Beneath The Surface

Chapter Twelve

Olivia awoke to the sounds of the magpie's singing. The sunlight streamed in through the slits in the shutters and she stretched out in her bed.

She strolled out to the kitchen to put the kettle on and noticed an envelope near the front door. There was a sticky note on the front:

Hope you slept well.

This was delivered for you this morning.

Kev and I are going up to Port Hedland to pick up some blades for the grader.

Won't be home til late.

Xx

Olivia smiled. The fact he had added two kisses only added to the growing attraction she had for him. She opened the A4 white envelope. The contract.

Matt had scribbled on a sticky-note:

If you have any questions call me.

Get Mr Jones to sign ASAP. Reiterate the substantial compensation he will receive.

Matt

Olivia eyes widened as she flipped through the pages and saw the amount he had been offered. This must be an excellent source of gas.

She slipped the contract back inside the envelope and, along with her notebook, placed it on the entry table.

The coffee spilled over the edge of the cup as she carried it, along with a green apple, down to the holding yards. It was good to see Graham walking steadily, and even running.

"Here girl," Olivia held out the apple and Vanessa walked over.

Vanessa sniffed a few times then wrapped her long tongue around the apple and sucked the entire thing into her mouth.

"Ew," Olivia said as she watched the liquid drip from Vanessa's mouth. "I sure hope apple's aren't toxic to cows."

She wiped her hand on her dress and sipped her coffee.

"What am I going to do?"

There was no one she could confide in. If she told Matt he would tell her to stick to the plan. If she told Travis he wouldn't understand. He would accuse her of lying to him. But he would be right. She had lied to him.

Olivia leaned against the fence and watched as Graham ducked below Vanessa's udder.

Think. Be realistic. Can you really see yourself living on a cattle station?

The songs of birds filled the air and there was an overwhelming sense of calm. It was peaceful here. Serene. She couldn't explain it. Olivia was far from home and yet she felt like she was home.

After she had finished her coffee she walked back up to Travis's house and went inside to use his phone.

She twisted her pearl earring as she waited for Matt to answer.

"Matthew Blowes. Mega-Energy."

"Hi Matt."

"Good to hear from you Olivia. I've been waiting. You must have received the contract and paperwork by now. Has Mr Jones had a chance to look over it?"

She cleared her throat. "Yes. He's not interested."

Matt snorted. "Not interested? Did he see how much we've offered him? That's quite a substantial amount."

"I know, I know, but he said he doesn't want it."

"Push harder."

"I have. I tried to convince him to sign."