"Suppose you young'uns will want to get settled in before I start filling your heads with facts about the farm. Need your approval on what I planned to do with the cattle too but guess it can wait ‘til tomorrow." He ran his hand over his whiskery chin and laughed. "Boy, you have the look of your grandmother about you, Samantha. Lovely lady she was too. Kept your grandfather in line, anyways, most of the time." He coughed and looked around before coming back to her. "How about we catch up in the morning then? City folk have no idea about raising animals unless they're pets so I'll no doubt have to change your mind a time or two before you understand how things work out here."
Sami breathed deeply and counted to ten before replying. "Just for your information Tibby, we are actually from farming stock and we both know how to work the land. It might have been a little bit different from what you have here but cattle are cattle and horses are still horses where we come from. I'm pretty sure I won't be wanting to do anything too extreme to set your heart fluttering into cardiac arrest."
She could almost hear her heart thumping and as much as she tried to be calm, months of having to make do the best she could was getting to her. The need to let off steam and give someone a mouthful was right now and he was in the firing line.
"Now just a minute missy..."
"No, you listen a minute mate. This has come as a shock to us, let me tell you. My mother died in agony because we couldn't afford the private health cover she needed to get specialized care while this"– she waved her hands at the property—"this was here all the time. If I had known her father was still alive, I would have crawled over broken glass to get to him and beg for help but we didn't even know he was alive." She ignored the tears rolling down her cheeks. "But it's too late for her, I get it. But I would appreciate it if you could see your way clear to give us a day to settle in before making any judgment against us that is more than likely wrong. I don't know why my grandfather did what he did, but damned if I'll let anyone crucify us for it. Understand... mate?"
Tibby turned on his heel and walked away, limping slightly as he headed back down to the sheds where he disappeared.
"Was that really necessary Sami?" Garth stood watching her with a frown on his face.
"Sorry." She sniffed and rubbed her hand over her face. Shame was burning her skin and wishing she could take back her outburst was futile, it always was, but it didn't stop her from venting when people got under her skin. "It's all kind of built up, you know?"
"Yeah I know but I think you owe him an apology." Garth kicked at the dirt with his old boot and looked down to the sheds.
"Maybe. I'm sorry. Sure this place is much prettier than what we're used to but for fuck’s sake, a cow is a fucking cow at the end of the day." She glanced at her brother when he cleared his throat. "Fine, I lost it again. I'll go and say sorry."
"Might pay to leave it until tomorrow, let you both cool down." He looked at her with wise eyes and she had to agree he was right...again.
"True. Let's get this stuff inside then see if there is a tin of anything edible in the pantry for dinner. I'm tired, cranky and hungry." She grabbed her bags and walked back into the house.
Chapter 4
The crow of a rooster slowly dragged Sami awake. Keeping her eyes closed she clutched her pillow, snuggled into it and willed herself to go back to sleep where the world could go on its own way leaving her alone in the comfort of her dreams.
But it was not to be. Her eyelids cracked open a peek and then opened some more. It took a second or two for her to register she was in the new house, not their dingy Alice Springs flat. Their new home, the forever place as Garth had called it. Throwing back the blankets she kicked them down to the end of the bed and gazed upward. Gone was the peeling paint, and water stained ceiling she was used to. She glanced at the scrolled plaster work around the edges of the ceiling and smiled to herself feeling suddenly carefree for the first time in years.
This was their house and nobody could kick them out. They had a home of their own again and for that she could almost forgive her grandfather...almost. She would make a decision after some careful investigation and hard thinking.
Swinging her legs over the edge if the bed, she sat up and breathed in the clean country air stretching her arms above her head. Sami jumped up and rummaged through her suitcase for a clean pair of jeans and a T-shirt, before padding on bare feet to the bathroom to do her teeth and hair.
Voices came from the direction of the kitchen but she ignored them until she had finished. With her mouth tasting of fresh mint Sami was ready to meet the day and whatever it threw her way. As she walked down the hallway she pulled her hair up in a knot on the top of her head, keeping it in place with the band from around her wrist.
She walked into the kitchen and then pulled up short. Sitting at the kitchen table were Garth and Tibby. When they spied her, their laughing banter came to a halt.
"Morning, Sami. Sleep well?" She knew the tone in her brother’s voice. He was unsure
