Fliss was finishing her second scone when Zoe walked over accompanied by a small girl in green jodhpurs. The child held her right hand close to her chest and tears streaked the dust on her cheeks.
‘Here’s Dr Fliss, Alice, she’ll make your hand better.’
Fliss set her mug on the ground. Should her hands shake she didn’t want her tea to spill. ‘What’s happened, Zoe?’
‘Alice was feeding Pudding his apple and he bit her finger.’
Fliss ignored the tightening of her nerves and bent to examine the girl’s grubby hand. ‘Can I take a look?’
She watched for a reaction as she inspected Alice’s tiny fingers. But the little girl’s shy expression didn’t change. Alice wasn’t in pain, just shocked and uncertain.
‘Nothing’s broken but I can see from the red mark here that’s where Pudding’s teeth nipped you. Don’t forget next time to hold your hand out flat when feeding your greedy pony.’
A solemn smile shaped Alice’s lips. ‘Okay.’
‘It just so happens I have the perfect thing for sore fingers.’
Fliss went to her saddlebag and came back with two round lollipops. She and Hewitt had made a stop at the lolly shop before they arrived at the rodeo grounds.
The two girls’ faces broke into huge grins as Fliss handed each of them a treat.
‘See, I told you Dr Fliss was the best doctor ever,’ Zoe said as the girls walked away unwrapping their lollipops.
Fliss released a silent breath. The fear of failure still gripped her but dealing with Alice’s injury hadn’t been too nerve-racking. She glanced around. No one seemed to have noticed she’d temporarily put her doctor hat back on, let alone how anxious she’d been. Taylor was over talking to the cowgirls, and groups of riders had their backs to her as they chatted around the trestle tables.
Then grey eyes met hers. Grey eyes that were dark with an indefinable emotion. Hewitt hadn’t missed a thing.
And for the rest of the day’s ride, whenever she rode beside him, gravity shadowed his gaze.
Hewitt took a swallow of coffee as he stared into the flames of the campfire lighting up the rodeo grounds. Conversations surrounded him as riders reminisced about past rides and renewed friendships.
Fliss and Taylor sat to his right, their camp chairs close together as they chatted. He could see why Fliss and the friendly hairdresser were friends. Taylor shared Fliss’s curiosity and had spent the past four years travelling the world. Nowadays she said the only travel she’d be doing was by horseback on the trail ride.
Tanner sat a few empty chairs around to his left, his attention on the Ridley boys across from him. The three teenagers had collected a posse of other boys and their boisterous laughter confirmed that after a day’s riding they still had energy to burn. Tanner and Hewitt had already had a quiet word to them about not letting any of the horses out of their yards. Hewitt had repressed his amusement at the eldest Ridley boy’s disbelief that they had guessed their plan. The Ridley boys were yet to work out that Tanner and Hewitt had once been young and high-spirited.
Edna had been and gone. She’d arrived to much fanfare as she brought two huge chocolate mud cakes and tubs of ice cream for dessert. Apart from coming over to where he and Tanner sat for a quick interrogation about how the first day had gone, she hadn’t otherwise approached him. As soon as the barbeque dinner had ended she’d made her farewells.
Fliss laughed at something Taylor said. Hewitt risked a look sideways to where the firelight played over Fliss’s face. There’d been no mistaking the worry that had etched lines of strain on her brow or her subtle breath of relief when the sore-finger crisis was over. Her professional confidence remained fragile.
He could see why it had been important to Cressy that Fliss go on the ride and that she step outside her comfort zone. Re-engaging with people in a relaxed context was just what Fliss needed. Although tired, her laughter came readily and her eyes were lively.
Hewitt shifted in his camp chair to ease the ache in his shoulder. He’d enjoyed the day too. Riding Garnet had eased an emptiness within him, while being on a trail ride had triggered many fond memories of time spent with Brody. Seeing the companionship and comradery around him reminded him of the bonds of community and belonging. But after witnessing Fliss’s concern about treating little Alice, unease undermined his contentment.
He was supposed to be in damage control and containing his emotions. And yet the need to help and support Fliss beat inside him with an insistency he couldn’t ignore. Add a heady attraction into the mix and he was a man in quicksand and sinking fast.
He gave in to the restlessness inside him and came to his feet. He spoke with what he hoped passed as a casual tone. ‘I’ll check the horses and call it a night.’
Fliss’s attention briefly focused on his shoulder before she stood. ‘I’ll also call it a night.’ She held out her hand for his coffee mug. ‘I’ll take this to the kitchen and grab some water bottles.’
Taylor left her chair. ‘I’ll come with you.’
With no sign of overnight rain there was no need to sleep in the back of the float or over in the covered area. Hewitt made sure he laid his swag out on the edge of the open space between the two floats. He’d get no sleep having Fliss close by. She’d washed her hair and the scent of gardenia overlaid the smell of wood smoke whenever she walked by.
To his relief, she set up her swag a body-length away and close to Taylor. Hewitt lay on his back, his uninjured arm beneath his head, and considered the stars. An owl hooted, horses stamped and Taylor’s soft breaths signalled she was soon asleep. Canvas rustled as Fliss tried several times to get comfortable. After five minutes, her deep sigh said it all.
‘Hewitt …’
‘Yeah.’
‘I’m wide awake.’
He chuckled softly. ‘I thought so. You fidget more than Cressy does. I once had to double her after her horse went lame and she wriggled the whole time.’
Fliss’s laughter was low. ‘Tell me about it. I used to have to share a seat with her on the school bus. I’m not that bad. I’m just wired after Meredith’s chocolate cake.’
‘I thought Edna made the cakes.’
‘Our Edna excels at many things, like knowing everyone’s business and being efficient in a crisis, but baking isn’t her strong point. Mum, Meredith and Audrey once did a cooking class with her and she talked so much she missed all the instructions.’
‘That doesn’t surprise me.’
‘Edna hasn’t changed over the years.’ Fliss paused. ‘Neither has Meredith except … she’s the only one left now.’
Hewitt turned his head to look at Fliss. In the darkness all he could see was the shape of her swag. A sombre note had crept into her words. After the shock of discovering she wasn’t her father’s daughter, and attending Jean’s funeral last week, Hewitt could understand how the losses in Fliss’s life were on her mind.
‘Just because those we love aren’t physically with us doesn’t mean they’re not with us in other ways.’
‘I hope so.’
‘I know so. Whenever I lead Quinn or Lizzie on Brody’s horse, it’s as though I can feel Brody there with us.’
Canvas rustled as Fliss moved and he sensed her staring at him. ‘I still go into the music room at Glenmore and sit at my grandmother’s piano. If I close my eyes I can feel her sitting next to me helping me play.’
‘See … she’s still with you.’
‘I guess.’
‘She is. The bonds that bind us won’t fade or weaken, they endure and strengthen us so we can live the best lives possible in their memory.’
Fliss didn’t answer immediately. ‘Hewitt … thank you.’
‘You’re welcome.’
The dawn birdsong came too early. Hewitt scraped a hand over his face and looked beyond his swag to the pale wash of pink across the sky. Grit rasped his eyelids and his shoulder hurt like hell. He’d been prepared for his injury to flare up after a day of riding but he
hadn’t expected to be so sore. After he’d unsaddled Garnet, she’d swung her head around to sniff his shoulder. The perceptive mare sensed something wasn’t right.
He braced himself and flipped open the dew-wet canvas on his swag. The morning chill rippled over his bare chest, leaving goose bumps in its wake. He’d have a hot shower to ease his pain. He made no sound as he walked past a still sleeping Fliss and Taylor.
As he returned from the amenities block, smoke curled from the stoked campfire and the scent of bacon clung to the breeze. Muted voices sounded and horses shuffled as the camp came to life. He waved to Tanner who was carrying a bale of hay over to a row of yarded horses with their heads hanging over the front rail.
Hewitt reached his float and saw that Fliss’s and Taylor’s swags were rolled up and stacked inside. The girls had to be in the showers. Knowing he didn’t have an audience, Hewitt used his left side sparingly as he assembled what he needed for another day of riding. He’d fill up on coffee and greasy bacon and eggs and all would be good.
Garnet nickered as he entered her makeshift yard. He rubbed her forehead.
‘Morning, Garnet girl. You’re looking far too bright-eyed for this time of day. Let’s take a look at these feet of yours to make sure you’re right for today.’
It wasn’t until he’d checked her two front feet and lifted her hind foot that he realised Fliss was standing over at Taylor’s float watching him. She gave him a brief smile before turning to riffle through the duffle bag that sat open on the float ramp.
Hewitt finished checking Garnet’s feet and then moved on to check Taylor’s gelding and Flame. All the horses’ hooves were stone free and their steel shoes were in place. After he’d lowered Flame’s hind hoof he carefully straightened. Fliss stood over by Garnet, stroking her neck.
The strengthening light picked out the red in Garnet’s bay coat and revealed Fliss’s solemn expression. He left Flame’s yard. Fliss walked towards him.
‘Okay, Mr Pickup Rider, it’s your turn to be given the once-over. Don’t think I missed the way you’re favouring that shoulder of yours.’
Hewitt didn’t attempt to hide his sigh. He folded his arms. ‘I’m fine.’
‘You’d better do what Dr Fliss says.’ Laughter threaded Taylor’s words as she came over drying her hair with a towel. ‘I’m not picking sides, but there’s a reason why Fliss was the stare-down champion in primary school. She never gives in.’
Hewitt unfolded his arms. ‘Okay. The sooner we get this over with the sooner I can have my first coffee for the day. Shirt on or off?’
‘Off,’ Taylor said with a wide grin.
Fliss gave her a long look. ‘On. Well, half on. I just need to see your left shoulder.’
He flicked open the top button on his red-striped shirt. A tinge of colour entered Fliss’s cheeks. He slipped open another button. Fliss stepped in close and he breathed in her fresh floral scent.
‘Right.’ She slid the shirt off his shoulder and he lifted his arm from the sleeve. ‘Let’s take a look.’
The crisp, professional edge to her voice reassured him that the situation would remain under control. This time the chemistry between them wouldn’t spark into life. They were in public and had a very attentive audience. Taylor continued to watch them, laughter twinkling in her eyes.
Fliss’s hand touched his shoulder, her fingers taking their time to learn the landscape of his skin. He ground his teeth. This was worse than the intense moment in the stables. Far worse. She was so near he could see her thick lashes and the green flecks in her hazel eyes. So close he could see the satin softness of her full bottom lip.
She spoke without looking at him. ‘The bones at the top of your shoulder have separated so you’ve definitely done your AC joint. It’s nothing to worry about. It’s just that the bones won’t ever be flush together.’
He nodded, barely registering her words.
Her fingers slid down the slope of his shoulder blade. ‘So where was the scapula break?’
He took a second to speak. ‘Almost ten centimetres down …’ He lifted his arm to indicate where the fracture was.
Fliss’s fingertips grazed his before she pressed around the area. ‘Any pain?’
He shook his head until she found a tender spot. Jaw tight, his flinch said all that he needed to.
She moved away and, her eyes still not meeting his, ran her hand over the top of his arm. ‘Still sore here?’
He went to say no but pressed his mouth shut when she found a sensitive area.
‘Your rotator cuff still needs time to heal.’ Fliss stepped back. ‘Arms up. Don’t let me push them down.’
The heat of her palms pressed into his forearms as she tried to force his arms lower. She searched his face, her preoccupied expression reassuring him that she wasn’t looking for any reaction other than pain. He held his arms firm.
The warmth of her touch lifted. ‘There’s nothing wrong with your strength even though I suspect that’s down to your high pain threshold.’
She reached for his shirt and he fought to hide his relief that the examination was over.
‘Did you bring that box of painkillers I gave you?’
He shook his head, not trusting that his voice wouldn’t sound hoarse, and tugged his shirt over his shoulder.
Fliss looked skywards before glancing at Taylor. ‘Men.’
Taylor only grinned.
Fliss watched his hands as he slid his shirt buttons in place.
As his fingers hovered over the final button, her eyes flicked to his. In the hazel depths, he caught a shimmer of the same intense need that burned inside him. But the knowledge didn’t bring him any satisfaction. For both their sakes, neither could give in to what flared between them.
He rolled both shoulders. Physical pain was nothing compared to the torment of Fliss being within kissing distance and being unable to touch her. For the rest of the morning he was hanging out with Tanner and the Ridley boys.
CHAPTER
11
‘This is my worst nightmare come to life.’
Fliss looked down at her hot pink jodhpurs and matching tank top that had two fairy wings attached to the back. Somehow she’d escaped wearing glitter but over where Minty stood next to Flame, the pony’s hooves sparkled with candy-pink hoof polish.
Taylor touched Fliss’s shoulder to hold her still. ‘It’s about to get worse. Close your eyes.’
Fliss closed her eyes and her mouth as a cloud of hairspray smothered her.
‘I’d forgotten about your hairspray obsession,’ Fliss said when it was safe to speak.
Taylor tucked Fliss’s hair into place. ‘Too bad you have to put your riding helmet on, but you’re still going to be the best sexy fairy.’
‘Hang on. I’m just a plain, boring fairy. There was nothing in Lizzie’s costume brief that said I was supposed to be a sexy fairy.’
‘There is now.’ Taylor ran a practised eye over Fliss’s face and hair. ‘And I might have given you a shirt that’s a size too small.’
Fliss groaned. Taylor’s similar purple top covered far more of her cleavage. ‘So I take it I’m the only sexy fairy?’
‘Yes, I’m a taken fairy, remember? I’ve already sent Rory a picture to show how unsexy I look.’
Fliss closed her eyes as worry hit. With her tousled bedroom hair and skin-tight clothes there was no way she could easily blend into the crowd.
‘Relax, Fliss. I know how you hate dressing up and being in the spotlight, but this will be fun, you’ll see. Besides …’ Fliss opened her eyes to look at her childhood friend as her voice grew teasing. ‘Riding in the parade will be nothing compared to running your hands over a half-naked Hewitt. If you can touch a man built like that and keep your composure, you’re a stronger woman than I am.’
Fliss narrowed her gaze. Taylor’s grin was far too mischievous. ‘This whole sexy fairy thing had better not be for Hewitt’s benefit?’
Taylor’s blue eyes rounded. ‘Of course not.
This is all for you. I might have promised Cressy you’d have a fun time.’
Taylor raised the hairspray and blasted the back of Fliss’s hair. ‘But now I’ve seen you with Hewitt, this is actually for the both of you. You need an incentive to stop fighting whatever it is between you. I could have burst into flames this morning and neither of you would have noticed.’
Fliss tugged the front of her snug tank top higher. What Taylor said was true. She had forgotten the hairdresser was there while her fingertips had memorised the shape and texture of Hewitt’s bare shoulder. ‘That’s because I was being professional and assessing a patient.’
‘What about when you’d finished assessing your patient?’
Fliss didn’t reply. The heat and intensity of the brief look she and Hewitt had shared still made her toes curl.
Taylor spoke again. ‘Just be ready for the thud when Edna and every other woman here faints seeing Hewitt and Tanner in their costumes.’
Before Fliss could question Taylor further, Jason walked over with Zoe. Fliss had invited the seven-year-old to also dress up as a fairy. She too wore all pink along with a tutu and a pair of glittery fairy wings.
Fliss touched the frothy pink tulle. ‘I love your tutu.’
‘Minty does as well. He’s always trying to eat it.’
While everyone laughed, Fliss stared with envy at Jason’s jeans and faded khaki work shirt. ‘You’re not dressing up?’
He grimaced. ‘Not on your life. It’s not compulsory.’
Fliss speared Taylor a sharp look but her friend only mouthed the words, ‘sexy fairy’.
Talk then centred on how wonderful the horses looked. Minty sported a white felt unicorn horn attached to the brow band of his bridle. Taylor’s mother, Sue, had put all her years of sewing sequins on dance costumes to good use by designing three floral horse wreaths. Minty’s and Flame’s wreaths had a pink floral theme while Taylor’s gelding was decorated in purple and white. All horses had more flowers braided into their manes and tails.
Before everyone put on their helmets, Jason snapped photos on his phone. Fliss made sure she had a special one taken with Zoe. Zoe’s tight hug and joyous smile made dressing up in fairy wings worth it.
The Red Dirt Road Page 14