He drove the tractor back to the shed and put away the chainsaw, cleaning it before locking it in his tool room. Spencer started barking and Kyle stuck his head around the shed door. “Hey.”
“Kyle, how’s things going?” Adam walked out, weary but glad of something to take his mind off tomorrow’s job.
“Yeah, good. What’s wrong? You look terrible.” Kyle grimaced and stepped back. “Nothing catchy is it?”
I wish it was that simple. “Ha, not unless you have four legs and hooves, no.” He shook his head, unhappy with his sick attempt at humor. “Sorry, it’s not been a good day.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m sure you really don’t want to know my problems, Kyle. How was school today?”
“Hey, I’m not a little kid that needs protecting you know. You listen to me so I’m ready to listen to you; it’s what friends do. Spit it out and share the load. That’s what Papa would say.”
Thoughtful kid. Adam rested his hand on the boys shoulder. “I appreciate it. But let’s have that chat over a drink. It’s not a nice story.”
They walked in the gate, Spencer jumping excitedly up Kyle’s legs. He picked the dog up and laughed as it licked his neck, obviously ecstatic Kyle had come to visit.
They shucked their boots off at the door and entered into the tidy white kitchen. Adam took a coke out of the fridge and handed Kyle a glass before he slid a wine glass from the rack over the counter and selected a bottle of Shiraz from the wine cabinet beside the fridge.
“Ta.” Kyle popped the tab on the can and poured the frosty liquid into the glass before taking a long drink. “Oh, that is good. So what’s going on?”
Adam cracked the top of the wine and poured himself a glass before sitting opposite Kyle at the small kitchen table. “I had to call the vet today. Seems the new deer have a disease.”
“Okay, so did he give you anything for them? I can help you drench them if you like, I know how to do it. I mean, I haven’t done deer but I’ve done cows. Can’t be that different can it? Part of ag studies at school when you live in the country.” He took another sip of his drink before lifting Spencer to sit on his knee.
“It’s not that kind of disease, sadly. I have to put them down.” Just my luck.
“No way!” He shook his head, his mouth hanging open in shock.
“Yeah, not exactly my words but near enough.”
“Seriously? You have to kill them all?” Spencer pranced on his knee, agitated by the tension in the air.
“Just the new ones. But that’s enough right at this minute.” Too freaking many.
“Oh man, that sucks so bad.”
“Yes it does.” Adam dropped his head into his hands and sighed. His heart ached for what he had to do tomorrow.
“Um, are you going to, you know, do it yourself?” Kyle paled and his throat worked overtime along with his hands which were patting the dog faster than necessary.
Yep, I’ll be the guy with the gun. Adam nodded his head, wishing it wasn’t his job but since he was responsible for everything on his farm, he was it. The only part of his job he hated but he wouldn’t let anyone else take over the responsibility for him.
“Man, that really is horrible. Uh, when?”
“Tomorrow. Tell Ben not to worry if he hears gunshots.”
“Right, okay then.” He ruffled up Spencer’s ears again and put him on the ground. “I’d better go. Nona will have dinner ready and I said I wouldn’t be too long.” Kyle stood up and put his glass in the sink. “Thanks for the coke.”
“Thanks for listening, I appreciate it, Kyle.” I really do.
He waved before he hurried out the door.
Adam leaned back in his chair and groaned. His back ached from cutting the wood for the fire tomorrow, but today’s news had done more than put a dampener on the day. It had a huge impact on his business plan and undermined his confidence.
Chapter 16
Lena wiped her hands on the tea towel and hung it over the handle of the oven when her mobile phone burst into song with an incoming call. She looked at the screen. Cole, what the heck does he want? She debated ignoring it but decided that was being petty.
“Hello.” Make this quick, pal.
“What the fuck are you trying to do to me? How dare you, Lena.”
“Excuse me? I have no idea what you’re talking about.” And like I should care anyway.
Ben looked up from the newspaper he was reading and glanced at her over the tops of his reading glasses. She held up her hand and walked into her bedroom, shutting the door behind her. “Cut the bad language, Cole, and get to the point.”
“You and, and your new boyfriend in the Sydney morning papers. Spouting off about opening a new restaurant in the back of bum fuck somewhere. How dare you try and take away the customers I have worked my ass off to please.”
My new boyfriend? “Excuse me! I’m the one who worked my butt off to build up that business. You waltzed in and took it from me and you damn well know it.” Cheeky prick! Her temper flared and the happy mood suddenly became a far distant memory. He had no right to tell her what to do after he screwed her for everything she owned.
“Don’t get shitty with me. If it wasn’t for my hard work this restaurant wouldn’t be half what it is.”
What a load of rubbish. “That’s bull and you know it.”
