"Hi Helen." The girls all smiled and a moment later one of the other girls took Helen off to examine the bedrooms.
When she had gone, Julie frowned. "What's wrong, Kylena and where's the baby?"
"At home with your grandmother and nothing's wrong. Poor Helen just felt neglected so I decided to have a day off work and spend it with her. I think she misses you at home."
Julie nodded. "You know, I miss her at times, too. I never thought I would."
"Can you tell her that," Kylena answered. "She was so down hearted last night."
"Sure Mom," Julie replied. “I’ll go and find her. Come on. I'll show you my room." She stood and grinned. "I even manage to keep it tidy."
They were about to walk up the corridor when a dark haired girl about seventeen walked into the room.
"Hello Mrs. Berg, I'm Suzanne," an American voice said. 'I'm the American Exchange Student. I heard Julie's little sister's voice and it made me think of home. My brother is about her age."
"Hi Suzanne," Kylena replied. "I guess you don't hear many American voices."
"Only Julie's ... all the time," the girl replied and laughed at the snort her younger schoolmate made. "Not that I mind. I like it here but everything is so different, it's sure great to have someone from home around."
Kylena sensed there was one other homesick girl at the hostel but before she could say any more, Helen came rushing back tugging on Julie's arm. The youngster began chatting to everybody about nothing in particular but everything in general.
Kylena smiled. The day had been a success for both herself and the seven- year-old who needed a little reassuring that she was appreciated in their family.
"See you Friday," Helen waved as they retreated to the car.
"Mom," Julie poked her head in the car window. "Can Suzanne come home with me one weekend? I know she's a senior but I think she'd like our place."
"Sure, Julie, anytime," Kylena replied.
*
After a week's heavy rain, Top Oasis was saturated and the Land Rover stuck on the top plateau with mud almost up to its hubcaps. John peered in the driver's window with water pouring off his hat onto an unturned collar.
"I knew we shouldn't have come up here, today," he muttered at Kylena behind the wheel.
"I know my dear but you know Harold. He wanted to check out the tree daisies and it was lucky we did."
"Sure," John replied. "If that small slip wasn't cleared, the stream could have backed up and flooded the whole gully." He broke into a grin. "But now we need more manpower back here to try to push the Rover out."
Kylena glanced around the interior at an apprehensive Helen in the back seat and the more pragmatic Julie sitting beside her.
"There's only woman power in here, my sweet," she grinned,
"I'll drive while you help Dad and Harold push," Julie cut in.
Kylena looked doubtful but John nodded. "Okay but leave it in low and if we get traction, just keep her going. Don't stop until you reach the gravel patch back on the track. Once there, stop and wait for us. Okay!"
"Sure Dad."
"What about me?" Helen piped up.
"Sit beside Julie and make sure your seat belt is on," John directed. "You can tell her when she reaches the gravel."
"And don't bump me," big sister ordered. “You dogs hush up, too or go out in the rain." She glowered in the rear vision mirror at Bella and Sissy barking in the rear. Even the dogs were hesitant about going out into the storm.
After giving a few more instructions to his daughter, John joined Kylena and the pair sloshed in the mud to the rear of the vehicle. Harold glanced up and wiped a hand across his face. The gaunt look he had when they had first met had gone; he'd put on weight and his tanned face made him look a decade younger than his years.
"You push, lass, while we try to lift," he shouted above the roar of the motor and rain.
Kylena nodded and couldn't help smiling. Both men were saturated and splattered in mud while she could barely move her own feet in the slosh but she felt relaxed and contented.
John caught her expression and grinned. "What is it?" he asked.
"I was just thinking," she replied. "Look at us, soaked to the skin and wallowing in stinking mud but I couldn't be more happy."
John reached across, wrapped a wet arm around and squeezed her tight. "I know," he said in a soft voice. Their eyes and lips met in an expression of love.
"Okay, Julie!" John yelled when they were ready. “Get going!"
*
With her tongue sticking out between her lips in concentration, the teenager gripped the wheel and let out the clutch. Four wheels spun, diesel smoke poured from the exhaust, the engine growled and mud spattered up in a high arch over the vehicle.
At the rear the two men lifted while Kylena pushed. The Land Rover slithered to the side and sent a streak of muddy water right into her face. She spluttered but continued to push the vehicle but with no result. John banged the window again, Julie shoved the clutch in and the old vehicle sank back down in the sludge.
"Almost," Harold muttered. He walked forward to inspect where he had placed sacks in front of the wheels. Two had been crunched into a ball but the other pair were under the tyres. He wedged a fence post across in front of the rear wheels and grunted in satisfaction.
"This should work," he added and glanced up at Julie's white face. "Just keep her going this time, lass. Nice and steady, like. Not too many revs."
Once more the three adults lifted and heaved, Helen shouted instructions about how close the gravel was while Julie gripped the steering wheel and stared out through the windshield wipers. Her feet operated the clutch and accelerator and the half engaged engine roared.
The Land Rover shuddered, the sacks disappeared into the sludge but the wheels gripped and propelled everyone forward. It slithered and slid for five metres with the young driver holding the steering wheel with white knuckles and an apprehensive expression on her face.
The four wheels skidded again; mud still splattered everywhere but the Land Rover moved forward onto the gravel, jerked and stalled. But they were clear. Julie smiled as her father opened the door and congratulated her.
"I helped, too," Helen shouted.
"You sure did, Sweetheart,” John laughed. “You were both marvellous."
"Can I drive home down the track, Dad?" a cheeky Julie asked.
"You cannot," her father replied.
Julie laughed and slid across the passenger's seat beside her sister while Harold and Kylena tumbled into the rear.
"My God, I'm wet," Kylena grunted. "I reckon I'll never get clean for a week." She swished a muddy hand over her face to remove hair plastered over of her eyes. "I hope Grandma's got Caroline fed and the kettle on."
"She will." Harold replied. "I know her."
John chuckled and started the Land Rover. With three muddy adults, a teenager, seven year old and two wet dogs crowded in the interior the windows steamed up. They were, though, mobile and heading down the farm track home.
He felt a soft hand grip his shoulder and smiled as a faint whiff of his wife's damp hair reached his nose. So much had happened in the eighteen months since his family's arrival at Top Oasis, a new wife, baby, two growing daughters he was proud of and a recluse who had become a friend married his mother-in-law. There had been troubles and tragedies but they had come through it with strength to face the challengers of the future.
He sighed. Yes, it was had been a busy time, a whole new life but one he would not swap with anyone.
"I bags the first shower," he proclaimed.
"No," Kylena’s voice whispered in his ear just before warm lips kissed him. "We'll have one together."
The End
Visit Ross's home page http://www.richdale.co.nz
Don't miss out!
Click the button below and you can sign up to receive emails whenever Ross Richdale publishes a new book. There's no charge and no obligation.
https://books2read.com/r/
B-A-QEXC-MYYK
Connecting independent readers to independent writers.
Did you love Long Valley Road? Then you should read Blemished Jewel by Ross Richdale!
Gail Fernhill, newly appointed of principal of Queen Anne's Girls' School in Dunedin, New Zealand is haunted by her past but befriends new property manager Neil Goodall. Neil pierces her reserve to support and help her when he discovers that as a teenager, she killed her abusive father in self-defence.
However, the case is reopened after the discovery of her father's rifle. Inspector Peter Carrington attempts, by fair means or foul, to build up a murder case against Gail and directs Tania Brogan, an undercover police officer employed by the school as a teacher, to find evidence. However, after an accident involving a bus load of pupils on a ski trip Tania switches her allegiance to help Gail but unwittingly plays into Carrington's hand.
Intertwining with Gail and Neil's growing love and the conflicts of school life, the problems deepen when John McKendrick arrives at school and attempts to abduct his daughter Penny. Gail and Neil intervene but Gail is wounded and, with Neil and Penny, abducted.
Is Gail's successful life as a principal about to be cut short by her past? And what of her abduction? Is Neil's love enough to help the blemished jewel through these trying times?
Read more at Ross Richdale’s site.
Also by Ross Richdale
Emerald Eyes Trilogy
Emerald Eyes Destiny
Emerald Eyes Mist
Emerald Eyes Pyramid
Our Ancient Ancestors
When the Longships Came
The Druid's Daughter
Meztli - Sacrificial Maiden
Kyla's Fate
Our Romantic Thrillers
Blemished Jewel
Jana Adrift
Broken Silence
Eagle's Claw Lake
Snow Bond
Blossoms in the Wind
Terra Novels
The Truth About Terra
Terra Incognita
Wisps Trilogy
Wisps of Cloud
Wisps of Snow
Wisps of Wisdom
Standalone
Solar Search
Acid Air
Embrace the Fog
Cosmos Quest
Azure Sea Gold
Alien Hybrid
Crystal Souls
Countess In Exile
Anu Factor
Into the Wormhole
Time Portal
Like Twigs in a Storm
Omega Seed
Catalyst
Long Valley Road
Armlet
Claire
Liberty & Opportunity
Transmigration
Shadows Behind
Wind Across the Playground
Arising Magic
Generation 7
The Other Mrs Hayes
Stretched Horizons
Behind the Fire
Watch for more at Ross Richdale’s site.
About the Author
After a career as a teacher and principal of mainly small rural schools, Ross Richdale lives in the small university city of Palmerston North in the North Island of New Zealand where he writes contemporary novels and science fiction. He is married with three adult children and six grandchildren.
His interest in current events and international incidents serve as a backdrop for many of his novels. Ordinary people rather than the super rich super powerful or violent, are the main characters in his stories. His plots also reflect his interest in the rural lifestyle as well as the cross section of personalities encountered during his years as a teacher.
Read more at Ross Richdale’s site.
Long Valley Road Page 24
