Return to the Adelaide Hills by Fiona McCallum

Author:Fiona McCallum
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

Twenty-Five

Jack took the news surprisingly well, even agreeing that, yes, he could understand her wanting time away from him and the horses. He went to great pains to tell her how much he had enjoyed her company, and that he really did appreciate all her assistance in getting him back on his feet.

‘Dad, I’ll still be here every day working, you know,’ she said, suddenly concerned he wasn’t quite comprehending.

‘Don’t worry, Claire Bear. Just closing the book.’

‘Sorry?’

‘Well, it’s business from now on, isn’t it? So we’ll have less of the bossy-daughter-helpless-father routine, won’t we?’ He sounded jovial, but Claire still felt the criticism. She forced herself to laugh.

‘I suppose you think that means you’ll be doing all the ordering around from now on?’

‘Too right—we’ll make you a top-class trainer yet...’

You’d have to become one first. Claire bit the inside of her cheek, hating herself for the thought. What he said next both stunned and impressed her.

‘...not an old bushie like me.’

Claire beamed and, as always, could not help pushing for extra compliments. ‘You really think I’ve got what it takes?’

‘You’re still here, aren’t you?’ Jack said.

* * *

A few days later, Claire was coming back from lunch with Bernadette when she finally realised what was different about the entrance to the McIntyre farm. Something had been bothering her every time she’d driven in, but she hadn’t been able to put her finger on it. Now she saw: the faded tin sign announcing ‘J.W. & G.L. McIntyre’ that had swung untouched for almost four decades had been taken down. It was now being rehung.

Jack was standing holding the ladder while a younger lad—whom Claire recognised from the local hardware store—checked the alignment with a spirit level. Glossy new paint gleamed in the bright afternoon sun. The red, shadowed lettering stood out boldly from the white background and the gold swirling details in the corners.

She pulled over and wound the window down, ready to tell them how good it looked. But as she studied the lettering she noticed something slightly different about it. The ‘G’ in the second set of initials was now a ‘C’.

She got out of the car and stared up at the sign. She cursed the lump forming in her throat and swallowed it.

Jack came over to her. ‘So, what do you think?’

‘It’s great, but...are you sure?’

‘I organised it, didn’t I? Of course I’m sure. Thought I may as well make the partnership official. The entrance was looking a bit tired anyway. Randal here’s going to repaint the gates as well.’

Claire blinked back a couple of tears. ‘Thanks, Dad. It means a lot, it really does.’

‘I know. And it means a lot to me having you here.’ Jack put an arm around his daughter’s shoulders, gave it a quick squeeze and let go.

‘Right, so we’ll just have to live up to this flash sign, then, won’t we?’ Claire said, getting back in the car. ‘I’m going to give Paycheque a workout in the sand.’

‘Good idea. I’ll see you later.

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