“Sorry, I wish I had better news. With Christmas next week, things are getting tight.”
Dusty nodded. There was no point getting angry at Bluey. She’d had hoped that the harvest would be done, then she would be able to focus on her relationship with Blaise. The breakdown of the combine was putting this all at risk.
She scuffed her boots in the dirt trying to think—there was one possibility.
“What if I drive to get the part myself? Would you install the new bearing for me, even if it’s the weekend?”
Bluey rubbed his scruffy chin in thought. It was a busy time of year for him too with the farmers needing machinery fixed and not wanting to wait.
“I figure I can leave straight away. If I push it, I’ll get to the store before closing tonight, then I’ll turn around and come straight back. All being well, I’ll have the part tomorrow.”
“You can’t drive like that,” said Blaise.
She ignored the look of concern on his face. This is what needed to be done to finish the harvest, to ensure that she had income for the year ahead, and so she could be present for her and Blaise’s first Christmas together.
“You’ll be lucky to get there before the shop closes.” Bluey shook his head. “Blaise is right. It’s dangerous to drive like that. You will need to rest. It’s not worth the trip if you end up dead on the side of the road.”
Dusty felt a chill from his words. She knew the risk. Dammit! Right now, she was willing to take it. There was a lot riding on this. It wasn’t just a matter of finishing the harvest before Christmas, it was the future of her farm, and it was the future with Blaise. She wasn’t going to give up on either of those.
“How about I go with you,” spoke up Aaron.
“No way, if anyone’s going with Dusty, it will be me.” Blaise turned to Dusty. “We can share the driving.”
That would be a much better option than driving with Aaron. “You have time?” She wasn’t sure what his schedule was like with his accounting business. She’d been so wrapped up in the harvest that she’d lost touch in what he was doing.
“Of course.”
It was going to be a big drive. She was used to the long hours behind the wheel, but Aaron wasn’t. She rolled her lips in thought.
“Better to go with someone, Dusty,” piped up Bluey. “That reminds me, I’ve got your tire fixed, you’ll need the space with you.”
Dusty nodded. And that someone was most definitely Blaise. She was about to turn down Aaron when she noticed her mom rushing toward them. She could tell straight away something was wrong.
“Mom, what’s happened?” She braced herself for more bad news.
“Blaise, you need to go back to Adelaide. Your dad’s been in an accident.”
Blaise felt like someone had punched him hard in the stomach and the wind rushed from his lungs.
“What happened?” asked Blaise. He could feel the blood draining from his face, and his head felt light with the abrupt news. “Is he okay?”
Claire’s face creased with concern. “Last night, he had an accident at an intersection. His car was written off. He spent the night in intensive care.”
“Bloody hell.” Blaise breathed out heavily. “Why wasn’t I told sooner?”
“I don’t know, I guess your mom and Scott were in shock. He’s in the Royal Adelaide Hospital.”
“I’ll go there straight away.” He wished he had a change of clothes, but there was no way he was about to lose an hour or so driving back into Wilkton to change. He was going to drive straight back to Adelaide now. He had to see his dad.
Blaise paused, his mind catching up to process everything that was happening right now. Of course, he was going to rush to see his dad, but where did that leave Dusty. She needed that part for the combine. There was no way she could drive all that way by herself and back again. It was a nine-hour trip one way. The last thing he wanted to hear was that she’d been in an accident too.
“Don’t worry about me,” said Dusty as if reading what he was thinking. “I’ll get the part, or harvest will just have to wait this time.”
“I can go with you,” said Aaron. “I mean it with my offer. A neighborly gesture.”
Blaise narrowed his eyes at Aaron. He didn’t trust him. Not one bit.
“I’m not sure what you’re discussing, but you know I can help,” said Claire.
