try to forgive her. Yet it was a difficult lie to forgive; it had affected far too many people and spanned nearly three decades. Sarah wondered how Jim and his father were coping. Jim had left Australia within a day of learning of his mother’s death. Mr Levi had then told Frank about Maggie’s suicide note. The Mackens were proud people and they too had been unsuspectingly woven into Maggie’s imaginary life. If it had been appropriate she would have written to Jim, but the words between them had been too acrimonious and it was better for their relationship to be sealed forever by silence.
‘So how’s the patient?’
Toby Williams was standing at the back door, the rain pelting down so hard that his wide-brimmed hat resembled a waterfall.
‘Come in,’ Sarah held the door wide.
Toby shook his head, the action spraying a ring of water from his hat and sending streams of it down his Driza-bone jacket. ‘Just wanted to let you know that all the cattle are back in their respective paddocks.’
The rain was growing heavier. ‘One minute we’re praying for rain and the next we’re hoping we don’t get too much,’ Sarah commented.
Toby looked down the back path. ‘Reckon you can do with a bit of this for awhile, especially being summer and all.’
‘You’re probably right,’ Sarah agreed. ‘Toby, I want to thank you for everything. For looking after the cattle on the route, for –’ her eyes moistened – ‘sorry, you know what I mean.’
‘Sure, kiddo. Actually I’ve got something for you.’
Sarah opened the handkerchief-wrapped object. It was a small tortoiseshell hair comb.
‘It belonged to my great-aunt Lauren. Figured you’d like it.’
‘It’s beautiful, but really I can’t accept it. It looks like an antique.’
Toby smiled. ‘Consider it a loan then. I’ll be seeing you, kiddo.’
She leant forward and kissed him on the cheek. Sarah would miss him terribly, however she couldn’t ask him to stay. He was heading north to the territory and he wanted to get back in time for his brother’s wedding.
‘Call if you need me,’ Toby chuckled. ‘Actually that won’t happen. How’s about I just pop down and check on you myself one of these days.’
‘Anytime.’
Removing his hat, Toby placed it against his chest. Instantly his face was saturated. ‘Now she gets interested, right on leaving.’
‘Go,’ Sarah grinned. She watched him walk down the back path. With the rain lessening, she shrugged on a wet jacket and plodded out to the back gate. Toby’s vehicle revved through the mud and drove away to a chorus of barking dogs.
Beyond the gate the house paddock was a sea of water. Bullet and Ferret were out playing in the rain. They raced around in circles, splashing muddy water in dog-high arcs until eventually Ferret began to whimper. Matt’s dog had managed to get himself caught on a small island. Sarah watched as Bullet traced a path to his friend and then, having reached him, led him back through the wet grass to dry land.
Years ago Anthony had done the same thing. He’d rescued her and together they’d built a life together. Sarah placed a hand on her stomach. There would be a fifth generation on Wangallon and her unborn boy would be called Cameron. Sarah would like to have thought that only she and Anthony could be congratulated for the achievement, however she knew better. Sarah could just imagine her grandfather sitting up there in his squatter’s chair, accepting applause from all of those intrinsically connected to the property, shaking his gnarled hand on the fruition of all his convoluted planning. Sarah guessed Angus deserved some recognition, although at times she wondered what had occurred in her grandfather’s life to make him so obsessively protective of Wangallon. ‘Come on, baby. We better have ourselves a nap.’
Tomorrow was a busy day. Sarah was flying to Brisbane to see Anthony and her obstetrician. The doctor said there was every chance he’d be out of traction and able to hold his newborn son when the time came, and although it was a tenuous thing to cling to, it had given Anthony something to strive for during his recovery. Sarah studied the engagement ring on her finger and smiled, recalling Shelley’s suggestion she take on the role of wedding planner. The new year was going to be a busy one. With a sigh Sarah took a long lingering look at her land. They were assured of a good summer and autumn with this fall of rain. A kookaburra was laughing in the