Journey to the Stone Country (39 page)

Bo set a mug of tea beside her. He was saying, ‘We’ll call in and see that Bill Stirling on the way back through Collinsville. Bring this title into dispute. That old feller knows Grandma never signed no contract of sale.’ He sat beside her and sipped his tea, gazing into the fire. ‘When we get this place back, me and Clarrie Stokes will train up that boy of Trace’s to handle cattle in these old windbreak scrubs.’

She listened to him telling her his dream and she wondered how much Verbena would cost to buy and stock. She had half the house in Carlton and half Zamia Street. And there would be something from her super payout. She could work for Susan for a while. Become her partner even. Live in Townsville and come out to Verbena in the winter when the mustering had to be done . . .

When she woke beside him later, the bush beyond their camp was still and silent. She lay awake listening. She realised she could not hear the thump of Arner’s music. Bo stirred beside her. ‘Arner’s not playing his music,’ she said. They lay in the dark, listening.

‘That boy’s gotta sleep sometime,’ he said.

‘It’s a sign to you.’

He was silent a moment, then, ‘I guess you’re right.’

She felt for his hand in the warmth of the swag and held it. ‘I’m not coming with you to the playgrounds of the old people.’ She waited.

‘You’re not afraid of that old woman, are you?’

‘You and Arner should go without me. It will be better for all of us.’

He said nothing but squeezed her hand.

‘I’ll be here when you get back. I’ll be waiting for you.’

They lay in the silence, not speaking, holding hands and listening. For the moment it was enough to be together in this place.