The Long Paddock, page 8
Quiet and measured, Denham chose his words carefully and would never be the loudest in the pub. Good-looking, competitive and charismatic, Shaun’s voice could always be heard wherever he was. Denham drove an old dual-cab Land Cruiser ute, even though he could afford the latest, top-of-the-range model. Shaun drove a flashy black and lowered V8 ute with aerials as tall as small trees.
Cressy stepped onto the empty veranda. Tippy had deserted her at the first rumble of Denham’s truck. Flappy clucked from outside the garden shed and Cressy went to collect her egg before Tippy appeared. At the head of the dust trail leading towards the homestead Cressy glimpsed a white vehicle with blue writing down the side of the canopy. She smiled. Her visitor drove the Woodlea Vet Hospital vehicle and had to be Ella.
Cressy collected the fresh egg and waited at the front garden gate. Ella soon pulled up beside her.
‘Hello, stranger,’ the vet said as she climbed out of the driver’s seat. ‘I was passing by and thought I’d call in to see how Tippy’s waistline is looking.’
Cressy held up the still warm egg. ‘Don’t expect a transformation. I might have won today but she’s still stalking Flappy for eggs.’
Ella’s grin widened. ‘That’s Tippy. She only thinks of one thing. Food.’ She looked around. ‘Where is she? Surely I don’t scare her that much?’
‘No, you don’t. She now has a second favourite thing. Hanging out with Denham.’
Ella’s brown eyes widened and she looked around again. ‘Denham’s here? Since when?’
‘Since Friday.’
‘You didn’t tell me.’
‘You sound like Fliss. It’s no big deal. He’s here helping instead of Phil. Tomorrow will be his last day.’
Ella spied the truck and the bulldozer on the low loader parked near the shed. ‘I still haven’t met him. Let’s go and say hi.’
Cressy groaned. ‘Do we have to? I thought you were here to see Tippy?’
‘I am and she has to be over at the shed with Denham.’ Ella’s eyes searched Cressy’s. ‘What’s wrong? What’s happened?’
‘Nothing … really.’ She pulled a face. ‘I just might have sussed out if Denham was single and available. I know you said you’re happy on your own but you’d be perfect for each other.’
Ella lifted a slim brow. ‘I’d love to have been a fly on the wall for that awkward conversation. And is he?’
‘Single, yes, but available, no. He’s too busy.’
‘Which is exactly what I am.’ Ella tucked her arm in Cressy’s and they walked through the gate and along the garden path towards the shed. ‘I also have a rule of never going out with my best friend’s ex, no matter how perfect he might be, so you can stop looking so worried.’
Cressy stopped and frowned. ‘I don’t look worried.’
‘Of course you don’t. You’re over Denham.’ Ella squeezed her arm. ‘But you might want to stop biting the inside of your cheek before we get to the shed and he notices.’
Cressy did as Ella suggested and went to walk again but Ella remained stationary.
‘Cressy,’ Ella said, under her breath. ‘You were a little sketchy on the details when you described him. Tall and a nice laugh doesn’t really cover it.’
Cressy glanced up. Denham and Tippy walked past the truck and towards them. She slipped her arm from Ella’s and looked at Denham as though she too were taking a good look at him for the first time.
The morning sunlight caught in his dark hair and clung to his fitted cherry-red shirt. In a landscape devoid of colour he brought vibrancy and energy. But it was the way he moved that triggered the now familiar flip-flop in her stomach. Broad-shouldered and loose-limbed, he walked with a lithe, masculine grace. Confident and in control, whatever life threw at him he’d be the last man standing.
He opened the back garden gate that he’d oiled and which now no longer squeaked. He let Tippy pass through before him. Cressy heard Ella sigh. Kindness to animals won over Ella every time.
Tippy ran towards them, and giving Ella a wide berth, sidled up to Cressy for a pat. She rubbed her ears and when she glanced up she expected Denham’s gaze to be centred on the woman beside her. She was used to being overlooked while standing next to Ella’s blonde beauty. Instead his blue eyes met hers. ‘Hey.’
‘Hey.’ Her stomach flipped again. She made the introductions in what she hoped passed as a normal voice. ‘Denham, this is Ella, the local vet. Ella, this is Denham.’
If he remembered their veranda matchmaking conversation, it didn’t show in his easy grin. He extended a hand to Ella and Cressy was sure colour tinted Ella’s smooth cheeks as her hand slid against his.
‘Nice to meet you,’ Ella said with a wide smile. ‘I’m about the only person in Woodlea who doesn’t know who you are.’
‘That’s the thing about small towns; no-one stays a stranger for long.’ Denham lowered his hand to touch Tippy’s head as she pressed herself against his legs. ‘Have you been out seeing the Higgins’ mare? Col said she’s due to foal any day.’
‘She is. After last time we’re all keeping a close eye on her.’ Ella’s attention focused on Tippy. ‘I’ve now come to see Miss Tippy who …’ Ella glanced at Cressy. ‘Actually looks good. She’s slimmed down … a little. Whatever you’ve been doing, keep up with it.’
‘Will do.’
Cressy snuck a look at Denham. Tippy did look a tad slimmer but it was nothing she’d done. She’d seen Denham throw a tennis ball to Tippy several times over the past few days. He’d also beaten both her and Tippy yesterday to collect Flappy’s egg from the garden shed.
She looked at Tippy who still swooned against Denham’s legs. ‘Hear that, Tip, no boot camp for you just yet.’
The black kelpie wagged her tail.
‘I hear you’re going to use Reggie to breed rodeo bulls?’ Ella asked, her curious gaze again centred on Denham.
‘Yes. I’ve a truckload of rodeo cows coming next week.’
‘Good luck with having Reggie come to visit.’ Ella smiled and a dimple flicked in her cheek. ‘Cressy’s spoilt him rotten.’
Denham’s lips twitched. ‘You’re a braver person than I am calling Reggie spoilt, with Cressy standing right beside you.’
Ella’s soft laughter told Cressy just how much her friend had warmed to Denham. She looked between the two of them. Denham also had connected with Ella but he’d seen past her pretty face to the humour and the strength below. His blue eyes didn’t possess the dazed look men wore when they first met her.
The vet checked her watch. ‘I’d better get going or I’ll be late getting to the clinic.’ She again looked at Denham. ‘Are you busy Sunday? I’m helping Sue recruit volunteers to run market day stalls for the church bell fundraiser.’
‘Meredith already has me down for the barbecue, but that won’t be all day so put me down on whatever stall suits.’
‘Great. I will.’ Ella’s approving smile shone sunrise bright. ‘See you then.’
Denham nodded.
‘See you next time, Tippy,’ Ella said, bending to give the kelpie a pat. ‘Stay away from those eggs. You’ll be out on the long paddock soon and will need to be fit to boss those cows of Cressy’s around.’
Cressy fell into step beside Ella as they retraced their steps to her four-wheel drive.
When she pushed open the front garden gate, Ella didn’t walk through. Instead she stared at her, an unexpected seriousness dimming the light in her eyes.
‘Cressy,’ she said, voice firm. ‘You need to change your shirt.’
‘What? No, I don’t.’ She looked down at the oversized pale blue men’s shirt she wore. ‘It’s clean today.’
Ella touched a tear in the shoulder. ‘It’s ripped and if it’s clean today that means those black marks are stains and it needs to retire. It’s also way too big on you.’
‘It’s fine. It will do for cleaning out dams.’
‘Okay then.’ She reached out and undid the top button to reveal a shadow of cleavage.
Cressy stood still. It wasn’t the gesture that surprised her. Ella was always rescuing her from poor wardrobe choices. Instead it was the raw emotion that pinched her friend’s face and made her fingers shake.
‘Ella, what’s going on?’
Ella’s words came out in a rush. ‘I know Denham broke your heart. I know I’m supposed to hate him. But Cressy … Denham’s a keeper. A man like him doesn’t come along every day. I’m not just being shallow and saying this because of how he looks. He has something … an integrity, a depth … He’s a man to spend a lifetime with.’
‘He’s a man I’m over. He ended it between us and has given no sign he wants to pick up where we left off.’
‘We both know you aren’t really over him. And I wouldn’t be either.’ Ella paused. For a second Cressy thought she wouldn’t continue and then her chin lifted. ‘I once had someone like Denham … and I let him slip away. Don’t make the same mistake I did.’
Cressy swallowed at the ragged despair that tore through Ella’s low words. She stepped forward to give her a tight hug.
‘I won’t. I promise. But if there’s nothing left between us I can’t keep chasing rainbows.’
‘Okay.’ Ella pulled back, her eyes overbright. ‘Just don’t forget rainbows can appear after even the worst of storms.’ Her familiar smile shone through her sadness. ‘Now do one more thing for me. Change your shirt.’
***
Denham turned off the truck ignition and the noise from the diesel engine quietened. Through the wide windscreen brown flashed as a goanna raced away from the dam wall, climbed the nearest tree and disappeared into the leafy canopy. The chug of Cressy’s farm ute sounded as she approached. She’d opened and closed the gates and had left a big gap between the truck and her ute to avoid the thick dust.
Before they’d left the homestead he’d offered to complete the dam desilting on his own. Only one person was needed to drive the bulldozer and if he was alone there’d be no chance of him again revealing too much. But Cressy was a stickler for safety and wouldn’t hear of him operating heavy machinery by himself. Her father had once backed off from a low loader and the dozer had slipped, throwing him. He’d then crawled with a broken leg to the truck to call for help on the UHF radio.
Denham jumped down from the air-conditioned cabin as Cressy parked beside the truck. The mid-morning heat hit him along with the aroma of stagnant mud. He walked to the dam wall. Cressy and Tippy soon joined him. Together they examined the quagmire that lay in the centre of the dam and had once been fresh water.
‘This will take the longest to desilt,’ Cressy said, voice businesslike. ‘So I thought we’d start here. The other dams are smaller and bone dry.’
He folded his arms, senses on high alert. Something was different about Cressy, more than her having changed into a smaller shirt. ‘Sounds like a good plan.’
He looked sideways and studied her. There was a new intensity to her eyes that hadn’t been there the past several days.
‘Great.’ She dipped her head towards the fence that needed repairing. ‘I’ll help you unload then I’ll make a start on those holes over there.’
‘Thanks.’
‘I guess the upside of having no water is that these dams can finally be cleaned. I don’t have a dozer so I appreciate you bringing yours over.’ She swiped at a persistent fly. ‘I think you’re the one getting the raw end of the Reggie deal … You’ve done so much this past week. Thank you.’
Denham broke eye contact. After the breach in his self-control at the river, he needed to lock down his emotions so not a single feeling could escape. He’d do anything to protect her and spare her from future hurt. Even disregard the appreciation warming her hazel eyes.
‘Don’t mention it.’ He forced a lightness into his voice he didn’t feel. ‘When Reggie’s offspring become top performing rodeo bulls a week of me helping you won’t be near enough of a repayment.’
‘I can’t wait to see a paddock full of little Reggies. They’ll be so cute. I’ll need to have a fridge full of carrots.’
Denham smiled and hoped his strain didn’t show. ‘Don’t let Ella hear you say that.’
‘Ella might accuse me of spoiling Reggie but what she doesn’t say is she often gives me her old carrots for him. She might talk tough but when it comes to animals she’s more of a pushover than I am.’
‘I didn’t know that was possible.’ This time Denham’s smile wasn’t forced. ‘No wonder you get on so well.’ He paused. ‘I liked her and can see why you’d want her to be happy.’
‘I’m glad you like her. She’s a great mate.’
Denham nodded. ‘Now I’d better get this dozer off, otherwise there’ll be no dams cleaned.’
‘Okay.’
Her gaze held his for a second longer than usual. His certainty and unease grew that something was different about her. He swung away to head towards the truck. Tippy followed close behind. It had been too much to hope Cressy had missed his unguarded comment that some things could never be run from. Her empathy and perception weren’t limited to her precious animals. She always saw far more than people wanted her to. It was one of the reasons he’d been drawn to her. Even as a child she’d notice if someone had had a bad day or was being excluded.
When her footsteps failed to sound behind him, he glanced her way. She’d walked along the dam wall to where the mud darkened and now bent to examine something. When she straightened, she planted her hands on her hips and gazed around. He changed course to head over to her and soon discovered the reason for her concern. Multiple sets of large dog-footprints were embedded in the wet mud.
‘Phil said wild dogs were causing problems,’ Denham said as he studied the closest track Tippy now sniffed. ‘That might be why the emus totalled your fence. By the depth of these prints, these wild dogs aren’t going hungry.’
‘I know, which makes me wonder why they’re here. There’s no stock in this paddock or water. So even if this was their home territory they couldn’t survive here.’
‘Maybe they’re passing through?’
‘Well, wherever they’re going I hope it’s far away. They’re nothing but trouble.’
She sighed and again scanned the empty brown paddocks surrounding them. The breeze hurried past and pressed the blue cotton of her more fitted shirt flush against her chest. The sight was his cue to leave. He didn’t need any reminder of just how beautiful Cressy was. Their moment of physical contact at the river continued to burn through his senses like a flame along a candlewick. He could spend a lifetime running his hands over the soft skin of her gentle curves and it would never be enough.
‘They are. Now I’d better get started on this dam before the day gets away.’
With Cressy’s help, the dozer chains were removed, the ramps set up and the dozer backed off the low loader. For the next two hours he concentrated on using the dozer blade to scrape away the silt to reveal the hard clay below. Once clean the dam would hold more water, plus the water quality would improve without the accumulated layer of fine sludge.
To his left Cressy worked on the fence, while Tippy sat in the shade of the ute.
The UHF radio crackled into life and he pressed the talk button to answer Cressy’s question about how he was doing.
‘I’m good. I’ll need to go around the dam again to remove the last of the silt but will let it dry for now. The next dam isn’t far away so how about we head there?’
‘No worries.’
Cressy helped load the dozer and followed him to the smaller dam. The drier conditions enabled the dozer to work faster and soon the second dam had been hollowed out. They took a brief break and enjoyed the ham and cheese rolls Meredith had sent. Neither broke their unspoken agreement that they keep one-on-one time to a minimum. They were here to clean dams, not to socialise.
Denham slid the esky into the truck cabin. Barking disturbed the silence and he paused to listen. Cressy stilled, lowered her water bottle and turned to stare in the direction of the dam they’d cleaned earlier.
‘Those dogs sound way too close for comfort.’ Concern threaded her words.
‘Yes, they do. They also sound like they’re on the hunt which is unusual for this time of day.’
‘Come on. Let’s take a look.’ Cressy whistled Tippy into the ute. ‘There mightn’t be any stock to chase but there’s still wildlife.’
Denham slid into the passenger seat and Tippy sat on his lap.
‘Miss Tippy, we won’t tell Ella, but you do actually weigh a tonne.’
Cressy flicked him a brief smile.
The quiver in Tippy’s muscles intensified the closer they drove towards the wild dogs. He didn’t blame the black kelpie for her apprehension. Feral dogs could be born wild or were once domestic dogs who’d been dumped or abandoned. Tippy trembled again and he placed a hand on her back. Whatever the wild dogs’ origins they proved aggressive and merciless killers.
The ute topped the rise. Three large dogs had what looked like a swamp wallaby trapped in the sticky silt that surrounded the dam. Already in their pack circle, they closed in on the small animal, the cloying mud not hampering their pursuit. Cressy blasted the ute horn while Denham wound down the window to hit the outside of the door with his hand. The dogs appeared impervious to the noise and the ute’s fast approach. Then suddenly the largest dog, which resembled a Rottweiler, wheeled to his right and the other dogs followed. The wallaby floundered in the mud and lay still.
Denham tracked the dogs until they disappeared into the scrub of a deep gully. He’d noted their markings and would pass the information on to Phil. The dogs could easily head east to the river and to Claremont where fat black calves lazed in the paddocks.
Cressy parked the ute a good distance away from the wallaby. ‘We can’t leave it there trapped and vulnerable. The dogs would be back in a heartbeat to finish what they’d started.’
Denham nodded and opened the ute door. ‘Sorry, Tip, you’re staying here. The last thing the poor wallaby needs is another dog sniffing around.’
With a quick pat to the kelpie’s head he left the passenger seat.
Cressy joined him beside the edge of the silt he’d earlier scraped from the dam. A coiled yellow rope hung from her shoulder. Stored inside her old ute was a decade’s worth of gear a farmer would ever need.
