Right As Rain by Tricia Stringer Page A

to that extent,” Hugh said.
    â€œI’m heading in to the pub.” Cam stood up. “Thanks for the meal, Louise.”
    â€œI’ll come with you,” Patrick said and leapt to his feet.
    â€œWhy don’t you stay and find out more?” Louise didn’t mind if Cam left but she wanted Patrick to be a part of these conversations.
    â€œNo offence, Mum, but when it comes to a night at the pub or talking about worms, I’ll take the pub.”
    â€œI’ll introduce you to a couple of chicks I met on the weekend,” Cam said. “A couple of lively ladies.”
    â€œNot sure if I trust your judgement after the last time.” Patrick gave Cam a playful punch on the arm.
    â€œIt wasn’t my fault she had that jealous ex. Anyway, these two are backpacking. Only around for a few more days.”
    â€œI’ll see how it pans out when we get there.” Patrick waved from the door and they were gone.
    Louise looked down the table at her husband and he gave her a lopsided grin before turning back to Hugh.
    â€œYou can use genetics to breed worm resistant sheep.”
    â€œI know it’s being done from what Mackenna told me but it’s still experimental, isn’t it?” Lyle asked.
    â€œThe Corriedale stud I visited near Queenstown was right into it,” Mackenna said. “We haven’t had much chance to discuss it yet.”
    â€œI’d be interested to hear as well,” Hugh said. “It’s what I’ve been studying in the last year and I’m about to ... at least I hope to get involved in some research.”
    â€œWhere? Maybe we could be part of it,” Mackenna said, her eyes bright.
    â€œPossibly.” Hugh looked startled. “I don’t know . . . it’s not my project exactly.”
    â€œWhat was this place you visited, Mack?” Lyle asked.
    Louise let the conversation wash over her. The other two hadn’t noticed that Hugh had suddenly started tripping over his words. There was something he wasn’t saying. Still, if he was involved in research that kind of thing was often hush-hush until the results were clear. Mackenna, on the other hand, was animated. She’d left her thick auburn curls loose and they fell around her shoulders and framed her face. Louise wouldn’t describe her daughter as pretty, more a classic beauty that shone from within, especially when she was engrossed in something she was passionate about, like she was now. Louise tuned back in to Mackenna’s words.
    â€œWith their selective breeding program, the worm resistance comes from the dame and the sire side. The livestock manager shopped around for good genes.”
    â€œSounds like they are a much bigger operation than us,” Lyle said.
    â€œYes, but they started out small, Dad. Just like us.”
    â€œAre there any places closer to home doing this?”
    â€œYes.” Mackenna and Hugh both spoke at once.
    â€œI know of a couple in New South Wales,” Mackenna said.
    â€œThere’s another even closer,” Hugh added. “Not far over the border in Victoria. I’ve been to have a look at what they’re doing.”
    â€œIs it worth us paying them a visit?” Lyle asked.
    â€œDefinitely!” Mackenna and Hugh chorused together then laughed.
    Louise smiled. There was certainly a connection between the two of them. She was glad she’d invited Hugh for dinner. They were both animated now. Taking turns to tell Lyle all they knew about this selective breeding program. She collected up the dessert dishes and remembered the offer of tea and coffee she’d never fulfilled. Never mind. They were so busy talking they hadn’t missed it.
    In the kitchen she was relieved to see everything was tidy. Mackenna and Hugh must have cleaned up when they served the dessert. All that was needed was to stack the last things into the dishwasher and turn it on. Louise sighed. She’d missed