by Mark Stewart
THE NEXT day the sun rose in a cloudless sky. The rain had disappeared overnight. Naomi stretched in the warming rays of a new day. A few shallow, isolated puddles of water were left; the only evidence of the previous day’s storm. Trent stepped out onto the verandah, a floorboard creaking under his weight.
Naomi turned to face him. She felt pleased to have greeted the sun before the cowboy.
“Just because you were up early you somehow think it’s a victory.”
“Yes I do,” Naomi replied. “I wanted to see the sunrise. You’re right it sure is beautiful out here.” Squaring herself to Trent, she looked directly into his eyes. “What are you hiding behind your back?”
“Two steaming plates of bacon and eggs on perfectly toasted brown bread,” he announced bringing the plates to the front.
“How did you get things ready so fast? I saw you asleep on the couch when I walked by. I felt proud of myself for being awake before you.”
“I have to confess I did have some help. Mum heard you walking down the stairs. She thought she should wake me. Together we made breakfast.”
“What a cheat.”
Naomi took the plate. She felt as though time had travelled backwards overnight, helping her to arrive at a school camp. She believed if she pinched herself she might wake from her dream.
“For a city girl, you did a great job yesterday. I didn’t know you could ride a dirt bike. You were a natural.”
“Thank you for the compliment. My brother taught me how to ride. He refused to hear the word no. He even bought me lessons so that we could ride together.”
“I’d love to meet the man.”
“My brother and a mate were sitting in the back of a car when it ran off the road. I sold both bikes after he died. I never rode again till yesterday. I have to admit, I did enjoy the experience, though I’ve never ridden in a storm before.”
“Sorry to hear of the news.”
“It’s been many years since that day. Even though the pain has gone, I still think of him.” Naomi smiled as she sat to eat breakfast.
“After breakfast and you feel up to it, we can go for a ride to survey the herd.”
“I’d love to,” replied Naomi.
The moment Trent and Naomi finished the last mouthful of their breakfast, Earl came trotting up on a black mare. He held onto the saddle using one hand, the other, he held the reins of another two horses.
“Who’d like to go for a ride to check on the new arrivals?”
Walking over, Naomi felt excited. Trent helped her onto the saddle of a brown chestnut. The horse instantly pricked its ears backwards waiting for a command.
“I thought you might want to know I picked up the extra package you asked me to get after dropping Mary-Lou at the hospital,” whispered Earl.
“Thank you.” Naomi’s eyes sparkled. She lifted her backside off the saddle looking about the area.
“The package is asleep,” whispered Earl. “Mitch is pacing the floor waiting for her to wake. You city people are all the same. It must be the clean air.”
Naomi looked at Trent’s puzzled expression. “It’s part of my secret,” she said.
“Are you going to share it?”
“I’ll tell you when the time is right.” She gave her horse a light kick, taking off in a trot.
Trent watched her go before galloping to catch up.
“We have to check the herd,” Naomi said to Trent when he drew level. She felt full of pride knowing she finally had her very own little secret.
Trent chuckled and led the way to a small rise about a twelve-minute ride on horseback from the mansion. The hill looked high enough to watch the entire herd grazing.
“They look none the worse for wear after their wet ordeal,” gushed Naomi.
“They’ve settled in very nicely. I’m positive it won’t be too long before the cows put on weight again.”
Naomi’s gaze scoured the huge property. Heat from the drying land gave her goose bumps. She visualized staying to live out the rest of her life in such an overwhelming place. She allowed her mind to float back to the city; back to the busy streets of Melbourne, the endless cafés, shops and restaurants, the nightlife and the street people. She exhaled heavily. The sights of Melbourne were indeed wonderful. She paused on the thought, pondering which one seemed more appealing; busy Melbourne or the splendor and magic of the Oasis. The two were locked together for only a heartbeat. The Oasis already won. Besides, Trent lived here.
Naomi’s bottom lip pouted. She stared at the ground, sighing quietly, so her cowboy hero didn’t know. ‘What will Kaite think? The city held her in its vice-like grip. The Oasis didn’t. Kaite seemed to be hooked more on the nightlife than her. If only, out here in the middle of the desert, Kaite might be inspired to stay. If not, she’d have to decide between the two. In her heart, she already decided which one must win.’
Two horses approaching from the house brought Naomi back to reality. Earl waved, looking excited.
Naomi faced the riders, grinning at the sight of one of the figures.
“Kaite,” she squealed. Jumping from her horse, she started running.
Trent sprinted after her.
They ran side by side down the undulating side of the hill while Earl Stanton remained on guard. He resembled a King on his hill.
Kaite sat on the saddle of a white horse looking like a professional rider. She pulled hard on the reins. When the horse came to a complete stop, she slid off the brown leather saddle. Mitch leapt from his horse. His arms were wide, ready to catch her if she fell.
“I take it you’ve met Mitch,” puffed Naomi, between breaths.
“I sure have. Mitch sat next to me waiting for the exact moment I woke. Before I could say a word, he left. When the handsome cowboy returned, he carried a plate full of bacon and eggs.”
“You two are definitely from the same pod,” giggled Naomi, glancing sideways at Trent.
“We sure are.”
“This is an amazing place. It takes your breath away,” blurted Kaite, turning in circles.
“It sure does. This wonderful man standing next to me is Trent. He’s the one I talked to you about. Mitch is Trent’s brother.”
Kaite shook his hand. Mitch stared at his brother, beckoning him to follow. The girls watched the two walk up on top of the low hill to have a talk. Earl trotted off to inspect a pregnant cow.
“Naomi, I love this place,” yelped Kaite.
“It sure is amazing. I have to decide whether to stay here or have Trent take me back home. The jillaroo job is only for two weeks.”
“The way you were talking I thought you were going to stay.”
“I’d love to, but I have to admit I’m not convinced Trent wants me in his life.”
“Naomi, don’t take this the wrong way. I want us to stay the best of friends forever. Don’t be a fool. You’re too hung up on the idea the bloke has to give you the perfect gift. If Trent is half the man Mitch is, he’s the catch of the century. Blokes like these two don’t fall from the sky every day.”
“You’re already in love with Mitch?”
Kaite slipped a giggle.
“How can you be so quick?”
“Unlike you, I believe in love at first sight. The more I know, the more I want.”
“Is there such a thing as love at first sight?” questioned Naomi.
“You better believe there is. Surely you loved Trent the moment you laid eyes on the man. Though I have to admit Mitch is the better looker.”
“You think?”
Both girls started to giggle. Naomi shifted her attention, starting to look for the two men.
“Something’s wrong,” whispered Naomi, sprinting for the hill.
When the girls reached the top, they spied the two men on the other side, locked in a wrestling duel.
Both girls sprinted down the hill yelling to stop the fight.
Trent looked up. Mitch saw his chance and quickly pushed his brother flat on his back.
“What’s this?” yelled Naomi.
Mitch rolled over starting to laugh.
“We had a friendly wrestle,” confessed Trent, jumping to his feet.
“Friendly wrestle my arse,” screamed Naomi.
“Honest truth. The rodeo is today. Mitch wanted to show me a few moves he thought up. He wanted to prove he’s the wrestling champ of the outback.”
“I will be one day,” he blurted.
“One day you probably will be.”
“What’s the Goss about a rodeo?” quizzed Kaite.
CHAPTER TWENTY