The Golden Stranger (21 page)

Shara rode in silence, thinking of Goldie. She tried to picture him in his new home. A family, John had said. Was it a girl, she wondered, who would watch him fill out into a muscular young horse? Or was it a guy who would break and train him at home? Would Goldie go on to compete in rodeo? She had been too shocked to ask, but she would ask John when she got the chance. Maybe the people might even send her a photo of him now and then, looking loved and well cared for. That would be nice, she decided.

She sighed and continued down the trail, which soon came back to the bitumen road but at a point closer to the town of Kympania. It was a small town, unremarkable except for its beautiful council chambers surrounded by huge old fig trees sprawling their massive grey roots over the lawns.

Most riders continued through the main street and made their way back towards the rodeo grounds, while Shara and her friends presented the petitions.

The mayor was a mayoress. She welcomed Shara and her friends and listened politely while Shara explained their cause. Then she gave an unconvincing smile while posing during the handing-over of the petition for the photographer, who took one shot and raced off to his next job. The mayor also raced off to her next job, leaving Shara, Jess, Grace, Rosie, Tom, Luke and Corey to show themselves out.

Shara watched her disappear with brisk steps through the large open doors of the council chambers, carrying the bundle of papers. ‘I hope she finds time to read them,' she said out loud.

As they rode out of town, Shara and Corey let the others ride ahead. They passed the rodeo grounds and the Connemans' truck, which had been moved to the side of the road. She was relieved to see no sign of them. All that was left of the ride was a sea of trampled horse poo along the bitumen.

‘It'll wash away in the next rain,' shrugged Corey.

‘No different to a cattle drive,' said Shara, looking up ahead to the showgrounds, where rest and a cool drink waited for her.

Behind his Hilux ute, Corey tethered Chelpie to the float and pulled off her saddle. On the other side, Shara pulled the big roping saddle off Rocko. They appeared at the back of the ute at the same time, and in perfect unison, flipped their fenders over the seats of their saddles and draped the breastplates on top. Then they both tossed everything effortlessly into the back.

‘Oh
no
,' Shara said suddenly.

‘What now?' said Corey, looking around in alarm.

She took him by the shirt and dragged him to the side of the float. He looked at her, puzzled.

She lowered her voice to a whisper. ‘I think there's a security guard coming.'

‘Uh-oh,' he said.

She looked up at his eyes, heavy-lidded and weary but still twinkling with amusement. A faint tinge of bruising still rimmed his cheekbone. She reached up, took his hat off and put it on her own head.

He ran a hand through his shaggy hat hair and took a step closer to her. ‘What'll we
do
?'

‘It's okay. I'll cover your arse,' she said, sliding her hands around his waist and down into the back pockets of his jeans. ‘Just follow my lead.'

He leaned down and ran his lips, softly, barely there, along her neck and under her ear. ‘Like this?' She felt his leg wrap around hers as he stared down at her, meeting her gaze.

‘No, like this.' Shara leaned up towards him. As she kissed his lips, she felt his hand run up the back of her neck and pull her closer. His kiss was strong and gentle and very . . . very . . . long. By the time he let go of her she felt she'd been turned inside-out. Her breath came in short rasps and her legs were wobbly.

‘Is he gone yet?' Corey whispered, nuzzling her ear.

‘Who?'

‘The security dude.'

‘Oh, him. No, I think he's getting closer.' She kissed him again and pulled his hat brim down low to block out the universe.

27

THE GIRLS CLUST ERED AROUND
Shara's kitchen bench, eagerly reading the morning news.

‘Look how much coverage we got,' said Shara. ‘Two articles in one paper.'

KYMPANIA WILD HORSE RACE AXED

ORGANISERS of the Kympania Rodeo have
cancelled all future wild horse races following
pressure from animal welfare groups.

The decision was prompted by protests at
the rodeo and also by the threat of legal action
from the RS PCA .

The RS PCA last night confirmed the organisation
was opposed to the event. ‘A carnival
environment is far removed from any animal's
natural habitat. When you compound this
problem with neglect and cruelty, an animal's
life becomes extremely miserable.'

The Conneman brothers, who supply horses
for the event, said, ‘The event is not cruel. The
horses love every minute of it.'

A rodeo association spokesperson said it
followed strict guidelines for animal welfare
and it did not wish to breach them in any way.
‘The wild horse race is not a traditional rodeo
event. It is not a competitive event, but purely
for entertainment.'

BRUMBIES SEIZED; CONTRACTOR CHARGED

Police and RS PCA officers seized horses and
cattle from stock contractors at the Kympania
rodeo, citing animal neglect and cruelty.

Graham and Mark Conneman were charged
with breach of duty of care and failing to
provide adequate veterinary treatment after
brumbies in their care were found sick and
dying at a remote property.

Mark Conneman had prior convictions of
animal neglect.

‘And don't forget the magazine article with Luke, Tinks and Rusty,' said Jess. ‘That will come out next month.'

Barry kicked off his boots in the doorway and joined them. ‘How do you like your new-found fame, girls?'

‘Did you see the paper, Dad?'

‘Better results when you go about things properly, hey?'

‘It's fantastic,' said Shara. ‘Did you read these articles?'

‘I did, and I'm proud of you,' said Barry.

‘I hope they never get the horses back. Lurlene said that a lot of the time courts give them their animals back because they need them to make a living.'

‘Well, we'll just have to wait and see,' said Barry. ‘But you have done those horses a really big favour already. I'm sure everything will work out for them.'

‘I hope so,' said Shara. Again, she couldn't help thinking of Goldie.

The driveway down to John's surgery was long, straight and lined on either side with tall white flooded gums. The early morning light shone through them in soft golden streaks. In the small paddocks behind the trees, the bandaged horses and baby calves munched on their feed.

Shara rode Rocko towards the house.

‘Hey,' said a drowsy voice.

‘Hey.'

In the open doorway was Corey, brown hair everywhere, yawning and tucking in his T-shirt. He jumped off the front verandah and waved her to the stables. ‘Come and see the horses that were seized from the Connemans.'

Shara tied Rocko to a hitching rail. She peered into the first stable and instantly recognised the red taffy mare. ‘Goldie's mum.' The mare had the same softness in her eyes that had been in the little colt's. When Shara stepped near her, however, the softness vanished and her eyes became wily and fearful. She lifted her head and backed away.

‘I'm going to buy her. She's had a horrible life, poor thing,' said Corey.

‘She's very pretty,' said Shara. ‘What are you going to do with her?'

‘Put her out to stud. Lawson Blake said I could put Biyanga over her.'

‘You might get a silver taffy,' said Shara. Biyanga was jet black. ‘It would be just like Goldie, only not so naughty.' She thought of all Goldie's antics: Mr Hickling's lychee trees and Mrs Jenkins's washing.

She felt Corey's arm slip over her shoulder. ‘You can have her next foal. It can be your birthday pressie.'

She put her hand on his arm and looked up at him. ‘How did you know it was my birthday today?'

‘Jess drilled me. You'll have to wait a while, though, till she's healthier and all that sort of thing. And until I suck up to your dad a bit.'

She smiled. ‘He's a lot cooler than he was a week ago.' Then she looked at the mare again. It would be so nice to have another little Goldie. A hardy mountain brumby crossed with Biyanga's bloodlines. ‘Do you mean it?' she asked. ‘I could really have a foal from her?'

‘Only if you promise not to run off with any other cowboys. I know what a groupie you are.'

She whacked him. ‘I'm
so
not into cowboys.'

‘Yes you are, you
love
them,' he said, picking her up and lifting her in the air. She put her arms around his neck.

‘I've got something for you now,' he said, putting her down and reaching into the pocket of his jeans. He fumbled around for a while and pulled out a small black velvet pouch with a gold tie-string.

‘What is it?' She untied the string and shook the bag over her palm. ‘My horsey charm!'

‘It was stuck in my shirt. I found it when I was shoving my clothes in the wash.'

‘Ohhhh, my horsey,' she said. ‘It's meant to be Rocko.' She kissed it and then reached up and kissed him, so happy to have it back. ‘Thank you.'

‘Keep tipping, there's another one in there too.'

Shara opened the tie-strings wide and peered in. ‘Oh wow.' She poked a finger in and fished out another tiny horse charm; gold with a silver mane. ‘It's a little taffy!' She put a hand to Corey's face. ‘Did they surrender Sampson?'

‘Nah. Graham will just transfer his papers to Mandy. She's always wanted him.'

Shara pulled a face.

‘At least he'll be better looked after with her,' said Corey with a shrug. ‘She cares a lot more about her horses than her dad does.'

The sound of tyres on gravel rumbled behind them and Shara looked out of the stable block. Lawson's truck rolled down the driveway with three people in the front. ‘Jessy and Luke!' she said happily.

‘Thank God, they can take this woeful white mare back to where she came from. She's upsetting all the other horses. I don't know what it is about her.'

‘Chelpie's a wild white water demon,' said Shara. ‘That's what Jess reckons.' She skipped out to the driveway. Two velvety muzzles poked out of the truck's side windows. She jumped up and gave them a rub. ‘Hey, little cuties!'

Jess stuck her head out the window. ‘Happy birthday, best bestie!'

‘Thanks! I thought you were grounded!'

‘I've been officially pardoned. What did you get?'

Shara jumped off the side of the truck. ‘Look what Corey gave me!'

Lawson Blake got out, slammed the door and walked to the back of the truck to begin winching down the tailgate.

John Duggin came out of the surgery, his phone clamped to the side of his head. ‘Yep. Yep. Whereabouts? How many? Uh-huh. Jesus. Hmmm, maybe. Okay then, Lurlene.' He hung up and shook his head with disapproval.

‘The Connemans have another mob of wildies somewhere down in New South Wales,' he said. ‘They haven't paid the brumby runner and now there are six horses headed for the slaughterhouse.'

‘Where in New South Wales?' asked Lawson.

‘On the tablelands, not far over the border,' John said. ‘A place called Mathew's Flat.'

Shara noticed Jess glance anxiously at Luke.

Luke looked as though he'd just been punched.

‘They're looking for someone with a spare truck, some good-quality yards and a kind heart.'

‘Well, that cuts Lawson out,' mumbled Jess.

Luke and Lawson exchanged glances. Something ran through the exchange that Shara couldn't quite pick up on, but she could tell that this was about more than just the brumbies. Jess suddenly looked intensely worried too. Shara decided to shut up and keep out of it.