Flame Tree Hill

by Mandy Magro

  ‘It must be that magic touch you were just talking about,’ Kirsty said, her interest in the subject growing. ‘So, tell me, how does it all work?’

  Aden shoved the sun visor to the right of him, partially blocking the powerful morning sunshine that was streaming through his window. ‘The theory behind traditional Chinese medicine is that energy, or “chi”, flows through every living body. The chi is disturbed by injury, stress or disease, and this disturbance can be altered by stimulating certain anatomical points with the insertion of the acupuncture needles . . . which in turn increases the circulation. Before treatment I often administer a shot of vitamin B12, too, as it seems to increase the potency of the acupuncture and helps the effects to last longer. The results really speak for themselves. You’ll see.’

  Kirsty nodded slowly as she tried to take in all the information. ‘What do you do if a horse freaks out while you’re trying to put the needles in? I mean, does it hurt them? I hate getting needles, so I couldn’t imagine have ten or so of them hanging out of me.’

  Aden glanced at Kirsty and smiled. ‘Acupuncture needles are nothing like the needles you get when you’re having a shot for tetanus or chickenpox. They’re really thin, and in my opinion they don’t hurt a bit going in. In severe cases I can sedate a horse if I have to, but to be honest, it’s never been necessary. All horses tolerate the needles fairly well. Acupuncture actually causes the body to release endorphins, so I find the horses relax quite deeply during the thirty or so minutes I’m working with them. It’s really cool to watch.’

  ‘I’m impressed. You certainly know your stuff. I think I’ll have to give acupuncture a go myself one of these days. I could use some harmonising effects on my body.’

  Aden chuckled. ‘I reckon everyone could benefit from acupuncture. From headaches, anxiety, backache to period pain, it’ll fix you. Wish I’d know about it earlier – I would’ve recommended it to my sisters.’ The smile faded from Aden’s face at the mention of his sisters. No doubt he was reminded of Bec, as was Kirsty. A silence fell in the Cruiser. Aden broke it.

  ‘I miss her so much.’

  ‘I know, Aden. So do I. I miss them all. I’m so sorry about what happened to Bec.’

  ‘Please don’t be sorry, K – you’ve got nothing to be sorry for,’ said Aden.

  Kirsty pulled a tissue from her bag and wiped at her eyes. ‘I just wish I could believe that.’ She took a deep breath to compose herself. ‘So, where are we heading today?’

  ‘Over to Harry and Mary Mallard’s place, Diamond Racing Stables. Harry needs me to work on a few of his thoroughbreds that are set to race next month in Sydney. He’s a big fan of acupuncture because it’s drug- and chemical-free. There’s no need to worry about anything showing up in blood tests, and it doesn’t affect the animals’ health in any adverse ways. I’ve been working with his racehorses over the last few months and Harry’s been amazed at the improvement of the horses’ wellbeing and performance. He reckons he might even win the Melbourne Cup this year. Time will tell.’

  ‘Wow! Grumpy old Harry Mallard. He must think you’re the bee’s knees. He doesn’t let just anyone near his prized thoroughbreds. I remember him chasing me away with a broom at the racecourse in town one day because he thought I was trying to make friends with his beloved racehorses. But I was there to clean up all the crap his horses dropped for a little pocket money in the school holidays. I was that scared of him I refused to go back to work and then he had to clean it all up himself. At least Mary is cheerful and kind-hearted.’

  Aden pulled up at the servo, laughing. ‘Yep, Mary is lovely. But Harry, well, he can be a cranky old coot when he wants to be. But I respect him because he respects his animals. Let’s hope there’s no repeat of the broom incident today. I’m just going to run in and grab a can of Red Bull. Do you want anything?’

  Kirsty looked at her watch. ‘God, you’re drinking Red Bull this early in the morning, Aden? I’d love a vanilla malted milk, please, if you don’t mind. Oh, and a Snickers for later.’ She leant down to grab her wallet off the floor. ‘Here, let me grab you some cash.’

  ‘My shout, back in a tick!’ Aden said, jumping from the Land Cruiser and shutting the door before she even had time to argue with him.

  Kirsty watched him saunter away. Aden looked so good in his jeans, he always had. He walked tall and proud, a rough-around-the-edges persona emanating from his every pore. Without thinking, she found her eyes travelling down the length of his back and halting on the full curve of his butt – it was utterly divine in his jeans. Her captivation was only broken when the servo’s door slid shut behind him.

  ‘Well, well, if it isn’t Kirsty Mitchell.’ Harry’s deep voice rumbled like thunder as he held out a weather-beaten hand to her. The strong smell of pipe tobacco wafted in the air and the hint of a smile pulled at the corners of his leathery lips. ‘I haven’t seen you for years, girl. Where’ve you been hiding?’

  Away from you and your broom, Kirsty thought. She smiled broadly as she shook his hand, wincing slightly at his vice-like grip. ‘I’ve been overseas for the past three years, doing a bit of travelling. I lived in the UK for some of the time.’

  He gave a few short clucks with his tongue, a frown creasing his already wrinkled face. ‘Too many of you youngsters go overseas to holiday when we have the best places to travel right here in Australia. That’s what’s wrong with our bloody economy. You’re not keeping your cash where it should be – in Aussies’ pockets.’ He pulled his hat down further on his head and directed his steely gaze at Aden. ‘Come now, you’ve got work to do. I’ve got the horses ready to go in the stables. I just have to duck home and make a few phone calls but you know the way, lad.’

  Aden heaved his heavy veterinary case from the tray of the Land Cruiser. ‘No worries. Kirsty’s here to give me a hand today. I’ll come over and let you know once we’re finished, Harry.’

  Harry turned to Kirsty, his eyes almost burning a hole right through her skull. She couldn’t help but take a small step backwards. ‘Just make sure she knows what she’s doing.’

  Aden briskly nodded his head. ‘Don’t you worry. She’s trained by the best, Harry.’

  Harry let a small snort escape as he nodded his head. ‘That’s what I like to hear.’

  ‘Say hi to Mary for me,’ Kirsty said as she watched Harry turn on his heel and hobble towards the homestead, the distinct limp in his right leg caused by an accident he’d had as a young jockey. Mary Mallard had been head of the tuckshop at the local high school for years, and had been like a granny to Kirsty and lots of her schoolmates.

  He gave a quick wave of his hand as he continued walking, motioning for her to follow him. ‘Why don’t you come say hello yourself? Mary would enjoy that. Always had a soft spot for you, she has.’

  ‘Uh, sure, I’d love to. If Aden can spare me for a few moments.’ Kirsty turned to Aden, her voice a low whisper. ‘Trained by the best, hey?’

  Aden grinned playfully. ‘Well, I had to say something.’

  ‘I’ll be back in ten. Is that okay? I just want to say a quick hello.’

  ‘Sure, no probs. It’ll take me about that long to set up.’

  Kirsty half jogged after Harry, catching up to him just as he rounded the stables and the Federation-style homestead came into view.

  Harry gestured for her to go up the stairs. ‘I’m going around the back to the office. Just give a few raps on the door. Mary won’t be far.’

  ‘Thanks, Harry. Catch you later.’

  After a few knocks, Kirsty could hear footsteps coming towards the door and she readied herself for one of Mary’s wholesome hugs. The door swung open and Mary appeared, her mass of purple-grey curls styled to perfection as always, her heart-shaped face lighting up as she swept Kirsty into her arms. ‘Oh, love! It’s so good to see you after all this time. My word, you’re all grown up, too.’

  Kirsty squeezed her back, the frailness of Mary startling her, her dear old friend not as plump and rosy-cheeked
as she used to be. Were her seventy-odd years starting to take their toll? ‘And it’s lovely to see you too, Mary. It feels like it’s been forever.’

  The women pulled apart, both smiling broadly, Mary’s lack of height causing her to look upwards at Kirsty, her grey-green eyes prominent against her sun-freckled skin.

  ‘Come in for a coffee, dear,’ said Mary. ‘It’d be wonderful to catch up. I’d love to hear about your years overseas. Your mum has been filling me in on your adventures whenever I run into her in town.’

  ‘Sorry, Mary. I can’t today. I’m here with Aden, the vet, helping him work on the horses. But I’ll come back another day, promise.’

  ‘That would be nice. I hope you enjoyed yourself, dear, travelling the globe. I would have loved to have done that myself . . . just never got the chance,’ Mary said wistfully, dabbing at her brow with a handkerchief, her face pale.

  ‘Oh, I had a wonderful time. I’ll tell you all about it when we have time to sit down and chat.’ Kirsty couldn’t help but notice how exhausted Mary looked. She had aged tremendously in the past few years. It was part of life, growing old, but it was still sad to see. Mary had always been so full of energy. ‘All right then, I’d better get back to it.’ She gave Mary a kiss on the cheek. ‘See you soon.’

  ‘Yes, dear. Say hi to your mum and dad for me – oh, and Robbie too.’

  ‘I will, Mary. Take care. See you again soon.’

  Aden slowly ran his hands over the jet-black stallion, talking gently, placing pressure in certain points on the horse’s neck and back to gauge its reaction, checking to see if there were any points where the horse was in pain from its strenuous training regime. The horse whinnied gently then bent to nibble at his shirt collar. Aden chuckled and gave the horse a scratch behind the ears. ‘You’re in pretty good shape this week, buddy – just a bit sore in the back, by the feel of it. I’ll have you feeling like a million bucks in about half an hour.’ He looked over to where Kirsty was casually leaning against the timber railing. Her beauty took his breath away. The sun was sending golden shafts streaming through the stable doors, illuminating her blonde hair, her blue eyes sparkling as she watched him work. He quickly steered his train of thought back to the job at hand, his gaze lingering momentarily on her lips as a wave of regret washed over him. He should’ve kissed her when he’d had the chance. Too bloody late now. ‘I’ll get you to pass me the acupuncture needles, K, if you don’t mind.’

  Kirsty beamed. ‘I’d love to.’ She hurried over and squatted down beside Aden, who was rummaging through his case. ‘What were you doing just then? It looked to me as though you were just giving the horse a bit of a rub-down.’

  Aden pulled out a box of acupuncture needles and opened the top for Kirsty, passing the pack to her. ‘I was applying pressure to different points and feeling for differences in the tissue quality. Things like firmness, yielding to my pressure, tightening up under pressure, warmth, cold . . . all those sorts of things. We basically follow the meridian lines but I also like to trust the reactions of the horse I’m working on. It’s a very simple yet very precise technique that allows me to work out where those little babies need to go.’ He pointed to the box in Kirsty’s hand.

  Kirsty raised her eyebrows. ‘Intricate stuff, this acupuncture.’

  Aden squirted some strong-smelling antiseptic into his hands and rubbed them together vigorously, smiling at Kirsty as he motioned at the bottle for her to do the same. ‘Raised eyebrows – good, that’s what I want to see. I only ever get two reactions when I explain acupuncture to people. The one you just had or the opposite, when they lower their eyebrows in disbelief, like they’re scowling at me. I’m happy yours was the former.’

  Twenty minutes later, the horse looked as if it had just been given a shot of Valium. It had dropped its head onto the timber railing and was resting the left side of its rump up against the stable wall, its bottom lip quivering gently.

  ‘He looks drunk, Aden. What have you done to him?’ Kirsty asked, giggling as she opened the thermos of tea she’d brought along, a puff of steam erupting from the opening as she carefully filled two pannikins.

  Aden looked up from where he was crouched on the stable floor, inspecting the horse’s legs. ‘Told you. Great, isn’t it?’

  ‘Bloody oath it is! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a thoroughbred so relaxed. They’re normally twitching with anticipation. I really have to try this out for myself one day.’ Kirsty unwrapped two pieces of chocolate cake from the lunchbox, licking the rich chocolate icing from her fingertips as she did so. She passed Aden his share and sat down on the floor of the stable, leaning her back against the railing. ‘So what’s next on the agenda, boss?’

  Aden took a gulp of tea. ‘Only another four horses to go for acupuncture and then we have to check out a pregnant mare. I think she’s going to give birth any day now.’

  ‘Fantastic. I’m really enjoying this. I might have to apply to be your assistant,’ Kirsty said jokingly.

  Aden shuffled closer to Kirsty and threw his arm over her shoulder, giving her a quick peck on the cheek. ‘I’d have you as my assistant any day, Miss Mitchell. You’re very helpful and good-looking, too!’

  Kirsty went to reply but her breath caught in her throat. Aden’s friendly kiss had left a lusciously hot spot on her skin. His eyes met hers, his gaze lingering, their faces so close their warm breath mingled. Aden’s cheeky smile faded, replaced by an intense look that sent Kirsty’s pulse into overdrive. He reached out slowly and traced the outline of her face, his fingertips feathering over her lips. He smiled softly, the dimples in his cheeks creasing. Kirsty’s control snapped and she gave in to her desire, running her hands up his chest and wrapping her arms around his broad shoulders. Aden responded and threw his arms around her. She fell into his kiss, savouring his scent. At first the kiss was soft and sensuous, as he caressed her tongue with his own, but it quickly turned passionate as the heat between them transformed into a raging inferno.

  Aden reluctantly pulled away, his breath fast and heavy as he looked deeply into Kirsty’s eyes. ‘I’ve been waiting to do that for a very, very long time.’

  Kirsty just stared at him, her head swimming with questions. None of them seemed to find a way out of her lips.

  Aden studied her expression. ‘I hope you’re okay with me kissing you? I mean, it seemed to me like you were okay with it.’ He grinned. ‘I’m so sorry if I was out of line . . .’

  Kirsty looked over at the stallion briefly, then down at the floor, then back at Aden in a bid to prevent her nerves from stealing her ability to speak. This was it. She had to decide. Was she going to push away the man she had wanted all her life? Or was she going to jump in feet first and see where she landed? She wanted his love, wanted to love him. If she rejected him now she would never get a second chance. She touched his arm tentatively. ‘I’m just a little taken back, that’s all. I mean, I thought you saw me more like family, considering you and Robbie are like brothers.’

  Aden held her eyes. ‘I’ve never seen you as family, K. Far from it. I’ve had a thing for you for as long as I can remember.’

  Kirsty gasped, covering her mouth in surprise. Reality seemed to vanish around her as the impact of his words left her breathless, all her promises to herself to steer clear of Aden evaporating in an instant. ‘My God! Why have you waited until now to tell me?’

  Aden grinned sheepishly. ‘Robbie warned me years ago that he would rip my head off and shove it up my arse if I ever touched you. I knew he was serious; he’s very protective of you, K. Then, well . . . Bec died and I felt the need to get away from here, like you did. Our lives went in different directions for a little while, but here we are. Things are a bit different now and I don’t think Robbie would rip my head off these days. Kind of fluky, don’t you think – for both of us to arrive back here at the same time? I reckon the universe is trying to tell us something.’

  ‘I like the way you think, Aden.’ Kirsty leant in and kissed him hard on th
e lips then, pulling back, she placed her hand on his cheek. ‘I’m glad you kissed me. I’ve wanted you to do that since I was a teenager.’

  Aden took her by the hand and tenderly kissed it, his voice husky. ‘It makes me so happy to hear it. Now come on, my gorgeous assistant; as Harry said, we’ve got work to do.’

  Chapter 10

  KIRSTY re-read the faded Murphy’s Law poster that was tacked to the ceiling, trying to distract herself as she lay on her back in the doctor’s surgery. It was just a regular procedure, one that all women had to go through, but Kirsty wasn’t a fan of going to the doctor’s at the best of times. She closed her eyes and let her thoughts wander back to the night before. It had been strange returning home with Aden, their relationship at a whole new level after the heart-stopping, mind-blowing kiss in the stables. The past receded further from her mind – yet she couldn’t shake that bedrock of guilt from her consciousness. But what good would dredging up the past do now? Even thinking about it made her feel nauseous.

  Kirsty and Aden had agreed to keep their burgeoning romance quiet for now, just until they knew where they were heading – if they were heading anywhere. They didn’t want everyone knowing their business until they had got their own heads around the fact they were together. It all felt surreal, for both of them. She admired the fact that Aden had kissed her goodnight and headed off to his own bed, a look of longing in his beautiful brown eyes. She certainly wasn’t ready to tear her clothes off for him – yet. She told Aden she wanted to take it slowly, really slowly, and he’d agreed, respecting her decision, making her care for him all the more.