Bluebells on the Hill

by Barbara McMahon

  He passed the next door, heading straight for the one at the end of the hall, but she stopped by it.

  'What's in here?'

  He turned, paused and slowly came back up to her, opening the door.

  'It was the nursery. John-Michael used it until he was older, and moved to the room he currently has.'

  It was dusty and dark, the furniture that a baby would use. It was a sad, neglected room, reflecting all the hopes gone wrong from a marriage. Amanda was sorry she had asked to see it.

  'One more and we're done.' Mac pulled the door shut and continued to the end of the hall.

  The last door opened to reveal the master bedroom. Again, sliding glass doors opened on to the deck, framing the mountains in a living mural. A large bed dominated the room, rich brown coverlet reaching the floor. A triple dressing-table and tall wardrobe filled one wall, yet were not too much for the room's size. A dressing room and bathroom led off from the back.

  Amanda's heart began thudding in her chest. This was Mac's room. Where he slept at night, got dressed each day. She looked around, taking in all the details, storing them in her memory for the future. She’d be able to envisage him here when she was on tour, when she was away from Timber. Moving further into the room, she looked out the window to learn the view he saw first thing each morning.

  The door clicked shut.

  Spinning round, Amanda found Mac close to her, disturbingly close.

  'It's a nice place,' she said huskily, Mesmerized by his gaze.

  Without reply he reached out and slowly drew her into his arms, as if giving her time to pull away, should she so desire.

  To pull away was the last thing she wanted. When his lips touched her, Amanda relinquished all pretense. This was where she longed to be, in the arms of the man she loved. She pressed closer, opening her mouth against his insistent pressure, delighting in the feelings and sensations he caused in her. A thrill of pleasure ran through her as his hands caressed her, as his mouth evoked desire in her down to her toes. When she felt his hands on the bare skin of her back, she thought she would fall down if he didn't hold her up, so weak were her knees. His hands were warm and caressing, rubbing her from her waist to her neck, down again, round to the sides, rubbing his knuckles gently against her ribs. He trailed his mouth down her neck, kissing the soft hollow at the base of her throat, running his hands lightly over her breasts, finding and releasing the bra fastening, moving to caress her, fondle her, all the while pressing warm kisses against her pulsating skin.

  Amanda was delirious with delight, swept along on the rising flow of sensations Mac was creating within her. She clung to him shamelessly, returning his kisses, unbuttoning his shirt to feel the ripple of muscles along his chest, his shoulders. A feeling of intimacy spread as she ran her fingers over his shoulders, up to his neck to thread through his thick hair.

  Shrugging out of his shirt, Mac drew Amanda's top from her, letting his eyes wander over her firm figure before drawing her against him again.

  'Oh, Mandy, girl. I've such a hunger for you,' he ground out.

  Amanda thought her heart would burst with happiness. 'I for you,' she whispered back.

  Almost without her realizing it, they moved to the large bed, lying across the soft brown cover. Slowly and deliberately Mac drew his hands across her body, leaving trails of quivering flesh as Amanda arched closer, reveling in his touch, in the responses he was drawing from her.

  His hands undid her zipper, moving to caress the soft skin of her belly, roving the length of her to her throat, then back down again.

  Amanda was aching with desire. She knew there must be more, must be a completion of the longings he had aroused; how to find it?

  'Mandy.' Mac continued moving his hand gently over her curves, lifting his head a little.

  She opened her eyes to meet his gaze. Mac was no longer so disapproving, but looked under a strain.

  'What?' she replied, moving beneath his touch.

  'I didn't mean for this to happen, you know,' he replied, his hands continuing their quest.

  She licked her lips; it was hard to concentrate on what he was saying; she wanted to lose herself in his touch.

  'What?' she repeated.

  He gave her a quick kiss. 'This; me and you. Will you marry me, Mandy?'

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Her eyes flew open in shocked surprise. Rolling away from him, she sat up on the bed, staring at him.

  'Do you mean it? Marriage?'

  He lay back against his pillows and watched her. 'Yes, of course I mean it. Do you think I go round asking everyone I meet?'

  'No, but I thought you didn't even like me. That you wanted me to move on.'

  'Well, I did at first. I disapprove of your lifestyle, your choice of friends. We fight almost every time we get together, but I still keep thinking of reasons to seek you out, of getting us together again. This last week has been the longest I have ever spent. I felt sick earlier when you said this festival may be the only one you go to. You could move on. I've been fighting a losing battle ever since that kiss by the creek.'

  She gave a soft gurgle of laughter, remembering the pan of water she had thrown at him. Then her face softened. A dream come true. The man she loved her and wanted to marry her. She paused; she thought he loved her, but he hadn't said so in words.

  She opened her mouth to ask, but was forestalled.

  'Don't answer right away, unless you can say yes. I've been thinking long and hard on it, especially since last week.' He reached out and caught her, pulling her up to him. 'I can't think when you're sitting like that,' he growled softly in her ear. She moved to cuddle closer, fascinated by what he had to say.

  'We don't know each other very well,' she began, 'and don't agree on basic issues, like a wife working...' Amanda said, hugging him closer to her, wanting all doubts swept away.

  'I know we don't, but I have been thinking a lot this past week or so. Perhaps there is something to a woman working outside the house. The modern conveniences we enjoy all around don't make keeping a home very challenging. If you feel so strongly that you want to work, then I will gladly share your life with your job.'

  She looked up, now would be the time to tell him what she did, why it would be more than sharing just a job with someone who left each morning and came home that night. There would be weeks on the road, quick trips to Nashville, to Los Angeles, to other major cities if they had a concert.

  He shook his head. 'No, let me finish. As to knowing each other, I only have fifty or so years I can set aside to get to know you. Won't that be enough?

  'We have a similar feeling for the country around here. You're from a ranch, you know what to expect. You're kind to children, witness John-Michael and his guitar lessons. You are exciting to me, not the usual woman I've met in later years. I want to spend as much of my time with you as I can.'

  'Fifty years might be long enough. I should love to marry you, Mac.' She reached up to kiss him.

  He rolled her on her back, as the kiss deepened and intensified. Flames of desire rose in Amanda as her arms pulled Mac tighter against her. When his hands moved to her jeans, he whispered against her throat.

  'My life was torn apart once by the festival; maybe this year it will put it back together.'

  'I hope so. Oh, Mac, love me.' Amanda reached her arms around his neck, giving herself up to his embrace. There was so much to discuss, to clarify; her career, his first marriage. But now, there was only Mac and her and their love.

  'Dad?' John-Michael's voice could be heard from a distance. Mac went suddenly still.

  ‘Dad?' John-Michael was closer.

  'Dammit, what does it take?' Mac asked, rolling over and moving swiftly to the door. 'Phones, aunts, kids. What next?' He reached the door and opened it just a crack.

  'Hi, Dad. Ted and I fixed that stretch of fence.' John-Michael was right on the other side.

  Frowning with frustration, Amanda got up and retrieved her top, slipping it quickly on. She stu
ffed her bra in her jeans pocket and smoothed back her hair. She went to stand by the window while Mac talked to his son. The mood was changed, she doubted they would resume where they had left off.

  Still, her heart sang! She was engaged to marry John Mackenzie. A smile of sheer happiness spread across her face as her spirits soared. Who would have thought the bus ride to Timber would end so happily? She would be with him all the time, when she wasn't on tour.

  Oh, God! What would Mac say when she told him what she did for a living? That the job he would be sharing her with involved weeks when she would be away from home, traveling, leading a totally different life from the one in Timber. He knew nothing about her current life. With his temper, he'd explode when she told him. He thought he knew all that was important: she was a hippie, from Colorado. He was adamant against deceit of any kind. He'd be so angry.

  Well, she would just wait a little longer. Until he was in a good, loving mood again, not now. For the time being, she would savor this moment. Savor the love she felt for him. Her own, darling, disapproving Mac.

  'No.' Mac sounded exasperated. Amanda turned to watch him, love evident in her face, in her eyes as she moved to be near him. Mac ran a hand through his hair, still blocking the door.

  'No, what?' Amanda asked.

  'That's torn it.' He turned and went for his shirt. John-Michael slowly pushed open the door, grinning when he saw Amanda standing in his dad's room.

  'Hi, Mandy.'

  'Hi, yourself, John-Michael.' She tried to maintain her composure in the face of this kid with the knowing grin.

  'Come on, Mandy, I'll take you home.' Mac was dressed. He reached for her hand, leading her out. As he passed by John-Michael he stopped, glinted down on the boy.

  'Mandy's going to marry me,' he said, watching the expressions chase across his son's face, from incredulity to disbelief to delight.

  'Hey, that's great!' The boy swept Mandy up in a robust hug. “Wait until I tell the guys.”

  'I'll be back later.' Mac pulled her from his son’s arms and led the way to the truck, throwing Amanda a tantalizing smile as they climbed in.

  She was warmed by his look and smiled back, feeling as if she were floating on air. She still couldn't believe it.

  'You coming in?' she asked when they reached her place.

  'Damn right, I am. We were interrupted.'

  She laughed. 'Again.'

  Climbing out of the truck, she heard her phone ringing. 'I'll run and get it. That way they won’t have to call back and maybe interrupt anything.'

  Probably whoever was calling would hang up before she could reach it, but she would try. Made it, she thought as she snatched it up.

  'Mandy? Mandy, this is Dave. Evie fell down a flight of stairs. She's in the hospital and ... God, Mandy, she's not doing well. Can you come? I need you, coz, they ... they don't know if Evie will make it. Or the baby. God, I don’t know what I’ll do if she dies. Mandy, I need you. Please.'

  Amanda closed her eyes against the pain in his voice. Her dear cousin; what an awful thing to happen. They were so happy and so looking forward to their baby.

  'Of course I'll come, Davie. Right away. The baby?'

  'They don't know. They don't know if the baby will live or if,' he voice broke a little, 'if Evie will either. Mandy, what will I do if Evie dies?'

  'I'll be there as soon as I can get there. Are you at home, or at the hospital?'

  'I'm at the hospital, it's St Paul's. I can't see her just yet. What will I do without Evie? What will I do if she doesn't make it?'

  'She will, she will. Hold on Davie. I'll be there as soon as I can make it. Hang in there, I'm on my way.'

  Amanda put down the receiver, tears swimming in her eyes. She turned. Mac was blocking the door, his face impassive.

  'Oh, Mac, I've got to go. I've got to get home. Can you take me ...' Where? She wanted to get to an airport, a plane would be the fastest way to get to Los Angeles. Even at that it would take hours.

  'Where's the nearest airport? Maybe I can get a flight to L.A. My cousin's has a bad fall. She ...' Amanda dashed away the tears, finding herself in Mac's warm arms.

  'Easy, girl, we'll get you to an airport. Stockton's only an hour or so away. I'll call for reservations then we'll go. You go pack something while I call.'

  'Thanks, Mac.' She drew strength from him, gave him a last hug then hurried to throw a few things in her shoulder bag. She still had lots of things in her L.A. apartment; clothes were the last of her worries right now.

  'Ready.' She came out to the living room.

  Her furniture was in and arranged nicely, totally changing the outlook of the room. There was even a sofa, as Mac had once wanted. He didn't even have a chance to comment on it.

  'Let's go. I booked you on the 6 p.m. flight, it's the last direct one out. We'll make it.'

  The drive down was a blur to Amanda. She was worried about her cousin, and about Evie. Dave had always been so strong. To have him so distraught was frightening. She prayed Evie at least would be spared. What had happened? From what stairs had she fallen to be so gravely injured? Their apartment building had elevators. Please let Evie be all right, for Dave's sake. Please, she prayed.

  'I won't waste time trying to park, just drop you off. We're cutting it close, but you'll make it,' Mac said as they took the airport exit from Highway 99.

  Amanda hadn't realized they were so near. Her mind was whirling, she could not concentrate on anything but getting to Evie and Dave.

  'Fine, that will be fine' She gathered her things as he pulled up before the airline’s sign.

  She looked at him. 'Thank you, Mac.'

  He kissed her lightly, his eyes very somber. 'Come back, Mandy.'

  'Of course.' She got out and hurried into the airport.

  Flight time from Stockton to Los Angeles was less than an hour. To Amanda it seemed endless. Her thoughts were in turmoil. Scarcely believing the misfortune that had befallen Dave, she tried to imagine what had happened, how Evie could have fallen so seriously. She was scared, wished she could have had Mac beside her.

  Mac. How quickly their special moment had ended. How different things might be had John-Michael not come home early. Though she could not have reached Los Angeles today had she not heard the news when she did, she did wistfully wish she could have remained in ignorance for just a little longer; had had just a little time with Mac and their new-found love. A night of inactivity, or worry and long-distance concern would have been worse, she supposed. Her heart ached for Dave. How devastated she would be if anything happened to Mac. And she and he had not yet had time together to grow closer, to develop an interdependent loving partnership, to forge a life together. How much more Dave must be feeling.

  Hurry, she urged the jetliner, hurry, hurry.

  By the time Amanda reached St Paul's Hospital she was calm, her emotions firmly under control. What would be, would be.

  She found her cousin, with Sam and Phil, in the intensive care reception area. Dave's face lightened when he saw her and he strode across the tiled floor to hug her in a tight embrace.

  How's Evie?' she asked immediately.

  His reply was shaky. 'Holding on. They delivered the baby, Caesarean-section. It's a girl. Evie wanted a girl.'

  'I know and you want what Evie wants.' They moved to join the others.

  'Hi, guys.'

  'Mandy.'

  'Hi, sugar. Bad scene, isn't it?' Sam gave her a hug.

  'I'll say. When will they know more?' she asked.

  Sam shrugged, looked at Dave, then replied, 'Seems the longer she holds on, the better her chances are. They just don't know.'

  'What happened?'

  Dave told her of Evie's fall down the concrete stairs leading from a friend's second floor apartment. She had hit her head severely and it was that trauma which was life threatening.

  'And the baby? Have you seen her? What's her name?'

  Dave shook his head. 'She's in guarded condition, whatever that means
. Hasn't had a very good birthday.'

  The hours stretched out as they talked softly, comforted each other and waited for news from the doctors.

  It was close to midnight when a weary resident came to tell them to go home. They did not anticipate any change before morning, if then, but would call instantly if there were any. The hospital was going on its night shift, usually the quietest time at St Paul's. They’d all be better rested the next day if they got a good night's sleep tonight.

  Dave was finally convinced. Amanda went home with him. They would all be back in the morning.

  ***

  The days dragged by. Evie's condition stabilized a little, but she remained in a coma. The baby, in spite of her shaky beginning, was soon thriving. When she was discharged from the hospital at the end of a week, Amanda took charge, calling her Davie's Baby. Dave refused to name the child, claiming that it was Evie's choice. He would wait for Evie.

  The entire band was back in Los Angeles by this time, rallying around, taking turns sitting with Dave at Evie's bedside or helping Amanda with the baby.

  As the days passed, Amanda gradually assumed some of the managerial roles Dave usually performed. The second week she was there, she suggested they begin rehearsals for the forthcoming album. She tried the new songs from Bob Clive and immediately decided to include them. Her two songs from early in the summer were already on the list. She introduced the one she had just finished. The others approved, both of the song and the sentiments it expressed. Explanations were shared and congratulations given. Now if only Dave approved.

  Twice Amanda called Mac, but he sounded distant and guarded the first time, and out when she called again. She spoke at length to John-Michael, leaving her number and telling him what was going on. And, that it looked like her trip to the south of the state would last longer than she had thought.

  She got Elizabeth Burke's number from John-Michael, and called to reassure that they would be there in plenty of time for the festival, but might not come prior to the day itself. Amanda didn't want the older woman to become concerned because of Amanda's lengthy absence.

  The days were full, the nights dragged. Uncertainties and doubts arose as she lay awake long into the night. Mac had never said he loved her. Could he be so obsessed with acquiring the land that he'd resort to marriage? She didn’t think so. He had dropped that topic once she had given him the option agreement.