Second Chances Pt. 01

"Ohh right, you mean the front bit, sorry." Peta felt silly for not understanding. "It's in the hayshed." She pointed to an open shed about 100 metres away up the hill. "Should we go and get it?"

"No, bit late in the day to put it on now." Richard said pushing his hat back on his head. "We'll just go up and have a look. From the way the harvester's been looked after I'm sure it will be okay."

Peta called to the two boys and pointed for them to go up the track towards the hayshed on their bikes. Richard and Peta walked behind them.

"You're quite good with motors and machinery." Peta said as a compliment.

"No, not really. I know the basics but that's about it." Richard replied modestly.

"Did you do some courses or something?" Peta inquired as they walked together.

"No, just stuff you pick up. Being a farmer's son, then running a hire business you get to learn a little bit about how things work."

"So that's what you did before becoming a nomad?"

"Yeah. Got lucky with the hire business. Got into it just as those DIY renovation shows started getting popular on TV. We were struggling to keep up for a while then we expanded in the concrete business and things went to shit."

"You went broke?" Peta probed conscious of Richard's reflective mood.

"The opposite actually. Made more money in that year than I ever had but I was working 12-15 hr days seven days a week. It wasn't supposed to happen that way. I took on a partner, my best mate, who was supposed to do most of the cement work but he hurt his back. So he was on light duties in the hire shop." Richard paused and Peta saw his face and mood darken before he added, "with my wife."

They continued the rest of the way in silence. Richard rehashing the past in his mind while Peta sensing the hurt decided against continuing her inquisition. They did a quick inspection of the harvester front before Richard grunted that it looked okay. With that they turned and headed back to the machinery shed.

About half way down the boys flew past him on their bikes as they relished the steep decline. A little further down Angus got into trouble, as is often the case with a little brother trying to keep up with his older sibling. Peta could see it happening but her shouts of warning were futile as she broke into a run. Angus's front wheel got caught in a rut and he slewed across the track towards the fence. Realizing what was about to occur he bailed out falling off into the dry grass on the side of the track while the bike continued on straight into a strainer post.

Richard was the first one to him. The boy was crying but Richard felt it was mostly his pride that was hurting. He checked him out for broken bones before getting him to sit, then stand. By now Peta had arrived. Like most parents would she bounced between extreme concern and rebuking Angus for scaring her by going too fast.

"You're not your brother you know," she said in a cross voice before turning the heat up on Murray who'd made his way back up the slope. "And you should know better too young man."

The knee of Angus' trousers was ripped and there was a bloody graze showing through the hole. His hip and bottom appeared to have taken the rest of the impact by the dirt marks. Richard was sure there would be a couple of nasty bruises there by morning. He hoisted the boy onto his shoulders and they went to check on the bike. It had fared worst than the boy. The front wheel was now more of an oval shape while one of the handle bars was bent at a funny angle.

"Looks like you're done riding today mate." Richard said. "I'll give you a lift back to the house and get your bike later."

Peta was glad the incident had snapped Richard from his dark mood. She had been reassessing her intention to offer for him to stay for dinner again. By the time they got to the house Angus and Richard were laughing.

"Come on Angus, it's time for a bath," his mother said as she slid him from his high perch. "Will you stay for dinner?" Peta asked Richard once Angus was on the ground.

He looked at the sun and scratched the back of his neck.

"I might take a raincheck on the dinner. There's still a few hours of daylight so I might head home and get a few things done. Thanks for the offer," Richard replied politely.

"Come back later. It's just a BBQ. I'll feed the boys some sausages and wait for you before we put the steaks on." Peta said ignoring his refusal.

"I don't want to put you out," Richard said, wavering.

"I insist. It's the least I can do and we never did work out how much per hour to pay you the other day."

"And you can read me a story before I go to bed," Angus added pulling on a Richard's trouser leg to get his attention.

"Alright, alright, I'll see you a bit later," Richard said giving up and ruffling the young boys' hair.

Chapter 8.

Richard was surprised to find himself in such a good mood as he made his way down the driveway to the main road. He saw another vehicle approaching fast so he slowed down and waited for it to go past. He recognized the large truck as Tony Smith's as it flashed past at high speed. Taking his time he dawdled back to his block. He came around the bend before his entrance and saw Tony's truck parked next to his front gates.

He pulled up beside Tony's beast in front of his gates. He got out and decided to open the gates and let Tony make the running. He was on his way back to his vehicle before Tony opened his door and stood on the side step waiting expectantly as if he was granting Richard an audience. Richard ignored him, wanting any conversation to be on neutral ground. So he drove through the gap before pulling up to close the gates. When he got out to close the gates, Tony was waiting holding one in position.

"Did you want to talk to me Tony?" Richard said as he bought the other gate close enough to chain it.

"Yeah, I did." He sounded pissed. "I wondered if you'd had time to consider my offer for the lucerne flat?"

"Yeah I've decided to go with someone else. Save you the trouble seeing they aren't very productive." Richard returned serve.

"I never said that," Tony spluttered already on the back foot. "Who's taking it on?"

"James Macey. He's leasing the whole place. Thought I give a young fellow a go." Richard added the last bit to head off the inexperienced angle.

"Yeah he's a nice kid, good luck to him." Tony's response surprised Richard. "I see you were coming from the Watter's place this afternoon."

"Yes..." Richard was surprised by the hidden venom in Tony's statement.

"What were you doing there?" Tony asked drawing himself up to his full height.

"Just checking on a sheep I helped Peta catch the other day." Richard wasn't sure why he lied.

"Oh... it just one of my men was driving past and he saw Fred's old header driving around the shed."

Richard could feel Tony's eyes staring intently at him.

"Yeah, she's got it going. She's hoping to do her own harvest," Richard said trying to sound casual like he didn't know the history between the two.

Tony snorted. "Fat chance," he said then turned to walk away. Before he got too far he stopped. "Just another word of advice. Stay out of shit that doesn't concern you, especially where Peta Watter is concerned."

It was supposed to be a threat but Richard just wanted to laugh.

"What are you? Her grandfather?" He needled him instead.

Tony rose up again and Richard thought he was going to come at him swinging.

"Just a concerned citizen. Peta has had some tough breaks. She doesn't need some fly-by-night stranger getting her hopes up."

This time he did walk away back to his truck.

Chapter 9.

In the end Richard didn't get anything done to the house. He spent quite a while digesting the bizarre exchange that occurred at his front gate. Tony's reaction to his grandfather jib made Richard think he had desires for more than just Peta's land. It seemed patently ridiculous. In his wildest dreams Richard might consider himself a chance but he was carrying way too much baggage to even consider it. Tony would have to be ten years older than him and in worse shape.

Realising he was not going to do anything remotely constructive Richard showered and changed. He arrived back at the Watters house just as the sun set. Peta was sitting out on the back porch with Angus and Murray. Angus was on her knee and she was gently applying antiseptic to his grazed knee.

"How's the wounded warrior?" Richard asked with a grin.

"All better now," Peta answered for him as she put a large band aid over the scratches. "And you're just in time for the story you promised."

"Yeeehhh," the boys said together.

Angus jumped up and grabbed Richard's hand and started dragging him inside. Richard gave a nervous laugh and resisted.

"You promised," Peta repeated smiling.

"Okay, okay, but go and get your book and I'll read it out here. That way your mother can enjoy it as well."

Peta giggled and the boys rushed inside.

"They don't bite," Peta said grinning.

"It's just nice out here now the sun's gone down," Richard replied taking a seat in an old rocking chair next to Peta.

The boys arrived with their books. Angus's selection was easy and one Richard had read to his kids. Murray passed him one of the Harry Potter books.

"I don't have to read it all do I?" Richard said with mock exasperation.

"Just one chapter," Peta advised.

One chapter became two. After that Peta took the sleeping Angus to bed flanked by a yawning Murray. Richard stayed outside listening to the crickets calling out in the gloom. Peta came back out ten minutes later carrying two beers. She passed one to Richard clinked it against hers then sat down.

"Cheers," she said then she took a long pull.

She felt more at peace now things were falling into place for harvest. But as she sat in the semi-dark drinking with a man she hardly knew, she was also uncomfortable. He was only here because she'd invited him and that fact worried her too. Why had she been so keen for him to come to dinner?

Marci was still in town. It was the final day of the bowls club championships so there was always a presentation after. With the boys asleep they were in many ways alone. It was about as close as she had been to being with another man since Fred had died. Richard had shown no interest in her on that front and maybe that was bothering her too. With these thoughts buzzing around in her head she was glad when Richard broke the silence.

"What are you going to do with the grain you harvest?"

"The oats will go in my silo for stock feed and the wheat will go to the Airlie silo." Peta replied confident in these facts.

"How?" Richard continued.

Peta was about to flippantly say by truck when she realized the deeper meaning to Richard's question. Previously the harvesting contractors had looked after all of the logistics. Fred's old truck hadn't left the shed since his death. Shit, another obstacle she thought.

"I guess I haven't thought that far ahead." Peta admitted. "Any suggestions?"

There was silence. Peta leaned forward expectantly but Richard was wrestling with a decision. It would go against his better judgement and previous experience. In the end he went contrary to his instincts.

"Harvesting is a tough job by yourself, even for someone with experience." Richard began speaking slowly as if choosing his words very carefully. "I organized to have six weeks here hoping to get a lot done at the house but the local tradesmen aren't being as helpful as I planned. So if you like I can give you a hand. Just get you started and maybe help cart the grain away."

Peta was thrilled however she kept a lid on it till she got the details sorted out.

"How much?" She asked.

"Just casual farmhand rate. I won't be here all the time so same deal as before. I'll just keep track of my hours and we'll settle up at the end."

"Sounds good," Peta finished her beer and stood up. "Want another?" She pointed at the bottle in Richards hand.

"Yeah, that would be good." He drained the dregs and passed it to her.

Peta deposited the empties in the bin and got replacements. On the way back to where they were sitting she turned in the grill.

"Better feed you I suppose." Peta said handing him the beer.

"There is one more thing," Richard said, swivelling in his chair. "I think you are going to have to pay Tony what you owe him."

"Yeah I will... eventually." Peta grunted her mood darkening at the mention of his name.

"It will have to be before we harvest the wheat. The old truck isn't registered. I can use it to put oats in your silo but you'll need to find someone else to take the wheat to Airlie." Peta didn't say anything. "Do you have the money to pay Tony?"

Peta sighed, "yes, it's just... I feel like he tricked me."

They were both silent again.

"It would be a good thing to put behind you. It means he can't use it to stop others working for you. Also he'd have no reason to come here. I think he may have designs on more than your money or your farm." Richard couldn't suppress a chuckle after he finished.

"What's that supposed to mean?"

Richard recounted his conversation with Tony from earlier in the night. Peta couldn't help but laugh at the grandfather jibe. In the end, Richard's thoughts did gel with her own.

"He's always been a sleaze. His wife died twenty five years ago from breast cancer. Since then he's had a string of relationships with woman older and younger. I can't think what they see in him." Peta said with a sigh.

"Has he tried anything with you?" Richard asked.

"Not overtly but he's very hands on if you know what I mean. He usually insists on a kiss on the cheek to say hello and he doesn't mind a quick grab at the bum or boob while he's at it. All very accidental... just really... yucky." Peta skin crawled as she remembered him helping her up.

The smell of the hot BBQ plate sparked Peta into hostess mode. She disappeared into the house and returned with two more beers along with two seasoned steaks on a plate. After handing Richard another beer she flicked on an outside light and slapped the steaks onto the sizzling hot plate. While Peta was busy Richard took the opportunity to look a bit more closely at the young widow.

She was a bit taller than average, shortish dirty blonde hair with some curl but not frizzy. Slim, may have been thin before the boys but now she had hips and the hint of a mummy tummy. The loose t-shirts she wore made it hard to discern. Same with her breasts, she wasn't flat but they didn't bounce around either. Still, the most stunning thing about Peta, Richard decided, was her eyes. When she smiled they lit up her whole face, and when she laughed it was like fireworks. For now the sadness of her recent past had dulled them.

"You okay over there," Peta asked looking over her shoulder.

"Err yeah fine," Richard said quickly turning his head to look away.

Peta smiled to herself. She'd sensed he was checking her out and the quick glance had confirmed her feelings. In a strange way she took comfort from it. She was Peta the woman, not Peta the poor widow. But wasn't that what made Tony so creepy? Peta physically shook her head to clear her mind. The steaks looked almost done.

"There's a spare plate on the kitchen table. Can you fetch it for me?" Peta asked without looking around.

"Yeah," came the reply and she heard the chair scrape as Richard get to his feet.

He had to go behind her on his way to the front door. Peta turned her head as he passed and watched him walk away. My turn, she thought. Richard was wearing long, beach type shorts and a short sleeve polo top. From the pale colour of his legs and arms it must have been a rare occurrence. However it did show off an impressive set of "guns." They didn't have the definition of a body builder but his thick forearms and biceps must have been crafted by hard manual labour.

While his middle was a bit pudgy his butt was small and his calves showed they were used to hard work like his arms. As he passed under the light there was the tell tale signs that he was beginning to thin on top. Peta had noticed the receding hairline before on the rare occasions he had removed his hat. He stopped at the door and looked back towards her.

"Are you going to give me a score out of ten?" Richard asked then laughed and went inside.

Peta felt her face flush with embarrassment. By the time Richard returned with the plate she had recovered most of her dignity. He held the plate out for her to put the meat on.

"Don't worry, I think we'll call it even." Richard said and they walked inside together.

In the kitchen they talked and ate, and any awkwardness was forgotten. They'd just finished when Marci arrived home from town. She gave Richard a look somewhere between disapproval and indifference as she walked inside. Her face looked flushed like she may have had a few wines with the other bowlers before she came home. Richard excused himself and went to the toilet. Marci went to the sink and was filling a glass with water.

"You're wearing makeup." Marci said. It was almost like an accusation.

"It's just some lipstick." Peta replied on the defensive. "It's not like I've got a fucking scarlet letter on my forehead."

"And the alcohol hasn't helped your language." Marci retorted.

"At least I didn't drive home drunk."

"I only had three glasses." Marci batted the accusation off as she noisily put the empty beer bottles in the bin

"Yeah, between ends." Peta said just as Richard came back into the room.

He could see the tension so he decided he'd best get out of the way.

"I'd better be going." He said pushing his chair back under the table.

"Don't leave on my account." Marci said, "I'm going to bed."

She stormed off as Peta rolled her eyes.

"Sorry about that." Peta said as she stood up. "I'll walk you out."

They walked out together. Richard turned to face her and thanked Peta for the dinner. They stood looking at each other for a moment that seemed to last a lot longer.

"I might be back tomorrow to see if I can get the truck going." Richard said finally.

"That would be great." Peta replied.

Richard held out his hand and Peta took it but rather than shake she lent in closer. Richard could see the kiss coming. He lent in too but turned his head slightly so they only grazed each other cheeks. It was clumsy, stilted, and all together embarrassing for both parties. Richard quickly turned away and walked to his ute. He gave a skittish wave goodbye as he got in then started it up and began driving away.

Peta was blushing, she could feel the heat in her face but it wasn't all embarrassment. There was anger and hurt mixed with it. She stayed rooted to the spot as the ute moved away. Why had she done it? Made the first move, left herself open. Why had he turned away at the last moment? The feeling she got when she went to town descended on her. The way people spoke to her, some still avoided her even though Fred's death had been eighteen months ago. It was like she had two heads or had a contagious terminal disease.

The brake lights of the ute flashed at the junction of the road out and the way to the sheds. Inexplicably the ute turned towards the shed. Peta watched as the lights came on in the workshop before she retrieved her thongs and strode in that direction.

Richard had realized if he wanted to start the truck he'd need to charge the other batteries in the shed. He was also angry at himself. This was why he shouldn't have volunteered, not before he'd come clean about everything from his past. But if the courts would hurry up it would be irrelevant anyway. He wanted desperately to return that kiss, to just brush her lips and feel close to someone again. As he pulled up in front of the shed he slammed his hand against the steering wheel in frustration.