Christmas at Brigadier Station

by Sarah Williams

  “Hannah will be such a loss to the school,” Harriet’s friend, Sandra said. “She and my daughter Beth are such good mates.”

  Harriet smiled. She never got tired of hearing how well-liked Hannah was, and such a good student too. “You’ll have to bring her out to play. We can’t let them lose touch.”

  “Of course, we’d love that,” Sandra said.

  Harriet noticed Lachie waving her over so she said goodbye to Sandra and headed in her son’s direction. He had reserved the front row of seats for them. The new dad didn’t want to miss a moment of his daughter’s life. He had already missed out on so much, after all.

  They took their seats and Harriet watched as the excited children walked onto the stage.

  “Excuse me, sorry.”

  Harriet turned to see Beverly shuffling along the row, making her way to the empty seats next to her, a younger woman trailing behind. Harriet smiled as her sister sat down next to her.

  “You made it. I didn’t think you would,” Harriet said, leaning in to hug her.

  “I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Beverly motioned to the woman next to her. “Cara showed up at my door just as I was leaving.”

  “Cara?” Harriet frowned as she took in the pretty, slim woman with long auburn hair and a shy smile.

  “Hi, Aunty Harry.”

  “Oh, my gosh. I haven’t seen you since …” She tried to remember the last time she had seen Beverly’s oldest daughter. “… your high school graduation?”

  “I’ve been in America, working.”

  Beverly leaned closer to Harriet. “She got injured trick riding and decided to come home to recuperate.”

  Harriet looked Cara over and noticed the brace on her wrist. “Oh, dear. How bad is it?”

  Cara’s face dropped. “I broke it during a show. I have to keep the cast on for six weeks, then it’s another six weeks until I can trick ride again.”

  Beverly proudly shared all her children’s achievements with Harriet, so Harriet knew how talented Cara was. She’d even seen videos of her performing stunts in the saddle while her horse galloped around the arena. It always made her cringe to see Cara hanging upside down, her head mere inches from the ground. Or standing astride two horses, one foot on each saddle as they rode, their gaits perfectly in sync.

  Harriet wanted to ask her more about her injury and how long she would stay, but the school principal had picked up the microphone and started speaking, welcoming the audience to the show.

  Soon the children were singing Christmas carols and playing instruments.

  The tune of an Australian favourite started and Hannah and her friends performed actions as they sang along to the music.

  * * *

  Give me a home among the gumtrees,

  With lots of plum trees,

  A sheep or two, and a kangaroo,

  A clothesline out the back,

  Verandah out the front,

  And an old rocking chair

  * * *

  Harriet clasped Abbie’s hand as Hannah sang with her group, pride and adoration clutching her heart. Could she be any prouder of the little girl?

  When it was all finished, the children came running off the stage and into the arms of their waiting family members. Harriet hugged and congratulated Hannah who radiated confidence and pride.

  After letting Hannah go, Harriet stood next to her niece. “Cara, do you remember your cousin, Lachie?” she asked, motioning to her son.

  Lachie looked over at the mentioning of his name and a broad smile broke across his face. “Cara? No way. I heard you were a famous trick rider in America now. What are you doing back here? Is there a show I didn’t know about?”

  Cara laughed and hugged him. “No, I’m on injury leave.” She gestured to her wrist.

  “Shit. How’d that happen?”

  “Stupid really. I fell off during practise and landed on it.”

  “Oh no. Will you be recovering here? At your mum’s?”

  Cara nodded slowly as though she wasn’t entirely confident.

  “Abbie here is a nurse.” He wrapped his arm around his fiancée’s waist. “So if you need anything, give us a call at Brigadier Station.”

  “I can recommend some ointment if the itching gets too annoying,” Abbie said.

  Cara smiled and thanked her. The group chatted as they wandered out of the auditorium and back towards their vehicles.

  Harriet hugged Cara and Beverly, promising to see them again soon, before waving goodbye.

  “Time to go home then,” Lachie said, fishing the keys from his pocket.

  Harriet frowned as she caught Hannah gazing back at the school.

  “You’re going to miss it, aren’t you?”

  Hannah nodded. “I hope I still get to see my friends.”

  Harriet bent down. “Oh, you will. Don’t worry about that. I know you have made some really lovely friends at this school and they will always be your friends. You’ll see them at rodeos and parties all the time. We have lots of community events in this town, so don’t you worry about that.”

  Abbie placed her hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “And I have their mums’ phone numbers and emails, so we can organise lots of play dates over the summer. Then you’ll make even more friends when you start School of the Air.”

  Hannah smiled slowly. “Okay.”

  “Now we better get home,” Harriet said. “Because there is a tree there waiting to get all glammed up in tinsel and lights.”

  Hannah’s mouth opened in excitement. “Really? A Christmas tree? Can I decorate it?”

  “Of course you can. I got it all ready for you,” Harriet said.

  Hannah hugged her and kissed her cheek. “Thanks, Gran. You’re the best.”

  Harriet took her hand and they walked to their car and climbed in.

  All the way home, Harriet couldn’t help but be grateful for all the loved ones she had. She was looking forward to spending the holidays with them. She had lots planned including baking Christmas treats with Hannah and decorating the house.

  And now Tom would be coming over for dinner. How crazy to think he was back in her life after all these years.

  Yes, she certainly had plenty to be grateful for.

  Chapter Six

  Hannah decorated the Christmas tree with the same youthful enthusiasm she showed for every activity. Harriet had pulled out boxes of decades-old baubles, tinsel, and twinkle lights, and Hannah oohed and aahed in delight at the bright colours and homemade ornaments.

  “Your father made this when he was about your age,” Harriet said as she twirled a hand-painted ball by its ribbon.

  Hannah studied the silver glitter paint lines Lachie had drawn on it almost thirty years ago. “Is it supposed to say something?” Hannah frowned.

  Harriet took a better look before giggling. “I think it’s meant to say Merry Christmas.”

  Hannah giggled. “His writing is worse than mine.”

  “Whose writing?” Lachie had snuck up on them and stood towering behind them.

  “Yours.” Hannah pointed to the squiggles and Lachie scrunched his eyebrows together. “Perry Frismas? That must be Noah’s.”

  Harriet shook her head. “No, it’s definitely yours. See? I put your initials on it.” She tipped the bauble over to reveal the LM on the bottom.

  Lachie tried to wrestle it from his mother’s fingers. “Maybe we shouldn’t put it up this year. We’ll need room for all the decorations Hannah will be making.”

  Harriet held the ornament behind her back and Hannah’s fingers brushed her palm as she took it.

  “This one is going right here.” Harriet watched as Hannah slipped the ribbon around a pine branch in pride of place where everyone would see it. “You made it when you were little, Dad. It belongs here.”

  The adoration and pride in the little girl’s voice was almost Harriet’s undoing. She turned back to the box before swiping at her eye.

  Abbie strode into the room, a concerned expression
on her face; her mobile clutched in her hand. “Lachie?”

  He moved toward her. “What is it?”

  They spoke in hushed tones while Harriet kept Hannah busy with unwrapping the twinkle lights.

  “That was Mum on the phone,” Abbie explained to them a few minutes later. “Dad has been taken to hospital and she’d like us to get to Brisbane right away.”

  “Is he okay?” Hannah asked in a squeaky voice.

  Abbie pulled her daughter into her arms. “He’s having some tests done. We’ll know more when we get there.”

  Lachie shot his mother a look. Adam must be seriously sick if Judith wanted them at his side. The Scot had seemed so full of life and optimistic the last time she had seen him at the rodeo a few months ago. She sent up a silent prayer that he would be alright.

  “We’ll leave first thing in the morning,” Lachie said. “If we can’t get on a flight, we’ll drive if we have to.”

  Harriet placed her hand on his arm. “Of course. I’ll organise some snacks for the road. Why don’t you all go and pack?”

  “But what about the tree?” Hannah turned to the plastic green tree, half decorated with sparkly ornaments.

  “The most important part is the star on the top.” Harriet rustled through the box until she found the five-pointed silver star then handed it to her granddaughter. “You can do the honours this year.”

  A smile split Hannah’s face as she gazed upon the star. “Will you help me?”

  Harriet gestured to Lachie who was watching them fondly. “I think your daddy should.”

  Hannah turned to him and he reached out his arms. She moved into them and he lifted her high enough to place the star on the top branch.

  “Perfect,” he said as he held her on his hip.

  Hannah rested her head against her father’s shoulder. “We will get back before Christmas, won’t we?”

  He kissed Hannah’s forehead. “I hope so, Squirt. But we have to make sure Grandad is okay first. Family is important, remember? Especially at this time of year.”

  “I know.” She curled against him and Harriet watched as Lachie squeezed his eyes shut for a moment.

  She moved past the pair into the kitchen to prepare their snacks. Christmas was only seven days away and a lot could happen in a week. She gazed out the window into the dark night, then jumped in fright as a large drop of water splashed against the glass.

  She peered at it as the water slid down towards the parched earth.

  Then another drop splattered.

  And another.

  The rain hitting the roof started just as suddenly, then became a symphony of long-forgotten music.

  Cautious joy began to take root as she breathed in deep lungfuls of the fragrant, damp air.

  Then there was a rumble of thunder in the distance. The skies opened, and the drizzle became a deluge, pouring down and battering the window in front of her.

  “Mum, do you see that?” Lachie came running to her side, his smile wide and eyes sparkling. He pulled her into his arms and hugged her. “I won’t sleep a wink tonight,” he said, echoing her thoughts. “I’ll be too scared it’ll stop before we get a good drenching.” He danced from the room before she could reply.

  Harriet opened the door and stepped outside. The last of the daylight had been swallowed by storm clouds and the approaching night. Rain drummed earthward and within seconds, icy drops had found the gap between her neck and shirt collar. She turned her face up and let the rain fall onto her skin and clothes.

  It had been such a long time since she had felt the rain on her body, since she had tasted it on her lips. She wanted to enjoy and savour every precious minute of it.

  It was raining.

  After teasing them for so long, it was finally raining.

  Chapter Seven

  Tom woke Saturday morning to the rhythmic pitter patter of rain on the old tin roof. Yawning and still half asleep, he turned his head to stare out the window. The sky was grey and the air smelled fresh and moist. More much-needed rain had fallen overnight, plunging the temperature and finally granting relief from the onslaught of dry heat.

  Tom rose from the bed and moved to a sitting position, ignoring the ache in his lower back which plagued him more and more these days. He watched the curtain of droplets outside his window, letting it mesmerise him into a false sense of security. Maybe this was the end of the drought? Maybe this rain would be enough to fix the desert landscape the outback had become?

  He shook his head and started dressing. He knew better than to get his hopes up. Mother Nature had teased them like this before.

  He would get on with his work like he did every other day. The busier he was, the faster tomorrow night would come. He couldn’t wait to attend Sunday roast at Brigadier Station. The way Harriet had smiled at him when he’d accepted …

  Yes, getting to know her again after all these years was something he could get excited about. Just as he hoped the drought outside would break, he also hoped the drought that was his loneliness would also break. It had been a long time since he had felt a spark such as this with a woman, and he longed to share his life with someone again. To share everyday highs, lows and life’s challenges with.

  Thoughts of her continued to fill his mind as he prepared for the day. He paused on the bottom step of the verandah, and after pulling on his boots, he looked around him, taking a moment to absorb the natural beauty of his surroundings. The trunks of the tall gum trees were darkening with dampness and drooping under the steady pounding of rain. The air had a smell to it: stirred up dust mixed with life-giving moisture.

  He would do a quick tour of the rain gauges first and see how the land was coping with this unexpected blessing. He was the new caretaker of this land. And care for it he would. He would make this station his home, his refuge.

  After all he’d been through, he desperately needed one.

  The wipers swished madly across the windscreen and Tom squinted to see the road ahead. Even with the spotlights on he struggled to see more than a few metres in front of him. The rain had changed from gentle sprinkles to larger, pelleting raindrops. Instead of easing off, the weather system had increased, bucketing down on the dusty stations.

  During his drive this morning he had calculated 40 millimetres in the rain gauges. Most of it had soaked straight into the parched ground, with very little run-off into dams. He suspected cattle on his neighbours’ stations would be chasing little pockets of green shoots that would have already poked through the earth.

  Finally, he spotted the house lights of Brigadier Station and he pulled the ute up out front. He opened the umbrella and stepped into the storm. He usually wouldn’t bother with an umbrella, but he had combed his hair and used that smelly aftershave he saved for special occasions. This was a special occasion, after all, and he wanted to present his best self.

  The house seemed oddly quiet as he approached and knocked on the door. When no one answered, he knocked again, louder this time.

  A minute later, the door was opened and Tom found himself staring at a very wet and dishevelled Harriet. Hair was plastered to her rosy cheeks and she wore baggy, faded work clothes.

  Her hand flew to her mouth as realisation crossed her face. “Oh, my gosh. I completely forgot.”

  Tom tried to swallow his disappointment that he should be so easily forgotten. Then her hand touched his arm and warmth spread over him.

  “Come inside and out of the rain.”

  He waved back at the ute. “I can go. We can do this another time if you’re busy.”

  She shook her head and stepped to the side. “No, no. Please come in.”

  He followed her in and closed the soaking umbrella behind him. A cold raindrop slid down his neck and under his collar.

  “I’m so sorry,” Harriet said as she led the way through the kitchen. “Abbie’s father is in hospital in Brisbane; they got the call on Friday night. There was so much commotion yesterday trying to book flights that everything else just got o
verlooked.” She stopped and looked at him then. “Much as I love to see some rain, it came at the worst possible time.”

  He gazed around the kitchen with dishes still in the sink and papers spread out on the table. Harriet didn’t seem the type of woman to let mess pile up. “Did they get out okay?”

  Her shoulders sank and she sighed before answering. “They finally got on a flight this morning. I drove them to the airport and only got back a few hours ago. Then I had a bunch of jobs to do.” She swept her hand over her clothes. “I don’t usually dress like this.”

  Tom’s heart softened as he thought just how beautiful she looked all mussed and frazzled. He reached out a tentative hand and wiped at some dirt smudging her cheek. Her eyes widened at his touch, their blue hue darkening ever so slightly.

  “You look just fine to me.”

  A smile glimpsed over her mouth.

  He dropped his hand. “Did you get all the jobs done? Do you need any help?”

  “Well, actually …” Hope tinged her voice. “… there’s a mob of cattle in a south paddock that need checking. You have to cross a low bridge to get there. Normally it’s not a problem, but with all this rain …” Her voice trailed off and he could understand she was worried she might get bogged.

  “No problem. I can take my ute. I’ve got a winch if anything happens, and a radio and sat-phone.” He straightened his shoulders a little, chuffed at the opportunity to play the hero. “How do I get to this paddock?”

  “It will be easier if I come with you and give you directions.”

  Even better. “Righto then. Should we get going?”

  She smiled a wide, appreciative. “Thank you.”

  “My pleasure.” He grinned back.

  She paused at the door to pull on some long black gumboots. He looked at his own R.M. Williams boots. They were his going-out boots, still shiny and new. Hopefully he wouldn’t have to get them too wet, but he supposed if he had to ruin them helping Harriet, it was a sacrifice he was willing to make.