children?” Isabella looked at Lucy curiously.
A strange feeling—almost envy—ran through Isabella as Lucy smiled and patted her flat tummy. “I think number two is on the way. He’s announced his presence with another good dose of morning sickness. Garth’s the only one who knows, so don’t mention it in the presence of the family yet.”
“I won’t,” Isabella said with a smile, pleased to be considered a close enough friend to hear the news first. “But congratulations, you must be excited.”
“We are. And I’m looking forward to wearing a drop-dead gorgeous dress to the races before I get too big to dress fashionably again. With James, I wore almost-tents for the last month, I was so big. And he came early, so I hate to think how big I would have got if he’d arrived on his due date.”
“Okay then, let’s grab a coffee and hit the shops!” Isabella picked up her purse and opened the door before she turned to Lucy. “And just so you know, it’s not the location that makes the coffee best, it’s the company you have it with.”
“I’m so going to miss you when you head off again.” Lucy blew her a kiss and climbed from the car. “I suppose there’s nothing that would make you change your mind?”
“No way! I’m so excited about this new job. When you and Garth travel, you’ll have to come and visit me in England.”
Their coffee break was full of chatter and laughter as Lucy caught Isabella up on everyone they’d gone to school with, before the conversation turned to Sebastian. She had a feeling that Lucy was probing, so she deliberately kept her responses flippant.
“I’m pleased that you and Seb have hooked up a bit. I worry about him out there on the farm with Gran and Pop,” Lucy said as she put her cup back in the saucer. “He’s a brilliant photographer, you know. I’m really surprised that he’s come back out here to stay.”
Isabella shrugged casually. “I’m sure he’ll be able to do both. Work the farm and take his photos. I watched him working the other night. He’s certainly got a passion for it.”
“Has he said anything more to you, Bella? About staying out here? You seem to have struck up a friendship.”
She replied slowly, taking care not to say anything that Sebastian maybe wouldn’t want repeated to his family. “Not really. I think, like I said, he’s keen to do both. Make a success of the farm and still do his photography.”
Lucy frowned. “I really worry that his heart’s not here at the farm, and that he’s only staying to keep the family happy. You know, Gran’s expectations and all that. She’s a strong woman, but I know even Gran wonders if he’ll stay. She was talking to me about it the other night.”
“Maybe she needs to talk to him about it. He’s a grown man, and I’m sure he’ll do whatever’s right for him, Luce.” Isabella put her head to the side. “It might take him a month, it might take a couple of years, but whatever he’s most passionate about will win in the end.” Privately, she thought that Lucy was on the right track, but the Sebastian she’d gotten to know since she’d arrived was a man who would do the right thing by his family.
It bothered her. If Sebastian can do the right thing, what does that say about me?
“I know what you’re saying though,” she said. “I worry about Mum and Dad. Sebastian has obviously got family loyalty and wants to do the right thing by everyone. I’m the selfish one. I follow my path, and I leave Mum and Dad to worry about me.”
Lucy reached over and touched her arm. “Oh Bella, don’t be silly. Like Seb, you’re a grown-up. You can’t be responsible for everyone’s happiness. You have to look out for yourself. One day when we don’t have all this shopping to do, I’ll tell you how I almost lost Garth by not following my heart.”
“Thanks, I look forward to it. Now let’s hit the shops.”
Two hours later, they were standing together in the large department store in town. Lucy had been very persuasive, and Isabella shook her head at the bags that were lined up along the bench in the fitting room.
“I can’t believe you talked me into all this. I’ll never fit it all into my suitcase when I leave.” She held up the pair of bright blue shoes she’d fallen in love with as soon as Lucy had picked them up. “Although, I will find room for the shoes.”
“You have to get all dolled up for the Come-by-Chance races. It’s the social event of the year for us. There’ll be a few thousand people there.”
“What? At the dirt racetrack that Sebastian took me past the other night? I saw the sign that said Come-by-Chance Race Club, but I thought it had closed down.”
Lucy nodded with a smile. “Wait till you see it. It comes alive every year, and this year will be extra special. There’s even silver trophies for the winners. That’s why we have to get new clothes. I can’t enter now because I’m married, but you’ll have a good shot at the title.”
Isabella frowned as she slipped the shoes back into the box. “What title?”
“Miss Come-by-Chance.”
“On, no. Don’t even think about entering me. I’m only here for a few more weeks. Besides, I don’t agree with beauty contests.”
“You don’t enter. The judges walk around, and you’ll get a tap on the shoulder.” Lucy folded her arms and smiled. “It’s only for the day, and it’s a bit of fun. It’s a tradition and sponsored by a local business. Come on, we’ve got to find us each a hat now.”
Isabella shook her head and followed Lucy out of the change room, both laden with plastic shopping bags.
“I’m going to have a shot at Fashion of the Fields,” Lucy added.
“Fashion of the Fields?” Isabella giggled.
“Yes. It’s a hoot.” Lucy tipped her head to the side as she tried on a black hat with a feather on the crown and a veil across her face.
“Gawd, Luce, you can’t wear that. It looks like something you wear to a funeral.” Isabella shook her head.
“The veil will keep the dust out of my mouth if it’s windy. And we’re getting you a hat, too.”
“Sounds delightful. And”—she put her hands on her hips—“I’m not buying a hat.”
“Oh yes you are.” Lucy’s smile was determined. “Come on, Bella, you’ll have a great time.”
“Maybe, but not with you wearing that hat.” Isabella rolled her eyes as Lucy passed her a hat. Some battles weren’t worth fighting.
“Okay, maybe not.” Lucy squealed as Isabella put the hat on the side of her head. “Oh my God, look at that. It’s perfect for you!”
And it had been. Isabella carried the bags into the small second bedroom above the milk bar that she’d turned into her home-away-from-home for the past few weeks. The trip to Dubbo had been a roaring success. New outfits for both of them—including hats, shoes, and handbags that Isabella didn’t need.
It had been fun. She’d enjoyed every minute shopping with Lucy. It had been a long time since she’d treated herself to shopping and lunch with a girlfriend. Once she got to England, it would be all work again. So it was nice to enjoy the time here. She paused, deep in thought, as she went to put the hat carefully on the shelf in the wardrobe. It was easier for her to see now why Lucy enjoyed living out here. Lucy had a man who loved her, a gorgeous baby, and a house that Isabella had promised to visit.
“I have the best equipped kitchen. It’s a shame the wedding’s not at our place. Wait till you
see my stove. I love baking.” Lucy had prattled on as they’d walked from one end of the shopping plaza to the other. After they’d gone to the catering supplies warehouse, the back of Lucy’s car had been loaded with decorations for the wedding reception—tablecloths, centrepieces, and heart-shaped chocolates wrapped in gold foil, and they both agreed it was more sensible that Lucy take it straight out to Prickle Creek Farm and store it for the wedding.
Isabella sat on the side of the bed, a little disappointed that she hadn’t gone out to the farm with Lucy, but it would have been too far for Lucy to drive her back, and following her out in Dad’s old car, for no real reason other than unpacking a few boxes hadn’t been worth the long drive. She unpacked the bags, hung the dress on a padded hanger, and put her shoes in the bottom of the old wooden wardrobe.
Dad was still down in the milk bar—she’d poked her head in the door to say she was back before she’d come upstairs. In the kitchen, she opened the fridge to see what she would cook for dinner and pulled out a can of soda water. She popped the top, poured it into a glass, and added some ice before she wandered over to the window and looked out at the street. It was just before closing time for all of the stores, but the main street was already deserted. A lone white ute chugged slowly down the centre of the road and disappeared around the corner. She could almost imagine tumbleweeds blowing down the street, adding to the mournful loneliness of the landscape. It seemed that all of the life in this region was out on the farms where life was interesting and social activities followed the working days.
Just over a month here, unless she could convince Dad to go to Italy before then. Isabella straightened her shoulders. Tonight she’d raise the subject carefully and see if she could persuade him. There was nothing here for Dad anymore, and he had a wife who loved and missed him over in Italy. There was nothing here for her, either.
Maybe, if he agreed, they could travel back together. With a determined nod of her head, she went back into the kitchen and made a start on dinner.
For some reason, she kept thinking about Sebastian. If she left early, she wouldn’t be able to help him with his photo shoots.