"His damned girlfriend arrived, that's what happened." She pushed past him and walked up the path, taking the steps two at a time. With a harder swing than necessary, she threw her bag onto the table and watched it slide across and land on the floor.
Her lip wobbled and she kicked the leg of a chair in frustration. "Why Garth, does everyone think I'm not good enough? For fuck’s sake, I might not be a swished up Sydney type but at least I come from good parents and know enough to be nice to people. She was just a nasty piece of work. I don't know what he sees in her."
"Tibby said he doesn't have a girlfriend." Garth walked up behind her, wrapping his arms around her shoulders.
"Yeah, well he's wrong. I saw her and made a mess of the flowers she brought Mason. They landed all over the floor and the water spilt over her skirt. I'm so not her favourite person at the moment."
Garth laughed in her ear and she let the sound sooth her wounded pride. A small smile slowly curved her lips and she let it turn into a laugh.
"Oh, that feels better. Sorry mate, I didn't mean to dump my bad mood on you."
"What are we here for if not to look after each other? Sami, James said for you to call him when you get home. He wants to sort out the posts and when we can start work."
"Right. I guess there is no time like right now. Let me go change and speak to Tibby and we can get it sorted." She put on her work clothes and headed down to the shed to get a plan of action for Mason’s place.
"Tibby, James wants to speak to us about getting the posts in. Let's go over." She linked her arm through the older man’s and together they walked up to her car. Sami drove them over and with James they worked out how they were going to proceed.
"I have Eliza and her parents offering to help as well. Lance who was here the other day when Mason had the accident is also willing to give us a day or two. Between us we should have all the posts in before Mason gets home from the hospital." He smiled at Sami. "You are pretty good at fence straining so between us we should be able to get the wires done in a couple of days."
"Great. How about an early start in the morning then?" Tibby looked at them and nodded. "Right then. See you tomorrow James."
* * *
They met the next morning by the cellar. It took them all day to get the main posts in.
When she was ready to head for home Sami looked around the paddock for Garth, raising her hand to block the dipping sun. When she couldn't find him, she walked around the cellar thinking he might be there.
Turning a corner, she found him leaning against the wall, his hands up against the cobblestone building. Eliza had her hands wrapped around his waist.
Well I'll be damned. He does like Eliza. That is so cute.
She retraced her steps and made conversation with James, hoping Garth wouldn't be too long.
When he walked out she was ready to leave. Sami tried to keep her conversation light and not let on she had seen them together.
"Let's go home. I'm so damned tired and need a soak in a hot bath if I'm going to be able to do this again tomorrow and the next." Sami opened her door. "See you in the morning, James."
"Thanks for the help, very much appreciated. Sleep well."
"Oh we will, never fear." She slid into her seat and started the car before driving home.
Sami fell asleep before her head hit the pillow and dreamed of a man she had no claim on.
* * *
Sami rolled out of bed when the alarm screeched, keen to get the job finished before Mason returned from hospital. Garth and Tibby were already in the kitchen when she walked out.
"Morning Sami. Coffee is coming." Garth poured her a cup and placed it in front of her.
"You look like hell." Tibby took a loud sip of his coffee and looked over the edge of his cup at her.
"Gee thanks. I'm sure you mean it in the nicest possible way."
"Nah, you really look bad today. What's the problem, not enough sleep?"
"Bad dreams and I ache all over. Those posts are bloody hard work. I'll be glad when we have finished them."
"We should be finished the last post before lunch today and then we can start stringing the wires. Should give those muscles of yours a break." Tibby smiled and inspected his own hands.
Sami winced when she saw the blisters on his palms regardless of the fact he had worn gloves most of the time.
Sami's hands were aching too but she wouldn't complain. It was easier to bear the aches and blisters than suffer the pain Mason had with his injuries. James said he was due home shortly. With luck they would be finished stringing before he got there and she could go about her own business and leave him to his vineyard. The less she saw Mason the better, especially with his girlfriend around.
Garth placed a round of toast in front of her and she picked it up eating it without thinking, the vision of Clare with her arms around Mason made her wince.
"Earth to Sami." He was watching her.
"Uh, sorry what was that?" She sighed and shook her head bringing herself back to the present.
"I was asking you if you are ready to go?"
She downed the rest of her coffee and slammed the cup down on the table. "Let's go and get this job done."
Garth and Tibby hurried to catch up with her and get a lift.
Sami pretended not to notice the car coming up the drive when Mason's mother brought him home. She kept her attention on the job at
