“Duchess doesn’t have a basket.” Luke rubbed a hand through his hair, dishevelling it even more. “Her cushion is on an armchair. Whenever Her Highness deigns to use it, let’s get that clear. Mostly she sleeps in our bed.”
“What is it about cats and our beds, anyway?” Jason wondered.
“Who knows.” Luke shrugged.
“This isn’t helping.” Blue sighed. “Why is it so hard?”
“It doesn’t have to be, numb nuts.” Luke threw up his hands. “It’s a cat, she’ll be fine with whatever. You’re just trying to please Charley.”
Blue didn’t even bother arguing that. “Charley loves Kitty already and she isn’t even home yet. I don’t want to disappoint her.”
Luke smirked. “Isn’t this your cat?”
Jason cast Luke a sidelong glance before silently shifting his attention to Blue.
“Of course it’s my cat. But Charley loves her.”
“Oh well, that makes all the sense then, doesn’t it?” Luke waggled his head.
“You look like those dashboard bobble head animals. Now stop farting around and find me a pale basket.”
“I thought it was for the cat.”
Blue shot him a look.
“Okay. Geez.” He waved his hands around as he bent down to study the baskets on the lower shelf. “Oohh, look at me. I’m looking at girlie baskets.”
Blue eyed his brother’s arse sticking out.
“Foot itching?” Jason drawled.
“I really want to plant it up there,” Blue said.
“I hear you. I get that feeling several times a week.”
“Is that all? I’ve been home less than a week and I’ve wanted to plant my foot up Luke’s arse at least once a day.”
“I’m kind of getting immune.”
Luke straightened holding a basket. “Here, what about this?”
Moving close, Blue plopped the cushion inside and studied it. “Yeah. I reckon that’ll do, mate.”
“About bloody time.”
“Now, food bowls.”
“Shit a brick.”
“And a collar.”
“Far out.”
By the time they left the pet store, Blue had a pink collar with diamantes, pink food and water bowls decorated with little painted pale blue bows, pale wicker basket, pale blue cushion with pink rosebuds, a pink litter tray and a pink and white carry basket.
“I feel like I’m in touch with my feminine side,” Luke told Jason. “Are you in touch with your feminine side?”
Jason just looked at him as he got into the ute and slid across to the middle.
“Don’t be shy.” Luke sat in the passenger seat. “Tell me how you really feel.”
Arms full of the cat items, Blue decided against putting it all in the tray as it would simply fly out, and instead dumped the basket of goodies on Luke’s lap and the carry basket in Jason’s arms.
“Hey,” Luke objected. “I’ve had to use my feminine side to help choose this shit. Do I have to carry it as well?”
Getting into the driver’s seat, Blue slammed the door shut while informing Jason, “He whinges a lot.”
“Tell me about it,” Jason replied. “You get it once a year. I have it every day.”
“Oh, play the violins,” Luke said. “Boo hoo hoo.”
“I forgot what a mouthy twat he is,” Blue commented.
“I hear you.” Jason nodded.
Laughing, Blue pulled out into the traffic.
As he listened to his brother and cousin swapping insults, copping a fair amount of them himself, he counted himself lucky to have his family. The ragging that occurred between them all was done with affection and humour, and he enjoyed it as much as he liked the serious conversations they had. But sharing fun times with Luke and Jason was just like old times, and they fell back into the pattern so easily.
Even more reassuring was the knowledge that Jason and Luke continued to rag each other even when Blue wasn’t here, the continuity of it so familiar and comforting, especially when they did it the few times they Skyped him together.
Family, Blue thought, was everything.
Not seeing Charley’s car when he pulled into the driveway, a little spark of disappointment hit him that she wouldn’t be there to check out what he’d chosen. Well, along with Jason and Luke’s help. He hoped she’d like the stuff. He hoped Kitty would like it, though from what Jason and Luke said she’d probably choose her own spot to sleep. Fine by him. At least she’d have the choice, the poor little bugger deserved that.
It surprised him that he was actually looking forward to the cat coming home. He’d not thought about getting a pet, not with him being away so much, but having a cat waiting for him when he came home, having Charley looking after her while he was away, well, it made home seem warmer, more welcoming.
Besides, Mr Wells had already said Kitty could stay with him whenever needed, so everything was okay. Because face it, Charley might not be here forever so he needed a back-up plan as Aunt Lora had pointed out, and luckily Dad had come to the rescue.
The thought that Charley might not be here all the time was one he didn’t want to dwell on. After all, she was his lodger, sure, she might leave sometime, but he wouldn’t think about that right now. After all, right now she was his lodger, so…
Now his head was starting to hurt.
Anyway, she was tied to the house and to him a little with her love for Kitty, so…heh heh.
Refusing to even contemplate why that particular thought pleased him, Blue followed Jason and Luke into the house, all of them carrying some of the cat items.
In the kitchen, Luke helped himself to a Coke while Jason chose to empty the Iced Coffee bottle.
Leaving them to it, Blue removed the price tags and placed the litter tray in the laundry, the food bowls on the kitchen bench, the carry basket near the front door for the next day to pick Kitty up from the vet, and the basket with the cushion inside on the floor of the lounge near the window.
“Think she’ll go for the view?” Luke munched a biccie while watching him try to decide the best position.
“I’m thinking she’ll want a little sun but not too much, being summer.” Blue shuffled the basket back from the window.
“You do know you have a veranda that keeps the sun away, right?”
“Yeah.”
Luke rolled his eyes.
“Listen, smart arse, Kitty needs some sun now and again while she’s recuperating. What do you recommend?” Then, to Jason who had appeared behind Luke, he added, “I can’t believe I just asked Luke for a sensible suggestion.”
“Listen,” said Luke, “I’m a bona fide pet owner.”
“You’re a bona fide something all right.”
“You want my help or not?”
Holding the basket, Blue squinted at him.
After several seconds of silence, Luke demanded, “Well?”
“I’m thinking.”
“About what?”
‘How desperate I must be to ask you.”
With a snort, Luke shoved the can of Coke at Jason, who just managed to grab it before it fell to the floor.
Striding across the lounge, Luke grabbed the basket, looked around and crossed to the side window, positioning the basket on the floor and tossing the cushion inside. Straightening, he wiped his brow. “There. Some sun comes through the side window, the side window where the veranda doesn’t go.”
“Good choice.” Blue nodded. “I knew it was a good spot, I just wanted to see if you’d think so, too.”
“You’re such a dingbat.” Luke rearranged the little cushion so it sat neatly in the basket.
“And yet you stopped Harry Binkler from bashing my brains out at school.”
“Yeah. Why’d I do that again?”
“Because you love me.”
Luke snorted.
One shoulder leaning against the door frame, Jason squinted past Blue through the lace-curtain covered window onto the front veranda. “Her
e comes Aaron.”
“Oh boy.” Luke rubbed his hands. “I’ve got this!”
Amused, Jason and Blue exchanged a glance. Aaron had a way of freaking Luke out now and again, and any chance Luke had to get one over on the eldest brother he seized. He just never succeeded, much to the entertainment of his family.
“Come on in, Aaron!” Luke bellowed. “It’s open!”
There was silence for several seconds while Luke grinned widely, then the doorbell rang.
“It’s open!” Luke yelled, dropping his voice to say gleefully, “He’s probably wondering how I knew it was him.”
“Yeah,” Jason agreed dryly, “I’m sure that’s it.”
Silence, then the bell rang again.
“Come on, man!” Luke strode out into the hall. “The bloody door is open!”
Blue snickered.
“Actually,” came Aaron’s calm voice down the hallway, “the security screen is locked.”
“What?” The sound of the door rattled. “Bloody hell. Blue!”
Laughing, Blue moved out into the hallway, Jason following with a big grin.
“What the hell, man?” Disgusted, Luke snatched the key off the hall sideboard and unlocked the security screen. “Why didn’t you tell me you’d locked the door?”
“I thought you’d know, what with your amazing deductive powers.” Blue waved to Aaron. “Hey.”
“Hey,” Aaron returned.
As he entered, Blue studied his oldest brother. Same old Aaron - quiet, steady disposition with the same tall, heavily muscled build as their father. Though his eyes were pale blue and his hair gold/brown, both could appear darker in certain lights, and he had a way of fading into the background when he chose. Mikki called him a chameleon. It was a skill he’d developed after he’d left the Police and gone into security overseas, doing things that Blue knew for sure they weren’t totally aware of in dangerous countries. Aaron didn’t talk much about his experiences and no one asked. Those who did got that fathomless, silent regard and quickly changed their minds. Now he ran his own security business, but there was no doubting he still had people going into countries and situations that surpassed way beyond normal security. He was also the one who understood what Luke faced every day.
Right now Aaron was dressed in his usual work clothes of jeans, boots, open-necked button-down shirt and black suit jacket. Or, as Luke often said, his “business on the top, kick-your-arse on the bottom clothes.”
“It is the city, Luke,” Aaron pointed out with mild amusement. “Most sane people lock their doors.”
“Yeah, well…” Luke shrugged. “I knew you were coming, I just didn’t know the door was locked.”
“Of course.” Aaron walked past him. “You’d better get going.”
“What? Why?” Frowning, he pulled the mobile from his pocket as it started ringing. Putting it to his ear, he watched Aaron disappear down the hallway into the kitchen. “Yeah, Fraser, it’s me. What? Baxter wants me out there to check the paving? What’s wrong with the paving? It what? Are you bloody kidding me? Now she wants something different?” He ran a hand through his hair and sighed in exasperation. “Seriously? She’s not sure it goes with the plants? Okay, okay, I’m coming. Be right there.”
Arms folded across his chest, Jason regarded Luke with raised eyebrows. “Problem?”
“Yeah. I gotta go.” Luke scowled towards the kitchen. “How’d he know, huh? He’s doing his freaky shit again.”
“You can drop me off home on your way.” Jason nodded to Blue. “See you around, mate.”
“No worries.” Blue followed them to the door. “I’ll just lock the door like sane people do in big cities.”
Luke flipped him the bird.
Locking the security door behind them, he left the wooden door open to let in the warm breeze and strode to the kitchen where he found Aaron leaning back against the kitchen counter with his arms folded across his chest.
Chapter 5
“Had fun choosing cat things?” Aaron queried.
“Saw us, huh?”
“Kind of hard to miss Luke’s backside waggling in the breeze while he’s trying to choose a basket.” The corners of Aaron’s eyes crinkled in amusement.
“Tell me about it. The man could talk the hind leg off donkey.” Opening the ‘fridge, Blue peered inside. “Damn, Jason did drink the last of the Iced Coffee. Want a Coke or a hot coffee or tea?”
“I’ll have water, thanks.”
“Sure? I can put the kettle on.”
“Water’s fine.”
Not really surprised, Blue poured a glass of icy water, topping it off with a couple of ice cubes before handing it to Aaron. Standing on the opposite side of the counter, he popped the tab on a Coke and took a long swallow, enjoying the fizz of the drink as it went down his throat.
Aaron glanced around the kitchen. “Charley’s got a fondness for yellow.”
“She does.” Blue followed his gaze. “Sunflower clock, yellow print tea towels, bits of this and that.”
“She’s made the place homey.”
“Yeah.”
“Good tenant.”
“She looks after the place.”
“Now she’ll look after your cat while you’re away.”
“Yep. She’s already in love with Kitty and the cat hasn’t even arrived yet.”
“How is Kitty?”
“Recovering well. The vet said she had some lacerations and bruising, and he was a little worried about trauma from being unconscious, but she woke up the same night we brought her in and she’s doing well.”
“Blood tests and x-rays came back all right, then.”
“She’s fine. A little malnourished but nothing some TLC won’t fix. She’s had IV therapy, some pain killers for the first couple of days, but is over the shock and serious stuff. She’s coming home tomorrow. I’m actually looking forward to it,” Blue admitted.
“That’s good, I’m glad. On both accounts.” Fingers loosely gripping the glass, Aaron looked at the pink food and water bowl sitting on the counter. “Fancy bowls for the newest family member.”
“She’s a Wells now.” Blue grinned. “Nothing but the best for our women.”
Plucking a ginger hair off his sleeve, Aaron regarded it with a slightly raised eyebrow. “And men.”
“Ah, the three ginger miscreants that came along with Shea.” Moving over to the table, Blue hooked a chair out with his sneakered foot and dropped into it, stretching out his legs. “And her teenage brother. Mate, when you married her, you had an instant family.”
“Shea and four male kids - three furry and one human.” Moving across the floor with measured steps, Aaron drew out a chair and sat opposite Blue, placing the glass of ice water on the table. “Best thing I ever did.”
Blue studied him. Always calm and unflappable, there was something that his brother had now that he’d never had before. It wasn’t anything any one person could pick up on, but Blue could feel it. Contentment? Aaron had always been content with his life, but now it was complete. Yeah, that was it - complete. Shea made Aaron’s life complete. There was nothing more that could possibly make his brother any more content or happy. He never complained about dealing with a teenage boy who went through girlfriends like water through a sieve, nor did he complain about his once spotless dark clothes sprouting odd ginger hairs. In fact, he didn’t even complain about the way one of the ginger cats sprawled across his desk. Because Aaron’s life was complete. Shea made it complete, and whatever family she brought with her was a part of Aaron’s life.
“Married life suits you,” Blue murmured.
“I’m happy.”
“I’m glad.”
Silence descended for several moments as they drank and just enjoyed each other’s company.
When Aaron finally broke the silence, Blue wasn’t surprised by the question.
“How are you doing, Blue?”
“I’m doing fine.” He met his brother’s direct gaze steadily.
“The Middle East can be a bit challenging.”
“I’m not alone there.”
“A man can be alone in the middle of thousands.”
“Yeah. I’m lucky.” Blue idly rolled the bottom of the can around on the table. “Got a good Sergeant, Alex Lawson.”
Aaron nodded. “I’ve heard of him. Good man, steady, patient. Looks after those under his command.”
“He debriefs us. Talks to us. Makes sure those who need some help get it, those who need to blow off some steam get the chance.”
Taking a mouthful of water, Aaron studied him before asking quietly, “Anything troubling you?”
“No.”
“You need to talk about anything while you’re home, you know where I am.”
“Yeah, I do know. Thanks, Aaron. Seriously. I’m fine this time around, haven’t lost any mates. But knowing I have you to talk to if it all turns to shit makes life easier.”
“Okay.” Aaron’s eyes softened. “As long as you remember that, Blue. I’m always here. I’ll always understand. Dad’s here, too. But I’ll always understand.”
Blue actually had to swallow the sudden lump that filled his throat. Yeah, his Dad would love him no matter what, Luke would always love him, the girls would always be there to heap TLC on him if he needed it, but the one who would understand the most, who would have the closest inkling of what he’d be feeling if things went to shit, was Aaron. He might never have been military, but he’d been in dangerous situations, he’d been in gun fights, he knew what it was like to be pinned down, have the enemy throwing things at you, losing a mate to some bastard that managed to get off that one shot that had some man’s name on it.
He could talk to fellow soldiers, talk to the Sarge, talk to the Army chaplain, but having someone so close to him, family to talk to, Aaron to confide in, that was his lifeline when things went to shit. All of them, each of them, but mostly Aaron.
Hell, one time when he was particularly low after the death of a fellow soldier who happened to be his friend, out in the middle of bloody nowhere, Aaron was suddenly at the camp, spoke to the captain, and next thing Blue knew he looked up and there was Aaron coming through the doorway.
To this day he couldn’t even begin to describe how that had felt. His big brother there, just like he’d been all Blue’s life. He’d simply hugged Blue, then they’d sat and talked for ages, interspersed with comfortable silence, and when Aaron finally left four hours later Blue was a lot better.
The Wells Brothers: Blue Page 12