Reclaiming Her Army Doc Husband

by Sue MacKay

  One child talking was an improvement on what Merv had told them. But she wasn’t relaxing yet.

  ‘Can I get in there?’ Cole asked.

  Vicki restrained herself from snapping that she was going with him. She’d just do it. Best to listen to everything Damon had to tell them first.

  ‘Yes, we’ve shored up some of the rafters and made a way in. Once you’re inside there is a spacious cavern that used to be the bedroom on the far side. It didn’t collapse as much as the others. Two men are in there, assessing the situation and trying to reach the two non-responsive children. They’ll get you to the boys as soon as it’s possible.’

  This could turn out to be a dreadful situation. Vicki drew a deep breath. It was always hard dealing with seriously injured people, or worse, but kids knocked her sideways every time. They had to get to them fast, do everything within their power to save them. ‘Let’s go.’

  Cole didn’t even argue. Not a word. Just said to Damon, ‘Lead on. We need to get in there.’

  Her brother looked from Cole to her as though he was about to tell her to stay outside.

  ‘Damon, Jack has heard a kid crying,’ one of the firemen called.

  Damon sighed. ‘Come on, you two. Let’s go save this family.’ He started towards a group of rescue workers, then paused. ‘By the way, the woman, Karen, is heavily pregnant, and complaining of pain.’ He turned away and continued to the house.

  Cole grimaced. ‘It just keeps getting better and better.’

  ‘Fingers crossed the pain is from shock or a hard landing when the house was knocked out around her and not labour,’ Vicki said. ‘No baby needs to be born in these circumstances.’

  ‘Is it my imagination or did the rain just get heavier?’ Cole glared up at the darkness above them.

  ‘I doubt it could get heavier. I mean, how much water can clouds hold?’

  ‘Thought you’d be used to this, having grown up around here.’

  ‘I am, but doesn’t make it any nicer to deal with. And I’ve been in Sydney for a few years so I’m out of practice.’

  ‘A good reason to return there.’ Cole nudged her gently.

  The weather was the least of her concerns. ‘We’ll see.’ They’d reached the side of the entombed house and she shivered. It was going to be just as wet inside. And dark. She’d try not to think about that. The fire truck had a pair of large searchlights focused on the house, but how much of that light was getting into the interior was an unknown at the moment.

  ‘You can still stay out here,’ Cole said quietly. ‘I’m sure one of the neighbours would be happy if we used their home to see to any of these people when we bring them out.’

  Then she wouldn’t have to deal with the dark. Wouldn’t be looking over her shoulder for snakes, even when it was unlikely there’d be any here considering the number of people tromping all over the place and banging at posts and house walls. In, out. ‘I’m going with you.’

  ‘Getting more stubborn by the minute.’ His smile hit her hard, and deep.

  And ramped up the sense she should just cave and hug him, hold on for ever. ‘Better believe it. Let’s get started. Those kids will be terrified.’ She headed for Damon, who was waiting for them at the edge of the gaping hole they were going into. ‘Lead on, brother.’

  ‘It’s going to be cramped in there.’

  Cramped would’ve been comfortable. The bedroom they found themselves in mightn’t have been completely crushed but the internal wall had been forced sideways and loomed over them, forcing everyone to hunch down to move around. How Cole managed, she had no idea.

  ‘It’s safe for now,’ one of the men tried to reassure her.

  ‘Let’s do this fast as possible.’ Cole nodded.

  On the floor sat a woman looking shocked and scared. Her nightgown was torn at the shoulders and her neck and arms were smeared with mud. Blood stained her forehead and the side of her head above an ear. Someone had wrapped a blanket around her, but she was still shivering.

  Vicki ignored the creepy feeling she was getting from the room where little light was making its way through from that fire truck. A large torch helped somewhat, but she couldn’t stop herself from looking around for snakes.

  Cole laid a hand on her arm, said quietly, ‘All clear.’

  He knew her failings too well. ‘Thanks.’ Then she crossed to the desperate woman and knelt down. ‘Karen? I’m Vicki, a nurse. This is Cole. He’s a doctor.’

  ‘My kids. Where are they? Have they got them out?’ Karen cried, snatching Vicki’s hand and holding on hard. ‘Where are they?’

  ‘The men are working on getting them out safely. They’ve been talking to them.’ Not saying only one had responded. That wouldn’t help this distressed woman one little bit. ‘Can you tell us if you’re in any pain?’

  ‘Leave me, go to the children. I can wait.’

  Awkwardly, Cole hunched down beside them. ‘Karen, I hear you but until the children can be moved out of their room we can’t do anything for them. We can’t get in there, and if we tried we’d be getting in the way of the men trying to make it safe for them. For now I’d like to check you over and see to any injuries you might have.’

  ‘No, leave me, go to them. Now. Please,’ she begged. ‘Talk to them if you can’t reach them.’

  ‘As soon as I’m told I can get in there I will. I promise,’ Cole told her. ‘In the meantime, let’s make sure you’re all right so that when your kids are out you can hold them.’

  Vicki held her breath. She totally understood this woman’s need for her children to be dealt with first, but Cole had a point. Why waste time waiting for the children when Karen might be in need of help?

  Finally, Karen nodded. ‘All right.’

  ‘How far along is your pregnancy?’ Cole asked.

  ‘Thirty-six weeks.’

  Damn. After the trauma of having her house knocked from under her and her children stuck in their rooms, Karen was possibly in labour. ‘Have you been having contractions?’

  ‘I think so. Sometimes my belly tightens, and there’s a pain like labour, only not so strong as I’ve had with my others.’

  ‘How far apart?’

  ‘I don’t know. Not often.’

  ‘Let’s leave that until the next one,’ Cole said. ‘I want to check that wound on your head. Do you remember being hit?’

  ‘Not really. It all happened so fast. There was a loud bang, lots of noise and then the wall was coming towards me and the bed slamming across the room.’

  ‘Do you think you might’ve lost consciousness?’ Cole asked as he gently probed the wound with a gloved finger.

  ‘I don’t know. Everything’s a blur.’ Karen blinked and tears slid down her cheeks. ‘Except it’s real.’

  Vicki held her hand tighter. ‘Everyone’s doing whatever they can to get you all out. Are you hurting anywhere else?’ The creaking and groaning of timber was scary.

  ‘I didn’t even realise I’d hurt my head until this man said he was going to look at it.’

  ‘That’s shock. I’m going to check your pulse and then we’ll have a look at your body to see if there are any other injuries.’

  ‘Cole.’ Damon was crouched behind them. ‘Can you come with me?’

  Vicki’s heart sank at the quietness in her brother’s normally robust voice. One of those kids was in trouble. Had to be. Glancing at Damon, he was giving nothing away in front of Karen.

  ‘Need me?’

  ‘Stay with Karen.’

  She felt certain this wasn’t about her hang-ups over being in the dark but about looking out for this frantic mother. Nodding, she said, ‘No problem.’

  Karen wasn’t stupid. ‘Have you got through to the boys? How are they? Is one hurt? All of them?’ With each question her voice rose.

  Damon drew a breath, tightened his s
houlders. ‘Karen, we’ve got through to the bedroom. The boys are talking so that’s a good sign. Cole will take a look and help us get them out.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  They were all talking, or still only one? Vicki wasn’t asking in front of their mother.

  Cole stood up as much as he could. ‘I’ll let you know as soon as I’ve seen them.’

  ‘Vicki, you must go too. I don’t need you. My boys are more important.’ Then she burst into tears. ‘I wish their father was here.’

  ‘Where is he?’ Vicki asked.

  ‘Arlo works in the mines in West Australia. Six weeks on, six off. He should be here, not over there where he’s no use to us at all.’ Karen stared around what used to be the bedroom she shared with her husband when he was home. ‘I know he’s doing it for our benefit, and that we are well set up because of the long hours he’s worked, but he’s missed out on so much with the kids. And me.’

  Another man who wasn’t around when he was most needed by his family. Vicki couldn’t help glancing at Cole, and gasped. The stunned look on his face told her he’d been thinking much the same.

  Dragging her eyes away, she took Karen’s hand again. ‘You’re being very brave. Your children need you to keep focusing on that. Okay?’

  Hypocrite. She’d been a wimp, screaming at Cole that he should be with her and not running around playing soldiers. But she’d meant it, had been hurting, had wanted no one but Cole with her at the time. Just as Karen wanted her husband here, and not on the other side of the country.

  ‘Go to my boys, please. I want them to have all the help they can get.’

  She nodded. ‘I understand.’

  ‘It’s going to be darker in there,’ Cole said softly. ‘And a lot more crowded.’

  ‘I’ll deal with it.’ She wasn’t about to let Karen down. The boys needed her to step in for their mum.

  ‘Agh...!’

  Vicki spun around, whacked her head on the leaning wall, and swore under her breath. ‘Karen?’

  The woman was panting, gripping her stomach. ‘A contraction. More like the real thing this time.’

  ‘I’ll stay with you. In fact, let’s get you out of here.’

  ‘No. Leave me. Go to the boys. It’s been a while since the last pain. There’s still a way to go. I hope.’

  Spoken like a woman who’d already had three babies. ‘If you’re sure?’ When Karen nodded, she added, ‘Yell if you need me.’ Then she followed Cole on hands and knees through to the remains of the boys’ bedroom, and tried to ignore his sexy derriere. Like that was possible, even in the crazy situation they found themselves.

  * * *

  Cole’s stomach dropped as he took in the sight before him. How could anyone—especially three little boys—survive the disaster that had only hours ago been a normal room? The walls resembled a mix of wood chips and wooden spears. The ceiling beams had crashed to the floor, one flattening a bed in its way. Under that beam lay the distorted body of a young boy. His eyes were wide open, filled with fear. His hands were clenched together over his chest. At least he was alive.

  Where were the other two lads? Were they in a better or worse state? Karen had a point. The boys’ father should be here, and yet he understood the man’s reasons for being away. Which was more important? Giving his family a good start financially, or always being around, handing out love and joining in when things were to be celebrated or fixed? It gave him more to think about concerning him and Vicki. Not that he’d joined the army to get a better life. Far from it.

  Vicki bumped into his butt, reminding him why he was there, and that he needed to forget about anything but saving these lads. He said to the boy lying in front of him, ‘Hello. My name’s Cole. I’ve come to help you. What’s your name?’

  No reply.

  Cole waved his hand in front of the boy’s face and got a blink in return. So he was aware, but too shocked to speak. ‘I’m a doctor, and this is Vicki. She’s a nurse.’

  Nothing.

  ‘Hello, young man. I’m going to hold your hand.’ Vicki had moved up and now took one cold, tiny hand in hers and carefully laid a finger on the pulse in his wrist. ‘You’re a very brave boy, being so quiet.’

  Blink.

  Cole reached for the boy’s legs and began carefully running his hands along the areas not held down by that beam. Judging by the odd angles, there’d be fractures below the knees. Looking over his shoulder at Damon, he said quietly, ‘I’m going to administer morphine before your men attempt to lift that beam.’ Checking for bleeding, he sighed with relief when he found none. Digging in the pack, he removed the drug and a needle, saw the fear grow in the boy’s eyes. ‘It’s all right. Your legs are sore, so I’m going to make them feel better. That’s good, isn’t it?’

  No reply.

  Vicki took the vial he held out and read the date out before handing it back. Then she leaned closer to their patient. ‘Okay, young man, how old are you?’ When no answer was forthcoming, she continued, ‘I think you must be seven.’ Silence. ‘Or are you eight?’

  Blink.

  ‘Ah—told you. Eight. Now, what’s your name? What’s a cool boy’s name...?’ She scratched her chin and stared at the floor. ‘I’m thinking... Jack.’

  A slight shake of his head.

  Vicki pushed the sleeve of the boy’s shirt up to expose his arm for the injection. ‘Mickey.’

  She was good. But then Cole knew that. He tapped the boy’s vein.

  Another shake of the small head. ‘Callum.’

  Bingo. She’d done it.

  ‘Callum, eh? That’s a great name for a brave boy.’

  Cole slid the needle in and pressed down on the syringe.

  ‘Ow!’ Callum cried.

  ‘Sorry, mate. But I’ve finished.’ Cole pulled the needle clear. ‘Vicki’s right. You’re very brave. Can you tell me where you hurt?’

  ‘My legs don’t move.’

  ‘That’s because there’s a hunk of wood on them. The firemen are going to shift it away very soon and then we’ll be able to take you out and have a good look at you. Okay?’

  Callum nodded, then bit his lip, tears threatening.

  ‘What’s up?’ Vicki asked. ‘You hurting?’

  ‘Where’s Mum? She hasn’t come to see if we’re all right.’

  ‘That’s because she can’t get through here with her baby tummy. It won’t fit through the gap in the wall. She’s all right, okay? You’ll be able to see her soon.’

  ‘I want her now.’

  Cole’s heart clenched for this brave wee man. ‘You’ll see her when the firemen carry you out of here. That all right?’

  ‘I suppose.’ Callum yawned as the drug took effect.

  Cole glanced over his shoulder. ‘Not long now,’ he told Damon.

  ‘The men are ready.’

  Cole nodded. He wanted to ask Callum if he’d heard anything from either of his brothers, but that might add to the lad’s distress so he turned back to Damon, said quietly, ‘Where are the others?’

  ‘Beside the wardrobe that looks like something out of a demolition site.’

  Vicki crawled toward where Damon indicated, glancing left and right and sucking in a breath at the shadows darkening the corners. Nothing slithering and dangerous. She didn’t relax.

  Cole thought of the day he’d taken her to a snake sanctuary with the brainless idea that if she got to touch one, maybe hold it with a zoo keeper watching over things, she’d get past her paranoia, but that’d earned him a blasting and hadn’t solved her problem. Once they returned to Sydney—he wasn’t thinking if—there was less likelihood of her coming across her least favourite creature compared to up here in Queensland.

  Two burly firemen squeezed into the small space. ‘Hey, Callum. We’re going to get this board off you and take you somewhere dry. Okay?’
r />   The boy nodded. ‘Is it going to hurt?’

  Cole took his wee hand in his large one. ‘You can’t feel your legs now, can you?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Then you won’t notice the board moving away. I’ll keep holding your hand, okay?’ The little fingers were gripping his tight.

  With a lot of straining the roofing beam was lifted enough for Damon and Cole to pull Callum free; they slid him onto the stretcher ready on the other side of the narrow opening.

  Cole asked, ‘Are there any leg splints in the fire truck emergency gear?’

  ‘Yes. Want them now or when we’re out?’

  ‘Out. Callum’s not feeling anything at the moment and it’s best to move him somewhere safer.’ It felt like an age since he and Vicki had arrived, but a glance at his watch showed it had only been ten minutes. One almost safe, two to go. ‘We’ll stop by Karen on the way and get her to agree to going outside with us. She’s more help to her lads if she’s out and safe.’ His mind went to Vicki. He didn’t want her in here either. Especially if that hill came down some more. But trying to talk her out of being with the lads was a waste of time they didn’t have to spare. He called to her, ‘I’ll be back in a moment. You all right in there?’ Not that she’d tell him, however afraid she was.

  ‘Sure. Got more fractures here.’

  Great. ‘I’ll hurry.’ He had to make sure Callum didn’t have any other, more serious injuries he might’ve missed in the semi-dark.

  ‘No worries.’

  He’d always worry when Vicki was in danger. No one had actually said that more of the hillside could come down on them. There was no need. With the torrential rain still persisting it was a given that anything was possible, so they had to work fast, yet carefully, to extricate this family. And get Vicki the hell away from here.

  No matter where they were in their relationship, nothing mattered more to him than keeping her safe. Nothing. Not even this family he was helping.

  Sorry, guys, but that’s how it is. I love her and will do anything for her.