The Sunnyvale Girls Read Free

mum. Toni wondered how she’d managed to stay on the farm for so long without complaining even once.
    â€˜Thanks for brekkie, Mum. We’ll be off moving a mob to the south paddock. See you at lunchtime.’
    â€˜Okay, dear. And don’t forget to check the dam pump. I’m not getting the water to my vegies.’
    â€˜We’ll check it out on our way back. See ya.’
    Jimmy was waiting outside for her. His boots were on and he was leaning against the verandah pole, the morning sun casting bright light across his unshaven jaw. The stubble only came off when it got too long and itchy for him. Toni didn’t mind it, and had often wondered what it would be like to have his strong arms around her and to kiss his lips. But that was a ridiculous notion. He was eight years younger than her, still in his forties, still young enough to have a family of his own. Toni had been thirty-three when she’d had Felicity, and by the time she’d realised she was pregnant, the father, Simon, had already moved on, leaving Toni behind with the most amazing gift.
    Toni slipped on her Rossi boots and glanced towards Contractor’s stall.
    â€˜She’s not there,’ Jimmy pre-empted, putting on his tan akubra hat and passing Toni her dark-brown one. ‘She’ll be down at the old place.’
    Toni realised Jimmy was right. The old brick farmhouse had always been Felicity’s thinking place.
    â€˜Shall we go move this mob, then?’ he asked.
    â€˜Righto,’ Toni replied as they headed for the ute, boots crunching on gravel. Gypsy, at Jimmy’s heel, launched herself up onto the back tray of the old Hilux they used for paddock work. The noise from the Hilux’s holey muffler was great for moving on the sheep.
    Toni drove them down the track past the gimlet trees and the old house. She spotted Fella lying outside the front door, the telltale sign that Flick was inside.
    â€˜Do you think I’m pushing her too much?’ Toni asked, clenching her hands on the steering wheel. Her nails were short, her hands marked with cuts and ingrained dirt. Jimmy remained silent. Toni stopped at the paddock gate and glanced at him.
    â€˜You really want to know what I think?’ he said, looking at her.
    â€˜Of course.’
    â€˜Even if you never take my advice?’ he replied with a smirk, then jumped out of the ute to open the gate. When he got back in he fiddled with his hat in his hands.
    â€˜Come on, Jimmy. Please.’
    â€˜Well, honestly, I don’t think you can force Flick to do anything. She’s stubborn, like you.’
    â€˜
Me?
Don’t you mean my mother?’
    â€˜All you Stewart women are stubborn, but that’s not a criticism. Being stubborn is also one of your strengths. It’s what makes you all survivors.’
    Toni shrugged, unable to look into his intriguing green eyes.
    â€˜All I’m trying to say is, it has to be Flick’s idea. She’ll go to uni if she can see a benefit in it for her, maybe to do agribusiness or an equine course. And maybe the travel will come a few years later when something grabs her interest. She’s still only twenty. But if you keep pushing her, she may close herself off just to spite you.’
    Toni mulled over his words as she drove closer to the sheep. Gypsy had already jumped off and was bringing them into a close group. She risked a glance at Jimmy’s face. ‘How did you get to be so insightful?’
    Suddenly the ute lurched and they both hit their heads on the roof. Toni braked and rubbed her head.
    â€˜What the hell was that? Did I just run over a sheep?’ she said, glancing at the mob ahead.
    â€˜I don’t think so. It sounded solid.’ Jimmy leapt out and gasped. ‘Oh my God,’
    Toni rushed to his side where he knelt down. ‘What? What is it?’
    Jimmy was trying to talk but he was laughing too hard. He reached for Toni and pulled her down to see under