“I wasn’t expecting that sort of greeting,” I stated with a chuckle, before gesturing to my right, “And I’m sure you remember Uncle Mick.”
“Of course!” she exclaimed, hugging him too.
“I’ll admit I was expecting some sort of city girl,” Mick stated once he’d hugged her.
“Give me a little credit. I knew where I was heading.”
“Well, yeah, but…” I stated before trailing off and shrugging. “It’s good to see you.”
A broad grin appeared, her nose crinkling slightly. “You too, Brucey.”
I laughed. “Still with the Brucey? I remember you calling me that when you were knee-high to a grasshopper.” I took a step back and looked her up and down. “Now you’ve returned, well, a woman.”
She blushed. “Thanks,” she said quietly.
I grabbed her bag and threw it in the back of the truck. “Come on, we’ll head off. Do you need anything?”
“No. I think I grabbed everything I needed,” she said, clambering into the rear seat of the truck.
“We can head into town now if you do think of anything. I’ve set up a room for you but it’s, well, lacking character,” I explained, looking in her direction via the rear-view mirror.
“All I want is a hot shower and a good meal.”
“You can have both once we’re back at the house. Mick, want to bring the wife over for dinner?”
“Sure thing. I’ll drive home once we get back and head back to yours for, I dunno, 7ish?”
“That’ll be fine, mate. We’ll have a barbeque.”
“That’s sounds awesome,” Emily said behind me.
The three of us chatted about nothing of importance during the drive back to the farm, otherwise spending most of it in silence as Emily stared out the window. I had next to no idea what she must have been thinking, if she was already thinking this was a bad idea, if she’d settle into life on the farm, or if it was only a temporary situation before she figured out what to do next. She caught me once looking in the mirror and smiled at me, so I assumed she wasn’t thinking it was a mistake just yet.
Mick headed off home once we were back at the farm. I escorted Emily inside and figured I should show her the room first, knowing she would definitely want to add her own character. I placed her rucksack on the bed as she threw her purse, phone and other bits from her pockets beside them.
“Um, I guess you may want me to paint it soon as… well, it could do with a little TLC but…” I trailed off and shrugged again. Another little smile this time. Then, to my surprise, she burst into tears, walking towards me again. “Something wrong?” I asked rather stupidly, once I’d wrapped her in another hug, figuring I may be giving a few of them over the next few days.
She shook her head. “No,” she whispered, “Just nice to know someone gives a shit about me.”
“What the fuck has your mother done to leave you feeling like this? Apart from the obvious, of course.” She looked up and I shook my head. “Rhetorical question, don’t worry.” She placed her head on my chest again. “You’ve got a home here for as long as you want, kiddo.”
“I’m already left with the feeling that I don’t want to leave.”
“Well, that was quick,” I retorted, unable to hide the chuckle.
“You know I’m going to be a mess for a while. I’ll want to talk about… certain things,” she added, taking a step back, probably to gauge my reaction.
I ran a hand through my hair. “Yeah, figured. Um…”
“Not now, though.”
“Look, I’ll certainly listen but… I’m a simple man… Lived here alone for a few years now so…”
“It’s going to be a little strange for both of us.” I just nodded. She smiled again, wiping her eyes. “Once I’m settled in, perhaps I’ll take you up on your offer. Make this a little more… homey.”
“Girly?”
She giggled and scoffed all at once. “I’m not that bad.”
I shrugged again. “As I said, this is your home and this will be your room. Do with it as you wish. You need anything, let me know and I can grab it. So, want the tour?”
“Sure.”
She was surprised how homely the house was inside as, while it didn’t look exactly ramshackle from the outside, appearances would be deceiving. She was particularly impressed by the fact a single man kept his bathroom so clean, and by the kitchen, which was probably far more modern than she expected. Ending up on the rear veranda, I just gestured and stated everything she could see I owned. She took a seat as I grabbed a couple of beers from inside, sitting back and enjoying the silence.
“It’s so quiet out here,” she finally said.
“Bit different, is it?”
“You ever been to a city?”
“Once or twice. I’m like a fish out of water in places like that. Most nights, I just sit on this veranda and enjoy the serenity. The tranquillity. It’s so peaceful out here. I don’t understand why people feel the need to group together in towns and cities.”
“Do you ever get lonely?”
“Not really. I’m busy all day and enjoy the silence at night.”
“What about a girlfriend though?”
“Haven’t found a woman yet who can handle the lifestyle. Doubt I ever will, in all honesty.”
“Have you tried internet dating?”
I looked at her and noticed the smirk. “God no. Listen, I don’t need my niece trying to organise my love life. I’m content with how things are.”
“If you say so,” she stated, still smirking as she took a sip of beer.
Mick and his wife, June, appeared few minutes later, and I got the barbeque going not long afterwards. I cooked plenty of meat while I wasn’t surprised that June had brought a pile of Tupperware, full of other things that would go well with a plate full of meat. Emily greeted ‘Auntie’ June with a warm hug, the two women soon nattering away as Mick joined me, doing the good bloke thing of supplying me with beer as I did my best not to burn everything.
Sitting down once everything was cooked, soon it was simply the sound of laughter echoing in the silence as the four of us shared stories, either recent or in the distant pass. As the sun dipped below the horizon, I also got a fire going to provide some light and warmth, particularly for Emily as I expected she’d find the difference in temperature a real surprise.
Mick and June eventually headed home as Emily and I headed inside out of the cold. Emily had a shower as I did my usual thing of getting online, though I would obviously forego a certain ritual considering I now had another person in the house. She eventually appeared behind me, wearing nothing but a small vest, with no obvious sign of a bra, and some very short shorts, which showed off her legs. I tried not let my eyes wander, remembering who she was.
“I’m ready for bed. I’m beat.” I got to my feet and wasn’t surprised that she wanted another hug. “Thanks for everything.”
“No worries,” I stated. She looked up at me, another smile, as I kissed her forehead, “As I said, you’re home now.”
She took a step back and I couldn’t help notice that her nipples were hard. I quickly moved my eyes away, embarrassed that I’d even noticed. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Yeah, sure thing, Em. Sleep well.”
“I will.”
She turned and I watched her walk away, her shorts almost painted on her arse. Once she’d disappeared, I ran a hand down my face before shaking my head clear of a couple of thoughts. Not entirely unpleasant except for the fact they were about my niece. After everything she had gone through, the last thing she needed was a pervy old uncle. Well, not exactly old but you know what I mean.
I was up early the next morning as always, surprised that Emily appeared no more than fifteen minutes after I was up. I wasn’t planning on doing too much work, it being a Sunday and the lone day of rest I rewarded myself with, but I still always woke at the same time. She sat down next to me and yawned, stretching at the same time that exposed her rather flat if not toned stomach. I kept my eyes firmly focused on my cup of coffee. Well, maybe I stole one or two glances.
Eventually she asked, “What are the plans today? Do you work every day?”
I chuckled. “I try not to. But no plans today. Is there anything that you’d like to do?”
“Horses.”
My chuckle turned into a laugh. “Should have known. Remember how to ride?”
“It’s all in the thighs.”
She said it in such a tone I almost spat out my coffee. I looked at her as she innocently drank her own coffee, meeting my eyes, and I knew she was smiling. “Let me have a shower and we’ll head out. Their paddock is only a short walk away.”
The heat was already building once we headed outside. I was surprised to see Emily had come prepared, once again dressed in sensible clothing, though this time wearing shorts rather than jeans. I didn’t blame her. I pointed out and explained certain features of the farm, such as where the milking and shearing was done, where most of the machinery was kept and other features of the farm. I was surprised at how keen an interest she showed, asking me plenty of questions along the way.
A few of the horses were at the fence when we approached. Emily had brought along a few carrots and soon she had three of them eating out of the palm of her hand. Literally. We must have spent at least half an hour at the fence as she fed the horses or patted their noses and necks.
“Do you ride them?” she wondered.
“Of course. When we’re rounding up the herds, we do it the old fashioned way. Well, except for the helicopter. That helps us locate and round up the loose cows and bulls, then we drive them back this way.”
“Can I do that one day?”
“Seriously?” I asked, unable to hide my surprise.
“Of course. If I’m going to live here, I’m going to earn my keep.”
“I had no idea this sort of life interested you.”
“Didn’t my childish enthusiasm each time I’ve visited before not leave any sort of impression?”