Page 8 of The Dairy Farmer's Daughter

The tree-lined driveway ended, and he was presented with a double-storey, white weatherboard Queenslander-style house. Soft light filtered through the open windows and chattering voices made their way out to him.

"He has his father's ears, don't you think?" He heard Nina say.

"I never paid much attention to Boyd's ears, but I agree there is a similarity," Mark replied.

"I was surprised so many people came." Another voice—not Freya, but similar. "He wasn't even a member of the church."

A red dog suddenly ran up to Justin and he jumped back. It sat on its haunches and looked up expectantly, then when Justin didn't pat him straight away, the dog raised his paw.

Justin bent down to pat the dog but the moment he touched its head the dog flopped onto its back and spread his legs in expectation of a belly rub.

Freya came out to greet him. He was struck by her inviting girl-next-door look in a pair of skinny jeans and a navy sweater. Thick brown Ugg boots completed the comfortable outfit. "He likes you," she said.

"Seems all the Montgomerys are friendly-even the animals." He tickled the dog’s belly in an effort not to gawk at the woman in front of him.

Her laughter wrapped around his heart with a soft, gentle warmth. "This is Denver. He's the best farm dog in Maleny." She whistled and the dog jumped into a sitting position, head and ears alert, waiting for her next signal.

She turned back to Justin. "I'm so glad you came." She pressed a kiss to his cheek then put her arm through his and walked him up the stairs, through the terrace and into the house.

Upon entering the living room, he paused while his eyes adjusted to the inside lighting. The room was large with a stone fireplace taking up a great deal of the side wall. Flames roared up the chimney adding an extra layer of warmth to the family home.

Nina wrapped him in a warm embrace. "I'm so glad you came," she echoed Freya’s words kindly. "You're in for a treat; Greer's cooking spaghetti putanesca."

He hugged her back. "Thanks for having me. I wish I'd thought to bring something."

"That's okay. We have everything we need.”

“Hi Justin.” Greer waved from the kitchen where she was busy at the counter, and he saw pots bubbling on the stove.

He greeted her and was struck by the similarity between the two sisters. He hadn't really been paying attention before, at the church.

Mark took his turn next and shook Justin's hand, his warmth immediate and genuine. "Good to see you again. Were you happy with the service?"

"Yes, it was fine. Thank you all for everything. I was surprised to see so many people turn up."

"This community always pulls together when something like this happens. I'm only sorry I didn't have more to say about Boyd. I wish I had known him better."

Justin nodded.Don't we all?

Mark sank into a La-Z-Boy and waved Justin onto the couch next to him. Freya sat quietly nearby.

"Justin, can I get you a drink? Dinner isn't far-off," Nina said.

Justin glanced at the coffee table where a can of beer sat on a paper coaster. "A beer would be great, thanks."

She smiled and nodded at her daughter. "Freya, do you want something?"

"I'll have a beer too, thanks Mum."

Justin glanced at Freya as she curled a denim-clad leg under her body. She looked comfortable and at ease; he wanted to drape an arm around her and feel her soft body against him.

"So, what did you think of the farm? You did go there, right?" she asked.

"I did. Seems comfortable enough."

"Do you remember it? From before you left?"

"Freya, he was only a toddler. No one remembers things when they were that young." Mark smiled fondly at his daughter.

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