Rowland, The Senators Son

Chapter 28 Home

Oryan had been true to his word and sanitised the house the only remnants of the nest of vermin that had infested the family homestead was the aroma of freshly painted walls.

The Kingstone women had been ever constant companions lifting her spirit or just letting her cry if she needed. Alexia knew she would heal in her own way, to become her own normal.

Now a month later, Alexia and Patricia were out checking the fences, it was a glorious day and they rode slowly, riding in a comfortable silence for a while. Before Patricia asked, "now we are on our own, how are you really feeling?"

"My shoulder still aches and I am having trouble sleeping. The only evidence of the beatings is angry white and red scars and marks on my back, so I won't be able to wear a backless dress ever." Alexia let her dark humour come out.

"Sweetheart your boobs are too big to wear a backless dress any way," Patricia shot back.

"Don't you think it's about time you go home Lexi?" Patricia leaned on the horn of her saddle "Amanda is getting sick of fending off the calls from those boys of yours."

"This is my home," Alexia protested.

"If you say so," Patricia took off her Akubra wiped the sweat from her forehead on the sleeve of her shirt and replaced it. "If I had someone like Rowland Jeffers waiting for me I would pack up my panties and get onto the first plane I could find."

"I am not part of his destiny. Speaking of a Jeffers Man, I think one of them has the hots for you. Did you tap that stallion while he was still here?" Alexia quizzed.

"You know a lady never tells," Patricia answered fanning herself. "You are just trying to change the subject."

"Ah shit Patch, since when have you been a god damn lady?" Alexia chitted back.

"Careful Lexi, I can still whip your arse," Patricia threatened. "Come on, tell me why?"

Tears brimmed in Alexia's eyes as she spoke "I'm scared, I don't want to look at their faces. They think they have let me down, nothing further from the truth. It was the thought of them that kept me together."

"Lexi, you have never run from anything that has frightened you in your life." Patch stated then went on, "Nanna Kingstone used to tell me stories about how you would run away on adventures when you were a toddler, they would find you miles away from the house. That is until Amanda was born and then you never left her side. It's like you were just born to be a protector and look after others."

"You know that is not true. I would run from Daddy." Alexia argued.

"No Lexi, you didn't. You weren't running because you were scared; you were running to safety." Patricia sighed. "From the age of six you took your little sister and did exactly what your Mum needed you to do. So no, you have never run from anything in your life, why start now?"

"You sound like you are preaching." Alexia quoted.

"As it says in the good book," Patricia started to give a poor rendition of a preacher.

"Which good book are you referring too?" Alexia asked.

"Nanna Kingstone's recipe book," Patricia answered.

The girls laughed.

"Seriously, you have fought hard for what you have, you survived so much, now you get to reap the rewards and just live a good life." Patricia decided to pull rank. "Ok sergeant, I'll make you a deal; I'll come for a little holiday and hold your hand." Patricia gave a snort of laughter. "Your treat my salary wouldn't pay for the trip."