"Well, it's one for the books. Dog was your granddad’s, didn't much take to anyone other than the old man. He's been a bit out of sorts for the last few months since the old man died. Looks like your brother has a way with him." Tibby stood beside her on the path and looked over at Garth frolicking with the dog in the dust.
"Sure does. Ever since he was little, animals gravitated toward him. If we lost Garth you could almost guarantee to find him in the barn with whatever stray was in there at the time. I think he's missed it being in town." Slowly she followed the old man down the path and out of the gate to where the cattle dogs were tied up.
"This one here is Toby, and the little one over there is Misty. Both getting on in years but good dogs nonetheless. Let them off and they can come for a walk around while I show you what's what."
Garth undid their chains and the dogs ran yapping around in circles before bolting off down into the tractor shed.
"Come on then. We may as well start in the machinery shed and work our way around the farm. The tractor is a good one as is most of the stuff in here. Your grandad didn't believe in skimping on the important stuff. This is a well-run farm, always has been. A shame I've been the only one here for the last few months. I can't get around as much as I used to so there’s a bit of fixing up to catch up on. Now you guys are here, I figure you can pull your weight and give me a hand."
Sami smiled at Garth over the old man's head. "No problem from me. What needs doing?"
"I've managed to keep up with the horses with the help of the farrier but not much more. Cattle need looking into too. I reckon we could sell off some of last year's calves now before the cows start dropping the next lot. Fencing leaves a bit to be desired in some of the paddocks on the far side and if you want to keep good neighbourly relations going, you'd better get them sorted before the cows get into the fancy vineyard."
Sami stopped. "Vineyard? Those posts I saw coming in last night strung with wire thingies, they're a vineyard?"
"Yep, fancy as all hell too. Mind you, they do make a pretty good drop of red." Tibby rubbed his hand over his head and smiled. "That's if you like that sort of thing. They bring me a bottle or two every now and then. Nice guy and young Mason has grown up in the area, his mum was a friend of your mum’s when they were kids. Making a good go of the business too, I might add despite his father always trying to take over the damned show. Got gold medals last year in some fancy wine competition down in Sydney."
"I wonder if it’s who wants to buy the place." She looked beyond the shed but couldn't see anything.
"Did the sneaky solicitor fellow try to talk you into selling?" There was a scowl on Tibby's face now.
"Yeah he did and more than once. Every damned chance he got actually. Why, who is he anyway?"
"Damned annoying bloody pompous solicitor. Thinks he knows everything being who he is and all. Probably does but he sounds like a bloody broken record when he gets going. Him and your granddad had a run in or two over the years, something to do with your mother I believe and I know he wanted the place once." He looked at her from under hooded eyes making her think there was way more to the story. "Let's get a move on here."
He scurried off through the shed past a stack of baled hay into a stable. Stopping in front of the first door, he cooed and ran his hand over the dark velvet nose poking over the door.
"How is my beautiful girl this morning then?" He rubbed up to her ears and Sami and Garth walked up to stand beside him.
A pair of black liquid eyes rounded on Sami and the horse snorted, sniffing the air in front of her.
"Looks like she wants to meet you." Tibby grabbed hold of Sami's arm and dragged her closer. "Say hello to Mallika, means Queen in Arabic your grandfather said. She was his pride and joy. One of the best bred Arab mares in the area and due to give birth in a matter of weeks. A shame the old man couldn't be here to see how the foal turned out."
Sami took a shaky breath and held her palms out for the mare to sniff. The whiskers and warm breath rolled over her palms and she cooed in delight before she reached up to touch the black satin ears. "You beautiful girl." The dark coat was warm and soft under her fingers and she cupped her hands on either side of the mare’s head, leaning down to drop a soft kiss on the warm nose. She rested her head against the horse and for the first time in months, the tension eased from her shoulders.
Garth rubbed her back tentatively and Sami realized she was crying silently.
"Sami, are you okay?" he asked.
"Ha, yeah." She sniffed loudly and laughed when the mare tossed her head. "Sorry, hit me how hard it's been the last few months and now it's all over. We have a home, a lifestyle and money in the bank. It took the horse to remind me of how far we've come since Mum got sick."
"You looked like you were going to go to sleep."
"I think it's called relaxing, sonny. I doubt there would have been much of it with all the grief you kids have been through lately."
