Flight to Coorah Creek (14 page)

Adam quickened his steps.

‘G'day, Doc!'

The greeting came from several of the crowd at the bar when Adam entered the Birdsville pub. He greeted those he knew, but all the time his eyes were searching for one person. By the jukebox, easily identified by their white shirts and badges, several pilots were talking over glasses of what looked suspiciously like orange juice. Jess wasn't among them. Perhaps she'd gone to find her room. Adam pulled his own key out of his pocket. That wasn't such a bad idea. He was sweating after his walk. He'd have a quick shower and find Jess. Maybe they could eat together.

His room was dark, the curtains drawn against the sun. He tossed the keys onto the dresser and crossed to the window. He flung the curtains back – and was rewarded with a flood of gentle light from the setting sun. He unbuttoned his shirt and was slipping it from his shoulders as he turned, only to be frozen in the act by the sight of a golden woman, almost naked, lying on his bed.

‘What …?'

Jess was asleep. Her long legs curved graciously across the bedcovers. Her skin was gilded by the setting sun and looked as soft as satin. She was wearing a tiny tank top and a pair of white lacy briefs. Her body curved in all the right places. Her hands, so strong and competent in the cockpit of her plane, lay open on the bedcover, the fingers curved slightly as if trying to hold on to some fragile thing. Her hair framed a face softened by sleep. She looked tranquil and young and vulnerable.

And so very, very sexy.

Adam's body shook with a wave of pure sexual desire. He wanted to stretch his body beside her. To run his fingers up the golden satin of her thighs. To press his lips to the curves of her breasts. To taste the rosy lips. He hadn't felt a need this strong for years. No. He had never felt desire this strong. And to feel it now for someone so beyond his reach made him want to cry out with the pain of it.

Jess stirred sleepily, raising an arm to protect her eyes from the sunlight. Then with an intake of breath, she rose into a sitting position, her legs folding under her, her hands grasping her top to pull it downwards, in a vain attempt at modesty.

Suddenly aware of his own body, Adam pulled the shirt back on, swiftly buttoning it.

‘Adam?'

Adam knew he should avert his eyes. He would, if he had conscious control over himself. But the sight of Jess's body like this was more than any man should be expected to ignore.

‘What are you doing in my bed?'

Jess lowered her hand as her eyes became accustomed to the light. ‘Actually,' she said in a voice blurred by sleep. ‘This is my bed. You can have the other one.'

‘I don't understand.' Adam's wits had scattered to the four corners of the earth.

‘I'll explain, but first, would you mind?'

‘Mind …? Uh. Yes. Sorry.' Adam turned his back. He stared out of the window at the dry brown earth, while behind him a creaking of bed springs suggested Jess was getting off the bed to dress. Adam felt a flash of regret.

‘You can turn around now.'

Jess had pulled on a pair of blue jeans, but the image of her lovely body was seared into his brain. He wasn't likely to forget that for a while. He took a slow breath and pushed it aside. ‘What's going on?'

‘Apparently, you neglected to mention to anyone that you now have a female pilot. They have put us both in one room as they did—'

‘Last year,' Adam finished the sentence for her. ‘Jess. I am so sorry. I'll go talk to the publican and organise another room for you.'

‘I already talked to him. There is no other room. Some wit suggested you could sleep in the jail cell. I thought that was a pretty good idea, but the police sergeant says he'll probably need it.'

He hoped she was joking. ‘Don't worry, Jess. I'll find somewhere else to sleep.'

‘But there isn't anywhere.'

‘I'll find something. A spare sleeping bag in someone's tent. A bunk in a camper van—'

‘No you won't. You're here to do a job. You need a proper bed and a real bathroom and this is the only one available. We can share. After all, we're colleagues. Right? There's no reason why two colleagues shouldn't share a room?'

No reason at all, Adam thought, except for the image of Jess's body burned into his brain. ‘No,' he said, swallowing the lump in his throat. ‘None at all, if you're sure it's okay.'

‘I'm sure.'

‘But …' Adam said, ‘it might be a good idea if you refrained from lying around in a state of undress.'

Jess blushed. ‘I'm sorry about that. I decided to have a shower and … well … we were up and on the way very early this morning. I guess I just fell asleep.'

She looked so good when she blushed. This sharing a room was not going to be easy. Well, not for him at least.

‘I'll tell you what, if you're up for it, why don't you head down to the bar. I'll wash off the worst of the dust and buy you dinner.'

‘But … according to Greg the pilots and doctors eat for free,' Jess grinned mischievously, ‘so I guess you're going to have to buy me a lemonade instead.'

He'd happily buy her anything she wanted, Adam thought after she'd gone. He just hoped her afternoon nap hadn't left her too rested. He wanted her tucked up in bed early this evening, If he was going to get any rest at all tonight, there was no way he was going near their shared room until she was safely asleep –
under
the covers.

The Birdsville races always left a new layer of dust at Coorah Creek.

There were several unfamiliar cars parked in front of the pub. Of the crowds who flocked to the annual race meet, quite a few came by car. And many of those chose to break the long journey from the east coast by spending a night at places like the Creek. All of the rooms at the pub would be full tonight, and the campsite would be doing a brisk trade, too. Jack knew that Syd and Trish Warren were more than happy to take the extra income this weekend. In fact, that was why he was here … to help Syd change the kegs. Not that he'd asked. Syd didn't like to admit that he wasn't as young as he used to be. But Jack knew if he just dropped by, the older man would be pleased to accept a hand with the heavy lifting.

‘G'day Jack!' The publican walked past, a tray of drinks in hand. ‘I think there's a seat at the bar.'

There was, but only one. The crowd was mostly racegoers, but there were a few familiar faces.

‘Jack. We don't see you in here so much these days,' one of the locals greeted him.

‘That's because he's usually down at The Mineside,' another offered with a leer and a wink. ‘I guess the food down there is better.'

‘In that case, I guess you won't be wanting this steak then, Steve Doohan?' Trish Warren walked into the room, two steaming plates in her hands. ‘You can go down the road any time.'

‘Aw, Trish, I was just teasing him.' Steve looked suitably abashed

‘Teasing, eh.' Trish put the plate down in front of him. ‘If I was dating two girls at the same time, I'd be careful about doing any teasing.'

Steve ducked his head as the men around him started to laugh. There wasn't much went on in Coorah Creek that Trish Warren didn't know about.

‘You pay no attention to that lot,' she said to Jack, as she ducked behind the bar to pour him a beer. ‘They're just jealous.'

‘There's nothing to be jealous of,' Jack said, as he reached for his wallet. ‘I'm just helping out. That's all.'

‘Of course it is.' Trish patted his hand. ‘And when she's ready, Ellen will realise the reason why.'

Jack blinked. It seemed like just a few days ago that Trish was warning him to stay away from Ellen. Now she was matchmaking? There were some things he would never understand.

‘Now, speaking of helping,' Trish continued, ‘there are some kegs need lifting in the cold room. I'd appreciate it if you could give Syd a hand with them. He's pretty busy tonight.' Like her husband, Trish would never admit to advancing years, but she was the practical one and not too proud to ask for help if she thought her man needed it.

‘Sure thing.'

‘And you can put that wallet away, Jack North. Can I fix you a steak?'

‘No thanks.' Jack felt almost embarrassed as he said it. Not that Trish didn't cook a fine steak, but he was looking forward to dinner later tonight down at The Mineside. The pub didn't offer accommodation, but the town's packed campsite was just a short walk away and business would be brisk.

‘Ellen's working tonight, then,' Trish guessed. ‘That pub's likely to get a bit rowdy with the crowd from the campsite. I'll tell Syd to get those kegs done right away then, so you can get down there.'

She set off back to the kitchen.

Jack took a deep drink from his glass, his thoughts as they so often were, on Ellen. She was quite something. Considering what he suspected had happened to her in the past, she had taken control of her new life with a strength that amazed him. She'd made a home for her children. Enrolled them in school and given them a new life. The reservation he'd had about her job at The Mineside had proved unfounded. She had somehow managed to turn that place around too. That pub was more popular than it had ever been, but somehow the rough edges had been smoothed away. There were fewer fights. Some of the miners had even started bringing their wives and girlfriends to the pub. Mind you, some of them hadn't. Jack's forehead creased into a frown. Some of them wanted to appear single at the bar, so they could flirt with Ellen. Not that she ever flirted back. Well, not seriously anyway.

There were times when he still saw a flash of fear in her eyes. She hid it well, but he knew she still carried the scars of her past. She kept the men at arm's length because she wasn't ready yet. Jack had to believe that one day the fear would vanish, and when it did, he wanted to be the man waiting for her.

‘G'day, Jack.'

‘Sarge,' Jack said, as the policeman fronted up to the bar next to him. ‘Busy?'

‘Pretty much. Same as every year about this time.' Sergeant Max Delaney wasn't an outback man. He'd been raised on the coast, where the weather was kinder and the work of law enforcement a whole lot harder. He'd been assigned to the Creek four years ago and fitted right in. There was an art to policing a small town. A good outback copper knew when the law was perhaps less important than the community. There were times he had to be blind. And there were times he had to make his own rules. Max had sorted that out within a couple of months of his arrival. That wasn't to say he was ever less than a cop. He was just the right sort of cop.

‘How're things with you?' the Sarge asked in a voice so casual that Jack knew there had to be a reason.

‘Not bad.'

‘I heard you're spending a bit of time down at The Mineside.'

‘I guess I am.'

‘Well, you're not the only one. I hear the food is pretty good these days.' Max nodded his thanks to Syd who had placed his usual, a soda water, on the bar in front of him.

‘It is. You should drop by for a meal one night.'

‘I might just do that.'

‘In fact,' Jack said in an offhand manner, his eyes on the half-empty glass of beer in his hand, ‘it's likely to be a bit busy there this weekend. Maybe a bit rowdy, too. Strangers mostly… It might be worth dropping by.'

‘I was planning to keep a pretty good eye on the place,' Max said, sipping his drink. Both men sat in silence for a minute before the policeman spoke again. ‘I've had a report in from the coast. To be on the look out for some missing persons.'

‘Oh, yeah?' Jack forced his voice to remain calm and casual, despite the sudden pounding of his heart.

‘Yeah. Woman and two kids. Seems there's a question of custody. Also a suggestion of stolen money.'

Jack turned to look at the man sitting next to him. One look at the policeman's face told him everything he needed to know. The alert was about Ellen and the kids. The Sarge knew it and now so did he.

‘When she got here, there were bruises all over her arms. She was terrified. The kids too,' Jack said in a quiet voice so none of the other men at the bar could hear.

The policeman's face darkened. ‘That so?'

‘She just needs time to get on her feet,' Jack said. ‘And she's a great mother. Those kids need time with her to forget whatever happened before.'

The Sergeant didn't say anything. He took another low slow drink of his soda water. As he put the glass back on the bar he turned to look at Jack. The two men's eyes met and Jack could see the policeman was weighing up every word he'd said.

‘You know, these bulletins take a while to get to us out here,' Max said. ‘And I am pretty busy what with the races and so forth. I might get a bit behind with some of my paperwork. But at some point, I am going to have to talk to her.'

Jack nodded.

‘Right. See you later.' Calling his thanks to Syd for the drink, Max left.

The policeman's words stayed with Jack as he hefted kegs for Syd in the cold room. He didn't stay around after that. He left the noisy bar and still deep in thought, got into his car. He was planning to go The Mineside, but instead found himself driving towards the hospital where a single light was glowing through the office window.

‘I knew I'd find you here,' he said to Sister Luke, as he walked into the office.

‘Well, with Adam and Jess down at Birdsville, I thought someone should man the phones,' the nun said in her gentle voice. ‘Besides, the peace and quiet gives me a chance to catch up on paperwork.' She gestured to the piles of paper spread across the narrow metal desk.

‘Have you heard from Adam or Jess?'

‘No. I imagine they are too busy to call home.' Sister Luke folded her hands and leaned back into her chair. ‘Did you want to talk about something, Jack?'

Jack almost smiled. Sister Luke could see through anyone.

‘I was wondering, you must know about … well …' He picked up one of the many pens that littered the desk, twisting it around in his hands as he struggled to find the right words. ‘… helping women who have … you know … had a tough time.'

Sister Luke smiled a small, sad smile. ‘A little bit. I've seen it happen far too many times.'

‘Well, how does a woman get past something like that? Can she ever … well … you know… be with a man again?'

‘Oh, Jack.' Sister Luke leaned forward to remove the pen and pat his hands gently. ‘It's not easy for a woman who has been hurt to learn to trust again. But they can. It takes a lot of time … and good friends.'

‘How can I help her?' He raised his eyes to look at Sister Luke's lined face.

‘Just keep doing what you have been doing, Jack. Let her find herself again. Let her learn to like herself. Be her friend.'

Jack wanted to believe Sister Luke was right.

‘But what if … well. What if the man who hurt her is looking for her? If he went to the police and made accusations against her? The police will believe her, won't they? They wouldn't take the kids away?'

‘Jack.' Sister Luke's voice was suddenly sharp. ‘What's happened?'

‘I was just talking to Max. There's some sort of bulletin out for her as a missing person. And accusations too.'

‘Then she needs a lawyer.'

‘She can't afford a lawyer,' Jack said. ‘But I can help her with that, if she'll let me.'

Sister Luke nodded. ‘But don't expect anything, Jack. This may not end the way you want it to.'

‘I know,' Jack said, his heart nearly breaking. ‘Just as long as she is safe and happy.'

‘Will that be enough for you?'

‘It might have to be.'

Sister Luke rose from the chair and came to rest a comforting hand on his shoulder. ‘You're a good man, Jack North. Now, do you think you could do an old lady a favour and give me a lift home? It's late and I'm tired.'

The sudden weakness in her voice dragged Jack away from his own problems. ‘Of course, Sister Luke.'

He leaped to his feet and led the way to his car. As he did, he took a careful look at Sister Luke's face. This was the second time she'd wanted a lift home. Adam had mentioned he'd driven her home after the house-warming party. That was so unlike her. He'd been so caught up in his own problems, he hadn't noticed how tired she looked. He'd have to talk to Adam when he got back and make sure the Sister wasn't working too hard.

Jack dropped Sister Luke at her small house next to the town's Catholic Church. The town had no priest. A visiting priest came by once a month to hold services in the church which Sister Luke cared for. Jack made a mental note to see if he could take some of that burden off her shoulders.

Without thinking, he then turned towards The Mineside. As he approached, it was pretty clear that this pub was also sharing the fruits of the weekend's extra traffic. It looked crowded. Climbing the stairs to the front door, Jack guessed he wouldn't find his usual table waiting for him. He opened the doors and walked into the bar. His eyes immediately found Ellen, who had just emerged from the kitchen carrying two big plates of food. Her face was flushed with the kitchen's heat and her hair was a mess. She was so beautiful.

Ellen looked across the room and the smile that was his alone lit her face. Jack knew then that he could wait forever, if that's what it took.