Real Love

by Jeanne Mccann

  Mommo entered the room and began to remove the bandages from Alicia’s wound. She and one of the other elder women began to chant as they removed a foul smelling poultice and washed Alicia’s swollen calf clean. It was angry red and pus filled but looking much better than it had three hours earlier. When they were finished cleaning her leg, they covered it with more of the mud-like paste and wrapped more gauze around it to secure the poultice in place. Before Mommo left the room she bent over Alicia and murmured softly to her before kissing her on the cheek. Rhea knew that Mommo loved Alicia deeply and cared for her as if she were her own. It calmed Rhea considerably that Mommo and her healing arts were helping Alicia.

  “Honey, I need you to go shower and then take a nap. Alicia is going to be sleeping most of the day, and you are exhausted. You won’t be able to help her

  when she wakes up if you don’t get some sleep.” Sophia spoke gently to her distraught daughter. “I can stay with her for a couple of hours, and I promise you I will wake you up if she stirs.”

  “Mom, I have to be with her, don’t you understand? She’s everything to me.” Rhea’s heart was in her eyes as she spoke to her mother.

  “I know she is, sweetheart. At least go take a warm shower and your dad and I will watch over Alicia for you.” Sophia hugged her daughter.

  “You promise you’ll come get me if she so much as makes a sound?”

  “I promise. Now go.”

  Rhea took one last look at Alicia and bent to place a kiss on her forehead, her hand softly against her cheek. “I love you, Alicia. I’ll be right back.”

  Sophia hugged her daughter again and felt a shudder run through her child’s body as she held her. “I thought I was going to lose her.”

  “I know, baby, but you didn’t. She’s going to be okay. When she’s better, we’ll begin planning your commitment ceremony.”

  “Yes, we will,” Rhea agreed as she stood up unsteadily. “I’ll be back in a little bit.”

  “I’ll be here, honey.”

  Sophia took the seat that her daughter had vacated, and she reached out and stroked Alicia’s arm. “I’m so glad you’re going to be okay, honey. I love you very much, and we wouldn’t have recovered if we’d lost you. You just rest and heal. We’ll make sure that you’re well taken care of.”

  “How is she?” Sheri whispered from the doorway.

  “She’s sleeping now. She was pretty sick when she woke up a little earlier. Did you get some sleep?”

  “Not much, I couldn’t sleep knowing what Alicia was going through. How’s Rhea?”

  “She’s devastated and still frightened to death. She’s taking a shower and then I expect she’ll be back down here.”

  “Ted can bring a cot in here and she can sleep next to the bed.”

  “That’s a good idea. I don’t think Rhea will leave this room until Alicia is much better.”

  “I’ll go tell him. August wanted to know if he could come in and sit with her a while.”

  “Certainly. Tell him to bring another chair.”

  August entered the room quietly, placed a chair next to his wife’s and sat down. He leaned into Sophia and kissed her gently, placing his hand on Sophia’s where it lay on Alicia’s arm. Nothing was said, but the bond between

  Sophia and August for over forty-seven years made talking unnecessary as they sat with Alicia.

  CHAPTER 27

  The next day was one of Alicia’s worst. Not only was she unable to keep anything but water down, her leg was exceedingly painful because the doctor had to remove some of the damaged and dying tissue. She cried in Rhea’s arms when it became too much for her. The doctor gave her an injection that finally allowed her to sleep as the pain lessened to a dull throb. Mommo was still applying her healing balm, and the doctor swore that was why Alicia’s leg was healing so well.

  Rhea was beside herself as she listened to Alicia cry in pain. There was nothing she could do to help her. Finally Alicia drifted into a fretful sleep. Rhea lay down next to her on the cot trying to nap a bit though desperate with fear for her lover.

  “How does the leg look, Seth?”

  “Surprisingly well, August. You might want to take Alicia to Sydney to see a specialist but it doesn’t appear that she’s going to lose much more tissue.”

  “Would flying be okay for Alicia?”

  “It won’t hurt her, but moving might be a little painful. Her leg is extremely sore.”

  “We can rig up a stretcher to take her on and off the plane.”

  “That would work. You might wait a couple more days until she’s able to keep food down.”

  “I’ll do that. Thanks, Seth.”

  “No thanks needed. I’m certainly glad she’s going to be okay.”

  “I am too.” August walked Seth out.

  Rhea and Alicia slept heavily for several hours until Alicia woke up with an upset stomach and a throbbing headache.

  “Alicia, honey, can you try to drink some of this broth Mommo made for you? You need to get something in your stomach before I can give you any more pain pills.”

  “I don’t know if I can keep it down.”

  “Just try a little, please?” Rhea pleaded with her.

  “Honey, I stink.”

  “I’ll tell you what. You drink some of this broth, and then I’ll wash you up a little. You can’t get out of bed for a while, doctor’s orders.”

  “I hate going to the bathroom in a bedpan.” Alicia was getting very cranky about just about everything.

  “I know, but it won’t be for much longer.” Rhea stroked her girlfriend’s hair away from her pale face.

  “Rhea, I hate snakes.”

  “You have good reason to.”

  “I mean I really hate snakes.”

  Rhea watched Alicia carefully as she spoke. “Would you like to leave the ranch? We can go back to the United States. We can go anywhere you want.”

  “I don’t want to leave the ranch. I just want you to shoot every snake you see,” Alicia demanded, her eyes showing the first spark of energy.

  “I can do that.” Rhea almost chuckled at her girlfriend. “Now, eat so we can give you a bath.”

  “How’s Lee? I must have scared him to death.”

  “Honey, you saved his life. If the snake had bitten him he wouldn’t have survived. His body is too small to have fought off the venom.”

  “It just happened so fast.”

  “Alicia, you continually amaze me.” Rhea bent over and kissed Alicia on the mouth. “I adore you.”

  “I love you.” Alicia looked at the circles under Rhea’s eyes and understood the emotion in her voice. “A little snake can’t get rid of me. You’re stuck with me for life.”

  Rhea started to cry as looked into her lover’s eyes. “And you’re stuck with me.”

  “Have you thought about when the commitment ceremony is going to happen? August told me he was going to plan it as soon as I was up and around.”

  “I know. He has some ideas already. I thought you and I might want to keep it intimate and small.”

  “As long as it isn’t in the garden. I don’t think I want to be married where I was bitten by a snake.”

  “I can understand that. How about we talk about it later after you’ve sipped some of this broth?”

  “Rhea, I think Mommo and her elders saved me.”

  “I think they did too.”

  “I need to thank her.” Alicia looked into her girlfriend’s eyes.

  “I already did. You should see the farmyard. It’s packed with many people from her tribe all waiting to see you when you get better. There must be hundreds of people out there.”

  “You’re kidding me?” Alicia couldn’t believe it.

  “After we clean you up, Dad thought he could carry you out on to the front porch for some fresh air and let everyone see that you’re going to be okay. They won’t leave until they see you.”

  “That’s silly.” Alicia blushed with embarrassment.

  “Alici
a, they love you and want to see you with their own eyes.” Rhea touched her cheek softly. “They need to see you.”

  CHAPTER 28

  Rhea had underestimated the number of people by several hundred, as bush-men and women along with ranch hands and their families from all over the ranch milled around outside waiting to see that Alicia was going to be okay. There was no shortage of help around the farm. Many friends and neighbors pitched in while August and his family concentrated on Alicia.

  August carefully carried Alicia out to the front porch and sat her on a chaise lounge. Her eyes were wide as she scanned the crowds of people who waited for her. A rousing round of applause began as the people realized she would recover, and an overwrought Rhea cried silently as she stood next to Alicia. Even Leann was there, and she had unobtrusively helped Mommo in the kitchen and Sophia in the barn, after telling Rhea she was very glad Alicia was going to be okay. It was amazing how many people Alicia had touched in the short time she had lived there.

  Alicia was fine until Lee and his parents showed up with a huge bouquet of flowers and thanked her profusely for saving their young son’s life. Lee’s mother, Anna, was very pregnant, and she hugged Alicia in thanks and promised her that her child would be named after the woman who had saved her son, Al if it was a boy and Alicia if it was a girl.

  Alicia began to cry, completely overwhelmed and exhausted. Rhea saw the pain and emotion on her face and suggested that August take her back inside. She’d been up out of bed for about forty minutes, thirty minutes longer than she should have been. Many called out their blessings to Alicia as she sobbed against August’s shoulder while he carried her into the room. He laid her gently on the bed.

  “I can’t believe how nice all those people are,” she wept as she tried to dry her face of tears.

  “You are part of their family, lassie. They care about you and worried with the rest of us.”

  “I love you, August.” Her eyes were full of feeling and love for the generous man.

  August’s voice was rough with emotion. “Alicia, I love you and I want you to promise me that you will never scare me that much again.”

  “I promise.”

  “Good, now get some sleep. Rhea, you make sure she closes her eyes.”

  “I will, Dad.” Rhea smiled as her father patted Alicia’s arm before leaving the room. “Can you sleep for a while?”

  “I can, on one condition.” Alicia’s face was pale, and Rhea wanted her to get some much-needed sleep.

  “What is that?”

  “Will you get into bed next to me? I need you to hold me, Rhea.” Alicia’s eyes told Rhea she was close to crying again.

  “Are you sure? I don’t want to take any chances with your leg.”

  “I’m sure.”

  “Okay, but I want you to close your eyes.”

  “I will.”

  Rhea stretched out under the covers and waited for Alicia to tuck up against her. Within minutes Alicia was sleeping, and ten minutes later both women had lapsed into healing rest. Alicia’s hand was clasped in Rhea’s and held against her heart as they slept.

  “How are they?” Sophia asked, as Mommo bustled around the kitchen.

  “They’re still sound asleep.”

  “Good, it’s what they both need. Mommo, I can’t thank you enough for saving Alicia.”

  “I don’t need thanks. God saved her because she saved another life.”

  “I believe you are right.” Sophia hugged the big woman tightly. “But I still appreciate everything you did.”

  “She’s family.”

  “Yes, she is. Do you know that Leann has finished all the chores in the barn? Can you believe that a couple of months ago Alicia scared her silly shooting at her, and now that woman is helping us at the ranch.”

  “It’s because she realized that Alicia is a special woman.”

  “Yes, she is,” Sophia agreed with a smile. “We need to feed the crew outside. I have August firing up the barbeque, and I sent Ted to the walk-in for a side of beef. Do you think that will be enough?”

  “We have plenty of food. Others have brought much. No one will go without.”

  “Good.” Sophia worked side by side with Mommo. They would thank everyone who had come and set up vigil outside their home with a mammoth feast. It was the least they could do.

  That evening after everyone had been fed, many left, having waited until they knew Alicia would recover. Leann was one of the last to leave, but not until after she had spoken to August and Sophia. “Tell Alicia I’m glad she’s going to be okay.”

  “We will, Leann. Thanks for your help.”

  “No problem. I think Rhea chose very well in a partner.” Leann’s face told the real story. She wanted someone to love her as much as Rhea loved Alicia. She was lonely and envious of what Alicia and Rhea had.

  “We do too. Leann, there is someone out there for you. You just need to make sure you find the right partner.” Sophia had recognized the pain in the woman’s heart and understood her very well. She had helped generously without being asked, and Sophia had seen into her carefully guarded heart.

  Leann smiled back at the couple before responding. “I’m going to wait until Alicia recovers and then ask her to find me a partner. She must know some wonderful women.”

  August chuckled, and Sophia grinned as Leann waved before climbing into her jeep with one of her ranch hands. “Good night.”

  “Will wonders never cease,” Sophia commented to August as they turned to enter the house.

  They stopped to peek in on the two slumbering women, then walked slowly upstairs to their bedroom. Mommo poked her head in about ten-thirty to find Alicia’s eyes open and Rhea snoring quietly next to her.

  She and Alicia spoke quietly for a minute in the language of Mommo’s birth. The woman bent and placed a kiss on Alicia’s forehead before leaving.

  “What did she say?” Rhea asked, having watched the last of the exchange. She had understood only part of the conversation.

  “She told me that she knew I would save Lee’s life and that she is proud of me as a daughter of her heart. She told me she loves me, and I thanked her and told her I love her. I also asked her to give me away when I marry you.”

  Rhea smiled in the dark as she responded. “What did she say?”

  “She said she would be honored to be my mother.” Alicia’s voice began to break.

  “Isn’t that perfect?” Rhea whispered, kissing Alicia.

  Alicia buried her face against Rhea’s neck and closed her eyes. In spite of everything that had happened, she wouldn’t trade her life for anything. “I love you, Rhea.”

  “Baby, I love you so much my heart aches with it.”

  “How soon do you think it will be before we can be back in our own room? I want you to love me again.”

  “I think we can move you upstairs in a couple of days.”

  “Perfect.”

  CHAPTER 29

  It took more than a couple of days before Mommo let Alicia move back upstairs into her bedroom. Her leg was still too weak to put much weight on it, so she used crutches to move about. Three days later, August and Rhea bundled Alicia up and flew to Sydney where August had made appointments with a battery of doctors to look at her injury.

  It took two days of exams and tests before they finally had some answers. Alicia would have to undergo surgery to repair the damaged tissue from the poisonous snake venom. They wanted to schedule it right away. August, Rhea and Alicia discussed it at the hotel and then called Sophia to relay the news. Alicia was going to have surgery the following day.

  That evening, after making her decision, Alicia sat pensively looking out of the hotel room as Rhea came out of the bathroom after showering. “Baby, everything is going to be okay.”

  Alicia turned and looked up at Rhea, her face full of turbulent thoughts. “I know, honey. I just hate putting your family through all of this.”

  Rhea sighed loudly as she sat down next to her girlfriend. “Hone
y, they are your family, and you aren’t putting us through anything. There isn’t one of us who wouldn’t do this for you.”

  “I’m scared, Rhea.” Alicia’s eyes filled and her chin trembled. “You heard the doctor. He wasn’t sure how much strength I would get back in my leg. I might have difficulty walking let alone working with the horses.”

  “You’ll be fine. You’re alive, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything. I promise you, there’s nothing we can’t do together. I’ll be there every step of the way.”

  Alicia’s face was marked with tears, and she leaned into Rhea and turned her face up for a kiss. “Love me, Rhea, please just love me.”

  Rhea covered Alicia’s mouth with a searing kiss, one they both needed. She pulled away from Alicia and stood up, before gathering Alicia up in her arms. Without a word she carried her to the bed and gently placed her on the covers. With trembling hands she slowly began to remove Alicia’s clothes. Their eyes never left one another’s as Rhea gently stripped her lover. Her injured leg was still completely bandaged, and Rhea bent over and placed gentle kisses all the way up to her hip and then started on her other leg. Her fingertips traced every inch of her legs before moving to her arms.

  Rhea was in no hurry to love her girlfriend. She needed to immerse them both in passion and lovemaking that would heal them. Rhea’s tongue traced Alicia’s fingers, sucking on each one, drawing a gasp from Alicia. When her lips moved to Alicia’s breasts, it was almost too much for her and she cried out in pleasure.

  “Talk to me, Alicia. Tell me what you want,” Rhea whispered, her tongue touching her sensitive earlobe.

  “I want you. I want to feel your weight on me, your fingers inside me as we come together.”

  Rhea slowly stood up, her eyes running down the length of her girlfriend. She couldn’t help but notice how much weight Alicia had lost over the last several weeks. Rhea shed her clothes and lay down on the bed next to her. She was afraid if she placed her weight on Alicia that she would cause pain to her leg.