"Nice to meet you," said Alyssa, looking doubtful.
"Hey, Kent, where did you dig this doll up from? If I have to guess, this one's a city chick."
"She sure is," he said.
"Are you going to marry this one?"
Kent stared at the man through narrow slits and whispered, "I have to discover her idea of the perfect gift."
Andy raised his hands and changed the subject. "It sure is good to see you again, old boy. Going for another win? This year will make it five in a row. It'll be an outback rodeo record if you win."
"I'll win."
Alyssa looked at Kent. "You're a bit cocky."
He winked. "I think I've got time to try the hammer," said Kent.
Andy spoke up. "I don't think so. The last time you swung the hammer, you broke the bell at the top. You cost me a small fortune in lost revenue. If you want to stay friends, move your ass away from my darts and hammer."
Alyssa pouted as if she had been scolded.
"Okay, you have one shot, for the little lady. Do me a favor and hit the rubber stop with half strength."
Kent placed the long handled hammer over his shoulder and walked over to the game. A crowd quickly gathered to watch.
"Don't you be bothered by the crowd, Alyssa; this big gorilla always attracts a crowd." Kent arched his back and the long handled hammer touched the ground.
"Here we go again," mumbled Andy. "This is how he's broken my game three years running. Then he relaxes by throwing a perfect game of darts. Every year it's the same thing." He closed his eyes. "I can't watch. This is too painful."
Alyssa giggled. Kent's stare honed in at the rubber stop at the base of the machine. His face lost all expression as he brought the hammer over his head with a mighty blow. The hammer struck hard and the weight was launched like a rocket towards the bell at the top. There was a mighty bang and the weight fell back to the rubber boot at ground level. The machine lights came crashing down after the bell.
"Thanks, Kent," hissed Andy. "You've busted my machine yet again. Next year, I'm going to fix the weight to the ground as soon as I see you coming."
Kent grinned and picked out a large stuffed dog. Alyssa proudly placed it under her arm and squeezed his bicep.
"Keep walking along this lane. I'll only be a moment. I'll pay Andy for the machine." Kent walked over and slipped the man a pile of rolled up fifty-dollar notes. "This should cover the costs of a few years' worth of damage."
"Thanks, mate. If there's anythin' you need, let me know." He gave Kent a friendly slap on the cheek. "If you want my advice, hog tie the little lady and make sure she doesn't get away." He raised his bushy eyebrows in emphasis as if cementing his comments.
"As a matter of interest, maybe you could help me. You're an all-knowing bloke. You've been around Australia," said Kent.
"Many times over the years," interrupted Andy. He looked over Kent's shoulder and looked directly at Alyssa. "You want a second opinion of the city chick?"
"I don't need anyone to tell me she's the most gorgeous creature that ever walked this earth."
"You haven't seen a picture of me wife."
"You don't have a wife."
Andy shrugged. "I dream about the perfect woman every night. What's your question?"
"Alyssa talks about this so-called perfect gift. Have you any idea what it could be?" The big man smiled at Alyssa before lowering his head.
"Buddy, you need to get out more often. Go to the city, the big smoke and mingle. Smell the nightlife. Interact with the culture."
"That's not the answer I was looking for," said Kent.
"Let me give you some advice from a bloke who knows," said Andy.
Kent swiveled his head and spied Alyssa walking their way. "Get to the point, she's almost here." Andy lowered his voice to a decibel above a whisper. Kent was nodding as Alyssa interrupted.
"What are you two discussing?" she asked.
Kent slapped the man on the shoulder. "Thanks, mate. I owe you one."
"One what?" said Alyssa.
Kent grabbed her by the arm. "I'll tell you later."
Another secret, thought Alyssa. The word 'doubt' flashed into her mind with big, bold, ugly letters. She tried to sweep the letters away, but no matter how hard she tried, they stayed there. Her mind had to convince her heart that there would be no future with Kent if he kept up the secrets. The Oasis was magnificent, but her thoughts started to drift back to the city. It was beckoning her to return. She needed to find Kaite and let her know that she had made a bad call in tricking her into coming. They needed to leave as soon as they could. Her mind had been invaded with too many doubts.
Kent led the way to the main arena. A large bull was being readied and several men gave Kent a friendly slap on the shoulder as he walked past.
"I have to get ready," said Kent, looking Alyssa in the eye. He leaned forward and gave her a kiss on the lips. "I won't be long."
Alyssa climbed the rugged wooden fence that framed the small sand-covered arena. "I'll be here when you return with the trophy. Be careful."
Even though Alyssa was convinced that this was her last day, she certainly didn't want to see him get hurt. She nodded at the cowboy and decided that Kent would always be a good friend. Maybe they could stay in touch via the Internet, with the occasional phone call. She smiled awkwardly as she cherished the thought.
Kent wore a grin that reached from ear to ear. He trotted off over to the bull cage and disappeared among the sea of faces.
Alyssa watched the proceedings with renewed interest. The smell of sweat from the contestants, to the sawdust and the animals to the novelty rides for the kids, was amazing. The smell lingered inside her mind.
The air was electric. For the first time in her life, she felt like she belonged. She could hardly control the excitement that was welling up inside her like a waterspout that was about to burst. Her thoughts drifted back to Kaite. Had she made the right decision in forcing her to come, after all? She was more confused than ever. The mixed signals that Kent was sending added to her confusion. She was torn between the city and The Oasis. What she needed was someone to help her make up her mind. In her heart she knew that staying was the best thing, but it was hard to make that commitment to a man who still had too many secrets.
On the other side of the arena, a few helicopters had landed. Alyssa was interested in the first aircraft that had touched down. Its rotor blades seemed to whirl for a lot longer than all the others. Two men and a woman stepped from the door and stood looking at the country folk who had swirled about the arena. One man from the group signaled the rest to stay put, and started to walk towards the games. Alyssa struggled to swallow her anxiety and jumped from the fence, then tried to bury herself amongst the crowd. She watched the man switch directions and make a beeline for the patch of dirt she was standing on.
"Look what the storm blew in," said a voice on her left. Alyssa faced the man. Her breath was lost in the air. "Don't turn all jelly," said the voice.
"Brandt, what are you doing here?"
"I tracked you down by keeping an eye on Kaite. I knew she would eventually lead me to you. Enough chitchat; I want you to walk with me."
"No. I'm staying here."
Brandt pulled a snub nose handgun from his pocket and thrust the end into Alyssa's ribs.
"You wouldn't shoot me here in front of all these witnesses," she said.
"I'm not that stupid, Alyssa darling. Kaite is here somewhere. We'll find her together and I'll shoot her if you don't do exactly as you're told. As a matter of fact, here she comes now. What a coincidence."
Brandt looked at the crowd.
"Where's the boyfriend?" He pushed his gun harder against her ribs. "Don't tell me, let me guess. He's not any run-of-the-mill cowboy. He has to be a hero for you to take any interest in him." His attention fell on Kent near the bull cage. "I spy a man settling on top of a rather large bull. That has to be the hero. I know you too well. If you don't want to see a bullet i
n his head or Kaite's, I suggest you come nice and quietly."
Alyssa's shoulders sagged as she gave in.
"Good girl. You were always an easy puppet. Now start walking."
Alyssa's mind raced. She had to find a way to stop Brandt and his obsession over her. If she didn't find an answer, he'd never stop.
"I'll come peacefully if you'll allow me to watch Kent first," she said.
"So I was right. The cowboy on top of the bull is the one. I guess I can wait a few more minutes. Besides, it might be fun seeing a man getting trampled by a raging bull."
Kent signaled to the judge that he was ready. His faced changed to stone. His eyes looked as lifeless as a shark's. Determination was written all over his face. A buzzer sounded and the gate opened. The bull tore out of the starting stall with Kent on his back like a cork leaving the neck of a champagne bottle. Alyssa was engrossed in the moment. No matter how hard the bull bucked, twisted and turned, Kent clung to him like he had been glued to his back. A buzzer sounded and Kent's grin was that of a hero's. Not only had he won the trophy, he had also beaten the record that he had set the previous year. He jumped from the tiring bull and waved to the cheering crowd. He looked like he had just come back from a Sunday stroll.
As he made his way to the winner's circle, Brandt pulled Alyssa from the side railing and ushered her towards the helicopter. Kent saw her walking away from the fence and shadowed them.
"Whatever you do, don't take me down sideshow alley," said Alyssa.
Brandt grinned. "You've been watching too many movies, girl. You want us to skirt around the trouble spot. I'm not stupid. The boulevard of games is the way you want us to go. Sideshow alley is the safe way. Now turn down here and keep walking. No one puts one over on me." Brandt leaned close to Alyssa's ear. "Not even you, my little puppet."
"What do you want with me?"
"I thought you were a smart girl. All those wins in the courtroom, and you never figured me out. What a loser," said Brandt.
"You didn't answer my question," said Alyssa.
"Keep moving and don't try anything stupid. One of the bullets in my gun has your name on it." Alyssa bravely stopped and received a shove in the shoulder blade for her hesitation. Brandt let go of a whispered laugh.
"I'll let you in on a little secret, puppet. In my pocket, I have a tax form that you will fill out. Once you've done that, the curtain will come down on your life."
"Then I won't do it."
"If you resist, the boyfriend cops it. The bullet before yours has his name on it. There's one for Kaite, the cowboy and you."
"What do you hope to achieve with the use of a single tax form?"
"It will do plenty. Over the course of many years, bogus names will be written on the top of each form and signed by you. Inside six years, by my reckoning, I'll have about ten million dollars in the bank and I'll be living the high life somewhere in the Bahamas."
"Greed, that's all you wanted me for."
"I'm impressed; you are a smart girl. Our conversation is over now. Keep moving." As they drew close to Andy and his broken machine, Alyssa looked the big man in the eyes. He stared back. She wondered if all country folk could understand the 'nod.' To describe it to a city worker would be a disaster. She decided her only option was to give Andy a short, sharp nod. The man didn't respond and went about his business of fixing his machine.
Questions raced through her mind. Did Andy actually see her nod? If so, why didn't he understand her plight? Why didn't he respond? Was the shine in his eyes just that, a shine, or were they saying that he understood her predicament? Alyssa lowered her gaze to the ground and kept walking.
The big man waited for the pair to complete their funeral march past his seat. They crossed the lane and turned left towards the open paddock.
"Walk to the nearest helicopter," said Brandt. "I have a pilot ready to take us up to an altitude of one hundred and fifty meters."
"How do you know he's still waiting?" said Alyssa.
Brandt let go of an evil laugh.
"I pay people to do as I say."
"What happens when we arrive at your prescribed height?" she asked. Brandt's face changed to concrete.
"You will find out what it's like to fly," he said.
"If the pilot of the helicopter is Earl Stanton, he won't let you commit murder," said Alyssa.
"Calling your boss by their first name is beyond you. Being in the middle of nowhere has taken the city air out of your veins. My little puppet, Alyssa Fitzgerald, you're a city girl now and you will die a city girl."
Alyssa looked up as they passed the mirror maze. Two dark distorted shapes were grinning. One had to be Andy and the smaller image had to be Kent's. She slowed her walk, but was pushed in the shoulder blades.
"Stop stalling and get a move on," snapped Brandt.
The stunt show set was looming. Alyssa grinned at the man climbing the ladder to the balcony of a hotel, and then he was gone.
"I know all about you, too," said Alyssa with a smirk.
"What does that mean?"
"You'll see," she said.
A big man stepped from a doorway and whistled. Alyssa punched Brandt's wrist, sending the snub nose handgun into the dusty ground. Andy stepped closer. Alyssa ducked as Brandt lashed out, hitting the air. He turned and faced Andy.
"So this is the hero, a one hundred thirty-five kilogram blob of lard."
"Fella, I'm only one hundred kilos. I'm no hero and I kind of like to think I'm Alyssa's big brother."
A shadow dashed to Andy's side. "Thanks, big fella. I can take it from here."
"Another hero? You want a piece of me, come and get it."
"Careful, he knows Judo," Alyssa called from a doorway on the opposite side of the street.
"I know a few Japanese too. Nice people, the lot of 'em."
Mitch stepped forward and pulled the first punch. Brandt kicked out and sent his opponent into the mud. Mitch quickly stood and readied himself for the next round.
A sharp whistle came from Kent. Everyone stopped and watched him complete a dive through the window of the fake saloon, tumble roll in the dirt and stand to face Brandt.
"Three heroes onto one," he said. "I think that's fair."
Kent grinned and unbuckled his rope.
"You going to tie me up and pulverize me into the ground?" said Brandt.
Kent scrunched his nose and shook his head. "I can tell you are a man that won't talk this through, and I know you won't relent." He gave Mitch his rope and stepped within striking distance.
"Have the first punch," taunted Brandt. "Here's the only warning I'm going to give, hero: make it a good one because if I get up, you won't."
Brandt let go of a sharp laugh and gave a fast kick and punch. Kent blocked them both and had his opponent crying over his broken jaw and tied up with his own belt before he hit the ground.
"You might be a Judo expert," said Kent, "but I'm a champion rodeo rider. I'm the fastest hog tier in Australia."
Andy moved closer and slapped Kent on the back. "What can I say? I've fifty bucks on you today. You had better win or I'll chase your ass all over Australia for your hide."
Kent grinned. "Your winnings are already in the bag, big fella."
Mitch collected Kaite from Andy's small office and they joined Alyssa and Kent.
"The local sheriff is on his way over," announced Mitch. "I found him walking around when the city bloke wanted to fight, and gave him a quick run-down."
The friendly cop snuck up on the group, handcuffed Brandt and forced him to his feet.
"My right hand man has tracked the other two down. One was a hired pilot and had no idea what transpired here. The female, it turns out, was Brandt's girlfriend, or should I say, and I quote from her mouth, 'was!'" The cop shook Kent's hand, shoved Brandt in the shoulder and herded him off toward the police car.
Earl rushed down the boulevard towards the group.
"Is everyone okay?" he asked. He abruptly stopped and bea
med at the laughing faces. "You kids," he said, and walked off to watch the under fifteen's bull riding event.
Crossing the Arena
Alyssa slipped her arm around the waist of her hero. "Thanks for coming to my rescue."
"It was nothing," said Kent.
"I don't call it that."
"City blokes think like a suburban man, but out here in the middle of Australia, a man has to think differently."
"What if Brandt was from the country? What would you have done?"
"The outcome would have been the same. Only difference being the fight, it would have lasted a bit longer." He grinned at Alyssa's startled expression. "I've got one more ride," he said, soothing her.
"You won the ride with the bull," said Alyssa. "I thought that was it."
"So what else is new?" cut in Mitch. "He does the same thing every year. Don't you, brother?" Kent looked completely embarrassed.
"One of these days, I'm going to beat you," said Mitch. "I'm not that far behind you in the bull ride." Kent slapped his brother on the shoulder.
"You need to be a little stronger, and then maybe you will."
Mitch scooped Kaite into his arms and grinned at her surprised look. "You think so? My wrestling match is in fifteen minutes. Do you think I'll win?"
Alyssa shook her head. "Knowing the Stanton name, yes, you probably will."
"We'll catch up when I'm holding the wrestling trophy." Mitch grinned and carried Kaite off towards the sign in tent.
Kent laughed and kissed Alyssa. Then he wagged his finger at her.
"This time, don't run off," he said.
"I'm not going anywhere."
"That's what you said last time."
Alyssa climbed the fence, ready to watch the next contest. Kent jumped and clung to the top railing. As he leaned gently against her shoulder, he pointed to a fit-looking man with an oversized wide-brimmed hat. He was sitting on a white thoroughbred horse. Both the horse and the man looked a little anxious.
"That man," explained Kent, "is my opposition. He's an expert at roping a cow, and quick, too. He warned me a month ago that I should be practicing for today is the day that I am going to lose."
The Great Gift (Contemporary Romance - Urban Life) Page 16