Country Roads by Nicole Hurley-Moore

Author:Nicole Hurley-Moore
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
Published: 2016-12-22T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

‘Why did you bring that writer back here the other day?’ Jack said as Maggie walked into the kitchen carrying a couple of shopping bags.

‘What’s brought that up all of a sudden?’

‘Nothing. I’ve just been meaning to ask is all.’

‘Well, I brought him here because he helped me out when he didn’t need to and he’s our neighbour,’ she said as she dumped the bags on the bench and started unpacking them.

‘Is that all?’

Maggie started putting the groceries away. ‘No, I wanted to see what he was like.’

Jack raised an eyebrow. ‘And?’

‘I think he’s nice. He was funny and easy to talk to but I reckon there’s a quiet side to him as well.’ She walked over to the fridge and shoved the milk into it.

‘He won’t last, you know – they never do.’

‘What the hell does that mean?’ Maggie leant against the fridge and glared at Jack.

‘It means there’s no point waving that boy under Bec’s nose. He’ll only be here a while and then he’ll hightail it back to the city. That type always does.’

Maggie shook her head. ‘That type? Darling, you have no idea what you’re talking about.’

Jack made a humphing sound under his breath. ‘Of course I do. Look, he seemed decent enough, but he’s not what our girl needs. Matt Harvey doesn’t know a damn thing about the land and how to live off it. In Bec’s case, he’d be neither use nor ornament.’

‘Oh for God’s sake. Just because Bec runs this place doesn’t mean that she has to fall for a farmer. She’s perfectly capable of managing things all by herself. You sound like you’ve just stepped out of an old 1950s movie.’

‘Look, I didn’t say it the right way. I know that Bec can handle herself. What I meant to say is that it would be good if she had someone she could depend on – someone who knew about the land and could support her. That’s all. What’s he going to do if there’s an emergency – write an article about it? Harvey doesn’t know a single thing about farming or sheep or the land or—’

‘Yeah, I get the picture, Jack. But let’s face it, this town isn’t exactly brimming with eligible blokes, is it.’

‘There’re a few around.’

‘None of whom Bec finds vaguely interesting. She’s rejected them all – twice over. She grew up with most of them and there aren’t any fireworks.’

‘There don’t have to be fireworks.’

Maggie arched an eyebrow and didn’t even bother to respond.

‘She should get back together with the Turner boy. At least he knows his way around a farm.’

‘There’s a whole lot more to love than knowing your way around a farm.’

‘Well, you fell in love with me.’

‘Yes, but not because you could raise sheep. Honestly, Jack, I really wonder what’s going on in your head sometimes. The heart wants what the heart wants – I’m putting another option in front of Bec, that’s all. Nothing may come of it but I thought I’d give it a go.

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