And Those Who Trespass Against Us (24 page)

He jumped down and held out his hand. "Everything's as fine as could be expected, Miss Pelham."

Catriona rolled her eyes. "How many times have I told you to call me Catriona?" She took his hand.

He shuffled his feet. "I know, but the missus," he thumbed over his shoulder to Mary, "would have my guts for garters if I did that."

Catriona chuckled and then gazed at the group of wagons. "It looks like you're heading somewhere."

"That we are. We're headed here." He was joined by a group of men from the other wagons.

"I don't understand."

Joseph took off his hat and glanced behind him. After receiving a nod from the other men, he turned and faced Catriona. "Two weeks ago we made you a promise, and we're here to keep it. We're here to help with your crop."

Catriona stepped back. "You can't. I mean, I'm very grateful for your offer. But it's the height of the season. Don't you have crops to tend to yourself?"

"Miss Pelham, there ain't one person here today who isn't somehow beholden to you and your family over the years. Why, many of us would've been turned out of our homes and, at one time or another, forced to go elsewhere for work if it hadn't been for the generosity of you and yours. You and I aren't fools either. How many times have you offered my whole family work which could have easily been done by only a few?"

He turned to the group behind him. "And how many of us have seen presents and food for our families mysteriously turn up at Christmas, when we ourselves didn't have two pennies to rub together?" Heads nodded and families mumbled in assent.

"So don't you stand here and tell us you've no idea how you can repay us for what we do here today. In truth, this is our repayment to you for treating us as if we was equals. Not like that lot that live in those fancy places in town." Sensing he had said enough, he pulled his hat back on his head.

Catriona stepped forward, too choked with emotion to utter words of thanks. Where words failed her, her actions didn't. Grasping the man's hand, she firmly shook it.

"Men," Joseph said, "let's get that gear unloaded." At his words the men sprang into action to unload the many and varied farming tools from the backs of their wagons.

Catriona turned away in an effort to conceal the tears she brushed from her eyes. Looking up, she met Katherine's gaze, tears freely flowing down her face. Before Catriona could say a word, Mary Connor lightly touched Katherine's arm.

"It's fine, dear. This is how it's done out here, between friends."

Katherine wiped her nose. "You couldn't have offered your help at a better time."

Mary dismissively waved her hand. "To tell you the truth the men have been champing at the bit for the past two weeks, waiting to help. I hope you don't mind, Miss Pelham."

Catriona shook her head. "I don't know how I'm going to repay you all."

"There's nothing
to
repay." Mary tilted her head toward the men. "Now why don't you go and help that lot, while the other women and I prepare lunch for you all. With all that's to be done, I'm sure you'll work up an appetite in no time."

"Thank heavens," Katherine sighed. "I'm not sure I could cook for all of these people."

"Don't worry about that, Sister." Mary held up a basket. "Each woman has packed enough to go around. All we need is a kitchen. Why don't you work with the children, and leave the cooking to us?"

Katherine smiled at Mary and Catriona. "I think that sounds like a wonderful idea."

By the sheer weight of their numbers and working into twilight, the group achieved alone what would have taken Catriona weeks to do. The only thing for her to do now was to sit, wait, and pray the rains would come and assist her young crops to maturity.

KATHERINE WAVED FROM her seat on the wagon next to Catriona. "Good morning Mrs. Comyns. Will you be home tomorrow?"

"All day," Mrs. Comyns replied. "Do you need anything, Sister?"

"No thank you. But I've a surprise for your children that I hope will, in turn, give you some more time."

Mrs. Comyns shifted the loaded basket she carried from one hip to the other. "Then I look forward to seeing you."

Katherine turned and lightly touched Catriona's arm. "I can't wait to see the look on the children's faces."

"I'm glad those books have finally arrived. I swear, if you had to wait any longer you might have burst."

Katherine smiled. "I didn't realise I was that obvious."

Catriona spared a glance at Katherine. "I'm glad you're happy." She broke her gaze and faced the road ahead. "Do you have a meeting with the ladies' committee today?"

"Fortunately, no. Since Father Cleary's returned they're more than happy to entertain him. But I do have a meeting with him. He's keen to discuss some religious matters, plus my current work with the children."

Catriona snorted. "Hopefully that won't be too painful."

"It shouldn't be. What business have you got in town?"

"I've got to pick up a new plough blade from Susan. The work the other week resulted in me breaking the last of my spare blades. Unfortunately, no amount of effort by Robert, the blacksmith, could fix it. He'd said he'd ask Susan to put one aside for me." Catriona reached out and patted Katherine's thigh, "Rest assured there'll still be enough room in the back of the wagon for your books."

SUSAN LOOKED UP in time to see her door open. Catriona stepped aside to allow Katherine to enter. The look of thanks which passed between them made Susan grateful no one else was in the store. If she wasn't mistaken, something had happened between them.

Katherine walked to the counter, a brilliant smile on her face. "How are you? Thank you for your message about the books. I was beginning to wonder whether they'd gotten lost somewhere. I believe I could have written one or two myself in the time it's taken for them to arrive."

Susan laughed at Katherine's light-hearted tone and relaxed features. "They may have been long in coming, but I don't think you'll be disappointed." She gestured to the box in the corner. "See the tea chest over there? It's yours and it's full to the brim with books. Go on, take a look."

Susan had barely finished speaking before Katherine almost skipped across the floor to the tea chest. "How wonderful!" Pulling out the books, she examined their covers then placed them on the floor. "It looks like there's something here for everyone. Just think, if I could get regular shipments of these, I could almost open up a library," she said over her shoulder, her attention overwhelmingly consumed by the contents of the chest.

Satisfied Katherine's focus was elsewhere, Susan furtively glanced at Catriona, who was absorbed with what Katherine was doing. "What news do you have, Catriona? I've hardly any news myself. The ladies' committee is on a righteous campaign at the moment. They've set up shop outside the local pub, chastising any man caught carousing with the professional women."

Susan laughed as she folded a piece of cloth in front of her. "Oh, and I hear our bushranging friends have been active again. Last week they entered a grazier's property not ten miles from here and held the family at bay before making off with a substantial amount of jewellery. I'd hazard they're getting a bit too bold. It shouldn't be long before they're caught."

She smiled, aware she only had half of Catriona's attention. Susan attempted to elicit a response resembling something other than a nod and a grunt. "I hear you had a number of helpers at your property last week. It must have been a great help to you. It would've taken you days to complete all that work by yourself."

Catriona broke her gaze from where Katherine sat, now covered in books. "I never realised my family had done so much until I saw those people out there."

Susan patted her hand. "I told you, good deeds do amount to something."

"Unfortunately though, in the course of the day, one of my plough blades broke. I normally loan the plough to the O'Hara's for their planting so I'm keen to have it replaced before he asks. Did Robert tell you to put one aside for me?"

"As a matter of fact he did."

Catriona's eyes lingered on Katherine.

Susan smacked her hand down hard on the counter, and Catriona whipped her head around. "Now tell me," she insisted, lightly touching Catriona's arm to maintain her attention, "what
other
news do you have?"

Catriona blushed and pretended to clean an invisible spot off the glass counter. "Oh, um, I'd heard about the increase in bushranging. Other than that nothing much out of the ordinary has happened." She studiously avoided Susan's questioning stare.

In a pig's eye. Susan was sure that, through viewing the interaction between the two, something had happened since she'd last spoken with Catriona. Eager to find out what was going on, but reluctant to ask in Katherine's presence she said, "I'm sure any news you have for me is better than none at all. How about you join me for some morning tea?"

Catriona's mouth opened and closed and she again looked in Katherine's direction. She cleared her throat and returned her gaze to Susan. "I'd love to, but I've got to take Katherine to her meeting with Father Cleary--" Catriona jumped at Katherine's sudden presence.

"There's no need," Katherine said. "He's only up the street, and even for someone as delicate as me, it's well within walking distance." Katherine ambled toward the door, unaware of the colour which had risen in Catriona's cheeks at her unintentional mention of her fragility. "You two have morning tea and a talk--unless of course you wish to come and talk over some religious issues with Father Cleary and me?" Katherine teased.

"Ah, thank you for your offer, but I think a cup of tea is more appealing. I'll pick you up in an hour if you like. Is that enough time for you and the father to finish your discussions?"

Katherine nodded. "I'll see you then."

Susan swept around the counter and locked the door. She turned to Catriona, her hands clasped. "Now how about you come out the back and tell me
exactly
what's been going on?"

CATRIONA TOOK A seat at the table and relayed the incident between the two of them in Catriona's bed, the morning after Alex's funeral. Susan's face was inscrutable throughout the telling while she non-verbally acknowledged Catriona's story.

Catriona massaged the back of her neck. "I didn't mean to kiss her, but when she kissed me back, I thought she wanted more."

Susan pensively tapped her lip. "Has she indicated whether she's made a decision?"

"No, but at least she hasn't moved out of the house. And, trust me. I've been very careful not to get too close to her." Catriona sighed. "I sense things have subtly changed between us. There's awareness with her now, in terms of what she does to me. She'll brush by me, or gently touch my arm or leg, much more than she used to. She
must
know what that does to me."

Susan shrugged. "Maybe she does. Her actions at the moment very much remind me of a young filly I had as a child. She's skittish, like she's dancing across a field, unsure of her ability to gallop on such fine legs, but afraid to take the first step. I expect she's attempting to make sense of the closeness the two of you now obviously share."

Catriona reached for a piece of cake. "You and your darned sixth sense. How did you know something had changed between Katherine and me?"

Susan leant forward in her chair. "Sixth sense be damned. I'd have to be blind not to notice the difference. It's written on both your faces. She looks at you with softness capable of melting anyone's heart. And you! Despite what you've said, your preoccupation makes me wonder if you're going to sweep her up into your arms and ravish her."

Catriona scratched her head. "Am I that transparent? I wasn't aware."

Susan smugly folded her arms. "If your feelings were any more obvious you could bottle it and sell it." Susan gently grasped Catriona's hand. "All I'm saying is be careful of who's around when you look at her, that's all. Most of all watch yourself when you're in town. This place has eyes everywhere."

Catriona spent the remainder of the visit discussing Katherine's idea of a library. They laughed at Katherine's unbridled enthusiasm, agreeing a library would go a long way to giving the opportunity of education to all that needed it, rather than to a selected few.

On finishing their lunch, both women returned to the main part of the store. Catriona easily lifted Katherine's box of books and took them out to the wagon. She returned and picked up the new blade for her plough then, with a wave goodbye, she headed for the hotel to pick up Katherine for their journey home.

KATHERINE LEANT BACK and surveyed the chaos in front of her. As a result of a number of births in the district in the past two weeks, her time had been more than capably filled with helping the town's midwife. Between that and Father Cleary requesting her attendance at the regular scripture classes in town, there'd barely been enough time to sort through her books. At least Catriona had given her a bit of a hand--when she wasn't reading the books of course, instead of placing them in the appropriate pile.

Given the storm they'd had the previous night, Catriona had left early to check on her crops, advising Katherine she'd be home around dark. This left her alone. "Finally," she said to no one in particular, while she sorted through the books.

Absorbed in the task of allocating books according to children's needs, Katherine was oblivious to another presence in the house until she heard the parlour door open. She smiled and placed a book on one of the piles. "You must have galloped around your crops, Catriona. I was sure you'd be gone for much longer--" She froze. Standing in front of her was Mary Carraghan.

"Hello, Katherine," Mary said, as if her visiting was an everyday occurrence.

Katherine scrambled to her feet. Again she sensed the uneasiness in her stomach she'd come to associate with Mary and, lately, Catriona. "What are you doing here? It's not safe for you to be this close to town. Plus Catriona could return at any minute." She looked over Mary's shoulder, willing Catriona to materialise.

Mary casually sat and crossed her legs. "And it's nice to see you too, Sister. As for Catriona's early return, that's doubtful. She's currently heading up to the paddock which borders the Anderson property. It's a good two to three hours there and back. Don't you worry about me being this close to town. I've been a lot closer and escaped." She eased herself deeper into the dimpled leather chair. "Why don't you sit down and make yourself comfortable?"