The Road Home (25 page)

LARA had thought she was prepared for New Zealand, but she hadn’t anticipated its five-degree weather. In Queenstown, she and Noah bought some decent jackets before driving their hire car all the way to Te Anau. It was a two-hour drive and the whole time Lara was riveted by the magnificent views. She couldn’t get over the abundant green landscapes and the mountains. It was worlds apart from Erindale.

‘So, how big is his farm?’ she asked Noah.

‘It’s about 1200 acres and they run about five thousand composite ewes and around four hundred and fifty head of Stud Hereford cattle. He even said they grow swedes for strip grazing.’

‘Strip grazing? What’s that?’

‘Buggered if I know.’ Noah laughed and checked his watch again.

‘Don’t worry. We’ll make it. We would have made it easy if you hadn’t got us lost.’

‘What road was the cemetery on again?’

‘Whitestone Road. It should be coming up soon. So whereabouts is the farm? Do you think we’ve driven past it?’

‘I don’t know! You’re the one with the bloody map.’

‘Hey! If it weren’t for me, you’d be in Christchurch by now and we wouldn’t even make the funeral. What idiot flies in just before the funeral anyway?’

‘Don’t knock me! I could only get away for a few days. Amanda couldn’t even come. You know how hard it is to get away from the farm. And it’s not my fault that the earlier flights were booked out.’

He was right. She was lucky to have Trent keeping things running on Erindale.

Lara was nervous about turning up at the cemetery unannounced. How would Jack feel about seeing her again? Maybe it wasn’t the right thing to do. But as awkward as it might be, she knew she had to go through with it. It wasn’t over, not for her.

‘Turn here, turn here!’ she yelled. Noah turned into Whitestone Road and they watched out for the cemetery.

‘No wonder he wanted to run the farm, Noah. Can you believe this scenery? If I didn’t know better, I’d say I’d just arrived in heaven. Those pine trees, the hills, so much green. I can’t believe we are actually in New Zealand. I haven’t even left the state before.’

‘I know. It is pretty cool,’ said Noah with a trace of sadness.

‘Look, there are all the cars. We’re here.’

Lara wanted to bite her nails but chewed the inside of her mouth instead.
Please let us be on time.
She searched every face, wondering who all the people were. Finally she saw the hearse as Noah pulled into a parking spot.

As she climbed out Lara spotted Bec and then, at last, Jack. His dark slacks and jacket looked strange on him, but he still looked handsome. He was leaning against a car, looking torn and upset.

Lara’s steps faltered. She didn’t want to make it worse for Jack or embarrass him. Noah strode ahead of her, and she attempted to blend into the milling crowd. She saw the relief on Jack’s face as Noah slapped his arm before giving him a hug. Her throat constricted. Jack smiled and the sight of that alone was worth the flight and car trip. Heart pounding, she watched as he introduced Noah to a woman who was undoubtedly his mum, and then to his brother. Bec recognised Lara and waved.

Tentatively, she started towards them, smoothing her hair, wiping her face and straightening her back. She couldn’t take her eyes off him. Then finally he saw her. There was disbelief in his eyes as he blinked rapidly. She closed the gap and threw her arms around him, holding him as tightly as she could.

‘Lara?’ Her name caught in his throat.

‘Hiya, Jack,’ she whispered into his ear, enjoying the tingle of his hair against her cheek and the smell of his clean-shaven face. ‘I’m so sorry about your dad.’

‘Lara? What are you doing here?’ he stuttered as she felt his arms tighten around her. All her fears fell away as his hug brought the reassurance she needed.

Jack pulled back. She gazed into the swirling green emotion of his eyes.

‘Jack, I came for you, to be here for you,’ she said.

‘Um, hello?’ came a little voice behind Jack. They turned to face the questioning eyes of his family.

‘Mum, Matt, Jude, this is Noah’s sister, Lara. Lara, this is my mum —’

‘Hi, Lara. Call me Barb,’ Barb cut in. Her black hair was lined with grey and pinned back into a neat bun. Her green eyes pierced Lara, just like Jack’s did.

She held Barb’s hand briefly. ‘I’m so sorry for your loss.’

‘Thank you. It’s good of you to come so far.’

‘Hey, Lara,’ said Bec, who stepped out from behind Barb. She gave her a hug.

The funeral director walked over and cleared his throat. ‘Excuse me, is everyone ready to proceed with the funeral? I think everyone has arrived,’ he said. His dark suit was fitted, emphasising his round belly.

Barb nodded, taking a large royal-blue hanky out of her bag. Matt held one of her arms and Jamie the other, and together they headed to the coffin. Jude and her kids and the rest of the family followed.

Lara tucked her arm through Jack’s, and his warmth spread through her chilled bones. Noah walked on Jack’s other side with Bec.

As the graveside service began, Jack’s hand found Lara’s, and he held it tightly as they lowered his father into the ground. He only let go towards the end, when it was his turn to drop in some grass that had been collected from the farm. Lara couldn’t stop the tears rolling down her face as one of Jack’s nieces read out a little story about her granddad and how much she would miss him.

Afterwards, Barb invited them back to the house for the wake. ‘You can crash with Jack in his old room,’ she said to Noah, ‘and Lara can have the floor in my sewing room.’

‘Thanks, Barb. That would be wonderful. You sure we won’t be putting you out?’ Lara asked as they headed to the cars.

‘Of course not. I can’t have Jack’s friends staying in town. I want to hear all about his life in Australia.’ Barb clutched Lara’s hand as if to say that it was a done deal.

Only the immediate family and friends had been invited back to the quaint farmhouse. Cars lined the driveway and people in black mingled throughout the warm house. Lara wandered slowly through the rooms, taking in everything from Jack’s past. Bec found her as she was looking at a collection of photos on the wall.

‘That was Jack at his first rugby game, and us lot in the snow when we were about ten,’ she said, brushing her black hair back. ‘He still has that cheeky grin.’

Bec continued explaining all the photos but Lara caught Jack in the dining room out the corner of her eye, and from that moment on she was only half listening. No matter where he moved throughout the house, she knew where he was and couldn’t stop sneaking glances in his direction, occasionally meeting his eyes. There was desire and longing in their exchanges. She was bursting with the need to tell him how she felt, but today was not the time.

When she went to the table for a slice of cake, Jack brushed up against her, and the intensity of his touch nearly made her drop her plate.

‘I’m so glad you’re here, Lara,’ he said quietly. It was if they were the only two in the room. They looked at each other, breathing slow and deep. A few seconds later, Jack asked, ‘Are you all right here?’

‘Yes. Bec’s keeping me company. Showing me all the photos from when you were young.’

Jack rolled his eyes. ‘Hmm, that’s no good. How about tomorrow I take you out on the bike and show you around? Just the two of us.’ The air hung with innuendo.

‘I’d like that,’ she said breathlessly.

The next day, after Barb had cooked up a hearty breakfast for them all, Jack showed Noah and Lara around the sheds and took them to Matthew’s place. Matt had some work with the cattle to do so Noah tagged along, hoping to pick up something he could share with his father-in-law.

‘You’ll be all right here, sis?’ Noah asked before getting into Matt’s ute.

‘Yeah. I’ll take her up to the top paddock and show her the best view,’ said Jack.

‘Righto.’ Noah winked as he and Matt drove off.

Jack touched her hand. ‘Come on. Bike’s in the shed.’

Lara plodded along behind him in gloves, her big jacket, a beanie and a huge pair of gumboots. Jack sat on the red quad bike, and Lara threw her leg over and snuggled up close. Her arms fastened tightly around his waist. Even with all the extra clothing, she still felt the thrill of holding him.

He took a moment before starting the bike and heading off along a track over green hills. Five minutes later, when Lara’s face had just about frozen and her ears were burning from the cold, he stopped. Jack helped her off and led her towards the fence line. Between the pine trees and behind the luscious rolling pastures, the mountains stood, ever imposing and beautiful.

Jack wrapped his arms around her from behind, and they looked at the view together. She felt his cheek rest against her head as he inhaled.

‘I still can’t believe you’re here, Lara.’

She liked the tender way he said her name. ‘I had to come.’ She relaxed into his warm embrace as she studied the gorgeous scenery. ‘You have such an amazing country here, Jack. No wonder you didn’t want to leave it.’

‘It’s dull in comparison to you.’

She laughed and turned around. ‘Not true, but I’ll take it.’ They stood, staring into each other’s eyes, not wanting to break the moment. Surely it was a perfect dream she was having. ‘God, I’ve missed you, Jack.’ It was such a relief to say it. ‘I know you said we couldn’t start something, but … it’s too late for me.’ She reached up and caressed his face. ‘Jack, I’m already in love with you.’

‘Lara —’

‘I don’t want to hear it, Jack. Please, just let us enjoy what time we have left.’

‘What? You don’t want to hear me tell you how this amazing city-girl-turned-farmer flipped my world upside down? No matter how hard I tried to push you away, you just kept bugging me until I fell in love with you too.’ Jack was grinning like a Cheshire cat. He bent closer so his lips brushed against hers and whispered, ‘Because I do love you, Lara. I don’t know how you did it, but you’ve stolen my heart.’

She ran her thumbs over his cheeks, studying the face she loved so much. ‘Oh, Jack. How is this ever going to work?’ she said sadly.
They were doomed. She tucked herself into his arms. He smelled so good, so fresh.

‘Look, I know you have to fly home in a few days,’ he said, and she winced at his words. She didn’t want to hear them. It was bad enough thinking it.

‘But I’m hoping that we can continue this when I fly back in a few weeks’ time.’

‘What?’ She stepped back, searching his face for answers. His handsome, masculine face. He was still grinning.

‘Lara, I’m coming home. Back to Kulin.’
And to you
, it echoed, unsaid.

‘What about your farm? I thought that’s all you ever wanted.’

Jack smiled sheepishly. ‘So did I, until I got back here. You were right – I’d been clinging on to this place like a shrine. Wasted my life pining for it when in fact I don’t belong here any more.’ He laughed a little. ‘Turns out I can belong wherever my heart is.’ He caressed her cheek. ‘And that is with you back in WA.’

Lara was holding her breath. Was this for real? Was it that simple?

‘I’ll stay and help Matt sort a few things out and then I’ll be home. Jerry’s pretty happy that I’ll be back. Are you?’

Lara let her breath out in a rush and sucked in another lungful as the dizziness passed. She pressed in close against his chest, and despite the cold, she felt warm all over. ‘Yes, Jack, yes,’ she whispered in his ear.

LARA pulled on her boots as Roy danced and Dippa plodded around her, eager for the day to start.

‘I know, boys. I won’t forget you. The header would be lonely without you two,’ she said, giving them both a scratch.

‘Oi. Don’t forget your lunch,’ said Mel, coming outside with Lara’s esky.

‘Oh, ta. That might come in handy,’ she laughed.

Lara grinned at her friend. Moving to the country had been the best thing for Mel. She just looked so wonderful and had a healthy glow about her – a glow she’d seen mirrored in Trent’s eyes when he’d last popped over with Marge. He blamed his gran for all the visits but Lara wasn’t silly. He’d instantly taken a shine to Mel.

‘Aren’t you lucky your business has taken off so well that Trent has offered to help build your vet room?’ Lara teased.

‘Huh. I’m just lucky you have a handy neighbour.’ Mel looked up at the blue sky dreamily. ‘You know, he’s as handsome as Noah,
but so much more my type. Oh, and did I mention he’s not married? He’s ticking all the boxes so far,’ Mel said, laughing.

‘Well, I’ll leave you to your plans. I’d better get harvesting as it’s not going to do itself and the forecast is for rain. Thanks for our lunches, by the way.’ Lara hugged Mel.

‘The least I can do after all you’ve done,’ said Mel, walking back into the house. ‘I’m going to turn the aircon on. It’s gonna be a warm one today. See ya!’

Lara chucked the esky on the ute, along with the dogs, as a white Land Cruiser pulled up.

‘Hey, Marge!’ she said, giving the perfectly starched and ironed lady a hug.

‘Morning, Lara. I’ve just finished a batch of scones,’ she said, unwrapping a tea towel. ‘Take these with you.’ She passed over a box with little containers of jam and cream, all ready for the paddock.

‘Oh, Marge. Whatever would I do without you? I can’t wait to introduce you to Jack’s mum when she gets here. I think you two will hit it off.’

‘When was that?’ Marge put a sun-spotted finger to her temple.

‘In February. Don’t worry – you won’t miss her. She’s staying for a month. A bit here and a bit with Bec on her farm. Anyway, Marge, I’ve got to shove off but Mel’s inside and you know how much she loves your scones.’

‘Ah, she’s a good sort, that Mel,’ Marge said with a wink.

Lara laughed and said goodbye. She jumped into her ute and headed up to the paddock at the top of the hill. Once she got there, she climbed out and onto the back of the ute. Lara couldn’t help but smile.

In front of her stood golden rows of wheat, filling up the whole paddock. Her crop. The thought filled her with such pride that not even the big gaps in the rows could dampen it. Yeah, so what if it looked like great big worms had munched their way through the crop, leaving rows of unseeded dirt. It was like Jack said: hoses get blocked all the time, and next time she’d know to check them. It was a minor thing and she wasn’t going to feel stupid over it. Farming was something she wasn’t going to learn in a year, or even two, but she was okay with that. Erindale was forgiving. She opened her arms as if to hug the whole farm.

‘Oi, you gonna start singing next, Fräulein Maria?’ Jack stepped up on the tray and wrapped his arms around her. It was hot already, with the sun bearing down on them, but she revelled in his warmth.

Lara looked out over Erindale, and towards the half-harvested paddock of wheat shimmering in the heat haze behind them. It was a far cry from the mountains of New Zealand, that was for sure.

‘I had a call from Mandy this morning,’ she said, pulling back.

‘And?’

‘She’s going off the pill. They’re starting their family.’

‘Really? Go, Noah! I hope they call their firstborn Jack,’ he teased. ‘Oh, but then we’d probably have to repay the favour with our first. Damn.’

Lara smiled. ‘So, we’re going to have kids too, hey? Were you going to involve me in this process?’ she joked.

Jack pulled her in close and nibbled her earlobe. ‘Of course. But let’s just practise for now. I have to marry you first.’ His warm breath in her ear was very distracting.

‘It all sounds wonderful but now I’ve got to start harvesting,’ she said, making no effort to leave.

Jack held her close. ‘I spoke to Jerry this morning.’

She ran her finger over his stubble and eyed his lips as he spoke. ‘Hmm. And …’

‘He’s happy to share me with you.’

‘Oh. I didn’t know you and Jerry had that kind of relationship,’ she said, smirking.

Jack groaned and kissed her. ‘It’s just as well I’m moving in. Someone has to keep you under control.’

‘You sure you’re not still after Erindale?’ she quizzed, but she already knew the answer to that. Jack was a chip-free man and totally hers, and both of them were finally where they belonged.