"You know how hard it is to get out here. Sid, I want to introduce you to Morgan. He is staying at the hotel for a couple of days and wanted to see the sights." She glanced back as he walked up the steps. "I couldn't not bring him out to see you."
Morgan held his hand out to shake. A strong grip clenched his fingers and gave a hearty shake.
"Nice to meet you."
"You too young man. What are you doing here of all places?" Sid stepped back a few paces and eased himself into an old cane chair gesturing for Morgan and Stacey to take a seat.
"I needed a break from the office and this seemed like a good idea. The beauty of the desert is something special. I've never been out this far before."
"Pretty special for me too. Lived here for the last seventy odd years, since I was just a little fella looking to make his fortune." His watery old eyes scanned the horizon and Morgan felt a hand creep onto his leg. He looked down and clasped Stacey's hand in his as the old man talked about the past.
"Sid, can I show off your prized nugget?"
"I suppose if you trust the boy I can too. You know where it is girl?"
"No. Knowing you it could be in one of several places, tell me."
"Bread bin."
Stacey got up to go inside and Morgan heard her rummaging around. No matter how hard he tried the guilt of what he was going to do to these people was starting to sour his gut. If they knew what was planned they wouldn't be talking to him right now. They would probably be burying his body in an old mine shaft never to be seen again.
Stacey came out holding a dirty old cloth in her hands with a huge grin lighting up her face. "Here."
He reached up and took the parcel, surprised by the weight of it. Unwrapping it on his knee he glanced over at the old man who was watching him intently.
"I found that just out the back a few years ago now. Saving it for my retirement."
He found himself smiling at the old character and lifted the last piece of cloth from the rock. "What the heck..."
Stacey laughed at him, no doubt amused by the shocked expression he knew he was wearing. "This is huge." He looked between the two of them. "Why don't you have this in a bank somewhere safe?"
"Don't trust no banks that's why. I hide it in different places and nobody but a handful of us know I have it." He raised his eyebrow at Morgan. "Soon as the media find out about this here rock they will be swarming the place putting in for mining rights."
"Hang on, I thought you had the rights still Sid, you and Pop." Stacey leaned forward as she questioned him.
"Not anymore we don't. Ran out a few years back and I don't have the energy to go through it all again. Besides, I don't want to cash this nugget in to pay for all the bloody fees."
"Just be careful Sid. And you know if you need me for anything you only have to call. I can always get out to see you or send out Doc if I'm busy."
"Don't you fuss yourself over me girl. Show your friend here the stuff I've collected and I'll make us a cuppa while you do it." He lifted himself out of his chair and made his way inside, stopping to take the nugget from Morgan as he did so. Wrapping it tight he tucked it under his arm and left them on the veranda.
"Right, I've got my orders. Follow me." Stacey stood and skipped down the steps walking around the back of the old house.
Morgan followed and whistled when he caught up with her. "There's enough stuff here to build a museum."
"My thoughts exactly and Sid said if I ever get enough money to keep things running, I can have the whole bloody lot, house included." She crossed her arms and smiled to herself and he resisted stroking those lips with his tongue. "I grew up crawling around this stuff and I know just about every single piece. A lot of the gear came from the mine and the rest of the antiques are what Pop and Sid saved when everyone slowly left town. There are some unique pieces here and I've got the history written down to go with them."
Morgan stood behind her with his hand on her shoulder. "If it means so much to you, why not go for it?"
"Money and the bloody mine. I've already told you I tried to get onto them but they just brushed me off. If they could contribute to the community like the mines do in Mt Isa and other towns, we could do so much." She shook her head and sighed. "Sadly most of this will just rot away and all we will have will be memories. That will be such a shame but there is nothing I can do about it."
He rubbed his hand on her back, not sure how much to tell her. Deciding against anything that would connect him to the deal he spoke. "Give it another go. If you can, get put through to the land liaison officer. They should be able to help you or put you onto the right guy at least."
Stacey looked up into his eyes and he turned her toward him, dipping his mouth to hers to silence the questions running through her eyes. "Minerals remember. I have to deal with those guys too sometimes." He kissed her before she could answer, pulling her body into his.
"Tea's up."
Stacey laughed into his mouth. "Saved by Sid, love it."
She brushed past him and walked back to the house. Taking her tea from him she perched on the veranda railing looking out over
