Single Father: Wife and Mother Wanted

‘Congratulations, Mr Neilson,’ said Caitlin softly. ‘You’ve a grand little filly.’

‘With a little help,’ said Matt, determined that Jim should give Caitlin her due.

Jim cleared his throat. ‘I’d have managed.’

Matt opened his mouth but Caitlin was there before him with a sweet smile for the cranky old man. ‘Of course you would have, Mr Neilson.’

Matt had the satisfaction of seeing the older man’s double take.

‘Ah. Yes. Well, anyway, er, thanks. Just as well to have a vet here.’ Jim’s mouth snapped shut as though he was surprised by the words he’d just said.

‘My pleasure.’

Matt stifled an abrupt urge to laugh. She’d handled Jim beautifully, better than he would have, wringing reluctant gratitude from the man with nothing more than a smile.

‘She’ll expel the placenta over the next couple of hours now her bairn’s nursing. You’ll know to leave that well enough alone, of course.’

‘Of course.’ Jim shuffled.

Caitlin was obviously unconvinced because she went on smoothly with her warning. ‘Any pulling could lead to infection or prolapse of your mare’s uterus. If the placenta hasn’t cleared in a few hours, you need to call your vet.’

Bloodstains marred the sleeves of her pink top. The knees of her jeans were dark with dampness and there was dirt on the toes of her boots. Matt had never seen a woman look more beautiful than she was right now. She was marvellous. That willingness to get in and get her hands dirty, literally, without worrying about her appearance. No complaints. A practical woman.

She hitched a shoulder to rub her cheek. Matt suddenly realised her hands were still wet and grubby.

‘I’ve got soap and water in the car, if you’d like to clean up.’

She hesitated and for a moment he thought she was going to refuse. ‘I would, yes. Thank you. Goodbye, Mr Neilson. I wish you well with your mare and foal.’

‘Yeah.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Like I said, ah, thanks.’

Matt walked silently back to the car listening to Nicky chatter to Caitlin about how he was going to tell his class about the birth. Now that the excitement was over, Matt had time to wonder more about her. Who was she and why was she here? If she was a tourist, perhaps he could convince her that Garrangay was a good place to use as a base for seeing Western Victoria. What were her plans?

Not that it was any of his business…but for some reason he wanted to know.

At the station wagon, he got out the water bottle and liquid soap.

‘Did you want to wash…?’ He indicated her arm.

‘No. No, just my hands. Thanks. I can have a shower later.’

He tipped liquid into her cupped hands, watching while she lathered her slender fingers.

‘Have you got far to travel?’ He congratulated himself on striking just the right note of casual interest.

‘I haven’t, no.’ She was going to be staying locally? Anticipation tightened his gut.

‘What brings you out this way?’ There was an odd suspended second when her movements seemed to falter. ‘Holiday? Work?’

She’d resumed scrubbing vigorously and Matt wondered if he’d imagined the moment.

‘Secret mission?’ he joked, when she didn’t answer.

Wide, startled eyes, dark with some suppressed emotion, flicked up to his and away. Was it guilt? Surely not.

‘Could I have some more water, please?’

Silently, he rinsed away the suds and handed her a cloth.

‘I’m between jobs,’ she said, finally. ‘I thought…. It seemed like a good opportunity to see something of Victoria.’

The answer was reasonable. But her reaction told him it wasn’t the entire story.

‘Are you staying locally? I can recommend somewhere that makes a good base for sightseeing.’

‘Thank you, but…no. I—I have…plans.’

The change from competent, compassionate professional to tongue-tied uncertainty seemed odd. The frown pleating her forehead, the tight line of her mouth, the agitated way she dried her hands all screamed, No trespassing. Had he unwittingly touched on something personal…painful?

His gaze drifted over the rapidly clearing mist in the paddock as he mentally replayed the conversation. Nothing he’d said seemed unforgivably insensitive.

She was about to disappear from his life. Bemused by the compulsion, he nevertheless wanted to say something to tempt her to stay. But he’d already stumbled in a way he didn’t understand. Regret tugged at him, leaving him off balance. Perhaps it was just as well she was moving on.

A kookaburra began to laugh, the great whooping chuckles echoing into the air. Abruptly, the sound stopped, leaving a profound silence in its wake.

He forced his mouth into a smile. ‘If you’re ever out this way again, look us up. We’d like that, wouldn’t we, Nicky?’

‘Yes!’

‘You’re very kind.’ She smiled gently at his son.

By the time her grey eyes transferred their gaze up to his, there was no trace of warmth left. She handed him back the cloth. ‘Perhaps you could invite your wife. We could make it a family outing.’

No puzzle about his misstep here. ‘Ex.’

‘Sorry?’

‘Ex-wife. I’m divorced.’

‘Oh. I’m sorry.’ Pink spots flared in Caitlin’s cheeks, her eyes shadowed with vexation. ‘I didn’t mean…’

‘Don’t be.’ Matt said, wanting to make sure she understood. ‘It’s old history.’

Caitlin’s mouth opened, then closed, her teeth biting her full bottom lip.

‘Mum lives in Melbourne,’ said Nicky, with a complete lack of awareness of the undercurrents in the conversation. ‘She hardly ever visits.’

‘I…see. Well, I—I should be going.’ She looked towards the paddock. ‘Please, be sure to tell Mr Neilson he shouldn’t trailer the mare and foal for at least a week.’