‘Of course not,’ he blustered. ‘You think I can control the weather and the tides? I’m pretty good but I’m not some deity.’
Jaime wasn’t going to give him any quarter. ‘But you’ve got access to the internet and therefore the Bureau of Meteorology. You engineered all this to get me alone, didn’t you?’
He looked shifty. Then guilty. ‘What if I did? You can’t blame a man for trying.’
‘But I told you, I’m not interested.’
‘Yeah, well, you women are always saying you have the right to change your mind.’
She was never changing her mind about Marty. Ever.
It was 4.30 am and they were all packed and ready to go. The tide was roaring in, the boat was afloat, and Jaime couldn’t wait to get off this blasted island and never return. Even better, she’d managed to get hold of the mobile phone at around half past one.
Marty had been snoring like a Stihl chainsaw while Jaime was wide awake, staring at the dark night sky. It reminded her of the nights she’d walked home to Polly’s Plains. That place had become woven into her very soul in such a short space of time. The rolling hills, the lush plains, the graceful old mansion sitting snug on its rise high above the beautiful Rose River. She wondered how she could have ever thought the place spooky. Now it seemed to her the epitome of comfort and warmth. And home to a handsome stockman who she hoped would come to rescue her.
The phone rang out the first time.
She’d tried again. ‘Answer it, Marble Man, please answer it,’ she’d mumbled.
The phone was snatched up. She prayed it wasn’t Tiffany. ‘Hello?’ The voice was pissed off but, thankfully, male.
‘Stirling? It’s Jaime.’
Silence. Then, ‘Where the hell are you? I’ve been looking everywhere!’
‘Keep your voice down,’ she said. ‘I left a note. I’m with my mother at Balveno Island.’ Marty gave a loud snort and she dropped her voice to a whisper. ‘Look, I can’t say much, but can you come get me? I really want to come home to Polly’s Plains.’
Marty’s snort ramped up into a cough.
‘What’s that noise?’ Stirling said.
‘You really don’t want to know.’
‘What kind of trouble have you gotten yourself into this time, Princess?’
Jaime felt tears welling at the softness in his voice. She would not cry! Instead she said, ‘What makes you think I’m in trouble?’
A chuckle. She could picture him standing in the dark in his little cottage. All those muscles on naked display. She almost groaned. Stopped herself. She didn’t want to wake Marty.
‘First, it’s way past midnight. Second, you’re whispering. And third, I can hear by the wobble in your voice that you’re upset.’
Since when had he gotten to know her so well? She sighed. ‘Okay. I’ve got a bit of situation here, but it’s nothing I can’t handle.’
She peered out at the still stranded boat, the whipping whitecaps on the lake, the nearly horizontal rain, the flashes of lightning setting the heavens aglow to the east.
Stirling’s deep voice said, ‘Why do you want me to come and get you then?’
He’d have the phone nestled into the crook of his shoulder, she thought, and be dragging a carton of milk out of the fridge. Sure enough she heard the sound of a glass hitting the bench, liquid being poured and then a deep swallow. When had she gotten to know him so well?
And what could she tell him that wouldn’t sound ridiculous? ‘I just do,’ she said.
She heard him finish the milk, then rustle around like he was grabbing his hat and boots. A rattle of keys.
‘I’m on my way,’ he said. ‘Where do I meet you?’
Chapter 37
‘You want me to do what?’ she yelled at Marty. She couldn’t believe it, after everything he’d put her through.
‘I just want to tie the deer around your waist,’ he said. ‘C’mon, Jaime, I’ll wrap it all up in its hide and then my sweater too. You won’t feel it at all. Just act like you’re pregnant – we’ll say you’re two weeks overdue and we thought if we took the boat out in the choppy water it’d bring the baby on. A mate of mine told me he once did it with his wife.’
She put her hands on her hips and stared at him, debating once again how long she’d get for murder and if it’d be worth it. Hell, yeah!
‘What sort of gun is that?’ she asked.
‘It’s a .222 12-gauge combination rifle.’ Marty looked uneasy. ‘Why?’
‘I should probably know the calibre of the weapon I’m about to shoot you with.’
‘Ha!’ he said, his usual cocky self again. ‘You need to work out how to get the safety off and then aim and shoot. You wouldn’t be able to.’
‘Don’t try me, sunshine. I’m a country girl now.’
Obviously he was more scared of the rangers than he was of her, because he scooped up the deer skull and wrapped the hide around it. ‘If we get caught by the wildlife people, we’ll both be charged. You’ve got the camo gear on as well. So it’s in your best interests to help me out. I’ll just show you what I mean, okay?’
He hauled off his jumper and swaddled the bundle with it, then, giving her a wary glance, he gingerly shoved the whole package up her jumper, placing the antlers under her arms. A Driza-Bone coat appeared out of his magic backpack. She could’ve done with that last night!
‘Put this on too,’ he said.
She reluctantly shrugged herself into its oilskin folds and Marty buttoned her up, then stood back and surveyed his handiwork. ‘Perfect. You look like you’re about to drop a bundle.’
Jaime glared at him, speechless. Beyond mad. Marty seemed oblivious.
As they came within sight of the boat ramp, they saw three blokes in official-looking gear launching a big blue and white Fisheries and Wildlife boat.
Jaime could barely move with the deer and all the padding swaddled tight around her waist. She looked heavily pregnant, and felt sympathy for women who really were. It was mighty uncomfortable and extremely difficult keeping your balance when you were so front-heavy. She decided she didn’t want to find herself glaring down the barrel of motherhood for quite some time. Speaking of barrels …
‘Where’s the rifle?’ she asked Marty.
‘I buried it back on the island, while you were getting into the boat.’ He powered down the outboard. ‘Okay, hit me with it.’
She so wanted to take him literally. Instead, she started shouting at him. ‘You idiot! Of all the stupid, STUPID ideas! I can’t believe you thought this would bring the baby on!’
The boat scooted in close to the jetty and the three rangers moved towards them, shaking their heads in apparent disbelief.
‘You’re nothing but a blockhead with balls,’ Jaime yelled. ‘I can’t believe you’d do this to me! I’m freezing, wet and tired!’
The tinnie was nudging the pier and hands were reaching out to help her from the boat. ‘Ma’am, are you alright?’
Jaime saw the men glaring at Marty. Go for it, boys, give it all you’ve got, she thought.
‘Let me help you,’ said one of them, putting an arm around her waist. He had russet-coloured hair like Stirling.
The man next to him was a dark blond. ‘My wife’s just had a little girl,’ he said. ‘When are you due?’
Jaime realised she needed to ramp it up a little. She cried out like she was in pain, then sobbed and staggered a little. Okay, maybe she shouldn’t overdo it.
‘The baby was supposed to come two weeks ago,’ she told the men. ‘My partner there,’ she looked daggers at Marty, ‘decided a little boat ride would hurry things on.’
‘Idiot,’ said one.
‘Ridiculous idea in that chop,’ said another. ‘Very foolish.’
‘Where’s your car?’ said the first chap, looking around.
Jaime had a moment’s panic. What was Marty driving?
She was saved by a deep voice from behind the rangers. ‘I’ll take it from here, fellas.’
>
Stirling stood there in a rumpled emerald shirt – the one she particularly liked – jeans, workboots and hat. Jaime wanted to throw herself onto his broad chest and stay there. Forever preferably.
‘This is my … ummm … sister,’ Stirling said. ‘I’ve come to save her from that fool.’
‘Don’t worry,’ said the older of the two. ‘Jimmy’ll make sure that idiot never does it again.’
Jaime could hear snatches of the terse conversation between the third ranger and Marty. ‘Foolish … stupid … idiotic … half-witted … dark … dangerous …’
‘You best take your sister to hospital to get checked out,’ said the new father. ‘She’s very pale. That boat ride might well bring the baby on.’
Jaime prayed Stirling wouldn’t give the game away. He looked puzzled at the reference to a baby, until she turned to face him full on and he saw her big tummy. ‘Yes, I really would like to get to a hospital,’ she told him. She added a sob or two for extra drama. ‘I think the baby might be coming.’
‘You better get moving,’ said the blond man. ‘My wife was eight centimetres dilated when we got to the hospital!’ The horror in his voice suggested he’d been totally traumatised.
Stirling scratched his chin and pulled at his hat. She could see he was trying not to smile.
‘C’mon, Stirling,’ she said, stepping into his arms. She hoped none of them heard her sigh. ‘We need to go now.’
Stirling stood still for a precious moment, his breath tickling her ear as he looked down at her.
Please, let’s move, she silently pleaded.
‘Arrr … yes, well, I’ll just take my sister with me,’ he said finally. He placed a solicitous arm around Jaime’s waist, like she was a precious object, and started moving her away from the group. ‘I’ll leave that bastard in your capable hands. I don’t really care what you do with him.’
The rangers gave a laugh.
‘Not much we can do to him,’ said the blond one, ‘except send him away with his tail between his legs. He hasn’t actually done anything wrong, more’s the pity. We’ll send him along to the hospital after we’ve a few stern words.’
Jaime clutched at her belly and the two men shooed her and Stirling away. ‘Go! Go! Looks like you might be a mum before the day’s out.’
‘If I’m going to be an uncle you’d best tell me who the father is,’ said Stirling, sounding highly amused.
They were in Ryan’s LandCruiser, heading towards the main road. She was about to explain when a set of headlights loomed up behind them. Her breath caught in her throat. It must be the Fisheries and Wildlife people. Marty had spilled the beans and they were chasing her to get the evidence!
She leant forwards and peered into the rear-view mirror. They were flicking their high beams up and down. Her heart felt like it was in a vice. She was going to be charged. She was going to jail!
Then she realised it was only Marty. Of course it was. He wanted his trophy back, the bastard. Hadn’t he frightened her enough?
‘Can you pull over?’ she asked Stirling.
‘Huh?’
‘Just pull over, will you? I’ll deal with this.’ She indicated their tailgater with her thumb. ‘It won’t take a minute.’
As he pulled the car to a halt by the side of the road, she saw his grin had changed to a frown. She ignored it, got out of the car and peeled off the Driza-Bone, Marty’s jumper and the deer hide and head. She stomped over to Marty’s ute and thrust the whole package through the window, making sure it whacked him in the chest.
‘Hey! Take it easy,’ he said, red-faced. ‘You weren’t the one who got the dressing-down back there.’
Jaime let him have it with both barrels. ‘You deserved every bit of it! And a whole lot more, you raving lunatic!’ She stomped her foot for emphasis. ‘I never want to see your pig-dog face ever again.’
‘Whoa, settle down. It wasn’t that bad.’
‘I’ll give you bad, you turd!’ And she punched him square on the nose.
She stormed back to the LandCruiser, clambered into the passenger seat and stared out the front windscreen. She could see out the corner of her eye that Stirling’s face was twitching.
‘You might want to get some ice out of the Engel fridge in the back,’ he said. ‘Stop your fist swelling up.’
‘I won’t give Marty the satisfaction,’ she said with gritted teeth. Her knuckles really, really hurt. ‘Can we go now?’
Stirling started the car and they took off, leaving Marty’s ute way behind. Jaime wrapped her arms around herself. After that adrenaline rush she was feeling a bit shaky. And cold. And really, really tired.
Chapter 38
‘I’ve got a sweater in the back if you need it,’ Stirling said after they’d been driving for a while.
She realised she’d thrown her own warm top at Marty, tangled up with the coat and the deer’s bits and pieces. She would be happy never to see it again. But Stirling’s jumper? That would be wonderful. She reached into the rear seat and grabbed it, snagged it over her head and snuggled into its warmth. It smelled of him. She liked that.
‘Want to tell me about it?’ he said quietly.
Jaime sighed and sank back into the seat. ‘No. Not really.’
But then he had come to get her. She probably owed him an explanation.
It took a while. The story seemed more and more ludicrous as she recounted it. It was a measure of the man’s character that he didn’t laugh once. Well, not until she got to the let’s-wrap-you-in-a-deerskin-and-pretend-you’re-pregnant bit. Then he made a kind of half-choking sound. She cast him a sharp look. She really didn’t need Stirling McEvoy making her feel any worse than she already did.
‘We’ve got trouble,’ he said, glancing in the rear-view mirror at the police car that had just driven past them from the other direction.
‘What?’
‘It’s turning around.’
Red and blue lights flashed behind them. Stirling went to pull over, but the police car dashed past them, its occupants’ arms protruding from the passenger’s and driver’s windows and waving frantically.
‘I think they’re giving us a police escort to the hospital,’ Stirling said. ‘The Fisho guys must’ve radioed in a description of the vehicle and asked them to give us a hand.’
Jaime shrank in her seat. ‘But I’m not really pregnant.’
‘They don’t know that.’
‘I’ve lost my bump!’
‘They don’t know that either.’
‘What are we going to do?’
‘Go to the hospital, I guess.’ Stirling’s tone was philosophical. ‘We haven’t got much choice really.’
‘And then what?’
‘You’ve got exactly ten minutes to work that out, Princess.’
In the end, she had just under six. It was amazing how fast a police siren and lights cleared the early-morning traffic.
Jaime had been thinking hard. She’d scrabbled in the back seat for more of Stirling’s clothes, shoved them up the jumper she was wearing and padded them together to resemble a large belly of sorts. It was a bit squashy but she couldn’t do much about that. It would serve their purpose. Then she explained to Stirling what she needed him to do.
They pulled into the main car park of the hospital and the police car drew up beside them. Two male officers got out. Jaime noted they were both young and possibly had no child-bearing experience. Good.
‘Sir, shouldn’t you have driven up to Emergency?’ one of them said to Stirling through the driver’s window. ‘You are the couple the Fisheries people radioed us about? Your sister’s having a baby?’
‘That’s right,’ said Stirling in a back-country accent not unlike Dave’s. ‘But me sister here – her labour just stopped. Finito!’ He accentuated his words with a slicing motion across his neck.
Jaime struggled not to giggle. Her stoic, taciturn stockman had acting skills. Who’d have thought?
The policeman frowned. ‘What do you
mean? They said she was about ready to drop it … I mean, have the baby.’
Jaime leant forward over her padded tummy. ‘I was. I mean, I thought I was, but I was mistaken.’
‘Don’t you think you should go and get checked out regardless?’ This was from the other policeman.
‘Aaah, well … me sister wants to see her own doc. She don’t really trust strangers.’
‘Where’s that then?’
‘Not too far away. Lake Grace. We’ll just mosey on along there, ay. See the doc and it’ll all be great. We’ll head off right away.’
Don’t try too hard, Jaime silently pleaded. They’ll guess it’s all a fake.
Both policemen were frowning.
‘Look,’ said Jaime, ‘I’m feeling fine now. All the excitement back there on the lake just stirred things up. I’d really like to see my own doctor, thanks all the same.’
She tried to force tears to her eyes. Was surprised to find it wasn’t that hard. All three men stared uncomfortably at the droplets sliding down her cheeks.
‘Well, if you’re sure,’ said one of the cops, looking at the other for reassurance. ‘We don’t want you getting all upset and bringing things on again. Sounds like your husband already managed to do that once today.’
‘You’re positive you’re not in labour?’ asked the second, peering hard at Jaime.
She nodded vigorously. ‘Totally. No pains now. I really want to see my own doctor.’ She sniffed a few times for effect. ‘My brother here will take me.’
‘Well, okay,’ said the first cop. ‘The Fisho guys said to let you know they’ve sent your partner over here. We’ve got his rego so we’ll just hang around and let him know you’ve headed home.’
That’d be right, Jaime thought. Marty had got away scot-free.
‘You can throw the book at that bastard for all I care,’ she said with heat. ‘He deserves it!’
Both officers started to laugh. ‘Well, maybe we can help you out there,’ said the second policeman. ‘We’ve run his registration through our system and he’s got a few outstanding traffic fines. We’ll follow them up with him when he gets here.’
Rose River Page 27
