by Mel Teshco
The pressure in his belly eased. He nodded. ‘Agreed.’
She glanced at the ladder ends sticking up into the ceiling. ‘We’ve narrowed down the manholes. If the next one doesn’t have a jacket in the back of your Hummer and a wire fence beside the road, we come back inside and try another manhole.’
‘Sounds like a good plan to me.’
Hello.
Jessie looked at Tara at the same time she looked at him. They didn’t say a word, just turned and began climbing down the next manhole, Tara first, then Jessie. And although she gripped his hand as they walked to the door and towards an unknown dimension, Jessie was more than aware of the divide between them.
God he was a fool. Tara was the one constant in his life and he’d almost thrown it all away by not being honest with her.
Jessie paused at the Hummer’s passenger door and dragged in a deep, steadying breath before he pulled on the handle. He was almost giddy at seeing the jacket draped across the back seat, and he sensed Tara’s relief too.
‘That’s the first box ticked,’ she said, before she climbed into the seat and placed her clutch purse beside her. Then she leaned forward and deposited the gun into its usual place in the glove compartment. Her eyes gleamed under the flashlight as she swung Jessie a wide-eyed look and pulled out an all too familiar packet. ‘More money.’
‘Then we must need it,’ he said slowly.
‘But you didn’t have it in your own dimension … we’ve chosen the wrong manhole.’
She turned off the flashlight and put it into the glove compartment beside the gun. He closed his eyes for a moment, uncertainty pulling at him. ‘That’s logical.’
‘But?’
‘Nothing about any of this dimensional stuff makes real sense. I mean, how are we to know if our other selves haven’t visited my dimension and left the money behind?’
‘You have a point. So you think we should check things out in this dimension first, just in case?’
He bit the inside of one cheek, wishing there was a dimensional manual, a ‘how to’ book of some sort that might simplify the complicated parallels they faced.
‘Yes,’ he said at last. ‘I don’t want to take any chances.’
Not with his sister’s life on the line.
Shadows covered the landscape by the time Jessie took the driver’s seat, the headlights cutting through the dark and illuminating the straggly barbed wire fence that followed most of the track until the highway.
Neither said a word about the possibility they were in the right dimension, at least, not until Jessie cruised past Mirraway’s modern service station.
His belly sank and Tara suggested softly, ‘We could turn around?’
Was he truly certain it was the wrong dimension? When he’d arrived at Mirraway he’d been travelling for the better part of a day, where one thing on the roadside had blurred into another. Could he have simply missed seeing the service station? He’d definitely not missed seeing the old mechanic shop.
He pushed the unsettling thought aside and shook his head. ‘No. I want to be one hundred percent certain this isn’t my world.’
At some point Tara drifted asleep but he didn’t mind. He wasn’t groggy or tired, he was wound up with uncertainty for his sister and edgy with guilt and self-recriminations over Tara.
Saving his sister while not screwing up his relationship with Tara was his number one priority. Though they hadn’t known each other long, he was inexplicably drawn to her. He had no doubt whatsoever that she was his future. He wouldn’t deceive her ever again.
Tara didn’t stir even when he pulled into a service station to refuel. After paying with some of the packet money and climbing back into the driver’s seat, he knew it would be dangerous to continue driving with the tiredness that had begun to pull at his senses some hours earlier.
He parked the Hummer to a secluded area a hundred yards or so away from the lights and noise. Cutting the ignition, he peered up at the black sky. It would be a couple of hours yet before dawn painted the sky with fingers of warmth. Enough time for a quick respite … and then see what this world would show.
Chapter Fourteen
Jessie woke to the warm touch of sunlight on his face, and to the sudden realisation he was alone.
He jerked awake. Tara wasn’t in the passenger seat. He opened his door and clambered from his seat. He struck the ground, his breath hissing at the sharp pain radiating through his recently healed leg. He needed to be more careful.
He rubbed his leg and squinted. The sun was well above the horizon. He’d slept way more than a few hours. His heart rate galloped as he glanced at his watch before he recalled the stupid thing wasn’t working.
Tara might have left him two or three hours ago. He’d damn well never find her!
The approaching crunch of footsteps over gravel had him look up. He sagged with relief at seeing Tara in her red dress and white shawl with a bag full of goodies in hand. ‘You’re awake,’ she said with a smile, which didn’t quite reach her eyes. ‘I just went and freshened up and grabbed us some breakfast on the go.’
His heart rate settled back into rhythm, his shoulders loosening. She hadn’t left him. Not that he’d blame her if she had. He cleared his throat. ‘That’s a great idea.’
She tilted her head to the side, her stare speculative. ‘Are you okay?’
He swiped a hand over his face. ‘Yeah, I think so. I just … you’re not still mad at me?’
She blew out a slow breath. ‘I guess I am. And maybe when this is all behind us and I’ve had some time to think things through, I’ll be more than mad. But right now we have too many other problems to overcome.’
A slow and probably goofy smile spread across his face. ‘You know I intend to make it up to you however I can.’
She arched a brow, a glint of humour in her stare. ‘I really hope that you do.’
Tara insisted she drive the last couple of hours to the house that had once been his mother’s. He didn’t argue. It was nice to sit in the passenger seat and enjoy the pastries she’d bought, sharing them with her and watching her take a delicate bite while he held the flaky food in his hand.
Later he stretched out in comfort, his gaze too often leaving the highway out front to stare at the beautiful woman beside him. Every now and then she flashed him a wry, self-conscious grin that made him want her all the more. But the moment the outer suburbs of Sydney came into view, his good mood slipped away and trepidation began to slowly eat away at him.
What would he discover this time? Who would he discover? Would his mother be alive? His sister?
When Tara finally pulled into the resurfaced driveway of the house, he simply sat and stared. The family house—building—had been repainted and extensions added. In the front yard, bench seats faced a circular rose garden that was in full bloom. His stare stopped at a sign near the front door.
Drug & Alcohol Wellness Clinic.
‘What the hell?’ he breathed.
Tara edged the Hummer forward and parked into one of the spaces allocated near the building. She turned to him. ‘I think maybe you’d better stay here while I check this out.’
***
She didn’t wait for him to answer. She perceived shock had rendered him speechless. Slamming the SUV’s door shut behind her, she crossed the driveway and climbed the couple of steps to the building that had once been a family home.
She opened the door and stepped into a reception area, where pamphlets on drug and alcohol prevention and awareness sat in racks along one wall. The hum of an air conditioner and the tinkling splash of water were the only sounds in the room that was empty, aside from an older, dark-haired receptionist who was behind a circular desk and scanning her computer screen.
Tara turned towards the fountain near the doorway. A woman and a girl statue held an overturned urn, from which water tumbled into a vessel at their feet. A plaque on the urn read: This clinic founded in loving memory of a mother and sister, departed but never f
orgotten.
She froze while awareness pressed down upon her as though a heavy blanket. Jessie had honoured his mother and sister’s deaths by forming a clinic for those in need?
Her legs suddenly shaky, she wanted only to sit down. A plush leather lounge near the desk caught her eyes, and she headed there before sinking with a sigh onto its softness while pulling her shawl tight around her.
The receptionist looked up. ‘Oh, Mrs McCormick, I didn’t even see you there! Is everything okay?’
Tara’s mouth dropped open. In this dimension she and Jessie hadn’t just met—they were married too! Longing speared through her even as she swallowed past a suddenly dry mouth and managed, ‘Sorry, I guess I kinda snuck in.’
The receptionist stood and tottered out on high heels from behind her desk. Concern creased her face. ‘Are you okay? You’re not looking too well.’
‘I’m fine. Seriously.’
The receptionist nodded. ‘Well, if you’re sure. You don’t want to risk the baby’s health.’
Tara pressed a hand to her mouth, and then to her belly. ‘I’m … pregnant?’ she whispered.
The other woman frowned, as though maybe Tara had lost the plot, right along with being unwell. ‘Of course you’re pregnant, honey … were you keeping it a secret?’ Before Tara could agree or deny, the receptionist added, ‘Jessie has told anyone and everyone. I’ve never seen him so excited.’
Tara caught the receptionist’s hand. ‘How far along am I?’
Face pleating with uncertainty, the other woman answered slowly, ‘Ten weeks. But you don’t need me to tell you that. Honey, is everything okay?’
Tara released her hand, then nodded. ‘Of course, yes. I’m just … not feeling myself today.’
The receptionist nodded then withdrew and said, ‘Hormones. Now, let me call Jessie. He’ll want to take care of you.’
Except the Jessie who the receptionist knew wouldn’t even be in this dimension. Tara almost smiled when the other woman hung up the phone with an odd look and said, ‘He must be out of range, his phone isn’t even connecting.’
The door opened and Tara turned to see a young red-headed woman enter the clinic. A stained navy dress clung to her sallow frame, but it was the black eye and split lip that drew attention.
The receptionist left her desk once again and quickly moved to the young woman’s side. ‘Oh my dear child, you look like you could use a coffee and a friendly ear.’
Tara left the premises to give the women privacy. But her walk was slow and measured. She was all too aware she’d been shown a whole other side of Jessie. He’d turned tragedy into something positive. He was saving people’s lives and giving them hope.
Yes, he’d fallen into drugs in a dimension where his sister had died. He’d even killed a man in another—but he’d done so to protect Lolita from becoming another statistic from a hit-and-run drunk driver. He’d also given his mother’s house to the widow of the man he’d murdered, a widow who’d been abused and mistreated and who now lived in hope for her and her children’s future.
In this dimension she and Jessie were married and giving countless people help and hope for a better life, thanks to the clinic.
It was only when she stepped onto the driveway, with the sun hot on her face and the scent of old-fashioned roses teasing her nostrils, that she stopped. Being pregnant in this dimension didn’t stop her from being pregnant in another.
She counted back. Her period had always been like clockwork, she could depend on them never to be late. Her belly dropped. She’d been due to get them five days ago.
Holy shit.
She pressed a hand to her belly. They’d used protection the first time, but a condom had been the last thing on either of their minds afterwards. Not that it was any excuse. They were both responsible adults and should have known better than to let the heat of the moment rule their heads.
A door thudded closed. ‘Sweetheart, is everything okay?’
She looked up, startled from her thoughts. Jessie strode towards her, concern etched on his face.
‘I’m fine.’ She smiled, comprehending the truth. ‘Better than fine.’
‘Oh?’
‘Apparently we’ve not only met in this dimension, we’re married too.’
He let out a long, slow whistle between his teeth, all the while giving her a considering look. ‘Wow.’
She wasn’t sure exactly what to make of his reaction, especially after her all but rejecting him what felt like a lifetime ago. She glanced back at the building before snaring his gaze once more. ‘In this dimension you’re no drug dealer. Jessie, you’re a hero.’
He brushed a hand along her jawline. ‘Is that so?’
She nodded. ‘You set this clinic up in memory of your mother and sister. You’re helping so many other people achieve a better life.’
His jaw tightened. ‘So my mother and sister are both gone?’
Oh hell. How could she be so insensitive? He’d come to this dimension with the intention to find Lolita and rescue her and she’d just told him it was too late. He probably cared less right then that he was helping others when the sister he’d raised as if his own child was dead. ‘I’m sorry. Yes they are.’
‘My father …?’
‘I’m not sure.’
‘He probably disappeared from our lives here too.’ Jessie’s smile was forced, a whole load of doubt stirring in his eyes. ‘At least something good was created here from the bad.’
She nodded, still unwilling to let his heroism go unnoticed. ‘You should be proud. What you’ve done here has given a whole lot of positive influence to people in real need.’
Jessie shook his head. ‘Yeah, well. That’s not me, Tara. Not really.’
Tara refrained from a childish urge to stamp her foot. Jessie really had no idea what he was capable of doing for the greater good. ‘Maybe when we get back to your own dimension and rescue Lolita, we can look into doing something like this?’ she suggested.
The smile he gave her this time reached his eyes. ‘So you’ll stay with me?’
She stepped towards the SUV and opened the driver’s door. ‘Just try and keep me away.’
When Jessie joined her in in the Hummer, Tara snapped her seatbelt into place then asked, ‘Back to Mirraway?’
Now that your sister is obviously dead.
Jessie clipped his seatbelt on and stared straight ahead for perhaps half a minute, before he turned to her. ‘I’ve clearly not murdered the arsehole who killed my sister, so I’m not wanted by the police. And since we’ve met and married in this dimension, with enough finances to fund this clinic, I’m guessing we’re also living at my house at Double Bay.
She nodded. “You might be right.”
‘Our other selves are probably even now in another dimension, I don’t see why we can’t rest up at the house for the rest of the day.’
The idea of spending a day to do whatever the hell they wanted sounded heaven sent. ‘I won’t say no to that.’
Not even an hour later, Tara turned the SUV into the driveway of Jessie’s beautiful home. She couldn’t decide who was more anxious between them. Probably Jessie. He couldn’t know for sure if the house in this world was really his own, no matter the events in other dimensions.
***
Jessie sucked in a steadying breath and opened the Hummer’s door. He only hoped and prayed his instincts were right and the house in this dimension was his. ‘Here goes nothing.’
He strode around to the driver’s side, his hand clasping Tara’s elbow as she alighted before he drew her in close. God, he could scarcely believe they were married in this world. It was enough for him to want to stay here with her permanently.
Guilt and grief surged in equal measure. His sister was dead. Nothing could keep him here knowing that. Once he got back to his own world and made sure Lolita was safe, there would be plenty of time to woo Tara into falling in love with him. Plenty of time to ask for her hand in marriage.
The
very idea deactivated all the negatives and sent his adrenaline into overdrive. He swallowed back a sudden desire to shout out his jubilation and Tara’s brow creased, uncertainty flashing in her stare at his obviously seesawing emotions.
He dragged back his composure and focused on the here and now as they fell into step across the gravel that crunched underfoot. Stopping at the entryway, he keyed in his security code and gave the door a little push.
It swung open smoothly and there was lightness in his step as he walked into his home. His home. Hallelujah.
He followed the hum of a vacuum cleaner, guiding Tara past the huge kitchen and gym; towards one of the four bedrooms on the ground floor. Beatrice was busy cleaning again. He’d let the older woman know he was home for the night, then maybe dig a bit and find out if there was anything else to uncover in this world.
He found the housekeeper in one of the guest bedrooms—the bedroom next to Lolita’s. He swallowed past the lump in his throat as a pang of loss hit him front and centre. Her bedroom would be forever empty and silent. It made him more certain than ever that he couldn’t lose his sister in his own dimension, no matter what he had to do to save her. No matter the sacrifice.
He lifted a hand and rapped on the bedroom door. Beatrice squawked and jumped half a foot into the air, before she spun around with an outspread hand between her breasts. Her eyes widened at seeing them and she shut down the vacuum cleaner. The housekeeper shook her head. ‘Jessie, are you trying to send me to an early grave?’
He repressed a wry grin. If only she knew the truth.
‘Sorry Beatrice, I just wanted to let you know I was home.’
The housekeeper nodded, her warm gaze encompassing them both when she asked, ‘So what are you two doing here anyway? Was the restaurant opening in Brisbane cancelled?’
He glanced at Tara, wondering if the shock within had registered on his face. How much closer to his own dimension could this one get?
‘Ah, no. We came back home after Tara … fell sick.’
Beatrice surged forward, concern creasing her face. She pressed a palm to Tara’s brow. ‘You seem okay now.’ Beatrice’s hand dropped, the housekeeper apparently satisfied Tara wasn’t burning up with fever any time soon. ‘You’ve been blessed so far without any morning sickness, but maybe you don’t do all that well travelling while pregnant?’
