Under Christmas Stars

by Alissa Callen

She answered without hesitation. ‘If you have time, can we go to the river, please?’

  He turned Ace towards the line of red river gums to hide his pleasure and his respect that she wanted to keep riding despite the heat. ‘Sure.’

  Soon the hills gentled into the alluvial flats of the valley floor. The green of the oats gave way to the golden hue of wheat stubble before the land dropped away to where the Bell River flowed. Drew followed a narrow animal-made trail that would take them the easy and safe way down the steep bank.

  Once under the shade of the ancient trees, their mottled bark swirled with shades of brown, the temperature cooled. The raucous calls of cockatoos echoed overhead as the birds took flight. Bailey was the first into the river, his liver-coloured coat turning dark as he swam and lapped at the water.

  The horse’s hooves clattered on the pebbles as they walked side-by-side into the shallows to drink. Drew opened his saddle bag and handed Freya a water bottle and a slice of shortbread.

  ‘Thanks.’

  The pale skin of her throat moved as she drank. She passed him the water bottle before she unwrapped the shortbread. While she ate, her attention focused on the high ridge beyond the riverbank.

  ‘I bet the view’s stunning from up there.’

  ‘It is, but that’s a ride for a cooler day.’

  Her eyes met his. ‘After harvest?’

  He nodded and couldn’t let go of the feeling he’d just agreed to far more than a second ride.

  Freya snapped photos on her phone while the horses and Bailey continued to splash and play in the river. When Ace’s front hoof pawed the water, Drew headed him towards the shore. The gelding was notorious for rolling and despite the heat he had no desire to get wet.

  They left the cool of the river and retraced their steps, keeping their pace slow but steady.

  One minute Liberty was walking beside Ace as they re-entered the cattle paddock and the next she’d stumbled. From the corner of his eye he saw Freya struggle to remain in the saddle. Heart pounding, he twisted in the saddle and turned Ace. Freya might end up in the Woodlea Hospital emergency department yet. Her bones would be no match for the hard summer-baked ground.

  As Liberty regained her footing, Freya righted herself, only to kick her feet free of the stirrups and slide to the ground. As Ace fully turned, Drew understood why. Liberty held her right front hoof off the ground. He too left the saddle.

  Freya’s wide eyes met his as she stroked the mare’s neck. ‘What happened?’

  He glanced at the ground. Beneath the long grass, a rabbit had burrowed a hollow the perfect size to catch a horse’s hoof.

  ‘Rabbit hole.’

  He ran his hand down Liberty’s leg, over her knee and past her fetlock to her hoof. There wasn’t yet any heat or swelling, but they would soon come. He straightened to loosen the mare’s girth and to strip off her saddle and saddlecloth to make her cooler.

  ‘Come on, Lib, let’s see if we can get you over to the shade and I’ll be back with the horse float.’

  Freya stepped away as the mare hobbled the short distance to the gum tree, her head bobbing as she took slow steps. When the cool shade covered her, he removed her bridle. She wouldn’t be going anywhere. He draped the bridle over the saddle Freya had rested against the tree trunk. Bailey flopped on the ground beside the stock saddle to watch them.

  Freya smoothed her hand over the mare’s shoulder. ‘I’ll stay until you get back.’

  He shook his head. Heat shimmered around them and the sun’s rays burned through the cotton of his faded red shirt. Freya’s cheeks were now a deep pink.

  ‘That’s a good idea in theory, but it’s too hot.’ He rubbed Liberty’s favourite spot high on her neck. ‘She’s a sensible old thing and will be fine.’

  ‘I’ll have my water bottle.’

  ‘Freya, I’ve had sunstroke and I wouldn’t forgive myself if you ended up with it too.’

  She frowned and glanced at Liberty’s hoof that she rested on the ground but didn’t put any weight on. ‘Okay. I won’t waste time arguing. The sooner we get going the sooner we can get her home and Ella can look at her.’ Freya’s eyes locked with his. ‘I am coming back with you.’

  ‘Of course.’ He collected Ace’s reins. ‘Ready?’

  He knew the moment she realised he intended for her to ride on Ace with him back to the ute. Indecision flittered in her eyes before her chin lifted. ‘Yes.’

  He swung into the saddle and held out his hand. Freya locked her wrist around his and, using his foot for leverage, clambered up behind him. He thought she wasn’t going to hold on to him but then her hands settled on his waist. He fought to keep his muscles relaxed so she wouldn’t feel his reaction to her touch. His jaw clenched. Or how much he wanted her arms wrapped tight around him.

  ‘All good?’ he asked over his shoulder. Freya was so close the scent of flowers filled his lungs.

  ‘Yes.’

  Ace walked forwards, showing no sign that the addition of Freya’s weight caused him any concern. Bailey trotted sedately by his side, his normal liveliness sapped by the heat.

  Drew concentrated on scanning for any more rabbit holes and not on the way Freya’s grip tightened as Ace increased his stride to a fast walk. His self-control hung by a single, rusted wire. The ride to the ute couldn’t end quick enough.

  Chapter Five

  ‘Okay, cover your eyes.’ Freya smiled as Hattie placed her small palms over her face. Freya pushed open the living room door. ‘Open them.’

  Hattie’s gasp made all the hours Freya had spent decorating the large living room worth it. She’d wanted to bring a smile to Hattie’s solemn face. She’d even lit a candle to fill the air with the scent of pine and hidden candy canes deep in the Christmas tree. The boxes filled with Christmas items Ella had helped lug to her car were proving invaluable.

  Hattie rushed through the doorway to where Freya had set up a picturesque Christmas village. Freya moved to flick on the power. The village came to life. A miniature train circled an old station. A Santa in a sleigh flew in a small arc above an old-fashioned two-storey house. Lights twinkled and music played as a carousel spun. Hattie’s eyes widened as she moved in close to see the details on the tiny horses. One of the ponies resembled black and white Panda.

  The six-year-old went over to where Freya had clustered a family of golden reindeers.

  ‘This one’s my favourite.’ Hattie touched the back of the baby reindeer.

  Freya picked up the reindeer to hand to Hattie. ‘I thought you’d say that. She can stay with you today if you like.’

  Freya didn’t hear any sound to indicate Drew had returned from the shed, but something made her look up.

  He stood at the doorway. Her throat ached at the sombre darkness in his eyes as he surveyed the room. Hattie wasn’t the only person missing their parents at Christmas. She too missed her mother, but she’d been able to make the most of what time she’d had left with her. Unlike Drew and Hattie.

  When Hattie realised her godfather was there, she raced over to show him the reindeer. Excitement quickened her words. ‘I’m playing with her all day. I’m going to call her …’ The six-year-old gazed around until her attention fastened on the knee-high snowmen that jiggled when switched on. ‘Snowy.’

  ‘That’s a great name.’

  Freya snuck a sideways glance at Drew. She curled the fingers of her right hand into her palm to stop her awareness of him from showing. Fine sawdust covered his blue shirt and she caught the scent of wood. He’d spent the morning making Christmas trees out of old pallets. Stubble blurred his jawline and his hair sat in soft spikes from where he’d run his hand through the front after removing his farm cap.

  Ever since he’d doubled her on Ace yesterday, his eyes hadn’t held hers for as long as they usually did. And ever since she’d grasped his waist and felt the heat and power beneath his shirt, she’d been glad he didn’t look at her too closely. The need to reach under his shirt and smooth her hands over t
he hard ridges below was fast becoming her new obsession.

  His gaze briefly met hers. ‘There are two trees at the back door ready for you and Hattie to decorate. I’ll hose down Liberty’s leg again and then can start on whatever project’s next.’

  Ella had visited yesterday afternoon and confirmed the stockhorse had pulled a tendon. With care, rest and time, the gentle mare would recover.

  ‘Thanks. It’s mainly the hay bales and lights we’ll need help with.’

  Hattie skipped over and handed Drew and Freya a candy cane each. ‘Here you go.’

  As Drew and Hattie grinned at each other and peeled away the plastic to eat the sweet peppermint, Freya slipped her candy cane into her pocket. So much for being level-headed and patching her composure. Seeing Drew’s softness with Hattie still made her heart flutter. She busied herself with turning off the fairy lights and Christmas village.

  Once Drew left to take care of Liberty’s injury, Freya threw two old sheets over the floor in the laundry. Armed with a hot glue gun and boxes of red, green and gold Christmas balls, she and Hattie decorated the trees Drew had made. When they were installed at the front gate, they’d weave Christmas lights through the gaps between the pieces of recycled wood.

  When the last ball had been glued in place, Freya sat back on her heels. ‘That’s it. I think we’re done. Thank you for your help. They look good, don’t they?’

  Hattie failed to return Freya’s smile. ‘Yes.’

  Freya moved to put her arm around her thin shoulders. The little girl’s voice had emerged quiet and miserable.

  ‘What’s up, Hat? Are you missing your mum and dad?’

  She slowly nodded.

  Freya held her close. ‘Just because they’re not here this Christmas doesn’t mean they’re not still here.’ She touched Hattie’s forehead. ‘And also here.’ She pointed to Hattie’s heart.

  Hattie leaned against her as she nodded. Freya kissed the top of her head, which smelled of strawberry shampoo. Boots sounded on the veranda before the door opened. Hot air rushed in to invade the cool of the laundry. When Drew registered Hattie’s sadness, his brow creased. His eyes met Freya’s and an understanding passed between them. They needed to keep everything upbeat.

  ‘Anyone for a swim?’ he asked, voice cheerful.

  ‘Sounds like a good idea to me. You and Hattie cool off, I’ll find something for us to eat. Decorating trees has made me hungry.’

  While Freya made a platter of sandwiches, she told herself she only stared through the window at Drew and Hattie to make sure the little girl didn’t still look upset. From her squeals as she jumped off the diving board and splashed with Drew, Freya had no doubt she was having fun.

  Despite her best intentions, her gaze kept returning to Drew. Tomorrow the house would be silent when harvest started again. Even if it had only been for two days, she’d enjoyed having him home as much as Bailey had. Drew’s slow smile and companionship filled her with a contentment she’d never experienced in all her years with Charles. Drew picked up Hattie, his muscles flexing and rippling as he carefully threw her into the air. When Freya realised she’d put the cheese in the pantry and not in the fridge, she banned herself from looking in his direction again.

  To her relief, Drew and Hattie soon left the pool. After the sandwiches disappeared, Drew headed back to the shed. It was too hot outside to decorate the mailbox so Freya put on an animated Christmas movie. Hattie snuggled against her side while they sat on the living room lounge. They’d only watched half the show when Hattie’s soft breaths told Freya she was asleep.

  Drew appeared at the doorway. Relief eased the concern in his dark-blue eyes when he saw Hattie sleeping.

  ‘Thanks again for everything that you do for her,’ he said, voice low.

  ‘Anytime. She’s a special little girl.’

  ‘She is.’ Drew glanced at the Christmas village on the far table. ‘And thanks for setting all this up. It actually feels like Christmas this year.’

  ‘It goes without saying I’ve had fun. I’m not sure what you’ve planned for Christmas lunch but Fliss says you’re welcome to come to Cressy’s too.’

  Drew folded his arms. ‘I think I’ll just have a quiet day like I usually do.’

  ‘If you change your mind let me know.’

  Drew nodded and, with a last look at Hattie, left the room.

  Freya bit the inside of her cheek. It was as though the shimmer of the living room dulled. The sheen of the golden reindeers appeared less bright. The glitter on the tree ornaments sparkled less. Christmas Day without Drew wouldn’t feel like Christmas at all.

  * * *

  Air-conditioned air filled the tractor cabin along with the scent of peppermint. Freya had handed Drew and Hattie a candy cane before shutting the tractor door. Hattie had already finished hers and they hadn’t even made it to the hay shed.

  ‘Is Snowy having fun?’ he asked.

  Hattie’s hands were wrapped around the golden reindeer in her lap. Her beaming smile answered him. It wasn’t only helping decorate the mailbox making her happy; she’d always loved riding in the tractor with Brett.

  Drew drove into the large timber-framed shed and speared the closest round bale with the twin hay forks on the front of the tractor. He then turned to drive along the driveway to the front gate. To make the hay snowman they’d need one round bale and two large rectangular ones. They’d also need a large and small tyre for his hat.

  They drove past the shed where Freya was using red spray paint to write a Christmas message on a piece of tin that lay on the ground. Dressed in jeans, boots and a pink shirt, she gave them a wave. Bailey lay beside her. He lifted a hand in return, glad of the dusty tractor window between them. It was becoming harder to hide how she affected him.

  When she’d suggested he accompany her to Cressy’s for Christmas lunch, a rush of pleasure had been quickly crushed by the weight of reality. He had no time to be led off track by his emotions. He had a farm to run. Spending Christmas by Freya’s side would only fuel the longings that refused to return to the shadows, longings that had only intensified after spending time with her over the past two days. At least tomorrow would be business as usual with harvest starting on the other farm. He’d soon be too tired to think or feel.

  Beside him, Hattie giggled as Panda trotted along the fence line, following the hay. Liberty remained where she was under the shade of a tree.

  Drew grinned as Panda let out a loud neigh. ‘It’s not Christmas yet, Panda. Besides, I think Santa has a carrot for you, not enough hay to feed you all winter.’

  Once the round bale was positioned to the left of the white forty-four-gallon drum mailbox, Hattie left the tractor cabin to help Freya. Drew returned to the hay shed. This time he used the hay fork to pick up a large rectangular bale. Panda again trotted along the fence line as he drove to the front entrance.

  Drew delivered the rest of the hay and on the final return trip drove his four-wheel drive to the gate instead of the tractor. When he arrived, Freya and Hattie had hung bunches of artificial mistletoe from the Inglewood farm sign and smothered the mailbox in red and gold tinsel. The Happy Christmas sign on the corrugated iron leaned against the right side of the white fence that flanked the cattle grid. Already the round hay bale resembled a snowman as Freya spray painted the front white.

  Hattie slipped her hand in his.

  He smiled at his goddaughter who looked more like Brett with every birthday. ‘Shall we make Snowy a reindeer forest?’

  ‘She says yes.’ Hattie’s smile shone as bright as the golden reindeer she held up for him to see.

  Together they arranged the trees Freya and Hattie had decorated. He hammered star pickets into the hard, dry ground and secured the two tall trees at the back and the smaller ones in the front.

  When the afternoon sun cast long shadows, the Christmas display was almost complete. The round bale snowman now sported black circles for eyes and buttons, a big red scarf and his tyre hat. The frame for t
he lights had been secured and only needed the lights to be strung across the steel rectangle he’d welded earlier.

  After Hattie smothered a second yawn, he swapped glances with Freya. Each time she knew what he was thinking, it triggered a dangerous tide of warmth inside him. He couldn’t get used to Freya understanding him without having to say words. Come the new year he’d be back talking to himself and Bailey.

  He walked over to where Hattie sat on a small hay bale wearing her pink cowgirl cap. ‘Time for you to go home, Miss Hattie.’

  She frowned. ‘Now?’

  ‘Yes. I know the lights aren’t finished but tomorrow night you can come for a drive and see them when they’re on. I’ll talk to Cath.’

  By the time Drew returned from dropping Hattie home, dusk cloaked the Christmas scene.

  Freya smiled from where she stood on the ute trayback lacing the fairy lights over the frame. ‘Perfect timing. All we need to do now is hook this up to the generator and, fingers crossed, we’re done.’

  ‘Too easy. I’ll move the ute before I switch everything on. Do you want a hand getting down?’

  ‘No, thanks.’ She jumped to the ground.

  He opened the ute door and Bailey leapt inside to sit on the passenger seat. Drew parked at the front of the display and the kelpie licked his hand.

  ‘I know, buddy.’ Drew tickled behind his ears. ‘You’re very happy with your front row seat.’

  He left the ute to plug in the lights. Before he flicked on the switch he looked over to where Freya had climbed onto the bull bar so she too would have the perfect view. ‘Showtime.’

  He turned on the lights.

  Freya clapped. ‘It all looks so wonderful.’

  He walked over to lean back against the bull bar, making sure he left an arm’s length between them. She’d removed her wide-brim hat now the sun had disappeared and the fairy lights brought out the vibrant red highlights in her hair.

  She half turned towards him. ‘I hope Hattie’s pleased when she sees everything all lit up.’

  He made the mistake of responding to the concern in Freya’s voice by meeting her gaze. ‘She will. That’s one high-wattage display that will brighten anyone’s day.’