Six Ways to Sunday Read online

  ‘I don’t actually see how an all-expenses paid trip to the city is going to stop teenage girls having sex.’

  ‘It won’t stop them having sex,’ Rilee said, forcing a calmness into her tone she was far from feeling. ‘But combined with some kind of education and showing them there’s a whole different future they could aim for might just encourage more of them to stay in school and go to university. Or at the very least, realise they can choose more than Pallaburra.’

  A low hum like a hive of angry bees ran through the room and Rilee immediately realised her mistake.

  ‘There is nothing wrong with growing up and living in Pallaburra,’ a woman at the front of the room spoke up. ‘I was born here and raised my family, and both my girls are still in town and raising their own children. I might add, neither of them got themselves pregnant while in school,’ she added with a sharp nod.

  A few other women muttered indignantly as they glared at Rilee.

  ‘I’m not implying that there is anything wrong with living in Pallaburra or that every teenage girl is out there having sex and falling pregnant. But for every household that has a supportive home life and parents who care, there are at least a dozen more out there with no positive role models. Those kids are basically bringing themselves up due to broken homes and parents with addictions. You don’t have to look very far to realise this town has more than its fair share of these kids. They’re the ones we need to help. They should be a community concern.’

  The undercurrent in the room was still hostile and Ellen glided to the front of the stage, bringing an automatic hush to the room and leaving Rilee to wonder how on earth the woman did that.

  ‘Thank you, Rilee, for your suggestion. You may take a seat now and we’ll close the meeting.’

  As Rilee sat down she felt the weight of the other women’s stares on her back. It seemed one wasn’t supposed to point out the less attractive parts of one’s town. Great job, Rilee, she chastised herself silently. You really should write a book on how to offend a whole town in three easy steps.

  After suffering through a frosty morning tea, she had to endure the ride home with Ellen.

  ‘That went well,’ Rilee said, half-heartedly attempting to lighten the mood.

  ‘What did you expect, dear? You marched in there and practically told everyone that their children ought to move as far away from Pallaburra as they could. Perhaps you could have handled it with a little more tact.’

  Rilee bit her tongue, focusing on the landscape flashing by outside the window.

  ‘This isn’t the city,’ Ellen continued.

  ‘I’m fully aware of that fact.’ God, she was sick of hearing this.

  ‘There’s no need to be petulant. I’m trying to help.’

  ‘I could have used your help earlier, instead of being sent back to my chair like a recalcitrant child,’ Rilee said.

  ‘I’m the president of ladies’ church committee, Rilee. I can hardly be seen to be showing favouritism to a family member, can I?’ She gave a short sigh. ‘I guess I’m partly to blame. I invited you along thinking it might help you meet people, but I realise now that the group is not a good fit for you.’

  A few days earlier and Rilee would have been jumping for joy over the fact she no longer had to attend the meetings. Now she felt insulted and indignant. How dare Ellen sit there and tell her she didn’t belong? What had started out as a challenge to find a worthwhile local cause had now become a mission. The more she’d researched, the more she’d realised this was an important issue.

  ‘I understand that hearing the facts from an outsider was probably a little…confronting,’ Rilee said finally, ‘but you have to admit this is something that needs to be addressed.’

  ‘It’s not something that the church committee would normally take part in.’

  ‘Why not?’

  Ellen made an irritated sound before waving a hand in the air. ‘It just isn’t.’

  ‘Isn’t the church part of the community? Shouldn’t it be trying to help kids? This is an important issue.’

  ‘There are plenty of important issues, Rilee. And we have our hands full raising money for the ones we are already supporting.’

  ‘This is a local social issue where the group could make a real difference. If you could turn just one girl’s future around, wouldn’t that be worth the effort?’

  ‘I think you may be reading far more into this than you should. Where is the evidence that the kinds of things you’re suggesting would make any difference? Besides,’ she added, taking her eyes off the road briefly to pin Rilee with a look, ‘there would be an enormous amount of organising. You’d have to get the high school on board, which would involve the department of education and all kinds of red tape. We wouldn’t even get something like this up and running before the end of the year. It just isn’t practical.’

  Rilee shook her head sadly as she looked back out the window. She’d been so sure this would be something the women in town would embrace.

  Later that afternoon she was venting over coffee at Shae’s house. ‘You know what sucks the most about all this?’

  Shae shook her head patiently.

  ‘If Priscilla had been the one who’d brought up this idea, Ellen would be falling over herself to make it happen.’

  ‘I wouldn’t be too sure. I think it’s more that underage sex is a taboo subject for a church committee.’

  ‘Taboo?’

  ‘There’s no way people around here are going to feel comfortable providing access to contraception for high school kids. Besides, most of the women in that group send their kids away to boarding school. They don’t really see what happens to the disadvantaged kids in town. I’m not sure they care whether or not they make poor choices that affect their lives.’

  Rilee gaped at her friend in shock. ‘Well, that’s just stupid.’

  Shae shrugged and emptied her cup in the sink. ‘There’s a lot of outdated thinking around here. You’ll get used to it.’

  ‘No,’ she said, clearly louder than she’d intended judging by the way Shae swung around and looked at her. ‘No, I’m not going to let them win. If they won’t help me do this then I’ll find a way to make it happen without them.’

  ‘How are you going to do that? You need to raise a lot of money, and Ellen’s right, there’d be more than a little bit of red tape to wade through before you could get something like this off the ground.’

  ‘I don’t know how I’ll do it…yet. But I’m not giving up before I’ve even tried.’

  ‘I think you’re seriously taking on too much. You’ve got a business to start.’

  ‘It’s important, Shae. Have you looked around in town lately? Have you seen some of these kids? There has to be more to life than popping out babies and walking down to the shops to buy cigarettes.’

  ‘Yeah, it’s hard not to see what’s happening, but you can’t singlehandedly step in and change the world.’

  ‘I don’t want to change the world,’ Rilee said simply. ‘But if I can offer an alternative to just one girl, doesn’t that make it worthwhile?’

  Shae smiled. ‘Well, I guess no one can argue with that logic.’

  ‘Good, so you’ll help me then?’

  ‘What?’ Shae’s smile soon disappeared. ‘Hey, wait a minute, I don’t recall volunteering for anything.’

  ‘You didn’t. I nominated you. Thanks for the coffee…partner,’ Rilee said, hurrying to the door. ‘I’ll be in touch!’

  As she walked up the dirt track towards her cottage, Rilee felt a renewed surge of optimism washing through her. She was not going to stand by quietly and let them sweep her concerns under the mat; out of sight, out of mind. It was time Pallaburra had a bit of a shake-up.

  Twenty-four

  The next day Rilee met with the local real estate agent for another look through the two office spaces she was considering for her business. It was sad that there were so many empty storefronts to choose from in the main street, testament to the struggle
s which seemed to plague so many rural towns.

  After looking through both premises, she finally decided upon the little cottage at the end of the main street, which had once been a corner store. She loved that it was its own building, complete with front awning and large window overlooking the main street. With a bit of remodelling, she could already imagine her little practice here. There was enough space to make two treatment rooms, with a small kitchen and bathroom in the rear of the building, and a large airy waiting room.

  Rilee smiled as she turned in a slow circle and surveyed the premises. ‘It’s perfect,’ she whispered.

  ‘So…you’ll take it?’ the real estate agent asked eagerly.

  ‘I’ll take it,’ she beamed across at him. All of a sudden, her dream was within reach. It might not be the bustling inner-city practice she’d been picturing, but it was hers. She straightened her shoulders. From here on in, she could start a fresh chapter of her life. It was time to get to work.

  Life suddenly became a whirlwind of activity. Rilee spent the next few days travelling into town and overseeing the set-up of her office. When she was at home she was busy sorting through a million different lists of things to do and trying to get some kind of system in place for her business.

  She knew Dan was feeling a little put out by the end of the week; he’d been going to bed before her and she’d noticed that he’d stayed on his side of the bed, without throwing an arm across her and pulling her tightly against the front of his body as was their usual routine when they fell asleep at night. It had been weighing heavily on her mind. Tonight she’d decided she was not going to look at paperwork or go online to order supplies. She’d make sure she went home early so she could spend some time with her husband.

  She looked up as the front door of her clinic opened and the man himself stepped inside. ‘Hey there, stranger,’ she said, smiling as she stepped into his embrace. ‘What are you doing in town?’

  ‘Had to come in and grab a part for the tractor. Figured this might be the only chance I get to see you today.’

  Rilee pulled back slightly to look up into his face. ‘Tell me you are not pouting, Dan Kincaid,’ she said.

  Dan rolled his eyes before giving her a sheepish grin. ‘Can’t a fella miss his wife?’

  ‘Absolutely,’ she said, kissing his chin. ‘I’m sorry I’ve been so busy. I promise, today I’ll finish up early.’

  ‘I know you’re excited,’ he said with a sigh, ‘I guess I have been acting like a—’

  ‘Spoilt brat?’

  ‘Jealous husband,’ he finished with a cringe.

  ‘Jealous?’

  Dan took her hands in his and looked down at them. ‘I have to admit something and I don’t want you to get angry,’ he warned. ‘I’ve liked that you had nothing else to keep you busy since we moved home. I love walking in the house at night and you’re there. I like that we spend so much time together. I didn’t realise how much I took you being there for granted. I’ve really missed you this week.’

  She couldn’t be annoyed when the man looked so dejected. He really did look cute when he pouted, not that she’d ever admit that out loud. ‘I love that we’ve spent so much time together too, but it’s time I found my own thing to do. I need this, Dan. This is where I know what I’m doing. This is where I don’t feel like a complete idiot all the time.’

  ‘You’re no idiot. You’re smarter than just about all of us put together,’ he said with a rueful half-smile, ‘but I get what you’re saying. I’m just going to miss the way it’s been, I guess.’

  ‘It’ll be different,’ she agreed, ‘but not every couple get to spend the amount of time together that we have. Sooner or later the honeymoon had to end. We’ll just both go to work now,’ she said gently. ‘But the best thing about having my own practice is that I can choose the hours.’

  ‘So now you know you’ve turned me into a sook and I’m completely under the thumb, is there anything you need doing around here?’ he asked, looking around at the bare walls.

  ‘Well, you could come and take a look at this back room,’ she said, locking the front door and leading the way to the rear of the building.

  ‘What’s wrong with it?’ he asked, looking around the room.

  ‘It needs a little something.’

  ‘Like what? Furniture?’ He looked confused as she walked across and slid up onto the desk, crossing her legs and leaning forward to wave him closer with her finger.

  ‘I’m pretty sure we can work with what we’ve got,’ she said, uncrossing her legs and slowly pulling her skirt higher up her thighs.

  His confusion was quickly replaced by a very different expression, not unlike a wolf about to devour its prey. ‘I think I can help you out.’

  He nudged her legs apart and moved between them, pushing her back until she was resting her weight against her elbows.

  Rilee watched him with undisguised longing. She could never get enough of this man. She loved everything about him: his large, callused hands, and the gentle way they could stroke a newborn calf or send goosebumps along her flesh when he trailed his fingers across her skin as he was doing now. She loved his eyes, the way long hours out in the sun had given him laugh lines that crinkled when he smiled. He had the kindest eyes she’d ever seen, even when they were alight with fiery need like they were at the moment. And she loved his voice, that deep rumble which sent shivers of longing through her when he whispered things against her ear that made her face burn and her body ache. She loved…him.

  He didn’t waste time with clothing, his lazy seduction quickly melting into carnal lust as he pushed her skirt up around her waist. He let out a whispered curse that somehow managed to sound like a prayer before he moved back just enough to unbuckle his jeans. This was no slow, gentle Sunday morning loving; they were making up for lost time.

  Rilee gasped as he pushed into her, and Dan stilled, his face a mask of restraint as he hovered above her. ‘Don’t stop,’ Rilee moaned and instantly she saw relief flood his features. This was a new experience for them. Usually their lovemaking was gentle and slow, but this was different. There was an urgency to it which set something free inside Rilee she hadn’t even realised had been trapped.

  She saw the surprise briefly light up Dan’s eyes when she told him rather explicitly what she wanted him to do, but he wasted no time following her instructions. The table beneath them banged against the back wall, and the echo of their mutual groans and sighs filled the room.

  Dan collapsed against her, breathing heavily, and slowly the world around them came back into focus.

  ‘I think I’ll drop in here more often through the day,’ Dan said, easing his weight off her.

  ‘I can’t guarantee you’ll get that kind of reception every time.’

  ‘Then I better make an appointment.’

  ‘What kind of establishment do you think I’m running here?’ she asked haughtily.

  ‘A very exclusive one, I hope,’ he said, leaning over to kiss her tenderly.

  ‘Your mother would have me burnt at the stake. I’m pretty sure she thinks I’m the witch who stole her son.’

  ‘She’ll come around eventually,’ he said, slowly getting to his feet and doing up his jeans.

  ‘I have a shower out the back. You wanna test it out?’ she asked, wiggling her eyebrows.

  ‘It’s tempting,’ he said, kissing her, ‘but Dad’s probably already sent out a search party. He’ll be waiting for the tractor part I was supposed to be bringing back.’

  ‘Spoilsport.’

  ‘You can help me out in the shower tonight, at home.’

  ‘Fine,’ she pouted, but kissed him goodbye as he left the office. After the unexpected visit, the rest of the day went by in a satisfied daze. Late afternoon she locked up the clinic and headed for the grocery store on her way home.

  Rilee pushed the shopping trolley along the aisles, dropping in the items she needed for tonight’s dinner. As she picked up a packet of pasta from the shelf she heard
two women talking in the next aisle.

  ‘I heard she reads those tarot cards. Maybe I should get one done.’

  The other woman let out a dismissive grunt. ‘Load of rubbish if you ask me.’

  ‘Well, I don’t know, she’s married into the Kincaids, so she must have something going for her.’

  ‘Way I heard it she was a big surprise to Ellen and Jacob. Dan just walked in and announced they were married. All a bit hurried, if you get what I mean.’

  Rilee’s mouth gaped as she listened to the two women gossip about her.

  ‘You think she’s knocked up?’

  ‘I don’t know, but apparently it was all very unexpected. Besides, why else would he suddenly turn up with a wife when he had one already picked out for him?’

  ‘Getting some girl pregnant isn’t that big a deal these days.’ The other woman sounded doubtful and Rilee felt marginally better that not everyone was small-minded enough to jump to that conclusion. ‘Then again, we are talking about Kincaids. They’re hardly likely to allow a grandkid of theirs go without their name, are they?’

  ‘What? A Kincaid with human feelings like the rest of us?’ the woman said sarcastically, and Rilee listened as the two women chuckled.

  She wasn’t sure if she should be insulted on behalf of her husband’s family or relieved that she wasn’t the only one who thought Ellen could be a pretentious pain in the neck. But tarot cards? Really?

  She finished her shopping and paid for her purchases. Her earlier buoyant mood had dimmed by the time she arrived home, but she forced the overheard conversation from her mind as she carried the shopping inside and began preparing a special meal for her husband. She had a lot to be grateful for, but that old familiar loneliness hovered in the background. All she wanted was to fit in here and yet the divide between her and the town seemed to be wider than ever.