Ethan rubbed at his chest. What was he meant to be doing? His hands tingled.
“Ethan!” He jumped. Mal’s shout brought him back to the shed.
“Bloody hell, man. Pam’s going under. Do you want to be here or not?”
Not, Ethan thought. He glared at his father. Mal held his look. Pam moved around Ethan to reach the edges of the fleece on the table. He was aware of Chas, the wool classer, continuing his methodical inspection of the fleece.
Ethan spun and strode along the boards behind the shearers.
“I’m here because you need help, old man,” he breathed. Sheep were annoying bloody animals. He wouldn’t work with them by choice. Give him an engine any day. He picked up a fleece, carried it to the sorting table and threw it out. The wool billowed in the air then settled on the table where he proceeded to pull off the dirty tufts. Chas, looking like a chef in his back apron, inspected the fleece without looking up. Pam took up the broom to sweep away the scattered clumps around their feet.
Ethan could sense Mal in the background. It gave him some satisfaction to know that as much as he didn’t really want to be here, for Mal it must be even more irksome to have the black sheep of the family working in his shed. The neighbour’s daughter was here as well but with Blake being injured and another local lad off at boarding school, Mal needed all the help he could get.
Ethan ducked his head and looked behind. His father was busy inking their label on a full bale. He gave Ethan no more thought than he’d give anyone who worked for him – possibly less. Ethan couldn’t help wondering if things might have turned out differently had he not joined the army. Probably not. There were cracks in their relationship long before that. The army was the last straw. Mal and even Barb had cut him off back then. His own parents.
The late afternoon sun slanted through the dusty louvre windows. Ethan kept working. Not long till smoko then only a few hours and he could head on home for whatever Savannah was cooking for dinner. Not that he cared. He just wanted to be with her. He was curious to see where it would lead. Did she feel the same way about him?
“Ethan!”
He took a deep breath to still the rage that simmered in his belly. Across the table Pam gave him a sympathetic look. He glanced over to his father who was standing beside the off-cut bins beckoning him.
“Here,” Mal called.
At least he hadn’t whistled. Although the farm dogs were probably held in higher esteem than the younger son. Ethan crossed to his father.
“You put that last lot of wool in the wrong bin.”
Mal jabbed a finger towards the wire cages they used to store any low-grade wool that didn’t go in the bales.
Ethan shook his head and the rage burned deeper. There was little difference between the contents of the bins.
“Keep your shirt on,” he said.
“What do you mean, keep my shirt on?”
“It doesn’t matter in the scheme of things.” Ethan clenched his hands at his sides, it was only a bit of wool, not life and death.
“And what scheme would that be? The one according to Ethan Daly, who doesn’t give a damn about what happens here?”
Ethan opened his mouth and the rage surged up like vomit from inside him. He yelled at his father, spewing forth a tirade of abuse. Nothing he said made sense but the anger drove him on.
Blake’s voice came to him as if through a tunnel.
“Take it easy, mate. Calm down.”
Ethan looked around. He was outside squatting with his back against the tin of the shed. When had he come outside? Blake was beside him, bent over, concern on his face.
“What’s going on?”
Barb hurried towards them. The car door left open behind her.
“You’re lucky you missed your son using language that wouldn’t be heard in the gutter.” Mal had come outside.
“Leave it,” Blake murmured.
Ethan felt the gentle pressure of his brother’s hand on his shoulder. He gripped his head in his hands. What had he said?
“Are you sick?” Barb squatted in front of him, her face close to his.
“I’m all right,” Ethan rasped. The words echoed in his head.
Barb used her sleeve to wipe his forehead.
“You don’t look all right,” she said.
“I’m fine, Barb. Don’t fuss.”
“There’s work to be done.” Mal turned on his heel and went back inside the shed.
“For goodness sake, Mal.” Barb looked back at Ethan. “What happened?”
“It was my fault.” Ethan tried to get up but nausea swept over him. Perspiration formed on his forehead again.
“You’re as white as a ghost,” Barb said.
Ethan’s stomach gurgled and saliva squirted into his mouth. He leant to the side and spat. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and noticed the tremble in his fingers.
“This is no good.” Barb stood up. “I’ll unpack the food from the car then you’re coming home with me.”
“I can’t.” Ethan’s words were overridden by Barb’s.
“Blake, stay with him while I set up smoko.”
Ethan stared after her.
“I want to go home,” he said.
“This is one time I agree with Barb,” Blake replied. “You need to rest before you get on your bike.”
“I’ll be all right.”
“I’ve never seen you like that, mate.” Blake slid down the corrugated iron and sat on the ground stretching his legs out carefully in front of him. “I know Mal can be frustrating –”
“Frustrating’s one word for it,” Ethan cut him off.
Barb bustled past carrying an armload of plastic boxes. She cast a concerned look over Ethan then went on into the shed.
“The dogs get better treatment than I do,” Ethan muttered and suddenly he felt sorry for himself. He’d been a good son in his teenage years, served his country in a war zone twice and where had it all ended up? In the dirt beside a bloody shearing shed.
Maybe he should see the psych again. He’d been managing so well. This outburst had come from left field. Perhaps he’d never be able to survive without the tablets.
Ethan sat forward. “Damn!”
“What’s the matter?” Blake asked.
“Nothing,” Ethan said but he was trying to remember what he’d done this morning. Had he taken the tablet? Perhaps not. He struggled to his feet. “I’ve got to go home.”
“No you’re not.” Barb was back. “You’re coming home with me until I’m satisfied you’re okay.”
Ethan drew himself up.
“No need to carry on,” she said. “I won’t take no for an answer. You’re coming back to the house for a rest where I can keep an eye on you.”
Blake gave him a wry smile. Only a week ago he’d been caught up in Barb’s Florence Nightingale attempts. No doubt it was amusing for him to see them both snaffled up in care again.
“Just go with it, mate,” he said. He used his good arm to brace himself as he got back to his feet. “A rest won’t hurt you.”
“Look who’s talking,” Barb said. “You two are grown men and yet when it comes to your health you’re like little boys.” She hooked her arm through Ethan’s. “Can you make it to the car? Blake, take his other arm.”
“I can walk,” Ethan said. He was aware of the eyes from the shed watching him.
Barb drove him to the house without speaking. Once she switched off the engine she turned in her seat and studied him.
“You look like crap, Ethan.”
“Thanks, Mum.”
He put his head back against the seat. He knew she was right.
“After you left the army you were gaunt but you filled out a bit, looked more relaxed,” Barb said. “I thought that place on the river was just what you needed.”
“It is.”
“We haven’t seen you in ages. You look like you haven’t slept.”
“I’ve had a few late nights. I’ll be fine.” I just n
eed to remember to take the tablets, he thought. If he’d missed a couple of days that would explain the jittery feelings. Withdrawal wasn’t good.
“Stay here tonight. It will be good to have both my boys home.”
Overwhelming tiredness swept over him. He didn’t think he’d be able to stay on his bike long enough to get home.
“I’ll rest here a while but I can’t stay the night. I have to get home to Jasper.”
Barb pursed her lips but she said no more. They both got out of the car and went inside. His old room was just the same. The motorbike quilt, the posters on the wall, the dirt bike trophies on the chest of drawers, its vivid blue paint patched with every sticker he’d ever received.
Ethan sighed and fell onto the bed. He was very tired. Even so, something else nagged him. There was another reason he had to go home. He couldn’t remember why. He rolled over and let himself sink into the depths of sleep.
CHAPTER
31
Savannah put down the phone. She’d just taken another houseboat booking. It was for February next year. That was so far away. She felt sad to think she wouldn’t be around then and yet worried that she might be. Jaxon’s disappearance weighed heavily on her. What if something had happened to him? Ethan seemed sure he was definitely on holiday but maybe Ethan had something to do with Jaxon’s disappearance.
She slapped her hands to her thighs in frustration. She’d been over and over this before. Ethan said Jaxon would return when he was ready. She had to trust that was correct.
She picked up her gym bag and took out the towel. This morning Mandy and the other women had welcomed her to their Thursday morning fitness session like a long-lost friend. Faye had been there. The exercises had gone well and they all said they’d be back next Tuesday. But would she? Jaxon might suddenly turn up. How long could this living an alternative life go on for?
And what was she going to do about Ethan? Last night had rekindled a part of her she thought was gone forever. But could she trust her judgement when it came to men? She’d made a fool of herself before. Who was to say this was any different?
Savannah groaned and put her hands to her head.
“Stop this.”
She needed to keep busy. She put the bottles of sparkling in her fridge with the chocolates and the flowers in a jar with a ribbon around it. She’d bought them for Tara’s group. All four houseboats were booked for the weekend. She took the four sets of keys and set off to check the boats. She hoped Ethan had remembered there was a hire going out first thing tomorrow. The customers were arriving tonight, sleeping on board River Magic, ready for an early start. There were two other boats going out tomorrow afternoon and then Tara’s group who would be on board Our Destiny and staying put for the weekend. Savannah hoped she hadn’t made a mistake allowing them to do that. A group living at the bottom of the garden all weekend was quite different from one staying overnight for an early getaway. Hopefully the women would be a sensible bunch and they’d like the extras she was putting in for them.
She checked the boats over then checked again. She’d patched the hole in Tawarri’s bathroom wall as Ethan had suggested. It was only cardboard and tape but it would have to do until she could find someone to fix it properly. It didn’t look too bad but she’d have to explain to the group not to touch it.
“Bloody Fred,” she hissed.
She closed the door on the bathroom and took a deep breath. Everything was ready to go. All that was needed was the customers.
She left the boats and went back to kitchen. She could chop all the ingredients for the stir fry. Dinner with Ethan was something to look forward to. She hummed as she sliced the chicken, chopped the capsicum and garlic and trimmed the beans. She put them in dishes in the fridge. All she’d have left to do was cook it. She wasn’t sure how hot Ethan liked his food. The curry he’d made last weekend had been mild but he said that was to accommodate Blake’s taste. She deseeded some chillies, sliced them and put them aside. That was a decision for later.
She wandered around the living area, straightened a chair, flicked a dead fly from the windowsill, checked the mouse trap in the pantry. She took out her phone. It was only four o’clock. Ethan wouldn’t be home for hours yet and she wasn’t expecting the group hiring River Magic until dark. She needed to do something. She picked up her gym bag and took it into the bedroom.
A jog, that’s what she’d do. Burn off her nervous energy. She set off down the driveway and turned out onto the road. The sky was overcast, making the afternoon dull. She kept to the left side of the road. Not that she’d ever seen any vehicles along here other than customers but she felt more comfortable keeping as far as possible from Gnasher’s fence line as she could. She didn’t want him to mistake her for a rabbit.
Above the sound of her feet crunching on the dirt road she thought she heard a vehicle. She slowed to a stop and listened. A bird chirped, something rustled in a bush on Gnasher’s side of the road. Up ahead was the gate to his property but no sign of a car. She set off again.
In front of her the road swept gradually to the left. Once she rounded the bend there was a long straight stretch and the Palmers’ gate. Belinda was closing it. On the outside of the gate facing the road was their car.
Belinda looked up as Savannah approached. Her face lit up in a smile.
“Hello, Savvie.” She waved. “You’re still being energetic.”
“Hi Belinda.” Savannah stopped by the car. Ash studied her with his dark grey eyes from the driver’s seat. “Hello,” she said.
He nodded.
“We’re just heading into town. We were going to call in on our way back,” Belinda gushed. “We only arrived at lunchtime. We’re staying around for a few days, thought we could catch up for a meal. Are you home tomorrow night?”
“Yes.”
“That’d be great. Around seven?”
“For dinner?” Savannah hadn’t realised she was meant to cook the meal.
“Yes. Perhaps you could invite Ethan. Ash would like to come too, wouldn’t you?”
“Yeah, sure,” he said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.
“The four of us. It’ll be great fun. It’s so kind of you, Savvie.”
Savannah ran her fingers through her hair. How had Belinda done that?
“We’ll bring the drinks. You could raid your red supply, Ashton. I know Ethan likes a drop of that.”
Belinda winked at Savannah.
“I don’t know what Ethan’s plans are but I can ask,” Savannah said.
“If not it will be a cosy threesome.”
Belinda air-kissed her cheeks.
“We’ll let you go. Don’t want to hold up your fitness routine. See you tomorrow night.” She waggled her fingers at Savannah and set her jewellery jangling. “We’re so lucky to have such great neighbours. Except for him across the road.” Belinda nodded towards Gnasher’s property. “Still, only one loony out of three neighbours isn’t too bad. In Adelaide we’re surrounded by crazy people, aren’t we Ash?”
“Not exactly crazy,” Ash said in a quiet voice. “Just not friendly.”
“That’s why we love coming here so much.” Belinda hurried round to the passenger side of the car. “Thanks again for inviting us,” she said and ducked into the car.
“See you tomorrow,” Ash said. He gave her a brooding look, lifted his fingers in a tiny wave and pulled out onto the road. A cloud of dust hung in the air behind the car as it moved away. She put her hands to her hips. Talk about being railroaded. She would like to have been invited to their place. She was curious about their holiday house.
“Next time,” she murmured and set off in the direction their car had gone.
Savannah wasn’t sure whether she wanted Ethan to be available for dinner tomorrow night or not. It would be nice to have him there for Ash to talk to but she couldn’t imagine how she would feel watching Belinda try to come on to Ethan like she had the other night. Perhaps with Ash present she’d be more circumspect.
Savannah followed the twists and turns of the road for quite a way before she turned and retraced her steps. She was deep in thought. How would Ethan react to guests? How would this hens’ weekend go? What to give the Palmers for dinner? Before she knew it she was passing their gate again. Around the next bend she passed Gnasher’s.
Up ahead, Jaxon’s letterbox came into sight and then a bit further on from that she saw movement. She slowed her steps and then stopped. Puffing she put her hands to her hips and peered ahead. It was a man. He was almost naked except for a pair of shorts and some kind of weird hat on his head. And he was carrying something over his shoulder, a sack or a bag, it was hard to tell.
The man walked as if he was watching out for something. His head turned from side to side, then he paused as if he was listening. There wasn’t a lot of vegetation near Savannah but she edged off the road and crouched behind a bush. Just as she did the man stopped and turned around. He looked back down the road but still he was too far away for her to make out his features. She wondered if he could see her. She felt silly, as if she was playing a kids’ game of hide and seek. The man walked on and turned into Ethan’s place without looking back.
Now what should she do? Ethan wasn’t home. The man could be planning to steal something, although he was dressed rather oddly for a thief. Savannah jogged on to Jaxon’s gate. She heard Jasper bark. She stopped and listened. No more noise from Jasper. Perhaps the man had given him something to eat to keep him quiet or even poisoned him.
She ran down Jaxon’s driveway and across to the small garden shed. She peered around the corner. Nothing. She listened. No sounds other than the usual birds and insects. She stepped around the shed, watching where she placed her feet. There was a metre between her and Ethan’s fence.
She was relieved to see Jasper inside his yard. He stood rigidly still, watching her.
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