by Lucy Clark
His chest pressed against her back, bringing warmth, bringing tingles and bringing far too much awareness. Rayne’s throat went dry, her breathing became shallow and she parted her lips, unsure what was going to happen next.
CHAPTER FOUR
WHAT was this sensation?
Henry found himself unable to move, unable to think clearly and rationally as he stood there with his arms on either side of Rayne, her back pressing electrifying warmth against his chest. Neither of them moved for a moment and he heard her breathing increase before belatedly realising his own had done the same.
He was attracted to her. How could any man not be? She was incredibly beautiful, incredibly smart and incredibly funny. What he hadn’t planned had been to do anything about it. His life had changed. He’d accepted that years ago when Natalia had slipped into a coma, taking away his hopes and dreams, and he’d spent the past couple of years letting go.
Now, though, standing here, feeling those dormant emotions come zinging to life, telling him that what was happening here wasn’t at all ordinary, he had no idea how to proceed.
‘Henry?’ His name on her lips was a breathless whisper.
‘Hmm?’ He angled his head to look down at her, still trying to recover from the shock of just how perfectly she seemed to fit against him.
Slowly her head turned, tilting slightly, her eyes flicking up to briefly meet his. They were so close. She could feel his breath mingling with hers and she swallowed, trying to calm her nerves and a sense of anticipation. She looked at his mouth for a second before closing her eyes, trying desperately to gain some sort of control over the situation.
‘Uh…you can…uh…let go now.’
He could hear the lie in her words, knew that she was only saying them out loud from necessity. And she was right. They couldn’t stand here like this, thinking what they were both obviously thinking.
‘Right.’ He said the word out loud and it was a fraction of a second later that his mind actually acted on that command. He let go of the trolley and took three huge steps away from Rayne.
She looked at him, not sure what to do or say next.
‘I’m sorry, Rayne.’ He shook his head, as though trying to clear it, as though trying to get it back on track. ‘I don’t know what came over me.’
‘It’s all right, Henry.’ She tried to think of something funny to say in order to lighten the atmosphere but nothing came quickly to mind. She indicated to her ute. ‘We’d better get a move on or we’ll be late to pick up Jazzy.’
‘And that would never do.’
‘No,’ she agreed.
Neither of them said a word as they drove the short distance to the school, both of them immensely relieved when Jasmine started chattering on about her day, filling the silent void.
‘And then something really funny happened. Russell was drinking his milk and Julie told a joke and Russell laughed and tried to swallow at the same time and…’ Jasmine started laughing again, her infectious giggle making both adults in the front seat smile ‘…milk came out his nose!’
Jasmine continued to laugh and as Rayne looked over at Henry, their eyes bright with mirth, she felt things shift back onto that even track they’d been running on before. By the time they reached her house, she felt calm and comfortable with Henry again, just so long as she didn’t think about how wonderful it had felt to have his arms securely around her.
The little girl let out a squeal of joy as she spotted her grandmother coming out of the house as they pulled into the driveway.
‘Wait until I’ve stopped the car,’ Rayne cautioned, and the instant she had, Jasmine had unbuckled her seat belt and was out of the ute in a flash, dashing across the dry front grass and into Earlene’s waiting arms.
Jarvis came out to see his granddaughter and to lend a hand bringing the groceries into the house, only to find Henry already had most of the bags in his hands.
Rayne introduced everyone and they went inside, Henry taking stock of his surroundings, interested to see what Rayne’s house was like. There were photographs and books everywhere and pictures on the fridge which could only have been created by Jasmine.
They didn’t get to stay long this time around as Rayne was eager to get the visit to Brian over and done with so she wasn’t too late getting home.
‘So tell me some more about Brian,’ Henry said as she drove out of town, turning onto the road that led to Conargo.
‘He’s a farmer, a man of the land, and he’s been on the land now for close on seventy years. A few months ago he started complaining of stomach pains. I’ve run a few tests, basic stool and blood tests, but the results were inconclusive. I wanted him to come into the hospital so I could do some more tests but he refuses to leave the farm.’
‘And what are your suspicions telling you it might be?’
‘Crohn’s disease.’
‘Right. In that case, how do you want to play this? Do you want to be the bad cop or shall I?’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, whether or not you’re on the right track, Brian will need further testing. Right?’
‘Yes.’
‘And to do that, you need him in hospital. Right?’
‘Yes.’
‘So, what if I take the role of bad cop, saying things like if he doesn’t agree to go to Deni, he might well end up in Wagga Base hospital or even in Sydney?’
Rayne shook her head. ‘Poor Brian would have a fit if he had to go to Sydney. He’s not a man who does well in big cities.’
‘Which is probably his main fear for not wanting to come to the hospital in the first place. If it is Crohn’s disease then there’s so much that can be done for him and it can be done in Deni. If he leaves it, however, Wagga may be the best option.’
Rayne made a right-hand turn onto a long dirt driveway that led to the homestead. ‘All right. So I’m good cop?’
‘Yes. I’m new. Let me be the villain.’
As they climbed from the car, they were met by a multitude of dogs, all quite friendly as they tried to jump up, eager to be patted.
‘All right, all right.’ Rayne spoke to them brightly. ‘Settle down, you crazy lot. It’s only me.’ She patted a few of them. ‘Where’s Brian?’ she asked, as though cooing at them. Henry smiled at the way she was treating them. ‘Where’s Brian?’ she repeated, before making her way up the old wooden porch steps onto the front verandah. ‘Brian?’ she called out as she rapped twice on the screen door before opening it and heading inside. Henry followed her, feeling a little intrusive, as he was walking into a stranger’s house intending to convince the man to go to hospital for further testing.
‘That you, Rayne?’ An old croaky voice came from the direction of the bedroom and Rayne headed towards it.
‘It’s me, Brian. How are you doing? Any better?’ As they entered the bedroom, Henry saw an old man lying back on the pillows, a haggard and scared look on his face. Perhaps it wouldn’t take too much convincing to get Brian to the hospital after all.
‘Where’s Connie?’ Rayne asked, as she placed her medical bag down next to the bed.
‘Off shopping. She’ll be back soon.’ He gestured to Henry. ‘Who’s this, then?’
‘This is Dr Henry Harcourt, general surgeon. Come all the way from Sydney to see you.’
‘City slicker.’ Brian curled his lip up in disgust but Rayne only laughed.
‘Relax. He’s actually here on vacation and has been helping Willard get everything ready for the festival.’
Brian relaxed a little. ‘Willard trusts you, eh? Well, that’s something, I guess.’
‘Let me just wash my hands and then we’ll get your examination under way.’ Rayne walked back down the hall to the bathroom and thoroughly washed her hands. Henry came in and did the same. ‘How’s it going, bad cop?’ She grinned up at him as she shook her hands dry.
Henry rolled his eyes. ‘You made me believe Brian was some pit bull. He’s just a frightened little lamb instead.’
>
‘Very frightened. Do you think I should order the ambulance now?’
‘The sooner he’s in, the sooner he can be correctly diagnosed and home with the proper treatment.’
‘Coo-ee, Rayne?’
‘Connie?’ Henry asked, and Rayne nodded, heading back into the main part of the house.
‘Hi, there.’
‘How’s Brian doing?’
‘Not sure yet. Just washing my hands.’ She headed into the kitchen and opened a cupboard with her elbow before taking out a clean and ironed hand towel. She passed it to Henry as she introduced him.
‘Ah, so this is the dashing doctor half the ladies in town are in love with.’
Rayne laughed at Henry’s astonished expression. ‘Only half?’
‘The other half are married.’ Connie winked at Henry. ‘You’re safe, mate. Anyway, Rayne, just wanted to let you know that Brian hasn’t had a particularly good couple of days. I had to force him to call you today.’
‘Symptoms getting worse?’
‘Yes. Fatigue, stomach pains, loss of bowel motions. It’s all just as you said it would be.’
‘What about fever?’ Henry asked.
‘No fever as yet.’
‘Could be ulcerative colitis,’ Rayne offered.
‘No. I think your original diagnosis of Crohn’s is the line we follow.’
‘All right. Connie, call the ambulance for me.’
‘You’re that sure?’ Brian’s wife asked anxiously.
‘He needs further investigation and treatment. Now, if I have to give him a sedative so we can at least get him into hospital without putting further stress on his body, I will, but he needs treatment, Con.’
Henry watched the other woman blanch and for a second he thought she was going to pass out.
‘It’s that serious?’
‘It’s become that serious.’
Slowly her colour returned as she nodded. ‘All right. I’ll get everything sorted out.’
Rayne looked at Henry. ‘Ready?’
Henry squared his shoulders and nodded. ‘Ready.’
‘Remember, you’re the bad cop. I’m the nice one,’ she whispered as they walked back to the bedroom.
‘Got it.’
Rayne greeted her patient brightly and went through the motions of doing her observations. After she’d taken Brian’s temperature, she handed the thermometer to Henry so he could see the reading. Brian may not have had a temperature that morning but he certainly had one now. Not excessive but, still, it was another piece of the puzzle which pointed towards Crohn’s disease.
She explained to Brian that it was a non-specific inflammatory bowel disorder which could affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract.
‘So I really need to go to hospital?’ Brian’s eyes were wider than saucers as he spoke and if Rayne thought he’d looked scared before, it was nothing compared to now.
‘You do.’ She took his hand in hers and gave it a little squeeze.
‘Once you’re there, I can run further tests,’ Henry added. ‘The sooner we have you on a treatment plan, the sooner you can come back home.’
‘You’ll be looking after me?’ Brian asked the question of Henry, who nodded.
‘You’re rather fortunate he’s here. If he weren’t, I would have needed to send you to Wagga for treatment.’
Brian pondered this, then looked directly at Henry. ‘How long are you gonna be in town, boy?’
Henry smiled. If that wasn’t a sign of acceptance, he didn’t know what was. ‘At least until after the festival.’
‘All right. Then I’ll go now.’ The words were said softly and again Rayne could feel the man’s anxiety.
‘I know you don’t like hospitals, Brian, but we’re going to do everything we can to make this as easy and as painless as we can.’
‘Do I need to get Connie to bring the car round?’
Rayne smiled as Brian’s wife came into the room. She’d been listening just outside the door for the past few minutes but now took her husband’s withered old hand in hers. ‘The ambulance is coming, love.’
‘Already? That quick?’ Anger flashed into Brian’s eyes. ‘You all weren’t gonna take no for an answer.’
‘It’s because we care about you, love,’ Connie persisted. ‘Rayne can give you something so you don’t feel so worried.’
Brian opened his mouth and for an instant Henry thought he would really be called on to play the bad cop after all. Instead, Brian looked at each one of them in turn, then he sighed, as though the fight had just gone out of him, that it was too much effort, that he realised how sick he really was.
It was another hour before Brian was settled in at Deniliquin hospital, Henry already having taken a few samples and sent them away to the Wagga medical science laboratories for priority analysis. Brian was also scheduled to have X-rays and colonoscopy to begin with, but Henry was sure he’d also need an ultrasound and barium uptake.
‘Whew,’ Rayne said as they left the hospital. ‘That was a little exhausting.’
‘But at least he’s here now.’
‘Yes. Thanks again for your help.’
‘Glad to be of service.’ Again, being here in this small community, helping Rayne out, had brought Henry a sense of accomplishment—more so than he’d ever received from having successfully completed the most intricate of surgeries.
‘So? Hungry?’ Rayne asked as she drove past his hotel.
‘Uh…yes, actually.’
‘Good, because Earlene will no doubt have some delicious meal cooked and it’s the least I can do to really show my appreciation.’
Henry considered her words for a moment and secretly hoped that it wasn’t merely appreciation Rayne wanted to show him but to prolong the time they spent together. ‘Thank you,’ he heard himself agreeing. ‘I’d like that.’
Dinner was a joyous affair, with everyone talking over the top of everyone else. Rayne seemed very comfortable with Jasmine’s grandparents, as though she’d always known them. Well, she had told him that Jasmine’s mother had been like a sister to her so he guessed that accounted for their close familiarity.
It had been a long time since he’d enjoyed such a relaxed family evening, and after the superb meal had been eaten and praised, he offered to help do the dishes.
‘Oh, no. Get along with you,’ Earlene stated. ‘Jarvis and I can do them quite well enough. It’s quality time we enjoy spending together, isn’t it, darling?’
‘Quite,’ Jarvis answered. ‘The only time of night when you don’t get bothered by pesky children.’ He wagged a finger at Rayne as he spoke. ‘The girls always left us alone to do the dishes because they knew if they came near us, they’d be given a dish towel and instructed to help out.’ He chuckled and Earlene joined in.
‘Why don’t you take Jazzy for a walk in the park before bed?’ Earlene suggested. ‘It’s still fairly light out and it’ll help her work off some of that excitement which is still buzzing around her.’
Rayne nodded. ‘Good idea. Henry? Would you care to join us? After all, we never did get that walk through the park last week when we had dinner together.’
‘True.’ Henry stood. ‘I’d love to.’
Jasmine, who had been watching this turn of events with delighted interest, clapped her hands.
‘Go and get a coat,’ Rayne instructed. ‘It’ll get chilly soon.’
Jasmine raced off to do as she had been bidden and soon Rayne found herself walking to the nearby park, holding Jasmine’s hand, Henry on the other side of the girl.
‘Swing me!’ she begged, and waited for the two adults to swing her back and forth between them. As they crossed the road and went onto the bark-chipped area that surrounded the play equipment, Jasmine broke free and ran off, leaving the adults to follow at a more sedate pace.
‘She’s a gorgeous girl,’ Henry told Rayne.
‘Yes, she is. She continually surprises me and it only makes me love her all the more.’
There was a pause before Henry asked softly, ‘What happened to her parents?’
‘Car crash. Janey and Jarrod were at a work function in Melbourne. They were coming home at around one o’clock in the morning and…’ Rayne sighed sadly. ‘They never made it. Janey was killed instantly and Jarrod died at the hospital.’
‘You haven’t seen a hospital report?’
Rayne shook her head. ‘What good would it do? It wouldn’t bring either one of them back.’
‘True. And you said you were like sisters?’
‘Yes. Janey and I…’ Rayne stopped speaking for a moment, forcing herself to remember with happiness rather than with sadness. She took a steadying breath.
‘If it’s too painful, Rayne, you don’t have to tell me.’ Henry could see it in her eyes, see the pain and bewilderment that always went hand in hand with grief.
‘It’s not that.’ She forced a watery smile. ‘I like talking about Janey.’
‘Makes you feel closer?’
‘Exactly. I guess you know what that’s like.’ She was thinking of what he’d told her about his wife.
‘I do.’
‘You don’t talk about her much.’
Henry shrugged. ‘Never sure exactly what to say.’
‘Well, I’ll talk and you can be totally bored with my memories.’ She laughed half-heartedly and was surprised when Henry took her hand in his.
‘I would never be bored, Rayne.’
‘I know. Sorry. I was being…uh…flippant. Defence mechanism.’ She glanced down at their hands, feeling the warmth, the compassion, the understanding, and realised they had a lot in common.
After another second he let her hand go and she put it into her pocket, sudden feeling cool. ‘OK. Janey. Now, where to begin? I guess you could say that she was my saving grace. So were her parents.’
‘I can see that you’re close.’
‘Very. My mother used to move around a lot, going from one house to the next. I never seemed to be in one place longer than a year.’
‘Was it her job?’
‘Ha.’ The laugh was sarcastic and totally without humour. ‘My mum didn’t work. No, she kept falling in love with different men. She’d move in with them and drag me along with her. The relationships would be all brilliant and wonderful and the best thing that had ever happened to her, and then after about six months things would start to fall apart. They’d fight, they’d argue and then they’d break up and we’d move again.’
