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  “Oh, wasn’t that the best holiday.” Marion clasped her hands together. “Our little apartment looked out over the bay and the water was the most divine blue.”

  Caroline rolled her eyes. “I loved it because it was the only overseas trip we’ve had that wasn’t to do with business.”

  She and Marion continued to reminisce about their shared holiday. Two years ago, after they’d both been travelling in different parts of Europe with their husbands, the four of them met in Greece and stayed on a small island for two weeks. Louise had heard about it over and over, and looked at all the photos. It certainly sounded wonderful but she wasn’t a beach person. If she went to Europe she’d spend her time in the museums and churches. Not that she thought about it much, only when her sisters prattled on, like they were now.

  “Where else did Mackenna go?”

  Caroline’s question pulled Louise back into the conversation.

  “New York.”

  “What did she think?”

  Louise paused. What did Mackenna think? She kept raving on about the sheep stud she’d visited in New Zealand. They’d hardly talked about the rest of her travels. The fridge was adorned with postcards of glowing reports. “She loved it.” Louise tried to recall Mackenna’s travel itinerary, which was also still clipped to the fridge. “She went to Los Angeles and Hawaii as well.”

  “That’s great,” Marion said. “It’s all very well to go to New Zealand but it’s really only another state of Australia. Hardly even need your passport. It’s good she decided to go further afield. See something different.”

  Louise had been planning to tell them about Lyle’s suggestion of a trip to New Zealand but she bit her tongue. Marion wouldn’t have meant to be pompous but the comments hurt all the same.

  “I remember Mackenna always talked about going to New York when she left school,” Caroline said.

  The food arrived and Louise was glad to have something to distract them all. She’d been looking forward to this lunch with her sisters but the conversations had left her feeling on the outer and, to her discontent, a little guilty. She’d been so fixated on Lyle and Patrick she’d barely spoken with Mackenna about her holiday. And yet she had been excited for her daughter before she left.

  Since Lyle’s heart attack life had changed and Louise looked at things differently. But in her determination to find a better future for Mackenna she’d put a distance between them. If nothing else, this lunch had made her realise she needed to spend talking time with her daughter. Louise tucked into her chicken salad. It was delicious and the conversation turned to food. That was something she was comfortable contributing to.

  CHAPTER

  14

  “Yes, yes, I understand.” Mackenna paced the verandah with her mobile pressed to her ear. The guy on the other end was hard to hear and she wasn’t happy with what he was telling her. She looked up as Patrick’s car rumbled to a stop near the gate. It was making a terrible racket.

  “Perhaps another time.” The voice in her ear was fading.

  “You have my mobile number now,” she said but the line had either dropped out or disconnected.

  “Damn!” She stuffed her mobile into her pocket.

  Patrick was coming towards her along the path. “What’s the matter?”

  “I just wish we had better mobile service out here. No-one noticed the message on the answering machine.”

  “Was it important?”

  Mackenna resisted the urge to snap at him. It wasn’t Patrick’s fault. He’d been in Adelaide for three days. “We missed some potential customers,” she said. “It was a possible opportunity to get a go at a Melbourne restaurant.”

  “I know they’re not reliable but I don’t know why people don’t try the mobile numbers, at least they could leave voicemail.”

  “I guess they would if they had them. Mum changed the message on the answering machine before she went to Adelaide last. It doesn’t give mobile alternatives.”

  Patrick frowned. “That’s not good business practice.”

  “I’m aware of that.” She shook her head. “And our website wasn’t any help to them either.”

  “What website?”

  “I got a high school student to make us one a couple of years back but I rarely update it. Anyway, what have you been up to?” She smiled at him. “How did you score a three-day weekend? We missed you yesterday.”

  “I rang Mum and told her I was staying an extra day. A few things came up that I had to attend to.” Patrick swung his backpack over his shoulder and stepped ahead of her into the house.

  Mackenna followed. Was he being evasive or prickly?

  “Did you run out of errand boys?” he called over his shoulder.

  There was a scornful ring to his voice. Mackenna watched as he disappeared up the passage. She sighed – definitely prickly. What was up with him these days? Maybe Lyle had spoken to him about the dead sheep after drenching. She’d had to tell their father about it and had left it with him to speak with Patrick.

  In the kitchen she switched on the computer. While she waited for it to come to life she thought about her little brother. It had to be something more than the drenching business. He’d been touchy before that, ever since she’d returned from her holiday. She was sure it was because he resented being here. He had a life and work in Adelaide. There really was no need for him to stay on even though he’d been a big help. They had actually missed him yesterday but they would have to manage without him eventually.

  Mackenna felt a little guilty about being gone most of the day herself. She’d left home early to deliver sheep to the abattoir then instead of coming straight home, she’d gone to see a carpenter about getting a kitchen put in the old house. It had been a fruitful visit. He knew of a second-hand kitchen that had just been removed from a place in Mount Gambier. It was available at a good price if they collected it themselves. She’d only need to buy a new oven, cooktop and microwave. On a roll, she’d put in an order. She had some money leftover from her holiday and hoped her father would be happy for the farm to pay the difference. He had given her the go-ahead. Second-hand cupboards and a near new dishwasher from Mount Gambier meant they could install at a fraction of the cost of new, but commercial cooking equipment was expensive.

  She opened up the web page for Woolly Swamp Farm. That would be another thing she’d need, a till and some kind of computer.

  “Is that it?”

  Mackenna jumped at the sound of Patrick’s voice behind her.

  “That’s it,” she said. “I know nothing about making web pages and young Sam Martin did it as part of his school research project.”

  Patrick leaned in over her shoulder and they both studied the screen. The page was nearly all white with black writing reminiscent of an old typewriter. The only colour came from the bold name Woolly Swamp Corriedales across the top and an old photo of their father standing beside their first prize-winning ram.

  “Certainly doesn’t fill me with confidence as a potential customer,” Patrick said.

  “I looked into getting a professional site done but Mum and Dad baulked at the cost.”

  “Move over.” Patrick gave her a nudge, his eyes glued to the screen.

  Mackenna vacated the seat and he slid into it. Her mobile rang and she moved away from him to answer it.

  The woman selling the kitchen was happy with her offer but she wanted Mackenna to collect it as soon as possible. They agreed on a time the next day. Mackenna hoped she’d get a chance to run it all past her dad before her mum came home. Louise was attending committee meetings in two different towns, so she should be gone most of the day. Lyle had gone with Cam in the truck to pick up the new irrigator. They’d hoped to put it off until next summer but the dry was dragging on. Everyone in the district was casting their eyes to the sky, waiting on the first good autumn rains.

  Before Mackenna had gone overseas, they’d purchased two more paddocks from their neighbours. They still owed some on the small place the
y’d bought across the road, but she and her father had both agreed it was the right thing to do. Opportunities to expand didn’t come along often and to be able to extend their boundaries rather than buy a totally separate property was too good an opportunity to miss.

  Mackenna flicked her eyes from Patrick to the family portrait on the wall above his head. It had been taken the year he left to go to uni. They all looked younger but it shocked her to realise how much her father had aged since the photo was taken. He was fifty-seven, not young but not old either. Mackenna had thought of them as a team, but maybe he was doing it all for her. There would come a time when he would want to retire, or so she assumed. The distant future had never been discussed. Perhaps she was pushing him too hard.

  “This is the kind of site you should be looking at.”

  Patrick’s voice brought her eyes back to the computer. She moved closer. A page with colour and a crisp modern font with constantly changing pictures filled the screen. It was for a sheep stud interstate.

  “They’re not Corriedales but it’s just to give you an idea.”

  Patrick flicked through the menu. There were several pages with information about the history of the owners and the stud, genetics and a map with contact details. Everything looked very smart.

  “It’s exactly the kind of site I’d love us to have, but it costs a lot to set up.” Mackenna went to the fridge for a drink. “It’s just not a high priority.”

  “In today’s world it should be.” Patrick spun on the chair to look at her. “Trust me, I don’t know as much about sheep farming as you do but I do know a bit about marketing. Not only should you have a web presence, you should be using social media.”

  “Someone has to create it and manage it. I can’t see Mum doing it, and she’d be the only one with a small window of opportunity. We can’t afford the time or money.”

  “Maybe we can.”

  “How?”

  “I’ve got a few connections.” Patrick had a strange look on his face. “Bartering works well for some people. Leave it with me.”

  Mackenna opened her mouth to speak and he grinned at her.

  “No point badgering me. That’s all I can say for now. Any chance of some lunch?” He spun back to the computer and started typing. “I didn’t get any breakfast this morning.”

  She watched the back of his head a moment longer then pursed her lips. She looked at her watch. It was late for lunch but she hadn’t eaten either. She tugged open the fridge door. There were a few bits and pieces she’d noticed earlier that would make a good pasta dish.

  By the time she’d finished preparing lunch her father and Cam were back. She made the bacon and mushroom carbonara stretch to four.

  “Is the truck being used tomorrow?” she asked after they’d all tucked in.

  “Don’t think so, why?”

  She ignored Cam’s response and looked at her father.

  “I’ve managed to get a second-hand kitchen at a really low cost. Only drawback is it’s in Mount Gambier and I have to collect it tomorrow.”

  “Should be okay,” her father said. “Does it include everything?”

  “Not all the cooking items.”

  “What’s it for?” Patrick asked.

  “The kitchen in the old house,” Lyle said, and scraped up the last of the sauce with his fork. “That was delicious. Thanks, Mackenna.”

  “I can rearrange my day to drive you,” Cam said and lazed back in his chair with his arms behind his head.

  “No need,” Mackenna said as she collected the plates. “I have a truck licence.” She was pleased to see the smug grin falter on Cam’s face.

  “Cam should go,” Lyle said. “You’ll need help to load up.”

  The grin was back as she carried the plates to the sink.

  “There’ll be someone there to help me,” she said. The last thing she wanted was to be cooped up in a cab with him all the way to Mount Gambier and back.

  “I’ll go,” Patrick said.

  Mackenna shot a grateful glance at her brother but his face was turned towards Lyle and she could see colour spreading across his cheek.

  “I want to look at cars.” Patrick paused and tapped the table with his fingers. “I might need some help funding a new one.”

  “Really?” Lyle said. “What’s wrong with the old one?”

  “I’m afraid it’s on its last legs.”

  Mackenna wanted to say it had been that way when he bought it but she thought better of it. She and Patrick were sharing some rare moments of harmony and she didn’t want to spoil it. His car was an ancient BMW, probably about fifth-hand when he took it on. Not practical at all, but it had been his childhood dream to own a BMW. Still, she thought, her car was old as well and it got used for farm business more often than not. She’d been hoping to trade it for a ute in the near future. There’d be no chance with the renovations to the old house and Patrick needing a car.

  “There seems to be a lot of money going out for non farm-related expenses at the moment.” Lyle looked from Patrick to Mackenna. There was a brief silence before they heard Louise at the back door. “Your mother’s the one to speak to,” he said.

  Mackenna looked at her father. He was such a dodger when he didn’t want to make a decision, but surely he didn’t mean the kitchen. He’d already said to go ahead. Louise wouldn’t know anything about it till the bills arrived.

  “Speak to me about what?” Louise asked.

  “Money matters,” Lyle said.

  “I wouldn’t mind a cup of tea first,” Louise said.

  Mackenna flicked on the kettle. She really didn’t think they should be discussing finances with Cam here. He wasn’t family. But he looked settled in his chair with his ears flapping.

  “Thank goodness my afternoon meeting was cancelled. That first meeting dragged out past lunch. Mavis Pritchard asks the most irritating questions.” Louise let out a large sigh then looked around. “Have you all eaten? I filled up on sandwiches.”

  “Mackenna looked after us,” Lyle said.

  “Oh, that’s good.” Louise turned to look at Cam and Mackenna thought her smile was so sweet it was almost sickly. “Cam, I’ve brought home a couple of bags of chook pellets and one of urea. They’re in the back of the car. Would you be a dear and take them to the shed for me please?”

  “Sure, Louise,” he said but didn’t move from his position.

  Mackenna kept an eye on her mother between pouring cups of tea. Louise held Cam’s gaze. Finally he sat forward.

  “Would you like me to do it now?” he said.

  “That’d be good, thanks. We don’t want to forget and have another smelly boot.”

  Once the screen door shut Louise turned to her husband. “I know Cam is almost like one of the family already but I do think we should keep our finances between ourselves.”

  Mackenna settled at the table with a grin. At least she and her mother agreed on something.

  “You’re probably right, love,” Lyle said. “Patch says his car’s on the way out and he needs some help financing a new one.”

  “I’m sure we can work something out. He’s been such a help these last months and Mackenna’s had some funds for holidays. I think it’s only fair.”

  Mackenna opened her mouth and closed it again. She’d saved her wages for her holiday. The farm had contributed to some of her New Zealand expenses but that was because she was there on business. It was a tax deduction.

  Her parents focused on Patrick who had brightened up and started talking replacement cars. At least what he was suggesting were more practical than the old BMW had ever been. Mackenna seethed quietly until she couldn’t sit still any longer. She got up to start stacking the dishwasher. She didn’t care if the farm paid for Patrick’s bloody car but she resented her mother suggesting her holiday had been covered by the business. She should have asked Patrick to suggest the kitchen for the old house. If he’d made the request she was sure their mother would have been happy to go along with it. />
  “Excuse me folks, but I need to get on with what you’re paying me for.”

  They all turned to see Cam with his head stuck around the door. His face was serious, rather than the grin he usually had in place.

  “Which paddock are we putting this irrigator in?” he asked.

  “The shorter one at Murphy’s place,” Lyle said and pushed back from the table.

  “Let one of the kids go,” Louise said. “Remember not to overdo it.”

  “I’ve been sitting in a truck half the day and now lunch. If I keep going like this I’ll be overweight and have a heart attack from lack of exercise.”

  There was a note of irritation in his voice. He tugged on his hat and followed Cam out. Louise turned back to Patrick.

  “When will you need the money by?” she asked.

  Mackenna shoved the dishwasher shut and pushed the start button.

  “And would you like cream or ice-cream with that?” she muttered under the roar of the machine starting its work.

  CHAPTER

  15

  “One hundred and fifty per cent lambing.” Mackenna high-fived her dad. “That’s not a bad result considering we weren’t expecting them for another month.”

  “Corriedale Dorset crosses have always done well for us,” he replied. “Of course they’re not at the market yet so we can’t get too far ahead of ourselves, but we should do well from them.”

  They were sitting in the cab of the tray-top looking out over the paddock of ewes with lambs frolicking in all directions. Alfie the alpaca was standing guard under the shade of a tree.

  “Now that we’ve got more space we should consider staggering two mobs on purpose,” Lyle said and drove the vehicle forward to follow the fence line. “That way they’re not all going to market at the same time.”

  “I was thinking the same thing.”

  “Sometimes mistakes are just opportunities to try something new.”

  Mackenna studied her dad’s profile. They’d had a good morning, just the two of them doing paddock inspections. Lyle was looking well and he was pleased with the way things were going on the property, in spite of the lack of rain. Mackenna thought it an ideal opportunity to suggest another of her ideas.