The Sunburnt Country

by Palmer, Fiona

  As the siren and lights faded in the distance, Dan wasn’t sure what to do or where to go. Did he follow? At least he knew Jonelle and Zac were okay, but who was in the ambulance and how bad were they?

  Dan wandered into the shed. He could see drag marks and blood splattered into the dirt. Nothing like the blood at Rick’s crash, that haunting image still flashed through his mind. From what he could tell, it looked as if the car someone had been working on had fallen off the jack. So that could only be their dad or Ted. Either scenario would have Jonelle scared out of her mind. A car falling on top of someone was drastic. Dan could only imagine what that kind of weight would do to a person. God, let them be okay.

  In a daze, he got back in his car, leaving the garage but still not able to shake the sight of the blood.

  Back in town, Dan drove straight up to the hospital. Maybe they’d gone to the Narrogin Hospital? Dan checked his watch. He needed to get back to work, but work seemed so unimportant at this moment.

  He jogged up to the hospital’s reception and saw a lady he recognised from around town. ‘Excuse me? Can you tell me if Jonelle or Zac are here?’ He couldn’t see the ambulance, but it could be around the back.

  ‘No, the ambulance has taken Charlie straight on to Narrogin and that’s all I know.’

  Charlie? Oh God, her dad. ‘Do you know how he is? Is it serious?’

  Before he had finished, she was already shaking her head, her ponytail of straight brown hair flicking over her large shoulders. ‘No, sorry, I don’t.’

  Dan wasn’t sure if she was telling the truth but he could tell he wouldn’t get any more information. Should he try ringing Jonelle?

  ‘Thanks anyway,’ said Dan, before jogging back to his car.

  He sat there for a few seconds, then pulled out his phone. Jonelle’s number went to her answering machine. Not much else he could do. Next he rang Jean.

  ‘Sorry I’m not back yet. I was just trying to find Jonelle,’ he said. He didn’t want to mention the accident just in case it hadn’t reached Jean yet. But he should have known better.

  ‘I heard about the accident. Do you know any more?’

  ‘No, just that it was Charlie.’ He could hear her sharp intake of breath.

  ‘Oh, I must rally the girls. Poor Sandra.’ Then all of a sudden, Jean remembered something. ‘Jonny. I just saw her ute go back to her workshop. If you hurry you might still catch her,’ Jean urged.

  ‘Jean, you are a legend, thanks. Look, I might be a while. Can you —’

  ‘Take all the time you need. Let me know if you find out how Charlie is. God, I hope it’s not a heart attack.’

  Dan hung up and drove straight to Jonelle’s workshop. Her ute was still out the front and Dan wondered if she was just here to collect a few things before going to the hospital.

  As he got out, he wondered what he was going to say to her and whether he should even be here. His dad would have advised against it, but what did etiquette matter? These people had changed him, and nothing mattered more in this moment than his concern for Jonelle.

  Inside the workshop, it was still and empty. He turned full circle. ‘Jonelle?’ His voice echoed through the shed and off the tin walls.

  Then his eyes fell on her door out the back. He strode towards it. Tapping on it softly, he slowly pushed it open. ‘Jonelle? You in here?’

  She didn’t reply, but she didn’t have to. He saw her sitting on the edge of her bed frozen, staring at the wall opposite.

  Dan let himself in and sat carefully on the bed so as not to scare her. ‘Jonny?’ He gently brushed a strand of hair back across her shoulder, and her gaze turned towards him. The pain he saw in her eyes was bursting to break free. ‘Hey, I know you must be freaking out, but I’m sure your dad’s gonna be fine.’ He had no bloody idea if Charlie was going to make it but he needed to reassure her in this frightened fragile state, even if only for a moment.

  Her eyes never left him, her face static even as the tears began to fall, trailing down her pale cheeks.

  ‘I thought . . . I thought the worst,’ she whispered. ‘I was so terrified.’

  Her strong hold began to crumble. It pinched deep in Dan’s chest to see her so cut up. With his thumb, he wiped away a tear. ‘It’s okay. I’m sure he’s going to be fine.’ Shit, there he went again. He prayed like mad he was right.

  Jonelle’s frozen face began to thaw as it scrunched up in agony. ‘It’s too soon after Rick. I couldn’t bear to lose Dad too.’ She sobbed openly.

  Dan pulled her into his chest, holding her close as she spilled out all her pain.

  Her arms snaked around him. Even under these sad circumstances, it was the most wonderful feeling.

  ‘Jonelle, can I help you get organised, or go with you to the hospital?’

  ‘No, there’s no rush to get to the hospital,’ she sniffed.

  Dan’s heart and breathing stopped. ‘What?’ he squeaked, thinking the worst.

  Jonelle glanced at him through her tears and touched his face, which ached from the tension. Then she smiled. ‘Oh, Dan. You look awful, even worse than me. No, Dad’s not . . .’ she struggled with those last words. ‘He’ll be okay.’

  ‘Really?’ He wasn’t sure whether or not to let himself relax. What if Jonelle was in denial?

  Just then his phone rang. ‘Zac, how are you going?’

  ‘We’ll know more when we get to the hospital in Narrogin. I saw you at home and thought I’d better call and let you know what was going on,’ he said shakily. ‘Silly bugger. Dad was trying to fix the muffler and check the brakes when the jack went on him. Luckily he had the tyre underneath the car with him . . .’ Zac was so shaken he could hardly get the words out. Dan’s mind was reeling with the possibilities of what might have happened.

  Jonelle moved off the bed and went into the bathroom. Dan lowered his voice. ‘Will he . . . ? Is he going to be okay?’

  ‘We hope so. The ambos said the tyre probably saved him from major damage, but he had his bloody hand resting on it when the car fell.’

  Dan winced. ‘Oh, Christ. So . . . ?’

  ‘So he’s a few digits short on his hand. He’s so bloody lucky. They had to cart his fingers off separately.’

  ‘Jesus.’ Dan took a few breaths to steady himself. Jonelle was still in the bathroom, so he asked Zac how she’d been. ‘Did she seem all right?’

  ‘Yeah, she was awesome. Mum called Jonny as soon as she found Dad. I was out of signal range and Ted’s off carting water. I was up the front block and heard the bloody sirens. I couldn’t do anything but hold Mum as the ambos worked on him.’

  ‘Did you get to talk to Jonelle? I can’t imagine what went through her mind, finding him like that,’ Dan probed.

  ‘Um, no. It was kinda chaotic when she got Dad out. She got the car off him all by herself. She tried to stop the bleeding until they arrived and she wasn’t game to move him just in case something had been crushed. Mum was hysterical.’ Zac paused and Dan could picture the scene in his head. Jonelle would have been so strong, just like she was at Ryan’s and Rick’s accidents, but then he remembered how she was afterwards and it brought home how fragile she could be.

  ‘Anyway, I just rang to see if you could keep an eye on her. We’ll call again when we reach the hospital and know more.’

  ‘Yeah, no worries. I’ll do that. He’ll be okay, Zac.’

  ‘I know, they breed us Baxters tough.’ With that he hung up.

  Dan sucked in a deep breath. It felt like he’d forgotten to breathe all this time and his body relished the oxygen.

  His next thought was for Jonelle. ‘You okay in there, Jonelle?’

  A moment later she walked out, her face and hairline damp as if she’d tried to wash away her tears and fears. But they were both still there in her glassy green eyes. Dan felt as if he knew her so well that he could tell when she was really hurting, even if she didn’t admit it to herself. How could I know someone so well in such a short time? he wondered.

&n
bsp; He stood and opened his arms to her. She stepped into them without hesitating. ‘Do you want me to drive you to the hospital?’

  She shook her head. ‘No, I said I’d stay here and help Ted with the farm. Monique is already gathering some clothes to run in to them this afternoon. Then I’ll go visit tomorrow. No point us all rushing to see him. I was told he lost some fingers. Mum didn’t want us all racing to the hospital when he could be going straight into surgery.’

  Dan cupped her head in his hands and ran his thumbs over her silky smooth cheeks. ‘Oh, all right. Can I help you with anything? Do you need a hand on the farm?’

  A silent tear escaped and trailed down her stunning face. He bent and kissed her forehead before squeezing her close again.

  ‘Will you lie with me?’ she mumbled into his shirt, her breath still shaky and ragged.

  ‘I can do that.’ Dan sank down on the bed, taking her in his arms. He lay on his back as she half draped herself over him. Her hair fell out of its loose knot and he ran his hands through it. It was impossible not to. The smell of sweet apples mingled with grease and he smiled. Jonelle truly was unique.

  ‘I’m so sorry you had to go through that, Jonelle,’ he whispered, before planting another long tender kiss on her head. He could feel her breathing start to settle into an even rhythm. They stayed like that for nearly ten minutes. Just lying against each other, their breathing calm and tranquil. She was warm, and her breasts were crushed against his ribs. It was starting to take some control to stop his thoughts from wandering.

  Her hand moved back and forth across his chest, making him catch his breath. She paused. He exhaled. Just as he’d relaxed he felt a finger slip between the buttons on his shirt. He flinched as her finger brushed over his skin. He couldn’t stop the tiny groan of pleasure that escaped his lips, nor could he stop the smouldering heat building in his core.

  Dan ran his hand down her back to her waist and paused at the top of her shorts, not game to go any further. Every inch of her was torturing his restless fingers.

  He pressed his face against her hair and breathed deeply just as he felt the give of a button, and then another. She brushed aside his shirt, her hand exploring his chest slowly and deliberately while her gentle breath tickled his skin. He hardened instantly. His breathing became jagged and quick. He was too scared to move or make a sound in case it broke whatever dream this was. Should he be trying to stop her?

  Lips. Her lips were on his skin, trailing moist kisses over his chest. She made her way up his neck, along his jaw and then drew back, watching him intently.

  A lot of unspoken questions passed between them before she said, ‘Life’s too short, don’t you think?’ Her blonde hair cascaded around her fine features and he brushed it back with his hand. Life was too short and if he died tomorrow or left in two weeks time without sharing this with Jonelle, he knew he’d regret it. How could he deny his heart this moment?

  He reached out to meet her kiss, tender and soft at first, but then he had to taste her. Rolling her over, he tore his lips away to catch his breath and to kiss the skin beneath her ear, then her neck and down to the soft mounds at the top of her black singlet. His fingers wrapped around the fabric before he gently pulled it up. Jonelle lifted her arms, letting him slide it over her head. His eyes feasted on her body before he touched her hot skin, trailing a finger along her flat lower belly up to her breasts. Her bra was silky and light and her hard nipples taunted him from beneath it. Lowering his mouth over one, he flicked his tongue, soaking the bra. She wriggled underneath him, arching her back but groaning for more.

  His black work pants were so tight, as if ready to rip apart around him. And then her hand went wandering, rubbing his burning fire, tormenting him and making him harder. He pressed himself against her hand, wanting more.

  When she withdrew her hand, giving him time to think, he moved his hand down to undo her cargo shorts. As the zipper slid down, he wove his hand under the material to feel her hot and wet against his fingers. She followed his lead, undoing his pants and wrapping her hand around him. He trembled on the brink. Slow, gentle movements. Torturous pleasure.

  Sitting up, Dan shrugged off his shirt while Jonelle watched him intently, her eyes travelling over every inch of his muscled torso. The desire he saw was just as powerful as her touch. She reached out and traced the muscles along his abdomen, and then smiled a wicked smile before reaching back and flicking off her bra.

  He swallowed hard as her full ripe breasts fell. She truly was a feminine beauty hidden under male work overalls. ‘Wow,’ he groaned. Jonelle blushed slightly but her sexy smile said she was happy with his reaction. Her pink buds taunted him until he gently cupped a breast, running his thumb across the nipple. He felt her body tremble under his caress.

  His lips brushed across her softness before he could no longer be apart from her mouth. Their tongues met, wet and sizzling, with the faintest taste of the salt of tears.

  In between feverish kisses, they shimmied off their pants and pressed their bodies together. Dan took his time exploring every curve of her body, from the sensitive spot on her ankle to her ticklish inner thigh. He wanted to remember every mole, every freckle and the fifty-cent-piece birthmark just above her hip. Watching her mouth move across his body was incredible, especially when she glanced up with those fervent eyes.

  ‘Do we need . . .?’ he began to ask, but she pointed to the pill packet on her bedside table. She straddled him, lowering herself slowly down his length as he cried out. Their joining was slow, deliberate and sensual. Every stroke, every shudder and every kiss was intensified and every moment had him holding on by a thread.

  Dan sat up, crushing her body against him, as Jonny wrapped her legs around his waist and built up her fire. She clenched him tightly between her thighs, while her eyes bored into his soul. She was on the brink. He picked her up, laid her back on the bed before plunging deep. Jonny gripped his back. ‘Daniel!’ she moaned as he found her lips. Clinging together they rode the wave, rocking to climax in the most powerful and intense experience he’d ever had.

  Drawing a ragged breath he tried to calm his racing heart. Jonelle was breathing just as hard as she snuggled her naked body against his. Their skin was damp with sweat and it was getting hot in her little room but there was no way he was letting her go. Not yet.

  ‘That was . . . amazing,’ she said breathlessly, then lifted her head, resting her chin on his chest as she studied him.

  ‘You’re not wrong,’ he said in wonder.

  Jonelle stayed watching him, as if in disbelief at what they’d done.

  ‘What are you thinking?’ he asked eventually.

  Her thick black lashes rested against her soft skin as she closed her eyes for a few seconds. When they opened again, he was struck again by the intensity of her eyes.

  ‘I’m thinking that I’ve never experienced anything like that.’ She pressed her lips to his neck and he felt himself stir again. ‘And that I’m glad we did this before you left.’

  Dan brushed her lips lightly. ‘Me too,’ he mumbled against them.

  Jonelle lay her head back down on his chest before she spoke. ‘Though it doesn’t change anything between us, except perhaps to make it even harder to say goodbye.’

  ‘I know,’ he murmured. But how he wished more than ever now that it wasn’t so. Maybe if he didn’t get that promotion he could take some holidays and hang around here a bit. But then, who was he kidding? He had a career in the city, he couldn’t leave all that behind for a girl. He’d probably end up resenting her when he got sick of Bundara and of having no work. And keeping the Bundara bank job full-time was not an option in his mind. He knew what he had to do. He had to chalk this moment up as one of life’s passing wonders, one on which he could reflect fondly. Come next year he’d probably have forgotten about Bundara and the sweet-natured beauty who had taken a little of his heart.

  Chapter 31

  THE smell of stale beer permeated the room. Yep, she was in
the right spot.

  ‘What can I get ya, Jonny? Beer or bourbon?’

  ‘Ah, Den, you know me so well. Best go with a beer first,’ she said with a smile.

  Jonny sat down at the bar, laid her wallet on top and leaned over to watch Dennis pour her drink. ‘So who’s the new chick?’ she whispered, after a lanky, big-breasted girl went past to serve Harold down the end of the bar.

  Den’s large gut strained against the bar as he handed over Jonny’s beer. ‘She’s a Swedish backpacker chasing a few weeks’ work and she’s experienced. How could I knock that back? You know how much extra business she’ll bring in.’

  Jonny nodded. ‘Yeah, I’ve seen her assets,’ she said, laughing.

  Den gave her a knowing wink and went to get her change.

  ‘You beat me,’ said Renae, squeezing Jonny’s arm.

  Dennis dropped her change on the counter and began pouring Renae a beer.

  ‘I love the Chrissy decorations, Dennis. Very festive,’ said Jonny, touching the tinsel tacked to the front of the bar. Behind Den’s head was a huge Christmas banner.

  ‘We can all thank Nae for those.’ He put a glass in front of Renae. She went to pay but he waved her off, then disappeared to the front bar.

  ‘Oh, the old boss can be a sweetie when he wants to be.’

  ‘So did you lose shifts to the Swede?’ When Renae looked confused she added, ‘The new barmaid?’

  ‘Nup. Den wouldn’t dare,’ she said with a laugh. ‘Hey, have you got all your Christmas shopping done yet?’

  ‘Most of it.’ Actually she had been wondering whether she should get something for Dan. His last day at work is next week after Christmas. Maybe I could combine a Christmas and farewell gift, she thought.

  The door was thrown open behind them. She turned, but knew it would be Zac. He did love to make an entrance.