They fixed fences until the sun started to lower in the sky. The kids started to complain by late afternoon, and Libby's hands were almost raw. The muscles in her back ached and a warm bath seemed like heaven. The pups had long since gone to sleep under the four-wheel-drive parked in the shade.
“Let's call it a day.” Tom twisted the wire closed on the next section of fence. “You guys have done well, but you look pretty done-in. We can come out again tomorrow.”
“But, Mum, tomorrow’s Sunday.” Josh frowned. “We always sleep in.”
“This is a working farm.” Libby dreamed of her bed after a soak in the tub and a late start tomorrow so she couldn’t blame him. “We have so much to do to get the farm up to scratch, and on Monday, I have to go into town and book you all in school. That's just the way it is. Help pack up the gear, and we can go home.”
Libby let her gaze travel the newly repaired fence line on the trip back to the house. She felt a surge of pride in herself and her family. We can do this, fix the farm and make it a home, and it feels so damned good too.
Chapter 3
After their hard day of fencing, the dinner conversation was a huge downer for the kids. Libby tried to involve them in her Monday plans, but the only one remotely interested in starting school was Winton.
“This is not up for discussion.” Libby spoke between mouthfuls. “You’re all going, and that's final. You can make it easier on Winton though, Josh, if you go over what you've been doing this year. It would be a shame to see him held back because he's missed so much.”
“He should be okay.” Tom spoke up. “We have been working at nights on his schoolwork, and he likes to read, always got his nose in a book when he's not out working or skylarking around.”
“Regardless, Josh, after dinner, you and Winton can go over your books and see where he’s up to, and on Monday, I'm taking the three of you into Charleville to school.” Libby looked around the table at all of them, daring them to argue with her. “That makes tomorrow your last free day, so you can be excused from working on the farm so long as your rooms are clean, and the dogs can probably use a bath. Tom and I are going to have a cuppa on the veranda, and you kids are on dishes duty.”
Libby got up from the table amidst cries of protest and put on the kettle for tea. She made two big mugs and walked outside, taking a seat in one of the old chairs. She stretched her feet out in front of her and let her head droop over her chest.
“Takes it out of you, doesn't it?” Tom took a seat beside her.
“Yes, but it's a good feeling. I really enjoy working outside, even if my hands are covered with blisters and feel like they're on fire. You know, Tom. When I first walked in the house yesterday, I felt like I was home, it was almost as if deep down in my mind, I hadn't really left. I've never felt that in any of the places we've lived. Even meeting you, I feel like I've known you for ages.”
“Guess that means you'll be keeping me on then.” Tom chuckled and took a sip of his tea.
“What do you think? At least until you teach me everything you know.”
“Well, now.” Tom stretched his legs out in front of him. “That could take a mighty long time, being as you are such a slow learner and all.”
Libby almost choked on her tea with laughter. It was so nice to be around a man she felt at ease with.
* * *
There was no time for a leisurely breakfast the first morning of school. Josh refused to get out of bed until Libby threatened him with a glass of cold water, and Holly was pensive about leaving Henry home. When she opened the back door, Winton stood there, scrubbed clean and in his best jeans and shirt. He nervous chewed on his bottom lip, but Libby really didn't have the time to fuss and reassure him as much as she wanted to.
She made them breakfast and packed lunches, using what she had on hand, and herded them all out to the truck for the trip to school. Tom had given her directions and a list of shopping to pick up from the produce store.
After enrolling the kids at school and seeing them to their classes, she drove to the store and parked behind a familiar vehicle.
Damn. It would be childish to drive off and come back later. She would just have to deal with it. She knew she could. She just didn't know if her hormones felt the same way. After all, five years without sex tended to get one just a little bit testy when a ruggedly handsome man touched her, even if he were a conceited and arrogant brute.
She exited the vehicle and walked into the store. Two men were leaning over the counter, and their conversation stopped as she walked across the wooden floor, her boots tapping a rhythmic tattoo.
Nathan stood and faced her as she walked toward them, and she noticed a smile tugging at his mouth when her step faltered. She managed to pull herself together and continued until she stood opposite him.
“Didn't expect to see you in here today.”
“Why would that surprise you, Nathan?” She glanced around. “This is a produce store, isn't it? Somewhere where one can buy stock feed for one's farm. At least, that's what Tom told me. I do hope he wasn't wrong on that point.”
She gave him her best attempt at sarcasm and tried to look offhand while
