The Long Paddock, page 11
‘Morning,’ Meredith said, turning her smile on Cressy. ‘Denham said you’d be over.’
‘Morning. Yes, I wanted to see how Jazz was doing?’
‘I think she’s good. Denham’s been up all night with her.’ Meredith held up her basket filled with basil and parsley. ‘I’ve picked you some herbs and thought you might also like some roses.’
‘Thanks. That would be lovely.’ Cressy breathed in the strong and familiar basil scent. Sadness merged with the warmth of happy memories. When her mother had been alive they’d always eaten garden fresh vegetables. Fliss’s favourite story to tell was about their mother serving broccoli complete with plump green caterpillars. ‘I miss not having Mum’s garden to raid.’ Cressy paused and half turned as something black flashed in her peripheral vision. ‘Tippy Rose Knight, come back here right now. You know you’re not supposed to sneak off to the stables.’
Meredith laughed softly as the kelpie slunk to Cressy’s side. ‘I take it she’s missing Denham?’
Cressy stroked Tippy’s head. ‘Missing is an understatement … it’s more like she’s infatuated.’
‘Tippy’s not alone. Almost every conversation I had in town yesterday was about Denham. You know …’ Meredith added another white rose to the basket. ‘I keep telling him he needs a dog … or a social life.’
Cressy examined Meredith’s ageless face. It was unlike sensible and level-headed Meredith to meddle or to pass comment.
‘I thought he was going … okay?’
Meredith brushed a small black beetle from off a rosebud. ‘That’s what he wants us to think. But every night he sits in Audrey’s green reading chair and stares out the window.’
Cressy’s heart squeezed. She knew firsthand Denham’s profound sense of loss. She still sought solace in the window seat of the living room where her mother used to read her and Fliss bedtime stories.
Meredith glanced at her before she continued. ‘He’s also pushing himself too hard and we both know how that will end.’
Cressy nodded. After his father had been killed when a gun he’d been cleaning in the shed had discharged, Denham had worked himself into a shadow. It’d only been a broken leg from a rodeo fall that had slowed him down. The weeks of inactivity had given him a chance to sit and grieve. When he’d become mobile again, the sadness had dimmed in his eyes and balance had returned to his life.
‘I’ll look out for him and will let you know if I see anything you need to know about.’
‘Thanks. I’ll do the same. Together we have a better chance of him listening to at least one of us.’
Cressy silenced the words about how she no longer had any influence over Denham.
Tippy whined as Denham briefly appeared to grab a small hay bale from off the back of his ute.
‘Oh, all right.’ Cressy sighed. ‘Off you go. I’ll be over soon.’
The kelpie bounded away, jumping over the agapanthus border in her haste to reach her favourite cowboy.
Meredith chuckled. ‘I’ve never seen Tippy move so fast.’
‘I know. Those old bones of hers seem to have forgotten she’s not a pup anymore.’
‘She’s not the only one who Denham makes feel young again.’
‘Oh? Who else forgets their age around him?’ The question left her lips before she could censor her reply.
‘Let’s just say some of the women who asked yesterday if he was going to the Dinner Under the Stars were of an age where they should have known better than to be so interested in what he’s doing.’
Cressy shook her head. It was no wonder the rodeo committee were desperate for him to make a guest appearance at next month’s rodeo and campdraft. The prospect of seeing Denham in a dinner suit would have increased ticket sales tenfold for the church bell fundraiser. At the rodeo it also wouldn’t just be the female members of Woodlea’s population eager to see the champion bull rider in action in the arena.
‘Well, he’ll have no shortage of partners at the dance or people to bid on his signed bull-riding photograph,’ she said, tone wry.
‘That’s what I told him when he wasn’t sure if he should go.’ Meredith crossed over to a wrought-iron table blanketed by the shade of a cedar tree. She sat the basket on the table. ‘I’ll get some paper and wrap these so they’ll last until you get home.’
‘Thanks.’ Cressy sat at the table while the older woman headed inside for wet newspaper. While she waited, Cressy gathered the herbs into neat bundles.
The green of Denham’s shirt again flashed as he hauled another bale of lucerne from the tray of his ute. Tippy followed close behind. He disappeared inside the stables but Cressy continued to stare at the wide doorway.
It was no surprise feminine interest in Denham remained high. He might say he was too busy for a relationship but the target on his bachelor back would exist for however long he remained single. And he couldn’t stay single forever. She’d spoken the truth when she said she wanted him to be happy. Whatever it was that she couldn’t give him to make him stay, she hoped someday someone else could provide. And when that day came, she’d have to be pleased for him.
She didn’t realise she frowned until Meredith spoke softly from beside her. ‘He’ll be okay, Cressy.’
She looked away from the stables to finish gathering the parsley into a neat bunch. ‘Yes, he will.’
But it didn’t matter how positive her words sounded as she handed the herbs to Meredith, the question plaguing her broke free. ‘Do … you know why he left?’
Meredith wrapped a layer of damp newspaper around the herb stems before slipping on a rubber band. ‘To compete on the rodeo circuit.’
‘No, I mean why he … really left?’
Meredith stilled before sitting the neat bunch of parsley in the basket. She sat in the chair opposite Cressy. ‘What do you mean?’
‘To be honest, I’m not sure. He just said something at the river … that got me thinking. He left so suddenly after Jake died …’
Meredith’s expression sobered. ‘Denham always talked about joining the pro-rodeo circuit … it was no surprise to Audrey or me when he said he was leaving for America.’ Meredith paused. ‘The only surprise was … him going by himself.’
Cressy nodded, willing her hurt to remain buried. She too had been privy to Denham’s rodeo plans, plans that had once involved the two of them. ‘So you don’t know of any other reason why he left?’
It was just a flicker across Meredith’s blue eyes, but Cressy had no doubt about what emotion she’d glimpsed. She’d witnessed such alarm on her father’s face when she’d pressed him about the sale of the river flats.
Meredith looked away and reached for the loose basil in the basket. ‘No, not anything that makes sense right now.’
Cressy nodded as Meredith concentrated on wrapping the herb stems. The pitch in her stomach confirmed what her ears told her. Meredith’s tone had been troubled. In all the years she’d known the self-contained woman across from her she’d never seen her appear so uneasy. She was like Denham. In the winds of life’s storms, she always stood tall.
‘I’ve got a batch of jam drops cooling.’ Meredith’s gaze briefly touched Cressy’s before she added the basil to the basket. ‘I’ll package some up for Fliss. They’ll be fine in the freezer until she arrives.’
‘Thanks. Jam drops are her favourite and she’ll be here at the end of next week.’ Cressy paused. ‘Have you been talking to her while she’s been away?’
Meredith shook her head as she wrapped the ends of the iceberg roses in the wet newspaper. ‘Phil told me she’s coming to visit when she gets back. It’s been a while since she’s been home so it will be good to see her.’
Cressy nodded. Meredith couldn’t be her sister’s source and neither could Phil. The farm manager had started at Claremont after Fliss had left to study in the city. They’d know each other by sight but that was about it. Whoever Phil had been chatting to might be Fliss’s mysterious source?
Meredith stood and handed Cressy the full basket. ‘Tell Denham I’m putting the kettle on for morning smoko. A coffee doesn’t count as breakfast.’
Cressy nodded and took hold of the basket. She left the cool of the garden. Instinct told her the concern lining Meredith’s face didn’t solely come from Denham’s lack of breakfast.
Beyond the stables, Bandit grazed in a paddock that backed onto the willow-lined creek. The buckskin gelding wore a heavy white gauze fly mask to protect his eyes from the bush flies. He lifted his head to watch her as she headed to the stables. The backwards flicker of his golden ears let her know he didn’t appreciate his peace being disturbed by yet another visitor to the stables.
Wings fluttered high to her right as a magpie settled in a nearby gum tree. His black eyes fixed on her.
‘Relax,’ she said, not taking her attention from him. ‘Don’t you dare swoop me. I’m not after your babies.’
The bird continued to watch her with an unblinking stare.
The loose red dirt beneath her boots gave way to hard concrete. She looked away from the magpie. The protective male wouldn’t consider her a threat now she’d reached the stables complex.
She stopped to tug her cap brim a little lower to hide her expression. She was about to meet another male who wouldn’t be thrilled to see her. Yesterday, when she’d said she’d visit Jazz today, Denham’s features had set as though in stone. Denham rarely resembled his emotionally distant father but in that moment she’d seen a likeness.
Cressy bent to set the basket in the shade by the stables door. She straightened and stilled as Denham spoke. It wasn’t what he said that caused the blood to slow in her veins but his tone.
‘Yes.’ Unmistakable emotion thickened his voice. ‘I think it’s a good plan for you to visit the rodeo weekend. It’s been too long.’
Cressy swallowed. He had to be on his phone. A phone she’d seen him use regularly since he’d been home. He also had to be talking to a woman. Mates didn’t talk to each other with such affection. She’d be naive to think that in the three years since he’d left he’d never been with another woman.
He spoke again. ‘Of course you can stay with me.’
Cressy closed her eyes against the warmth that deepened his tone. Such a voice used to make the sensitive hairs prickle on her nape when he’d whisper into her ear. Now it was another woman’s senses savouring the husky timbre of his voice.
His words faded as he walked to another part of the stables. Cressy opened her eyes and pushed aside the precious memories. Her shoulders squared. She’d come to visit Jazz, not to again let her feelings for Denham blindside her. She had to stay strong and protect herself, even more so if someone from the part of his life she hadn’t shared was coming to Woodlea.
***
The thump of Tippy’s tail on the tack room floor warned Denham he had company. He finished his call and slipped the phone into his shirt pocket. Not just any company. Cressy company.
He left the tack room as she walked into the stables. Against the bright outside light of the wide doorway she formed a dark and slim silhouette. The tight fit of her jeans and shirt showcased every soft curve. He fought the surge in his pulse. Curves that were a perfect fit against him.
‘Morning,’ she said first.
‘Morning.’
Between the shadows and the low brim of her cap he couldn’t get a good look at her face. Her greeting had been cheerful but he knew her well enough to also catch a hint of strain. Had she heard him on the phone?
Tippy ran to Cressy’s side. She gave the kelpie a brief pat before greeting Flame as she hung her head over the half-stable door.
‘How was Jazz’s night?’ Cressy asked, her tone still bright as she fed the chestnut a carrot.
‘As good as can be expected.’
He approached the stall beside Flame’s and bent to lean his arms on the half-door. Jazz stood in the far corner, her head lowered. She appeared oblivious to her surroundings but the twitch of her right ear signalled she was aware he was there. When he’d checked on her during the night, she’d taken to whickering softly when he entered her stall.
Cressy approached and she too rested her arms on the stable door. ‘The poor thing. She must be so sore.’
At the sound of Cressy’s voice Jazz slowly lifted her head to look at her.
‘She is but she’s standing, so that’s a positive. Her right eye is also open a little more.’
Silence surrounded them as they stared at the too-thin and bruised mare. Cressy had left a careful distance between their arms on the half-door. Even with the wide gap, he remained acutely aware of the sweet sweep of her full bottom lip.
‘Meredith’s putting the kettle on,’ she said, without looking at him.
‘I thought she might be but morning smoko will have to wait. Ella texted and will be here soon. I’m also expecting the truck with my rodeo cows.’ He paused as Cressy’s orange blossom scent reminded him of what happened the last time they stood close together.
‘Cressy … about the other day at Glenmore when you patched me up … I didn’t mean to make things … awkward between us.’
‘You didn’t and you don’t need to apologise. It’s only natural our history will catch up with us. Especially when we get too … physically close.’
He didn’t know if it was the coolness of her words or the fact she still hadn’t looked at him that cut the most. In the kitchen, his need and love for her had stripped his soul bare. He hadn’t imagined the leap of response in her eyes but now here she was dismissing the moment as the mistake it was. He should be relieved, pleased, safe. Instead, loss hollowed out his gut.
She gave him a tight smile before she pushed herself away from the half-door. ‘So don’t go getting injured again so I have to patch you up. Our bodies need time to remember we’re over.’
He nodded and straightened, not trusting his words to emerge as anything but a hoarse rasp. For him, what they had would never be over, even if he’d been the one to end it.
‘Can I go in?’ she asked, dipping her head towards Jazz.
‘Sure.’ He stepped away to allow her room to slip inside Jazz’s stall.
Cressy walked over to the mare and, talking softly, touched her neck. Jazz lifted her head higher before sniffing at Cressy’s jeans pocket.
‘She likes carrots,’ Cressy said, voice delighted as she reached into her pocket and produced three orange chunks.
‘It looks like she does.’
He folded his arms to silence the hammering in his chest at the heartwarming sight of the cowgirl bonding with Jazz over carrots. Wheels crunched on gravel and he turned to go and meet Ella. Tippy trotted beside him out into the sunlight of the stable yard. When she saw Ella leave her vehicle, the kelpie sidled up to his legs.
‘Really, Tippy? Still avoiding me?’ Ella said with a grin as she approached. ‘We used to be best buddies.’
The kelpie wriggled and then walked forward for Ella to pat her.
‘See, look how good you look now you’ve lost weight. We mightn’t need those arthritis shots this winter.’
Tippy licked the vet’s hand.
Ella straightened and smiled at Denham. ‘So how’s the patient?’
‘Better now Cressy’s fed her carrots.’
‘Perfect. I can’t wait to see them together. They could be so good for each other.’ She turned to retrace her steps. ‘I’ll grab the things I need.’
Denham followed. Ella had saved him a trip to Woodlea Rural for his salt licks.
She cast him a sideways glance as she opened the ute canopy to reveal the neat shelves packed with vet supplies. ‘Shaun said he had the pleasure of meeting you yesterday.’
Denham flicked Ella a noncommittal smile. ‘Those were his exact words?’
Ella’s eyes twinkled. ‘No, not exactly. They just sound nicer than “I finally met him”.’
‘Cressy introduced us yesterday.’
Denham opened the passenger side door to end the conversation and to collect the three salt licks. The square blocks rich in mineral salt would help keep his new rodeo cattle healthy.
But Ella wasn’t to be swayed off topic. Hands full with the items she’d need to treat Jazz, she spoke again.
‘Shaun’s an acquired taste. He’s the only child of elderly parents who possibly aren’t his biological family. He thinks it’s normal for people to fuss over him. His ego’s as shiny as that fancy black ute of his.’
Denham grunted in reply and loaded on the third salt lick. The weight that strained his arms was preferable to the burn associated with thinking about Cressy and Shaun together. He was in no hurry to see them laughing and dancing at the fundraising dinner this weekend. If he could he’d skip the function, but the black-tie dinner was for a worthy cause. He couldn’t let the town down. The church bell needed to be restored.
He turned towards the stables.
Ella fell into step beside him. ‘There’s only two of us who don’t fall at Shaun’s feet. I’m safe because Shaun and I go way back but Cressy … she’s the ultimate challenge. No-one usually says ‘no’ when Shaun asks them out and they definitely don’t chew him out for his bad behaviour.’
Denham stopped. ‘Cressy also would be the first one to tell me who she dates is none of my business.’
Ella stopped too. ‘She would. But who she dates becomes our business if it’s Shaun. He works this town like a charm. A smile here, a joke there, he’s everybody’s friend, but believe me he won’t hesitate to twist the truth to preserve his reputation.’
Denham frowned. What truth had Shaun twisted? A truth that involved Cressy?
Ella held his gaze. ‘Maybe just watch Cressy’s back … and yours. He’s used to being the town’s only golden boy.’
‘I’ve handled egos far bigger than Shaun’s on the rodeo circuit.’ Denham paused to choose his next words carefully. ‘As for Cressy … I’ve had her back since she wore pigtails and told the older boys off for throwing stones at the school magpies. Nothing’s changed.’
Ella nodded as they continued towards the stables. ‘I can imagine Cressy telling those boys off. She would have been a cute and feisty kid.’
