"I made a mistake and nearly paid for it with my life. My own stupid mistake, not Mason’s."
"Why are you so damned protective of him? He wants what we have and now you too? Forgive me for being a little bit paranoid, brother."
"Yeah well, you need to get over it. He's already said he won't push you for the land he wanted. If you must know, he is going to use the river flats down the back for the new crop and not bother you again."
"Why couldn't he have used them before instead of his father driving us nuts over it?"
"Because it's not ideal. The land is steep and prone to flooding. Plus it doesn't get enough sun to make him happy."
She tapped her fingers on the steering wheel before speaking again. "Not my problem."
When they drove in Tibby was waiting to welcome Garth home. His eyes were moist and voice gruff as he helped him from the car. "Good to see you standing on your feet instead of laying down."
"Yeah, feels good to be here too. Sorry if I worried you all."
"It was your sister I was worried about. Figured she would have taken it pretty hard if you didn't make it back. Not sure if I could have handled a cranky female at my age." He laughed and followed them into the house.
They settled Garth in a chair and Sami gave him the television remote. "I guess I need to get back to work, eh Tibby?"
"Yep, got a bit to do too. Young Garth should be fine on his own. Kick back and watch the telly or something for a day or so before you venture out again."
"Stop fussing you two, I'll be fine. I want to go over and see Mason. I feel bad about what happened."
"No Garth, you aren't to go back over there."
He looked up at her, a frown on his face. "Hang on a minute. I told you it wasn't his fault. You can't make me stay home, Sami."
"I'm saying I don't want to risk whatever it was hitting you again." She stood and placed her hands on hips. "It could be chemicals or anything on his place that set you off."
"He doesn't use sprays of any kind, it's all organic."
"But-"
"Sami, get over it. It happened. I spoke to the doctor and he said it could be stress or plain bad luck. They don't always know why."
She chewed her bottom lip and looked to Tibby for help. He shook his head and walked away mumbling to himself.
"What did you say?" she called out to him.
"Stop treating the boy like a kid and let him make up his own mind. He's almost a man." Tibby looked at her from under bushy eyebrows daring her to answer back.
"This is stupid. I'm worried about him, okay?" She turned to Garth. "Can you please stay home and rest today and then we can talk about it in the morning?"
"Fine but don't expect me to enjoy being treated like a baby, Sami."
She punched him on the shoulder with a glancing blow. "Let me get over my over-protective fit and we will see. Thanks buddy." With a quick peck on his cheek, she walked over to Tibby and followed him out.
Chapter 11
The next morning Sami had resigned herself to the fact her brother was his own person and capable of deciding where he would spend his time. After making sure he had his inhaler for the fourth time, she allowed him to leave the house and head over to Mason's vineyard with the promise he would meet her for lunch.
She followed Tibby out to shift the cattle, tense but happy to have her brother safely home and things back to normal. By the time they had moved the herd it was close to lunchtime. The cows were grazing peacefully and she leaned on the fence with Tibby watching them.
"I still can't get over how much grass there is here for the cattle. We were lucky to string two patches of dead weeds together in the outback."
"I guess we are pretty lucky in that respect. It's a case of keeping the cattle numbers right so you don't go over stocking the place and get into all kinds of strife. You'll get used to it eventually."
"Hi Sami, Tibby." She looked up to see Garth running down to the fence line. He came to a halt beside her and wrapped his arm over her shoulder. His face was flushed and he was happier than she had seen him for ages. She breathed a sigh of relief. He was safe.
"Are you feeling okay?"
"I'm fine, stop with the worry will you? Mason asked me to give you this." He held out a cream-coloured envelope and waited for her to take it.
She eyed it as if it would shoot out and bite her hand. She took it and slipped her finger under the flap and read it before looking up to meet her brother’s expectant look. "You know what it says, yeah?"
"Yeah. Can we go? It sounds like fun. He has a spit roast outside and a local band playing music. There will be apple dunking for the kids and a jumping castle." He laughed and looked down at the ground. "I think we should, Sami, we can get to know the locals and make some friends. And I think you need to go and say thanks to Mason for saving me." Garth raised his gaze to meet hers pleading. "It's time you had a friend. A
