Dust on the Horizon (38 page)

Thomas chuckled. “They're not expecting it so it won't make any difference. The place is yours until we work out what's best.”

“We're both so happy to have you all here.” Lizzie looked fondly at her son. “I don't believe that rubbish of your father's that Smith's Ridge is cursed but things have a way of working out.”

“It's good that Millie and the children will have their own space while I'm away.”

Thomas and Lizzie looked at each other then back at Joseph. “We've been thinking about that. We—”

Before his father could continue, Joseph cut him off. “The way things are Wildu Creek can't support another two families. Binda can help out with hunting food and he will look after stock, especially if Gulda's going away, but I will have to find some work off the property to bring in some money. I have a wife and four children to feed.”

“No.” Lizzie's response was sharp.

Thomas reached for her hand. “What your mother means is we have a way for you to stay.”

Joseph raised his eyebrows. His parents had made many sacrifices all their lives. He wasn't allowing them to make more to save him some labour.

Thomas leaned in. “Wildu Creek is as much yours as it is mine. The money we had saved to help you keep Smith's Ridge is still there. It's enough to keep us for quite some time providing the season improves. Instead of leaving your family behind to find work, stay here and work. Whatever you do benefits us all.”

“No, Father. It's a kind offer but you've said yourself you don't like the look of the seasons we've had lately. If we get another drought you will need everything you've saved to survive.”

Once more his parents looked at each other. This time his mother leaned closer.

“We need you, Joseph.”

“I'm not a young man anymore.” Thomas squeezed Lizzie's hand. “We both feel the work more. Gulda is a kind friend but he's never been as reliable as Binda and the older he gets the more he wants to spend time with his family. I know how he feels.” Thomas locked his gaze on Joseph. “Timothy and Eliza and their children work hard but it's not enough.”

Joseph sighed. “You really mean you want me to stay?”

“We can work closely together again, just like we used to.” Thomas's face shone in the firelight. “And you can continue your breeding program here. You're already seeing improved results. I'd like to be part of that. Together we can breed a better sheep with fine wool. An animal more suited to the conditions here.”

Joseph stood turned his back to the fire and studied his parents who were watching him eagerly. “You're sure?”

Lizzie gripped the arm of her chair and rose to her feet. “Of course we're sure, son.”

Relief flooded though Joseph and he beamed from one to the other. “Then, yes, I'll stay.”

Thomas got to his feet and Lizzie clapped her hands in excitement.

“But!” Joseph held up his hand and they both paused to look at him. “Should things take a turn for the worst I will definitely leave to find work elsewhere.”

“Yes, yes, of course.” Lizzie flapped her hands. “Oh do let's have another cup of tea. What a pity Millie was too tired to stay. Still, it's best the children have her close the first night in a new place. Tomorrow night we'll have a celebration dinner.” She reached up and kissed Joseph's cheek then hurried out to make the tea.

Thomas sat again. “No-one had arrived at Smith's Ridge before you left?”

Joseph shook his head. “No and I didn't want to be there to meet the Aldridge fellow I'm told has taken the lease. We will have to meet our new neighbour eventually but I'd like time to adjust to this new arrangement first.”

“Of course. Have you heard anything about Aldridge?”

“Only that he's from Adelaide and no-one appears to have met him yet.”

“No doubt we will soon enough.” Thomas tapped his fingers together and stared at the fire. “I hope he's someone we can be on friendly terms with.”

Joseph nodded. He sat back, enjoying the warmth of the fire and the thought of another cup of tea before he ventured out into the cold night.

Later he slipped quietly into his new bedroom. Millie had left the lamp burning low. All he could see was her dark hair above the brightly coloured quilt that covered their bed. He stripped to his undergarments, turned out the lamp and slid quickly beneath the sheets, seeking her warmth.

Millie nestled back against him, her body perfectly curved against his.

“I'm staying at Wildu Creek,” he whispered in her ear.

She reached back and pulled his arm around her. “I knew you wouldn't go away,” she murmured.

He kissed her neck and his hands drifted to cup her soft round breasts. She responded to his touch. Very quickly their bodies came together in perfect unison with each other, then nestled together they both slept their first night at Wildu Creek in peace.

Thirty-two

Jack signed his name on the document and watched as Henry signed his.

“So that's it.” Henry offered his hand.

Jack gave it a firm shake staring into his half-brother's eyes. Henry was a hard man to read but he appeared genuinely pleased at this arrangement and Jack was more than happy to go along with something that would see him on his own piece of land.

His legs straddled one of the benches that stretched either side of the huge table taking up most of the space in the big Smith's Ridge living room. It was the only furniture that had been left in the house, probably too big to remove. He stood up, stretched and walked around the large room. The sound of his boots echoed on the wooden floor. It was cold away from the sunshine which poured through the windows. He'd need to get some wood and light a fire or he'd freeze tonight.

“You'll have to find yourself a wife.” Henry stood up also. “They tell me it can get lonely out here, and cold at night.”

“Well I don't imagine I'll find a woman easily in these parts.” Jack gave a sardonic smile. “Unless the neighbours are friendly?”

It had been on the tip of Henry's tongue to suggest there were plenty of natives in the area but he thought better of it.

“I've told you it's important you keep to yourself. Make sure you prove your worth before you make any overtures to the neighbours. People in these parts have had trouble with natives. It's best they don't know your heritage until you've shown you're trustworthy.”

“Settle down.” Jack spun to look at Henry. “I know what we arranged. I will see how it suits me.”

Henry met his gaze with a steady look of his own. “We have a signed agreement, brother.”

“Not worth the paper it's written on.”

Surprise registered on Henry's face.

At last Jack had managed to dislodge the mask. He grinned. “That would only be if we didn't agree, of course.”

Henry turned away to pick up the papers. When he turned back his face was composed. “As long as we work together we will both benefit.”

“I am happy to accept your plan, for the moment.”

Jack watched as Henry folded the papers and slid them into the pocket of his jacket. When Henry had welcomed him as a long-lost brother, Jack had been suspicious, especially as Harriet had originally been so quick to try to be rid of him. But Henry had proved to be different. He had explained that while Jack was no relation to his mother, Henry and Jack were half-brothers, and he had been most welcoming. He'd said it had been his idea they take on Smith's Ridge as partners. He'd also told Jack that he didn't get on with the previous lessee, Joseph Baker, and Henry was concerned that if Joseph knew he and Jack were related he would make things tough for Jack.

Jack had laughed at that. He took no nonsense from anyone but he was prepared to go along with Henry for now.

“So my overseer and a shepherd will be here tomorrow?”

“Or the next day. There's little feed on my Cradock property and the sheep are in poor condition. It could take Donovan and Brand a bit of time to move them.”

Jack watched Henry walk to the window and peer out.

“Well, let's unload my cart.” Henry said. “I must return to Hawker. It will be dark before I get there.”

“Missing that pretty wife of yours?”

Henry turned to look at him, his expression unreadable. “Catherine does not like to be alone at night.”

“Well, she'll have to be tonight.” Jack crossed the room to pick up his hat from the table. “I need help to unload the wagon. It will take us a while.”

Henry frowned. “Donovan and Brand can do that when they get here.”

“You've just said that could be days. I'm not sleeping on the floor. Besides your wife has your child and the delightful Mrs Nixon for company and we've got a nice pie of hers to share for our supper.”

“You know a lot about my family for a man who hasn't met them.”

Jack tapped the side of his nose. “Blackfellas, we have a sixth sense.”

Henry glowered at him then gave a snort. “More like you slipped in to town from your camp last night and peered in through my windows.”

“Can't blame a man for wanting to see how the other brother lives.” Jack pushed the hat firmly onto his head.

“I told you we cannot be seen to know each other and you must never come to my house again.”

“Worried people will find out about your bastard brother?”

“Not so much people as my wife or Mrs Nixon. They are close. What one sees the other soon knows and then my mother would find out.”

“I'm not scared of Harriet.”

“Neither am I but my business is tied to hers. If she finds out about our arrangement she could cut off the money.”

Jack's eyes narrowed and he scratched at his chin. Harriet would surely wonder about the ease with which he had taken her money and left. Still, he'd go along with Henry. If it all fell apart he could go back to fleecing Harriet.

He smirked at Henry. “Blackmail works wonders with your mother.”

Henry looked him up and down. “But what would be the point of that when we can achieve our goals without her knowledge but with her money. My mother has always kept the purse strings tight. It took me some time to convince her this deal was a good one. If she thinks you're involved that will be that.”

“Where does she think I've gone?”

“Gone?” Henry tugged at his collar, something Jack noticed he did from time to time to delay answering a question.

“She's obviously convinced that whatever you've supposedly offered me has guaranteed my silence and my absence from her life.”

“I told her we spoke man to man—”

Jack laughed out loud and drew himself up. “I didn't think Harriet was so gullible.”

“She's not but I convinced her that you didn't really want to be tied to Adelaide and that the payment she gave you would allow you to travel to America.” Henry glared at him. “Her utmost wish is that you won't return from there.”

“So we are partners in deceiving your mother?”

“We are.”

Jack put his hands to his hips and tipped his head back a little. “Remind me once more what you will gain from this.”

“A property in this good country.”

“My property.”

“Eventually but for now we need each other. I've got stock that need feed and you have no stock nor the funds to buy any. Once you've got your own, mine should be fattened up enough for market. Then I will be looking for my own lease somewhere else in good grazing country.”

“You could have leased Smith's Ridge yourself. Left me out of it.”

“Yes but that was before I discovered I had a brother who's entitled to some kind of inheritance. Our father used to have this property. It's only right that we get it back. I'm not a pastoralist. You've had experience on the land. Donovan is a good overseer and Brand has come with excellent references but I need someone here who can be my ears and eyes.” He paused and lifted his chin, his dark eyes locked on Jack's. “My brother.”

“Well, brother, I need your help to move in. Think of it as some time for us to get to know each other before you leave me out here in the wilderness.”

“I'll admit it's isolated but hardly the wilderness.” Henry held his gaze a moment longer, indecision on his face then he grimaced. “Very well, I will stay but I must be gone early tomorrow morning.”

Henry lay in the bed that was to be Brand's when he arrived. He curled himself under the layer of blankets trying to keep some warmth in his body and wished he was home tucked up next to Catherine. In spite of the chilly wind that blew up the valley he'd worked up a sweat unloading the wagon. Now he felt clammy. He couldn't wait to get home to Hawker tomorrow and soak in the new bath they'd had installed.

It had taken the best part of the afternoon to unload the food, crockery and tools Henry had provided from the wagon and cart. Then there'd been the rough assortment of furniture to place. Unbeknown to Jack, Harriet had supplied it. Some of the furniture Henry remembered from his childhood. Harriet must have been hoarding it somewhere. An old cupboard that held the dishes had been put in the kitchen with a small table and a couple of chairs. There were some old stuffed armchairs and even a chest that he recalled being in their house at Port Augusta. The beds and other pieces weren't new but she had sourced them from somewhere. Harriet had been only too happy to ensure her plan to install Jack at Smith's Ridge worked. It had amazed Henry how much money she had put forward. She must have had a nest egg stashed away. It rankled to think he didn't know about it.

Henry rolled onto his back and thought about the man lying in the next room. Now that he was alone he could let down his guard. It had taken a lot of restraint to maintain a semblance of camaraderie with the man he resented calling brother. If the truth be known Henry resented Jack Aldridge for breathing the same air.