As she surfaced from out of the crater, she saw that the countryside was flooding with a wall of gray rain. She had to blink rapidly to disperse the growing number of water droplets clinging to her eyelashes.
"What a transformation," she mumbled.
Lightning arched across the sky in several places, and thunder mixed with the flashes. The earth seemed to shake with each new rumble. Squinting, Alyssa studied the surrounding water-covered desert. Two shapes were standing in the rain at the edge of her sight. They came together and fell to the ground. She gunned the bike's throttle fully open and her bike roared towards Kent and Henry. Her travel was slow. Mud and water sprayed out behind her in a thick sludge. She was forced to do doughnuts in the mud several times in an attempt to keep the bike moving forward. By the time she had reached the two figures she felt exhausted.
"Stop," she yelled. "Stop!"
Both men were wrestling in the mud and couldn't hear her feeble attempts to make them quit. Alyssa stopped the bike and ran towards them, waving her arms and yelling. Kent was on the bottom eating mud. Henry was on top, pushing Kent's head further into a puddle trying to drown her hero.
Alyssa screamed and started to sob. She felt helpless to do anything. She wanted to king-hit Henry, but as her fingers curled into white-knuckled fists, she found that her strength was spent. She felt faint, but was determined to try and save Kent. She staggered over and waited for the perfect moment to strike, holding her fists high in the air.
Kent pushed hard against the ground and Henry was flung off. The rope was unclipped and Henry was lassoed as he raced at Kent for a final onslaught. He stumbled over the tightening rope about his ankles and hit the mud face first.
"What's going on?" screamed Alyssa.
"My mate Henry wanted the cows back," said Kent. "I tried to explain the sale in more detail, and I even suggested he'd be given fifty dollars for each cow, but he didn't want to listen."
Henry sat in a puddle of water and glared at the man that had defeated him.
A motorbike came roaring up. Mary-Lou jumped off and ran towards her brother. As she sprinted, she stumbled into a pothole full of water. She screamed and sprawled face first into a shallow puddle, then slipped into unconsciousness. Kent raced over and dragged Mary- Lou onto the mud flat. Alyssa staggered to his side and hovered over the woman.
"Will she be okay?" asked Alyssa.
"Hope so," said Kent as he pushed her hair from her face.
The cold drops of rain that fell heavily onto Mary-Lou's face were enough to bring her back to consciousness. She opened her eyes and screamed.
"My ankle, my ankle," she sobbed.
Alyssa studied her boot and realized the angle was wrong.
"Her ankle is broken," said Alyssa. Kent fished for his mobile phone and dialed The Oasis. A quick, sharp conversation followed, and then he slipped his phone back in his pocket.
"Help is on the way," he reassured Mary-Lou.
Squatting over Mary-Lou to stop the rain from hitting her face, Kent and Alyssa waited in the rain. What seemed like forever could have only been five minutes or so.
Alyssa and Kent stared at each other. She felt like a schoolgirl again. As the teacher had turned his back all the kids would communicate silently across the room. It was a thinking code that Kent and his family had developed over the years. She was quickly learning the silent code, too.
As Kent and Alyssa looked deep into each other's eyes, their conversation was easily understandable. Mary-Lou watched with interest written across her painfully wrinkled brow. Between sobs she shook her head and pouted, but she had a sparkle in her eye. She ignored the pain of her ankle as her lips curled into a smirk. She nodded at the two lovebirds. They didn't see her widening smile and they didn't hear her giggles.
The reverberating throbs of a helicopter flying slowly across the now inland sea burst through the downpour and hovered above their heads. The wind from the rotors swirled the rain.
"It's like having a cold shower," said Alyssa, watching the craft's wheel sink into the mud.
"More like standing still and having your body peppered with hail," said Kent. He picked up Mary-Lou and walked over to the helicopter. Alyssa opened the door and helped to strap her in. Kent helped Henry in and then closed the door. The helicopter's rotors spun at break-neck speed and lifted the craft into the air.
"What did you whisper to my father?" said Kent.
Alyssa put her arms around his waist and hugged him tight.
"Can't I have at least one secret?" Kent smirked and together they watched the helicopter vanish into the rain. Alyssa faced her cowboy. "I thought something awful had happened to you and it nearly came true."
"She'll be right," he said, and grinned.
She looked him in the eyes. "How can you always say 'she'll be right'?"
"Henry and I were only having a friendly wrestle. Besides, I always look on the positive side of everything," said Kent.
"She'll be right," echoed Alyssa.
He grinned at her doubtful expression. She reached up and gave him a friendly slap on the shoulder.
"You sound just like your brother."
Kent laughed. "No way, he sounds like me."
"I have some good news. I finished counting the cows and only one was lost." Alyssa was staring deep into Kent's hypnotic eyes. This time, the moment would not be interrupted.
Something hard bumped the pair and they headed for the mud. Kent cushioned Alyssa's fall and glared at the beast. It blinked and lowered its head.
"He's number five hundred," said Kent. He stood and scratched the young bull behind the ears and waited for him to walk off. "He won't go far. He's just looking for something to eat. I saw him wander off from the main herd. I was about to go find him when Henry jumped me."
"I thought you said it was a friendly wrestle," said Alyssa.
"It was, eventually."
The two stood in the rain in a tight embrace, looking into each other's eyes. Kent reached for Alyssa's chin and then their lips melted together. To Alyssa, they were standing in a bubble full of warm sunshine, not in the middle of a storm.
*
The sun rose in a cloudless sky. The rain had disappeared overnight, and Alyssa stretched in the warming rays of a new day. Only a few shallow, isolated puddles of water remained as evidence of the previous day's storm. Kent walked out onto the verandah and approached as stealthily as a fox stalking the chickens. A floorboard squeaked under his weight and he froze. Alyssa wheeled around and beamed. She was tickled to the max that she had greeted the sun before the cowboy. Kent smiled and stepped to her side.
"What are you hiding behind your back?" she said, giggling. "And what's the smug look for?"
"Just because you were up early, you somehow think that's a victory?"
Alyssa shrugged and looked at the golden-edged clouds.
"It sure is beautiful out here," she said. Kent showed her what he had in his hands: two steaming plates of bacon and eggs on perfectly toasted brown bread.
Alyssa frowned. "How did you get things ready so fast? I saw you asleep on the couch when I walked past. As far as I was concerned, I was proud of myself for being awake before you."
Kent laughed in a tone that was neither cruel nor mocking. It was a friendly chuckle that would break the ice on a blind date.
"I have to confess that I had some help. Mum heard you walking down the stairs and woke me. We made breakfast together," he said.
"What a cheat." Alyssa took the plate and giggled. She felt as though time had gone backwards overnight and that she was on a school camp. She knew if she pinched herself that she might wake from her dream, and she didn't want to do that.
"You did a great job yesterday in the storm, for a city girl. I didn't know you could ride a dirt bike. It was like you were a natural."
"Thank you for the compliment. My brother taught me how to ride. He refused to hear the word 'no.' He even bought me lessons just so I'd ride with him. It was okay. I did it
for him."
"I'd like to meet him."
"He died in a car crash, of all things. He was sitting in the back with a mate. I sold both bikes. I never rode again till yesterday. I have to admit, I did enjoy the experience, though I've never ridden in a storm before."
"Sorry to hear of the news," said Kent.
"It was many years ago. Have you checked on the cows?"
"No, not as yet. If after breakfast you feel up to it, we can go for a ride to survey the herd."
"I'd like that," she answered.
No sooner than Kent and Alyssa had finished the last mouthful of their breakfast, Earl came trotting up on a black mare. He was holding onto the saddle with one hand, and in the other, he held the reins of another two horses.
"Would you two care for a ride to check on the new arrivals?" asked Earl.
Alyssa walked over wearing an excited expression and was helped onto the saddle of a chestnut horse. His ears instantly pricked back waiting for a command.
Earl winked at her. "I thought you might want to know I picked up the extra package that you asked me to get after dropping Mary-Lou off at the hospital."
"Thank you." Alyssa's eyes were sparkling as she lifted herself off the saddle and looked about the area.
"What are you looking for?" asked Kent.
"The package is asleep," said Earl. "Mitch is pacing the floor waiting for her to wake. All you city people are the same. It must have something to do with the clean air."
Alyssa looked at Kent. "It's part of my secret."
"Are you going to share it?"
"I'll tell you when the time is right." She gave her horse a light kick and took off in a trot. Kent watched her go for several seconds, then had to gallop to catch up.
"We have to check the herd," Alyssa said in an amused tone as her cowboy hero drew level with her. She felt full of pride knowing that she finally had her own little secret.
Kent chuckled and led the way to a small rise, which was about a twelve-minute ride on horseback from the mansion. The hill was high enough to watch the entire herd grazing.
"They look none the worse for wear after their ordeal in the storm," said Alyssa. "They've settled in very nicely. Soon they'll put on weight again."
Alyssa's gaze scoured the huge property. Heat from the drying land gave her goosebumps. She visualized staying and living out the rest of her life in such an overwhelming place. She allowed her mind to wander back to the city, back to the busy streets of Melbourne and the endless cafés, shops and restaurants, the nightlife and the street people.
She smiled inwardly. The sights of Melbourne were indeed wonderful. She paused on that thought for several seconds, weighing it up on the scales of life. Which one was more appealing: busy Melbourne, or the splendor and magic of The Oasis? The two were locked together for only a heartbeat. She was swayed towards The Oasis. After all, Kent lived here and, in an instant, her mind's eye saw the scales suddenly tilt to within a hair's width of the ground.
Alyssa's bottom lip pouted as she stared at the ground and then she sighed quietly so her cowboy hero didn't notice. What would Kaite think? The city had her in a vice-like grip. The Oasis didn't. Kaite was indeed hooked more on the nightlife than she was. If only she would be inspired to stay, out here in the desert, then the scales would be touching the ground. If not, then she would have to decide between the two. In her heart, she had already decided which one would win.
Two horses approaching from the house brought Alyssa back to reality. Earl waved and looked excited. Alyssa faced the riders and grinned at the sight of one of the figures.
"Kaite," she squealed, jumping from her horse. She started to run, with Kent hot on her heels.
They ran together down the undulating side of the hill. Their horses didn't flinch from being left behind. They bent their heads and were starting to nibble on some grass while Earl remained with them as a lookout. He resembled a king on his hill.
Kaite looked like a professional rider. She pulled hard on the reins and slid off the brown leather saddle. Mitch had leaped from his horse and was holding his arms out ready to catch her if she fell.
"I take it you've met Mitch," Alyssa said between breaths.
"I sure have. He was sitting next to me waiting for the exact moment I woke. Then he left, and in seconds was back by my side with a lovely plate full of bacon and eggs."
Alyssa looked sideways at Kent. "You two are definitely peas from the same pod."
Kaite hugged Alyssa. "This is an amazing place. It takes your breath away, doesn't it?"
"It sure does. This wonderful man standing next to me is Kent. He's the one I talked to you about. He and Mitch are brothers."
Kaite shook his hand. Mitch stared at his brother and beckoned him to follow. The girls watched the two brothers walk up on top of the low hill and start to have a talk. Earl had trotted off to inspect a pregnant cow.
"Alyssa, I love this place."
"It sure is amazing. I've had to decide whether to stay here or allow Kent to take me back home. After all, the jillaroo job was only for two weeks."
"Don't joke with me, girl. The way you were talking, I thought you were going to stay," said Kaite.
"I'd like to, but I'm not convinced that Kent-though he has been the best man I've ever known- wants me here in his life."
"Alyssa, don't take this the wrong way; I want us to stay the best of friends forever. Don't be a fool. You're too hung up on the idea that floats around inside your head that the bloke has to give you the perfect gift. Go with the flow. Forget about the perfect gift. If Kent is half as good as Mitch, he's the catch of the century. Blokes like these two don't fall from the sky every day."
"You're in love with Mitch?"
Kaite slipped a giggle.
"How can you be in love that quickly?" asked Alyssa.
"I believe in love at first sight. And the more I know, the more I want."
"Is there such a thing as love at first sight?"
"You better believe there is. Surely you loved Kent the moment you laid eyes on him. Though I have to admit Mitch is the better looker."
"You think so?"
Both girls started to giggle. Alyssa moved her gaze and started to look for the two men. They weren't on the hilltop.
"Something's wrong." Alyssa sprinted for the hill, yelling out Kent's name. They reached the top and spied the two men on the other side. They were locked in a wrestling duel. Both girls sprinted down the hill yelling to stop the fight.
Kent looked up and was quickly pushed flat on his back.
"What's all this?" yelled Alyssa.
Mitch started to laugh. Kent rolled over and leaped to his feet. His face was glowing red. "We were having a friendly wrestle," he said.
"Friendly wrestle my eye," screamed Alyssa.
Kent lifted his hands into the air. "Honest truth. The rodeo is today and Mitch was showing me a few moves he had thought up. He thinks he's the wrestle champ of the outback and wanted to prove it."
"I will be one day," he said.
Kent ruffled his brother's hair. "One day."
Kaite shook her head. "Rodeo? What rodeo?"
*
The helicopter hovered for several seconds above the treetops that fringed the open fairgrounds. It had been exactly thirty minutes since Alyssa had last glimpsed The Oasis. She watched the many families who were bustling through the main gate. Everyone was excited as they were swept up in the day's activities.
Groups of people were walking about the dust-covered ground, totally oblivious to the new arrivals. Horses, cows, sheep and music equipment were still being unloaded from the many trucks that had made their way to the annual bush bash in the early hours of the day.
Alyssa looked toward the boulevard of amusement rides. They had been placed parallel to each other in a long line not far from the main oval. Men had started to gather in front of the shooting gallery while the young ladies looked on. Each wore the same expectant look of receiving a prize from the
ir husbands or boyfriends.
She was still smirking when the helicopter slowly descended. As the wheels touched the ground, the engine was switched off. The reverberating throb of the rotors slowed and then were silent. Kent, Alyssa, Mitch and Kaite squeezed out of the helicopter and headed for the main arena.
The smell of sawdust and horse sweat hung heavy over the entire grounds. The rodeo was crowded as far as country folk were concerned. The sandy oval three hundred kilometers from Brisbane was awash with activity.
Mitch said, "Brother, we'll catch up to you later. Kaite and I are off to the lover's ride." Kent nodded and escorted Alyssa arm in arm towards a white marquee. He signed his name on a sheet of paper that was clipped to a board and sitting on a large tree stump. He then checked the time that he was expected to win the rodeo. "Half hour til kick-off," he said, looking sideways at Alyssa. "Can I take you down side show alley?" She squeezed his arm and was herded past the novelty rides and games. "The start of the boulevard is for the kids," he teased. "I'll take you to where the cowboys show what they're made of."
They turned the corner at the end of the alley and headed towards the adult games.
"Hey Kent," yelled a man. He lifted a fat cigar and shoved it back in his mouth. Alyssa looked for the voice and found a man with a big stomach leaning over a table. "Give a bloke a break and keep on walkin'. Every time you stop and play my dart game, you almost send me broke."
Kent grinned and helped Alyssa over a puddle of water by lifting her gently into the air.
"Show off," said the man.
"Andy, it's good to see you. How goes it?" said Kent.
Both men grabbed each other's hand. In a show of strength, they shook hands in the air. Kent was relentless. The stranger trembled as he tried to win the air hand wrestle, but eventually had to concede defeat.
"You win, as usual," said the man. He pulled his hand free and started to rub his shoulder. "I swear one of these days you'll pull my arm right off."
Kent's face broke into a friendly grin. "Alyssa, this is Andrew. We call him lots of names, but he likes to be called Andy. Don't be shocked with how he talks or his appearance; he's a good bloke. You want something, this is the man to see."
The Great Gift (Contemporary Romance - Urban Life) Page 15