As she took a deep breath, her awareness surged. She raised her arms and hugged Kent's neck.
"That's it. Whatever you do and whatever happens, don't let go," said Kent. "This whirlpool ends up in the underground tunnel I told you about."
"How are you going to save us both? I can feel the water starting to suck us down."
Kent grinned. "Plan B." She gave him a pacified look, but decided to let him do his thing.
Kent unclipped his rope and tied one end around both of them as they were dragged to the bottom. With a mighty thrust of his legs, he propelled them both upwards, and they bobbed at the water's surface.
Alyssa slipped from his shoulders and hung onto his belt buckle with white knuckles. There was no way she was going to let go. Kent sent the rope sailing through the air and snagged a 25mm steel rod that had been forged into a hook. He rammed it into the side of the vertical wall of The Oasis. The rope tightened and they hung suspended with surging white water up to their waist that threatened to suck them down to the bottom and then sweep them to their deaths.
Alyssa looked down at the whirlpool and found that she could see hard ground at the center of the vortex. She clung to Kent's brass belt buckle with every ounce of strength she had left. She shuddered at the thought of being sucked down into the cave and of her lifeless body bobbing underwater for hours, days, maybe even weeks, before it was found at the beach. She looked up into Kent's azure eyes. They were sparkling. He wore a grin that stretched from ear to ear.
"What are you grinning about?" she asked.
"I caught you and saved your life."
Alyssa frowned and tried to climb. "I hate to be a party crasher, but I have some sad news. The water seems to be rising."
"No it's not; you're slipping. Hold on."
Alyssa nodded and watched Kent climb up the rope like a monkey, bringing her up out of the water.
"Now it's your turn to help," said Kent. "I need you to reach out for the hooked steel rod and then let me go."
"I can't. I'm too tired and weak from the cold."
"Yes, you can. The cavalry is almost here."
Alyssa looked towards the mansion and spied the small group of riders galloping up to the mouth of the cave. Earl was leading the pack. She reached for the steel hook and then curled her fingers around the cold metal with white knuckles. She then tried to lift herself free of the water.
"Just hang like a monkey," suggested Kent. "Help will be here soon."
A lassoed rope fell over Alyssa's head and, hanging by one hand, she managed to push her torso through the rope. It tightened and she was pulled free of the water.
"Mr. Stanton, you have to save Kent," she whispered, collapsing into Earl's arms. He growled as if the rescue had put him off.
"He can look after himself," said Earl.
Alyssa was placed gently on the ground next to the river. She opened her mouth in disbelief. Two hands grabbed her around the waist and she was heaved to a standing position.
"You okay?"
She opened her eyes and saw Kent's beaming face staring at her. His eyes looked to be full of genuine concern.
"How did you escape the water? And yes, I'll be fine, thank you."
"I copied what you did and swung myself free," said Kent.
Earl let out a loud belly laugh that sent the group into chuckles. Alyssa's blue face changed to red in anger.
"Stop laughing at me," she ordered. Mr. Stanton put his hand up and the group fell instantly silent.
"You sure you're okay?" Kent whispered. Alyssa gave a slow nod.
"To set the record straight, none of us will ever laugh at you. On behalf of my family, let me say that we are all overjoyed that you are safe."
"Hear, hear," chorused the group.
"I apologize for flying off the handle. I'm just a little embarrassed," she said.
"Don't be. Come on back to the house and we'll all have coffee and scones," said an elderly lady from the back of the group. "I'll find you a soft towel and some dry clothes, too."
"That's my grandmother," said Kent, chuckling. "She always has freshly-baked scones ready to eat." Alyssa looked at the faces of the small group.
"Thank you, thank you to all of you for coming to my rescue and being so hospitable," she said. Her gaze rested on Earl's face. She faked a smile, but he didn't look at all pleased. His friendly look was gone.
"Girlie, what kind of foolish stunt did you think you were trying to pull? Kent talked me into giving you the job. I trust my son, but I think he and I are going to have words later. I need a jackaroo for two weeks, not a two-bit girl from the city masquerading as a bloke."
Margaret stepped up to and put her hand on her husband's shoulder. "Earl, give the young woman a chance," whispered Margaret.
"No. I'm happy she's okay, but that's it."
Alyssa put her hands on her hips and glared at Earl. Kent shook his head and waved her away from the group. She found Charlie and walked towards the plane, cuddling the snake. She watched Earl with renewed interest. He looked to be a man of good character, not at all like he portrayed himself to be. He certainly came across as tough on the outside, but she was sure he had a soft touch on the inside. She watched him point towards her several times then slap Kent on the shoulder. She wasn't sure if it was a friendly slap or not. Then she was beckoned over.
Alyssa stepped towards the group with a smile that would melt an ice cube on a cold day. She stood next to Kent and studied his stone-faced expression. "I thought I should protect Charlie. I don't want to see him hurt," she whispered.
"Thank you," said Kent.
Earl put his hands on his hips and cleared his throat. 'Obviously he's getting ready to say something important,' thought Alyssa, and she glued her stare to the man's face.
"Listen, girlie, I'm looking for a jackaroo not some two bit city girl trying to look like a bloke. This I've already mentioned. Kent had no right to talk me into allowing him bring you here." He raised a gray eyebrow and eyed her up and down. "I'm not sure what you had in mind, but all I know is you'd never pass as a bloke, you're too shapely." Kent managed a tight-lipped laugh.
Alyssa folded her arms. "The first thing I want to say to you, Mr. Stanton, is don't ever call me 'girlie' again."
"What if I do?"
"The last bloke had his lights punched out," she said.
Earl cleared his throat again and coughed into his hand.
"Secondly; I thought being a jillaroo might be what I needed," said Alyssa.
"Is there a third?"
"Yes. I'm not a two-bit girl from the city wanting to look like a bloke."
Stanton grinned and shook Alyssa's hand. "Any young lady who isn't afraid to handle a two-meter python snake and has the nerve to stand up to me, can't be all that bad. Welcome to The Oasis."
Alyssa lit up like a Christmas tree packed full of lights. "Does this mean I have the job?" Earl's wife squeezed her husband's arm.
"Sure does. The first thing to do in the job is to eat a hot meal and change into dry clothes." Alyssa faced Kent. "Am I cooking, or are you?"
Margaret Stanton said, "I'll do the cooking. Come on, all three of you. Grandma already has a head start."
Alyssa looked over their shoulders and spied the old woman riding off towards the house. "By the look of things, I think we should hurry," Alyssa said.
*
Kent gave Alyssa a tour of the mansion that ended at the bathroom. Before walking to the door, he showed her the location of the cupboard stocked with soft towels.
"Do you want me to wash your back?" he asked.
"I can manage," said Alyssa.
Kent smiled and backed out of the room, closing the solid wooden door behind him. Alyssa soaked in the grandeur of the small but exquisite room, with its marble floor and gold tap fittings and the miniature chandelier hanging from the high ceiling.
"Everything in its rightful place," she whispered, stepping out of her wet clothes. She piled them in a corner and stepped under
the gold-plated showerhead. For several seconds, she stared at the torrent of water falling on her face. 'Amazing,' she thought. 'Who would ever dream of a place like this?'
The feeling of the piping-hot water rejuvenated her strength and she started to relax. The hours since meeting Kent started to replay over in her mind like a movie. She crumpled to the floor of the shower and sobbed quietly.
"This hot shower beats the cold, fast-flowing river," she mumbled as her crying finally subsided. "I sure am a lucky girl. I could've ended up hundreds of kilometers from The Oasis." She trembled and the goosebumps on her arms grew to marble size.
Alyssa failed to hear the knock, or the bathroom door opening. She was totally hypnotized by the warm shower water hitting in the exact center of her head.
"Calling the city girl," said Kent, mimicking a statue at the door. "Can you hear me?"
From the doorway, Kent could barely see through the fog created by the hot water as it billowed up from behind the opaque plastic shower curtain. He scrunched his nose and, reaching through the gap in the curtain, turned off both taps.
Alyssa squealed. Kent retreated to the door and called again.
"I'm not finished yet!" she said.
"You've been in that shower so long I thought you had drowned." Alyssa pushed her head into her hands.
"Go away," she sobbed.
Kent threw a towel over the shower rail and said, "Please get dressed, dinner is ready."
"Give me one minute," Alyssa answered.
"I'll be waiting to escort you downstairs to the table." He paused. "Are you okay?" He sounded concerned.
"I'm fine," she said.
"Why were you sobbing?" asked Kent. He had one hand on the doorknob and was preparing to close it. Alyssa was too distraught to know where to start.
"I'll explain it all after dinner." Kent stepped back and closed the door in his wake. Alyssa whispered as she heard the bathroom door click shut. "You are indeed a gentleman, Kent Stanton."
*
Alyssa rummaged through the clothes Kent had left hanging on the back of the door and was brushing her hair when there was a knock.
"Miss Fitzgerald, two minutes has elapsed. It's time for dinner," said Kent.
"I'm ready."
Kent hesitated for several seconds, then opened the bathroom door. Alyssa gave a schoolgirl smirk at the man standing before her. Dressed in blue jeans that had probably come from Kent's sister-in-law, Alyssa had slipped her feet into black leather boots and a large green collared shirt, then she tied her wet hair into a ponytail. Kent gave her a sharp nod and sprinted out of the room. He was standing on the bottom stair, leaning against the balustrade and looking up at her casually. He smiled as Alyssa came through the door. In an instant, he was by her side and holding out his arm, ready to escort her downstairs to the dining room table.
There was a hush as the Stanton family watched him pull the chair back and wait as Alyssa sat on the mahogany-colored seat.
"Sorry about the clothes," whispered Kent. "It's all I could find on short notice, but if I may add, you look absolutely perfect." Alyssa's cheeks flushed a slight crimson tone. She felt a little uncomfortable and embarrassed at all the fuss.
Mrs. Stanton came through the door carrying a long pink dressing gown. "Here you are, wear this over your baggy clothes. My son is considerate, but has no idea about woman's fashion. I've placed your wet clothes in the machine. As soon as they're washed, I'll put them in the dryer. They should be ready to wear in about two hours."
"Thank you," she said.
A short prayer was said over the meal, and then everyone dug in. Throughout dinner, Mr. Stanton kept an eye on Alyssa and hardly a word was spoken at the table. After finishing her roast dinner, Margaret Stanton threw her napkin on the table, stood up and stared at her husband.
"I've had about enough of the silence," she said. "Earl, you have to let The Oasis go. Stop trying to keep her. It's beyond saving. You know there's nothing more you can do. Those cows have to be gone. As for the young lady sitting next to Kent, you should be thanking her for coming."
Earl stood and glared at his wife. "If you'll excuse me, I'll be in the study." He turned his back on the group and walked off down the hall.
"That man!" Margaret Stanton said, and clenched her fist.
Alyssa spoke in a gentle but firm voice. "If I could have a private word with your husband, I might be able to help."
"Don't bother," said Kent. "He'll be fine. I'll go and talk to him later."
Alyssa's shoulders drooped, and she felt like the wind had been knocked out of her lungs. She saw it as her duty to try to help. It was like an invisible force was pushing her along. She decided on a different tact instead. Surely she could make some headway by having Mrs. Stanton on the same side as her.
"Why are you getting rid of so many cows?" she asked Mrs. Stanton. "If it has anything to do with leaving the land, there must be a way to stay."
"There isn't," said Kent, leaning sideways and whispering in her ear.
"I don't understand. There is always a way. I must speak with Mr. Stanton."
Kent stood, walked to the front door and stepped outside onto the verandah.
Alyssa watched Mrs. Stanton bow her head and start to sob. "Things can't be that bad, can they? I always try to look on the positive side and find a solution to problems."
"There is no good solution," said Margaret Stanton.
"But there has to be," said Alyssa.
*
Alyssa closed the front door behind her and stepped onto the verandah. She saw Kent leaning on the railing at the darkest part of the house. She walked slowly up behind him. The smell of tobacco filled the stagnant air.
"It's such a beautiful clear night. The stars look magnificent. You couldn't count them if you tried," she whispered from over his right shoulder. "The crescent moon is beautiful."
"It sure is."
"Your mum told me everything. I'm so sorry," said Alyssa.
Kent studied the sky. "The stars are nice tonight," he whispered.
"They are," agreed Alyssa. "The Oasis is certainly a beautiful place."
"After the two weeks are up, I suppose you'll be back in the city," said Kent.
"Yes, I'll be at my desk complaining at the lack of help from the office tribe." Alyssa chuckled nervously. "I suppose Brandt will be about with his cunning, fox-like features."
"Foxes are sly animals," said Kent. "They sneak around in the dark hoping to find an easy victim."
"He's sly, all right. That man had me fooled, pegged and branded in one fell swoop."
Kent faced Alyssa and looked her in the eye. "No one should take advantage of a deer."
She cocked her head to one side. "What are you talking about?"
He grinned, reached out his hand and stroked her face. He then patted an escaping curl. Alyssa felt her knees give way. She groped for the handrail as a shiver ran down her back. To disguise the way she was feeling, she closed her eyes and tilted her face upwards towards her hero. He lowered his face and leaned forward. Alyssa wanted the moment to last longer. She wanted to kiss the lips of this handsome Aussie like she had never kissed a bloke before. She wanted him to take her in his arms and whisk her away to fantasyland.
She opened her eyes and watched Kent lean closer. She wanted to live at The Oasis with him and look forward to a simple life.
Alyssa's thoughts started to muddle as if someone had dumped all her ideas inside a washing machine and switched it on. She looked deep into his eyes. His warm breath swept across her cheeks as he drew close. He smelled fantastic. His aftershave easily made her fall into a trance.
A muffled noise at the bottom of the verandah made Kent look up. Alyssa looked away, and the moment was gone. She spotted a fury tail and the torso of a fox. Her eyes glistened in the light of the moon.
"It's heading for the chicken pen," said Kent.
"I suppose you have to go," she said.
"Why?"
"To protec
t the chickens."
"Nothing can get to the chickens. The chook pen has a two-meter deep wall of metal sheeting buried around the perimeter. The chickens will be fine. Besides, the young chick right here is more precious and has to be looked after. She's new to The Oasis. Four day old chicks are gorgeous, but they have nothing compared to you, Alyssa Fitzgerald."
Her eyes glistened with moisture and she thrust her hand into Kent's. Her cheeks flushed bright red as Kent wrapped her in his arms. She had never thought his blue eyes could be so enticing, but she wanted to stare into them forever.
They both leaned forward, and their lips were almost touching. Alyssa could feel his warm breath brushing her cheeks once more. It felt like something wonderful and exciting was forming. 'This man who lives in the middle of nowhere was wonderful,' she thought. She felt the first pangs of love pull at her heart. Feelings for Kent had come knocking, but she tried to keep the thoughts at the closed door. All she had to do was let him in. Invade her world. How would it all work if she let him? Kent was a man like she had never known before. He was the silent type who kept everything inside. She was a city girl, an office worker. His father, Mr. Stanton, certainly wouldn't approve. She was suddenly overcome with grief and decided their love could never be. Alyssa broke free of Kent's masculine arms.
"What happened?" asked Kent.
He sounded hurt. What had she done? She tried to think clearly. Maybe her destiny lay somewhere else. The city, perhaps. Or maybe she was just being too stubborn.
Alyssa moved away and covered her face with her hands. "I'm sorry," she said. She walked to the opposite end of the verandah. She watched Kent standing and looking into the darkness. She saw him glance her way, and then he was walking towards her.
As she lowered her stare, Kent's footsteps kept coming. Alyssa's heart wanted them to, but the thoughts inside her head said the opposite. She wanted to escape the confrontation. How could she ever manage to explain her inner most thoughts?
Kent came up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. She let him massage the crook of her neck, then let him wrap his arms around her waist and step in close. She wanted so much to be a part of his life. She wanted to be a country girl and live at The Oasis, but how could she? How could Kent believe this could be any more than a two-week fling? They had different views and lived in separate worlds. Maybe life at The Oasis was not meant to be. Deep down, she felt it was time to move on. Perhaps one day she would write all her thoughts on paper. In her twilight years, she could read about Kent and The Oasis and what might have been.
The Great Gift (Contemporary Romance - Urban Life) Page 11