‘It looks as though a serious powwow is going on in here. Am I invited?’
They looked up. ‘Sam. Yeah. You were busy chatting. Have a seat,’ Cameron said.
‘What’s up?’ She sat on the first available chair beside Cameron.
‘We’re concerned about Brad and his efforts to find his brother.’
‘Or sister,’ Steven added.
Samantha shuddered at Steven’s comment. ‘Why?’
‘It’s dragged him down a fair bit. He’s not the same guy. We don’t know how to help him.’
‘Just be there for him. The child may have died. Or Brad might exhaust his search and be more frustrated than ever and never find them. That’s when he’ll need the most support.’
‘I guess you’re right. It’d be like chasing a ghost.’
‘Pretty much, Cam.’
Her brothers were going to skin her alive if they ever found out what she suspected. She couldn’t up and tell them, although she hadn’t any proof. They’d probably chide her for days. But she couldn’t shake what Mary Hinder had said.
No wonder she felt out of sorts. She may have committed a terrible crime. Something so inconceivable that would have the entire community turning against her. They’d look down at her, not to mention her brothers’ reactions and bringing shame to the family name. Would they disown her? What would her mother and father think if they were alive, that is, if they were her real parents? Her stomach muscles tensed.
Would she be charged with incest? Her mind wouldn’t settle and nausea stirred. Trying to concentrate on the now was almost impossible.
‘Sam.’
Snapping from her thoughts she spluttered, ‘yes, what did you say?’
‘It’s a great turnout out there.’
‘Hm. Yes, it is. I... I should serve the dessert. Apple and meringue pie coming up.’
‘Thanks Sam,’ Christopher added.
‘It’d be even better if you were out there mingling.’
Chairs scraped against the timber floorboards. ‘Can you take this out please Cam? Steven, you and Christopher aren’t getting away that easy. Come on, give me a hand.’
When the last of the pies were carried from the kitchen, Samantha hesitated and looked back toward the office door. Her mother stored all the family’s important documents in the office, but she couldn’t remember if she’d ever actually set eyes on a birth certificate. Her mother had taken care of her identification and other necessary documents when she applied for her driver’s licence. Samantha sucked back a shaky breath. She must have a birth certificate. They all would have needed a birth certificate not only for proof of birth to apply for a driver’s licence, but also to attend school.
With a quick look over her shoulder toward the guests, she headed into the office and closed the door behind her. She opened the filing cabinet, flipped through the files and stopped at the one marked Birth Certificates and bits. Samantha grinned. It was written in her mother’s handwriting. And bits. Her mother used to add that every so often. Everything and bits.
Pulling out the file, she sat down and opened the folder. As she flipped through sheets of paper, she couldn’t locate a single birth certificate. Disbelief coursed through her. She slipped the folder back into the filing cabinet, and continued to search through more files and the safe behind her, but came up with nothing.
After leaving the office she searched out Cameron who stood alone, looking out into the darkness of the paddocks.
‘Hey Cam.’
He turned. ‘Yeah, sis, what’s up?’
‘Do you remember when you went for your driver’s licence?’
‘Yeah. It was a few years back.’
‘You’d have to have your birth certificate for that wouldn’t you?’
‘Nope. Everyone in town knew Mum and Dad, even old Burgess. Before things changed, anyone could get a licence in those days. Old Burgess used to say, drive up the street in a straight line. If you could do it, well it was a pass.’
‘Really. Wow. It’s nothing like that now. Christopher will have to undertake tests, both theory and practical.’
‘I don’t think Mum has Christopher’s birth certificate. If she has I haven’t seen any.’
‘I looked through the office, but I couldn’t find anything.’
‘Why do you need one?’
‘Not only for Christopher, but wouldn’t it be good if we all had one just in case we need it?’
‘What’d ya think, you were born under a cabbage?’
‘Ha ha. Funny. You know what I mean. Don’t you have any concerns?’
‘Why worry about something that can’t be changed.’
Samantha shrugged. Cameron seemed to be able to waltz through any situation, good or bad. He didn’t shoulder the unnecessary worry as she did at times.
‘You know me Cam, I’m always analysing everything.’
‘Sam, if you’re thinking one of us is related to Brad it’d be impossible. Mum had us all. We look too much alike. Even so, it wouldn’t and couldn’t change the past. We are brothers and you’re our sister. We were raised together and nothing can change that.’
‘Yes, I know. But don’t you think it’d be good to have a birth certificate. We’d need them if one of us gets married, or wants to go travelling.’
‘If you want to fill in all the paperwork go ahead. I can’t afford the time just now.’
Samantha shook her head, and crossed her arms. ‘I might just do that.’
Later during the night, Samantha sat back on a chair farthest away from the hive of activity buzzing around the tables. She kicked one leg over the other, her foot swaying to the beat of the country music.
‘Hey Sam. Finally I get you alone.’
‘Brad.’
‘Mind if I sit next to you?’
‘No. Have a seat. How have you been?’
‘Getting my act together.’
The heavy shadow hanging over Samantha heart was difficult to camouflage. ‘That’s good to hear.’
‘Sam. You seem distant.’
‘I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be but I’ve been preoccupied with putting tonight together.’
‘I don’t mean that. You seem to be avoiding me tonight. Is something up?’
‘No, nothing’s up.’ She glanced to the ground and back again only to meet his piercing gaze. ‘Friends don’t usually live in each other’s pockets, do they?’
‘No, but well, you’ve barely spoken and each time...’
‘Looks like this is an intense conversation or can anyone join in?’ Cameron came to a standstill beside them.
Brad chuckled and Samantha shot him a wry smile.
‘I’ll leave you two alone. I want to chat to Tracey for a while.’ She pushed up from the cream wicker chair, glad of Cameron’s interruption and made her way through the crowd, thinking of their time they spent together. At least no one knew about their four long luxurious nights, which was one consolation.
Samantha searched for Tracey, hoping a girlie conversation would kill the calamity of emotions threatening to break her resolve. She spotted Tracey pouring a glass of wine next to one of the barrels. ‘Tracey.’
‘Sam. Do you want a wine?’
‘Yes thanks.’
‘Good, then we can celebrate.’
‘Celebrate what?’
‘Whatever it is you’re hiding from me.’
Heat rose to her cheeks, and her body tensed. ‘I’m not hiding anything.’ That was the truth. She just hadn’t told her as yet.
‘Here you go.’ Tracey passed her a glass of wine.
‘Thanks.’
‘You lost weight a while back and now you look as if you’re going to be sick at any moment.’
Samantha’s stomach churned. She grabbed Tracey’s arm. ‘Come with me.’
She led Tracey into the house, up the stairs into her room and closed the door behind them.
‘Pull up a bit of bed.’
Tracey’s face was alight, full of cu
riosity as her right hand clung to the glass of wine. ‘Fire it at me. I can take anything.’
‘I’m not too sure about this.’ Samantha settled down onto the bed beside her, crossed one knee over the other.
‘Oh, don’t do that to me. I’m busting to find out what’s going on. Not only to quell my curiosity. Sam, I’m worried about you. You do so much around here. You’re stuck out this way with your brothers and well...You’re not their mother.’
Samantha quirked her eyebrows. ‘It’s my choice. And I’m not stuck out here. I love it here. Mum and Dad built this place for us.’
‘So what’s up?’
‘I was going to say something, but.’
‘Are you pregnant?’
‘Good heavens no. That’ll be the day. Nope, no babies in here, I’m afraid.’ She rubbed her tummy. ‘It’s Brad. I met him while I was on holidays last year. We sort of hit it off right away.’
‘Don’t tell me you slept with him?’
‘Yes. On several occasions.’
‘So, what’s the problem?’
‘He seems as though he doesn’t want any more to do with me. I don’t know. Maybe it’s me.’
‘Have you tried asking him what’s up?’
‘Yes, and he runs around answering indirectly.’
‘I thought you seemed different. Keep harping at him. I’m sure he’ll tell you what’s bugging him.’
‘Yeah, although sometimes I wonder if it’s worth the effort.’
‘Do you love him?’
‘I thought I did, but he said he’d call when we left each other on the coast and he didn’t. He did say that his phone was destroyed, the reason he didn't call. He also said that he's a different man now. Now he tells me...forget it. I’ll sort it out.’
‘If you want to talk more I’m here. You know that don’t you?’
‘Yes. Thanks Tracey.’
Samantha couldn’t bring herself to tell Tracey any more. But surely Brad wouldn’t be able to put the pieces of his puzzle together. He hadn’t mentioned anything to her and she doubted he was suspicious or even curious. And his reasons for not telling her more about what was going on between them was that perhaps she’d been too inexperienced for him, and he didn’t have the heart to tell her. That thought shocked the hell out of her. She rubbed her lips together, pressed them tight.
‘Come on let’s get back.’ Tracey grabbed her arm and they headed back to the crowd downstairs.
‘There you are. Where did you girls get to?’ Cameron said, turning on their approach.
‘We had a girlie chat,’ Tracey said, coming to a standstill close to Cameron.
Samantha watched their interaction. ‘I might see how the food is holding up.’
‘I’ll come too, Sam.’
‘No thanks Tracey. It’s all under control. You have a chat to Cam.’
Samantha dashed off before Tracey could refuse. They’d make a lovely couple and she wished Cameron would wake up and see it also.
‘Sam. Hey Sam.’
She looked over her shoulder as her name rolled off Brad’s lips with such warmth she wondered what had changed his disposition. He stopped beside her.
‘Looks like you need a rest. How about we drift over there near the barrel?’ He indicated the direction with a nod.
Samantha shrugged and headed toward the barrel.
‘Would you like a drink?’
‘Um, yes thanks. Tracey did pour me one, but I haven’t the faintest idea where I left it.’
‘Coming up.’
As he turned, she noticed the way he walked. It was similar to Cameron’s walk but how many men walked alike. There were thousands of men that walked with a swing of their arms and a certain swagger with each step they took.
He passed her a glass of wine when he returned before Cameron and Steven moved in to take a seat close by.
‘The dams are full. It’s amazing. I can’t wait until the sprinkler is finalised.’
‘When the sprinkler is up and running make sure it’s monitored and the right amount of water is applied at the right time to get maximum growth from the pasture.’
‘There’s a lot to keep an eye on, isn’t there,’ Cameron stated.
‘Yes, but the effort will be worth it. Don’t forget to check the pump to make sure it’s still operating at the correct pressure. Maintain your irrigation system to minimise wastage and leakage. Oh, and sprinkler performance. Sprinkler nozzles wear with use, especially if there is sediment in the water.’
‘Hell.’ Steven rubbed a hand over his forehead.
‘I’ll call in from time to time to do the rounds and double check everything when I’m finished here. I’ve left some information for you all to read over. You’ll get the hang of it. It’s not as bad as it seems.’
Samantha listened, and when the music stopped playing she headed indoors to choose another CD. It was getting late and most of the guests had left. She spotted Brad, and her brothers sitting where she left them and she accompanied Tracey to the front door.
‘Are you sure you don’t want to stay? I hate you driving by yourself in the dark.’
‘I’m used to it. Don’t worry so much. You’re a worry wart. You fuss over your brothers as though they don’t know how to look after themselves. I’m concerned for you Sam.’
‘Don’t be. Everything will work out. Drive carefully.’
After Tracey said goodbye, Samantha watched her car disappear into the dark of night. When it was out of sight she eased down and sat on the front step.
Fuss over her brothers. Had she been overdoing it? Had she really been acting like a mother hen? Doting over them as though they were her childr... She cupped a hand to her mouth.
Chapter Ten
Samantha made her way down to the machinery shed, and spotted Cameron’s backside jutting out in front of the ute.
‘Cam.’
‘Yo.’ He moved back, his hands covered with grease, his face not much better.
‘What have you been doing, rubbing your face over the engine?’
‘You know how much I like working on cars.’ A playful smile crossed his face. ‘It was a great night last night wasn’t it?’
She nodded reluctantly. ‘Cam, I rang Mr Potstone and he has no idea about any missing birth certificates, or even if we had any. He told me how to apply for them if I wanted new ones.’
‘You’re really going all out about them, aren’t you?’
‘As I said, Christopher will need some identification soon. We can’t overlook that.’
‘Steven didn’t. Don’t worry about it, Sam. It’s not important. Old Burgess knows us all. He knew Mum and Dad well and I suspect he also knows how old we are.’
She eased beside him, pressed her back onto the edge of the ute. ‘That’s not the point. Things have changed since you got your licence, and what about Steven and Christopher when they’ll need identification for university?’
He hesitated. ‘I see what this is all about now. You still think one of us is related to Brad. It’s not possible Sam. Mum would have said something to me long ago.’
‘Perhaps she didn’t want to or was leaving it to later, but later never arrived.’
‘I can’t see you being related. You look too much like Mum did. You’re practically a dead ringer for her when she was young.’
Samantha’s shoulders rose and sank noticeably.
‘Loosen up a bit, okay?’
‘Yeah. I suppose, but I’ll be applying for our birth certificates if we don’t find them. Steven and Christopher will need one soon. Don’t be late for dinner.’
‘No Mum.’
Samantha headed indoors into the lounge room. Just because she agreed with Cameron didn’t mean her mind was going to click off the subject and she’d forget about it. She pulled out the bottom drawer of the wall unit, exposing the family photo albums. After hauling out five albums, she sat on the lounge, and eased out a frustrated sigh.
The first album revealed a photograph of h
er mother and father. She stilled and a single tear escaped her eye, slid down her cheek. She flicked it aside with an index finger. They looked so happy, so made for each other. Her mother used to say true love was worth clinging onto, as it doesn’t come around often, and when you find that special someone you will know. Samantha pressed her lips together and sank back into the lounge.
Sitting the album on her lap, she turned the page, noticing her mother had written below each photograph. Taking her time to study every snapshot, she moved onto the following page. There was a photograph of Cameron at six months old. She moved the album closer, and inspected it looking for similarities. Cameron had dark hair, almost the same colouring as hers. Next to this photograph was a picture of herself at six months old. She squinted, and drew it closer. On the following page were photographs taken when they were one year old. Even the photograph of the baby at Mary Hinders seemed similar. After scouring the fifth album, she closed the last page and dropped it onto the pile of albums sitting beside her. What was the use? All babies looked alike in some way. The photographs could be of anyone, but surely her mother wouldn’t hide something as important as one of them being adopted, or whatever the case was.
‘Hello. Anyone here?’
She stilled, braced herself thinking she wouldn’t set eyes on Brad for at least a few days, especially after last night.
Pretending she didn’t hear his voice, she stilled, listened.
‘Helloo.’ The sound of footfalls closed in and she looked up. ‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt. Doing some reminiscing I see.’
‘Something like that.’
‘While I’m here, Sam. I know how difficult our situation is but we can’t change the past.’
She shrugged. ‘I know.’ It was a murmur, rumbling up her throat as though she didn’t want this outcome. ‘If I can help you in any way to find your missing brother or sister, I will.’
Raven Falls: Australian Rural Romantic Suspense Page 16