Deep in thought, she resumed her DNA segment matching. When her mobile rang, she didn’t look at the caller ID, assuming it was Cressy ringing about something she’d forgotten to mention.
But it was Kellie’s breathless voice on the other end. ‘Hi, Fliss.’
Fliss’s brain switched into action. ‘Hi, Kellie. Everything okay?’
‘I’m not sure. Jase’s out helping move stock to higher ground at Drew Macgregor’s. The creek cut the road so it will take him a while to get back. It’s two weeks too soon for the baby but I don’t feel … right. I’ve a few niggles. I don’t think they’re contractions, just Braxton Hicks. My back’s not sore.’
‘Have your waters broken?’
‘No. I would call the hospital but there’s been that crash. I don’t want to drag an ambulance out here if it’s nothing. With all the water around others might need help. I’m probably just overthinking things but … after last time … I’m worried.’
‘Sit tight. Hewitt and I’ll come and stay with you until Jason’s home. We can then take you to town if you need to go. Where’s Zoe?’
‘Are you sure? She’s gone to Alice’s for the day. I’ll see if she can sleep over. Alice is always asking her to even though Zoe says no because she thinks she’ll get scared.’
‘I’m sure. I don’t want you driving. I’ll call the hospital so they’re ready, just in case.’
‘Fliss … thank you.’
Silence filled the stables’ kitchen and the laptop screen went black as Hewitt ended the call to Lizzie and Quinn. He was stretching to ease the stiffness in his shoulder when urgent knocks hammered on his front door. He came to his feet. He hadn’t seen Fliss come over from the main house.
Movements hurried, he tugged on his boots as he opened the wooden door. Another snake could be in the garden.
But when the door swung open, Fliss stood with her arms full of bags. She’d changed from her farm clothes into a neat blue shirt and jeans and pulled her hair into a practical ponytail. Her words were calm and measured but her eyes shone with an anxious intensity.
‘Kellie called. Jason’s out and she’s worried her baby might be coming early.’
‘Right. I’ll get my keys.’ He glanced at Fliss’s overnight bag. With the floodwaters rising she wasn’t taking any chances. ‘And some clothes.’
‘Thanks.’ As if sensing his next question, she continued. ‘The dogs have been fed and are in the shed so will be right for tonight.’
She’d turned to head to his ute even before he’d nodded.
They hadn’t made it to the white wooden bridge before the brooding sky ripped open.
‘Can there be any more rain?’ Fliss frowned at the frantic pace of the windscreen wipers.
‘It’s just a localised storm. See, over there, there’s blue sky.’
She looked to their right where the sun shone, but the tension lining her brow didn’t ease. He was sure she was mentally willing him to drive faster. Lips pressed together, she checked her phone for a third time.
‘Fliss … relax. We’ve plenty of phone signal and we’ll soon be there. If Kellie’s in labour, we’ll take her to the hospital.’
Fliss blew out a breath. ‘You’re right. I’m not going to have to deliver a baby on my own and without the proper equipment. It’s just … if anything happened to either Kellie or the baby …’
Hewitt reached for her hand and linked her tense fingers with his.
‘You brought your first-aid kit which is a mini-hospital in itself. And I’m guessing you would’ve been trained to deliver a baby?’
‘I have. I’ve had a hospital rotation in obstetrics.’
He squeezed her hand. Her voice sounded stronger, more sure. ‘See … whatever happens, you’ll be more than able to handle it.’
She nodded and settled herself deeper into her seat.
He slowed as a sudden onslaught of rain hampered his visibility. The ute swayed as the wind gusted, whipping leaves onto the windscreen.
‘I’m glad you’re driving,’ Fliss said, above the noise of raindrops pelting glass and metal.
Through the heavy veil of rain, hazard lights flashed to their left where a small car had pulled over on the side of the road to wait out the storm.
‘We’re almost through the worst of it. I’d be surprised if it’s even raining at Bundara or at Kellie’s.’
The rain eased and the white lines on the black bitumen became easier to see. The number of passing trucks kicking up water confirmed that flooding had already closed some local roads. The traffic would become more congested over the upcoming days as creeks and rivers peaked. The council would have some impressive potholes to fill once the floodwaters receded.
Fliss leaned forwards to peer through the windscreen. ‘Kellie’s is the next turn, then left at the cream mailbox.’ Fliss slipped her fingers from his so she could type a message. ‘I’ll let her know we’re almost there.’
Fliss’s phone whooshed almost straight away. As she read the message, her shoulders squared.
‘Kellie’s waters have broken.’
Fliss texted again before holding her mobile to her ear. Using a professional tone, she organised for the ambulance to head to Kellie’s farm. She then left a voice message for Jason. As she lowered her phone, her teeth caught on her bottom lip.
‘You can do this,’ Hewitt said softly.
‘Yes.’ She leaned over to press a quick kiss to his mouth. ‘I can.’
The cream mailbox loomed and they swapped bitumen for red dirt. Mud pelted the underside of the ute as Hewitt raced towards the green tin-roofed farmhouse. Gum trees sheltered the brick home and a cluster of sheds and silos. The white tape of electric fences fluttered. From inside a small paddock, a round grey pony lifted his head as they approached.
Hewitt sped over the cattle grid and pulled up as close as he could to the front door. Two kelpies barked from over where they were tied up to their kennels near a small shed.
‘I’ll do whatever you need me to,’ he said as Fliss unclipped her belt to reach for the bag at her feet.
‘Thanks.’ She touched his cheek. ‘See you in there.’
Then she was out of her seat, running across the yard and up the house steps. Hewitt moved the ute closer to the garage where it wouldn’t be in the way of the ambulance and carried their bags inside.
Voices sounded from a room to the left that he assumed was the master bedroom. Feeling useless, he flicked on the kettle. An empty hot water bottle sat on the bench and might be needed. He then filled the sink with water and cleared away the lunch dishes.
Fliss appeared, a handful of folded towels in her arms. Her hands were steady and her expression composed. He could imagine her doing the rounds of an emergency ward, a stethoscope around her neck. It was only the strain lines around her eyes that hinted at the nerves churning beneath her composure.
‘This baby’s going to beat both the ambulance and Jason. Everything looks in order and Kellie’s going well but it could get a little noisy as this baby’s in a hurry.’ Before Fliss disappeared along the hallway, she turned. ‘Kellie said there’s farm magazines in Jason’s office if you need a distraction and beer in the fridge if he needs one when he arrives.’
‘I’m fine. Don’t forget I’m here for anything you need.’
The sweet smile she flashed over her shoulder stayed with him as he finished cleaning the kitchen. At a loss, he inspected the fridge. There was no way he’d sit around reading magazines. Over the upcoming days Kellie and her family would need some pre-prepared meals and snacks. Zoe liked chocolate brownies as much as her tubby pony liked apples. She hopefully would also be partial to lasagne like Lizzie and Quinn were. Hewitt collected what ingredients he needed from the pantry along with a tin of hot chocolate. At the very least, Fliss would need a sugar rush after delivering Kellie’s baby.
By the time the lasagne and chocolate brownies were in the oven, the sounds from the bedroom indicated Kellie had reached an intense st
age of labour. Knowing Fliss would call if she needed him, he took to pacing the kitchen. Ava once said labour was the worst pain she’d ever experienced. She’d also said holding her babies made everything worthwhile and she’d do it again in a heartbeat.
But hearing what Kellie was going through, he couldn’t imagine how any woman would be willing to experience childbirth. He scrubbed his hand over his face. Give him the stress of a rodeo wreck anytime. He needed a beer as much as Jason soon would.
CHAPTER
18
Fliss lifted her chin and banished the last of her self-doubt. She wasn’t going to risk Kellie or her baby’s life by faltering. She was ready. Hewitt was right. She could handle whatever happened in the next ten minutes.
She rubbed Kellie’s back while Kellie knelt on a pillow and leaned against the seat of a wooden chair. ‘Your body’s done this all before.’
‘Tell me about it.’ She gave Fliss a brief, pained smile. ‘I can’t believe I thought it was a good idea to go through this … again.’
All conversation stopped as another intense contraction gripped Kellie. Fliss encouraged her to focus on keeping her breathing rhythmic and steady. She’d already helped Kellie into a hot shower to ease her discomfort, but the frequency of contractions meant she was nearing the end of the transition phase. It would soon be time to push.
‘It won’t be long now.’
Kellie didn’t reply as another contraction stole her breath and twisted her expression. Fine beads of sweat filmed her brow. Fliss did a quick check to confirm the baby’s head had crowned.
‘You’re doing so well, Kell. Just catch your breath and next contraction, push.’
Kellie did as Fliss instructed and the baby’s head appeared. Fliss made sure the umbilical cord wasn’t wrapped around the tiny neck. ‘Almost there. All we need now is one …’
Fliss hadn’t finished before the warm weight of a baby boy filled her gloved hands. She made an Apgar score assessment. The blue tinge to his hands and feet appeared normal, his breathing regular and as he opened his mouth the strength of his cry let everyone know he was fine.
‘Oh, Kell … it’s a boy and he’s just beautiful.’
Kellie turned, cheeks wet. Fliss placed the newborn against his mother’s bare skin. Making sure they were both warmed by a soft towel, she helped Kellie into bed before performing a second Apgar assessment on the baby. From outside, the farm dogs barked in welcome. The ambulance had arrived.
Fliss tucked a blanket over Kellie and together they stared at the tiny face nestled against her shoulder.
‘Fliss … I have no words … thank you just doesn’t seem enough.’
‘You don’t need to say anything. Seeing you with your baby is thanks enough.’ She cleared her throat. ‘Shall I take a photo for Jason?’
‘Yes, please.’
Fliss snapped a picture of an exhausted but radiant Kellie as footsteps sounded in the hallway.
As Fliss turned to greet the paramedics, Kellie grabbed her hand. ‘To use Zoe’s words … you are the best doctor ever.’
For the first time since she’d arrived back in the bush, Fliss didn’t flinch at being referred to as a doctor. She squeezed Kellie’s hand and went to update the two tall paramedics. She was once again Dr Fliss.
‘You look happy,’ Hewitt said the following morning as Fliss stood at the doorway of Kellie’s kitchen and studied the tidy room.
After Kellie and her new baby had left with the paramedics, and the dogs and horses had been fed, Hewitt had spent the evening helping Fliss make the house sparkle. To everyone’s surprise Zoe had agreed to have a sleepover at Alice’s and had stayed the entire night. Jason had remained in Woodlea to be close to Kellie and his son.
All the beds in the farmhouse now sported clean sheets, the washing had been folded, the freezer filled with meals and the lawn mowed. When Kellie and baby Garth came home from hospital, there wouldn’t be anything left to do except enjoy being together as a family.
‘I am.’ Inside there was no trace of nerves, just a sense of confidence. She centred the vase of spring flowers she’d placed on the table. ‘How could I not be? Yesterday I delivered the most beautiful baby boy.’
Hewitt came to her side and pressed a kiss to her temple. ‘Yes, you did. You more than handled Garth’s early arrival.’ His tone deepened. ‘Just like I knew you would.’
His unconditional faith moved her just as much as his heartfelt words.
She turned to put her arms around his waist and hug him. ‘Thank you for all your help getting the house ready. Your hospital corners make mine look second-rate. I’ll tie up the dogs and then we’re right to head to town to see how we can help out with the floods.’
They had only just driven past the cream mailbox when her phone whooshed. She read the text aloud as Hewitt turned onto the bitumen.
‘Cressy says the bridge is only just hanging in there and to be safe she’s taken the dogs to Glenmore. She made sure the horses have hay and are on high ground and that the self-feeder for the chooks is full.’
‘Juno will be in hyper-dog heaven with all those puppies to run riot with.’
‘She would be. I’m so lucky to have Cressy. I don’t know what I’d do without her.’
‘I’ve heard her say the exact same thing about you.’
Fliss’s mind whirled as she created a new to-do list. ‘It’s time I got back to planning her the best wedding possible.’
‘Don’t let Lizzie hear you say that. She’s still obsessed with weddings.’
‘I hate to break this to you but I don’t think Lizzie will ever lose her love for all things that sparkle. Just like Quinn will never stop liking noisy farm machinery.’
‘So another generation of conformists?’
‘Yes, but there’s nothing wrong with being a conformist.’ She leaned over to run her fingers through Hewitt’s hair. ‘As long as a certain uncle wears a motorbike helmet to model good behaviour so a certain nephew … and his uncle … never end up in my emergency department.’
‘Message received loud and clear, Dr Fliss.’
Her phone vibrated, a can of hairspray appearing as the caller’s photo. She shook her head. Taylor must have had fun with her mobile when she wasn’t looking.
She held her phone against her ear. ‘Nice profile picture.’
The hairdresser laughed. ‘I thought so too. I couldn’t resist when you left your phone on Ella’s kitchen bench while you were getting ready for the ball.’
‘And you just happened to have a can of hairspray nearby?’
‘Of course. You never know when one will come in handy … like on a trail ride.’
Fliss groaned.
‘Come on, admit it.’ Laughter threaded Taylor’s words. ‘It’s all thanks to my hairspray that you and Hewitt have been missing-inaction since the ball.’
‘No, we haven’t, not really.’ Cheeks warm, she glanced at Hewitt who gave her a crooked grin. ‘It’s been wet.’
‘True. I guess you have been to town. Just a heads-up, next time you kiss Hewitt in the walkway off Main Street and think no one’s looking, think again.’
‘Oh no … not Edna.’
‘No, relax, just me. I was having lunch and saw you walk past so followed to say hi. Fliss …’ Taylor’s tone turned serious. ‘I’m really happy for you both.’
‘Thanks. So am I.’
‘Now, are you sitting down?’
‘Yes.’
‘Edna just said a nice thing about you.’
‘She has? Wait, I have to pick myself up off the floor.’
‘She really did. We were preparing food in the hall for the SES volunteers and she was telling Mrs Knox how proud she was of you for delivering Kellie’s baby. And then … she smiled at me.’
‘We are talking about Edna Galloway, whose memory is more extensive than an internet search engine.’
‘The one and the same. But all jokes aside, Kellie’s baby safely arriving has given everyone a lift.
It just doesn’t seem as though this rain will end and people are getting tired.’
‘They must be. Hewitt and I are almost in town. What needs to be done?’
‘There hasn’t been any water in any houses yet, but backyards, sheds and garages have been flooded. There was a call-out earlier for people to help fill sandbags at the SES headquarters.’
‘Great. We’ll be there soon.’
After Fliss had spent the morning filling hessian bags with sand from the mountain in front of her, she could understand why volunteers were feeling fatigued. Even with the bags only being filled two thirds full, and not needing to be tied, her back ached and her palms were raw beneath her gloves.
She swiped a hand across her forehead. She’d rolled up her sleeves on her thin purple shirt and still felt warm. To everyone’s relief the rain had held off but the humidity was cloying and the low clouds ominous. Forecasts predicted another storm for tomorrow.
Hewitt appeared at her side and passed her an open water bottle. ‘I can take over if you like?’
She took a sip of water. Quinn wasn’t the only Sinclair who liked to play with sand.
‘I’m sorry you can’t get your hands dirty. As well as your shoulder feels, these bags weigh a tonne. Wasn’t there a forklift you were having fun with?’
Hewitt had been in demand once it was known he held a forklift licence from his university days of working in a stockfeed store.
He looked at the pile of sand and sighed. ‘Yes.’
Even though other volunteers shovelled beside her, Fliss stood on tiptoe to kiss him. From the sideways glances when they’d arrived, Fliss guessed her and Hewitt being together was the town’s worst kept secret. For once, the attention didn’t make her feel uneasy or self-conscious.
Hewitt settled her cap on her head after it had tilted when she’d kissed him and left with a smile. Fliss filled another sandbag and dragged it over to the wooden pallet Hewitt would later lift and load onto a truck.
‘Need a partner in crime?’ Ella said, as she opened a new hessian bag for Fliss to shovel sand into.
‘Yes, please. You look like you’ve been busy?’
The Red Dirt Road Page 25