Mackenna put a hand to her face and winced as her fingers found the spot where she’d connected with the pipe. It seemed so long ago. Had it really been this afternoon?
“I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
She perched on the chair and looked at the form on the clipboard. There were so many empty boxes. She began to fill it out with a shaky hand, but her mind was mush and she stopped.
“I don’t know half of this stuff,” she said and looked up at Hugh. “I should ring his mother.”
Hugh glanced at his watch. “It’s pretty late,” he said. “Let’s wait and see how he is.”
Mackenna put the clipboard on the bed and began to pace. She looked up at every footfall but none of them came as far as their corner. Beyond the curtains she could hear voices and the sounds of activity as other patients and medical staff came and went.
“How about I go and find us a drink?” Hugh said.
She stopped pacing and shook her head. “I’m sorry. You should go home. I’ll be alright.”
“I’m not leaving you,” he said. “But I will get us a coffee. Please sit for a while.”
Mackenna let him guide her back to the chair. He kissed the top of her head and left. She wanted to jump up again but forced herself to stay seated. She leaned forward, put her arms on the bed and rested her head on them. It was taking so long Adam must be in a bad way.
Hugh came back with two polystyrene cups and a sandwich. She took a sip of sweet tea and a bite from the sandwich. Her stomach growled. The bread and ham were deliriously fresh. She had eaten half the sandwich and drained the tea when Coral reappeared.
“Your partner has been admitted to a hospital bed.”
“How is he?” Mackenna asked, desperate for information.
“Still unconscious, I believe.” Coral picked up Adam’s things and thrust them into Mackenna’s arms. “Doctor’s with him now. He’s on ward 4B.Take the first turn left after you exit emergency then follow the signs.”
Hugh put his hand on Mackenna’s shoulder. Coral was already stripping the bed.
They followed her instructions. Two policemen passed them going the other way. Another nurse directed them to 4B. Mackenna’s heart was beating fast as she made her way towards the only lit bed in the ward. The curtains were drawn around it and below them she could see three pairs of feet.
She poked her head around the curtain. Adam lay on the bed, his eyes closed. His face was ashen and his left arm was strapped to his naked chest. He was attached to monitors and a drip fed a tube in his free arm.
“Family’s here. “The young nurse smiled at Mackenna.
A short woman wearing a white coat with a stethoscope hanging around her neck lifted her eyes from the notes she’d been studying.
“Hello, I’m Dr Cheng,” she said. “Are you his relatives?”
“Friends,” Mackenna said. She was overwhelmed to see Adam lying so deathly still.
“Mackenna’s Adam’s girlfriend,” Hugh said.
“You weren’t there when he had the accident?” Dr Cheng asked.
“No,” Adam said as Mackenna shook her head, her gaze locked on Adam’s face.
“Come in,” the young nurse beckoned. “He’s doing okay.”
Beside her an older male nurse was fiddling with the head of the bed. “We always end up with the dodgy beds,” he said.
“There’s a trick to it.” The other nurse went to his aid. They pulled at something and bumped the bed but Adam didn’t move.
“There’s no spinal or head injury other than concussion.” Dr Cheng checked the bandage around Adam’s arm. “He’s broken his collarbone and he’s got sutures in a wound on his leg and a few other abrasions, but he should be right to go home tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow!” Mackenna flicked her eyes to the doctor then back to Adam’s lifeless figure.
“He’s been awake,” the male nurse said,”but it’s best he sleeps now.”
“The police want to talk to him,” Dr Cheng said. “I’ve sent them away till morning. There doesn’t appear to be any drugs or alcohol in his system.”
“He’s not a criminal,” Mackenna gasped. Hugh placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
The young nurse took Adam’s clothes from her. “Don’t think these will be much good to him. I’ll find a bag.”
“He’s lucky his helmet was a good one.” Dr Cheng nodded at the helmet as the nurse carried it out. “And he wasn’t going too fast, I’m told.” She took a pen from her pocket and scribbled something on the notes then handed them back to the nurse. “He’s all yours,” she said and ducked out through the curtains.
“There’s a visitors’ lounge just down the corridor.” The nurse flicked on the light over Adam’s head and turned off the others.
“I’m not leaving him,” Mackenna said.
The nurse’s face was expressionless but his eyes swept her with a sympathetic look. “The chair’s not very comfortable but one of you can stay if you want.”
He left them. Mackenna moved along the bed, taking in every part of Adam she could see that wasn’t covered up. Then she held his free hand in hers and sat beside him.
“Are you sure you won’t rest in the lounge, Mack?” Hugh asked. “There’s probably nothing you can do till morning.”
“I’m not leaving him.” Mackenna gripped Adam’s hand tighter and put her other hand on his bare chest. He felt so soft and unresponsive.
“Okay.” Hugh said. “I’ll go home and come back for you both in the morning. If you need anything you ring me.”
“Thanks,” she said, without taking her eyes from Adam. She heard Hugh’s footsteps as he left. She continued to stare at Adam’s face for a long time, willing his eyes to open but they didn’t. Slowly the quiet of the hospital ward settled around them. Somewhere she could hear a persistent drip. Behind her, the small sliver of window not covered by the curtain showed water sliding down the outside. It was raining. She lowered her head onto the bed and let sleep take her.
CHAPTER
47
Adam woke to the sound of singing. He had no idea where he was. His eyes took a while to focus. The yellow light creeping around the edge of the blind had the feel of morning but the room was wrong. The wardrobe wasn’t his. Then he remembered Mackenna. This was her room at the Gatehouse. She’d brought him home from the hospital yesterday and he’d slept most of the time since. He felt like he’d been hit with a sledgehammer. He put a hand to his head trying to erase the dull ache that throbbed there.
The singing stopped. All was quiet a moment then Mackenna’s face popped around the door.
“Good.” She grinned. “You’re awake.”
“I heard a noise.”
Mackenna came in carrying a tray. “That was me singing.”
“Don’t give up your day job, princess.”
“I can’t.” She pulled a quirky face. “My Kiwi warrior isn’t much help.”
“Ouch,” he said. “Guess I deserved that. No more playing detective for me. Both you and my mother have made that quite clear.”
He pushed himself up with his good arm.
“Adam, stop,” she said and put the tray on the floor. “Let me help you.”
Together they juggled pillows and he wriggled up the bed. His shoulder didn’t hurt as long as he kept his arm still.
Mackenna put the tray on his lap and he grinned. There was a soft-boiled egg in a shot glass with its top cut off and laid out beside it was toast cut into strips and several rashers of crispy bacon.
“I haven’t had this since I was a kid. Egg with toast fingers.”
“My mother calls them soldiers.” Mackenna leant over and kissed him. “I thought it would be easy to eat with one hand.”
“Aren’t you going to feed me?”
“I can’t. I have sheep to check. I’ve got a mob just dropping lambs. I’ll have to go into town later to pick up the pivot that’s been fixed and get some groceries.”
Adam rubbed his fing
ers across his forehead. “Is it today your parents are coming home?”
“Yes. Patrick and Yasmine are driving them this afternoon.” Mackenna sat on the bed and placed a gentle hand over his forehead. “Do you still have a headache?”
“It’s there but not so bad.”
“Maybe you should go back to the doctor.”
“They said it could take days to go.” He smiled at her. “I need to get up and get moving.”
“Eat your breakfast while I check the sheep. If you’re feeling up to it, you can come with me into town.”
“I have to call in at the police station to sign the statement. Might as well get that over and done with. That poor Bennett lad could have been facing a negligent driving charge.”
“He’s so young and it was Dingo who told him to block your path.”
“No doubt they thought I was trying to rob them or something. I did take a risk saying I knew the Bennetts.”
“I’m glad everyone accepted our version of the story. Dingo’s playing dumb and Cam’s nowhere to be found.”
“Good riddance, I say.” Adam looked at her cheek. “It didn’t do any harm, you having that shiner.” After what she’d told him about her run-in with Cam he was sure Cam had hit her, but she insisted it was an accident with a piece of pipe.
“Hugh was here when Cam returned the truck. He left again without a word. I’ve been into his room. The only stuff he left behind was dirty clothes and some loose change. Not even a toothbrush. I put it all in a garbage bag and left it on the back verandah.”
“I don’t think he’ll be back for it,” Adam said.
“Neither do I.” She nestled against his good arm. “I’ve stripped the bed and left all the windows open. Poor you having to share a room with him.”
“You’re much more fun.” Adam eased his arm out from under her and wrapped it around her shoulder. The contents of the breakfast tray wobbled.
She steadied it then slid away from him. “I do have to go,” she said. “Alfie will be getting anxious.”
“Alfie? Don’t tell me you’ve got another bloke giving you trouble already?”
“No.”
Mackenna laughed. He grinned, glad to hear her bubbling with happiness again.
“Alfie’s our alpaca. There’s a new mob of sheep lambing and he likes to be in charge.”
“Of lambing?”Adam shook his head. Meat on his plate he understood, but he didn’t really understand much about the business of producing it.
“He’s very protective of the sheep and their lambs. Keeps them safe from foxes.” Mackenna laughed again. “Midwife Alfie. There’s a thought.” She picked up her hat, blew him a kiss and left.
Adam smiled. He could hear her laughing as she left the house.
He leant back against the pillows and closed his eyes. When he’d woken in the hospital it was to find Mackenna holding his hand. He remembered riding his bike out the Bennetts’ gate and trying to avoid the ute but after that everything was a blur, until he woke to her smile. Gradually the events of the previous day had come back to him. He had no intention of pressing charges against the Bennett lad for reckless driving, and Adrian Bennett had been more than happy to accept his side of events leading up to the accident.
Adam finished the breakfast Mackenna had made him and stretched gingerly. He really did need to get out of bed and start moving around. He had one good arm. At least he could help Mackenna in the kitchen. She was planning a welcome home meal for her parents. He could start the prep.
By the time she came back he’d showered and dressed himself and made quite a mess in her kitchen. She raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
“I’ve added to your shopping list,” he said.
“You should be resting.”
“I’m tired of resting.” He moved his head from side to side. “And the headache’s gone.” He did feel a lot better than he had when he woke up. He nodded at the sunlight streaming through the kitchen window. “Did I dream it or has it rained?”
Mackenna frowned at him. “It rained all day yesterday but you slept through it.”
“I opened my eyes a few times.”
“Beautiful sunshine now.”
“I thought you wanted rain?”
“We did. That was a really good soak but now I want a few days of warmth.”
Adam shook his head. He didn’t get it.
“Off to town we go then.” Mackenna swept up the envelope she’d used to jot down her shopping list.
It took them a few hours to get everything done. Adam was feeling weary when they got back in the car to head for home. He dozed off, only waking as the car slowed at the entrance to the property. He studied Mackenna’s profile as she concentrated on her driving. Her earlier happy face had been replaced by a thoughtful frown. She was carrying the load of the farm alone. Having to look after him was an extra burden she didn’t need.
“What’s up?”
“You’re good company,” she said, not answering his question.
“Just resting my eyes.” He patted her leg. “You’ll be glad to have your mum and dad home.”
“Mmm,” she murmured.
“You can’t keep managing without any help.”
“I know. I want them home . . . Dad anyway.”
“You don’t get on with your mum?” Adam was surprised. He thought Mackenna got her tenacity and her energy from her mother. Mrs Birch was always going somewhere, doing something, helping someone. They were very similar in that respect.
“I do,” she said. “At least I did. After Dad’s heart attack she’s been different.”
“Worried about your dad probably.”
“Yeah, I get that but she’s been different. I don’t know how she’ll react to me sending Cam packing.”
“Once your Mum hears how he attacked you she’ll understand.”
“I suppose, but there’s more than just Cam’s bad behaviour. The bill pile is growing and I’ve got another crowd booked for Saturday night at the Gatehouse. She was never keen on that idea.”
“It’s earning money.”
“Yes, I suppose there’s that.”
“At least it’s rained,” Adam said trying to be reassuring. Mackenna’s smile had well and truly slipped.
“Yes,” she replied. “At least it’s rained.”
CHAPTER
48
Louise put her hand over the mail she’d opened and closed her eyes a moment. The holiday had been wonderful. No meals to cook, no meetings to attend, no fundraisers to work on, nothing to clutter her life other than to spend time with her husband and take in some new sights. She tried to hold onto that feeling but the stack of bills and the looming hospital art show had quickly dragged her back to reality. There was a lot to do.
“It’s so good to be home.”
She snapped her eyes open. She hadn’t heard Lyle’s approach. He was already in work clothes and they’d only been back five minutes.
“Where are you going?” she asked.
“Mackenna’s coming to pick me up. I want to check out a few things that have happened.”
“It’s after four. Can’t it wait until tomorrow?”
He raised his eyebrows at her. “I’m fine, Lou,” he said. “I won’t be long.”
“Mackenna’s cooking us dinner.”
“She says she’s organised. Adam’s helping her.”
“What’s he doing back here?” Louise thought he was well and truly out of the picture.
“Don’t know, but they were over at Murphy’s place when I rang. Mackenna’s had trouble with one of the pivots and – ”
“I can see that.” Louise picked up a bill she’d opened and handed it to him. “Six thousand dollars’ worth of trouble.”
“Bloody hell.” Lyle sank to a kitchen chair. “It must have been major.”
“What’s up?” Patrick strolled into the kitchen with Yasmine close behind him.
She was still wearing a loose coat and scarf over several garments
of different lengths. Louise thought it would be nice to see her in something more practical for the farm.
“A few bills,” Louise said snatching the paper back again.
“Where’s Cam?” Patrick asked.
“Working, I suppose,” Louise said. A small part of her wished they hadn’t taken on a working man so they didn’t have to pay the wages and all the other costs that went with employing someone.
“The spare room’s been stripped and cleaned. Not a sign of anyone inhabiting it,” Patrick said.
Louise frowned. She’d only been as far as her own bedroom to change her clothes and unpack.
“Hello. Welcome home.”
They all turned towards the door at Mackenna’s call.
Louise felt a wave of alarm at the sight of her daughter’s bruised face and Adam following her through the door with his arm in a sling.
Yasmine gasped and Lyle stood up but Patrick was the only one with a voice.
“What happened to you two?” he asked.
“Nothing too much.” Mackenna grinned. “It’s a long story. We’re both fine.”
“Nice to see you, Adam.” Patrick nodded at the sling. “Bike?”
“Yes,” Adam replied. His smile was a little more sheepish.
Louise noticed he slipped his free arm easily around her daughter’s waist.
“He’s banned.” Mackenna chuckled. “We’ll tell you all about it over dinner. You ready to go, Dad?”
“Why don’t you wait until the morning?” Louise said. “We’ve only just got in the door.”
“I want to check out the lambs.” Lyle reached for his hat. “Looks like we’ve had some good rain. Cam could start seeding that corner paddock first thing.”
Louise saw the quick glance between Adam and Mackenna. “Where is Cam?” she asked.
Mackenna sighed. “I asked him to leave.”
There was silence for a moment then Yasmine stepped forward. “Okay if I put the kettle on?”
They all ignored her as she moved to the sink.
“Why?” Lyle asked.
“About time,” Patrick added.
Louise spoke over them. “You have no right,” she snapped at her daughter. “We need him. Your father needs the help.”
Right As Rain Page 29