Burning Fields by Alli Sinclair

Author:Alli Sinclair
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2018-08-14T10:37:13+00:00

Chapter 17

The screen door creaked open and Alex stepped out to join Rosie on the verandah. Red and orange streaked across the endless sky, casting a warm glow across the fields. Alex grimaced and gripped the arms of the chair as he maneuvered onto it. Given the last time she mentioned his knee, Rosie decided to leave that topic alone.

“You look a bit different,” she said.

Alex ran a hand over his clean-shaven face. He looked down at the clothes Cecile had kept in his bedroom for all these years, unable to part with her son’s belongings. “I guess I looked a fright.”

“Just a bit.”

“I’ve been travelling…roaming…whatever you want to call it. I had no one to impress. My appearance was just one less thing to worry about.”

“You have lots of worries?” she asked.

“Don’t, Rosie.”

“Fine.” Although it was far from fine. However, for now she had to keep the pace slow, let Alex get used to being back at Tulpil. And let Rosie, her dad and mum get used to having Alex once more. For how long was anybody’s guess.

“How’s Dad doing?” she asked.

“Better than we thought. He seems to have taken my sudden appearance rather well.”

On the drive back to Tulpil, Rosie had filled Alex in about their parents—the stroke, and Rosie’s fear that their mother’s drinking had increased dramatically. Alex had taken it all very well. A little too well. Surely, his reactions should be more heartfelt?

Stop judging, Rosie. You can’t possibly know what he’s been through.

While Rosie and Alex sipped iced tea, frustration snuck up on her. She couldn’t think of one subject to talk to about. Actually, she had plenty, but was too afraid to bring anything up for fear of being snapped at again.

“It’s exactly as I remember.” Alex fixed his gaze on the farm as his hand clutched the glass, covered in condensation.

“Not a lot has changed,” she said, happy to hear his voice.

She glanced sideways at her younger brother. The fading daylight highlighted the deep lines etched on his weathered complexion. Gone was the baby face that once had girls swooning at his feet, and in place was a much harder, older, strained version of the brother she once knew.

Alex cleared his throat. “Dad says you’ve been running the show since he…has become unwell.”

“Yes. I’ve enjoyed it more than I thought.”

“Do you want to continue doing it?”

“Of course.” The muscles in her neck tightened. Warily, she asked, “Why?”

“No reason.” Alex focused on the fields once more.

* * * *

Rosie stood in front of the small tractor, trying to get a better grip on the spanner so she could tighten the bolt. The stupid machine had stopped working days before and, so far, no one had been able to figure out why. She refused to let a broken-down piece of machinery get the better of her. Although, if she were entirely honest, she needed to let out the frustration that had been building up since Alex had arrived home. She loved having her brother around,

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