Page 13 of Andrew’s Outback Love

“Joe, meet Linda Freemont. My new nurse. She’s replacing Allison.” I turned to Linda. “Joe Carmichael. His wife should be around here somewhere.”

As I spoke, Edna stepped from the house and hurried over to where we stood. She wiped her hands on the apron she was wearing. The elderly couple could not have been more different to look at and Edna could have been mistaken for Joe’s daughter even though they were both in their late seventies.

While Joe was short for a man, coming only to my shoulders, portly, weather-beaten and wrinkled thanks to hours spent in the sun over the years – his wife was tall, about the same height as Linda, slim and had barely a wrinkle.

Edna gave Ruby a hug then bypassed Linda to give me one. She then stepped back in front of my colleague and gathered Linda’s hands in her own.

“Who is this beautiful woman and what the hell are you doing here in Bourke?”

Linda laughed again and I took the opportunity to introduce the pair.

Edna took her by the hand, grabbed Ruby by hers and led the ladies into the house where I imagined it would be considerably cooler with a hell of a lot less buzzing insects.

“Come inside you two, I have freshly bakes scones and the kettle is on the boil.”

“I’ll show Drew around out here first, we’ll be in shortly,” Joe called to his wife.

Joe cocked his head to the side where an old barn, stables and machinery shed, with a tractor out front, stood. He limped off towards it and I strode beside him, careful to maintain his pace and not mine.

He showed me through the buildings and then we headed through a pasture where cows were contentedly grazing. A few glanced up from their feed, tossed a disinterested glance our way and resumed eating. Joe led me through a gate in the fence and I waited while he secured it behind us. As we neared what I knew was the river, the vegetation thickened and we picked our way through until we found ourselves on the banks of the mighty Darling. The level was good for this time of year and it flowed rapidly.

“Good fishing here if you’re inclined. Spent many an evening here with my thoughts and pulled in a few good-sized cod.”

“I haven’t spent much time fishing and probably wouldn’t have the time for a long while, but I’ll keep it in mind.”

Joe turned to face me and I could see he was studying me closely.

“Why are you interested in my property when you spend so little time in Bourke?”

“I’m not a city man, Joe. From what I’ve heard and now seen of your property, it’s exactly what I’ve dreamed of owning. It’s true, I won’t have much time to spend here while I’m committed to my current work schedule, but it will be here when I’m ready to step away from the hospital in Sydney.”

“You’re considering that?”

“I am. Although I love helping people with their vision problems, I detest the hospital politics, not to mention the city. It’s not only Sydney, it’s any city. I think I must have been a country boy in a previous life.”

“I know what you mean. They sent me down to Sydney to see a specialist about my hip and I couldn’t get out of the place quick enough. I do love the harbor though.”

“Yeah, there are some beautiful areas, can’t deny that.”

“So, if I sell are you willing to be mindful of preserving the nature and cultural features of local aborigines on some of the land?”

“Without question.”

Joe nodded. “I figured that wouldn’t be a sticking point for you like it is for some people. When Gary phoned me, I was really pleased to hear you were interested. Can you afford it though?”

“Depends on what you want. I own an apartment in Sydney which is fully paid for and I have a couple of investments. I’d have to keep the apartment so I have somewhere to live when I’m down there but I could use it as collateral for this place with a view to selling it later on. If I pull everything together, I could afford 1.3 million with a small mortgage.”

“Hmm, that’s less than I wanted.”

“I know. I could probably get a larger mortgage but if I keep it small, I can afford to move here sooner.”

Joe nodded, shoved his hands in his pockets and turned towards the house. His face gave no hint of what he was thinking. He would make an excellent poker player.

“Come back up to the house and have a look through, then we’ll discuss it with Edna.”

I followed Joe as we made our way back along the way we’d come. Hopefully we would be able to come to an agreement and this would become my forever home.

CHAPTER SIX