Novels 02 Red Dust (12 page)

Chapter 17

Saturday morning dawned cloudy and cold, and Jess could hear the wind outside.

'Go away,' she thought, knowing how bitter it would be at the footy today.

Gemma stuck her head around Jess's bedroom door at an unholy hour.

'Off to do the farm shopping, Jess,' she said quietly.

'Mmm,' mumbled Jess. Now awake, she felt for her phone on the bedside table. Where the hell was Brad? She'd tried numerous times last night, but his mobile alternated between not answering and being switched off. Jess was getting annoyed. Brad had done this before, but not often. It was a bit strange after eight or nine months of rarely missing a beat to do so now. Had he met someone else? She hoped not. With eyes half closed she hit the redial button.

'Hi. You've called Brad Manstead of Manstead Agronomy. Please leave your name and number and I will return your call as soon as possible. Thanks for calling.' Jess took the phone away from her ear and looked at it disbelievingly. The beep sounded.

'Brad, it's me,' Jess's morning voice croaked. 'Where the bloody hell are you? I thought we were catching up last night. If you care to show, Gem, Ben and I will be at the new bistro down on the foreshore at about seven. Not happy, Brad.' Jess pressed the disconnect button and lay back in her bed, fuming.

Almost immediately her mobile rang. Looking at the screen she saw Brad's number. She opened her phone.

'Hello, Brad,' she said coldly.

'I'm so sorry, babe,' Brad's gravelly voice sounded down the line. 'I got held up out at one of the farms and then Justin Downey asked if I wanted to have a beer before I left and one thing led to another. I'm really sorry.'

Silence.

'Jess?'

'You could have called.'

'Yeah, I know. Sorry.' Brad sounded genuine and Jess felt her anger abate. She just couldn't stay angry with him for long.

'So are you coming tonight?' she asked.

'Yep, I'll be there. What are you up to today?'

'Gem's gone down the farm merch shop so I'm just hanging here until she gets back. Then I'll be off to the footy. Gemma isn't up to going.'

Brad's voice dropped to a low growl. 'Will she be gone long?'

Jess smiled into the phone. 'Long enough.'

'See ya soon.'

Jess smiled. He didn't sound like he was losing interest in her.

That evening, standing in front of the mirror, Gemma found it hard to get excited about the night ahead. True, she was looking forward to getting to know Ben better. She had seen him at the farming supplies stores that morning when she'd gone to get the stuff they'd need for shearing, and they had got into a friendly debate about which sires were the best over Angus cows. Gemma had been impressed with his knowledge and enthusiasm about black cattle. She had maintained her passion, but it waned at times, without someone as enthusiastic as she was to throw ideas around with. Ben had even suggested they continue their discussion over pre-dinner drinks.

No, the thing she wasn't looking forward to was Brad. Despite his charm, for some reason she'd felt a bit uncom fortable when she'd met him the weekend before – almost as if he didn't like her. He was probably the jealous type, she'd concluded, and didn't want to share Jess. With everything that was going on in Gemma's life at the moment, she really didn't want to spend time with people she had to try with. And she felt that some of tonight might be spent trying.

* * *

Jack waited for the text message to say the truck was on its way, but instead he had a message from his older brother:
In the shit with the handbrake. Won't
make it.

Jess opened the door to Ben's knock. She'd been pleased to hear about Ben's invitation. 'He's stunning,' she'd said. 'I reckon he's the right bloke for you.'

Gemma had given her a look. 'I hardly know him and I don't want to get involved with anyone. Despite everything, it's only eight months since Adam died and I still love him.'

'Of course you do, but goodness knows why.'

'Jess!'

'Sorry, lovely!'

'Come in, come in,' she said now, grabbing Ben's arm and dragging him inside. 'Now I need to ask you a few questions before you can take Gemma out.'

Ben grinned. 'I promise to not have bad breath, not to drink and drive, and to have her at the restaurant by seven sharp!'

'That's excellent! I was terribly worried about the bad breath. Sorry I didn't get to say hi at the footy. I saw you on the field. Very impressive goal there just before half-time.'

'Brad said you were there but I didn't see you.'

'Yeah, he's stayed down the rooms for a couple of

beers with the guys – he'll meet us at the restaurant. Where are you going for a drink?'

'Just down the pub. We won't be long. I have an argument about cattle I need to win.'

Jess rolled her eyes. 'Good luck. I've never known anyone to win an argument with her about cattle.'

'We could come back and pick you up, Jess, if Brad is meeting us down there.'

'I don't argue with people,' said Gemma as she walked around the corner. For a split second there was silence while Jess and Ben looked at her. She was dressed in a denim panelled skirt with a white shirt and red jacket. She had left her hair down and the little makeup she had on made her look beautiful. She looked lovely, but Jess could still see the signs of strain on her friend's face. With a pang, she wished she could make this whole thing go away – the problem was, she suspected there was worse to come.

'You don't look too bad for a country chick,' said Jess. 'Although, you might need to do something about those hands. You're starting to look like a mechanic.'

Gemma threw Jess a look of exasperation and embar rassment as she shoved her hands in her pockets. 'Just 'cos you sit at a computer all day . . .'

Jess practically pushed them out of the door, saying, 'See you tonight. Thanks for asking, Ben, but I'll catch a taxi down. Bye now!' And she slammed the door.

Ben shook his head in amazement. 'Is she always like that?'

'Oh, yeah, Jess is full on.'

When they got to the car Ben held the door open, which made Gemma blush.
It's been so long,
she thought, fighting the urge to flee back to the safety of Jess's house.
What on earth am I going to talk to him
about?
There was an uncomfortable silence as Ben started the car and pulled out. Then he cleared his throat and said, 'Well, I thought we'd go to the pub. That okay?'

'Yeah, no worries.' Gemma fiddled with the hem of her skirt.

'So what cattle –' Ben started.

'Where are you from?' Gemma spoke over the top of him. They laughed and Ben indicated with his hand for Gemma to continue.

'Where are you from and how did you get mixed up with Ned?'

'I'm from a farming family down south and I bought some land twenty-odd k's away from where I grew up. It was great for a while, being my own boss, running the farm the way I wanted. But it's pretty lonely and I decided that I wanted a change without losing the farm. Couple of mates I went to school with said Ned was keeping his eye out for the right bloke, so here I am. I've only leased the farm out, though – not quite ready to give it all up completely, but I really wanted a break.'

'So how long do you think you'll stay here for?'

'I've only just got here – are you looking to get rid of me already?'

Gemma smiled. 'No way, I've got to educate you on the way of cattle and their genetics.'

Ben pulled into the pub. 'Stay there,' he said as she reached for the door handle. He opened his door and ran around to open hers.

'That feels really weird, you know,' Gemma confessed as she stepped out of the car.

'Only because you're not used to it. By the end of the night you'll be fine.' He took her elbow and steered her gently towards the pub.

'What will you have?'

'Rum and Coke, please,' she said, as she settled down in the chair. She watched as Ben walked over to the bar and ordered. He was very good-looking. She felt a twinge of guilt.
I'm married. No I'm not, I'm a widow.

Their talk flowed easily and Gemma was surprised how much they had in common. Same music – country, of course. They both loved to camp. Ben had done some wonderful trips up to the Bungle Bungles and other places that Gemma had only dreamed of visiting. And they both loved farming.

'Why couldn't you handle farming anymore?' asked Gemma.

'Got too lonely,' admitted Ben. 'Pretty hard when you're on your own. No one to talk things over with, no one who sees things the way you do. I got sick of going to the pub every Friday night and seeing the same old faces – no one with new views on things, no one with any new ideas. And then there were the ladies who just wouldn't leave me alone.' He reddened as he realised what he'd said. 'Sorry, that probably sounds really big-headed, but there were a few single girls who had their eye on me and wouldn't back off. Yeah, I want a partner – but not just anyone.' Ben paused as he saw Gemma nodding her head.

'I know e
xactly
what you mean.' Gemma was rushing to get her words out. 'No one to talk to at the end of the day, no one to say, "Was that the right decision or could we do it better next time?" – all that sort of stuff.'

'Yeah, of course you understand.' Ben nodded. 'Sorry, I'd forgotten who I was talking to.'

Gemma smiled sadly. 'Yeah well, that's something I
do
under stand.' She looked at her watch. 'We'd better get a move on or we'll be late.'

On the way to the restaurant, Gemma found herself confessing her apprehension about the night to Ben.

'I'm sure I'm just imagining that Brad doesn't like me, but when I met him, Jess was too excited to notice and I'd never say anything.'

'Don't worry about it,' Ben advised. 'Just try and enjoy the night. I haven't had much to do with him. Bit over the top and full of himself, but I think he's mainly all right.'

When they got to the restaurant, Jess was sitting at the table by herself.

'Sorry we're a bit late,' Gemma said as they sat down.

'No problem, I'm still waiting for Brad.' Jess forced a smile. 'So, good time?'

'Yeah, lovely. I still can't convince Ben it's important to use genetics that aren't big on growth in this area. It makes for cattle that grow too big and then you can't put weight on them because we haven't got the feed to fill them up.'

'Like I understand that,' Jess said with a grin. 'Did you talk about anything else other than farming? I'm trying to teach this country bumpkin that there are heaps of different things to do in the world other than farming. Can you help me, Ben?'

'I'm not sure I know that much more! But one thing I do know about that I've heard you like too is camping. What was your favourite camping trip, Jess?'

'Ah, well now . . .' Jess launched into an enthusiastic description of a camping trip she'd taken with her parents about fifteen years before.

'The colours were amazing and there were only certain places you could camp in case you were attacked by crocs . . . The country is so weathered. Everyone says old, but it can't be any older than the rest of the land, can it? Loved every minute. But it was worth spending a couple of quiet weeks with them just to experience the Top End. Never really been anywhere quite like it since. There he is,' said Jess, waving like a maniac to get Brad's attention as he walked in the door. 'Looks like he's had a few. Check out those cute red cheeks!'

Ben and Gemma's eyes met across the table. Ben raised a crooked eyebrow at her and gave her a small smile.

'G'day, everyone, how's it going? Ah, my exquisite woman.' Brad leaned down and gave Jess a kiss on the cheek. Going around the table he shook Ben's hand. 'Good goal you kicked today,' he said.

Brad got to Gemma. 'Mrs Sinclair,' he said smoothly. 'How marvellous to see you again.' He took her hand and bowed over it before kissing it.

Gemma tried to extract her hand gently, while smiling to hide her discomfort. 'Great to see you, Brad. How was the footy match?'

'Not bad, not bad. Think I'll have another drink, We're commiserating another loss. Anyone else?' Everyone declined.

After they'd ordered their meals the talk turned to farming. Brad held forth on what farmers he'd been to see recently, who was a good farmer and who wasn't – his judgement seemed to rest on who took his advice on their pastures and crops and who didn't. The more he talked, the more uncomfortable Gemma felt. She watched Jess, and saw that she was beginning to get annoyed. Ben listened quietly.

Finally, after ordering coffee, Brad stretched his legs and leaned back in his chair. 'So, Gemma, tell me – how are you finding farming now you're on your own?'

'Okay. It's great to have Bulla and Garry helping me. Don't know what I'd do without them.'

'When will you sell?'

'That's none of your business, Brad,' Jess butted in as Gemma said: 'Oh, no. I won't sell.'

'You know, I think you'd be so much better off selling.' The tension around the table was apparent to everyone but Brad, who blundered on. 'You're better to take the money now, before you lose everything. Stop trying to prove you're something you're not.'

Gemma was stunned. She felt Ben's hand come down firmly on her knee in support, and Jess looked ready to explode.

Pushing back her chair, Jess rose from the table, fury distorting her face and her tone icy. 'That was inexcusably rude. I can't think why you would say such things when you have only met Gemma twice. I think we might call it a night. I expect you'll be fixing up the bill, Brad? Good. Then you had better go and sleep off what you have had to drink. I'm not sure you need to call me again for a while. Ben, would you mind driving us home?'

Jess invited Ben in for coffee after the silent ride home, but he declined. Jess had stormed into the house before Gemma had even left the car. Ben grabbed at her hand as she leaned in to thank him for the ride.

'Not everyone thinks like him, Gemma. You're doing a good job under difficult circumstances.'

She smiled weakly. 'Thanks again for tonight. I really enjoyed the first part. I guess I'll see you out on Billbinya sometime.'