Right As Rain (8 page)

By the time Louise arrived with morning tea they'd made good progress.

“Dad not with you?” Mackenna looked past her mother to the ute.

“I've sent him back to bed,” Louise said. “He's okay. Just didn't sleep well so he's tired.”

Mackenna noticed the worry on her mother's face. “I'm sure he'll be alright, Mum.”

“He shouldn't have come out this morning, but he won't listen to me.”

Mackenna was silenced by the bitterness in her mother's voice. Louise began to snap lids off cake tins and Mackenna walked away to wash up. By the time she got back Patrick and Cam were tucking in to cake and tea. Their light banter about their shared musical interests had dispelled the tension and Mackenna relaxed a little but still kept a wary eye on her mother. Between her and Patrick she never knew if what was said would reignite their moodiness.

“We'd better get back to it,” she said finally. “This next lot will need drafting. I have to select a couple for the restaurant.”

“You'd better do that,” Patrick said.

“You could have a go at the drenching, Patrick,” their mother said. “Get your hand in again.”

Mackenna opened her mouth but Cam cut her off.

“I'll keep an eye on things,” he said and gave Patrick a pretend punch in the arm. “Come on, mate, let's show her how blokes drench sheep.”

“It has to be done properly or we're wasting our time and money.” Mackenna knew her words sounded petty but drenching wasn't a game.

“I know, Mackenna,” Patrick snapped and turned on his heel to follow Cam.

She sensed her mother's tension as the cups and food were packed back into the box. She picked up a stray lid, trying to help.

Finally Louise stilled and looked at her. Mackenna could see the telltale flash of anger in her eyes. Now what was wrong?

“You should include your brother in the work,” Louise growled.

“I do.” Mackenna felt like she had plunged back in time. Patrick had been the nuisance little brother tagging along when she wanted to be with her friends. She'd often evaded him and then got a telling-off from their mother.

“He won't learn what to do unless he's shown,” Louise said.

“He can't make up for the years in a few weeks.”

“He's trying.”

Mackenna thought her mother looked desperate. Somehow her worry for her husband was engulfing Patrick as well.

“I know he is, Mum. It's been great to have his help but – ”

They both looked up at Cam's whistle.

“Hey, boss, no time for chitchat,” he called. “We're ready to go.”

Louise walked to the ute. Mackenna shrugged her shoulders and felt an ache up her arms. No doubt she'd be a bit stiff from the fall followed by a day of drenching. It was probably good that Patrick took over for a while, giving her a chance to move some different muscles.

Patrick had his back to her and as she approached she saw Cam jump as liquid shot from the drench gun. They both laughed and another squirt of liquid splattered in the dust.

“What are you doing?” she snapped.

“I'm testing the gun.” Patrick smirked at her.

“Don't waste it.” Mackenna stuck her hands to her hips.

“A few shots won't amount to much in the scheme of things,” her brother said. “I've seen the books, Mackenna. At least I know how the money works.”

“Then you'll know not to waste it.”

“A few squirts.” He waved the nozzle at her. “Not a bucketful. Lighten up, will you?”

She pursed her lips. That was rich considering how he'd been acting over the last few days.

“You go and send up the sheep,” Patrick said and turned his back on her.

“She'll be right, boss.” Cam's murmur startled her. He was standing so close.

She turned and looked directly into his eyes. He lifted a hand towards her face and plucked a piece of straw from her hair. His face creased in that cheeky crooked grin of his. She spun around and hurried away, not sure if her wobbly knees were the result of her anger at Patrick or her dislike of Cam's close attention. Whatever the reason, she deliberately steadied her stride. It really would be the last straw if she tripped over again.

They worked in unison, Mackenna assessing the sheep as she herded them forward with Cam and Patrick drenching. A few times there were delays as Patrick got a sheep into position. Cam was right there helping so Mackenna kept out of it, but progress was slower than she wanted.

It was nearly time for lunch as she sent up the last of the mob, but the sheep came to a halt. Patrick dropped the drench gun and fiddled with his mobile phone. Next thing he was shrugging himself out of the drench harness and handing it to Cam. She swore as the sheep pushed back and a couple escaped into the yard behind her. King was an experienced dog and soon had them rounded up. By the time she looked forward again, Cam had taken on the drenching. Patrick was walking away, his mobile phone pressed to his ear.

“Typical,” Mackenna muttered. Patrick's mind was elsewhere. It really was time for him to go back to the city.

With only Cam at the other end, the final few took even longer but at last they were finished. She cast her eye over the sheep. The next mob should be in the yard waiting by now. Her dad was obviously still resting or maybe Louise had locked him up.

Mackenna was pleased to see him at the lunch table looking relaxed. He asked her about the progress of the drenching.

Patrick came in late, his mobile phone clutched in his hand.

“You've had lots of calls this morning,” Louise said. “Everything alright?”

Patrick glanced at his mother. “Just a bit of work stuff,” he said. “It's fine.”

Mackenna thought his words didn't match his worried expression. She noticed Louise gave him a second look. Whatever was bothering him would have to wait. She stood up from the table.

“We need to bring in the next mob.”

Patrick groaned.

“Give everyone a chance to finish their lunch,” Louise said.

“We're running way behind,” Mackenna replied. “It's taken longer to do the first few mobs than it should have.”

“I suppose that's my fault,” Patrick said.

“If the cap fits . . .”

“Mackenna, that's enough,” Louise warned.

Lyle stood up. “Cam, you take the last mob back and Patrick and I will bring in the next lot.”

“Onto it,” Cam said.

“Lyle, you need to rest,” Louise said.

“I've slept half the morning, Lou. Patrick can drive.”

Patrick took a handful of sandwiches and snatched up his cap.

Mackenna drove with Cam back to the yards. The last mob of sheep they'd drenched were huddled in the outer yard. The heavily pregnant ewes were some of their prime stock. They shuffled uneasily as Mackenna and Cam approached.

Mackenna scanned the yard. There was a sheep down.

“Damn!”

She climbed the fence and noticed two more. From the way they were sprawled she knew immediately they were dead.

“What's happened?” Cam's question floated behind her but she was too concerned to answer.

Mackenna went to each sheep in turn. Their pupils were dilated, their bodies rigid and vomit dribbled from their mouths.

“What's happened?” Cam asked again.

“I'm not sure but I suspect they've had too much drench.” Mackenna squatted beside the third sheep and ran her hand over its woolly belly. “Not a nice way to die.”

“How?” Cam said. “We ... I was very careful.”

“It's a specially measured dose. Two squirts make them sick. Three's enough to kill them. I thought you'd know that.”

“Well, yeah. I do.” Cam shuffled his feet.

Mackenna looked up at him and realisation hit her. “Patrick,” she said and followed with a string of expletives as she rose to her feet.

“Steady up, boss.” Cam held up his hands. “I kept a good eye on him but I couldn't watch him every second. He was a bit distracted at the end.”

“Distracted! I'll give him distracted. Three good ewes and their lambs, possibly twins from the size of them – that's nine animals we've lost to distraction.”

“He's learning fast. Everyone makes mistakes.”

Mackenna took in the worried look on Cam's face. Blokes always stuck together.

“He's your brother and he's doing his best to help. In spite of us taking a bit longer, it would have been twice as long if it had been just you and me.” Cam took a step closer and put a gentle hand on her shoulder. “Let's cut Patrick some slack. We'll clean up here before they get back.”

Mackenna looked into Cam's concerned eyes. Suddenly she felt like such a bitch. If it had been Cam who was responsible, would she have reacted quite so harshly?

“I know they're good breeding ewes but they are only animals,” Cam said.

She stiffened and slipped out from under his hand. She couldn't feel that casual over the death of animals in her care.

“I have to record it in the stock book,” she said. “But I won't say anything for now.”

“I'll bring up the ute.”

“And we don't let Patrick near that drench gun again.”

“You're the boss,” Cam said and hurried away.

Mackenna was left to study the dead sheep. She squatted and ran her hand over one of the rounded bellies. “I'm sorry,” she murmured and she turned to the next one with a heavy heart. Cam was wrong, they might be only animals but she couldn't bear for them to have died this way. At some point she would have to make Patrick understand that his carelessness could cause the death of an animal. But she was still too angry. She'd tackle it later, or maybe their father could. Patrick might understand better coming from Lyle or at least listen. Something she was pretty sure he wouldn't do with her right now.

Laughter erupted around the table and Louise felt the tension ease from her shoulders. She had hoped this dinner would be relaxing but when they'd all first sat down, the conversation had been stilted. Perhaps eating in the kitchen would have helped the mood but she so rarely entertained these days. It was the perfect excuse to use the dining room and the good dinner set. She'd invited Hugh, and Cam was there as well, but it was Mackenna and Patrick who were the problem. They'd been having digs at each other for days and they'd started again as soon as everyone sat down. Lyle changed the subject as usual, oblivious of the tension. Hugh remained quiet but thankfully it was Cam who had broken the ice, telling them stories about his exploits growing up in a large family.

Finally, by the end of the main course, everyone appeared to be enjoying themselves. She started to collect the plates.

“Let me do that,” Hugh said.

“I'll help,”Mackenna added. “Would you like me to serve dessert?”

“That'd be great, thanks,” Louise said, happy to sit down again. “It's cheesecake and berries. There's ice-cream in the big freezer.”

“Sounds good,” Lyle said, winking at her from the other end of the table. He'd all but given up alcohol since his heart attack, so he was ticking over happily now after a couple of glasses of wine. Perhaps it would help him sleep.

Patrick and Cam took his attention and Louise rested back in her chair. Underneath the table she slipped her shoes from her feet. She wasn't fond of heels and had only put them on to dress up a bit for dinner. Now her legs ached.

In the background she could hear the sound of dishes and laughter. Mackenna and Hugh were getting along okay in the kitchen. She'd watched them during the meal and they'd hardly spoken to each other. Hugh had been through some tough times but he had always seemed dependable to Louise. He came from a good local family. Allan McDonald had some different views on things and was often vocal about them but he was basically a good bloke. There had been talk in the past about Hugh settling back in the area and being part of the family business. Maybe that was still on the cards. Mackenna would be a good partner for a man like him.

They returned to the dining room and shared out the plates of cheesecake. Everyone complimented Louise on her cooking. It was rather good even if she did say so herself. The cheesecake baked with berry juice swirled through it and topped with whole berries was a golden oldie recipe she hadn't used for a long time. It didn't hurt that Mackenna had made some kind of sauce with the extra berries and drizzled that over the ice-cream. Louise considered herself a good cook but her daughter created more interesting food. She'd learnt so much during her years as a chef. If only she'd gone on with that instead of burying herself in the farm. Still, she'd never lost her talent and she'd make someone a good wife.

Mackenna laughed at something Hugh said and gave him a playful tap on the shoulder. Louise focused on the conversation and in particular on the body language of her daughter and her childhood friend.

Lyle raised his near empty glass. “Thanks everyone for all your help over the last few months.”

“Here's to you feeling much better, Dad,” Mackenna added.

“I'm feeling no pain at the moment.” Lyle drained his glass and grinned down the table at Louise.

He might not be so chipper in the morning but she was pleased to see him relaxed and enjoying himself.

“You've been a big help with our worm problems, Hugh,” Lyle said. “Following up that faeces test promptly, I really appreciate that.”

“Glad we all know what you're talking about, Dad.” Mackenna chuckled.

“Do we have to discuss it over the dinner table?” Louise asked.

“Sheep are our bread and butter, Lou. They've got to be in good condition.”

“You've made some improvements since you took on the stud,” Hugh said.

Louise was thankful for his attempt to divert the conversation.

“That's Mackenna's influence.” Lyle smiled at his daughter and Louise flicked a glance in Patrick's direction. She could see no sign of annoyance on his face. She knew Mackenna deserved her father's praise but somehow Patrick needed to be included.