Twice Lucky

by Mardi Alexander

  *

  Sarah turned to Maree and Terri. “That was a beautiful lunch. Thank you both for letting us stay.”

  Maree started to pack up the dishes. “You are both truly welcome. Thank you for coming out today and agreeing to be roped in to do some work.”

  “That was no trouble. We had fun, didn’t we Thomas?”

  Thomas nodded.

  “But we should be getting back, otherwise Jean will wonder where we got to.” Sarah turned to Thomas. “Can you help carry the plates into the kitchen, please?”

  Thomas nodded and helped Maree clear the table.

  Terri turned to Sarah. “You guys okay earlier, out on the verandah?”

  Sarah folded her napkin on the table. “I think so, mostly.”

  “You sure?”

  Sarah sighed and shook her head. “No, not really. One minute we’re in the kitchen, and the next thing I know, Mac disappeared outside. I thought maybe I read things wrong.” She looked to Terri for help.

  Just then Maree came in and stood behind Terri with her hands on her shoulders. “You two look serious.”

  Terri leaned into Maree’s arms and smiled. “Sarah and I were just talking about Mac. I think Sarah witnessed one of the reasons Mac got her nickname of Mouse.”

  “Ah, I see.” Maree looked at Sarah. “As you’ve probably already guessed, Mac is fairly quiet and shy. She’s a bit like a puppy, really. She has an enormous heart and will repay you with love and loyalty in spades, and she will defend you to the hilt. But it takes a lot to break her protective shell. She built it for a reason. If you want to get to know Mac”—Maree looked very intently at Sarah, who nodded that she did—“then tread gently.”

  Terri was smiling at Sarah, but the smile had an edge to it. “Nothing would make us happier than to see Mac happy. But if you hurt her, you’ll answer to us. Mac is family.”

  Sarah nodded sagely. It was plain to see that these two friends loved Mac dearly, and she could imagine that no amount of health insurance would ever help anyone who hurt Mac. She didn’t want to hurt Mac. She wanted to get to know Mac. She found herself being more and more drawn to her. She wanted to run headlong in, but she took seriously Maree’s words and she would go gently. She would be patient. Something told her it could be worth it.

  Chapter Ten

  Mac didn’t get home until later that night. It took the best part of the afternoon to knock the worst of the fire down. The fire ended up making it into the front part of the bushland reserve, but the crews attending were able to put it out quickly before it could get too strong a hold. The last couple of hours were spent going back over and blacking out any hotspots and embers, making sure there was nothing left to reignite. Mac was tired and dirty and longing for a shower. She had stripped down to her shirt, socks, and shorts, and had just finished texting Maree and Terri to let them know she was home and that she would see them tomorrow, when her phone rang.

  “Hello?” Mac’s voice was a bit croaky from an afternoon of smoke.

  “Hey, it’s Sarah. You’re home.”

  “Hi, yeah, I just got in and was about to have a shower.”

  “I won’t keep you. You sound tired. You’ve had a big day.”

  “Mm, it has been a big day. But a fun day. It was really lovely that you and Thomas could stay.”

  “We both had a lot of fun. Thomas hasn’t stopped talking about Henry and Nell and how he helped with the concrete. Thank you for making it a special day for him…for both of us.”

  “You’re most welcome. I had a lot of fun today too.”

  “Well, I promised I wouldn’t keep you long. I just wanted to see if you got home safe, and to say thank you for today.”

  “That’s really lovely of you. Thank you.”

  “Okay, I’ll see you on Monday then?”

  “Yeah, see you Monday, Sarah.”

  “Sleep well.”

  “Will do. Bye.”

  “Bye, Mac.”

  Mac put the phone down. That was lovely of Sarah to check that she got home all right. It wasn’t something that happened very often, and Mac had to admit, it felt kind of nice. In fact, the whole day felt kind of nice. Starting with Nell, watching Nell and Thomas playing, sitting talking to Sarah, then everyone helping out and laughing and talking while they did the path all together—it was a really good day.

  Flashes of Sarah’s hands on Mac’s face when she cleaned her chin, or was stroking her cheek, kept replaying in Mac’s tired mind. Even now, Mac’s face felt flushed as she put her hand to her cheek. Her heart rate had picked up just thinking about how close Sarah had been. Sarah’s dark, smouldering eyes, wandering over her face. Her lips had been only a breath away when Terri had found them. She’d wanted the kiss. Even now, Mac could feel the tiny sparks and ripples of energy short circuiting in her chest. She’d never felt it before and it unnerved her. She had wanted Sarah to kiss her—in fact, she had felt powerless to stop it.

  She wasn’t sure if this was a good thing or not. On one hand, the thought of spending more time with Sarah excited her and she was looking forward to it, but on the other hand, she was nervous. If truth be told, even a bit frightened. Surely this couldn’t be a good thing if it made her feel so jumpy.

  Mac shook her head and stood up. Her nose wrinkled. She desperately needed a shower. She smelt like the bottom end of a fire pit. Her eyes were gritty, her mouth was dry, her throat was scratchy, and she had a headache creeping over her. She was too tired to analyse this tonight. Shower and bed, that’s what I need. And true to her word, she had a long hot shower and fell straight into bed, falling asleep minutes after her head hit the pillow.

  *

  Sarah wasn’t getting much sleep at all. When she and Thomas had gotten home that afternoon, it was obvious from their flushed faces that a good morning had been had by all. Thomas talked nonstop about all that he had done. He was in love with Henry the kitten but was fascinated that Nell was deaf like him and needed sign language. His joy at being able to play with the concrete had capped off everything. He wanted to take Jean out to show her where all the workers, himself included, had signed their names in the wet concrete as testimony to their craftsmanship.

  Jean’s morning had been largely successful too. She had acquired the necessary things in readiness for when the kitten arrived, squeezed in some decadent time looking in shops, buying Thomas some extra birthday bits and pieces, before returning back to Sarah’s to spend the rest of the time on the phone to her solicitor and the police, trying to seek advice on what her options might be, given Richard’s recent menacing phone calls and his failure to meet any of his recent appointments. Sadly, in the end, there wasn’t much that they could offer her, other than to suggest she change phone numbers, with the police promising to file and send a report to Jean’s new local town police precinct updating them on the current situation.

  After putting Thomas to bed, Jean and Sarah sat up having a hot chocolate. Jean gave Sarah the brief update on Richard. Both women were sombre with the news, or rather the lack thereof. Lost in their own thoughts, the hot drinks were consumed in silence, neither one wanting to voice their concerns.

  Jean said, “I heard all about how Thomas enjoyed the day, but you haven’t said much.”

  Sarah smiled. “It was a good day. Thomas had an absolute ball.”

  “Mm, I know. He hasn’t stopped raving about it all afternoon. Thomas said you both spent a lot of time with Mac, what with the puppy and then doing the concrete. How did that go?”

  Sarah ran her finger along the top of the mug. “How did it go?”

  “Mm.”

  Sarah blew out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. “Where do I begin? When we first rocked up and she was there, I was surprised. I honestly wasn’t expecting her to be there. We were with Maree at first, but then she had to go off and look after another customer. So Mac introduced us to the little deaf puppy.” Sarah closed her eyes and relived the memories of the morning. “The way Mac talked to Th
omas, about how special the puppy was and how to use both your voice and sign language to train the puppy…She was amazing and beautiful. I couldn’t stop watching her.”

  Sarah opened her eyes. “Then doing the concrete and getting Thomas to sign his name in it—he was so proud. I swear he grew six feet tall when he stood back and saw his name on the path.”

  Jean just listened, as if waiting for Sarah to put the thoughts and feelings into words.

  Sarah’s head dipped down. “We had a moment in the kitchen, when I wiped some dirt off her face. I think I scared her.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “I turned around for a second and when I turned back again, she was gone. I thought I’d done something to upset her. I followed her outside, to see if she was all right.”

  “And was she?”

  “Yes, yes, I think so.”

  “You think so?”

  Sarah nodded and sipped her chocolate, thinking about why Mac took off like that. “I think it was like the fright, flight, fight thing, y’know?”

  “Oh?”

  “I know it sounds weird, but Maree and Terri said something a bit later that made sense. They said the reason she’s called Mouse is because she’s shy.”

  “And you think maybe it was a bit much for her?”

  “It kind of makes sense, now I think about it. I have to admit, I felt overwhelmed and a bit nervous.” Sarah stared into the bottom of her cup. “I almost kissed her.”

  “That sounds pretty intense.”

  “Mm, it was.”

  “What else did Maree and Terri say? I take it they’ve put two and two together.”

  Sarah barked out a laugh. “Oh yeah. In fact, now I think about it, I’m not sure Maree didn’t throw us together this morning on purpose when she went off to help another customer. I don’t remember seeing another car in the car park.” Sarah took another sip of chocolate. “They were good and said just to take things slowly, and that if I hurt her they were probably going to kill me, or something to that effect.”

  “Oh, well that’s all right, then.”

  “Hey! What do you mean that’s all right then?”

  Jean was giggling and just shrugged her shoulders. “Hey, I’d do the same if someone hurt you, but there are two of them and only one of me, so common sense says I should just let them kill you.”

  Sarah was laughing now too. “Oh, that is nice, real nice.”

  “You did ask.”

  “I did, didn’t I?”

  Now, lying in bed, Sarah was replaying the morning over in her head. Especially the kitchen and the verandah scenes. She had been so close to Mac that she’d seen the dark stormy blue outlines of Mac’s irises and how her pupils dilated when her hand came up to touch her cheek. Mac’s skin was so soft, and being that close, Sarah could just make out a hint of pine and something else. Sandalwood, maybe? Sarah closed her eyes. She remembered perfectly how Mac’s lips opened slightly as she moved closer, her bottom lip full and round, trembling just a little…

  Sarah groaned and sat up. Her mouth was dry. All moisture had headed south and her heart was racing. What the hell is happening? She got out of bed and padded into the kitchen. Maybe having a glass of water might help. Then again, maybe a cold shower was a better idea.

  *

  Mac was in working with Nell when Maree came past. “Hey, cutie, how’d it go yesterday?”

  “Pretty good, thanks. We managed to head it off before it took hold on the reserve, which was a relief.”

  “That’s great news. We’re nearly finished up here, how’re you going?”

  Mac looked at Nell. They had been doing some more sitting, and Mac had started to walk around with Nell using the lead, but it was coming up time when the pup could do with a break. “I’m nearly done here.”

  “Feel like a coffee? Terri baked a fresh batch of lamingtons this morning, and she would appreciate an impartial guinea pig.”

  Mac’s throat was still a bit scratchy from eating too much smoke yesterday. A warm coffee and some of Terri’s cooking sounded perfect. “Sounds great.”

  “Okay, come on over to the house when you’re ready.”

  Fifteen minutes later, Mac knocked on the door and walked in. Terri was in the kitchen with a tea towel over one shoulder, testing a tray in the oven. The smell was heaven on a stick. “Hey, Ter, if that tastes half as good as it smells, it’ll knock my socks off.”

  “Hey, sweet, how’d you pull up this morning after last night?”

  “Not too bad. Bit stiff and sore in places and a bit of a dusty throat, but other than that, pretty good, I think.”

  “I hope you don’t mind, but Sarah rang and asked for your number last night. She wanted to ring and say thanks for a lovely day. Did she get you?”

  “Ah, I wondered how she got my number. Yes, thanks. She caught me just after I texted you guys that I was home. That was nice she rang. She said Thomas hasn’t stopped talking about the day. Thanks for everything yesterday.”

  “No worries. It was lovely to have the extra company, and the extra hands all helped get the path done. It looks good doesn’t it?”

  “Yeah. It does. It was a great team effort.”

  Maree came breezing in and waltzed up behind Terri who was cleaning up the stovetop and wrapped her arms around her from behind and nuzzled her neck. “God, that smells unreal, babe. The cake isn’t bad either.”

  Terri laughed, turned in her embrace, and kissed her on the lips. “You are incorrigible, woman.”

  Maree laughed. “I know, that’s why you keep me.” Maree kissed her again and pulled away. “Who’d like coffee?” Both Terri and Mac said they did.

  Maree made three cups of her famous coffee mix and brought them over to the dining table where Mac was sitting. They sat in companionable silence appreciating the coffee and the chocolate treat.

  Mac had three pieces and sat back, patting her stomach. “That was terrible as always, Terri.” Mac was grinning at her.

  “Oh yeah, I can tell you hated it, you big fraud. How many pieces did you have again?”

  They all had a chuckle. Mac slouched down in her chair. “Good thing we got the concreting done yesterday. I don’t think I could do it today—I am so wonderfully full. You guys rock, you know that?”

  Maree brought refills for the coffee and kissed Mac on the top of the head as she went past. “We think you’re all right too, chick.”

  Maree was sipping her coffee and watching Mac over the rim of her mug. “So, Sarah seems nice.”

  Mac picked up crumbs of coconut with her fingertip from off the tabletop. “She does.”

  “It was nice to get to know her a bit better yesterday.”

  Mac nodded.

  “Next weekend, when we come over to your house to be poisoned, why not ask Sarah if she’d like to come? It might be a nice chance to get to know each other a bit better.”

  Mac’s fingers stopped as she thought about what Maree had said.

  Terri chipped in. “It might be nice. And there’d be safety in numbers and all that. From a purely selfish point of view, it would be good to have another person on hand if we have to ring for help when you set fire to the kitchen again.”

  Mac barked out a laugh and shook her head. “You kill me. You really do.”

  Both Maree and Terri were looking at her with eyebrows raised.

  Terri grinned. “Well? Is it a foursome then? Come on, Mac, we need the safety ratio.”

  Mac rolled her eyes. “How about I see how coffee goes first, tomorrow?”

  Maree nodded. “Fair enough. One step at a time, huh?”

  Mac nodded.

  “Well, just let us know when you’re ready.”

  Mac looked up. “Thanks. Well, I had better choof off. I’ve got some things I need to do at home. I’ll leave the frame on the path while it cures and have a look at it tomorrow.”

  “Too easy. So we’ll see you in the morning?”

  “Yep. I need the run to work off Terri’s b
aking. Speaking of which…” Mac grabbed the last lamington off the plate, then blew them each a kiss. “See ya!” Then she cheekily absconded out the door.

  During the course of the morning, Mac had taken some shots around the refuge with the new camera and printed off a couple that looked like they might fit the bill. She took the pictures into her workshop where she spent the next couple of hours working on an idea she had had earlier, for Maree and Terri’s refuge anniversary. She emerged briefly to grab a sandwich for dinner and a glass of milk, then headed back out for another couple of hours. She fell into bed feeling pretty pleased with her afternoon and evening’s efforts. There was a fair way to go, but she was pleased with the start she had made.

  She thought briefly ahead to tomorrow’s big hospital meeting. The plans were all in order, ready to pick up from the station. She had a meeting at half past nine with the heads of the various sections to go over inspection time slots, and then she hoped to start the first inspections a bit after eleven. As she lay in bed, a bubble of nervousness bounced around in her chest about how it would all go, but the preparations were solid, which eased her mind marginally, so fingers crossed, it would all go okay. In truth she was more nervous about the coffee afterwards. But she shut that out of her mind. What she needed was a good night’s sleep. With that, Mac rolled over and turned out the light.

  Chapter Eleven

  Mac finished up early at the shelter and was in her office at the station going over some last-minute details. If the heads of departments were all happy with the schedule, then Mac hoped to start at the top with the ICUs and work her way down to Emergency. She would do the back-room technical sections like the morgue, pathology lab, kitchen, and facilities maintenance buildings the following day. She organized her paperwork so that her tasks were all grouped and sorted. It would then just be a matter of picking up the files when she needed them and she would be right to go.

  Having commandeered Martha’s help for the upcoming dinner party with the girls, Mac bid a hasty farewell. She wanted to ensure that she arrived in plenty of time for the big meeting at the hospital.