Flame Tree Hill

by Mandy Magro

  The three women looked at one another and Lynette’s sad expression gave way to a huge smile. They exploded into glorious laughter, the seriousness of Kirsty’s condition temporarily forgotten.

  After only a few mouthfuls of soup, Kirsty couldn’t eat any more. She closed her eyes and snuggled into a pillow, wishing the exhaustion she was experiencing would finally give way to deep, peaceful sleep. It was the only reprieve she got from her nausea and the growing doubts about her relationship with Aden. Gruesome images of her dying in his arms circled in her mind like vultures waiting to consume their prey.

  Chapter 16

  GENTLE movement at the side of the bed stirred Kirsty from her sleep. She slowly opened her eyes to see Aden’s handsome face softly illuminated by the morning sunlight that was creeping beneath the closed curtains. He sat down beside her on the bed and rested his hand on her thigh, giving her time to wake up.

  She smiled sleepily at him and sat up, straightening her pyjamas, admiring him in his black boxer shorts, his chest bare. ‘Hey there, my sexy man. What time is it?’

  ‘It’s eight o’clock, my gorgeous lady, and I thought I would bring you breakfast in bed today.’ He pointed to the bedside table, where a steaming pannikin of tea and a plate with two pieces of Vegemite toast were sitting.

  She smiled, her heart swelling with his thoughtfulness, and leant in to give him a kiss on the cheek. ‘Aw, thanks, you’re the best.’ She tipped her head to the side. ‘But seeing it’s a Thursday, shouldn’t you already be at work?’

  ‘Hmmm.’ Aden rubbed his chin, pretending to be in deep thought while a wisp of a smile tugged at his lips. ‘It’s a beautiful day outside so I thought I’d take today off. But don’t dob me in to the boss. I don’t want the sack.’

  Kirsty crumpled her brows. ‘Oh, Aden, I don’t want you feeling like you have to take time off to —’

  Aden held up his hand, waving her worry off. ‘I didn’t have anything urgent on so I’ve moved all my jobs to tomorrow. I think it’s about time you and I had ourselves some fun, away from the confines of the cottage. What do you say?’

  Kirsty’s face lit up, her belly somersaulting with the knowledge that she would be spending an entire day out with Aden. She knew she should really be in bed resting up – doctor’s orders – but to hell with her treatment for just one day. She needed some fun, to act like she didn’t have cancer.

  ‘Really? Oh Aden, that sounds fantastic. Not that I can do anything too energetic, I still feel a little sick from last week’s chemo. But I’ll certainly give it a go. What are you thinking of doing?’

  Aden grinned, wriggling his eyebrows. ‘I want to surprise you, so that’s for me to know and you to find out. All you have to worry about is eating a bit of breakfast while I go and run you a nice warm bath. We have about three hours before we have to be anywhere, so no rush. And then tonight, I am taking you out on a dinner date. If that’s okay with you.’

  Kirsty’s broad smile faltered. ‘Oh, I don’t really want to go to town for dinner. I’m kind of avoiding it at the moment. Don’t want people seeing me so sick if I can help it.’

  ‘Don’t worry; I know you’re worried and I’ve taken that into account. I’m sure you’re going to love what I’ve got planned.’

  Kirsty traced her finger over the tattoo of the bucking horse on Aden’s chest as she bit her bottom lip; she yearned to make love to him but knew it was impossible with the fragility of her body right now. ‘Just what are you up to, Mr Aden Maloney?’

  Aden visibly shivered from her touch, his deep brown eyes locked with hers as he tugged on her pyjama top and slowly pulled her to him. ‘Let’s just say it’s nice and private. That’s all the clues I’m going to give you,’ he whispered, his voice husky.

  Aden’s voice oozed over her like melted chocolate, his unkempt bed hair suiting his rugged charisma. A moan escaped her as they kissed, and she explored his lips with hers, the tingles in her body intensifying as he cupped her face and deepened his kiss.

  Sitting in the passenger seat of Aden’s Land Cruiser, Kirsty gazed dreamily out the window – everything looked so gloriously alive. As Aden had said, it was a magnificent winter’s day, the sky cloudless and the temperature a comfortable twenty-one degrees. One of her favourite country music artists, Jasmine Rae, was playing on the radio and she hummed along, feeling the best she had in weeks, and all thanks to Aden. Her bath had been wonderful, filled with strawberry-scented bubbles, and when Aden had joined her it was even more enjoyable. He had tenderly washed her back, butterflying kisses along her neck as he did so, and then they had sat and talked about everything and anything – other than her cancer – until the water grew cold. It was a brilliant start to the day and from the sound of all the surprises he had planned, the day was only going to get better.

  Kirsty snuggled into the pillows and blanket Aden had thoughtfully packed into the Land Cruiser just in case she needed to rest on the journey, but she was too busy enjoying the excitement of being out among life to close her eyes. She glanced over at Aden, taking all of him in: his hard-working build, his strong bull rider’s forearm resting on the windowsill, his well-worn, wide-brimmed hat tugged down. He reminded her a little of Patrick Swayze, one of the sexiest men to have walked the earth, only Aden had a little more country ruggedness to him. How lucky she was to have him in her life. If only the situation could have been different, where she wasn’t at risk of dying from cancer, but it wasn’t and she had to accept that and make the most of their time together, in case it was cut short.

  Opening her eyes, Kirsty realised she must have dozed off. She stretched her kinked neck, smiling as Aden gave her a nod.

  ‘Good morning once again, my sleeping beauty. We’re nearly there.’

  ‘Where are we?’ Kirsty whispered sleepily as she glanced out the window just in time to spot a sign announcing they were coming into the small township of Ravenshoe, which meant she had probably been sleeping for a good hour. In less than a minute they drove past the famous Top Pub, aptly named because Ravenshoe was the highest town above sea level on the Tablelands by a whopping 930 metres, then on past the numerous timber craft shops and quirky cafes. Kirsty hadn’t been to Ravenshoe for years and had forgotten just how pretty the little town was, the Misty Mountain Wilderness trails surrounding the area famous for their natural beauty. She recalled that the last time she’d visited there had been talk about the town of sightings of the Malaan Rainforest Monster, a yowie-like creature that had been apparently been spotted by a few locals over the years. Kirsty didn’t know whether to believe it or not, but the myths were fascinating all the same.

  Just past the town centre, Aden took a left turn and pulled up in front of an old weatherboard house surrounded by well-tended gardens. A small sign out the front announced it was the home of Colin Chang, Master of Acupuncture. Kirsty suddenly felt nervous and excited all at once. Should she be getting acupuncture when she had cancer? Was it going to hurt getting the needles in?

  Aden switched off the ignition and undid his seatbelt, then, as if sensing her apprehension, took her hand in his. ‘I’m gathering you’ve figured it out now, K. And you look really scared so I hope I’ve done the right thing. You only have to do this if you want to. No pressure. I just thought it might be nice for you to try it out, seeing you mentioned ages ago that you’d like to.’

  Kirsty smiled nervously, his tender touch and soothing voice snapping her out of her thoughts. ‘Oh, no, I mean, yes, yes, you’ve done the right thing. I just don’t know what to expect, that’s all. You know, if it’s going to hurt or not.’

  ‘It’s exactly the same as what you’ve watched me do to the horses. It shouldn’t hurt at all and you’ll find it really relaxing and it will help to ease some of the pain and nausea you’re feeling, as well as give you a boost of energy. I know Colin well and he is very good at what he does – he’s been practising acupuncture for forty years. He’ll take very good care of you.’

  Kirsty squeezed Aden’s
hand, finally smiling, wriggling eagerly out of the blanket. ‘Well, in that case, what are we waiting for? Let’s get in there!’

  After a ten-minute consultation with Colin, which included him checking her pulse and inspecting her tongue, Kirsty climbed up on the massage table as Colin gathered a few things from a tray, his back turned for her privacy. Feeling a little anxious and clad only in her bra and pants with a towel over her, Kirsty settled down on her back and looked around the softly lit room, impressed by the many framed diplomas on the wall and intrigued by the number of foreign-labelled bottles of liquids and strange-looking therapeutic gadgets. Soft relaxation music was playing and the aroma of sage, lavender and mugwort wafted from the smudge stick Colin Chang had lit and was now waving closely around her body. He explained softly that it was to cleanse her physiologically and spiritually before he began her acupuncture treatment. Kirsty nodded. Colin wasn’t a man of many words, only speaking when the need arose, but Kirsty found herself instantly comfortable with his calm and kind demeanour, likening his appearance to Mr Miyagi out of the movie Karate Kid.

  Placing the smudge stick down on the tray, Colin then asked her to roll over while holding the towel up in front of his eyes for discretion. Once Kirsty was settled he placed the towel back down over her legs and began to run his fingers down her back, pushing on certain spots. She then felt a slight prick as Colin guided a thin needle into her skin, tapping the top of the needle very gently and asking her if it was comfortable. He worked rhythmically, his hands steady. A count of twelve needles later, including some in her scalp and legs, Kirsty’s tension eased. Aden had been right, it hadn’t hurt a bit. And in a strange way, it was quite relaxing.

  Colin placed his hand gently on her arm, his accent strong even after being in Australia for twenty years. ‘I be back in thirty minutes, Kirsty. You just relax. Okay.’

  ‘Uh huh,’ Kirsty replied sleepily, her body already beginning to feel light. She vaguely registered the soft thump of the door as Colin closed it behind him before her heavy eyelids drooped closed and she had a pleasurable feeling of weightlessness. She began to drift along with the soothing music, as though floating on a cloud, the sensations in her body delightfully calming as she wafted into a daydream state of mind. All her pain was forgotten, her body feeling somewhat sedated. After a month of physical, mental and emotional suffering, this was absolute heaven.

  Kirsty sat on the front steps of the cottage, the sweeping views of Flame Tree Hill hypnotising her. Her body felt at peace from the acupuncture and so did her mind. It was a welcome change. She’d made sure to make another appointment for a few weeks’ time, the benefits of acupuncture nothing short of amazing. She rested her head on her hands, jiggling her legs as she waited for Aden to pick her up. He’d vanished from the cottage about an hour ago, asking her to dress warmly as he’d kissed her goodbye and requested for her to be on the steps at six o’clock. Wherever was he taking her? A clip-clop sound pulled her attention from the landscape, her eyes widening as she spotted Aden riding Cash bareback towards her, looking as handsome as ever in his going-to-town hat. Ahh, so they were having dinner somewhere close by. But where? There were no restaurants within a cooee around here. She stood and padded down the steps to meet him, her heart fluttering.

  Gesturing for Cash to stop, Aden smiled charmingly as he sat back and gently tugged the reins. ‘Howdy. You’re looking mighty fine tonight, Miss Mitchell. Would you like to climb aboard and ride off into the sunset with me?’

  Kirsty found herself blushing under Aden’s penetrating gaze as she pulled her woollen coat in tighter then put her hands in her jeans pockets. ‘Thanks heaps, so do you, Aden. And yes, I’d love to. I just have to figure out a way to get up there first.’

  ‘Follow me.’ Aden directed Cash towards a small stepladder off to the side of them and Kirsty grinned. God, he’d thought of everything. He held out his hand as Kirsty climbed up, helping her as she threw her leg over the top of a very subdued Cash.

  Aden turned around to face her, the reins hanging softly in his hands. ‘You right to go?’

  Snuggling her body in behind his, Kirsty wrapped her arms around Aden’s waist and placed her cheek on his back. ‘I sure am. I’m one lucky girl having my date pick me up on a horse for a dinner. It’s certainly a first.’

  Aden gave Cash a squeeze and off they trotted at an easy pace, Kirsty noticing they were heading in the direction of the bottom paddock. Her curiosity was getting the better of her now but she chose not to ask any questions, instead enjoying the beauty of the bush as it began to hush, the expanse of it glowing in the jaw-dropping sunset. She breathed in Aden’s familiar scent, feeling so safe and secure in his presence, her body responding as she pressed up against his.

  Near the top of the ridge the countryside sprawled out before them, giving an awesome view of this part of Flame Tree Hill, which made the hilly terrain they’d left behind look as though it had been ironed flat. Ahead of them, Kirsty’s saw a candlelit table set for two, enclosed in a circle of more lit candles. Kirsty felt happy tears fill her eyes and she allowed them to fall down her cheeks freely, the effort Aden had made overwhelming her. She covered her mouth, gently shaking her head from side to side.

  Aden turned to face her, wiping her tears with his thumb. ‘I hope they’re happy tears, K.’

  Kirsty met his tender gaze. ‘Oh my God, Aden. This is absolutely beautiful. I can’t believe you’ve gone to all this trouble for me. First breakfast and a bubble bath, then the acupuncture . . .’ She swept her arm over the romantic scene. ‘And now this.’

  ‘And you deserve every second of it,’ Aden said, pulling his eyes from hers as he turned and enticed Cash into a canter.

  Reaching their very own private spot, Aden slid smoothly from Cash and then gently helped Kirsty down. Then leaving Cash to chew on some grass he took hold of her hand and led her to the table.

  Aden took a swig from his wine glass – filled with grape juice because Kirsty couldn’t drink alcohol – smiling at her over the rim. ‘So are you still feeling relaxed from the acupuncture today? You certainly look it.’

  ‘Yep. I can’t believe how much acupuncture works, it’s powerful stuff. And it was nice to have a natural therapist instead of a doctor giving me treatment for a change. In a weird way, I felt I had more control over what was being done to me, like I was taking an active role in my treatment and working more positively towards a recovery. Not at all like when I go for my chemo and I’m told what I have to do, knowing the entire time I’m going to be sick as a dog afterwards because of all the toxins going into my body. It was wonderful to know that I was going to actually feel better when Colin was finished with me.’ She chuckled. ‘I might get kind of addicted to it now.’

  ‘That’s great, K. I knew you’d love it and it makes me a very happy man to know I’ve done something to help you feel a bit better.’ Aden’s smile wavered. ‘I feel so helpless sometimes. Like I should be trying to do more for you.’

  Kirsty reached across the table and placed her hand over his. ‘Today has been incredible, one of the best days of my life. So thank you, Aden, for loving me the way you do. I know you’re always trying to help me feel better and I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. Even though sometimes, when I snap at you, it may not appear that way.’ She paused, her emotions welling. ‘I love you so much.’

  ‘I love you too. I always have, and always will,’ replied Aden, his eyes filled with raw emotion.

  Kirsty smiled softly. ‘That means more to me than I could ever put into words.’

  They sat for a few moments, gazing into one another’s eyes, words not needed, and then, leaning back in her fold-out chair, Kirsty sighed, the meal of honey chicken and fried rice Aden had bought from her favourite takeaway in town hitting the spot nicely. She hadn’t been able to eat as much as before she’d got sick, but she’d still given it a good go, managing more than she had in weeks. Aden pulled his chair in beside her, placing his arm over her so she co
uld rest her head on his shoulder. They remained quiet, enjoying the peace of the country, the conversation that had flowed freely over dinner fulfilling their need for chatter. Around them were the soft noises of night animals as they scurried about, the occasion thump thump as kangaroos bounced nearby, and above was a blanket of flickering stars and a full moon so bright it illuminated the countryside as if it were daylight. For Kirsty, this was like a scene right out of a romantic movie, but the most beautiful thing was, this was her real life.

  Chapter 17

  IT had been one of those days when Kirsty had felt tired from the minute she’d woken up, the acupuncture’s benefits having worn off over the week. She’d decided to retire to bed after a light lunch and was taking an afternoon nap when a thunderous racket stirred her. She edged herself up to a sitting position, clutching the sheet to her thumping chest, her ears straining to discern where the commotion was coming from. Someone was in the house – and it sounded like they were ransacking it! The very thought sent panic rushing through her. In her state she was too weak to fight off a burglar, and there was no one around on the farm to protect her. The men were all at work and her mother and Aunty Kulsoom had headed off to bingo for the afternoon. What was she going to do? Scare the burglar away with her bald head? Kirsty paused for a moment when she realised Hank wasn’t barking. He would never allow a stranger near her front door.

  She quickly calmed herself down – there would be a perfectly reasonable explanation. She slipped out of bed cautiously and tiptoed over to the door, opening it a crack. Shit! She couldn’t see a darn thing!

  A loud clip-clop reverberated around the cottage, and then a stampede of footsteps followed. What in the hell was going on out there? It sounded like one of the horses was in the house. She knew from previous experience that the scenario wasn’t completely impossible. Cash had been caught out a couple of times helping himself to the contents of her pantry. The clever bugger would wrap his teeth around the doorknob and then just yank it open. She’d once found him covered in cheesy orange powder, several empty Twisties packets strewn at his feet, his lips slopping delightedly as he devoured the contents. Kirsty had tried to reprimand him but had been laughing too hard – even his long eyelashes had orange flecks all over them. Cash had bobbed his head at her while giving a mischievous, cheesy smile.