Right As Rain (40 page)

She shivered even though the room was warm. He pulled her closer and they were silent again.

Finally she slid from his arm and sat up holding her hands towards the flames.

“I love what I do here. I love my family, as hurtful as this has been.” She turned her face to his. The green of her eyes was deeper in the firelight. “And I love Woolly Swamp. If I'm being truly honest, I don't want to be anywhere else.”

He reached for her hand. “Then stay.”

The kitchen was warm and smelled of baking. Louise cast her eyes around. The table was laid for morning tea and a plate of freshly baked biscuits sat in the centre. It had to be Yasmine's doing. She was such a thoughtful young woman and very proud of her developing baking skills. Louise could hear the shower and assumed that's where Yasmine was now.

Mackenna had rung early asking for a family meeting. Lyle and Patrick had gone off to work not long afterwards Yasmine hadn't appeared at that stage and Louise had been restless. She walked down to collect the paper. There was no sign of life at the Gatehouse. No doubt Mackenna would be off working somewhere. Perhaps Adam was with her.

Louise felt fidgety so she kept walking. She replayed the events of the past few months over and over in her head. The thought of everything finally being laid on the table when they all gathered for morning tea had brought her back to the house. It would be a relief to get everything into the open and sort things out.

Now there was nothing for her to do and she felt edgy. She glanced at the clock. They'd agreed to meet at ten thirty and it was nearly that now. Perhaps she could have a quick cup of tea to settle her nerves.

“Good morning.”

“Hello, Yasmine.” Louise smiled. Today the young woman was wearing a long loose red top over jeans. At last something more suited to farm life, and the baby bulge was clearly visible. “You've been baking.”

“I hope you don't mind? I made us almond biscuits and then some little cakes. I promised Garry Finn I'd decorate some for his son's birthday. The party's tomorrow.”

“I don't mind at all. I'm used to sharing my kitchen. Mackenna's been cooking since she was quite small. We used to make lots of things together.” Louise felt a pang of sadness at the loss of those days. Their cooking adventures had been happy times and as Mackenna grew older they'd experimented together, trying out new dishes. Louise always felt she was a good cook but Mackenna had more flair.

Stomping footsteps echoed from outside – Lyle and Patrick getting mud from their boots.

“I've got computer work to do.” Yasmine said.

“I'd like you to stay,” Patrick said, cutting her off at the kitchen door. “Mackenna and Adam are on their way.”

Louise busied herself with the cups. She really wanted this conversation to be without Yasmine and Adam but it appeared that was not to be.

“Let me do this.” Yasmine gave her a gentle smile and took over making the tea.

Louise took her seat at the table beside Lyle as Mackenna and Adam came in. Greetings were murmured all around. The cosy feeling Louise had when she'd come back into the kitchen after her walk had dissipated. Now the air was full of tension as they sat around the table fidgeting with their cups. Where should they begin?

“I'm glad you're all here,” she said.

“Yes,” Lyle took her hand under the table and held it firmly. “We should have had this discussion a long time ago.”

“So it's to be a discussion?” Mackenna's tone was sharp. Louise noticed Adam raise his eyebrows at her.

“I . . .” Louise hesitated as Lyle gripped her hand tighter.

“Yes,” he said, “it is, but first I want to say something.”

He didn't look at Louise. What was he up to?

“I want you all to have a chance to have your say, one at a time, without being interrupted. Whatever is decided here today needs to be by mutual agreement.”

“It's your property,” Mackenna said.

Louise tensed.

“It's your mother's and mine at the moment but we need to plan for the future.”

Louise watched him nod first to Mackenna and then to Patrick.

“We want you to be involved in whatever way you want.”

Once again Louise went to speak but Lyle silenced her with another squeeze of her hand.

“You first, Mackenna. If you could have your dream, what would it be?”

Mackenna looked at her mother. There was a moment's hesitation before she spoke.

“I want to remain here at Woolly Swamp doing what I've been doing.”

Louise felt the pressure of Lyle's hand on hers.

“Fair enough,” he said. “What do you imagine that would look like into the future?”

Once again Mackenna paused.

“Woolly Swamp Corriedales would be a breed with well-developed management to make them the best they can be. We would be producing top-quality meat which we'd be showcasing at the Gatehouse and selling direct to restaurants.” Mackenna sat back in her chair. “We're on the way already,” she said softly. “You started it Dad, and we've worked together to make improvements. I want to keep doing that with you.” Mackenna looked at her brother. “And with you Patrick, if that's what you want, but you have to share the work.”

“He has been,” Louise cut in.

“Lou.” Lyle frowned at her. “No interruptions. You can have your say later.”

Louise withdrew her hand from his. She took a mouthful of tea. This wasn't how she'd imagined the family meeting would go.

“Do you want to say any more, Mack?” Lyle asked.

Mackenna looked around the table at each of them. Louise could see the determination in her eyes. She wanted to jump up from the table and wrap her daughter in her arms but she remained where she was.

“No.” Mackenna leant towards Adam. He was the one to put an arm around her.

“Okay then.” Lyle nodded at Patrick. “Your turn.”

Louise turned her attention to her son. He clasped his cup in his hands. His eyes were lowered studying something on the table.

“I love Woolly Swamp, too. It's where I grew up.”

Patrick twisted the cup round and round in his hands. Yasmine fidgeted with hers as well. Louise wanted to reach out and stop them both.

“I'm not a farmer, unlike Mackenna. I don't know what she knows.”

“This is not a competition, son,” Lyle said. “What is it you want to do?”

Patrick looked at his father then at Louise.

“My job,” he blurted. “Marketing is what I love. My boss has been fantastic letting me help out here but I had to pass up an opportunity in Sydney.”

Louise could hold her tongue no longer. “You wouldn't have left Yasmine.”

“It was only for two months. I'd have been back by now.”

“Your father had a heart attack,” Louise said.

“I know, Mum, and I was happy to help out.” He looked her in the eye. “But you want me to stay on and it's not what I want. I like the work I do. I'm not a farmer. Never was one. Mackenna's got those genes, not me.”

“But . . .” Louise didn't know what to say. She had everything planned out and none of it was going as she'd hoped. Everyone around the table was silent. Anger rose in her chest. It was all very well to say what your dream was but reality was often a different thing.

“Okay, Lou. Your turn.”

She locked eyes with the man she'd married and stood by through thick and thin. He was good natured, gentle and hard working. They'd had a good life and she didn't regret a moment of it, but his heart attack had been a warning that it could all be over in an instant. Things had to change.

“Lyle, you cannot work at the rate you were before your heart attack. We no longer have a working man and it sounds like Patrick is leaving. There's the Gatehouse now. Mackenna can't do everything. I find keeping on top of the paperwork is a huge job and it's only getting bigger with all the extra things we're taking on. The tax rules keep changing and I'm fed up with it. You and I aren't getting any younger. I want us to take more holidays while we can still enjoy ourselves. That's my dream, but it doesn't match anyone else's so what are we going to do?”

“Surely we're all on the same page, Mum,” Mackenna said. “Each in our own way love the life we've had at Woolly Swamp.”

“Yes, but you can't manage all the work
and
this tasting room you've spent money putting together.”

Adam cleared his throat. “I hope it's okay for me to speak? I know I'm not officially family but I'd like to stay and manage the Gatehouse. I enjoy the concept of taking what you produce and showcasing it. There's a lot this region has to offer. I've discovered all kinds of food and beverages on my travels around the district.” He squeezed Mackenna. “I'd like to stay on if you'll have me.”

Mackenna beamed at him then looked back at her mother.

“I've done the paperwork for restaurants before,” Adam continued. “I can make sure the Gatehouse paperwork is in order.”

“I've been looking at what Mackenna's tallied so far,” Patrick said. “The Gatehouse is making a good go of paying back what it owes.”

“Can I say something?”Yasmine asked.

“Of course,” Lyle said.

“I've really enjoyed creating the website for Woolly Swamp,” she said. “You should also have a Facebook page and maybe a Twitter account. I can look after that side of things for you. I can do that from wherever we live.”

Lyle was beaming from ear to ear. He's just loving this, thought Louise, but everyone having their say was all well and good. Putting it into practise was the hard part. There was so much more to plan and organise.

“There's all this extra land we've bought that has to pay for itself,” she said. “And these breeding programs you're so keen on, Mackenna. They take work and money.”

“A lot of the extra work is data input,” Patrick said. “I've been having a look at it on your computer. I'd be happy to help with that and turning out reports. It's what I do and as Yassie said, I can do it from anywhere.”

“What about the day-to-day work? Managing stock, putting in pasture, feeding, irrigating.” Louise was getting more and more irritated. Was she the only one without the clouds in her eyes?

“That's what I'll be doing,” Mackenna said.

“On your own?” Louise snapped. “You'll work yourself to the bone before you're forty. Look at your father.”

“Yes, look at me.” Lyle said. “I've lived a good life doing what I love. I've helped raise two great kids who've found two equally great partners.”

“But, Lyle, you've – ”

“It's my turn now,” Lyle said. “You've all had your say.”

All heads around the table turned in his direction.

“Mackenna won't be on her own. I know I've had a heart attack but I was lucky. I'm not an invalid and the doctor says there's no reason why I can't continue working as I have – ”

“He said . . .” Louise cut in but Lyle held up a hand.

“As long as I make some changes, which I have – diet and workload, relax more. I've done what he said and I feel good. Our holiday gave me time away to think about what I want and I know that's working here at Woolly Swamp.” He fixed his gaze on Louise. “If I drop dead here, what's the difference between that and on a golf course or overseas somewhere?”

“Dad,” Mackenna gasped.

“I don't want to sit around worrying,” he said. “I want to be doing things or I may as well not be here. You want to know how Mackenna will manage, Lou? She'll do it with me by her side and with you sometimes, like you've always done when I've needed you, and with Adam when he's not tied up with the Gatehouse. Patrick and Yasmine have offered to do some of the extras that none of us like doing but are necessary. I can't say there'll be much money in it for any of you for a while but with a family like this, working together, the future's looking good.” He squeezed her hand. “Wouldn't you agree, Lou?”

Louise considered her husband then glanced around the table at the family she loved. Each of them focused on her expectantly, as if it was her decision. This wasn't how she'd seen the future. They were all so determined to have it their way. She had no say in it at all. She pulled her face into a smile.

“Of course,” she said and pushed back from the table. “I don't think anyone's drunk their tea or tried Yasmine's biscuits. I'll put the kettle on for a fresh cup.”

“I've had some of mine,”Lyle said. “Patrick and I need to get back to that trough we've been fixing.”

“I've got some lambs to see to,” Mackenna said.

“I'll head back to the Gatehouse then.” Adam stood up. “There's a menu to be tweaked.”

“I want to get this website finished.” Yasmine took another biscuit from the plate. “I'll be in my room if anyone needs me.”

Louise watched her children kiss their partners and was surprised by Lyle's peck on her cheek.

“Stop worrying, Lou,” he murmured. “Everything will be right as rain. You'll see.”

She stood at the sink listening as the sound of their departure faded away with their voices. They thought everything was settled. She knew she should be happy for them but she couldn't shake the worry she felt. She didn't want a different life for herself but she did for her daughter. This family future plan hadn't changed that.

“This has been a great night, Mrs Birch,” Adam said. “You must be pleased with the turnout.”

“It's better than any of us could have imagined. But please, Adam, call me Louise. I'd much prefer it.”

Mackenna could hear the delight in her mother's voice. Adam had worked his magic on her, making food suggestions for the art show opening and then offering to cook. She lifted her hands from the sink then stiffened as her mother's arm went round her shoulders. They'd had an uneasy truce since the family meeting a couple of weeks ago.