‘Cross your heart and spit to death type honesty, Luce?’ Liam’s smile flashed. ‘Okay, if we’re being honest, I could settle back out here. Jemima?’ He turned to his sister.
‘Possibly.’ She in turn, looked at Seb. ‘Sebastian?’
His emphatic nod didn’t surprise Lucy at all. She was the odd one out. She was the city slicker and she always had been. There were good memories out here, but too many sad ones.
Chapter 9
When Liam drove Pop’s Toyota Lexus into Spring Downs on Wednesday afternoon, Sebastian opted to follow on his bike. Gran sat in the front with Liam, and Jemima and Lucy sat in the back as they headed into town to the hospital. The streets were so quiet compared to Sydney. Lucy pushed back the lump that came into her throat every time she thought of staying here.
‘Look.’ Jemima’s voice interrupted her brooding. ‘The old milk bar still has the same tables and chairs outside as it did when we were at school.’
‘And the same owner,’ Gran said drily. ‘Not much changes in Spring Downs, and that’s not such a bad thing.’ She flicked a glance over her shoulder to Lucy.
Gran’s reaction to their acceptance of her deal had been low key; a brisk nod followed by a hurry up to Jemima and Lucy to get the flasks filled for the contractors. The harvest was half done and a few of the workers had moved on to the McKenzie property. All had been quiet over there and Lucy hadn’t called Garth as she’d promised when she’d left the other night. Her head had been too full of the happenings at Prickle Farm to think about her campaign proposal, but she’d have to get moving on it soon. The plan was to go back to Sydney next week for her monthly meeting, present the proposal and then come back and do the first of her three month stints on the farm with Liam.
Unless there was a way she could get out of it.
Liam parked the car, and the two girls waited as he helped Gran down from the car. Sebastian roared into the car park earning a dirty look from Gran.
‘Honestly, he tries to wind her up on purpose,’ Jemima whispered. Liam looped his arm through Gran’s and led her into the hospital, followed by the rest of them.
‘Lucy!’As they walked though the foyer, Lucy turned around and Gran’s back stiffened as Garth walked across the polished floor towards them.
‘Have you been in with Harry, Garth McKenzie?’ Her voice was cold and Sebastian and Liam flanked her as one.
‘Yes, I visited Harry.’ Garth smiled at Gran but it wasn’t returned. ‘He’s looking well. Looking forward to going home.’
‘Come on.’ Gran turned her back and walked away and Lucy’s cheeks heated. There was no need to be rude. She nudged Jemima. ‘Tell Pop I’ll be there in a minute.’
She stared at Garth and resisted the urge to fan her face as the heat tinged her cheeks. Partly embarrassment at Gran’s rudeness and partly due to the fluttering nerves that kicked into gear when he smiled down at her.
‘Hello, Garth. Sorry I haven’t called. I did mean to, but we’ve been really busy at the farm.’
‘So it appears.’ His eyes narrowed as he watched Gran and the three cousins walk down the long hall to the wards.
This time, it was Lucy’s voice that was cold. ‘So what’s that supposed to mean?’
Gath shrugged. ‘I didn’t mean anything, just agreeing. Turn of phrase so to speak.’
‘I think we need to have a bit of a talk.’ Lucy crossed her arms and stuck her chin out.
‘About the photos you want to take?” he asked.
‘And some other things I want to sort out.’ In for a penny, she thought. ‘Gran said you want to buy Prickle Farm.’
‘That’s right. I made them an offer.’
Before she could help herself, Lucy burst out. ‘And just where would you find the money for that, Garth McKenzie?’
Garth reached over and took her arm. ‘Keep your voice down.’ A few of the locals glanced at them from the waiting room. ‘Go and see your granddad and then we’ll have a coffee in town.’
Lucy put her hands on her hips. ‘Oh, will we, Mr Bossy!’
‘Do you want your questions answered, Lucy? I’m more than willing to have a chat.’ His voice was patient.
‘I don’t have my car here. I’m travelling home with the family’
‘I’ll wait till you finish your visit, and then I’ll drop you home after we have a coffee, and a chat.’
‘All right.’
‘I’ll wait in the car for you.’
Lucy watched as he sauntered out of the room, broad shouldered and confident.
Liam’s eyebrows rose in a scowl when she said she was getting a lift home with Garth. She pulled him to the side of the corridor after they left Pop. He’d been resting comfortably after the operation and the doctor had said he’d been home by the weekend.
‘Enough with the beetling brows, Liam. Why do you always think the worst? I’m going to find out what Garth is up to,’ she whispered as Gran strode ahead of them. ‘I want to know for sure before I commit to anything. Maybe it’s a solution.’
‘I thought we’d all committed?’ Liam took her arm and kept his vice low. ‘If you’re going to change your mind, you’d better do it mighty quick. Didn’t you see how happy Pop looked when Gran told him the plan?’
‘Yes, I did. I mean I’m sure, but I’m still worried. I love living in the city. I’m not a country girl anymore.’
‘You know what they say, Luce.’ Liam’s face finally split into a smile. ‘You can take the girl out of the country, but you can’t take the country out of the girl.’
‘Yeah, and this girl loves the city.’ Confusion ran through Lucy and her voice rose louder. ‘I want to see what Garth’s up to, because you heard Gran. If we said no, she would have sold up to him.’ She frowned. “And where would he get the money for that. Cattle prices haven’t been that good, have they?’
‘You’d know better than me. I’ve been overseas, remember.’
‘Will you two stop sniping! I can hear you all the way down the hall.’ Sebastian caught up to them.
‘Lucy’s staying in town with McKenzie.’ Solidarity hummed between Liam and Sebastian for the first time as he scowled at Lucy too.
‘Why?’
‘Oh no, don’t you start too.’ She slowed down and let them walk ahead. ‘I’ll see you both at home later.’
Garth was waiting for her in the car park, leaning casually on his red-dust covered ute, his Akubra pulled low over his eyes to block out the late afternoon sun. Lucy swatted at the sticky flies that buzzed around her and wiped away the trickle of perspiration that ran down her neck as soon as she stepped out of the cool air-conditioned hospital.
Great. Dust and flies. The only thing missing to make it perfect—not—was the prickles, she thought crossly. Garth pushed himself off the bull bar as she walked across and opened the passenger door for her. Her mood was strange; Sebastian and Liam had made her cross with the inquisition, and the surge of pleasure that ran through her as Garth helped her up into the ute cab added to her ill temper.
‘The milk bar or the RSL club?’ He looked across at her as he started the ute and the rattle of the diesel engine filled the cabin.
‘I don’t care.’ She shrugged. ‘You know the town better than me.’
‘Okay, RSL, it is. They’ve got a coffee shop out the back, overlooking the river.’ He pulled out of the car park and Lucy was aware of a few looks directed their way as he drove down the main street. Another mark against small country towns in her books. In the city you could be anonymous. In the country everyone knew your business.
‘The river?’ She squinted and looked over the side of the bridge that split the town in half. Cracked mud and dead grass stretched as far as she could see.
‘Okay, the river bed. There’s been no water in the river for a couple of years now. The drought’s got a big hold at this end of the Pilliga. The bores don’t stretch as far as town.’
The RSL was a small brick building on the other side of the river bed,
and the car park filled as the work day ended. Garth waved and greeted a few workmen in fluoro vests as they walked across the car park to the double doors at the top of the steps. The club was noisy, and he was greeted by the doorman as he signed Lucy into the club.
‘Home to stay this time, Garth?’ The man boomed out in a loud voice and Lucy looked at Garth curiously, wondering where he’d been. He caught her glance and smiled. ‘Nice to be missed.’
‘Where have you been?’
‘Oh, here and there,’ he said with a cheeky grin.’ Come on, Lucy. Lighten up. You look like the weight of the world is on your shoulders. Tell me more about this sexy underwear gig you want to sign me up for.’ He pulled out a chair for her at a table in the coffee shop, and she jumped as his fingers brushed hers. ‘Coffee or tea?
‘Short black, please.’ Lucy leaned back on her chair as Garth went to the counter to order. She let her eyes linger on him as he turned away. A professional glance, she told herself. Broad shoulders, muscular thighs and tight jeans that hugged his trim hips completed the sexy picture. His biceps bulged beneath the tight sleeves of his navy blue T-shirt, and as she admired his physique, Lucy realised that most of the other women in the bistro were doing the same thing. Garth turned around and looked a bit sheepish as he caught her staring. He carried over the coffee and slid her cup across the table before he sat down across from her.
‘Thank you.’
‘Okay, so what’s the go, Lucy-Lou?’ His eyes were intent on hers.
‘The go?’ she repeated.
‘What’s happening at Prickle Farm? Why the big family visit? No one comes near the place for years, and then all of a sudden, you’re all home. Is everyone okay?’
A sliver of unease ran down her spine. Why was he so interested? It was more than a friendly enquiry. She leaned back and folded her arms. ‘So, what’s it to you? Are you interested because you want to buy it?’
‘I’m interested because I care about my neighbours. They’re good people.’ His hazel eyes held hers steadily as his deep voice washed over her. ‘I thought we were mates, Lucy. Why? Do you think I have some sort of hidden motive?’
‘So why do you want it?’
Garth ran his hand though his hair in frustration and she looked up and caught his eyes. They were a deep blue and fringed by dark long eyelashes. ‘The main reason is that I thought it would help your grandparents out, because no one else seemed to be interested until you all came rushing home. Your Pop’s been struggling; the manager they have is less than useless and—’
‘What manager?’ she interrupted. ‘Gran didn’t say anything about a manager.’
‘You haven’t met Brian yet?’
‘No, she hasn’t mentioned any manager.’ Lucy frowned. ‘I got the impression that she and Pop have been running the place and the contractors do the harvesting.’
Garth shook his head. ‘Lucy, your grandfather’s barely been able to walk. Who do you think has been drenching the cattle and getting them in the yard and taking them to the cattle sales? I’ve helped out as much as I could for a while but I have my own place to run.’
Guilt flooded through Lucy and she put her elbows on the table with her chin in her hands. ‘Look Garth, the last few days have been really confusing for me. Lots of family decisions are being made, and I don’t know how you’re involved and why Gran has really got it in for you. Maybe you’d like to tell me why that is?’
‘Maybe I’d like you to trust me like you used to,’ he said enigmatically. He lifted up his coffee cup and held her eyes steadily. His were clear and open, and Lucy tried to ignore the little frissons of warmth running rampant in her lower belly as they stared at each other. Garth was the first to look away. ‘Hell, Lucy. I hate this.’
‘Hate what,’ she asked softly.
‘Arguing with you.’ He shook his head. ‘Let’s just forget the farm for a while. Put it aside till we both calm down. Tell me more about your job. Tell me more about this great idea of yours and what you want me to do.’
Lucy forced aside the worry that Garth’s words had raised in her. Someone—whether it was him or Gran— wasn’t being totally truthful, and she wondered which one of them it was, and why.
‘Okay. Let’s talk my business.’ After all, she did have her own job to worry about and this sudden family stuff had been forced onto her. ‘So do you reckon you can help me out with my campaign?’
‘All if have to do is get my photo taken with semi-naked women?’ That little warm butterfly beat its wings again in her lower belly as his lips tilted in a huge smile. His eyes crinkled at the corners and his perfect teeth flashed white as he stared at her. ‘Sounds like hard work.’
‘Yep, that’s all you have to do. And you’ll get paid.’ Her voice trailed off as his smile disappeared.
‘I don’t expect to be paid, Lucy. I’m happy to help you out. It’ll be fun. So what’s the go? The time frame?’ He leaned forward and she caught a whiff of aftershave mingled with the earthy smell of man. ‘How long are you home for?”
‘Home?’ She shook her head slowly. ‘Sydney’s home, although I’ll . . .’
Garth reached out and took her fingers in his. ‘Although?’
Lucy lifted her chin and looked at him. Despite having doubts earlier, she knew she could trust him. Garth would never do anything to hurt Gran and Pop, but before she told him anything she had some questions she’d like answered.
‘Let’s go back to what we were talking about before. Because before I tell you about my campaign, I have some news. It’s all connected.’
‘Okay. What’s on your mind?’
‘Why is Gran cross with you? And why you want to buy our farm?’
‘Our farm?’ His eyes were serious now. ‘I thought home was Sydney?’
‘It is, but it won’t be for a while.’ She shook her head, frustrated by his lack of answers. Lucy kept her words measured as she spoke slowly. ‘So why has Gran got it in for you?’
Garth spread his hands on the table and looked down at them. ‘Because I tried to tell her something she didn’t want to hear.’
‘And?’
‘She didn’t believe me and she accused me of some pretty harsh things.’
‘Garth.’ Exasperation filled her voice. ‘Will you please tell me what is going on?’
He lifted his head and his expression was troubled. ‘I told your grandmother that I suspect her manager is stealing their cattle and she didn’t believe me.’
Chapter 10
Lucy asked Garth to drop her at the front gate, and he leaned over and took her hand before she opened the door. When he’d dropped his bombshell about the cattle theft, she’d quickly finished her coffee and asked him to drive her home. She’d been quiet on the half hour trip home, and still hadn’t decided whether to tell him she’d be staying at Prickle Farm for a while. She had some thinking to do, as well as some investigation into his allegation.
‘I’ll talk to Sebastian about taking some photos tomorrow afternoon,’ she said. ‘Just before sunset when the light’s a bit softer.’
‘Okay.’ He squeezed her fingers. ‘At my place?
‘How about we meet you down by the bore? I’ll get the key and unlock the back gate and you can come the short way.’ She stood and watched until Garth’s ute disappeared down the road and the red dust settled before she walked through the gate, brushing the flies from her face.
She was greeted by the smell of barbequing meat as she pushed open the gate in the fence. Gran insisted on keeping the working dogs away from the house lawn and her garden. Lucy took a deep breath as she crossed the lawn. The smell of meat was overlaid by the fragrance of the flowers of late spring. If she ignored the red dust backdrop and looked straight ahead, it was like being in an English cottage garden. Gran had grown up in England and followed Pop to Australia when she was only nineteen. When she was little, Lucy had loved to sit on Gran’s knee and listen to the story of how they met. They’d both worked as volunteers in a collective c
ommunity on a kibbutz in Israel. Harry, the young Australian farm boy from Western New South Wales, and Helena, the pretty social butterfly from Notting Hill in London had fallen in love at first sight.
‘He was a fine strapping young man.’ Gran had looked affectionately at Pop while a young Lucy had sat on her knee enthralled by the story.
‘And I still am,’ Pop had said with his cheeky smile. But Lucy always remembered the way Gran looked at her Harry.
‘I missed him so much when he came home I followed him to Australia to see this Pilliga Scrub he went on about.’ Lucy had sighed when Pop bent down to kiss Gran. ‘And I fell in love with that too.’
So romantic. They’d had a huge social wedding in London and Gran had moved to the old farm house at Prickle Farm. Lucy had grown up believing in romance and happily ever after, but her recent relationships had soured that belief each time she had been let down by a man. The men she met in the city were focused on their careers and she was yet to find one who rated her needs as important as his career.
Memories of how soft and loving Gran had been before she and Pop had lost their three daughters filled Lucy’s head as she crossed the garden. The lawn was green and lush and edged with nodding May bushes, snapdragons providing a colorful edge between the graceful white flowers and the emerald green lawn. The scent of lavender filled the air and Lucy picked a head from the bush and rolled it between her fingers as she crossed to the steps. Gran had kept in touch with her English heritage with her beautiful cottage garden.
A rush of love for the sad woman ran through Lucy and regret that she had stayed away for so long pierced her chest. Voices and laughter met her as she pushed open the back door and stepped into the cool air conditioned kitchen. Jemmy was sitting at the bench with Gran, shelling peas, and another wave of nostalgia hit Lucy. Seb and Liam were out on the back verandah standing companionably by the barbeque. She crossed the room and put her arms around Gran from behind, and kissed her soft cheek. ‘I’m sorry, Gran.’
Loving Lucy: A Prickle Farm Romance Page 5