Gum Tree Gully by Mandy Magro

Author:Mandy Magro
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQ Fiction
Published: 2023-08-22T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

12

Samantha couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw what Connor had needed a hand with, especially as he’d thought she wasn’t cut out for the job. Here she’d been, imagining a rogue bull had broken through a fence, or there’d be some heavy lifting or machinery involved, but no way, Jose, this didn’t come close to any of that. Malarkey was what came to mind, as she tried to remain poker-faced. Watching from the sidelines as Connor tried his best to lure his mum’s pet nanny goat back into its enclosure, with a handful of sunflower seeds of all things, Samantha did her best not to burst into uncontrollable laughter. With its stubby tail whisking about, and unblinking eyes wide with anticipation, it appeared as though the obstinate goat thought this was a game.

‘Oh, bloody heck, I give up.’ Clearly exasperated, Connor straightened, stomped his boot and huffed. ‘I don’t know why my mum loves you so much, you pig-headed brute.’

The goat tipped its head to one side, bleated loudly with tongue extended out, and then took a step backwards, away from where it should have been heading.

Tossing the sunflowers over his shoulder, Connor widened his stance and glared at the goat in a way that declared war. A Mexican stand-off at its finest. Samantha muffled a chuckle. She couldn’t believe that this crazy goat had planted its feet and was refusing to budge an inch.

Seconds ticked by: one, two, three, four, five …

Connor’s frown deepened.

Samantha actually found herself holding her breath.

Connor was the first to move, but in a split second the goat did too.

Taking off like a bull at a gate, with the bell around its neck clanging, it made a beeline for Joyce’s vegetable patch.

‘Nooooo, you don’t.’ Diving through mid-air, Connor landed with a thump as he grappled for the goat’s lead, now dragging behind in the dirt. ‘Bugger,’ he bellowed as the tail end of the rope slipped from his fingers.

As if knowing it was out of reach, the goat skidded to a stop, spun around and bleated again. This time, it sounded as if it was laughing at Connor. And Samantha couldn’t help but join the four-legged foe in her mirth. A man defeated, Connor rolled onto his back and swore out loud.

Pushing herself off the railings, she took steps towards the two. ‘Why don’t you let me have a go?’ She grinned at his look of astonishment as he got to his feet. ‘Maybe it just needs a woman’s touch.’

‘Okay, but if it rears up, you get out of the way, quick smart.’ His thumbs hooking through his belt loops, he gave her a look of utmost seriousness. ‘I’ve learnt the hard way how much a kick to the shins hurts, too many times.’

She nodded, trying but failing to match his seriousness. ‘Trust me, I can move quickly if need be.’ She hoped her lips weren’t smirking.

‘Okay, but I’m right here to help if things go pear-shaped.’ He stepped out of the way. ‘I got you,’ he added, with an affirming nod.

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