“God, we were so worried.” Josh leaned into his mother. “Can we go home now? I think we’ve worn out our welcome here.”
“Sure. Do you guys think you can lead the horses home?”
“No worries.” Winton led his horse over to take Tom’s while Josh grabbed Puddin’s lead and mounted his palomino. Libby let them go first and followed them after thanking the team for their help. Nathan was nowhere in sight, and she wasn’t sure if she should be thankful for that or not.
“You know where we are if you want any help, Libby.” Molly winked at her as she said her good-byes.
Libby helped the boys dry the horses and feed them some hay. The lambs were calling for food, again and they all pitched in and settled them for the night.
Libby got Holly into a warm soapy bath before pinning Winton and Josh down in the bedroom.
“I want you guys to go and get Winton’s stuff out of his room.” Libby leaned against the door frame, arms folded. “From now on, Winton, you sleep in the house.”
“I can’t do that.” Winton cried out in protest.
“Why not?” Josh looked between his mother and Winton.
“’Cause, the house is for, you know, family.” The boy mumbled, looking at the floor.
“Don’t you remember what I said the night I arrived? You and Tom are family now, and that’s final. This house is huge, more than enough room for all of us. Now go and get your stuff. You can either bunk in with Josh or choose another room, your decision. If there’s one thing today has taught me, it’s to make the most of what we have. We could so easily have lost Tom and Holly. It’s time we acted like a family and shared the same roof.” Libby spread her arms wide to take in the huge room. “This house is big enough for three families. Take a look around.”
“Better do as she says.” Josh grinned at his mate. “There’s no talking sense into her when she gets like this.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Winton smiled shyly.
Libby left them to it and went back to her bathroom where Holly was enjoying the bubbles with Henry sitting quietly watching her.
“I think it’s time we got you out of there, young lady.” Libby grabbed a large, fluffy towel from the rail.
By the time she had Holly dressed and warm in her nightclothes, the boys had brought in a couple loads of Winton’s belongings and settled him into Josh’s room. Holly went to check it out while Libby put dinner on the table.
She was drained, physically and emotionally. The last interaction with Nathan left her feeling confused and worried. She had no idea what he was going to do. One minute he was caring, and she could see they might make their peace if given a chance, and the next he was cold and aloof. She was sure she would find out sooner or later what he thought, he’d made that clear. She just didn’t know if she were ready to hear it.
Tucking Holly into bed that night, she praised her for her loyalty to Tom. “That was very brave of you, baby.”
A frown pulled a crease between her expressive blue eyes. “I had to help him, Mum. He’s my bestest friend.”
“I know; he’s mine too.” Libby kissed the cheek of the child who was already more asleep than awake. Holly’s little shadow, Henry, watched until Libby left the room.
She checked on the boys and found them asleep as well. The day’s events had drained them, and they were dead to the world. Libby turned off the light, whispered her good nights and shut the door. She was too keyed up to sleep and went to get herself something to drink. Libby poured herself a small glass of red wine, sipping it as she did the dishes. When she finished cleaning up wiped the benches down, she looked around the kitchen, feeling unsettled.
She wandered into the lounge and trailed her fingers over the backs of the chairs as she walked aimlessly around the room.
The night beckoned to her through the open French doors to the rocking chair. She pulled her feet up under herself and let her head fall back, the motion of the chair and the steady downfall of the rain on the tin roof soothing her frazzled nerves. She imagined Tom, asleep in the hospital, safe now with his arm in a sling. Thank God Nathan had found them before the water came up too far. She would go out tomorrow and have a look. There was no way she was letting Tom do too much for a while. The boys could help move his stuff into one of the spare rooms tomorrow. His protests rang in her ears already, and it brought a smile to her lips.
Today’s accident was as close to a disaster as she ever wanted to get, and if that was what it took to make her realize what was important in her life, so be it. Libby would put up with his complaints when he came home and found she’d moved him from his old room. This was not her uncle’s or grandparents’ home any longer, and she wouldn’t stand for him living in the shed like the hired help. Libby was sure if her grandmother was still alive, the woman would do the same. I would have loved to have known her. Libby had a sudden nostalgic feeling sweep through her mind. She didn’t understand why her parents had moved away and had nothing to do with the farm and their family. If it was a family rift, it obviously had been forgiven by her grandmother and uncle. Libby would have to find out more when she had the time to rummage through the boxes of paperwork in the office. Meanwhile, it remained a mystery.
Libby woke to the sound
