"He is your kind, and by that I mean farming people. You have to get that damned chip off your shoulder and realize you are as good as everyone else. You’re not any less of a person because you don't ponce around in high heels and have flashy clothes. And as for young Mason, he is not the way you are painting him, not by a long shot. So I suggest you go and find out what really happened and I know for a fact, he doesn't have a girlfriend."
He was shaking by the time he had finished and Sami reached out a hand in concern. "Are you alright?"
"Yes I am but so help me, I could put you over my knee for thinking the way you do. You and Garth are as good as anyone else and don't go letting anyone tell you different."
"Fine. Let's do some work. I've had enough of this conversation already." She hopped on the tractor and turned the key before driving it out of the shed and around to get a large round bale of hay.
Chapter 19
They worked together quietly, only speaking when it was necessary. Sami kept letting her gaze slide over the fence to see if she could catch a glimpse of Mason but all was quiet next door. When they broke for lunch Garth was still out and begrudgingly she made sandwiches for her and Tibby.
Together they fed cattle and horses, moved cattle to stockyards ready for pick-up and did general farming duties until Tibby called it a night. He went to have a shower before dinner and Sami wanted to spend time with Mallika. Instead of saddling her up, Sami put on a lead rope and halter and walked her down the pathway letting her stop and chew the grass when she wanted to.
"Life is so much easier when you are a horse I reckon. You don't have to worry about pretty clothes and making sure you look the part. No jealous fits of rage if he looks at another mare. No one sucking up to take what you have." She kicked a rock and swore. "The funny thing is, I really liked him. Really liked him. So much so I just about ravaged him in the kitchen. I wish there was a reasonable answer and it would all magically sort itself out. But that's not life as I know it. Nothing ever gets done for nothing, there is always a price to pay."
She talked to the horse until she had it out of her system and then turned back to the stables. Once Mallika was snug in her stable Sami headed for the house. Garth was setting the table and Tibby was glowering at him from his seat.
"What's going on?" She looked between the two of them.
"Nothing." Garth slammed the lid on the pot and crossed his arms.
"Bullshit. Tell me what it is." Sami put her hands on her hips and the sound of her boot tapping on the floor rang out in the kitchen.
"Garth, it's your news, you tell her."
"Mason offered me a job."
"What? I hope you said no." When he didn't answer or look at her, her stomach tightened. "Garth, what are you thinking? It's another way to get to us, through you."
He turned now, anger on his face. "No, you're wrong. He was talking about it before you got sprung by that girl. It has nothing to do with you, nothing to do with getting this place either."
"Yeah sure."
"It doesn't. I even asked him to swear on it."
"Oh Garth, don't let him use you, please." Sami dropped into a chair and gripped her hands together.
"I'm not. And if you would only listen to reason you would see everything isn't about you. Talk to him and find out for yourself."
"Oh, don't worry. I'll talk to him."
"Don't you mess up my chances here, Sami, or else. This is something I want. I've never asked anything of you before but I am now." He was red in the face and shaking with anger.
Choosing to be the wiser one in the family, Sami said nothing more but in her mind Mason was already a dead man. It was a matter of timing as to when and how he would die.
Dinner was a quiet meal and Tibby excused himself as soon as the dishes were done. Garth was wary and waited until they were alone to bring up the subject again.
"It's not only a job either. I will go to TAFE a couple of days a week and get a Diploma of Agriculture. I want to do it Sami, I want to make something of myself and I enjoy the growing side of farming. Please don't stuff it up for me." He looked at her with sad eyes and her heart almost broke.
"I won't stuff it up for you if he is on the up and up. But so help me, if this is a ploy to get his hands on our farm I will string him up, no questions asked."
Garth wrapped his arms around her and sighed into her hair. "It was James who offered me the job anyway. Said he had Mason's permission to do so but it was his idea. It will work out okay sis, I know it will."
She patted him on the back and stood up. "I need a soak in the tub and an early night. I'll let you lock up, okay?"
"Sure. Night."
Sami lay in the tub, the water as high as it could possibly go without sloshing over the floor. Her head was resting back on a folded towel and she had a cup of tea on a stool beside the bath. If she didn't relax she wouldn't sleep. She had to work out what to do
