Right As Rain (38 page)

“At least it's rained,” Adam said trying to be reassuring. Mackenna's smile had well and truly slipped.

“Yes,” she replied. “At least it's rained.”

Louise put her hand over the mail she'd opened and closed her eyes a moment. The holiday had been wonderful. No meals to cook, no meetings to attend, no fundraisers to work on, nothing to clutter her life other than to spend time with her husband and take in some new sights. She tried to hold onto that feeling but the stack of bills and the looming hospital art show had quickly dragged her back to reality. There was a lot to do.

“It's so good to be home.”

She snapped her eyes open. She hadn't heard Lyle's approach. He was already in work clothes and they'd only been back five minutes.

“Where are you going?” she asked.

“Mackenna's coming to pick me up. I want to check out a few things that have happened.”

“It's after four. Can't it wait until tomorrow?”

He raised his eyebrows at her. “I'm fine, Lou,” he said. “I won't be long.”

“Mackenna's cooking us dinner.”

“She says she's organised. Adam's helping her.”

“What's he doing back here?” Louise thought he was well and truly out of the picture.

“Don't know, but they were over at Murphy's place when I rang. Mackenna's had trouble with one of the pivots and – ”

“I can see that.” Louise picked up a bill she'd opened and handed it to him. “Six thousand dollars' worth of trouble.”

“Bloody hell.” Lyle sank to a kitchen chair. “It must have been major.”

“What's up?” Patrick strolled into the kitchen with Yasmine close behind him.

She was still wearing a loose coat and scarf over several garments of different lengths. Louise thought it would be nice to see her in something more practical for the farm.

“A few bills,” Louise said snatching the paper back again.

“Where's Cam?” Patrick asked.

“Working, I suppose,” Louise said. A small part of her wished they hadn't taken on a working man so they didn't have to pay the wages and all the other costs that went with employing someone.

“The spare room's been stripped and cleaned. Not a sign of anyone inhabiting it,” Patrick said.

Louise frowned. She'd only been as far as her own bedroom to change her clothes and unpack.

“Hello. Welcome home.”

They all turned towards the door at Mackenna's call.

Louise felt a wave of alarm at the sight of her daughter's bruised face and Adam following her through the door with his arm in a sling.

Yasmine gasped and Lyle stood up but Patrick was the only one with a voice.

“What happened to you two?” he asked.

“Nothing too much.” Mackenna grinned. “It's a long story. We're both fine.”

“Nice to see you, Adam.” Patrick nodded at the sling. “Bike?”

“Yes,” Adam replied. His smile was a little more sheepish.

Louise noticed he slipped his free arm easily around her daughter's waist.

“He's banned.” Mackenna chuckled. “We'll tell you all about it over dinner. You ready to go, Dad?”

“Why don't you wait until the morning?” Louise said. “We've only just got in the door.”

“I want to check out the lambs.” Lyle reached for his hat. “Looks like we've had some good rain. Cam could start seeding that corner paddock first thing.”

Louise saw the quick glance between Adam and Mackenna. “Where is Cam?” she asked.

Mackenna sighed. “I asked him to leave.”

There was silence for a moment then Yasmine stepped forward. “Okay if I put the kettle on?”

They all ignored her as she moved to the sink.

“Why?” Lyle asked.

“About time,” Patrick added.

Louise spoke over them. “You have no right,” she snapped at her daughter. “We need him. Your father needs the help.”

“Hang on, Lou,” Lyle said. “Let's hear what happened.”

“He was ripping us off,” Mackenna said. “He was using our truck and our diesel to do jobs on the side.”

“He didn't always do his work properly,” Patrick chipped in.

“And we think he may have been taking small amounts of farm property and selling them for cash,” Adam added.

The kettle filled the pause with its loud bubbling and a solid click as it switched itself off.

Lyle sighed. “Perhaps the tour can wait till the morning. You'd better fill us in.”

A cup crashed to the floor and Patrick dashed across the room to support Yasmine.

“What happened?” Louise asked.

“I'm okay,” Yasmine said in a small voice. “I just felt faint all of a sudden.”

“We had an early lunch,” Patrick said, his face full of concern. “Have you eaten anything since?”

Yasmine shook her head.

Mackenna pushed a chair towards her and Patrick lowered his girlfriend onto it. The loose jacket she was wearing fell open. Louise took a step towards Yasmine and noticed the round bulge of her abdomen.

“You're pregnant,” she gasped.

Yasmine gathered the loose clothing back over her stomach.

“I've been going to tell you,” Patrick said. “It was a surprise for us, too.”

Louise stared at her son. “This is your baby?”

“Of course it's my baby.”

Mackenna put a hand on her brother's shoulder and one on Yasmine's.

“It's great news,” she beamed.

“You knew?” Louise couldn't believe such an obviously advanced pregnancy had escaped her notice.

“Not for long,” Mackenna said.

Louise continued to stare at her son and his girlfriend in disbelief.

Adam took over making the tea with his one good hand.

Lyle shook Patrick's hand and bestowed a kiss on Yasmine's cheek. “Congratulations. It's what we've wanted for so long.” He turned. “Isn't it fantastic, Lou? We're going to be grandparents.”

“But . . .”

“It's not very often you're speechless, Mum.” Patrick gave her a cheeky grin.

Her heart melted. Her baby was going to be a father. She rushed forward and wrapped them both in her arms. “It's a surprise, that's all. It really is wonderful news. When are you due?”

“A couple of months,” Yasmine said.

“A couple of months! Is there time for a wedding?” Louise asked.

“Steady up, Mum,” Patrick said.

“Not till after the baby's born.” Yasmine's voice was suddenly strong.

Louise was brushed aside as Patrick knelt at Yasmine's feet.

“You mean that?” he said and took her hands in his.

“Yes.”

Louise didn't know where to look. She felt like an intruder.

“Looks like you'll have to break out a bottle of bubbly tonight,” Adam said.

“Yes.” Mackenna helped him carry the cups to the table. “Why don't we leave you guys to chat? It's getting late and the farm can wait till the morning. Dad, what do you say?”

“It can.” Lyle put an arm around Louise and kissed her. “Didn't I tell you things would be right as rain?”

“Good,” Mackenna said. “We'll go and get dinner underway so we can eat a bit earlier. Can't have you fading away, Yassie.”

Patrick drew Yasmine to her feet and shifted her chair closer to the table. “A cup of tea and a biscuit should do the trick till dinner,” he said.

Louise watched him fuss over Yasmine and felt a sudden surge of joy. A baby was wonderful news even if was before the wedding. It wasn't unusual these days. She was so glad she'd convinced Lyle to include Patrick in the farm and to leave it to him. If anything were to happen to Lyle, another Birch would run the property.

The table was set and the fire was flickering with enough heat to chase the chill from the room. Mackenna had one more look around then made her way back to the kitchen. Tonight would be a real celebration. Her parents were home and the news of Yasmine and Patrick's baby had deflected the issue of Cam's departure.

Her heart skipped at the sight of Adam, apron on, making his apricot puddings. She no longer pinched herself to accept he was really here. She was so happy she couldn't imagine anything that could spoil it.

“Hey, babe,” she said and slid her arms around him.

She felt his sharp intake of breath and stepped back.

“Careful,” he said and turned to reveal his hurt arm out of the sling.

“What are you doing?” she cajoled.

“Making dessert.”

“I can see that, chef, but where's your sling?”

“Still here.” He pulled it from under the apron. “It was annoying me.”

She teetered forward on her toes only allowing her lips to touch his. He grabbed her with his good arm and kissed her back. She reached her arms around his neck as they clung to each other. Adam shifted backwards and they jumped apart at the sound of a bowl hitting the floor.

“Arrg!” Mackenna yelped as something wet splattered her legs.

She looked past the skirt she'd recently donned to replace her jeans. Orange splodges trickled down her bare legs to the floor.

“Damn,”Adam said. “That was the apricot mixture for my dessert.”

“That wasn't quite where I imagined we'd serve it.”

“Not to your family anyway.”

Mackenna laughed at the sparkle in his eyes.

“Down boy,” she said. “I'll wash this off and whiz up to Mum's. She's got jars full of last summer's apricots.”

Mackenna was gone before he had a chance to delay her further. She slipped off her heels and put her feet into the old pair of sheepskin boots she kept in the bathroom. Not a fantastic look but it would keep her warm until she got back.

Patrick's car was still at her parents' back gate. She pulled in behind it. She felt a small thrill of pleasure at the thought of the new baby. It had been touch and go when her mum had found out. Mackenna had seen the look of total disbelief on her mother's face but she'd come round as Mackenna had thought she would. Patrick was her golden child and producing a baby would be his trump card. At least it took the pressure off her. She was sure Adam was the one for her but having a baby wasn't quite on her radar yet.

She slipped through the back door of her old family home. At first she heard nothing then came the murmur of voices from the kitchen. She paused at the mention of her name.

“You can't keep Mackenna here.” It was her mother speaking.

“She's my right hand, Lou. I can't do without her.”

Mackenna sucked in a breath. Why would her father have such a pleading tone?

“What about Patrick?” Louise said.

“You know he's only home because we needed help.”

“You're wrong, Lyle. We've talked about it. He wants to stay but he doesn't feel included. He's your son.”

“I know that, but he's chosen a different path.”

“This property will be his if anything happens to you.”

Mackenna blew out the breath she'd been holding and stepped into the kitchen. “What are you talking about?”

She'd said it in a whisper but they both turned to look at her.

“We thought we were having a private conversation.” Louise glared at Mackenna.

“Take it easy, Lou.” Lyle patted the chair next to him. “Come and sit down, Mack.”

“I'd rather stand.” Her voice recovered its strength. “What do you mean this property will be Patrick's?”

“He's the male,” Louise said.

“So I'm just the woman with no rights?” Mackenna looked from one parent to the other, desperate for them to burst out laughing and say this was only a joke. Her father's expression was sad but her mother's was one of determination.

“That's not it, love,” Lyle said.

“We've been working together for years.” Mackenna could feel the turmoil in her chest rising. “I love this place like you do.”

Her mother's face softened and she stood up. “It's no life for you.”

Mackenna backed away. “You want Patrick to take it on.”

“It's his right.”

The words hammered into her heart. She turned pleading eyes to her father.

“We can work this out,” he said.

“Sounds like you already have. I'm the slave labour and Patrick can turn up and reap the rewards.”

“There's a lot to talk about.” Lyle stood up too and gave Louise a pleading look but Mackenna back-pedalled. She ran to her car and roared back down the driveway to the Gatehouse. She burst through the door to be greeted by Adam's startled expression. Tears of anger began to roll down her cheeks. She batted them away.

“What's happened?” he said.

“I've just found out that my parents' .plans for the future of Woolly Swamp don't include me.” She tugged on the fridge door, took out two beers and pulled their tops off. “Let's drink a toast,” she growled. “To the biggest sucker on the planet, Mackenna Birch.”

Adam stared at her as if she'd gone mad. Maybe she had. All kinds of emotions were coursing through her and none of her thoughts made sense.

Adam put down the beer she'd given him without taking a sip. “What's going on, Mackenna? You went to get apricots.”

She looked at the concern on the face of the wonderful man she loved. Adam would stick by her no matter what. She fell against him and felt the security of his one-sided embrace and began to sob.

Finally she pulled away from him and swept a tissue from the box.

“Damn!” she muttered. “I seem to be bursting into tears at the drop of a hat lately.”

“Don't be too hard on yourself.” Adam drew her close again and kissed her forehead. “You've had some tough times these last few weeks.”

“That's right. I've run this place single-handed . . . with a bit of help from my friends.” She smiled. “I'll be damned if I'm going to give it all up without a fight.”