When the Storm Breaks

by Bonnie Leon

  “There’ll be wagers made, I can assure ya,” Cambria said. “I figure ya’ve got more on yer mind than just watching.”

  “Wagers? On what?” Rebecca asked.

  “They’ll lay down bets ta see which of ’em can shear a sheep the fastest.”

  “They’re a spirited bunch,” Jim said.

  “I’d say the blokes are more like strutting roosters . . . so proud of themselves.”

  “Yeah, they’re that, all right.” Jim glanced at Mrs. Taylor, who was busy chatting with a neighbor. He planted a quick kiss on Cambria’s cheek. “See you later.” He strolled toward the woolshed.

  Her face flushed, Cambria said, “Right. I’ll see ya on the boards, then.”

  Jim stopped and called back to her, “Heard you can shear with the best of them.”

  “That I can. And I’ll show ya too.”

  “Can’t wait.” Jim lifted his hat, bowed slightly, and then resettled the hat on his head and continued on.

  Cambria took Rebecca’s hand. “Come on, let’s have a look at what we’ve got ta eat. I’m starving. Been up since before dawn. And the shearers were working soon as it turned light.”

  “Do you mind if I have a look at the shearing first?”

  “Ya can’t wait?”

  “I’d rather not.”

  “Come along, then.” Cambria smiled and headed for the barn.

  Inside the odors of sweat, wool, and animal were overpowering. Rebecca covered her nose with her hand. “It smells awful.”

  Cambria grinned. “Too right.”

  The shed was a chaotic mix of men and sheep. Men hauled outraged sheep up from pens and handed them off to shearers, who laid the animals over one leg and clipped them free of their wool. Rebecca watched, amazed at the skill and speed with which the sheep were separated from their coats. While the animals complained, the shearers managed to get the wool off in one piece. When the shaving was finished, the wool was quickly scooped up and laid out on sorting tables while the seemingly traumatized creatures were passed off to another man, who shuffled them into a chute. The defrocked animals scrambled out of the shed, blinking in the bright sunlight.

  “How do they do that?” Rebecca asked, watching a large man in a ragged shirt snip a sheep clean of its wool.

  “It’s not so hard as it looks. Just takes time ta learn is all. Holding them sheep’ll break yer back though. Ya want ta have a go at it?”

  “Oh no. I think not.” Rebecca stepped back and watched the work.

  Jim and Daniel stood side by side, hands in their pockets, clearly enthralled over the process even though they must have seen it done many times before. Joseph remained on his father’s shoulders, obviously spellbound by what he was seeing. Mr. Taylor stood beside them, chewing tobacco and occasionally spitting brown juice on the floor.

  “Me dad said it’s a good year,” Cambria said. “The sheep are healthy and there’s no mud, so the work is easier. The drought took a lot of sheep, but things are better and the grass has been good, so we’ve had healthy sheep and mostly trouble-free lambing. Course, it’s a bit late in the season. Had trouble finding shearers. Too many blokes needing ’em. But we’re doing all right.”

  The two friends stood and watched for a while, and then Rebecca said, “I’m hungry. Let’s get something to eat.”

  “Good. I’m starving.” Cambria walked toward Jim.

  Rebecca followed.

  “I’m going for some lunch,” Cambria said. “Ya ready?”

  “Yeah.” Jim smiled down at her, his brown eyes alight with admiration. “I could use a bite. How about you, Daniel?”

  Daniel glanced at Rebecca. “Could do with some lunch.” He patted Joseph’s leg. “You hungry, lad?”

  “Right hungry.”

  “Come along, then,” Cambria said. “There’s good food. Me mum’s been cooking for days. We better get ta it before the shearers break ta eat. If they get ta the meal before us, we’ll be picking at their leftovers.”

  Jim walked alongside Cambria. Daniel set Joseph on the ground and watched the youngster gallop off ahead of the adults.

  Walking beside Rebecca, Daniel took her hand. “Jim said some of the blokes want ta help us out.”

  “They’re going to give you a loan?” Rebecca asked, knowing that wasn’t what he’d meant.

  “No. Not exactly. There’s a bunch of them who said they’d take a stand with me at Douloo. If Mr. Marshal comes to take possession, we’ll stop him.”

  “Oh, Daniel, that sounds awfully dangerous. There must be another way.”

  “Can’t think of one,” Daniel said with determination. “But you and the children will have to be on your way. And, I hope, Mum too.”

  After Daniel and Jim had finished eating and returned to the woolshed, Rebecca and Cambria lingered at the table over a piece of lemon cake.

  “Right good, eh?” Cambria said, chewing with satisfaction.

  “Yes. Very.” Rebecca took another bite. She watched as sheep disappeared into the barn and minutes later reappeared bald. She chuckled. “They look so peculiar and bewildered after their ordeal.”

  “Yais, they do at that. But I imagine it must feel good ta have that load off.” Cambria took another bite of cake. “Heard ya went on holiday ta the coast.”

  “Yes. It’s beautiful there.”

  “That it is. Did ya have a nice time?”

  “Yes, quite a fine time.”

  Cambria eyed her warily. “So what happened? Heard ya met with Mr. Marshal. Is he going to be reasonable?”

  Rebecca set her fork on her plate. “No. He said he’ll take Douloo.”

  “Can’t say I’m surprised. Heard ’bout him before.”

  “Daniel is thinking of staying and fighting for it. He said some of the men in the district already promised to help.”

  “Right thing ta do.”

  “The idea frightens me.”

  “From what I can see, ya’ve no other choice. It’s either that or walk away.”

  Rebecca hated the stark reality. “Maybe walking away would be better than risking lives.”

  “Maybe.” Cambria picked up a crumb of cake and stuck it in her mouth. “Daniel couldn’t do that though. Neither could I. And I’d say it was time Marshal was put in his place.” She took a drink of water.

  “Daniel wants me and the children to go to Boston until things are settled.”

  “Hate ta see ya go.” Cambria was quiet a moment.

  “I don’t want to leave. Maybe you could talk to him.”

  “I couldn’t do that. What if Joseph or Audry got hurt?”

  Her appetite gone, Rebecca set down her plate. She watched Elle make over Audry. She knew it was wise to take the children to a safer place.

  “So ya gonna go?”

  “I haven’t decided. Maybe.”

  Cambria swept away a fly that landed on her arm and watched as it lit on a partially eaten piece of bread. “I keep thinking about Dusty and what those monsters did to him. Those men would kill anyone who gets in their way.”

  Rebecca nodded.

  “I don’t want ya ta go. Yer me best friend. But I couldn’t stand it if something happened ta ya or the little ones.” Cambria picked up her plate and glass. “I promised me mum I’d give her a hand with the dishes. I gotta go. Take care, eh?”

  “I will. I better find Audry. She’s probably getting hungry.”

  Rebecca looked for Elle, who had the little girl on her lap. Sorrow washed over her. She knew what she had to do. There was no other choice.

  Rebecca stood beside the kitchen sink with a bowl of scraps pressed against her waist. “Joseph and I will feed the chickens.”

  “I’ll feed the chooks,” Callie said.

  “No. We’d like to.” Rebecca took Joseph’s hand and led him out the back door. “Here, you take the feed,” she said, dipping a small bowl into a barrel of ground corn and handing it to Joseph.

  He held it against his body the same way his mother held her bowl. “
Chickens hungry?”

  “Yes. They’re always hungry,” Rebecca said, guiding the little boy down the porch steps. The morning air felt hot. Rebecca didn’t relish what was certain to be a scorching day.

  She moved toward the chicken yard, keeping an eye on Joseph, who very nearly tipped the feed out with every step. When she reached the pen door, she lifted the latch and stepped inside. Chickens flocked to her, strutting and clucking in expectation of breakfast.

  Joseph stepped in behind his mother. Immediately he grabbed a handful of scratch from his bowl and threw it into the yard. Squawking and flapping their wings, the chickens mobbed the scattered feed and set to consuming it as quickly as they could.

  Rebecca moved farther inside the enclosure and dumped the bowl of leftover vegetable greens and bread. Chickens swarmed the scraps. “You’d think they were starving the way they act.”

  Joseph tossed more scratch, and the chickens went after it. He giggled. “Hungry, eh?”

  “They are. That’s because they’re working so hard to lay their eggs.”

  “Good eggs,” Joseph said and dumped the last of the feed.

  The sound of pounding hooves reached Rebecca, and apprehension swept through her. Pulling Joseph against her skirts, she gazed at the place she knew riders could first be seen when approaching the house. The three men who worked for Marshal rode into the yard, and Rebecca sucked in a breath and picked up Joseph. She hurried to the chicken house and pressed against the wall, hiding in the shadows. What did they want this time?

  Daniel stepped out of the barn. He held a rifle in his hands.

  Lord, save us, Rebecca prayed. She’d never known Daniel to keep a rifle with him. He’d been prepared for the men’s return.

  The riders stopped just steps in front of Daniel.

  “Go on your way,” he said, brandishing the rifle.

  “What do ya think yer going ta do with that?” Jack asked. “Ya can’t shoot all of us, not before we get ya.”

  Daniel ignored the question. “What do you want?”

  “Ya’ve got some horses Mr. Marshal wants. We’re here to get ’em for ’im.” Jack rested his hands on his saddle horn.

  Luke, the man Rebecca thought the most vicious of the three, picked up a whip and, before Daniel could respond, swept it over his head and allowed it to snake out and grab the rifle out of Daniel’s hands. The gun fell to the ground in front of Luke’s horse.

  Then Luke flashed the whip again, only this time he aimed for Daniel, laying the lash across his cheek and leaving a cut. Blood dribbled from the wound.

  Daniel pressed his hand to the gash. “What do you want?”

  “Where’s the mare and colt you promised Mr. Marshal?” Luke demanded.

  “Chavive,” Rebecca said in a frantic whisper. Carrying Joseph, she ran out of the chicken yard and handed the little boy to Willa, who stood at the bottom of the porch steps. “Keep him for me,” she said, and holding her skirts out of the dirt, she hurried to Daniel.

  “We never promised him any horses,” Daniel said. “Marshal didn’t agree to the deal.” He wiped blood from his face.

  Rebecca joined her husband.

  “Well, he changed ’is mind.” Jack’s lip lifted on one side. “And we’ll take ’em.”

  Rebecca’s eyes turned to the paddock where Chavive and her colt stood. “It’s understood that when the loan is paid they’ll be returned,” she said.

  “Mr. Marshal will do as he likes.” Jack’s eyes were hard. “I’m supposed ta get the horses. That’s all I know.” He looked at Chavive and the colt, then nodded at Luke and Wade.

  The two men dismounted and walked toward the paddock.

  “They’re fine animals and are used to being well cared for,” Rebecca said, walking toward the corral. “You must look after them properly.”

  “Or you’ll what?” Luke asked as he moved into the corral.

  Rebecca knew giving instructions was foolish, but she hadn’t been able to stop herself. She could feel tears pressing against the back of her eyes, but she willed them away. These men wouldn’t see her cry.

  Daniel joined her, resting a hand on her arm. “Rebecca,” he whispered. “Don’t.”

  “We’ll take care of ’em.” Jack’s dark eyes found Daniel. “Ya pay the loan, or we’ll be back.”

  Luke hooked a lead on Chavive, and Wade took the colt. They climbed back on their horses.

  Rebecca moved toward Chavive.

  “Stay back!” Luke yelled. Chavive whinnied and shied away from the man.

  Rebecca stopped.

  Wade stood aside with the colt. “What’ll it hurt if she gives the horse a pat, eh?”

  Luke looked at Jack.

  “Right, then,” Jack said. “Give the nag a pat if ya like.”

  Rebecca moved to Chavive and rested a hand on her neck. “Good girl. You’ll be all right.” She circled the horse’s neck with her arms. Rebecca knew she’d most likely never see Chavive again. “You take care, now.” She pressed her cheek against the mare’s sunbaked coat.

  “That’s enough,” Jack snapped.

  Rebecca startled and stepped away from Chavive.

  Jack yanked on his reins and turned his horse toward the road. “Ya don’t want us ta come back. If we do, we’ll be forced ta take something more valuable.” He laughed and then kicked his horse and galloped off.

  The other two followed, leading Chavive and the colt away.

  Daniel pulled a weeping Rebecca into his arms. “It’ll be all right, luv. You’ll see. We’ll get her back and the colt too.” He glared at the men’s backs. “But I won’t have you in danger. You and the children will be on the next ship out of Brisbane.”

  Rebecca tucked one of Audry’s stuffed animals into her trunk. She wouldn’t need it while traveling. She closed the lid, hooked the latch, and then stood staring at the dark chest. She could feel tears pressing.

  She sat on the bed and gazed out the window. I don’t want to leave Daniel. Rebecca was torn between protecting her children and supporting her husband. She couldn’t bear the thought of Daniel facing Marshal and his men alone.

  She closed her eyes to pray, but instead, she saw Daniel and the bushrangers. The men would come back. She knew it. Dread filled her, and she felt it choking her. Lord, please keep him safe. Stand with him. And with Willa.

  A soft rap sounded at her door. “Who is it?” Rebecca stood, quickly wiping away tears.

  “It’s Willa.”

  “Come in.”

  Willa opened the door and stepped into the room. Her gaze swept over the trunks and settled on Rebecca. “Is there anything I can do to help, dear?”

  “No. I’ve finished. Woodman said he’d take the trunks and bags down this afternoon so the wagon will be ready in the morning.”

  Heavy silence pervaded the room. Willa clasped her hands in front of her. Her eyes glistened with tears. “I know this is difficult, but it’s the right thing to do.”

  “I just wish there was another way. I want to stay with my husband. This is my home.”

  Willa moved to Rebecca and pulled her close. “I recall your first day here.” Her voice trembled slightly. “You and that snake . . .” An unsteady smile touched her lips.

  “I remember,” Rebecca said. “I hadn’t expected to find a reptile sharing the dunny with me.”

  “Indeed.” Willa sniffled and took a step away from Rebecca, pressing her daughter-in-law’s hands between hers. “When you stepped out of the surrey that first day, you looked so out of place. But I loved you right off.”

  Rebecca managed a tremulous smile.

  “All will be well. You’ll come home to us soon. I’m sure of it. And I’m pleased for Mildred. She’s thrilled at your coming.”

  “I do want to see her and to visit Boston, but not without Daniel . . . and you.” Her throat ached from holding back tears. “Must I go?”

  Willa wiped away a tear. “Joseph is so excited to see America. He’s heard it’s a grand place. This wil
l be an adventure for him.”

  “I suppose.”

  “Callie will be with you. And although I think she’s a bit frightened about going and sad to leave Koora, I know she’ll have a grand time of it as well.” Willa smiled. “And she loves reading so. The trip will allow time for that.”

  “I promised to buy some new books to bring home with us. We need some for the school.”

  “I’m so sorry I won’t be able to oversee the school while you’re gone.”

  “Oh, it’s too much for one person, especially with all that you’re already responsible for. The children will be fine until I return.”

  Closing the school was another reason Rebecca hated to leave. The students had been doing so well. She chewed on her lower lip, sorrow welling up. Suddenly she blurted, “I’m afraid for Daniel. I couldn’t bear it if something happened to him.” Her tears fell freely. “He’ll be alone.”

  “No he won’t,” Willa said. “He has me and his friends. And I wouldn’t be surprised if Bertram is watching over him as well. And we can’t forget the Lord.” Willa straightened her spine. “Daniel will be fine. He’s a strong, young man.”

  “I know that.” Rebecca pulled a handkerchief out from the cuff where she’d tucked it. She dabbed at her eyes. “I’m just frightened. I’m afraid I’ll never see him again.”

  “Of course you’ll see him again. Nothing’s going to happen to him. You’ll only be gone a short time, and then you’ll come back to us.”

  Rebecca moved to the bed and lifted a satin pillow. She ran her hand over it and then held it against her abdomen. “What if Daniel’s right and God holds him accountable? Do you think God will let him die?” She could barely get the words out.

  “No. I don’t. It might be different if Daniel had no desire to please God. But the Lord sees a man’s heart. And he doesn’t expect perfection. It’s not possible.”

  Rebecca nodded. “I’ll think of you every day.”

  “I know you will. I’ll pray for you and the children, and it will be such a grand reunion when you return.” Willa moved to the door. “I’ll see you in the morning, then.”

  “Yes. In the morning.”

  “Good night, dear.” Willa left the room, closing the door softly.