Breaking The Drought Read Online Free PDF Page B

because Helen gave a self-conscious laugh.
    â€˜Is Luke not your type? I know he can come across as a bit stand-offish, but that’s just because, well…let’s just say he’s had a rough time of it lately, but he’s a good man underneath that reserved exterior. Not many men would do what he’s done for Maggie, that’s for sure.’
    â€˜Oh?’
    â€˜He really looks after her.’
    Clearly Jenna had missed something because this conversation wasn’t making any sense. ‘Forgive me, Helen, if this sounds impertinent, but don’t most married couples look after each other?’
    Helen’s brow creased in confusion for a moment, but then she began to laugh. ‘You think Luke and Maggie are husband and wife?’
    Jenna nodded. ‘Yes, I assumed… Well, aren’t they?’
    Helen shook her head. ‘I’m surprised no one mentioned it to you. I guess we’re all so used to knowing everything about everyone here…’
    â€˜So are they related? Brother and sister?’
    â€˜Maggie is Luke’s sister-in-law. She was married to his brother, Joe.’
    â€˜Was married?’
    Helen’s eyes dropped and her voice became quiet. ‘Joe died just before Maggie found out she was expecting. Luke stayed on at Tandarra to help her run the farm and to make sure she was okay.’
    Jenna momentarily covered her mouth with one hand. Maggie was a widow.
    And Luke wasn’t married.
    She immediately chastised herself for the tiny speck of happiness that had surfaced at the realisation of Luke’s single status. A man was dead, for goodness sake. And Luke Tanner was not her type, single or otherwise.
    â€˜That’s so sad…for both of them.’
    â€˜Yes, it is. Maggie’s been a rock, though. I think the thought of the baby has helped her get by, but I reckon there are still some hard days ahead of her. Raising a little one as a single parent won’t be easy. That’s where she’s lucky she’s got Luke.’
    Jenna nodded. Her respect for her host had gone up immeasurably in the past few moments.
    â€˜Luke on the other hand, he’s the one I worry about.’
    â€˜Why’s that?’
    Helen shrugged. ‘He hasn’t been the same since the accident. He’s so busy focussing on Maggie and making sure she’s doing okay. He lost just as much as she did that day, in some ways more.’
    Jenna wondered what she meant. Of course it would be dreadful to lose a sibling, but no more so than losing a husband, especially when that man was the father of your unborn child.
    â€˜I don’t think he’s really sorted out his grief.’ Helen continued. ‘I guess it’s a bloke thing. You know what they’re like.’
    Jenna smiled and nodded. She didn’t think Helen needed to hear about her lack of understanding of the male species.
    Mal Dawson’s voice bellowed above the racket in the shed, putting an end to their conversation. ‘Ladies, we are about to make a start. He gestured to the timber platform behind him. ‘As you can see, we have three shearers here today, Cameron, Luke and Matt,’ he said. Each shearer tipped his hat at the audience as his name was called and was given a round of applause in response. ‘The boys here are going to make the demonstration a little more interesting for you by having a friendly competition.’
    One of the women let out a loud whoop and the three shearers began to laugh.
    â€˜Now bear in mind none of these men are professional shearers. Matt’s an engineer, Cameron’s a mechanic, and Luke here’s a…’ Mal faltered for a moment and cleared his throat. ‘Luke’s a Jack-of-all-trades.’ He glanced up at Luke who nodded. ‘They might not shear for a living but the boys all grew up on farms and know their way around a sheep.’
    Some of the women began to giggle.
    The blokes shook their