She sat straighter in her seat as she stared through the dusty windscreen at the heat mirage that blurred the black bitumen. Before she could think about relaxing back into their friendship she had to restore order. It was the only way she knew to truly keep herself safe. And to achieve this she had to renew the battle to keep her distance. Physical distance would be impossible to maintain, but when she was with Saul from now on she’d keep her emotional defences firmly in place.
She walked into the vet surgery, which no longer smelled of antiseptic but of all things sweet and creamy. Penny had set up a table on the far side of the waiting room and strung pink and lime bunting around the walls. The table centrepiece featured a white-tiered cupcake stand filled with as many rosebuds as cupcakes. On either side, more stands were laden with a rainbow array of cakes.
Penny greeted her with an excited smile. ‘How cool does this all look? I’ve had people dropping cakes around since lunchtime yesterday.’
‘It looks amazing.’ Ella handed her the containers of cupcakes. ‘These fancy ones are from Fliss and these not-so-fancy ones are from me.’
Penny lifted the corner container lid of Ella’s cupcakes and took a deep breath. ‘They smell divine. What are they?’
‘Somewhere under all that icing they’re red velvet.’ Ella glanced at the clock. Her first client would soon arrive. ‘So, what have you got for me today?’
Penny ran her through the day’s list and she busied herself getting ready.
After she’d seen two patients and had a five-minute break, she snuck an elegant white cupcake dusted with gold glitter. She’d put her money for whatever cakes she ate in the donation box at the end of the day. After a session with a client about the needs of her elderly dog who had Cushing’s disease, she selected another cupcake. By lunch, the stands were beginning to empty.
Penny had a twinkle in her eye as she came for a chat while Ella ate her salad sandwich. ‘I just had a run of tradies on their lunch break. Sue’s been in too and said to tell you the joey’s going well.’ Penny’s grin broadened. ‘And guess who just left?’
Ella shook her head even though she knew the answer.
Penny leaned in closer. ‘Saul … and he had his dog with him. I’ve never seen that shade of blue eyes before.’
‘Duke or Saul?’
Ella instantly regretted her question. Penny didn’t need to know that she’d noticed the colour of Saul’s eyes.
‘Both. Duke’s are such a bright blue but Saul’s are so dark and—’
Ella spoke before Penny put into words just how compelling and dreamy they were. ‘Were they just in for cupcakes or did Duke need an appointment?’
‘Just cupcakes. Saul bought a whole container.’ Penny blushed. ‘He didn’t rush off, either. We had a chat.’
Ella nodded, her sandwich feeling like a leaden weight in her stomach. One day Saul would be ready for something other than friendship and lighthearted Penny was exactly who he needed to bring laughter back into his life. ‘He’s a nice guy.’
‘Sally says she’s sure he has a kid but is now divorced and that’s why he’s moved here alone.’
Ella stilled. Saul had only been comfortable telling her a bit about his past and that hadn’t included his son. Even Denham didn’t know all the details. ‘What makes her say that?’
‘He was in for a coffee the other day and this little kid apparently ran over to him and wanted to be picked up. The mother was horrified, at her son, not Saul, and when she was apologising he apparently said it was okay and that he was used to kids.’
Ella relaxed. Saul would have been talking about his niece, Rosie. ‘You don’t have to have your own child to know what kids can be like. He might be a godfather, an uncle or even have a friend with a little one.’
Penny frowned. ‘That’s true. Sal and I didn’t think of that.’
Ella didn’t answer as she drank from her water bottle. She had to perform a caesarean this afternoon to deliver a very round Pekinese’s five puppies and it was time to get back to work.
When the tiny puppies had arrived safely and she’d seen the last of her afternoon clients, Ella headed out to the waiting room. The rumbling in her stomach made her attention zero in on the cupcake table. Except the tiered stands were empty.
‘Please tell me there’s a cupcake left somewhere?’ she said as she glanced across to where Penny sat at the computer on the counter.
Penny looked up and seemed to be making some sort of gesture to Ella’s left. When a familiar exuberant voice said her name she knew what Penny had been trying to tell her. She slowly turned.
Edna stood over near the leads and collars that were hanging on the wall. Preoccupied with looking for cupcakes, Ella had only registered that the room’s chairs were empty and not that the waiting room remained occupied.
Edna gave her a satisfied smile as she walked over and held out an open cake box filled with cupcakes. ‘Here … Penny very kindly gave me all that she had left. I’m sure I can spare one.’
Penny gave her a look that said she hadn’t been kind at all, she’d had no choice. Ella selected a vanilla butterfly cupcake. ‘Thank you.’
Edna watched her as she tucked in. ‘Just as well I stayed to look for a new lead for Prinnie.’
‘I second that. This cupcake’s exactly what I needed.’
‘I meant that you’re someone I wanted to see.’
Ella silenced her groan and made sure she finished her cake before replying. ‘I’m the weekend on-call vet but can still help out at the bush dance when I’m there.’
‘You’re not on my to-help list, but I hope you’ll still come. Maybe it’s just your new hair, but you’re looking rather rundown. You need to have some fun.’
From the corner of her eye, Ella caught Penny’s smirk.
Ella folded her arms. Her sugar hit hadn’t fully kicked in yet to guarantee a zen-like calm. ‘I’ve never felt better.’
Edna’s stare remained sceptical. ‘At least you won’t be seeing that new electrician there … the last I heard he was headed to Victoria.’
Ella only nodded. Edna always dispensed with the unimportant things before focusing on what she really wanted to discuss. Whatever the topic was, it would either be about Saul or her upcoming birthday. In either case, Ella needed to shut down the conversation before it turned into an interrogation.
Edna touched Ella’s arm. ‘It’s so lovely you and my daughter have been spending time together.’
‘We do have more chances to catch up now Bethany’s working in town.’ Ella paused, for dramatic effect and not because she didn’t know what to say. Edna wasn’t the only one who could have an agenda. ‘You’re not keeping tabs on me, are you?’
‘I wouldn’t dream of doing such a thing.’
‘Of course not. I was only saying to Bethany the other day that I really need to drop around and see Noel.’
Ella’s gaze narrowed. ‘Were you now?’
‘Yes.’
Ella only said the one word but it was enough. It was common knowledge that since she’d helped Noel with his prize bull she enjoyed the unique privilege of being insulated from his wife’s plotting. Edna couldn’t have Noel know that she was becoming a little too interested in Ella’s life.
Edna closed the lid of the cake box. ‘Well, that’s all I wanted to talk to you about … Doug Jones leaving town.’
‘Thanks for letting me know, and for the cupcake,’ Ella said, as Edna turned and with a brief wave left the surgery.
Penny walked out from behind the counter. ‘I’ve never seen Edna move so fast. What was that all about?’
‘Maybe she thought I’d eat all her cupcakes.’
Penny laughed but her attention remained on Edna as she power walked past the red fire hydrant.
Ella moved to collect the tiered cupcake stands before Penny could ask any more questions or revisit their lunchtime conversation. It was all right for Penny to be smitten with Saul, but for her, from now on as much as she
could she needed to remind herself he was strictly off limits.
‘Duke, don’t even think about stalking Hercules.’ Saul whistled as the Australian shepherd, body low and attention on the surly bison, took a slow step closer.
A taut wire fence might stand between them but Hercules didn’t look like he was in a sociable mood. His tail stood straight up, his nostrils flared and his eyes were black with belligerence.
Duke took a last look at the bison bull before racing over to Saul’s side as he headed towards the stables. It was only early morning but the cicadas were in full song. It was going to be another scorcher.
He flexed his shoulders beneath the sun-warmed cotton. Today an unfamiliar fragrance clung to his shirt. Whatever detergent Ella had washed his shirt in after they’d used it to cocoon the joey was a brand he didn’t use. The strong scent wasn’t unpleasant but it made it impossible to push thoughts of Ella out of his mind. While he usually associated her with the subtle perfume of cherry blossoms, her shirts too smelt like the one he now wore.
He scraped a hand over his stubbled chin. It was bad enough that the cupcakes filling his freezer also reminded him of her. Just as well when he and Duke had called into the vet clinic last Monday, Penny had been distracted by patting Duke. Otherwise she wouldn’t have missed the way he’d kept an eye out for Ella. When the consulting room door had opened as a patient left, he’d briefly seen her typing on a computer.
Three days had since passed and apart from a few texts about Libby they hadn’t seen each other. This was exactly what he needed—time and a chance to refocus. Except Ella was still the last thing he thought of at night and the first thing when he woke.
Duke’s ears pricked forward before he dashed off towards the front gate. The Australian shepherd had heard Hugh drive over the cattle grid.
Yesterday afternoon Saul had noticed Amber wasn’t as willing to lift her left front hoof as her other feet. As the buckskin’s tenderness seemed to be coming from her shoulder and could be a chiropractic issue, he’d called Hugh instead of Ella.
When he reached the undercover bison yards that now held Amber and Cisco, Hugh’s white Hilux appeared. Duke ran to greet him as he parked and left his vehicle. Even though they hadn’t met before, Duke’s tail wagged with delight. Just like when Saul had been introduced to Hugh at the pub, Duke sensed the quietly spoken horse chiropractor was a man to have on your side.
When Hugh joined Saul at the yards, he half turned to look at the bison herd that Saul had moved into their new rotational grazing paddock. Dakota and the cows were congregated beneath a nearby shady tree. Hugh’s gaze lingered on the shoulders of the bison bull. ‘There’s a set of scapulas I don’t see every day.’
‘Let’s hope you never need to take a closer look. As much as Dakota’s a gentleman, I’m not sure how he’d handle you getting up close and personal with him.’
Hugh chuckled as he entered the yard. ‘My risk-taking days are over. Between Dr Fliss reading me the riot act over my last two concussions and Sibylla and Riley keeping a close eye on me, the most dangerous thing I do nowadays is say no to Jelly Bean when she wants to come inside.’
Riley was Hugh’s space-obsessed son who Hugh had raised alone before Sibylla had come into their lives. Even just spending five minutes with the father and son was enough to know of their deep bond.
Saul grinned to hide a tug of loss. ‘I’m yet to meet a more determined pony than Jelly.’
‘What she lacks in size, she sure does make up for in attitude.’ As he spoke he watched Amber as she turned her head to look at him. ‘That near side shoulder looks tight.’ Hugh untied the mare’s lead and draped it over her neck.
‘I thought so.’ Saul stepped away to give Hugh space to work. The sensible buckskin wouldn’t move even though she was untied. He looked over at Cisco who was yet to stand still. The restless pinto moved from side to side as much as his lead would allow him.
Hugh patted Amber’s neck, speaking softly so the mare became used to his touch. His hands moved to her poll and along the sides of her jaw feeling the bones beneath her golden coat. As Hugh ran his hands down her neck and left shoulder, he kept his attention on her eyes. When she fussed to indicate that was where the problem was, he concentrated on a spot between her neck and shoulder. With unhurried movements, he turned her head and pulled her left leg forward to release the tension in her shoulder.
This time when he smoothed his hand over the area that had been tender, she didn’t react. He again trailed his hand down her left leg. The mare shifted her weight and allowed him to pick up her hoof without any hesitation.
Saul moved forwards to pat Amber. ‘That feels better, doesn’t it?’
The mare nuzzled his arm.
Hugh looked across to where Cisco now pawed the ground. Even though the pinto didn’t appear to be uncomfortable anywhere, Saul had mentioned to Hugh he’d like him checked over. ‘If Cisco digs that hole any deeper he’ll find water.’
Saul retied Amber to the blue baling twine looped around the steel bar before walking over to the irritated pinto. ‘Let’s just say patience isn’t one of his virtues.’
‘He and Denham’s Bandit would be a great match.’
Saul held the lead rope while Hugh took his time to move his hands over the gelding. He concentrated on a spot between the gelding’s black-and-white ears. After Cisco tossed his head several times, Hugh smoothed his neck. ‘See, that wasn’t so bad.’ He glanced at Saul. ‘His poll was out but otherwise he’s fine.’
Hugh gave Cisco a final pat before Saul walked him to his Hilux.
‘Will I see you at the beer night?’ Hugh said as he opened his ute door.
‘I told Denham I’d go. Hopefully we won’t be the only ones. Just as well the committee put beer on with the bush dance, otherwise I think Woodlea’s male population would be underrepresented.’
Hugh chuckled. ‘You wouldn’t believe how many calls I’ve had about sore backs in the last week.’
Hugh mainly treated horses but was still a registered human chiropractor.
Saul grinned. ‘With a few beers on board I’m sure people will make a miraculous recovery until dancing’s involved.’
Hugh gave him a wave as he drove away. Powdery dust lifted and draped the driveway in fine red clouds. The long-term forecast didn’t fill him with hope that rain would arrive soon. As dry as it was here, out west things were even more critical.
Ground cover was at a minimum, leaving topsoil exposed and stock hungry. Farmers were hand feeding and cutting kurrajong branches as well as trucking in water. Herds were also out travelling on the long paddock or grazing on the roadside verges. Along with other locals, he’d pledged a hay donation to the hay runners who’d be soon passing through town in a convoy of trucks.
He returned the horses to their paddock. Before Cisco sauntered away, the pinto swished his tail and sent him a glare as if to question why he’d left the paddock in the first place if that was all they’d been going to do. Amber gave him a soft-eyed look before she followed the gelding.
Saul headed towards the farmhouse. He’d cool off with a swim and morning smoko. Duke ambled beside him. When they passed Hercules’s paddock, Duke again lowered himself to the ground as he eyeballed the bull who hadn’t moved from where he’d stood earlier.
This time, instead of whistling, Saul touched the top of Duke’s head to keep him still. His attention didn’t leave Hercules. Whereas earlier cows had surrounded him, he now stood in isolation, his stance hunched and stiff as he struggled to breathe. Even as Saul watched, Hercules gave a strangled cough, saliva slipping from his mouth.
Saul took his phone out of his shirt pocket and called the Woodlea Vet Hospital number he’d stored in his contacts when he’d arrived in town. At the time he’d hoped he’d never have a need for a vet, and if he had, that it wouldn’t be Ella. Nearly three months later and nothing had changed. Even though they’d cleared the air about their kiss, and he was determined to stay within the boundari
es of their friendship, when around Ella his best intentions never failed to vanish.
‘Woodlea Vet Hospital. Penny speaking.’ Penny’s voice sounded bright and chirpy.
‘Hi, Penny, Saul from Windermere here. I’ve another bison that needs looking at if any of the vets are free. The bull appears to have something stuck in his throat.’
‘Let me check who’s available.’
Murmured talking sounded. ‘Ella can come out now.’
‘Thank you.’
He ended the call. Right now seeing Ella was the least of his worries. He had to get Hercules and his herd into the yards and in a low stress way that didn’t increase the bull’s surliness. He headed for the tractor that still had the hay forks attached. As he approached a black-and-white peewee perched on the side mirror took a final look at his reflection before flying away. With a bale of hay positioned on the front, Saul drove into the laneway. The bison herd surged forwards looking for food.
Saul opened the gate and slowly made his way in the direction of where he wanted the herd to go. The cows followed, with Hercules trailing behind. Saul unloaded the hay into the steel hay feeder positioned in the largest yard. While the cows helped themselves to their early dinner, the bull stood by himself, his neck extended and breathing laboured.
Saul checked his watch. Until Duke raced off to the front gate to let him know Ella was there, there was no point moving Hercules into the smaller yards. The less time the bull was contained the better.
Saul had only just finished sliding the central race gates open when Duke bolted towards the cattle grid. Ella would soon arrive.
Working carefully, Saul moved Hercules and some of the quietest cows through the series of smaller yards to the round pen that fed into the narrow race. He gave Ella a brief nod as she came over to the fence. She’d approached from behind so as not to spook the herd. Dressed in her usual Woodlea vet cap, pink work shirt, jeans and boots, her expression was serious as she returned his nod.
The Boundary Fence (A Woodlea Novel, #7) Page 20
