“You take care,” said her dad, joining in the family hug.
“Of course.” She wasn’t sure why people kept saying that to her. She didn’t do much in her day compared to when working as a legal secretary, and it was starting to drive her a bit crazy having so much spare time. It didn’t help with the thoughts, or with the emotions. She been given medication for her low blood pressure, and had a series of follow up appointments with the doctors at Burra over Christmas and the New Year, and then she was going to be coming back next Thursday to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital to see Dr. Khatri, who was now taking charge of the medical side of her pregnancy. Zoe was trying to see the positive side of having to come to Adelaide each month until the baby was born. At least, she’d get to see her parents more, and some of her friends.
I won’t be feeling so lonely then.
Zoe was glad she’d spoken to Max about how she was feeling. He had jobs to keep him busy all day. Decorating the baby’s room would keep her occupied for only so long. With the help of her mom, Helen and Kate, she knew the basics had been covered. Zoe needed something else, and her mom’s words to find a hobby kept circling in her mind.
What sort of hobby could she do?Knitting wasn’t her thing, or painting or drawing. She liked to read books but did enough of that already. Hiking wasn’t her style either. She couldn’t go horse riding. She needed something more dynamic but had no idea of what that could be.
“I’ll see you in a few weeks.” She got into the ute, and Max closed the door for her.
“I’m so glad we got to meet you again,” said her mom as she hugged him good-bye.
“You’re going to see me a lot more, you know,” said Max.
“And we’re very happy about that.”
Zoe raised her eyebrows. She’d quizzed Max to see if her mom had decided to talk to him about not initially coming down to Adelaide with her. He assured her she hadn’t. Zoe wasn’t so sure.
Max turned and shook her dad’s hand. “I’ll see you later.”
“Take good care of my daughter and granddaughter.”
“Of course.”
Max got into the driver’s seat and started the engine.
Zoe extended her hand out of the open window and waved as the car pulled away. Her eyes watered, but this time she let the tears fall.
Zoe smiled as the ute turned into the driveway for Greenfields.Home.It was as if being away for a few days, and returning now, caused her to see the farm for the first time.
Soft rolling hills surrounded them, making a nice change from viewing flat land for the last few hours. A few eucalyptus and tea-trees lined either side of the driveway. The grass brown already from the start of summer, the dry land showing its own unique beauty. The old house, built by Max’s ancestors, stood proudly on a rise, as if waiting for them.
Surrounded by a brick fence on one side, and a corrugated iron fence on the other sides, the boundaries of home were clearly defined. It had a metal roof, angular to let the rain runoff into the gutters to be collected in their water tanks, which were huge and on the other side of the house. She hoped to be able to hear the rain falling on it come winter. The house was large, four bedrooms to house growing families. The thought caused her to place her hand on her belly, to which she was rewarded with a flutter from baby.
A few old corrugated iron sheds came into view beyond the house. Some of them housed farm machinery, the others simply held the tools of Max’s father, and grandfather, even great grandfather, in a mess of dust and cobwebs. She’d only poked her head to see once, sneezed, then left not interested in exploring the shadows within. Now, her curiosity spiked. She might like to have a closer look in the sheds, to explore and learn more about Max’s heritage. She was going to have the time.
The doctor had made it clear she needed to rest. A lot. She didn’t tell the doctor she wasn’t that sort of person. She figured that looking through the sheds wouldn’t be taxing on her or put the baby in any sort of danger.
In between them was the hen house, the black hens were out scratching around in the dry dirt finding seeds to eat. To the right was the dog kennels, but she was too far away to see if Snipper was there.
A big ghost gum stood outside of the house yard, momentarily blocking the view of the house as they approached. Its old branches stretched out providing shade to the side of the house. A wide trunk, ghostly gray in color, offered a sense of stability.
Zoe wound down the window, letting the hot afternoon air into the ute. She breathed in, enjoying the fresh country air. A mix of earthiness, animals, and the fresh scent of eucalyptus filled her lungs. It felt good. Right. To be here, with Max, a subtle reassurance she hadn’t thought she’d needed.
Max drove slowly around the ghost gum, to the back of the house, stopping by the gate of the house yard. “Glad to be back,” Max glanced at her.
“To be home with you, yes.” She smiled at him, reached out and placed a hand on his leg, his body warmth seeping into her palm in a comforting sensation. They may have left separately, but they were coming home together.
“I’m glad you think this is your home.” His grin was broad, causing his eyes to sparkle.
Bluey ran out to greet them, his tail wagging madly.
“Now that’s a good welcome,” said Zoe laughing at how excited the dog was to see them.
“Hey, what’s that on the roof?” Zoe pointed as Max unbuckled his seat belt.
He turned and grinned at her.
