Looking at the finger controls that would bring out the auger to unload the grain, she had a brain freeze. Which one did she push first? She berated herself for getting so worked up that she’d forgotten simple instructions. Glancing at her hand, where she had the instructions written, she confidently pulled the middle control and watched with satisfaction as the auger groaned out from where it was tucked in neatly along the side of the bin. She inched the tractor forward until the end of the auger was over the gap in the silo’s roof and pushed forward the empty control. Watching the grain flow into storage, without losing a single grain onto the ground, she did a mental fist clench with a loud yeah! Afterwards she decided she must be really sad to get so excited about getting grain into a bin!
Reversing out of the tight spot she was in, she turned the tractor and headed back towards the paddock, her thoughts full of the coming few days.
Hannah and Jonno were coming for Christmas and Amanda would be picking them up off the plane in three days’ time. She’d ordered a huge chicken roll, stuffed with onion, apricot, parsley and garlic, as well as a pork roast. She had eggs to make a pavlova, and on the way back from the airport, they would call in to the bottle shop to pick up their drinks supply. It would be so great to see them both. Adrian would join them on Christmas morning.
She was also excited that her fire-fighting gear had turned up yesterday. The previous winter she’d done a course so she would be able to protect Kyleena if there was ever a lightning strike. She’d also decided that the volunteer services had done such a wonderful job when she’d needed them that she needed to give something back.
As she pulled back into the paddock, Amanda opened the window of the tractor to get a gauge on the temperature, shuddering as a blast of heat shot through the air-conditioned cab. She was thankful now that she was in Adrian’s tractor and not her own – hers didn’t have air-con!
Scanning the paddock for the harvester, she found the large machine on the far side of the paddock and drove towards it, noticing as she did that the auger was out, the sign that the header box was full and the chaser bin needed to take the grain away.
Amanda groaned as she saw Adrian turn into the paddock. He checked on her at least twice a day. She supposed he’d heard the two-way exchange. Taking the load of grain from Damo, she swung the tractor around and headed towards the gate. When she saw Adrian was driving towards her, she slowed and finally stopped, the chaser bin banging behind her. Summoning up a big smile, she watched as he bounded out of his ute with the energy of a twenty-year-old. He jumped up the steps and ripped open the door with a huge smile.
‘You’re off the hook! I’ve found another driver. He’s on his way out here now, so if you want to empty this load out, you can head home.’
‘Oh.’ Amanda was taken aback. ‘Are you sure? Where did you find him?’
‘A bloke popped into the John Deere agency in town and asked if there were any jobs going. He’s just driven across the Nullarbor to spend Christmas with his wife’s family. He wanted a few days of work – doesn’t get on with the in-laws apparently. Joe thought of me immediately, quizzed him about his credentials, spoke to an old employer and here we are. So now you can go get the house all ready for Christmas!’ Adrian looked so pleased with himself that Amanda couldn’t help but laugh.
As she plumped up the last of the pillows on Hannah’s bed, Amanda felt a welling of excitement in her stomach. Grabbing the pillow to her chest, she let herself fall backwards onto the bed and gazed at the ceiling, trying to imagine what it would be like to be a housewife in Adrian’s big manor house.
So much had happened since the twins had been here last and she was desperate to see them. She laughed as she thought about Hannah and her fly-away hair and Jonno, with his big grin and well-muscled arms. Remembering all the fun times they’d shared together, she had a chuckle. Then she heard the garden gate creak. ‘Bloody thing,’ she thought, trying to ignore the nervousness that shot through her stomach, at the noise. ‘I must oil that!’ It had scared her late one night when she had woken from a deep sleep to hear an eerie creaking, squeaking sound. She’d lain in bed, frozen, until she had finally worked out what it was.
There was a funny growl before a pair of paws landed on her legs and Mingus looked down at her.
‘Mingus! You scared me!’ said Amanda sitting up and fondling his head. ‘Are you telling me I’m slacking on the job? I thought you’d be used to that by now! Housework is not my favourite way to spend the day.’
Putting the pillow back, she looked at her watch. ‘Shit, I’d better get on with it; the twins will be here in a couple of hours!’
Chapter 23
Hannah sat cross-legged on Amanda’s bed with a glass of wine in her hand, while Amanda lay back against the pillows. After five hours of non-stop talking and cooking in preparation for tomorrow’s Christmas lunch at the beach, they were still at it. Jonno had held up his hands in defeat about two hours ago, called it quits and gone to bed.
‘Hey,’ Amanda said, ‘you know how I told you about the hut I found in the remnant vegetation block? I still can’t find anything to do with it on the maps I’ve got. It’s really weird because the fire maps they gave me when I did my training cover every square inch of land in the Esperance shire. The bush there is documented, but there’s no mention that it’s Kyleena’s land or that there’s a hut on it. It’s really got me stumped.’
‘Have you asked any of the old-timers around here? Surely someone has to know something.’
‘I haven’t actually, I’ve been too busy, but I know that it’s Kyleena land. Dad told me ages ago.’
‘Well, its Kyleena’s then,’ Hannah said briskly. ‘We’d better go to bed, Mandy, or we’ll sleep through Christmas lunch.’
‘Yeah, you’re right. It’s just so good to have you here – I miss you guys so much. It’s not like I don’t have any other mates around here, but they’re all older than me – more Adrian’s friends, I guess. Him and the bloody dinner parties that he puts me through!’ She grinned. ‘There was one that I thought was meant to be a barbeque, but when I got there it was all these toffy-nosed women decked out in jewels and shiny tops and makeup. And guess what I wore? Jeans, my boots and a rugby top. At least I felt comfortable, but I think poor Adrian was a bit jacked off with me!’
Hannah giggled then said, ‘I wish you hadn’t cut your hair though. As much as I hate to tell you this, you do look like a guy.You need to fem up a bit.That’s probably all Adrian is thinking. Hey, maybe you need breast implants!’
Amanda blinked. ‘Implants? Well now, there’s an idea – but not a very good one! You’ve obviously had too much to drink – get yourself off to bed, woman!’
Hannah stood up and backed towards the door. ‘Think of it: large, voluptuous bosoms.’ She jiggled her hands under her own breasts. ‘Ha! We’ll get you a makeover! Dye your hair blonde . . . Ouch!’ Hannah had backed straight into the doorframe.‘Mmm, I guess that’s what you think about that. Night!’
‘Yep, you’re about right. The sheep wouldn’t appreciate them. Night.’
‘Where’s the drinks esky?’ Jonno asked as he heaved out a large esky full to the brim with yummy eats for Christmas lunch. ‘It’s so hot, we’re going to need it before lunch. And where’s the sunshade?’
‘It’s been packed,’ Amanda called back as she wiped the sweat off her face and once again rechecked the fridge to make sure she hadn’t left anything behind. The pasta salad had been made this morning and, while Hannah groaned about her headache, Amanda had thrown together a green salad and a Waldorf salad. That, she had decided, would have to do. The pav was being saved for the cool of the evening, when they got home.
‘Adrian’s here,’ yelled Jonno from outside.
Amanda looked through the window to see Adrian pull up next to the ute in a cloud of dust.
‘Jonno! Merry Christmas. Great to see you.’ Amanda watched as Adrian offered his hand as he got out of the car. She could tell from his larg
e smile that he was genuinely pleased to see Jonno.
‘Hi, Adrian,’ Hannah jumped down the steps and kissed his cheek.‘Merry Christmas.’
‘And to you, Hannah. You’re looking as lovely as ever.’
‘Merry Christmas.’ Amanda walked down the steps and gave Adrian a hug.
‘Presents are in the back.’ Adrian walked around and opened the car door.
‘Presents?’ Amanda cried. ‘Let’s leave them until we get home. I’m dying to get to the beach and have a swim. What about you guys? Aren’t you dripping with sweat?’
‘Yeah!’ Jonno said. ‘Let’s head off.’
As they pulled onto the deserted beach, Amanda knew they’d made a good call.The waves gently lapped at the beach, while the white sand shimmered in the heat, a group of gulls flew into the air squawking and a sea eagle glided casually above them.
They fell out of the car, talking and laughing, Jonno with a beer in his hand and Adrian reaching into the esky.
Once their camp site for the day was set up, they all sat and talked for a while until Amanda decided she was going for a swim. As Hannah rubbed sunscreen on her back, the smell catapulted Amanda back to her childhood. Her parents had taken her to swimming lessons at the town beach where, come rain or shine, the kids were tossed into the water and taught to brave the elements, as well as swim. Some days it was so cold that, with her teeth chattering and goose bumps on her blue-tinged skin, her mum would usher her into the car after her lesson and whisk her away to a small cafe on the foreshore, where they would eat hot chips with tomato sauce and drink hot chocolate. Unexpectedly, tears threatened and she swallowed hard to get rid of the lump in her throat.
‘Ta, Han,’ she said, and quickly ran down the beach and dived into the waves to wash her feelings away.
She lay on her back, floating, looking at the vivid blue sky, thinking how lucky she was. She had wonderful memories from her childhood, good friends, a farm that was going well and Adrian. She didn’t know what to call him really. He wasn’t really her boyfriend – she still hadn’t come at kissing him yet – but . . .
She spluttered as something slimy grabbed at her feet and pulled her under. Thrashing about she finally got her feet on the bottom and pushed to the surface, gasping for air and looking around wildly. Then she saw Adrian’s grinning face.
‘Hey! You scared the crap out of me!’ She swam over to him and tried to wrestle him under the water. Hannah arrived and had her hands on his shoulders, trying to push him down. The screams and splashes brought Jonno out of the sunshade, diving in to help Adrian.
In the midst of it all, Amanda, who had been pushed under again, thought she felt a pair of lips graze hers. But by the time she’d spluttered to the surface again, the other three had moved away in a frenzy of splashing and she had no idea if she’d imagined it, or if someone had actually tried to kiss her.
Chapter 24
Autumn 1936
Michael watched as the boat docked at the wharf and the passengers started to make their way onto the jetty. Children ran in front of their mothers, shouting with joy to be free from the confines of the ship, while their fathers struggled with the luggage.
Michael could well remember his own feelings as he touched dry land in Esperance. The apprehension, the excitement and fear – just what these men would be feeling now. Michael longed to stop them and tell of the exciting things they would experience, but he was too tense.
He searched the crowd for Grace, but couldn’t see her. He moved closer to the ship as a group of five ladies wearing large hats and full dresses felt their way uncertainly down the gangplank. He looked carefully at their faces, but none was her.
Then he felt a hand on his elbow and heard a soft voice in his ear.
‘Hello, Michael. It’s been a long time.’
He turned and saw Grace’s serious face staring back at him. He drew a deep breath, startled by her beauty. She had altered so much in the past two years. Her white skin was tinged with brown from the days on the boat and her nose had a smattering of freckles. Her vivid blue eyes were serious, but held a hint of mischief. Yet it was her exquisite face that held him silent and made his mouth dry. His eyes pinned to hers, he raised his hand and ran his fingers down her cheek, noting how clear her eyes were.
Michael finally found his voice.‘He didn’t hurt you, did he? Mother said he made threats against you.’
‘He managed to get into the house somehow – but Edward was in the garden and heard my call for help. That’s when it was decided that I should join you. I’m grateful that you will have me. I must confess, I thought I’d never see you again, after you left so suddenly.’
‘Oh, Grace, I thought the same, but I am pleased to have you here. Although I regret to say that you may find life difficult – I have nothing but a small shack, a few cows, sheep, chickens and a dog. I can’t offer the comforts that you are used to. It is isolated. The neighbours are few and far between, but a friendly lot.’
‘Then we will make it better. Together.’ She put her hand over Michael’s and he knew then by her determined voice that she would be all right on Kyleena and it was time to banish his thoughts of Kathleen for good.
‘Well, we must be married as soon as possible. Before we return to Kyleena. I have reserved a room for you at the boarding house. It is comfortable, although the lady who runs it can be quite severe at times.’ Michael didn’t mention the icy reception he faced when booking Grace’s room, or the reason behind it. ‘Let’s walk there and I will return for your luggage. While you rest, I’ll organise the wedding and see to our supplies. We can leave for Kyleena straight after the nuptials. I am suddenly in a hurry to show you your home.’
She smiled up at him for the first time since she arrived. ‘ And I am in a hurry to see it.’
Chapter 25
2006
‘You look terrible, what’s wrong?’ asked Adrian as he arrived at the shearing shed.
Amanda forced a smile. ‘Nothing really. I just didn’t sleep very well last night.’
‘Why not?’ Adrian’s forehead wrinkled in concern.
‘Oh, I did something stupid.’ Amanda flapped her hand, trying to brush the memory away. ‘I watched a scary movie, then kept imagining every groan and creak of the house was an alien from the red planet coming to Kyleena to take me back to his lair for research!’
‘Well I keep offering and you keep declining,’ Adrian grinned at her.‘But perhaps you shouldn’t do that again.’
‘Don’t worry, I won’t be!’
‘So did you manage to get everything ready for today?’
Amanda looked over the ewes that were standing on the grating of the shearing shed, waiting.
‘Yep, they’re all ready to meet the plastic penis!’
Adrian cringed. ‘Mandy!’
‘Well that’s what it is. That’s why it’s called artificial insemination. The pipette is plastic, and it holds semen!’
She broke off her teasing as an old ute rattled up to the shed and stopped. Jim, the AI vet, got out and stretched. ‘G’day, Mandy, how’s things?’
‘Hi, Jim.’ Amanda clattered down the steps of the shed to shake his hand as a tall, willowy girl got out of the passenger’s side.
Amanda smiled in greeting. It seemed that every year he’d arrive with a new beautiful technician.
Jim had proved a godsend since Amanda had begun breeding. Not only did he offer AI services, he catered for all the requirements of the stud associations. He had spent hours patiently explaining to her how the industry worked and the technical terms.
‘Genetics being genetics,’ he’d said, ‘if you mate a sheep with a small chop to a sheep with a big chop, you’ll get a medium chop. Butchers are looking for as big a chop as they can get, so you work out the genetics on that.’
In the midst of the clatter and clanging of unloading the steel cradles, Damo and another young bloke, Chris, arrived to help load the ewes into the cradles.
Jenny, the tech
nician, lugged in big cans full of nitrogen and semen, then set up steaming thermoses – known as Dilvacs – also full of nitrogen; they would transfer the semen into these so it could be easily reached. A microscope, kettle and clipboard were laid out, while Jim wheeled in his office chair and set up all of his veterinary scoping instruments, chatting all the while about the genetics industry and new discoveries that had been made over the past year.
‘Right, are we ready?’ Jim asked, rubbing his hands together. ‘Jen, set that fan up please, it’s a bit warm in here. You blokes understand how to use these cradles? Drag a ewe out, then one of you will need to be at the front feet, the other at the back. Grab her legs and tip her onto her back, then lift her up into the cradle. Her front feet hook under these U-shaped arms so she can’t move. Got that?’
Amanda laughed inwardly as Damo looked from the ewes to the cradle. Yeah, they were big girls – eighty or ninety kilos maybe – and he had to lift every one. That’d get him back for going on about her driving the chaser bin too slowly!
Amanda held her breath as Jim inserted the laparoscope and semen pipette. Looking through the eyepiece, he gently pumped a small amount of carbon dioxide into the first ewe so he could see through the innards to the uterus. After a little time, he quietly said, ‘Push’. Jenny, whose hand was on the pipette, gave a small push and used her other hand to write something on a piece of paper.
‘Push,’ Jim repeated.
Jenny pushed the plunger that released the semen into the uterus and withdrew the pipette as Jim pulled out the laparoscope and put it in some disinfectant.
‘Next,’ he called, and the boys rushed to do his bidding.
By the end of the day, one hundred ewes had been inseminated and were now back out in the paddock. Damo and Chris were slumped against the wall of the shed, exhausted, while Adrian was discussing the latest ram sellers with Jim. The previous Perth Royal Show had seen some new merino studs emerge and Adrian was keen to know about the quality of the wool.
Blue Skies Page 10
