Right As Rain (16 page)

She straightened a chair, tucked it further under the table and kept walking. She couldn't imagine talking to her sisters or her friends about it, nor the young GP who was their local doctor. She came to a stop in front of the large print on the wall above the fireplace. The photo had been taken at a good time of year, with everything looking so green and the sheep looking like prize specimens. It was the only thing on the walls and it drew the eye straight to it as soon as you entered the room. Mackenna was clever, Louise conceded that.

The room across the hall was a blank canvas. Louise had no idea what Mackenna's intentions were for it but the room would easily accommodate antique furniture. No doubt there was a plan. Louise wandered up the passage again. The room between the table area and the kitchen was going to be a bedroom. It should have been Cam's but some of Mackenna's things were draped across a chair, and a couple of framed prints that had been taken down when she'd made the shift into the top bedroom of the new house were propped against a wall. A piece of lace curtain had been hooked across the window and there was a swag laid out on the floor. Perhaps Mackenna had slept here already.

Hugh had come looking for her yesterday and Louise assumed he'd found her here. They were still not back at the house when Adam had turned up and Louise had sent him in this direction. She pulled the door shut on the bedroom, then paused and pushed it open again. She studied the swag. She didn't like to think of her daughter in that situation but maybe Adam had interrupted something between Hugh and Mackenna.

Of course! How silly of her not to have seen it. She wanted Mackenna and Hugh to get together but maybe it had already happened. That would explain Mackenna's early arrival back from her holiday and Hugh's return to the area after so long away.

Louise almost skipped through the kitchen and out the back door. That's what this was all about. Mackenna needed space. She lived on the family property and it was hard to get privacy, especially with Patrick at home now and Cam living with them. No wonder Mackenna had been so disappointed when she thought Cam would be living there. If turning the old house into a farm gate outlet was the space Mackenna needed to pursue Hugh then Louise wouldn't stand in her way. In fact, it might work out quite well. Patrick could step up and be more involved in the property, Hugh and Mackenna could live in the old place and it would give her something to do until babies came along. Louise was sure the McDonalds would come up with a place for them to live eventually. They had for their other three sons.

She looked at her watch as she hurried through the back door. She'd been over at the old place so long they'd all be in soon and she had nothing prepared for lunch. They could make their own sandwiches today. Louise hummed a tune as she took salad items from the fridge. It seemed as though things were falling into place where Mackenna was concerned. If only Patrick would follow suit.

Mackenna burst into the kitchen and her mother looked up from the table she was setting and smiled.

“Hello. Is everyone coming in for lunch? I see Adam's hire car is still here.”

“No . . . well, yes.” Mackenna watched her mother for any sign of anger but Louise was smiling at her.

“Which is it?”

“What?”

“You're not making sense, Mackenna. How many am I expecting for lunch?”

“Dad, Patrick and me.” Mackenna put her hand to her forehead. “Oh, and Adam.”

She'd left him behind in the car when she ran inside. She stared at her mother for a moment longer but Louise turned away and started slicing tomatoes. Behind her Mackenna could hear male voices. Dad and Patrick must have arrived. Patrick was talking about the trees he'd planted. She flew into the bathroom to wash up before they got there first.

Last night she'd taken her swag over to the old house and slept in the bedroom there. She hadn't planned to move in until she'd worked out a proper bed and some cupboards but she hadn't wanted to risk being under the same roof with Adam. Besides, everything was ready at the old house, she just needed to move in.

Back in the kitchen, she boiled the kettle.

“I went over to the old house this morning,” Louise said. She had her back to Mackenna so there was no way to predict what she was going to say.

She turned around holding a plate of sliced tomatoes and cucumber. “You've done a great job with the place.” She put the plate on the table with the other sandwich items. “At least I'm assuming it's all your work? I can't see Dad and Patrick managing such a tasteful makeover.”

Mackenna tried to smile. “I'm happy with it. I was planning on having you all over for a meal as a surprise to christen it, but now you know.”

“Yes, I do.”

The men came into the kitchen still talking about trees.

“There are a few things that need doing,” Louise said quietly in Mackenna's ear. “You should have a decent bed for starters.” She winked and turned away.

Mackenna studied her mother's profile as she got the men to sit down. What had just happened? She'd expected Louise to go off about the farm gate idea, the expense and the lack of quarters for Cam. Instead, her mother seemed to have taken the whole thing in her stride. Mackenna wondered why she'd worried so much about telling Louise. She should have just included her all along.

The blokes were already putting together their sandwiches. Mackenna sat as far from Adam as she could. He was beside Patrick, on the other side of the table.

Louise reached over to put salt and pepper on the table and behind Adam's head she winked again.

Mackenna looked down. What was with all this winking business? Adam laughed at something Patrick said and she looked at him in horror. Oh no! All this smiling and winking and comments about the old house and needing a bed – her mother must think Adam's her boyfriend.

Patrick kicked Mackenna under the table. “Earth to Mars,” he said. “I asked you how come you didn't take Adam to show him the swamp?”

“Oh, sorry.” Mackenna looked from Patrick to Adam then down at her empty plate. “We ran out of time.”

“It's a very special part of our property,” Lyle explained. “My grandparents built their house to look out over it. We're a bit dry at the moment but the birdlife can be magnificent.”

“I've spent most of my life in cities,” Adam said. “Going to the farm out of Queenstown with Mackenna was my first experience of rural life since I was a kid. And now I'm seeing where she lives. It's great.”

“You'll have to take him later,” Patrick said and gave her another gentle tap under the table.

“Yes, later,” Mackenna mumbled, not lifting her eyes to look at anyone.

“Three weeks, Lyle, that's all I'm asking.” Louise looked across the car seat at him.

“You said two.”

“Two and a half or it won't be worth going.”

Lyle didn't respond and she remained silent for a moment letting him mull it over. They'd been in town for his check-up. The doctor had given him the all clear and Louise had left the room hoping Lyle might talk about personal issues, man to man, without her there. She'd taken the opportunity to call in at the travel agent. They could leave for New Zealand in a couple of weeks and she was keen to get Lyle to commit.

Raindrops began to spot the window. With any luck it would be a decent rain and that would improve his mood.

“So much has happened, Lyle.” Louise kept her eyes on the windscreen where dust was turning to mud streaks. “We both deserve a break. Getting right away from here would do us good and it wouldn't be for long.”

“We'll see.” Lyle switched on the windscreen wipers and leaned forward in his seat to glance at the grey sky. “I hope this rain sets in.”

“How about I get out the brochures and the suggestions from Effie at the travel agent and come up with an itinerary?” Louise wanted to get some assurance from him while they were in the car. It was harder for him to evade her in the confines of the vehicle. “Mackenna will probably add some good ideas and she'll have the farm contacts.”

“We'll see,” he said again. “Right now I want to get this mattress home before it gets ruined.”

Louise watched him flick his eyes to the rear-view mirror. She turned her head and looked at the trailer.

“It's encased in plastic and you've got the tarp over it. I'm sure it will be fine and we can't go any quicker than we are now.” She put a gentle hand on his forearm. “We need this holiday, Lyle.”

“I want to be home for lambing.”

“We've got lambs now.”

“They were unexpected. May and June will be very busy.”

“We've still got time and if a few start lambing before we get back what will it matter? You've said yourself Mackenna can manage.”

“Of course she can.”

“Well then.” Louise folded her arms and waited.

They drove on in silence. The rain got heavier and Lyle continued to cast the odd glance in the rear-view mirror. They'd bought a new mattress for the old brass double bed they had stored in one of the sheds. It was perfect for Mackenna's bedroom in the old farmhouse. Louise had even bought a new quilt cover and sheets. She hoped with all her might that Mackenna and Hugh would pair up. Not that she wanted to be seen as condoning her daughter sleeping with Hugh before they were married, but she wasn't naïve enough to think Mackenna was still a virgin. Young people had a different view of life from the way Louise had been brought up.

Lyle thought there was something between Mackenna and Adam but Louise couldn't see it. He was smart and easy on the eye, but Mack had kept her distance from him since his arrival. Something may have happened between them in New Zealand and he'd decided to look her up. Friends – that was all. What would Lyle know about it anyway? He'd never been very observant when it came to relationships between those around him.

Discomfort wormed through her. She wondered if he'd spoken to the doctor after she left. Prior to his heart attack their own relationship had been warm and loving. She'd always thought they had a healthy physical relationship. Not as often didn't worry her, but not at all was a different thing altogether.

She flicked her eyes in his direction again as they turned onto the road that led to their driveway. Somehow she'd find the right moment to discuss what the doctor had said.

“Mackenna will have her work cut out but we're not far off the main road,” she said, trying a different tack. “I'm sure she'll get some interest in this farm gate idea of hers. Patrick can take on the farm role.”

Lyle sighed. “I think we made a mistake.” He glanced her way. “Patrick doesn't want to be here.”

“What makes you say that? He's been a big help and he's learning quickly. He shifted that mob of sheep the other day with only old King to help.”

“I'm not saying he's not capable, he just wants to go back to Adelaide.”

Louise fixed her gaze on him as he manoeuvred through their front gates and pulled up by the old house. “When did he say that?”

“He didn't, but we've had a few general chats and he keeps going back for weekends whenever he gets the chance. His work won't let him stay here indefinitely.”

“Woolly Swamp
is
his work.” She shifted in her seat and folded her arms.

The re-roofing on the old house had included a back verandah and carport. Lyle backed the trailer under but she kept her eyes focused ahead.

“By the look of these puddles it's been raining here a while,” he said.

“Lyle – ”

“Someone's here.” He cut her off. “The quad bike's at the back door.”

Louise glanced in that direction. Mackenna appeared and waved to them from the verandah.

“That's good,” Lyle said. “We can unload this mattress and see if any damage has been done.” He opened his door then turned back to look at her. “You come up with a plan and some dates.”

She smiled.

“I'm not committing,” he warned. “We'll talk about it later.” He was out of the car before she could say any more.

Under the shelter of the verandah the three of them wrestled the mattress out of its protective covers before they took it inside. Lyle went off to unhook the trailer and Louise stayed to help with the bed.

“These old queen sheets will do the trick until I can get the new ones washed and dried,” Louise said as they tucked the extra material under the mattress.

“Thanks, Mum,” Mackenna said. “I didn't expect you to go to all this trouble.”

“It's no trouble.” Louise felt a pang of guilt. She'd almost shut Mackenna out since her return home. This had been a small peace offering. “You know I enjoy doing it. You've made a great start with the decorating. It looks good.”

“You think so?”

Louise could see her indecision. “Of course. I just wish I'd known what you were doing.”

“I'm sorry, Mum, I didn't – ”

“I only meant I would love to have helped.” Louise didn't want to spoil the moment.

She studied her daughter across the bed. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail but loose curls bobbed around her face, evidence of the damp air, and her skin glowed. She was the picture of good health. Surely the men lined up for her attention.

“Adam seems a nice young man.”

Mackenna's head came up with a jerk.

“He is.”

“Do you think he'll stay much longer?”

“He's tried to leave several times but you keep insisting he stay.” Mackenna pulled the quilt straight.

Louise could see her relaxed mood ebbing away. Anyway, it was Lyle who kept saying Adam should stay when he tried to move into town, but Louise wasn't going to labour the point.

“It seems a shame someone comes all that way and we send him to a hotel,” she offered.