The Outback Governess

by Sarah Williams

  "You can't tell anyone." He looked at her solemnly.

  She placed her hand over her heart. "I wouldn't dream of it. It's our little secret."

  The days were getting longer and warmer. As Paige stepped out of her air conditioned donga that evening, the heat slammed her and she felt the warm trickle of sweat bead along her brow and spine. She closed the door and walked briskly to the main house. Opening the door, she was greeted by the cool relief. She slipped inside, closing the door behind her and made her way into the dining room.

  She was surprised to see the family already sitting around the table waiting to dig into the roast beef, potatoes, peas, beans and corn which was spread out in the middle of the table. The aroma swirled deliciously in the air and Paige's mouth watered.

  "Sorry I'm late," she murmured, sitting between Scotty and Brooke.

  "Not late at all." Ruth passed around the plates. "Did you have a good day?"

  Paige nodded and glanced around at the adults. Her eyes resting on Logan's. "Scotty's handwriting has really improved. He's trying so hard."

  Logan ruffled his son's hair affectionately. "Good job."

  Scotty shrugged in reply. More interested in the peas on his plate, trying to stab them.

  Hugh was noticeably quiet tonight. Paige had gotten used to his deep chuckle and quick wit, but he was sitting there unusually quiet, picking non-committedly at his food.

  Logan had followed her gaze. He had noticed it too. Obviously, he knew his father better than she did and had also noticed it. "You okay, Dad?"

  Hugh looked up at his son blankly. "Hmm? Yeah, fine." Even his voice sounded weak.

  It was the grumbling of the car engine that woke Paige up. It cut through the silence of the night, causing the dogs to start barking.

  She wiped sleep from her eyes, climbed out of bed and went to the window. Withdrawing the curtain, she saw lights on in the main house and a flurry of activity.

  Slipping into her boots she left her room and hurried over. Were the kids okay? Had something happened?

  As she was climbing the front stairs Ruth appeared at the door. The usually composed older woman appeared ruffled and unusually dressed in a baggy t-shirt and shorts. Like she had thrown on the first clothes she had found.

  "What's going on?" Paige asked

  Ruth looked at her with glassy eyes. "Oh Paige, I was just coming to get you! Hugh is sick. Maybe his heart. "

  "Oh no." Goose bumps rose on her arms. "Are the Flying Doctors on their way?"

  "We're taking him to the airstrip in town now. Logan's with him in the car already." Ruth clutched at her purse and started down the steps. At the bottom, she turned suddenly. "You'll look after the kids, won't you? Hopefully we'll be back soon."

  "Of course. Don't worry about us."

  A car horn beeped from the shed.

  "Go. Good luck. Call us when you have news," Paige urged.

  Ruth ran into the dark night and Paige waited on the stairs until she heard the car engine rev and pull away.

  She rubbed her arms as tickles of fear ran down them.

  Inside she went straight to check on the kids, pausing when she heard the girls chatting quietly.

  "Will Granddad be okay? " Brooke's voice was quivering.

  "I'm sure he will be. He's a tough old coot," her older sister said. "Besides, the Flying Doctor is already on their way. They'll be able to fix him up in no time."

  There was a pause for a moment before Brooke spoke again, her voice quiet and full of emotion. "They didn't save Mummy."

  "Mum had cancer. No one could help her." Layla's answer silenced her sister and when Paige glanced in a few minutes later the girls had their eyes closed and looked at peace.

  Paige tried to sleep on the couch, but was kept awake by thoughts of hospitals and death; her mind buzzed wondering how she would help the kids through this traumatic time.

  Eventually she gave up on sleep and made herself some tea.

  She drank in on the front porch as she watched the countryside come out of its dark slumber.

  The porch itself was cluttered with boots and jackets and misplaced belongings. Toys were scattered in corners, forgotten by their owners. A thick sheen of dust and dirt covered the wood-planked veranda and furniture that had seen better days.

  Paige shuddered to think what her mother would say if she saw this house. As wonderful as the woman was, she could not stand a messy home. "Messy house, messy life," had always been her mantra.

  With her mother in mind, Paige started picking up toys and cleaning away the rubbish.

  She had found the broom and was almost finished sweeping by the time Scotty came out and found her.

  "Good morning, sweetheart." Paige smiled at him. His hair was messed and his face soft from sleep.

  "Morning." His voice was gruff. He looked around. "Where's Grandma?"

  Paige bent down so she was on her knees in front of him, eye level. "She and your dad took your granddad to the hospital last night."

  He frowned. "Why?"

  "Granddad wasn't feeling too well so he's there to get better."

  "Okay. Will Dad and Grandma come home soon?"

  "I hope so, but until then it's just us and your sisters. Is that okay?" Paige looked into his eyes. As grey as his fathers.

  "I'm hungry. Will you make me breakfast?"

  Paige stood up and offered him her hand. "I sure will. Let's go see what we can make."

  He clutched her hand and they went back into the house.

  There were plenty of eggs, so together they made scrambled eggs on toast and bacon. The aroma lured the girls out of bed and they shared the meal around the dining table, all still dressed in their pyjamas.

  When Paige's mobile rang, everyone stopped to stare at it. Ruth's name flashed across the screen causing Paige to gulp back fear. What if she was calling with bad news? How would she tell the kids?

  "Finish your food." She stood and took the phone. "I'll be back in a minute."

  She slipped outside onto the now-clean veranda and answered the call.

  "Hello?"

  "It's Logan." His voice was husky.

  "How's it going? Is Hugh okay?" She knew she was talking fast, but she couldn't help it.

  "He's in Intensive Care. He had a heart attack. Apparently, he has high cholesterol and high blood sugar, but we didn't know because he never goes to the doctor." His voice had an air of frustration to it. "The doctors are surprised it took this long for him to have an episode."

  "Oh my God. That's terrible." Paige placed a hand over her heart as emotion rolled through her. She had grown fond of Hugh and enjoyed their friendship. "Is there anything they can do?"

  He sighed. "They're still running tests at the moment. We're in Mt Isa, but they may fly him to Townsville yet."

  "Okay. What can I do?" She needed to be of use in some way.

  "Can you keep looking after the kids? Mum won't leave Dad and I need to stay, at least until we find out what's happening."

  "Of course. Don't even worry about us," she urged. "Give Ruth and Hugh our love and keep us updated.

  "Thanks, Paige."

  "Do you want to talk to the kids?"

  He paused. "Um, not right now. I better go check on Dad. I don't want to be away too long."

  "No worries. I'll tell them what's happening but keep it optimistic."

  "That'd be great. Thanks."

  After she ended the call, she took some deep breathes to compose herself.

  The kids all looked up expectantly when she returned.

  "Is Granddad okay?" Layla asked.

  Paige sat down at the table and chose her words carefully. "Your granddad had a heart attack."

  The girls gasped and Scotty started to cry.

  "Is he dead?" the little boy sobbed. He was one of those kids who felt every emotion keenly.

  "No, no. He just needs some more tests so the doctors can figure out what to do to make him better." Paige went to Scott and put her arms around him
.

  "Really?" He turned his damp eyes on her and she nodded in reply.

  "Yes. The doctors are doing all they can."

  Scotty turned into her embrace and wrapped his arms tightly around her.

  "Is Daddy coming home now?" Brooke asked. The pleading in her voice melted Paige's heart.

  "Not yet sweetheart. But soon."

  For the first time, she was certain she'd come to the right place. At least she could be a source of stability and comfort for the children during this trying time.

  Chapter Six

  Paige and the children got into a good routine over the next few days. They would wake early, have breakfast, feed the animals, do their chores and some classroom work before coming in for a lunch of sandwiches. Then, more classroom time in the afternoon, always making sure their jobs were done and the house was tidy before dinnertime.

  Logan and Ruth would call nightly just as Paige was preparing dinner for the children. Hugh was being transferred to Townsville and Ruth was accompanying him. Logan had applied for leave and would return home as soon as Hugh left Mt Isa hospital. Ruth was doting on her husband and they were already discussing dietary and lifestyle changes.

  As they waited for Logan to arrive home, Paige and the children made a game of cleaning the house. They mopped the floors and cleaned the windows so that they gleamed like never before. The layer of dust on the windows had been as thick as her finger, so it was surprising when they were clean just how much sunlight actually filtered through making the house bright and sunny where it had been drab and dark. Unable to call a carpet cleaner, she vacuumed several times to remove the ingrained layers of dust and dirt that were continually traipsed in.

  Sheets were changed and laundered. Walls were wiped over and bathrooms were scrubbed until they shone. The children were surprisingly cooperative and eager to help with this project she had set them. They would eagerly come to her and ask, "What's next, Paige?"

  When they finally heard Logan's vehicle rumbling up the driveway and clattering over the cattle grid the kids quickly finished what they were doing and gathered outside to greet their father.

  Paige watched an expression of joy and relief cross Logan's face as he climbed out of the Land Cruiser and looked at his children. Clean clothes and huge smiles on their faces, eager for his love and affection.

  "Wow, look at this house." He gestured at the organised rows of shoes and outside toys.

  "Wait until you see inside!" Brooke grinned before running into his arms and hugging him.

  After lowering her to the ground, Logan briefly hugged his older children in turn then stopped in front of Paige.

  "You've been busy."

  "The kids helped. It's been fun. Hasn't it, kids?"

  They murmured their agreement.

  Logan took off his boots and left them neatly at the front door before walking inside. Paige followed them in and busied herself making tea as the children guided their father through the house showing him their hard work.

  "I can't believe it's the same house," he said as he accepted his tea a few minutes later.

  "It just needed a little bit of attention. Nothing a good clean up couldn't fix." Paige sank onto the dining room chair next to Logan. "How is Hugh doing?"

  Logan's shoulders slumped. "He's still tired and weak. I should have noticed. If I'd known his blood pressure was so high never would have left the kids with them so long." He leaned forward on his forearms. Like he held the weight of the world on his shoulders.

  "Don't blame yourself." Paige patted his arm gently. "Ruth and Hugh would do anything for you and the kids. They want what's best for them."

  His gaze sought hers. "I really need to thank you for the last few days. I know it's not in your job description."

  She smiled back at him. "Don't mention it. I can only imagine what you're going through. If it was my Dad I would be devastated."

  "Thanks." She watched his gaze lower to where her hand was still on his arm. She was idly brushing his skin with her thumb. She pulled it back and hid her hands under the table.

  "I better get some work done. The jobs will have been piling up and I need to make sure they have something to come back to." Logan stood, and then hesitated briefly before turning back to her. "I'm really glad you're here. We all are."

  Her eyes stung. "Don't worry. I'm not going anywhere."

  Logan stretched back in the chair, his muscles tense and aching. His father always took care of the bookwork so the columns of numbers on the screen in front of him didn't make much sense.

  His phone buzzed and he pulled it out of his jeans pocket.

  "Hi Jess," He kept his voice bright and carefree.

  "Hi Darling." Jess spoke in her usual chirpy tone. "How're your parents?"

  He sighed. "They're on their way to Townsville. They'll need to stay there for a few weeks and get Dad’s heart under control"

  What would happen if he lost his father? He didn't think he could deal with another death in the family. What would happen to the station? Would he have to sell it? He couldn't run it by himself. It was a huge responsibility. Logan squeezed his eyes shut. He couldn't think like that. He had to be positive. He had to be strong for Mum and his kids.

  "Try not to worry, darling. He's in good hands. I'm sure he'll be fine." Jess sounded so sure, but how did she know? She had never even met Hugh. "Listen, I've got the weekend off, how about I drive down?"

  Logan felt his body tighten. Jess had never asked to visit before, or meet his family. Currawilla was in the middle of nowhere and she liked the convenience of town life with the shops and social life Mt Isa had to offer. He didn't think cattle and kids would interest her and right now that’s all he had. The idea that that was why he kept their relationship casual surfaced. She wasn't cut out for this part of his life.

  "Things are a bit crazy right now." He kept his voice soft. "I'm not sure how the kids would take it right now."

  "Okay, it was just an idea." Her voice lifted. She almost sounded pleased he had turned her down.

  "You won't miss me too much?" He idly opened the email program on his father's computer.

  "I can always pick up an extra shift. I'm sure I won't be too lonely."

  He murmured in agreement his gaze returning to the screen.

  "Hey, guess what? Matt and Hannah finally hooked up."

  Logan shook his head trying to remember who she was talking about. His life in Mt Isa seemed so distant and irrelevant right now, with so much going on here. She rattled on for a few minutes about how she had known they were going make good couple.

  Logan stopped listening and let his mind wander. He thought about the kids. They were awfully quiet. Perhaps Paige had taken them to the schoolroom, or outside somewhere. They all seemed so much more settled than they had been for a long time. Her positive attitude was certainly rubbing off on them. And the house; he couldn't believe how tidy it was. Even his mother had given up with trying to keep things ordered after the kids moved in. She would love to come home to a tidy, clean home like this.

  "Logan, did you hear me?" Jess said.

  "Sorry, I've got a lot on my mind."

  "I've gotta go, someone is trying to call me on the other line." She cut off the call before he could say goodbye and he was left staring at the phone and wondering why she had called in the first place.

  He yawned; the past few nights sleeping on a cot in the hospital had left him bone weary. He was looking forward to sleeping in his own bed tonight and not being disturbed by nurses and other patients. A proper meal would be a nice change from the hospital cafeteria food he had been surviving on. He felt like sausages; big, fatty ones cooked over an open flame. The kids would love that too.

  As the idea took hold, his tiredness slipped away and he found himself planning a surprise night off for Paige.

  The sausages sizzled on the makeshift wood fire pit that Logan had set up next to the river. The fatty sizzle of meat cooking over an open flame was enticing and made h
is mouth water. The children were happily amusing themselves by collecting sticks to stoke the fire and using them as pretend swords. He watched as they giggled and chased each other around the bush.

  Logan was aware of Paige sitting close by, watching him turn the sausages. The hairs on the back of his neck prickled under her watchful eye. It wasn't uncomfortable, knowing she found him attractive; he rather liked the attention. He liked looking at her too. She was softly feminine and so sweet. She wasn't like the women he encountered in Mt Isa, newly toughened from their experience in the harsh, male-dominated environment of the mining town.

  "So, how are you liking the outback?" He moved to sit next to her on a log.

  Paige smiled at him. He loved the way her whole face smiled at him, not just her rounded pink lips. "It's certainly a change from Ballarat. But I love it."

  Logan had seen enough of cities and large towns to know the difference was the environment and the pace of life. There was no noisy traffic roaring past and the air was fresh and pure. The silence was broken only by the bellowing of a beast, the dogs, or more often than not, his children.

  As he thought about it, he realised he was a country boy through and through. He couldn't change the way he was, even when he tried. The city stifled him when he had to visit. He even found Mt Isa stifling with the crowded, noisy streets, traffic blaring cars. Not to mention the pollution from the vehicles and mine sites.

  He watched as she waved flies away from her face. "The flies and the heat might take a bit of getting used to."

  "I should get you one of those hats, with the corks dangling from string." He grinned at her.

  "Do those really exist? I thought that was just a joke we played on tourists."

  "I'm sure I could make you one if it comes to that. As for the heat, it will only get hotter in summer." He absently threw a stick on the fire. "Be better if we got some rain." He gazed out at the brown, barren landscape.

  Scotty came running towards them and threw himself at Paige.

  "Hello, how are you?" She wrapped her arms around him and cuddled him close and then gently tickled his tummy. He giggled with glee and Logan grinned.