“The vines are never a problem, Euan.” Hugh’s deep voice rumbled slowly. “Winemaking’s not my thing though, you know that. Flynn had a few concerns about the cabernet franc while you were gone. You like things done a bit different to his way of thinking.”

Euan smiled ruefully. There weren’t many wineries that made a straight cabernet franc and Euan’s consistently ranked highly. He and Flynn did approach the winemaking from different ends of the spectrum sometimes. Especially when it came to the cab franc. In his own way, Hugh was reminding him that he’d been absent too long. “It’s all fine. Flynn worries too much. If I can’t take a break at this time in my life, what’s it all been for?”

“You’re right about taking a break. Some things are best enjoyed away from home.”

Euan tried to read the expression in Hugh’s eyes. He was an old-fashioned bloke, a loyal and true friend. Family, home and community were very important to Hugh. He had remained at Levallier Dell through Euan’s ‘rough patch’ after Lucy’s death. He’d said very little about Euan’s lifestyle choices but from time to time Euan had been given a few unsolicited words of country-style wisdom.

“I know I can leave the place in your safe hands,” Euan said. “That helps.”

“Not just mine. Flynn knows what he’s doing.” Hugh laid a large hand on Euan’s shoulder. “I hope you don’t mind but I need to take a few days off. Felicity’s wedding is getting closer and the wife wants a trip to Perth. Evidently there are things we can only organise from there in spite of mobile phones and the internet.”

“Of course, Hugh. You head off. I’m not going anywhere for a while.”

“Guess your visitor will keep you busy.” The word visitor had a deeper note to it, as if Hugh was underlining the word. “I’ll call in as soon as we’re back.”

“Things will be fine here. Give my love to the family.”

Euan watched as Hugh turned his dual cab around and drove away. A small cloud of dust hung in the air for a minute before it dispersed on the breeze. Hugh had been giving him a message in his own conservative way. It was just that Euan wasn’t sure what the message was.

* * *

Keely was tired but she didn’t want to sleep. Her body was recovering well from the operation but now she wasn’t doing enough to tire herself out during the day, making it difficult for sleep to consume her at night. The washing was out and drying in the perfect conditions, the bed was made and she had tidied the kitchen after sharing a light lunch with Euan. He’d gone off to work again, leaving her to occupy the long afternoon by herself.