When she came back to the kitchen, Winton stood at the sink doing the dishes, and Tom was nowhere to be seen. Libby grabbed a tea towel from the rack behind the door and started drying.
“Where did Tom go?”
“He just checking that the dogs are okay, missus.” He spoke softly. “Strays around upset them sometimes. Been taking some lambs too.”
“Okay, sure. Do you live in the house with Tom?”
“No, we live in the shearer's quarters, missus, out by the shed.”
“Call me Libby, please. Do you miss going to school?”
“Yeah, some.” He peeked at her shyly. “Tom been trying to teach me though.”
“What did you like most at school?” Libby asked as she polished a glass.
“I like to read, missus...umm...Libby.” He giggled. “All those places in the world to see. All there in those books for anyone who can read.”
“Have you been anywhere...besides here, I mean?” She put the glass on the table.
“Never been past Charleville.” He handed her a plate to dry. “One day I will though.”
“I'm sure you will too.” She put the last of the plates away as Tom came back into the kitchen. “Everything okay out there?”
“Yeah, just some stray dogs giving the stock some grief. I'll have to go out with the gun and see if I can find them. I don't want to lose anymore sheep, not so close to lambing anyway.”
“Can you show me around the farm tomorrow, Tom?” Libby leaned back on the kitchen bench, her arms crossed. “I may as well get into it from the start.”
“Can you ride a horse?”
“Bit rusty, but yeah, I can.” She smiled as she dragged up the memories of pony lessons. “It's been quite a few years, and I'll no doubt have difficulty walking by the time I finish up, but I'm game if you are. I lived here when I was a small child. I don't know if you know that or not. My memories have faded over the years, but I've always remembered the horses, and as an adult if there was a stable around, I'd ride when I could afford it.”
“What about the kids?” He tipped his chin toward the hallway.
“No, they've never been near one.” Libby thought before she replied. “Josh can keep an eye on Holly while we're riding. He's used to watching out for her.”
“I'll leave Winton here with them, just in case. He knows this place backward and then some. They may as well get used to each other now since they're going to be living together.”
“Thanks for everything. If you don't mind, I'm going to turn in. See you early in the morning.” They nodded their agreement and murmured good night, while Libby watched them walk outside, down the path and through the gate before closing the door. Taking another glance around her new home, she turned off the lights in the kitchen and went to her room. Finally, she had an end to a trying day, and in the morning, she had a new, fresh start...at life and—Libby hoped—happiness.
Chapter 2
The next morning, Libby woke with a sense of déjà vu as she lay listening to the sound of the kookaburras in the gum trees outside the house. She could hear the dogs in the background and what sounded like cows nearby as well. She threw back the blankets and padded in her bare feet to the bathroom. When she was finished, she grabbed a pair of old jeans and a long-sleeved, cotton shirt from her bag and pulled them on. She gathered her socks and boots to put on later and headed for the kitchen.
She opened the door and surveyed the yard. Dogs were loose and running around, chickens scratched in the dirt out by the open shed. She could see a tractor parked on one side and other machinery amongst the hay bales. She stepped out and stood on the path. None of this had been visible the night before. Only the front of the house had been bathed in the light of the porch. The air smelled fresh and—she imagined—green. The fence around the yard was covered with straggly-looking plants. She thought they might be heritage roses, but wasn't sure. It was something she could check later.
Her feet sank into the soft, green grass as she wandered around the back of the house. Someone loved this garden at one time, she thought as she spied what must be the vegetable garden Tom was talking about. Weeds grew everywhere, but even Libby could tell there were vegetables growing among them.
Cherry tomatoes climbed up the back fence, the small, red fruit covering the ground where the over ripe ones had fallen. She walked over and picked a shiny globe and popped it into her mouth. The fresh, sharp taste exploded on her tongue as she chewed in silent bliss. She promised herself she would learn all she could about the art of growing your own if this was the taste she could expect.
A lemon tree stood by itself against the side of a small wooden shed. She walked over to have a look, discovering an assortment of garden tools and pots on a workbench inside.
Libby glanced around the yard. She thought of what this move could mean to her little family and the things they would discover together. Jamming her hands into the back pockets of her jeans, she let her mind turn to what she wanted now she was here.
If she could get Josh to find an interest on the farm, he would turn around; she knew it. He was always such a sweet child. She wouldn't give up hope, even if she had to ask Tom to help with him. He needed a grandfather figure who wouldn't shout him down, but also one who would listen to him in a way she couldn't. Holly had perked up since she got her puppy. She was going to see if there were some
