Right As Rain by Tricia Stringer Page B

Mackenna’s support around the house. While she’d trained Lyle and Patrick to at least carry their dishes to the bench, they rarely did more than that.
    She gave a last glance around her neat kitchen and switched off the light. Suddenly she felt bone weary and it was the latest Lyle had stayed up in a long while. Time for them all to turn in.
    At the dining room door she paused.
    â€œI think it could work here, Dad.” Mackenna’s voice was low but filled with enthusiasm.
    Louise entered the room and the three at the table turned as one to look at her.
    â€œWhat could work here?”
    She glanced from one to the other. Hugh gave her a polite smile but it was the fleeting look between father and daughter that bothered her. What ideas was Mackenna filling Lyle’s head with now?
    â€œThe Corriedale stud that Mackenna visited in New Zealand sounds interesting. Maybe we should go for a look,” Lyle said.
    â€œTo New Zealand!”
    â€œIt’s not far, Lou.”
    â€œI know that, but you’ve always got a reason why we can’t go.”
    She had tried on several occasions to convince her husband to take an overseas holiday. He’d always had some excuse about why they couldn’t go. They had passports that had never been used.
    â€œI’ve got a reason now.”
    â€œI don’t think you’d be allowed to travel too far for a while.”
    â€œIt’s just an idea.”
    Louise felt a pang of regret as the sparkle left his eyes.
    â€œWe can certainly look into it,” she said. “We could both do with a holiday. Maybe while we’ve got all these helpers a short break would be good.”
    â€œThank you for the meal, Mrs Birch.” Hugh stood up. “I’d best be off.”
    Mackenna leapt to her feet. “I’ll walk you out.”
    Louise watched them go. They made a good-looking couple. She turned back to find Lyle studying her.
    â€œWhat are you up to, Lou? I know that look. I hope you’re not thinking Mack and Hugh are an item.”
    â€œOf course not,” Louise said quickly. “But now that you mention it, they would be a good match.”
    â€œHe’s not staying.”
    â€œHe might if he had a reason.”
    â€œLou.” Lyle’s voice was soft and he shook his head.
    Louise could see how tired he was.
    â€œBedtime for us,” she said.
    As they entered the passage the murmur of voices carried on the tranquil night air. Mackenna and Hugh were still talking.
    Louise smiled to herself. Lyle didn’t understand these things. Hugh had never had a reason to put down roots but it was just possible he might discover a reason here.

CHAPTER
11
    â€œWould you at least think about it?” Mackenna asked.
    She swept a loose curl back into the band holding her ponytail and studied her father closely. The two of them were standing in the kitchen of the original homestead. All the other rooms had been done up except this one. She had asked for this room to be left until she returned from holidays.
    â€œI can’t see your mother going for it,” he said. “It will be a lot of work.”
    â€œNot for Mum. I’ll be doing the cooking. The kitchen has to be replaced anyway. It won’t take much more to make it restaurant standard.”
    â€œWho’d come all the way here to dine out?”
    â€œWe’re only just off the main road. We’d start out small with tasting and other local produce. Just on weekends, when there are more tourists about.”
    â€œIt’d be a tie.”
    â€œThe farm is already a tie.”
    â€œBut it takes all our time and then some. How will you have time to manage this?”
    â€œYou’ve employed Cam and Patrick’s around now.” Mackenna saw a small frown flit across her father’s face. “I know he’s not here to stay,” she said, “but it sounds like he plans to hang around for a while. Might give me the