Sam couldn’t stop grinning. From the time he got up in the morning until the time he went to bed, that’s all he did. Something had switched on deep inside of him, lighting him up to the world in a way he hadn’t thought possible anymore.
And it was all down to Sarah.
She had been in Longreach for three weeks and Sam had spent every spare minute he could with her. A little thing called life intervened from time to time. She had a job to do and he had the farm. Sometimes Sarah would be away for a couple of days working on her story series, which only made his heart grow fonder. Outside of duties, the two of them explored the area or simply hung out, either at his place or the motel.
The thing that amazed him most was the way they seemed to be in sync with each other, like Sarah had a Sam Costello Manual somewhere and knew exactly how he operated. No explanations necessary.
His place could be a bit tricky with Levi, although the boy didn’t seem to mind Sarah’s presence in his life the same way he’d arced up about Kylie. A fact that made things easier. Sarah liked being at the farmhouse. She said she could feel the history of the place in its boards, like his family’s stories were hidden in the timber of the walls. He’d never thought about the house that way before. It was just home. She made him see things in a different light.
He liked being at the motel for obvious reasons. They had privacy there. They could explore each other’s bodies along with their minds. Being physical with a woman again after such a long time had intimidated him at first, to be honest. The only woman he’d slept with had been Michelle. They’d been together so young there hadn’t been time for anyone else.
Now, Sam stood in front of the mirror in his bedroom and put his tie on. He wore his finest shirt, a crisp pale pink number, paired with a sky blue tie that matched his eyes perfectly, a gift from Sarah. He studied his reflection. The years and grief had left their mark in the fine lines etched around his eyes. The harsh environment he’d lived in all his life had shaped him into the man he was today, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
He sighed happily. Things weren’t perfect and he still had more questions than answers about their relationship but he found himself filled with more hope than he ever thought he’d feel again.
‘Dad, are you ready?’ Levi called from the kitchen.
They were all going to the Isisford Races. Even Levi, who had reset himself back to his regular sunny persona, had been keen to go. The races represented a big day on the calendar in these parts, a day when everyone dressed up in their best and bet on the horses. Kind of like their own version of the Melbourne Cup. Perhaps a bit less glamorous.
He whistled as he ran a comb through his unruly hair. His hat would hide the worst of it so he didn’t spend too much time or worry on it. ‘I’m ready,’ he called out to his son. ‘Are you?’
‘Yep, better hurry or we’ll be late.’
Today marked the first time he and Sarah would appear at a public event as a couple, because no matter how this thing ended he wanted everyone to know they were together now.
Sam walked into the kitchen. ‘How do I look?’
‘Great,’ said Levi. High praise indeed.
‘You don’t look so bad yourself.’ Levi had dressed in his best chinos for the event. His wrists stuck out the bottom of his button-down shirt, having grown a few inches when Sam wasn’t looking. ‘Are you sure you want to come? Maddie will be there.’
As far as he knew, the kids had ironed out their differences since the awful night of the school formal. Levi seemed happier and had withdrawn his request for boarding school on the pretence of maintaining the consistency of his education. Whatever that meant.
‘Wouldn’t miss it for the world. Let’s pick Sarah up and get cracking.’
Levi’s new found enthusiasm confused Sam a little, but who was he to question his teenager’s upbeat mood? Might be a week before there’d be another one like it.
He grabbed his car keys, put his wallet in his back pocket and headed for the door. Sarah was waiting at her motel for them and he was keen for their day to begin.
A small town with a big heart was how Sam described the town of Isisford. A little over an hour from Longreach, the town hosted its annual big race event at the showgrounds, attracting visitors from all over the region. The ladies dressed up for Fashions on the Field and everyone enjoyed the bar and luncheon provided by the racing club.
They’d pulled up a little after eleven thirty when the gates opened at the race track. As the races didn’t start until after lunch, everyone showed up to socialise and partake of the vintage wine and gourmet food. Some folk camped out trackside so as to not miss a thing.
The day promised to be warm. No surprise there. The heat never seemed to deter the punters, and if they could last out the day there would be entertainment after the final race. Everyone could let their hair down and have some fun. Outback life could be tough and people took their fun where they could find it and the Isisford Races always delivered.
Sam parked the ute and hustled around to the passenger side so he could open the door for Sarah. Levi had sat on the bench seat in the back, his head between their seats like a faithful dog, making small talk like he’d known Sarah for years.
‘Why thank you, kind sir,’ she said in a terrible Southern accent as Sam helped her from the car. ‘Oh, look at those beautiful roses. My mother grows roses although not as nice as these ones. I never expected to find a rose garden out here.’
Sam chuckled. ‘I’m sure there’s a lot of things out here to surprise you.’
‘If my interviews are anything to go by, I think you’re right. I don’t know what I thought people in the outback got up to before. Finding out has been an eye-opener.’
‘I’m sure you’ll meet folk here today who will be happy to share their stories with you. Life out here can be hard on marriages and finding love in a small town can seem impossible.’
‘It’s the commitment to travel long distances to be with each other that blows me away. I’m put out if I have to go across Sydney for work, let alone love.’ She laughed, exposing the long column of her throat, the same place he’d left a trail of kisses the night before.
‘Are you going to compete in Fashions on the Field?’ asked Levi. ‘You could totally win, you know.’
Sarah blushed and smoothed down her skirt. ‘I’m not sure about that.’
‘Go on,’ Sam gave her a nudge, ‘Levi’s right. You could win and what’s the harm in finding out?’
Her form-fitted dress, black with a large red rose pattern, skimmed her curves in an eye-catching way. The neckline scooped low enough to cause a second glance while maintaining modesty. She’d pulled her hair back, letting the length of it cascade down her back in thick loopy ringlets. A black fascinator sat on a jaunty angle on top of her head. On top of all that, she smelled good.
‘Come on,’ said Levi. ‘I’ll take you over to sign up while Dad hunts down some champagne for you.’ He took Sarah by the elbow. She glanced over her shoulder at Sam, a startled look on her face as Levi propelled her towards the stage set up for the event.
He shrugged, laughing at his son’s brazen manner. When had Levi become this certain of himself? Sarah let herself be led away and Sam looked about for the bar.
He hadn’t gone very far before he encountered Maddie.
‘Hello, Mr C. I was wondering if Levi was here.’ She cut straight to the chase.
‘Yes, he is. Try over at the Fashions on the Field stage. He’s with Sarah.’ He’d barely finished speaking before Maddie took off without a backward glance. He shook his head, glad his teenage years were behind him.
Reaching the bar, he found his mates already in position, one they’d likely stay in all afternoon unless their wives moved them.
‘Look what the cat dragged in,’ boomed Big Mike, who wore the loudest Hawaiian shirt Sam had ever seen.
‘Maaaate.’ Craig slapped him on the back and ushered him to the bar. ‘What are you having?’
‘On a mission to pick up a champagne,’ he said, thrusting his hands in his pockets, suddenly awkward about Sarah.
‘Of course, the new lady.’ Craig leaned on the bar, settling in for a gossip like an old biddy. ‘Word is you two are pretty tight.’
Sam shrugged. ‘You could say that.’ While he wanted people to know he was with Sarah, he also wanted to protect what they had from prying eyes and small town gossips. Sadly, his mate Craig fell into that last category.
‘Leave the poor bloke alone,’ said Big Mike. ‘He has a right to be happy and she’s a looker. Too good for you, if you ask me.’
‘Thankfully, no one did,’ said Sam.
Craig looked him up and down as if seeing him for the first time. ‘Didn’t think you had it in you.’
‘Gee, thanks for the vote of confidence.’
‘He did date that wee blonde creature,’ said Big Mike. ‘What was her name?’
‘You mean Kylie, the high school teacher.’ Sam took offence.
‘Yeah, that’s the one. Didn’t muck about moving on.’ Big Mike laughed, unaware of the effect of his words as Sam bristled.
‘It wasn’t like that with us,’ he said. ‘And Kylie left to take care of her dad.’
‘Right, sure.’ Craig nodded, his words dripping with sarcasm.
‘We dated here and there, nothing more.’ Sam began to regret having told the boys about dating Kylie, even if it had been their idea in the first place.
‘And the journalist? What about her?’ Craig took a sip of his beer. ‘She here for a good time not a long time?’
Both Big Mike and Craig burst out laughing.
Sam gritted his teeth and took a deep breath. ‘Can I have a beer and a champagne please?’ He spoke to the bar staff and ignored his friends.
‘Aw, come on, mate. We’re just having a laugh,’ said Craig. ‘It’s not like you’re serious about her or anything.’
Sam turned and levelled a glare in Craig’s direction.
‘Oh, shit.’ Craig shrunk an inch.
‘Bloody hell, Sam. We didn’t know you meant business with this chick. We’d never have taken the mick if we had.’ Big Mike’s belly quivered with the sincerity of his apology.
‘Well, I am,’ Sam said stiffly.
‘You’ve only known her five minutes,’ said Craig, surprised.
‘Maybe,’ Sam nodded. ‘But you know when you know.’
‘Know what?’ Craig frowned.
‘Know you’re in love,’ Big Mike said in a loud stage whisper. ‘Keep up, mate.’
‘Love?’ Craig looked from Big Mike to Sam as if he’d woken from a coma.
‘Yes, love.’ The word felt good to say. He did love Sarah. They may have only known each other a short time. So what? For the first time in years his first emotion upon waking wasn’t sadness, but joy. Why couldn’t people be happy for him?
‘I’m happy for you, mate,’ said Big Mike, as if reading his mind.
‘I’m worried for you, mate,’ said Craig. ‘It’s all a bit sudden.’
‘Maybe,’ said Sam again. ‘The whole thing might go up in flames tomorrow. She might leave me and go back to Sydney never to return. Who knows. What I do know is, I’m happy. The end.’
His two friends studied him in silence for such a long time he thought he’d have to repeat himself.
‘Here’s to Sam’s happiness,’ said Craig finally, as he raised his glass.
‘I’ll second that,’ said Big Mike, taking a gulp of his beer.
‘Okay, then. Thank you.’ The bar staff returned with Sam’s drinks. ‘I’m going to go and find Sarah and Levi,’ he said. ‘Been good seeing you.’ Not entirely true. They might be protective of him, but they had to trust he knew what he was doing.
‘See you later,’ they chorused as Sam picked up his drinks and made his way out of the bar area. Today might prove more trying than he’d anticipated. People remembered Michelle. They remembered him with Michelle. Sarah’s arrival in his life might take some getting used to.
‘He’s gonna get crushed,’ he heard Craig say behind him.
‘Totally devo’d,’ Big Mike agreed.
‘What the hell does that mean?’
‘All the kids are saying it.’
‘Right, and you’re one of the kids now.’
Sam shook his head and continued on out of earshot. His mates meant well. His relationship with Sarah would be an adjustment for them all.
He skirted the groups of locals gathering ahead of the races, saying hello to those he knew, and trying not to spill any of the drinks he carried. As he came around a gathering of ladies in their finery he pulled up short.
Kylie.
Right in front of him.
Here in Isisford.
Sam swallowed hard and blinked.
‘Hello, handsome,’ she purred. ‘I was hoping I’d see you here.’
‘Um … hello,’ he stumbled. His mind went blank and his feet jammed.
‘I wondered if you’d heard I’m back.’ She leaned in and took the glass of champagne out of his hand.
‘I didn’t think you were coming back.’ His mind raced to catch up with reality.
‘Dad recovered better than his doctors thought he would. I didn’t see any reason to stay when things had started becoming interesting here.’
Sam didn’t know what to do. In his mind, Kylie had been a lovely distraction which had ended when she left. In her mind, she’d obviously thought their dating had been building to something else. He must have been blind not to see that. He’d thought her leaving had tied up the loose string for him. Now she stood before him and his assumption was about to bite him on his backside.
He looked around for help, someone to throw him a lifeline only to find himself alone in a sea of familiar faces. This situation couldn’t be got around. He’d have to go straight through it.
‘Kylie,’ he began, ‘it’s great to see you again. Ah, there’s something you need to …’
She stepped up to him, slid one hand behind his head and kissed him like her life depended on it. All the blood pooled in Sam’s feet and his head swam like he might pass out. He tried to refocus, shake off the shock, as he stepped back from her.
‘Sam?’ Sarah appeared with Levi, right behind Kylie. ‘I’ve been looking for you.’
‘Holy shit,’ Levi hissed. He fumbled his mobile phone out of his pocket and turned his back. Sam hoped Levi was phoning a friend because he sure as hell needed one.
Suddenly Maddie was pushing her way through the crowd of spectators. ‘Sorry. Excuse me.’
She took a deep breath as she reached them. Sam imagined the tension was palpable from three feet out. ‘Hi, Sarah, can I introduce you to someone I think might have a great story for you?’ Maddie placed her hand on Sarah’s arm and spoke brightly.
Sam mentally said a prayer of gratitude for the interruption. Maddie’s timing couldn’t be better.
‘Sorry, what?’ Sarah looked confused, her eyes darting from Sam to Kylie and back again.
‘Potential interviewee.’ She gave Sarah’s arm a gentle tug. ‘Hey, there’s Dad’s mate Paul who works at the local ABC radio station. You have to meet him. He might even be able to get you on air. Publicity and all that.’
The words ABC radio seemed to catch Sarah’s attention momentarily. ‘That would be great, Maddie. Maybe later.’ The look on her face was the kind he thought the people on the Titanic might have worn when they realised their ship was sinking.
‘Let’s go now, before we lose him,’ Maddie said, trying to pull Sarah away. On Sam’s other side, Kylie turned to take a good look at Sarah.
‘Who’s this?’ she asked as she looked Sarah up and down.
Sam groaned internally. He could smell a cat-fight brewing.
‘This is Sarah Lewis, a journalist who I asked to come and speak to the students about a career in journalism.’ Maddie stepped in before Sam could draw breath.
Kylie narrowed her eyes and Sam noticed her champagne glass had been drained. ‘Really? The one I forbade you from inviting?’
‘Forbade is a really strong word,’ mumbled Levi.
‘Yes, that’s the very one.’ Maddie squared up, putting Sarah out of the firing line. Sam wanted to hug her.
‘Maddison McRae, you disappoint me. I never thought you’d go behind my back like that.’
‘I’m sorry,’ she said, although her tone said something entirely different. ‘You were leaving and Ms Forsyth thought my idea was pretty great.’ She shrugged as if to say fair game.
Kylie took a deep breath, as if preparing to blast Maddie, when Sam stepped in.
‘It’s okay, Kylie. Maddie wasn’t hurting anyone. You know what teenagers are like, always going to take the advantage if they think they can get away with it.’
Maddie mouthed a silent thank you to him as Kylie turned her attention his way.
‘Get me out of here,’ he heard Maddie whisper to Sarah as she led her away. ‘I am in big trouble.’
Sarah let herself be led, even though she dragged her feet and kept looking back over her shoulder at Sam. What a mess. This was not good. Not good at all.
Maddie needed to find her dad and get him to introduce Sarah to Paul. That ought to keep them busy until things settled down.
Maddie glanced behind her to see Levi giving her a surreptitious thumbs up and Mr C looking like he’d rather be boiled alive than stand there taking Miss Kempton’s wrath.
‘Who was that woman?’ Sarah asked, following Maddie’s gaze.
‘Um … no one. Well, she was my teacher actually. She told me I couldn’t invite you and then she left the school so I went ahead and did it anyway because I thought it wouldn’t matter and she’d never know.’ Maddie spoke in one fast breath, her words like machine gun fire.
‘I got that much,’ said Sarah. ‘Why is she kissing Sam?’
‘No idea,’ said Maddie, crossing her fingers behind her back against the lie. ‘Maybe they’re, like, really good friends or something.’
‘Mmm … doesn’t look like the sort of kiss a friend gives.’ Sarah’s brows knitted together and Maddie knew she’d have to do better if she had a hope of convincing Sarah everything was okay.
‘Or maybe she …’
Sarah stopped walking. ‘Or maybe she what, Maddie?’
‘Nothing,’ she said, changing her mind about telling the truth. Whoever said the truth will set you free had no idea what they were talking about.
‘What do you know, Maddison McRae?’ Sarah stood with her hands on her hips, her head cocked to one side, looking at Maddie as if she could read her mind.
‘Jesus-on-a-cupcake.’ Maddie sighed. She’d dug herself a hole now.