by Mandy Magro
Heath walked around behind Kenny to check out his head. ‘Faaaark! You’ve got yourself a corker of a lump there, mate. No wonder you’ve got a massive headache. Maybe you should go back to the workers’ cottage and have a bit of a rest?’
Molly overheard the conversation as she headed back to the guys with her water bottle. ‘I reckon that’s not a bad idea, Kenny. Maybe you should get Grandma to check it out when you get back too, just to be safe. It might be a smart move going to see the doc after a fall like that.’
Kenny picked his hat up off the ground and bashed it against his leg a few times to shake the dust from it. ‘Nah, I’ll be right. Stop fussing. I’ll miss out on all the action if I go home to bed.’
‘As long as you’re sure you’re right. I think we’ve had enough action for today.’
They all turned as they heard Trev’s whip cracking like fire-works in the distance.
‘We better go and help him out – the poor bloke’s mustering all the cattle on his own over there,’ Heath said.
‘And one crazy-arse bull too,’ Kenny said, shaking his head in disbelief.
‘Hopefully Frank has calmed down a bit so we can find him for you,’ Molly said. ‘Heath, you go and give Trev a hand, if you don’t mind, and I’ll have a quick squiz around for Frank. He won’t have gone too far, knowing him. He’s probably just hiding over in the scrub somewhere.’
Heath nodded. ‘Righto.’
Kenny watched them both get settled back in the saddle as he sat under the shade of a paperbark tree. ‘Don’t forget about little ole me!’ he called after them.
Molly wiped the dust from her face and licked her parched lips while helping push the last of the cattle into the yards. Her mouth and throat were dry from all the dust she had inhaled throughout the day and her back ached like crazy.
The sun was just setting on the horizon, painting the sky magnificent shades of orange and red as the last cow wandered languidly into the cattle yards. Molly smiled when she locked the gate behind it, happy with the number of cattle they had rounded up. The cattle would be sorted in the morning and then either sent off to the saleyards with David or set free to fatten up a little more. She looked over at Kenny, who was gingerly sliding his way off Frank.
‘How are you feeling, buddy?’ she called out while she dismounted Leroy, feeling the blood start flowing into her numb behind.
Kenny screwed his face up as he tried to walk, limping badly on his right leg. ‘I feel like I’ve been run over by a steamroller and then the bloody thing has reversed back up over me a few times. I need a stiff drink, I reckon. That’ll make me feel a whole lot better.’
‘Sounds like a plan to me. Have a few stiff drinks and then you won’t feel a thing, and even better, you’ll sleep like a baby.’
‘You coming in for a drink?’
‘Nah, not tonight, Kenny. I want to spend some time with Rose. Are you coming to the drive-in on Saturday night? It should be a hoot.’
‘Bloody oath I am. I love going to the drive-in. I can’t wait to wear those 3D glasses as well. I’m going to look so damn cool.’ Kenny grinned.
Heath and Trev trotted into the stables, their weariness evident. Heath let out a long groan as he slid down from the saddle, his spurs clinking as his boots hit the ground. Molly couldn’t help admiring him as he removed his hat and ran his strong hand over his short hair. He was gorgeous, especially when he was covered in dust and sweat; it made him look so manly, so desirable.
‘You must be knackered, Molly. You’ve outdone us blokes with all the galloping about you did today. Mighty impressive, I must say,’ Trev said, giving in to a yawn and stretching his tired limbs high in the air.
‘Thanks, Trev. I do try my best,’ Molly answered, stoked that Trev had noticed how hard she had worked.
‘I second that. You kept us on our toes today,’ Heath added with a wink and a grin.
Molly felt herself blush and she quickly turned her head, pretending to be engrossed in her saddle bags, which were empty already. ‘Well, someone has to keep you lot on your toes. Mind you, my back is bloody killing me. I reckon I’ll need an Epsom-salt bath when I get home to help relieve it.’
‘I can give you a massage if you like. Apparently I have magic hands,’ Heath said, his smile so alluring Molly virtually lost all feeling in her legs. Part of her wanted to say yes, every inch of her yearning to feel his hands caressing her … but as usual her logical mind stepped in, images of Jenny haunting her. She fought with reason, the silent battle making her want to scream. She was so sick of not knowing what to do.
Heath looked over at her, waiting for a reply, cottoning onto the fact she was at a loss for words and unable to make up her mind. He held his hands up in the air, ‘Purely for medicinal purposes, nothing else intended. You have my word.’
Molly went to answer, and then hesitated as she bit at her fingernail. ‘Not tonight, Heath. I did promise Rose we would watch a movie together, but I’ll hold you to the offer. Is it okay to take a raincheck for now?’
Heath smiled broadly. ‘Not a problem. You enjoy your night with Rose.’
‘I’m off to have myself a warm shower and a bit of grub,’ Trev said with a quick wave.
‘Me too. Then I’m going to have a drink with my mate, Jack Daniels,’ Kenny said as he followed Trev out of the stables.
‘That sounds like a plan to me, Kenny!’ Heath called after them. He leant into Molly and she felt her breath quicken, her fingers gripping the leather reins in her hands like she was hanging from a cliff. ‘Night, Miss Molly. Sweet dreams,’ he whispered in her ear, smiling affectionately before turning and walking away.
‘Same to you,’ Molly called out after him, her heart still pitter-pattering against her chest.
Molly brushed her teeth before heading off to bed, dragging her feet along the timber floors like they were small boulders, her hand holding the thumping pain in the bottom of her back. It ached like crazy after galloping around the countryside all day. How she wished she could let Heath soothe the pain away with his so-called magic hands. She had no doubt he would be able to enchant her with his touch. That’s what terrified her. She switched off the light and climbed into her bed, sighing with pleasure as her body relaxed into the mattress. She had thoroughly enjoyed spending the day out with Heath today, and she couldn’t wait to spend the entire weekend with him out on his parents’ station with Rose. What might happen out there? Would the wall she had built up around herself, the one that Jade kept telling her she had to get rid of, stay solid? Or would Heath send it crumbling to the ground? She closed her heavy eyelids, not having the energy to think about it all any more, and drifted off to a peaceful sleep.
Chapter 14
Buck’s hoofs clip-clopped rhythmically over the rocky terrain as Molly carefully guided him through the thick scrub, feeling completely at ease on his back, her months of patiently working with him coming to fruition. She could tell his senses were on alert, his ears flickering while he listened to the birds singing from the treetops and the whispering sound of the wind as it ruffled the leaves, but he was calm and relaxed. Reaching a creek crossing he paused, hesitant about stepping in the water, the situation new to him. Molly eased him on, confirming with her voice that he had nothing to worry about. He trusted her and took a small step forward, blowing his lips gently and letting the cool water wash over his legs. He got to the other side and Molly leant back in the saddle, gently pulling on the reins, motioning for him to stop. He followed her cue, dropping his head slightly as he waited. Molly leant forwards and stroked his neck.
‘Good boy. You’re doing so well. I’m mighty impressed that you’re doing everything I’m asking of you.’
She loosened her grip on the reins a little, feeling comfortable that he was listening to her and following her instructions. She applied gentle pressure with her legs, asking him to walk on, wanting to get him into the open so she could take him for a gallop. They reached the edges of the scrub where the fields were
aglow with glorious sunlight and Molly gave him a tight squeeze with her legs. Buck obeyed, picking up the pace, his hoofs pounding the earth as he opened his stride. Molly smiled broadly, the beauty and magic of the moment filling her with pride for the amazing horse Buck had become. After long months of gruelling training and endless devotion she had no doubt in her mind that he was ready, ready for Rose to ride finally him and make him her own.
That night, the three girls sat like peas in a pod in the front of Molly’s Land Cruiser, surrounded by the bags of Minties, Chicos and Maltesers they had bought for the drive-in. Jade wiggled her feet while balancing five steaming pizza boxes on her lap.
‘Far out, these are hot! Can we at least tuck into one of these garlic breads, Molly? I’m starving and the smell of this food is driving me nuts!’ Jade was already opening the hot foil of the buttery garlic bread. She stuffed a piece in her mouth. ‘Do you want a piece, sweetheart?’ she garbled to Rose through a mouthful of food.
‘Yes, please!’ Rose replied.
‘Hey, you two, don’t forget the driver here,’ Molly said, chuckling at Jade and Rose as they juggled hot pieces of garlic bread in their hands.
‘So, tell me all about how you and Mel are going, Jade,’ Molly asked between bites.
‘Really well. In fact, even better than that! I cannot believe how lucky I am to have met her. She’s wonderful.’
‘Oh, Jade! That’s great news. I’m thrilled for you both. You deserve to find true love, and it’s beginning to sound like that’s exactly what it is between you and Mel. Do you feel like it’s true love?’
‘Yep. Not that I’ve felt true love before, but I reckon this is it. I have so much fun with Mel. She’s a great lady to hang out with. And she’s so caring about me and interested in what I want out of my life.’
‘That’s so good. I’m so happy for you. I know you’ve both been waiting for the right time, but it has been five weeks … Have you had a sleepover yet?’ Molly asked, raising her eyebrows, insinuating things to Jade that she didn’t want to mention in front of Rose.
‘Ah, yes, we have … and boy, oh boy! I’ll fill you in later on what happened, though, hey,’ Jade answered, grinning like a naughty child.
‘Yes, good idea, you can fill me in on your pyjama party later.’ Molly chuckled.
‘Have you heard from Mark?’
‘Nope.’ Molly replied, not wanting to talk about him in front of Rose.
‘Hmm,’ Jade said slowly, shaking her head.
In front of Molly’s Land Cruiser they could see Heath, Trev and Kenny in Kenny’s Holden ute, fold-out sun lounges and bean bags bouncing around in the back. Both cars joined the long queue of utes and cars at the turn-off to the Rodeo drive-in. It was a popular outing for the locals on a Friday and Saturday night. Rose giggled in anticipation and Molly smiled tenderly at her daughter, happy she was making her little girl’s night by taking her to the drive-in with the boys.
They finally reached the tiny ticketing booth where a cheerful man greeted them all from the window of the small besser-block building. Molly spent a minute reaching back and forth through the window, exchanging money for their tickets and back-to-the-future-looking 3D glasses. She swatted at the hundreds of tiny insects congregating under the seriously bright fluorescent lights that lit up the ticket booth, thanking the friendly man as she drove forward. She dimmed her headlights as they moved into the drive-in’s parking area, scanning the darkness for Kenny’s ute.
‘There they are.’ Jade pointed.
‘Ah, yeah, I see them,’ Molly replied, maneuvering the Land Cruiser in beside them, making sure she parked as close to the speaker on the pole as possible.
‘Hey, you three, fancy seeing you here!’ Heath said as the girls piled out of the front. ‘And I see you brought us all dinner, how wonderful of you,’ he added as he helped Jade place the pizza boxes on the bonnet.
‘I even made sure I got your favourite, super supreme with extra garlic, mushrooms and pepperoni.’ Molly grinned.
Heath licked his lips enthusiastically. ‘Thanks, Molly. Appreciate it. You’re always so thoughtful.’ He turned to pick up Rose and she gave him a cuddle. ‘You ready to watch the movie with these cool-looking glasses on?’ Heath asked, waving them in front of Rose.
Rose took the glasses and put them on, grinning from ear to ear. ‘Yep! These are a bit weird, though. They’re making everything look all wobbly. How am I meant to watch the movie when everything seems like I’m looking through a bowl of Grandma’s strawberry jelly?’
Molly laughed. ‘Darling, they don’t work their magic until the movie actually starts. How about we set up camp in the back of the Cruiser? That way we can all sit back and demolish some pizza while we enjoy Toy Story 3 together.’
The guys helped the girls set up their sun lounges along with their pillows and blankets before grabbing a share of dinner and hoisting themselves up into the back of Kenny’s ute just as the opening credits started to roll. As the massive screen came to full animated life Molly basked in the cool country-night air, with millions of glimmering stars acting as the ceiling of the outdoor theatre. No sign of storms, which was a relief. That would most certainly have brought an abrupt end to their fun adventure.
The occasional fruit bat swooped this way and that, creating a shadow ten times its size across the gigantic screen. Molly found herself distracted from the movie when a stray kangaroo, clearly lost, bounded through the rows of parked cars trying to find its way back to the scrub. Children giggled and scurried out of its way as adults tried to turn it away from their cars and out of the drive-in. For any visitor to the area looking for a truly outback experience, this was the place to come, Molly thought.
‘Hey, Molly, do you have any Rid? The mozzies are making a real meal out of my legs,’ Jade whispered, scratching so hard Molly thought she was going to take a layer of skin off.
‘Yeah, it’s in the glove box, matey. Can you bring it back with you so Rose and I can use it too?’
Jade jumped down from the back, pulling a frightening face. ‘If I don’t return they’ve carried me away!’
‘Mosquitoes can’t carry you away, Jade!’ Rose replied, as if Jade didn’t know anything.
Molly lifted her glasses and had a peek over at the three men, chuckling to herself at the sight of them. All three were being swallowed up by their beanbags as they munched away hungrily on their pizzas with the crazy-looking 3D glasses on. She felt a warm fuzzy feeling when her gaze fell on Heath; he looked so sexy, as always. She reflected on the tender look in his eyes when he’d told her how much it meant to him that she and Rose were in his life, and it sent a flood of emotions running through her. What was she so damn afraid of when it came to Heath? He was one of her best mates so she should be able to trust him, to lay all her feelings and fears on the line. But maybe that was exactly why. And she had to admit it, love wasn’t one of her strong suits. Her most recent experience with Mark, and her bad experiences with guys before him, were brilliant proof of that.
‘Mum! Are you watching the movie or are you going stare at the guys all night?’ Rose whispered, snapping Molly out of her trance.
‘Yeah, Molly! This film is fantastic!’ Jade added as she jumped back up and got settled into her sun lounge.
‘Oh, sorry you two,’ Molly murmured and she turned to face the screen. At that moment, one of the cartoon characters threw a ball and it came flying straight for her. She instinctively ducked, laughing along with Jade and Rose at the realistic special effects enhanced by the glasses.
Close to the end of the movie, Molly heard thunderous snoring coming from the direction of the guys. ‘Hey, you lot. Which one of you buggers has fallen asleep?’
Kenny looked over at her, stuffing a handful of popcorn into his mouth. ‘That’d be Trev. All the excitement has worn the poor old bugger out. Not as much of a party animal as he used to be.’
‘Well, poke him in the ribs or something. We can’t hear the movie over his snoring!
He’ll be annoying everyone else too.’
‘Gladly,’ Heath whispered back as he prodded Trev fair in the ribs.
Trev sat bolt upright looking vague and confused, with his 3D glasses hanging haphazardly off his face. ‘Shit, where am I?’
‘You’re at the drive-in, Trev, remember?’ Heath laughed.
‘Yeah, and some of us are trying to watch the film,’ Jade called back, giggling.
The end credits signalled it was time to pack up and the crowd slowly began to make their way out of the drive-in. By the time Molly pulled up out the front of Jade’s house Rose was fast asleep on Jade’s lap. Jade gently eased her way out of the passenger door.
‘Night, Molly. Thanks for taking me along to the movie. I hope you hear from Mark soon, and if not, maybe you should go over and see him when you get back from Heath’s parents’ place, hey? It’s going to drive you nuts otherwise. I think it would be best for both of you if you sat down like the adults that you are and laid all the cards on the table. Life is never easy when emotions are involved, and I know you’re really confused at the moment. Just make sure you’re true to the real you, and it will bring blessings into your life that you never imagined possible,’ she said softly, not wanting to wake Rose.
‘You’re right, mate. A beautiful way to put it, and it makes loads of sense, as always. If I don’t hear from Mark by the time I get back from Ironbark Station I’ll make my way over to his place to try to talk to him. But, you know, I’m not going to get down on my knees and beg. That’d be pointless. He has to want to be in Rose’s life. Thanks for coming along tonight. It was fun, as always,’ Molly whispered back.
‘If I don’t see you before you go out to the station, have fun and follow your heart – not your head – and make sure you give Alice a big hug and kiss from me,’ Jade said kind-heartedly as she waved Molly off.
