Wedding at Sunday Creek

by Leah Martyn

  ‘Well, let’s just hope he’s home.’ Jack brought the Land Rover to a stop.

  Picking their way carefully, they climbed the rickety steps, stepping through a fringe of trailing vine to the landing. Raising his hand, Jack knocked and called out but there was no response and no sound from within. He placed his hand on the doorknob. ‘Shall we?’

  Darcie looked uncertain. ‘Perhaps we’re being a bit intrusive, Jack.’

  ‘He could be ill and not able to answer the door.’

  Jack’s logic held up and Darcie nodded her assent.

  The door was stuck hard and it needed extra impetus from Jack’s knee to get it open. They stepped into the cool interior, which had light coming in from a glass panel at the rear of the building.

  They stood there in complete silence until Darcie breathed, ‘Oh, my goodness...’

  ‘Wow,’ Jack added, clearly awestruck.

  The place was filled with artwork, unframed pictures of varying sizes and subjects, ranging from the simplicity of a handful of wildflowers in a jar to the dramatic wildness of a gathering storm.

  Darcie’s hand went to her throat. ‘He’s so talented.’

  ‘Amazingly so.’ Jack took a step backwards. ‘We’re treading on very private space, Darcie. I think we should go.’

  They left quietly. Descending the steps, they stood for a moment and looked around.

  ‘It’s so still, isn’t it?’ Darcie sounded awed by the silence.

  Jack’s mouth folded in. ‘Might be if the cicadas shut up for two seconds. But I know what you mean.’

  It was the middle of the day, the sun high in the heavens, the feathery foliage of bush wattle trees clumping as far as the eye could see. Jack turned his gaze upwards, following the height of the eucalyptus that towered over a hundred feet into the sky. Then out to where the boulders rose up in uneven humps, their reddish-yellow tints like polished brass in the sun. He exhaled a long breath that turned into a sigh. ‘David could be anywhere.’

  ‘What should we do, then?’

  ‘I guess we could try a coo-ee and see if we get any answer.’

  Darcie knew he was referring to the Australian bush call. ‘Go on, then,’ she urged.

  Jack needed no encouragement. Cupping his hands around his mouth, he called, ‘Coo-ee-ee-ee.’ The sound, high-pitched, reverberated and echoed back. And back.

  They waited.

  Nothing.

  ‘Like to try one with me?’ Jack’s clear blue gaze suggested a challenge. ‘Two of us might make a bit more of an impact.’

  ‘Me?’ Darcie wavered for a second. ‘I’ve never...’

  ‘Come on,’ Jack encouraged. ‘It’s easy. Follow me.’ She did and made a sound between a squawk and an out-of-tune trumpet.

  Jack shook his head in disbelief. ‘That wouldn’t wake a baby! Let’s go again. Ready?’

  This time she did much better. ‘Now I’m getting the hang of it,’ she said, clearly delighted with her progress. ‘Shall we try again?’

  ‘Third time lucky?’ His mouth quirked. ‘Let’s go.’

  But there was still no answering call. Darcie turned away, disappointed. ‘I hope he’s not lying injured somewhere, Jack.’

  ‘That’s not likely. I’d guess he knows this part of the bush like the back of his hand. If he’s heard us, he might simply have chosen not to respond.’

  Darcie’s gaze followed the myriad little bush tracks that ran off into the distance. ‘Should we start looking then?’

  ‘No.’ Jack vetoed that idea. ‘That’s not our brief.’

  ‘But David is ill, Jack. He needs treatment.’

  ‘Yes, he does. I’ll leave a note for him and shove it under his door.’

  ‘Stress the urgency for him to come into the hospital, won’t you?’ Darcie looked concerned.

  ‘Why don’t you do it, then?’ Jack flipped a spiral notebook and pen from his shirt pocket. ‘Since David knows you, he might take more notice. While you’re doing that, I’ll give Maggie a call and check on things there.’ Jack began moving to a spot from where he could get a signal for his mobile.

  ‘Did you get on to Maggie?’ Darcie asked when he returned.

  ‘Nothing urgent on.’

  ‘So we’ll head back to town, then?’

  ‘I think we could hang around a bit longer. David might show and it’d be a shame if we missed him. Let’s give ourselves a break and find a shady spot where we can have our lunch.’

  ‘Lunch? You brought lunch?’

  He shrugged. ‘I threw a bit of stuff together. It’s always a good idea to carry food and water when you set out anywhere in this kind of country. Your vehicle can let you down, you can get lost, have an accident. Any number of unforeseen circumstances can see you stranded and waiting hours for help to come. And you don’t venture out anywhere without telling someone where you’re going.’

  Darcie made a tsk. ‘I know all that, Jack.’

  ‘Just reinforcing the message,’ he replied evenly. ‘Can’t have you getting lax.’

  ‘As if!’ she huffed, and set about helping him organise their picnic.

  ‘That looks like a good spot over there.’ He pointed towards some dappled shade provided by one of the gum trees. ‘Bring the blanket from the back seat, will you, please? I’ll just check there are no ants.’ After a quick inspection he stated that it was OK.

  ‘I see you’ve raided the hospital linen,’ Darcie said, helping him spread the blanket on the grass.

  He sent her a rakish grin. ‘Are you going to report me?’

  ‘Report you to you? Don’t think I’ll bother. Think of all the paperwork.’

  He chuckled. It was brilliant to see her relaxed, upbeat and...happy. And he vowed to keep it that way. If he could. ‘I’ll just get the cooler.’

  * * *

  ‘I feel a bit guilty sitting here having lunch while our patient is missing,’ Darcie said.

  They’d eaten crusty bread rolls stuffed with cheese and cherry tomatoes and were finishing with coffee, from the flask Carole had thoughtfully provided, and some chocolate biscuits.

  ‘We’re just making the best use of our time,’ Jack rationalised.

  Darcie began gathering up the remains of their picnic. ‘How long are we going to wait, Jack?’

  ‘Darcie, it’s been barely twenty minutes. Do you want us screaming with indigestion? We’re entitled to time off but how often do we get it?’

  ‘Not often...’ Darcie made a small face. ‘Well, not on a regular basis, I suppose...’

  ‘So all the more reason to take it when the opportunity presents itself. And after all we could be considered working,’ he said with a grin. ‘We’re waiting for a patient. Meanwhile, let’s get more comfortable.’

  When they’d settled themselves against the broad base of the gum tree, Jack turned to her. Raising his hand, he brushed the backs of his fingers gently across her cheek. ‘This is good, isn’t it?’ he murmured.

  ‘It’s good...’ Darcie voice faded to nothing. Almost without her noticing, he’d moved closer and gathered her in.

  And in a second Darcie felt caught in a bubble. The world faded away and there was just the two of them. Her lips suddenly felt parched and she moistened them, her tongue flicking out to wet them.

  Jack followed the darting movement and exhaled a long, slow breath. Leaning into her, he claimed her mouth. He tasted coffee and chocolate and was instantly addicted. A shot of adrenaline buzzed through his system. She opened her mouth on his, inviting him in. But he wanted more. Much more. He wanted to lay her back gently on the blanket. Make love to her here with nothing but the deep, rich smell of the earth and the sighs and sounds of the bush around them. His hand shook as it slid beneath her shirt and smoothed the softness of her skin where
her waist curved into her hip.

  At last the kiss ended. But not their closeness. Jack lowered his mouth to her throat, his lips on the tiny pulse point that beat frantically beneath her chin.

  Darcie felt her throat tighten, fluttering her eyes closed as his fingertips idled, taking their time, delicate, like the finest strands of silk.

  ‘Darcie...open your eyes for me...’

  She did, every part of her aware of the heat of his body against hers, of that fathomless blue gaze and of a need as basic as her own. Lifting her hands to the back of his neck, she gusted a tiny sigh. ‘I wish we could stay here for ever.’

  They looked at each other for a long moment, unmoving until Jack reached out a finger and began to twine a silky lock of her hair around it. His gaze softened over her. ‘Our time will come, Darcie.’

  But obviously not today, she thought resignedly a second later as his mobile rang.

  Jack swore under his breath. ‘Whoever invented cellphones should be sectioned.’

  ‘Then what would we rely on?’ Half-amused, Darcie drew herself to a sitting position. ‘Coo-ee calls?’

  ‘Well, not yours.’ He grinned, mock-swiping her with the offending phone and scrambling upright.

  Activating the call, Jack said, ‘Hi, Maggie, what’s up?’

  ‘Max Alderton’s been injured. Severe neck wound.’

  ‘What happened?’

  ‘Apparently he was out on his motorbike, mustering. He ran into a single-strand wire placed across the track. Louise said it was put there deliberately.’

  Jack whistled. ‘What’s the damage?’

  ‘Profuse bleeding to the right side of his neck.’

  ‘Can we expect arterial damage?’

  ‘Lou isn’t sure. Fortunately, Max had his mobile with him. He was able to alert Louise. She’s bringing him straight in. I’ve told her to keep Max sitting up. But he should go straight to Theatre, Jack.’

  ‘Yes.’ In a perfect world. Jack was thinking fast. ‘What staff do we have, available, Maggie?’

  ‘Well, I can scrub in. And providentially Brad Kitto, one of the flying doctors, has just arrived, returning a patient from chemo in Brisbane. He’ll gas for you.’

  ‘He’s qualified?’

  ‘Extremely.’

  ‘Good.’ Jack felt relief wash through him. ‘Ask him to scrub and get himself set up, please, Maggie. We’ll cane it back now.’

  * * *

  Jack filled Darcie in on the way back to Sunday Creek.

  ‘Oh, how dreadful for Max! And Louise thinks it was sabotage?’

  ‘Seems so. Max has worked Willow Bend for over twenty years. You’d think he’d know if there were any single-strand fences about the place.’

  Darcie shook her head. ‘He could have been—’

  ‘Decapitated.’ Jack didn’t mince words. ‘If someone was out to injure him, it’s an appalling situation.’

  ‘You’ll take him straight to Theatre?’

  ‘Yes. Maggie’s on it. And fortunately we have an anaesthetist. A contingent from the flying doctors arrived, returning a chemo patient.’

  ‘Oh, that will be Heather Young. We like to keep her overnight and make sure everything’s OK before she travels home.’

  ‘And where’s home?’ Jack was concentrating on his driving, keeping the Land Rover at a swift but steady pace.

  ‘Loganlea. About two hundred Ks out. Her family will be in to collect her tomorrow, I imagine.’

  ‘What’s Heather’s prognosis?’ Jack asked.

  ‘Quite hopeful. But with cancer you never know.’

  ‘Obviously you’ve been managing her care extremely well,’ Jack said. ‘I’ll read the notes when I get a chance.’ He glanced down at his watch. ‘Another ten minutes should get us there.’

  Darcie suppressed a sigh overlaying her concern for Max. In reality they were never off duty.

  Already the enchantment of their magical time away from the hospital seemed light years away.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  THEY ARRIVED AT the hospital almost simultaneously with the Aldertons. Max was groggy but conscious. In no time at all they were all inside.

  ‘Didn’t need this...Doc,’ he slurred.

  ‘Save your strength, Max,’ Jack said gently. ‘We’ll do the best we can for you.’ He whipped out a stethoscope, listening intently, checking his patient’s breathing. ‘Seems OK.’

  Tossing the stethoscope aside, he very carefully removed the thick towel from around Max’s throat, examining the wound with a clinical eye. ‘Main aorta is intact. You’ve been very lucky, mate. Clamps, please, Darcie.’

  Darcie handed him the instrument resembling a cross between a pair of scissors and a pair of pliers. Systematically, he began a temporary closure of the wound. ‘Would you dress it now, please?’

  Darcie was ready with several thick pads to staunch any residual bleeding. ‘He’s ready for oxygen.’ She looked sharply at Jack. ‘What capacity do you want it?’

  He made a moue. ‘Make it eight litres a minute. We’ll see what that tells us.’

  Darcie worked automatically, dovetailing with Jack as they carried out the emergency procedures. The probe was in place on Max’s finger, allowing them to monitor the degree of oxygen saturation in his blood.

  ‘We’ll need a cross-match,’ Jack said.

  Natalie, who had been called in, said quietly, ‘I’ll sort that.’

  ‘Thanks, Nat,’ Jack acknowledged. He began preparing an IV line. ‘How’s the wound, Darcie?’

  ‘Some seepage, but it’s holding. Oxygen sats ninety per cent.’ She gave a rundown of the BP and pulse readings. ‘I’ll get him some pain relief.’

  When Darcie returned with the drugs, she could see Jack wasn’t taking any chances. Max had been placed on a heart monitor.

  Darcie shot the pethidine and anti-emetic home. ‘He should begin stabilising fairly quickly. You should get to Theatre, Jack. Go,’ she insisted, when he hesitated. ‘I can monitor things here.’

  ‘OK.’ Jack ripped off his gloves and tossed them aside. ‘And find Louise, Darcie. Give her as much support as you can.’

  ‘Of course.’ Darcie tamped down a prickle of annoyance. She’d have done that anyway.

  * * *

  Darcie found Louise standing beside the window in the patients’ lounge, looking out as if fixed on a spot in the distance.

  ‘Lou?’

  Louise spun round. ‘How is he?’ she asked without preamble.

  ‘He’s stabilised. Natalie’s just taken him along to Theatre. Come and sit down,’ Darcie urged. ‘I’ve asked Carole to bring us a pot of tea.’

  ‘Ironic, isn’t it?’ Louise sent a distracted glance around the room. ‘I never thought when I organised for this lounge to be refurbished that I’d be one of the first making use of it. Max will be all right, won’t he, Darcie?’

  Darcie hesitated. In emergency situations no result was ever guaranteed. ‘Jack is a fine surgeon.’

  ‘Thank God we have him here.’ Louise’s statement was heartfelt. ‘Otherwise Max would have had to wait hours for the flying doctor to come and then be transported miles away for surgery. How long will the operation take?’

  ‘We can’t know that until Jack assesses the extent of Max’s injury. Oh, here’s Carole with the tea.’

  ‘I’ve made a few little sandwiches as well,’ Carole said. ‘Wasn’t sure if you’d managed a bite to eat before Mr Alderton had his accident.’

  ‘That’s very kind of you, Carole.’ Louise gave a trapped smile. ‘Thank you.’

  ‘You’re welcome, dear.’ Carole went on her way.

  Darcie poured the tea. ‘How did all this happen? Jack mentioned something about sabotage.’

  ‘Someth
ing like this makes my blood run cold.’ Louise shook her head as if in disbelief. ‘Max is a generous and fair employer. I can’t think why anyone would want to hurt him.’

  Darcie frowned. ‘So, you think it was someone who worked for you?’

  ‘A couple of young farm labourers. Max caught them stealing petrol. We keep large quantities of fuel for the farm vehicles and machinery. Max gave them a warning and they told him they were sorry and they’d only wanted to top up their ute to go to a dance over at Barclay.’

  ‘And Max believed them?’

  ‘He put it down to them being young and wanting a night out. And they offered to pay for it but Max said he’d let it go this time.’ Louise took a nibble of her sandwich. ‘Then two days ago he caught them at it again. But this time they were filling drums—obviously to sell. As far as Max was concerned, that was the end of their employment. He sacked them then and there and gave them an hour to be off the property.’

  ‘Oh, lord.’ Darcie gave her a wide-eyed look. ‘So, they’ve got back at him in this awful way...’

  ‘Looks like it. They knew his daily routine, knew where he’d be and when. They’d seen it often enough. They obviously set up the wire during the night.’

  ‘That’s so calculated. And so frightfully scary. Have you spoken to the police?’

  ‘I’ve given them what information I had and what I surmised had happened. They’ll take it from there. My concern has to be for Max and his recovery.’ Louise rubbed a hand across her temple as if staving off a headache. ‘You’ll have to keep him in, won’t you?’

  ‘For a few days at least,’ Darcie said. ‘And Max will have to put up with his food being puréed for a little while. But as soon as he’s able to swallow comfortably and if everything else checks out, he should be as right as rain again.’

  Louise blinked rapidly. ‘You can’t imagine the relief to know you and Jack are in charge of our hospital, Darcie. And to have the theatre up and running. That hasn’t happened in years.’

  ‘Well, that was mainly Jack’s initiative,’ Darcie said fairly.

  ‘But you supported it, surely?’