Outback Thunder

by Harrison, Ann B.

  Zoe headed to the trail they had taken for the last muster, that was where he mentioned last night. If Jonas wasn't in that area she would track east and search there next. A hollow ache was settling low in her belly and her mind was running madly with the 'what ifs' making her question every decision she had ever made regarding him.

  If she hadn't jumped to conclusions, if she hadn't run instead of giving him a chance to explain why he was half naked in their spot with another girl. If she had said yes to him yesterday instead of trying to salvage her misplaced sense of pride. If she had stayed and told him about the baby. If she had tried to contact him once Lilly was born. The ifs went on and on in her mind, driving her crazy.

  She would find him and make it right, something she should have done days ago. Now Zoe wondered if she would have the chance.

  The sun was low in the sky and almost hidden behind the dark storm clouds when she pulled up for a break at a small waterhole. Her horse needed a drink and so did she. If she didn't make contact with Pete soon Zoe would never hear the end of it. She dismounted and let the reins hang over Midnight’s neck. He took a step forward and dipped his head to the cool water.

  Zoe reached up to the saddlebag and grabbed her water bottle. She sighed as the cool water ran down her parched throat. She took off her hat and wiped her forehead with the sleeve of her shirt. It was still bloody hot even at this time of the afternoon, a sure sign of a big storm building. She put the water bottle back and took out the two way to call Pete.

  "Pete, this is Zoe. Do you copy?"

  "Zoe, what the fuck do you think you are doing," Brandon shouted over the airway. "You should have called me, not gone gallivanting over the countryside in your condition."

  She counted to ten before answering.

  "I'm fine Bran, just fine." Zoe tipped her head as a bunch of noisy cockatoos flew over the waterhole. She stood and listened to her brother berate her for not calling him and taking things into her own hands.

  "If you've quite finished with your little spit Brandon I'm calling in to let you know where I am. South waterhole number eighty-two. No sign of Jonas yet so I'll head east for an hour then set up camp. Over."

  "You call me as soon as you stop, Zoe. I can get the truck out to you if you need me." She could hear the worry in his voice but she was more concerned with Jonas than her brother’s bossiness.

  "No worries. Talk soon. Over and out." Zoe took hold of the reins and mounted the horse again, tucking the radio in her shirt pocket. The terrain she was riding was too rugged for the truck and they all knew that but she wasn't about to argue with him. Once the storm hit there was no chance of getting a vehicle out here, it would be stuck in the black mud before it got anywhere near her. Horses were the only way around the farm during this time of year once the wet set in. With luck she would find Jonas in an accessible spot. She turned Midnight east and set off at a steady gallop determined to cover as much ground as possible before nightfall.

  By the time she conceded it was getting too dark to continue, Zoe had come across nothing more than the odd stray cow and a few kangaroos. She took the saddle from her horses back and let him go, knowing that he wouldn't wander far from her. After she had gathered enough firewood to see her through the night she sat down on a log and called Brandon.

  "Bran, do you copy?"

  "I'm here, Zoe. Any news your end?"

  "No, not a thing. Have you tried calling him again?"

  "Every five minutes. I'm getting worried. This is so not like Jonas."

  Her stomach clenched and she breathed deeply pushing down the nausea threatening to surface. "I'll find him, I have to."

  "Keep in touch, kiddo. I'll ride out at daybreak so let me know where you are headed." Brandon signed off.

  Too ill to eat, Zoe made a mug of tea and sat watching the flames until her eyelids started to droop. She rolled out her swag and snuggled in wishing it was sunrise already.

  Chapter Ten

  A heavy drop of rain smacked down on her cheek quickly followed by another and another. Zoe opened her eyes and cursed the rumbling clouds filling the sky. Lightning cracked and lit up the dark dawn sky. The fire was almost down to a few glowing coals sizzling under the onslaught of huge drops.

  She shuffled out of her swag and pulled on her boots before rolling her bed up and tying it tight. Midnight was standing with his back to the breeze and his head hanging low. Zoe grabbed his reins and he stood quietly while she saddled him up. Zoe thanked Pete for adding the Drizabone and managed to get it on before she was soaked through. Pulling her hat down hard on her head, she mounted her horse.

  Another long rumble filled the valley and she cursed. "Bloody outback thunder and rain. The last thing I need right now." A crack of lightning startled her and she shook her head. "I never used to be this skittish, must have gone soft living in London."

  Turning her horse west, she pulled the two way from her pocket and gave the directions to Brandon. "I camped at the same spot as last time and left you a marker in case you miss it. I've turned west now and heading toward the gully paddocks." She shivered, her legs now cold from the rain that had soaked her jeans. "It's pouring now, no hope of a vehicle getting out here. Bring a spare horse, Bran."

  "On my way, Zoe. Keep in touch, over and out."

  She slid the radio in her pocket and bowed her head against the wind, pushing her horse forward.

  The wind drove the rain into her face despite the wide brim of her Akubra. It dripped off her nose and ran down the back of her neck. To think that yesterday it was sunny and tropical. Now it was Mother Nature taking over and showing how much water she could dump in a short space of time. Normally it was one of the things Zoe loved about living where she grew up. The wet season gave the farm new life in many ways. The rain filled the dams and turned the pastures green once more. The hay paddocks grew ready for harvest and the stock filled out without having to search for green food.

  The thunder rumbled over her head followed by the crack of lightning that hit a ghost gum to her right. A large branch crashed to the ground, and the earth beneath her trembled.

  For hours, Zoe searched only stopping to give Brandon an update on her position and let him know that she was okay. She had searched the obvious spots along the way with no sightings of the chopper or Jonas.

  She told Brandon that she was heading for Black Tree Gully next. If there was no sign there she would call in and they would decide together the next search area.

  Midnight plodded along in the sticky mud, his hooves making squelching noises each time he lifted his foot. They were down to walking now, the ground too slippery to risk galloping unless it was urgent.

  No point in asking for trouble.

  Zoe pulled her horse up and surveyed the gully below her. She slid from the saddle to the soggy ground and dropped the reins. Taking her hat off, she ran her hand over her face wiping the rain away. Her eyes skimmed the trees for any evidence of an accident or remains of a red and white helicopter hoping that she wouldn't find any. She searched the area going over it grid by grid finding nothing. Frustrated she started again, this time looking from left to right hoping that going the opposite way her eyes might pick up something.

  Shaking her head Zoe jammed her hat back on and turned to mount Midnight and continue the search when a flicker of light glinted in the dense trees below.

  "Holy fuck, that has to be him. Oh please, please let him be alright." She mounted and turned her horse to the track that led down to the gully below, mindful she could slip and land in a heap at anytime. With her heart pounding Zoe moved down the hill.

  When she reached the bottom she breathed out a sigh of relief and stood for a minute to get her bearings. Pushing through the thick undergrowth she headed to where she thought the light had glinted off something. Her breath was coming in quick pants and Zoe tried not to let her emotions get the better of her.

  "Jonas, Jonas, answer me," she shouted her voice echoing back to her.

  There
was no sound other than the drizzle of rain landing on the already soaking vegetation and the suck and plop of her horse’s hooves. "Jonas."

  Zoe scanned back and forth through the scrub looking for any sign of life.

  "Z-Zoe?" A voice called faintly through the bush.

  "Jonas," she screamed and pushed her horse forward. They broke through a thick patch of bush into a small clearing. The chopper was tilted to one side, its rotor blade broken and hanging like a torn bird’s wing. The door was hanging open and Jonas was propped up inside on an angle, blood running down his deathly pale face.

  She slid from her horse and ran toward him great gulping sobs coming from her throat. Zoe gripped the door of the chopper and peered in at him. There was a gash across his forehead that gaped open, showing white bone. He was gripping his left arm against his body. As she gazed at him unable to believe he was alive, the tears came. Gut wrenching sobs escaped her lips and she lifted a hand to still them.

  Jonas sighed and tried to smile at her but it ended in a grimace instead.

  "God, Jonas. You had me so worried." Zoe sniffed and wiped the snot and tears from her rain-soaked face.

  She reached up and brushed the hair from his forehead. "I can't believe I found you. You scared the shit out of me." Zoe leaned in and laid her lips gingerly on his calmer now the initial shock had receded and the survivor instinct kicked in. "Is that arm broken?"

  "Yeah, pretty sure it is."

  She wiped more tears from her face with the heels of her hand and gave a shaky laugh. "What happened?"

  ****

  Jonas closed his eyes and groaned as another rush of pain washed over him. He had almost given up hope of being found and the sight of Zoe made him regret every cross word or thought he had aimed in her direction. He could almost forgive her the last wasted years they had been apart. He opened his eyes and licked his dry lips. She was beautiful and it hit him hard in the guts. He loved her desperately. Not just lusted over her body but deeply loved her and wanted her by his side for the rest of his life. Now he just had to get out of here and convince her they were meant to be more than friends. He was ready to commit and do the whole marriage and kids thing. Something she had wanted years before. I just hope to hell I'm not too late.

  "What can I do, Jonas?" She looked in the cockpit. "Do you have a big first aid kit in here? I've only got the basics."

  "Yep," he nodded his head and regretted it when his vision went blurry. "Under the seat, um, sorry." He breathed slowly through his mouth until the pain abated. "Phew, that hurts the head. Under the other seat there is a pretty big one."

  Zoe took off her Drizabone and flung it over the front of the chopper and added her hat to the pile. Then she walked around to the other side and climbed up on the rail to open the door. He watched her struggle to get in on an angle and retrieve the kit. When she scrambled out he breathed a sigh of relief and closed his eyes again.

  "Here, have a sip of this," she said holding a water bottle to his lips. "Just a small sip, okay?"

  "Thanks." Jonas let the water trickle down his parched throat. He startled when her fingers touched his forehead, exploring the cut. He knew it was still bleeding and he was growing weaker by the hour. He hadn't been able to do anything to help himself, slipping in and out of conciseness.

  "Sorry, but I think I need to clean this up before infection sets in. It doesn't look too good and we need to stop the bleeding."

  Zoe opened the kit and rummaged around until she found what she wanted and stood back up with a tube of saline in her hand and a handful of wipes. She twisted the top off the saline and leaned over him. The coolness of the liquid was soothing and Jonas started to relax, the thought of being safe easing his tense muscles.

  Zoe wiped around the cut before getting another tube of saline. She held a folded wipe above his eye and squirted the liquid in until she seemed happy with the result. Jonas watched her fold another bandage and tensed when she taped it over the wound keeping pressure on it. He winced when she pressed a little bit too hard.

  "Sorry, but I want it to be covered and it would be a good idea to stop the bleeding before we even attempt to move you." She gazed into his face, a small frown on her forehead. "It's pretty bad. I reckon Doc is going to want to stitch that one real good." She stood back and admired her handy work. "You'll have a devastating scar to show off." Zoe tilted her head to one side and locked eyes with him sending warmth through his frozen pain wracked body.

  "Thanks."

  "Now, your arm." She frowned again and Jonas tensed his fingers around the broken limb reluctant to have anyone touch it.

  "I think it's a clean break if that is any help." He watched Zoe find a triangle bandage and cock her head at him. "What?"

  "I don't want to move you but I'm not sure how to do this."

  "You'll have to climb back in the other side again." Jonas chewed on his bottom lip while he thought. "I will have to sit forward to give you room to put that sling on."

  "Are you going to be okay?"

  "No, it hurts enough now but at least when you put the sling on at it will be more secure than me holding it. Every time I doze off I let go and jar it. One big dose of pain will be better than a heap of little episodes."

  ***

  Zoe lifted her chin in the air and wiped the rain from her face before squaring her shoulders.

  I can do this, I can.

  She went around to the other side of the chopper. Gripping the door frame tight, she climbed in. Once she was settled in the tilted seat she turned to Jonas. "Okay, here's what we are going to do. When I give the word I want you to lean forward. I'll slide this under your arm lifting it as little as I can, tying it up."

  Jonas nodded but said nothing. The sweat was breaking out on his forehead but he held it together while she spoke.

  "Then you can sit back and I can pin the corner of it up, okay?"

  "Sure."

  Zoe held the sling out in front of her to get it straight so she caused him as little discomfort as possible. "Okay, lean forward."

  She heard Jonas take a deep breath and push his body forward. "Arghh."

  "Sorry. Hold it there." With deft fingers Zoe slipped the sling under his broken arm and tied it around the back of his neck. She pushed away his other hand and made him sit back in the seat before pinning the excess fold over his elbow.

  A film of sweat covered Jonas' face and he was a pasty shade of grey. Zoe stroked his hair and ran a finger down the side of his cheek. He looked over at her and gave her a wobbly smile. "Thanks."

  "Anytime. I guess that makes us about even then."

  "I seriously doubt that. I think I'll owe you for ages for this one."

  "I'd better get hold of Brandon. He was worried sick and none too happy that I rode out without him." Zoe slid out of the chopper and retrieved her two way from her coat.

  "Brandon, do you have a copy?"

  "Zoe, any news. I've been worried sick, you should have called me ages ago."

  "Found him alive and injured Bran. Broken arm which I've put in a sling and a bad gash to the head that will require stitches. Over."

  "Thank God you found him. Tell him I'll kick his ass for this. What area are you in?"

  "The Black Tree Gully, smack bang in the middle of the scrub, over."

  "I'm at your last camp. I'll settle here tonight and be with you in the morning. Will you be okay til then?"

  "Sure we will. See you then, over and out."

  She put the radio back and walked back to Jonas.

  "Brandon said he was going to kick your ass when you get back." She smiled at the painful look on his face. "What happened Jonas? Why did you fall out of the sky?"

  "There might be a malfunction with the blades, all I can think of. The lights on the dash went crazy, alarms rang and the rotor slowed right down before I could do anything. Thank God I wasn't too high when they stalled or you would've found nothing but a burnt out wreck."

  She shivered at the thought. "Brandon is
bringing in a spare horse. You know we won't be able to get a vehicle in here with this rain. I'm afraid it's going to be a painful ride out."

  "I have morphine shots in the kit. If I have to use them I can." He leaned back and closed his eyes. "I'm so damned tired, Zoe."

  "Close your eyes and rest then. I won't go anywhere."

  "Zoe?"

  "Yeah."

  "I'd almost kill for a cuppa."

  She laughed and shook her head before turning to her horse. Zoe unsaddled Midnight and propped the saddle under the chopper before unhooking her swag and kit. She scouted the area for dry twigs and somewhere to light a fire out of the drizzle. Soon she had a small fire smoking under a rocky ledge with water boiling for tea. From her saddle bag she took a couple of snack bars and her tea mug. When she poured the water Zoe carefully climbed back into the chopper.

  "This is hot so have one of these first." She handed Jonas an unwrapped bar and watched him devour it. Zoe sipped at the tea and passed it across. She watched him grip it in his good hand and breathe in the aroma.

  "Feels about right. Take it easy though."

  "I told you if you were good I would give you a dinner out," Jonas said a crooked smile on his face.

  "I love how you go all out buddy but seriously, next time make a booking at the pub down the road, will you?" She took the mug from him and had a sip before handing it back.

  Zoe snuggled her bum in the seat trying to get comfortable. She placed her feet up on the dash in front of her and sighed.

  "What?"

  "Just thinking. You know how much we could have missed out on if I hadn't found you. I wonder if that means something."

  ***

  "Everything happens for a reason Zoe, as your Mum would have said. Although I'm at a loss as to explain why I crashed." He passed the mug back to her and watched as she took a sip. Now might be the right time to bring up how much he loved her.

  "Maybe we needed to see how much we meant to each other to make me wake up." A blush covered her cheeks and she smiled at him. "I'm sorry, Jonas. I should have trusted you more, I know that. I'm sorry it took this to make me see how much I can't live without you."