The Saddler Boys (4 page)

‘PLEASE
have another slice, make me feel better,' said the auburn-haired woman who had a face full of gorgeous freckles that moved with every smile. This lady with the crystal-blue eyes was fast becoming Nat's favourite person at the meet and greet.

Natalie laughed and took the caramel slice offered. ‘If you insist, Lauren.'

‘I do. I can't afford to have any, so I'm going to live vicariously through you. I'm going to pretend I have your figure.'

Lauren giggled and Nat found her laugh infectious. Her daughter, Mallory, had the exact same laugh; she, too, had a larger-than-life personality. Even though Nat had just met Lauren, she found her to be so down to earth and real. There was nothing fake about her.

‘And please, call me Loz. Everyone does – so much so that I sometimes don't answer to Lauren.' She smiled again and eyed off the last of the slice, her hand automatically going to the roll at her midriff. ‘So what do you think of our little town? Have you had a chance to see the sights?'

Lauren had been one of the first to turn up, carrying in trays of yummy food, and was the first to introduce herself. She shook Nat's hand with the death grip of a seasoned fighter. She probably lifted cows or sheep for a living, thought Nat. Really, she was clueless about what farming people did.

‘I'm actually loving it so far,' Nat replied – and it wasn't a lie. She was loving the space, the quiet, the freedom to do what she wanted. Just yesterday after school she'd taken a walk and stopped in the middle of the bush track around town. All she could hear were the birds. No traffic, no parents, no pressure. It was just her, the birds, the trees and the massive sky above. It was purifying. Mind you, the first few days had been a little unnerving and it had taken a bit to get used to the quiet and the fact that she had no one to answer to.

‘I'm still settling in and getting to know the kids,' Nat went on, ‘but that's why I'm here. I haven't had a chance to look around – hopefully I will in a few weeks when I'm caught up. I still have to head back to Perth because my boyfriend, Gary, is there, but I'll try to stay here as much as I can.' It would be a juggling act to settle into country life but also to see Gary and her family as much as she could.

‘Have you been in the country before?' Lauren asked, and to her credit she didn't look Nat up and down like most of the others did, as if she was stating the obvious.

‘Not this type of country. All I know about farming is what I've seen on
McLeod's Daughters
,' Nat admitted.

Lauren laughed again. ‘And sometimes that was stretching the truth a fair bit. Don't worry, when you've settled in we'll show you around. If you ever need anything, like you find a snake in your house or have car problems or whatever, here's my mobile and house number,' she said, writing on a napkin. ‘You call us if you need any help, okay?'

‘Snakes in my house?'

‘Yep, long and slithery. The ones with legs are bobtails but they won't harm you unless you put your finger near their mouth.' Lauren chuckled at her own little joke.

Nat didn't find it at all funny. ‘I've never seen a snake before. Do you get many around here?' Quickly she entered Lauren's numbers into her phone. She was tempted to put them under ‘ICE': In Case of Emergency.

‘Yeah, a few dugites, which are highly venomous. I'm sure I saw a crowned snake the other day – they're poisonous too.'

Nat felt the blood drain from her head and she shivered. She thought she could handle spiders, like redbacks, even though she was yet to see one, or even a white-tail or a massive huntsman. But snakes? Snakes lived in her nightmares. She made a mental note to buy the biggest pair of gumboots she could find.

‘But the good old carpet snake, he's one you don't chop up with a shovel. You have one that lives in your car shed. Locals have called him Rodger for years. Keeps the mice down, just like having a cat.'

‘
I beg your pardon?
'

‘Rodger, a carpet python. He'll be greenish with light-coloured diamond shapes outlined in black. Don't be afraid of him; just let him go about his business.'

‘Right,' said Nat with more conviction than she felt. From now on, she would be parking her car outside, under the big gum tree. Rodger could have the whole car shed to himself.

‘It's just the black ones and the dark-spotted dugite you have to watch.'

Nat was going to google pictures of them as soon as she could – maybe even print out pictures to put by the back door just so she knew which ones could kill her. She shivered again.

‘Hey, Lauren,' said a man as he approached them. He was mid-twenties and wore boots, dirty jeans and a blue shirt with a bright yellow strip across the chest. Nat was getting used to this look. The majority of the men at the meet and greet were dressed the same way, as if they'd just come straight from the farm mid-work. For once in her life she felt overdressed.

‘Dicko, fancy seeing you here,' said Lauren.

His face tinged pink but his big smile didn't fade. He brushed back his unruly blond locks and gazed at Nat. ‘Just come to meet the new local lady,' he said, dripping charm. ‘And to eat the free spread.'

‘You and all the others,' Lauren murmured, loud enough for Nat to hear.

It had felt like a bit of a meat market. Nat had met many mums and dads but also some of the single lads in town, with names like Wazza, Donk and Pansy. And there was this tall lanky bloke who had just about hoovered all the food on the table. Nat had seen him go back six times now, filling his paper plate each time.

‘I think you're out of your league here, Dicko. Why don't you go do something useful and stop your brother eating all the food?' Lauren rolled her eyes and shook her head. ‘The Dixon boys: lean and lanky but they put food away like a herd of starved elephants.'

Instead of being embarrassed by this, Dicko grinned proudly, showing crooked teeth but cute dimples. ‘I haven't introduced myself yet.' He held out his callused hand. ‘Sean Dickson, twenty-five, single, farmer and all-round good guy,' he said, giving her a wink.

‘And biggest flirt,' added Lauren, which prompted Dicko to wrap her up in a hug and kiss her cheek. ‘Get out of it, you big lump.' She pushed him off but her eyes sparkled with affection. ‘They're harmless lads, Nat. Plenty of teachers come to the country and never leave. They end up married to farmers. We have three in our town, and I'm one of them.'

‘Really?'

‘Yep, they get me in for relief sometimes but I'm needed more on the farm and at home with the kids. Now you see why there was such a great turnout. It's not often we get new ladies in the area.'

It was a big turnout – more people than Nat had thought lived in this area. And there were many who probably weren't here. She didn't see the two men from her first day at the shop, or that man with the memorable blue eyes. He could have just been passing through.

‘Nor ladies as gorgeous as you,' stuttered Dicko.

‘Well, I'm sorry to disappoint you all but I have a boyfriend,' said Nat softly.

‘You do realise you've just broken heaps of hearts.' Loz held her hand over her mouth to hide her chuckles.

‘Too bloody right,' said Dicko, looking forlorn. Then he showed his teeth, and a glint in his dark hazel eyes made her a little nervous. ‘Having a boyfriend is not the same thing as being married. We might be able to win your heart yet,' he said optimistically. ‘A full-blooded man of the earth, a good country bloke, could be just what you need.' Then he bowed, turned and scooped up a large handful of food before joining his brother.

Grace and Kath came over to see how Nat was doing. ‘Are you heading off soon?' Kath asked. ‘It's wrapping up now so it'd be okay if you wanted to leave.'

Nat checked her watch. ‘I'd really like to get to Perth sooner rather than later.'

‘Go on,' said Kath as she fiddled with her packet of cigarettes. ‘You've met most people here and there will be plenty of time to catch up with the others later. Go on, pet. Drive safe.'

‘Thanks, Kath. Bye, Grace, see you Monday. Thanks for everything, Lauren – Loz,' she quickly corrected.

‘Bye,' they said as she left.

Natalie sneaked back into her classroom and grabbed her bag, then moved her way down the corridor, saying goodbyes and making her apologies. She took a deep breath when she made it outside. The day was not over.

AS
Nat drove through Perth it felt as if she was seeing the city with new eyes. It had only been a week, but the tall skyscrapers, the beautiful parks and the Swan River, which snaked through the centre, all seemed so much brighter and more impressive. People were everywhere, in their cars, in the trains, cruising the river in boats, jogging, cycling and fishing under the bridge. It had such a different smell from the country; in fact there were millions of different scents. The car fumes, the river, the restaurants and fast-food chains, the hot concrete and crisp green parks. It was a mecca for the senses. The thing Nat loved the most, especially at this time of night, nearing eight o'clock, was the lights. So many twinkling colours. Her favourite place was down by the river, watching the lights reflecting on its surface and listening to the gentle lapping of water.

But she saved her biggest smile for the moment she drove into the driveway of Gary's apartment. She couldn't wait to see her boyfriend. The apartment was nestled near Kings Park and his balcony overlooked the Perth CBD and the Swan River. You could soak in the spa or sit in the pool and look across the city. Gary had good taste and he'd taken this apartment for the view alone: the designer kitchen and elegant bathroom were just bonuses.

Nat parked in the reserved parking spot and no sooner had she stopped the car than he appeared.

‘Hey, baby.' Gary opened her door and she climbed out. He was Natalie's height, but he loved wrapping her up and lifting her off the ground. A few grey strands were streaked through his brown hair, which gave him a sexy George Clooney look, and if he ever let his beard grow he had some in that too, but Gary was a man who shaved religiously. He took pride in his position at work, and presentation was paramount.

Gary pulled her against his body. ‘God, I've missed you,' he said into her hair as he squeezed her tight.

‘I missed you too,' she said.

‘Felt like you were gone for ages.'

Nat relaxed in his arms, pressed against his starched white work shirt. His spicy cologne lingered on his skin. He'd probably only just got home from the office, where he worked in the family resort and casino business.

‘I know.' Nat sighed. ‘But I'm here now. Let's make the most of it.'

‘Hmm,' he groaned into her hair. ‘Good idea. What needs taking inside?'

‘I'll get it later. Right now I'm starving.'

‘Me too,' he said, cupping her face and kissing her deeply. At thirty, eight years her senior, Gary came with a lot of experience – in everything. He took her hand and whisked her inside where she found six fresh bouquets of flowers around the dining room and dinner ready and waiting on the marble table.

‘Oh, Gary.'

‘Welcome home, princess.'

Nat rolled over, her silk nightie riding up her legs as she snuggled closer to Gary. ‘Morning.'

He was sitting up in bed with his phone but put it on the jarrah bedside table and turned to her. ‘Good sleep?' he asked as he put his arm around her.

‘Hmm, yep. Have you been awake for long?'

‘Not long. Would you like your favourite for breakfast?' he asked.

Eggs Benedict. Just thinking about it made her mouth water. ‘Sounds divine, thanks, babe.' She looked at the clock on her phone. ‘Better make it quick, I'll need to start getting ready soon.' She needed a good few hours to prepare for the Wright–Hutchinson luncheon. It wasn't going to be like the casual meet and greet in Lake Biddy – there were high standards to maintain. Several years ago the
Sunday Times
newspaper had turned up and their photos had appeared in the social pages the following day.

After breakfast Nat had her nails redone and her hair blow-dried. She bought a new outfit from her favourite boutique in South Perth: a Lisa Barron cap-sleeved, form-fitting dress in a soft mint with a herringbone pattern. She did her make-up with extra care and stepped into her favourite black peep-toe heels.

‘Smashing,' said Gary when she came out of the bedroom. He was wearing his favourite dark grey suit and the matching mint tie she'd got for him. ‘You look incredible. Come on, darling, we'd better leave. Your mum hates tardiness.'

Nat smiled. Gary knew her parents just about as well as she did, and Nat was the same with Gary's parents, Tony and Cynthia.

Gary drove them to his parents' home on Saunders Street in Mosman Park. From the road it didn't look like much: there was a gated entry point and another for the exit, and in between was a high wall covered with crawling creepers and a lawn to the kerb. Inside the gate were six car spaces and Gary parked in his usual spot.

They walked through the house, over the familiar plush cream carpets, past matching cream-and-gold detailed furniture and through the kitchen, which was buzzing with waiters and cooks. The wall-to-wall glass doors at the back of the house opened out onto a spacious patio with an outside kitchen and seating area that overlooked the river. They were just a stone's throw away from the ocean as well. Nat spotted their parents, and further down, on the generous patch of lawn by the pool, were her brother and Uncle Kent with Gary's aunty Janice and his uncle Chris, who was holding the hand of a woman in red Nat hadn't seen before.

‘Shall we?' said Gary, reaching for her hand.

‘Certainly. Parents first?'

He nodded and together they stepped out into the warm midday sun.

‘Here come the lovebirds,' said Gary's father. Tony was an older version of Gary through and through – more grey hair but the same expensive taste in beautiful suits. Gary greeted her parents, and Tony held out his arms for Nat.

‘Hi, Tony.'

‘You look ravishing, my dear. It's so good to see you.'

It looked as though they'd interrupted a hushed conversation between Cynthia and Nat's mum, Jennifer. Both ladies were dressed to kill, Cynthia in a soft silk dress in this season's colour of azure and Nat's mum in a similar-coloured skirt and blouse set. They'd both been to the salon that morning; their matching blonde bobs were immaculate. Cynthia gave Nat a hug with an air kiss, followed by Jennifer. Then at last Nat got to hug her father, Vincent. Nat got up on her toes to reach around his neck. He smelt like ink, his leather chair and his favourite peppery aftershave. It was easy to picture him sitting at his large oak desk, phone to his ear while he rubbed his receding hairline.

‘Hey, Daddy.'

‘Natalie, darling, how is it in the country?'

Tony and Cynthia added their own questions about the town and teaching, and Nat kept to the basics.

‘My class is great, the kids are so adorable and so eager to please. I'm loving it. I have a quaint little house and the town is like nothing you've ever seen,' she said, trying to answer all their questions at once.

‘I can't understand how you could handle the flies and country, Natalie. Are the children all unruly?' asked her mum.

Nat's eye twitched. She could have bet that within the first five minutes her mum would have something negative to say. She opened her mouth to retort but her dad picked up on her telltale sign of irritation and jumped in.

‘Tell us more over lunch, darling. Tony and I are working on a special joint project and I must tell you both about it. This may be a new direction for us, something the Wright and Hutchinson families can build on together.' The conversation returned to work, as it always did, leaving Nat to calm down. Now wasn't the time to stir up her mum, not with Cynthia around. Mum would never forgive her for any embarrassing moments.

Cynthia and Jennifer got on okay, but Nat had a feeling they clashed at times. They were similar and a little competitive but made the effort for their husbands. Tony and Vincent had been through uni together and had been close friends ever since.

‘We'd better go and say hello to the others,' said Gary, and he took Nat's hand as they walked over to the lawn.

‘Lunch will be soon,' Cynthia called after them.

Nat practically ran to her Uncle Kent. He always made her smile. His hugs were so tight and he always took forever to let her go.

‘Hello there, my sweetheart.' Kent was in a dark blue suit, even though Nat knew he'd probably prefer to be in his favourite seventies T-shirt and jeans. He was a big kid at heart and loved all the good things in life. He ate his favourite foods, he went skydiving, he spent time helping out at food shelters and loved surfing – or trying to surf, at least. He'd always been someone who saw the world through wide-open eyes. Hence he was the one who supported her the most in her decision to get her teaching degree.

Nat didn't say anything, just enjoyed the hug. Then she was introduced to Georgie, Gary's uncle Chris's new girlfriend. Chris was ten years younger than Tony, the baby of the family, and he'd spent a lot of time with Gary over the years, being the older brother he never had.

‘Hi, Gary, I've heard so much about you,' said Georgie. Her little red dress had probably been the topic of Jennifer and Cynthia's hushed conversation – that and her cleavage. Georgie reached over to give him a hug and kissed his cheek, leaving a smear of red lipstick.

Chris grabbed her arm and tugged her back. ‘That's enough,' he said jokingly. ‘This is Natalie, Gary's girlfriend.'

They made idle chitchat until Cynthia announced lunch was ready.

Inside they all took their places around the large glass table set with fine china and glassware. Nat sat in between Uncle Kent and Gary. Georgie went to sit next to Gary but Chris directed her to a chair on the other side of the table. Chris was always rather possessive of his dates but at his age he did tend to lose a few ladies to younger men. Nat thought that he'd stand a better chance if he found someone closer to his age, not that she ever said this to Gary, as Chris could do no wrong in his eyes. He idolised Chris in the same way Nat idolised Uncle Kent.

Tony and Vincent stood up at the head of the table, both reciting stories of their uni days and how they met, being there for each other through weddings and births. And trauma, thought Natalie. Cynthia had suffered really bad postnatal depression after Gary and didn't have any more children. Jennifer had just started dating Vincent at that stage and helped her through it.

‘Vincent was trying to pick up this gorgeous girl and I came in and helped seal the deal,' said Tony, giving Jennifer a wink. ‘I was the older, wiser one. I told you then that she was a keeper, like my Cynthia,' he added with a grin. They never got tired of telling their stories, no matter how many times everyone had heard them. Maybe this time it was for Georgie's benefit.

Gary stood and tapped his glass with his knife. ‘I hate to rain on your parade but we've all heard these stories and I'd like to start up a new one.'

Everyone turned to face Gary. Even Nat was curious to know what he was on about. Then she saw him reach into his coat pocket. A little red box appeared in his hand and a few people gasped. Or was it just her?

‘Natalie, darling, I think it was meant to be – you and me. Our families are already so entwined so it seems so natural to ask you to be my wife.' He opened the box to reveal a white-gold band that held a massive white diamond, surrounded by Argyle pink diamonds.

‘Oh my god, we've dreamt of this moment,' said Nat's mum. ‘Haven't we, Cynthia? We just knew.' Jennifer stood up, clapping her hands together and trying to get a look at the ring.

‘Bloody marvellous, son,' said Tony, turning to shake Vincent's hand. ‘Our kids.' They pulled each other into a hug, patting each other's backs loudly.

‘A spring wedding at the yacht club would be perfect,' Nat heard Cynthia say to Jennifer.

Nat hadn't even given Gary her reply yet. She glanced up at him, a man she'd admired her whole life but had only just started dating. He was smiling and talking to Chris as if it was a done deal. Didn't anyone want to hear what she had to say?

She glanced around the table, at the smiles, laughter and utter joy on their faces. They were all so happy. Only Uncle Kent was looking at her. ‘Sweetheart?' he said in a voice that confused her even more.

Nat clutched the table. What
did
she want to say? That this was all too sudden? That she really hadn't been with Gary long enough to get married? That she was only twenty-two and had just started her dream job? Did she really want to get married now?
Hell!

Gary turned back to her, pulling the massive ring from the box and reaching for her hand. ‘What do you say, princess?' He slipped it onto her finger before reaching for her face. ‘Will you be my wife?'

Nat gave him a smile and hope it didn't wobble. She held up her hand and watched the light sparkle off the ring. It was huge, and absolutely stunning. Nat felt the pressure of the decision creating tension in her neck. She did care for Gary – loved him, in fact. He was everything she wanted: handsome, charming, romantic and generous, and it would make their families so happy. So why did this decision seem so hard? Maybe it was just nerves and excitement. Gary smiled as he caressed her cheek.

Nat gazed into his dark eyes, took a deep breath and smiled back. ‘Yes. Yes, I will.'