Page 27 of Road to Rosalee

Zai slowed as a massive two-storey red-brick homestead came into view, the shaded verandahs beckoning her to its pot plant–dotted coolness, as did the hammock strung up between railing posts. She could just imagine laying there reading or snoozing – with the uninterrupted views of untainted vastness, it was the perfect spot.

Zai parked beneath shade of a coolabah tree alongside the rustic timber fence that surrounded the house. ‘Here we are, home sweet home.’ He grinned and shrugged. ‘For now, anyway.’

‘It’s really pretty,’ she said with a dreamy smile. She gathered her bag from near her feet and before she could open her door, he’d gone and done it for her. ‘Cheers, Zai.’ She grinned as she stepped past him. ‘A woman could get really used to this kind of service.’

‘It’s pretty common round these parts to open doors for the ladies, so you’d better get used to it.’ He tugged her suitcase from the back, quickly dusting a thick layer of fine red dirt off it. ‘Right then, follow me.’ He tossed an arm towards the homestead. ‘Your country castle awaits.’

‘It certainly could pass as one.’ She breathed, scanning the sprawling house. ‘It’s massive.’

Falling into step beside her, he pointed to a newish building leading off at the side of it. ‘That there is the common area kitchen you’ll be using, all scrubbed spick-and-span for you. There’s a you-beaut deep freeze in there, and a massive pantry, both of them stocked full. We have to rely on frozen and canned food out here, in between our fortnightly fresh food delivery.’ He turned his gaze to the left. ‘And those buildings there are the workers’ barracks, Slim’s little farmhouse … and …’ He pointed to a quaint little cottage peeking out from the behind the homestead. ‘That there is my place. It used to be where your dad called home, before he married Sarah and moved to FNQ. Georgia and Pat’s place is up the road a little bit.’

She nodded as she tried to take it all in. ‘Cool, I can’t wait to check it all out.’

‘There’s not really any flash gadgets in the common kitchen, well, not that you’d be used to, I’m sure, but it’s functional, and the oven is huge.’ He lifted his sunglasses. ‘Georgia had it built about three years back, designed the layout herself, and drove Pat mad in the process, mind you.’ He chuckled, shaking his head. ‘Those two are hilarious to watch. Married eight years and still as madly in love as ever.’

‘I’m looking forward to meeting them when they get back from Ireland,’ Melody said softly. ‘And Judy and Steve too.’

‘You’ve got a beautiful family, Melody. They’re the most down-to-earth, welcoming people you could meet.’

‘Like Matt and Sarah.’

Zai nodded. ‘Yes, exactly.’

Squawks of cockatoos resounded from the railings of a holding yard they passed, and a windmill spun lazily in the gentle breeze, throwing shadows across her face. She blinked into the sunlight glinting off the Colorbond roof of the homestead as they wandered down the pebbled pathway, past a row of citrus trees heavy with plump fruit. Reaching out, she plucked a leaf and held it to her nose, breathing in the deliciously clean scent. She’d be making use of the lemons and limes, for sure. Lemon pie, lemon butter, key lime pie – the list was endless. Climbing the front steps, she saw a swing chair hanging in the shade of the wide front verandah – she’d be reading there too, in her spare time, as well as in the hammock. Wind chimes tinkled melodiously and a sun catcher tossed rays of light over the timber planks. Bougainvillea climbed the front trellis, popping with vibrant shades of pink and purple – the lush green garden surrounding her new abode was like a tropical oasis. An enormous rainwater tank sat off to the side of the house, and a thriving vegetable path was alongside it. Someone clearly had a green thumb – she’d make sure to tend to it. How lucky she was to have a herb and vegetable garden at her fingertips.

She drew in a steady breath as they reached the front door decorated with pretty leadlight. She was expecting Zai to pull a key from his pocket, or pluck one from the mat beneath them. Instead, he simply opened the screen door followed by the timber one. He stepped aside for her to step in first.

‘You don’t lock up with everyone out working during the day?’

‘Why would we?’ He turned, as if surveying the landscape for the very first time. ‘Have you seen where we are?’ His kicked off his boots. ‘We don’t really have any problems of break-ins out here, unless you count the snakes, spiders and possums that sometimes like to make themselves at home.’

‘Oh crap.’ She cringed – critters terrified her. Heck, even the sighting of a spider in the house back in Sydney had her running. ‘Does that happen often?’

‘More often than not, especially in the summer months when everything is vying for a cool spot.’ He spotted her engulfing panic and offered a gallant grin. ‘But don’t worry, we’ll come to your rescue if the need arises.’

The outside world dissolved as she stepped into her grandparents’ home. The scent of timber polish and what she could only describe as many years of memories lured her from the entrance hall and into the heart of the lounge room, where a black leather lounge chair owned the centre of the room and a huge grandfather clock ticked away. One wall was lined with shelves overflowing with books, and there were so many photos, both coloured and black and white, of days gone by – she could almost hear the faded voices of the people captured in the images. It made her feel a sense of pride, knowing she was a blood relative to the many generations that had called Rosalee Station home.

Passing photos of her dad as a boy, then as a young man, they made their way down a hallway, past a beautiful light-filled kitchen. Taken aback, Melody paused to admire the space, the butcher’s block clearly having had years of use, as had the copper pots hanging above it.

‘Wow,’ she breathed. ‘Talk about the heart of the home.’

‘Ha, yeah. Kitchens always are out here in the bush. Food is what brings us all together at the end of a long hard day, or when you’re looking for a caring ear … actually, anytime, to be honest.’

‘I like that food is part of connecting out here.’

‘I thought you would.’ He pointed to a Smeg refrigerator. ‘We stocked the fridge as best we could with our recent order, so anything you’re missing, you can just grab it from the common kitchen.’

‘Thanks, Zai, you’ve really gone and thought of everything.’

He looked chuffed with the compliment. ‘I do my best.’

They continued on, passing an office and laundry. At the end of the hallway, Zai shoved the half-open door with his toe. ‘This is your room.’ He surveyed it like it was the first time. ‘Not too shabby, I hope?’

‘Holy … it’s so pretty.’ She rushed to the window, where an endless vista of paddocks met her. ‘And the view, oh my god.’ Her hand went to cover her open mouth. Turning, she breathed in the large room, with its four-poster bed and matching bedside tables. ‘It’s absolutely gorgeous.’

‘Glad you like it.’ Zai wheeled her suitcase near the mahogany desk. ‘I’ll leave you to get settled in then. I’ve got a few jobs to finish before sundown.’ He pointed to the little cottage out back. ‘As you can see, I’m just a hop, skip and jump if you need me anytime, okay?’

‘Okay. Thanks, Zai.’