Englishman at Dingo Creek

by Lucy Clark

  Sebastian glanced around them. They were literally in the middle of nowhere and the isolation was evident. How did people survive out here? Thanks to people like Dannyella, came his answer. He cleaned up Smitty’s face and once the majority of blood was removed, it didn’t look so bad.

  Danny was taking Smitty’s blood pressure. ‘One-twenty over seventy. Good. Means he hasn’t lost too much blood, but we need to make sure he doesn’t dehydrate out here.’ She swatted at a fly and looked overhead, glad there was at least some shade from the surrounding trees. Sebastian put a dressing on Smitty’s nose, calling out to him but once again receiving no response.

  ‘How ya doin’, mate?’ she asked the other jackaroo whose head was dutifully shoved between his knees.

  ‘Feeling better.’ He raised his head slowly. ‘Just felt a bit queasy there for a minute.’

  ‘Do you know where the galah is? The one that hit Smitty in the face?’

  ‘Yeah.’ He pointed. ‘It’s over there.’

  ‘Dead?’

  ‘Yeah.’

  ‘Right. Just wanted to check in case it needed help, too. Smitty?’ Danny tapped lightly on her patient’s cheek. ‘Come on, mate. Wake up.’

  Smitty groaned.

  ‘That’s it,’ she encouraged. ‘Smitty, it’s Danny. Come on, mate. Wake up.’

  ‘Wh-what…? Ow.’ Smitty’s eyes had fluttered open momentarily before he screwed them up in pain.

  ‘Feeling a bit sore?’ Danny fixed an injection of morphine. ‘Here’s something to help you with the pain, mate.’

  Once the analgesic had started to take effect, Smitty carefully opened his eyes and glanced over at his mate. ‘I didn’t lose either ’cause after this, I need that beer on Friday.’

  Danny laughed, glad to see there wasn’t anything wrong with his rational thought process. ‘Nah, you didn’t lose, mate, but as far as that beer goes, you might need to wait a bit longer because you’re going to Katherine hospital for observation.’

  ‘Oh, fair dinkum,’ Smitty whimpered. ‘Do I have to, Doc?’

  ‘Yes, mate. You do.’

  He grunted with grudging acceptance. ‘OK, Doc.’

  ‘So how’s the headache,’ Danny asked when they were ten minutes out of Dingo Creek. They had shared the driving today, which had helped her enormously, especially as they’d been delayed with the emergency.

  ‘Slowly subsiding.’ He sat up straighter in the seat and raked his hands through his hair a few times. ‘I’d give my right arm for a shower.’

  ‘That can be arranged.’

  ‘Do you ever get used to the dust?’

  She laughed. ‘I guess resigned acceptance is how I’d term it. So, straight to the pub for a cold one?’

  ‘Shower or beer?’

  ‘Beer! Always beer first out here, mate.’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘Keep up with the programme.’

  ‘I’m doing my best.’ He rested his head back again. ‘It’s going to be a beautiful night.’

  Danny nodded, peering out at the lovely reddish orange sky. ‘Red sky at night, shepherd’s delight.’

  ‘Red sky in the morning…’

  ‘Shepherd’s warning,’ they both finished in unison, and then laughed.

  ‘It has been a nice few days,’ she told him.

  ‘Yes, it has.’

  ‘Do you think coming out with me has helped give you a different perspective for your academic paper?’

  ‘Most definitely. I’m not sure where last night fits into it but I’m sure I’ll find somewhere.’

  Danny frowned, racking her brains to try and figure out what had happened last night. No call-outs. No emergencies. Then her cheeks suffused with colour as she realised what he was referring to. Their kiss!

  ‘Oh, that. Yes, well it was…interesting. Has thrown a bit of a spanner in the works, but I’m sure we’ll work through it.’

  ‘I don’t know if we will.’ He raked his hands through his hair again and looked out of the window. Danny gripped the wheel tighter. What on earth did he mean by that? Was he regretting it? Did he want to forget it ever happened? His behaviour today didn’t indicate anything like that, but perhaps he’d had time to think things over rationally and now regretted everything.

  She’d never been one to beat about the bush so she took a deep breath and said, ‘What’s that supposed to mean?’

  He turned and looked at her, raking his hand through his hair yet again. ‘It means I don’t know if we’ll get through this.’

  ‘Through what exactly?’ She glanced across at him.

  ‘The attraction I feel for you. It’s almost to the stage of being overwhelming, yet what can we really do about it? I have to return to England at the end of next week. I have work to complete, a practice to run and several…problems awaiting my attention.’

  Danny kept quiet, knowing everything he said made sense but not wanting him to say it, to voice it out loud.

  ‘We both have obligations, Dannyella. Not only to our patients and our work but to ourselves. Yes, I’m attracted to you but, given the circumstances, perhaps it’s best if we just leave things as they are now.’

  ‘Where are they now?’ she implored. ‘I feel as though…I don’t know…like I’m in limbo, or something. I really enjoy working alongside you and professionally I hold you in the highest esteem, but personally…’ She broke off and glanced at him. His hair was sticking up on end, completely mussed, and he was raking his hands through it again. Although he looked utterly adorable, Danny frowned.

  ‘Personally?’ He prompted.

  ‘Is your head itchy?’ she asked, slowing down as they neared the buildings of Dingo Creek.

  ‘Yes, but I think my hair isn’t used to having this much dirt through it.’ Danny nodded and brought her vehicle to a stop outside her place. ‘What’s this?’ He looked out at the old mud-brick building before him.

  ‘My place. Out you get.’

  ‘What?’ He climbed out and stepped up onto the footpath. ‘I thought we were going to the pub?’

  ‘We will—but maybe later.’ She grabbed his hand and tugged him along. She opened the front door and went in.

  ‘You don’t lock it?’ He seemed surprised. Danny kept tugging him through her house.

  ‘Why would I? The only people who are in town constantly are Maisy and her kitchen hand. I lock the surgery, though. Tight as a drum, especially the drugs.’

  ‘Glad to hear it. Dannyella, what are you doing?’

  She dragged him into the bathroom. ‘Sit on the edge of the bath,’ she instructed as she switched on the overhead light.

  ‘Dannyella, I don’t—’

  With one hand firmly on his chest, the other on his shoulder, she urged him down. ‘Be quiet.’

  Sebastian’s frown only increased when she took a step between his parted thighs and brought his head close to her breasts. Her fingers plunged into his hair but he was completely lost. He closed his eyes. Even though she’d been out in the heat all day long, she still managed to smell feminine. It was her natural smell, pheromones, he corrected and he was wildly attracted to them.

  The way her fingers kept plunging into his hair made him relax and he reached out, resting his hands on her denim clad hips—for support. He’d look fairly ridiculous if he fell off the edge of the bathtub because his mind was incapable of maintaining his balance, but this woman was constantly knocking him off balance.

  The feel of her beneath his hands was wonderful. His hands edged lower, travelling over her hips and down her thighs. Even beneath the denim, they felt so good. He brought his hands up again, to her waist, sliding onto the smooth Lycra of her swimming costume, the same costume which had been hugging her delicious curves all day long.

  He exhaled harshly, knowing he should put a stop to this but unsure where he’d find the strength. He was attracted to this woman in a way he’d never been attracted to anyone before. Her freshness, her forthright honesty, her teasing smile…everything abou
t her captivated him.

  He slid his hands around to her back, urging her closer.

  ‘Mac. Hold still.’

  ‘Hmm?’

  ‘I said, hold still.’

  ‘Why?’ He shook her hands free of his head and, opening his eyes, gazed up at her.

  She saw the desire in his eyes and immediately the fire she’d been trying to put out earlier blazed to life within her. It should be illegal to look at a woman that way and the touch of his hands at her back made her realise he’d been on a completely different plane for the past few minutes.

  ‘You are incredible, Dannyella Thompson.’ One hand left her back to momentarily scratch his scalp before he reached up to her. She edged back, clasping his wrist firmly in hers.

  ‘Thank you, for saying that but, um…don’t touch my hair at the moment.’

  ‘Why?’ The dazed look started to clear from his eyes.

  ‘Because you have nits.’

  ‘What?’

  The look was definitely gone now, replaced with one of disbelief and disgust.

  ‘You have head lice.’

  CHAPTER SIX

  ‘I HAVE what?’ Sebastian thundered, standing up.

  Danny stumbled backwards but caught herself on the towel rail. ‘Nits.’ She laughed when he stepped up to the mirror and started parting his hair, looking at it closely. ‘You can’t see them like that, you drongo.’

  ‘Nits! No. You must be wrong.’

  ‘You’ve been scratching your head ever since we left Jess’s farm.’ She went through her bathroom cupboard. ‘Don’t stress about it, Mac. I probably have them, too. I’ll need you to have a look for me, though.’ She pulled out three different bottles of specifically medicated shampoo and a nit comb.

  He picked up a bottle. ‘You keep this stuff in your bathroom cupboard?’

  ‘Sure.’

  ‘How often do you get head lice?’

  She shrugged. ‘Usually every time there’s an outbreak. The little critters just love the hot weather.’

  ‘Critters? Dannyella, they’re parasites!’

  ‘I take it you’ve never had nits before,’ she stated, before walking out of the room. She came back a few seconds later carrying a big fluffy towel. ‘Here you go. I think it might be better for your blood pressure if you go first in the shower.’ She picked up a bottle of shampoo and handed it to him. ‘You need to wet your hair and then, because of our water restrictions, turn the taps off and leave the shampoo on for—’

  ‘I can read the directions myself, Dannyella.’ He snatched the bottle from her.

  She placed her hand on the doorhandle and looked at him, a teasing glint in her eyes. ‘You know, you look kind of cute standing there, scratching your head. Makes you more…’ She shrugged, searching for the right word. ‘Vulnerable.’

  He wasn’t quite sure whether that was a good thing or not but decided not to pursue it. Now was definitely not the time. ‘Why aren’t you scratching?’

  ‘I’m used to having things in my hair. Dirt, insects. I once had this spider that got tangled up—’

  ‘Please.’ He held up his hand. ‘Spare me the details.’ He looked around her bathroom. ‘I’m going to need a change of clothes. Perhaps I should just stop by the pub and—’

  ‘You can’t go in there with head lice, Mac. That’s why I brought you here. I’ll call Maisy and get your bag brought here. That way, once you’re “clean”, you can choose yourself some new clothes.’

  ‘And then?’

  ‘And then the combing of the nits will begin. I’ll do you and then you can do me.’ Her eyes widened as she finished speaking. ‘Uh…what I mean is that I—’

  He smiled wearily. ‘I know what you meant, Dannyella. It’s all right.’ He looked down at the shampoo bottle in his hand. ‘Won’t…er…having my port brought here cause tongues to wag?’

  ‘Port?’

  ‘Sorry. Forgot I had to speak Australian. My bag.’

  ‘Oh.’ She nodded. ‘Uh…well, sure it will cause tongues to wag but, hey, I think we’ve done a good job of getting them wagging during the past few days—why not put the icing on the cake?’

  ‘What have we done?’ He took a step towards her which was purely predatory.

  ‘Sebastian.’ She put up her hand to stop him but he kept on moving, forcing her hand to rest against his chest.

  ‘What?’

  ‘You have nits.’

  ‘So do you and if you don’t, you might be about to get a dose.’ Sebastian curled his arm around her waist, bringing their bodies into intimate contact. ‘So what is it we’re supposed to have done?’ His tone was a seductive whisper and it washed over her like a fine shower of rain. One which made her shiver and break out in goose-bumps. She opened her mouth to respond to his question but no words came out. She closed it again in case she looked like a fish. ‘I see,’ he murmured as he dipped his head and nibbled at her neck.

  Danny closed her eyes. It was sweet torture. She brought her other hand to rest on his biceps, gently caressing the flesh underneath. Angling her neck to the side to grant him more access, she whispered his name. ‘Sebastian.’

  ‘Call me Mac,’ he replied.

  She frowned and pulled away slightly. ‘But I thought you didn’t like it.’

  ‘I never said that.’ He gazed down into her eyes. ‘You told me a nickname was a sign of affection, an endearment.’ He bent to nuzzle her neck again. ‘I like the way you say my nickname. It rolls off your tongue onto your lips, which only makes me want to kiss you even more.’

  Dannyella closed her eyes, enjoying the sensation as her mind grew increasingly fuzzy. She shouldn’t be doing this but she couldn’t for the life of her remember why. Whatever the reason, it was one which would stop the slow, sweet torture he was inflicting upon her, and right at the moment she wasn’t sure she wanted that.

  His kisses eventually made it to the corner of her mouth and she turned her head, unable to wait any longer for him. Hungrily their mouths fused together, both of them driven by the desperate need to be as close as they possibly could.

  Everything was blocked from Danny’s senses except Sebastian. A cyclone could have hit and she would neither have heard nor felt it. All she knew was him. All she wanted to know was him. Her fingers allowed themselves the luxury of touching him as she slid her arms up and around his neck.

  She wanted him. There was no denying it. Even the faint smell of sweat and wholesome dirt was like an aphrodisiac to her. How could a man she knew so little about drive her absolutely insane with longing?

  All of a sudden he leapt from the embrace and started scratching furiously at his head. ‘Aagh. Sorry, Dannyella, but I couldn’t take it any more. These things are driving me insane.’

  She gave a short laugh and shook her head. ‘Funny. I was just thinking the same thing about you.’

  He looked instantly contrite at her words. ‘Really, I’m very sorry. I know it was a perfectly wonderful romantic moment and, trust me, I would continue if I could but, Dannyella, these things are horrible.’

  ‘Have your shower.’ She smiled and closed the door.

  ‘Are you all right?’

  ‘Fine,’ she called, and walked away. ‘It’s not fine,’ she grumbled to herself. ‘Not fine at all. Why do I have to find a man who is so cute and right and perfect and he lives half a world away? Besides, who’d want to live out here?’ She picked up the phone and first contacted Jess to let her know of the nit outbreak. Then she called Katherine hospital to let them know as well. The RFDS were next on her list and finally she called Maisy at the pub and quickly explained the situation.

  ‘It isn’t gonna be easy, gettin’ his things outta here at this time of night, lovey.’

  ‘I know, Maise. Don’t stress about it. No doubt Beth’s already been on the blower, telling everyone she caught us kissing.’

  ‘That she has, lovey.’ There was a brief pause. ‘So what’s he like?’

  Danny couldn’t help smiling. ‘A
s you would expect…brilliant.’

  ‘A brilliant Brit. Well, well. And now he has nits.’ Maisy chuckled. ‘A brilliant Brit with nits. Poor Sebastian. How does he feel ’bout that, then?’

  Danny allowed herself a little chuckle. ‘Whaddaya reckon? He had a bit of a wobbly but it’s not too bad.’

  The other woman laughed. ‘Well, make the most of it, lovey, and I’ll get his stuff to ya right now. I’ll get Bob to drop it off.’

  ‘Beauty. Thanks, Maisy.’

  ‘No worries, love.’

  After hanging up the phone, Danny wandered away from the bathroom. There was no way she could be near it. Just to hear the water running would cause an outbreak of goose-bumps and a complete riot in her imagination. She headed for the laundry and the small twin tub, sighing as she thought about the washing she’d have to do. At least it wouldn’t take long to dry—like a whole five minutes, although maybe at this time of night it might take ten.

  She walked through to the kitchen and saw a note on the refrigerator door from her father, saying he’d be helping out at a farm for the next two weeks but that he’d see her around. At a knock at the front door, she headed in that direction.

  ‘G’day, Bob. Come on in.’ She held the flyscreen door open for him. He walked in with a big grin on his face.

  ‘How’s it goin’, Doc?’

  She knew that grin. It would be identical to the one every other person in town would be wearing for quite some time until they found something else to stir about. Sighing, she nodded. ‘Not bad, Bob.’

  Bob put the suitcase down and gave her a friendly nudge. ‘So, you and the Brit, eh?’ He waggled his eyebrows up and down suggestively.

  She frowned. ‘Me and the Brit, what?’

  ‘You know. Gettin’ it together.’

  ‘Yes, that’s right. We both got nits together.’ She looked at him as though he were logically impaired. ‘Just as well your hair is real short, Bob, or you’d be in danger of getting them, too. I guess having a number-one comb crew cut isn’t such a bad idea after all.’

  Bob frowned and she could tell he was trying to figure out another roundabout way of finding out what had happened between herself and Sebastian. In the next instant the door to the bathroom opened, and from where she was standing, in the front hallway with Bob, they both had a clear view of ‘the Brit with nits’.