Country At Heart

by Mandy Magro

  CHAPTER

  20

  A full moon hovered in the blue sky, as though impatiently waiting for the sun to disappear so it could be the star of the show. A thick cloud of dust hung in the air due to the choppers that were constantly coming and going, making it impossible to draw a breath without ingesting it. Dean and Indy had travelled here in a chopper and, being terrified of flying, Indy had spent the entire ride with her head buried beneath Dean’s arm. The coalition couldn’t risk sending road convoys to this area, as the level of threat from Taliban along the way was extremely high.

  Standing still, Dean yawned, stretching his arms above him, while Indy sat beside him, resting her weight against his legs. He groaned, his heart heavy; tomorrow was the anniversary of his mother’s death. Valentine’s Day, meant to be a day of love, and although he was going to enjoy wishing Summer a Happy Valentine’s, it was going to be tough day to get through. Weariness enveloped him with the thought. Only another three hours and it would be nightfall, which meant Dean’s shift would be over and they would hitch a ride back to Camp Baker. And it couldn’t come soon enough, the fierce Afghanistan winter was taking a toll on him. He’d much prefer to be sweating than shivering. He couldn’t wait to have a hot shower back at the base, eat some dinner, then climb into his bed. After unloading a Hercules aircraft filled to the brim with food, water and fuel, he felt absolutely buggered. It was back-breaking work.

  His lips cracked from the endless icy wind, Dean pulled a ChapStick from his pocket, and applied a thick layer as he continued his trek to the next mud building he had to inspect with Indy. Up in front, a mangy-looking dog poked around the dilapidated buildings, sniffing in the corners for any scraps of food, while rubbish rolled down the dusty street in the breeze. Other than stray dogs, featherless chickens and other soldiers, the place was absolutely deserted. He and his team were doing a thorough check of the village after a fourteen-year-old girl and her five-year-old brother were killed by an IED yesterday while playing outside with their friends. The village had been evacuated immediately, and the locals weren’t allowed back until the entire area was deemed safe. Stepping through the doorway of one of the many mud-walled homes, Dean was met by fellow soldiers, the poorly lit room making it harder to search. He nodded to the soldiers in acknowledgment and then turned to Indy, her body quivering with anticipation.

  He unclipped her leash. ‘Seek!’ he ordered.

  Indy obeyed, her nose to the ground as she criss-crossed the small room in an orderly fashion. Coming to an abrupt stop, she indicated something of significance by sniffing and wagging her tail fervently, never taking her eyes from the hard-packed earth floor. As if wanting to prove her point, she lay down, staring at the spot and then back at Dean, ears pricked and eyes wide. Dean called her back, praising her for her good work as he gave her the squishy ball. She flopped down beside him, her attention focussed on making the ball squeak.

  ‘I don’t know why she’s suggesting there’s something there; we’ve already done a thorough search of this hut, and there’s nothing of interest,’ a gruff voice said.

  Dean turned, facing the young American soldier, his eyebrows raised in an Are you questioning her? look. How dare this soldier second-guess Indy. ‘Well, the dog’s interested, so you’d better have another look, mate. With 225 million receptors to your measly five million, it’s safe to say her nose is fucking better than yours.’

  The cocky-faced soldier went to retort, but Dean’s body language and intense frown warned him not to. Instead, the soldier got on his radio, calling in the explosives ordnance disposal team. Dean carefully placed a glow stick near the spot Indy had signified and then they evacuated the home. When the techs arrived they searched the spot Indy had shown them. It took an hour for them to slowly dig away at the hard-packed dirt extremely carefully, trying not to detonate what might lie beneath. For where there was one IED, there were normally two, and where there were two there were normally four. Just like Dean and Indy’s job, that of the EOD technicians was a deadly one. One wrong move, and the entire team would be done for. What they discovered was a shock to all of them, including Dean: a safe had been buried in the floor, filled to the brim with ammunition and explosives. It was obvious that the occupants of this home were preparing for catastrophic devastation, and they certainly wouldn’t be returning here, well aware with the search going on that their stash would have most likely been discovered.

  An uncomfortable silence descended upon the American soldiers, the one who had so cockily told Dean they had searched the area reaching out to give him a firm handshake.

  ‘I’m sorry I questioned your dog. If it hadn’t been for her, the stash would have never been discovered.’

  Dean smiled proudly as he returned the handshake. ‘Thanks for the apology.’

  The day drawing to an end, Dean watched as the C-17 aircraft landed, choppers unable to carry out the task needed now. The vehicles that had been used in the mission today were loaded onto the waiting aircraft, before the weary soldiers boarded. Dean screwed his eyes up as he and Indy climbed in, as the wild whirls of dust swirled by the idling engines made it impossible to see. Everything and everyone now safely on board, the C-17 accelerated and lifted up into the air, swallowing its wheels with a noisy clunk. Indy whimpered and Dean placed his gun down beside him so he could lift his arm, giving Indy a loving ruffle as she once again buried her head beneath it.

  Dodging a rabid cat as he walked from the showers, Dean surveyed his home away from home. When he did step outside the walls of Camp Baker and into what was called KAF – Kandahar Air Field – there was everything a soldier could want, even down to a flat-screen television or a Harley Davidson – except beer. There was a place that was advertised as a beer garden, but there was no beer and no garden, just cans of soft drink and gravel underfoot. KAF was an immense, drab, forever dusty, artificial bubble that enclosed the soldiers when they weren’t physically fighting the war, as well as housing weird and seemingly out-of-place shopping malls. Out among the seedy shops, it was possible to get a meal of Hungry Jack’s, or have Pizza Hut dish up a double pepperoni on their classic thin and crispy base. It was a fake, bizarre and alien world considering it was deadly outside the KAF walled province.

  Dropping his towel to the floor, Dean switched on his bedside lamp and pulled on his boxers and a singlet, his body still damp from his hot shower. This bombproof room was his sanctuary, his place to recharge before stepping out into the war zone once again. Completely exhausted after an intense afternoon – they’d discovered another two buried safes – but feeling a little re-energised after a hearty dinner in the mess hall, Dean flopped down on his bed and opened his laptop. He was eager to see if there was another email from Summer, not that there shouldn’t be – she wrote to him every day, sometimes twice a day. He’d gotten to speak with her on the phone a few days ago, and she had filled him in on what the clairvoyant had told her. Normally a sceptic about such things, he delighted in what Dorothy had said about them being together in previous lives. It perfectly explained the strong connection both he and Summer felt.

  Indy stretched out beside him, yawning, then accidently rolled the wrong way and fell onto the floor with a thwack, the look of bewilderment on her face as she shook her head and stood amusing. Dean chuckled as he ruffled her ears, welcoming her back onto his bed by tapping the mattress.

  ‘Come on then, girl, you need some rest too. We’ve only got twelve hours before we have to go on the MEDCAP mission tomorrow. And I’m hoping we run into that cute little girl again, you know, the one who came and gave you a hug last time we were there?’ Dean grinned. ‘I’ve saved another Caramello Koala for her.’

  Indy woofed, as if understanding Dean’s every word and, not needing any more of an invitation, she jumped back up on the bed, circled three times, and then rolled herself up in a ball at Dean’s side, her heavy eyelids closed in seconds.

  Connecting to Camp Baker’s internet, Dean typed in his Hotmail password
, feeling like a kid at Christmas as he waited for the page to open. As the unread messages popped up a grin pulled at his clean-shaven face. There was an email from Kim and two emails from Summer – what a treat! His lips moved as he whispered Summer’s words, his heart longing more and more for her with every sentence. He felt like a big part of him was missing, being so far away from her.

  Hey there sexy,

  Can’t stop smiling and have beautiful butterflies in my belly from your last email. It’s only eight thirty and I’m in bed already, so tired! I’m doing okay – no, actually, I’m so high on you I feel wonderful. I’ve just read through all our emails today … took me over an hour! I’m so crazy in love with you! I’m craving your touch, your kiss – YOU! I look forward to the day you get off the plane and I can run into your arms. It’s going to be beautiful! Everything I’m going through now, the painful yearning I feel to be close to you, is going to be worth it when I get to fall into your arms once more. Every time I close my eyes I can still feel your lips on mine. Please know I will be thinking of you tomorrow, as I know it’s going to be a hard day to get through. I will make sure I visit your dad too. Going to sleep now, so I can dream of you. Night.

  I love you. Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

  Sighing dreamily, Dean opened her next message.

  Just wanted to say … I cannot believe I have crossed paths with a man as beautiful as you, Dean. I can’t stop thinking about you, during the day, at night and in my dreams. You complete me, fill me with joy and surround my heart with love. I love you baby.

  Dean typed a reply email, his heart singing with her words.

  Oh, baby, you have no idea how happy it makes me to read your beautiful words. I had this image in my mind of what my true love would be, and you, you are exactly what I imagined. I cannot believe you are real. I have to pinch myself to make sure I’m not dreaming, and if I am dreaming, I don’t want to wake up … ever!! I can’t wait to get back home and hold you in my arms again. You are my everything. Thank you for your kind words about tomorrow, I know you’ll be with me in spirit.

  Happy Valentine’s in advance, my beautiful lady, I love you

  After reading Kim’s email, which, to his joy, filled him in on how much his dad was improving day by day, physically and emotionally, Dean read Summer’s a few more times while letting her words sink deeper into his heart. His aching body screaming for respite, he reluctantly switched off his computer before carefully nestling into his bed, not wanting to disturb Indy. His loyal mate was as exhausted as he was, her devotion to him so unwavering it brought a tear to his eye. Gently, he laid a hand on her, while letting his own body relax into his mattress as he imagined what Summer would say when he got back home and asked her to marry him, the thought bringing warmth to his heart as he drifted off to sleep.

  CHAPTER

  21

  Summer squeezed the freshly picked orange over the bowl and then stirred the almond meal in to her famous orange and almond cake, the smell of the lasagne baking in the Lockwoods’ oven, which would usually make her mouth water, making her nauseous. She’d been feeling off-colour over the past week and was beginning to think she should go to the doctor for a blood test, just to make sure she wasn’t harbouring any nasty viruses. Letting her mind wander, she smiled as she thought about the fact she’d finally be able to collect her inheritance in just over a month’s time, much to her father’s disproval. She and Phillip had spoken at great lengths about her idea of having the café and yoga studio combined, and they’d gotten council approval to knock down the wall between Phillip’s café and the old yoga studio next door, so work could begin on the construction as soon as the money came through. Summer was going to have to do a lot of the work herself, like the painting and decorating, to save money, but she was looking forward to the challenge and she had quite a few people who had offered to lend a helping hand along the way.

  Staring out the window as she stirred absentmindedly, she thought of Dean, her belly doing a back flip as she imagined the day he would return home. She missed him every second of every day. Knowing he was a soldier at war was terrifying, the fear of him being killed in action very real. Her weekly dinners with Tony always helped; when she was sitting in Dean’s family home, it was like he wasn’t a million miles away at all. And over the past month, she and Tony had formed a really special bond – he was opening up to her little by little with his feelings about the accident. The poor man carried so much grief and so much guilt. She really hoped that one day he’d find the strength to open up completely about it all, to actually be able to speak about the events that led to Patty’s death, so he could release all the demons he had holed up inside of him. But she wasn’t going to push him to talk, especially tonight – she knew today, the anniversary of Patty’s death, had been very tough for him.

  Tony hobbled into the kitchen, being mindful to take unhurried steps, a little unbalanced on his prosthetic leg. Summer turned from the sink to face him, a broad smile lighting up her face.

  ‘I’m still trying to get used to you walking about. Dean’s going to be so happy when he sees you’re giving it a go.’

  Matilda and Fonzie followed closely behind him, the two dogs basically joined at the hip. Matilda padded over to Summer and rolled onto her back, and not wanting to miss out on attention, Fonzie did the same. Chuckling, Summer knelt down to give both pooches a belly scratch, their back legs going like the clappers in pleasure.

  ‘He sure will be, but remember, don’t mention a word to him about it. I want to surprise him at the airport.’

  ‘I won’t say a word.’ Summer mimicked zipping her lips as she stood to wash her hands at the sink. ‘It’s wonderful you’re getting the hang of it so quickly, Tony.’

  ‘Yeah, my physical therapist has been really helpful in getting me trained up to use it.’ With a simple click of his fingers and then a point to the dog bed in the corner of the room, he sent Matilda to bed and Fonzie followed suit, making himself comfortable on top of her. Tony chuckled at the pair of them as he sat down on his chair with a thump. ‘I’ll admit it feels more liberating to be able to walk about instead of pushing myself in a wheelchair, but this darn suction thingy at the top takes some getting used to.’

  Summer nodded as she wiped her hands on the tea towel over her shoulder. ‘It would, but at least you’ve got cushioning in there to help soften the contact points.’ She sat down beside him. ‘What does it actually feel like, wearing it?’

  ‘It’s a weird sensation … hard to describe.’ Tony rubbed his chin, thinking. ‘It kind of feels like I’m walking around on the foot that used to be there, but after it has fallen asleep.’

  ‘That would feel weird, until you get used to it.’ Summer grabbed her handbag from the end of the table and reached inside one of the pockets, pulling out a piece of notepaper. ‘I hope you don’t mind me suggesting this, but I searched on the internet for support groups for amputees the other night and come across this one.’ She handed the piece of paper to Tony. ‘I know you struggle with having face-to-face counselling, so I thought this might help.’

  Tony smiled. ‘Thank you, Summer, I might just look into it.’

  Summer grinned. ‘Great.’ She looked down at the prosthetic. ‘Do you still feel any pain?’

  ‘I sometimes do, but not as often as I used to. But if I’m having a really bad day with it, I’d liken the pain to being stung by wasps.’

  Summer winced.

  ‘But a bit of a massage on the area and I’m right as rain again. And then there are other times when I feel as if the bottom of my leg and foot are still there.’ Tony scratched his head. ‘It’s strange how the mind works.’

  ‘Yeah, I’ve heard of phantom pain, bizarre, huh? And you’re right, the human mind can be very complex—’ The oven timer went off. ‘I better grab that.’ Summer stood, took the lasagne out and then went back to making dessert as Tony read the newspaper. She slid the cake tin into the oven, and then served up a hearty slice of lasagne for Ton
y and a small slice for herself. Putting the plates on the table, she grabbed some knives and forks from the drawer before sitting down. ‘Bon appetit.’

  Tony put his nose over the plate of food and breathed in deeply. ‘This smells beautiful, Summer. As usual, you’ve excelled yourself.’

  ‘Oh shucks, thanks.’ Summer placed a forkful in her mouth, pleasantly surprised by how good it tasted. She washed it down with some red wine. Tony was really trying to enjoy his night with her, bless him, even though she had caught him crying when she arrived, overwhelmed by the memories of the night he lost Patty. She wished she could do something to help ease his pain, but all she could do right now was help him think of something else.

  ‘So tell me, what was Dean like as a kid?’

  Tony finished chewing his mouthful, then smiled softly, memories flashing in his eyes. ‘He was a really well behaved kid, our Sage, but once he hit puberty he was a bit of a handful.’

  Summer was shocked. ‘Really? In what way?’

  ‘Don’t get me wrong, he meant well, but he somehow always found himself in some sort of trouble. You see, Dean wasn’t one for bullies, hated them, and whenever someone was being harassed at school, he would jump in to save them, getting in punch-ups where the bully got taught a very valuable lesson.’ Tony chuckled. ‘If you are ever in need, Dean certainly is your man. He’s saved many people broken down on the side of the road, even once bought a full tank of petrol because the old bloke he’d stopped to help had left his ATM card at home.’

  Summer’s heart fluttered. ‘What a man, hey?’