Free The Sunburnt Country by Fiona Palmer

you’re all right,’ she growled back.
    Ryan threw up his hands. ‘Look, I just wanted some bloody peace and quiet. I wish you’d all just piss off and leave me alone.’ He turned to the door and stomped off.
    Jonny stood in his wake, mouth open and eyes wide. ‘I care about you, ya dickhead. We all do,’ she yelled. He paused for a moment, hand on the door ready to exit, then just as unexpectedly he came back and wrapped his arms around her.
    ‘I’m sorry, Jonny,’ he whispered, clutching her. The Scotch was strong on his breath and he smelt like oil, but he was warm and it was so nice to be held like that. He nuzzled his chin into her neck, his stubble grazing her skin before he pulled away and kissed her forehead. ‘I care about you too. Look, I need a walk to cool down. I’ll see ya later.’ Then he was gone. In a few large steps, he was out of the pub and onto the street.
    Jonny turned back to Renae, who was still standing behind the bar with an empty glass in her hand.
    ‘What the hell was that?’ Jonny asked with her hands palm up. She felt as if she’d been slapped in the face then kissed on the same cheek.
    Renae shrugged, putting down the glass. ‘Man, he has issues,’ she said.
    Jonny crawled onto the stool at the bar. ‘Do you think he’ll be okay?’
    ‘I don’t know. Men like to go into their caves. Maybe he just needs a bit of thinking time. Here, drink this. It’ll help.’
    Jonny took the beer and had a sip, but her mind was still on Ryan. What was going on with him? Was this his way of asking for help? Should she go after him and make sure he was okay or would that make things worse? She felt so hopeless and wished she had the answers for him. All thoughts of avoiding Daniel slipped from her mind.

Chapter 8
    DANIEL settled himself at the bar next to an old guy who took one look at him and moved stools. Dan was sure he smelt better than the old fella did so it took him by surprise. Oh, well. One less person to make small talk with , he thought. Anyway, he was only here for the beer and hopefully to see Jonelle. He lifted his hand and tried to wave down the publican. ‘A beer, thanks,’ he said, getting out his wallet just as he felt a slap on the back.
    ‘Hey, you’re back. How was your first week in Bundara?’
    ‘Zac! How’s it going? You just arrived?’ Dan asked. Actually, Zac looked like he’d just finished wrestling sheep. His hair sat flattened from a hat, his blue cotton shirt was covered in dirty marks and his legs looked almost black from the dust. Dan had never been that dirty in his life, not even as a kid.
    Zac parked himself on a stool and slapped a note on the bar. Without a word, the barman sorted him out.
    ‘Yeah, me, my old man and my brother have been putting in some new fences this week and we’ve just finished some sheep work. Shit job. What about you? Put anyone offside yet?’
    Daniel gave a dry laugh. ‘Funny.’ He took a sip of his beer before continuing. ‘I had so much to get through. I can’t believe how bad things are here. Don’t think I’ll be too popular next week with all these meetings I have set up.’
    ‘Dad hasn’t said anything to me about it, so hopefully that means you won’t be coming out to our place on official business.’ Zac took a sip from his beer while watching Daniel from the corner of his eye. ‘But you’re welcome to come out for some non-official fun.’
    ‘Hey?’
    ‘You asked me what folks did round here for fun. How about you come out to our farm tomorrow or Sunday and we’ll show you a few things? Mum will insist you stay for dinner, and believe me, it’s worth staying for.’
    Daniel studied Zac carefully. He seemed genuine, even a little overexcited, like a giant puppy. Certainly, he was someone who knew how to have some fun. Daniel wondered what exactly Zac had in mind. Go shooting? Catch snakes? Maybe he didn’t really want to get involved after all. ‘Thanks, but I have a lot of work to get