"Garth, leave me alone, please."
"Uh, Sami. It's late and your breakfast is ready." He shuffled his feet beside her bed and she bit her lip.
Way to go Sami, knock him down when it's your own fault for drinking something you're not used to.
She forced her eyes open a fraction and glared at Garth.
"Why did you let me drink so much wine?" Her voice came out in a rough whisper. "You know I can't handle it."
"You seriously expect me to tell you what to do? Like that would work." He stood with his hands on his hips and glared back at her. "Since when did you take any notice of what I say?"
"I always listen to you." She pulled herself to a sitting position and grabbed her head. The thunder of horse hooves drummed inside her skull and she was ready to scream. "I wish you were older and could be the boss when I need you to be."
"Yeah well, it'll never happen. Tibby is waiting for you because the stock agent rang this morning and wants to come over today. Said he has a customer looking for cattle and he might be able to get us a good deal if we don't take them to market."
"That is so unfair. One day I drink and I don't even get to suffer in peace over it. Fucking wonderful." She stood up and Garth backed away as she swayed on her feet. "I'll be fine. Out soon, I need coffee please, lots of coffee before I have to meet anyone."
"Sure." Garth grinned and backed out of the room.
The slam of the door increased the drumming in her head and she cursed loudly. No way. Never again. No matter how much he smiles and tries to win me over, I'm not drinking Mason's wine again.
By the time she had done her teeth and pulled on some clean clothes, Sami was hungry and incredibly thirsty. She made her way to the kitchen on shaky legs and kept her glance down until she sat down at the table. Leaning back, she breathed a heavy sigh.
A chuckle made her look up. Tibby was shaking his head, his lips curved as he watched her.
"Well, say it then."
"It's been ages since I've seen anyone with a hangover. I certainly didn't expect it from you after what you said."
"Me either. It wasn't intentional believe me. It kind of creeps up on you drinking wine. A bloody good reason why I won't again." She pinched the skin between her eyes. "Do we have any pain killers, Garth?"
He opened the cupboard and passed over a packet with a grin. She glared at him before grabbing them. Popping two, she held her hand out for the glass of water Garth passed over.
"Thanks, Garth. I owe you one."
"Yeah, I know. It'll keep." He turned back to the stove with a grin on his face but Sami was too ill to even ask what he was up to.
By the time she had drunk two cups of coffee, eaten a full breakfast and dosed on paracetamol, Sami was starting to feel human again.
"You don't have to go out today if you don't want to." Tibby sat back in his chair and watched her. "The stock agent is coming over and there is hay to put out for the cattle but everything else can keep for tomorrow."
"Nah, it's cool. I can cope. Let's get started."
"We may as well start feeding out and when the stock agent gets here he can find us." Tibby climbed up on the tractor and started it. Reversing out of the shed he drove around the other side before lifting a large bale of rolled hay with the forks. Sami waited until he was finished and jumped up on the side step.
They headed down the driveway to the paddocks where the cattle were milling around the fence line.
"They must have known we were bringing this down here."
"Probably smelled it, truth be told. Open the gate for me, please."
* * *
Sami was pleased with the way things had gone with the stock agent and decided to take a ride on Mallika to clear away the last wisps of her hangover.
She tightened the girth strap carefully over the swollen stomach of her horse. Sami ran her hand over the protruding belly and leaned her head against it. The heat and smell of the horse soothed her stressed mind and she soaked in the calming vibes.
Oh if life was as simple as this. The horse whinnied and Sami grabbed hold of the reins before putting her foot in the stirrup and launching herself into the saddle. She turned down the pathway and let the mare set the pace. It was peaceful and serene this late in the afternoon. The cattle were lazing under the trees and the sky was scattered with birds slowly making their way to their roost for the night.
Sami glanced around the farm, finally secure in the belief this place would not be taken from them. They could afford to form an attachment to the property and set down roots.
A movement caught her eye and she looked next door. The pace of her heartbeat picked up. Mason was coming toward her on Caesar and together they looked magnificent. Mallika obviously agreed with her and started to prance where she stood. Urging her forward, Sami tucked a loose strand of hair from her face and sat up straighter in the saddle smoothing down the creases in her shirt.
"Hi." She waved as casually as she could and let her horse head toward them.
"How are you today Sami, recovered from yesterday?" Mason had a smile on his face and she debated trying to ignore his charms before giving in and going with it. Life was too short to play hard to get.
"Garth was right. I am a two pot screamer." She laughed and slapped a hand on her thigh. "I had the worst damned headache
