by Leah Martyn
At her words, Dan’s fragile control shattered and he took her in his arms. Then he stepped back, and without taking his eyes from her face slowly ran his fingers down between her breasts, unbuttoning her simple cotton dress, sliding it in one movement from her shoulders.
Then he was tugging off his own clothes and Lindsey was doing the same. ‘This is us,’ she whispered, as Dan drew her down with him onto the bed. She wrapped her bare legs around his, her arms reaching up to pull his head down, sighing deeply as she felt the slickness of his skin on hers, felt his body tensing with the effort to control it.
‘This is us,’ Dan echoed as his mouth ravished hers, hungry, demanding, tasting her everywhere.
Lindsey shivered, inhaling the scent of his naked skin, losing herself, returning his passion with her own kisses, hardly registering when Dan pulled back, pausing to protect her. ‘Where were we...?’
‘Don’t stop...’ She held onto him for dear life, his pleasure feeding hers.
Dan had no intention of stopping. Not until he had taken her with him all the way, higher and further, to a place beyond thought or reason. Only when release came, wave flooding upon wave, did they realise how very high and far they had climbed.
Together.
* * *
For a long time they lay replete, turned on their sides so they were facing each other. The soft light of early evening fingered the pale walls and ceiling. Outside the window a wood dove called to its mate and a burst of cicada drumming drenched the stillness.
Lifting a hand, Dan lazily combed his fingers through her hair. Something real was happening here. He could do nothing other than feel amazed. ‘I’m lost for words...’
Lindsey sighed, sated, wrapping herself around him with the contentment of a purring cat. She gave him an indulgent look from under half-closed lids. She knew exactly what he meant. Freeing a hand, she ran a finger along his jaw and into the slight cleft in his chin. ‘I’ve never wanted to be with anyone the way I wanted to be with you, Dan.’
He felt his heart contract. He could so easily fall for her—if he hadn’t already. He could say, Me too, and mean it. But it was Lindsey and he needed to spell it out.
He brushed her lips once, twice. ‘Without exception, this has been the happiest day of my life. It’s been like a day out of time.’
‘That’s exactly how I feel.’ Lindsey stopped and thought. ‘It’s a pure kind of happiness, isn’t it? Like opening a mail-order parcel and finding everything just right.’
He gave a soft chuckle, his breath stirring her hair. ‘I’ll go with that.’ He half spanned her waist with one hand, stroking a lazy pattern on her skin. ‘I thought the spa looked pretty inviting earlier. Should we try it?’
‘Perfect.’ Lindsey rubbed her toes against his in anticipation. ‘Then I’ll fix us some dinner.’
‘Uh-uh.’ With exquisite sweetness, Dan claimed her lips. ‘I’ll fix dinner.’
CHAPTER SEVEN
‘CAN I DO anything to help with dinner?’ Lindsey had arrived in the kitchen to find Dan well under way with his meal preparations.
He sent her a very sweet smile. ‘A glass of your finest might be the go. I didn’t know where to look.’
‘Oh, that’s easy.’ Lindsey went to a door in a recess of the kitchen that led to a proper climate-controlled cellar. ‘Red?’ she called.
‘Mmm, think so. I’m doing pasta.’
Lindsey took glasses and poured the wine and then watched as Dan expertly tossed onions, tomatoes and herbs in a pan. ‘That smells wonderful.’ She picked up her glass, lacing both hands around it. ‘You really do know your way around a kitchen.’
‘Would I lie?’ He grinned, touching his glass to hers. ‘Nathan would have cheerfully existed on takeaways if one of us hadn’t cooked. I think he’s a bit more interested these days. Sami has probably had some influence there.’
Lindsey made herself comfortable on one of the high-back stools and watched Dan at work. He was such a handsome man. With such an air about him. Perhaps it came from good breeding, she pondered. Or from a world of experience in so many ways. Her eyes took their fill. He was wearing a long-sleeved black cotton shirt outside his jeans and he’d shaved.
Her thoughts wandered off, unwinding the last hour. They’d had their spa and then instinctively gone to their separate bathrooms. Lindsey had been glad about that. Her emotions were in overload. She guessed Dan’s had been the same. She’d had a long shower and shampooed her hair, spritzed perfume in the air and walked through it. Then, dressed in soft jersey pants and a ruby-red top with a crossover neckline, she’d come to find Dan. She took a mouthful of her wine.
‘I took the liberty of lighting the fire in the lounge room,’ Dan said. ‘OK?’
‘Very.’ She parked her chin on her upturned hand. Her eyes lit softly. ‘There’s a little gate-legged table we can set up and eat our meal in front of the fire—if you like?’
‘Of course I like.’ He picked up his wine, his eyes caressing her over the rim of his glass. ‘A perfect end to our perfect day.’
They erected the table and Lindsey set out the placemats and cutlery.
‘We should have some music.’ Dan selected something from her collection, flooding the room with rich, mellow sound.
* * *
Lindsey was curled against Dan on the sofa. They’d ended their meal with Irish coffee and she’d raided the stash of dark chocolates her mother kept for special occasions.
‘Are we fulfilling our brief to just be?’ Dan smudged a kiss against her temple.
‘Passed with flying colours.’ Lindsey turned to meet his lips. They were still kissing when the phone rang, startling them apart. ‘That’s the landline,’ she said, levering herself upright. She sent Dan a wry smile. ‘Probably Mum from Scotland. She knew I’d be here this weekend.’
‘You’ll be a while.’ Dan got to his feet as well. ‘I’ll sort this out and start the dishwasher.’
‘Thanks.’ Lindsey took off down the hallway to the room they used as an office and where their home phone was located. Contrary to what she’d expected, it wasn’t her mother at all. ‘Oh, Lord,’ she murmured, after she’d ended the call and replaced the handset. She had to tell Dan what was happening. Full of misgivings, she hurried along to the kitchen. ‘It was Fiona on the phone.’
Dan glanced at his watch. ‘At this hour? What’s up?’
Lindsey suppressed the urge to run to him. Hold him tighter than tight. ‘It’s the young couple from the cabin, Scott and Amy. They’ve just rung Fiona. They don’t know what to do.’
‘About what?’ Dan felt his guts go into free fall. He had a fair idea. And he didn’t need this. He really didn’t. ‘Is it the baby?’
‘Amy’s waters have broken.’
Dan let his breath out slowly. ‘Well, there should be plenty of time to get her to Hopeton. Have they rung for an ambulance?’
‘Fiona tried. And they’ll get one to us as soon as they can. But there’s been a major road trauma twenty Ks out of Hopeton on the Sydney highway, a semi-trailer and two cars. All the ambulances are there.’ Lindsey felt her throat tighten. ‘Amy’s already getting strong contractions.’
* * *
In an instant Dan felt as if he was drowning in a sea filled with sharks, waiting to tear him to bits. And there was no escape. He saw the pleading in Lindsey’s eyes and turned away, gripping the edge of the bench top until his knuckles turned white. And stared out into the night. He had to get it together. Be professional.
So, sort the logistics. The baby was probably well on the way. They had no history. What if the baby was breach? What if there was a bleed? Sweet God, he hadn’t signed on for this! He spun back to Lindsey, a truckload of emotions churning through his mind. ‘So, where have you left things with Fiona?’
‘I’ve
said we’ll call her back as soon as we have a plan in place.’
Dan flexed a shoulder dismissively. ‘We don’t have much choice, do we?’
Lindsey shook her head. If there had been any other way around this, she’d have gone with it. She wouldn’t have wished this emergency on Dan for the world. She just had to hope and pray everything would turn out all right for Amy and the baby. And Dan as well.
‘The best plan would be to get Amy up here to the house and see what’s going on.’ Dan’s voice was clipped and professional. ‘The lounge room is probably the warmest. We’ll set up as best we can in there. If you’ll call Fiona, I’ll get my bag from the car.’
They left the kitchen together, Dan striding ahead down the hallway to the front door.
‘I don’t suppose you have a birthing kit on board?’ Lindsey called after him.
Was she nuts? Of course he didn’t have a birthing kit! Without answering, Dan opened the door and stepped out into the crisp night air. He looked up at the tumble of stars and pulled in a deep breath that almost hurt. He had to centre himself.
Or go under.
Why on earth had she asked that damn fool question? Lindsey berated herself. She guessed Dan was feeling hijacked, pushed into a situation he’d rather have avoided. Delivering babies was certainly not on his agenda. And who could blame him?
* * *
Dan returned with his medical case and they began getting things ready. The sofa could be converted to a bed. That done, Lindsey went to search for some kind of plastic sheeting, resorting to a roll of garden bin liners she found in a utility cupboard. She came back with her booty plus sheets and cotton blankets. ‘Amy could be a bit shocky,’ she said, as Dan helped her prepare the sofa bed for their patient.
Well, he knew that. Dan’s mouth tightened. Once the waters had broken, many women experienced a kind of delayed shock, shivering uncontrollably. ‘I’ll stoke up the fire,’ he said.
‘I’ll warm some linen in the dryer,’ she said to the back of Dan’s head as he hunkered down at the grate. He grunted a non-reply and she shrugged and went off about her business. If the ambulance didn’t get here in time...? She felt a curl of unease in her stomach. She’d delivered babies before but not away from the back-up of a fully equipped hospital.
When Lindsey returned to the lounge room, Dan was just putting his mobile away. ‘I called Midwifery at Hopeton. Amy’s not booked there.’
So no chance of any history. ‘Fiona will have an address,’ Lindsey said. ‘I could check...’
‘Bit late for that.’ Dan swung round. ‘Sounds like them now.’ He managed a smile of sorts, softening the tension around his mouth. ‘We’ll just have to wing it.’
Dan flung the door open. The young couple stood there, Scott supporting his wife. Introductions were quickly made and they were ushered inside. Dan helped Amy onto the sofa bed.
‘I feel so c-cold...’ Amy was shivering, her teeth chattering.
Lindsey produced one of the cotton blankets warm from the dryer and tucked it over her. ‘Try to relax now, Amy.’ She placed a hand on the girl’s shoulder and rubbed gently. ‘Just breathe in and out. That’s good.’ Lindsey smiled. ‘Bit better?’
‘Mmm.’ Amy blinked rapidly. ‘The baby’s not due for another three weeks.’
‘That’s neither here nor there,’ Dan said. ‘I’m sure your baby will be fine.’ And, please, God, able to breathe, he added silently. Don’t go there. He clamped his jaw, dragging his thoughts to the present. He turned to Lindsey. ‘Could you get Amy ready and I’ll see how she’s doing.’
Lindsey quickly prepared Amy for Dan’s examination. ‘Scott, perhaps you’d like to sit over here close to Amy.’ She smiled at the young husband, who was looking helpless and overwhelmed.
‘We brought the bag Amy packed for the hospital.’ Scott looked around awkwardly. ‘Where should I put it?’
‘I’ll take it. And good thinking,’ Lindsey said.
Dan bent to his patient. ‘I’ll be as gentle as I can, Amy.’ His examination was painstaking. He was leaving nothing to chance.
‘What do you think, Doctor?’ Amy bit her lip and grimaced.
‘I think your baby isn’t waiting, Amy.’
Amy whimpered. ‘Scott...?’
‘I’m right here, babe.’ Scott held tightly to his wife’s hand.
Dan took Lindsey aside. ‘She’s fully dilated and the baby seems small.’
Small? Lindsey felt a lick of unease. ‘We’re not going to have a problem, are we?’
‘Shouldn’t think so. Foetal heartbeat is strong. I’d say she’s been in labour most of today and not realised it.’
Lindsey stared into his blue eyes. She knew it had probably taken a Herculean effort but he looked in control. Confident. She gave a mental thumbs-up.
‘Oh, help,’ Amy moaned from the bed. ‘I can’t do this...’
As if they’d worked together in a birthing suite for years, Dan and Lindsey began talking Amy through each contraction. Dan checked his patient again. ‘Not far now, Amy,’ he encouraged quietly.
They had only seconds to wait before Amy began moaning again.
‘OK, sweetie, big push.’ Lindsey helped Amy into a more comfortable position as she bore down, eyes squeezed tight, her fists clenched.
‘Head’s crowning. We’re almost there.’ Dan looked down at his hands. The infant’s head lay there, streaked and glassy, the dark, perfect curls pressed wetly against the tiny skull. His throat tore as he swallowed. ‘Gentle push now, Amy—fantastic. And one more.’
Amy pushed and the rest of the baby slid into Dan’s waiting hands. ‘You have a daughter.’ Dan had unconsciously steeled himself for a baby almost translucent, fragile, but little Miss Fraser was offering up an offended squawk, already pink and beautiful.
‘Well done, you,’ Lindsey murmured, handing him some cord clamps.
‘Did I have these in my bag?’ Dan looked bemused.
‘Must have.’ Lindsey unfurled one of her smiles. ‘I didn’t find them in the kitchen drawer.’
Dan felt his throat jag again as Lindsey handed him a warm towel to wrap around the infant. He passed the baby to her mother. ‘Take great care of her,’ he said, his voice not quite steady.
‘Nice sound,’ Lindsey said a little later, giving a nod towards the top of the bed where the young couple were clucking over their newborn.
Dan refrained from commenting. He felt stretched, hollowed out. ‘I’m about to deliver the placenta,’ he said. ‘Can you find something to bag it? We’ll send it to hospital with Amy. They’ll need to check to make sure it’s complete.’
‘Plastic bags I can do.’
Lindsey went along to the kitchen, finding Fiona tiptoeing through the back door.
‘Fi!’ Her eyes went wide. ‘You didn’t need to come back. You OK?’
‘I didn’t like to intrude,’ Fiona whispered. ‘Is the baby—?’
‘Delivered safely. Little girl.’
‘Oh, thank goodness.’ Fiona put a hand to her heart. ‘I felt so responsible for all this. I should have checked how far along Amy was—perhaps recommended they stay closer to the hospital or something...’
‘Fi, that’s not your brief,’ Lindsey said kindly. ‘Scott and Amy made their own decision. And fortunately it’s turned out fine. Mainly thanks to Dan. He was amazing.’
‘Then what a blessing he was here,’ the older woman said. ‘That both of you were here,’ she added, her gaze thoughtful and a little curious. ‘Now, should I make some tea?’
‘That would be wonderful.’ Lindsey searched out the plastic bags Dan needed. ‘And some toast as well, please. Amy, especially, must be famished. Oh, do you know if Mum still has Gran’s cane-washing basket?’
‘Hanging where it always has,’ Fiona said. �
�On the laundry wall.’ She frowned a bit. ‘What do you need that for?’
Lindsey smiled. ‘It’ll make a temporary bassinet for the baby.’
‘Oh, bless.’ Fiona was almost purring. ‘What a sweet idea. Anything else you need me to do?’
‘Perhaps you could check on the progress of an ambulance for us. But tell the base everything’s under control here so the guys know they’re not coming to an emergency.’
* * *
Laden with stuff, Lindsey went back to Dan. ‘Ambulance has just left Hopeton for us.’
‘Good. Placenta’s almost out,’ he said, continuing to massage Amy’s tummy gently.
‘As soon as we’re finished here, I’d like to give Amy a little tidy up,’ Lindsey said quietly. ‘Do you think you could organise a bit of privacy?’
Dan nodded. ‘I’ll need to write a few notes to send with the ambulance.’
‘Use the office,’ Lindsey said.
‘OK. I’ll take Scott with me. That do?’
‘Nicely, thanks.’
* * *
Her basin of warm water at the ready, Lindsey passed Amy a sponge.
‘Oh, that feels heavenly,’ the new mother said.
‘So, you’re not from round here, then, Amy?’
‘Further west, Shackleton. Scottie does contract farm work and we have a cottage in town.’
‘We’ll send you along to Hopeton District when the ambulance gets here,’ Lindsey said. ‘They’ll check you and the baby over and maybe keep you a day or so. Will that suit your plans?’
Amy nodded. ‘It’ll give Scott time to trade the ute for something more practical for a family before we head home.’
‘That sounds like a great idea,’ Lindsey approved. ‘Now, I’ll just raid your case here and get you feeling fresh and beautiful.’
* * *
‘Come on, let’s get this lot cleared away.’ Lindsey was looking purposeful. The ambulance carrying Amy and the baby had gone. Scott would follow later when he’d packed up their things from the cabin.
‘Damn!’ Dan surveyed the chaos in the lounge room and gave a short hollow laugh. ‘Do you believe any of this actually happened?’