Among the Grey Gums by Paula J. Beavan

Author:Paula J. Beavan
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: HQ Fiction
Published: 2024-05-10T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-three

Batley Common, Hunter River

Lucy was seated by the camp fire, the clang of bells a soothing chorus as she placed a piece of wood into the coals. She looked up at the colours graduating across the sky; in the east black to navy, through to indigo in the west and the first star twinkling above the distinct line of the Brokenback Range. Beside her Splinter lay stretched out, the dog’s shoulder resting against Lucy’s thigh, her eyes half closed. Relaxed. Which was something Lucy could not imagine until the situation with Joe was resolved. Only then could life go back to how it had been; an almost solitary existence. It was what she preferred.

She jumped at a sound and swung her attention to the south when a horse whinnied in the distance. Listening hard, she peered down the hill towards the road, searching for a sign of movement. After a few moments, when no horse, ridden or driven, emerged from the ford, she slumped back onto the trunk, wondering why she had agreed to meet Sam here of all places. She could easily have driven the team the last four miles to her home and been seated on her own porch. Leaning forward, she lifted the lid on the camp oven and inhaled the delicious aroma of mutton stew. If Sam didn’t show up in the next five minutes, she would eat without him. The mutton had been expensive, purchased from the Batley store. It had no doubt cost half again what it might have in town, but when there were supplies to be sought, she’d little choice. After giving the stew a stir, Lucy replaced the lid and looked up to see the large shape of a man and horse approaching across the common. Her heart leaped.

‘I hope you have supper prepared woman, I’m starved.’

Lucy’s pleasure dissipated in an instant and she scowled at him.

‘What?’ Sam’s own smile faded and he sounded genuinely baffled, sitting astride his horse and looking down at her, his face still visible in the fading light.

‘I am not your woman.’

‘I didn’t …’ He frowned, his eyes dark pools, and his expression uncomprehending.

She knew her response was out of order, an answer to old hurts. A lump filled her throat. She turned her back on him and dug through the trunk to find bowls for the stew. Behind her she heard him dismount and tie Ramses to the side of the dray.

‘I apologise, I meant no offence,’ he said quietly as she ladled a generous portion into a bowl. She knew he’d meant nothing unkind by his words, and she felt ashamed of her own reaction.

‘I’m sorry,’ he continued, ‘it was meant to be a jest—’

‘No, it’s I who should apologise, I don’t know why I reacted so.’

‘Well, let’s call it a draw and eat our supper, it smells delectable.’

She handed over the bowl and a spoon, served herself and then resumed her seat on the trunk. Sam balanced his meal while attempting to roll a log over for a seat.

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