The Brothers of Brigadier Station

by Sarah Williams

  Meghan's beautiful face would remind him of that every day.

  Chapter 4

  The warm water soothed her aching body as Meghan stood in the shower letting the water wash away the dirt. She watched the muddy remnants swirl and slip down the plughole, knowing she would be sore tomorrow.

  She thought back to the ride with Darcy. He was so protective of his older brother, asking her questions and checking on her motives. It must have been fun for them growing up. Having siblings to share their childhood with. Constant playmates to cause mischief with and forge lifelong bonds.

  She wished she could press re-wind to a time of childhood innocence. When there was no death, no drought. To the time her parents were still alive to hold her hand and tell her happy endings did exist.

  She dressed in a simple short denim skirt and pink shirt. She was drying her hair with a towel in front of the mirror when Lachie appeared in the doorway.

  "Did you go riding?" he asked as he lay down and spread out on the bed.

  "Yeah, Darcy took me." She put down the towel and climbed onto the bed next to him. He looked tired and worn out. She curled up next to him, and he draped his arm over her shoulder.

  "Busy day?"

  "Very." He sighed. "I'm sorry I can’t spend more time with you."

  "That's okay. I loved looking around the station today. It's so beautiful."

  Lachie murmured in agreement as she played with his shirt buttons.

  "I think we should have the wedding here." She looked up to see his reaction.

  "You want to?" He sounded surprised.

  "Yeah, it makes sense. It will be such a small wedding anyway. Just your family and a few friends."

  "Okay. When?"

  "How long does it take to plan a wedding? A few weeks?" She tapped her fingers to her lips, "I want to live here. I want our life to start. Now."

  "Alright then. Better before the wet season starts. Then if we get cut off, we'll have each other to entertain." He rolled on top of her and kissed her neck. He obviously wasn't that tired after all.

  "Dinner’s ready," Harriet sang out from the other side of the closed bedroom door.

  Lachie slumped disappointedly against Meghan, who couldn’t help but giggle at the interruption.

  "Thanks, Mum," Lachie called back when Harriet knocked on their door.

  "Come on. Let’s go tell her we’ve set a date."

  "I always wanted to host a wedding here!" Harriet hugged her soon-to-be daughter-in-law excitedly when they told her their plans.

  "It'll be nothing too fancy, and I'll take care of all the planning." Meghan didn’t want to be a burden to Harriet, she was certainly busy enough running the household.

  "Let me do something! The flowers and food? You don't want to bring everything up from Townsville."

  Meghan could see it would mean a lot to her. "Okay, the food. But we don't need flowers. We can get married in front of the roses."

  Harriett touched her hand over her heart, tears glistening in her eyes. "Oh, yes. That will be beautiful."

  Darcy’s tall, rugged figure appeared at the screen door. He stooped slightly, removing his dirty boots, before opening the door.

  "Darcy." Harriet couldn’t wait for the poor man to get inside before sharing the news. "The wedding's going to be here!" She was bubbling over with enthusiasm.

  "Yeah?" Darcy glanced at Meghan and Lachie briefly. "Save me a trip to Townsville." He made his way to the sink and washed his hands. Lachie stood next to his brother and they chatted about cattle in the west paddock. Meghan watched their easy manner towards each other as they laughed and joked good-naturedly.

  Lachie winked at her before turning back to his brother. "Darcy, be my best man?"

  Darcy looked up in surprise before covering it with a joke. "I already am the best man." Lachie slapped him on the back affectionately.

  "Then why am I the one getting married first?" He grinned widely and walked away. Darcy’s gaze fell on Meghan briefly, and she wondered again why he was still single.

  It was the middle of the night when Meghan slipped out of bed to use the bathroom. She tiptoed down the hall in her white cotton singlet and pink shorts. The old house was quiet and peaceful.

  She jumped backward as the bathroom door opened a few feet ahead of her and light spilt out, illuminating Darcy's tall frame. His bare shoulders filled the doorway.

  "You okay?" He reached out to steady her arm.

  She felt her blood warm as she considered the golden-toned flesh above a pair of black shorts. She had no idea such a toned body was hiding under his worn work clothes.

  His own eyes were on her scantily-clad body. Nervously she crossed her arms across her chest. Her breathing was coming quick now. "You didn’t hang around after dinner."

  He cleared his throat and looked back at her face. "No." He shook his head slightly as if trying to remember where he had been. "Shadow is close to foaling, and she showed some signs of it starting."

  "Is she okay?"

  "She’s fine. False alarm." He moved sideways so she could pass.

  As she moved closer, she could smell the familiar combination of horse and hay. It made her stop and breathe it in.

  She turned slightly and found herself inches away from his solid chest.

  "Darcy, will you come get me if Shadow goes into labour? I’d like to be there. To help if I can."

  He raised his arm and rubbed his neck. "She’ll do all the hard work, but if you’re still here, I’ll get you."

  "Thank you. It interests me. As a vet nurse, I mean."

  She was about to move when she spotted a jagged scar over his heart. Without thinking, she touched it. "How did you get this?" Under her fingers, she could feel his heart thumping. His chest rose as he took a sharp breath. She raised her eyes and got distracted looking at his mouth.

  He licked his dry lips before backing away from her. "That’s a story for another day." He slipped into his room and closed the door firmly behind him.

  Darcy leaned back against the wooden barrier. Right now it was the only thing stopping him from taking that soft, supple body in his arms. Her fruity scent still lingered in his nostrils. He glanced at his bed and imagined her on it. Her soft pale skin under his hands, her lips under his. He flexed his hands trying to rid them of the need to touch her. Her barely clad presence had left little to the imagination. Her perky breasts with their dark pointy tips made him realise the full extent of his desire for her. There was no use pretending he wasn’t madly attracted to her and sometimes when she looked back at him he wondered if she felt the same. That kind of chemistry was hard to dismiss.

  But what was the point in that? He was a fool to think that way about her – his brother’s fiancé.

  The most he could hope for was friendship. He had to stay strong and avoid any physical contact. Perhaps he could slake his desire with another woman in town one night. Maybe, he could find a backpacker or tourist just passing through who would be happy enough to share his swag for a night. He didn’t need any kind of long-term complications.

  He slipped into bed hoping he could switch off and not think about the beauty next door, in bed with his brother.

  Chapter 5

  The next day Harriet drove Meghan to their neighbour's station. The homestead was similar to the one at Brigadier’s—low set with deep shady verandas surrounded with shade trees. The dehydrated paddocks surrounding it were empty except for the occasional whisper of brown dust.

  Maddie Sears welcomed her with a friendly hug. Her smile was genuine and honest. This was a woman who could become a good friend, despite being a few years older than Meghan. Like most outback women, Maddie wore her auburn hair long and tied back, her sun-bronzed face was etched with faint worry lines.

  "What do you think of the country?" Maddie asked as she poured hot tea into mugs.

  "It's bigger than I expected," Meghan replied accepting her cup. "There’s a vastness I hadn’t expected."

  Maddie smiled
knowingly. "I think you either love country life, or you hate it. I love it. But I'm from Mount Isa, so this is all I know."

  Harriet nodded in agreement. "Well, she better love it because Meghan and Lachie are engaged."

  A squeal escaped Maddie’s open mouth. "Congratulations. He's a catch."

  "Thank you." Heat crept up her neck. "Why is everyone so shocked by this news?"

  Maddie glanced at Harriet who shrugged. "Lachie has a reputation as a ladies’ man."

  "Obviously, he’s grown out of it now," Harriet assured her with a gentle pat on the knee.

  "Anyway, I moved here three years ago, when I married Dylan. So, if you have any questions, ask me. Everyone is really friendly and welcoming." Maddie had an earthy wholesomeness about her, like Harriet. As though they had become part of their environment. A strange sense of satisfaction filtered through Meghan.

  "Thanks, I will." She sipped her tea as the conversation turned to other topics.

  "Is Darcy competing this weekend?" Maddie asked Harriet. "Everyone loves watching Darcy on that horse of his."

  Harriet smiled proudly. "He is. He’s pretty confident for this round, and Jasper is in top nick. Are you bringing the children?"

  "I’m not sure. Jamie’s a little young for such a rowdy weekend."

  A pretty woman in her early twenties with a long blonde ponytail popped her head around the living room door. "Excuse me?"

  "Briar, come meet Lachie's fiancé." Maddie encouraged. "Meghan, this is our govie Briar."

  The younger woman raised her eyebrows. "Lachie’s getting married. Well done."

  "Thanks. Excuse my ignorance, but what's a govie?" Meghan asked curiously.

  "Governess. I look after the kids," she explained.

  "Briar is a godsend! Dylan has an eight-year-old daughter from his first marriage, and she does School of the Air. Briar helps her with that and generally helps with the kids."

  "School of the Air?"

  "The Julia Creek School is forty minutes away. School of the Air is done online." Maddie explained.

  "Back before the internet, my boys did it over the radio and through the post. It’s much easier now," Harriet said.

  "Wow." The extent of the workload for a woman in the outback was enormous, not only did they cook, clean, run a household, home-school their kids, grow their own vegetables and raise livestock, but they were also expected to help out on the station too. Darcy was right, it's not a quiet life. She could certainly see why govies were useful.

  "Emma’s finished her work, and I’d like to take her swimming if that’s alright?" Briar asked Maddie.

  "Sounds like a good idea. Thanks."

  Meghan watched the younger woman slip away. Today felt like a preview of what her life would be. Maddie was the ultimate country wife and played the role well. Like Harriet she didn’t complain or moan, she simply did the best she could. Having such strong, confident women around would be a help for her as she found her way in this new life. Meghan was grateful. She wondered how many other newcomers would receive such support.

  The soft moans of a crying baby had Maddie on her feet. "I’ll just get Jamie, he’ll be after a feed." She walked off down the hall.

  Harriet leant in close to Meghan. "Maddie and Dylan run sheep as well as cattle. Although, they sold most of their cattle last year. The drought has hit them pretty hard, and they are only just scraping by."

  Meghan pressed her hand to her heart. She had never had to endure such hardship. She could only imagine how tough these families were doing it. How much they must struggle just to put food on the table. "Are many stations selling their stock?"

  "Most have already sold all they can or keep them on agistment. We've seen a few stations sold or abandoned. One lot even sold to a Chinese buyer."

  "Will that affect the area?"

  "Who knows. No one else wanted to buy the station though. I'm sure they would have preferred to sell to Australians."

  Maddie returned with her nappy-clad son on her hip. His thick, black hair was tousled from his sleep.

  Meghan gazed upon his chubby face and big brown eyes. "He's gorgeous. How old is he?"

  "Seven months," Maddie sat her son on the floor surrounded by toys, "He's a blessing. I was told I couldn't have kids, and then, surprise! I got pregnant."

  "Wow," Meghan replied, entranced by the small child as she watched him chew on a toy giraffe. She timidly stroked his soft, silky cheek. His eyes found hers, and she felt a fluttering in her chest.

  Having grown up without any siblings or cousins, Meghan’s experience was limited to the kids she had occasionally babysat in her teen years. Babies were entirely new to her, and she watched every gurgle and smile with wonder. This little baby boy was simply the most adorable creature she had ever seen. When he wrapped his fingers around hers, a physical ache settled in her stomach. Suddenly she knew, without a doubt, she wanted a baby of her own one day. The thought of being able to raise her children on Brigadier Station, surrounded by family and friends, with animals to raise, horses and motorbikes to ride, sounded like a dream. Emotion ached in her throat. She only wished her mother was still alive so she could be there for her future grandchildren. Harriet would be a wonderful grandmother. The children would never want for love, there would be so many people showering it over them.

  She realised it might be a full, busy life for the wives out here, but it was also rewarding in many ways. She would never be able to live in the city again after this. Traffic, strangers, pollution. That all seemed a lifetime ago. Her past. This was where her future lay. Brigadier Station was her future.

  The following days flew by. Meghan spent most of her time following Harriet around helping with housework and cooking. They had become easy friends and Meghan came to admire her future mother-in-law. Harriet was an independent countrywoman used to doing it tough, and yet she was also generous with her praise and smiles. Meghan was enjoying their closeness, but saw a flicker cross her friend's face every now and again. Especially when Lachie’s father, Daniel was brought up in conversation, which wasn't often. Meghan knew how painful the unexpected loss of a loved one could be, and to lose a beloved husband must have been heartbreaking. Meghan tried to show her empathy, but Harriet preferred to avoid the subject. It seemed that Daniel's passing was still raw and painful to discuss.

  As well as collecting eggs and feeding the chooks each day, Meghan also took on the job of feeding the pigs and cattle kept in the home paddock. She took great joy in watching the mother cow with her calf and the three orphaned calves she had adopted.

  "We usually end up with a few poddy calves each season," Lachie had explained. Meghan couldn’t wait for spring when she could hand raise a calf herself. She daydreamed about using formula in a bottle and hand feeding the little orphans and becoming lifelong friends. She had hand reared kittens and puppies in the same way. Even the occasional rescued joey kangaroo had been brought in for temporary foster caring at the clinic.

  She worked tirelessly in the large veggie patch planting tomatoes, lettuces, and herbs. "Is there anything else we can grow?" she asked Harriet who shook her head.

  "We can only grow crops over winter. By October, it's too damn hot, and everything dies. It’s a pain because fruit and veggies cost a fortune and they’re mostly old and overripe by the time we get them. That’s why we eat so much canned and frozen food."

  Meghan took particular note of the meals cooked. Plenty of proteins and carbohydrates. Potatoes, rice or pasta, accompanied every meal, including breakfast which was a spectacular feast of bacon, sausages, scrambled eggs, mushrooms, baked beans and hash browns. It could keep the men going until dinner if necessary. Sometimes they would take sandwiches with them if they were working away, but sometimes they would forget to eat lunch and come home, stomachs rumbling late after dark.

  She regularly found herself wandering to the horse yard in her spare time. It was Darcy's domain. He owned and cared for the horses. Sometimes she would find him there and he
would let her help feed and brush them. Their conversation always light and friendly.

  Molly especially enjoyed Meghan’s visits. She often took the horses apples or other treats. Molly would crunch and slobber juice, her eyes closed in equine ecstasy.

  Shadow would always get lots of scratches at the spot around her ears Meghan knew she loved.

  This afternoon she found Darcy practicing his campdrafting skills with Jasper. The horse concentrating every bit as hard as his rider as he turned sharply around barrels, kicking up dust in his wake.

  His brown Akubra shading his eyes from the low sun, Darcy rode over to the railing where she stood watching with Joey obediently by her side.

  "What’s campdrafting all about?" She stroked Jasper’s nose.

  "Well, the rider and his horse, cut a beast from a mob. Then directs the animal around a figure eight and then through a set of gates. He's assigned points based on technique and time." His voice was filled with infectious passion. She noticed that sometimes, in unguarded moments he let his true feelings show.

  Nodding with understanding, Meghan tried to imagine it. "How often do you compete?"

  "I only compete locally at Julia Creek and Richmond. Sometimes Hughenden. I used to do the whole circuit before Dad died, now I don't have the time, and it's pretty expensive."

  "Do you ever win?"

  "Sometimes. It depends on who else is competing." He lifted his hat and wiped sweat from his brow with the sleeve of his work shirt.

  "Are there any competitions coming up soon?"

  "Julia Creek campdraft is this weekend. Didn’t Lachie tell you?"

  "No, he didn’t. Oh, that’s what Harriet and Maddie were talking about." She recalled their conversation.